Objective:To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture plus external medicine application for cervical radiculopathy.Methods:A total of 98 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group based on the random digital table.The observation group (50 cases) was treated by acupuncture plus external medicine application and the control group (48 cases) was treated by acupuncture alone.The patients received the treatment every day.Ten sessions made a course.Cervical spondylosis symptom scale was used to assess the cases before and after the treatment.The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups after the treatment.Results:The total effective rate was 98.1％ in the observation group versus 87.6％ in the control group with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05).The cure rate was 52.0％ in the observation group versus 18.8％ in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the score of cervical spondylosis symptom scale between the two groups before the treatment (P＞0.05).It increased with a significant difference in both groups after the treatment (both P＜0.05),while a significant difference was found in the results between the two groups after the treatment (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture plus external medicine application is more effective than acupuncture alone for treating cervical radiculopathy.The method also effectively improves the clinical symptoms.

0.05).The percentage of CD40 positive cells in CBMC-derived DC was lower than that in PBMC-derived DC[(34.80?7.77)% vs(54.37?9.57)%,P

Objective: The present study aimed to isolate and characterize a cancer stem cell-like sphere-forming cell subpopula-tion. Methods: By using a spheroid culture stem cell-conditioned medium, we isolated a subgroup of cancer stem-like cells from naso-pharyngeal cancer cell lines. Chemotherapy resistance was analyzed by using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium, and clone-forming capabili-ty was determined by using softer agar clone formation assay. Finally, we verified the expression of the stemness-specific gene andβ-catenin by using immunocytochemistry staining and RT-PCR. Results: The lower-differentiated nasopharyngeal cancer lines con-tained more sphere-forming cells, whereas sphere-forming cells were not observed in the high differentiated nasopharyngeal cancer line CNE-1. Compared with CNE-2, CNE-2S (sphere-forming cells derived from CNE-2) exhibited higher chemotherapy resistance and clone-forming ability. Interestingly, the stemness genes BMI-1, ABCG2, and ALDH1 exhibited higher expression in CNE-2S than in CNE-2. β-catenin, a vital transcription factor of the WNT pathway related to stem cells, exhibited higher expression in CNE-2s cellular nucleus and plasma than in CNE-2. Conclusion: We isolated a subgroup of stem-like nasopharyngeal cancer sphere-forming cells. This discovery paves the way for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating tumorigenic subpopulations in nasopharyn-geal cancer.

Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; CD5 Antigens ; metabolism ; Colonic Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Ileal Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Ileocecal Valve ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Intestinal Polyps ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Intussusception ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged

Artemisia lactiflora is an important medicinal plant in China. The antitumor and antioxidant activities of the extracts of 54 endophytic fungi from the plant were screened via MTT assay and DPPH scavenging radical assay, respectively. The bioactive strains were identified based on similarity of 5.8S gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The results showed that extracts from ten (18.5%) isolates exhibited antitumor activity, and which from two (3.7%) isolates exhibited antioxidant activity. The Alternaria sp. GYBH47 strain was simultaneously having antagonistic activity against HL-60 leukemia, MCF-7 breast and COLO205 colon cell lines, and Phomopsis sp. GYBH42 strain having cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. The results indicated that endophytic fungi from Artemisia lactiflora are potential resources to find valuable bioactive components.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Artemisia ; microbiology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endophytes ; chemistry ; classification ; physiology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; classification ; physiology ; Humans ; Picrates ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To prepare gynecological Jiekang lotion and to establish its quality standard. METHODS: The Caffeotannic acid in Flos Lonicerae, the Berberine in Cortex Phellodendri and the Ammothamnine in Radix Sophorae Flavescentis were identified by TLC; HPLC was adopted to determine the content of Osthole with Hypersil DOS C18 as chromatograpic column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water (54∶46) with a flow rate of 1.1mL? min-1. The detection wavelength was set at 321nm. RESULTS: Both the chief components in Jiekang lotion and the corresponding reference substances showed the identical discrimination reactions. The linear range of Osthole was 13～130?g?mL-1. CONCLUSION: The method is sensitive in qualitative reaction, specific in TLC identification, accurate in HPLC quantitation and recurrent. The established standard is applicable for the quality control of Jeikang lotion.

Objective:To study the coronal bone structure matching of distal radius in normal population and some patients with postoperative distal radius fracture, and to explore the clinical significance of coronal bone structure reduction of distal radius fracture.Methods:CT scans of 80 asymptomatic wrists were performed. Mimics 20.0 and 3-Matic research software were used to measure the matching data of coronal bone structure of the distal radius. Total of 44 patients with distal radius fractures treated with open reduction and volar plate fixation were collected. According to the data coronal bone structure of the distal radius, the matching group was in the normal range, and the mismatching group was less than the normal range. X-ray films were used to evaluate fracture healing, humeral height, ulnar angle and palm tilt angle at 3 months and 12 months after operation. The clinical indexes of wrist pain, wrist function, grip strength and activity were recorded in 2 groups. The DASH score was used for evaluation, and statistical comparisons was made between the two groups of related indicators.Results:The coronal bone structure matching value of the distal radius in 80 normal adults was 45.0%±16.2%. All the 44 patients with distal radius fracture were followed up for an average of 16 months. The postoperative wound healing was good, and the bone healing standard was reached 3 months after the operation. 3 months after surgery, radius height, ulnar deviation angle and palmar inclination angle of the mismatched group were all smaller than those of the matched group, but the differences had no statistical significance. The pronation angle in the mismatched group (68.82°±11.62°) was lower than that in the matched group (76.91°±9.14°), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.567, P=0.014). The DASH score in the mismatched group (15.53±2.36) was higher than that in the matched group (13.62±2.52), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.591, P=0.013). 12 months after surgery, the VAS score of the matched group (2.08±2.95) was less than that of the mismatched group (2.95±1.24), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.348, P=0.024). There was no significant difference in wrist range of motion, grip strength and DASH score between the two groups. Conclusion:The coronal bone structure matching of distal radius is about 45.0% in normal population. Early wrist dysfunction, limited pronation, and wrist pain may occur when the postoperative matching degree of the distal radius fracture is not within the normal range.

This study investigated the protective effect of chrysin on hepatic fibrosis by regulating AMP-activated kinase (AMPK)-NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) mediated pyroptosis pathway. The hepatic fibrosis model of mice was established by thioacetamide (TAA) in vivo. Except the control and chrysin alone groups, the mice were injected intraperitoneally with TAA at 100 mg·kg^-1, three times per week for the first week. From the 2^nd to 5^th week, mice were injected intraperitoneally with TAA at 200 mg·kg^-1, three times per week for the next 4 weeks. Chrysin groups were intragastrically administrated once per day to 5^th week. The histopathological changes were detected by HE and Masson staining. The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were assessed by the kits. All animal experiments were approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University (DWLL2019060). LX-2 cells were stimulated by (transforming growth factor-β, TGF-β) in vitro. The protein expressions of AMPKα, p-AMPKα, NLRP3, cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), gasdermin D (GSDMD) were detected by Western blot, and the mRNA levels of collagen-Ι, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, caspase-1, GSDMD were analysis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Chrysin attenuated the increases in serum AST and ALT levels in the TAA group, while significantly improved the changes of liver morphology, reduced liver tissue inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibited collagens deposition. Compared with TAA group, chrysin effectively activated AMPKα phosphorylation and inhibited hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Additionally, the protein expressions and mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-18, caspase-1 and GSDMD in chrysin groups were decreased. Chrysin inhibited the expressions of collagen-Ι and α-SMA, enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPKα, and decreased the expressions of NLRP3 and GSDMD. Therefore, chrysin may inhibit inflammatory injury and pyroptosis possibly by activating AMPK and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome to alleviate hepatic fibrosis.

BACKGROUNDIn vitro chondrocyte expansion is a major challenge in cell-based therapy for human articular cartilage repair. Classical culture conditions usually use animal serum as a medium supplement, which raises a number of undesirable questions. In the present study, two kinds of defined, serum-free media were developed to expand chondrocytes in monolayer culture for the purpose of cartilage tissue engineering.

METHODSBovine chondrocytes were expanded in serum-free media supplemented with fibroblast growth factor-2 and platelet-derived growth factor or fibroblast growth factor-2 and insulin-like growth factor. Expansion culture in a conventional 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) medium served as control. Fibronectin coating was used to help cell adhesion in serum-free medium. Next, in vitro three-dimensional pellet culture was used to evaluate the chondrocyte capacity. Cell pellets were expanded in different media to re-express the differentiated phenotype (re-differentiation) and to form cartilaginous tissue. The pellets were assessed by glycosaminoglycans contents, collagen II, collagen I and collagen X immunohistological staining.

RESULTSChondrocytes cultured in serum-free media showed no proliferation difference than cells grown with 10% FBS medium. In addition, chondrocytes expanded in both serum-free media expressed more differentiated phenotypes at the end of monolayer culture, as indicated by higher gene expression ratios of collagen type II to collagen type I. Pellets derived from chondrocytes cultured in both serum-free media displayed comparable chondrogenic capacities to pellets from cells expanded in 10% FBS medium.

CONCLUSIONThese findings provide alternative culture approaches for chondrocytes in vitro expansion, which may benefit the clinical use of autologous chondrocytes implantation.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; cytology ; Cattle ; Cell Dedifferentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; physiology ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Fibronectins ; pharmacology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; genetics

Infestation, moldy and other phenomenon in the processing and storage of Chinese herbal medicines is a problem that faced in the production of Chinese traditional medicine. The low productivity of traditional processing methods can not guarantee the quality of Chinese herbal medicines. Sulfur fumigation is the first choice of grassroots to process the Chinese herbal medicine with its low cost and easy operation. Sulfur fumigation can solve some problems in the processing and storage of Chinese herbal medicines, but modern pharmacological studies show that long-term use of Chinese traditional medicine which is fumigated by sulfur can cause some serious harm to human liver, kidney and other organs. This paper conducts a review about the application history of sulfur fumigation, its influence to the quality of Chinese herbal medicines as well as domestic and foreign limits to sulfur quantity, and a brief introduction of the status of modern processing technologies in the processing of food and some Chinese herbal medicines, the problems ex- isting in the Chinese herbal medicines processing, which can provide a reference basis for the further research, development and application of investigating alternative technologies of sulfur fumigation.
Fumigation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Quality Control ; Social Control, Formal ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods