Defective interfering particles (DIPs), derived naturally from viral particles, are not able to replicate on their own. Several studies indicate that DIPs exert antiviral effects via multiple mechanisms. DIPs are able to activate immune responses and suppress virus replication cycles, such as competing for viral replication products, impeding the packaging, release and invasion of viruses. Other studies show that DIPs can be used as a vaccine against viral infection. Moreover, DIPs/DI genomes display antitumor effects by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and promoting dendritic cell maturation. With genetic modified techniques, it is possible to improve its safety against both viruses and tumors. In this review, a comprehensive discussion on the effects exerted by DIPs is provided. We further highlight the clinical significance of DIPs and propose that DIPs can open up a new platform for antiviral and antitumor therapies.

Objectives. Both glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and metformin (MET) have markedly antiobesity effects in overweight/obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. However, there was no literature to compare the antiobesity effects of these two medicines. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in our present study to evaluate the antiobesity effects of GLP-1RAs either as monotherapy or combined with MET in comparison with MET alone in overweight/obese PCOS patients. Methods. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which reported the efficacy of GLP-1RAs and MET in overweight/obese PCOS patients in Medline (from Pubmed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were independently searched by two reviewers. The random-effect model was used to pool data extracted from the included literature. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to present the meta-analysis results (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020173199). Results. A total of eight eligible RCTs were finally enrolled in our meta-analysis from the 587 retrieved literature. The results showed that GLP-1RAs alone or combined with MET was associated with a greater weight loss (N = 318, WMD = −2.61, 95% CI: −3.51 to −1.72, P ≤ 0.001 , I2 = 77.5%), more obvious reduction of waist circumference (N = 276, WMD = −3.46, 95% CI: −4.36 to −2.56, P ≤ 0.001 , I2 = 0.0%), and body mass index (BMI) (N = 318, WMD = −0.93, 95% CI: −1.60 to −0.26, P = 0.007 , I2 = 84.9%) in overweight/obese PCOS patients when compared with MET alone. Further sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the meta-analysis results of the efficacy differences in terms of body weight, waist circumference, and BMI were relatively stable and reliable. Conclusion. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the antiobesity effect of GLP-1RAs alone or combined with MET  was superior to MET  alone in terms of weight loss, the reduction of waist circumference, and BMI. More large-scale, high-quality RCTs are needed to further confirm these results in PCOS patients.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture at LR3 and KI3 on hypertension at different time points and on related cerebral regions using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods We randomly divided 29 subjects into two groups: Group A (receiving acupuncture at LR3 + KI3; 15 subjects) and group B (receiving acupuncture at LR3 and a sham location not corresponding to any traditional acupuncture point; 14 subjects). Acupuncture was performed. Blood pressure (BP) changes were recorded and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. We used a 3.0T MRI scanner and standard GE 8 channel head coil to collect whole brain fMRI data in both groups. Data analysis and processing was based on the R2009a MATLAB platform. REST 1.8 software was used to analyze the whole brain amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF). Results After acupuncture, a statistically significant reduction in BP at different time points was observed in group A. In group B, a statistically significant reduction was found only in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and was not sustained. Acupuncture at LR3 + KI3 specifically affected brain areas involved in BP regulation, as well as those involved in auditory sense, speech, vision, movement and sensation. Conclusion Acupuncture at LR3 + KI3 showed positive immediate and long-term effects on BP, particularly systolic blood pressure (SBP). After ALFF analysis, we concluded that LR3 + KI3 activates brain areas related to BP regulation. In addition, after acupuncture at LR3 + KI3, a highly targeted effect was observed in brain areas associated with BP. In addition, extracerebral areas involving vision, motion control, cognition and hearing were activated, which could potentially contribute to the mitigation of hypertensive complications in patients in an advanced stage of the disease.