ObjectiveTo explore the regulatory effects and mechanisms of Astragali Radix polysaccharide （APS） on inhibitor of differentiation1 （ID1） and protein kinase B （Akt） in gastric cancer. MethodsImmunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of ID1 and Akt in 61 gastric cancer tissue samples and 20 adjacent normal gastric tissue samples. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the localization of ID1 and Akt. The effects of APS at the concentrations of 0.625， 1.25， 2.5， 5， 10， 20 mg·L^-1 on the proliferation of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells were examined by the cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） method and the colony formation assay. The target information of APS was retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Analysis Platform and Swiss Target Prediction. Keywords such as gastric cancer， gastric tumor， and stomach cancer were searched against GeneCards， UniProt， DisGeNET， and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM） for the screening of gastric cancer-related targets. The online tool jvenn was used to create the Venn diagram to identify the common targets， and STRING and Cytoscape were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network. Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses were conducted via R 4.2.2 to predict the potential roles of APS in the development of gastric cancer. The cell scratch assay was employed to assess the effect of APS on the migration of MGC-803 cells. The protein and mRNA levels of ID1 and Akt in the cells treated with APS were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR， respectively. ResultsCompared with the adjacent normal gastric tissue， the gastric adenocarcinoma tissue showed increased positive expression of ID1 （χ² =81.00， P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence detection showed that ID1 and Akt were mainly located in the cytoplasm of gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Bioinformatics analysis identified 14 common genes shared between APS and gastric cancer. The average degree of protein-protein interaction network nodes was 14.29. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment results showed that ID1 and Akt were significantly enriched in the Rap1 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （PI3K） /Akt signaling pathways. Cell experiments demonstrated that 5-fluorouracil （0.1 mg·L^-1） and APS （10， 20 mg·L^-1） groups showed decreased cell proliferation， migration， and colony formation. Compared with the control group， 10， 20 mg·L^-1 APS inhibited the proliferation of MGC-803 cells （P<0.01）， with 10 mg·L^-1 APS demonstrating stronger inhibitory effect. In addition， APS at 10， 20 mg·L^-1 inhibited the migration （P<0.01） and colony formation （P<0.05， P<0.01） of MGC-803 cells. Compared with the control group， APS at 10， 20 mg·L^-1 down-regulated the protein levels of ID1 （P<0.01） and Akt （P<0.05） and the mRNA levels of ID1 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and Akt （P<0.05， P<0.01） in MGC-803 cells. ConclusionID1 and Akt are highly expressed in the gastric adenocarcinoma tissue， which may be related to the development of gastric cancer. APS can down-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of ID1 and Akt to exert anti-tumor effects， which is expected to provide new therapeutic targets for gastric cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy and safety of different doses of bupivacaine liposome （referred to as “LB”） in posterior quadratus lumborum block （QLB） for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing cesarean section （CS）. METHODS In prospective research method， a total of 168 patients undergoing CS admitted to Chongzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from June to December 2024 were randomly divided into LB1 group， LB2 group， and LB3 group （LB of 199， 133 and 67 mg， respectively） according to the random number sorting method， with 56 cases in each group. All patients underwent CS after combined spinal-epidural anesthesia， and received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia and bilateral posterior QLB with different doses of LB after the operation. Visual analogue scale score， Ramsay sedation score， the presence of postoperative block planes and muscle strength classification were observed in the three groups of patients at 6， 12， 24， 48 and 72 hours after the operation. The time of the first compression of the analgesic pump， the dosage of sufentanil and butorphanol within 72 hours after surgery， the number of compressions of the analgesic pump， the analgesic rescue rate， the time of initiating lactation， the score of neonatal behavioral neurological assessment （NBNA）， the time of postoperative exhaust， the indwelling time of urinary catheter， the length of hospital stay， and the total satisfaction at 72 hours after surgery were compared. The occurrence of adverse reactions within 72 hours after the operation was recorded. RESULTS The resting and motor pain scores， the dosage of sufentanil and butorphanol within 72 hours after surgery， the number of compressions of the analgesic pump， the analgesic rescue rate， and the time of initiating lactation at 6， 12， 24， 48 and 72 hours after surgery in the LB1 group and the LB2 group were significantly lower or shorter than those in the LB3 group（P＜0.05）. The proportion of postoperative block planes at 24， 48 and 72 hours after surgery， the time of the first compression of the analgesic pump and the total satisfaction in the LB1 group and the LB2 group were significantly higher or longer than those in the LB3 group（P＜0.05）. The proportion of patients with muscle strength≤grade 3 at 6 hours after surgery in the LB1 group was significantly higher than that in the LB2 and the LB3 groups （P＜0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences in the Ramsay sedation scores at each time point after surgery， NBNA scores， postoperative exhaust time， urinary catheter indwelling time， the length of hospital stay， as well as the occurrence of adverse reactions among the 3 groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with 67 mg of LB， 199 mg and 133 mg of LB can improve the postoperative analgesic effect and total satisfaction of CS patients undergoing posterior QLB， reduce the use of postoperative analgesic drugs， and shorten the time to start lactation. Compared with 199 mg and 133 mg of LB， 67 mg of LB has a smaller impact on the motor function of CS patients. All three doses of LB had no significant effect on the neurobehavioral abilities of newborns, and demonstrated comparable sedative efficacy and safety.

AIM: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of epithelial-off accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking(CXL)in the management of progressive keratoconus over 1 a period.METHODS:A retrospective pre-post self-controlled study. Data were collected from complete cases of 63 patients(84 eyes)with progressive keratoconus who underwent epithelial-off accelerated CXL between August 2018 and September 2021. Uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), refraction, corneal transparency, maximum keratometry(Kmax)of the anterior corneal surface, minimum corneal thickness, endothelial cell counts, and intraocular pressure(IOP)were analyzed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively.RESULTS:No significant differences were observed in UCVA and spherical power before and after surgery(all P>0.05). However, there were significant differences in BCVA, cylinder power, Kmax, minimum corneal thickness, and IOP(all P<0.05). At 12 mo postoperatively, there were no significant differences in BCVA, cylinder power, minimum corneal thickness, and IOP compared with preoperative values(all P>0.05), while Kmax was decreased compared with preoperative value(P<0.05). At 1 mo postoperatively, the corneal endothelial cell count(2519.87±345.28 cells/mm2)was decreased compared with preoperative value(2693.63±313.39 cells/mm2; P<0.001). At 1 wk postoperatively, 22 eyes developed corneal haze(grade 0.5 to 1), and 15 eyes presented with linear corneal stromal opacity at 1 mo postoperatively. In 7 eyes, corneal opacity subsided within 3 to 6 mo after the operation, however, 5 eyes still exhibited corneal nebula or macula without affecting visual acuity.CONCLUSION: After epithelial-off accelerated CXL, the UCVA, BCVA and spherical diopter of patients remained stable over time. The astigmatism and corneal curvature temporarily increased and then gradually decreased. The cornea minimum thickness decreased initially but subsequently returned to preoperative levels. The corneal curvature at 6 and 12 mo after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery, which could effectively prevent the progression of keratoconus. Despite potential localized corneal opacity and macular complications, as well as a possible decrease in corneal endothelial cell count, BCVA remained unaffected, demonstrating favorable safety outcomes.

AIM: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of epithelial-off accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking(CXL)in the management of progressive keratoconus over 1 a period.METHODS:A retrospective pre-post self-controlled study. Data were collected from complete cases of 63 patients(84 eyes)with progressive keratoconus who underwent epithelial-off accelerated CXL between August 2018 and September 2021. Uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), refraction, corneal transparency, maximum keratometry(Kmax)of the anterior corneal surface, minimum corneal thickness, endothelial cell counts, and intraocular pressure(IOP)were analyzed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively.RESULTS:No significant differences were observed in UCVA and spherical power before and after surgery(all P>0.05). However, there were significant differences in BCVA, cylinder power, Kmax, minimum corneal thickness, and IOP(all P<0.05). At 12 mo postoperatively, there were no significant differences in BCVA, cylinder power, minimum corneal thickness, and IOP compared with preoperative values(all P>0.05), while Kmax was decreased compared with preoperative value(P<0.05). At 1 mo postoperatively, the corneal endothelial cell count(2519.87±345.28 cells/mm2)was decreased compared with preoperative value(2693.63±313.39 cells/mm2; P<0.001). At 1 wk postoperatively, 22 eyes developed corneal haze(grade 0.5 to 1), and 15 eyes presented with linear corneal stromal opacity at 1 mo postoperatively. In 7 eyes, corneal opacity subsided within 3 to 6 mo after the operation, however, 5 eyes still exhibited corneal nebula or macula without affecting visual acuity.CONCLUSION: After epithelial-off accelerated CXL, the UCVA, BCVA and spherical diopter of patients remained stable over time. The astigmatism and corneal curvature temporarily increased and then gradually decreased. The cornea minimum thickness decreased initially but subsequently returned to preoperative levels. The corneal curvature at 6 and 12 mo after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery, which could effectively prevent the progression of keratoconus. Despite potential localized corneal opacity and macular complications, as well as a possible decrease in corneal endothelial cell count, BCVA remained unaffected, demonstrating favorable safety outcomes.

The classic formula Fangji Fulingtang is from ZHANG Zhongjing's Synopsis of the Golden Chamber in the Eastern Han dynasty. It is composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Astragali Radix， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Poria， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， with the effects of reinforcing Qi and invigorating spleen， warming Yang and promoting urination. By a review of ancient medical books， this paper summarizes the composition， original plants， processing， dosage， decocting methods， indications and other key information of Fangji Fulingtang， aiming to provide a literature basis for the research， development， and clinical application of preparations based on this formula. Synonyms of Fangji Fulingtang exist in ancient medical books， while the formula composition in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber is more widespread and far-reaching. In this formula， Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Astragali Radix， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Poria， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are the dried root of Stephania tetrandra， the dried root of Astragalus embranaceus var. mongholicus， the dried shoot of Cinnamomum cassia， the dried sclerotium of Poria cocos， and the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis， respectively. Fangji Fulingtang is mainly produced into powder， with the dosage and decocting method used in the past dynasties basically following the original formula. Each bag is composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix 13.80 g， Astragali Radix 13.80 g， Cinnamomi Ramulus 13.80 g， Poria 27.60 g， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma 9.20 g. The raw materials are purified， decocted in water from 1 200 mL to 400 mL， and the decoction should be taken warm， 3 times a day. Fangji Fulingtang was originally designed for treating skin edema， and then it was used to treat impediment in the Qing dynasty. In modern times， it is mostly used to treat musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases and circulatory system diseases， demonstrating definite effects on various types of edema and heart failure. This paper clarifies the inheritance of Fangji Fulingtang and reveals its key information （attached to the end of this paper）， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of preparations based on this formula.

The classic formula Fangji Fulingtang is from ZHANG Zhongjing's Synopsis of the Golden Chamber in the Eastern Han dynasty. It is composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Astragali Radix， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Poria， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， with the effects of reinforcing Qi and invigorating spleen， warming Yang and promoting urination. By a review of ancient medical books， this paper summarizes the composition， original plants， processing， dosage， decocting methods， indications and other key information of Fangji Fulingtang， aiming to provide a literature basis for the research， development， and clinical application of preparations based on this formula. Synonyms of Fangji Fulingtang exist in ancient medical books， while the formula composition in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber is more widespread and far-reaching. In this formula， Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Astragali Radix， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Poria， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are the dried root of Stephania tetrandra， the dried root of Astragalus embranaceus var. mongholicus， the dried shoot of Cinnamomum cassia， the dried sclerotium of Poria cocos， and the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis， respectively. Fangji Fulingtang is mainly produced into powder， with the dosage and decocting method used in the past dynasties basically following the original formula. Each bag is composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix 13.80 g， Astragali Radix 13.80 g， Cinnamomi Ramulus 13.80 g， Poria 27.60 g， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma 9.20 g. The raw materials are purified， decocted in water from 1 200 mL to 400 mL， and the decoction should be taken warm， 3 times a day. Fangji Fulingtang was originally designed for treating skin edema， and then it was used to treat impediment in the Qing dynasty. In modern times， it is mostly used to treat musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases and circulatory system diseases， demonstrating definite effects on various types of edema and heart failure. This paper clarifies the inheritance of Fangji Fulingtang and reveals its key information （attached to the end of this paper）， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of preparations based on this formula.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

BACKGROUND: The effects of acupuncture have varied in different randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and there are many factors that influence treatment effect of acupuncture in different outcomes, with conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors and their impact on the treatment effect of acupuncture in different outcomes. METHODS: Acupuncture RCTs were searched from 7 databases including Medline (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine disc between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2019. Eligible studies must compare acupuncture to no acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or waiting lists, and report at least 1 patient-important outcome. A multi-level meta-regression was conducted using a 3-level robust mixed model and univariate analyses were performed for all independent variables, even those excluded from the multivariable model due to collinearities. We used thresholds of 0.2 and 0.4 for the difference of standardized mean differences (SMDs), categorising them as small (<0.2), moderate (0.2-0.4), or large (>0.4) effects. RESULTS: The pain construct analysis involved 211 effect estimates from 153 studies and 14 independent variables. High-frequency acupuncture treatment sessions produced larger effects compared to low-frequency sessions [large magnitude, the difference of adjusted SMDs 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07 to 0.84; P=0.02]. The non-pain symptoms construct analysis comprised 323 effect estimates from 231 studies and 15 independent variables. Penetrating acupuncture showed moderately larger effects when compared to non-penetrating acupuncture (0.30, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53; P=0.01). The function construct analysis included 495 effect estimates from 274 studies and 14 independent variables. Penetrating acupuncture and the flexible acupuncture regimen showed moderately larger effects, compared to non-penetrating acupuncture and fixed regimen, respectively (0.40, 95% CI 0 to 0.80; P=0.05; 0.29, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS High-frequency acupuncture sessions appear to be a more effective approach to managing painful symptoms. Penetrating acupuncture demonstrated greater effect in relieving non-painful symptoms. Both penetrating acupuncture type and flexible acupuncture regimen were linked to significant treatment effects in function outcomes. Future studies should consider the factors that are significantly associated with the effects of acupuncture in patient-important outcomes.
Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Pain ; Pain Management ; China