[Bibliometric analysis on the clinical researches of tumor treated with acupuncture-moxibustion on the base of PubMed database].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the literature characteristics of the clinical researches on tumor treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion in PubMed database so as to provide the references for the study of acupuncture-moxibusion in intervention of tumor. METHODS: The articles on the clinical researches of acupuncture-moxibusion in treatment of tumor were retrieved from PubMed database listed till December 31, 2018. Using bibliometric methodology, the analysis was conducted on publication year, publication journal, author, country or region, research institution, disease spectrum and therapeutic regimen. RESULTS: A total of 143 articles are included. The publications are increased steadily since 2004. The articles are published in 64 international journals, of which, Acupuncture in Medicine (12 articles) and Integrative Cancer Therapies (10 articles) occupy the the largest number of publications. They are distributed in 18 countries and regions, of which, the top two countries are America (44 articles) and China (34 articles. The involved types of cancer include breast cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, etc. Acupuncture-moxibustion is mainly for complication and the comorbid disorders after treatment, such as pain, nausea and vomiting and fatigue at most. The regimen of acupuncture-moxibustion is determined by the symptoms and electroacupuncture is the main measure of treatment. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture-moxibustion is quite extensively involved in the treatment of tumor in the field of nervous (mental) system and digestive system. But the regimen of acupuncture- moxibustion needs to be further optimized and promoted.

Computerized cognitive training for Chinese mild cognitive impairment patients: A neuropsychological and fMRI study.

BACKGROUND: Computerized multi-model training has been widely studied for its effect on delaying cognitive decline. In this study, we designed the first Chinese-version computer-based multi-model cognitive training for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Neuropsychological effects and neural activity changes assessed by functional MRI were both evaluated. METHOD: MCI patients in the training group were asked to take training 3-4 times per week for 6 months. Neuropsychological and resting-state fMRI assessment were performed at baseline and at 6 months. Patients in both groups were continuously followed up for another 12 months and assessed by neuropsychological tests again. RESULTS: 78 patients in the training group and 63 patients in the control group accomplished 6-month follow-up. Training group improved 0.23 standard deviation (SD) of mini-mental state examination, while control group had 0.5 SD decline. Addenbrooke's cognitive examination-revised scores in attention (p = 0.002) and memory (p = 0.006), as well as stroop color-word test interference index (p = 0.038) and complex figure test-copy score (p = 0.035) were also in favor of the training effect. Difference between the changes of two groups after training was not statistically significant. The fMRI showed increased regional activity at bilateral temporal poles, insular cortices and hippocampus. However, difference between the changes of two groups after another 12 months was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-model cognitive training help MCI patients to gained cognition benefit, especially in memory, attention and executive function. Functional neuroimaging provided consistent neural activation evidence. Nevertheless, after one-year follow up after last training, training effects were not significant. The study provided new evidence of beneficial effect of multi-model cognitive training.

[Relationship between serum free fatty acid and cytokines, carotid atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum level of free fatty acid (FFA) and explore its relationship with cytokines and atherosclerosis (AS) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: The serum level of FFA was determined with enzymatic colorimetry. IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNFα were determined with ELISA. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured with immunoturbidimetry. Prevalence of atherosclerosis was detected with carotid ultrasonography. We evaluated the relationship between serum levels of FFA and IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα, hsCRP as well as the renal function in 130 adult patients with CKD, stratified according to the GFR (based on the National Kidney Foundation/Kidney Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiatives) and in 58 hemodialytic (HD) patients. The relationship between FFA level and cardiac geometry incidence in CKD patients was analyzed with logistic regression model. RESULTS: The serum level of FFA was significantly higher in CKD patients as compared with that in the healthy controls [(492.63±143.59) vs (302.65±142.18) µmol/L, P<0.01], even in the early stage of CKD. The level of FFA increased with the progression of renal dysfunction. In the non-dialytic CKD group, the level of FFA was negatively related to GFR and positively related to the proteinuria (P<0.05), while in the HD group, it was positively correlated with dialysis duration (P<0.05). The serum levels of FFA were higher in CKD patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis than those in patients without (P<0.05or<0.01). However, in both groups with impairment of renal function, the levels of FFA were positively correlated with hsCRP, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα and TG (all P<0.05). A positive correlation between the level of FFA and the clinical manifestations such as carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) and AS was also found. A negative correlation was found between the level of FFA and the serum level of albumin and GFR (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum levels of FFA are significantly higher either in non-dialytic CKD or in HD patients and it is related with hsCRP, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα as well as carotid artery atherosclerosis, indicating that FFA is an independent risk factor of AS in CKD.

Triptolide reduces proteinuria in experimental membranous nephropathy and protects against C5b-9-induced podocyte injury in vitro.

Membranous nephropathy is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults where podocyte injuries were found to mediate the development of proteinuria. Triptolide, a major active component of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has potent immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory and antiproteinuric effects. To study its antiproteinuric properties, we established an experimental rat model of passive Heymann nephritis and a C5b-9 injury model of podocytes in vitro. Treatment or pretreatment with triptolide markedly reduced established proteinuria as well as the titer of circulating rat anti-rabbit IgG antibodies in these nephritic rats, accompanied by a reduction in glomerular C5b-9 deposits. Expression of desmin, a marker of podocyte injury, diminished after triptolide treatment, whereas quantitative analysis of mean foot process width showed that effacement of foot processes was substantially reversed. In in vitro studies we found that triptolide deactivated NADPH oxidase, suppressed reactive oxygen species generation and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and restored RhoA signaling activity. Triptolide did not interfere with the formation of C5b-9 on the membrane of podocytes. Thus, triptolide reduces established heavy proteinuria and podocyte injuries in rats with passive Heymann nephritis, and protects podocytes from C5b-9-mediated injury.