Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

Hepatic fibrosis(HF)is a pathophysiological outcome of chronic liver injury and is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix protein.A number of studies have confirmed that the signaling pathways formed by transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and its downstream Smad family play an important role in the occurrence and development of HF,and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)research targeting this pathway is currently a hot spot in the reversal of HF.Therefore,taking TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway as the entry point,this paper reviewed the mechanism of action of TCM compound formula and single drug extract in intervening TGF-β1/Smad pathway and related factors upstream and downstream of the pathway to reverse HF in recent years,revealed the targeted therapeutic effect of TCM,and provided new strategies for clarifying the mechanism of TCM.

Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of baicalin in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis rats.Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into blank control group,sham operation group,model group(using freund's complete adjuvant to construct the model),experimental-L group(20 mg·kg-1 baicalin),experimental-H group(40 mg·kg-1 baicalin)and Y-27632 group(5 mg·kg-1 Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632).Each group 10 rats.After 4 weeks of continuous treatment,joint swelling was detected and Lequesne MG score was assessed.Joint fluid and cartilage tissues were collected.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rat cartilage.The expression levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-β(TNF-β)in joint fluid were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Expression levels of Ras homologous gene family member A(RhoA),Rho-associated protein kinase 1(ROCK1)and Rho-associated protein kinase 2(ROCK2)mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).The protein expression levels of RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2 in cartilage were detected by Western blot.Results The knee diameters of blank control group,sham operation group,model group,experimental-L group,experimental-H group and Y-27632 group were(9.88±0.34),(9.96±0.31),(13.54±0.70),(13.35±0.54),(11.89±0.37)and(11.67±0.41)mm;IL-6 levels were(19.82±1.78),(20.69±1.84),(83.26±4.45),(83.62±4.71),(42.30±2.98)and(38.44±2.53)pg·mL-1;TNF-β levels were(8.86±1.41),(9.45±1.37),(33.71±2.63),(34.14±2.83),(23.71±1.93)and(20.85±1.69)pg·mL-1;RhoA mRNA expression levels were 1.00±0.13,1.04±0.11,1.69±0.26,1.64±0.20,1.24±0.18 and 1.14±0.17;ROCK1 mRNA expression levels were 1.00±0.15,1.02±0.12,1.48±0.19,1.53±0.21,1.21±0.17 and 1.16±0.18;ROCK2 mRNA expression levels were 1.00±0.14,1.06±0.11,1.41±0.20,1.43±0.18,1.18±0.17 and 1.15±0.16;model group was compared with sham operation group,experimental-H group was compared with model group or experimental-L group,Y-27632 was group compared with model group or experimental-L group,the differences of the above indexes were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Baicalin may reduce the inflammatory response of knee osteoarthritis rats by inhibiting RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mucin 1 (MUC1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its regulatory mechanism. MethodsThe 60 NPC and paired para-cancer normal tissues were collected from October 2020 to July 2021 in Quanzhou First Hospital. The expression of MUC1 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the patients with PNC. The 5-8F and HNE1 cells were transfected with siRNA control (si-control) or siRNA targeting MUC1 (si-MUC1). Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis in the 5-8F and HNE1 cells. The qPCR and ELISA were executed to analyze the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of MUC1, NF-кB and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). ResultsThe expression of MUC1 was up-regulated in the NPC tissues, and NPC patients with the high MUC1 expression were inclined to EBV infection, growth and metastasis of NPC. Loss of MUC1 restrained malignant features, including the proliferation and apoptosis, downregulated the expression of p-IкB、p-P65 and Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of Bax in the NPC cells. ConclusionDownregulation of MUC1 restrained biological characteristics of malignancy, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, by inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway in NPC.

Aim To investigate the effect of quercetin on the aging model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells established under microgravity. Methods Using 3D gyroscope, a aging model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was constructed, and after receiving quercetin and microgravity treatment, the anti-aging effect of the quercetin was evaluated by detecting related proteins and oxidation indexes. Results Compared to the control group, the expressions of age-related proteins p21, pi6, p53 and RB in the microgravity group significantly increased, while the expressions of cyclin D1 and lamin B1 significantly decreased, with statistical significance (P<0.05). In the microgravity group, mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased (P<0.05), ROS accumulation significantly increased (P <0.05), SOD content significantly decreased and MDA content significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to the microgravity group, the expressions of age-related proteins p21, pi6, p53 and RB in the quercetin group significantly decreased, while the expressions of cyclin D1 and lamin B1 significantly increased, with statistical significance (P<0.05). In the quercetin group, mitochondrial membrane potential significantly increased (P<0.05), ROS accumulation significantly decreased (P<0.05), SOD content significantly increased and MDA content significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions Quercetin can resist oxidation, protect mitochondrial function and normal cell cycle, thus delaying the aging of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by microgravity.

Purpose::Minimal data exist on brain injury in patients with exertional heatstroke (EHS) in developing country. In this study, we explored the risk factors for brain injury induced by EHS 90-day after onset.Methods::A retrospective cohort study of patients with EHS was conducted in the intensive care unit of the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA in China from April 2014 to June 2019. Patients were divided into non-brain injury (fully recovered) and brain injury groups (comprising deceased patients or those with neurological sequelae). The brain injury group was further subdivided into a death group and a sequela group for detailed analysis. General information, neurological performance and information on important organ injuries in the acute stage were recorded and analysed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for brain injury after EHS and mortality risk factors for brain injury, and Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to evaluate the effect of the neurological dysfunction on survival.Results::Out of the 147 EHS patients, 117 were enrolled, of which 96 (82.1%) recovered, 13 (11.1%) died, and 8 (6.8%) experienced neurological sequelae. Statistically significant differences were found between non-brain injury and brain injury groups in age, hypotension, duration of consciousness disorders, time to drop core body temperature below 38.5°C, lymphocyte counts, platelet counts, procalcitonin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, cystatin C, coagulation parameters, international normalized ratio, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, and Glasgow coma scale scores (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that age ( OR = 1.090, 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.17, p = 0.008), time to drop core temperature ( OR = 8.223, 95% CI: 2.30 - 29.40, p = 0.001), and SOFA scores ( OR= 1.676, 95% CI: 1.29 - 2.18, p < 0.001) are independent risk factors for brain injury induced by EHS. The Kaplan-Meier curves suggest significantly prolonged survival ( p < 0.001) in patients with early Glasgow coma scale score > 8 and duration of consciousness disorders ≤ 24 h. Conclusions::Advanced age, delayed cooling, and higher SOFA scores significantly increase the risk of brain injury post-EHS. These findings underscore the importance of rapid cooling and early assessment of organ failure to improve outcomes in EHS patients.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of iron overload on the transplant outcomes of pediatric patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 74 children with SAA who received allo-HSCT at the Hematology Department of Wuhan Children’s Hospital between January 2018 and August 2022. Children with iron overload (serum ferritin >1 000 μg/L) before transplantation had a longer disease course, received more red blood cell transfusions, and had a higher number of CD34 + cells infused. Moreover, iron overload significantly delayed the reconstitution of regulatory T cells after transplantation, increasing the incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease after transplantation. However, iron overload did not significantly affect the overall survival and failure-free survival rates of the children.

Spinal muscular atrophy(SMA)is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder.With the emergence of disease-modifying therapies,the prognosis of SMA has significantly improved,drawing increased attention to the importance of home rehabilitation and nursing management.Long-term,standardized home rehabilitation and nursing can delay the progression of SMA,enhance the psychological well-being,and improve the quality of life of both patients and caregivers.This article provides an overview of the goals of home rehabilitation,basic functional training methods,respiratory management,and nutritional management for SMA patients,as well as psychological health issues,emphasizing the significance of obtaining appropriate home rehabilitation and support during the care process.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):420-424]

Objective To explore the effects of antenatal corticosteroids(ACS)on the outcomes of very premature infants(VPIs)and neurodevelopment during infancy.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 190 VPIs admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022.The infants were categorized into four groups based on ACS usage and dosage:no ACS group(n=18),single-course group(n=88),multi-course group(n=40),and partial-course group(n=44).The clinical outcomes,Neonatal Behavioral and Neurological Assessment(NBNA)scores at 40 weeks of corrected age,and Gesell Developmental Schedule(Gesell)scores at 1 year of corrected age were compared among the four groups.The impact of timing of ACS use on the Gesell scores of infants at 1 year of corrected age in VPIs with specific gestational ages was analyzed.Results The incidence rates of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,bronchopulmonary dysplasia,transient tachypnea of the newborn,and neonatal pneumonia were significantly lower in the partial-course,single-course,and multiple-course groups compared with the no ACS group(P<0.008).However,there was no significant difference among the partial-course,single-course,and multiple-course groups(P>0.008).The NBNA scores(behavioral ability,active muscle tone,primitive reflexes,and general assessment)at 40 weeks of corrected age were significantly higher in the no ACS,partial-course,and single-course groups than in the multiple-course group(P<0.008).The proportion of VPIs with normal neurodevelopment at 1 year of corrected age was significantly higher in the no ACS,partial-course,and single-course groups than in the multiple-course group(P<0.008).The timing of ACS use had no significant effect on neurodevelopment at a corrected age of 1 year in infants with various gestational ages(P>0.05).Conclusions ACS is crucial for the development of the respiratory system in VPIs,but multiple courses of ACS may cause neurodevelopmental abnormalities.The impact of ACS use on neurodevelopment is independent of gestational age and the timing of ACS use.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease with high incidence and many complications,among which type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)accounts for a large proportion.Current studies have shown that T2DM is accompanied by damage of liver,kidney,and other organs and its complications seriously en-danger human health.Ferroptosis generates many Reactive Oxygen Species(ROS)through the Fenton reaction,and the accumulation of ROS activates Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1(HIF-1α).As a result,the level of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)is increased.Ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),a ferroptosis in-hibitor,has strong antioxidant capacity.Therefore,based on the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor(HIF-1α/VEGF)signaling pathway,we explored the therapeutic effect of Fer-1 on the liver and kidney tissues of diabetic mice.db/db mice(21～22 weeks old)were used as the model of diabetes mellitus.Ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 was used as the intervention drug.db/m mice served as the blank control group,and body weight and blood glucose were measured for 4 weeks.Food intake and water intake were recorded in each group.The levels of Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and Aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in the serum were measured.ROS and Glutathione(GSH)activity in liver and kidney tissues and urinary protein content were measured.Liver and kidney tissue sections were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE),and the pathological morphology was observed under a light microscope.The protein levels of HIF-1α,VEGF,and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in liver and kidney tissues were detected by Western blot.In db/db mice,Fer-1(1 mg·kg-1,ig)could significantly reduce the a-mount of food and water intake,the levels of ALT and AST in serum,the ROS production in liver and kidney tissues,and the level of urine protein,but significantly increase the activity of GSH,thus improve the pathological conditions of liver and kidney.Fer-1 also significantly inhibited HIF-1α and VEGF pro-tein indexes and increased GPX4 protein levels in liver and kidney tissues.Although Fer-1 can not change the body weight and reduce blood glucose in diabetic mice,it can play a therapeutic role in the liver and kidney tissues of diabetic mice in the middle and late stages,and its mechanism may be related to HIF-1α/VEGF and GPX4.