BACKGROUND: China is seeing a growing demand for rehabilitation treatments for post-stroke upper limb spastic paresis (PSSP-UL). Although acupuncture is known to be effective for PSSP-UL, there is room to enhance its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: This study explored a semi-personalized acupuncture approach for PSSP-UL that used three-dimensional kinematic analysis (3DKA) results to select additional acupoints, and investigated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of this approach. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This single-blind, single-center, randomized, controlled trial involved 74 participants who experienced a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with spastic upper limb paresis. The participants were then randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups received conventional treatments and acupuncture treatment 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The main acupoints in both groups were the same, while participants in the intervention group received additional acupoints selected on the basis of 3DKA results. Follow-up assessments were conducted for 8 weeks after the treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) response rate (≥ 6-point change) at week 4. Secondary outcomes included changes in motor function (FMA-UE), Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS), manual muscle test (MMT), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS), and activities of daily life (Modified Barthel Index, MBI) at week 4 and week 12. RESULTS: Sixty-four participants completed the trial and underwent analyses. Compared with control group, the intervention group exhibited a significantly higher FMA-UE response rate at week 4 (χ² = 5.479, P = 0.019) and greater improvements in FMA-UE at both week 4 and week 12 (both P < 0.001). The intervention group also showed bigger improvements from baseline in the MMT grades for shoulder adduction and elbow flexion at weeks 4 and 12 as well as thumb adduction at week 4 (P = 0.007, P = 0.049, P = 0.019, P = 0.008, P = 0.029, respectively). The intervention group showed a better change in the MBI at both week 4 and week 12 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.010, respectively). Although the intervention group had a higher BRS for the hand at week 12 (P = 0.041), no intergroup differences were observed at week 4 (all P > 0.05). The two groups showed no differences in MAS grades as well as in BRS for the arm at weeks 4 and 12 (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Semi-personalized acupuncture prescription based on 3DKA results significantly improved motor function, muscle strength, and activities of daily living in patients with PSSP-UL. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200056216. Please cite this article as: Huang XY, Liao OP, Jiang SY, Tao JM, Li Y, Lu XY, Li YY, Wang C, Li J, Ma XP. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis can improve the efficacy of acupoint selection for post-stroke patients with upper limb spastic paresis: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 15-24.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Upper Extremity/physiopathology* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Single-Blind Method ; Aged ; Stroke/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Stroke Rehabilitation/methods* ; Adult ; Muscle Spasticity/therapy* ; Paresis/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome

As one of the most advanced technologies, single-cell omics technology develops rapidly in recent years. Based on different technical strategies, it enables unbiased and high-throughput access to multiple omics information at single-cell resolution. So far, single-cell omics technology, by virtue of its great powder in resolving tissue heterogeneity, has become a revolutionary tool to deeply understand the functional structure of tissues, reveal complex disease processes, and elucidate drug mechanisms of action. In view of the technical challenges in deconstructing the complexity of Chinese medicine and clarifying the modern scientific connotation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory, single-cell omics technology has huge application potential in the discovery of pharmacodynamic substances, construction of action networks, and elucidation of integrated regulatory mechanisms, which brings new opportunities for modern research in TCM. The present study briefly introduced three representative single-cell omics technologies, i.e., single-cell transcriptome sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and single-cell multimodal omics, and their main application patterns. On this basis, an outlook was proposed on the strategies and applications for modern research in TCM using single-cell omics technology.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Technology

Humans ; Encephalitis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of mild hypothermia on inflammatory response and angiogenesis in brain tissues of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and its possible mechanism for improving behavioral deficits of the rats After ICH. METHODS: A total of 120 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, ICH group and mild hypothermia group. Rat models of ICH were established in the latter two groups by stereotactic injection of autogenous blood in the brain, and the rats in the sham operation group received injection of normal saline in the same manner. At 15 min after modeling, the rats in hypothermia group were subjected to mild hypothermia (30-32 ℃) for 8 h followed by rewarming (37-38 ℃); the body temperature was maintained at 37-38 ℃ in the other two groups. At 2, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after the treatment, Longa scoring, balance beam scoring and Berderson scoring were used to evaluate the behavioral deficits of the rats. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the brain tissue of the rats, and the mRNA expressions of α subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected using RT- PCR. RESULTS: At 2, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after the treatment, the behavioral scores of the rats were significantly higher in ICH group and mild induced hypothermia group than in the sham operation group ( < 0.05 or 0.01). The protein expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB and mRNA expressions of HIF1-α and VEGF were significantly higher in ICH group and mild hypothermia group than in the sham operation group ( < 0.01). The behavioral scores were significantly lower in mild hypothermia group than in ICH group ( < 0.05), and the protein expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB were lower and the mRNA expressions of HIF1- α and VEGF were higher in mild hypothermia group than in ICH group ( < 0.05 or 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Mild hypothermia can improve behavioral deficits in rats with ICH possibly by antagonizing brain inflammation and promoting angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal fibrosis is the primary reason that patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have to cease peritoneal dialysis. Peritonitis caused by Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) were on the rise. We had previously shown that matrine inhibited the formation of biofilm by E. coli. However, the role of matrine on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in peritoneal mesothelial cells under chronic inflammatory conditions is still unknown. METHODS: We cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an environment that mimicked peritonitis and investigated whether matrine could inhibit LPS-induced EMT in these cells. In addition, we investigated the change in expression levels of the miR-29b and miR-129-5p. RESULTS: We found that 10 μg/ml of LPS induced EMT in HPMCs. Matrine inhibited LPS-induced EMT in HPMCs in a dose-dependent manner. We observed that treatment with matrine increased the expression of E-cadherin (F = 50.993, P < 0.01), and decreased the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (F = 32.913, P < 0.01). Furthermore, we found that LPS reduced the expression levels of miR-29b and miR-129-5P in HPMCs, while matrine promoted the expression levels of miR-29b and miR-129-5P. CONCLUSIONS Matrine could inhibit LPS-induced EMT in HPMCs and reverse LPS inhibited expressions of miR-29 b and miR-129-5P in HPMCs, ultimately reduce peritoneal fibrosis. These findings provide a potential theoretical basis for using matrine in the prevention and treatment of peritoneal fibrosis.
Actins ; metabolism ; Alkaloids ; therapeutic use ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Epithelium ; drug effects ; Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Peritoneal Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; Quinolizines ; therapeutic use

Four new 3, 4-seco-labdane diterpenoids, nudiflopenes J-M, were isolated from the leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora along with six known compounds. The structures of these diterpenoids were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-stimulated RPMs and RAW264.7 cells. The results suggest that nudiflopenes J-M and other four known compounds showed significant inhibitory effects against NO production comparable to the positive control dexamethasone.

Objective To explore the mechanism of thymoquinone (TQ) on NSCLC cytotoxicity.Methods SK-MES-1 was inoculated into 96-well plates and cultured at 20,40,60,80 and 100 μmol/L TQ for 24 h,and the IC50 of TQ was calculated.SK-MES-1 was cultured in close proximity to IC50 concentration TQ,and time-dependent was observed.The ERK inhibitor U0126 and the p38 inhibitor SB203580 were applied to SK-MES-1 and 95-D,respectively,then TQ-activated MAPK-mediated cytotoxicity were observed.The SK-MES-1 expression of p-p38,p38,p-ERK1/2,ERK1/2,pJNK and JNK protein were detected by U0126 pretreatment for 1 h and TQ-cultured for 30 min.Results ① TQ was used to mediate NSCLC cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner,and the viability of NSCLC cells was decreased.② The cell viability of 30 μmol/L TQ and 10 μmol/L U0126 +30 μmol/L TQ showed significant differences (P =0.000),but no significant difference was found when compared with 10 μmol/L SB203580 + 30 μmol/L TQ (P =1.00).10 μmol/L SB203580 + 30 μmol/L TQ was significantly different from 10 μmol/L U0126 + 30 μmol/L TQ (P =0.000).60μmol/LTQ,10μmol/LU0126 + 60μmol/LTQ,10μmol/LSB203580 + 60 μmol/L TQ showed no significant differences between every two groups (P ＞ 0.0 5).With the increase of TQ concentration,the protective effect of SB203580 on 95-D cells gradually decreased,and 10 μmol/L SB203580 +40 μmol/L TQ group was significantly different from 40 μmol/L TQ group (P =0.033).③ Western blot analysis showed that U0126 could significantly inhibit the phosphorylation of ERK1/2,phosphorylated p38 increased with the increasing of TQ concentration.However,ERK1/2 phosphorylation decreased,and JNK phosphorylation did not change significantly.Conclusion TQ can mediate NSCLC cytotoxicity through phosphorylation of p38 pathway,but not ERK1/2 pathway.

Aim To study the relationship between the anti-proliferative effect of resveratrol (Res) and BMP7 on human colon cancer cells and its possible molecular mechanism. Methods The proliferation of HCT116 cells was analyzed with cell proliferation inhibition assay, flow cytometry, Western blot and Annexin V-EGFP staining. CCK-8, PCR and Western blot assay were used to determine the effect of Res on BMP7 in HCT116 cells and the possible molecular mechanism underlying this process. Results Res inhibited the proliferation,arrested cell cycle at S phase and promo-ted apoptosis in HCT116 cells. Res increased the ex-pression of BMP7 mRNA and protein in HCT116 cells. Overexpression of BMP7 enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of Res on HCT116 cells and promoted the Res-induced apoptosis, whereas BMP7-specific antibody significantly attenuated these effects. Res exerted no apparent effect on the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8, but decreased the phosphorylation of Akt1/2/3 sub-stantially in HCT116 cells. Overexpression of BMP7 enhanced the inhibitory effect of Res on phosphoryla-tion of Akt1/2/3, while BMP7 specific antibody re-duced this effect notably. Res markedly decreased the phosphorylation of PTEN, which could be boosted by BMP7,but attenuated by the BMP7 specific antibody. Conclusions Res can inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of HCT116 cells,and the anti-canc-er activity of Res may be mediated by inactivating PI3K/Akt signaling through up-regulating BMP7 to de-crease the phosphorylation of PTEN partly.

·AIM: To comprehensively investigate the relationship between outer retinal layer thickness and age in normal eyes. ·METHODS: One hundred normal eyes of 100 subjects who underwent spectral - domain optical coherence tomography ( SD - OCT ) were included in this retrospective study. The distances between the external limiting membrane ( ELM ) line and the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment ( IS/OS ) line ( ELM-IS/OS), the IS/OS line and the cone outer segment tips (COST) line ( IS/OS-COST), the COST line and the retinal pigment epithelium ( RPE) complex ( COST-RPE) and the full retinal thickness ( RT) were measured at the fovea and on four quarters. The relationship between thickness and age or sex was then analysed. ·RESULTS: A thinner RT was observed in women in a multiple regression analysis ( men: 234. 47 ± 16. 79 μ m;women: 223. 13±15. 43 μ m). The RT on the nasal quarter and the ELM-IS/OS thickness at the fovea and on the four quarters were significantly and negatively correlated with age. The IS/OS-COST and COST-RPE thicknesses at the fovea and on the four quarters were not significantly correlated with age or sex, respectively. The RT at the fovea was significantly thinner than on the four quarters. The ELM - IS/OS, IS/OS - COST and COST - RPE thicknesses at the fovea were significantly thicker than on the four quarters. ·CONCLUSION: In normal eyes, the RT thickness on the nasal quarter and the ELM - IS/OS thickness were significantly and negatively correlated with age. The IS/OS - COST and COST - RPE thicknesses were not significantly correlated with age or sex.

Aim To study the effect of tetrandrine ( Tet ) on proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the possible mechanism underlying this biological process. Methods CCK-8, flow cytometric and Western blot were introduced to analyze the effect of Tet on proliferation and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.Re-al-time PCR and/or Western blot assay were employed to detect the effect of Tet on expression of IGFBP-5 , p53 and MDM2.CCK-8 and recombinant adenovirus were utilized to determine the effect of IGFBP-5 on the proliferation inhibitory effect of Tet .Western blot assay was introduced to evaluate the effect of IGFBP-5 on p53 which was induced by Tet .Results Tet inhibited the proliferation , arrested cell cycle at G 1 phase and decreased the expression of PCNA concentration dependently in MCF-7 cells.Meanwhile, Tet increased the percentage of apoptotic cells , the level of Bad and reduced the level of Bcl-2.Tet increased the expres-sion of IGFBP-5 either mRNA or protein , over-expres-sion of IGFBP-5 enhanced the anti-proliferation activity of Tet in MCF-7 cells, but knockdown of IGFBP-5 at-tenuated this effect of Tet .Tet increased the level of p53 and decreased that of MDM2, and exogenous IG-FBP-5 enhanced the effect of Tet on p53 and MDM2, respectively .Conclusion Tet can inhibit the prolifer-ation of MCF-7 cells, and this activity is partly media-ted by increasing the function of p 53 signal , which may be triggered by the Tet-induced IGFBP-5.