The therapeutic principle of combined clearing heat and resolving toxin plus TACE on primary liver cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended as the first-line therapy for unresected primary liver cancer (PLC), but only partial patients could benefit from TACE due to the serious adverse reactions. Clearing heat and resolving toxin (CHRT), one of most critical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic principles, has been widely used in the treatment of PLC patients especially after TACE. However, there is no enough clinical evidence to confirm the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy.

Iodine-125 brachytherapy suppresses tumor growth and alters bone metabolism in a H1299 xenograft mouse model.

The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Iodine-125 (I-125) brachytherapy in a mouse model of non-small cell lung cancer, to further explore the efficacy and appropriate method of implantation of the I-125 radioactive seed. This study also aimed to determine the impact of brachytherapy on bone metabolism. A total of 18 mice were used to establish H1299 xenograft models, and were randomly assigned to three groups.

Acupuncture improves chemotherapy-induced neuropathy explored by neurophysiological and clinical outcomes - The randomized, controlled, cross-over ACUCIN trial.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is recognized as the second commonest side effect after chemotherapy. Besides neurological deficits and pain, it is a potential reason for terminating chemotherapy. Effective curative treatments of neurodegeneration are lacking.

Cinnamic acid inhibits cell viability, invasion, and glycolysis in primary endometrial stromal cells by suppressing NF-κB-induced transcription of PKM2.

Background:   Endometriosis is a painful disorder characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Here, we investigated the effects of the cinnamic acid isolated from the Chinese medicinal plant Cinnamomum cassia Presl on primary endometrial stromal cells.

Methods:   Immunohistochemistry was used to examine protein expression and cell purity.

Effects of I-125 seeds combined with anlotinib on tumor growth and bone metabolism in A549 tumor-bearing mice.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of tumor suppression and mechanism for different implantation modes of iodine-125 (I-125) seeds irradiation in a mice xenograft model, and its skeletal complications.

Materials And Methods: A total of 24 mice carrying A549 lung tumor-derived xenografts were randomly assigned to four groups, including non-radioactive (sham) seeds implantation, I-125 seeds fractional implantation, I-125 seeds single implantation and I-125 seeds single implantation combined with anlotinib. Ki67 immunohistochemistry, TUNEL immunofluorescence and CD31 morphometric analysis were used to determine the proliferation index, rate of apoptotic cells and microvessel density, respectively.

Problem-based learning and case-based learning in dental education.

Background: Numerous novel teaching methods have been developed in recent times for use in medical education. Of these methods, problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning (CBL) have attracted the most attention. We evaluated and compared the efficiency of these two teaching methods in dental education and discussed the importance of teachers to these courses.

T stage prediction of colorectal tumor based on multiparametric functional images.

Background: Recent studies have shown radiomics parameters of functional imaging have predictive values in many diseases. This study was to investigate the value of radiomics parameters of both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting T stage of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Imaging findings of CT and MRI (both cT1-W and T2-W) and clinical information were collected from 29 patients.

FKBP3 mediates oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer cells by regulating HDAC2 expression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC), a commonly occurring malignant tumor in the gastrointestinal tract, is the third leading cause of cancer‑related deaths worldwide. FK506‑binding proteins (FKBPs) comprise an immunophilin family that are involved in the carcinogenesis, progression and chemoresistance of cancers, including CRC. FKBP3 (also known as FKBP25) is a nuclear protein that is a member of the FKBP family and is correlated with the activity of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2).

The effects of Chinese herbal medicines for treating diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review of 49 randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To assess the effects and associated risks of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).

Methods: We systematically searched seven electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about Chinese herbal medicines for treating diabetic foot ulcers. The methodological quality of RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Effects of electroacupuncture combined with stem cell transplantation on anal sphincter injury-induced faecal incontinence in a rat model.

Background: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and acupuncture are known to mitigate tissue damage. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of combined electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation and BMSC injection in a rat model of anal sphincter injury-induced faecal incontinence (FI).

Methods: 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated control, FI, FI+EA, FI+BMSC, and FI+BMSC+EA.

Shikonin suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in endometrioid endometrial cancer cells via modulating /PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Shikonin, a natural naphthoquinone isolated from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, which exerts anticancer effects in various cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of shikonin against endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) have not yet been fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated anticancer effects of shikonin on EEC cells and explored the underlying molecular mechanism.

Benzotriazole Enhances Cell Invasive Potency in Endometrial Carcinoma Through CTBP1-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Background/aims: Benzotriazole (BTR) and its derivatives, such as intermediates and UV stabilizers, are important man-made organic chemicals found in everyday life that have been recently identified as environmental toxins and a threat to female reproductive health. Previous studies have shown that BTR could act as a carcinogen by mimicking estrogen. Environmental estrogen mimics could promote the initiation and development of female cancers, such as endometrial carcinoma, a type of estrogenic-sensitive malignancy.

Clinicopathological, prognostic and predictive value of CD166 expression in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

CD166 has been identified as an important cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of our study was to investigate the relationship between CD166 expression and clinical features and to examine the role of CD166 expression on the survival of patients with CRC. A total of 15 studies with 3,332 cases were identified in this meta-analysis.

Prognostic and clinicopathologic significance of SIRT1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The clinical value of SIRT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of the histone deacetylase SIRT1 in HCC. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for survival outcomes and pooled odds ratios (ORs) for clinical parameters associated with SIRT1 were calculated in nine studies using Review Manager.

Sirtuin 6 plays an oncogenic role and induces cell autophagy in esophageal cancer cells.

Sirtuin 6, a member of sirtuin family, is generally regarded as a tumor suppressor as it participates in suppressing hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and MYC transcription activity by deacetylating H3K9 (histone H3 lysine 9) and H3K56 (histone H3 lysine) at promoters of target genes, leading to the aerobic glycolysis inhibition and cell growth suppression. However, its expression has recently been reported to be highly elevated in a series of tumors, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer, indicating that sirtuin 6 plays dual roles in tumorigenicity in a cell/tumor type-specific manner. To our knowledge, the biological roles of sirtuin 6 in esophageal cancer cells have still been underestimated.

Is Ep-CAM Expression a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer? A Systematic Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cancer stem cell (CSC) epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) is frequently expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the clinical significance of Ep-CAM expression in CRC is not clear. This study evaluated whether Ep-CAM provided valuable insight as a molecular biomarker for CRC diagnosis and prognosis and the potential of Ep-CAM as a novel therapeutic target in CRC.

Hypoxia-induced vasculogenic mimicry formation in human colorectal cancer cells: Involvement of HIF-1a, Claudin-4, and E-cadherin and Vimentin.

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) plays an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis, and both hypoxia and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are necessary for VM. In this study, HIF-1α expression was upregulated in the VM-positive CRC cell line HCT-116 and thereby affected the expression of the EMT-related markers Claudin-4, E-cadherin (E-cd) and Vimentin(VIM). SB431542 and U0126EtOH, which can inhibit of EMT were used to treat HCT-116 and HCT-8 in these experiments.

Yi Ai Fang, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, impacts the vasculogenic mimicry formation of human colorectal cancer through HIF-1α and epithelial mesenchymal transition.

Background: Yi Ai Fang (YAF), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been identified to have anticancer activity in our previously studies. The present study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of YAF suppression of VM on colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.

MiroRNA-127-3p targets XRCC3 to enhance the chemosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells to a novel phenanthroline-dione derivative.

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs with 18-22 nucleotides in length and have been proposed to function in various biological processes by targeting genes for post-transcriptional degradation via their 3' untranslated region. Moreover, they have been suggested to improve the chemosensitivity in a panel of tumors. However, the biological functions of microRNA-127-3p in esophageal carcinogenesis are still enigmatic.

"Overconfidence" versus "helplessness": A qualitative study on abstinence self-efficacy of drug users in a male compulsory drug detention center in China.

Background: Compulsory drug detention is the most frequent way to control drug use in China; however, it has often been criticized. This qualitative study aimed to investigate abstinence self-efficacy and its sources of drug users in a compulsory male drug detention center in Shanghai, China, and the attitudes of the drug users to this form of rehabilitation.

Methods: Thirty-six participants were interviewed (semi-structured, in depth) about their history of drug use and rehabilitation, self-evaluation of addiction, motivations to abstain, plans for the future and attitudes toward rehabilitation.

Dopaminergic inhibition by G9a/Glp complex on tyrosine hydroxylase in nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity.

The neural balance between facilitation and inhibition determines the final tendency of central sensitization. Nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity was considered as the results from the enhanced ascending facilitation and the diminished descending inhibition. The role of dopaminergic transmission in the descending inhibition has been well documented, but its underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear.

Classification of Mixtures of Chinese Herbal Medicines Based on a Self-organizing Map (SOM).

Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) are typically mixtures of compounds and are often categorized into cold and hot according to the theory of Chinese Medicine. This classification is essential for guiding the clinical application of CHMs. In this study, three types of molecular descriptors were used to build models for classification of 59 CHMs with typical cold/hot properties in the training set taken from the original records on properties in China Pharmacopeia as reference.

Open vs. closed reduction combined with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis in humeral fractures.

Aim To explore a more effective surgical procedure, the outcomes of closed manipulative reduction (CMR) combined with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and conventional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for treating proximal humeral fractures were compared. Material and methods In a retrospective study of patients operated for humerus shaft fractures from April 2008 to July 2011, the outcomes of 33 patients treated with CMR/MIPO were compared with the outcomes of 42 patients treated with ORIF. The fractures were classified, and the incision length, blood transfusion, operating time, as well as the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain scores were analyzed.

Interlocking intramedullary nail fixation with additional bone grafting from trochanter via a femoral hollow trephine in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures: design and clinical application.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the clinical application of the technique of interlocking intramedullary (IM) nailing via an entry point at the tip of greater trochanter using a specially designed femoral hollow trephine to stabilize diaphyseal fractures of the femur.

Methods: From February 2010 to April 2014, 35 consecutive patients with femoral shaft fractures were treated by the therapy of bone grafting from trochanter region with interlocking IM nail. The average age of these 23 male and 12 female patients was 37.

Melittin inhibits tumor angiogenesis modulated by endothelial progenitor cells associated with the SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling pathway in a UMR-106 osteosarcoma xenograft mouse model.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are important in tumor angiogenesis. Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and its receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) are key in stem cell homing. Melittin, a component of bee venom, exerts antitumor activity, however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.