Analysis of mechanism of core points in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for epilepsy based on data mining

OBJECTIVES

To explore the mechanism of core points in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for epilepsy by using data mining technique, so as to provide a reference for clinical practice and experimental research.

METHODS

The data comes from relevant documents collected from CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed, VIP, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Web of Science databases. The selected acupoints were analyzed in descriptive statistics, high-frequency acupoints group and core acupoint prescription. Further, potential target mining, "core acupoint prescription-target-epilepsy" network construction, protein-protein interactions (PPI) network establishment and core target extraction, gene ontology (GO) and KEGG gene enrichment analysis of the core acupoint prescription were carried out to predict its anti-epileptic potential mechanism.

RESULTS

A total of 122 acupoint prescriptions were included. The core acupoint prescriptions were Baihui (GV20), Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Shuigou (GV26) and Taichong (LR3). 277 potential targets were identified, among which 134 were shared with epilepsy. The core targets were extracted by PPI network topology analysis, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, protein kinase B1, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tumor protein 53, vascular endothelial growth factor A, Caspase-3, epidermal growth factor receptor, etc. The main anti-epileptic pathways of the core acupoints were predicted by KEGG enrichment, including lipid and atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein B kinase signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling pathway, apoptosis, etc., involving neuronal death, synaptic plasticity, oxidative stress, inflammation and other related biological process.

CONCLUSIONS

The core acupoint prescription of acupuncture and moxibustion intervention for epilepsy can act on multiple targets and multiple pathways to exert anti-epileptic effects, which can provide a theoretical basis for further clinical application and mechanism research.

[Value of multidetector computed tomography angiography and image analysis before bronchial artery embolization in the treatment of hemoptysis]

Objective: To estimate the value of multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) and image analysis before bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the treatment of hemoptysis. Methods: A total of 165 patients with hemoptysis who underwent BAE at the Department of Interventional Radiology of Xiangyang Central Hospital from August 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups: MDCTA group [with preoperative MDCTA, 88 patients,63 males and 25 females,aged 23 to 87(62.6±12.3) years] and control group [77 patients, 52 males and 25 females, aged 26 to 83 (59.8±12.7) years]. The number of bronchial arteries and non-bronchial systemic arteries, and clinical success rate were compared between the two groups. Comparisons within groups were performed using the t-test or nonparametric paired Wilcoxon test for quantitative data with paired design, while comparisons between groups were performed using the t-test for the mean of two independent samples or the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples and comparisons between groups were performed using the chi-square test. Results: The number of orthotopic and ectopic bronchial arteries found in BAE procedure in the MDCTA group was significantly higher than that in the control group [1.77±0.72 vs. 1.42±0.82, P=0.003; 0 (0, 0) vs. 0 (0, 0), P=0.033, respectively]; in the MDCTA group, the numbers of orthotopic and ectopic bronchial arteries found by MDCTA were significantly higher than those found in BAE procedure [2.22±0.63 vs. 1.77±0.72, P<0.001; 0 (0, 0) vs. 0 (0, 0), P=0.005, respectively]. The number of non-intercostal arteries found by MDCTA in the MDCTA group was significantly higher than that in the control group [0 (0, 0) vs. 0 (0, 0), P=0.038]. Hemostatic success was significantly higher in the MDCTA group than that in the control group (88.6% vs. 68.8%, P=0.002). Conclusions: MDCTA and image analysis help to detect more bronchial arteries and improve the hemostatic success rate before bronchial artery embolization in the treatment of hemoptysis.

Acupuncture Point Laterality: Investigation of Acute Effects of Quchi (LI11) in Patients with Hypertension Using Heart Rate Variability

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease worldwide. Over 70% of the patients use antihypertensive drugs, so nonpharmacological treatments in addition to the medication are important. Our goal was to investigate acupuncture treatment on the Quchi acupoint using heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) and to find out whether there is a laterality in acute effects. Sixty hypertensive patients (36 female, 24 male; mean age ± SD 55.8 ± 9.7 years) were randomly assigned to two manual needle acupuncture groups (group A: left Quchi (LI11) acupoint, group B: right Quchi acupoint). There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in HR immediately after inserting and stimulating the needle at the left and the right Quchi acupuncture point. In contrast, total HRV increased immediately after inserting the needle, but this increase was significant only towards the end of the stimulation phase and after removing the needle. There were some differences between stimulation of the left and right Quchi acupoint, but they remained insignificant. This study provides evidence that there is a beneficial effect on heart rate variability in patients with hypertension and that there are some effects of laterality of the acupoint Quchi.

Prevalence and associated factors of functional gastrointestinal disorders and bowel habits in Chinese adolescents: a school-based study

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, we explored the prevalence rates and association factors of functional gastrointestinal disorders and the most common modes and frequencies of bowel habit among a cohort of Chinese adolescents.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A stratified, randomized study based on cross-sectional data was performed using cluster sampling, which recruited 3671 students in Shanghai, China. All of the students were requested to complete a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Overall, 88.05% ± 0.28% of students had a bowel movement frequency of between 1 of 2 times per day and once every 2 days. Female students were found to have a lower bowel frequency than boys (P < 0.01). The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation, and functional diarrhea were 19.89%, 24.93%, and 5.42%, respectively. Certain factors adjusted for age and sex were significantly associated with IBS (P < 0.05), including gastrointestinal tract infection (odds ratio [OR] 2.26), abuse of analgesics (OR 1.25), air swallowing to terminate hiccups (OR 1.28), fatigue (OR 1.15), and depression (OR 1.36). Other factors that were adjusted for age and sex, such as fried food (OR 1.68), air swallowing to terminate hiccups (OR 1.21), anxiety (OR 1.12), and depression (OR 1.57), were significantly associated with the presence of functional constipation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

: Our findings suggest that normal bowel frequency among Chinese urban adolescents may be defined as between 1 or 2 bowel movements per day and once every 2 days. IBS, functional constipation, and diarrhea are common disorders among this adolescent group.

Review of 1375 enucleations in the TongRen Eye Centre, Beijing

PURPOSE

To review clinical causes for ocular enucleations and the histopathological features of the enucleated globes in a large third-referral centre in China.

METHODS

The retrospective study included 1375 globes enucleated in the Beijing TongRen Hospital between January 2003 and November 2006. The medical records were reviewed, and the clinical indications for enucleation and histopathological findings were evaluated.

RESULTS

The enucleated eyes accounted for 0.97% of all operated patients registered in the hospital and for 29.5% of all surgical specimens received in the pathological department. The age distribution showed two peaks at an age group of 0-10 years (main enucleation cause: retinoblastoma) and at an age group of 30-40 years (main cause: trauma). In the whole study group, trauma was the most common clinical diagnosis (62.5%) leading to enucleation, followed by tumours (28.5%), surgically treated or untreated ocular diseases (5.7%), and infectious or inflammatory diseases (1.7%). With respect to the histopathological findings, phthisis bulbi (36.4%) was the most frequent finding followed by ocular malignant tumours (28.5%), and acute severe ocular injury (19.9%). Uveal metastases were the second most common intraocular malignant tumour in adults, in the majority of globes secondary to a primary lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of 1% of enucleations per patient operated and the relatively high rate of ocular traumata as primary cause for enucleation suggest to improve further safety conditions and primary surgical care. The relatively high rate of ocular tumours as cause for enucleations suggests to promote the wide-spread clinical introduction of chemoradioactive tumour therapy.

Urinary tract infections in women with bacterial vaginosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of urinary tract infections in women with bacterial vaginosis.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-nine women who presented for routine gynecologic examinations were evaluated for bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections between June 1998 and March 1999.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven women had bacterial vaginosis and 62 women did not. Fifteen women with bacterial vaginosis (22.4%) had urinary tract infections, compared with six (9.7%) of those without it. Bacterial vaginosis was associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infections (odds ratio 2.79; 95% confidence interval 1.05, 8.33).

CONCLUSION

Women with bacterial vaginosis are at increased risk for urinary tract infections.

Information-seeking behavior of health professionals in Hong Kong: a survey of thirty-seven hospitals

Shortly after the establishment of Hong Kong's Hospital Authority (HA) in 1990, ten library service networks supported by the Library Information Systems (HALIS) were established to pool resources. A survey was undertaken to investigate the information-seeking behavior of health professionals working in thirty-seven public hospitals, examine their information needs, assess user satisfaction with and the impact of library services (including HALIS), and examine why hospital libraries sometimes fail to meet user needs. The findings revealed disparate use patterns among different groups of health professionals and confirmed that medical staff were most satisfied with the library collections and services. The nurses and hospital executives were found to be underserved. They needed information not only for work-related reasons but also to support self-study and development. The new HALIS service was neither well known nor widely used, especially among nurses. The findings provided valuable measures of performance for comparing different hospitals and assessing changes over time. Survey results also highlighted areas in which improvements are needed, such as collection enhancement, promotion and user training, and assessment of the impact of library service on patient care. Subsequent developments in these directions have led to increased awareness and use of library services and confirmed the direction of strategic plans for growth.

Operable squamous esophageal cancer: current results from the East

From 1958 through 1992 a total of 3603 patients underwent surgery for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in our department. Among these patients 3099 resections were performed, for an overall resectability of 86.0%. Of the resections, 2341 (75.5%) were classified as curative and 758 (24.5%) palliative. The overall morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 23.4% and 3.8%, respectively. For resected cases the mortality was 4.0%. The more than 5-year follow-up rate of patients with resection was 97%. The actual 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rates were 30.4%, 23.6%, and 17.9%, respectively. Recurrence or metastasis remained the cause of death in 60.9% and 25.5% of patients who lived longer than 5 years and 15 years, respectively, after operation. The TNM staging, lymph node metastasis, extra-esophageal invasion, tumor differentiation, tumor length, and category of operation were major determinants influencing long-term prognosis. The left thoracotomy approach was used exclusively in 2613 cases (84.3% of all resected cases) in which intrathoracic resections and anastomoses were performed. The stomach was used as a substitute for the esophagus in 98.8% of the resected cases compared with 1.2% colon transplants. The former procedure was far safer than the latter. Above-average results presented in this paper support the surgical policy we have pursued thus far: to resect the primary tumor by partial or subtotal esophagectomy and to remove all lymph nodes wherever they were found in all patients with disease earlier than stage III. Early detection and early treatment no doubt are the only ways to materially improve the long-term surgical results.

[Evaluation of the new international TNM staging system for carcinoma of the esophagus as compared with the Chinese trial clinicopathological staging system--an analysis of 224 cases]

A further comparison was made between the new international TNM staging system (1987) and the Chinese trial clinicopathological Staging system (1976) in 224 cases of intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma treated by surgical resection at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between 1983.11-1986.5. Our results showed that the new international TNM staging classification is superior to that used in China with regard to the stratification of IIA, IIB and III stage grouping. The new stage grouping reflected fairly well the grade of disease extent. The new staging has greater predictive value for evaluating the incidence of possible Ro resections and especially permits a considerably improved prognostic assessment. Five-year survival rates of patients with radical resection were 80%, 47.3%, 22.2%, 16.1% and 0% in stages I, IIA, IIB, III and IV, respectively. It is suggested that the new TNM stage grouping should be adopted in our country. Some points were discussed in connection with the use of the new TNM stage grouping.

Characterization of a 56-kb plasmid of Erwinia amylovora Ea322: its noninvolvement in pathogenicity

A plasmid from Erwinia amylovora strain Ea322, pCPP60, was studied for its involvement in the phytopathogenicity of this strain. Eviction through incompatibility and curing with acridine orange did not affect the pathogenic capability of Ea322. The plasmid was characterized as self-transmissible with a narrow host range. Hybridization of its origin of replication with plasmids of different incompatibility groups revealed affiliation with IncF. The exact subgroup was not determined, although it does not belong to IncFI, IncFII, IncFIV, or IncFV. A sequence of 800 bp, required for conjugation in cis, was cloned in pUC9. A "miniplasmid" containing the origin of replication in a 1.2-kb sequence was constructed. Its high copy number was in contrast with the stringently controlled copy number of the native plasmid of one to three copies per chromosome equivalent.

Endoscopic lithotripsy of gastric bezoars using a laser-ignited mini-explosive device

This paper reports the successful experiences of in vitro and in vivo studies on endoscopic fragmentation of gastric bezoars using a laser-ignited mini-explosive device. This new technique has been used clinically in 31 patients with gastric bezoars since January 1988. All patients were completely cured without any complication. The relationship between gastric bezoars and ulcers, and the technique of treatment were discussed.

Heterogeneity in acute myeloblastic leukemia

Morphological-identified blast populations are the hallmark of the malignant clones that dominate hemopoiesis in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Marked heterogenity is characteristic of AML blasts. Patient-to-patient variation is seen in their biological properties but is particularly evident in the response to treatment. Intraclonal variation is generated during clonal expansion, particularly as blast stem cells either undergo self-renewal or enter into a series of terminal divisions. These two alternative activities can be monitored in cell culture using a clonogenic assay and a suspension assay. The balance between renewal and differentiation can be altered by exposing blast populations to various growth factors in culture. Further, certain drugs, particularly ara-C, appear to be more toxic for self-renewing divisions than cell-cycle events generally. We suggest that both drugs and growth factors should be assessed for their effects on self-renewal as part of preclinical testing.

Expression of the CSF-1 gene in the blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia: association with reduced growth capacity

Myelopoietic growth factors are known to influence the growth in culture of malignant blast cells from human Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (AML). We have used cDNA clones for the factor CSF-1 and its receptor fms to study DNA and RNA from the blasts of 25 AML patients. The CSF-1 gene was always in the germline configuration. CSF-1 mRNA was found in about half the blast populations. The cells were also studied for their growth properties in culture. A highly significant association was found between CSF-1 expression and poor growth in suspension culture. Most blast populations expressed fms; the number of fms expression negative samples was to small to permit the detection of any association between fms expression and growth or any interaction between the effects of the expression of the growth factor and its receptor. We propose that CSF-1 may be an important part of the mechanism determining the balance between self-renewal and determination in AML blast clones.

Structure and expression of genes of GM-CSF and G-CSF in blast cells from patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia

The hematopoietic growth factors granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and G-CSF, available as recombinant products, stimulate the growth in culture of blasts from patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). We used cDNA probes for each gene to study the genomic organization in blast cells of 22 patients and expression in the blast cells of 18 patients. Alteration in the structure of G-CSF (two instances) and GM-CSF (two instances) was found. In two patients in whom it was possible to study DNA from bone marrow obtained at remission, the new bands detected in the leukemic cells were not found. Fifteen of 18 patients showed no RNA expression of either growth factor. Both patients with GM-CSF abnormalities as seen by Southern analysis expressed an abnormally large GM-CSF message but no G-CSF messages. One patient with an abnormal Southern pattern with G-CSF expressed normal-sized G-CSF and GM-CSF messages. The biologic significance of these findings remains to be determined. Nonetheless, the abnormal Southern patterns may prove to be useful clonal markers in the study of AML.

Genetically determined regulators acting on the blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia

Regulatory mechanisms affecting the growth of leukemic cells are attractive targets for new treatments. The blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) may be considered as a lineage; a minority are stem cells capable of both self-renewal and determination followed by terminal divisions ending in proliferatively inert cells retaining blast morphology. Two cell culture methods are available for the study of blasts. The first is a clonogenic assay. Blast stem cells form colonies in methylcellulose, containing proliferatively inert blast cells, together with a small number of new progenitors. Growth factor(s) are usually required. These may be supplied by media conditioned by the continuous bladder carcinoma cell line HTB9 (HTB9-CM). The recombinant growth factors GM-CSF and G-CSF are also active, and in many instances are synergistic. Blast progenitors will also grow in suspension, provided the cell density is high and growth factors are provided. In these cultures, blast progenitors increase in number, reflecting their self-renewal capacity. Evidence is also available that specific genes may be involved in the self-renewal process. Thus, three forms of growth regulation, similar to those encoded by proto-oncogenes, can be shown to be operative in AML blast cell cultures.

T cell receptor and immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in acute myeloblastic leukemia

The organization and expression of the beta chain of T cell antigen receptor gene (beta-TCR) and Ig H and L chain genes were analyzed by Southern blot technique in 24 patients with a diagnosis of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Rearrangements of the beta-TCR genes were seen in DNA samples from 3 of the 24 patients. One of these three patients also showed rearrangement of the Ig H chain gene. RNA samples from all three patients expressed a beta-TCR gene transcript on dot blot analysis. However, on Northern blot analysis, one patient expressed an incomplete 1.0 kb transcript and no Ig H chain mRNA, despite a rearranged configuration. The karyotypes of two of these patients showed abnormalities involving chromosome 7. Rearrangements of T cell antigen receptor genes may occur in nonlymphoid malignancy, and is consistent with the concept of lineage infidelity in AML.

[Malignant change in the lymphoepithelial lesion of the parotid gland--report of 3 cases]

3 rare cases of malignant change of lymphoepithelial lesion (Mikulicz's disease) of parotid gland are presented. 1 was male and 2 female. Their ages ranged from 40 to 71 with an average of 57 years. All were pathologically proved. The common clinical manifestations were local painless masses. 2 of the 3 cases were treated only by local excision. Extended excision with simultaneous neck dissection of the metastatic lymph nodes was done in the remained one. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy at doses of 3,000-5,000 rad over 19 to 36 days. One of them died 2.5 years later. The other two are still living without evidence of recurrence more than 3 and 8 years respectively. The prognosis of malignant Mikulicz's disease is probably better than that of parotid carcinoma. The authors suggest that the treatment of this disease, especially in those with regional metastasis, be managed according to the same principle of parotid cancer. Postoperative radiotherapy should be given as a routine for still better results. The clinico-pathologic features and pathogenesis of this disease are discussed briefly.

Response to hydrocortisone of blast progenitors in acute myeloblastic leukemia: an aspect of lineage infidelity

The blast population in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) contains cells capable of forming blast-cell colonies in culture. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of hydrocortisone on this process, using two end-points. First, we measured the effects of increasing concentrations of hydrocortisone on the primary plating efficiency of T-lymphocyte-depleted blast cell preparations from AML peripheral blood. Second, colonies forming in the presence or absence of the hormone were pooled and replated; changes in the plating efficiencies (secondary plating efficiency or PE2) of these suspensions reflected the effect of the hormone on blast progenitor self-renewal. For comparison, we measured the hydrocortisone dose response curves for normal granulopoietic and T-lymphocyte colony-formation. The latter showed little individual variation; T-lymphocyte colony-formation was regularly sensitive to the hormone while granulopoietic colony-formation was resistant. In contrast, wide variations were found in the hydrocortisone dose response curve for blast from 24 patients with AML (FAB 1-6). A significant association was found between successful remission induction and resistance to hydrocortisone in 24 treated patients. The association was maintained when the data was stratified by other risk factors, including PE2 and the presence of blasts bearing immunologically-defined markers of more than one differentiation lineage (lineage infidelity). We propose that sensitivity to hydrocortisone may reflect the passage of blast cells through lymphopoiesis-associated components of differentiation programs. From this point of view, the poor prognosis associated with sensitivity of blast progenitors to hydrocortisone may be similar to the response-failure of patients whose blasts exhibit lineaged infidelity when tested with immunological procedures.

Surgery of esophageal carcinoma

The experience of surgical treatment in 1,874 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus seen at the Cancer Institute and Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China, between 1958 and 1982, is reported. Despite the prevalence of this malignancy in this part of China, only 3% of the patients in this series had stage I disease, while 80% of the patients had either stage III or stage IV disease with extraesophageal tumor invasion and regional or distant metastases. Of the entire series there was an overall resectability rate of 83.9%, being 77.6% between 1958 and 1969 and 89.0% between 1970 and 1982. Among the 1,572 resections of the entire series, there were 66 deaths within 30 days of operation, for a resection mortality rate of 4.2%, being 4.9% between 1958 and 1969 and 3.7% between 1970 and 1982. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 67 cases of the 1,572 resections, for an incidence of 4.3%. Of the 67 cases with anastomotic leaks, 38 recovered after intensive treatment; the remaining 29 died eventually of the complication, giving a death rate of 43.3%. Pathologic studies of the 1,572 specimens showed lymph node metastasis in 46.1% of the cases. It is obvious that practically all the unresectable cases showed more extensive lymph node involvement at operation, although fixation of the tumor with severe invasion to the surrounding organs usually constituted the chief cause of unresectability. The postresection long-term survivals as calculated by the number of resections at 5, 10, and 15 years were 30.2% (390/1293), 22.4% (196/876), and 18.9% (112/594), respectively. Over one-third, or 36.8%, of the 1,874 patients in the present series were treated with a combination therapy of preoperative irradiation and surgery. The results in the group of 408 selective patients and those in the group of 83 randomized patients with midthoracic esophageal carcinomas were gratifying. In the latter group there was a resectability rate of 95.2%, a resection mortality rate of 3.8%, an incidence of intrathoracic anastomotic leakage of 0%, and a 5-year survival rate of 45.5%, as compared to 89.6%, 4.3%, 1.7%, and 25%, respectively, in the control group treated by surgery alone. From these findings it is concluded that preoperative irradiation as an adjunct can promote both the immediate and long-term results of surgery for carcinoma of the esophagus. Recent advances in the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus may change the pessimistic philosophy for this malignancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)