Comparative study on the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for large unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) are two new treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous studies had reported that TACE combined with HAIC conferred better survival benefit than TACE alone. The study was to evaluate the availability and safety of TACE combined with HAIC for the treatment of large HCC. Methods: Patients with unresectable large HCC who underwent TACE combined with HAIC (TACE-HAIC group) and HAIC alone (HAIC group) at the Department of Interventional Radiology between August 2018 and September 2022 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response, and adverse events (AEs) were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two groups by using log-rank test. The independent factors of OS of large HCC patients were investigated by Cox regression model. Results: A total of 73 patients (mean age, 59.8±8.8; 60 men) with unresectable large HCC were finally screened in the current study, including 32 who received TACE combined with HAIC and 41 who received HAIC alone. Compared with patients in HAIC group, TACE-HAIC group had higher median OS (37.1 vs. 14.9 months, P=0.0014). Similarly, PFS in the TACE-HAIC group was longer than that in the HAIC group (16.5 vs. 6.9 months, P=0.0037). The objective response rate (ORR) was 65.6% vs. 53.7% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 90.6% vs. 78.0% in the two groups, neither was statistically significant (P=0.345 and 0.208, respectively). All AEs related to therapy were manageable, and there were no significant differences in the incidence of any grade and grade 3/4 AEs between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: TACE combined with HAIC yielded a promising prognosis in treating patients with large HCC compared with HAIC alone, with tolerable toxicity.

PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS-5584 combined with PLK1 inhibitor exhibits synergistic anti-cancer effects on non-small cell lung cancer.

Small molecule drugs are of significant importance in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we explored biological effects of the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS-5584 on NSCLC. Our findings indicated that VS-5584 administration resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of NSCLC cell proliferation, as well as the induction of apoptosis and cycle arrest. Additionally, we observed a significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels following VS-5584 treatment. The use of the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) effectively reduced ROS levels and decreased the proportion of apoptotic cells. Treatment with VS-5584 led to an upregulation of genes associated with apoptosis and cell cycle, such as c-caspase 3 and P21. Conversely, a downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) expression was observed. Next, transcriptome analyses revealed that VS-5584 treatment altered the abundance of 1520 genes/transcripts in PC-9 cells, one of which was polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). These differentially expressed genes were primarily enriched in biological processes such as cell cycle regulation and cell apoptosis, which are closely linked to the P53 and apoptosis pathways. Co-treatment with VS-5584 and PLK1 inhibitor NMS-P937 resulted in enhanced cancer cell death, exhibiting synergistic inhibitory activity. Notably, VS-5584 inhibited the growth of NSCLC in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model without observable abnormalities in major organs. Overall, VS-5584 effectively suppressed the growth of NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo. VS-5584 combined with NMS-P937 exhibited a synergistic effect in inhibiting NSCLC cell growth. These findings suggest that VS-5584 has potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating NSCLC.

Study on mechanical properties and damage characteristics of rice straw fiber-reinforced cemented tailings backfill based on energy evolution.

Low-cost and underutilized plant fibers can affect the mechanical behavior of cementitious materials such as cemented tailings backfill (CTB). This paper attempts to explore the mechanical properties and damage evolution characteristics of rice straw fiber (RFS)-reinforced CTB (RSFCTB) from the perspective of energy. A series of mechanical and microscopic tests were carried out on CTB and RSFCTB samples. On this basis, the energy evolution law and of the filling body under different stress paths were analyzed. Meanwhile, a damage variable based on dissipation energy was established, and the damage evolution process of the filling body was discussed. The results show that uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of filling body first grew and then dropped with the enhancement of RSF content, and indirect tensile strength (ITS) was positively correlated with RSF content. Scanning electron microscope showed that RSF was encapsulated by hydration products, which promoted the bridging effect of RSF. The bridging effect of RSF improved the integrity of RSFCTB after compression failure and resulted in bending and asymmetric tensile cracks after tensile failure. The energy storage limit and dissipation energy of the filling body under different stress paths were enhanced due to the incorporation of RSF. The damage curve based on dissipation energy showed three stages of slow, steady, and fast damage under compressive loading. The damage curve of RSFCTB was located below CTB depending on the crack arresting effect of RSF. Moreover, the damage curve under tensile load shows three stages: slow, stable damage, and sudden increase in damage. The damage value of RSFCTB at the mutation point was increased, and the ability of RSFCTB to resist tensile damage was enhanced. The energy evolution and acoustic emission parameters were combined, and their development trends were similar, which proved that it was reasonable to characterize the damage of filling body based on the dissipated energy.

Tanshinone IIA prevents uric acid nephropathy in rats through NF-κB inhibition.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of tanshinone IIA, an extract of the Chinese medicine Que Xie Hua Yu Tang, on uric acid nephropathy (UAN) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. UAN rat model was established. Fifty UAN rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups: adenine-treated group, allopurinol-treated group, and low/middle/high dose of tanshinone IIA-treated groups. Meanwhile, another 10 rats were used as normal controls. Serum uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), MCP-1, and IL-1ß levels were measured. Histological staining was performed. Comparison between the adenine group and treatment (allopurinol and tanshinone IIA) groups showed compound treatment could attenuate the inflammation status of the kidneys and decrease serum UA levels. Among different kinds of medicine, tanshinone IIA had similar effects as allopurinol and exerted anti-inflammatory and renal protective effect in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found tanshinone IIA alone could also inhibit urate-induced MCP-1 and IL-1ß overexpression both in vivo and in vitro, accompanied with inhibition of NF-κB translocation from cytosome to nucleus. Tanshinone IIA could protect rats from uric acid-induced kidney damage, probably by attenuating renal inflammatory status.

[Clinical study on Dan Shao Tang in treating diabetic nephropathy of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Dan Shao Tang (DST) in treating diabetic nephropathy (DN) of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom. METHODS: The 72 patients with DN of deficieny of Yin with damp-heat symptom were randomly divided into two groups. Among them, the 42 patients in treatment group were treated with DST and western medicine and the 30 patients in control group were treated only with western medicine. Before and after treatment, the effect and indexes change including blood glucose, renal function, proteinuria, microproteins, lipid metabolism and hyperviscosity were observed. RESULTS: After three months treatment, the general effective rate in treatment group was 76.19%, which was markedly higher than that in control group (50.00%, P < 0.01). Moreover, treatment group was obviously better than control group on decreasing blood glucose proteinuria and microproteins, improving renal function, ameliorating lipuid metabolism and hyperviscosity (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DST is effective ton treatment on DN of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom.

[Clinical observation of "dan shao tang" in treating mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis of deficiency of yin with damp-heat symptom].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of "Dan Shao Tang" (DST) on mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom. METHODS: 90 patients with MsPGN of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom were randomly divided into two groups. 54 patients in treatment group were treated with DST and western medicine, and 36 patients in control group were treated only with western medicine. We observed the effect and indexes change including renal function, proteinuria, hematuria, lipid before and after treatment. RESULTS: After three months treatment, the general effective rate in treatment group was 75.93%, which was markedly higher than that in control group (47.22%, P < 0.01). Treatment group is obviously better than control group on decreasing proteinuria and hematuria, improving renal function, ameliorating lipid metabolism (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DST is effective on MsPGN of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom.

[Clinical study on dan shao tang in treating IgA nephropathy of deficiency of yin with damp-heat symptom].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Dan Shao Tang(DST) in treating IgA nephropathy(IgAN) of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom. METHODS: 90 patients with IgAN of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom were randomly divided into two groups. 50 patients in treatment group were treated with DST and western medicine and 40 patients in control group were treated only with western medicine. The effects and changes of the indexes including renal function, hematuria, proteinuria, blood IgA before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: After six months treatment, the general effective rate in treatment group was 70.00%, which was markedly higher than that in control group(37.50%, P < 0.01). Treatment group is obviously better than control group on decreasing hematuria, proteinuria, blood IgA and improving renal function(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DST is effective on IgAN of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom.

[Clinical observation of wenshen xiezhuo decoction in treating pations with chronic renal failure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe curative effect of Wenshen Xiezhuo Decoction (WSXZD) in treating pations with chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS: Sixty patients with CRF of deficienncy of spleen-Yang and kidney-Yang with damp pathogen and blood stasis symptom were randomly divided into the treated group and the control group, 30 in each group. Both groups were treated with low-protein diets, controlling hypertension and symptomatic treatment. And WSXZD was given additionally to the treated group. The curative effect and the changes of integral of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms, renal function, serum calcium, serum phosphorus and ALB were observed after two months. RESULTS: The significant and total effective rate of the treated group were higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, integral of TCM symptoms and the levels of serum phosphorus were decreased significantly, the levels of ALB were increased significantly, and renal function was improved significantly in the treated group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The curative effect of conventional western medicine therapy plus WSXZD in treating pations with CRF of deficiency of spleen-Yang and kidney-Yang with damp pathogen and blood stasis symptom was significantly better than that of conventional western medicine therapy.

[The clinical study on Dan Shao Tang in treating simple hematuria of masked nephritis of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Dan Shao Tang (DST) in treating simple hematuria of masked nephritis of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom. METHODS: Sixty patients of simple hematuria of masked nephritis of deficiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom were divided into two groups in random, 35 patients in treatment group were treated with Dan Shao Tang and westen medicine, and 25 patients in control group were treated only with western medicine. The effect, change of hematuria and immunity index of the two groups were observed three months later. RESULTS: The total efficiency of treatment group (65.71%) is better than that of control group (36%). Treatment group is obviously better than control group on decreasing hematuria and improving immune function. CONCLUSION: Dan Shao Tang is effective to treatment on simple hematuria of masked nephritis of dificiency of Yin with damp-heat symptom effectively.

[Clinical study of treatment on chronic uric acid nephropathy by integrating Western and traditional Chinese medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ameliorative effect on chronic uric acid nephropathy (CUAN) by integrating western and traditional Chinese medicine (IWTCM). METHODS: The 136 CUAN patients were divided into two groups at random, the therapy group of 86 patients were treated by Chinese medicine and allopurinol, and the control group of 50 patients were treated only by allopurinol. The curative effect and the related index such as blood uric acid, renal function, urinary protein, microproteins, blood lipid and hyperviscosity were determined before and after being treated. RESULTS: After three months treatment, the total effective rate in the therapy group (90.7%) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of the control group (56%). The therapy group is also superior to the control group in improving renal function, lipid metabolism and hyperviscosity, decreasing blood uric acid, urinary protein, microproteins in evidence (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: IWTCM can obviously improve the ameliorative effect on chronic uric acid nephropathy.

[The effect of he jie decoction on the TCRV beta 7 of chronic hepatitis B patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of clinical effect and TCRV beta 7 expression of He Jie Decoction (HJD) on chronic hepatitis B patients. METHODS: 45 patients of chronic hepatitis B were divided randomly into two groups. 30 patients in the treated group were treated by HJD, and 15 patients in the control group were treated by usual western medicine. The TCRV beta 7 level were detected before and after being treated. RESULTS: After six months treatment, the ALT level of two groups were obviously decreased (P < 0.01), TCRV beta 7 expression were detected out in 6 patients of the treated group, and HBV-DNA and HBeAg of the 6 patients were negative conversion. The TCRV beta 7 expression couldn't be detected out in the control group, and HBV-DNA and HBeAg of the control group weren't negative conversion. There was no significant difference between the clinical total effective rate of the two groups (P > 0.05), but the apparent rate of the treated group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: HJD might have the effect on improving the TCRV beta 7 expression of chronic hepatitis B patients, which might be the ways of HJD inhibiting and killing hepatitis B virus.

[Clinical observation on colquhounia root tablet in treating lipid metabolism disturbance secondary to nephrotic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Colquhounia root tablet (CRT) in treating nephrotic syndrome with sequential lipid metabolism disorder (NS-LMD). METHODS: The 96 patients with NS-LMD were randomly divided into two groups, the 60 cases in the treated group treated with CRT and the 36 cases in the control group treated with hormone or cytotoxic medicine. The curative effect and the related indexes were determined before and after treatment. RESULTS: After six months treatment, the general effective rate in the treated group was 88. 33%, which was markedly higher than that in the control group (69.44%, P < 0.05). The levels of the treated group in ameliorating lipid metabolism disorder and renal dysfunction were also higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CRT could improve NS-LMD, improve renal function, eliminate urinary protein and increase plasma albumin. It is highly effective with low toxicity and safe.