Traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cancers of hepatobiliary system: from clinical evidence to drug discovery.

Hepatic, biliary, and pancreatic cancer pose significant challenges in the field of digestive system diseases due to their highly malignant nature. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained attention as a potential therapeutic approach with long-standing use in China and well-recognized clinical benefits. In this review, we systematically summarized the clinical applications of TCM that have shown promising results in clinical trials in treating hepatic, biliary, and pancreatic cancer.

Lateral/caudal ganglionic eminence makes limited contribution to cortical oligodendrocytes.

The emergence of myelinating oligodendrocytes represents a pivotal developmental milestone in vertebrates, given their capacity to ensheath axons and facilitate the swift conduction of action potentials. It is widely accepted that cortical oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) arise from medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), lateral/caudal ganglionic eminence (LGE/CGE), and cortical radial glial cells (RGCs). Here, we used two different fate mapping strategies to challenge the established notion that the LGE generates cortical OPCs.

An integrated strategy for quality control of Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones based on Q-marker.

Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones (PCsP), a traditional Chinese medicine known as ‶Shan-Ci-Gu″, possesses properties for clearing heat, counteracting toxicity, dissipating phlegm, and resolving masses. As a TCM with multiple bases, the dried pseudobulbs of Pleione bulbocodioides (PB), Pleione yunnanensis (PY) and Cremastra appendiculata (CA) are considered to be the official sources of PCsP. Additionally, several unofficial substitutes are also available in the market.

Electroacupuncture treatment improves postoperative ileus by inhibiting the Th1 cell-mediated inflammatory response through the vagus nerve.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to improve intestinal motility in mice with postoperative ileus (POI). Previous studies, however, have yielded heterogeneous results regarding the effect of EA on POI.

Methods: Herein, a POI mouse model was constructed by intestinal manipulation.

NEK2 promotes the migration, invasion, proliferation of ESCC and mediates ESCC immunotherapy.

Purpose: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a disease with a high incidence rate and high mortality worldwide. The Never in Mitosis A (NIMA) family member NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) plays an important role in mitosis. However, the role of NEK2 in the pathogenesis of ESCC remains unclear.

Clinical Outcomes, Survival, and Predictors in Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients Treated with Cyclosporine A.

Introduction: Therapeutic options to improve myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-related cytopenias in patients with lower-risk MDS are limited, and cyclosporin A (CSA) is an available option.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 153 consecutive patients with lower-risk MDS at our institution from July 1997 to October 2017. The propensity score matching method was used to balance the influence of confounding factors between patients with MDS treated with CSA and other conventional treatments (excluding CSA), and 50 pairs of cases were successfully identified for the final analysis.

Macrophage cytotherapy on liver cirrhosis.

Macrophages, an essential cell population involved in mediating innate immunity in the host, play a crucial role on the development of hepatic cirrhosis. Extensive studies have highlighted the potential therapeutic benefits of macrophage therapy in treating hepatic cirrhosis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various effects and underlying mechanisms associated with macrophage therapy in the context of hepatic cirrhosis.

A Machine Learning-Based Classification of Immunogenic Cell Death Regulators and Characterisation of Immune Microenvironment in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) regulators exert a crucial part in quite a few in numerous biological processes. This study aimed to determine the function and diagnostic value of ICD regulators in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). 31 significant ICD regulators were identified from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database in this work (the combination of the GSE16561 dataset and the GSE37587 dataset in the comparison of non-AIS and AIS patients).

Multimodal roles of transient receptor potential channel activation in inducing pathological tissue scarification.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a class of transmembrane proteins that can sense a variety of physical/chemical stimuli, participate in the pathological processes of various diseases and have attracted increasing attention from researchers. Recent studies have shown that some TRP channels are involved in the development of pathological scarification (PS) and directly participate in PS fibrosis and re-epithelialization or indirectly activate immune cells to release cytokines and neuropeptides, which is subdivided into immune inflammation, fibrosis, pruritus and mechanical forces increased. This review elaborates on the characteristics of TRP channels, the mechanism of PS and how TRP channels mediate the development of PS, summarizes the important role of TRP channels in the different pathogenesis of PS and proposes that therapeutic strategies targeting TRP will be important for the prevention and treatment of PS.

Subclavian vein ultrasound-guided fluid management to prevent post-spinal anesthetic hypotension during cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Hypotension frequently occurs after spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery, and fluid loading is recommended for its prevention. We evaluated the efficacy of subclavian vein (SCV) ultrasound (US)-guided volume optimization in preventing hypotension after spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery.

Methods: This randomized controlled study included 80 consecutive full-term parturients scheduled for cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia.

Qingre Qushi formula suppresses atopic dermatitis via a multi-target mechanism.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Our previous studies have shown that the Qingre Qushi (QRQS) formula can treat atopic dermatitis (AD), and its possible mechanism is related to the regulation of the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway. However, the molecular mechanism of AD is complex, and various AD subtypes respond better to therapies aimed at distinct targets.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to investigate the multi-target mechanism of QRQS using experimental and network pharmacology studies.

Safety of prone emergence from general endotracheal anesthesia in patients undergoing ERCP: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Conventional supine emergence and prone extubation from general endotracheal anesthesia (GEA) are associated with extubation-related adverse events (ERAEs). Given the minimally invasive nature of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as well as the improved ventilation/perfusion matching and easier airway opening in the prone position, we aimed to assess the safety of prone emergence and extubation in patients undergoing ERCP under GEA.

Methods: Totally, 242 eligible patients were recruited and randomized into the supine extubation group (n = 121; supine group) and the prone extubation group (n = 121; prone group).

Efficacy and safety of electrical acupoint stimulation for postoperative nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting are typical postsurgical complications. Drug therapy is only partially effective. The goal of our meta-analysis is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of electrical acupoint stimulation for postoperative nausea and vomiting and to score the quality of evidence supporting this concept.

Cyp4a12-mediated retinol metabolism in stellate cells is the antihepatic fibrosis mechanism of the Chinese medicine Fuzheng Huayu recipe.

Background: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which contain multiple retinol-containing lipid droplets, are important profibrotic cells in liver fibrosis. Under Cyp4a12a/b oxidation, HSC activation was accompanied by the downregulation of genes involved in retinol metabolism, inducing RAE-1 production. By eliminating activated HSCs, NK cells expressing the activating receptor NKG2D are recruited to alleviate fibrosis.

Pain Trajectory after Short-Stay Anorectal Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

The evolution of pain after anorectal surgery has not been well characterized. The main objective of this study is to evaluate patterns in acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing short-stay anorectal surgery. A total of 217 patients were included in the study, which used group-based trajectory modeling to estimate postoperative pain and then examined the relationships between sociodemographic or surgical factors and pain trajectories.

General anesthesia vs. non-general anesthesia for vertebrobasilar stroke endovascular therapy.

Background: The optimal type of anesthesia for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) remains controversial. We aimed to assess the influence of anesthetic management on the outcomes in VBAO patients received endovascular treatment (EVT).

Methods: Patients underwent EVT for acute VBAO at 21 stroke centers in China were retrospectively enrolled and compared between the general anesthesia (GA) group and non-GA group.

Investigation of the mechanisms and experimental verification of Shao yao gan cao decoction against Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction via systems pharmacology.

This study explored the chemical and pharmacological mechanisms of Shao Yao Gan Cao decoction (SYGC) in the treatment of Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Quadrupole Exactive-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap HR-MS), network pharmacology, transcriptomics, molecular docking and in vivo experiments. First, we identified that SYGC improves SOD in guinea pigs by increased c-kit expression and decreased inflammation infiltration and ring muscle disorders. Then, a total of 649 SOD differential genes were found through RNA sequencing and mainly enriched in complement and coagulation cascades, the B cell receptor signaling pathway and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.

Screening of major hepatotoxic components of Tripterygium wilfordii based on hepatotoxic injury patterns.

Background: Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. (TwHF), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Cuproptosis-related LncRNAs are potential prognostic and immune response markers for patients with HNSCC via the integration of bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

Introduction: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignant neoplasm typically induced by alcohol and tobacco consumption, ranked the sixth most prevalent cancer globally. This study aimed to establish a cuproptosis-related lncRNA predictive model to assess the clinical significance in HNSCC patients.

Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was utilized to download cuproptosis-related genes, lncRNAs profiles, and selected clinical information of 482 HNSCC samples.

Activation of P2X4 receptors in midbrain cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus leads to mechanical hyperalgesia in chronic constriction injury rats.

Neuropathic pain is a refractory pain state, and its mechanism is still not clear. Previous studies have shown that the purine receptor P2X4R expressed on hyperactive microglia in the spinal cord is essential for the occurrence and development of neuropathic pain. The cerebrospinal fluid-contacting nucleus (CSF-contacting nucleus) in the midbrain has been found to play an important role in the descending inhibition system of modulation.

Electroacupuncture alleviates depression-like behaviours via a neural mechanism involving activation of Nucleus Accumbens Shell.

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the depression-like behaviours in a mouse model of chronic restraint stress (CRS) and explored the underlying neural mechanisms.

Methods: Depression-like behaviours including sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT) and tail suspension test (TST) were carried out to evaluate the effects of CRS and EA treatment. Using immunohistochemistry to measure the expression of c-Fos.

TRPV1 SUMOylation suppresses itch by inhibiting TRPV1 interaction with H1 receptors.

The molecular mechanism underlying the functional interaction between H1R and TRPV1 remains unclear. We show here that H1R directly binds to the carboxy-terminal region of TRPV1 at residues 715-725 and 736-749. Cell-penetrating peptides containing these sequences suppress histamine-induced scratching behavior in a cheek injection model.

Efficacy and safety of Elian Granules in treating chronic atrophic gastritis: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

Background: Multifocal atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia are considered to be important links in the gastric precancerous cascade. However, there are no specific drugs for these conditions. Although many studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine is effective with no serious side effects, these studies have not been scientifically rigorous trials.

Prevalence of Sleep Problems Among Chinese Medical Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Sleep is a necessary physiological process, which is closely related to cognitive function, emotion, memory, endocrine balance, and immunity. The prevalence of sleep problems continues to rise in Chinese medical students, which has a potential influence on living and work.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the prevalence of sleep problems among medical students in China.

Integrated bioinformatic analysis of key biomarkers and signalling pathways in psoriasis.

Background And Aims: Psoriasis is a relatively common autoimmune inflammatory skin disease with a chronic etiology. Since psoriasis is still incurable, it is necessary to identify the molecular mechanisms of psoriasis. The present study was designed to detect novel biomarkers and pathways associated with psoriasis incidence, and provide new insights into treatment of psoriasis.