Portal vein tumor thrombus is a bottleneck in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

The effect of portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT) on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma has become clear over the past several decades. However, identifying the mechanisms and performing the diagnosis and treatment of PVTT remain challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the progress in these areas. A computerized literature search in Medline and EMBASE was performed with the following combinations of search terms: "hepatocellular carcinoma" AND "portal vein tumor thrombus." Although several signal transduction or molecular pathways related to PVTT have been identified, the exact mechanisms of PVTT are still largely unknown. Many biomarkers have been reported to detect microvascular invasion, but none have proved to be clinically useful because of their low accuracy rates. Sorafenib is the only recommended therapeutic strategy in Western countries. However, more treatment options are recommended in Eastern countries, including surgery, radiotherapy(RT), transhepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE), transarterial radioembolization(TARE), and sorafenib. Therefore, we established a staging system based on the extent of portal vein invasion. Our staging system effectively predicts the long-term survival of PVTT patients. Currently, several clinical trials had shown that surgery is effective and safe in some PVTT patients. RT,TARE, and TACE can also be performed safely in patients with good liver function. However, only a few comparative clinical trials had compared the effectiveness of these treatments. Therefore, more randomized controlled trials examining the extent of PVTT should be conducted in the future.

Gemcitabine and cisplatin combined with the Chinese herbal medicine compound Fuzhenggubenfang improve quality of life and progression-free survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective： To assess the role of chemotherapy combined with the compound Chinese herbal medicine,Fuzhenggubenfang （FZGBF）, for treating advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Methods： A total of 84 eligible patientswere enrolled from October 2013 to July 2016. Patients were randomized to receive either chemotherapy alone as thecontrol group or chemotherapy combined with FZGBF as the experimental group. The primary endpoint of the study wasquality of life （QOL） and progression-free survival （PFS）. Secondary endpoints were tumor response rate, toxicity,dropout rate, and univariate and multivariate analyses of clinicopathologic factors for QOL and PFS. Results： There wasa significant improvement in QOL, including better overall health （P 〈 0.001）, physical function （P 〈 0.001）, rolefunction （P 〈 0.001）, emotional function （P 〈 0.001）, cognitive function （P 〈 0.001）, and social function （P = 0.031）.Less fatigue, nausea or vomiting, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, and alopecia were noted （All P 〈 0.001） whenFZGBF was combined with chemotherapy in comparison to chemotherapy alone. The experimental group had a betterPFS compared with the control group （P = 0.032）. There was no significant difference in tumor response rate. FZGBFsignificantly reduced chemotherapy-induced anemia （P 〈 0.001）, neutropenia （P = 0.023）, nausea and vomiting （P 〈0.001）. The use of Chinese herbal compounds had only mild side effects. In this study, factors influencing QOL were theuse of the Chinese herbal compounds （P 〈 0.001）, performance status score （P = 0.027）, clinical staging of cancer （P =0.009）, and sex （P = 0.044）. Use of traditional Chinese medicine （P = 0.043） and the number of previous chemotherapysessions （P = 0.003） were the factors influencing PFS in this study. Conclusion： FZGBF could improve QOL,compliance to treatment, relieved chemotherapy-related toxicities of patients, and consequently improved PFS, which isa promising drug combination in complementary medicine for the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

Efficacy of Huadananshen mistura on insomnia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and multi-center clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Huadananshen mistura in clinical treatment of Chinese patients with insomnia. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study, 244 patients with insomnia were randomly assigned to a placebo group, a low-dose (10 mL/day), or a high-dose (20 mL/day) mistura group. Efficacy was assessed by using the sleep dysfunction rating scale (SDRS) and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scores. Safety and tolerability assessments included emergent adverse events, laboratory tests, and electrocardiograms. RESULTS: Total SDRS scores decreased in all three groups, and there were significant differences between the placebo group and the lowand high-dose mistura groups (P=0.000). CGI-I ratings in the lowand high-dose mistura groups were sig-nificantly better than that of the placebo group (P= 0.000). Incidences of rebound insomnia were similar in all three groups (placebo group: 6.94% , low-dose mistura group: 12.99% , and high-dose mistura group: 10.96% ; P=0.475). The efficacy of Huadananshen mistura in the lowor high-dose group was significantly better than that of the placebo group (P=0.000), but with no significant difference found between the lowand high-dose mistura groups (P=0.887). The rates of adverse events were similar in the three groups (placebo 2.44% , low-dose mistura 0%, and high-dose mistura 5%; P=0.088). CONCLUSION: Huadananshen mistura is an effective and generally well-tolerated hypnotic medicine for the treatment of Chinese patients with insomnia.

Xuefuzhuyu decoction for hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trails

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xuefuzhuyu decoction for hyperlipidemia.METHODS:Randomized clinical trials on hyperlipidemia treated by Xuefuzhuyu decoction,either alone or with Western Medicine,were searched in electronic databases.Databases searched were:MEDLINE,Allied and Complementary Medicine Database,EMBASE,The Cochrane Library 2013(Issue4),China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,and Wanfang Database up to 2 May,2013.Study selection,data extraction,quality assessment,and data analysis were conducted according to the Cochranestandards.RESULTS:Six randomized clinical trials involving748 patients(373 patients in the treatment group,375 patients in the control group)were included in the analysis.The studies were of low methodological quality.Meta-analysis indicated that the effect of Xuefuzhuyu decoction on hyperlipidemia was better than that in the control group[n=748,OR=5.07,95%CI(3.40,7.58),P<0.01].Weighted mean differencesin total cholesterol,low-densitylipoprotein cholesterol,triglycerides,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were﹣0.79,﹣0.74,﹣0.44,0.16,respectively,and Meta-analysis revealed that the treatment group was better than the control group with 95%CI(﹣1.21,﹣0.36),(﹣0.94,﹣0.55),(﹣0.77,﹣0.11),(0.04,0.27),respectively(all P<0.05).Some adverse events in evaluated studies wererecorded.CONCLUSION:Xuefuzhuyu decoction may be effective for treating hyperlipidemia.The studies we analyzed were of low methodological quality,which indicates that the above findings should be considered cautiously.Therefore,more strictly designed large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of Xuefuzhuyu decoction in hyperlipidemia.

Integrated treatment for lower-limb stage Ⅱ thromboangiitis obliterans by interventional therapy and oral administration of Chinese medicine: a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE： To observe if integrated treatment is better than other therapies for lower-limb stage Ⅱ thromboangiitis obliterans （TAO）. METHODS： Ninety lower-limb stage Ⅱ or worse TAO patients were randomly divided into three groups： group A （30 cases） treated by intervention and oral administration of Chinese medicine; group B （30 cases） treated by intervention alone; and group C （30 cases） treated only with oral adminis- tration of Chinese medicine. Therapeutic effects were observed, including the cure rate; the recurrence rate after one month, three months, six months, nine months, and one year; the ankle brachial indexes; the incidence of complications; and the level of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.RESULTS： Group A had significantly better clinically curative effects, related indexes, and outcomes during the long-term follow-up survey, than that of groups B and C. CONCLUSION： Integrated treatment is more effective for treating lower-limb stage Ⅱ or worseTAO.

Clinical observation on Wang Juyi＇s applied channel theory in treating stroke-sequel patients

OBJECTIVE:To explore the advantages of acupuncture treatment guided by channel palpation on stroke-sequel patients.METHODS:This research was randomized,traditional acupuncture controlled trial using channel palpation acupuncture to treat stroke-sequel patients.Totally 148 patients who were randomly assigned to two experimental groups.The treatment group,i.e,the channel palpation group was treated with Dr.Wang Juyi's Channel Palpation.Patients in control group received acupuncture according to New Century Acupuncture.Every patient was needled at Renzhong(GV 26),Baihui(GV 20),Neiguan(PC 6),Jiquan(HT 1),Chize(LU 5),Weizhong(BL 40),Sanyinjiao(SP 6),Zusanli(ST 36),and each acupuncture treatment was modified according different syndrome differentiations including liver yang rising [Taichong(LR 3),Taixi(KI 3)],wind-phlegm blocking collaterals [Fenglong(ST 40),Hegu(LI 4)],phlegm-heat occupying in the Fu-organs [Quchi(LI11),Neiting(ST 44),Fenglong(ST 40)],Qi deficiency with blood stasis [Qihai(CV 6),Xuehai(SP 10)],Yin Deficiency with wind [Taixi(KI 3),Fengchi(GB 20)];for wry mouth,add Jiache(ST 6),Dicang(ST 4);for paralyzed arms,add Jianyu(LI 15),Quchi(LI 11),Shousanli(LI 10) and Hegu(LI 4),for paralyzed legs,add Huantiao(GB 30),Yinlingquan(SP 9) and Fengshi(GB 31).The duration of each treatment was 6 weeks.Then the Fugl-Meyer score,the Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale(SS-QOL),and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) were assessed before treatments,after 6 and 12 weeks of treatments to evaluate the acupuncture effect in each group.The data were collected and analyzed after the completion of treatment by SPSS 17 using paired sample t-test.RESULTS:Totally 148 participants were recruited,and 136 eligible patients were included in this study.The results showed that for FMA motor function and Fugl-Meyer balance function and NIHSS,there is no statistic difference between two groups at the baseline period,after 6-week treatment and after 12-week follow-up(P > 0.05);However,for NIHSS and SS-QOL,there is no statistic difference between two groups at the baseline period and 6 weeks after treatment(P > 0.05).However,statistical difference starts to appear after 12-week(P =0.028,0.037 < 0.05).CONCLUSION:We conclude that as for improving the nerve function and the quality of life,Dr.Wang Juyi's Applied Channel Theory presents a better clinical result.

Effect of Bufei granule on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled, and multicenter clinical study

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effect Bufei granule, which is a traditional Chinese drug that can enhance the immune function of the lung, on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).METHODS: This is a randomized, double blinded,placebo-controlled, and multicenter clinical study.Three medical centers in Tianjin, China, participated in the trial. A total of 140 patients with stable COPD were enrolled and randomized into two groups, with 70 patients in each. The treatment group was treated with Bufei granule, while the control group received Bufei placebo. The pharmacological treatment lasted for 12 weeks from the date of enrollment. Then, the indexes of patients were observed. Data were analyzed to study the effect of Bufei granule, with the frequency of acute exacerbation as the primary outcome. Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes,Modified British Medical Research Council dyspnea scale score, St.George's respiratory questionnaire scores, pulmonary function, and serum inflammatory marker levels [including interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transformation growth factor-β1]were the secondary outcomes.RESULTS: During the 12-week treatment, treatment and control groups had no adverse reactions.The analysis of the indexes obtained from all patients showed that the therapeutic effect in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group because most of the similar probabilities of primary and secondary outcomes were less than 0.05,except for the level of IL-6.CONCLUSION: Bufei granule can treat patients with stable COPD by lowering the frequency of acute exacerbation, improving the quality of life,and alleviating the severity of inflammation.

The Extraarticular Symptoms Influence ACR Response in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Biomedicine: A Single-blind, Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Trial in 194 patients

Objective: The extraarticular symptoms are important in the pattern differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the present study is designed in an attempt to find the associations between the extraarticular symptoms and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Response in 194 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with biomedicine. Methods: The data were obtained from a randomized clinical trial. One hundred ninety-four RA patients were treated with the biomedical therapy (diclofenec, methotrexate and sulfasalazine). ACR20 response in 24 weeks was used for the efficacy evaluation. Eighteen symptoms (including 13 extraarticular symptoms) that TCM practitioners focus on were collected for exploration on the association between the symptoms and the efficacy of the biomedical therapy with association rules method. Results: After 24 weeks, a total of 135 patients receiving biomedicine had achieved an ACR20 response. The association rules analysis on each symptom showed that soreness in the waist was more associated with ACR20 response, but with lower support (selected sample size based, 20.10% and 14.95% respectively); cold intolerance and cold joint were found to be associated with ACR20 response with higher support (48.97% and 53.61% respectively), and the confidences (predicted effective rate) were 73.08% and 71.23% respectively. The associations between combination of symptoms (among them, there was at least one extraarticular symptom) and ACR20 response indicated that cold intolerance or cold joint with higher confidence and support were the most important extraarticular symptoms. Conclusion: The RA patients with "cold intolerance" and "cold joints", which are the extraarticular symptoms that TCM practitioners focus on, may show higher ACR20 response when treated with the biomedical approach.

Electroacupuncture at Qiuxu (GB 40) for Treatment of Migraine——A Clinical Multicentral Random Controlled Study

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture （EA） at Qiuxu （GB 40） for treatment of migraine so as to provide clinical evidence for compilation of the Acupoints＇ Dictionary of the People＇s Republic of China. Methods： 275 migraine patients admitted in 3 hospitals were randomly divided into a treatment group treated by EA at Qiuxu （GB 40）, and a control group treated by EA at Tianshu （ST 25）. The indexes of the migraine symptoms and the 5-HT level were observed in both the groups before and after treatment. Results： There was an significant difference in VAS score between the two groups of the 3 clinical centers （P〈0.01）. The therapeutic effects of a 4-week treatment were much better in the treatment group than that of the control group. The 3-month follow-up survey showed that the long-term effects were in favor of the treatment group of the first and third clinical centers, though no significant difference was found in the treatment group of the second clinical center as compared with the control group. The results from the 6-month follow-up survey showed better effects in the treatment group of all the 3 clinical centers. Conclusion： EA at Oiuxu （GB 40） may show effect for migraine.