The Effect of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors in the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs) may help prevent stroke. However, heterogeneity can be found in the conclusions of different studies. The relevant evidence was summarized in this systematic review and meta-analysis to further clarify the role of XOIs in the prevention and treatment of stroke, with a focus on evaluating the effects of XOIs in primary and secondary prevention of stroke, acute stroke treatment, and reduction of post-stroke complications.

Autocrine TGF-β1 drives tissue-specific differentiation and function of resident NK cells.

Group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) encompass NK cells and ILC1s, which have non-redundant roles in host protection against pathogens and cancer. Despite their circulating nature, NK cells can establish residency in selected tissues during ontogeny, forming a distinct functional subset. The mechanisms that initiate, maintain, and regulate the conversion of NK cells into tissue-resident NK (trNK) cells are currently not well understood.

The Biggest Obstacle to the Integration of Acupuncture: The Meaning of Qi from the Ancients to Einstein.

Qi continues to be questionably translated in the West as the biblical idea of lifeforce. The true meaning of qi may be closer to the Western scientific definition of energy as the material basis of everything in the Universe. To illustrate this, parallels are drawn between the writings of ancient Chinese thinkers and Western definitions of energy, including the laws of thermodynamics underlying Western scientific thought and yin-yang theory underlying Chinese scientific thought.

Laser acupuncture and photobiomodulation therapy in Bell's palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks: a randomized controlled trial.

To investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture and photobiomodulation therapy in alleviating symptoms among patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy with duration of greater than 8 weeks. The randomized controlled trial has been performed from May 2021 to April 2023. Patients were eligible who had Bell's palsy with duration of greater than 8 weeks on out-patient Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Beijing Tongren Hospital.

Gut Microbiota and Mitochondria: Health and Pathophysiological Aspects of Long COVID.

The current understanding of long COVID (LC) is still limited. This review highlights key findings regarding the role of gut microbiota, mitochondria, and the main pathophysiological aspects of LC revealed by clinical studies, related to the complex interplay between infection, intestinal dysbiosis, dysfunctional mitochondria, and systemic inflammation generated in a vicious circle, reflecting the molecular and cellular processes from the "leaky gut" to the "leaky electron transport chain (ETC)" into a quantum leap. The heterogeneity of LC has hindered progress in deciphering all the pathophysiological mechanisms, and therefore, the approach must be multidisciplinary, with a special focus not only on symptomatic management but also on addressing the underlying health problems of the patients.

NKG2D-mediated detection of metabolically stressed hepatocytes by innate-like T cells is essential for initiation of NASH and fibrosis.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from benign steatosis to cirrhosis. A key event in the pathophysiology of MAFLD is the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can potentially lead to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but the triggers of MAFLD-associated inflammation are not well understood. We have observed that lipid accumulation in hepatocytes induces expression of ligands specific to the activating immune receptor NKG2D.

Infection, Dysbiosis and Inflammation Interplay in the COVID Era in Children.

For over three years, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children and adolescents has generated repercussions, especially a few weeks after infection, for symptomatic patients who tested positive, for asymptomatic ones, or even just the contacts of an infected person, and evolved from severe forms such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) to multifarious clinical manifestations in long COVID (LC). Referred to under the umbrella term LC, the onset of persistent and highly heterogeneous symptoms such as fatigue, post-exertion malaise, cognitive dysfunction, and others have a major impact on the child's daily quality of life for months. The first aim of this review was to highlight the circumstances of the pathophysiological changes produced by COVID-19 in children and to better understand the hyperinflammation in COVID-19 and how MIS-C, as a life-threatening condition, could have been avoided in some patients.

Synergistic Nanomedicine: Photodynamic, Photothermal and Photoimmune Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Fulfilling the Myth of Prometheus?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, with high morbidity and mortality, which seriously threatens the health and life expectancy of patients. The traditional methods of treatment by surgical ablation, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and more recently immunotherapy have not given the expected results in HCC. New integrative combined therapies, such as photothermal, photodynamic, photoimmune therapy (PTT, PDT, PIT), and smart multifunctional platforms loaded with nanodrugs were studied in this review as viable solutions in the synergistic nanomedicine of the future.

Photobiomodulation in Alzheimer's Disease-A Complementary Method to State-of-the-Art Pharmaceutical Formulations and Nanomedicine?

Alzheimer's disease (AD), as a neurodegenerative disorder, usually develops slowly but gradually worsens. It accounts for approximately 70% of dementia cases worldwide, and is recognized by WHO as a public health priority. Being a multifactorial disease, the origins of AD are not satisfactorily understood.

Reflex Auriculo-Cardiac (RAC) Induced by Auricular Laser and Needle Acupuncture: New Case Results Using a Smartphone.

The reflex auriculo-cardiac (RAC), dynamic pulse reaction (Nogier reflex), or vascular autonomic signal was proposed by Nogier. It refers to the pulse changes that can occur in the radial artery immediately after auricular acupuncture is performed. RAC is helpful for the clinical practice of auricular acupuncture, but there is a lack of objective verification methods.

The Future of Laser Acupuncture-Robot-Assisted Laser Stimulation and Evaluation.

This brief contribution is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Laser Acupuncture: Past, Present and Future' and primarily deals with the future of laser acupuncture from the author's perspective. The procedure from developing the first laser to robot-assisted laser acupuncture is briefly shown. The latter has already become a reality and, in the near future, will be made accessible to a broad group of patients as a home treatment system developed by researchers from Taiwan.

A Biophysical Model for Cardiovascular Effects of Acupuncture-Underlying Mechanisms Based on First Principles.

According to recent translations by medical professionals of the foundational texts of Chinese Medicine, the acupuncture channel system can be reconciled with the neurovasculature. From there, the underlying mechanisms of the effects of acupuncture can be drawn from established physiology and known physical laws. A large body of research has been carried out using cardiovascular markers to measure the effects of acupuncture.

Biomarkers in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Macrophage Activation Syndrome and Their Importance in COVID Era.

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and its complication, macrophage activation syndrome (sJIA-MAS), are rare but sometimes very serious or even critical diseases of childhood that can occasionally be characterized by nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms at onset-such as non-remitting high fever, headache, rash, or arthralgia-and are biologically accompanied by an increase in acute-phase reactants. For a correct positive diagnosis, it is necessary to rule out bacterial or viral infections, neoplasia, and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Delays in diagnosis will result in late initiation of targeted therapy.

Editorial on the "Special Issue in Honor of Dr. Michael Weber's 70th Birthday: Photodynamic Therapy: Rising Star in Pharmaceutical Applications".

Thousands of years ago, phototherapy or heliotherapy was performed by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans [...

Embryonic and neonatal waves generate distinct populations of hepatic ILC1s.

Group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) comprising circulating natural killer (cNK) cells and tissue-resident ILC1s are critical for host defense against pathogens and tumors. Despite a growing understanding of their role in homeostasis and disease, the ontogeny of group 1 ILCs remains largely unknown. Here, we used fate mapping and single-cell transcriptomics to comprehensively investigate the origin and turnover of murine group 1 ILCs.

An Initial Study on Multi-Point Laser Acupuncture Based on 2-D Galvo Mirror.

Currently, the majority of commercially available laser acupuncture instruments are still hand-held and only support single-point stimulation. Simultaneous multi-point stimulation improves the therapeutic efficacy of laser acupuncture by stimulating multiple acupoints at the same time. A "2-dimensional (2-D) galvo mirror" was utilized as a positioning laser acupuncture device for multi-acupoints stimulation.

Laser Acupuncture and Dynamic Pulse Reaction Quantified by Smartphone:Two Experimental Examples.

The dynamic pulse reaction (Nogier reflex), Reflex-Auriculo-Cardiac (RAC), or vascular autonomic signal is a physiologic phenomenon that is not fully accepted and widely understood in contemporary medical practice. In order to provide appropriate scientific evidence for better understanding, qualitative and-above all-quantitative research in this area is necessary. In this short report, 2 recordings of dynamic pulse reactions based on an analysis performed on a modified smartphone are demonstrated during laser acupuncture experiments using stimulation at ear acupuncture points.

10th Anniversary of the International Society for Medical Laser Applications.

This short report is about the International Society for Medical Laser Applications (ISLA). A short list of the most frequently used methods within the research areas of the ISLA is included along with a description of how the great potential of these new laser methods led to numerous improvements in patient treatment. The ISLA attaches great importance to being an opinion leader in the context of evidence-based laser medicine.

Celiac Disease and Targeting the Molecular Mechanisms of Autoimmunity in COVID Pandemic.

Celiac disease (CD) comprises over 1% of the world's population and is a chronic multisystem immune-mediated condition manifested by digestive and/or extradigestive symptoms caused by food intake of gluten. This review looked at the risk of children diagnosed with CD developing SARS-CoV-2 infection and possible severe forms of COVID-19. A better understanding of the interaction and effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in CD is very important, as is the role of environmental and genetic factors, but especially the molecular mechanisms involved in modulating intestinal permeability with impact on autoimmunity.

Implications of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a serious multifactorial autoinflammatory disease with a significant mortality rate due to macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Recent research has deepened the knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms of sJIA-MAS, facilitating new targeted treatments, and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), which significantly changed the course of the disease and prognosis. This review highlights that children are less likely to suffer severe COVID-19 infection, but at approximately 2-4 weeks, some cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have been reported, with a fulminant course.