ObjectiveTo analyze the adverse reactions associated with the clinical use of Banxia （Rhizoma Pinelliae）- Wutou （Aconitum） in the same formula， with the aim of providing a reference for the safety of their clinical application. MethodsLiterature on the clinical application of antagonistic herbs "Banxia-Wutou" used in the same formula， published from January 1st， 2014， to June 30th， 2023， was retrieved from databases including CNKI， VIP， Wanfang， SinoMed， PubMed， Cochrane Library， and Embase. A database was established， and information related to adverse reactions was extracted， including descriptions， classifications， specific manifestations， management and outcomes， patients' primary diseases （western medicine diseases and traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses and syndromes）， and medication information （dosage， ratio， administration routes， and dosage forms）. ResultsA total of 79 researches simultaneously used antagonistic herbs Banxia-Wutou in the same formula and reported associated advers reactions. Gastrointestinal adverse reactions were the most common， with 8 studies reporting management of adverse reactions and 3 studies reporting improvement with no intervention. Among the 11 researches， the adverse reaction relieved to extant， while other 69 researches didn't report the managment of adverse reaction and its prognosis. For the primary disease in western medicine system， chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） were most common， while gastric pain was the most common symptom in traditional Chinese medicine with spleen and kidney deficiency and spleen stomach cold deficiency being the most frequent syndromes. The most common Banxia dosage was 10 g， while for the Wutou， Fuzi （Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata） was predominant with the highest dose at 15 g. The most frequent herbal combination was Banxia-fuzi， with a 1∶1 ratio. The main administration route was oral， and the primary dosage form was decoction. ConclusionGastrointestinal adverse reactions are the most common in the clinical use of Banxia-Wutou antagonistic herb combinations. Research on the safety of "Banxia-Wutou" combinations should focus on respiratory system diseases and spleen-stomach related conditions.

Objective:To explore chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs) and pregnancy outcomes in fetuses with mild to moderate isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM), but without other indications for invasive prenatal diagnosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 215 singleton pregnancies with mild to moderate IVM (lateral ventricular width≥10-<15 mm) who underwent chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), not indicated by advanced age, high risk in serum screening or abnormal history of pregnancy, at the Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between June 2016 and March 2023. The 215 fetuses were grouped into mild ( n=167) and moderate ( n=48) IVM;unilateral ( n=142) and bilateral ( n=73) IVM; first diagnosis of IVM before 28 weeks ( n=138) and thereafter ( n=77). Anomalies other than IVM were excluded via three-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound examination between 22 and 26 weeks of gestation. Out of these cases, 129 were confirmed by fetal cranial MRI, 191 underwent chromosomal karyotype analysis, and 202 cases received cytomegalovirus DNA quantification test for amniotic fluid. The detection rates of pathogenic CNVs in various groups were compared using Fisher's exact test. Results:Among the 215 fetuses, 11 cases (5.1%) of chromosomal abnormalities were detected through CMA, including one trisomy 21, five pathogenic CNVs, and five CNVs of uncertain clinical significance. Within the pathogenic CNVs, there were two de novo mutations with 16p11.2 microdeletion and one de novo mutation with 16p11.2 microduplication, while one 16p11.2 microduplication and one Xp22.31 microdeletion were inherited maternally. Of the CNVs of uncertain significance, there were two 16p13.11 microduplications, each inherited from a different parent, one paternally and one maternally; meanwhile, family validation was refused in the other three cases with 3p22.1 microdeletion, 3p26.3 microdeletion, and 9q21.33q22.31 microduplication. The detection rate of pathogenic CNVs in the moderate IVM group was higher than that in the mild IVM group [6.3% (3/48) vs. 1.2% (2/167)], but the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.083). Similarly, no significant difference was found in the detection rate of pathogenic CNVs when comparing the unilateral IVM group [2.1% (3/142)] with the bilateral IVM group [2.7% (2/73)], nor between the group diagnosed with VM before 28 weeks gestation [2.2% (3/138)] and that diagnosed ≥28 weeks [2.6% (2/77)] (both P>0.05). After the exclusion of fetuses with chromosomal pathogenic abnormalities ( n=11), cytomegalovirus infection( n=1), and additional ultrasound anomalies ( n=7), and several cases with missing data intrauterine outcomes were followed up in 169 IVM fetuses, including 104 (61.5%) improved, 60 (35.5%) unchanged, and five (3.0%) progressed. Follow-ups were successful for 194 women, of which eight pregnancies were terminated (including one trisomy 21, four pathogenic CNVs, one fetal cytomegalovirus infection, and two progressed to severe IVM). Among the 186 newborns, one was diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis, and one child who progressed to severe IVM before born was followed until 20 months of age without notable phenotypic abnormalities. The rest 184 babies, including those with CNVs of uncertain clinical significance, exhibited no developmental abnormalities during follow-up between the ages of three months and six years. Conclusions:For those fetuses with isolated mild to moderate IVM, but without indications for prenatal diagnosis such as advanced maternal age, high risk in serum screening or abnormal history of pregnancy, remain having the risk for chromosomal aberrations, and 16p11.2 microdeletion/microduplication might be a frequent CNV associated with this condition. Aside from those with pathogenic chromosomal aberrations, fetal cytomegalovirus infection, or progressive enlargement of the lateral ventricles, most fetuses with isolated mild to moderate IVM have a good prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics and predictive role of the severe liver disease phenotype in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD).Methods:Inpatients with HLD confirmed at Xinhua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 1989 to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Clinical classification was performed according to the affected organs. Patients with liver disease phenotypes were classified into the liver disease group and further divided into the severe liver disease group and the ordinary liver disease group. The clinical characteristics and genetic variations were compared in each group of patients. The predictive indicators of patients with severe liver disease were analyzed by multiple regression. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test according to different data. Results:Of the 159 HLD cases, 142 were in the liver disease group (34 in the severe liver disease group and 108 in the ordinary liver disease group), and 17 were in the encephalopathy group. The median age of onset was statistically significantly different between the liver disease group and the encephalopathy group [12.6 (7.0, 13.3) years versus 16.9 (11.0, 21.5) years, P<0.01]. 156 ATP7B gene mutation sites were found in 83 cases with genetic testing results, of which 54 cases carried the p.Arg778Leu gene mutation (allele frequency 46.2%). Compared with patients with other types of gene mutations ( n=65), patients with homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutations ( n=18) had lower blood ceruloplasmin and albumin levels, a higher prognostic index, Child-Pugh score, an international normalized ratio, and prothrombin time ( P<0.05). Hemolytic anemia, corneal K-F ring, homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation, and multiple laboratory indexes in the severe liver disease group were statistically significantly different from those in the ordinary liver disease group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the predictive factors for severe liver disease were homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation, total bilirubin, and bile acids ( ORs=16.512, 1.022, 1.021, 95% CI: 1.204-226.425, 1.005-1.039, and 1.006-1.037, respectively, P<0.05). The drawn ROC curve demonstrated a cutoff value of 0.215 3, an AUC of 0.953 2, and sensitivity and specificity of 90.91% and 92.42%, respectively. Conclusion:Liver disease phenotypes are common in HLD patients and have an early onset. Total bilirubin, bile acids, and the homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation of ATP7B is related to the severity of liver disease in HLD patients, which aids in predicting the occurrence and risk of severe liver disease.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma incompatible pair with the Haizao Yuhutang （HYT） on oxidative stress in the liver of goiter rats under the condition of 2 times the dose limit of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2020. MethodA total of 128 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a euthyrox group （20 μg·kg^-1）， a HYT group （12.06 g·kg^-1）， a HYT without Sargassum （HYT-H） group （9.90 g·kg^-1）， a HYT without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma （HYT-G） group （10.26 g·kg^-1）， a HYT without Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma （HYT-HG） group （8.10 g·kg^-1）， and a Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma （HG） group （3.96 g·kg^-1）. The blank group was given deionized water by gavage， and the others were given propylthiouracil （PTU） to replicate the goiter pathological model. Euthyrox was taken as a positive control drug， and the rest of the Chinese medicine groups were given the corresponding decoction by gavage， the material was collected 12 hours after the last dose. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， and the contents of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， reactive oxygen species （ROS） in liver tissue were detected in each group. The pathological changes in the liver were observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was utilized to detect the mRNA expressions of Kelch-like Ech-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， p53 and Caspase-3 in liver tissues. Western blot was adopted to detect the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues in oxidative stress-related signaling pathways. ResultCompared with control group， the model group showed significantly increased serum ALT level and contents of MDA and ROS in liver tissues （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly reduced activities of SOD and GSH-Px in the liver （P<0.01）， significantly increased mRNA expression of Keap1 （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the HYT group manifested significantly reduced serum levels of AST， ALT， and ALP （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly reduced contents of MDA and ROS in liver tissue （P<0.01）， significantly increased the activities of SOD and GSH-Px （P<0.01）， significantly decreased mRNA expressions of Keap1， p53， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）， and significantly increased mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionUnder the condition of 2 times the dose limit of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2020， Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma incompatible pair with the HYT on oxidative stress in the liver of goiter rats had different effects. The HYT that contains Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma has a protective effect on the liver of goiter rats， and the effect is better than that of the HG group， the euthyrox group， and the incomplete groups. Its mechanism may be related to activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to alleviate liver oxidative stress and inhibiting the p53/Caspase-3 signaling pathway to reduce hepatocyte apoptosis.

Background/Aims: Previous studies have shown that diet and physical activity can influence constipation. However, the combined effect of diet and physical activity on constipation remains unclear. Methods: Constipation was defined based on stool consistency and frequency, while overall diet quality was assessed using Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores. Participants were categorized into low (metabolic equivalent [MET]-min/wk < 500) and high physical activitygroups (MET-min/wk ≥ 500). The association between diet and constipation across physical activity groups was analyzed using surveylogistic regression and restricted cubic splines. Results: Higher HEI-2015 scores were associated with reduced constipation risk in the high physical activity group when constipation was defined by stool consistency (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-0.99). However, in the low physical activity group, increased HEI-2015 scores did not significantly affect constipation risk (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97-1.05). Similar results were found when constipation was defined based on stool frequency. In the high physical activity group, increased HEI-2015 scores were significantly associated with a reduced constipation risk (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.98). Conversely, in the low physical activity group, increased HEI-2015 scores did not affect the risk of constipation (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.90-1.03). Conclusions Our findings suggest that a higher HEI-2015 score is negatively associated with constipation among individuals with high physical activity levels but not among those with low physical activity levels. This association was consistent when different definitions of constipation were used. These results highlight the importance of combining healthy diet with regular physical activity to alleviate constipation.

Objective: To analyze clinical features and electroneuromyography (ENMG) results of chronic mild occupational carbon disulfide poisoning cases. Methods: A total of 344 patients diagnosed with chronic mild occupational carbon disulfide poisoning based on GBZ 4-2002 Diagnostic Criteria of Occupational Chronic Carbon Disulfide Poisoning were selected as study subjects from 2006 to 2019 using the retrospective study method. Their clinical data was collected and analyzed. Results: The main symptoms of the study subjects were dizziness, headache, insomnia, dreaming, memory impairment, numbness and weakness in the distal extremities. Positive signs mainly included symmetrical glove and stocking distribution like sensory disorders in the distal extremities, and the weakening or absent Achilles tendon reflex and knee reflex. The incidence of symptoms and signs increased with the length of service (all P<0.01). The incidence of fundus and venous changes in patients was 41.3%, which increased with the length of service (P<0.01). ENMG examination showed varying degrees of abnormalities in the peripheral motor and/or sensory nerves in all patients, with a higher incidence of motor nerve abnormalities than sensory nerve abnormalities (21.1% vs 3.7%, P<0.01). The incidence of motor nerve abnormality was higher on the right side than the left side (23.7% vs 18.5%, P<0.01). The incidences of motor nerve abnormalities from high to low in the order were median nerve, common peroneal nerve, ulnar nerve and posterior tibial nerve (34.9% vs 27.9% vs 16.6% vs 5.1%, P<0.01). The incidences of sensory nerve abnormalities from high to low in the order were median nerve, ulnar nerve and sural nerve (5.2% vs 5.1% vs 0.7%, P<0.01). The incidences of left ulnar nerve, right ulnar nerve and right median nerve were higher in male patients than in female patients (15.2% vs 5.3%, 24.0% vs 11.7%, 44.8% vs 28.7%, all P<0.05), while the incidences of the left and right common peroneal nerve in lower extremity motor nerve were lower in male patients than in female patients (18.4% vs 52.1%, 21.2% vs 46.8%, all P<0.01). Conclusion: Chronic mild occupational carbon disulfide poisoning was mainly manifested as multiple peripheral nerve injury. ENMG results showed that the distal motor nerve conduction abnormalities were more sensitive than the sensory nerve conduction abnormalities, with a higher degree of impairment in the upper limb than the lower limb, and more impairment in the right side than the left side.

Objective:To investigate the effect of insular involvement on the outcomes of patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively included. Demographic data, vascular risk factors, clinical and laboratory data, as well as treatment and outcomes were collected. Firstly, the correlation between the insular involvement and the outcomes was investigated, and then the bootstrap method was used to clarify the mediating role of infarct volume between the insular involvement and the poor outcomes.Results:A total of 450 patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke were enrolled, among whom 79 cases (17.6%) had insular involvement and 41 (9.1%) had left insular involvement. There were 111 (24.7%) with poor outcomes, including 5 (1.1%) died. Compared to the non-insular involvement group, the insular involvement group had a higher proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation, shorter onset to door time, higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, larger infarct volume, and higher proportion of patients with poor outcomes (all P<0.05). In addition, patients with left insular involvement were younger than those with right insular involvement, had a higher baseline NIHSS score, a lower proportion of patients with minor stroke (NIHSS score ≤8), and had a longer onset to door time (all P<0.05). Compared to the good outcome group, the poor outcome group was older, with a higher proportion of female patients, higher systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, NLR, and NIHSS scores at admission, larger infarct volume, and a higher proportion of patients with insular involvement (all P<0.05). Mediation analysis suggested that the mediating effect of infarct volume between the insular involvement and the poor outcomes was significant (95% confidence interval 0.033-0.230; P=0.008). Conclusions:insular involvement in patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke is associated with the poor outcomes, and this association may be mediated by infarct volume. Patients with left insular involvement may have more severe symptoms than those with right insular involvement, but there is no significant difference in the outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of isolated fetal echogenic bowel (FEB) as an indicator for invasive prenatal diagnosis.Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 183 pregnant women who were diagnosed with isolated FEB and underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital from August 2013 to January 2021. Clinical data including the results of conventional karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA loads in amniotic fluid and pregnancy outcomes were reviewed analyzed. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis Results:Karyotyping was performed on all of the 183 fetuses and three (1.64%) aneuploidies (one case of trisomy 21, one trisomy 18 and one 47,XYY syndrome) were detected. One trisomy 21 and four pathogenic (P)/likely pathogenic (LP) copy number variation (CNV) were detected among 108 fetuses who received CMA. The detection rate of P/LP chromosomal abnormalities by CMA was higher than that by karyotyping, but there was no significant difference between them [4.63% (5/108) vs 0.93% (1/108), χ 2=1.54, P>0.05]. In addition, three cases of variants of uncertain significance (VOUS) were detected by CMA. CMV DNA loads of fetal cells in the amniotic fluid samples of the 166 cases were determined, and only one (0.6%) was positive (CMV DNA up to 7.01×10 6 copies/ml), and no abnormalities were found in karyotype analysis and CMA detection. A total of 176 cases were followed up, and among them only one case of intrauterine infection and seven cases (three aneuploidies and four P/LP CNV) of chromosomal abnormalities were terminated after genetic counseling. Three fetuses with VOUS and other 165 fetuses without chromosomal abnormalities had a good prognosis after birth. Conclusions:Isolated FEB may be the abnormal ultrasound finding in fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities or CMV infection. Prenatal genetic testing and the exclusion of intrauterine infection are important for management during pregnancy and prognosis assessment of FEB.

AIM: To assess the bioequivalence of oral dexamethasone acetate tablets between the test and reference formulations in healthy adult Chinese subjects on an empty stomach and after meals. METHODS: A randomized, open, single-dose, two-cycle double crossover bioequivalence study was followed. Twenty-four healthy subjects were included in the fasting group, and 32 healthy subjects were included in the postprandial group, taking 2 tablets (0.75 mg/tablet) of the test formulation (T) or 3 tablets (0.50 mg/tablet) of the reference formulation (R) per cycle for two cycles. The concentrations of dexamethasone acetate in human plasma were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated according to the non-atrial model using WinNonlin 8.0 software.The bioequivalence of both the test formulation and the reference formulation was evaluated. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic parameters after oral administration of dexamethasone acetate tablets in a fasted state in subjects with the reference formulation are as follows: Tmax 1.13 (0.50, 4.00) and 1.00 (0.50, 5.00) h, AUC0-t (72.25±21.55) and (69.23±17.76) ng · mL

Objective To explore the effectiveness of the Five Elements Music Therapy(FEMT)in relieving stress in participants with different cultural backgrounds,and to compare the differences between the FEMT and the Western Art Music Therapy(WAMT)in stress relief.Methods This was a comparative pilot randomized pre-post repeated measures study,37 subjects were allocated with 2 dropped out,with an inclusion-ended sample of 35 subjects,23 from Canada and 12 from China.After informed consent,all subjects were randomly assigned to listening to either Five Elements Music or Western Art Music at home for 30 minutes,twice a week for four weeks.Participants were asked to use headphones,measure their pulse rate before and after each session,and fill out five questionnaires,including a background and demographic survey(reporting age,gender,education,cultural background,listening experience).Self-assessment of stress(pre-post after each session),General Hospital Anxiety/Depression Scale(HADS,weekly after 2nd session),Perceived Stress Survey(PSS,weekly after 2nd session),the Music Therapy Intervention Survey(MTIS,pre-post each session).Results ①There was a significant decrease in self-assessed stress scores after the second session in the FEMT compared with the WAMT group(t=-2.057,P=0.046).②In both groups,there was a significant decrease in stress scores pre-post treatment in each group(WAMT t=5.026;FEMT T=7.645,P=0.000).③There was no significant difference between the two groups in post-intervention HADS scores(P>0.05);In the Chinese sample,there was a significant difference in HADS scores after the eighth session in both FEMT and WAMT groups(t=-3.862,P=0.003),and a statistically significant difference in HADS pre-post intervention in the FEMT((t=5.117,P=0.004).There was a significant difference in MTIS pre-post treatment in the WAMT(t=-2.572,P=0.023),but in not the FEMT group(t= 1.331,P=0.207).Conclusion This pilot trial explores a safe and feasible self-administered music therapy approach for stress in two distinct cultural groups,and for the first time provides preliminary comparison and evidence of effectiveness of FEMT and WAMT in alleviating stress and anxiety.Further investigation with bigger randomized samples is needed to elucidate the effects of different kinds of music and cultural groups on stress and anxiety levels.