[Bidirectional regulation of acupuncture: a subgroup analysis of multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture with Tiaoshen Jianpi for irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture based on a subgroup analysis of multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture with Tiaoshen Jianpi for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: A total of 519 patients were included in the analysis, including 137 patients with constipation type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) (92 cases in the acupuncture group and 45 cases in the polyethylene glycol [PEG] group), and 382 patients with diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) (252 cases in the acupuncture group and 130 cases in the pinaverium group). The patients in the acupuncture group were given acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) once every other day, 3 times a week. The patients in the PEG group received polyethylene glycol 4000 powder orally, and the pinaverium group received pinaverium bromide tablets orally. All were treated for 6 weeks. The IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) was assessed at baseline, treatment period (2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment) and 12 weeks of follow-up, and the IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL) score was evaluated at the baseline period, 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: The total IBS-SSS scores of the two groups of IBS-C patients at 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment and follow-up of 12 weeks were lower than those in the baseline period (P<0.01). The total IBS-SSS score in the IBS-C acupuncture group was lower than that in the PEG group at 12 weeks of follow-up (P<0.05). The total IBS-SSS scores of the two groups of IBS-D patients at 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up were lower than those in the baseline period (P<0.01). The total IBS-SSS scores in the IBS-D acupuncture group were lower than those in the pinaverium group at 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up (P<0.05). The total IBS-QOL scores at 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up were higher than those in the baseline period in both groups of patients with IBS-C (P<0.01). The total IBS-QOL scores at 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up were higher than those in the baseline period in both groups in patients with IBS-D (P<0.01). The total IBS-QOL score in the IBS-D acupuncture group was higher than that in the pinaverium group at 18 weeks of follow-up (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture with Tiaoshen Jianpi can improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life of patients with IBS-C and IBS-D, which can regulate different functional states (constipation and diarrhea) of the same disease (irritable bowel syndrome), reflecting the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture.

Retracted: Pancratistatin Inhibits the Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cells by Inducing Apoptosis, Autophagy, and G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest.

An editorial decision has been made to retract this manuscript due to breach of publishing guidelines, following the identification of non-original and manipulated figures.Reference:Yong Xiong, Yi-Jia Xiong, Dong-Yang Liu, Rong-Rong Shen: Pancratistatin Inhibits the Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cells by Inducing Apoptosis, Autophagy, and G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest.Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:6015-6022. 10.12659/MSM.916116.

[Correlation between curative effect and 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture for regulating shen and strengthening spleen].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the curative effect on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) between acupuncture for regulating shen and strengthening spleen and pinaverium bromide, and explore the relevant mechanism of curative effect of acupuncture in view of polymorphism of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR). METHODS: A total of 231 patients with IBS-D were randomized into an acupuncture group (154 cases) and a western medication group (77 cases) at the ratio of 2 to 1. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to acupoint regimen for regulating shen and strengthening spleen, i.e. Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. The treatment was given once every 2 days, 3 times a week. In the western medication group, pinaverium bromide was prescribed for oral administration, 50 mg each time, 3 times daily. The duration of treatment was 6 weeks in each group. Separately, before treatment, after treatment and in 3-month follow-up, the IBS symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) and IBS quality of life scale (IBS-QOL) scores were adopted in assessment. After treatment, the curative effect and safety were compared between the two groups. Before treatment, 5-HTTLPR genotypes were determined in the patients. RESULTS: After treatment and in follow-up, the total scores of IBS-SSS in the patients of the two groups were all reduced as compared with those before treatment (P<0.01) and the scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.01). After treatment and in follow-up, the total scores of IBS-QOL in the two groups were all increased as compared with those before treatment (P<0.01) and the score in the acupuncture group was higher than the western medication group in follow-up (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 79.2% (122/154) in the acupuncture group, higher than 58.4% (45/77) in the western medication group (P<0.01). There was no severe adverse reaction found in the two groups. The difference in the total score of IBS-SSS before and after treatment in the patients with LS and SS genotypes was greater than that in the patients with LL in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). The difference in the total score of ISB-SSS before and after treatment in the patients with SS genotype was greater than that in the patients with LL in the western medication group (P<0.01). The difference in the total score of IBS-SSS before and after treatment in the patients with LS and SS genotypes in the acupuncture group was greater than that in the patients with the same genotypes in the western medication group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture for regulating shen and strengthening spleen achieves the more curative effect on IBS-D as compared with pinaverium bromide. The acupuncture regimen effectively relieves the clinical symptoms and improves the quality of life in patients as well as presents a satisfactory long-term effect and safety. The clinical curative effect of acupuncture is correlated with 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, in which, the curative effect of acupuncture may be more effective in the patients with LS and SS genotypes.

A short deletion in the DNA-binding domain of STAT3 suppresses growth and progression of colon cancer cells.

In this study, we investigated the effect of a short deletion in the DNA-binding domain of STAT3 (STAT3del) on the transcriptional activation of STAT3 target genes and its relationship with colon carcinogenesis. We used the CRISPR-CAS9 gene editing system to delete a short sequence encoding amino acids 400-411 in the DNA-binding domain (amino acid sequence: 317-567) from STAT3 gene in SW480, SW620 and HCT116 colon cancer cells. ChIP sequencing analysis showed that STAT3del occupancy was significantly reduced in 1029 genes and significantly increased in 475 genes compared to wild-type STAT3. The mutation altered the DNA motifs recognized by STAT3del as compared to the wild-type STAT3. We observed a strong correlation between expression of the STAT3 target genes and the loss or gain of STAT3del binding to their promoters. CCK-8, wound healing, and TUNEL assays showed reduced proliferation, migration, and survival of SW480, SW620 and HCT-116 cells expressing STAT3del as compared to the corresponding controls. These findings demonstrate that a short deletion in the DNA-binding domain of STAT3 alters its genome-wide DNA-binding and transcriptional profile of STAT3-target proteins, and suppresses the growth, progression and survival of colon cancer cells.

Pancratistatin Inhibits the Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cells by Inducing Apoptosis, Autophagy, and G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest.

BACKGROUND Worldwide, colorectal cancer is ranked as the third most prevalent cancer. The natural compound, pancratistatin, extracted from the spider lily, has previously been shown to target apoptosis in cancer cells lines. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pancratistatin in human colorectal cancer cells in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human colorectal cancer cell lines, including HTC-15 cells, were compared with a normal human colonic fibroblast cell line, CDD-18Co. Cells were treated with increasing doses of pancratistatin. The MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. Fluorescence microscopy using DAPI and Annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) was used to detect cell apoptosis. Cell autophagy was detected by electron microscopy. Cell migration was evaluated using a wound healing assay, and Western blot determined the expression levels of cell cycle proteins. RESULTS Pancratistatin inhibited the growth of the colorectal cancer cells with an IC50 ranging from 15-25 µM, but had a limited effect in normal CCD-18Co cells, with an IC50 of >100 µM. Pancratistatin reduced HCT-15 cell migration. Growth inhibition due to pancratistatin was associated with morphological changes of HCT-15 cells and included autophagy and apoptosis, and increased expression the autophagic proteins, LC3II, beclin-1, and Bax. Pancratistatin induced arrest of HCT-15 cells at G2/M of the cell cycle and inhibited phosphorylation of cdc2/cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and Cdc25c and the expression of cyclin B1. CONCLUSIONS Pancratistatin inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells in vitro by inducing apoptosis, autophagy, and G2/M cell cycle arrest.

Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy and Percutaneous Disc Cementoplasty for Painful Lumbar Disc Herniation in Patients over 60 Years.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous lumbar discectomy (PLD) and percutaneous disc cementoplasty (PDCP) for painful lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in patients >60 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen older patients (mean age, 71.00 ± 6.24 years) with painful LDH were treated with PLD and PDCP. The outcome data (the Macnab criteria, visual analog scale score, and Oswestry disability index) were collected preoperatively; at 1 week postoperatively; at posttreatment months 1, 3, and 6; and every 6 months thereafter. In addition, treatment duration, injection volume of bone cement, length of hospital stay, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: Treatment was successful in all patients. The pain relief rate at the last follow-up was 87.5%. Six, 8, and 2 patients showed excellent, good, and fair results, respectively; no patient showed a poor result. The average visual analog scale for back and leg pain decreased from 6.75 ± 1.06 and 7.00 ± 0.89 before the procedure to 2.81 ± 1.60 and 2.87 ± 1.75 at 1 month, 2.79 ± 1.58 and 2.71 ± 1.64 at 6 months, and 2.90 ± 1.73 and 3.00 ± 1.76 at 1 year, respectively. The scores were 2.44 ± 1.63 and 2.44 ± 1.71, respectively, at the last follow-up. The Oswestry disability index also changed after the procedure, with significant differences between baseline scores and those at each follow-up (P < .001). The mean procedure duration, injection volume of bone cement, and length of hospital stay were 55.69 ± 5.86 minutes, 2.50 ± 0.63 mL, and 7.06 ± 2.41 days, respectively. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of PLD and PDCP is feasible, safe, and effective for older patients with painful LDH.

Four new species of the subgenus Homoneura from Jiangxi Province, China (Diptera: Lauxaniidae: Homoneura).

The following four species from Jiangxi Province are new to science: Homoneura (Homoneura) jiangxiensis sp. nov., H. (H.) martini sp. nov., H. (H.) pangae sp. nov. and H. (H.) stepheni sp. nov.. For each species, a diagnosis and description are provided, along with photographs of the habitus and certain characters, and figures of male genitalia. These species belong to the Homoneura (Homoneura) henanensis group (Diptera: Lauxaniidae: Homoneurinae). A key to the species of this species group is presented. This represents the first report of the genus Homoneura for Jiangxi Province. All type specimens for the new species are deposited in the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C., USA (USNM).

Braun Enteroenterostomy Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) holds high postoperative morbidity. How to resolve this issue is challenged. An additional anastomosis (Braun enteroenterostomy) following PD may decrease the postoperative morbidity, but holds conflicting results. The objective of this study is to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of Braun enteroenterostomy in PD.Clinical studies compared perioperative outcomes between the Braun group and the non-Braun group following PD before December 21, 2014 were retrieved and filtered from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Chinese electronic databases (VIP database, WanFang database, and CNKI database). Relevant data were extracted according to predesigned sheets. Blood loss, operating time, and postoperative mortality and morbidity were evaluated using odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference, or standard mean difference (SMD).Ten studies concerning 1614 patients were included. No significant differences between the Braun and the non-Braun group were identified in mortality (OR: 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26-1.60), intraoperative blood loss (SMD: -0.035, 95% CI: -0.253 to 0.183), postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.35-1.67), bile leakage (OR: 0.537, 95% CI: 0.287-1.004), postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhage (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.578-2.385), intraabdominal abscesses (OR: 0.793, 95% CI: 0.444-1.419), wound complications (OR: 0.806, 95% CI: 0.490-1.325), and hospital stay (SMD: -0.098, 95% CI: -0.23 to 0.033). Braun enteroenterostomy extended operating time (SMD: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.02-0.78), but it was associated with lower reoperation rate (OR: 0.380, 95% CI: 0.149-0.968), lower morbidity rate (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.49-0.91), lower clinically relevant delayed gastric emptying (Grades B and C) (OR: 0.375, 95% CI: 0.164-0.858), lower nasogastric tube reinsertion (OR: 0.436, 95% CI: 0.232-0.818), and less postoperative vomiting (OR: 0.444, 95% CI: 0.262-0.755).Braun enteroenterostomy can be safely performed during PD. It is beneficial for patients and could be recommended in PD from the current published data.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42015016198.

Source Apportionment of Elemental Carbon in Beijing, China: Insights from Radiocarbon and Organic Marker Measurements.

Elemental carbon (EC) or black carbon (BC) in the atmosphere has a strong influence on both climate and human health. In this study, radiocarbon ((14)C) based source apportionment is used to distinguish between fossil fuel and biomass burning sources of EC isolated from aerosol filter samples collected in Beijing from June 2010 to May 2011. The (14)C results demonstrate that EC is consistently dominated by fossil-fuel combustion throughout the whole year with a mean contribution of 79% ± 6% (ranging from 70% to 91%), though EC has a higher mean and peak concentrations in the cold season. The seasonal molecular pattern of hopanes (i.e., a class of organic markers mainly emitted during the combustion of different fossil fuels) indicates that traffic-related emissions are the most important fossil source in the warm period and coal combustion emissions are significantly increased in the cold season. By combining (14)C based source apportionment results and picene (i.e., an organic marker for coal emissions) concentrations, relative contributions from coal (mainly from residential bituminous coal) and vehicle to EC in the cold period were estimated as 25 ± 4% and 50 ± 7%, respectively, whereas the coal combustion contribution was negligible or very small in the warm period.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: clinical features, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is an uncommon benign disease, characterized by a combination of symptoms, clinical findings and histological abnormalities. Ulcers are only found in 40% of the patients; 20% of the patients have a solitary ulcer, and the rest of the lesions vary in shape and size, from hyperemic mucosa to broad-based polypoid. Men and women are affected equally, with a small predominance in women. SRUS has also been described in children and in the geriatric population. Clinical features include rectal bleeding, copious mucus discharge, prolonged excessive straining, perineal and abdominal pain, feeling of incomplete defecation, constipation, and rarely, rectal prolapse. This disease has well-described histopathological features such as obliteration of the lamina propria by fibrosis and smooth muscle fibers extending from a thickened muscularis mucosa to the lumen. Diffuse collage deposition in the lamina propria and abnormal smooth muscle fiber extensions are sensitive markers for differentiating SRUS from other conditions. However, the etiology remains obscure, and the condition is frequently associated with pelvic floor disorders. SRUS is difficult to treat, and various treatment strategies have been advocated, ranging from conservative management to a variety of surgical procedures. The aim of the present review is to summarize the clinical features, pathophysiology, diagnostic methods and treatment strategies associated with SRUS.

[Effect of hepatocyte growth factor gene transfection on biological features of lymphoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on HGF gene-transfected Raji cells. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from human hepatic tissue, HGF gene cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR, and then cloned into vector pVITRO2-mcs to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF. The recombinant vector was transfected to Raji cells, and the stably transfected cells were selected by homomycin B in serial passages, and confirmed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, ELISA, immunocytohistochemistry. The biological features of transfected Raji cells were evaluated by semisolid culture. RESULTS: RT-PCR results showed that Raji cells were transfected successfully with recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF. HGF mRNA and protein were expressed successfully in Raji cells. Expression of HGF gene enhanced proliferation, metastasis and invasion of Raji cells. CONCLUSION: HGF gene has been cloned and recombined to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-HGF successfully. Transfected HGF may change the biological features of Raji cells.

[Investigations of microscopic morphology of individual inhalable particulates in Macao in summer].

By means of high resolution field emission scanning electron microcopy (FESEM) and image analysis (IA), microscopic morphologies and the number-size and volume-size distributions of different types of individual inhalable particles collected in Macao in summer of 2007 were investigated. The results showed that the soot aggregates and mineral particles were ubiquitous in the PM10 of Macao in July, 2007. The mineral particles mostly showed an irregular morphology and the soot aggregates displayed chain-like and fluffy morphology. The soot aggregates accounted for approximately 30%-40% in average by number, and the mineral particles accounted for approximately 20%. The relatively higher percentages of more soot aggregates implied that emission from motor vehicle exhausts was serious in Macao during summer. The number-size distributions revealed that the majority of the particles in PM10 of Macao were fine particles, with the equivalent diameter being concentrated in a range from 0.2-0.4 microm. A distinct spatial difference existed in the types of particles collected at different sampling sites. Soot particles dominated the busy transportation sites and the tunnel site, while the mineral particles had a higher proportion at the dock site.