Objective: To investigate the biological effects of carvacrol on rats with stomach-heat and stomach-cold and its regulation on transient receptor potential(TRP) channels in rats with stomach-heat, and to study the cold and heat properties of carvacrol and its possible mechanism. Methods: According to the random number method, 100 SD rats were divided into stomach-heat blank group, stomach-heat model group, Coptidis Rhizoma group, stomach-heat low-dose and high-dose carvacrol group, stomach-cold blank group, stomach-cold model group, Baked ginger group, stomach-cold low-dose group and high-dose carvacrol group, 10 rats in each group. The rat model of stomach-heat was established by intragastric administration of pepper aqueous solution (0.80 g/kg) and anhydrous ethanol, and the rat model of stomach-cold was established by intragastric administration of water extract of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and sodium hydroxide (10.40 g/kg). On the day of modeling, the rats in the Baked ginger group were given Baked ginger decoction (0.78 g/kg), and the rats in the Coptidis Rhizoma group were given Coptidis Rhizoma decoction (0.43 g/kg).The stomach-cold and stomach-heat low-dose group of carvacrol was given carvacrol emulsion (40 mg/kg), high-dose group was given carvacrol emulsion (80 mg/kg).All rats of the blank and model groups were given the equal volume of emulsion prepared by 5% dimethyl sulfoxide, 1% Tween 80, 1% polyethylene glycol 400, and 93% normal saline, once a day, for 7 days. The general condition of rats was observed and the body mass was recorded. The pathological morphology of gastric tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The changes of material and energy metabolism, cyclic nucleotide (cAMP), thyroid hormone and gastrointestinal hormone in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), transient receptor potential channel M8 (TRPM8) and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in rats with gastric fever were detected by Western blotting. Results: Compared with the stomach-heat blank group, the body mass of rats in the stomach-heat model group decreased at the fifth and seventh day (P<0.05). The contents (or ratio) of hepatic glycogen (HGlyc), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were decreased (P<0.05), and Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, cytochrome C oxidase (COX), NADH dehydrogenase (ND), cyclic adenosine phosphate (cAMP), cAMP/cyclic guanosine phosphate (cGMP), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), gastrin (GAS), motilin (MTL), and α-amylase (α-AMS) all increased (P<0.05). Compared with the stomach-heat model group, the body mass of rats in the Coptidis Rhizoma group decreased at the third, fifth, and seventh day, the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, TG, VIP and α-AMS were increased, and Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, and GAS all decreased (P<0.05). The body mass of rats in the stomach-heat low-dose carvacrol group decreased at the seventh day. The contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, and VIP were increased, Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, and MTL all decreased, the expression of TRPV1 and UCP1 in gastric tissue decreased, while TRPM8 increased (P<0.05) in rats of the stomach-heat low-dose and high-dose carvacrol groups. Compared with the stomach-cold blank group, the body mass of rats in the stomach-cold model group decreased at the third, fifth, and seventh day, the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, TG, α-AMS, and VIP all increased, while Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, GAS, and MTL all decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the stomach-cold model group, the body mass of rats in the Baked ginger group was increased at the seventh day, and the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, VIP, and α-AMS all decreased, while Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, GAS, and MTL all increased (P<0.05). The contents of HGlyc, cAMP, α-AMS, and VIP of rats in the stomach-cold low and high-dose carvacrol group all decreased (P<0.05). TG in the stomach-cold low-dose carvacrol group was increased. TC, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, and cGMP all increased, while cAMP/cGMP decreased (P<0.05) in the high-dose carvacrol group. Conclusion In this study, the rat model of stomach-cold and stomach-heat were successfully established by using cold and heat factors. The result showed that carvacrol had a certain inhibitory effect on body mass, material energy metabolism, cyclic nucleotide level, thyroid hormone and gastrointestinal function in rats with stomach-heat, indicating that the drug was cold. Carvacrol′s cold medicinal property could be biologically explained by TRPV1 activation, UCP1 induction, and TRPM8 suppression.

Objective:To observe the preventive and treatment effects of warming needle therapy on peripheral neuropathy after albumin-bound paclitaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy.Methods:Eighty patients who received albumin-bound paclitaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer were divided into an observation group and a control group using the simple random allocation table method,with 40 cases in each group.The control group received methylcobalamin dispersible tablets via oral administration,and the observation group received warming needle therapy.They were observed for the incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy(CIPN),Levi's specific sensory neurotoxicity grading,brief pain inventory(BPI)score,nerve conduction velocities of the limbs,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom scores before treatment,at the 21st day of the first cycle of chemotherapy(D1),and the 21st day of the second chemotherapy cycle(D2).The clinical efficacy was assessed at D2.Results:The incidence of CIPN was 92.5%in the control group,higher than 75.0%in the observation group(P<0.05).At D2,the number of people graded 0 on Levi's specific sensory neurotoxicity grading was larger in the observation group than in the control group,and the number of those graded 2 was smaller in the observation group(P<0.05);the observation group had a higher markedly effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).At D2,the BPI general score,BPI pain intensity score,and BPI pain interference score significantly dropped in the observation group compared to those before treatment(P<0.05).At D1,the motor nerve conduction velocity(MNCV)and sensory nerve conduction velocity(SNCV)of the limbs decreased in both groups compared to those before treatment;at D2,the MNCV and SNCV increased in the two groups compared to D1 and were higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).At D1,the TCM symptom scores increased in both groups compared to those before treatment,and the observation group was lower than the control group in comparing the scores of numbness in the extremities and poor appetite(P<0.05).At D2,the observation group showed decreases in all TCM symptom scores compared to D1 except for the scores of nausea and vomiting and poor appetite(P<0.05),while the control group had no significant changes in the TCM symptom scores compared to D1(P>0.05);the observation group was lower than the control group in comparing each symptom score(P<0.05).There were no significant adverse reactions in either group over the study period.Conclusion:Compared to oral administration of methylcobalamin dispersible tablets,warming needle therapy shows certain strengths in managing CIPN after albumin-bound paclitaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy,and it can better improve chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal reactions.

Objective To investigate the prognostic role of serum beta 2-microglobulin(β2M)as a systemic inflammatory biomarker in hospitalized patients with exacerbation of COPD,compared with other inflammatory biomarkers.Methods We retrospectively analyzed hospitalized patients with exacerbated COPD as the first diagnosis at Beijing Chao-Yang hospital,P.R.China,from December 31,2012 to December 28,2017.Serum β2M levels,laboratory and clinical indexes were measured or collected on admission,and all patients were followed up for 90 days.The prognostic performance of β2M was compared with the neutrophils-lymphocytes ratio(NLR),C-reactive protein values(CRP)and white blood cell(WBC)using MedCalc.Results For 30-day mortality,β2M,NLR,and CRP showed significant predictive value(all P<0.001)and were better than WBC(P=0.044,0.003 and 0.030,respectively)in hospitalized patients with exacerbated COPD,while WBC had no predictive significance.For 90-day mortality,β2M,NLR,CRP,and WBC were all statistically significant,but only NLR outperformed WBC(P=0.004).No significant differences were observed among β2M,NLR,and CRP.Conclusion As a systemic inflammatory biomarker,serum β2M was a useful prognostic biomarker for short-term death in hospitalized patients with COPD exacerbations.It performed slightly better than NLR and CRP for 30-day mortality prediction and slightly superior to CRP and slightly inferior to NLR for 90-day mortality prediction.

Objective:To compare the dosimetric characteristics of three fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy techniques,i.e.,tomo-therapy(TOMO),volumetric-modulated arc therapy(VMAT),and CyberKnife(CK),in the treatment of intracranial oligometastases,and to assess their dose distribution,treatment efficiency,and difference in dose delivered to organs at risk(OARs).Methods:A retro-spective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 54 patients with intracranial oligometastases who underwent fractionated stereo-tactic radiotherapy in The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University in 2021-2023.Varian Eclipse 16.1 Physician Worksta-tion was used to perform tumor target volume delineation,and MANTEIA AccContour 3.2 software was used to perform the delineation of OARs,such as brainstem,spinal cord,and optical nerves.The delineated structures and images were transmitted to TOMO,CK,and Eclipse treatment planning systems to design three different radiotherapy treatment plans.Related key parameters were analyzed using the dose-volume histogram to evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of these three radiotherapy techniques,including conformity index(CI)of the target,dose homogeneity index(HI),beam-on time,the number of monitor units(MU),and the exposure dose of OARs.Results:All three treatment plans(TOMO,VMAT,and CK)met the requirements for prescribed dose.TOMO had a slightly better CI than VMAT and CK(1.05 vs.1.09 and 1.17,P<0.001).VMAT had a better HI than CK and TOMO(1.15 vs.1.28 and 1.46,P<0.001).In terms of execution efficiency,VMAT had a significantly shorter beam-on time than TOMO and CK(5 minutes,1 633 MU vs.10 minutes,8 932 MU and 39 minutes,5 191 MU,P<0.001).In terms of the exposure dose of OARs,CK provided the best protection for the lens,with a maximum dose of 15 cGy for the right lens and 17 cGy for the left lens,and TOMO had an advantage in dose control for the right cochlea,with a mean dose of 88 cGy,while VMAT had the best performance in limiting the dose for the spinal cord,with a maximum dose of 31 cGy(P<0.05).Conclusion:This study shows that TOMO,VMAT,and CK all meet the requirements for the prescribed dose and can effectively protect OARs in the treatment of in-tracranial oligometastases.In clinical practice,the most appropriate technique should be selected based on the features of lesions and treatment goals to achieve individualized treatment.

Objective:To explore the intervention effects of the "four-steps tendon resetting and collaterals dredging manipulation" on the symptoms and muscle status of calf muscle group of patients with chronic ankle sprains.Methods:This study was a prospective self-controlled clinical trial. A total of 39 patients with chronic ankle sprains who sought treatment at the basic units from April to September 2023 and Rehabilitation Medicine Center of Characteristic Medical Center of PLA Rocket Force from February to October 2023 were recruited. The "four-steps tendon resetting and collaterals dredging manipulation" was employed for treatment, with two sessions conducted per patient and one session per week. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ankle joint function was evaluated using the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale and Function Assessment (AOFAS) score, and MyotonPRO digital palpation instrument was used to measure bilateral triceps and peroneal longus muscles and evaluate muscle status.Results:Compared with before treatment, VAS scores decreased ( t values were 5.85, 5.97, respecively, P<0.001) and AOFAS scores increased ( Z values were -4.59, -4.68, respecively, P<0.001). Before the first treatment and after the second treatment, the damping vibration frequency (Freq) of the affected and healthy triceps and peroneal muscles increased ( t values were -3.09,-2.92,-2.97,-2.28, respecively, P<0.05), the muscle stiffness (Stiff) increased ( t values were -3.12, -2.99, -2.88, -2.15, respecively, P<0.05), and the logarithmic attenuation value (Decr) of the damping vibration of the healthy calf triceps muscle decreased ( t=-2.31, P<0.05); Compared before and after the first treatment, the Decr value ( t=-2.51, P<0.05) and Stiff value ( t=-2.05, P<0.05) of the affected fibular longus muscle increased, while the Ferq, Decr, and Stiff values of the healthy calf triceps muscle increased before and after treatment ( t values were -2.92, -2.13, -2.64, respecively, P<0.05); before and after the second treatment, the Freq values of the triceps and peroneal longus muscles on the affected and healthy sides increased ( t values were -4.28, -2.67, -2.69, -2.38, respecively, P<0.05) and Stiff values increased ( t values were -4.24, -3.43, -3.87, -2.33, respecively, P<0.05); there was no statistical significance in Ferq, Decr, and Stiff values between the affected and healthy sides before and after the first and second treatments ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The "four-steps tendon resetting and collaterals dredging manipulation" can improve the symptoms of chronic ankle sprains and significantly change the muscle condition of the affected and healthy sides of the calf. The mechanism may be related to the neuromuscular control mechanism.

Objective To use imaging features of pulmonary nodules to predict the risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with cT1-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), providing a reference for clinical decision-making. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging features and postoperative pathological results of cT1 NSCLC patients who underwent surgical treatment at Linyi People’s Hospital from July 2019 to July 2022. Patients were grouped and analyzed according to lymph node metastasis status. Results A total of 1 123 patients were included, comprising 471 males and 652 females, with a median age of 59 (52, 66) years. Comparative analysis revealed that sex, age, nodule location, nodule size on imaging, solid component size, consolidation tumor ratio (CTR), average CT value, and tumor proximity to the pleura all influenced lymph node metastasis. A nomogram was constructed, indicating that the probability of lymph node metastasis in cT1 NSCLC was positively correlated with solid component size, CTR, and average CT value of the pulmonary nodule, and negatively correlated with patient age. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.929. Conclusion For cT1 NSCLC patients, the probability of lymph node metastasis can be predicted by measuring the solid component size, CTR, and average CT value of the pulmonary nodule, in conjunction with patient age. However, relying solely on pulmonary nodule imaging characteristics is insufficient to determine a specific lymph node dissection strategy.

The main treatment methods of liver cancer include surgical resection,TACE,ablation,immunotherapy and liver transplantation,etc.Ablation promotes the death of liver cancer cells to achieve the purpose of anti-tumor.Immunotherapy can reactivate immune cells and generate new immune responses through corresponding pathways,so as to recognize and eliminate liver cancer cells.Combining ablation can synergistically enhance anti-tumor immune effect of immunotherapy for liver cancer.The research progresses of ablation combined with immunotherapy for liver cancer were reviewed in this article.

Objective To investigate the prognostic role of serum beta 2-microglobulin(β2M)as a systemic inflammatory biomarker in hospitalized patients with exacerbation of COPD,compared with other inflammatory biomarkers.Methods We retrospectively analyzed hospitalized patients with exacerbated COPD as the first diagnosis at Beijing Chao-Yang hospital,P.R.China,from December 31,2012 to December 28,2017.Serum β2M levels,laboratory and clinical indexes were measured or collected on admission,and all patients were followed up for 90 days.The prognostic performance of β2M was compared with the neutrophils-lymphocytes ratio(NLR),C-reactive protein values(CRP)and white blood cell(WBC)using MedCalc.Results For 30-day mortality,β2M,NLR,and CRP showed significant predictive value(all P<0.001)and were better than WBC(P=0.044,0.003 and 0.030,respectively)in hospitalized patients with exacerbated COPD,while WBC had no predictive significance.For 90-day mortality,β2M,NLR,CRP,and WBC were all statistically significant,but only NLR outperformed WBC(P=0.004).No significant differences were observed among β2M,NLR,and CRP.Conclusion As a systemic inflammatory biomarker,serum β2M was a useful prognostic biomarker for short-term death in hospitalized patients with COPD exacerbations.It performed slightly better than NLR and CRP for 30-day mortality prediction and slightly superior to CRP and slightly inferior to NLR for 90-day mortality prediction.

Objective:To observe the preventive and treatment effects of warming needle therapy on peripheral neuropathy after albumin-bound paclitaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy.Methods:Eighty patients who received albumin-bound paclitaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer were divided into an observation group and a control group using the simple random allocation table method,with 40 cases in each group.The control group received methylcobalamin dispersible tablets via oral administration,and the observation group received warming needle therapy.They were observed for the incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy(CIPN),Levi's specific sensory neurotoxicity grading,brief pain inventory(BPI)score,nerve conduction velocities of the limbs,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom scores before treatment,at the 21st day of the first cycle of chemotherapy(D1),and the 21st day of the second chemotherapy cycle(D2).The clinical efficacy was assessed at D2.Results:The incidence of CIPN was 92.5%in the control group,higher than 75.0%in the observation group(P<0.05).At D2,the number of people graded 0 on Levi's specific sensory neurotoxicity grading was larger in the observation group than in the control group,and the number of those graded 2 was smaller in the observation group(P<0.05);the observation group had a higher markedly effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).At D2,the BPI general score,BPI pain intensity score,and BPI pain interference score significantly dropped in the observation group compared to those before treatment(P<0.05).At D1,the motor nerve conduction velocity(MNCV)and sensory nerve conduction velocity(SNCV)of the limbs decreased in both groups compared to those before treatment;at D2,the MNCV and SNCV increased in the two groups compared to D1 and were higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).At D1,the TCM symptom scores increased in both groups compared to those before treatment,and the observation group was lower than the control group in comparing the scores of numbness in the extremities and poor appetite(P<0.05).At D2,the observation group showed decreases in all TCM symptom scores compared to D1 except for the scores of nausea and vomiting and poor appetite(P<0.05),while the control group had no significant changes in the TCM symptom scores compared to D1(P>0.05);the observation group was lower than the control group in comparing each symptom score(P<0.05).There were no significant adverse reactions in either group over the study period.Conclusion:Compared to oral administration of methylcobalamin dispersible tablets,warming needle therapy shows certain strengths in managing CIPN after albumin-bound paclitaxel plus cisplatin chemotherapy,and it can better improve chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal reactions.

The main treatment methods of liver cancer include surgical resection,TACE,ablation,immunotherapy and liver transplantation,etc.Ablation promotes the death of liver cancer cells to achieve the purpose of anti-tumor.Immunotherapy can reactivate immune cells and generate new immune responses through corresponding pathways,so as to recognize and eliminate liver cancer cells.Combining ablation can synergistically enhance anti-tumor immune effect of immunotherapy for liver cancer.The research progresses of ablation combined with immunotherapy for liver cancer were reviewed in this article.