Establishment of stellate ganglion block in mice.

BACKGROUND: There have been no reports on the successful implementation of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in mice. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate a new method for implementing SGB in mice by placing them in a supine position with abducted upper limbs and touching the trachea and sternoclavicular joint with the hand. METHODS: Fifty BABL/C mice, 8-10 weeks, were selected and randomly divided into four groups: control group (n = 5); SGB-R group (n = 15); SGB-L group (n = 15); and SGB-L + R (group n = 15). SGB was administered with 0.15% ropivacaine solution in a volume of 0.1 mL. The control group received equal volumes of saline. Horner's syndrome, heart rate, and complications such as brachial plexus block, vascular injury, pneumothorax, local anesthetic toxicity, and death were observed. RESULTS: Horner's syndrome developed in 100% of SGB surviving mice; no difference was seen in the time to onset (100.4 ± 13.4 vs 96.7 ± 12.4, mean ± SD, seconds) and duration (264.1 ± 40.5 vs 296.3 ± 48.0, mean ± SD, min) of Horner's syndrome in the left and right SGB (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group (722 [708-726], median [IQR], bpm), the heart rate was significantly slowed down in the right SGB (475 [451.5-491], median [IQR], bpm) (P < 0.05). While the heart rate was slowed down after performing the left SGB, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The overall complication rate was 18.4%, with a brachial plexus block rate of 12.3%, a vascular injury rate of 4.6%, and a mortality rate of 1.5%, as well as no local anesthetic toxicity (includes bilateral implementation of SGB) or pneumothorax manifestations were found. CONCLUSIONS: This method allows for the successful implementation of SGB in a mouse model.

Impact of simulation-based training on bougie-assisted cricothyrotomy technique: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Cricothyrotomy is a lifesaving surgical technique in critical airway events. However, a large proportion of anesthesiologists have little experience with cricothyrotomy due to its low incidence. This study aimed to develop a multisensory, readily available training curriculum for learning cricothyrotomy and evaluate its training effectiveness. METHODS: Seventy board-certificated anesthesiologists were recruited into the study. Participants first viewed an instructional video and observed an expert performing the bougie-assisted cricothyrotomy on a self-made simulator. They were tested before and after a one-hour practice on their cricothyrotomy skills and evaluated by a checklist and a global rating scale (GRS). Additionally, a questionnaire survey regarding participants' confidence in performing cricothyrotomy was conducted during the training session. RESULTS: The duration to complete cricothyrotomy was decreased from the pretest (median = 85.0 s, IQR = 72.5-103.0 s) to the posttest (median = 59.0 s, IQR = 49.0-69.0 s). Furthermore, the median checklist score was increased significantly from the pretest (median = 30.0, IQR = 27.0-33.5) to the posttest (median = 37.0, IQR = 35.5-39.0), as well as the GRS score (pretest median = 22.5, IQR = 18.0-25.0, posttest median = 32.0, IQR = 31.0-33.5). Participants' confidence levels in performing cricothyrotomy also improved after the curriculum. CONCLUSION: The simulation-based training with a self-made simulator is effective for teaching anesthesiologists to perform cricothyrotomy.

Comparing the Analgesic Effects Between the Pre- and Post-costal Cartilage Harvest Cohorts Using Ultrasound-Guided Deep Serratus Anterior Plane Block in Children with Microtia Undergoing Auricular Reconstruction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Pain following costal cartilage harvest surgery is the most common complaint of auricular reconstruction (AR). Anesthesiologists are continuously searching for an effective postoperative pain control method. METHODS: This study was conducted from 10 April 2022 to 10 June 2022. Sixty children undergoing AR using costal cartilage were randomly assigned to either a serratus anterior plane block performed before costal cartilage harvest (SAPB-pre-cohort; n = 30) or the SAPB-post-cohort (Post-costal cartilage Harvest Cohort: n = 30). The primary endpoint measures were the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores of the chest and ear pain degrees recorded at 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-h after surgery. Intraoperative anesthetic and analgesic dosages, sufentanil consumption and rescue analgesia consumption during the first 24 h post-operation, cough score during extubation, extubation agitation score, length of stay, the extubation time, first ambulatory time, analgesia duration, and opioid-related adverse effects and SAPB-related adverse effects were the secondary endpoints. RESULTS: The rest and coughing NRS scores were significantly reduced in the SAPB-pre-cohort 6 and 12 h post-operation in comparison with the SAPB-post-cohort (rest 6 h p = 0.002, others p < 0.001). No significant difference in the NRS ear scores existed between the two cohorts (p > 0.05). The use of propofol and remifentanil for general anesthesia during the SAPB-pre-procedure was significantly reduced compared to the SAPB-post-group, with statistical significance (p < 0.001). Sufentanil consumption and rescue analgesia consumption were significantly reduced in the SAPB-pre-cohort (p = 0.001, p = 0.033). The extubation time and first ambulatory time were markedly shorter in the SAPB-pre-cohort (all p < 0.001). Analgesia duration was markedly longer in the SAPB-pre-cohort (p < 0.001). No significant differences were noted in the cough score during extubation, extubation agitation score, length of stay between the two cohorts (all p > 0.05). Opioid-related adverse effects occurred more in the SAPB-post-cohort, while there was no statistical significance (16.7 vs. 36.7%; p = 0.082). There were no blockade-related complications observed in either cohort. CONCLUSION: The analgesic effect of the SAPB-pre-cohort was better than the SAPB-post-cohort suggesting both efficacy and feasibility of preemptive analgesia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Clinical efficacy of Kuanxiong aerosol for patients with prehospital chest pain: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Kuanxiong Aerosol (KXA)(CardioVent®), consisting of Asarum sieboldii Miq. oil, Santalum album L. oil, Alpinia officinarum Hance oil, Piper longum L. oil and borneol, seems to relieve the symptoms of chest pain and serve as a supplementary treatment for prehospital chest pain in emergency department. STYLE OF THE STUDY: This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the clinical effect and safety of KXA for patients with prehospital chest pain. METHODS: A total of 200 patients were recruited from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine and randomly divided into KXA group (n = 100) and Nitroglycerin Aerosol (NA) group (n = 100) by SAS 9.2 software. All patients were treated with standardized Western medicine according to the pre-hospital procedure. The experimental group and NA group was additionally treated with KXA and NA respectively. The primary outcome was the relieving time of prehospital chest pain (presented as relief rate) after first-time treatment. The secondary outcomes included the evaluation of chest pain (NRS scores, degree of chest pain, frequency of chest pain after first-time treatment), efficacy in follow-up time (the frequency of average aerosol use, emergency department visits, 120 calls, medical observations and hospitalization at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks), alleviation of chest pain (Seattle angina questionnaire, chest pain occurrence, and degree of chest pain at 12-weeks treatment) and the change of TCM symptoms before and after 12-weeks treatment. In addition, the safety of KXA was also assessed by the occurrence of adverse events. The database was created using Epidata software, and statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 23.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 194 participants finally completed the trial, the results showed that after first-time treatment, KXA had a higher relief rate (72.2%) of chest pain within 30 min than that of NA group (59.4%, p = 0.038), KXA group had a lower degree of chest pain (p = 0.005), lower NRS score (p = 0.011) and higher reduction of NRS score (p = 0.005) than the NA. In the follow-up period, KXA group decreased the frequency of 120 call better than that of NA group at 4 weeks (p = 0.040), but KXA had a similar efficacy as NA in the improvement on the of frequency of chest pain, aerosol use, emergency department visits, 120 call, medical observation and hospitalization at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks (p>0.05). There also had no difference between the two groups on the occurrence of chest pain, degree of chest pain, physical limitation, angina stability, treatment satisfaction, and disease perception between the two groups at 12 weeks (p>0.05). In addition, KXA and NA both improved the patient's chest pain, but not the TCM symptoms. In terms of safety, KXA showed similar safety as NA in this study. CONCLUSIONS: KXA relieved prehospital chest pain faster than NA and had a better remission effect on the prehospital chest pain than that of the NA group in short-period. In long-period, KXA showed similar efficacy on the improvement of prehospital chest pain as NA. KXA may be a safe and reliable therapy for prehospital chest pain.

[Research Progress in Adjacent Anatomical Structure and Location of Cricothyroid Membrane].

Cricothyroid membrane puncture and incision,the key techniques to save the lives of the patients in the Can't Intubate,Can't Oxygenate (CICO) emergency,need to be mastered by all the airway management staff.However,the decision to carry out cricothyroid membrane puncture or incision is often delayed due to the unfamiliarity with the adjacent anatomical structure of the cricothyroid membrane and the inability to accurately locate the cricothyroid membrane.As a result,serious complications and rescue failure occur.Therefore,airway management staff should be familiar with the adjacent structure and positioning methods of the cricothyroid membrane,so as to improve the success rate of emergency airway rescue,reduce complications,and protect the airway and life safety of the patients.

Estrogen alleviates acute and chronic itch in mice.

Itching is associated with various skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis and allergic dermatitis, and leads to repeated scratching behavior and unpleasant sensation. Although clinical and laboratory research data have shown that estrogen is involved in regulating itch, the molecular and cellular basis of estrogen in itch sensation remains elusive. In the present study, it was found that estrogen-treated mice exhibited reduced scratching bouts when challenged with histamine, chloroquine, the proteinase-activated receptor-2 activating peptide SLIGRL-NH2 (SLIGRL), compound 48/80, and 5-hydroxytryptamine when compared with mice in the placebo group. Moreover, estrogen also suppressed scratching bouts in the mouse model of chronic itch induced by acetone-ether-water treatment. Notably, consistent with the behavioral tests, the present RNA-seq analysis showed that estrogen treatment caused significantly reduced expression levels of itch-related molecules such as Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor member A3, neuromedin B and natriuretic polypeptide b. In addition, estradiol attenuated histamine-induced and chloroquine-induced calcium influx in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Collectively, the data of the present study suggested that estrogen modulates the expression of itch-related molecules and suppresses both acute and chronic itch in mice.

Scalpel cricothyrotomy versus punctured cricothyrotomy in the context of the CICO crisis. A systematic review and Meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: The preferential use of a scalpel (SCT) or puncture techniques (PCT) for cricothyrotomy remains a controversial topic. OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing puncture cricothyrotomy with scalpel cricothyrotomy using overall success rate, first-time success rate, and time taken to perform the procedure as the primary outcome together with complications as a secondary outcome. EVIDENCE REVIEW: Pubmed databases, EMBASE databases, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from 1980 to October 2022. FINDINGS: A total of 32 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. It also showed that PCT was close to SCT in terms of overall success rate (82.2% vs. 82.6%, Odd Ratios OR = 0.91, [95%CI: 0.52-1.58], p = 0.74) as well as first-performance success rate (62.9% vs. 65.3%, OR = 0.52, [0.22-1.25], p = 0.15). PCT does not compare favorably with SCT in terms of required time for the procedure (the mean time required for PCT versus SCT incision in the intervention groups was 0.34 standard deviations higher (Mean Difference MD = 17.12, [3.37-30.87], p = 0.01) as well as complications (21.4% vs. 15.1%, Relative Risk RR = 1.49, [0.80-2.77], p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results show that SCT has an advantage over PCT in terms of time required for the procedure, while there is no difference in overall success rate, first-time success rate after training, and complications. The superiority of SCT may be the result of fewer and more reliable procedural steps. However, the level of evidence is low (GRADE).

Ultrasound-guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block, Along with Improved Parasternal Block, is Superior to Serratus Anterior Plane Block Alone in Relieving Pain for Rhinoplasty with Autologous Costal Cartilage.

BACKGROUND: Rhinoplasty with autologous costal cartilage (ACC) is followed by severe pain in the chest. Ultrasound-guided (USG) serratus anterior plane block (SAPB), in combination with parasternal block (PSB), was earlier reported to be highly efficacious in relieving pain associated with thoracic anterior lateral surgery. However, it is unclear whether it is effective for pain relief after ACC harvest. METHODS: Sixty-four patients, aged 18 to 60, who received rhinoplasty with ACC, were randomly separated into a SAPB+PSB or SAPB group. The analyzed parameters of both groups included the rest and coughing numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores of the chest and the NRS pain scores of the nose at postoperative 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours, oral rescue analgesic usage, side effect incidence and patient satisfaction, etc. RESULTS: Thirty patients per group were recruited for analysis. The rest and coughing NRS scores of the chest and the NRS scores of the nose at postoperative 2, 4, 8, 12 h were lower in the SAPB+PSB group, compared to the SAPB group (all P < 0.05). However, these scores were comparable between the two groups at postoperative 24 and 48 h (all P > 0.05). Additionally, relative to the SAPB group, the oral rescue analgesic usage was drastically lower (P < 0.05), the postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) incidence was diminished (P < 0.05), and the patient satisfaction was markedly higher (P < 0.001) in the SAPB+PSB group. CONCLUSION: USG-SAPB, in combination with improved PSB, is superior to SAPB alone in relieving pain after ACC harvest in rhinoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Applying Attachment Theory to Explain Boundary-spanning Behavior: The Role of Organizational Support Climate / La utilización de la teoría del apego para explicar el comportamiento de expansión de límites: el papel del clima de apoyo organizativo

Boundary spanning has been proven to have positive implications for innovation performance; yet, some individuals are less boundary-spanning than others. Drawing on the attachment theory and organizational support theory, this study develops a multi-level theoretical model to investigate how individuals’ attachment insecurity influences boundary-spanning behavior through self-efficacy and the moderating role of organizational support climate. To validate the proposed model, we adopted a survey research, and collected data from NPD project teams in China. The results revealed that both insecure attachment styles were associated with lower levels of individual boundary-spanning behavior, and self-efficacy partially mediated these relationships. Moreover, organizational support climate played a moderating role in the relationship between attachment anxiety and boundary-spanning behavior. With a high level of support climate, the negative impact of attachment anxiety on boundary-spanning behavior was weakened. This elucidates the role of individual affective motivation and team shared perceptions in shaping individual externally focused behavior.(AU)

Se ha demostrado que la expansión de límites tiene implicaciones positivas para la aplicación de la innovación, si bien algunas personas tienen menos desarrollada dicha característica. Partiendo de la teoría del apego y de la del apoyo organizativo, este estudio desarrolla un modelo teórico multinivel para investigar cómo influye la inseguridad del apego en el comportamiento de expansión de límites por medio de la autoeficacia y el rol moderador del clima de apoyo organizativo. Para validar el modelo propuesto adoptamos una investigación de encuesta, recogiendo datos de los equipos del proyecto NPD de China. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que los estilos de apego inseguro están asociados con un menor comportamiento de expansión de límites y que la autoeficacia mediatiza parcialmente estas relaciones. Además, el clima de apoyo organizativo juega un papel moderador de la relación entre la ansiedad de apego y el comportamiento de expansión de límites. La repercusión negativa de la ansiedad de apego en el comportamiento de expansión de límites se atenúa cuando el clima de apoyo es elevado. Todo esto aclara el papel de la motivación afectiva y de la percepción compartida en equipo en la formación del comportamiento individual dirigido al exterior.(AU)

Clinical evidence of Xinbao Pills efficacy on chronic heart failure patients: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common cardiovascular disease and results in high rate of morbidity, mortality, hospitalizations, and disability, causing medical concern around the world. Xinbao Pill (XBP) has been widely applied to clinical practice for patients with CHF but lacks studies to verify its efficacy. This study provides a protocol of systematic review, with which we will verify the adjunctive efficacy and safety of XBP on CHF with evidence-based studies. METHODS: Included studies will be retrieved according to inclusion and exclusion criteria from five English databases (the MEDLINE via PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, the Web of Science and Ovid database), and four Chinese databases (China Science and Technology Journal Database [VIP], Chinese Biomedical Literature Database [CBM], Wan-fang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI]) from October 1990 to October 2018. The New York Heart Association (NYHA), heart rate and mortality will be marked as major outcomes. We will use RevMan V.5.3 software to calculate the data synthesis and will conduct meta-analysis based on the collected data. RESULTS: Mortality, NYHA function classification, heart rate, the left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), hospitalization or rehospitalization, NT-proBNP, and adverse effects will be measured and comprehensively assessed to evaluate the adjunctive effect of XBP on CHF from this systematic review and meta-analysis with current clinical evidence. CONCLUSION: The systematic review and meta-analysis will assess the adjunctive effect of XBP in the treatment of CHF with up-to-date clinical evidence.

Ultrasound-guided Bilateral Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Ear Reconstruction after Costal Cartilage Harvest: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Costal cartilages harvest for ear reconstruction is accompanied by severe pain in chest. However, there is no perfect solution for reducing this chest pain. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of analgesia using ultrasound-guided bilateral serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in children receiving costal cartilage harvest for ear reconstruction. METHODS: Sixty children undergoing ear reconstruction using costal cartilage were randomized to an SAPB group (SAPB with 3 mg/kg 0.25% ropivacaine) or an incision infiltration (II) group (II with 3 mg/kg 0.75% ropivacaine), and 29 in each group completed the study. All children received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). The primary outcomes were numerical rating scale (NRS) scores of pain while rest and coughing at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were sufentanil use within 24 h, duration of analgesia, use of oral rescue analgesics, first time out of bed, and incidence of treatment-related adverse effects. RESULTS: The SAPB group had lower rest and coughing NRS scores at 6 and 12 h after surgery (all P < 0.001), but the scores were similar at other times. The SAPB group used less sufentanil within 24 h, but had a longer duration of analgesia (both P < 0.001). The II group used more oral rescue analgesics within 48 h, had a longer time until first time out of bed, and had more opioid-related side effects (all P < 0.01). There were no SAPB-related complications. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided SAPB can provide safe and effective regional pain relief after costal cartilage harvest for ear reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors https://www.springer.com/00266 .

Efficacy and safety of Puerarin injection on acute heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the adjunctive efficacy and safety of Puerarin injection (PI) on acute heart failure (AHF) based on a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Nine databases were searched from March 1990 to March 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the adjunctive treatment of PI for AHF. The Cochrane collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Meta-analysis and subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. The evidence's certainty was evaluated by grading recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) methods. Results: A total of 8 studies were included with a total of 614 patients with AHF. The meta-analysis demonstrated that adjunctive treatment with PI on AHF was superior to conventional medicine alone. It increased the total effective rate (RR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.22-1.55; p < 0.001) and improved left ventricular ejection fraction [SMD = 0.85; 95% CI (0.62, 1.09); p < 0.001]. Regarding safety, a total of 11.9% (23/194) adverse reactions were observed in the PI group and 9.8% (19/194) adverse reactions in the control group, and there were no significant differences in the incident rate of adverse events between both groups [RR = 1.16; 95% CI (0.66-2.05); p = 0.061]. The outcomes' evidentiary quality was assessed as "moderate." Conclusion: PI had an adjunctive effect on AHF combined with conventional medicine, and it seemed to be safe and more effective than the conventional medical treatment alone for improving the total clinical effective rate and left ventricular ejection fraction. But further well-designed RCTs are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of XBP in treating AHF due to the poor methodological quality of the included RCTs. Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=327636], identifier [CRD42022327636].

Ephedrine pretreatment for nasotracheal intubation-related epistaxis in maxillofacial surgery with sufficient lubrication: A randomized clinical trial.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Prior to nasotracheal intubation (NTI), topical nasal vasoconstrictors are used to prevent NTI-related epistaxis (NTIRE). Since we learned that there is no significant increase in NTIRE among hypertensive patients undergoing NTI with adequate lubrication but without vasoconstrictors, we initiated this randomized controlled study to assess the necessity of vasoconstrictor use in reducing NTIRE. METHODS: Patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification 1 and normal coagulation function, planned to undergo maxillofacial surgery with NTI were enrolled. Patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to each of the treatment groups: nasal treatment using pure oxybuprocaine gel with adequate lubrication (group G) or 1% ephedrine in addition to oxybuprocaine gel with adequate lubrication (group EG). In addition, the incidence and severity of NTIRE and intubation adjustments were studied. RESULTS: A total of 844 patients, 429 and 415 (groups G and EG, respectively), were included in the analysis. No significant differences were observed in the NTIRE incidence rates in groups G (28%) and EG (27%; p = 0.75, relative risk [RR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-1.29). No significant differences in the NTIRE incidence rates between the two nostrils were observed in both groups (group G: left, 27.9% vs. right, 28% [p = 0.98, RR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.67-1.51]; group EG: left, 25.8% vs. right, 27.9% [p = 0.63, RR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.72-1.73]. No significant difference was observed in the severity of NTIRE (p = 0.74). In case of difficult advancement of the endotracheal tube, NTIRE incidence was 71% vs. 12% with smooth intubation (p < 0.01, RR = 18.33, 95% CI 12.55-26.77). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Well-lubricated nasotracheal intubation does not require pretreatment with ephedrine to reduce NTIRE.

CXCL14 inhibits the growth and promotes apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via suppressing Akt/mTOR pathway.

C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14) has antitumor effect. Kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is activated in various tumors. The relationship between CXCL14 and Akt/mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remained elusive. Therefore, this paper aimed to examine their interaction in HCC. First, CXCL14 expression was determined to be low-expressed in HCC tissues and cells (SNU-423, SNU-182, SNU-387, PLC/PRF/5, HuH7, and HCCLM3). Then, CXCL14 was overexpressed in HuH7 cells and inhibited in HCCLM3 cells to help investigate the function of CXCL14 on cell viability, growth and apoptosis. Akt activator (SC79) and inhibitor (AZD5363) were used to examine the involvement of Akt pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Overexpressed CXCL14 suppressed cell viability and growth, but promoted the apoptosis by upregulated Bax and cleaved(C) caspase-3, donwregulated Bcl-2 and the inhibition of Akt and mTOR phosphorylation. Meanwhile, knockdown of CXCL14 imposed an opposite effect to overexpressed CXCL14. SC79 partially mitigated the functions of overexpressed CXCL14, while AZD5363 mitigated the functions of CXCL14 knockdown. To conclude, CXCL14 inhibited growth but promoted apoptosis of HCC cells via suppressing Akt/mTOR pathway, thus, CXCL14 might be a potential target for HCC treatment in clinical practice.