Effects of intensity of electroacupuncture on chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is impaired in people with chronic pain such as knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The purpose of this randomized, controlled clinical trial was to investigate whether strong electroacupuncture (EA) was more effective on chronic pain by strengthening the CPM function than weak EA or sham EA in patients with KOA.

Methods: In this multicenter, three-arm parallel, single-blind randomized controlled trial, 301 patients with KOA were randomly assigned.

Determining the optimal fasting glucose target for patients with type 2 diabetes: Results of the multicentre, open-label, randomized-controlled FPG GOAL trial.

The optimal fasting blood glucose (FBG) target of achieving HbA1c less than 7.0% in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients remains controversial. This open-label trial randomized (1:3:3) 947 adults with uncontrolled T2D (HbA1c >7% to ≤10.

Carbon Dioxide Laser Microsurgery versus Low-Temperature Plasma Radiofrequency Ablation for T1a Glottic Cancer: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Very few studies have been conducted to compare carbon dioxide laser microsurgery (CO2-LS) with low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation (LTP-RFA) in treating T1a glottic cancer. Therefore, we conducted this study to compare the efficacy of CO2-LS and LTP-RFA to define a superior therapeutic modality for T1a glottic cancer.

Methods: Patients (n=131) with T1a glottic cancer were recruited between January 2010 and September 2014.

Continuous Negative Pressure Drain is Associated with Better Outcome: A Randomized Prospective Trial in Plastic Surgery Patients.

Background: A randomized prospective trial to compare the effects on minimizing complications using continuous negative pressure drain and intermittent suction mode in plastic surgeries.

Methods: There were 174 cases of stage II post-auricular flap expansion and ear reconstruction, 76 cases of skin expansion flap repair, 56 cases of breast augmentation surgery, 58 cases of abdominoplasty, and 76 cases with free skin grafts. Patients were randomized to intermittent suction mode group (control group) and continuous negative pressure external drain group (intervention group) stratified by surgery types.

[Diagnostic value of computed tomographic perfusion imaging of whole liver for quantitative assessment of blood flow state in liver cancer after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization].

To investigate the diagnostic value of whole liver CT perfusion imaging in the quantitative evaluation of hemodynamic changes before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Twenty-six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent TACE therapies were recruited. Whole -liver computed tomographic perfusion imaging (CTPI) was performed 2~3 days before TACE and 1 month after TACE.

Inhibition of kinesin family member 20B sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cell to microtubule-targeting agents by blocking cytokinesis.

Kinesin family member 20B (KIF20B, also known as MPHOSPH1) is a kinesin protein that plays a critical role in cytokinesis. Previously, we and others have demonstrated the oncogenic role of KIF20B in several cancers; however, the exact mechanisms underlying its tumorigenic effects remain unclear. Herein, we showed overexpression of KIF20B in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and reported a negative correlation between KIF20B level and prognosis of patients.

Saponin from Tupistra chinensis Bak Inhibits NF-κB Signaling in Sarcoma S-180 Cell Mouse Xenografts.

This study examined the effect of saponins from Tupistra chinensis Bak (STCB) on the growth of sarcoma S-180 cells in vitro and in mouse xenografts as well as the underlying mechanisms. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry.

[Experimental study on long-term outcome of porcine collagen membrane xenotransplantation ].

Objective: To observe the long-term outcome and biocompatibility of the porcine collagen membrane (DermalGen) after xenotransplantation .

Methods: Twenty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups ( =10). DermalGen were implanted subcutaneously into the dorsum of rats in experimental group, and the rats in control group were treated with sham-operation.

Reducing protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 as a prospective therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Proteins that bind to microtubule are important for cell cycle, and some of these proteins show oncogenic characteristics with mechanisms not fully understood. Herein we demonstrate overexpression of protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1), a microtubule-associated regulator of mitosis, in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, upregulated PRC1 is associated with lower survival rates of HCC patients.

Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system for target identification and drug screening against neurodegenerative diseases.

Over the past decades, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been widely used as a model system because of its small size, transparent body, short generation time and lifespan (~3 days and 3 weeks, respectively), completely sequenced genome and tractability to genetic manipulation. Protein misfolding and aggregation are key pathological features in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

High glucose levels promote the proliferation of breast cancer cells through GTPases.

Hyperglycemia or diabetes mellitus (DM), which is characterized by high blood glucose levels, has been linked to an increased risk of cancer for years. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the pathophysiological link are not yet fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate that high glucose levels promote the proliferation of breast cancer cells by stimulating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation and the Rho family GTPase Rac1 and Cdc42 mediate the corresponding signaling induced by high glucose levels.

Aesthetic Eyebrow Reconstruction with an Expanded Scalp Island Flap Pedicled by the Superficial Temporal Artery.

Purpose: This case study demonstrates a new operative method of eyebrow reconstruction, in which the hair density of the reconstructed eyebrow is controlled by the surgeon and is more similar to that of the uninjured side, resulting in a more natural facial expression and greater aesthetic value for our patients.

Materials And Methods: The operation was divided into two stages: Stage 1: Implantation of a soft tissue expander into the corresponding subgaleal position of the parietal branch of the superficial temporal artery on the injured side, followed by dilation of the expander until the density of the hair on the expanded scalp reached a suitable value and was lower than that of the uninjured eyebrow. Stage 2: Harvesting of the scalp island flap pedicled by the superficial temporal artery, the end of which was attached to the expanded scalp, followed by the downward movement of the flap to the defect site of the eyebrow via a subcutaneous tunnel, resulting in new eyebrow formation.

[Developing a canine vocal fold scar model by CO₂ laser and studying the LOX, HSP70 and HA expression in its extra celluar matrix].

Building a canine vocal fold scar model and analyzing the changes in morphology, histopathology and related factors of extra cellular matrix (ECM) of vocal cord healing at different time periods.Five experimental dogs were randomly divided into the control group(one dog) and the experimental group (four dogs). No special treatment was done on the control group, and the experimental group was given CO₂ laser through laryngoscope with minimally invasive surgery on bilateral vocal cords.

Chronic pain and impaired glial glutamate transporter function in lupus-prone mice are ameliorated by blocking macrophage colony-stimulating factor-1 receptors.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-organ disease of unknown etiology in which the normal immune responses are directed against the body's own healthy tissues. Patients with SLE often suffer from chronic pain. Currently, no animal studies have been reported about the mechanisms underlying pain in SLE.

Safety and efficacy of etomidate and propofol anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing gastroscopy: A double-blind randomized clinical study.

The aim of the present study is to compare the safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness of anesthetic regimens by compound, using etomidate and propofol in elderly patients undergoing gastroscopy. A total of 200 volunteers (65-79 years of age) scheduled for gastroscopy under anesthesia were randomly divided into the following groups: P, propofol (1.5-2.

[EFFECT OF α-LIPOIC ACID IN INHIBITING OXIDATIVE STRESS AND PROMOTING DIABETIC WOUND HEALING BY SUPPRESSING EXPRESSION OF miR-29b IN MICE].

Objective: To investigate the effect of α-lipoic acid on the oxidative stress of wound tissues and diabetic wound healing in mice with diabetic feet.

Methods: Sixty male C57BL/6J mice weighting 200-300 g were randomly divided into model group (control group, =15), α-lipoic acid-treated model group (=15), miR-29b mimic group (=15), and miR-29b mimic negative control group (NC group, =15). All animals received intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin to establish the diabetic model.

SIRT1-mediated ERβ suppression in the endothelium contributes to vascular aging.

SIRT1 has many important molecular functions in aging, and the estrogen receptors (ERs) have a vasculoprotective effect, although the detailed mechanism for the roles of SIRT1 and ERs in vascular aging remains unclear. We found that ERβ expression in the endothelium was reduced in aging mice, and the expression of ERα and SIRT1 did not change, while SIRT1 activity declined. Further investigation showed that the ERβ expression was regulated by SIRT1 through complexes of SIRT1-PPARγ/RXR-p300 that bind to a PPRE (PPAR response element) site on the ERβ promoter, and the declined SIRT1 function in aging mice was due to compromised phosphorylation at S154.

Sinomenine alleviates high glucose-induced renal glomerular endothelial hyperpermeability by inhibiting the activation of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

As an early sign of diabetic cardiovascular disease, endothelial dysfunction may contribute to progressive diabetic nephropathy (DN). Endothelial hyperpermeability induced by hyperglycemia (HG) is a central pathogenesis for DN. Sinomenine (SIN) has strong anti-inflammatory and renal protective effects, following an unknown protective mechanism against HG-induced hyperpermeability.

Protective effects of Danggui Buxue Tang on renal function, renal glomerular mesangium and heparanase expression in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a simple combination of Radix and Radix (5:1), with a variety pharmacological activities. In the present study, a single intravenous injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin and subsequent six weeks of high glucose diet in Sprague Dawley rats were used to induce diabetic nephropathy. Rats with diabetes mellitus showed increased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), serum and urine β2-microglobulins (β2-MG), and type IV collagen (all P<0.

AMPKα1 knockout enhances nociceptive behaviors and spinal glutamatergic synaptic activities via production of reactive oxygen species in the spinal dorsal horn.

Emerging studies have shown that pharmacological activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) produces potent analgesic effects in different animal pain models. Currently, the spinal molecular and synaptic mechanism by which AMPK regulates the pain signaling system remains unclear. To address this issue, we utilized the Cre-LoxP system to conditionally knockout the AMPKα1 gene in the nervous system of mice.

Resistin Induces Hypertension and Insulin Resistance in Mice via a TLR4-Dependent Pathway.

Resistin, an adipokine involved in insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes, has recently been reported to play a role in cardiovascular events. However, its effect on blood pressure (BP) and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we showed that resistin induces hypertension and IR in wild type (WT) mice, but not in tlr4(-/-) mice.

Icariin has synergistic effects with methylprednisolone to ameliorate EAE via modulating HPA function, promoting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

Background: High-dose methylprednisolone (MP) is a clinically recommended therapeutic regimen for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), whereas some dreadful complications induced by it remain inevitable. Studies implied that estrogens might play neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory roles in EAE and MS and promote glucocorticoid efficacy. Icariin (ICA), a primary active component of Epimedium extracts, also possesses neuroprotective and estrogen-like effects with less adverse complication than estrogen.

Treatment of colon cancer with oncolytic herpes simplex virus in preclinical models.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are a rare population in any type of cancer, including colon cancer, are tumorigenic and responsible for cancer recurrence and metastasis. CSCs have been isolated from a number of different solid tumors recently, although the isolation of CSCs in colon cancer is still challenging. We cultured colon cancer cells in stem cell medium to obtain colonosphere cells.

The role of Resveratrol-induced mitophagy/autophagy in peritoneal mesothelial cells inflammatory injury via NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggered by mitochondrial ROS.

It has been suggested that continuous exposure of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) to high glucose-containing peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions may result in peritoneal inflammatory injury and impairment of local peritoneal host defence. Here, we investigated the effect of glucose-based PD solutions on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nod-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in human PMCs (HPMCs). Exposure of HPMCs to high glucose-based PD solutions resulted in ROS production, which can trigger NLRP3 activation, leading to IL-1β secretion.

Inhibitory effects of magnolol and honokiol on human calcitonin aggregation.

Amyloid formation is associated with multiple amyloidosis diseases. Human calcitonin (hCT) is a typical amyloidogenic peptide, its aggregation is associated with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC), and also limits its clinical application. Magnolia officinalis is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine; its two major polyphenol components, magnolol (Mag) and honokiol (Hon), have displayed multiple functions.