治疗时长对针刺治疗膝骨关节炎疗效的影响:一项多中心随机对照试验的二次分析

Objective:To explore the influence of acupuncture duration on the effect of acupuncute for patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods:This secondary analysis was conducted based on the data of a randomized controlled trial about acupuncture on KOA.A total of 480 patients were recruited at nine centers.Only data from the manual acupuncture(MA)group and electroacupuncture(EA)group were included in this secondary analysis.The needles were retained for 30-min each time and treatment was given three times a week for 8 weeks.The follow-up visit lasted until week 26.Outcomes were numerical rating scale(NRS)on pain,Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)function and the response rate.Results:The NRS and WOMAC function at week 8 were lower than those at week 4(P<0.05),and were no significant difference compared with those at week 26 in MA and EA groups(P>0.05).Greater changes were observed in NRS and WOMAC function during 0-4 weeks compared with those during 4-8 weeks(P<0.05)in both groups.The response rate at week 8 was higher than it at week 4(P<0.05),and was no significant difference compared with it at week 26(P>0.05)in both groups.Association was found between BMI and changes of NRS(P<0.05),but not between BMI and WOMAC function(P>0.05)in MA group,while no asscoaition was found between BMI and NRS or WOMAC function in EA group(P>0.05).There was no association found between other factors and NRS or WOMAC function in both groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:For KOA patients,8-week acupuncture was more effective than 4-week acupuncture in relieving pain and improving joint function,but growth rate of the effect slowed down with increasing duration of intervention.It was uncertain whether the long-term effect of 8-week acupuncture was better than that of 4-week acupuncture.Further studies are required to further determine the effect of duration of intervention.

Sedimentary-tectonic interaction on the growth sequence architecture within the intraslope basins of deep-water Niger Delta Basin

This paper presents a 3D seismic-based case study from the deep-water Niger Delta Basin to investigate sedimentary-tectonic interaction on growth sequence architecture within the thrust-related intraslope or piggyback basins. Gravitational contraction in the lower continental slope had yielded a series of thrust faults and associated folds in the study area, which formed several piggyback basins. These basins were filled by a suite of growth sequences with varying stratigraphic architecture. Analysis of the 3D seismic data recognized three primary seismic facies types respectively as: convergent, draping and chaotic, which contain seven subtypes. These facies types are combined to form different filling successions for convergent or chaotic growth sequences. The convergent growth sequences mainly occur in the deep section of basin fills during strong gravitational deformation, and always began with convergent-baselapping strata succeeded by convergent-thinning strata, representing pond-to-bypass transition in the ponded-basin accommodation space. The chaotic growth sequences mainly occur in the shallow section of basin fills in response to weak gravitational deformation, and usually began with debris-flow deposits succeeded by channel-levee complexes, reflecting dominant erosion-bypass processes in the slope accommodation space. A dynamic fill-andspill model considering relationship between episodic sedimentation rate and structural growth rate is proposed to explain the formative mechanisms of growth strata units and associated successions. Interaction between glaciation or deglaciation and sea-level change and gravitational deformation history are suggested to be the factor which resulted in the complex stratal stacking patterns, including progradational or retrogradational stacking patterns within convergent growth sequences, and progradational stacking patterns within chaotic growth sequences.

Senegenin suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating OGlcNAcylation

BACKGROUND Based on current knowledge,hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a condition with numerous etiologies and risk factors.However,the pathogenesis of HCC remains unclear.AIM To investigate the roles of senegenin and O-GlcNAcylation in the growth and metastasis of HCC.METHODS The levels of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase(OGT)and O-GlcNAcylation in HCC cells and tissues were detected using western blot analysis.The effects of senegenin and O-GlcNAcylation on the proliferation of HCC cells were investigated in vitro using cell counting kit-8 and clonogenic assays.The potential effects of senegenin and O-GlcNAcylation on HCC metastasis were examined using the transwell migration assay.O-GlcNAcylation levels were altered via drug treatment and lentiviral infection,and western blot analysis was used to detect proteins involved in various pathways.RESULTS Western blot analysis revealed that OGT and O-GlcNAcylation levels were significantly elevated in HCC tissues and cells.O-GlcNAcylation levels in HCC cells were significantly altered by drug treatment and lentiviral infection.An increase in the glycosylation level was linked to enhanced proliferation,invasiveness,clonogenicity,and metastatic potential of cancer cells.O-GlcNAcylation induced by senegenin was found to slow the proliferation and migration of HCC cells.The levels of proteins involved in nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)and c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)pathways,which are associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress,were altered.CONCLUSION Senegenin lowers O-GlcNAcylation levels,decreases OGT expression,and inhibits cancer cell growth and metastasis by regulating proteins involved in NF-κB and JNK pathways.