Association of the glycemic background patterns and the diabetes management efficacy in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND Inadequate glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM)is a major public health problem and a significant risk factor for the progression of diabetic complications.AIM To evaluate the effects of intensive and supportive glycemic management strategies over a 12-month period in individuals with T2DM with glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)≥10%and varying backgrounds of glycemic control.METHODS This prospective observational study investigated glycemic control in patients with poorly controlled T2DM over 12 months.Participants were categorized into four groups based on prior glycemic history:Newly diagnosed,previously well controlled with recent worsening,previously off-target but now worsening,and HbA1c consistently above 10%.HbA1c levels were monitored quarterly,and patients received medical,educational,and dietary support as needed.The analysis focused on the success rates of good glycemic control and the associated factors within each group.RESULTS The study showed significant improvements in HbA1c levels in all participants.The most significant improvement was observed in individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes:65%achieved an HbA1c target of≤7%.The results varied between participants with different glycemic control histories,followed by decreasing success rates:39%in participants with previously good glycemic control,21%in participants whose glycemic control had deteriorated compared to before,and only 10%in participants with persistently poor control,with mean HbA1c levels of 6.3%,7.7%,8.2%,and 9.7%,respectively.After one year,65.2%of the“newly diagnosed patients”,39.3%in the“previously controlled group”,21.9%in the“previously off-target but now worsened'”group and 10%in the“poorly controlled from the start”group had achieved HbA1c levels of 7 and below.CONCLUSION In poorly controlled diabetes,the rate at which treatment goals are achieved is associated with the glycemic background characteristics,emphasizing the need for tailored strategies.Therefore,different and comprehensive treatment approaches are needed for patients with persistent uncontrolled diabetes.

Efficacy and Safety of Lianhua Qingke Tablets in the Treatment of Long Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Cough: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Study

Lianhua Qingke tablets,a patented traditional Chinese medicine that has validated clinical efficacy for treating cough caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection,lack rigorous evidence-based research evaluating their effect on long coronavirus disease(COVID)cough.A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical study was conducted among patients with long COVID cough from 19 hospitals and 23 community health centers in China.Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either Lianhua Qingke tablets or placebo orally for 14 days(four tablets,1.84 g,three times a day).The primary endpoint indicator was the disappearance of cough,with the remission of cough also considered.Among 482 randomized patients,480(full analysis set 480;per-protocol set 470;safety set 480)were included in the primary analysis.According to the full analysis,the time until cough disappearance was significantly shorter in the trial group than in the control group,with a significant increase in the 14-day cough disappearance rate.Accordingly,the time to cough remission was significantly shorter in the trial group than in the control group.The change in the total symptom score was significantly greater in the trial group than in the control group on days 7 and 14,consistent with the results indicated by the visual analog scale(VAS)and cough evaluation test(CET)scores.No serious adverse events were recorded during the study.Lianhua Qingke tablets significantly improved the clinical symptoms of patients with long COVID cough.

Efficacy of a Nutritional Cream Intervention to Treat Depression in Rescuers:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To explore the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention in rescuers who screened positive for depression.Methods A randomized controlled trial design was employed.From June to August,2022,4,460 rescuers were screened using the Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),and 1,615 positive cases were identified.Thirty-one volunteers were recruited and randomly divided into a nutritional intervention group and a control group.The intervention group received health education and nutritional intervention(a compound paste therapy primarily composed of red roses and Seville orange flowers),while the control group received psychological education.SDS scores were assessed before and after the intervention.Results There was a statistically significant decline in SDS scores in the nutritional intervention group after the intervention(P<0.05).Furthermore,the SDS scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group,both before and after the intervention(P<0.05).No severe adverse reactions were observed during safety evaluation.Conclusion The nutritional intervention effectively reduced the depression scores in rescuers.Early nutritional intervention is recommended for rescuers who initially screen positive for depression.

Efficacy and safety of paclitaxel liposome versus paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin in the first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer:a multicenter,open-label,non-inferiority,randomized controlled trial

Background:The paclitaxel liposome formulation,encapsulating paclitaxel within a phospholipid bilayer,ad-dresses the insolubility of traditional paclitaxel formulations,thereby reducing toxicity without compromising its antitumor efficacy.Methods:This multicenter,open-label,non-inferiority randomized controlled trial(ChiCTR2000038555)evalu-ates the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel liposome in comparison to the standard regimen of paclitaxel combined with carboplatin(PLC vs.PC)as first-line therapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.Results:An analysis of median progression-free survival(PFS)revealed non-inferior outcomes between 263 pa-tients in the PLC group and 260 patients in the PC group(32.3 vs.29.9 months,hazard ratio[HR],0.89[95%CI,0.64−1.25]),using a non-inferior margin of 1.3.Although the overall incidence of treatment-related adverse events was comparable between groups,the PLC group experienced significantly fewer non-hematologic toxicities than those treated with the PC regimen.Conclusion:The findings affirm the non-inferiority of paclitaxel liposome compared to the combination of pa-clitaxel and carboplatin regarding therapeutic efficacy,with an enhanced safety profile marked by reduced non-hematologic toxicities.

Advanced Functional Electromagnetic Shielding Materials:A Review Based on Micro‑Nano Structure Interface Control of Biomass Cell Walls

Research efforts on electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding materials have begun to converge on green and sustainable biomass materials.These materials offer numerous advantages such as being lightweight,porous,and hierarchical.Due to their porous nature,interfacial compatibility,and electrical conductivity,biomass materials hold significant potential as EMI shielding materials.Despite concerted efforts on the EMI shielding of biomass materials have been reported,this research area is still relatively new compared to traditional EMI shielding materials.In particular,a more comprehensive study and summary of the factors influencing biomass EMI shielding materials including the pore structure adjustment,preparation process,and micro-control would be valuable.The preparation methods and characteristics of wood,bamboo,cellulose and lignin in EMI shielding field are critically discussed in this paper,and similar biomass EMI materials are summarized and analyzed.The composite methods and fillers of various biomass materials were reviewed.this paper also highlights the mechanism of EMI shielding as well as existing prospects and challenges for development trends in this field.

Passive activity enhances residual control ability in patients with complete spinal cord injury

Patients with complete spinal cord injury retain the potential for volitional muscle activity in muscles located below the spinal injury level.However,because of prolonged inactivity,initial attempts to activate these muscles may not effectively engage any of the remaining neurons in the descending pathway.A previous study unexpectedly found that a brief clinical round of passive activity significantly increased volitional muscle activation,as measured by surface electromyography.In this study,we further explored the effect of passive activity on surface electromyographic signals during volitional control tasks among individuals with complete spinal cord injury.Eleven patients with chronic complete thoracic spinal cord injury were recruited.Surface electromyography data from eight major leg muscles were acquired and compared before and after the passive activity protocol.The results indicated that the passive activity led to an increased number of activated volitional muscles and an increased frequency of activation.Although the cumulative root mean square of surface electromyography amplitude for volitional control of movement showed a slight increase after passive activity,the difference was not statistically significant.These findings suggest that brief passive activity may enhance the ability to initiate volitional muscle activity during surface electromyography tasks and underscore the potential of passive activity for improving residual motor control among patients with motor complete spinal cord injury.

A matrix metalloproteinase-responsive hydrogel system controls angiogenic peptide release for repair of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Vascular endothelial growth factor and its mimic peptide KLTWQELYQLKYKGI(QK)are widely used as the most potent angiogenic factors for the treatment of multiple ischemic diseases.However,conventional topical drug delivery often results in a burst release of the drug,leading to transient retention(inefficacy)and undesirable diffusion(toxicity)in vivo.Therefore,a drug delivery system that responds to changes in the microenvironment of tissue regeneration and controls vascular endothelial growth factor release is crucial to improve the treatment of ischemic stroke.Matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)is gradually upregulated after cerebral ischemia.Herein,vascular endothelial growth factor mimic peptide QK was self-assembled with MMP-2-cleaved peptide PLGLAG(TIMP)and customizable peptide amphiphilic(PA)molecules to construct nanofiber hydrogel PA-TIMP-QK.PA-TIMP-QK was found to control the delivery of QK by MMP-2 upregulation after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and had a similar biological activity with vascular endothelial growth factor in vitro.The results indicated that PA-TIMP-QK promoted neuronal survival,restored local blood circulation,reduced blood-brain barrier permeability,and restored motor function.These findings suggest that the self-assembling nanofiber hydrogel PA-TIMP-QK may provide an intelligent drug delivery system that responds to the microenvironment and promotes regeneration and repair after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Control Efficacy and Antifungal Mechanism of Bacillus Cereus Strain JK14 against Wheat Take-all Disease

[Objective] Study on control efficacy and inhibitory effect of Bacillus cereus strain JK14^·against wheat take-all disease, investigating its antifungal mechanism. [Method] B. cereus JK14^· was isolated from soil in the rhizosphere of wheat, inhibitory effects of whose nutrient solution form against Gaeumannomyces graminis var tritici strains 9862 and 9812 were measured in laboratory and then for its antifungal mechanism. The strain JK14^· with rifampicin and wheat take-all disease resistance was screened by increasing concentration of the two substrates, and colonization of JK14^·was studied. [Result] In pot experiment, the control effects of JK14^·, against 9862 and 9812 are 63% and 59%, respectively, which are higher than that of chemical fungicides, with 55% and 51% , respectively. JK14^· could deform mycelium and causes degradation of cell wall. And there are also dynamic change of JK14^· in root system. JK14^· on seed could extend to root along with seed germination and rooting, but per unit tissue mycelium number decreased gradually. [Conclusion] The results indicate some control efficacy of B. cereus strain JK14^· against wheat take-all disease.

Field Efficacy of Six Kinds of Fungicides for Control and Prevention of Apple Powdery Mildew(Podosphaera leucotricha)

[Objective] This study aimed to screen effective fungicide for prevention and control of apple powdery mildew. [Method] Field efficacy of six kinds of fungi- cides with 18 concentrations against apple powdery mildew was investigated. [Re- sult] 4 000-fold triflumizole WP exhibited the highest control efficacy of 82.96%, fol- lowed by 3 000-fold triflumizole WP with control efficacy of 77.75%, while 800-fold and 1 000-fold 70% thiophanate methyl WP exhibited relatively low control efficacy, which was both lower than 60%. [Conclusion] In actual production, 4 000-fold triflu- mizole WP and 3 000-fold triflumizole WP should be used alternately to control and prevent apple powdery mildew.

Control Efficacy of Botanical Pesticides Against Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür.) and Erythroneura apicalis(Nawa) for Grape

Apolygus lucorum（Meyer-Dür.） and Erythroneura apicalis（Nawa） are important pests that affect the quality and the yield of grapevine and cause huge economic losses. This paper focuses on the selection of effective botanical pesticides to control A. lucorum and E. apicalis. This experiment explores the effect of several botanical pesticides for A. lucorum and E. apicalis, including the 0.5% veratrine, the0.6% Oxygen·Lactone agent, the 5% natural pyrethrin, the composite neem pesticide, the rotenone and the composite nicotine. The 0.5% veratrine shows a stable control efficacy, which is higher than 60% in Chengdu, while the composite nicotine shows the highest efficacy against A. lucorum, which is above 70%. In Yinchuan,the 0.5% veratrine shows the highest efficacy, against the first generation adults and the second generation larvae of E. apicalis, while the 5% natural pyrethrin shows 100% control efficacy against E. apicalis in Nanjiang. The 0.5% veratrine and the composite neem could be used as effective pesticides to control A. lucorum and the 5% natural pyrethrin can be used to control E. apicalis. They could be widely used in the production of pollution-free grapes.

Control Efficacy of Validamycin A·(0.2 Billion Spores/ml) Paenibacillus polymyxa DN-1 3% AS for Rice Sheath Blight

With validamycin A.（0.2 billion spores/ml） Paenibacillus polymyxa DN-1 3% AS as the test agent, the effects of different dosage and different application time on the control efficacy for＇ rich sheath blight were investigated. The results of two- year test showed that when the application amount was in the range of 45-90 g.a.i/ hm^2, the field efficacy of validamycin A-（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS in the initial infection stage of rich sheath blight （Le., the diseased plant rate was below 5%） reached 80.38%-89.06%, and that in the peak infection stage （i.e., the diseased plant rate was higher than 10%） reached only 41.12%-53.26%. The field efficacy of validamycin A.（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS at the early onset of rich sheath blight was significantly better than that at the onset, so that the application time of validamycin A .（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS should be appropriately brought forward in the prevention and control of rice sheath blight.

Efficacy and safety of Xiangsha Liujunzi granules for functional dyspepsia: A multi-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study

AIM To assess the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), Xiangsha Liujunzi granules, in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with patients from three centers. Two hundred and sixteen subjects diagnosed with FD according to ROME. criteria and confirmed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and spleen-deficiency and Qi-stagnation syndrome were selected to receive Xiangsha Liujunzi granules or placebo for 4 wk in a 2: 1 ratio by blocked randomization. The subjects also received follow-up after the 4-wk intervention. Herbal or placebo granules were dissolved in 300 mL of water. Participants in both groups were administered 130 mL (45 degrees C) three times a day. Participants were evaluated prior to and following 4 wk of the intervention in terms of changes in the postprandial discomfort severity scale (PDSS) score, clinical global impression (CGI) scale score, hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) score, traditional Chinese medicine symptoms score (SS), scores of various domains of the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), gastric emptying (GE) and any observed adverse effects. RESULTS Compared with the placebo group, patients in the CHM group showed significant improvements in the scores of PDSS, HADS, SS, SF-36 and CGI scale (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). They also showed the amelioration in the GE rates of the proximal stomach and distal stomach (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Xiangsha Liujunzi granules offered significant symptomatic improvement in patients with FD.

Control Efficacy of 45% Propamocarb·Denamidone SC against Potato Late Blight

The effects of different doses of 45% pmpamoearb · fenamidone SC on potato late blight were studied in the paper. The results showed that the overall control effect of 45% propamocarb · fenamidone SC against potato late blight on the 14^th day after the third spraying were 67.64% -83.78%. The yield of potato reached 19 972.5 -23 302.5 kg/hm^2, with higher marketable tuber rate and lower rotten tuber rate. With the increase in fungicide dose, the difference in control effect against late blight was significant, but the yield-increasing effect on potatoes was not significant. The appropriate application dosage of 45% propamecarb · fenamidone SC were 450 -675 g/hm^2.

Control Efficacy of Pyroxasulfone on Weeds in Corn Field

To explore the control efficacy of 85%pyroxasulfone water-dispersible granule(WG)on annual weeds in corn field as well as its safety,a randomized block design was used to conduct a field plot test of efficacy at four different test sites.After sowing before seedling,85%pyroxasulfone WG at the doses of 10,15,20,and 40 g/667 m^(2),and 55%acetochlor+atrazine suspension concentrate(SC,control agent)at the dose of 170 g/667 m^(2)in summer corn area and 260 g/667 m^(2)in spring corn area were applied,respectively.The test site without herbicide application was used as the blank control.The results revealed that after 40 d of application,the control efficacy of 85%pyroxasulfone WG reached 83.75%~98.23%on Gramineae weeds,55.22%~98.33%on broadleaf weeds,and 88.03%~98.46%on Cyperaceae weeds,but without toxicity to corns.Compared with 55%acetochlor+atrazine SC,85%pyroxasulfone WG at the dose of more than 10 g/667 m^(2)had higher control efficacy on Gramineae weeds,lower efficacy on broadleaf weeds and similar efficacy on Cyperaceae weeds.To sum up,spraying 85%pyroxasulfone WG at the dose of 15~20 g/667 m^(2)(an active component dose of 191.3~255.0 g/hm^(2))after sowing before seedling could effectively control some annual weeds in corn fields and had no toxicity to corns.The herbicide dose was greatly reduced,and thus 85%pyroxasulfone WG was recommended as an effective mean to control the main weeds in corn fields.

Determination and evaluation on field control efficacy of Trichogramma dendrolimi against Ostrinia furnacalis

The results of evaluation on field control efficacy of Trichogramma dendrolimi against Ostrinia furnacalis showed that the correction rates of Ostrinia furnacalis egg mass parasitism were 71.75% and 73.57%,the average control effect were 65.85% and 70.24%,the restoration yield loss rates were 6.78% and 7.97%,input-output ratio at 1:27.8 and 1:33.5 in Longjiang county of Heilongjiang province in 2009 and 2010,respectively.The technology is a integration of advanced,practical,environmental safety,effective biocontrol measures,embodies the "public plant protection,green plant protection" fully,has significant economic,social and ecological benefits.

Efficacy and safety of on demand tadalafil in the treatment of East and Southeast Asian men with erectile dysfunction:a randomized double-blind,parallel,placebo-controlled clinical study

Aim： To assess the efficacy and safety of tadalafil in comparison to a placebo, when taken on demand for 12 weeks by East/Southeast Asian men with erectile dysfunction （ED）, Methods： This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study was conducted at 17 centers across East and Southeast Asia between August 2002 and February 2003. Men more than 18 years of age with mild to severe ED of various etiologies were randomized to receive a placebo or 20 mg of tadalafil taken as needed （maximum once daily）. Efficacy assessments included the International Index of Erectile Function, the Sexual Encounter Profile diary and Global Assessment Questions. Results： Tadalafil significantly improved erectile function as compared to the placebo （P 〈 0.001）. At the endpoint, the patients receiving 20 mg of tadalafil reported a greater mean per patient percentage of successful intercourse attempts （Sexual Encounter Profile question 3： 70.9% compared to 33.5% in the placebo） and a greater proportion of improved erections （Global Assessment Question： 86.2% compared to 30.1%）. Most （≥3%） treatment emergent adverse events were mild or moderate. The most common treatment emergent adverse events were headache, back pain, dizziness and dyspepsia. Conclusion： Tadalafil was an effective and well-tolerated treatment for ED in East and Southeast Asian men.

Evaluating efficacy of screening for upper gastrointestinal cancer in China:a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of screening procedure for upper gastrointestinal cancer in both high-risk and non-high-risk areas in China. Setting： Seven cities/counties, representing three economical-geographical regions （Eastern, Central and Western） in China, were selected as screening centers： three in high-risk areas and four in non-high-risk areas. Participants： Villages/communities in these seven centers regarded as clusters were randomly assigned to either intervention group （screening by endoscopic examination） or control group （with normal community care） in a 1：1 ratio stratified by each center. Eligible participants are local residents aged 40-69 years in the selected villages/communities with no history of cancer or endoscopic examination in the latest 3 years who are mentally and physically competent. Those who are not willing to take endoscopic examination or are unwilling to sign the consent form are excluded from the study. Totally 140,000 participants will be enrolled. Interventions： In high-risk areas of upper gastrointestinal cancer, all subjects in screening group will be screened by endoscopy. In non-high-risk areas, 30% of the subjects in screening group, identified through a survey, will be screened by endoscopy. Primary and secondary outcome measures： The primary outcome is the mortality caused by upper gastrointestinal cancer. The secondary outcomes include detection rate, incidence rate, survival rate, and clinical stage distribution. Additional data on quality of life and cost-effectiveness will also be collected to answer important questions regarding screening effects. Conclusions： Screening strategy evaluated in those areas with positive findings may be promoted nationally and applied to the majority of Chinese people. On the other hand, negative findings will provide scientific evidence for abandoning a test and shifting resources elsewhere. Trial registration： The study has been registered with the Protocol Registration System in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry （identifier： ChiCTR-EOR-16008577）.

Efficacy of thymosin alpha-1 and interferon alpha in treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B:A randomized controlled study

AIM： To observe the efficiency and safety of thymosin-α1 treatment in patients with hepatitis B e antigen （HBeAg） and HBV DNA positive chronic hepatitis. METHODS： Sixty-two patients were randomly divided into groups A and B. The patients in group A received subcutaneous injection of 1.6 mg thymosin-α1, twice a week （T-α1 group） for six months, and the patients in group B received 5 MU interferon alpha （IFN-α） each day for fifteen days, then three times weekly （IFN-α group） for six months. The results between two groups treated with and the group untreated with IFN-α which was followed up for 12 mo （historical control group consisting of 30 patients） were compared, and three groups were comparable between each other （P 〉 0.05） at baseline （age, sex, clinical history, biochemical, and serological parameters）. RESULTS： At the end of treatment, complete response, which was defined as alanine aminotransferase （ALT） normalization and HBV DNA and HBeAg loss, occurred in 9 of 29 （31.0%） patients in the T-α1 group and in 15 of 33 （45.5%） patients in the IFN-α group （χ^2= 1.36, P 〉 0.05）. After a follow-up period of six months, a complete response was observed in 14 of 29 （48.3%） patients in the T-α1 group and in 9 of 33 （27.3%） patients in the IFN-α group （χ^2= 2.93, P 〉 0.05）. Compared with the results observed in the historical control （HC） group untreated with IFN-α which was followed up for 12 mo, the rate of complete response was significantly higher in IFN-α group at the end of therapy （1 of 30 vs 15 of 33, 7：2 = 14.72, P 〈 0.001） and in the T-α1 group at the end of follow-up （1 of 30 vs 14 of 29,χ^2 = 15.71, P 〈 0.001）. In T-α1 and IFN-α treatment groups, the area under （the plasma concentration time） curve （AUC） of negative HBV DNA and HBeAg was 340, 17%, 31% and 19% smaller than that in the HC group. By the end of the follow-up period, the proportions of ALT normalization and negative HBV DNA in the T-α1 group were significantly higher than those in the IFN-α and HC groups. The odds of ALT normalization and negative HBV DNA at the end of the follow-up was three-fold higher in the T-α1 group than in the IFN-α group. Unlike IFN-α, T-α1 was well tolerated by all patients, and no side effects appeared in T-α1 group. CONCLUSION： The results suggest that a 6-too course of T-α1 therapy is effective and safe in patients with chronic hepatitis B. T-α1 is able to reduce HBV replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Furthermore, T-α1 is better tolerated than IFN-α and can gradually induce more sustained ALT normalization and HBV DNA and HBeAg loss. However, a response rate of 48.3% is still less ideal. A more effective therapeutic approach warrants further study.

In Vitro Study on the Soothing and Oil Control Efficacy of P-Hydroxyacetophenone

p-Hydroxyacetophenone(p-HAP)was used as preservatives in cosmetics recently,their new efficacy was rarely reported.Here,We evaluate the soothing and oil control efficacy of p-HAP in vitro cells,providing a new efficacy basis for its application in cosmetics.The content of nitric oxide(NO),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)were determined in LPS-induced RAW264.7 and lipid contents were determined in testosterone-induced SZ95.The results revealed that p-HAP attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokines,such as NO,TNF-αand IL-6(P<0.01).Simultaneously,0.05mg/mL of p-HAP also inhibited the formation of lipid droplets in human sebocytes,with 17.64%of inhibition(P<0.001).These findings may be beneficial in the application of p-HAP as an efficacy ingredient in cosmetics,which may have a soothing and oil control efficacy according to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid contents.

Efficacy of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide in adolescents with subthreshold depression: interim analysis of a randomized controlled study

Subthreshold depression is a highly prevalent condition in adolescents who are at high risk for developing major depressive disorder.In preclinical models of neurological and psychiatric diseases,Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP)extracted from Goji berries had antidepressant effects including but not limited to anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.However,the effect of LBP on subthreshold depression is unclear.To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of LBP for treating subthreshold depression in adolescents,we conducted a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial(RCT)with 29 adolescents with subthreshold depression recruited at The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.The participants were randomly assigned to groups where they received either 300 mg LBP(LBP group,n=15,3 boys and 12 girls aged 15.13±2.17 years)or a placebo(placebo group,n=14,2 boys and 12 girls aged 15±1.71 years)for 6 successive weeks.Interim analyses revealed that the LBP group exhibited a greater change in Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD-24)scores relative to the baseline and a higher remission rate(HAMD-24 total score≤7)at 6 weeks compared with the placebo group.Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory-II(BDI-II),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),Kessler Psychological Distress Scale(Kessler),and Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders(SCARED)were similar between the LBP and placebo groups.No side effects related to the intervention were reported in either group.These results indicate that LBP administration reduced depressive symptoms in adolescents with subthreshold depression.Furthermore,LBP was well tolerated with no treatment-limiting adverse events.Clinical trials involving a larger sample size are needed to further confirm the anti-depressive effects of LBP in adolescents with subthreshold depression.This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University(Guangzhou,China;approval No.L2019-08)on April 4,2019 and was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov(identifier:NCT04032795)on July 25,2019.