[Clinical experience of JIAO Lin in treatment of knee osteoarthritis with manual mobilization of meridian muscle regions].

The paper introduces JIAO Lin's clinical experience in treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by manual mobilization of meridian muscle regions. Professor JIAO Lin believes that the key to the occurrence and development of KOA lies in the disorder of meridian muscle regions (sinews/fascia). In pathology, four stages are divided, i.e. the acute stage, the blockage stage, the contraction stage and the atrophy stage of muscle regions, characterized as multi-layer, multi-dimensional and multi-morphological distribution. In treatment, based on the principle, "taking pain sites as stimulating points", the sites, with reduced pain threshold and distributed along the meridian muscle regions, are regarded as "acupoints" for intervention. Manual mobilization of meridian muscle regions is the dominant approach, combined with routine acupuncture, heat-sensitive moxibustion, cupping and bloodletting corresponding to the features of syndromes and meridian manifestation at different stages. The comprehensive treatment may restore and reconstruct the physiological functions of the meridian muscle regions around knee joints by "nourishing tendons, strengthening bones and benefiting joints".

A mini review of Liparis species: an ornamental genus with considerable medicinal value.

The genus Liparis, a group of perennial ornamental herbs in the family Orchidaceae, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Many species of the genus Liparis have been commonly used as traditional herbal medicines for the treatment of menorrhagia, haemoptysis, traumatic bleeding, snake bites, and pneumonia. This review describes the ornamental value of plants of the genus Liparis and summarises the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities reported during the last decade. The main chemical constituents of this genus are phenolic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. Most phenolic acids and alkaloids have a nervogenic acid skeleton, and most alkaloids also have a pyrrolizidine skeleton. Extracts from the genus Liparis plants showed significant haemostatic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. This paper proposed ideas and research directions for the future study of plants in the genus Liparis, providing valuable information for the development of new drugs and promoting their utilisation.

Core-Shell Microfiber Encapsulation Enables Glycerol-Free Cryopreservation of RBCs with High Hematocrit.

Cryopreservation of red blood cells (RBCs) provides great potential benefits for providing transfusion timely in emergencies. High concentrations of glycerol (20% or 40%) are used for RBC cryopreservation in current clinical practice, which results in cytotoxicity and osmotic injuries that must be carefully controlled. However, existing studies on the low-glycerol cryopreservation of RBCs still suffer from the bottleneck of low hematocrit levels, which require relatively large storage space and an extra concentration process before transfusion, making it inconvenient (time-consuming, and also may cause injury and sample lose) for clinical applications. To this end, we develop a novel method for the glycerol-free cryopreservation of human RBCs with a high final hematocrit by using trehalose as the sole cryoprotectant to dehydrate RBCs and using core-shell alginate hydrogel microfibers to enhance heat transfer during cryopreservation. Different from previous studies, we achieve the cryopreservation of human RBCs at high hematocrit (> 40%) with high recovery (up to 95%). Additionally, the washed RBCs post-cryopreserved are proved to maintain their morphology, mechanics, and functional properties. This may provide a nontoxic, high-efficiency, and glycerol-free approach for RBC cryopreservation, along with potential clinical transfusion benefits.

[Manifestations and distribution rules of jingjin lesions in neck-type cervical spondylosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the manifestations of jingjin (sinews/fascia) lesions and summarize their distribution rules in the patients with neck-type cervical spondylosis so as to provide the evidences for the development of clinical diagnosis and treatment scheme of acupuncture for cervical spondylosis. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with neck-type cervical spondylosis were collected. The meridian diagnostic method was used to examine the upper back of each patient, the manifestation category of jingjin lesions, locations and the affected muscle regions of twelve meridians were recorded. RESULTS: (1) The punctate lesions of jingjin were detected in 15 regions, and the highest frequency of lesion occurred in the region from the inner upper corner of the scapula to Quyuan (SI 13) (113 cases, 94.2% of lesion frequency). The lesion frequency of 10 regions was ≥50.0%. The punctate lesions were mainly distributed in the muscle regions of hand-shaoyang (349 cases) and foot-taiyang (333 cases). (2) The linear lesions of jingjin were detected in 10 regions, and the highest frequency of lesion occurred in the region from the inner upper corner of the scapula to Quyuan (SI 13) (77 cases, 64.2% of lesion frequency). The lesion frequency of 2 regions was ≥50.0%. The linear lesions occurred mainly in the muscle region of foot-taiyang (251 cases). (3) Eight regions were examined to be the planar lesions of jingjin, and the highest frequency of lesion was found in the site of Jianjing (GB 21) (84 cases, 70.0% of lesion frequency). The lesion frequency of 3 regions was ≥50.0%. The muscle region of foot-taiyang (260 cases) was predominated in the planar lesions. (4) The distribution of all of the punctate, linear and planar lesions of jingjin was analyzed statistically. It was found that 25 regions were involved and those with the high lesion frequency were distributed in the area from the inner upper corner of the scapula to Quyuan (SI 13), the sites of Jianjing (GB 21) and Dazhui (GV 14), transverse processes of C3 to C5 and the area from the lateral border of the scapula to the teres minor, separately. The muscle regions of foot-taiyang, hand-shaoyang and hand-yangming were involved in various kinds of jingjin lesions. CONCLUSION: Jingjin lesions in patients with neck-type cervical spondylosis can be divided into three categories, namely, punctate, linear and planar lesions; of which, the punctate lesions are dominated. A majority of jingjin lesions is related to the muscle region of foot-taiyang, and the lesion frequency is higher compared with the lesions to the muscle regions of hand-shaoyang and hand-yangming. Jingjin lesions are commonly distributed in the area from the inner upper corner of the scapula to Quyuan (SI 13).

Intravenous iron and erythropoietin therapy for postoperative anemia among orthopedic surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative anemia is a risk factor for adverse surgical outcomes. Our study aimed to assess the role of intravenous iron and erythropoietin therapy for the rapid correction of anemia following orthopedic surgery. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery were prospectively enrolled and randomly divided into three groups: Control (placebo), Group 1 (IV iron monotherapy), and Group 2 [combined IV iron and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy]. Blood tests were performed preoperative (baseline) and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: All groups demonstrated significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations compared to baseline, with no significant inter-group differences in postoperative Hb concentrations (p > 0.05). Serum erythropoietin, ferritin, and vitamin B12 levels, and reticulocyte count increased beyond normal ranges in all groups. Significantly lower serum iron levels were observed postoperatively in all groups (p < 0.05). No significant inter-group differences in hepcidin level were observed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative treatment with combined intravenous iron and rHuEPO was ineffective in correcting postoperative anemia among orthopedic surgery patients, besides achieving higher reticulocyte counts in the first week of surgery. No improvement in mobilization of storage iron was achieved with rHuEPO. We further suggest against vitamin B12 administration during the early postoperative period.

[Effect of meridian sinew releasing technique on moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion in patients with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of meridian sinew releasing technique on moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with KOA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases each group. In the observation group, on the basis of the meridian sinew releasing technique, moxibustion sensation exploration method was applied at Dubi (ST 35) area on the affected side. In the control group, moxibustion sensation exploration method was applied at Dubi (ST 35) area on the affected side. The meridian sinew releasing technique was performed for 20 min each time, the moxibustion sensation exploration method was performed for 60 min each time, once a day for 3 days. The excitation rate, latency, duration time and intensity value of moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion were recorded on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days of exploration in the two groups. RESULTS: The excitation rate on the 3rd day of exploration and total excitation rate in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days of exploration, the latency of moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion in the observation group was shorter than the control group (P<0.05), the duration time was longer than the control group (P<0.05), and the intensity value was higher than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Meridian sinew releasing technique could improve the excitation rate of moxibustion sensation of heat-sensitive moxibustion in patients with KOA, shorten the latency, prolong the duration time, and improve the intensity value.

Investigation on the feasibility of large-volume autologous red blood cells donation: A pilot trial in a small cohort of Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative autologous blood donation (PAD) is used for elective surgical procedures with a predictable blood loss. But a downward trend in PAD is due to the fact that patients with preoperative whole blood donation or two-unit red cell apheresis cannot avoid receiving allogenic blood during intensive surgery. To improve the clinical application of PAD, this study explores the feasibility of large-volume autologous red blood cells (RBCs) donation by a pilot trial in a small cohort of Chinese. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective study and 16 male volunteers were enrolled from May to October in 2020. Each volunteer donated 627.25 ± 109.74 mL (mean ± SD) RBC with apheresis machine or manually, and received 800 mg of intravenous iron in four divided doses. Blood pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO2 ), respiratory rate and heart rate were monitored throughout the procedure. The RBC count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), reticulocyte count, erythropoietin (Epo), serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, transferrin, and ferritin were dynamically detected and analyzed before and 8 weeks after blood donation. RESULTS: There was no differences in SpO2 , systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and after blood collection (P ≥ .05). The heart rate and respiratory rate after donation were slightly lower than those before (P < .05). The level of RBC, Hb concentration and Hct fell to a nadir on Day 3 (pre-donation vs post-donation on Day 3: RBC 4.81 ± 0.36*1012 /L vs 3.65 ± 0.31, P < .05; Hb 148.59 ± 11.92 g/L vs 113.19 ± 10.43 g/L, P < .05; Hct 44.08 ± 3.06% vs 33.38 ± 2.57%, P < .05) and recovered to the pre-donation levels at the eighth week post donation (pre-donation vs post-donation at the eighth week: RBC 4.81 ± 0.36*1012 /L vs 4.84 ± 0.34*1012 /L, P ≥ .05; Hb 148.59 ± 11.92 g/L vs 150.91 ± 11.75 g/L, P ≥ .05; Hct 44.08% ± 3.06% vs 43.86 ± 3.06%, P ≥ .05). Epo and the reticulocyte count reached the peak values on Days 1 and 7, respectively (Epo: D0 15.30 ± 7.47 mlU/ML vs D1 43.26 ± 10.52 mlU/ML, P < .05; reticulocyte count: D0 0.07 ± 0.02*109 /L vs D7 0.17 ± 0.04*109 /L, P < .05). The red cell net profits on Day 7, the second, fourth and eighth week postdonation were 160.39 ± 144.33 mL, 387.59 ± 128.74 mL, 530.95 ± 120.37 mL, and 614.18 ± 120.10 mL, and accounted for 27.47% ± 24.70%, 63.75% ± 24.91%, 86.20% ± 22.99%, and 99.20% ± 19.19% of RBC donation, respectively. The levels of serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation increased during the first week because of the supplement of intravenous iron, and then gradually decreased and declined to the baseline at the end of the study period at the eighth week. CONCLUSIONS: The large-volume autologous RBCs donation of 600 mL is proved safe in our study. Combination support of normal saline to maintain blood volume and intravenous iron supplementation may ensure the safety and effectiveness of large-volume RBC apheresis.

Hypolipidemic effect of ethanol extract from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaves in hyperlipidemia rats via activation of the leptin/JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the protective role of ethanol extract from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaf (COE) in hyperlipidemia via the leptin/Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. METHODS: Male Sprague‒Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 8): normal-fat diet (NMD), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD treated with simvastatin (SIM, 5 mg/kg/day), and HFD treated with COE (40, 80, 160 mg/kg/day). Lipid parameters, oxidative stress factors, serum leptin, body weight, hepatic wet weight and liver index were measured. Proteins in the leptin/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in liver tissues were determined using western blotting. Additionally, the expression levels of cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (CYP7A1) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) were quantified using western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: COE decreased HFD-induced increases in body weight, hepatic wet weight and the liver index. HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress were observed in rat serum and livers. Additionally, COE repressed these two symptoms in rats fed a HFD. Moreover, COE caused CYP7A1 upregulation and HMGCR downregulation in HFD-fed rats. Mechanistically, COE induced the expression of leptin receptor (OB-Rb) and JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation in HFD-treated rats. CONCLUSION: COE activates the leptin/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, leading to an improvement in liver function and lipid metabolism and ultimately alleviating hyperlipidemia in rats. Therefore, COE may be a potential hypolipidemic drug for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Evaluation of the Association of Platelet Count, Mean Platelet Volume, and Platelet Transfusion With Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Death Among Preterm Infants.

Importance: Platelet transfusion is commonly performed in infants to correct severe thrombocytopenia or prevent bleeding. Exploring the associations of platelet transfusion, platelet count (PC), and mean platelet volume (MPV) with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and in-hospital mortality in preterm infants can provide evidence for the establishment of future practices. Objectives: To evaluate the associations of platelet transfusion, PC, and MPV with IVH and in-hospital mortality and to explore whether platelet transfusion-associated IVH and mortality risks vary with PC and MPV levels at the time of transfusion. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included preterm infants who were transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit on their day of birth and received ventilation during their hospital stay. The study was conducted at a neonatal intensive care unit referral center in Beijing, China, between May 2016 and October 2017. Data were retrieved and analyzed from December 2020 to January 2022. Exposures: Platelet transfusion, PC, and MPV. Main Outcomes and Measures: Any grade IVH, severe IVH (grade 3 or 4), and in-hospital mortality. Results: Among the 1221 preterm infants (731 [59.9%] male; median [IQR] gestational age, 31.0 [29.0-33.0] weeks), 94 (7.7%) received 166 platelet transfusions. After adjustment for potential confounders, platelet transfusion was significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.48; 95% CI, 1.13-1.93; P = .004). A decreased PC was significantly associated with any grade IVH (HR per 50 × 103/µL, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05-1.22; P = .001), severe IVH (HR per 50 × 103/µL, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02-1.32; P = .02), and mortality (HR per 50 × 103/µL, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.48-2.03; P < .001). A higher MPV was associated with a lower risk of mortality (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69-0.98; P = .03). The platelet transfusion-associated risks for both IVH and mortality increased when transfusion was performed in infants with a higher PC level (eg, PC of 25 × 103/µL: HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.89-1.62; PC of 100 × 103/µL: HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.08-1.82). The platelet transfusion-associated risks of IVH and mortality varied with MPV level at the time of transfusion. Conclusions and Relevance: In preterm infants, platelet transfusion, PC, and MPV were associated with mortality, and PC was also associated with any grade IVH and severe IVH. The findings suggest that a lower platelet transfusion threshold is preferred; however, the risk of a decreased PC should not be ignored.

Phytochemical constituents of Camellia osmantha fruit cores with antithrombotic activity.

Camellia osmantha is a new species of the genus Camellia and is an economically important ornamental plant. Its activity and ingredients are less studied than other Camellia plants. This study investigated the antithrombotic effect and chemical components of C. osmantha fruit cores using platelet aggregation assays and coagulation function tests. The cores of C. osmantha fruits were extracted with ethanol to obtain a crude extract. The extract was dissolved in water and further eluted with different concentrations of methanol on an MCI resin column to obtain three fractions. These samples were used for antithrombotic activity tests and phytochemical analysis. The results showed that the extract and its fractions of C. osmantha have strong antithrombotic activity, significantly reducing the platelet aggregation rate and prolonging the thrombin time (TT). The total saponins, flavonoids, and polyphenols in the active fractions may be responsible for the antithrombotic activity. The chemical constituents were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS). Twenty-three compounds were identified rapidly and accurately. Among them, ellagic acid, naringenin, and quercetin 3-O-glucuronide may be important antithrombotic constituents. Furthermore, interactions between these compounds and the P2Y1 receptor were investigated via molecular modeling, because the P2Y1 receptor is a key drug target of antiplatelet aggregative activity. The molecular docking results suggested that these compounds could combine tightly with the P2Y1R protein. Our results showed that C. osmantha fruit cores are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins, which can be developed into a promising antithrombotic functional beverage for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Morphology analysis of unlabeled red blood cells based on quantitative differential phase contrast microscopy.

The current classical blood smear technique to observe the morphology of single red blood cells (RBCs) for classification is a laborious and error-prone process. To objectively evaluate the morphology of blood cells, we established a method of computational imaging based on a programmable light emitting diode array. By using quantitative differential phase contrast (qDPC), we characterized the morphology of unlabeled RBCs as well as blood smears. By focusing on comparing the difference of imaging between unlabeled RBCs and stained RBCs under multimode microscopic imaging technology, we demonstrated that qDPC could clearly differentiate discocytes and spherocytes in both unlabeled RBCs and blood smears. The phase map provided by quantitative phase imaging further enhanced the classification accuracy. According to statistical analysis from morphological indexes, the qDPC imaging has a significantly improvement in non-circularity, texture inhomogeneity and equivalent diameters of cells. Thus, this method has a significant superiority in the capability to analyze the morphology of RBCs and could be applied to clinical assays for determining morphological, functional, and structural deterioration of RBCs.

Acetylated Rhamnose Triterpenoid Saponins from Glechoma longituba Analyzed by LC-Q-TOFMS.

The aim of the present work is to isolate a series of triterpene derivatives with rhamnosyl linking acetyl groups from Glechoma longituba according to the structural characteristics of previously described triterpene saponins. The extract ion chromatography spectrum of the crude extract of G. longituba was detected and analyzed by HPLC-HR-ESI-MS to determine possible components, and these metabolites were traced and separated by combining high-resolution mass spectrometry and predicted liquid chromatography retention time. Three 11α, 12α-epoxypentacyclic oleanolic acid triterpene saponins (glechomanosides H-J) and one ursane triterpene aldehyde saponin with a C-28 aldehyde group were isolated from G. longituba. The structure of these compounds was confirmed by NMR and compared with those of previously characterized compounds. The strategy described in this report enables a rapid, reliable, and complete analysis of glycoside compounds containing different numbers of acetyl groups at different positions on the sugar.

Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe functional constipation: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has been widely used clinically to relieve chronic severe constipation. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe constipation is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe constipation. METHODS: Search PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, China Science, and Technology Journal Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, and search related randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers will independently select studies, collect data, and evaluate methodological quality through the Cochrane Deviation Risk Tool. Revman V.5.3 will be used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the current status of acupuncture treatment for chronic severe constipation, aiming to illustrate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION: This study will provide a basis for judging whether acupotomy is effective in treating chronic severe constipation. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202070002.

Fine-tuned dehydration by trehalose enables the cryopreservation of RBCs with unusually low concentrations of glycerol.

The clinical transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) has provided the greatest number of cryobiology applications in the case of rare blood groups and antibody problems, as well as civil and military disasters. The main technical difficulty with the current clinical technique is the removal of high concentration glycerol (20% or 40%) after thawing. Reducing the probability of intracellular ice formation (IIF) as well as preventing the solution effect are crucial to ensure RBCs avoid cryoinjury. Here, the non-permeating cryoprotectant trehalose was used to dehydrate RBCs before freezing. Furthermore, with the substitution of the low concentration glycerol (5% or 7.5%) for the intracellular remaining water, the bulk of RBCs were successfully cryopreserved to obtain a nearly 95% high survival rate with rapid cooling via EP tubes. Additionally, the washed RBCs after cryopreservation maintained their morphology, deformability, ATP, and 2-3 DPG levels, and all of them met the clinical standards for transfusion safety. Moreover, the whole addition and washing process was simple and easy to operate and could be completed within 30 min, which is crucial for emergency uses. This method will provide more potential for current clinical RBCs cryopreservation practices.

Comparative efficacy and safety of injection therapies for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and Bayesian network meta analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There are many injection methods for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, but there is no comprehensive comparison, based on the fixed effect model. METHODS: According to the retrieval strategy, we searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) randomly from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database from their inceptions to August 2020, and 2 members of us selected literatures and extracted data independently. Methodological quality was assessed by using the Cochrane bias risk tool, and meta-analysis was performed by using the Stat.14.0. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different injectable drugs for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and rank the efficacies of drugs, then to determine the optimal treatment. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence for the choice of injection therapy for knee osteoarthritis. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202080099.

Effectiveness and safety of massage for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a concerning public health problem, seriously threatens well being of human beings. At present, studies have shown that massage therapy is effective in relieving related symptoms of KOA. However, the evidence of massage for KOA has not been systematically evaluated. Therefore, the study is conducted to systematically assess the reliability of patients with KOA treated by massage. METHODS: We will retrieve the relevant literature of massage for KOA from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, Wanfang, Chongqing VIP, CNKI, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from the establishment of the databases to August 1, 2020. Two researchers will independently perform the screening of literature and extract the basic information of the data. In addition, RevMan V.5.3 software will be used for data analysis. RESULTS: The study will comprehensively assess the effect of massage for KOA. CONCLUSION: The study will provide comprehensive evidence for evaluating whether massage therapy is useful in treating patients with KOA. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202080115.

Effectiveness and safety of massage in the treatment of the congenital muscular torticollis: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

BACKGROUND: Massage has been widely used in the treatment of muscular torticollis in children, but there is no objective and systematic evaluation of the efficacy of various literature, and the efficacy of massage in the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is not clear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of massage in the treatment of muscular torticollis in children. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be searched from the databases of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from their inception to May 2020. Two reviewers will independently select studies, collect data, and assess the methodology quality by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The RevMan V.5.3 will be used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide an assessment of the current state of Chinese massage therapy for the congenital muscular torticollis, aiming to show the efficacy and safety of massage treatment. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence to judge whether massage is an effective intervention for the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202070086.

Acupotomy for third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome: A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Acupotomy has been widely used clinically to relieve low back pain. However, the efficacy of acupotomy for the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome is still uncertain. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy therapy for the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials will be searched from the databases of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from their inception to May 2020. Two reviewers will independently select studies, collect data, and assess the methodology quality by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The RevMan V.5.3 will be used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide an assessment of the current state of acupotomy for the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome, aiming to show the efficacy and safety of acupotomy treatment. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence to judge whether acupotomy is an effective intervention for the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019134945.

Hydrogel Microfiber Encapsulation Enhances Cryopreservation of Human Red Blood Cells with Low Concentrations of Glycerol.

Cryopreservation of red blood cells (RBCs) has been studied as a typical example of cryobiology methodology. To date, a mature and long-term cryopreservation process for RBCs has been developed, which has the weakness of complicated procedures due to high concentrations of glycerol (Gly). Therefore, it is still a research focus to find a new method for cryopreservation of RBCs to reduce the concentrations of cryoprotectants (CPAs). In this study, alginate hydrogels, which have been widely used in preservation research, were selected because of their advantages such as lower cost, cytocompatibility, and crosslinking occurring under mild conditions. With a variety of CPA solutions, the RBC recovery with the cryopreservation of RBCs and RBC-laden hydrogel microfibers was compared in different situations. It was found that hydrogel microfiber encapsulation enhances cryopreservation of human RBCs with low concentrations of CPAs. And Gly can be removed by washing directly with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution. This study validated the feasibility of cryopreservation of RBC-laden hydrogel microfibers. It may provide a new and evolving direction for reducing the concentrations of CPAs used in the preservation of RBCs.

Antitumor activity on human bladder cancer T-24 cells and composition analysis of the core of Camellia osmantha fruit.

In this study, antitumor activity and composition analysis of the core of Camellia osmantha fruit were investigated. The cores were extracted by 80% ethanol to obtain the crude extract (TF), which was successively distributed by different concentrations of ethanol with MCI resin to obtain three different parts (Frs 1 to 3). Cytotoxicity activities showed that TF, Fr-2, and Fr-3 exhibited good inhibition against T-24 with IC50 values of 6.7 ± 1.3, 6.9 ± 0.9, and 6.7 ± 1.7 µg/mL, respectively. Fr-3 has a strong inhibitory activity on T-24 cells, mainly due to effectively increasing the release of intracellular calcium ions and reactive oxygen species. In addition, Fr-3 can inhibit T-24 cells migration and invasion. Further composition analysis on Fr-3 was detected by LC-Q-TOFMS implying the main components to be ellagic acid and its derivatives.