BACKGROUND: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection posed a huge threat and burden to public healthcare in late 2022. Non-drug measures of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion, are commonly used as adjuncts in China to help in severe cases, but their effects remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical effect of TCM non-drug measures in improving respiratory function and symptoms among patients with severe COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This study was designed as a multicenter, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. The treatment group received individualized TCM non-drug measures in combination with prone position ventilation, while the control group received prone position ventilation only for 5 consecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were the percentage of patients with improved oxygen saturation (SpO₂) at the end of the 5-day intervention, as well as changes of patients' respiratory rates. The secondary outcome measures included changes in SpO₂ and total score on the self-made respiratory symptom scale. The improvement rate, defined as a 3-day consecutive increase in SpO₂, the duration of prone positioning, and adverse events were recorded as well. RESULTS: Among the 198 patients included in the intention-to-treat analysis, 159 (80.3%) completed all assessments on day 5, and 39 (19.7%) patients withdrew from the study. At the end of the intervention, 71 (91%) patients in the treatment group had SpO₂ above 93%, while 61 (75.3%) in the control group reached this level. The proportion of participant with improved SpO₂ was significantly greater in the intervention group (mean difference [MD] = 15.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4, 27.1; P = 0.008). Compared to the baseline, with daily treatment there were significant daily decreases in respiratory rates in both groups, but no statistical differences between groups were found (all P ≥ 0.05). Compared to the control group, the respiratory-related symptoms score was lower among patients in the treatment group (MD = -1.7; 95% CI: -2.8, -0.5; P = 0.008) after day 3 of treatment. A gradual decrease in the total scores of both groups was also observed. Thirty-one adverse events occurred during the intervention, and 2 patients were transferred to the intensive care unit due to deterioration of their illness. CONCLUSION: TCM non-drug measures combined with prone positioning can effectively treat patients with severe COVID-19. The combined therapy significantly increased SpO₂ and improved symptom scores compared to prone positioning alone, thus improving the patients' respiratory function to help them recover. However, the improvement rate did not differ between the two groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300068319). Please cite this article as: Yin X, Jin Z, Li F, Huang L, Hu YM, Zhu BC, Wang ZQ, Li XY, Li JP, Lao LX, Mi YQ, Xu SF. Effectiveness and safety of adjunctive non-drug measures in improving respiratory symptoms among patients with severe COVID-19: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(6): 637-644.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; China ; COVID-19/complications* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Moxibustion/methods* ; Oxygen Saturation ; Prone Position ; Respiration, Artificial ; Treatment Outcome

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of leading causes of death in the world. Although various treatments have been developed, the therapeutic side effects are far from desirable. Chinese medicines (CMs, including plants, animal parts and minerals) have drawn a great deal of attention in recent years for their potential in the treatment of HCC. Most studies have shown that CMs may be able to retard HCC progression with multiple actions, either alone or in combination with other conventional therapies to improve quality of life in HCC patients. Additionally, CMs are used for preventing HCC occurrence. The aim of this study is to review the potential prophylactic and curative effects of CMs on human HCC and the possible mechanisms that underlie these pharmacological actions. Publications were collected and reviewed from PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from 2000 to 2014. Keywords for literature searches include "Chinese medicine", "Chinese herb", "traditional Chinese Medicine", "hepatocellular carcinoma" and "liver cancer". CMs in forms of pure compounds, isolated fractions, and composite formulas are included. Combination therapies are also considered. Both in vitro and in vivo efficacies of CMs are being discussed and the translational potential to bedside is to be discussed with clinical cases, which show the actions of CMs on HCC may include tumor growth inhibition, antimetastatic activities, anti-inflammation, anti-liver cancer stem cells, reversal on multi-drug resistance and induction/reduction of oxidative stress. Multiple types of molecules are found to contribute in the above actions. The review paper indicated that CMs might have potential to both prevent HCC occurrence and retard HCC progression with several molecular targets involved.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; physiology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the clinical features,early diagnosis and individualized treatment of renal hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia induced by adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods Thirty-nine CHB or hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis patients of renal hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia induced by ADV were consecutively collected.The clinical features were analyzed and treatment outcome was followed up.Results The mean age of the 39 patients was 54 (27-71) years old.There were 26 male and 13 female patients,and 19 patients with cirrhosis.The mean ADV treatment duration was 69 (range 18-116) months,and 31 patients were treated for 36-96 months.The mean serum phosphate was 0.68 (0.42-0.79) mmol/L.Twenty-six cases developed renal hypophosphatemic osteomaolacia,of which 14 had bone pain and 19 had abnormally elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP).Three patients had increased serum creatinine and 24 patients had decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).After individualized treatment,patients gained normal serum phosphate in mean of 2.0 (range 0.5-6.0) months,and had bone pain remission in the mean of 0.8 (range 0.2-1.0) month and bone pain disappeared in the mean of 1.5 (range 0.5-5.0) months.Function indices of liver and kidney were improved gradually,and the bone mineral density examination improved slowly.Conclusions CHB and HBV-related cirrhosis patients treated with longterm ADV could develop renal hypophosphatemia and hypophosphatemic osteomalacia,which is partially reversible.Monitoring serum phosphate,creatinine and cystatin C is necessary during long-term ADV therapy.After confirmed diagnosis,withdrawal or dosage reduction of ADV,and switch to telbivudine or entecavir should be considered.Meanwhile,serum phosphate and HBV DNA level should be monitored.

To meet community demands with optimal Chinese and conventional medical treatment, the University of Hong Kong is promoting integrative medicine by developing Chinese medicine programmes that train students of both Western and Chinese medicine. The programmes emphasize multi-disciplinary training and interaction between the two therapeutic approaches, enabling students to establish reliable, consistent, and respectful mutual cooperation in their future careers.
Education, Medical ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

To meet community demands with optimal Chinese and conventional medical treatment, the University of Hong Kong is promoting integrative medicine by developing Chinese medicine programmes that train students of both Western and Chinese medicine. The programmes emphasize multi-disciplinary training and interaction between the two therapeutic approaches, enabling students to establish reliable, consistent, and respectful mutual cooperation in their future careers.

Proteasome is a multi-subunit protease complex in eukaryocytes, and plays an important role in ubiquitin-proteosome pathway. Recombinant proteasome can be used to screen proteasome inhibitors. In this study, recombinant plasmid of pET28a-PSMB1 was constructed by inserting human proteasome catalytic subunit (PSMB1) cDNA (726 bp) into the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a(+), and transforming the plasmid into E. coli BL21(DE3) cells for expression. After overnight induction (1 mmol/L IPTG, 20 degrees C), an expected protein band with molecular weight of 27 kDa was observed on SDS-PAGE gel. The recombinant protein was then purified through affinity chromatography, and the purity is more than 95%. The amino acid sequence of the recombinant protein was validated by NanoLC-MS/MS. The data from in vitro BIAcore analysis showed that the recombinant PSMB1 could bind to celastrol. The binding affinity between PSMB1 and 10 micromol/L celastrol was more than 27RU.
Binding Sites ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Proteasome Inhibitors ; isolation & purification ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; metabolism ; Ubiquitin

OBJECTIVETo seek possible effect targets of bufalin in HeLa cells by studying the impact of bufalin on cell protein expression profile after treatment on human cervical carcinoma cell lines HeLa.

METHODBufalin's ICs0was measured by MTr assay. The apoptosis of cells was observed by FCM (flow cytometry) and Hoechst 33342 staining assay. Differentiated expression protein spots were founded and identified using proteomic techniques, which could induce HeLa cell apoptosis.

RESULTBufalin showed remarkable cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells. IC50 (154 +/- 21.5) nmol X L(-1) indicated the possibility of inducing cell apoptosis. The protein expression profile showed 11 differentiated expression protein spots. Among the 11 proteins, nudix-type motif 5, vimentin, hnRNP C1/hnRNP C2 variant, HNRPK, HNRPK isoform a variant (two spots are the same protein), heat shock protein 27, macrophage-capping protein, SELENBP1 protein were down-regulated, while ribosomal protein, large, P0 and S-adenosylmethionine synthetase 2 were up-regulated by bufalin treatment. They may be effect targets of bufalin in HeLa cells. Western blotting showed consistent results in heat shock protein 27, vimentin and HNRPK between expression after treatment with bufalin and two-dimensional electrophoresis.

CONCLUSIONBufa-Lin can induce apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma cells HeLa and the effect of bufalin may be related to the joint intervention with multiple protein targets.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology

BACKGROUND:Up to date,inbred embryonic stem cells(ESCs) line mainly derived from 129 mouse strain and C57BL/6 strain,occasionally from BALB/c mouse strain,however,few reports concerning ESCs lines derived from Ch inese Kunmingmouse strain.OBJECTIVE:To isolate and culture mouse ESCs of kunming species,additionally,to identify its biological properties.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:The experiment with cells as observed subjects was conducted in the institute of Urology,First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May 2006 to June 2007.MATERIALS:Blastocysts of Kunmin mice with 3.5 days of embryonic age.METHODS:Inner cell mass from 3.5 days embryonic age were isolated from Kunming species mice,cultured on feeder layers of primary mice embryonic fibroblasts,and then the cells were isolated and subsequently cultured.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Colony growth was observed and determined by alkaline phosphatase (AKP) staining;The expression of stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA)-1,and cell specific genes of c-Myc,Nanog,Oct3/4 and Sox2 were measured by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR;finally,the ability of differentiation in vitro and in vivo was identified.RESULTS:The ESCs-like colonies presented typical morphological characteristics of ESCs,which was positive to AKP and SSEA-1,and could express several cell specific genes,such as c-Myc,Nanog,Oct3/4 and Sox2,and differentiate into various cell types in vitro and in vivo.CONCLUSION:An ESCs line is successfully dedved from Kunming mice,which has typical biological characteristics of ESCs.

A model of fluid dynamics related to the myocardial bridginged and mural coronary artery was designed and manufactured according to the physical principle and characteristic of the mural coronary artery. The model can imitate systematically well the effect of myocardial bridging on hemodynamic change of the mural coronary artery under different controlled experimental parameter. The methodology is proved to be feasible and has good prosperity of experimental study.
Coronary Vessels ; physiology ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Myocardial Bridging