This study investigated the mechanism of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction in improving hippocampal neuroinflammation in depressed rats based on complement component 3(C3)/C3 receptor(C3aR). A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, high, medium, and low dose groups of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction, and a positive drug group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) was used to construct depression models in other groups. Sucrose preference, open-field experiment, forced swimming, and water maze were used to detect the changes in depression-like behavior in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the serum inflammatory factor level in rats, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to observe the pathological damage of hippocampal neurons. Golgi-Cox staining was used to observe the dendritic spine damage of hippocampal neurons, and immunofluorescence and Western blot were utilized to detect the expression of microglial marker Iba-1 and C3/C3aR protein in the hippocampus of rats. The behavioral results showed that compared with the model group, Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could significantly strengthen the sugar water preference, increase the distance and number of voluntary activities, shorten the immobility time in forced swimming and the successful incubation period of positioning navigation, and prolong the stay time of space exploration in the target quadrant. ELISA results showed that the content of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of depressed rats was significantly higher than that of the blank group, and the content of inflammatory factors decreased significantly after the intervention of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction. In addition, Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could relieve pathological damage such as cell swelling and loose arrangement of hippocampus tissue. In the Western blot experiment, the expression levels of C3 and C3aR proteins in the model group were higher than those in the blank group, while the expression of C3 and C3aR in Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could be down-regulated. Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the model group, the fluorescence intensity of microglia marker Iba-1 decreased significantly after the intervention of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction and positive drugs. The antidepressant effect of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction may be related to the down-regulation of C3/C3aR signaling pathway-related proteins, thus alleviating hippocampal inflammation.
Animals ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Male ; Depression/metabolism* ; Complement C3/metabolism* ; Receptors, Complement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/genetics*

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

This study aims to investigate the effect of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula on the neuroinflammation of rats with insomnia complicated with depression through the regulation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM2)/complement protein C1q signaling pathway. Rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a positive drug group, as well as a high, medium, and low-dose groups of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were injected with p-chlorophenylalanine and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress to establish the rat model of insomnia complicated with depression. The sucrose preference experiment, open field experiment, and water maze test were performed to evaluate the depression in rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect serum 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), dopamine(DA), and norepinephrine(NE) levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the damage in nucleus accumbens neurons. Western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to detect TREM2, C1q, postsynaptic density 95(PSD-95), and synaptophysin 1(SYN1) expressions in rat nucleus accumbens, respectively. Golgi-Cox staining was utilized to observe the synaptic spine density of nucleus accumbens neurons. The results show that, compared with the model group, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can significantly increase the sucrose preference as well as the distance and number of voluntary activities, shorten the immobility time in forced swimming test and the successful incubation period of positioning navigation, and prolong the stay time of space exploration in the target quadrant test. The serum 5-HT, DA, and NE contents in the model group are significantly lower than those in the normal group, with the above contents significantly increased after the intervention of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula. In addition, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can alleviate pathological damages such as swelling and loose arrangement of tissue cells in the nucleus accumbens, while increasing the Nissl body numbers. Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can improve synaptic damage in the nucleus accumbens and increase the synaptic spine density. Compared to the normal group, the expression of C1q protein was significantly higher in the model group, while the expression of TREM2 protein was significantly lower. Compared to the model group, the intervention with Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula significantly downregulated the expression of C1q protein and significantly upregulated the expression of TREM2. Compared with the model group, the PSD-95 and SYN1 fluorescence intensity is significantly increased in the groups receiving different doses of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula. In summary, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can reduce the C1q protein expression, relieve the TREM2 inhibition, and promote the synapse-related proteins PSD-95 and SNY1 expression. Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula improves synaptic injury of the nucleus accumbens neurons, thereby treating insomnia complicated with depression.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Depression/complications* ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/complications* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Receptors, Immunologic/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Synapses/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy of conventional transforaminal endoscopic technique and I See transforaminal endoscopic technique in the treatment of recurrent L₅S₁ lumbar disc herniation with high iliac crest. METHODS: A total of 36 patients with recurrent L5S1 lumbar disc herniation with high iliac crest after posterior small-incision discectomy, admitted from May 2016 to May 2023, were selected. They were divided into the conventional transforaminal endoscopy group and the I See transforaminal endoscopy group according to the different transforaminal endoscopic techniques adopted, and all patients in both groups underwent lateral transforaminal spinal canal decompression and discectomy. There were 18 patients in the conventional transforaminal endoscopy group, including 11 males and 7 females, with an age of (52.24±6.68) years;the I See transforaminal endoscopy group also had 18 patients, including 12 males and 6 females, with an age of (50.75±7.79) years. The perioperative indicators (operation time, number of intraoperative radiographs, and length of hospital stay) were compared between two groups. The clinical efficacy was evaluated using the visual analogue scale(VAS) for pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) low back pain score, and the modified MacNab criteria before and after surgery. RESULTS: All patients achieved gradeⅠincision healing, with no infection cases. The operation time of the I See group was (64.25±16.67) minutes, which was significantly shorter than that of the conventional transforaminal endoscopy group (89.11±17.24) minutes, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The number of intraoperative radiographs in the I See group was (5.20±2.29) times, which was significantly less than that in the conventional transforaminal endoscopy group(19.16±3.68) times, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The VAS and total JOA scores of both groups at the 3rd day, the 3rd month after surgery, and the last follow-up were significantly lower than those before surgery, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);however, there were no statistically significant differences in VAS and total JOA scores between two groups at the 3rd day, the 3rd month after surgery, and the last follow-up (P>0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria for efficacy evaluation:in the conventional transforaminal endoscopy group, 14 cases were excellent and 4 cases were good;in the I See transforaminal endoscopy group, 15 cases were excellent and 3 cases were good;there was no statistically significant difference in efficacy between two groups(Z=0.177, P=0.674). CONCLUSION Both transforaminal endoscopic techniques have good clinical effects in the treatment of recurrent L₅S₁ lumbar disc herniation with high iliac crest, resulting in significant improvement of postoperative symptoms, and they are safe, reliable, and minimally invasive surgical methods. Compared with the conventional transforaminal endoscopy, the I See transforaminal endoscopic technique has shorter operation time and fewer intraoperative radiographs, so it is generally the first choice.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Ilium/surgery* ; Adult ; Diskectomy/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a common oral complication in patients with tumors following head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Erosion and ulcers are the main features of OM that seriously affect the quality of life of patients and even the progress of tumor treatment. To date, differences in clinical prevention and treatment plans for OM have been noted among doctors of various specialties, which has increased the uncertainty of treatment effects. On the basis of current research evidence, this expert consensus outlines risk factors, clinical manifestations, clinical grading, ancillary examinations, diagnostic basis, prevention and treatment strategies and efficacy indicators for OM. In addition to strategies such as basic oral care, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, anti-infective agents, pro-healing agents, and photobiotherapy recommended in previous guidelines, we also emphasize the role of traditional Chinese medicine in OM prevention and treatment. This expert consensus aims to provide references and guidance for dental physicians and oncologists in formulating strategies for OM prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, standardizing clinical practice, reducing OM occurrence, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Risk Factors ; Stomatitis/etiology*

Objective To investigate the role of complement C3 in early predicting pregnancy outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer(F-ET).Methods A total of 378 F-ET cycles were prospectively collected and divided into group A(complement C3≤1.05,120 cycles)and group B(complement C3>1.05,258 cycles)based on the best cutoff value of complement C3 for predicting F-ET pregnancy outcomes.The outcomes of the two groups were compared,and the best cutoff value of complement C3 for predicting F-ET spontaneous abortion was analyzed in group B.Results Age was a risk factor for successful F-ET pregnancy(P<0.05),and complement C3 and embryo type were protective factors for successful F-ET pregnancy(P<0.05).The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve(ROC)of complement C3 for predicting F-ET pregnancy outcome was 0.702,and the best cutoff value was 1.05 g/L,with a clinical pregnancy sensitivity of 87.60%and a specificity of 52.00%.The clinical pregnancy rate and embryo implantation rate in group B were both significantly higher than those in group A(67.05%vs.52.75%,P<0.05).The best cutoff value of complement C3 for predicting spontaneous abortion after F-ET was 1.32 g/L,with an area under the ROC curve of 0.760,a sensitivity of 69.00%,and a specificity of 81.20%.Conclusions Complement C3 is of significance in the early prediction of F-ET pregnancy outcome.When complement C3 exceeds the level of 1.32 g/L,it may lead to an increase in the rate of spontaneous abortion.

Objective To study the acupoint selection and medication rules of acupoint application as an advantageous therapy in treating stroke.Methods The clinical literature from CNKI,Wanfang,CBMdisc,and other databases were searched,and Excel 2013 was used to count the frequency of disease,acupoint selection,and medication,and to analyze the acupoint selection rules using SPSS 25.0 and SPSS Modeler.Results Finally,523 articles were included in the literature,among which,the literature on the treatment of post-stroke constipation with acupoint patch was the most,and the related literature was further screened to analyze the acupoint selection and medication rules,and it was concluded that the most frequently applied acupoints of acupoint application for the treatment of post-stroke constipation were Shenque(RN8),Tianshu(ST25),Zhongwan(RN12),Zusanli(ST36),and the acupoints were mainly taken from conception vessel,stomach meridian and gallbladder meridian,and the core prescriptions were Shenque,Tianshu,Zhongwan,Qihai(RN6),Guanyuan(RN4),Zusanli.For the treatment of post-stroke constipation,acupoint application is often used with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,Aurantii Fructus Immaturus,Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis,Natrii Sulfas Exsiccatus and Borneolum Syntheticum,among which,warm and cold nature drugs are mainly used,and bitter drugs are most frequently used among five flavors,and most frequently enter to the spleen meridian;and the core prescription is Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,Aurantii Fructus Immaturus,Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis,Natrii Sulfas Exsiccatus and Borneolum Syntheticum.Conclusion Acupoint application is an advantageous treatment for treating post-stroke constipation.The selection of acupoints was based on the conception vessel and stomach meridian,and the medication used were mainly focusing on those with functions of unblocking the bowels and directing qi downward,supplemented by strengthening the spleen and benefiting qi,warming the meridians and nourishing the blood.

Objective To investigate and analyze the distribution of serum cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA21-1)and squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen(SCCA)levels in healthy pregnant women during pregnancy and to assess their diagnostic value for cervical cancer in pregnancy.Methods A total of 441 healthy pregnant women and 69 patients with cervical cancer in pregnancy who attended the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from Jan 2021 to May 2024 were selected,and 165 healthy women in the Physical Examination Center of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University were included in the same period as the control group.The healthy pregnant women were divided into 143 in early pregnancy(T1 group),147 in middle pregnancy(T2)and 151 in late pregnancy(T3).Serum CYFRA21-1 and SCCA values were detected and analyzed in all groups.One-way ANOVA,independent samples t-test,Mann-Whitney U-test,Kruskal-Wallis H-test,logistic analysis,and ROC curves were used for comparative analysis.Results The CYFRA21-1 and SCCA values were 1.66(1.19-2.17)ng/mL and 0.8(0.6-1.0)ng/mL in the control group,3.07(2.11-4.14)ng/mL and 0.9(0.7-1.3)ng/mL in the healthy pregnant women group,and were 4.33(2.99-7.60)ng/mL and 1.8(0.9-8.5)ng/mL in the patients with cervical cancer in pregnancy group,respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in the two serum values between every two groups(P<0.05).CYFRA21-1 levels were 3.13(2.46-4.05)ng/mL,1.89(1.50-2.53)ng/mL and 4.19(3.48-5.43)ng/mL in the T1,T2,and T3 groups,respectively;and SCCA levels were 0.9(0.7-1.1)ng/mL,0.7(0.6-1.0)ng/mL and 1.2(0.8-1.7)ng/mL,respectively.The results of T1 and T3 groups were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05);however,there was no statistically significant difference between the results of the T2 group and those of the control group(P>0.05).The areas under the ROC curves for the diagnosis of cervical cancer in pregnancy for CYFRA21-1,SCCA,human epididymis protein 4(HE4),anti-carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and joint indicators were 0.684,0.724,0.612,0.791 and 0.913,with sensitivities of 36%,48%,38%,57%and 73%,specificities of 96%,97%,89%,86%and 99%,respectively.The cut-off values of each indicator were 6.05 ng/mL,2.60 ng/mL,51.45 pg/mL and 1.75 ng/mL,respectively.Conclusion Serum CYFRA21-1 and SCCA levels were higher in pregnant women during early and late pregnancy compared with non-pregnant individuals,while they were not statistically different from non-pregnant women during mid-trimester.CYFRA21-1 and SCCA have diagnostic value for patients with cervical cancer during pregnancy.