In the clinical practice of rheumatic immune diseases in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM），it`s still unclear about the dominant diseases and breakthrough points. It`s urgent missions to formulate TCM diagnosis and treatment guidelines widely recognized and integrated by traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. In order to clarify the dominant diseases and breakthrough points in rheumatism，China association of Chinese medicine initiated a research group covering experts in the field of rheumatism of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Based on questionnaire survey and on-site discussion，experts had reached the following consensus. Evidence-based medicine research using modern medical methods and scientific methods should be carried out to provide objective clinical evidences. "Four mutuality" were put forward as the basis for the work of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine，that is the mutual communication using the exchangeable context，the mutual explanation using common theories，the mutual certification using common standards，and the mutual integration using common means. Key works should focus on solving refractory rheumatism in the future. In terms of dominant diseases and breakthrough points，this paper introduces 21 breakthrough points in 6 dominant diseases，including rheumatoid arthritis，ankylosing spondylitis，Sjogren's syndrome，hyperuricemia and gout，systemic lupus erythematosus and fibromyalgia syndrome. Advice on this discussion can provide valuable references for developing the treatment scheme of rheumatism with TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine and clinical practice and scientific research.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of erianin on the viability, migration, and invasion of KB cells and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays were used to determine the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral cancer KB cells. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined. Fluorescent probes were used to detect changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species and iron ions. Additionally, the expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were analyzed by Western blotting assays. Results: Erianin induced ferroptosis and inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of KB cells. Moreover, erianin decreased GSH level, increased MDA level, elevated intracellular ROS and Fe

Tweety-homolog 1 (Ttyh1) is expressed in neural tissue and has been implicated in the generation of several brain diseases. However, its functional significance in pain processing is not understood. By disrupting the gene encoding Ttyh1, we found a loss of Ttyh1 in nociceptors and their central terminals in Ttyh1-deficient mice, along with a reduction in nociceptor excitability and synaptic transmission at identified synapses between nociceptors and spinal neurons projecting to the periaqueductal grey (PAG) in the basal state. More importantly, the peripheral inflammation-evoked nociceptor hyperexcitability and spinal synaptic potentiation recorded in spinal-PAG projection neurons were compromised in Ttyh1-deficient mice. Analysis of the paired-pulse ratio and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents indicated a role of presynaptic Ttyh1 from spinal nociceptor terminals in the regulation of neurotransmitter release. Interfering with Ttyh1 specifically in nociceptors produces a comparable pain relief. Thus, in this study we demonstrated that Ttyh1 is a critical determinant of acute nociception and pain sensitization caused by peripheral inflammation.

This study aimed to obtain the first national estimate of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Chinese children. We targeted the population of 6 to 12-year-old children for this prevalence study by multistage convenient cluster sampling. The Modified Chinese Autism Spectrum Rating Scale was used for the screening process. Of the target population of 142,086 children, 88.5% (n = 125,806) participated in the study. A total of 363 children were confirmed as having ASD. The observed ASD prevalence rate was 0.29% (95% CI: 0.26%-0.32%) for the overall population. After adjustment for response rates, the estimated number of ASD cases was 867 in the target population sample, thereby achieving an estimated prevalence of 0.70% (95% CI: 0.64%-0.74%). The prevalence was significantly higher in boys than in girls (0.95%; 95% CI: 0.87%-1.02% versus 0.30%; 95% CI: 0.26%-0.34%; P < 0.001). Of the 363 confirmed ASD cases, 43.3% were newly diagnosed, and most of those (90.4%) were attending regular schools, and 68.8% of the children with ASD had at least one neuropsychiatric comorbidity. Our findings provide reliable data on the estimated ASD prevalence and comorbidities in Chinese children.

Objective N-acety-L-cysteine (NAC) can attenuate the injury of podocytes and renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells induced by contrast agents, but its specific action mechanisms needs to be further clarified. In this study, we investigated the effects of NAC on iopromide (IPM)-induced injury and the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in HK-2 cells. Methods Renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells were divided into seven groups, control, IPM, and IPM + NAC at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mmol/L. After a 24-hour treatment of the HK-2 cells with NAC, CCK-8, DAPI staining, DCFH-DA and Western blot were employed for determination of the viability, apoptosis and morphology of the cells as well as the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and NF-κB in the cells. Results Compared with the control, the cells of the IPM group showed a significantly reduced viability ([100 ± 4.749]% vs [48.819 ± 2.045]%, P < 0.05), increased apoptosis, elevated ROS level, and up-regulated expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and NF-κB. In comparison with the IPM group, the HK-2 cells treated with NAC at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mmol/L exhibited a remarkably increased viability ([55.398 ± 3.609]%, [58.953 ± 2.859]%, [61.531 ± 5.179]%, [59.845 ± 6.365]% and [59.094 ± 6.285]%) and decreased ROS level and expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and NF-κB. The mean fluorescence intensity was significantly higher in the HK-2 cells of the IPM group than in the control cells (5050.85 ± 606.76 vs 1502.17 ± 55.91, P < 0.05), but remarkably decreased in those treated with NAC at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mmol/L (4065.39 ± 106.59, 4162.05 ± 28.93, 3675.71 ± 50.38, 3133.79 ± 66.07 and 2675.80 ± 92.39) (P < 0.05). Conclusion NAC can effectively improve IPM-induced injury of renal tubular epithelial cells, which may be associated with its abilities of inhibiting ROS production and activating the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; Mutation ; RNA, Transfer, Leu

Based on the basic theory of thermodynamics, the thermodynamic parameters and related equations in the process of water adsorption and desorption of Chinese herbal decoction pieces were established, and their water absorption and desorption characteristics were analyzed. The physical significance of the thermodynamic parameters, such as differential adsorption enthalpy, differential adsorption entropy, integral adsorption enthalpy, integral adsorption entropy and the free energy of adsorption, were discussed in this paper to provide theoretical basis for the research on the water adsorption and desorption mechanism, optimum drying process parameters, storage conditions and packaging methods of Chinese herbal decoction pieces.

INTRODUCTIONPatients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have variable survival outcomes. We have previously shown that an elevated peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is associated with an increased metastatic risk in patients with primary NPC. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment LMR in a large cohort of metastatic NPC patients.

METHODSClinical data of 672 patients with metastatic NPC diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2009 were analyzed. The peripheral lymphocyte and monocyte counts were retrieved, and LMR was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and univariate and multivariate COX proportional hazards analyses were performed to evaluate the association of LMR with overall survival (OS).

RESULTSUnivariate analysis revealed that an elevated absolute lymphocyte count (≥1.390×10(9)/L) and LMR (≥2.475) as well as a decreased monocyte count (<0.665×10(9)/L) were significantly associated with prolonged OS. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that LMR (hazard ratio [HR]=0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.41-0.60, P<0.001), absolute lymphocyte count (HR=0.77, 95% CI=0.64-0.93, P=0.007), and monocyte count (HR=1.98, 95% CI=1.63-2.41, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors. By stratification analyses, only LMR remained a significant predictor of prognosis.

CONCLUSIONWe identified pretreatment LMR as an independent prognostic factor for patients with metastatic NPC. Independent validation of our findings is needed.

Introduction:Patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have variable survival outcomes. We have previously shown that an elevated peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is associated with an increased metastatic risk in patients with primary NPC. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment LMR in a large cohort of metastatic NPC patients. Methods:Clinical data of 672 patients with metastatic NPC diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2009 were analyzed. The peripheral lymphocyte and monocyte counts were retrieved, and LMR was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and univariate and multivariate COX proportional hazards analyses were performed to evaluate the association of LMR with overall survival (OS). Results:Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated absolute lymphocyte count (≥1.390 × 109/L) and LMR (≥2.475) as well as a decreased monocyte count (<0.665 × 109/L) were significantly associated with prolonged OS. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that LMR (hazard ratio [HR]=0.50, 95%confidence interval [CI]=0.41–0.60, P<0.001), absolute lymphocyte count (HR=0.77, 95%CI=0.64–0.93, P=0.007), and monocyte count (HR=1.98, 95%CI=1.63–2.41, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors. By stratification analyses, only LMR remained a significant predictor of prognosis. Conclusion:We identified pretreatment LMR as an independent prognostic factor for patients with metastatic NPC. Independent validation of our findings is needed.

Postoperative radiotherapy (PRT) is widely advocated for patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck that are considered to be at high risk of recurrence after surgical resection. The aims of this study were to evaluate the treatment outcomes of PRT for patients with laryngeal carcinoma and to identify the value of several prognostic factors. We reviewed the records of 256 patients treated for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma between January 1993 and December 2005. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test was employed to identify significant prognostic factors for DFS and OS. The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to identify covariates significantly associated with the aforementioned endpoints. Our results showed the 3-, 5-, and 10-year DFS for all patients were 69.9%, 59.5%, and 34.9%, respectively. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS rates were 80.8%, 68.6%, and 38.8%, respectively. Significant prognostic factors for both DFS and OS on univariate analysis were grade, primary site, T stage, N stage, overall stage, lymph node metastasis, overall treatment times of radiation, the interval between surgery and radiotherapy, and radiotherapy equipment. Favorable prognostic factors for both DFS and OS on multivariate analysis were lower overall stage, no cervical lymph node metastasis, and using 60Co as radiotherapy equipment. In conclusion, our data suggest that lower overall stage, no cervical lymph node metastasis, and using 60Co as radiotherapy equipment are favorable prognostic factors for DFS and OS and that reducing the overall treatment times of radiation to 6 weeks or less and the interval between surgery and radiotherapy to less than 3 weeks are simple measures to remarkably improve treatment outcome.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Postoperative Period ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radioisotope Teletherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult