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Background We aimed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of linezolid in children for treating suspected and diagnosed Gram-positive bacterial infections. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted up to April 23, 2021, using linezolid and its synonyms as search terms. Two reviewers independently identified and extracted relevant randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. The extracted studies were included in a single-rate meta-analysis of adverse events and clinical outcomes using random-effects models. Results A total of 1082 articles were identified, and nine studies involving 758 children were included in the meta-analysis. The overall proportion of adverse events was 8.91% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.64%–36.52%], with diarrhea (2.24%), vomiting (2.05%), and rash (1.72%) being the most common. The incidences of thrombocytopenia and anemia were 0.68% and 0.16%, respectively. Some specific adverse events, including rash and gastrointestinal events, were more frequent in the oral administration subgroup. In terms of efficacy, the overall proportion of clinical improvement was 88.80% (95% CI = 81.31%–93.52%). Children with a history of specific bacteriological diagnosis or concomitant antibiotic therapy had a 1.13-fold higher clinical improvement than children without such histories. The proportion of microbial eradication was 92.68% (95% CI = 84.66%–96.68%). The proportion of all-cause mortality was 0.16% (95% CI = 0.00%–7.75%). Conclusions Linezolid was well-tolerated in pediatric patients and was associated with a low frequency of adverse events, such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. Moreover, linezolid was effective in children with diagnosed and suspected Gram-positive infections.

Three new compounds, arneatas A-C (1–3), together with three known compounds (4–6) were isolated from the roots of Arnebia guttata Bunge. The structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data including NMR and HRESIMS. All the new compounds (1–3) were tested for their cytotoxic activity against two glioma cell lines (U118-MG and U373-MG) in vitro after treatment for 48 h. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against U118-MG and U373-MG glioma cell lines, with IC50 values of 10.4 and 17.5 µM, respectively.

Accurate information regarding cultivated areas of medicinal plants is useful for taking macro-level decisions for medicinal plant management and contingency plans. In this study, the capabilities and limitations of mapping Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Sophora flavescens Aiton using GaoFen-6 and multitemporal Sentinel-2 data were assessed through a case study in Naiman Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. First, an object-based approach was used to produce a cropland mask based on the GaoFen-6 images. Then, different spectral indices were generated from multitemporal Sentinel-2 imagery acquired in 2019, and a temporal phonological pattern analysis was conducted. Subsequently, optimal feature selection was carried out for each of the crops (Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, Sophora flavescens Aiton and Zea mays L.). The selection was performed by sorting all features according to their global separability index and removing those whose contribution to the model accuracy was negligible. Finally, the medicinal crops were distinguished using the random forest classification algorithm. An overall accuracy and a kappa coefficient of 94.51% and 0.90 were achieved, respectively, demonstrating that the synergistic use of time series GaoFen-6 and Sentinel-2 data were more suitable for Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Sophora flavescens Aiton mapping.

AIMS Data regarding clinical pharmacokinetic/toxicodynamic (PK/TD) of polymyxin B is short of direct quantitative data. This study aims to investigate the risk factors of polymyxin B associated acute kidney injury (AKI) and to assess the relationship between polymyxin B plasma levels and its nephrotoxicity. METHODS A retrospective study was performed in adult patients treated with polymyxin B. Risk factors associated with AKI and plasma trough concentrations of polymyxin B were identified via medical record review. A multivariate logistic regression model was established and the risk of polymyxin B-associated AKI were predicted by a receiver operating characteristic curve, with maximal Youden index used to identify safety thresholds among the study population. RESULTS Fifty-four adult patients were included in the study. AKI was detected in 14 patients during polymyxin B treatment (25.9%, 14 out of 54). Cmin (odds ratio [OR] 2.071; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.235-3.472) and baseline serum creatinine (OR 1.024; 95% CI 1.005-1.043) were significant independent risk factors for developing AKI. The area under the ROC curve of the combined predictor was larger based on the above factors. When the Youden index was at maximum, the optimal cut-off point was 6.678 of the ROC curve. When Cmin ≥ 3.13 mg/L, the probability of AKI was more than 50%. CONCLUSION In this study, when the calculated combined predictor value was >6.678, there was an increased risk of AKI. Maintaining a polymyxin B Cmin level below 3.13 mg/L may be helpful in reducing the incidence of polymyxin B associated nephrotoxicity.

Background Cervical cancer is the second most common female malignant tumor in the world. According to a study in 2018, the incidence of cervical cancer in Yunnan Province of China was 11.42 per 100,000, the mortality rate was 3.77 per 100,000, and higher than the national average. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) can be used not only in the selection and effect evaluation of clinical treatment plans of cervical cancer, but also in the evaluation of prognosis and long-term survival status. In this study, 288 cervical cancer patients admitted to the Yunnan Cancer Hospital in Southwest China from 2018 to 2020 were used as the survey objects to understand the HRQoL of cervical cancer patients and explore the related factors that affect HRQoL. Methods The Chinese version of the functional assessment of cancer therapy-cervix (functional assessment of cancer therapy-cervix v4.0, FACT-Cx V4) was used to investigate 288 patients with cervical cancer in Yunnan Province. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, analysis of variance, multiple linear regression and other methods. Results The total FACT-Cx score of cervical cancer patients was (130.16 ± 14.20), the physical well-being (PWB) score was (22.02 ± 4.47), the social/family well-being (SWB) score was (25.66 ± 3.59), the emotional well-being (EWB) score was (19.75 ± 3.54), the functional well-being (FWB) score was (16.91 ± 5.01) and the additional focus area (cervical cancer subscale, CxS) score was (45.78 ± 4.61). From the multi-factor analysis results, the scores of PWB, FWB, Cxs and the total FACT-Cx were related to the choice of different treatment methods, the PWB scores of patients with concurrent chemoradiotherapy was low(β = − 1.67, P = 0.003), the FWB scores of patients with concurrent chemoradiotherapy was low(β = − 2.02, P = 0.001), the CxS scores of patients with concurrent chemoradiotherapy was low(β = − 1.61, P = 0.006), the total score of FACT-Cx of patients with concurrent chemoradiotherapy was low(β = − 5.91, P = 0.001). SWB score was affected by marital status, married patients had high PWB scores(β = 5.44, P = 0.006). The patients with heavy disease expenditures as aproportion of family disposable income(β = − 3.82, P = 0.002) and aged 60 and above(β = − 3.29, P = 0.003) had lower FWB scores. The total score FACT-Cx of patients participating in cervical cancer screening was higher(β = 7.61, P = 0.001). Conclusion The choice of treatment method is the common influencing factor of PWB, FWB, Cxs and the total FACT-Cx. Disease expenditures as a proportion of family disposable income, the treatment method, the marital status and whether to participate in cervical cancer screening affect the patient’s evaluation of their own HRQoL. Medical staff should pay special attention to the choice of different treatment methods, popularize vaccination knowledge and cervical cancer screening, give more humanistic care and health education to cervical cancer patients who have low education level, poor economic conditions, divorced or separated, and encourage patients to participate in active treatment to improve the health-related quality of life.

Background: Anthracyclines are dispensable components of chemotherapy of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of induction with idarubicin (IDA) or liposoma daunorubicin (L-DNR) in treatment of adults with high-risk ALL (HR-ALL) (presence of mixed lineage leukemia gene [ MLL] rearrangements, t[1;19], or prednisone poor response). Methods: Among 58 enrolled patients, 29 cases were defined as the IDA group and the other 29 patients were put into the L-DNR group. Both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated and overall response rate (ORR) was compared between the groups. Results: The L-DNR group’s OS and PFS were insignificantly higher than in the IDA group ( P=0.261 and P=0.247). Although not significantly different, the ORR of adults with HR-ALL receiving L-DNR regimens was also higher than in the IDA group ( P=0.085). Comprehensive cytogenetic analysis revealed that patients harboring MLL rearrangement, E2A-PBX1, and P53 mutation had poorer prognosis than others. All 58 patients experienced hematologic response in this study; however, the length of hematologic response in the IDA group was significantly longer than in the L-DNR group ( P=0.005). The incidence of bleeding and infection was without significant difference between the groups (both P>0.05). Conclusion: L-DNR proved to be an effective drug within a multiagent approach, which shows a favorable overall profile, as well as similar adverse events when compared with IDA in HR-ALL. Patients with E2A-PBX1 are much more sensitive to L-DNR than IDA. Despite some progress made, outcomes in MLL rearrangement or P53 mutation carriers remain unsatisfactory, and intensive treatment will be critical.

This study aims to assess the risk factors for insufficient vancomycin concentrations for its prophylactic use in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to modify dosing regimen to achieve appropriate plasma concentrations. A total of 27 patients with vancomycin dosing of 1 to 1.5 g based on weight cut-off of 67 kg were included, of which only 13 (48.15%) had vancomycin plasma concentration15 mg/L at surgical closure. Risk factors of vancomycin concentration15 mg/L at surgical site closure were confirmed by multivariate logistic regression analysis, which showed CPB duration was an independent predictor. Patients with CPB duration4 hours had significantly lower vancomycin concentrations and lower proportion in achieving target vancomycin concentration at the end of CPB and surgical closure. For patients with CPB4 hours, the modified dosing regimen that a second dose of 0.5 to 0.75 g added at 4

Aims Current FDA-approved label recommends that the dosage of polymyxin B should be adjusted according to renal function. However, the correlation between polymyxin B pharmacokinetics (PK) and creatinine clearance (CrCL) is poor. This study aimed to develop a population PK model of polymyxin B in adult patients with various renal functions and to identify a dosing strategy. Methods A retrospective PK study was performed in 32 adult patients with various renal function. Nonlinear mixed effects modelling was applied to build a population PK model of polymyxin B followed by Monte Carlo simulations which designed polymyxin B dosing regimens across various renal function. Results Polymyxin B PK analyses included 112 polymyxin B concentrations at steady state from 32 adult patients, in which 71.9% of them were critically ill. In the final PK model, CrCL was the significant covariate on CL (typical value 1.59 L/h; between-subject variability 13%). The mean (SD) individual empirical Bayesian estimate of CL was 1.75 (0.43) L/h. In addition, a new dosing strategy combining the PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) targets and Monte Carlo simulation indicated that the reduction of polymyxin B dose in patients with renal insufficiency improved the probability of achieving optimal exposure. For severe infections caused by organisms with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 2 mg/L, a high daily dose of polymyxin B might be possible for bacterial eradication, but the risk of nephrotoxicity is increased. Conclusions Renal function plays a significant role in polymyxin B PK, and the dose of polymyxin B should be adjusted according to CrCL in patients with renal insufficiency.

To observe the clinical efficacy of mind-refreshing and balance-restoring needling method combined with Frenkel exercises in treating ataxia after cerebral stroke. The recruited 120 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 60 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by mind-refreshing and balance-restoring needling method, while the observation group was given additional lower-limb Frenkel exercises. Before and after treatment and at the follow-up, the ataxic lower-limb function was scored using Berg balance scale (BBS) and international cooperative ataxia rating scale (ICARS), and Barthel index (BI) was adopted to score the activities of daily living (ADL). After treatment, the markedly effective rate was 70.2% and the total effective rate was 96.5% in the observation group, versus 39.7% and 87.9% in the control group, and the differences in the markedly effective rate and the total effective rate were statistically significant (P 0.05), while the between-group differences in the ICARS and BI scores were statistically significant at the follow-up (both P

The narrow therapeutic window of polymyxin B constrains its clinical use against the multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). A 45-year-old patient was suffering with bloodstream infection with high fever and received a combined treatment with polymyxin B and tigecycline. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) was applied to polymyxin B to develop a personalized medication against MDRO. The dose adjustment of polymyxin B with TDM successfully alleviated the infection and reduced the incident of acute kidney injury as caused in case of the original doses of polymyxin B. TDM of polymyxin B represents a valid treatment to ensure the efficiency and safety.

Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk., a perennial herb belonging to the family Umbelliferae, is widely distributed in Northeast Asia. Its dried root (Radix Saposhnikoviae) is used as a Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of immune system, nervous system, and respiratory diseases. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies have shown that the main constituents of S. divaricata are chromones, coumarins, acid esters, and polyacetylenes, and these compounds exhibited significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antitumor, and immunoregulatory activities. The purpose of this review is to provide comprehensive information on the botanical characterization and distribution, traditional use and ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of S. divaricata for further study concerning its mechanism of action and development of better therapeutic agents and health products from S. divaricata.

The vascular endothelium is a protective barrier between the bloodstream and the vasculature that may be disrupted by different factors such as the presence of diseased states. Diseases like diabetes and obesity pose a great risk toward endothelial cell inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to endothelial cell dysfunction and thereby cardiovascular complications such as atherosclerosis. Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases that are implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, and they have been identified to be important regulators of endothelial cell function. A handful of recent studies suggest that disbalance in the regulation of endothelial sirtuins, mainly sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), contributes to endothelial cell dysfunction. Herein, we summarize how SIRT1 and other sirtuins may contribute to endothelial cell function and how presence of diseased conditions may alter their expressions to cause endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, we discuss how the beneficial effects of exercise on the endothelium are dependent on SIRT1. These mainly include regulation of signaling pathways related to endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation and nitric oxide production, mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways, oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Sirtuins as modulators of the adverse conditions in the endothelium hold a promising therapeutic potential for health conditions related to endothelial dysfunction and vascular ageing.

Limited data are available for ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) dosing in patients receiving renal replacement therapy, especially the data on the dosing in patients receiving intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). In this report, we firstly described a case in which CZA was administered as 2.5 g after each time of IHD, and a dose of 1.25 g was added on the 48

Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix (Caowu), a traditional Chinese medicine and Mongolian medicine, has been commonly used owing to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we performed a qualitative analysis of aconite alkaloids (AAs) in raw and processed Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we quantified benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine, aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine in raw and processed Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix using a HPLC system coupled with a diode array detector. The analysis of AA fragmentation patterns in positive electrospray ionization mode revealed 155 AAs, including 6 with unambiguous identities, 109 with putative assignments, and 40 unknown compounds. Additionally, lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 macrophages were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of the alkaloid extracts of Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix. Importantly, alkaloid extracts of Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix at three different concentrations exhibited protective effect against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Thus, the proposed method can be used not only for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of Aconiti kusnezoffii Radix, but also for evaluating other Aconitum spp. Our study lays a foundation for the clinical application of poisonous Aconitum.

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous structural components of eukaryotic cell membranes which are vital for maintaining the integrity of cells. Alkaline ceramidase is a key enzyme in sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway; however, little is known about the role of the enzyme in the male reproductive system of Drosophila melanogaster. To investigate the impact of alkaline ceramidase (Dacer) on male Drosophila, we got Dacer deficiency mutants (MUs) and found they displayed apparent defects in the testis's phenotype. To profile the molecular changes associated with this abnormal phenotype, we performed de novo transcriptome analyses of the MU and wildtype (WT) testes; and revealed 1239 upregulated genes and 1102 downregulated genes. Then, six upregulated DEGs (papilin [Ppn], croquemort [Crq], terribly reduced optic lobes [Trol], Laminin, Wunen-2, collagen type IV alpha 1 [Cg25C]) and three downregulated DEGs (mucin related 18B [Mur18B], rhomboid-7 [Rho-7], CG3168) were confirmed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in WT and MU samples. The differentially expressed genes were mainly associated with catalytic activity, oxidoreductase activity and transmembrane transporter activity, which significantly contributed to extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, fatty acids biosynthesis as well as glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. The results highlight the importance of Dacer in the reproductive system of D. melanogaster and provide valuable resources to dig out the specific biological functions of Dacer in insect reproduction.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of ginger partitioned moxibustion combined with acupuncture in the treatment of breast fibroma. 128 cases of breast hyperplasia combined with breast fibroma in our hospital from June 2018 to June 2020 were selected as the research object, and they were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group, 64 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given Rupixiao, 5 tablets each time, 3 times a day, while the patients in the observation group were treated with ginger partitioned moxibustion combined with acupuncture for 3 mo. The levels of sex hormones (luteinizing hormone, estradiol, prolactin and progesterone), the pathological characteristics of color Doppler ultrasound and the changes of quality of life of the two groups before and after treatment were observed and analyzed, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated. After treatment, the estradiol and prolactin levels of the two groups were lower than before treatment, Progesterone and luteinizing hormone levels were higher than before treatment, and the estradiol and prolactin levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, progesterone and luteinizing hormone levels were higher than those of the control group, the differences were statistically significant (p

Mongolian medicine is an indispensable part in developing traditional Mongolian medicine. This study is aimed to provide a basis for the formulation of clinical and Mongolian medicinal materials standards by clarifying the original plant and species collation of Mongolia medicine ofquot;saradmaquot;. Mongolian herbal medicine, as an important part of Mongolian medicine, is needed to study the authentic Mongolian medicine, in order to exert the best therapeutic effect in the application. The Mongolian medicine ofquot;saradmaquot; is a kind of medicinal material for diuresis, reinforcing kidney, and eliminating edema, for which comes from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and other parts of medicinal plant. The ancient books of Mongolian medicine are the most important reference the research of Mongolian medicine varieties. This review adopts the method of inductive comparison of ancient books in order to summarize the conclusion of Mongolian medicine ofquot;saradmaquot;. According to the investigations, Mongolian medicine ofquot;saradmaquot; type is mainly Leguminosae plant, Oxytropis latibracteata, Hedysarum multijugum, Thermopsis barbata, Astragalus membranaceus, Vicia amoena, O. caerulea, Astragalus bhotanensis, Hedysarum sikkimense. Compared with modern works, it is found that the drug has a wide range of resources distribution and application. It can be used for the treatment of cold edema, hot edema, nephrogenic edema, edema, swelling and likes caused by different diseases. Based on the research of Mongolian medicine ofquot;saradmaquot; varieties, it was found that the most commonly used varieties in Inner Mongolia were cayan saradma, xara saradam and sira saradma all of which are all top-grade drugs that reduce swelling.

What is known and objective Lactic acidosis (LA) is a rare but potentially lethal side effect of linezolid (LZD). However, limited by the study population, the number of patients with LA is insufficient to summarize all the clinical characteristics and risk factors. Methods We evaluated the association between LZD and LA using the reporting odd ratio (ROR) for mining the adverse event report signals in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database from January 2013 to December 2019. Results and discussion There were 6218 reports of LZD as the primary suspected drug or secondary suspected drug, of which 275 (4.42%) reports were of LA. The ROR of LA with the use of LZD was 39.976 (95% CI 35.365-45.189). In the age composition of patients, elderly individuals (aged ≥60 years) accounted for the higher proportion, 42.54% (n = 117). LA usually occurred two weeks after LZD administration (n = 33). LZD was the unique suspected drug, accounting for 37.45% (n = 103) of all reports of LA. The drug with the most frequent occurrence of combination with LZD was 'meropenem' and 'warfarin'. What is new and conclusions The ROR of LA caused by LZD was very high, and the number of reports about LA caused by other antibiotics was significantly different from that of LA caused by LZD. The drug combined with LZD did not seem to affect the occurrence of LA, and the high occurrence of warfarin in the reports deserves the attention of doctors.

Background Statins play a beneficial role in the treatment of coronary artery disease and are widely prescribed to prevent hypercholesterolemia. Previous studies have demonstrated that statins also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, and these are being explored for potential benefits in depression. However, the role of statins in the treatment of depression has not been well examined. Methods We investigated the effects of simvastatin on depressive behaviors and neuroinflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and chronic mild stress (CMS) induced depression model in mice. Sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT) were used to detect the depressive behaviors. The microglial activation was detected by immunohistochemistry analysis and the pro-inflammatory cytokines expressions including IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results Our data indicated that oral administration of simvastatin at 20 mg/kg significantly prevented and ameliorated depressive behaviors reflected by better performance in the SPT, FST and NSFT. Moreover, simvastatin markedly prevented and ameliorated LPS and CMS-induced neuroinflammation, as shown by the suppressed activation of microglia in hippocampus and decreased hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokines expressions including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, which might be mediated via the inhibition of NF-κB pathway, as shown by the decreased nuclear NF-κB p65 expression. Limitations The interpretation of the evidence of a positive treatment effect of simvastatin on the depressive manifestations, multifaceted etiology of depression, and confirmation of this finding from animal models to humans is needed. Conclusion These results suggest that simvastatin has the potential to be employed as a therapy for depression associated with neuroinflammation.

Medicinal plants have provided numerous medicinal active ingredients for thousands of years and these ingredients have been used in Chinese medicine (CM) and traditional pharmacologies worldwide. Recently, the exploitation and utilisation of medicinal plant resources has increased significantly. The results of the studies have led to the identification of many active components, such as steroidal alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and glycosides, in various medicinal plants with different evolutionary levels. Moreover, research on the chemical classification, molecular phylogeny, and pharmacological activity of medicinal plants is increasing in popularity. Pharmacophylogeny is an interdisciplinary topic that studies the correlation between plant phylogeny, chemical composition, and curative effects (pharmacological activity and the traditional curative effect) of medicinal plants. In addition, it provides the basic tools to enable research and development of CM resources. This literature review, based on the genetic relationship between phytogroup and species, highlights the formation process, research content, applications, and future directions of pharmacophylogeny.

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We construct the generalized W1+∞ algebra with the multi-variable realization and derive its n-algebra which is the generalized Lie algebra for even n case. Then we reinvestigate the elliptic hermitian matrix model and present the generalized q-W∞ constraints, where the abelian current operators are truncated. By applying the strategy of carrying out the action of the operators on the partition function, the generalized q-W∞ n-algebra arises as a deformation of the generalized W∞ n-algebra.

Objective To summarize the timing-efficacy relationship and the dosage–efficacy relationship of acupuncture in stroke treatment. Method Literature research was conducted for quantitative clinical studies of acupuncture in stroke treatment, with the entry point on the timing factor and dosage factor. A hierarchical analysis was performed on observing the time–efficacy relationship and the dosage–efficacy relationship before, during and after acupuncture. Results Though the retrieved studies differ especially in such timing factors as needle retaining time, acupuncture interval and course, they share an agreement in the acupuncture intervention time point, acupuncture timing, specificity of acupoints and acupuncture manipulation. Conclusion The optimal stimulation is the core of the research on the timing-efficacy relationship and the dosage–efficacy relationship of acupuncture and also the key to the clinical efficacy.

Bellidifolin, a xanthone compound derived from plants of Gentiana species, is known to exert a variety of pharmacological activities including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory and antitumor actions as well as a protective effect on cerebral ischemic nerve injury. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effects of bellidifolin on nerve injury produced by hypoxia and possible underlying mechanisms using pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). Data showed that the viability of PC12 cells subjected to hypoxia resulted in a significant decrease; however; pretreatment with certain concentrations of bellidifolin (20 or 40 μmol/L) prior to hypoxia significantly increased the survival rate. The results of immunohistochemical staining analysis revealed that there were no marked alterations in the expression of pERK protein between all bellidifolin groups while the expression of p-p38MAPK protein was significantly enhanced by hypoxia. Pretreatment with different concentrations of bellidifolin followed by hypoxia significantly decreased the expression of p-p38MAPK protein. The results of western blot analysis showed that hypoxia induced the expression of the MAPK signaling pathway downstream of the key apoptosis factor caspase-3. Compared to hypoxia, the expression of caspase-3 in the presence of belliidifolin was significantly lower. Data suggest that bellidifolin may contribute to the protective effects associated with nerve injury initiated by hypoxia by mechanisms related to inhibition of cell apoptosis independent of the ERK pathway, but may involve blockade of p38MAPK signaling pathway activation and downstream caspase-3 expression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as one of the most common and lethal malignancies worldwide. A better understanding of the mechanism responsible for HCC metastasis will be helpful for the treatment of HCC patients. Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), a key enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of thymidine to thymine and deoxyribose-1-phosphate, was demonstrated to promote the invasion and metastasis of HCC in our study. Clinical retrospective analysis revealed that metastatic HCC tumor tissues have higher TP expression, and TP expression was significantly correlated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and 9 expression. Survival analysis revealed that TP expression was negatively correlated with the prognosis of HCC patients. Moreover, in vitro cell experiments confirmed that TP could promote the migration and invasion of HCC cells. In addition, MMP2 and MMP9 were activated by TP overexpression. Overall, this study suggests that TP promotes metastasis and may serve as a marker of poor prognosis in HCC. Thus, TP is a potential target for the treatment of HCC.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of professor WU Lian-zhong's “resuscitation and regulating muscle” acupuncture method for spasmodic torticollis (ST) based on syndrome differentiation, and to compare the efficacy of acupuncture treatment between the patients with spasmodic torticollis who were not given botulinum toxin A by injection and the patients given botulinum toxin A by injection. Methods Forty patients were divided into treatment group (not given botulinum toxin A by injection) and control group (given botulinum toxin A by injection), with 20 patients in each group. “Resuscitation and regulating muscle” acupuncture method was adopted in both two groups, and the treatment lasted for 6 months. The clinical efficacy in both two groups was compared after treatment. Tsui's Scale was applied to evaluate the overall effect, the abnormal posture of cervical spine and dystonic tremor. Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) was used for scoring the severity of torticollis, quality of life and pain. Results After treatment, the markedly effective rate and the total effective rate in treatment group were 35.0% and 90.0%, respectively, which were superior to those in control group, namely 20.0% and 75.0%, and the efficacy difference was statistically significant for the total effective rate (P Conclusion “Resuscitation and regulating muscle” acupuncture method can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of ST patients, and better efficacy is found in the patients not given botulinum toxin A by injection. The course of treatment of acupuncture treatment for torticollis patients is longer, and the patients should insist on treatment, and keep a good attitude.