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[Display omitted] • 25 S -antcin K suppressed IL-1β promotes the production of arthritic factors. • 25 S -antcin K abolishes IL-1β's effect by inhibiting AMPK, Akt, and p38 pathways. • 25 S -antcin K abolishes IL-1β-induced effect by enhancing miR-374b expression. • 25 S -antcin K protecting against CIA-induced RA symptoms in vivo. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well-known autoimmune disorder associated with joint pain, swelling, cartilage and bone degradation, as well as deformity. In cellular and animal model investigations, extracts from Antrodia cinnamomea , a traditional medicinal fungus used in Taiwan, demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties. The 25(S) ergostane stereo-isomer of antcin K, known as 25 S -antcin K, was previously isolated from A. cinnamomea and was found to exhibit a more potent effect than antcin K. In the current study, we examined the anti-RA effects of 25 S -antcin K. 25 S -antcin K abolishes IL-1β-induced promotion of TNF-α, CCL2, and VEGF arthritic factors production by inhibiting AMPK, Akt, and p38 pathways and enhancing miR-374b expression. Importantly, administration of 25 S -antcin K also antagonizes collagen-induced arthritis-induced RA symptoms, such as inflammation, cartilage degradation, and bone erosion in vivo. These results provide a novel avenue, suggesting that 25 S -antcin K is a potential candidate for developing RA therapy agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients have a higher risk of cervical cancer. Papanicolaou (Pap) smear is the standard tool for screening cervical cancer, but there is limited research about the cervical cytology in HSCT recipients. Here, we retrospectively included adult female patients who underwent allogeneic or autologous HSCT at National Taiwan University Hospital during 2009 to 2015 and reviewed their Pap smears before and after HSCT. There were 248 allogeneic and 131 autologous HSCT recipients in our study. In allogeneic HSCT recipients, 38.7% (96 of 248) had pre-HSCT Pap smears and 17.1% (44 of 248) had post-HSCT Pap smears. In the autologous HSCT recipients, 35.1% (46 of 131) had pre-HSCT Pap smears and 13.7% (18 of 131) had post-HSCT Pap smears. Compared with allogeneic HSCT recipients without post-HSCT Pap smears, more recipients with post-HSCT Pap smears received bone marrow–derived stem cells (18.2% versus 4.9% respectively; P  = .0077) and had longer overall survival (median overall survival, not reached versus 22.1 months; P  < .0001). The abnormal rates of post-HSCT Pap smear were 13% (6 of 44) and 11% (2 of 18) in allogeneic and autologous recipients respectively, higher than in the general Taiwanese population (1.22%). Infections were rare in post-HSCT Pap smears. Of note, 11% (5 of 44) of post-HSCT Pap smears from allogeneic recipients showed therapy-related atypia, manifesting as enlarged hyperchromatic nuclei, vacuolated cytoplasm, and occasional tadpole-like cells. These atypical cytological features mimic precancerous lesions, but cervical biopsies and human papilloma virus tests were negative. The atypical cytological features resolved spontaneously in the subsequent follow-up Pap smears. On average, Pap smears with therapy-related atypia were sampled at day +77, significantly earlier than those without therapy-related atypia ( P  = .016). Therapy-related atypia was more frequent in post-HSCT Pap smears sampled within 100 days after HSCT (before day +100, 4 of 5, 80%, versus after day +100, 1 of 39, 2.56%; P  = .0002). The strong temporal relationship suggests these atypical cytological changes resulted from conditioning regimen, most likely busulfan-containing chemotherapy. No therapy-related atypia were observed after total body irradiation or nonbusulfan-containing chemotherapy. In conclusion, therapy-related atypia was common in post-HSCT Pap smears sampled within 100 days after HSCT. Clinical information is critical for correct cytological diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study compared the therapeutic effects of collateral meridian therapy (CMT) with traditional acupoint pressure therapy (APT) in patients with unilateral upper back pain. Material and methods Forty-nine patients with active myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle were randomly allocated to the control (CTL), APT, or CMT group. Each subject in the CMT and APT groups received 2 sessions of treatment per week over 1 month. Results Patients in the APT and CMT groups showed significant improvements 1 month after treatment in visual analogue scale, range of motion, pain pressure threshold, regional superficial blood flow, and physical health, as compared to the CTL group. No significant differences in outcome measures were found between APT and CMT groups 1 month after treatment. Conclusion Both APT and CMT have comparable therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of unilateral upper back pain with active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine whether collateral meridian (CM) therapy was feasible in treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with knee OA and knee pain were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The CM group patients received CM therapy, whereas the control patients received placebo treatment for knee pain relief. Patients in the CM group received 2 CM treatments weekly for 3 weeks. The outcome measures were pain intensity on a visual analog scale, and knee function was determined using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Results: In the CM group, the posttreatment visual analog scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were lower than those of the control group; a significant reduction in pain intensity (P = .02, P = .01, respectively) and improvement in knee function (P = .04, P = .03, respectively) were shown in the CM group at the second and third week. Conclusion: Collateral meridian therapy may be feasible and effective for knee OA pain relief and knee function recovery. Therefore, additional randomized control trials are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: This case report describes the observation of relief from painful dysmenorrhea and its associated symptoms in a female patient having primary dysmenorrhea after collateral meridian acupressure therapy (CMAT) treatment. Clinical features: A 36-year-old female patient presented with primary dysmenorrhea (abdominal cramping and referred lower back pain). She previously had taken oral analgesic pills to alleviate her symptoms during the menstrual period. The observation period was 6 months. Intervention and outcome: Collateral meridian acupressure therapy was performed once on the second day of both the first (partial treatment) and fourth (complete treatment) menstrual period. Pain was resolved immediately after partial CMAT treatment during the first menstrual period, but the pain recurred 20 minutes later. Satisfactory results were obtained during the fourth menstrual period after complete CMAT treatment, which were also carried over to the next session (fifth menstrual period). In addition, no oral analgesics were necessary after treatment. However, the symptoms of dysmenorrhea recurred 2 months after treatment (sixth menstrual period). Conclusion: This case report indicates that CMAT treatment may be effective in relieving the associated symptoms of dysmenorrhea. The carryover effect might suggest that there is a potential to produce a long-lasting effect on dysmenorrhea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tumor malignancy is associated with several features such as proliferation ability and frequency of metastasis. Osteopontin (OPN), which is abundantly expressed in bone matrix, is involved in cell adhesion, migration, invasion and cell proliferation via interaction with its receptor, αvβ3 integrin. However, the effect of OPN on migration activity in human lung cancer cells is mostly unknown. Here we found that OPN increased the migration via activation of αvβ3 integrin in human lung cancer cells (A549 cells). Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor (PI3K; Ly294002), Akt inhibitor or ERK inhibitor (PD98059) inhibited the OPN-induced increase in the migration of lung cancer cells. OPN stimulation increased the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), p85 subunit of PI3K, serine 473 of Akt and ERK. In addition, treatment of A549 cells with NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC) or IκB protease inhibitor (TPCK) inhibited OPN-induced migration of lung cancer cells. Stimulation of A549 cells with OPN also induced IκB kinase α/β (IKK α/β) phosphorylation, IκBα phosphorylation, p65 Ser536 phosphorylation, and κB-luciferase activity. The OPN-mediated increases in IKK α/β, IκBα and p65 Ser536 phosphorylation were inhibited by Ly294002, Akt inhibitor and PD98059. Co-transfection with FAK, p85, Akt and ERK mutants also reduced the OPN-induced κB-luciferase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that OPN acts through αvβ3 integrin, which in turn activates the FAK, PI3K, Akt, ERK and NF-κB pathways, contributing to the migration of lung cancer cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: This article describes 2 cases of collateral meridian acupressure (shiatsu) therapy (CMAT) for treatment of shoulder tip pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Both cases showed marked pain relief with reduction of skin temperature (1°C) of the affected shoulder after CMAT. Clinical Features: A 32- and a 53-year-old female presented with right shoulder tip pain after LC surgery. The repeated dose of intravenous ketorolac 30 mg and meperidine 50 mg did not improve the pain. Because of persistent pain and episodes of nausea and vomiting after intravenous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid medications, patients refused to take more analgesics, and we were consulted for pain management. Intervention and Outcome: After informed written consent obtained, CMAT was performed using acupoints located on the contralateral (left) kidney meridian to treat affected (right) shoulder pain. Postoperatively, patients' pain intensity was measured using a numeric pain scale. The infrared thermography of shoulder tip was obtained before and after the CMAT. Both patients reported immediate pain relief after the CMAT, with pain scores decreased from 5 to 1 of 10 and 5 to 0 of 10, respectively. Moreover, the local skin temperature of affected shoulders were significantly decreased in both patients after the CMAT. Similarly, the temperature difference between patients' affected and nonpainful shoulders were also significant after the CMAT. Conclusion: The results of these 2 cases suggest that the CMAT may be effective in reducing patients' post-LC shoulder tip pain without medication. An associated reduction of skin temperature of the painful shoulder with CMAT warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • VCAM1 and CD11b higher levels express in OA compared with healthy controls. • Cordycerebroside A suppressed VCAM-1 mediated-monocyte adhesion in human OASF. • The MEK/ERK/AP-1 signaling regulated cordycerebroside A effects. Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the infiltration and adhesion of monocyte into the joint synovium. Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) is a critical cell adhesion molecule that controls monocyte motility during OA progression. Cordycerebroside A, a cerebroside compound isolated from Cordyceps militaris , inhibits the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in synovial macrophages, but has not yet been investigated in OA. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset analysis revealed higher levels of VCAM-1 and CD11b (a monocyte marker) in OA synovial tissue compared with normal healthy tissue. The same results were observed in anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT)-induced OA in rats compared with normal healthy controls. Cordycerebroside A markedly suppressed VCAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion in human OA synovial fibroblasts. The MEK, ERK and AP-1 signaling cascades regulated cordycerebroside A-induced inhibition of VCAM-1 production. Thus, cordycerebroside A is a promising agent for the treatment of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease marked by immune cell activation and chronic inflammation in the synovium accompanied by osteoclast activation and local joint destruction. Increased levels of the adipokine nesfatin-1 in RA synovium are associated with proinflammatory cytokines. Our analysis of datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and synovial tissue samples from RA patients revealed that these had higher levels of nesfatin-1 and osteoclast markers compared with normal synovium. These findings were the same in tissue samples from mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and normal healthy controls. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that nesfatin-1 increased levels of bone morphogenetic protein-5 (BMP5) expression via JAK/STAT signaling in RA synovial fibroblasts. Finally, we found that nesfatin-1 short hairpin RNA reduced BMP5 and osteoclast formation in CIA mice. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a crucial role in adhesion and migration of human cancer cells. Besides, integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells. Here we found that TGF-β1 increased the migration and cell surface expression of β1 integrin in human lung cancer cells (A549 cells). TGF-β1 stimulation increased phosphorylation of p85α subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Ser473 of Akt was determined. Besides, we performed that PI3K inhibitor (Ly294002) or Akt inhibitor suppressed the TGF-β1-induced migration activities of A549 cells. Treatment of A549 cells with NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC) or IκB protease inhibitor (TPCK) also repressed TGF-β1-induced cells migration and β1 integrins expression. In addition, treatment of A549 cells with TGF-β1 induced IκB kinase α/β (IKKα/β) phosphorylation, IκB phosphorylation, p65 Ser536 phosphorylation, and κB-luciferase activity. Furthermore, the TGF-β1-mediated increases in IKKα/β, IκBα phosphorylation and p65 Ser536 phosphorylation were inhibited by Ly294002 and Akt inhibitor. Co-transfection with p85α and Akt mutants also reduced the TGF-β1-induced κB-luciferase activity. Taken together, our results suggest that TGF-β1 acts through PI3K/Akt, which in turn activates IKKα/β and NF-κB, resulting in the activations of β1 integrins and contributing the migration of human lung cancer cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]