Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) was named thus because it is the causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), with 80% of MCC cases being MCV-positive. MCV has been classified as a 2A carcinogen. It promotes carcinogenesis by integrating T antigens into the cell genome. The anti-MCV seroprevalence in the general population is as high as 90%. Usually, MCV is latent after infection in immunocompetent patients, and the incidence of MCC in immunosuppressive or defective patients, such as those with organ transplants, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and HIV infection, is remarkably high. Patients with HIV/AIDS are a typical population with acquired immunodeficiency. At present, the research on patients with HIV/AIDS and MCV infection, activation, and pathogenesis is limited. In this paper, the progress of previous research is reviewed and the relationship between HIV infection and MCV activation is systematically investigated to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of MCC in key populations, such as patients with HIV/AIDS.

Objective:To discuss the effect of downregulating microRNA-208a(miR-208a)on the resistance of the colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil(5-FU),and to clarify its related molecular mechanism.Methods:Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of miR-208a and secreted frizzled-related protein 1(SFRP1)mRNA in the 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer cell line HT-29/5-FU and its parent HT-29 cells.The HT-29/5-FU cells were transfected with miR-208a inhibitor plasmid and its negative control plasmid(inhibitor-NC),and SFRP1 small interfering RNA(si-SFRP1)and its negative control plasmid(si-NC),either separately or in combination,followed by treatment with 5-FU.The cells were divided into inhibitor-NC group,miR-208a inhibitor group,miR-208a inhibitor+si-NC group,and miR-208a inhibitor+si-SFRP1 group.MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells and the resistance indexes were calculated;Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells after treated with different concentrations of 5-FU;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of SFRP1,β-catenin,P-glycoprotein(P-gp),and ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1(ABCB1)proteins in the cells in various groups;dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to validate the targeting relationship between miR-208a and SFRP1.Results:Compared with HT-29 cells,the expression level of miR-208a in the HT-29/5-FU cells was increased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of SFRP1 mRNA was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with inhibitor-NC group,the proliferation activity of the cells in miR-208a inhibitor group was decreased(P＜0.05),the resistance index was decreased,the apoptotic rate was increased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of β-catenin,P-gp,and ABCB1 proteins in the cells were decreased(P＜0.05).The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that SFRP1 was a target gene of miR-208a and miR-208a could negatively regulate the expression of SFRP1.Compared with miR-208a inhibitor+si-NC group,the proliferation activity of the cells in miR-208a inhibitor+si-SFRP1 group was increased(P＜0.05),the resistance index was increased,the apoptotic rate was decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of β-catenin,P-gp,and ABCB1 proteins in the cells were increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Downregulation of miR-208a can improve the resistance of the HT-29/5-FU cells to 5-FU by targeting and upregulating the SFRP1 expression,thereby inhibiting the transmission of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on survival and treatment-related toxicity in postoperative recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy.Methods:Clinical data of 147 patients with postoperative locoregional recurrent ESCC receiving chemoradiotherapy in Huai'an First People's Hospital from 2016 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Pectoralis muscle area (PMA) was determined using routine pre-radiotherapy CT simulation scan above the aortic arch level. Sarcopenia was defined as a cut-off value of pectoralis muscle index (PMI) (PMA/height 2) <11.55 cm 2/m 2 for males and <8.69 cm 2/m 2 for females. The incidence of toxicity, 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were statistically compared between patients with and without sarcopenia. Results:Sarcopenia was detected in 49 of 147 (33.3%) patients. The incidence of grade 3-4 toxicities in sarcopenic patients was significantly higher compared to that in their counterparts without sarcopenia (40.8% vs. 18.4%, P=0.005). In addition, patients with sarcopenia had significantly worse 1-year (61.2% vs. 82.7%) and 3-year OS rates (10.2% vs. 28.6%) than those without sarcopenia (both , P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that sarcopenia was an independent prognostic factor for poor OS ( P<0.001). Conclusion:PMI based on CT simulation scan has prognostic value in postoperative locoregional recurrent ESCC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy, which probably serves as a novel diagnostic tool for sarcopenia.

ObjectiveTo explore the compatibility advantage of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma in the prevention and treatment of neuroinflammation， and to elucidate the action characteristics and mechanism of the compatibility advantage based on Toll like receptor （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor kappaB （NF-κB） pathway. MethodRepresentative mouse microglia cells （BV2） in vitro were selected and divided into 8 groups： control group， model group， Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma group， Piracetam group， Scutellariae Radix group and Coptidis Rhizoma group. The BV2 cell inflammatory model was established by lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， and the cell activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. Cell morphology was observed under bright field. The production and release of pro-inflammatory factors in BV2 cells were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and immunofluorescence assay， and the mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 was detected by immunofluorescence， and TLR4 signal transduction inhibitor （CLI-095） and NF-κB inhibitor （PDTC） were used to confirm the anti-neuroinflammation targets of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma. ResultCompared with the conditions in the control group， most cells in LPS-induced model group were activated， and the contents of IL-6， TNF-α and IL-1β in culture medium and cells and the mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p50 and NF-κB p65 were increased （P<0.01）， with obvious nuclear entry of NF-κB p65. Compared with the conditions in the model group， BV2 cell morphology was mostly recovered after pretreatment in Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma and Piracetam groups， and the levels of IL-6， TNF-α and IL-1β and the mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p50 and NF-κB p65 were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with NF-κB p65 mostly observed in cytoplasm. Compared with the conditions in the model group， cell morphology was slightly recovered in Scutellariae Radix group and Coptidis Rhizoma group， and the levels of pro-inflammatory factors and mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p50 and NF-κB p65 were reduced. In terms of inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory factors， Scutellariae Radix group and Coptidis Rhizoma group were lower than Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma group （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the "Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma+CLI-095" group and "Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma+PDTC" group had lowered mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p50 and NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the transfer of NF-κB p65 into nucleus was obviously inhibited. ConclusionThe anti-neuroinflammation effect of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma was significantly better than Scutellariae Radix or Coptidis Rhizom alone， and the anti-neuroinflammation advantage was closely related to the inhibition of activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in microglial cells. It was confirmed that TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB were potential targets for Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma to exert the compatibility advantage.

Objective:To investigate the changes of the expression levels of serum proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), tumor-specific growth factor (TSGF), soluble E-cadherin (SE-CAD) and the relationship with clinical prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy.Methods:Eighty-four patients (29 cases of Ⅲ A, 30 Ⅲ B and 25 Ⅳ) with advanced NSCLC treated in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2018 were selected, and all patients were given with intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The expression levels of serum PCNA, TSGF, and SE-CAD were compared among different TNM stages and before and after treatment. The serum PCNA, TSGF, SE-CAD levels were compared among patients with different clinical efficacy. The relationship between serum PCNA, TSGF and SE-CAD levels and clinical efficacy was assessed by Logistic regression analysis. The survival analysis was performed with Kaplan- Meier method. Results:The expression levels of serum PCNA, TSGF and SE-CAD before treatment in stage Ⅳ patients were significantly higher than those in stage Ⅲ B and Ⅲ A patients (584.11±60.25 pg/ml vs. 531.06±51.37 pg/ml and 477.54±46.49 pg/ml, 96.13±7.54 U/ml vs. 8.52±5.91 U/ml and 82.41±5.0 U/ml, 3.02±0.26 ng/ml vs. 2.87±0.22 ng/ml and 2.71±0.15 ng/ml, all P<0.05), and the serum levels of three cytokines in Ⅲ B stage patients were significantly higher than those in their Ⅲ A stage counterparts (all P<0.05). After treatment, the serum levels of PCNA, TSGF and SE-CAD were significantly lower than those before treatment (396.11±50.23 pg/ml vs. 528.37±75.09 pg/ml, 74.81±4.72 U/ml vs. 88.68±6.13 U/ml, 1.92±0.24 ng/ml vs.2.86±0.31 ng/ml, all P<0.05). At 18 months after treatment, the serum levels of PCNA, TSGF and SE-CAD in surviving patients were significantly lower than those of dead patients (332.51±54.32 pg/ml vs. 444.92±60.07 pg/ml, 70.59±6.20 U/ml vs. 78.05±8.44 U/ml, 1.71±0.24 ng/ml vs. 2.08±0.27 ng/ml, all P<0.05). The serum levels of PCNA, TSGF and SE-CAD were significantly associated with clinical prognosis (all P<0.05). Among 84 NSCLC patients, the objective response rate after treatment was 29%(24/84). The survival curves in patients with high expression levels of serum PCNA, TSGF and SE-CAD were significantly lower than those in the low-expression group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Serum PCNA, TSGF and SE-CAD are highly expressed in patients with advanced NSCLC, which are closely correlated with clinical staging and prognosis and contribute to predicting survival status.

Objective To summarize the efficacy and adverse reactions of incremental corticotrophin (ACTH) therapy in the treatment of infantile spasms (IS),and to provide new clinical treatment options.Methods The clinical data of 40 children with IS who were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology,Shanghai Children's Medical Center,Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine,treated with ACTH from January 2016 to January 2018 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.All the children were treated with intravenous infusion of ACTH with an initial dose 12.5 U/d for 3 days.If the spasms did not disappear,dosage of ACTH increased to 25.0 U/d for another 3 days.If the spasms could not yet be fully controlled,the dosage increased to 40.0 U/d,and the total course of treatment did not exceed 2 weeks.If the spasms disappeared at each dose stage or the course of treatment reached to 2 weeks,ACTH would be changed to Prednisone 2 mg/(kg · d) orally,which gradually decreased in 2 months.All children underwent electroencephalogram examination before and after treatment.Results Forty patients with IS were treated with ACTH increasing therapy.The disappearance rate of spasms was 40.0％ (16/40 cases) totally,with 7.5％ (3/40 cases) at the dosage phase of 12.5 U/d,16.2％ (6/37 cases) at the dosage stage of 25.0 U/d,and 22.6％ (7/31 cases) at the dosage of 40.0 U/d.The disappearance rate of hypsarrhythmia on electroencephalogram was 60.0％ (24/40 cases) generally,and 5.0％ (2/40 cases),10.8％ (4/37 cases),58.1％ (18/31 cases),respectively at above different dosage phases,while 37.5％ (15/40 cases) of the children had mild adverse reactions,mostly respiratory infections.Conclusions The short-term efficacy of the ACTH incremental therapy in the treatment of IS is positive,and the incidence of adverse reactions is low.

Objective To explore the efficacy of alprostadil combined with Bailing capsule in the treatment of early chronic kidney disease. Methods A total of 94 early stage chronic kidney disease patients were selected and divided into treatment group(n=46) and control group(n=48).The patients in control group were treated with Bailing capsule,5 capsules, tid,po.The patients in treatment group were treated with Bailing capsule combined with 2 mL alprostadil in 20 mL 0.9% sodium chloride injection,intravenous injection,qd.The patients were treated for 4 weeks as a course of treatment in both groups.After 2 courses of treatment,the improvement of renal function,the changes in cytokine levels including NK cells and T cell subsets CD+3, CD+4,CD+8,adverse reactions of two groups were observed. Results The effective rates of the control group and the treatment group were 60.42%,91.30%,respectively(P<0.05).The renal function index 24 h urine protein were(1.15± 0.35) g,serum creatinine were(78.52±10.63) μmol·L-1,urea nitrogen were(8.23±1.65) mmol·L-1,all of which were decreased significantly (P<0.05).The levels of NK cells were(21.89±2.73)%,T cell subsets CD+3were(71.02±5.61)%,CD+4were(38.84±3.52)%, CD+4/CD+8were(1.28 ± 0.14),which were increased significantly,while the level of CD+8were(30.21± 3.03)% was decreased significantly(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between two groups in the adverse reactions(P>0.05). Conclusion The combination of alprostadil and Bailing capsule is effective to early stage chronic kidney disease by improving the renal function and regulating the level of cytokines.

was nominated after the collection of the bamboo slips of medicine unearthed from the tomb of the Han Dynasty in Tiahui county, Chengdu of Sichuan Province. It is the special chapter on the therapeuticmethods of acupuncture, providing the valuable new historical evidences for the study on the inheritance and evolution of acupuncture in TCM. In the paper, using the cross-proof method among the unearthed literature, the inherited literatures and the unearthed relics, the ancient acupuncture techniques at the early Western Han Dynasty were explored. It was discovered that the manipulations of the different needling techniques, such as pulse needling and intermuscular needling, as well as the forms of the needling tools provided the evidences to the Nine Needles recorded in () and the archaeological discovery. There were many acupuncture prescriptions, reflecting the needling methods recorded in () and () as well as needling chart, the stone portrait of the Han Dynasty. The close combination between the acupuncture needling techniques and the pulse diagnosis indicates the theoretic essence of the meridian medicine at the ancient time.
Acupuncture ; history ; Acupuncture Therapy ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians ; Records

Objective To explore the impact of total parathyroidectomy(tPTX)on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity(cfPWV)in hemodialysis patients. Methods A total of 35 patients undergoing hemodialysis with refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism and treated with tPTX were studied. Before tPTX and 1 year after the oper-ation,cfPWVwas measured and hepatic and renal function,serum calcium,serum phosphorus,intact parathyroid hormone and hemoglobin were measured. The impact of tPTX on cfPWV in hemodialysis patients was analyzed. Results Serum calcium,serum phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone decreased(P < 0.01),while hemo-globin and serum albumin increased(P < 0.01)and cfPWV decreased 1 year after the operation,which showed statistical significance(P<0.01). The cfPWV of the patients with tPTX was still higher than that of healthy indi-viduals(P<0.01). Conclusion tPTX can effectively reduce cfPWV in hemodialysis patients with refractory sec-ondary hyperparathyroidism.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of complement activation in patients with HBV related glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).Methods Biopsy-proven HBV-GN patients admitted in our hospital were retrospectively recruited.Decreased serum C3 level was defined as C3 ＜ 85 mg/dL.According to the serum C3 level,the patients were divided into the decreased serum C3 group and normal serum C3 group,and the pathological and clinical differences were compared between the two groups.According to the intensity of C3 deposition in the kidney,patients were divided into negative and positive group,and the pathological and clinical differences were compared.Results In this study,29 HBV-GN patients were recruited.There were 18 (62.07％) patients in the normal serum C3 group and 11 (37.93％) patients in the decreased serum C3 group.Compared with the patients with normal serum C3 level,patients with decreased serum C3 level had higher serum creatinine level,lower eGFR level,severer mesangial proliferation and renal interstitial fibrosis (P ＜ 0.05).There were 9 (31.03 ％) patients with negative C3 deposition in the kidney,and 20 (68.97％) patients with positive C3 deposition.Higher cholesterol,higher IgG levels,lower serum albumin,serum C 3 levels,lower eGFR level,severer glomerular sclerosis,inflammatory cell infiltration in renal interstitial,renal tubular atrophy,and renal interstitial fibrosis were associated with a higher grade of C3 deposition in the kidney (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion There are different levels of complement activation in patients with HBV-GN.Local and systemic complement activation is associated with decreased renal function.Complement activation may be involved in the development of HBV-GN.