CUL4B is a Potential Novel Prognostic Biomarker and is Correlated with Immune Infiltrates in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a particularly fatal cancer with a median survival of less than one year. The value of single-agent checkpoint inhibitors is still obscure in MPM. We aim to reveal CUL4B prognostic role and immune infiltrates in MPM patients. Methods: CUL4B expression profile and clinical information of malignant pleura mesothelioma individuals were collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis measured CUL4B mRNA expression in epithelioid, biphasic, sarcomatoid, and normal pleural cell lines. Results: CUL4B expression elevated in MPM and had a high diagnostic value with AUC = 0.772. Additionally, our results showed that CUL4B high expression significantly correlated with poorer outcomes in MPM. Moreover, GSEA revealed 15 KEGG pathways enriched in the CUL4B high-expression group, and 22 were exhibited in the CUL4B low-expression group. Otherwise, our results showed that CUL4B was relevant to Wnt antagonistic factors (BARX2), Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). In addition, our results revealed that CUL4B expression was positively linked with four types of immune cells, whereas CUL4B expression was negatively linked with three types of immune cells. Additionally, our results showed that CUL4B expression regulates T helper cells, Tcm, and Th2 cells infiltration MPM microenvironment. Finally, our results identified CUL4B high expression in MPM cell line NCI-H2052 (epithelioid), MSTO-211H (biphasic), and NCI-H28 (sarcomatoid). Conclusion: CUL4B is a valuable prognostic biomarker and a critical immune cell infiltration regulator in MPM.

Untargeted metabolomics analysis of esophageal squamous cell cancer progression.

90% of esophageal cancer are esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and ESCC has a very poor prognosis and high mortality. Nevertheless, the key metabolic pathways associated with ESCC progression haven't been revealed yet. Metabolomics has become a new platform for biomarker discovery over recent years. We aim to elucidate dominantly metabolic pathway in all ESCC tumor/node/metastasis (TNM) stages and adjacent cancerous tissues. We collected 60 postoperative esophageal tissues and 15 normal tissues adjacent to the tumor, then performed Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. The metabolites data was analyzed with metabolites differential and correlational expression heatmap according to stage I vs. con., stage I vs. stage II, stage II vs. stage III, and stage III vs. stage IV respectively. Metabolic pathways were acquired by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. (KEGG) pathway database. The metabolic pathway related genes were obtained via Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). mRNA expression of ESCC metabolic pathway genes was detected by two public datasets: gene expression data series (GSE)23400 and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis is applied to metabolic pathway genes. 712 metabolites were identified in total. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was significantly distinct in ESCC progression. 16 genes of 77 genes of glycerophospholipid metabolism mRNA expression has differential significance between ESCC and normal controls. Phosphatidylserine synthase 1 (PTDSS1) and Lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferase1 (LPCAT1) had a good diagnostic value with Area under the ROC Curve (AUC) > 0.9 using ROC analysis. In this study, we identified glycerophospholipid metabolism was associated with the ESCC tumorigenesis and progression. Glycerophospholipid metabolism could be a potential therapeutic target of ESCC progression.

The effects of acupuncture on clinical efficacy and steady-state visual evoked potentials in insomnia patients with emotional disorders: A randomized single-blind sham-controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to observe the clinical effects and brain electrical potential changes following acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia patients with mood disorders. Ninety patients with insomnia who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the active acupuncture group (AA group, n = 44) and sham acupuncture group (SA group, n = 46) at a ratio of 1:1. The primary outcome was the total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the secondary outcomes were the total effective rate, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, and values of steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP). The two groups received acupuncture or sham acupuncture 10 times (2 weeks). Finally, the total PSQI scores of the AA group and SA group were significantly different (p < 0.05) at 2 weeks (6.11 ± 2.33 vs. 10.37 ± 4.73), 6 weeks (6.27 ± 1.39 vs. 11.93 ± 3.07), 18 weeks (6.32 ± 2.84 vs. 11.78 ± 2.95) and 42 weeks (8.05 ± 3.14 vs. 12.54 ± 2.81). Further analysis found that AA group patients received acupuncture treatment at any age after the same effect (p > 0.05). The SAS and SDS scores of the AA group were also significantly different from those of the SA group at each assessment time point (p < 0.05). The total effective rate of the AA group was 81.82%, while that of the SA group was 30.43% (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the AA group and SA group only in the brain potential of the parietal lobe (F4), left temporal lobe (C3) and right temporal lobe (T8) (P > 0.05), but there was a significant difference between other brain regions (P < 0.05). In addition, correlation analysis showed that there was a certain positive correlation between the total PSQI score, SAS score, efficacy level, and SSVEP value in the AA group as follows: C4 and the total PSQI score (r = 0.595, P = 0.041), F3 and SAS score (r = 0.604, P = 0.037), FPz and efficiency level of the frontal lobe (r = 0.581, P = 0.048), and O2 and efficiency level of the occipital lobe (r = 0.704, P = 0.011). Therefore, acupuncture have a good clinical effect on patients with insomnia and emotional disorders and have a significant regulatory effect on abnormally excited brain potentials.

The effects of active acupuncture and placebo acupuncture on insomnia patients: a randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to observe and compare the clinical efficacy of active acupuncture and placebo acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia and mood disorders. 96 patients with insomnia in Chengdu were randomly divided into two groups (1:1). The active acupuncture group (AA group n = 48) received the tube of Park sham device with deep needle insertion. The placebo acupuncture group (PA group n = 48) received the tube of Park sham device with a retractable needle shaft and a blunt tip. The same acupuncture points and treatment cycles were used in both groups. The overall score for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes recorded sleep rate, self-reported depression scale (SDS), self-assessment anxiety scale (SAS), the 'six component' scores of PSQI, and 'Deqi' scale scores. Eventually, 90 patients completed the study. After 2 weeks of treatment, the total score of PSQI in the AA group was 4.6 ± 2.4 and in the PA group was 12.9 ± 1.8 (ES = 3.91, p < .1). The SAS, SDS score in the AA group were 39.9 ± 5.6/39.9 ± 5.9 and in the PA group were 59.7 ± 6.1/61.2 ± 4.4 (ES = 3.38/4.9, p < .1). The sleep rate were 93.8% and 25.0% (p < .1). During the 1 month follow-up period, the PSQI total score in the AA group (5.2 ± 1.9) was superior to the PA group (13.1 ± 1.8) (ES = 4.27, p < .1). The SAS, SDS score in the AA group were 40.4 ± 5.1/42.7 ± 6.6 and in the PA group were 63.7 ± 6.6/63.5 ± 4.8 (ES = 3.95/3.60, p < .1). Throughout the study period, the 'six component' scores of PSQI in the AA group was superior to the PA group (each p < .1). Except for tingling and cooling, other acupuncture sensations were significant differences (each p < .1). Compared to the placebo acupuncture, active acupuncture can significantly improve insomnia, and clinical efficacy is maintained for at least 6 weeks.

An invasive thymoma extending into the superior vena cava and right atrium.

Invasive thymoma commonly infiltrates mediastinal structures; however, intracardiac extension from an intracaval growth is rare. An unusual case of an invasive thymoma protruding into the RA is here described. A left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV) tumor appeared through the thymic veins of a 50-year-old female patient. The patient underwent a combined resection of the invasive tumor and superior vena cava (SVC) and right atrium (RA) under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Pathologic examination revealed this to be a WHO type B3 thymoma, Masaoka stage III. Following surgery, the patient's symptoms disappeared, and the quality of life improved. The patient was then introduced to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This present case indicates that surgical treatment can create the opportunity for radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and is suitable and necessary for the treatment of invasive thymoma.

Autologous whole-blood or autologous serum acupoint injection therapy for chronic urticaria: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common and easily recurring skin disease in the world. Many trials have shown that autologous whole-blood or autologous serum acupoint injection therapy is effective in treating CU. There is currently no systematic review of this therapy. The program aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this therapy in patients with CU. METHODS: Literature search will be conducted at Medline, PubMed, Excerpt Medica Database, Springer, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and other databases. The search date is until May 2019. We will search for popular terms including CU and this therapy. Import the literature electronically. Duplicate documents will be deleted. The primary outcome is the urticaria activity score or other validated scales. Secondary outcomes included response rate, quality of life scale, recurrence rate, and adverse events. A systematic review and search for a randomized controlled trial of this therapy for CU. Implement the Cochrane RevMan V5.3 bias assessment tool to assess bias assessment risk, data integration risk, meta-analysis risk, and subgroup analysis risk (if conditions are met). The mean difference, standard MD, and binary data will be used to represent continuous results. RESULTS: This study will provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence for the treatment of CU with this therapy. CONCLUSION: This study will provide new evidence for assessing the effectiveness and side effects of this therapy for CU. Since the data is not individualized, there is no need for formal ethical approval. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019128364.

[Time-effect study on instant analgesic effect of the dragon-tiger fighting needling method on primary dysmenorrhea].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical analgesic efficacy and the relation between clinical analgesic effect and duration of effect of two acupuncture methods of Longhu Jiaozhan (fight of dragon and tiger, an acupuncture reinforcing and reducing manipulation characterized with nine counterclockwise and six clockwise rotations) and even manipulations. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into an observation group (32 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The observation group was applied with Longhu Jiaozhan manipulation, while the control group was applied with even manipulation. Acupuncture treatment was given on both of the groups since onset of the pain. The score of the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the 2 groups was observed at different times. And 8 VAS values were recorded at the point right before acupuncture, needle remaining of 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min as well as and 30 min, 60 min, 120 min after needle withdrawal. Comparison was made on differences between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Comparison with the same group before acupuncture showed that the VAS difference of the time from needling remaining of 5 min to 120 min after acupuncture were all with statistic significance (all P<0. 01). The score of VAS of needle remaining for 20 min and 30 min of the observation group was without significant difference (P>0. 05). The score of VAS value of needle remaining for 20 min and 30 min of the control group was with significant difference (P<0. 01). Comparison of the VAS scores before the treatment and the scores of the 2nd menstrual cycle were found with significant difference (P<0. 01). The VAS score of 2nd menstrual cycle was (28. 73 +/- 16. 15) in the observation group, which was better than (46. 93+/-12. 18) in the control group (P<0. 001). Comparison of the VAS score of the two groups at 5 min r emaining of the needle was without statistic significance between two groups (P>0. 05). However, the VAS impairment magnitude difference at that moment was with statistic significance (P<0.01). From the time of needle remaining for 10 min, 20 min, 30 min until 120 min after needling, the differences of the VAS scores and impairment range were all with statistic significance (all P<0. 01). The effects of the two acupuncture techniques could both be maintained up to 2 hours after needling. CONCLUSION: Both methods of acupuncture have immediate and long-term analgesic effect in a certain degree on primary dysmenorrhea. However, compared with the control group, the advantage of analgesic effect in the observation group is significantly superior. 20 min needling remaining can reach the best analgesic effect.