Matrine,oxymatrine, and compound Kushen injection from the roots of Sophora flavescens: an overview of their anticancer activities

In the present review, we updated current information on the chemistry, contents, and anticancer properties of matrine (MT), oxymatrine (OMT), and compound Kushen injection (CKI). The anticancer properties were focused on lung, breast, and liver cancer cells because they are most susceptible. Sources of information were from Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, PubChem, J-Stage, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Reference was also made on botanical websites, such as Flora of China and World Flora Online. MT and OMT are dominant quinolizidine alkaloids from the roots of Sophora flavescens (Kushen) of the family Fabaceae. Against lung, breast, and liver cancer cells, MT and OMT inhibit cell proliferation; induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy; restrict angiogenesis; and inhibit cell metastasis, invasion, and migration. The processes involve various molecular targets and signaling pathways. CKI is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) composed of root extracts of S. flavescens and Smilax glabra (Baituling) of the family Smilacaceae. With MT and OMT as major components, CKI has been approved for the treatment of cancer in China more than 20 years ago. In recent years, systematic reviews and meta-analysis have been undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effects of CKI. When CKI is used alone and in combination with chemotherapy of western medicine, there is much to be learned concerning their interactions besides their individual and integrated efficacy. Some perspectives of MT, OMT, and CKI are discussed, and their suggestions for future research are provided.     

基于正交试验的肾造瘘管固定方案研究

目的 探讨基于正交试验的肾造瘘管不同固定方案的比较效果。方法 将14Fr硅胶肾造瘘管固定在聚乙烯展板和拉力显示器上，以固定材料、固定方法、面积为3个影响因素，每个因素3个水平，每组进行3次试验再求平均值作为最后拉力值F，共进行9个固定方案共27次试验。利用L9（33）正交试验矩阵研究不同材料（医用橡皮膏、医用透气胶带、医用无纺布胶带）、固定方法（交叉固定法、“工”字固定法和改良“工”字固定法）及面积(16 cm2、24 cm2、32 cm2）对肾造瘘管固定强度的影响。结果 正交试验所选的3种影响因素中，对拉力值影响显著性排序为：材料＞方法＞面积；3种固定材料中，医用橡皮膏固定强度最大。结论 肾造瘘管固定方案中，最佳固定组合为以医用橡皮膏结合改良“工”字法固定，可为临床管道固定方案的选择提供参考。     

Perceived benefits of geriatric specialty telemedicine among rural patients and caregivers

Objective

Explore the perceived benefits of a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) geriatric specialty telemedicine service (GRECC Connect) among rural, older patients and caregivers to contribute to an assessment of its quality and value.

Data Sources

In Spring 2021, we interviewed a geographically diverse sample of rural, older patients and their caregivers who participated in GRECC Connect telemedicine visits.

Study Design

A cross-sectional qualitative study focused on patient and caregiver experiences with telemedicine, including perceived benefits and challenges.

Data Collection

We conducted 30 semi-structured qualitative interviews with rural, older (≥65) patients enrolled in the VHA and their caregivers via videoconference or phone. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a rapid qualitative analysis approach.

Principal Findings

Participants described geriatric specialty telemedicine visits focused on cognitive assessments, tailored physical therapy, medication management, education on disease progression, support for managing multiple comorbidities, and suggestions to improve physical functioning. Participants reported that, in addition to prescribing medications and ordering tests, clinicians expedited referrals, coordinated care, and listened to and validated both patient and caregiver concerns. Perceived benefits included improved patient health; increased patient and caregiver understanding and confidence around symptom management; and greater feelings of empowerment, hopefulness, and support. Challenges included difficulty accessing some recommended programs and services, uncertainty related to instructions or follow-up, and not receiving as much information or treatment as desired. The content of visits was well aligned with the domains of the Age-Friendly Health Systems and Geriatric 5Ms frameworks (Medication, Mentation, Mobility, what Matters most, and Multi-complexity).

Conclusions

Alignment of patient and caregiver experiences with widely-used models of comprehensive geriatric care indicates that high-quality geriatric care can be provided through virtual modalities. Additional work is needed to develop strategies to address challenges and optimize and expand access to geriatric specialty telemedicine.     

Estimating the Effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Decreasing Number of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Cases and Epidemiological Trends in China

<正>Since the first case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was detected in the United States in 1981,this disease has spread to every corner of the world.Despite the annual incidence of AIDS showing a slight decline since1997,it remains a major cause of infectious disease-related death worldwide.Unlike global epidemiological trends,the number of notified AIDS cases has increased in recent years in China^[1].     

Immunotherapy for urothelial carcinoma: Metastatic disease and beyond

For advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinomas (UCs), platinum (preferably cisplatin)‐based chemotherapy has been the standard treatment for many years. However, many patients are ineligible for cisplatin‐based chemotherapy because of poor performance status and/or other age‐related conditions. At the other end of the spectrum, patients with localized non‐muscle–invasive bladder cancer who are unresponsive to intravesical Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) treatment often face radical cystectomy as the only option. In recent years, the application of immunotherapy in the form of immune‐checkpoint inhibitors has provided viable alternatives in the second‐line postplatinum and first‐line cisplatin‐ineligible settings. Recent and ongoing clinical trials are also assessing the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy for neoadjuvant and adjuvant uses before/after cystectomy, for BCG‐unresponsive cases, and for combination treatments that include the newer indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase‐1 inhibitors and/or BCG. This review summarizes recent developments in immunotherapy for UCs.     

八珍汤对肺癌化疗致白细胞减少症临床疗效及部分机制研究

目的:探究八珍汤对肺癌化疗所致白细胞减少症的疗效及作用机制,有助于精准治疗并提高疗效。方法:选取2017年4月至2018年4月哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院收治的肺癌化疗所致白细胞减少症患者66例作为研究对象,采用数字随机表法按就诊顺序号,分为对照组和观察组,每组33例。对照组予利血生20 mg口服,3次/d;鲨肝醇100 mg口服,3次/d,升白治疗,观察组在对照组基础上加用八珍汤化裁治疗,均治疗4周,观察不同方法治疗后在白细胞水平含量比较,比较治疗前、治疗末神疲乏力、心悸气短、头晕目眩、面色淡白、畏寒肢冷、纳呆食少中医症候积分和免疫功能指标CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、NK细胞变化情况,治疗过程中收集不良反应情况,结束治疗后观察疗效情况。结果:1)2组治疗1周、2周、3周、4周后白细胞计数菌显著高于治疗前(P<0.05),观察组治疗1周、2周、3周、4周后显著优于对照组(P<0.05);2)2组患者治疗前神疲乏力、心悸气短、头晕目眩、面色淡白、畏寒肢冷、纳呆食少,比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),完成治疗方案后,2组患者以上指标较治疗前均显著下降(P<0.05)。治疗末观察组患者以上指标显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。3)2组患者治疗前CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、NK细胞比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),完成治疗方案后,2组患者CD8^+较治疗前均显著下降,CD4^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、NK细胞较治疗前显著升高(P<0.05),治疗末观察组患者以上指标显著优于对照组(P<0.05)。4)完成治疗后观察组患者显效率、总有效率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。5)2组在不良反应发生率上比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:八珍汤对肺癌化疗所致白细胞减少症能升高白细胞水平,提高疗效,改善症状。可能和该药能提高机体免疫力,促使骨髓造血功能有关。     

35例新型冠状病毒肺炎患者中医临床特征分析

目的分析广东省新型冠状病毒肺炎患者临床资料及中医证候,为该病的防治提供科学依据。方法将2020年1月23日至2020年2月14日本院收治的35例新型冠状病毒肺炎患者纳为研究对象,收集患者的基本情况、流行病学史及疾病史,通过血液生化分析及胸部CT检查患者临床情况,由5名高级职称中医师对患者舌象进行诊断,并根据《广东省新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎中医药治疗方案(试行第一版)》进行辨证。结果新型冠状病毒肺炎患者年龄分布较广,平均年龄为(44.00±15.17)岁,以男性居多,57.14%的患者有武汉及周边地区旅居史,42.86%的患者有确诊患者接触史;50%以上的患者淋巴细胞绝对值降低,CD3、CD4和、CD8降低以及C反应蛋白增加;胸部CT显示,80%以上的患者出现肺部病变,其中双肺病变占60%,病变类型以斑块状阴影居多;多数患者伴有发热(85.71%)、咳嗽(80.00%)、肌肉酸痛(42.86%)、乏力(40.00%)等临床症状;患者的证型主要是湿邪郁肺(45.71%),其次为邪热壅肺(37.14%),病机特点以湿为主,其次为热;舌苔以腻苔为主,舌质以红和淡红为主。结论新型冠状病毒肺炎患者的中医证型以湿邪郁肺为主,致病特点以"湿"为主,可针对性地采取中医治疗。     

基于中医临床证候探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎在岭南地区的疫性特点

目的:通过分析广东省第二人民医院收治的新型冠状病毒肺炎(以下简称新冠肺炎)患者的临床资料,从中医临床证候探讨该病在岭南地区的疫性特点,更好地指导临床辨证治疗。方法:收集广东省第二人民医院收治的36例新冠肺炎患者的临床资料,其中输入病例20例,本地病例16例,分析全部病例、输入病例和本地病例的临床资料和证候特点。结果:新冠肺炎患者年龄分布较广,平均年龄45岁,以男性居多,55.56%的患者为外地输入病例,44.44%的患者为本地感染病例。全部病例证型以湿邪郁肺型和邪热壅肺型为主,分别占44.44%和38.89%;91.67%的患者呈现“湿”的病理特点,72.22%的患者呈现“热”的病理特点。其中输入病例证型以湿邪郁肺型为主,占65.00%,100%的患者呈现“湿”的病理特点,55.00%呈现“热”的病理特点;本地病例证型以邪热壅肺为主,占56.25%,93.75%的患者呈现“热”的病理特点,81.25%呈现“湿”的病理特点。结论:本次疫病在岭南地区的疫性属于以湿邪和热邪为主导的“湿热疫”,病机特点为湿热并重;输入性病例多表现为以湿邪为患的“湿疫”,有化热的趋势和倾向,病机特点为湿重于热;本地病例多表现为以热邪为主的“温热疫”,病机特点为热重于湿。此次新冠肺炎不同地区存在不同疫性的可能,辨证和治疗要遵守三因制宜的原则。