A novel high-risk model identified by epithelial-mesenchymal transition predicts prognosis and radioresistance in rectal cancer.

Many studies have shown that tumor cells that survive radiotherapy are more likely to metastasize, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we aimed to identify epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related key genes, which associated with prognosis and radiosensitivity in rectal cancer. First, we obtained differentially expressed genes by analyzing the RNA expression profiles of rectal cancer retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, EMT-related genes, and radiotherapy-related databases, respectively. Then, Lasso and Cox regression analyses were used to establish an EMT-related prognosis model (EMTPM) based on the identified independent protective factor Fibulin5 (FBLN5) and independent risk gene EHMT2. The high-EMTPM group exhibited significantly poorer prognosis. Then, we evaluated the signature in an external clinical validation cohort. Through in vivo experiments, we further demonstrated that EMTPM effectively distinguishes radioresistant from radiosensitive patients with rectal cancer. Moreover, individuals in the high-EMTPM group showed increased expression of immune checkpoints compared to their counterparts. Finally, pan-cancer analysis of the EMTPM model also indicated its potential for predicting the prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma and breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. In summary, we established a novel predictive model for rectal cancer prognosis and radioresistance based on FBLN5 and EHMT2 expressions, and suggested that immune microenvironment may be involved in the process of radioresistance. This predictive model could be used to select management strategies for rectal cancer.

Effects of the lifting manipulation of scalp acupuncture for raising myodynamia of the affected limbs in hemiplegic patients due to cerebral thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a new therapy with definite quality controllable therapeutic effects for functional restoration of the affected limbs in hemiplegic patients due to cerebral thrombosis. METHOD: 180 patients with hemiplegia due to cerebral thrombosis were randomly divided into 2 groups: the treatment group (treated with scalp acupuncture by using the lifting manipulation) and the control group (treated with scalp acupuncture by using the twirling manipulation). Evaluations were given for the two groups based on the improvement of myodynamia and comprehensive functions after the treatment. RESULTS: Both groups showed increased myodynamia, but with different cured and much relieved rates (86.67% in the treatment group and 5% in the control group, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Scalp acupuncture with the lifting manipulation can dramatically increase myodynamia of the affected limbs in hemiplegic patients due to cerebral thrombosis.

[Clinical experiences of RUAN's needling method for insomnia].

The theoretical basis and needling techniques of RUAN's needling method in treatment of insomnia are introduced in this paper. Ruan's needling method follows the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, stresses the theory of taking brain as the marrow sea in treatment of insomnia acupuncture. The characteristics of his needling method are that emphasis on acupoints, including positioning accuracy and proper compatibility; think highly of needling method that combines with perpendicular needling, oblique needling, parallel needling, deep needling and shallow needling; emphasis on manipulation and identify qi under the needle to decide reinforcing or reducing method by arrival of qi, excess or deficiency. And the clinical observation of RUAN' s needling method on 30 cases of insomnia is attached.