Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Tic Disorders/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Xiangshao Granules (XSG) on post-stroke depression (PSD) and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Forty-three C57BL/6J mice were divided into 3 groups: sham (n=15), PSD+vehicle (n=14), and PSD+XSG (n=14) groups according to a random number table. The PSD models were constructed using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The sham group only experienced the same surgical operation, but without MACO and CUMS stimulation. The XSG group received XSG (60 mg/kg per day) by gavage for 4 weeks. The mice in the sham and vehicle groups were given the same volume of 0.9% saline at the same time. The body weight and behavior tests including open field test, sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, and elevated plus-maze test, were used to validate the PSD mouse model. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of XSG. The potential molecular mechanisms were explored and verified through network pharmacology analysis, Nissl staining, Western blot, ELISA, and RT-qPCR, respectively. RESULTS: The body weight and behavior tests showed that MCAO combined with CUMS successfully established the PSD models. XSG alleviated neuronal damage, reduced the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2)-associated X (BAX), and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). XSG inhibited microglial activation and the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1 β, and IL-6 via the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, XSG decreased the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase1 (IDO1) and increased the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION XSG could reverse the anxiety/depressionlike behaviors and reduce the neuronal injury in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of PSD mice, which may be a potential therapeutic agent for PSD.
Animals ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism* ; Depression/etiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Prefrontal Cortex/pathology* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of Juan Bi Pill (JBP) in treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: From February 2017 to May 2018, 115 participants from 4 centers were randomly divided into JBP group (57 cases) and placebo group (58 cases) in a 1:1 ratio using a random number table method. Participants received a dose of JBP (4 g, twice a day, orally) combined with methotrexate (MTX, 10 mg per week) or placebo (4 g, twice a day, orally) combined with MTX for 12 weeks. Participants were required with follow-up visits at 24 and 48 weeks, attending 7 assessment visits. Participants were undergo disease activity assessment 7 times (at baseline and 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks) and safety assessments 6 times (at baseline and 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks). The primary endpoint was 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP). The secondary endpoints included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for 20% and 50% improvement (ACR20/50), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36) score, Medial Outcomes Study (MOS) sleep scale score, serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), tender joint count, swollen joint count, and morning stiffness. The adverse reactions were observed during the treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP scores in both groups were lower than before treatment (both P<0.01), while the remission rate of DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP and low disease activity of JBP group were higher than those in the placebo group (both P<0.01). JBP demonstrated better efficacy on ACR20 and ACR50 compliance rate at 12 and 48 weeks comparing to placebo (all P<0.05). The CDAI and HAQ-DI score, pain VAS and global VAS change of RA patients and physicians, the serum ESR and CRP levels, and the number of tenderness and swelling joints were lower than before treatment at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the reduction of above indices in the JBP group was more obvious than those in the placebo group at 12 weeks (ESR and CRP, both P<0.05) or at 12 and 48 weeks (all P<0.01). There was no difference in adverse reactions between the 2 groups during treatment (P=0.75). CONCLUSION JBP combined with MTX could effectively reduce disease activity in patients with RA in active stage, reduce the symptoms of arthritis, and improve the quality of life, while ensuring safety, reliability, and fewer adverse effects. (Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT02885597).
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Methotrexate/adverse effects* ; Female ; Double-Blind Method ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects* ; Aged

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Ganluqingwen formula on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome(ALI/ARDS)in mice.Methods Fifty ICR mice were randomly divided into five groups:control,model,and Ganluqingwen formula(GLQW)low dose(7.10 g/kg),medium dose(15.21 g/kg),and high dose(30.42 g/kg)groups,with 10 mice per group.On days 1-3,mice in GLQW groups were daily gavaged with the corresponding dose of GLQW,while control and model groups received equal volumes of saline.On day 4,ALI/ARDS was induced in model and GLQW groups using intraperitoneal injection of LPS(20 mg/kg),while control group received an equal volume of PBS.At 24 h post-treatment,survival rate,wet-to-dry weight ratio(W/D)and lung histological changes(HE staining)were observed.Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interferon gamma(IFN-γ),interleukin(IL)-4,IL-10,IL-12,as well as lung tissue levels of TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-1β,IL-4,IL-6,IL-10 were measured by ELISA.Western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),cystatinase-1(Caspase-1),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC),and membrane perforating protein Gasdermin D(GSDMD)in lung tissue.Results No significant differences in survival rates were observed among the groups(P>0.05).Compared with control group,ELISA and Western blotting results showed that lung tissue W/D,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-4,IL-12,IL-1β,IL-6,NLRP3,ASC,and Caspase-1,GSDMD and serum IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-4,IL-12 levels were significantly higher(P<0.05),and IL-10 levels in lung tissue and serum were significantly lower in mice of model group(P<0.05).Compared with model group,lung tissue W/D,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-4,IL-6,IL-12,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,and GSDMD,and serum IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-4,and IL-12 levels were significantly lower(P<0.05),and lung tissue IL-10 levels were significantly higher(P<0.05)in GLQW low,medium,and high dose groups,with high-dose group showing significantly higher level in serum IL-10(P<0.05).Compared with GLQW low-dose group,the lung tissue levels of IFN-γ,IL-6,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,and GSDMD,and serum TNF-α were significantly lower(P<0.05),and lung and serum IL-10 levels were significantly higher in GLQW high-dose group(P<0.05).HE staining results showed that lung structure was clear and normal in control group;part of the lung interstitium was congested and hemorrhagic,and some of the fine bronchial periphery was infiltrated with inflammatory cells in model group;the phenomena of lung interstitial congestion and hemorrhage were reduced,and the degree of infiltration of inflammatory cells was alleviated in GLQW low-,medium-,and high-dose groups.Conclusion Ganluqingwen formula can delay the development of ALI/ARDS in mice by inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway,thereby suppressing cellular pyroptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report the blood group antigen and antibody specificity identification methods for a patient with high-frequency antibodies, and the process of finding and providing compatible blood for the patient. METHODS: A patient sent from the Blood Transfusion Department of Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital to Blood Transfusion Technology Research Laboratory of Taiyuan Blood Center in November 2022 was selected for the study. Classical serological methods were used to determine the patient's blood type, screen for unexpected antibodies, identify antibodies, and perform crossmatching. High-frequency antibody identification was carried out using red blood cells treated with various enzymes. Blood group genotyping was conducted using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and Sanger sequencing. Multiple strategies were employed to address the patient's blood source problem. The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Taiyuan Blood Center [Ethics No. 2024 Ethics Review No.(2)]. RESULTS: The patient's blood type was B, RhD positive. Initial screening of the patient's serum with multiple screening cells and antibody identification cells in saline medium was negative, but positive in antiglobulin medium. The patient's serum showed varying reaction intensities with red blood cells treated with different enzymes. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous nonsense variant c.376C>T (p.Gln126Ter) in the ABCG2 gene, resulting in the Jr(a-) phenotype. During family donor selection, the patient's son was found to have a heterozygous variant c.376C>T (p.Gln126Ter), and another heterozygous variant c.421C>A (p.Gln141Lys), which predicted a Jr(a+w) phenotype. Crossmatch tests confirmed the compatibility of blood from the patient's son, which was used to address the urgent blood requirement. Later, rare blood from a Jr(a-) donor from the Guangzhou Blood Center was used for the patient's ongoing treatment, saving the patient's life. CONCLUSION Combining classic serological testing with blood group gene typing techniques successfully identified the rare Jr(a-) blood type and high-frequency anti-Jra antibodies. Enzyme-treated red blood cell identification methods confirmed the presence of anti-Jra antibodies. By searching within the family and seeking help from other blood centers, compatible blood was found. This approach may provide insights for resolving similar complex blood matching problems in the future.
Humans ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching/methods* ; Blood Group Antigens/immunology* ; Blood Transfusion ; Male ; Isoantibodies/blood* ; Female ; Genotype

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1 β inflammasome pathway in the formation of aortic dissection in mice.Methods Fifty male C57BL/6 mice(3 weeks old,body weight 10～13 g)were divided into control group(n =10,normal diet),β-aminopropionitrile(BAPN)group[n =20,drink water containing 1 g/(kg·d)BAPN],and BAPN+MCC950 group[n=20,drink water containing 1 g/(kg·d)BAPN and intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/(kg·d)NLRP3 inhibitor,MCC950]by random sampling.Water intake,body weight,incidence of aortic dissection and aortic dissection-related mortality were recorded.The inflammatory infiltration in the aorta was observed with HE staining,elastic fiber breakage was observed by elastic Van Gieson(EVG)staining,average fluorescence intensity of NLRP3,IL-1β,α-SMA and OPN was detected by immunofluorescence assay,and protein expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,ASC,IL-1β,α-SMA and OPN were measured with Western blotting.Results No aortic dissection or death was observed in the control group.The BAPN group had an incidence of aortic dissection of 80％,aortic dissection-related mortality of 35％,and obvious broken elastic fibers and inflammatory infiltrate in the aortic wall,and increased expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,ASC and IL-1 β,decreased contractile α-SMA and increased synthetic protein OPN when compared with the control group(P<0.05).While MCC950 treatment decreased the incidence of aortic dissection(80％vs 35％,P=0.004)and aortic dissection-related mortality(35％vs 15％,P=0.144),alleviated the broken elastic fibers and inflammatory infiltrate in the aortic wall,and down-regulated the expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1,ASC and IL-1β,enhanced contractile α-SMA and decreased the synthetic protein when compared with the BAPN group(P<0.05).Conclusion The occurrence of aortic dissection in mice is associated with activation of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1 β inflammasome pathway.NLRP3 inhibitor,MCC950,can reduce the occurrence of aortic dissection and show a protective effect on blood vessels.

Aim Based on the apoptotic pathway mediated by receptor interacting protein kinase(RIP)1-RIP3-mixed spectrum kinase domain like protein(MLKL), to explore the effects of naringenin on ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS). Methods SD rats were randomly assigned into normal control group, model group, naringenin group, RIP1 inhibitor(Nec-1)group, RIP1-RIP3-MLKL necrosis signal activator(Z-VAD-fmk)group, naringenin+Z-VAD-fmk group, 15 rats per group. ELISA method was performed to measure the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in ovarian tissue. HE method was performed to observe the shape of the ovary. Granular cells were isolated from ovarian tissue, and flow cytometry was performed to measure apoptosis rate and necrosis rate. Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure the positive expression of p-RIP1 in ovarian tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of RIP1-RIP3-MLKL pathway. Results RIP1 specific inhibitor Nec-1 and naringenin could block the phosphorylation and activation of RIP1, inhibit the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL signaling pathway, reduce the inflammation level in PCOS rats, and alleviate the necrosis and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells(P<0.05). Z-VAD-fmk could promote the activation of RIP1-RIP3-MLKL pathway, aggravate the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells, and partially weaken the anti-apoptosis effect of naringenin(P<0.05). Conclusions Naringenin may inhibit the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in PCOS rats by blocking the activation of the necrotic apoptotic pathway mediated by RIP1-RIP3-MLKL.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical effects of the application of augmented reality (AR) navigation on assisted design of the chimeric twin-paddled anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) in reconstruction of soft tissue defects in extremities.Methods:From June 2017 to June 2023, 8 patients with soft tissue defects in extremities received reconstruction of chimeric twin-paddled ALTPF designed with the assistance of AR navigation in Department of Hand & Foot Microsurgery Orthopaedics, Guigang City People’s Hospital. All of them were traffic accidents or machine injuries, with 3 cases of calf, 2 cases of ankle, 1 case of foot, and 2 cases of hand defects. All the wounds were wide or irregular (defect sized 14 cm×14 cm-25 cm×13 cm). The images of bilateral thighs were acquired by CT angiography preoperatively. The dominant side and dominant perforators were selected. Three dimensional reconstruction was performed by Mimics software. AR technology was applied to guide the design and harvest of the chimeric twin-paddled ALTPF. Flap area was 15 cm × 16 cm to 26 cm × 14 cm. The donor site was sutured directly. Follow-up with outpatient visits or WeChat images and videos at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively to record the appearance, colour, texture, recurrence of infection, and knee extension function of the flap donor site.Results:According to the preoperative design, the perforator flaps were harvested and transferred in all the 8 patients. All flaps survived and the recipient and donor sites healed in one stage. All patients entered postoperative follow-up for 3 to 12 (mean, 8.6)months. The colour and texture of the flaps were excellent, and the appearance of donor and recipient sites was satisfactory. Two patients with hand injuries were evaluated using the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), with scores of 43.74 and 81.25, respectively. Six patients with lower limb injuries were evaluated using the Maryland foot score, with scores of 2 excellent, 3 good and 1 fair.Conclusion:The application of AR navigation can effectively assist the design of a chimeric twin-paddled ALTPF. It also provides an effective basis for clinical personalised flap design.