ABSTRACT
Background: Shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) is a common complication after stroke, and SHS-induced pain significantly hampers patients' overall recovery. As an alternative therapy for pain relief, acupuncture has certain advantages in alleviating pain caused by SHS after stroke. However, choosing the best treatment plan from a variety of acupuncture options is still a serious challenge in clinical practice. Therefore, we conducted this Bayesian network meta-analysis to comprehensively compare the effectiveness of various acupuncture treatment methods. Methods: We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture treatment in patients with post-stroke SHS published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science until 9 March 2023. We used the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool to assess the bias risk in the included original studies. Results: A total of 50 RCTs involving 3,999 subjects were included, comprising 19 types of effective acupuncture interventions. Compared to single rehabilitation training, the top three interventions for VAS improvement were floating needle [VAS = -2.54 (95% CI: -4.37 to -0.69)], rehabilitation + catgut embedding [VAS = -2.51 (95% CI: -4.33 to -0.68)], and other multi-needle acupuncture combinations [VAS = -2.32 (95% CI: -3.68 to -0.94)]. The top three interventions for improving the Fugl-Meyer score were eye acupuncture [Meyer = 15.73 (95% CI: 3.4627.95)], other multi-needle acupuncture combinations [Meyer = 12.22 (95% CI: 5.1919.34)], and traditional western medicine + acupuncture + traditional Chinese medicine [Meyer = 11.96 (95% CI: -0.59 to 24.63)]. Conclusion: Multiple acupuncture methods are significantly effective in improving pain and upper limb motor function in post-stroke SHS, with relatively few adverse events; thus, acupuncture can be promoted. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42023410957.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1) is a member of the GPX family, which considered an enzyme that interacts with oxidative stress. GPX1 differential expression is closely correlated with carcinogenesis and disease progression. In this study, we used bioinformatics analysis to investigate GPX1 expression level and explore the prognostic information in different human cancers. METHODS: Expression was analyzed via the Oncomine database and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis tool, and potential prognostic analysis was evaluated using the UALCAN, GEPIA, and DriverDBv3 databases. Then, the UALCAN database was used to find the promoter methylation of GPX1 in defied cancer types. While GPX1 related functional networks were found within the GeneMANIA interactive tool and Cytoscape software. Moreover, Metascape online website was used to analyze Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. RESULTS: We found that GPX1 was commonly overexpressed in most human cancers. High expression of GPX1 could lead to poor outcomes in Brain Lower Grade Glioma, while GPX1 over expression was correlated with better prognosis in Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIPP). High GPX1 expression was marginally associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Gene regulation network suggested that GPX1 mainly involved in pathways including the glutathione metabolism, ferroptosis, TP53 regulates metabolic genes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolic process, and several other signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that GPX1 showed significant expression differences among cancers and served as a prognostic biomarker for defined cancer types. The data mining effectively revealed useful information about GPX1 expression, prognostic values, and potential functional networks in cancers, thus providing researchers with an available way to further explore the mechanism underlying carcinogenesis of genes of interest in different cancers.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of scalp-acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of insomnia. METHODS: Sixty-four insomniacs were randomly divided into catgut embedding group (n = 33) and routine acupuncture group (n = 31). Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24) and bilateral Fengchi (GB 20) were selected for subcutaneous embedding of catgut, once a week for 4 weeks. GV 20, GV 24, bilateral GB 20, bilateral Shenmen (HT 7), bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured with filiform needles for patients of the acupuncture group. The treatment was performed once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by using International Unified Sleep Efficiency Value and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: After the treatment, the falling asleep latency and PSQI scores of both catgut embedding and routine acupuncture groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.01) while the sleep duration and sleep efficiency increased considerably (P < 0.01) in comparison with pre-treatment. The effect of catgut embedding was obviously better than that of routine acupuncture in prolonging sleep duration and improving sleep efficiency (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the falling asleep latency and the PSQI scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both routine acupuncture and scalp-acupoint catgut embedding interventions can effectively reduce falling asleep latency and prolong sleep duration. The therapeutic effect of scalp-acupoint catgut embedding is relatively better in improving sleep duration and sleep efficiency.