Amlexanox Enforces Osteogenic Differentiation and Bone Homeostasis Through Inhibiting Ubiquitin-Dependent Degradation of β-Catenin.

There was arising osteoporosis from an imbalance in bone remodeling, with excessive differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into adipocytes instead of osteoblasts. In this study, we found IKKε was upregulated in osteoporotic bone and knockdown promoted osteoblast differentiation. We explored amlexanox (AM), a novel IKKε inhibitor, for its effects on osteogenic differentiation and bone homeostasis.

Efficacy and cerebral mechanisms of acupuncture for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: study protocol for a multicenter, randomized controlled neuroimaging trial.

Introduction: Although acupuncture is recommended by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment guidelines owing to its effects on dyspnea, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with stable COPD and explore the possible involvement of specific brain regions.

Methods: This is a prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

A rare concomitance of Wilson's disease and systemic lupus erythematosus in a teenage girl: a case report and literature review.

Background: Wilson's disease (WD) is an inherited disorder characterized by impaired biliary excretion of copper and excessive copper accumulation in multiple organs, primarily leading to hepatic, neurological, and psychiatric manifestations. The coexistence of WD and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has rarely been reported, posing challenges in accurately diagnosing these two conditions because of overlapping clinical symptoms.

Case Presentation: We presented the case of a 17-year-old girl initially suspected of having SLE due to positive anti-nuclear antibodies and lupus anticoagulants, decreased platelet count, hypocomplementemia, and pleural effusion.

Effectiveness and safety of opioids on breathlessness and exercise endurance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Opioids are recommended to treat advanced refractory dyspnoea despite optimal therapy by the American Thoracic Society clinical practice guidelines, while newly published randomised controlled trials of opioids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease yield conflicting results.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of opioids for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42021272556).

Anticentromere antibody positive patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome have distinctive clinical and immunological characteristics.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical manifestations, immunological characteristics, circulating lymphocyte subsets and risk factors of anticentromere antibody (ACA) positive patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: Data of 333 patients with newly diagnosed pSS were collected and analysed retrospectively. The demographic features, glandular dysfunction, extraglandular manifestations, laboratory data, peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles and serum cytokines were compared between ACA-positive and ACA-negative pSS patients.

Diagnostic performance of mycological tests for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in non-haematological patients: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Increasing numbers of patients with non-haematological diseases are infected with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), with a high mortality reported which is mainly due to delayed diagnosis. The diagnostic capability of mycological tests for IPA including galactomannan test, (1,3)-β-D-glucan test, lateral flow assay, lateral flow device and PCR for the non-haematological patients remains unknown. This protocol aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of mycological tests to facilitate the early diagnosis and treatments of IPA in non-haematological diseases.

Hypocomplementemia in primary Sjogren's syndrome: association with serological, clinical features, and outcome.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical characteristic of hypocomplementemia (HC) in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and to address possible risk factors and the prognosis associated with HC in pSS patients.

Methods: pSS patients with HC in Hebei General Hospital from September 2016 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed and compared to those with normocomplementemia (NC). Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors.

Interstitial lung disease in Primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may cause life-threatening complications of primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and has a poor prognosis in terms of survival and quality of life. To date, few studies have investigated the risk factors for ILD detected by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in pSS patients with or without respiratory symptoms.

Methods: Data of 333 patients with newly diagnosed pSS were retrospectively analysed.

Effect and Safety of Acupuncture for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 21 Randomised Controlled Trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture on hypoglycaemic outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception up to July 2020, to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that enrolled patients with T2DM and compared acupuncture combined with antidiabetic drugs to antidiabetic drugs alone.

Serum exosomes from young rats improve the reduced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in aged rats with osteoporosis after fatigue loading in vivo.

Background: Osteoporosis is a major public health concern for the elderly population and is characterized by fatigue load resulting in bone microdamage. The ability of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to repair bone microdamage diminishes with age, and the accumulation of bone microdamage increases the risk of osteoporotic fracture. There is a lack of effective means to promote the repair of bone microdamage in aged patients with osteoporosis.

Clinical features and risk factors of Raynaud's phenomenon in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: The aim at the current study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 333 new-onset pSS patients was performed. Demographic, clinical, and serological data were compared between individuals with and without RP.

Patients with early-onset primary Sjögren's syndrome have distinctive clinical manifestations and circulating lymphocyte profiles.

Objectives: To further investigate the clinical characteristics and circulating lymphocyte profiles of patients with early-onset primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Method: Data of 333 patients with pSS were analysed retrospectively. Early onset was defined as a pSS diagnosis at an age of 35 years or younger.

Adherence to the CONSORT statement and extension for nonpharmacological treatments in randomized controlled trials of bariatric surgery: A systematic survey.

Reporting is critical for establishing the value of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This study evaluated the adherence of bariatric surgery RCT reporting to the CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement 2010 and its 2017 extension for non-pharmacologic treatments (NPT extension). We identified all RCTs comparing bariatric surgery with conservational therapy or alternative bariatric surgery up to June 30, 2020.

Moxibustion for Essential Hypertension and Hypertensive Symptoms: A Systematic Review of 18 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: This systematic review aims to update the evidence for moxibustion for essential hypertension.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing moxibustion versus lifestyle intervention or moxibustion plus antihypertensive drugs versus antihypertensive drugs alone were searched in 9 databases up to March 29, 2020. In meta-analyses, mean difference (MD) and proportional odds ratio (pOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was pooled for continuous and ordinal outcomes, respectively.

Yiqi Fumai Injection as an Adjuvant Therapy in Treating Chronic Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis of 33 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Yiqi Fumai injection (YQFM) is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for cardiovascular diseases in China. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether YQFM could be an effective and safe complementary therapy for chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: Eight electronic literature databases were searched up to March 31, 2020.

Oral and injectable Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE) as adjuvant therapy to chemotherapy for gastric cancer: a systematic review.

Background: Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE) is a phytochemical widely used as complementary therapy in cancer care. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the anticancer and detoxification effects of MTE, as an adjuvant therapy to chemotherapy, for treating gastric cancer.

Methods: Ten databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing oral or injectable MTE plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for treating gastric cancer up to May 1, 2019.

Efficacy and safety of moxibustion in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A systematic review protocol.

Background: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common urogenital disease. Moxibustion is a complementary treatment option for CP/CPPS. This systematic review will assess the efficacy and safety of moxibustion as a sole or add-on therapy for CP/CPPS.

Acupuncture and related techniques for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review protocol.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health problem. As a complementary treatment, acupuncture and related techniques are widely used to treat metabolic and endocrine diseases, but their efficacy and safety for T2DM are yet to be established. This systematic review will qualitatively and quantitatively summarize the current randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and related techniques in patients with T2DM.