Hsa-miR-877-5p Expression in Acute Ischemic Stroke Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Clinical Validation.

Inflammation and immunity play important roles in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. This study aimed to explore key regulatory genes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and their underlying mechanisms to provide new research targets for the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke. We searched for differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs in patients with AIS and healthy populations in GEO databases, constructed a miRNA-mRNA network, and screened key miRNAs using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and the support vector machine-recursive feature elimination model. Correlations between key miRNAs and infiltrating immune cells and inflammatory factors were analyzed using CIBERSORT and immunoassays and verified using clinical experiments. Bioinformatics analysis identified hsa-miR-877-5p as a key regulatory miRNA in AIS that can modulate immune and inflammatory responses. In clinical studies, it was verified by quantitative PCR analysis that the expression of hsa-miR-877-5p in the blood of AIS patients was higher than that of the healthy group. Then, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the expression of IL-23 and TNF-α related to inflammation in AIS patients was higher than that of the healthy. Quantitative PCR further found that the relative mRNA expression of IL-23, CXCR3, and TNF-α in AIS group was higher than that of the healthy group. This study may provide a basis for a more comprehensive understanding of the potential mechanism of the occurrence and development of AIS, and hsa-miR-877-5p and its downstream effectors IL-23, CXCR3, and TNF-α may be potential intervention targets in AIS.

Rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury after administration of a red yeast rice supplement: A case report.

BACKGROUND: A few reports have revealed induction of rhabdomyolysis by a red yeast rice (RYR) supplement or by RYR in combination with abiraterone (an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor). CASE SUMMARY: A 76-year-old man presented with progressive limb weakness, muscle soreness, and acute kidney injury (AKI). He had been taking the anti-prostate cancer drug abiraterone for 14 mo and had added a RYR supplement 3 mo before symptom onset. After being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, the patient discontinued these drugs and responded well to hemodialysis and hemoperfusion. After 23 d of treatment, creatine kinase levels returned to normal and serum creatinine levels decreased. CONCLUSION: We speculate that statins, the main lipid-lowering component of RYR, or a combination of statins and abiraterone, will increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis.

Curcumin alleviates orofacial allodynia and improves cognitive impairment via regulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of trigeminal neuralgia.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairment, one of the most prevalent complications of trigeminal neuralgia, is troubling for patients and clinicians due to limited therapeutic options. Curcumin shows antinociception and neuroprotection pharmacologically, suggesting that it may have therapeutic effect on this complication. This study aimed to investigate whether curcumin alleviates orofacial allodynia and improves cognitive impairment by regulating hippocampal CA1 region synaptic plasticity in trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: A mouse model of trigeminal neuralgia was established by partially transecting the infraorbital nerve (pT-ION). Curcumin was administered by gavage twice daily for 14 days. Nociceptive thresholds were measured using the von Frey and acetone test, and the cognitive functions were evaluated using the Morris water maze test. Dendritic spines and synaptic ultrastructures in the hippocampal CA1 area were observed by Golgi staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Curcumin intervention increased the mechanical and cold pain thresholds of models. It decreased the escape latency and distance to the platform and increased the number of platform crossings and dwell time in the target quadrant of models, and improved spatial learning and memory deficits. Furthermore, it partially restored the disorder of the density and proportion of dendritic spines and the abnormal density and structure of synapses in the hippocampal CA1 region of models. CONCLUSION: Curcumin alleviates abnormal orofacial pain and cognitive impairment in pT-ION mice by a mechanism that may be related to the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal CA1, suggesting that curcumin is a potential strategy for repairing cognitive dysfunction under long-term neuropathic pain conditions.

Tongmai Zhuke decoction restrains the inflammatory reaction of macrophages for carotid artery atherosclerosis by up-regulating lincRNA-Cox2.

To explore the mechanism of Tongmai Zhuke decoction for promoting blood circulation by taking carotid artery atherosclerosis (CAA) as an example, two sets of in-depth transcriptomic data as well as two sets of single-cell RNA sequencing data related to the macrophages in CAA were included. STAR and DCC software were used to process in-depth transcriptomic data in order to measure the expression level of LncRNAs as well as mRNA according to FPKM analysis. Single-cell RNA sequencing data from Illumina NovaSeq 6000 were further analyzed by CellRanger channel, CellRanger count, Seurat R package, DoubletFinder package, CCA algorithm, LogNormalize, principal-component analysis, t-SNE and ToppGene online tools. Based On unsupervised clustering, a total of four diverse cell populations with distinct transcriptional features were found in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The macrophages were further annotated as the "effector cell" in the pathologic process of CAA, based on the expression of CD68+/CD440-. A total of 84 up-regulated genes and 58 down-regulated linc-RNAs were identified in samples with carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Thereinto, lincRNA-Cox2 is the most down-regulated LincRNA. For the macrophages in carotid atherosclerotic plaques, expression level of Il6, Ccl3, Ccl4 Il10 and Tnfa were significantly up-regulated, while Timp1 significantly down-regulated comparing with healthy carotid sample. The expression level of lincRNA-Cox2 was significantly increased in macrophages after treated by Tongmai Zhuke decoction, while Cxcl10, Ccl3, Ccl4, Cxcl2, Ccl5, and Ccl19 were significantly decreased. Collectively, Tongmai Zhuke decoction could restrain the inflammatory reaction of macrophages for carotid artery atherosclerosis by up-regulating lincRNA-Cox2.

Errate: Relationship Between Changes in Cranio-Cervical Extensor Muscles and Quality of Life: A Single-Center Study of 15 Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache.

The authors requested to correct the spelling of labels in Figure 3. The correct spelling should be "Healthy persons". The other elements of the figure remain the same, and the interpretation of the results remain unchanged. Reference: Xiaoman Min, Yongjun Huo, Ning Sun, Hongwei Zhi, Haitao Li, Sishuo Zhang, Wenqiang Cui, Yanlin Guo, Hongyun Wu: Relationship Between Changes in Cranio-Cervical Extensor Muscles and Quality of Life: A Single-Center Study of 15 Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache. Med Sci Monit, 2023; 29: e938574. DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938574.

Relationship Between Changes in Cranio-Cervical Extensor Muscles and Quality of Life: A Single-Center Study of 15 Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache.

BACKGROUND This single-center study of 15 patients with chronic tension-type headache aimed to compare the cranio-cervical extensor muscles between patients with chronic tension-type headache and healthy individuals and to explore the relationship between changes in cranio-cervical extensor muscles and quality of life (QoL). MATERIAL AND METHODS We recruited 15 patients with chronic tension-type headache and 15 healthy individuals. Patients with chronic tension-type headache were diagnosed by 2 neurologists according to the diagnostic criteria in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3). Morphological changes in the cranio-cervical extensor muscle were detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). QoL and the degree of neck dysfunction were assessed using the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) and Neck Disability Index (NDI), respectively. RESULTS The relative cross-sectional areas (rCSAs) of the rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPmin) were lower in patients with chronic tension-type headache than in healthy individuals. The HIT-6 scores (r=-0.93, P<0.001 and r=-0.85, P<0.001 for RCPmin right side and left side, respectively) and NDI scores (r=-0.75, P<0.001 and r=-0.70, P<0.001 for RCPmin right side and left side, respectively) were negatively associated with the rCSA of RCPmin in the chronic tension-type headache group. CONCLUSIONS Most patients with chronic tension-type headache experience RCPmin atrophy. The more evident the RCPmin atrophy, the worse the QoL of the patients with chronic tension-type headache.

Expressions of serum adiponectin and visfatin in patients with hypertension in cerebrovascular accidents and analysis of risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expressions of serum adiponectin and visfatin in patients with hypertension and cerebrovascular accidents and to analyze the risk factors. METHODS: Data of 161 patients with hypertension treated in The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2019 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 72 patients with cerebrovascular accidents assigned to an occurrence group. The remaining 89 patients without cerebrovascular accidents were assigned to a non-occurrence group. The two groups were compared in terms of the coagulation function (activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and fibrinogen), liver function (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), albumin and total bilirubin (TB)), blood lipid indexes (cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)), serum adiponectin, and visfatin levels. Pearson's correlation coefficient was performed to analyze the correlation of serum adiponectin and visfatin with blood lipid indexes. Logistics regression was performed to analyze the risk factors of stroke in patients with hypertension. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of sex, age, education level, smoking, drinking, and diabetes histories (P>0.05). There were more patients ≥65 years old with body mass index ≥20 kg/m2 and with hyperlipidemia in the occurrence group than those in the non-occurrence group (P<0.05). The two groups were not notably different in activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, AST, GPT, albumin, TB, total cholesterol, and HDL (P>0.05). The occurrence group showed significantly higher triglyceride, LDL and adiponectin levels, and a notably lower visfatin level than the non-occurrence group (P<0.05). Adiponectin showed a positive correlation with triglyceride and a negative association with LDL (P<0.05). Visfatin showed only a negative correlation with triglyceride (P<0.05), but no correlation with LDL (P>0.05). A multivariate logistics regression analysis reported that hyperlipidemia, triglyceride, LDL, adiponectin, and visfatin were independent risk factors for stroke in patients with hypertension (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum adiponectin and visfatin were differentially expressed in patients with both hypertension and stroke. Our regression analysis revealed that serum adiponectin and visfatin were independent risk factors for stroke in patients with hypertension.

Electroacupuncture alleviates orofacial allodynia and anxiety-like behaviors by regulating synaptic plasticity of the CA1 hippocampal region in a mouse model of trigeminal neuralgia.

Objective: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), one of the most severe and debilitating chronic pain conditions, is often accompanied by mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a characteristic therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine with analgesic and anxiolytic effects. This study aimed to investigate whether EA ameliorates abnormal TN orofacial pain and anxiety-like behavior by altering synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus CA1. Materials and methods: A mouse infraorbital nerve transection model (pT-ION) of neuropathic pain was established, and EA or sham EA was used to treat ipsilateral acupuncture points (GV20-Baihui and ST7-Xiaguan). Golgi-Cox staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were administrated to observe the changes of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus CA1. Results: Stable and persistent orofacial allodynia and anxiety-like behaviors induced by pT-ION were related to changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Golgi stainings showed a decrease in the density of dendritic spines, especially mushroom-type dendritic spines, in hippocampal CA1 neurons of pT-ION mice. TEM results showed that the density of synapses, membrane thickness of the postsynaptic density, and length of the synaptic active zone were decreased, whereas the width of the synaptic cleft was increased in pT-ION mice. EA attenuated pT-ION-induced orofacial allodynia and anxiety-like behaviors and effectively reversed the abnormal changes in dendritic spines and synapse of the hippocampal CA1 region. Conclusion: EA modulates synaptic plasticity of hippocampal CA1 neurons, thereby reducing abnormal orofacial pain and anxiety-like behavior. This provides evidence for a TN treatment strategy.

A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Abnormal Frontoparietal Network Function in Migraine without Aura.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate frontoparietal network (FPN) dysfunction in participants with migraine without aura (MwoA). MATERIAL AND METHODS We selected 48 age-, sex-, and education level-matched graduate students (24 participants with MwoA [MwoA group] and 24 healthy controls). RS-fMRI and independent component analysis were used to examine the FPN and to compare abnormal encephalic regional homogeneity values. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS) were used to evaluate attention, anxiety, depression, and sleep, respectively. Pearson's correlation was applied to evaluate the association between abnormal brain areas and the scores for each scale. RESULTS Neural function activity in encephalic regions of FPN showed abnormal changes in the MwoA group. The MwoA group had significantly lower MAAS scores (P<0.001), higher SAS scores (P<0.001), and higher SDS (P=0.06) and SRSS scores (P=0.26). In the MwoA group, functional activity of the right parietal lobule in the left FPN was positively correlated with MAAS scores (P=0.01) and negatively correlated with SAS (P=0.02). The orbital part of left inferior frontal gyrus activity in the right FPN was positively correlated with SDS (P=0.04) and SRSS (P<0.001). Right superior marginal gyrus activity in the right FPN was positively correlated with SDS (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Abnormal FPN function was correlated with attention, anxiety, depression, and sleep status in the MwoA group. These results offer further insights into the evaluation and treatment of MwoA.

MRI Evaluation of the Relationship Between Abnormalities in Vision-Related Brain Networks and Quality of Life in Patients with Migraine without Aura.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether migraine without aura (MwoA) can be partly attributed to abnormalities of vision-related brain networks (VBN) and whether these specific regional abnormalities affect the patients' quality of life (QoL). METHODS: A total of 40 participants, including 20 MwoA patients and 20 healthy control volunteers, were enrolled. There were no significant differences in sex, age, educational qualifications and dominant hand between the two groups. Headache intensity and QoL were assessed by the Pain Number Evaluation Scale (NRS) and the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ 2.1), respectively. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and independent component analysis (ICA) were performed to determine and evaluate the VBN. RESULTS: Three components were identified as consistent with the VBN in the template and recorded as N1, N2 and N3, respectively. The functional activity of the left primary visual cortex (N1), left culmen of cerebellum (N1), left lingual gyrus (N2), superior frontal gyrus (N2) and left posterior lateral prefrontal cortex (N3) in the MwoA group enhanced compared with the healthy control group. However, the functional activity of right middle occipital gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, right lingual gyrus, and right primary motor cortex in the N3 network weakened. Pearson correlation analysis showed that decline of attention to work and life (MSQ5) was positively associated with the functional activity of left primary visual cortex and left lingual gyrus. Canceling from work and daily life (MSQ8) was inversely associated with the functional activity of right primary motor cortex. The burden of feeling like others (MSQ13) and the overall decrease in QoL were both positively associated with the functional activity of right lingual gyrus. CONCLUSION: MwoA patients showed abnormal VBN function, which was moderately correlated with decreased QoL. This study provides evidence for the precise prevention and treatment of migraine by neural regulation.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal for carotid atherosclerosis: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) can cause acute events such as myocardial infarction and stroke, seriously injuring human health. There are some shortcomings for statins and surgical in the treatment of CAS. Research has proved that Chinese herbal shows its unique advantages with the multichannel and multitarget treatment strategy. As a result, we propose this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal in the treatment of CAS. METHOD: We will retrieve the relevant databases to collect the studies of Chinese herbal treatment of CAS up to July 2021. The retrieval language is limited to Chinese and English. Researchers will be responsible for screening studies and extracting data, and use STATA16.0 and WinBUGS1.4.3 for data analysis. We will conduct a bias risk assessment based on the Cochrane Collaboration's bias risk assessment tool and use the grading of recommendations assessment development and evaluation tool to assess the confidence of cumulative evidence. RESULTS: The study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal in the treatment of carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: The study will offer more evidence for the treatment of CAS with Chinese herbal and expand the selection range of clinicians. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2021100112.

Effect of Radiofrequency Ablation with Interventional Therapy of Hepatic Artery on the Recurrence of Primary Liver Cancer and the Analysis of Influencing Factors.

BACKGROUND: The probability of liver cancer recurring in patients after surgery is a serious threat to liver cancer patients. Radiofrequency ablation is widely employed in liver cancer cases. We explored the therapeutic effects and influencing factors of radiofrequency ablation combined with hepatic artery intervention in patients with recurrence of primary liver cancer surgery. METHODS: 90 patients with primary liver cancer postoperative recurrence admitted to our hospital from January 2014 to February 2017 were selected as the research objects. The patients were randomly divided into the control group (n = 45) and combined treatment group (n = 45). The combined treatment group received radiofrequency ablation combined with hepatic artery interventional therapy, and the control group received hepatic artery interventional therapy. The short-term efficacy, AFP levels before and after treatment, and long-term survival results of the two groups were compared. Single-factor and multifactor analyses of the clinical information of the combined treatment group were carried out to find out the factors affecting the therapeutic effect of radiofrequency ablation combined with hepatic artery intervention on patients with recurrence of primary liver cancer. RESULTS: The total effective rate of short-term curative effect of the combined treatment group was higher than the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference existing (P < 0.05). After treatment, two groups of patients' AFP levels were greatly lower than before treatment, the AFP levels of the combined treatment group were significantly lower than the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The survival rates of patients in the combined treatment group at the sixth month, the first year, and the second year after treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The univariate results showed that, in the combined treatment group, there were statistically significant differences between the effective group and the ineffective group in tumor diameter, intact capsule, liver cirrhosis, intrahepatic spread, and tumor adjacent to large blood vessels (P < 0.05). The outcomes of multivariate analysis indicated that tumor diameter ≥ 3 cm, incomplete capsule, intrahepatic spread, and tumor adjacent to large blood vessels were risk factors for ineffective recurrence of patients with primary liver cancer after radiofrequency ablation combined with hepatic artery intervention (P < 0.05). Discussion. Tumor diameter ≥ 3 cm, incomplete capsule, intrahepatic spread, and tumor adjacent to large blood vessels are risk factors for the ineffectiveness of radiofrequency ablation combined with hepatic artery interventional therapy for patients with recurrence of primary liver cancer. It is necessary to increase the range of radiofrequency treatment, increase the temperature of the radiofrequency needle, and strengthen postoperative follow-up interventions based on the specific conditions of the patient's tumor.

Complementary and alternative therapies for tension-type headache: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common form of primary headache with high prevalence, which affects the quantity of life seriously. The pharmacological treatment of TTH is not the most effective. Meanwhile, complementary therapies and alternative therapies play an essential role in the treatment of TTH, and there is an absence of comparison between various interventions. Therefore, we propose the network meta-analysis protocol to compare the efficacy and safety of various complementary therapies and alternative therapies for TTH. METHODS: From the beginning to February 2021, we will search the database to collect randomized controlled trials of complementary and alternative therapies for TTH. Two researchers will be responsible for screening retrieve documents, extracting data. The risk of bias will be assessed based on the Cochrane bias risk tool. We will use STATA16.0 and WinBUGS1.4.3 for paired meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis. The quality of evidence will be assessed using the grading of recommendations assessment development and evaluation. RESULTS: This study will compare and rank the efficacy and safety of various complementary and alternative treatments for TTH. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide more extensive evidence for the complementary and alternative therapies of TTH. We expect to assist clinicians and patients in choosing the optimum treatment. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202130088.

Ginsenoside Rg1 and Acori Graminei Rhizoma Attenuates Neuron Cell Apoptosis by Promoting the Expression of miR-873-5p in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) severely threatens human health in their old age, however the potential etiology underlying it is still unclear. Both Ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1) and Acori graminei Rhizoma (AGR) are the traditional Chinese herbal drug, while their potential role in AD remains need further identification. Both SAMP1 and SAMP8 mice were employed as the control and AD mice. Morris water maze method was used to detect the cognitive function of the mice, TUNEL assay was performed to determine cell apoptosis. Real-time PCR and western blot were carried out to measure gene expression. The relationship between miR-873-5p and HMOX1 was determined using luciferase reporter assay. Comparing with SAMP1, the cognitive function was impaired and cell apoptosis was increased in SAMP8 mice. GRg1 + AGR treatment significantly attenuated the symptom of AD. The expression of miR-873-5p was decreased, while HMOX1 was increased in SAMP8 mice. GRg1 + AGR treatment significantly promoted the expression of miR-873-5p, but decreased HMOX1. MiR-873-5p targets HMOX1 to regulate its expression. Aß1-42 stimulation decreased the expression of miR-873-5p, but increased HMOX1 in PC12 cells. GRg1 + AGR treatment reversed the effect of Aß1-42, while miR-873-5p inhibitor abolished the effect of GRg1 + AGR. In vivo experiments confirmed the protect role of GRg1 + AGR in AD. GRg1 + AGR suppressed neuron cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of miR-873-5p in AD.