Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Evidence shows that ischemic stroke (IS) accounts for nearly 80 percent of all strokes and that the etiology, risk factors, and prognosis of this disease differ by gender. Female patients may bear a greater burden than male patients. The immune system may play an important role in the pathophysiology of females with IS. Therefore, it is critical to investigate the key biomarkers and immune infiltration of female IS patients to develop effective treatment methods. Herein, we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to determine the key modules and core genes in female IS patients using the GSE22255, GSE37587, and GSE16561 datasets from the GEO database. Subsequently, we performed functional enrichment analysis and built a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Ten genes were selected as the true central genes for further investigation. After that, we explored the specific molecular and biological functions of these hub genes to gain a better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of female IS patients. Moreover, the “Cell type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT)” was used to examine the distribution pattern of immune subtypes in female patients with IS and normal controls, revealing a new potential target for clinical treatment of the disease.
Peripheral facial paralysis could cause significant incompetence in the sensation and motion of face. With facial paralysis, a long time for the patient could suffer from depression, anxiety, hopelessness. However, in this case we found that ginger-separated moxibustion could cure nonacute peripheral facial paralysis with a short treatment course. A 55-year-old female with disappeared left forehead wrinkles and nasolabial groove, and hypophasis for more than 3 months. For further treatment, she was admitted to the acupuncture department. And, she was eventually cured after two weeks treatment. Based on the thorough history, physical examination, and the electromyography. Ginger-separated moxibustion was performed during the admission period (five times a week for two weeks). The following clinical improvements were detected: facial paralysis symptoms were improved (forehead wrinkles and left nasolabial groove were appeared, less numbness, normal movement of the eyelid); the latency of motor nerve conduction velocity was short and the amplitude of motor evoked potential was significantly improved in electromyography. Patients with nonacute peripheral facial paralysis might be cured by ginger-insulated moxibustion.
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