Research Progress of Signaling Pathways Related to Treatment of Colorectal Cancer with Chinese Medicine： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The occurrence and development of colorectal cancer as a complex disease involves the abnormality of multiple signaling pathways. Chinese medicine regulates a variety of biological processes such as tumor cell differentiation， cell proliferation， apoptosis， cell metastasis， cell cycle， and tumor angiogenesis to prevent the occurrence of colorectal cancer （inflammation-cancer transformation）， tumor metastasis （common metastases of colorectal cancer include liver metastasis， lung metastasis， bone metastasis， and lymphatic metastasis）， and multidrug resistance induced by chemotherapy， treat primary tumors， and mitigate the toxic and side effects of chemotherapy. The pathways of Chinese medicine in the treatment of colorectal cancer have been intensively studied. The available studies have demonstrated that Patrinia villosa Juss and Pien Tze Huang can regulate the Notch pathway to inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells. Curcumin and Quyu Jiedu decoction regulate Hippo pathway to inhibit the survival， proliferation， invasion， and migration of colorectal cancer cells. Kujin tea and luteolin suppress the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and protect intestinal barrier by regulating Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein-1 （Keap1）/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/antioxidant response element （ARE） pathway. Icariin and ginkgolide C can regulate hepatocyte growth factor （HGF）/cellular-mesenchymal to epithelial transition factor （c-Met） pathway to induce apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and prevent liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. Verbascoside and apigenin regulate p53 protein to promote apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells， reverse thymidylate synthase （TS）， and alleviate the multidrug resistance of colorectal cancer. Resveratrol and lycopene regulate insulin-like growth factor （IGF）/insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 （IGF1R） pathway to inhibit cancer cell metastasis and prolong disease-free survival. Cordycepin and Galla Chinensis water extract activate AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） pathway to inhibit the migration and invasion of cancer cells as well as the lung metastasis of colorectal cancer. The above summary aims to provide reference for the in-depth research on the treatment of colorectal cancer with Chinese medicine and inspire new research ideas.

Three Cases of Brucellar Spondylitis with Noncontiguous Multifocal Involvement.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is an endemic disease. Brucellar spondylitis is mainly manifested as a unifocal lesion, but noncontiguous multifocal brucellar spondylitis is more rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: Herein, we report 3 patients with noncontiguous multifocal involvement of brucellar spondylitis who are over 51 years of age. The diagnosis was established by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positive brucellar agglutination test. All patients were cured with antibrucellosis chemotherapy and surgery. For patients with a high degree of suspicion of noncontiguous multifocal brucellar spondylitis, especially elderly patients, screening with the use of serologic test for brucellosis and whole spine MRI is crucial to reduce the rate of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should raise awareness of noncontiguous multifocal brucellar spondylitis. The Wright agglutination test and whole spine MRI are the key methods to reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of noncontiguous multifocal brucellar spondylitis. Drug therapy for brucellar spondylitis is the basis, and surgical treatment is complementary therapy. The use of alternative chemotherapy and surgery for noncontiguous multifocal brucellar spondylitis is also safe and effective.

Discussion on needling manipulation of Chifeng Yingyuan / 中国针灸

Regarding the needling manipulation, Chifeng Yingyuan, there are different descriptions in ancient medical literature and the current teaching materials or clinical reports, especially for the understanding recorded in Jinzhenfu Poem of Golden Needle). In the current teaching materials and clinical reports, it is described that the needle is inserted deeply at first, and then shallowly; afterward, the needle tip is pushed to the middle layer and manipulated with lifting, thrusting and rotating technique, combined with twisting and flying method. After analyzing the original description in the book and the feasibility of function and operation, the authors introduced their recognition on its manipulation and techniques in this article. This manipulation should be: the needle is inserted to the middle layer, afterward, the needle body is pulled and tilted toward each of the four directions, on this basis, then twisting and flying method is applied.