Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignancy that severely threatens human health and carries a high incidence rate and a low 5-year survival rate. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are commonly accepted as a key regulatory function in human cancer, but the potential regulatory mechanisms of miRNA-mRNA related to ESCC remain poorly understood.The GSE55857, GSE43732, and GSE6188 miRNA microarray datasets and the gene expression microarray datasets GSE70409, GSE29001, and GSE20347 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus databases. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained using GEO2R. Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis for DEGs were performed by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and functional modules were established using the STRING database and were visualized by Cytoscape. Kaplan-Meier analysis was constructed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.In total, 26 DEMs and 280 DEGs that consisted of 96 upregulated and 184 downregulated genes were screened out. A functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the ECM-receptor interaction and cytochrome P450 metabolic pathways. In addition, MMP9, PCNA, TOP2A, MMP1, AURKA, MCM2, IVL, CYP2E1, SPRR3, FOS, FLG, TGM1, and CYP2C9 were considered to be hub genes owing to high degrees in the PPI network. MiR-183-5p was with the highest connectivity target genes in hub genes. FOS was predicted to be a common target gene of the significant DEMs. Hsa-miR-9-3p, hsa-miR-34c-3p and FOS were related to patient prognosis and higher expression of the transcripts were associated with a poor OS in patients with ESCC.Our study revealed the miRNA-mediated hub genes regulatory network as a model for predicting the molecular mechanism of ESCC. This may provide novel insights for unraveling the pathogenesis of ESCC.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and massage combined with rehabilitation in the treatment of hemiplegia after stroke.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of aromatherapy massage in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Joint mobilization in the treatment of frozen shoulder.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reflects the systematic inflammatory status, and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR) is a biomarker of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. These values can be conveniently obtained from routine blood tests; however, their combined clinical utility has not been extensively studied in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of NLR-AAR in patients with unresectable HCC undergoing TACE. Data for 760 patients with newly diagnosed HCC were retrospectively evaluated. The NLR-AAR was calculated as follows: patients in whom both the NLR and AAR were elevated according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were assigned a score of 2; patients showing an elevation in one or neither of these indicators were assigned a score of 1 or 0, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the clinicopathological variables associated with overall survival. An ROC curve was also generated and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the discriminatory ability of each index at 1, 3, and 5 years of follow-up, as well as overall. The NLR-AAR consistently had a greater AUC value at 1 year (0.669), 3 years (0.667), and 5 years (0.671) post-TACE compared with either NLR or AAR alone. The median survival times of patients with a NLR-AAR of 0, 1, and 2 were 31.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.0-38.0), 15.0 (95% CI 11.2-18.8), and 5.0 (95% CI 4.0-5.9) months, respectively (P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that the NLR-AAR, elevated total bilirubin level, and vascular invasion were independently associated with overall survival. NLR and AAR, when combined to produce an inflammation-based index and fibrosis score, is an independent marker of poor prognosis in patients with HCC receiving TACE.

To further investigate the association between NAT2 polymorphisms and lung cancer susceptibility.In terms of phenotypes, we investigated the acetylator status of NAT2 polymorphisms associated with lung cancer risk. Additionally, in view of genotypes, we mainly analyzed 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NAT2 gene, namely C282T, A803G, C481T, G590A, and G857A. Twenty-six eligible studies were included in our meta-analysis by searching PubMed, Embase, and CNKI databases. We used odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the susceptibility to lung cancer associated with NAT2 polymorphisms.Overall, based on phenotypes, the pooled ORs showed no significant association between NAT2 polymorphisms and lung cancer susceptibility. In the subgroup analyses by ethnicity and source of control, there was still no significant association. In terms of genotypes, overall, no obvious relationship was observed between NAT2 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk. But increased risk of lung cancer was found in association with NAT2 C282T polymorphism (TT vs. CC + TC: OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.11-2.25).Our meta-analysis demonstrates that TT genotype in NAT2 C282T polymorphism may be a risk factor for lung cancer susceptibility. Additionally, the acetylator status of 5 SNPs in NAT2 gene may not be associated with lung cancer risk.

Thrombocytopenia has been acknowledged to be a crucial risk factor for cirrhosis formation and hepatocarcinogenesis in chronic liver diseases. However, to date, the association between platelet count (PLT) and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains inconsistent and controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine whether PLT could be used as a useful predictor of survival in patients with HCC. We performed systematic review in online databases, including PubMed, EmBase, and Web of Science, from inception until 2014. Studies were included if a statistical relationship was investigated between PLT and survival for HCC, and hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS) were provided. The quality of each included study was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa scale score. To synthesize these studies, a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model was applied as appropriate. Then, we calculated heterogeneity, performed sensitivity analysis, tested publication bias, and did subgrouped and meta-regression analysis. Finally, we identified 33 eligible articles (published from 1998 to 2014) involved 5545 patients by retrieval. A low level of preoperative PLT was found to be significantly associated with a poor survival of HCC. Irrespective of the therapy used, the pooled HRs for OS and RFS were 1.41 (95% CI, 1.14-1.75) and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.13-1.83), respectively. Specifically, in patients who underwent liver resection, the pooled HRs for OS and RFS were 1.67 (95% CI, 1.22-2.27) and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.04-1.99), respectively. Furthermore, patients with preoperative thrombocytopenia (PLT < 100 × 10⁹/L) had a worse OS (HR: 1.73, 95% CI, 1.29-2.32) and RFS (HR: 1.57, 95% CI, 1.31-1.87) in comparison with patients without thrombocytopenia. All our findings showed no significant changes due to the removal of any study or the use of an opposite-effects model, and there was no significant publication bias. The limitations of this meat-analysis were nonuniform cut-off values of PLT, high between-study heterogeneities, potential confounders, and a bias of publication year. A low preoperative PLT level results in an unfavorable outcome in HCC. PLT is a simple, inexpensive, and useful predictor of survival in patients with HCC.

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease with a high incidence, high disability rate, and poor prognosis. Clinical studies have shown that Bushen Huoxue formula can relieve joint swelling and pain and improve limb function and joint mobility, but there is a lack of high-quality scientific basis. Using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology to study the mechanism of Bushen Huoxue formula in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

For patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) complicated by respiratory acidosis, noninvasive ventilation therapy is thought to be the first-line treatment. In patients with AECOPD, the effect of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy is not well studied. In this study, the existing data will be synthesized to obtain an effective rate of movement of nasal oxygen therapy in patients with AECOPD.

Patients with simple obesity suffer from poor quality of life, as well as high risk of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular accidents. Lots of Clinical trials suggested that acupuncture is beneficial for simple obesity, and it aims to gather solid evidence in order to provide reliable reference in establishing guidelines for acupuncture treatment of simple obesity in this study.

Increasing evidence has shown that Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) has efficient therapeutic effects for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, while the therapeutic mechanisms underlying this treatment remain unclear.In this study, the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the survival benefit of CHM treatment, and correlation analysis was applied to identify the most effective components in the formulas. A network pharmacological approach was developed to decipher the potential therapeutic mechanisms of CHM.CHM treatment was an independent protective factor. The hazard ratio was 0.364 (95% CI 0.245-0.540; P < 0.001). The median survival time was 18 months for patients who received CHM treatment, while for patients without CHM treatment was decreased to 9 months (P < 0.001). Thirteen out of the total 204 herbs were significantly correlated with favorable survival outcomes (P < 0.05), likely representing the most effective components in these formulas. Bioinformatics analyses suggested that the simultaneous manipulation of multiple targets in proliferation pathways (such as epidermal growth factor receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 2, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and insulin like growth factor 2) and the process of cancer metastasis (collagen families, fibronectin 1 and matrix metalloproteinases families) might largely account for the mechanisms of the 13 herbs against gastric adenocarcinoma.A network pharmacology method was introduced to decipher the underlying mechanisms of CHM, which provides a good foundation for herbal research based on clinical data.

To investigate the contribution of brain default mode network (DMN) in the early diagnosis of the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), the mildest form of HE from cirrhotic patients by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). This study was approved by the local ethical committee, and a written informed consent was obtained from each participant. A total of 103 cirrhotic patients (34 MHE, 69 non-HE) and 103 matched healthy controls underwent rs-fMRI scanning. The DMN correlation map was acquired by using unbiased seed-based functional connectivity analysis and compared among MHE patients, non-HE patients, and healthy controls with analysis of variance tests. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between the abnormal DMN connectivity and neuropsychological performances. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of DMN connectivity strength in the differential diagnosis between MHE and non-HE. Compared with the healthy controls, MHE and non-HE patients showed decreased DMN connectivity in medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), left superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left temporal lobe, and bilateral middle temporal gyri (MTG). The MHE patients showed even more decreased connectivity in MPFC, left SFG, and right MTG when compared with non-HE patients. Pearson correlation analyses revealed that the decreased connectivity strength of some DMN regions correlated with patients' neuropsychological tests scores. Connectivity strength of the MPFC, right MTG, and left SFG could differentiate MHE from non-HE, of which the MPFC had the highest effectiveness (sensitivity = 81.5%, specificity = 70.4%). Cirrhotic patients had gradually reduced DMN functional connectivity from non-HE patients to MHE patients. DMN function, especially the MPFC, might be a useful imaging marker for differentiating MHE from cirrhotic patients.

Studies on the association of maternal diabetes with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring provide inconsistent findings; therefore an updated and comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis is necessary to perform in order to evaluate the available evidences.After searching databases systematically, we established the inclusion criteria and selected the eligible studies. In both overall and stratified analyses, the estimated effects were synthesized dependent on the presence or absence of heterogeneity.Twelve articles involving 16 studies were included and synthesized, demonstrating a significant association of maternal diabetes with ASDs among children (relative risk [RR] = 1.48). However, high heterogeneity was observed (I = 56.3%) and publication bias was identified. In terms of the analyses on reliable evidences from case-control studies, heterogeneity and publication bias disappeared, and the risk of ASDs was increased by 62% among diabetic mothers compared with non-diabetic mothers.Maternal diabetes, especially gestational diabetes mellitus, is associated with ASDs in offspring based on a limited number of convincing case-control studies. More large-scale population-based prospective studies are still needed to draw firm conclusions.

To evaluate the prognostic value of the baseline SUVmax of F-FDG PET-CT in extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) patients.From January 2010 to December 2015, 141 extranodal NKTCL patients with staging F-FDG PET-CT scan were divided into two group based on SUVmax cutoff value obtained from operating characteristic (ROC) curves. All the patients received radiotherapy, chemotherapy or chemoradiation. Survival analysis was performed on the basis of SUVmax.The median baseline SUVmax of the tumors was 11.67 (range 2.6-34.6). The ROC curves showed that the optimal cutoff of the baseline SUVmax was 9.65. The patients were divided into two groups: low SUV group (SUVmax < 9.65) and high SUV group (SUVmax ≥ 9.65). Patients in high SUV group were more likely to have invasive disease outside the nasal cavity (P < .001), poorer ECOG scores (P = .012) and higher LDH levels (P = .034). The univariate survival analyses indicated that high SUVmax was a poor prognostic factor for overall survival (OS, P = .038), progression free survival (PFS, P = .006) and distant relapse free survival (DRFS, P = .001), but not for local recurrence free survival (LRFS, P > .05). These results were consistent with that of the survival analyses using the Kaplan-Meier method. The multivariate survival analyses showed that the baseline SUVmax was no longer a prognostic factor for OS (HR 1.99, 95% CI 0.81-4.88, P = .135), but it still indicated worse PFS (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.24-5.46, P = .012) and DRFS (HR 4.58, 95% CI 1.83-11.46, P = .001) independent of other variables.For extranodal NKTCL patients, a higher baseline SUVmax of F-FDG PET-CT was associated with more aggressive clinical features. An SUVmax ≥ 9.65 was an independent poor prognostic factor for DRFS and PFS. Thus, the baseline SUVmax may be a valuable tool to help identify patients with a high risk of disease progression.

The efficacy of alternative therapies and medications for functional constipation (FC) in adults is well established, however, the efficacy and safety of different alternative therapies and medications for FC in adults is not fully clarified. Due to there are many different alternative therapies and medications available for the treatment of febrile FC in adults, the selection of appropriate alternative therapies and medications has become an urgent issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of alternative therapy and medicine for FC in adults.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder without definitive cure. Previous studies have provided evidences for efficacy and safety of scalp acupuncture in children with ASD. However, the efficacy of scalp acupuncture treatment (SAT) in children with ASD has not been evaluated systematically. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of SAT in children with ASD.

Recent studies have observed a high level of circulating interleukin-10 (IL-10) in patients with digestive cancers, yet whether elevated IL-10 is causally associated with digestive cancers so far remained unresolved. We therefore meta-analyzed available observational studies with Mendelian randomization method to explore this causal association by employing IL-10 gene 3 variants (-592C>A, -819C>T, and -1082A>G) as instruments. Data were available from 52 articles encompassing 29,307 subjects. Subgroup analysis by cancer type indicated that -1082A>G was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.35; P = 0.006), and the association was reinforced for intestinal type gastric cancer (OR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.09-1.44; P = 0.001). By ethnicity, risk estimate for -1082G allele carriers was increased by 21% for digestive cancers in East Asians (95%CI: 1.05-1.40; P = 0.009). As for the genotype-phenotype association, carriers of -1082G allele had an overall 20.21 pg/mL higher IL-10 level than those with -1082AA genotype (P = 0.023). In further Mendelian randomization analysis, the predicted OR for 10 pg/mL increment in IL-10 was 1.14 (95%CI: 1.01-16.99) in gastric cancer. Our findings provided evidence for a causal role of genetically elevated IL-10 in the development of gastric cancer, especially in East Asians and for intestinal type gastric cancer.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), a member of the zinc-dependent metalloproteinase gene family, plays a vital role in cancer invasion, metastasis, and progression. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the clinical significance of MMP-2 expression in endometrial cancer.

The purpose of this study was to investigate novel biomarkers and potential mechanisms in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with metastasis.Two microarray datasets (GSE103611 and GSE36682) were obtained from GEO database, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNA (DEMs) were identified, Gene ontology (GO) as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were conducted with DEGs and DEMs targeted genes. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) network of the DEGs and DEMs targeted genes were constructed, furthermore, Connectivity Map (CMap) database was applied to select the potential drugs with therapeutic effects.Overall, we identified 396 upregulated and 19 downregulated DEGs. Additionally, we identified 1 upregulated DEM, miR-135b, and a downregulated DEM, miR-574-5p. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that both DEGs and DEMs targeted genes participated in biological process (BP) of regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, DNA-templated positive regulation of transcription, and Epstein-Barr virus infection signaling pathway. Besides, upregulated EP300 gene was a hub node both in DEGs and DEMs target genes. CMap database analysis indicated that sanguinarine, verteporfin, and chrysin are potential drugs for prevention and treatment of NPC metastasis.In summary, the common hub gene, biological process and pathway identified in the study provided a novel insight into the potential mechanism of NPC metastasis. Furthermore, we identified several possible small molecule compounds for treatment of NPC metastasis.

The complete resection offers the best long-term survival for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. ALPPS as a choice of resection, how is its outcome compared to one-stage resection, liver transplantation and TACE? This retrospective study included 20 ALPPS patients. To minimize the effect of confounding influences of measured covariates, PSM was performed. The overall survival (OS), morbidity, mortality and the increasing rate, KGR were analyzed. The OS in ALPPS group is 27.4 (±3.8 months) moths and the TACE group is 13.5(±1.2 months) (P < .001), LT group is 41.3 (±3.2 months) (P = .048), Resection group is 31.8 (±2.6 months) (P = .368). And the medium increasing volume is 209.5 cm (±61.5 cm) with the increasing ratio 52.4% (+26.9%). The ALPPS is a feasible treatment for HCC patients and it provides a better long-term survival than TACE and it is similar to Resection, less than LT.