OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture on the clinical efficacy, TCM syndromes and quality of life of patients with chronic eczema (CE) of blood deficiency stirring wind. METHODS: Forty-eight patients of CE with blood deficiency stirring wind were randomly divided into an observation group (24 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (24 cases, 2 cases dropped out). Both groups received basic skin care. The observation group received acupuncture at bilateral Shenmai (BL62), Houxi (SI3), Yinlingquan (SP9), Quchi (LI11), Ligou (LR5), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Xuehai (SP10), additional acupoints were supplemented based on symptom differentiation, 20 min each time, 3 times a week for the first 2 weeks, 2 times a week for the subsequent 2 weeks. The control group was treated with mometasone furoate cream, once a day for the first 2 weeks, twice a week for the subsequent 2 weeks. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The scores of eczema area and severity index (EASI), itch visual analogue scale (VAS), TCM syndrome, dermatology life quality index (DLQI) of the two groups were observed before and after treatment, the serum level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) was detected, and the clinical efficacy after treatment and follow-up recurrence rate after 4 weeks of treatment completion of the two groups were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of EASI, itch VAS, DLQI and serum levels of IgE in both groups and the score of TCM syndrome in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01)；the above indexes in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 91.3% (21/23), which was higher than 63.6% (14/22) in the control group (P<0.05). In follow-up, the difference in recurrence rates between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture can improve the clinical symptoms, TCM syndrome, quality of life of CE patients with blood deficiency stirring wind.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Eczema/blood* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Young Adult ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Quality of Life ; Adolescent ; Aged

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge, holding a crucial position in the medical field. However, the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization, completeness, and accuracy, primarily due to the decentralized distribution of TCM resources. To address these issues, we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery (TCMKD, https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/). Seven types of data, including syndromes, formulas, Chinese patent drugs (CPDs), Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs), ingredients, targets, and diseases, were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD. To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine, TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining, enrichment analysis, and network localization and separation. These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights. In addition to its analytical capabilities, a quick question and answer (Q&A) system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently, thereby improving the interactivity of the platform. The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool, offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining. Overall, TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM, delving into the pharmacological foundations of TCM treatments, but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems, extending beyond just TCM.

Objective Based on the process theory of stress effect,the structural equation model of the influencing factors of self-regulatory fatigue in maintenance hemodialysis patients is constructed,which provides theoretical bases and references for the formulation of intervention programs to relieve self-regulatory fatigue in patients.Method A total of 420 maintenance hemodialysis patients were surveyed using General Information Questionnaire,Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale,Dialysis Symptom Index,Life Orientation Test-Revised,Perceived Social Support Scale,Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and Medical Coping Styles Questionnaire.Results Total score of self-regulatory fatigue in maintenance hemodialysis patients was(49.52±10.93),and self-regulatory fatigue showed significant positive correlation with symptom distress,the illness perception,avoidance coping style,yieldly coping(r=0.476,0.428,0.303,0.611,all P＜0.01);self-regulatory fatigue showed significant negative correlation with perceived social support and dispositional optimism(r=-0.410,-0.652,all P＜0.01);it showed no significant correlation with facing coping(r=-0.032,P＞0.05).The Bootstrap analysis revealed that the mediation effect of yielding coping,dispositional optimism,perceived social support,and illness perception between symptom distress and self-regulatory fatigue was significant(95％CI:0.027～0.203).The overall effect of symptom distress on self-regulatory fatigue was(P＜0.001,95％CI:0.576～0.751);the direct effect was(P＜0.001,95％CI:0.170～0.357);the indirect effect was(P＜0.001,95％CI:0.332～0.485);the mediation effect accounted for 61.1％of the total effect value.Conclusion Maintenance hemodialysis patients have a high degree of self-regulatory fatigue,which needs to be further improved.Medical staff should timely identify and evaluate the symptom distress of patients,focus on guiding patients to adjust optimistic disease,provide patients with psychological guidance and stress coping strategies,reduce the negative coping behavior tendency,guide the patients correctly perceive support and care in social relations,help patients set up the correct disease cognition,thus reducing the patient's self-regulatory fatigue.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and risk factors of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) infusion at an early stage (i.e.gross hematuria) for hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods:The relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 300 patients undergoing allo-HSCT from January 2016 to July 2021.According to the presence or absence of HC, they were assigned into two groups of HC (n=89) and non-HC (control, n=211). According to whether or not receiving an infusion of UCMSCs, 51 patients of HC degree Ⅱ-Ⅳ were divided into two groups of UCMSC infusion and non-infusion.The risk factors of HC after allo-HSCT were analyzed by χ2 test.Logistic regression was employed for multivariate analysis of P<0.05.Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for statistically analyzing the duration of gross hematuria and urinary tract irritation symptoms and evaluating the clinical efficacy of UCMSCs infusion for HC. Results:Among them, 89 (29.67%) developed HC post-allo-HSCT.Clinical grades were Ⅰ (n=38, 42.70%), Ⅱ (n=36, 40.45%), Ⅲ (n=13, 14.61%) and Ⅳ (n=2, 2.25%). The median occurrence time was 29 (21.5-35.0) days post-allo-HSCT.In univariate analysis, age ≤30 years, haploid transplantation, antithymocyte globulin (ATG), acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), CMV-DNA positive pretreatment significantly boosted the risk of HC ( P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, aGVHD was an independent risk factor for HC ( OR=10.281, 95% CI: 1.606-65.813, P=0.014). Among 89 HC patients, 38 grade Ⅰ patients were complete remission(CR). Among 51 patients of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ HC, the outcomes were CR (n=48) and non-remission(NR)(n=3). And 24/51 of them received UCMSCs plus conventional treatment.The duration of gross hematuria was shorter in UCMSCs infusion group than that in UCMSCs non-infusion group [12(9-17) vs 17(12.0-26.5) day] and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.045). And the duration of urinary tract irritation symptoms was shorter in UCMSCs infusion group than that in UCMSCs non-infusion group [18(11-30) vs 27(18.0-35.5) days] and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.048). Conclusions:Indicated for post-ALLO-HSCT HC, infusion of UCMSCs may significantly shorten the course of disease.Age ≤30 years, haploid transplantation and preconditioning with positive ATG, aGVHD and CMV-DNA may boost the risks of HC post-allo-HSCT.And aGVHD is an independent risk factor for HC after allo-HSCT.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bortezomib plus highdose melphalan (L-phenylalanine nitrogen mustard) (Bor-HDM) pretreatment regimen for multiple myeloma (MM) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT).Methods:From August 2008 to December 2021, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 58 MM patients undergoing MM transplantation.The conditioning regimens were Bor-HDM (n=36) and HDM (n=22). Non-hematopoietic adverse reactions, hematopoietic reconstruction time, remission rate post-ASCT and minimal negative rate of residual disease (MRD) on flow cytometry within 3 months post-ASCT and survivals were analyzed.Results:In Bor-HDM and HDM groups, median time of neutrophil engraftment was 12(8-30) and 11(8-29) day and median time of platelet reconstitution 16(8-33) and 16(7-32) day respectively.There was no significant inter-group difference ( P=0.890, P=0.638). In Bor-HDM group, the most common non-hematological adverse reactions were nausea (n=21, 58.0%) and diarrhea (n=11, 30.6%). There was no transplant-related death.Complete remission (CR) rate was (25/36, 69.4%) versus (9/22, 40.9%). The inter-group difference was statistically significant ( P=0.032). Median follow-up period was 29.0(2.0-91.0) vs. 20.5(5.0-114.0) month, 3-year progression-free survival(PFS)62.1% vs. 39.7% and 3-year overall survival(OS) 83.8% vs. 62.5%.There were relapse (n=10 vs.10) and death (n=6 vs. 7). Median PFS in Bor-HDM and HDM groups was non-attained and 27 months( P=0.047) and median OS time non-attained and 40 months respectively ( P=0.282). Multivariate analysis revealed that CR was an independent risk factor for PFS ( HR=28.896, 95% CI: 6.130-136.198, P<0.001). Non-CR was an independent risk factor for OS ( HR=3.843, 95% CI: 1.334-11.071, P=0.013; HR=28.595, 95% CI: 6.273-130.355, P<0.001). Conclusions:Bor-HDM pretreatment regimen of ASCT is both safe and efficacious for MM patients.

Demoralization syndrome is a common psychological problem in patients with chronic diseases, which seriously affects their prognosis and quality of life. This article reviews the concept and assessment tools of demoralization syndrome, current status, influencing factors, and intervention measures of demoralization syndrome in chronic disease patients, so as to provide reference for clinical medical and nursing staff to develop targeted intervention measures to reduce the level of demoralization syndrome in chronic disease patients.

OBJECTIVE：To study the anti-oxidation and an ti-hypoxia effect of Yuanshen granule on normal mice. METHODS ： Totally 800 mice were randomly divided into blank control group ，Yuanshen granule low-dose ，middle-dose and high-dose groups （10，20，40 g/kg）and Hongjingtian oral liquid group （positive control ，2 mL/kg），with 160 mice in each group. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically ，once a day ，for consecutive 30 d. Blank control group was given constant volume of normal saline by the same method. At 1st，3rd，7th，14th and 30th day after administration ，8 mice in each group at each time point were randomly selected for anoxia tolerance test under normobaric pressure and decompression ；the contents of MDA and SOD in myocardium and cerebral tissue were measured ；the hemolysis effect of red blood cell induced by H 2O2 was investigated. RESULTS ：Compared with blank control group ，the survival time of anoxia tolerance under normobaric pressure and under decompression （after 7 days of administration ）were prolonged significantly in Yuanshen granule groups （P＜0.05）. The contents of MDA in myocardium and cerebral tissue （after 3 or 7 days of administration ；after 3，7 or 14 days of administration ） were significantly decreased （P＜0.05），and the contents of SOD （after 7，14 or 30 days of administration ；after 7 days of administration）were increased significantly （P＜0.05）；the erythrocyte hemolysis rate （after 3 or 7 days of administration ）was significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. At some time points ，the improvement effect of the above indexes in the Yuanshen granule middle-dose and high-dose groups was significantly better than that of Hongjingtian oral liquid group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ： Yuanshen granule can effectively prolong the hypoxia tolerance survival time of normal mice ，it has anti-oxidant and anti-hypoxia effects on normal mice ，and the effect of Yuanshen granule middle-dose and high-dose groups is better than that of Hongjingtian oral liquid group.

Myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1) is a novel protein involved in cellular proliferation, migration, inflammatory reaction and signal transduction. However, little information is available on the relationship between MR-1 expression and the progression of atherosclerosis. Here we report atheroprotective effects of silencing MR-1 in a model of Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis, characterized by suppression focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and atherosclerotic lesion macrophage content. In this model, administration of the siRNA-MR-1 substantially attenuated Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis with stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and inhibited FAK, Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and NF-kB activation, which was associated with suppression of inflammatory factor and atherogenic gene expression in the artery. In vitro studies demonstrated similar changes in Ang II-treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages: siRNA-MR-1 inhibited the expression levels of proinflammatory factor. These studies uncover crucial proinflammatory mechanisms of Ang II and highlight actions of silencing MR-1 to inhibit Ang II signaling, which is atheroprotective.
Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Animals ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis* ; Cell Proliferation ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Gene Expression ; In Vitro Techniques ; Macrophages ; Mice* ; Muscle Development ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; NF-kappa B ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Signal Transduction ; Sirolimus

Objective To investigate the effect of expression of Cullin 4B (CUL4B) on the prognosis of patients after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods The retrospective case-control study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 79 patients who underwent liver transplantation for HCC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 1,2014 and June 30,2015 were collected.The specimens of HCC tissues were collected and embedded in paraffin,and then were detected by immunohistochemistry staining.Observation indicators:(1) expression of CUL4B in HCC tissues;(2) follow-up and survival;(3) prognostic factors analysis after liver transplantation;(4) association between expression of CUL4B and recurrence and metastasis of tumor after liver transplantation.Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect tumor recurrence or metastasis and survival up to June 2018.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as (x)±s.The comparison between groups of count data was done using the chi-square test.The survival curve drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the survival analysis was done by Log-rank test.The univariate and multivariate analysis were respectively done using the COX regression model.The association analysis was done using the Pearson test.Results (1) Expression of CUL4B in HCC tissues:immunohistochemistry staining showed that CUL4B was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm,with a powerful brownish-yellow staining.The high expression and low expression of CUL4B in HCC tissues were detected in 64 and 15 patients,respectively.(2) Follow-up and survival:79 patients were followed up for 38-56 months,with an average time of 46 months.During the follow-up,37 patients had no tumor recurrence and 42 had tumor recurrence (32 with tumor extrahepatic metastasis and 10 with intrahepatic metastasis);36 had survival and 43 died;the 1-and 3-year overall survival rates were respectively 86.84％ and 63.25％,and 1-and 3-year tumorfree survival rates were respectively 62.31％ and 51.27％.(3) Prognostic factors analysis after liver transplantation:① Results of univariate analysis showed that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP),Child-Pugh score,maximum tumour dimension,capsular invasion,intravascular tumor thrombus,Edmonson pathological grading and expression of CUL4B were related factors affecting the 3-year overall survival rate of patients after liver transplantation for HCC [Hazard Ratio (HR) =2.17,3.36,3.66,2.43,2.19,3.36,2.84,95％ confidence interval(CI):1.17-4.04,1.53-7.42,2.10-6.42,1.33-4.17,1.08-9.04,1.58-7.59,1.17-6.32,P＜ 0.05].The preoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP),Child-Pugh score,maximum tumour dimension,capsular invasion,intravascular tumor thrombus,Edmonson pathological grading and expression of CUL4B were related factors affecting the 3-year tumor-free survival rate of patients after liver transplantation for HCC (HR =2.06,3.72,3.16,2.36,2.83,3.21,1.69,95％CI:1.34-4.85,1.72-8.63,1.79-7.31,1.46-4.86,1.19-8.63,1.19-7.92,1.06-4.87,P＜0.05).② Results of multivariate analysis showed that maximum tumour dimension,intravascular tumor thrombus and expression of CUL4B were independent factors affecting the 3-year overall survival rate of patients after liver transplantation for HCC [Odds ratio(OR) =3.43,3.69,2.81,95％CI:1.16-6.02,1.96-9.38,1.04-9.63,P＜0.05].The maximum tumour dimension,intravascular tumor thrombus and expression of CUL4B were independent factors affecting the 3-year tumor-free survival rate of patients after liver transplantation for HCC (OR=2.25,4.72,2.74,95％C1:1.16-4.02,1.98-9.47,1.03-7.10,P＜ 0.05).The 3-year overall survival rate in patients with high-and low-expressions of CUL4B was respectively 66.7％ and 32.8％,with a statistically significant difference (x2 =5.69,P＜0.05).The 3-year tumor-free survival rate in patients with high-and low-expressions of CUL4B was respectively 73.3％ and 18.6％,with a statistically significant difference (x2 =4.63,P＜0.05).(4) Association between expression of CUL4B and recurrence and metastasis of tumor after liver transplantation:results of Pearson test showed that expression of CUL4B was significantly associated with HCC recurrence and metastasis after liver transplantation (r =0.62,P＜0.05).The further analysis showed that expression of CUL4B was significantly associated with extrahepatic metastasis after liver transplantation (r=0.84,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The expression of CUL4B is associated with HCC recurrence after liver transplantation,and it can be as a predictor for HCC recurrence and distant metastasis after liver transplantation.

Objective: To study the change of STAT1 expression in the anterior cingulate cortex on rats under orthodontic force, and to further explore the roles of STAT1 and related JAK-STAT1 signaling pathway in the mediation and regulation of pain during tooth movement. Methods: 112 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (225±25 g) were used in this study. They were randomly divided into experimental groups (96 rats) and control groups (16 rats). All rats were installed bilateral maxillary device for tooth movement models. Rats in the experimental groups were applied 80g orthodontic force on both sides and were divided into six subgroup 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d, with 16 rabbits in each subgroup. The control groups were only installed the same orthodontic devices, without the application of orthodontic force. Brain tissue of the anterior cingulate cortex was isolated after 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d since experiment, and the expression level of STAT1 and p-STAT1 was analyzed with the method of immunofluorescence and PCR. Results : For the immunofluorescence result, there was significant difference in STAT1 expression between control groups and different experimental groups at different time points in total (P < 0.05). The STAT1 expression amount in the 4 h group decreased significantly when compared with the control group (P < 0.05); to the 2 d group, the difference is still statistically significant (P < 0.01). 3 d group, 7 d group and control group had no statistically significant difference. The STAT1 expression amount in 4 h group, 12 h group, 24 h group was significantly lower than that in 3 d and 7 d groups, differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The STAT1 expression in the 2 d group was significantly lower than that of 7 d (42.35 ± 5.77) group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was significant difference in p-STAT1 expression between control groups and different experimental groups at different time points in total (F = 623.518, P < 0.05). The p-STAT1 expression amount in experimental groups were higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The p-STAT1 expression in 4 h group was lower than that in 12 h and 24 h group and higher than that in 2 d, 3 d and 7 d groups, of which the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The p-STAT1 expression in 12 h group was lower than that in 24 h group and higher than that in 2 d, 3 d and 7 d groups, of which the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). For the PCR result, the expression of mRNA in STAT1 of experimental groups of 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d and the control groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions After applying orthodontic force, the expression of STAT1 decreased transiently and the expression of p-STAT1 increased transiently. The reduction of STAT1 was probably caused by the phosphorylation of STAT1 and decrease in the translation level of STAT1, rather than changes in the transcriptional levels. The orthodontic pain might be related with the activation of STAT1 into phosphorylated STAT1.