Disrupted functional connectome in antisocial personality disorder

Studies on antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) subjects focus on brain functional alterations in relation to antisocial behaviors. Neuroimaging research has identified a number of focal brain regions with abnormal structures or functions in ASPD. However, little is known about the connections among brain regions in terms of inter-regional whole-brain networks in ASPD patients, as well as possible alterations of brain functional topological organization. In this study, we employ resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) to examine functional connectome of 32 ASPD patients and 35 normal controls by using a variety of network properties, including small-worldness, modularity, and connectivity. The small-world analysis reveals that ASPD patients have increased path length and decreased network efficiency, which implies a reduced ability of global integration of whole-brain functions. Modularity analysis suggests ASPD patients have decreased overall modularity, merged network modules, and reduced intra- and inter-module connectivities related to frontal regions. Also, network-based statistics show that an internal sub-network, composed of 16 nodes and 16 edges, is significantly affected in ASPD patients, where brain regions are mostly located in the fronto-parietal control network. These results suggest that ASPD is associated with both reduced brain integration and segregation in topological organization of functional brain networks, particularly in the fronto-parietal control network. These disruptions may contribute to disturbances in behavior and cognition in patients with ASPD. Our findings may provide insights into a deeper understanding of functional brain networks of ASPD.     

Evaluation of a granulated formula for the nerve root type and vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis: a multicenter,single-blind,randomized, controlled,phase III clinical trial

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cervical spondylosis formula granules in reducing the symptoms of patients with the nerve root type and the vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis.

正天丸对偏头痛大鼠三叉神经节P2X3受体表达的影响

 目的:探讨正天丸对偏头痛大鼠三叉神经节P2X₃受体表达的影响。方法:SD大鼠随机分为对照组、偏头痛组、正天丸组和抑制剂(A-317491)组。给药7 d后,偏头痛组、正天丸组和抑制剂组硝酸甘油(10 mg/kg)皮下注射建立偏头痛大鼠模型,对照组注射等量生理盐水。观察各组大鼠行为学表现,造模4 h后取材,采用免疫荧光、Western blot和实时荧光定量PCR方法观察各组大鼠三叉神经节中P2X₃受体表达的变化。结果:造模后5 min左右各组均出现挠头、爬笼等行为学表现,对照组大鼠仅开始30 min内出现挠头和爬笼现象,无耳红表现,大约2 h 后正天丸组和抑制剂组头痛行为学表现停止,偏头痛组大鼠在造模后3 h左右停止。偏头痛组和对照组相比较,大鼠三叉神经节(trigeminal ganglion,TG)中P2X₃受体蛋白和mRNA表达均明显升高(P<0.05);正天丸组大鼠TG中P2X₃受体蛋白和mRNA表达均明显低于偏头痛组(P<0.01);正天丸组和抑制剂组相比,大鼠TG中P2X₃受体蛋白和mRNA表达无明显差异。结论:正天丸可抑制偏头痛发作时TG中P2X₃受体的过表达,从而发挥抗偏头痛的作用。     

The association of genetic variations in DNA repair pathways with severe toxicities in NSCLC patients undergoing platinum‐based chemotherapy

Genetic variations in genes involved in repairing platinum‐induced DNA lesions may contribute to the toxicity of platinum‐based chemotherapy. The role of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within DNA repair pathways in the occurrence of severe toxicity is not yet understood. Current studies prefer to do original works rather than analyze previously published data. Our study aimed to replicate associations between previously investigated SNPs and toxicities and to identify new genetic makers. We systematically examined the relevance of 97 SNPs in 54 candidate genes responsible for repairing DNA interstrand and intrastrand cross‐links to severe toxicity in a discovery cohort of 437 NSCLC patients receiving platinum‐based chemotherapy. Statistically significant SNPs were then assessed for replication in an independent validation cohort of 781 NSCLC patients. We found that 7 SNPs were significant at p < 0.01 (RRM1 rs12806698, XPC rs2228000, XPF rs1799801, hMLH1 rs1800734, PMS2 rs1062372, REV3L rs462779 and FANCC rs4647554) in the discovery cohort. Among them, two SNPs (RRM1 rs12806698 and hMLH1 rs1800734) remained significant after Bonferroni correction. XPC rs2228000 showed a significant relationship with severe gastrointestinal toxicity in the validation cohort. When the two cohorts were combined, XPC rs2228000 presented better tolerance of severe hematologic toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity and leukopenia (OR = 0.677, 95% CI: 0.510–0.899, p = 0.007; OR = 0.565, 95% CI: 0.368–0.869, p = 0.009; OR = 0.628, 95% CI: 0.439–0.899, p = 0.011, respectively). Our findings can offer comprehensive pharmacogenetic information for platinum‐induced toxicities.     

Comparison of Radiofrequency Ablation and Hepatic Resection for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma 2 cm or Less

Purpose

To compare survival outcome of radiofrequency (RF) ablation and surgical resection (SR) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤ 2 cm.

Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitor Suppresses the Expression of Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 by Inhibiting NF-kB Activation in Murine Macrophage

Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cell-1 (TREM-1) is a superimmunoglobulin receptor expressed on myeloid cells. TREM-1 amplifies the inflammatory response. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), the metabolites of arachidonic acid derived from the cytochrome P450 enzyme, have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effects of EETs on TREM-1 expression under inflammatory stimulation remain unclear. Therefore, inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) with a highly selective inhibitor [1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea, TPPU] was used to stabilize EETs. LPS was intratracheally injected into mice to induce pulmonary inflammation, after TPPU treatment for 3 h. Histological examination showed TPPU treatment-alleviated LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation. TPPU decreased TREM-1 expression, but not DAP12 or MyD88 expression. Murine peritoneal macrophages were challenged with LPS in vitro. We found that TPPU reduced LPS-induced TREM-1 expression in a dose-dependent manner, but not DAP12 or MyD88 expression. TPPU also decreased downstream signal from TREM-1, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression. Furthermore, TPPU treatment inhibited IkB degradation in vivo and in vitro. Our results indicate that the inhibition of sEH suppresses LPS-induced TREM-1 expression and inflammation via inhibiting NF-kB activation in murine macrophage.     

Observation on clinical effect of tuina plus Western medication for functional dyspepsia due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency

Objective

To observe the clinical effects of tuina plus Western medication for functional dyspepsia (FD) due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency.

Methods

total of 72 patients in conformity with the inclusion criteria of FD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group based upon the random number table, 36 cases in each group. The control group was treated with mosapride citrate dispersible tablets, and the observation group was treated with the same tablets plus tuina. Before the treatment and 4 weeks after the treatment, the clinical symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and depression severity were observed by the scale, and were followed up two months later after the treatment for assessment of the clinical effects.

Results

After the treatment and at the follow-up, the symptom scores of FD and the sores of Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) in both groups decreased, and the scores in Chinese version of quality of life questionnaire for functional digestive disorders (Chin-FDDQL) increased, with statistically significant differences in comparison with the same group before the treatment (all P<0.05). In comparison between the two groups at the same time point after the treatment, the scores of FD symptoms, HAMD and Chin-FDDQL were improved better in the observation group than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The total effective rates at the follow-up were 91.7% in the observation group and 75.0% in the control group, without statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The rate of clinical cure and remarkable effect was 66.7% in the observation group, higher than 41.7% in the control group, it is higher in the observation group than that in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Tuina plus Western medication is precise in the therapeutic effects for FD due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency and can effectively relieve clinical symptoms, elevate the QOL and alleviate depression severity of the patients. Moreover, it’s better than the treatment by Western medication alone in the long-term therapeutic effects.

     

A New Theory for Acupuncture: Promoting Robust Regulation

Robustness, an ability of biological networks to uphold their functionalities in the face of perturbations, is a key characteristic of all living systems. Acupuncture is a procedure in which fine needles are inserted into an individual at discrete points and then manipulated, with the intent of preventing and curing diseases. Acupuncture does not directly eliminate pathogenic factors or pathological tissue; rather, acupuncture enhances the ability of the human body to self-medicate itself by activating complex regulatory systems and by maintaining physiological homeostasis to prevent or treat diseases. From this point of view, the effect of acupuncture on the human body is more likely a kind of regulation to promote robustness. That is to say, acupuncture has the ability to promote robustness. In this article, we review the properties and functions of acupuncture in preventing and treating diseases and in maintaining health by enhancing robustness.