Objective:To explore the mechanism through which the Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb)ameliorates depres-sion-like behaviors in chronic copper-exposed mice.Methods:A mouse model with depression was induced by chronic oral administration of copper sulfate solution(200 mg/L),followed by oral administration of the EGb(120 mg/L)for one month.Elevated plus-maze test,forced swimming test,and sucrose preference test were employed to detect the de-pression-like behaviors of mice.TUNEL staining was utilized to examine apoptosis in the hippocampal region of mice.Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the in situ expression of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor(proBDNF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the hippocampal region.RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression of the BDNF mRNA.Western blot was utilized to determine the expressions of proteins such as proBDNF,mature BDNF(mBDNF),cAMP response element binding protein(CREB),phospho-CREB(p-CREB),tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB),p75 neurotrophin Receptor(p75NTR),furin,proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1(PCSK1),and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9).Results:Chronic copper exposure led to depression-like behaviors in mice,in-creased neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal region,enhanced proBDNF expression and reduced mBDNF expression(P＜0.05),decreased the expression of the downstream receptor protein TrkB and increased the expression of p75NTR(P＜0.05),and decreased the level of CREB and p-CREB(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,the expressions of intracellular proteases furin and PCSK1 in the hippocampal region of mice with depression-like behaviors decreased(P＜0.05),while the expression of extracellular protease MMP9 increased(P＜0.05).EGb was capable of alleviating depression-like behaviors and neuronal apoptosis in mice and partially reversing the abnormal expressions of BDNF,proBDNF,TrkB,p75NTR,CREB,p-CREB,furin,and PCSK1 proteins caused by copper exposure.Conclusion:Chronic copper exposure can lead to depression-like behaviors and apoptosis in mice.EGb can reverse these manifestations and corre-late with the balance of proBDNF/BDNF in the hippocampal region,which may offer novel insights for the treatment of depression.

Objective:Comparative efficacy and safety profiles of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) versus tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high viral load.Methods:CHB patients with high viral load (hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA>7 lg IU/mL) receiving TDF ( n=155) or TAF ( n=157) monotherapy were included between December 1st, 2022 and December 1st, 2023, to compare the rates of undetectable HBV DNA (<20 IU/mL), the alanine transaminase (ALT) normalization rate, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rate, renal function and lipid profiles at 48 weeks of treatment. The statistical analysis was performed by the two independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:At week 48 of treatment, the TDF group achieved significantly higher HBV DNA undetectability rates (49.03%(76/155) vs 29.30%(46/157)) and greater mean reduction ((6.05±0.81) lg IU/mL vs (5.57±1.02) lg IU/mL) than the TAF group ( χ2=12.75, t=-4.65, both P<0.001). The ALT normalization rate of patients in the TDF and TAF groups were 77.19%(88/114) and 72.50%(87/120), and HBeAg seroconversion rates were 4.00%(6/150) and 2.67%(4/150), respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). The differences in the changes and abnormal rates of serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate between the two groups of patients were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). The magnitude of decrease (0.15(-0.02, 0.38) mmol/L vs 0.06(-0.06, 0.20) mmol/L) and abnormal rate (27.73%(33/119) vs 16.39%(20/122)) in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the TDF group was higher than those in the TAF group, while the increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.09(-0.39, 0.25) mmol/L vs 0.05(-0.31, 0.42) mmol/L), total cholesterol (TC) (-0.23(-0.75, 0.23) mmol/L vs 0.08(-0.35, 0.57) mmol/L), and triglyceride (-0.12(-0.40, 0.06) mmol/L vs 0.00(-0.19, 0.24) mmol/L), as well as the abnormal rate of TC (4.31%(5/116) vs 15.75%(20/127)), in the TDF group were lower than those in the TAF group ( Z=-3.19, χ2=4.51, Z=2.17, Z=4.09, Z=3.71, χ2=8.59, all P<0.05). Conclusion:TDF demonstrated superior efficacy and better safety profiles compared to TAF in high viral load CHB patients.

Objective:Constructing efficacy evaluation index of TCM in treating kidney-yang deficiency syndrome based on three-dimensional hybrid method.Methods:The outcome index list of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome was preliminarily constructed through literature research, questionnaire survey and expert interview. The core indicators of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome were screened by Delphi questionnaire, and the expert consensus meeting was held to determine the core outcome of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome.Results:The TCM symptoms of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome: 7 items: frequent urination at night, waist pain, low libido, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and mental malaise. Related core indicators of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome: Level quality of life score (scale), sex life level (sexual self satisfaction, sexual life log, etc.)two entries, objective indicators in the core index and stronger correlation disease, curative effect evaluation, can be combined with clinical research involves the related diseases, used to supplement the curative effect, as recommendations, not as the main body of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome curative effect evaluation content.Conclusion:This study refers to the clinical trial of the TCM core outcome to develop technical specifications, in the development process and methods, through the "combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods" "combination of subjective and objective indicators" "combination of doctor-patient evaluation" three dimensions of mixed research methods, formation of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome curative effect evaluation of the core outcome, for the kidney-yang deficiency syndrome curative effect evaluation standard of prophase research foundation, to provide ideas and methods for the evaluation of curative effect of syndrome.

Objective:To explore the mechanism through which the Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb)ameliorates depres-sion-like behaviors in chronic copper-exposed mice.Methods:A mouse model with depression was induced by chronic oral administration of copper sulfate solution(200 mg/L),followed by oral administration of the EGb(120 mg/L)for one month.Elevated plus-maze test,forced swimming test,and sucrose preference test were employed to detect the de-pression-like behaviors of mice.TUNEL staining was utilized to examine apoptosis in the hippocampal region of mice.Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the in situ expression of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor(proBDNF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the hippocampal region.RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression of the BDNF mRNA.Western blot was utilized to determine the expressions of proteins such as proBDNF,mature BDNF(mBDNF),cAMP response element binding protein(CREB),phospho-CREB(p-CREB),tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB),p75 neurotrophin Receptor(p75NTR),furin,proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1(PCSK1),and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9).Results:Chronic copper exposure led to depression-like behaviors in mice,in-creased neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal region,enhanced proBDNF expression and reduced mBDNF expression(P＜0.05),decreased the expression of the downstream receptor protein TrkB and increased the expression of p75NTR(P＜0.05),and decreased the level of CREB and p-CREB(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,the expressions of intracellular proteases furin and PCSK1 in the hippocampal region of mice with depression-like behaviors decreased(P＜0.05),while the expression of extracellular protease MMP9 increased(P＜0.05).EGb was capable of alleviating depression-like behaviors and neuronal apoptosis in mice and partially reversing the abnormal expressions of BDNF,proBDNF,TrkB,p75NTR,CREB,p-CREB,furin,and PCSK1 proteins caused by copper exposure.Conclusion:Chronic copper exposure can lead to depression-like behaviors and apoptosis in mice.EGb can reverse these manifestations and corre-late with the balance of proBDNF/BDNF in the hippocampal region,which may offer novel insights for the treatment of depression.

Objective:Comparative efficacy and safety profiles of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) versus tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high viral load.Methods:CHB patients with high viral load (hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA>7 lg IU/mL) receiving TDF ( n=155) or TAF ( n=157) monotherapy were included between December 1st, 2022 and December 1st, 2023, to compare the rates of undetectable HBV DNA (<20 IU/mL), the alanine transaminase (ALT) normalization rate, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rate, renal function and lipid profiles at 48 weeks of treatment. The statistical analysis was performed by the two independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:At week 48 of treatment, the TDF group achieved significantly higher HBV DNA undetectability rates (49.03%(76/155) vs 29.30%(46/157)) and greater mean reduction ((6.05±0.81) lg IU/mL vs (5.57±1.02) lg IU/mL) than the TAF group ( χ2=12.75, t=-4.65, both P<0.001). The ALT normalization rate of patients in the TDF and TAF groups were 77.19%(88/114) and 72.50%(87/120), and HBeAg seroconversion rates were 4.00%(6/150) and 2.67%(4/150), respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). The differences in the changes and abnormal rates of serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate between the two groups of patients were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). The magnitude of decrease (0.15(-0.02, 0.38) mmol/L vs 0.06(-0.06, 0.20) mmol/L) and abnormal rate (27.73%(33/119) vs 16.39%(20/122)) in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the TDF group was higher than those in the TAF group, while the increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.09(-0.39, 0.25) mmol/L vs 0.05(-0.31, 0.42) mmol/L), total cholesterol (TC) (-0.23(-0.75, 0.23) mmol/L vs 0.08(-0.35, 0.57) mmol/L), and triglyceride (-0.12(-0.40, 0.06) mmol/L vs 0.00(-0.19, 0.24) mmol/L), as well as the abnormal rate of TC (4.31%(5/116) vs 15.75%(20/127)), in the TDF group were lower than those in the TAF group ( Z=-3.19, χ2=4.51, Z=2.17, Z=4.09, Z=3.71, χ2=8.59, all P<0.05). Conclusion:TDF demonstrated superior efficacy and better safety profiles compared to TAF in high viral load CHB patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of paeoniflorin on oxidative stress of ulcerative colitis(UC)mice based on adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)pathway.METHODS Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,inhibitor group(AMPK inhibitor Compound C 20 mg/kg),paeoniflorin low-,medium-and high-dose groups(paeoniflorin 12.5,25,50 mg/kg),high-dose of paeoniflorin+inhibitor group(paeoniflorin 50 mg/kg+Compound C 20 mg/kg),with 8 mice in each group.Except for the control group,mice in all other groups were given 4%dextran sulfate sodium solution for 5 days to establish the UC model.Subsequently,mice in each drug group were given the corresponding drug solution intragastrically or intraperitoneally,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.The changes in body weight of mice were recorded during the experiment.Twenty-four hours after the last administration,colon length,malondialdehyde(MDA)content,and activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in colon tissues were measured;histopathological morphology of colon tissues,tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells,and histopathological scoring were all observed and evaluated;the mRNA expressions of AMPK and Nrf2,as well as the protein expressions of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),occludin and claudin-1,were all determined in colon tissue.RESULTS Compared with model group,paeoniflorin groups exhibited recovery from pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration and crypt damage in the colon tissue,as well as improved tight junction damage between intestinal epithelial cells.Additionally,significant increases or upregulations were observed in body weight,colon length,activities of SOD and GSH-Px,phosphorylation level of AMPK,and protein expression of Nrf2,HO-1,occludin,claudin-1,and mRNA expressions of AMPK and Nrf2;concurrently,MDA content and histopathological scores were significantly reduced(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In contrast,the inhibitor group showed comparable(P＞0.05)or worse(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)indicators compared to the model group.Conversely,the addition of AMPK inhibitor could significantly reverse the improvement of high-dose paconiflorin(P＜0.01).CONCLUSIONS Paeoniflorin can repair intestinal epithelial cell damage in mice,improve tight junctions between epithelial cells,upregulate the expression of related proteins,and promote the expression and secretion of antioxidant-promoting molecules,thereby ameliorating UC;its mechanism may be associated with activating AMPK/Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of various oral Chinese patent medicines in the adjuvant treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome （CP/CPPS） based on network Meta-analysis. MethodRandomized controlled trials （RCTs） of oral Chinese patent medicine in the adjuvant treatment of CP/CPPS were retrieved from the databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang， VIP， SinoMed， PubMed， Cochrane Library， EMbase， and Web of Science from database inception to November， 2022. The quality of the included literature was evaluated according to the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool， and the data were analyzed by RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16 software. ResultA total of 63 RCTs were included， with 13 kinds of oral Chinese patent medicines involved， including Qianlie Shutong capsules， Ningmitai capsules， Qianlie Beixi capsules， Sanjin tablets， etc. The results of the network Meta-analysis showed that in terms of clinical effective rate， the intervention measure ranked first was Qianlie Beixi capsules combined with conventional western medicine. In terms of reducing pain， the intervention measure ranked first was Sanjin tablets combined with conventional western medicine. In terms of reducing urination disorder， the intervention measure ranked first was Relinqing granules combined with conventional western medicine. In terms of improving quality of life， the intervention measure ranked first was Qianlie Beixi capsules combined with conventional western medicine. In terms of reducing the total National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index （NIH-CPSI） score， the intervention measure ranked first was Yinhua Miyanling tablets combined with conventional western medicine. In terms of reducing leukocyte count in prostatic secretions， the intervention measure ranked first was Qianlie Jiedu capsules combined with conventional western medicine. In terms of safety， the intervention measure with the least adverse reactions was Qianlie Shutong capsules combined with conventional western medicine. The cluster analysis results showed that Qianlie Shutong capsules combined with conventional western medicine had outstanding efficacy and high safety. ConclusionOral Chinese patent medicine in the adjuvant treatment of CP/CPPS can improve the comprehensive efficacy， reduce the NIH-CPSI score and leukocyte count in prostatic secretions， and improve the quality of life of patients. For clinical treatment， the preferred choice is Qianlie Beixi capsules or Qianlie Shutong capsules combined with conventional western medicine. Limited by the quantity and quality of literature included in this study， the results need to be verified by high-quality studies with a larger sample size.

Objective:To enhance the understanding of hereditary protein C deficiency.Methods:A case of a child with severe hereditary protein C deficiency, presenting with recurrent muscle bleeding as the primary clinical manifestation, was reported. The diagnostic and treatment were detailed, and relevant literature was reviewed.Results:The patient, a 2-year-old girl, was admitted with "recurrent muscle hematomas for more than 2 years and intracranial hemorrhage for 3 months." Ecchymosis was observed on the skin of the left calf, with localized warmth detected on palpation. Muscle strength and tone in both lower limbs were within normal limits. The left thigh circumference measured 35.6 cm, compared to 29 cm on the right. Laboratory tests showed decreased fibrinogen, coagulation factor XIII activity, protein C activity, and significantly elevated fibrin degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer levels. Genetic testing identified compound heterozygous mutations in the PROC gene: c.565 (exon 7) C>T and c.983_988 (exon 7) del GCGAGC. The patient was diagnosed with hereditary protein C deficiency and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Treatment with fibrinogen supplementation, fresh frozen plasma, and anticoagulation therapy led to clinical improvement.Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of hereditary protein C deficiency are highly heterogeneous. While neonatal purpura fulminans is a common presentation, recurrent bleeding can also serve as a primary clinical manifestation.

Objective:To enhance the understanding of hereditary protein C deficiency.Methods:A case of a child with severe hereditary protein C deficiency, presenting with recurrent muscle bleeding as the primary clinical manifestation, was reported. The diagnostic and treatment were detailed, and relevant literature was reviewed.Results:The patient, a 2-year-old girl, was admitted with "recurrent muscle hematomas for more than 2 years and intracranial hemorrhage for 3 months." Ecchymosis was observed on the skin of the left calf, with localized warmth detected on palpation. Muscle strength and tone in both lower limbs were within normal limits. The left thigh circumference measured 35.6 cm, compared to 29 cm on the right. Laboratory tests showed decreased fibrinogen, coagulation factor XIII activity, protein C activity, and significantly elevated fibrin degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer levels. Genetic testing identified compound heterozygous mutations in the PROC gene: c.565 (exon 7) C>T and c.983_988 (exon 7) del GCGAGC. The patient was diagnosed with hereditary protein C deficiency and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Treatment with fibrinogen supplementation, fresh frozen plasma, and anticoagulation therapy led to clinical improvement.Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of hereditary protein C deficiency are highly heterogeneous. While neonatal purpura fulminans is a common presentation, recurrent bleeding can also serve as a primary clinical manifestation.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) can significantly improve the outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to describe the ACS use rates among preterm infants admitted to Chinese neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and to explore perinatal factors associated with ACS use, using the largest contemporary cohort of very preterm infants in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled all infants born at 24 +0 to 31 +6 weeks and admitted to 57 NICUs of the Chinese Neonatal Network from January 1st, 2019 to December 30th, 2019. The ACS administration was defined as at least one dose of dexamethasone and betamethasone given before delivery. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to determine the association between perinatal factors and ACS usage. RESULTS: A total of 7828 infants were enrolled, among which 6103 (78.0%) infants received ACS. ACS use rates increased with increasing gestational age (GA), from 177/259 (68.3%) at 24 to 25 weeks' gestation to 3120/3960 (78.8%) at 30 to 31 weeks' gestation. Among infants exposed to ACS, 2999 of 6103 (49.1%) infants received a single complete course, and 33.4% (2039/6103) infants received a partial course. ACS use rates varied from 30.2% to 100% among different hospitals. Multivariate regression showed that increasing GA, born in hospital (inborn), increasing maternal age, maternal hypertension and premature rupture of membranes were associated with higher likelihood to receive ACS. CONCLUSIONS The use rate of ACS remained low for infants at 24 to 31 weeks' gestation admitted to Chinese NICUs, with fewer infants receiving a complete course. The use rates varied significantly among different hospitals. Efforts are urgently needed to propose improvement measures and thus improve the usage of ACS.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use*