Compound Kushen Injection as an Adjunctive Therapy for the Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of compound Kushen injection (CKI) combined with chemo treatment (chemo) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We systematically searched the literature published in seven databases, including Embase, PubMed, central, MEDLINE, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, from their inception to April 2019 for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CKI plus chemo with chemo alone in patients with NSCLC. Our main end point was clinical efficiency and the secondary outcomes were Karnofsky performance score (KPS), immune function, and adverse events.

Cerebrospinal fluid light and heavy neurofilament level increased in anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

Background: Neurofilaments (Nf) are a series of highly specific scaffolding proteins of neurons. Neurofilament light chains (Nf-L) and the heavy one (Nf-H) are subunits of Nf, and they are recognized as potent productions of neural damage. The concentrations of Nf aggrandized significantly in neurological disease including neuromyelitis optica, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

IRAK-M Deficiency Exacerbates Ischemic Neurovascular Injuries in Experimental Stroke Mice.

Innate immune response to neuronal death is one of the key events of the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-M, encoded by gene , negatively regulates toll-like receptor signaling by interacting with the MyD88-IRAK-4-IRAK-1 complex and blocking the phosphorylation and dissociation of IRAK-1. Its function in the ischemic stroke is unknown.

Herbal medicine foot bath for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: protocol for a randomized, double-blind and controlled trial.

Background: As a common complication of diabetes, the incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is 60-70% worldwide. DPN is a major risk factor for diabetic foot, which may lead to foot ulceration and even amputation. The treatment of DPN remains challenging.

A clinically relevant MRI grading system for lumbar central canal stenosis.

Objective: To correlate lumbar spinal stenosis as graded on noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with clinical symptomatology.

Methods: Five grades were developed for lumbar central canal stenosis based on compression of the dural sac and cauda equina. We studied concordance in 112 patients between the grading system and the anteroposterior diameter of spinal canal, dural sac cross-sectional area, Oswestry disability index, and the pain visual analogue scale (VAS).

Ligament, nerve, and blood vessel anatomy of the lateral zone of the lumbar intervertebral foramina.

Purpose: To provide an anatomical basis for intrusive treatment using an approach through the lateral zones of the lumbar intervertebral foramina (LIF), especially for acupotomology lysis, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopy, and lumbar nerve root block.

Methods: Blood vessels, ligaments, nerves, and adjacent structures of ten cadavers were exposed through the L1-2 to L5-S1 intervertebral foramina and examined.

Results: The lateral zones of the LIF were almost filled by ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels, which were separated into compartments by superior/inferior transforaminal ligaments and corporotransverse superior/inferior ligaments.

Luo Lingjie's experience in treating chronic nephropathy.

In treating chronic nephropathy, Luo Lingjie, a chief physician, pays attention to regulating the balance between yin and yang, treating infection if present, and removing pathogenic factors. He prescribes gentle drugs and uses carefully strongly warming-tonifying ones, emphasizes the importance of persuading the patient to persist in treatment with medication and nurse one's health for recuperation, and is good at combined use of TCM and western medicine therapy and brings the merits of various therapies into full play, with obvious therapeutic effects.