OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical effect on Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage between the staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion and western medication. METHODS: Sixty patients with Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were administered orally with prednisone acetate tablets and methylcobalamin tablets until the 28th day of illness. In the observation group, the staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion was adopted. On the affected side, Qianzheng (EX-HN 16), Yifeng (TE 17), Sibai (ST 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4) and Touwei (ST 8), etc. were stimulated. In the acute stage (Day 1 to 7 of illness), the routine acupuncture and the point-toward-point needle insertion were delivered, no any manipulation was exerted at acupoints, and the needles were retained for 30 min. In the subacute stage (Day 8 to 14 of illness), on the base of the treatment as the acute stage, the depth of needle insertion was adjusted at a part of acupoints and the even needling technique was operated by twisting needle. Besides, electroacupuncture (EA) was attached to Qianzheng (EX-HN 16) and Dicang (ST 4), with continuous wave of low intensity and high frequency, 100 Hz, for 20 min. In the recovery stage (Day 15 to 28 of illness), on the base of the treatment as the subacute stage, the heavy stimulation of acupuncture was given, in which, the sticking and lifting needle techniques were delivered after the needles were inserted from Sibai (ST 2) toward Dicang (ST 4), and from Dicang (ST 4) toward Jiache (ST 6), separately; warm needling was operated at Yifeng (TE 17), and EA changed to stimulate the acupoints with the intermittent wave of high intensity and low frequency, 2 Hz, for 30 min. Acupuncture-moxibustion was given once every other day until the end of the 28th day of illness. The level of House-Brackmann facial nerve function rating scale (H-B grade),the score of Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system (Sunnybrook), the score of facial disability index (FDI), the temperature difference in the infrared thermal imaging facial area and electromyogram (EMG) situation of the affected muscle group were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. Using musculoskeletal ultrasound,the facial nerve diameter was detected and the clinical effect was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the level of H-B grade, Sunnybrook score, the scores of physical function and social life function in FDI were improved when compared with those before treatment in the patients of either group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the results of these evaluations in the observation group were better than those of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the temperature difference of the frontal area, the eye area, the zygomatic area and the mouth corner was declined in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the temperature difference in each area in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).The root mean square (RMS) of the frontal muscle group, the zygomatic muscle group and the orbicularis muscle group on the affected side increased in comparison with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and RMS of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05) after treatment. Before treatment, the diameter of the facial nerve on the affected side was larger than that on the healthy side (P<0.01), and after treatment, the diameter on the affected side was reduced when compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01); the diameter of the facial nerve on the affected side in the observation group was smaller than that of the control group (P<0.05), while, the diameter on the affected side was larger when compared with the healthy side in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), higher than that of the control group (83.3% [25/30], P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The staging comprehensive treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion is clearly effective on Bell's facial palsy in the acute stage, which affirms the effectiveness of acupuncture-moxibustion for the acute stage of Bell's facial palsy in comparison with conventional western medication.
Humans ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bell Palsy/therapy* ; Face

Bone Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Transplantation, Autologous/adverse effects*

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of salvianolic acid F （Sal F） in repairing the high glucose-induced injury in human kidney-2 （HK-2） cells via the B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）-associated X protein （Bax）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 3 （Caspase-3）/gasdermin-E （GSDME） pathway. MethodThe cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to measure the relative viability of HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and different concentrations （2.5， 5， 10， 20 μmol·L^-1） of Sal F and the relative viability of HK-2 cells treated with Sal F for different time periods. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the supernatant of the cell culture were measured by the LDH assay kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kit， respectively. Flow cytometry combined with Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide （PI） and Hoechst 33342/PI staining was employed to reveal the proportion of PI-positive HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of Bax， Bcl-2， cytochrome C， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase （Caspase）-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. The 2，7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence probe （DCFH-DA） and mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit （JC-1） were used to determine the production of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and the mitochondrial membrane potential in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased cell viability （P<0.01）， elevated levels LDH and IL-1β， increased proportion of PI-positive cells （P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of Bax， cytochrome C， Caspase-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）， decreased mitochondrial membrane potential， and excessive ROS accumulation. Compared with the model group， Sal F repaired the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells （P<0.05）， lowered the levels of LDH and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased the proportion of PI-positive cells （P<0.01）. In addition， Sal F down-regulated the protein levels of Bax， cytochrome C， Caspase-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME and up-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased the mitochondrial membrane potential， and decreased the accumulation of ROS in HK-2 cells. ConclusionSal F can reduce the production of ROS， restore the balance of mitochondrial membrane potential， and inhibit pyroptosis via the Bax/Caspase-3/GSDME signaling pathway to repair the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tangzhi pills on the improvement of insulin resistance （IR） in the liver with type 2 diabetes （T2DM） by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway based on differential genes and its possible molecular mechanism. MethodT2DM rat models were prepared by high fat （HFD） diet combined with streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection. The experiment was divided into blank group， model group， metformin hydrochloride group （0.18 g·kg^-1）， Tangzhi pills high （1.08 g·kg^-1）， medium （0.54 g·kg^-1） and low （0.27 g·kg^-1） dose groups. Rat serum， liver， and pancreatic tissue were collected， and the pathological tissue of the liver and pancreas was observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The fasting blood glucose level （FBG） was detected， and oral glucose tolerance （OGTT） tests were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect fasting serum insulin （FINS） and glycated hemoglobin （GHb） levels in rats. IR homeostasis model index （HOMA-IR）， β cellular homeostasis index （HOMA-β）， and insulin sensitivity index （ISI） were calculated. Biochemical methods were used to determine the levels of triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL-C） in rat serum. Transcriptomics obtained differentially expressed mRNA from liver tissue and enriched differentially expressed pathways. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of cyclic adenylate responsive element binding protein 3-like protein 2 antibody （CREB3l2）， B-lymphocyte tumor 2 （Bcl-2）， Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）， cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A （CDNK1A）， and DNA damage induced transcription factor 4-like protein （DDIT4） in liver tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （p-PI3K）， phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt）， glucose transporter 4 （GLUT4）， insulin receptor （INSR）， and insulin receptor substrate 2 （IRS2）. ResultThe pharmacodynamic experiment results showed that compared with model group， Tangzhi pills groups repaired liver and pancreatic tissue to varying degrees， reduced blood sugar （P<0.01）， and promoted a decrease in serum FINS， GHb， and HOMA-IR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， HOMA-β and ISI increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the levels of HDL-C increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The transcriptomics experimental results confirmed that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was significantly expressed in both the blank group and model group， as well as in the high-dose Tangzhi pills group and model group. CDNK1A， DDIT4， CREB3l2， Bcl-2， and TLR2 were significantly differentially expressed mRNA during TG intervention in T2DM. Compared with the model group， the protein expression of p-PI3K， p-Akt， GLUT4， INSR， and IRS2 increased in all Tangzhi pills groups （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of CREB3l2， Bcl-2， and TLR2 increased （P<0.01）， while that of CDNK1A and DDIT4 decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionTangzhi pills may regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway based on the differential mRNA expression of CREB3l2， Bcl-2， TLR2， CDNK1A， and DDIT4， thereby improving IR in the liver with T2DM.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Baitouweng Tang in inhibiting the growth of esophageal cancer （EC） cells by regulating budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles 1 （BUB1）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway. MethodGene chip technology was used to explore the differential gene expression between esophageal cancer tissues and normal tissues and identified differentially expressed genes. The differentially expressed genes were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. EC cells were treated with 25， 50， 100， 200， 400， 800 mg·L^-1 Baitouweng Tang. EC cell viability was detected by Thiazolyl Blue （MTT） colorimetry. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The expression of BUB1 was measured by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein levels of BUB1， STAT3， phosphorylated （p）-STAT3， Cyclin B1 （CCNB1）， cyclin-dependent kinase 1 （CDK1）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase（Caspase）-3， and Caspase-9 were measured by Western blot. The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were measured by wound-healing and Transwell invasion assays. ResultDifferentially expressed genes were primarily involved in biological processes， signaling pathways， and network construction related to cell mitosis， with BUB1 identified as a key core gene. Compared with the control group， Baitouweng Tang inhibited BUB1 expression （P<0.05，P<0.01）. In vitro experiments showed that compared with the control group， Baitouweng Tang could significantly inhibit the growth （P<0.05，P<0.01）， migration and invasion （P<0.05，P<0.01） of EC cells， induce apoptosis （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and cause G₂/M phase increase （P<0.01）. After treatment with Baitouweng Tang， compared with the results in the control group， the expression of Caspase-3， and Caspase-9 in EC cells increased significantly （P<0.05，P<0.01）， while the expression of Bcl-2， BUB1， CCNB1， and CDK1 decreased significantly （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Moreover， the STAT3 signaling pathway was also found to play an important role in this process. ConclusionBaitouweng Tang may inhibit the growth of EC cells by downregulating BUB1 and mediating the STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-495-3p targeting budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles(BUB1)on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway on biological behavior of esophageal cancer(EC)cells.Methods The differentially expressed genes in EC tissues and normal tissues were screened by the cDNA microarray technique.The differentially expressed genes were analyzed by bioinformatics methods.The target genes of miRNAs were predicted by the TargetScan database and verified by a dual luciferase gene reporter assay.KYSE150 cells were divided into blank control group,NC mimics group and miR-495-3p mim-ics group.The activity of KYSE150 cells were detected by the CCK-8 method.Cell cycle and apoptosis were meas-ured by flow cytometry.The expression of BUB1 mRNA was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).The levels of BUB1,STAT3,phosphor(p)-STAT3,cyclin dependent kinase 1(CCNB1),cyclin dependent kinase 1(CDK1),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),cysteinyl aspar-tate-specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3)and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3(Caspase-9)were measured by Western blot.The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were measured by wound-healing and Transwell inva-sion assays.Results Differentially expressed genes were involved in biological processes,signaling pathways and network construction,which were mainly related to cell cycle.BUB1 is the key(Hub)gene,and BUB1 is the tar-get gene of miR-495-3p.In vitro experiments showed that overexpression of miR-495-3p could significantly inhibit the migration and invasion of EC cells and induce apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest.After treatment with overex-pression of miR-495-3p,the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in EC cells increased significantly(P＜0.01),while the expression of Bcl-2,BUB 1,CCNB1,CDK1 and p-STAT3 decreased significantly(P＜0.01).Moreover,the STAT3 signaling pathway might play an important role in this process.Conclusion miR-495-3p may influence the biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells by down-regulating BUB 1-mediated STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To study the position of computed tomography(CT)slice of marker points of radiotherapy,which was determined by control scan(CS)method,on the application effect of patients with head and neck tumors who received radiotherapy.Methods:Based on Control Scan(CS)method,a calculator program of mark-point slice position was made,which was an enterprise WeChat program that could be used in calculating position and CT position scan of patients with head and neck tumor(slice thickness was 3mm).A total of 60 patients with head and neck tumor were selected,and the patients who underwent CT positioning scan by using CS method were divided into observation group,and patients who underwent CT position scan by using conventional method were divided into control group,with 30 cases in each group.The number of cases with three metal marker points displayed at the same slice,and the number of slices containing the CT images of marker point between the located CT scan were compared.Results:The number of patients in the observation group and the control group who showed three markers at the same level at the same time were respectively 26 cases and 13 cases,and observation group increased by 13 cases(43.4%)than control group,and the difference was significant(x2=12.382,P<0.05).The number of CT images with only 1 slice of observation group and control group were respectively 4 cases and 0 cases,which increased by 4 cases(13.3%)than the control group,and the difference was significant(x2=2.411,P<0.05).Conclusions:The CT localization scan of radiotherapy,which uses CS to assist patients with head and neck tumor,can precisely calculate and obtain the primary position of target of CT localization scan.It can take the images of 3 mental marker points of patient who receives radiotherapy to occur at the same CT slice as soon as possible,which has better application effect.It can effectively improve the convenience and work effectiveness of radiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅰ,the active constituent of milkvetch root,in inhibiting podocyte injury and improving diabetic kidney disease.Methods According to the body weight,60 male db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,astragaloside Ⅰ low-dose group(10 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ medium-dose group(20 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ high-dose group(40 mg/kg),and valsartan group(10mg/kg),with 12 mice per group.Twelve db/db littermate control db/m mice were used as the control group.The drug was administered by gavage for 8 weeks.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of the kidney;immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of nephrotic protein(nephrin),a marker of renal podocytes;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-18(IL-18)in the serum of mice;Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1),and Gasdermin D(GSDMD)in kidney tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the glomeruli of the model group showed obvious podocyte loss and foot process fusion;the protein expression of nephrin was decreased(P＜0.05);the contents of IL-1 β and IL-18 in serum were increased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the renal pathological damage in the astragaloside Ⅰ administration groups were alleviated;the protein expression of nephrin was increased(P＜0.05);the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were decreased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Astragaloside Ⅰ may play a role in intervening diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting pyroptosis and improving podocyte injury.

Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is one of the most serious microangiopathies in diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease.Ferroptosis,as a mode of programmed cell death,is mainly manifested by excessive accumulation of intracellular lipid peroxides and iron.Ferroptosis is involved in a series of pathological processes such as damage to DN renal podocytes,mesangial cells,and renal tubular epithelial cells.Chinese materia medica has the characteristics of significant therapeutic effects and minimal adverse reactions in the treatment of diseases,and has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of DN.This article summarized the key factors regulating ferroptosis in DN,as well as the active components and TCM formulas targeting the inhibition of ferroptosis in the prevention and treatment of DN,providing reference for the development of DN targeted drugs.

Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease.Chinese materia medica shows unique advantages in intervening DKD.Silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)protein plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of DKD.This article was about the SIRT1 signaling pathway and the main molecular regulatory mechanisms to sort out the role of Chinese materia medica in regulating SIRT1 in podocytes,oxidative stress and inflammatory response.It was found that Chinese materia medica monomers and compounds were capable of regulating the PGC-1 α signaling pathway,Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway,AMPK signaling pathway,NF-κB p65 signaling pathway,and PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 signaling pathway by targeting SIRT1,exerting pharmacological effects such as inhibiting cell apoptosis,improving mitophagy,inhibiting inflammatory response,etc.,thus intervening in DKD,which can provide reference for relevant research.