Standardizing and optimizing acupuncture treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: A Delphi expert consensus study

Xin-Tong Su,Wang Li-Qiong,Zhang Na,Li Jin-Ling,Qi Ling-Yu,Wang Yu,Jing-Wen Yang,Guang-Xia Shi,Cun-Zhi Liu 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.3

Background: Acupuncture has been widely utilized for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, heterogeneity is large among therapeutic strategies and protocols. The aim of this study was to propose some down-to-earth recommendations and establish an optimized protocol for acupuncture practice in IBS. Methods: A panel of 74 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncturists participated in clinical issue investigation. Subsequently, systematic reviews concerning acupuncture for IBS were screened within 3 databases. An initial consensus questionnaire was formed from the results of clinical issue investigation and literature review. Ultimately, a Delphi vote was carried out to determine these issues. 30 authoritative experts with extensive experience were requested to respond with agreement, neutrality, or disagreement for the items. Consensus achievement on a given item was defined as greater than 80% agreement. Results: Following a 2-round Delphi survey, there were 19 items reaching consensus; of which 5 items (26.32%) achieved thorough consensus, and significant agreement was reached for the other 14 items. These items can be classified into the 3 major domains: 1) clinical outcomes that acupuncture can bring for favorable intervention population (5 items), 2) suitable therapeutic principles and parameters of acupuncture (13 items), 3) possible adverse events in the treatment (1 item). Conclusion: Without any ready-made guidelines and lacking of homogeneity in the published literatures, such expert consensus could be valuable for TCM acupuncturists in daily practice and patients with IBS to obtain appropriate and standardized acupuncture treatment. In addition, it also points out the clinical focus which need to be further explored in future trials.

Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 as a Potential Biomarker in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Esophagogastric Junction Adenocarcinoma

Can-Tong Liu,Yi-Wei Xu,Hong Guo,Chao-Qun Hong,Xin-Yi Huang,Yu-Hao Luo,Shi-Han Yang,Ling-Yu Chu,En- Min Li,Yu-Hui Peng 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2020 Gut and Liver Vol.14 No.6

Background/Aims: Esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EJA) is a malignant tumor associated with high morbidity and has attracted increasing attention due to a rising incidence and low survival rate. Pathological biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis, but noninvasive and effective tests are lacking, resulting in diagnoses at advanced stages. This study explored the diagnostic value of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) in EJA. Methods: A total of 120 EJA patients and 88 normal controls were recruited, and their serum levels of IGFBP7 were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value, and Pearson chi-square analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between IGFBP7 and clinical parameters. Kaplan- Meier survival analysis was carried out to assess the effect of IGFBP7 on overall survival (OS). Results: The levels of IGFBP7 were higher in both early- and late-stage EJA patients than in normal controls (p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for EJA patients was 0.794 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.733 to 0.854), with a cutoff value of 2.716 ng/mL, a sensitivity of 63.3% (95% CI, 54.0% to 71.8%) and a specificity of 90.9% (95% CI, 82.4% to 95.7%). For the diagnosis of early-stage EJA, the same cutoff value and specificity were obtained, but the sensitivity of IGFBP7 was 54.3% (95% CI, 36.9% to 70.8%). Patients with low IGFBP7 protein expression had lower OS than those with high expression (p=0.034). The multivariate analysis showed that IGFBP7 is an independent prognostic factor for EJA (p=0.011). Conclusions: Serum IGFBP7 acts as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for EJA.

The purified extract of steamed Panax ginseng protects cardiomyocyte from ischemic injury via caveolin-1 phosphorylation-mediating calcium influx

Hai-Xia Li,Yan Ma,Yu-Xiao Yan,Xin-Ke Zhai,Meng-Yu Xin,Tian Wang,Dong-Cao Xu,Yu-Tong Song,Chun-Dong Song,Cheng-Xue Pan 고려인삼학회 2023 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.47 No.6

Background: Caveolin-1, the scaffolding protein of cholesterol-rich invaginations, plays an important rolein store-operated Ca2þ influx and its phosphorylation at Tyr14 (p-caveolin-1) is vital to mobilize protectionagainst myocardial ischemia (MI) injury. SOCE, comprising STIM1, ORAI1 and TRPC1, contributesto intracellular Ca2þ ([Ca2þ]i) accumulation in cardiomyocytes. The purified extract of steamed Panaxginseng (EPG) attenuated [Ca2þ]i overload against MI injury. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigatethe possibility of EPG affecting p-caveolin-1 to further mediate SOCE/[Ca2þ]i against MI injury in neonatalrat cardiomyocytes and a rat model. Methods: PP2, an inhibitor of p-caveolin-1, was used. Cell viability, [Ca2þ]i concentration were analyzedin cardiomyocytes. In rats, myocardial infarct size, pathological damages, apoptosis and cardiac fibrosiswere evaluated, p-caveolin-1 and STIM1 were detected by immunofluorescence, and the levels ofcaveolin-1, STIM1, ORAI1 and TRPC1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. And, release of LDH,cTnI and BNP was measured. Results: EPG, ginsenosides accounting for 57.96%, suppressed release of LDH, cTnI and BNP, and protectedcardiomyocytes by inhibiting Ca2þ influx. And, EPG significantly relieved myocardial infarct size, cardiacapoptosis, fibrosis, and ultrastructure abnormality. Moreover, EPG negatively regulated SOCE viaincreasing p-caveolin-1 protein, decreasing ORAI1 mRNA and protein levels of ORAI1, TRPC1 and STIM1. More importantly, inhibition of the p-caveolin-1 significantly suppressed all of the above cardioprotectionof EPG. Conclusions: Caveolin-1 phosphorylation is involved in the protective effects of EPG against MI injury viaincreasing p-caveolin-1 to negatively regulate SOCE/[Ca2þ]i.

Mitochondrial citrate accumulation drives alveolar epithelial cell necroptosis in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury

Yang Hui-Hui,Jiang Hui-Ling,Tao Jia-Hao,Zhang Chen-Yu,Xiong Jian-Bing,Yang Jin-Tong,Liu Yu-Biao,Zhong Wen-Jing,Guan Xin-Xin,Duan Jia-Xi,Zhang Yan-Feng,Liu Shao-Kun,Jiang Jian-Xin,Zhou Yong,Guan Cha-Xi 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Necroptosis is the major cause of death in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) during acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we report a previously unrecognized mechanism for necroptosis. We found an accumulation of mitochondrial citrate (citratemt) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated AECs because of the downregulation of Idh3α and citrate carrier (CIC, also known as Slc25a1). shRNA- or inhibitor–mediated inhibition of Idh3α and Slc25a1 induced citratemt accumulation and necroptosis in vitro. Mice with AEC-specific Idh3α and Slc25a1 deficiency exhibited exacerbated lung injury and AEC necroptosis. Interestingly, the overexpression of Idh3α and Slc25a1 decreased citratemt levels and rescued AECs from necroptosis. Mechanistically, citratemt accumulation induced mitochondrial fission and excessive mitophagy in AECs. Furthermore, citratemt directly interacted with FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1) and promoted the interaction of FUNDC1 with dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), leading to excessive mitophagy-mediated necroptosis and thereby initiating and promoting ALI. Importantly, necroptosis induced by citratemt accumulation was inhibited in FUNDC1-knockout AECs. We show that citratemt accumulation is a novel target for protection against ALI involving necroptosis.

Common Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Treatment of Diabetic Gastroparesis

( Yu-xin Zhang ),( Yan-jiao Zhang ),( Min Li ),( Jia-xing Tian ),( Xiao-lin Tong ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2024 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.30 No.2

Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, marked by gastrointestinal motility disorder, a delayed gastric emptying present in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Clinical manifestations include postprandial fullness and epigastric discomfort, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. DGP may significantly affect the quality of life and productivity of patients. Research on the relationship between gastrointestinal dynamics and DGP has received much attention because of the increasing prevalence of DGP. Gastrointestinal motility disorders are closely related to a variety of factors including the absence and destruction of interstitial cells of Cajal, abnormalities in the neuro-endocrine system and hormone levels. Therefore, this study will review recent literature on the mechanisms of DGP and gastrointestinal motility disorders as well as the development of prokinetic treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders in order to give future research directions and identify treatment strategies for DGP. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024;30:143-155)

Influence of micro-textured parameters on cutting performance and chip formation of milling Ti6Al4V

Xin Tong,Song Yu 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.9

In view of the lack of researches on the influence of micro textures on the cutting performance of milling cutters, this paper studies the cutting performance of the micro-textured ball-end milling cutter, taking the distance from the cutting edge and the offset angle as the influencing factors, and through the comparative test with non-texture cutters, studies the cutting performance and formation of the chip. The results showed that when micro textures are close to the cutting edge, the milling force is larger, while the offset angle had no significant effects on the milling force. The optimized micro-textured parameters are 120 μm and 0.3°. Compared with the non-texture cutter, the micro-textured cutter had better effects of anti-wear and anti-friction, as well as surface quality of the workpiece. The deformation is more serious when the chip passes the rake face. This paper has some guiding significance for the preliminary design of micro-textured cutters.

Association of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A_2 with Characteristics of Vulnerable Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaques

Yu-Sheng Liu,Qing-Hua Lu,Xiao-Bo Hu,Hong-Zhuan Li,Wei-Dong Jiang,Xin Wang,Hao Lin,Ai-Qiong Qin,Yong-Mei Wang,Tong Zhao,Zhao-Qiang Dong,Mei Zhang 연세대학교의과대학 2011 Yonsei medical journal Vol.52 No.6

Purpose: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA_2) is an inflammatory enzyme expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. We investigated the association of circulating Lp-PLA_2 with characteristics of vulnerable coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Materials and Methods: We recruited 113 patients with either unstable angina (UA, n=59) and stable angina (SA, n=54) by coronary angiography. Thirty-six healthy subjects served as controls. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to evaluate the characteristics of coronary atherosclerotic plaque, and serum Lp-PLA2 concentration was measured as well. Results: Lp-PLA_2 concentration was significantly higher in both UA and SA patients [(396±36) μg/L and (321±39) μg/L, respectively]compared with the controls [(127±49) μg/L, p<0.01], and higher in UA than SA group. IVUS findings showed that remodeling index (RI) (0.91±0.15 vs. 0.85±0.11, p=0.005) and eccentricity index (EI) (0.73±0.16 vs. 0.65±0.22, p=0.039) were larger in UA than in SA group, and fibrous caps were thicker in SA than UA group [(0.91±0.23) mm vs. (0.63±0.21) mm, p=0.032]. Moreover, Lp-PLA_2 correlated positively with EI (r=0.439, p<0.01) and RI (r=0.592, p<0.05) in UA group. There was an inverse relationship between Lp-PLA_2 and fibrous cap thickness in both UA (r=-0.587, p<0.001) and SA (r=-0.318, p<0.05) groups. The independent risk factors in UA group were Lp-PLA_2 (OR=1.055, 95% CI: 1.03-1.08, p=0.013), LDL-cholesterol (OR=0.032, 95% CI: 0.00-0.05, p=0.041) and fibrous cap thickness (OR=0.008, 95% CI: 0.00-0.45, p=0.019). Lp-PLA_2 was strongly associated with both EI and fibrous cap thickness in both groups. Conclusion: Serum level of Lp-PLA_2 is associated with both eccentricity index and fibrous cap thickness in both UA and SA groups. Elevated levels of circulating Lp-PLA_2 might to be a strong risk factor and more serious for unstable angina than stable angina.

PACKING DIMENSIONS OF GENERALIZED RANDOM MORAN SETS

Tong, Xin,Yu, Yue-Li,Zhao, Xiao-Jun Korean Mathematical Society 2014 대한수학회지 Vol.51 No.5

We consider random fractal sets with random recursive constructions in which the contracting vectors have different distributions at different stages. We prove that the random fractal associated with such construction has a constant packing dimension almost surely and give an explicit formula to determine it.

American ginseng significantly reduced the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced colon carcinogenesis in Apc^Min/+ mice

Yu, Chunhao,Wen, Xiao-Dong,Zhang, Zhiyu,Zhang, Chun-Feng,Wu, Xiaohui,He, Xin,Liao, Yang,Wu, Ningning,Wang, Chong-Zhi,Du, Wei,He, Tong-Chuan,Yuan, Chun-Su The Korean Society of Ginseng 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.3

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West. Methods: A genetically engineered $Apc^{Min/+}$ mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis. Results: After oral ginseng administration (10-20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.

American ginseng significantly reduced the progression of high-fatdiet-enhanced colon carcinogenesis in ApcMin/þmice

Chunhao Yu,Xiao-Dong Wen,Zhiyu Zhang,Chun-Feng Zhang,Xiaohui Wu,Xin He,Yang Liao,Ningning Wu,Chong-Zhi Wang,Wei Du,Tong-Chuan He,Chun-Su Yuan 고려인삼학회 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.3

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West. Methods: A genetically engineered ApcMin/þ mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis. Results: After oral ginseng administration (10e20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1a (IL-1a), IL-1b, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.