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Chou PC, Chu HY. Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2018; 2018:8596918. [PMID: 29849731 PMCID: PMC5925010 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8596918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to investigate the detailed existing scientific information about the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) conditions and to reveal the proposed mechanisms. METHODS We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), NCCAM (The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases to identify relevant monographs and related references from 1974 to 2018. Chinese journals and theses/dissertations were hand searched. RESULTS 43 studies were recruited. Each research was analyzed for study design, subject characteristics, intervention, selected acupoints, assessment parameters, proposed mechanisms, and results/conclusions. CONCLUSIONS In our review, we concluded that acupuncture alone or combined with other treatment modalities is beneficial to the clinical conditions of RA without adverse effects reported and can improve function and quality of life and is worth trying. Several important possible mechanisms were summarized including anti-inflammatory effect, antioxidative effect, and regulation of immune system function. However, there is still inconsistency regarding the clinical efficacy and lack of well-designed human/animal double-blinded RCTs. Future discussion for further agreement on taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory into consideration as much as possible is a top priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chi Chou
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Heng-Yi Chu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Ma CM, Lin LH, Chang HY, Chou PC, Liao PC, Chen HY, Man KM, Chiang JH, Chang YJ, Tsai MY, Chen WC, Chen YH. Association of congenital anomalies with fracture of spine, trunk, and upper and lower limbs among young people: A population-based matched cohort study in Taiwan. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e7980. [PMID: 28885353 PMCID: PMC6392606 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000007980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, congenital anomalies are caused by kidney malfunctions, which decreased the bone quality, and may eventually result in bone fractures. This retrospective cohort study investigated the relationship between congenital anomalies and fracture of spine, trunk, and upper and lower limbs in young people. We utilized data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. This study included patients with congenital anomalies (International Classification of Diseases/ICD-9 code: 740-759) and a comparison group of patients without congenital anomalies. Cases evaluated were fracture of spine and trunk (ICD-9 codes: 805-809), fracture of upper limbs (ICD-9 codes: 810-819), and fracture of lower limbs (ICD-9 codes: 820-829). Our study shows that in comparison to the control group, patients with congenital anomalies are 1.11 times more likely to develop fractures. This is the first documented research study that supports the TCM theory that "the Kidney governs the bones, and healthy bones give the body stabilization and prevent fracture."
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Man Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Urology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
| | - Lih-Hwa Lin
- Division of Chinese Medicine, An Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
| | - Hsing-Yi Chang
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli
| | - Pei-Chi Chou
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Chinese Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Urology, and Medical Research, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Po-Chi Liao
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Urology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung
| | - Huey-Yi Chen
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Chinese Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Urology, and Medical Research, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Kee-Ming Man
- Departments of Chinese Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Urology, and Medical Research, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
- Department of Medicinal Botanicals and Health Applications, Da-Yeh University, Changhua
| | - Jen-Huai Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Chinese Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Urology, and Medical Research, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Yin-Jen Chang
- Departments of Chinese Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Urology, and Medical Research, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Ming-Yen Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
| | - Wen-Chi Chen
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Chinese Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Urology, and Medical Research, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Yung-Hsiang Chen
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Chinese Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Urology, and Medical Research, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung , Taiwan
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Lin LH, Siu JJY, Liao PC, Chiang JH, Chou PC, Chen HY, Ho TJ, Tsai MY, Chen YH, Chen WC. Association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hemorrhoids: A nationwide cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e6281. [PMID: 28272246 PMCID: PMC5348194 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000006281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, a specific physiological and pathological relationship exists between the lungs and the large intestine. The aim of this study is to delineate the association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hemorrhoids in order to verify the "interior-exterior" relationship between the lungs and the large intestine. A retrospective cohort study is conceived from the National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan. The 2 samples (COPD cohort and non-COPD cohort) were selected from the 2000 to 2003 beneficiaries of the NHI, representing patients age 20 and older in Taiwan, with the follow-up ending on December 31, 2011. The COPD cohort (n = 51,506) includes every patient newly diagnosed as having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD, ICD-9-CM: 490-492, 494, 496), who have made at least 2 confirmed visits to the hospital/clinic. The non-COPD cohort (n = 103,012) includes patients without COPD and is selected via a 1:2 (COPD: non-COPD) matching by age group (per 5 years), gender, and index date (diagnosis date of COPD for the COPD cohort). Compared with non-COPD cohorts, patients with COPD have a higher likelihood of having hemorrhoids and the age-, gender- and comorbidies-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for hemorrhoids is 1.56 (95% confidence intervals [CI]:1.50-1.62). The adjusted HR of hemorrhoids for females is 0.79 (95% CI: 0.77-0.83), which is significantly less than that for males. The elderly groups, 40 to 59 years and aged 60 or above, have higher adjusted HRs than younger age groups (20-39 years), 1.19 (95% CI: 1.14-1.26), and 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12-1.24), respectively. Patients with COPD may have a higher likelihood to have hemorrhoids in this retrospective cohort study. This study verifies the fundamental theorem of TCM that there is a definite pathogenic association between the lungs and large intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lih-Hwa Lin
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Division of Chinese Medicine, An Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan
| | - Justin Ji-Yuen Siu
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Urology, Chinese Medicine, Medical Research, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital
| | - Po-Chi Liao
- Department of Urology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital
| | - Jen-Huai Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Urology, Chinese Medicine, Medical Research, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital
| | - Pei-Chi Chou
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Urology, Chinese Medicine, Medical Research, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital
| | - Huey-Yi Chen
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Urology, Chinese Medicine, Medical Research, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital
| | - Tsung-Jung Ho
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Division of Chinese Medicine, An Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan
- Division of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Yunlin
| | - Ming-Yen Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Hsiang Chen
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Urology, Chinese Medicine, Medical Research, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung
| | - Wen-Chi Chen
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung
- Departments of Urology, Chinese Medicine, Medical Research, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital
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Chou ST, Lo HY, Li CC, Cheng LC, Chou PC, Lee YC, Ho TY, Hsiang CY. Exploring the effect and mechanism of Hibiscus sabdariffa on urinary tract infection and experimental renal inflammation. J Ethnopharmacol 2016; 194:617-625. [PMID: 27773797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn., also known as roselle, is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common problem in long-term care facilities. However, effects of roselle on UTI and renal inflammation remained to be analyzed. AIM Here we surveyed the effect of roselle drink on the prevention of UTI in long-term care facilities and analyzed the anti-inflammatory potential of roselle on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal inflammation in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Survey questionnaires and clinical observation were applied to evaluate the use of roselle and the incidence of UTI in long-term care facilities. Mice were administrated roselle orally for 7 consecutive days and then challenged with LPS. Anti-renal inflammatory effects of roselle were analyzed by microarray and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Clinical observation showed that taking roselle drink in residents with urinary catheters reduced the incidence of UTI in long-term care facilities. Renal inflammation is a key event of UTI. Roselle suppressed LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in cells and LPS-induced interleukin-1β production in mice a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical staining showed that roselle inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation and inflammatory cell infiltration in kidney. Gene expression profiling further showed that roselle suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and enzyme genes involved in the production of prostaglandin and nitric oxide. In addition, NF-κB was the main transcription factor involved in the regulation of roselle-regulated gene expression in kidney. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report applying clinical observation-guided transcriptomic study to explore the application and mechanism of roselle on UTI. Our findings suggested that roselle drink ameliorated LPS-induced renal inflammation via downregulation of cytokine network, pro-inflammatory product production, and NF-κB pathway. Moreover, this report suggested the potential benefit of roselle drink on UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Ting Chou
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Lo
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Cheng Li
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Lu-Chen Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Hung Tsung Lin Hospital and Nursing Home of Hong's Hospital, Changhua 52658, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Chou
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Lee
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Division of Chinese Acupuncture, China Medical University Hospital, 40447 Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tin-Yun Ho
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Chien-Yun Hsiang
- Department of Microbiology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES There are safety issues associated with acupuncture treatment. Previous studies regarding needling depth of acupuncture points revealed inconsistent results due to vague depth definition, acupuncture point localisation and measuring tools. The objective of this study is to find and compare the differences of the mean depths of 11 acupuncture points in the neck and shoulder region between subjects, with variables including gender and body mass index (BMI). SETTING This study was conducted at a single medical center in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred and ninety-four participants were included in this study. Participants were grouped according to gender and BMI. Acupuncture points were localised by WHO standard and measured by MRI. OUTCOME MEASURES The distance from the needle insertion point (surface of the skin) to any tissues that would cause possible/severe complications. RESULTS Mean depths of 11 points were obtained in groups of different BMI and gender. Mean depths of all participants regardless of BMI and gender are as follows, in centimetres: GB21=5.6, SI14=5.2, SI15=8.8, GV15=4.9, GV16=4.6, GB20=5.0, ST9=1.6, SI16=1.8, SI17=2.4, TE16=3.1, LI18=1.3. Participants with higher BMI had greater measured depths in both gender groups. Male participants had larger mean depths than female participants regardless of BMI except in SI17 and LI18. When taking BMI into consideration, depths in male participants are greater than in female participants in most of the points except the following: GB21, TE16 in obesity group; ST9 in underweight and obesity group; SI16 in ideal body weight, overweight and obesity group; SI17, LI18 in each group. CONCLUSIONS Participants with higher BMI had greater measured depths and males tended to have greater depths in most of the points. Clinical practitioners are recommended to consider this information to prevent complications when applying acupuncture treatment to their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chi Chou
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital Eastern Branch, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chuen Huang
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Hsueh
- Department of Medical Imaging, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jaung-Geng Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Heng-Yi Chu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Hsiang CY, Cheng HM, Lo HY, Li CC, Chou PC, Lee YC, Ho TY. Ginger and Zingerone Ameliorate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Systemic Inflammation in Mice, Assessed by Nuclear Factor-κB Bioluminescent Imaging. J Agric Food Chem 2015; 63:6051-8. [PMID: 26073629 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b01801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ginger is a commonly used spice in cooking. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of ginger and its component zingerone in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute systemic inflammation in mice via nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) bioluminescent imaging. Ginger and zingerone significantly suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activities in cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the maximal inhibition (84.5% ± 3.5% and 96.2% ± 0.6%) was observed at 100 μg/mL ginger and zingerone, respectively. Moreover, dietary ginger and zingerone significantly reduced LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine production in sera by 62.9% ± 18.2% and 81.3% ± 6.2%, respectively, and NF-κB bioluminescent signals in whole body by 26.9% ± 14.3% and 38.5% ± 6.2%, respectively. In addition, ginger and zingerone suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB-driven luminescent intensities in most organs, and the maximal inhibition by ginger and zingerone was observed in small intestine. Immunohistochemical staining further showed that ginger and zingerone decreased interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-, CD11b-, and p65-positive areas in jejunum. In conclusion, our findings suggested that ginger and zingerone were likely to be broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory agents in most organs that suppressed the activation of NF-κB, the production of IL-1β, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yun Hsiang
- †Department of Microbiology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Man Cheng
- ‡School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Lo
- §Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Cheng Li
- ∥Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Chou
- ‡School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Lee
- ⊥Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Tin-Yun Ho
- §Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- ∇Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
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Li TM, Wu CM, Huang HC, Chou PC, Fong YC, Tang CH. Interleukin-11 increases cell motility and up-regulates intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in human chondrosarcoma cells. J Cell Biochem 2013; 113:3353-62. [PMID: 22644863 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-11 (IL-11) was originally identified as the cytokine that could induce the proliferation of human cells. Recent studies have shown that IL-11 plays a critical role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Chondrosarcoma is a type of highly malignant tumor with a potent capacity to invade locally and cause distant metastasis. However, the effects of IL-11 on human chondrosarcoma cells are largely unknown. Here, we found that IL-11 increased the migration and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM)-1 in human chondrosarcoma cells. We also found that human chondrosarcoma tissues had significant expression of the IL-11 which was higher than that in primary chondrocytes. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and NF-κB pathways were activated by IL-11 treatment, and the IL-11-induced expression of ICAM-1 and migration activity were inhibited by the specific inhibitors and mutant forms of PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB cascades. Taken together, our results indicate that IL-11 enhanced the migration of the chondrosarcoma cells by increasing ICAM-1 expression through the IL-11Rα receptor, PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB signal transduction pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te-Mao Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this review is to investigate the existing scientific information on the safe needling depth of acupuncture points. METHODS The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), NCCAM (The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases were searched to identify relevant monographs from 1991 to 2009. Additional articles were also identified from the reference list of identified articles. Chinese journals that we thought might be relevant to our study were hand searched. RESULTS Thirty-three (33) studies were recruited into the review. Each research study was analyzed for study design, investigated acupuncture points, definition of safe depth, measuring methods, subject number, and for discussion of de qi. Factors that would affect the measured depth such as gender, age, body sizes, right or left side of limb, if using Ton Shen Cun for comparison, and needling angles were also reviewed. Needling depth of each point was revealed as well. CONCLUSIONS There is great inconsistency in terms of safe needling depths measured from different subject groups and measuring methods. There is suitable justification for a well-designed clinical trial to investigate the real needling depth for each acupuncture points to avoid adverse effects or complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chi Chou
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Chou P, Chu H, Lin JG. Effects of electroacupuncture treatment on impaired cognition and quality of life in Taiwanese stroke patients. J Altern Complement Med 2009; 15:1067-1073. [PMID: 20050300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on cognitive function and health-related quality of life in patients who have had a stroke. DESIGN This clinical trial employed a prospective, randomized, single-blind design. SETTINGS/LOCATION The study was conducted at the department of rehabilitation medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. SUBJECTS Thirty-eight (38) participants were recruited, but only 33 completed the study. Seventeen (17) stroke participants with cognitive impairment were assigned to the treatment group and 16 were assigned to the control group. INTERVENTIONS Electroacupuncture was applied to acupuncture points PC6 and HT7 for 20 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks in the treatment group, while participants in each group continued rehabilitation. OUTCOME MEASURES Cognitive assessment (LOTCA-G) and quality-of-life assessment (SF-36 and SS-QOL) were carried out in each group at baseline and at 8 weeks after treatment. RESULTS Significant improvement was detected in four subtests of LOTCA-G: orientation, perception, praxis, and attention ( p<0.05) between treatment and control groups. Significant improvement was also indicated in subscales of SF-36 (RP, VT, SF, RE, MH, MCS) and SS-QOL (language) ( p<0.05). No correlation was noted between the variables of LOTCA-G and SF-36/SS-QOL except four matches: Memory (LOTCA-G) and Mental Component Summary (SF-36): r=0.492; Memory (LOTCA-G) and Personality (SS-QOL): r=0.485; Praxis (LOTCA-G) and Language (SS-QOL): r=0.616; Orientation (LOTCA-G), and Language (SS-QOL): r=0.534. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study confirm a positive effect of electroacupuncture on cognition and quality of life in patients who had a stroke. Future research will be required to evaluate potential mechanisms and potential long-term benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- PeiChi Chou
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Muthusamy K, Chu HY, Friesen RM, Chou PC, Eilert RE, Chang FM. PR_113. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2006.08.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Tseng JK, Chen CH, Chou PC, Yeh SP, Ju JC. Influences of Follicular Size on Parthenogenetic Activation and in Vitro Heat Shock on the Cytoskeleton in Cattle Oocytes. Reprod Domest Anim 2004; 39:146-53. [PMID: 15182290 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2004.00493.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The availability of cow ovaries from the slaughterhouse has been very limited in Taiwan. To maximize the use of cow ovaries for research purposes, whole ovary dissection was performed and the developmental competence of the oocytes derived from different sizes of follicles was assessed by the rates of in vitro maturation (IVM) and parthenogenetic activation of the oocytes in Experiment 1 (Exp 1). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) derived from small (1-2 mm) and large (3-8 mm) follicles were subjected to standard IVM culture for 24 h. Mature oocytes were selected and then parthenogenetically activated using A23187 (5 microm, 5 min) or thimerosal (200 microm, 10 min) alone or combined with 6-dimethylaminopurine (2.5 mm and 3.5 h, respectively). Activation rates of the oocytes, neither from the large nor small follicles, were affected by different activation treatments (single or combined stimuli). Whereas maturation rates for the oocytes from large follicles were superior to those from small follicles in both the single (59% vs 45%) and combined treatments (76% vs 40%; p < 0.05). To understand how prolonged heat shock (HS) influences cytoskeletal configurations of mature bovine oocytes, in Experiment 2 (Exp 2), matured oocytes derived from large follicles were randomly allocated to different durations of HS treatments at 41.5 degrees C for 0 (C0h, control, n = 12), 1 (HS1h, n = 28), 2 (HS2h, n = 31), and 4 h (HS4h, n = 30). An additional control group was cultured for 4 h without HS (38.5 degrees C, 4 h, n = 35). Alterations in nuclear structures, microtubules (MTs), and microfilaments (MFs) of the oocytes were examined. Abnormalities in the chromosomes, spindle MTs and the percentages of oocytes with cytoplasmic MTs increased with time of HS treatment. The intensity of the MF distribution in the HS oocytes was also altered. Significant changes in the cytoskeleton after HS may be associated with the reduced development under hyperthermia and, perhaps, with the low pregnancy rates of the animals during hot seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Tseng
- Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
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Chou PC, Haus HA, Brennan Iii JF. Reconfigurable time-domain spectral shaping of an optical pulse stretched by a fiber Bragg grating. Opt Lett 2000; 25:524-526. [PMID: 18064099 DOI: 10.1364/ol.25.000524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a method for spectrally shaping optical pulses that is readily reconfigurable and can produce variable filter functions. This practical technique relies on a compact and robust 3.86-m-long linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating that chromatically disperses the pulse to ~30 ns. We then shape the pulse envelope, and thus the pulse spectrum, with a programmable arbitrary waveform generator and an amplitude modulator to obtain several filter functions.
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Chou PC, Hannaford B. Study of human forearm posture maintenance with a physiologically based robotic arm and spinal level neural controller. Biol Cybern 1997; 76:285-298. [PMID: 9195745 DOI: 10.1007/s004220050340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The goals of this research are: (1) to apply knowledge of human neuro-musculo-skeletal motion control to a biomechanically designed, neural controlled, 'anthroform' robotic arm system, (2) to demonstrate that such a system is capable of responses that match those of the human arm reasonably well in comparable experiments, and (3) to utilize the anthroform arm system to study some controversial issues and to predict new phenomena of the human motion control system. A physiologically analogous artificial neural network controller and an anatomically accurate robotic testing elbow are applied in this study. In order to build the physical elbow system to have mechanical properties as close as possible to the human arm, McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles, force sensors, and mechanical muscle spindles are integrated in the system with anatomically accurate muscle attachment points. A physiologically analogous, artificial neural network controller is used to emulate the behavior of spinal segmental reflex circuitry including Ia and Ib afferent feedbacks. Systematic experiments of elbow posture maintenance are performed and compared with physiological experimental data. New experiments are performed in which responses to torque perturbation are measured when selected afferent pathways are blocked. A 'covariance diagram' is introduced. And a linear model is used to help to analyze the roles of system components. The results show that muscle co-contraction and Ia afference with gamma dynamic motoneuron excitation are two efficient ways to increase joint stiffness and damping, which in turn reduces the mechanical sensitivity of the joint to external perturbation and shortens the settling time of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Chou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-2500, USA
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Chang HC, Lai CH, Chou PC, Tseng CJ, Chang TC, Hsueh S, Ho YS, Soong YK. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin, vincristine, and bleomycin and radical surgery in early-stage bulky cervical carcinoma. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 1992; 30:281-5. [PMID: 1379522 DOI: 10.1007/bf00686296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of 2-3 courses of cisplatin, vincristine, and bleomycin was used in the primary treatment of 36 consecutive patients with locally advanced early-stage cervical carcinoma [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages Ib or IIa; tumor size, greater than or equal to 4 cm]. The effectiveness of the preoperative chemotherapy was evaluated in the surgical specimens. Among the 33 evaluable patients, the overall clinical response rate was 84.8%, which included a complete response in 8 patients (24.2%) and a partial response in 20 subjects (60.6%). No residual tumor was found in the surgical specimens obtained from 2 complete responders. This therapy induced varying degrees of tumor shrinkage and rendered radical surgery feasible in all evaluable cases despite the initial bulky size of the lesions. No significant difference was observed in the response rate according to age and disease stage. Lymph-node metastases were found after chemotherapy in 18.2% (6/33) of the patients. Grade II and III hematological toxicities occurred in 23.3% of the 90 chemotherapy cycles completed. Nausea and vomiting occurred to a mild to moderate degree in 75 (83.3%) cycles. These preliminary results suggest that the administration of induction chemotherapy involving two to three courses of cisplatin, vincristine, and bleomycin prior to surgery is effective in reducing the tumor volume and in providing better circumstances for surgical removal of the early yet bulky cervical tumors and results in tolerable toxicity. This protocol is now undergoing prospective randomized trials to test its impact on long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
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