Objective: To assess the dynamic changes of microcirculation at acupoints in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and cold congelation and blood stasis syndrome using laser speckle blood flow imaging. Methods: Patients with primary dysmenorrhea and cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome (primary dysmenorrhea group, n=53) and healthy female college students(control group, n=57) who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from October 2020 to July 2022 were enrolled at Hebei University of Chinese Medicine. On the premenstrual and first day of menstruation, a laser speckle blood flow imaging system was used to measure the microcirculation blood flow perfusion on the surface of acupoints related to the conception, thoroughfare, and governor vessels, and stomach, spleen, and bladder meridians in the abdomen and lumbosacral regions. The dynamic changes in microcirculation were calculated based on the difference in average blood flow perfusion at each acupoint before and after menstruation. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of dynamic changes in microcirculation on the surface of each acupoint. The microcirculation sensitization rate of acupoints was calculated. Results: Compared with the control group, the dynamic changes in microcirculation at the following acupoints in the primary dysmenorrhea group were increased (P<0.05): conception vessel (Yinjiao[CV7], Qihai[CV6], Shimen[CV5], Guanyuan[CV4]); left thoroughfare vessel (left Huangshu[KI16], left Zhongzhu[KI15], left Siman[KI14], left Qixue[KI13], left Dahe[KI12], left Henggu[KI11]); left stomach meridian (left Tianshu[ST25], left Wailing[ST26], left Qichong[ST30]); left spleen meridian (left Daheng[SP15], left Fujie[SP14]); right thoroughfare vessel (right Huangshu[KI16], right Zhongzhu[KI15], right Siman[KI14], right Qixue[KI13], right Dahe[KI12], right Henggu[KI11]); right stomach meridian (right Wailing[ST26], right Daju[ST27], right Shuidao[ST28], right Guilai[ST29], right Qichong[ST30]); and right spleen meridian (right Fujie[SP14]). The area under the ROC curve of conception vessel (Yinjiao[CV7], Qihai[CV6], Shimen[CV5], Guanyuan[CV4]), thoroughfare vessel (right Siman[KI14], left Huangshu[KI16], right Qixue[KI13], right Zhongzhu[KI15], right Dahe[KI12], left Zhongzhu[KI15], left Siman[KI14], right Huangshu[KI16], left Qixue[KI13], right Henggu[KI11], left Henggu[KI11], left Dahe[KI12]); stomach meridian (left Tianshu[ST25], right Guilai[ST29], left Wailing[ST26], right Shuidao[ST28], right Daju[ST27], right Wailing[ST26], right Qichong[ST30], left Qichong[ST30]), and spleen meridian (left Daheng[SP15], left Fujie[SP14], right Fujie[SP14]) was 0.610-0.682 (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the sensitization rate of some acupoints in the primary dysmenorrhea group increased (P<0.05). Conclusion With the onset of menstruation, the blood flow perfusion of some acupoints in the abdomen (thoroughfare, and conception vessels, and stomach and spleen meridians) of patients with primary dysmenorrhea and cold blood coagulation and blood stasis syndrome increased, and the status of acupoints changed from a resting state to an active state. These acupoints are sensitive in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and cold blood coagulation and blood stasis syndrome and have a certain diagnostic efficacy, providing a basis for further analyzing the efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion to treat primary dysmenorrhea with cold blood coagulation and blood stasis syndrome.

Background and purpose:Despite the significant advancements that have been made in the treatment of gastric cancer,there are still problems such as poor prognosis and low five-year survival rate in advanced gastric cancer.Therefore,exploring effective treatment options remains a key focus of clinical research.As a new type of immune checkpoint inhibitor,the clinical efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab still need to be confirmed by extensive research.Therefore,this study conducted regression analysis of the effect of pembrolizumab combined with XELOX regimen in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer,providing a reference for clinical treatment.Methods:Clinical data of patients with advanced gastric cancer who were admitted to Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from March 2020 to August 2022 were retrospectively collected.Inclusion criteria:patients with HER2-negative,untreated advanced gastric cancer or adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction,confirmed by clinical histopathological examination and meeting relevant diagnostic criteria;TNM stage Ⅳ;age≥20 years;expected survival≥6 months;no severe organ damage before treatment;Karnofsky score＞60;patients with complete clinical data.Exclusion criteria:patients with concurrent major organ dysfunction;hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism;blood or coagulation disorders;autoimmune diseases;lactating or pregnant women;individuals with mental illnesses or a history of mental illness;those with concurrent other malignancies;those with severe liver or kidney dysfunction;patients with incomplete clinical data.Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria,91 patients with advanced gastric cancer were selected.Among them,45 received XELOX regimen treatment(control group),and 46 received pembrolizumab combined with XELOX regimen treatment(observation group).After establishing the database,one patient in the observation group was found to have logical errors in their treatment information and was therefore excluded.Ultimately,90 patients were included in the study,with 45 in each of the control and observation groups.The efficacy,median overall survival(OS),median progression-free survival(PFS),toxic side effects,improvement in quality of life,and levels of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9),Escherichia coli,Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.This study was approved by the ethics committee of Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital(ethics number:KY2023081).Results:After treatment,the proportion of progressive disease(PD)in the observation group was 20.0%(9/45),which was lower than that in the control group(40.0%,18/45).However,there was no significant difference between the two groups in proportion of stable disease(SD),complete response(CR)and partial response(PR)(P＞0.05).The improvement rate of quality of life in the observation group after treatment was 60.0%(27/45),which was higher than that in the control group,with a rate of 37.8%(17/45)(P＜0.05).The median OS and PFS in the observation group were longer compared with the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of CEA and CA19-9 in peripheral blood of the observation group were lower compared with the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the number of Escherichia coli was lower in the observation group than in the control group,while the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were higher(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting,diarrhea,leukopenia,rash,liver function damage between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The combination of pembrolizumab and XELOX regimen can regulate the expression levels of tumor markers in patients with advanced gastric cancer,prevent disease progression,improve patient quality of life,and help maintain intestinal microecology balance.

Objective:To explore the expression of PICK1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its clinical significance.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. Cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues (1cm from the edge of cancer tissues) were collected from 30 HCC patients undergoing surgical resection in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from August 2020 to April 2023. The relative expression level of PICK1 mRNA in 30 fresh HCC samples was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The clinicopathological data from 132 HCC patients undergoing surgical resection in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2015 to November 2018 were collected. Meanwhile, paraffin specimens were collected from cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues, and relative expression level of PICK1 protein was detected by using immunohistochemistry method. According to the PICK1 protein expression, 132 HCC patients were divided into the low expression group (immunohistochemistry scores < 3 points) and the high expression group (immunohistochemistry scores ≥ 3 points). Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of the 2 groups, and log-rank test was also performed.Results:The result of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression level of PICK1 mRNA in fresh cancer tissues of 30 HCC patients was lower than that in corresponding paracancerous tissues (0.43±0.38 vs. 1.10±0.12), and the difference was statistically significant ( t = -13.66, P < 0.001). Among 132 HCC patients, 86 (65.2%) cases had PICK1 protein low expression and 46 (34.8%) cases had PICK1 protein high expression; among the corresponding paracancerous tissues, 37 (28.0%) tissues had PICK1 protein low expression and 95 (72.0%) tissues had PICK1 protein low expression. The high expression rate of PICK1 protein in HCC tissues was lower than that in paracancerous tissues, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 35.07, P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in PICK1 protein expression level of HCC patients with different tumor diameter, tumor number, tumor type, TNM staging, encapsulation or not and vascular invasion (all P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median OS time was 54.9 months (95% CI: 41.0 months-not reached) and 17.8 months (95% CI: 13.1-25.0 months), respectively in the PICK1 high expression group and the PICK1 low expression group after surgery; and the OS in the PICK1 high expression group was better than that in the the PICK1 low expression group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.001). The median DFS time was 43.0 months (95% CI: 31.0 months-not reached), 15.0 months (95% CI: 11.1 months-20.1months), respectively in the PICK1 high expression group and the PICK1 low expression group; and the DFS in the PICK1 high expression group was better than that in the PICK1 low expression group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.001). Conclusions:PICK1 is lowly expressed in HCC tissues, and HCC patients with PICK1 low expression have poor prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the skin surface microcirculation of acupoints of conception vessel, governor vessel and thoroughfare vessel in patients with primary dysmenorrhea using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and provide acupoint selection basis of acupuncture-moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: Ninety-nine healthy female college students with regular menstrual cycles (normal group) and 94 female college students with primary dysmenorrhea (dysmenorrhea group) were recruited. Before menstrual period, on the first day of menstruation, and on the third day after menstruation, LSCI was used to observe the surface microcirculation at the abdominal acupoints of conception vessel, i. e. Yinjiao (CV 7), Qihai (CV 6), Shimen (CV 5), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugou (CV 2), acupoints of thoroughfare vessel, i. e. Huangshu (KI 16), Zhongzhu (KI 15), Siman (KI 14), Qixue (KI 13), Dahe (KI 12), Henggu (KI 11) and acupoints of lumbosacral region of governor vessel, i. e. Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Yaoshu (GV 2) as well as two non-acupoints. RESULTS: Before menstrual period, there was no significant difference in the surface blood perfusion of the acupoints between the dysmenorrhea group and the normal group (P>0.05). On the first day of menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and right Huangshu (KI 16) in the dysmenorrhea group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01). On the third day after menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of the right Henggu (KI 11) in the dysmenorrhea group was lower than that in the normal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION In patients with primary dysmenorrhea, on the first day of menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) of governor vessel, and the right Huangshu (KI 16) of thoroughfare vessel is increased, while on the third day after menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of the right Henggu (KI 11) of thoroughfare vessel is decreased. These findings might provide a basis for acupoint selection in the acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
Humans ; Female ; Microcirculation ; Dysmenorrhea/therapy* ; Menstrual Cycle ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic characteristics of a child with Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and neurodevelopmental syndrome (FSGSNEDS). METHODS: A child with FSGSNEDS who had visited Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital on September 15, 2019 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected, and trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES), Sanger sequencing, chromosomal karyotyping analysis, and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) were used to analyze the child and his parents. RESULTS: The child, a 3-year-old boy, had manifested developmental delay, nephrotic syndrome, and epilepsy. Trio-WES and Sanger sequencing showed that he has carried a heterozygous c.1375C＞T (p.Q459*) variant of the TRIM8 gene, for which both his parents were of the wild type. Based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was predicted to be pathogenic. No abnormality was found in the chromosomal karyotyping and CNV-seq results of the child and his parents. CONCLUSION The child was diagnosed with FSGSNEDS, for which the c.1375C＞T variant of the TRIM8 gene may be accountable.
Male ; Humans ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental/genetics* ; Genomics ; Heterozygote ; Karyotyping ; Carrier Proteins ; Nerve Tissue Proteins

Objective To investigate the population differences of the newly named "metabolic associated fatty liver disease" (MAFLD) and the former name "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease" (NAFLD). Methods From November 2020 to January 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 624 elderly individuals aged above 65 years in a community in Beijing, China, and related data were collected, including demographic data, past history, laboratory markers, liver ultrasound, and liver elasticity. According to the presence or absence of fatty liver based on ultrasonic diagnosis, the individuals were divided into fatty liver group with 389 individuals and non-fatty liver group with 235 individuals. The independent samples t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between the two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between the two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between the two groups. Results Among the 389 patients with fatty liver, 387(99.5%) were diagnosed with MAFLD and 368(94.6%) were diagnosed with NAFLD, and there were 19 patients with a history of heavy alcohol consumption and 2 with positive surface antigen. A total of 366 patients met the diagnostic criteria for both MAFLD and NAFLD, accounting for 94.6% of the MAFLD patients and 99.5% of the NAFLD patients. Compared with the non-fatty liver group, the MAFLD group had significant increases in body mass index (BMI) ( t =-11.228, P < 0.05), waist circumference ( Z =-8.532, P < 0.05), hip circumference ( Z =-6.449, P < 0.05), waist-hip ratio ( Z =-5.708, P < 0.05), alanine aminotransferase ( Z =-5.027, P < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase ( Z =-2.880, P < 0.05), platelet count ( t =-3.623, P < 0.05), triglyceride ( Z =-8.489, P < 0.05), fasting blood glucose ( Z =-3.516, P < 0.05), HbA1c ( Z =-2.884, P < 0.05), Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) ( Z =-0.394, P < 0.05), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( Z =-4.912, P < 0.05), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) ( t =13.744, P < 0.05), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ( Z =-7.69, P < 0.05), as well as a significant reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ( t =6.348, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, MAFLD patients had more metabolic associated diseases, such as overweight, obesity, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension ( χ 2 =9.978, 65.472, 36.571, 9.797, and 5.128, all P < 0.05). In the MAFLD group, 30.7% of the patients had non-obese fatty liver disease (BMI < 25 kg/m 2 ), and 11.1% had lean fatty liver disease (BMI < 23 kg/m 2 ); compared with the obese MAFLD patients, the non-obese MAFLD patients had significantly lower age ( Z =-3.042, P < 0.05), BMI ( Z =-15.705, P < 0.05), waist circumference ( Z =-9.589, P < 0.05), hip circumference ( Z =-10.275, P < 0.05), HOMA-IR ( Z =-2.081, P < 0.05), CAP ( t =-3.468, P < 0.05), LSM ( Z =-3.630, P < 0.05), and NAFLD fibrosis score ( t =-4.433, P < 0.05). According to LSM value, advanced liver fibrosis accounted for 3.6% of the MAFLD population, and 10% of the MAFLD population could not be excluded for advanced liver fibrosis. Conclusion The diagnosis of MAFLD can basically cover the NAFLD population in the elderly people, and it is supposed that MAFLD can almost directly replace the concept of NAFLD in similar populations. However, further studies are needed to investigate its application in other populations.

Objective:To explore the effect of exercise intervention on regulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in overweight and obese pregnant women.Methods:The cohort was based on a randomized controlled trial (RCT) carried out by the same research group in Peking University First Hospital from December 2014 to July 2016. Overweight and obese patients who delivered by elective cesarean section without pregnancy complications were recruited, among which 12 cases in the exercise group and 11 cases in the control group were selected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western Blot, and Luminex experiments were used to compare the expression of TLR4-myeloid differentiation factor 8(MyD88)-nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), rectus abdominis muscle, omental adipose, and subcutaneous adipose, as well as the levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10) in plasma between the two groups. Two independent samples t-test, generalized estimating equation, Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation analysis were adopted for statistical analysis. Results:(1) The expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β in the exercise group showed a downward trend compared with the control in the second and third trimester, but none of the differences were statistically significant (all P>0.05). (2) The mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB and the protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in PBMC of the exercise group were significantly lower than those in the control group during pregnancy (TLR4 mRNA: 0.06±0.03 vs 0.10±0.04 in the second trimester, 0.05±0.02 vs 0.11±0.05 in the third trimester, χ2=8.07; MyD88 mRNA: 0.09±0.03 vs 0.11±0.03 in the second trimester, 0.10±0.04 vs 0.17±0.06 in the third trimester, χ2=5.81; NF-κB mRNA: 0.10±0.03 vs 0.17±0.08 in the second trimester, 0.08±0.03 vs 0.20±0.08 in the third trimester, χ2=14.71; TLR4 protein: 1.7±0.5 vs 1.9±0.8 in the second trimester, 1.7±0.4 vs 2.3±0.8 in the third trimester, χ2=5.83; NF-κB protein: 1.0±0.4 vs 1.5±0.4 in the second trimester, 1.2±0.3 vs 1.5±0.5 in the third trimester, χ2=4.73; all P<0.05). Moreover, the differences in the mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB and TLR4 protein expression in PBMC between the two groups gradually increased. (3) NF-κB in rectus abdominis and omental adipose tissue (0.04±0.02 vs 0.08±0.04, t=－3.72; 0.25±0.05 vs 0.63±0.21, t=－5.41; both P<0.05) and TLR4 and MyD88 in subcutaneous adipose tissue (0.12±0.03 vs 0.30±0.10, t=－5.30; 0.24±0.09 vs 0.44±0.08, t=－5.38; both P<0.05) were observed a decreased mRNA level in the exercise group compared with the control group. The protein level of MyD88 and NF-κB in omental adipose tissue and NF-κB in subcutaneous adipose tissue in the exercise group were significantly lower than those in the control group (1.1±0.5 vs 2.0±0.8, t=－3.15; 1.3±0.5 vs 2.0±0.9, t=－2.23; 1.2±0.5 vs 1.9±0.8, t=－2.80, all P<0.05). (4) The expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA ( r=0.453 and 0.485) in rectus abdominis muscle, NF-κB mRNA, TLR4 and MyD88 protein ( r=0.539, 0.437 and 0.527) in omental adipose in the two groups were positively correlated with the level of fasting blood glucose ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Regular exercise during pregnancy can down-regulate the expression and activation of the TLR4-MyD88-NFκB pathway in overweight and obese pregnant women. The expression of related factors along this pathway has a certain correlation with fasting blood glucose.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified Atkins diet (MAD) in treating global growth retardation (GDD).Methods:A prospective multicenter clinical controlled study was conducted.The children were included from 8 departments of children′s rehabilitation in Henan Province from July 2017 to October 2017.A total of 154 children who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned into the routine treatment group (88 cases) and MAD therapy group (66 cases). A total of 62 children in MAD therapy group and 59 children in routine treatment group completed the study for 15 months.The routine treatment group was provided comprehensive rehabilitation training, and the MAD therapy group was given MAD treatment on the basis of rehabilitation training.Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the differences among datas at different time points. Results:After 3 months, there were significant differences in the scores of the Chinese Version of Urban Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (CITSEA)/Achenbach Children′s Behavior Scale (CBCL) between the 2 groups (all P<0.05). Significant improvement was seen in the MAD group.After 6 months, the MAD therapy group had significantly higher scores on the Gesell Developmental Scale for language and social behavior than the routine treatment group (all P<0.05). After 9 months, the scores of the children in the MAD therapy group were better than those in the routine treatment group in the Gesell Developmental Scale adaptive energy area and the infant-junior high school student social life scale (S-M scale), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After 15 months, the fine motor in the MAD therapy group was better than that in the routine treatment group ( P<0.05). At the early stage of MAD therapy, 28 patients showed mild adverse reactions that were reversed after symptomatic treatment.No severe adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions:MAD therapy can improve the neuro-development, emotional and social behaviors, and adaptive behaviors with no severe adverse effects.

Objective:To investigate the value of detection of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood for Down's syndrome screening.Methods:A total of 1667 pregnant women who were at a higher risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome who received Down's syndrome screening in the First People's Hospital of Datong between January 2020 and March 2021 were prospectively analyzed. After detection of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood, pregnant women who were at a higher risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome decided whether to accept amniocentesis for fetal karyotype. Then follow-up was performed for collecting related information. Finally, detection results of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood, fetal karyotype results and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed.Results:The positive predictive value of detecting cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13 and chromosome abnormality were 100.0%, 100.0%, 0.0% and 66.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and total specificity of detecting cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood were 100.0% and 99.8%, respectively. The false positive rate of detecting cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood for trisomy 13 and chromosome abnormality was 0.12% and 0.06%, respectively.Conclusion:A high degree of coincidence between detection results of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood and fetal karyotype results can be used as a prenatal screening for Down's syndrome. This has certain guiding significance for invasive prenatal diagnosis through amniocentesis-based fetal karyotype analysis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of long-pulsed 1 064-nm Nd:YAG laser combined with a topical emulsion containing Camellia reticulata and Radix Notoginseng in the treatment of melasma. Methods:A total of 80 patients with melasma were enrolled from Department of Dermatology, People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from June 2019 to June 2020, and randomly and equally divided into control group and observation group by using a random number table: 40 patients in the control group were treated with long-pulsed 1 064-nm Nd:YAG laser once every 2 weeks for 6 sessions as a course of treatment; another 40 in the observation group were treated with the same laser therapy as the control group and a topical emulsion containing Camellia reticulata and Radix Notoginseng twice a day for 3 months as a course of treatment. Melasma area and severity index (MASI), clinical efficacy, patient satisfaction rate and safety were compared between the 2 groups before and/or after treatment. Results:After 4- and 8-week treatment, there was no significant difference in the MASI score between the observation group (14.57 ± 3.22 points, 10.00 ± 2.94 points, respectively) and control group (14.74 ± 3.11 points, 11.31 ± 3.00 points, respectively; both P>0.05). After 12-week treatment, the MASI score was significantly lower in the observation group (4.80 ± 2.78 points) than in the control group (7.07 ± 3.22 points, t = -3.38, P<0.01). After 3-month treatment, the response rate was significantly higher in the observation group (36 cases, 90%) than in the control group (31 cases, 77.5%; χ2 = 4.58, P < 0.001) ; however, there was no significant difference in the patient satisfaction rate between the observation group (87.5%) and control group (72.5%, χ2 = 7.26, P = 0.06). In addition, no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse reactions was observed between the observation group (5 cases, 12.5%) and control group (7 cases, 17.5%; P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Compared with the long-pulsed 1 064-nm Nd:YAG laser alone, the topical emulsion containing Camellia reticulata and Radix Notoginseng in combination with the long-pulsed 1 064-nm Nd:YAG laser is more effective for the treatment of melasma, with higher patient satisfaction and less adverse reactions.