Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal tumors worldwide. Complex interactions between tumor microenvironment (TME) and host inflammatory response influence CRC progression and recurrence. The current study provides a comprehensive bibliometric visualization of the current state and frontier trends of inflammatory TME in CRC. Scientific publications on the inflammatory TME in CRC from 2000 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Biblioshiny software was mainly applied for visualization and analysis of literature. CiteSpace software and VOSviewer software were used to validate the results. A total of 1593 articles related to CRC inflammatory TME have been retrieved since the 21st century. Cancers and Frontiers in Immunology were the two most popular journals, and Cancer Research is the most cited journal. Mcmillan DC, Park JH and Mantovani A were the most academic influential authors in inflammatory TME in CRC. This study preliminary visualize the association of inflammatory TME with CRC through bibliometric analysis. The immunomodulatory mechanisms in IBD-associated carcinogenesis, NF-κB-mediated TME remodeling in tumor progression, and CRC patient stratification and precision therapeutics were three hotspots for future research endeavors on the inflammatory TME in CRC research.

BackgroundLumbar disc herniation (LDH) occurs when the nucleus pulposus or annulus fibrosus protrudes into the intervertebral space, potentially compressing nerve roots and causing symptoms such as sciatica, restricted mobility, and lower extremity weakness. The development of portable lumbar exoskeleton devices offers a new approach, combining traction, range of motion (ROM) exercises, and resistance training in a single system, potentially reducing treatment complexity and enhancing LDH patient outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel lumbar exoskeleton device compared to traditional traction methods combined with rehabilitation therapy for patients with LDH.MethodsA multicenter, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial was conducted with 118 participants diagnosed with LDH. Participants were randomly assigned to the Exoskeleton Group or the Traction Group. The Exoskeleton Group used the novel device for traction, ROM, and resistance training, while the Traction Group underwent traditional traction and rehabilitation therapy. Outcomes included efficacy rate after 10 treatments, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and lumbar ROM—were assessed at 3, 6, and 10 treatments.ResultsA total of 118 eligible participants were recruited. After 10 treatments, both groups showed significant improvements in VAS scores, ODI, and lumbar ROM compared to baseline (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the overall efficacy rate between the two groups (P = 0.748).ConclusionThe novel lumbar exoskeleton device demonstrates comparable efficacy and safety to traditional traction therapy combined with rehabilitation, offering a promising alternative for the conservative treatment of LDH.

Background Colonoscopy is essential for diagnosing colorectal diseases but can cause pain during the procedure. This study explored the analgesic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation based on wrist-ankle acupuncture theory (TENS-WAA) in colonoscopy without anesthesia. Methods This prospective study included 120 participants undergoing colonoscopies without anesthesia. The trial group received low-frequency, high-intensity TENS-WAA adjusted to the maximum tolerable current, while the control group received minimal current. The primary outcome was the retrospective pain score on a visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included time, heart rate, and credibility/expectancy questionnaire (CEQ) scores. Results Participants who received TENS-WAA reported significantly lower pain VAS scores than the control group (estimated median difference -1.1, 95%CI -2 to -0.4; P = 0.002). Male participants in the trial group experienced significantly lower pain scores than the control group (mean difference -1.4, 95%CI -2.41 to -0.39; P = 0.008). The trial group showed significantly less variation in heart rates (P<0.001) and higher CEQ scores (P = 0.001) than the control group. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion TENS-WAA effectively reduced pain during colonoscopy without anesthesia, especially in male participants, providing a promising noninvasive analgesic method.

ObjectiveAs breast cancer cases rise globally, post-mastectomy lymphedema garners increasing scholarly attention. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL) research from 2003 to 2022, identifying trends and providing global research insights for future studies.MethodThe literature for this analysis was extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, encompassing 1199 publications, including 702 articles and 101 reviews, totaling 803. Using advanced bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace, quantitative and visual analyses were performed to map collaboration networks, research clusters, and emerging trends. The search strategy included specific terms related to lymphedema, breast cancer, and BCRL, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the research landscape.ResultsThe bibliometric analysis revealed a steady increase in BCRL publications over the studied period, reaching a peak in 2018. The United States emerged as the leading contributor to BCRL literature, with China also demonstrating a significant presence. Collaboration networks were visualized, showcasing the interconnectedness of institutions and researchers globally. Key research hotspots identified include preventive strategies, complex decongestive therapy, and reconstructive interventions.ConclusionIn conclusion, this pioneering bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of BCRL research trends and collaborations globally. The findings contribute valuable insights into the evolution of the field, highlighting areas of focus and emerging research themes. This study serves as a foundational resource for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, fostering evidence-based practices and interventions for BCRL in the future.

Background: Melittin (MEL) has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer effects in vitro against several types of cancer. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ADAMTS9-AS2 can be used as a tumor suppressor. However, there is insufficient data on the potential link between MEL and ADAMTS9-AS2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: RT-qPCR, CCK-8, colony formation, scratch wound healing and transwell assays were used to detect the function of MEL or ADAMTS9-AS2 on HCC cells. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was applied to determine that whether an association existed in MEL or ADAMTS9-AS2 with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway. In addition, RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis validated that whether MEL has a demethylation effect.Results: All the experimental data showed that MEL or ADAMTS9-AS2 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of MHCC97-H and HepG2 cells, which may relate to PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway. Moreover, the result showed that MEL treatment inhibited the expression of DNA methyltransferase protein-1 (DNMT1), which acted as the role of demethylation, and then up-regulated the expression of ADAMTS9-AS2, affecting the development of HCC.Conclusions: ADAMTS9-AS2 played a role in MEL-induced HCC inhibition. This study provided an interesting theoretical basis and further evidence for the potential application of MEL in the treatment of HCC.

Background. Knee synovitis is a common sports injury. We proposed the use of UTVOR, which is a combination of the use of volatile oil of Olibanum (VOO) and volatile oil of Chuanxiong Rhizoma (VOCR) and conventional ultrasound (US) therapy, to treat knee synovitis. Design, Setting, Participants, and Interventions. Participants were randomly assigned into a control group (conventional US therapy group) and a test group (UTVOR group). The control group received conventional US therapy with a coupling agent as the medium. The test group received a revised US therapy with VOO and VOCR as media. Both groups were treated once per day for three consecutive days. Main Outcome Measures. The subjects’ Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score, Lysholm knee score, knee swelling degree, circumference, and range of motion of the knee joint were evaluated before the first treatment and 24 h after the third treatment. The VAS pain score was considered the primary outcome, while the three other measurements were regarded as the secondary outcomes. An adverse event was reported subjectively and recorded. Results. A total of 116 participants were included in the analysis (test group: n = 64; control group: n = 52). The evaluation results showed that the VAS pain scores of the male and female participants in both groups decreased after treatment (P<0.001), but only the difference among the male sub-group had significant between-group difference (P<0.001). After treatment, the Lysholm scores in both groups increased significantly (all P<0.001), the range of motion and the circumference of the injured knee decreased significantly (P<0.001), while no between-group difference was observed in general or in the gender sub-groups (all P>0.025). No side effect or complication was reported during the treatment. Conclusion. UTVOR had a superior analgesic effect to conventional US therapy in the male population, but its effects on alleviating joint function, swelling, and range of motion were comparable to that of conventional US therapy. Our study found that UTVOR can be an effective method to reduce pain and treat knee synovitis, and it is subjectively safe. Trial registration. This study was registered under the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2000035671).

目的:挖掘中医药治疗非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)的成方规律,以期为临床遣方用药及新药研发提供一定的理论依据.方法:以中国知网(CNKI)中近40年来中医药治疗中晚期NSCLC的临床研究文献作为数据来源,通过筛选后建立方剂数据库,再运用数据挖掘软件进行频数统计、关联规则分析、系统聚类、因子分析及复杂网络构建等.结果:经过纳排标准筛选出307篇临床文献,包含方剂483首.中晚期NSCLC常见证候以气阴两虚为主,证候要素以气虚、阴虚、痰、血瘀、热(火)邪、毒邪、湿邪多见.使用的药物类别以补虚药、清热药、化痰止咳平喘药、利水渗湿药和活血化瘀药较为集中.使用高频次药物为黄芪、甘草、麦冬、浙贝母、茯苓等,其中四气以寒性最为常见,五味以苦、甘、辛味居多,归经主要集中在肺、脾、胃经.关联规则分析发现关联强度较高的规则有17条,因子分析中可提取公因子数为10个,系统聚类分析得出5大类.复杂网络分析提示核心中药处方为六君子汤合益气养阴解毒方加减.结论:益气养阴、健脾化痰、清热解毒、活血化瘀是中医药治疗中晚期NSCLC的基本治则,数据挖掘的核心组合和新方具有重要的指导借鉴意义,但仍需与中医理论相结合,有待进一步的临床及实验研究给予验证.

In the present study, differences in metabolic pathways between patients with and without cancer-related fatigue (CRF) were examined to identify metabolic serum biomarkers of CRF. In this preliminary study, metabolic profiling was applied to analyze the serum samples from 14 patients with CRF and 11 non-CRF individuals (non-fatigue cancer survivors) by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis was adopted to evaluate the differences between the CRF and non-CRF groups. The CRF group was characterized by increases in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE; 18:0/0:0), LysoPE (0:0/20:4 and 0:0/16:0), lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC; 20:4, 22:4 and 16:0) and LysoPC/PC, phosphatidylserine (21:0/0:0), glycerophosphocholine and N-docosahexaenoyl γ-aminobutyric acid. Furthermore, decreases in anandamide, uric acid, dihydrouracil, LysoPE (0:0/22:5), 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2(2'-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman, 19(R)-hydroxy-prostaglandin F1α, N-(3α,12α-dihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oyl)-glycine, ketoleucine, indoxyl sulfate, α-N-phenylacetyl-L-glutamine and 1-linoleoyl-glycerophosphocholine were detected. These data indicate a possible disturbance in the metabolism of phospholipids and adjustments in the endocannabinoid system. The metabonomic approach may be helpful to determine the pathophysiological mechanisms of CRF and the identification of potential biomarkers for the accurate diagnosis of CRF. All clinical data were obtained from the 'Research on the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive intervention in cancer-related fatigue' (TCM-CRF) project. Medical Ethical Approval for TCM-CRF was approved by the Chinese Ethics Committee of Registering Clinical Trials. The approval number for the TCM-CRF study was ChiECRCT-2013038, and the TCM-CRF study was completed.

目的:调查海军陆战队某部寒区机动演练中的冻伤发病情况,为指导部队做好防冻伤工作提供依据.方法:按照冻伤诊断标准,以纳入的381例冻伤病例为研究对象,采集其基本信息、冻伤部位、岗位信息、文化程度、生活习惯、既往冻疮史等资料,统计各自构成比,研究冻伤发病可能的相关因素.结果:381例中,冻伤部位主要为头面耳部和四肢,冻伤分级均为Ⅰ度或Ⅱ度.各个岗位、职别、文化程度,冻伤均有发生.有冷习服训练与每天更换袜子与鞋垫的冻伤构成比,分别显著低于无冷习服训练和不能每天更换者(P＜0.05).既往有冻疮史的官兵,其冻伤构成比显著高于无冻疮史的官兵(P＜0.05).结论:冻伤是寒区的常见训练伤.长时间从事精细作业、既往有冻疮史是冻伤的易感人群.加强防冻伤意识、培养良好的生活习惯和进行冷习服训练,可减少冻伤发病.

目的:分析驻粤东地区部队官兵烧伤患者发病的流行病学特点及发病相关因素,指导部队做好预防烧伤安全宣教工作,减少非战斗减员的发生.方法:选取2014年10月-2019年9月某军队医院烧伤科收治的所有体系部队患者146例,回顾性分析军龄、烧伤原因、致病时间、烧伤场所、院前处置、烧伤程度等资料,研究部队烧伤患者发病的流行病学特征.结果:146例烧伤患者中,士兵144例,军官2例,构成比分别为98.6％、1.4％;热液烫伤、火焰烧伤、电烧伤、化学烧伤分别为102例、37例、6例、1例,构成比分别为69.9％、25.3％、4.1％、0.7％;餐食场所、库室或车场或维修间、靶场、电工作业、垃圾场、储藏室发生例数分别为97例、33例、8例、6例、1例、1例;春、夏、秋、冬季发生病例数分别为25例、90例、27例、4例;在院前处置方面,经凉水冲洗、医卫专业处置、药膏外敷、未处置的病例数分别为40例、37例、15例、54例;轻、中、重和特重度烧伤的病例数分别为77例、58例、6例、5例.结论:驻粤东地区部队烧伤患者以士兵为主,且随军龄增长发病明显较少;热液烫伤和火焰烧伤是主要烧伤原因;餐食场所、库室或车场或维修间是烧伤发病的主要场所;四季中,夏季烧伤发病最多;月份中,8月烧伤发病最多,2月发病最少;院前不当处置或未处置的比例较高,约占一半;烧伤患者主要为轻、中度烧伤.

Melittin (Mel), a major component of venom of honey bee (Apismellifera), has various biological effects. Recent researches have reported the anti-tumor activity of Mel in various human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to further discuss the role of Mel in HCC and investigate the correlation of autophagy with the effect of Mel in HCC cells. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the viability and apoptosis of HCC cells, respectively. To examine the changes of autophagy in HCC cells treated with Mel, transmission electronmicroscope (TEM) and immunofluorescence detection were adopted. Finally, we used western blot method to detect the changes of pivotal proteins in autophagy and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. The results of MTT assay and flow cytometry revealed that Mel could suppress the cell viability and promote the apoptosis of HCC cells. Autophagy could be induced by the treatment with Mel in HCC cells. The inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine (CQ) contributed to the enhanced anti-tumor effect of Mel, but autophagy induction by RAPA decreased Mel effect in HCC cells. Mel was closely associated with the expression of proteins in mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In summary, Mel could induce the autophagy of HCC cells, and the autophagy might offer protection against apoptosis in HCC. Mel might suppress the tumor through activating mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Background: Modern medicine has suggested exercise therapy is one of the main treatments for postoperative rehabilitation of tumors. It can influence the recovery of cancer patients by changing the body's material metabolism and energy metabolism. However, studies on metabolic changes of exercise therapy on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after surgery are limited. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of aerobic exercise on mice after orthotopic HCC surgery by serum metabolomics test and explore the related mechanism. Material/Methods: A total of 60 C57Bl/6 mice were used to establish an orthotopic xenograft model of H22 mouse hepatoma cells. Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups and it was found that the metabolic products of the early postoperative exercise group and sedentary group mainly included L-tryptophan, citric acid, and other energy-related metabolites. Results: Energy metabolites, such as succinic acid of the high-intensity exercise group were increased after surgery, whereas phospholipid metabolites, including phosphatidylethanolamine (18: 0/0: 0), were decreased. In the moderate-intensity exercise group, the change tendency was consistent, and the level of various metabolites decreased. Conclusions: Thus, it is likely that aerobic exercise reduced the degree of postoperative stress responses and improved energy metabolism in mice. The underlying mechanism involves improving the tricarboxylic acid cycle, intervening in energy metabolism, reorganization caused by the tumor, reducing the abnormal increase of phospholipase activity caused by the stress of liver cancer, reducing the level of hemolytic phospholipids, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial pathway-initiated apoptosis.

Objective Observe the influence of the resection of the tumor in situ liver on general state and the im-mune function in mice.Methods Do the resection of the tumor in situ liver in mice to observe the operation of sponta-neous activity of mice after different time node,ability of lymphocyte proliferation and the influence of CD4+/CD8+ ra-tio and other indexes.Results Compared with the normal mice,spontaneous activity in mice reduce on the first postop-erative day,with statistical significance(P <0.05);Compared with the normal mice,the reproductive capacity of lym-phocytes in mice reduce on the first and third day,with statistical significance(P <0.05);Compared with the first post-operative day mice,CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes in mice increase on the seventh postoperative day and the normal mice, with?statistical significance(P <0.01).Conclusion Resection of the tumor in situ liver caused greater stress injury and immunosuppression in mice.Mice are similar to human perioperative after surgery,also need a certain amount of time gradually returned to normal state.

目的:检验构建的蜂毒素改造物是否达到减轻溶血副作用、保留或增强抗肿瘤活性的目的.方法:比较蜂毒素改造物与蜂毒素的体外溶血作用及急性毒性作用;MTT法检测其对H2肝癌细胞的增殖抑制作用;观察蜂毒素改造物瘤内注射对荷肝癌小鼠的抗肿瘤作用.结果:蜂毒素改造物致溶血浓度约为蜂毒素的2.2倍,LD50约为蜂毒素的4倍;蜂毒素改造物对H22肝癌细胞具有增殖抑制作用,呈浓度依赖性;蜂毒素改造物瘤内注射3d后,荷瘤鼠肿瘤增长速度减缓(P＜0.05),中位生存时间长于蜂毒素及生理盐水组,但差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:对蜂毒素分子一级结构进行适当修饰和改造,理论上和实践上均具有可行性,能达到降低蜂毒素溶血副作用、继续保留其抗肿瘤活性的目的.

Objective To investigate the effects of Xiaotan Sanjie Recipe (XTSJR) on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cell;To study its relevant mechanism. Methods The original XTSJR aqueous solution was lyophilized, weighted, and dissolved in cell culture and stored. HCT116 cell line was treated with different concentrations of XTSJR for 72 h, and the cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. XTSJR treated HCT116 cell line with the concentration of 0.94 mg/mL and 1.88 mg/mL for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and the cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. HCT116 cell line was treated with different concentrations (0.24, 0.47, 0.94, 1.88 mg/mL) of XTSJR for 72 h. The cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay under the fluorescence microscope, and the post-intervention expression of Caspase3 protein was detected by Western blot. Results The inhibitory effects of XTSJR on the proliferation of HCT116 cell line was concentration-time dependent. The IC50 value at 72 h-time point was 0.94 mg/mL. Medicine concentration and the treated time have interactive contribution to the inhibitory effect. XTSJR induced the cell apoptosis. The apoptosis rate increased with the increasing medicine concentration. There was statistically significant difference compared with the control group ( P<0.01). After treatment the expression of Pro-Caspase3 decreased, while the expression Cleaved Caspase3 protein increased. Conclusion XTSJR inhibits the proliferation of HCT116 cell line and induce apoptosis. Its mechanism might be related to the activity of Caspase3 protein.

AIMTo determine the underlying mechanisms of action and influence of Xiaotan Sanjie (XTSJ) decoction on gastric cancer stem-like cells (GCSCs).METHODSThe gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 line was selected and sorted by FACS using the cancer stem cell marker CD44; the stemness of these cells was checked in our previous study. In an in vitro study, the expression of Notch-1, Hes1, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Ki-67 in both CD44-positive gastric cancer stem-like cells (GCSCs) and CD44-negative cells was measured by Western blot. The effect of XTSJ serum on cell viability and on the above markers was measured by MTT assay and Western blot, respectively. In an in vivo study, the ability to induce angiogenesis and maintenance of GCSCs in CD44-positive-MKN-45- and CD44-negative-engrafted mice were detected by immunohistochemical staining using markers for CD34 and CD44, respectively. The role of XTSJ decoction in regulating the expression of Notch-1, Hes1, VEGF and Ki-67 was measured by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTSCD44(+) GCSCs showed more cell proliferation and VEGF secretion than CD44-negative cells in vitro, which were accompanied by the high expression of Notch-1 and Hes1 and positively associated with tumor growth (GCSCs vs CD44-negative cells, 2.72 ± 0.25 vs 1.46 ± 0.16, P < 0.05) and microvessel density (MVD) (GCSCs vs CD44-negative cells, 8.15 ± 0.42 vs 3.83 ± 0.49, P < 0.001) in vivo. XTSJ decoction inhibited the viability of both cell types in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Specifically, a significant difference in the medium- (82.87% ± 6.53%) and high-dose XTSJ groups (77.43% ± 7.34%) was detected at 24 h in the CD44(+) GCSCs group compared with the saline group (95.42% ± 5.76%) and the low-dose XTSJ group (90.74% ± 6.57%) (P < 0.05). However, the efficacy of XTSJ decoction was reduced in the CD44(-) groups; significant differences were only detected in the high-dose XTSJ group at 48 h (78.57% ± 6.94%) and 72 h (72.12% ± 7.68%) when compared with the other CD44- groups (P < 0.05). Notably, these differences were highly consistent with the Notch-1, Hes1, VEGF and Ki-67 expression in these cells. Similarly, in vivo, XTSJ decoction inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. A significant difference was observed in the medium- (1.76 ± 0.15) and high-dose XTSJ (1.33 ± 0.081) groups compared with the GCSCs control group (2.72 ± 0.25) and the low-dose XTSJ group (2.51 ± 0.25) (P < 0.05). We also detected a remarkable decrease of MVD in the medium- (7.10 ± 0.60) and high-dose XTSJ (5.99 ± 0.47) groups compared with the GCSC control group (8.15 ± 0.42) and the low-dose XTSJ group (8.14 ± 0.46) (P < 0.05). Additionally, CD44 expression was decreased in these groups [medium- (4.43 ± 0.45) and high-dose XTSJ groups (3.56 ± 0.31) vs the GCSC control (5.96 ± 0.46) and low dose XTSJ groups (5.91 ± 0.38)] (P < 0.05). The significant differences in Notch-1, Hes1, VEGF and Ki-67 expression highly mirrored the results of XTSJ decoction in inhibiting tumor growth, MVD and CD44 expression.CONCLUSIONNotch-1 may play an important role in regulating the proliferation of GCSCs; XTSJ decoction could attenuate tumor angiogenesis, at least partially, by inhibiting Notch-1.

Emerging evidence suggests that cancer stem cells are involved in tumor angiogenesis. The Notch signaling pathway is one of the most important regulators of these processes. β-Elemene, a naturally occurring compound extracted from Curcumae Radix, has been used as an antitumor drug for various cancers in China. However, its underlying mechanism in the treatment of gastric cancer remains largely unknown. Here, we report that CD44+ gastric cancer stem-like cells (GCSCs) showed enhanced proliferation capacity compared to their CD44− counterparts, and this proliferation was accompanied by the high expression of Notch-1 (in vitro). These cells were also more superior in spheroid colony formation (in vitro) and tumorigenicity (in vivo) and positively associated with microvessel density (in vivo). β-Elemene was demonstrated to effectively inhibit the viability of GCSCs in a dose-dependent manner, most likely by suppressing Notch-1 (in vitro). β-Elemene also contributed to growth suppression and attenuated the angiogenesis capacity of these cells (in vivo) most likely by interfering with the expression of Notch-1 but not with Dll4. Our findings indicated that GCSCs play an important role in tumor angiogenesis, and Notch-1 is one of the most likely mediators involved in these processes. β-Elemene was effective at attenuating angiogenesis by targeting the GCSCs, which could be regarded as a potential mechanism for its efficacy in gastric cancer management in the future.

AIM:To investigate the efficacy and potential mechanism of Xiaotan Tongfu granules (XTTF) in stress ulcers.METHODS:One hundred sixty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10) as follows: the model group (MP group), the control group (CP group), the ranitidine group (RP group) and the XTTF granule group (XP group). Rats in the MP group received no drugs, rats in the CP group received 0.2 mL of a 0.9% sodium chloride solution via oral gavage, and rats in the RP and XP groups received the same volume of ranitidine (50 mg/kg) or XTTF granule (4.9 g/kg). The cold-restraint stress model was applied to induce stress ulcers after 7 consecutive days of drug administration. Afterwards, rats were sacrificed at 0, 3, 6 and 24 h. Gastric pH was measured by a precise pH meter; gastric emptying rate (GER) was measured by using a methylcellulose test meal; myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were measured by immunohistochemical staining; and mucosal cell apoptosis was measured by transferase dUTP nick end labeling.RESULTS:In the cold-restraint stress model, the development of stress ulcers peaked at 3 h and basically regressed after 24 h. Gastric lesions were significantly different in the RP and XP groups at each time point. Interestingly, although this index was much lower in the RP group than in the XP group immediately following stress induction (7.00 ± 1.10 vs 10.00 ± 1.79, P < 0.05. Concerning gastric pH, between the RP and XP groups, we detected a statistically significant difference immediately after stress induction (0 h: 4.56 ± 0.47 vs 3.34 ± 0.28, P < 0.05) but not at any of the subsequent time points. For GER, compared to the RP group, GER was remarkably elevated in the XP group because a statistically significant difference was detected (3 h: 46.84 ± 2.70 vs 61.16 ± 5.12, P < 0.05; 6 h: 60.96 ± 6.71 vs 73.41 ± 6.16, P < 0.05; 24 h: 77.47 ± 3.17 vs 91.31 ± 4.34, P < 0.05). With respect to MPO and MIF, comparisons between the RP and XP groups revealed statistically significant differences at 3 h (MPO: 18.94 ± 1.20 vs 13.51 ± 0.89, P < 0.05; MIF: 150.67 ± 9.85 vs 122.17 ± 5.67, P < 0.05) and 6 h (MPO: 13.22 ± 1.54 vs 8.83 ± 0.65, P < 0.05; MIF: 135.50 ± 9.46 vs 109.83 ± 6.40, P < 0.05). With regard to HSP70, HSP70 expression was significantly increased in the RP and XP groups at 3 and 6 h compared to the MP and CP groups. In addition, comparing the RP and XP groups also showed statistically significant differences at 3 and 6 h. The expression of PCNA was higher in the RP and XP groups 3 h after stress induction. Between these two groups, small but statistically significant differences were observed at all of the time points (3 h: 69.50 ± 21.52 vs 79.33 ± 15.68, P < 0.05; 6 h: 107.83 ± 4.40 vs 121.33 ± 5.71, P < 0.05; 24 h: 125.33 ± 5.65 vs 128.50 ± 14.49, P < 0.05) except 0 h. With regard to apoptosis, the apoptotic activity in the RP and XP groups was significantly different from that in the MP and CP groups. The XP group exhibited a higher inhibition of cell apoptosis than the RP group at 3 h (232.58 ± 24.51 vs 174.46 ± 10.35, P < 0.05) and 6 h (164.74 ± 18.31 vs 117.71 ± 12.08, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:The Xiaotan Tongfu granule was demonstrated to be similar to ranitidine in preventing stress ulcers. It exhibited multiple underlying mechanisms and deserves further study.

魏品康教授提出胃癌从痰论治理论[1],并根据胃癌不同兼证创立消痰散结八法[2],其中消痰和胃法用于防治化疗恶心呕吐[3],消痰和胃方是基于消痰和胃法的有效验方.笔者将其用于首次化疗患者,观察其防治化疗恶心呕吐的疗效及其对生活质量的影响,现报道如下.