A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Repeated Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Migraine

Purpose: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may have therapeutic potential in the management of migraine. However, studies to date have yielded conflicting results. We reviewed studies using repeated tDCS for longer than 4 weeks in migraine treatment, and performed meta-analysis on the efficacy of tDCS in migraine. Methods: In this meta-analysis, we included the common outcome measurements reported across randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Subgroup analysis was performed at different post-treatment endpoints, and with different stimulation intensities and polarities. Results: Five RCTs were included in the quantitative meta-analysis with a total of 104 migraine patients. We found a significant reduction of migraine pain intensity (MD: − 1.44; CI: [− 2.13, − 0.76]) in active vs sham tDCS treated patients. Within active treatment groups, pain intensity and duration were significantly improved from baseline after tDCS treatment (intensity MD: − 1.86; CI: [− 3.30, − 0.43]; duration MD: − 4.42; CI: [− 8.11, − 0.74]) and during a follow-up period (intensity MD: − 1.52; CI: [− 1.84, − 1.20]; duration MD: − 1.94; CI: [− 3.10, − 0.77]). There was a significant reduction of pain intensity by both anodal (MD: − 1.74; CI: [− 2.80, − 0.68]) and cathodal (MD: − 1.49; CI: [− 1.89, − 1.09]) stimulation conditions. Conclusion: tDCS treatment repeated over days for a period of 4 weeks or more is effective in reducing migraine pain intensity and duration of migraine episode. The benefit of tDCS can persist for at least 4 weeks after the completion of last tDCS session. Both anodal and cathodal stimulation are effective for reducing migraine pain intensity

SARS-CoV-2 Impairs Dendritic Cells and Regulates DC-Sign Gene Expression in Tissues

The current spreading coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is highly infectious and pathogenic. In this study, we screened the gene expression of three host receptors (ACE2, DC-SIGN and L-SIGN) of SARS coronaviruses and dendritic cells (DCs) status in bulk and single cell transcriptomic datasets of upper airway, lung or blood of COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. In COVID-19 patients, DC-SIGN gene expression was interestingly decreased in lung DCs but increased in blood DCs. Within DCs, conventional DCs (cDCs) were depleted while plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) were augmented in the lungs of mild COVID-19. In severe cases, we identified augmented types of immature DCs (CD22+ or ANXA1+ DCs) with MHCII downregulation. In this study, our observation indicates that DCs in severe cases stimulate innate immune responses but fail to specifically present SARS-CoV-2. It provides insights into the profound modulation of DC function in severe COVID-19

Pathway-Based Association Analyses Identified TRAIL Pathway for Osteoporotic Fractures

) pathway were associated with bone metabolism. This study aims to verify the potential association between hip OF and TRAIL pathway.Using genome-wide genotype data from Affymetrix 500 K SNP arrays, we performed novel pathway-based association analyses for hip OF in 700 elderly Chinese Han subjects (350 with hip OF and 350 healthy matched controls).) of the pathway had minor alleles (A) that are associated with an increased risk of hip OF, with the ORs (odds ratios) of 16.51 (95%CI:3.83–71.24) and 1.37 (95%CI:1.08–1.74), respectively.Our study supports the potential role of the TRAIL pathway in the pathogenesis of hip OF in Chinese Han population. Further functional study of this pathway will be pursued to determine the mechanism by which it confers risk to hip OF

CCDC 612069: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.,Related Article: Huaping Zhang, D.VanDerveer, Xi Wang, Feng Chen, X.M.Androulakis, M.J.Wargovich|2007|J.Chem.Cryst.|37|463|doi:10.1007/s10870-007-9193-

Chemopreventive Effects of Khaya senegalensis Bark Extract on Human Colorectal Cancer

An extract of the bark of Khaya senegalensis is commonly used in African traditional medicine for pain and inflammation. Khaya senegalensis bark extract (KSBE) was hypothesized to contain inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene and to be useful in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. The diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)- free radical activity and the total phenolic content of KSBE were measured, followed by an investigation of cell growth inhibition, COX and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2) suppression, as well as apoptosis by Western blot analysis and ELISA. Our data clearly showed that KSBE displays anti-proliferative, antiinflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects on HT-29, HCT-15 and HCA-7 cells. Since all three cell lines, irrespective of COX-2 status (HCT-15 is COX-2-deficient), were affected by the treatment, it can be concluded that both COX-dependent and COX-independent pathways are activated by KSBE