Stretchable and Transparent Heaters Based on Hydrophobic Ionogels with Superior Moisture Insensitivity.

Flexible and stretchable transparent heaters (THs) have been widely used in various applications, including deicing and defogging of flexible screens as well as thermotherapy pads. Ionic THs based on ionogels have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional electronic THs due to their unique advantages in terms of transparency-conductance conflict, uniform heating, and interfacial adhesion. However, the commonly used hydrophilic ionogels inevitably introduce a moisture-sensitive issue. In this work, we present a stretchable and transparent hydrophobic ionogel-based heater that utilizes ionic current-induced Joule heating under high-frequency alternating current. This ionogel-based TH exhibits exceptional multifunctional properties with low hysteresis, a fracture strain of 840%, transmittance of 93%, conductivity of 0.062 S m-1, temperature resistance up to 165 °C, voltage resistance up to 120 V, heating rate of 0.1 °C s-1, steady-state temperature at 115 °C, and uniform heating even when bent or stretched (up to 200%). Furthermore, it maintains its heating performance when it is directly exposed to water. This hydrophobic ionogel-based TH expands the range of materials available for ionic THs and paves the way for their practical applications.

Vascular endothelium is the basic way for stem cells to treat erectile dysfunction: a bibliometric study.

Vascular endothelial is considered to be a key factor in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). The purpose is to reveal the research trend of the field of ED and vascular endothelium. In addition, the goal is to discover the role and mechanism of vascular endothelium in ED. Bibliometrics and visualization methods based on CiteSpace were selected. We conducted the co-authorship analysis of countries, institutions and authors, co-occurrence analysis of keywords, and co-citation analysis of literature and authors through CiteSpace 6.1.R3. 1431 articles from Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) were included in the analysis from 1991 to 2022. We found some influential and cutting-edge nodes in each map, including countries, institutions, authors, articles, etc. Stem cell, therapy, oxidative stress, cavernous nerve injury, radical prostatectomy, fibrosis, erectile function, mesenchymal stem cell, and apoptosis may be hot keywords. In conclusion, the efficacy and mechanisms of stem cells and their derivatives in the treatment of diabetes (DM) ED and cavernous nerve injury (CNI) ED are the future research trends. Stem cells therapy for ED is a hot spot in this field, which side notes that stem cells may work mainly through improving endothelial function. Vascular endothelial cells and VEGF may repair nerve and cavernous smooth muscle directly or indirectly, and finally polish up erectile function.

Acupoint catgut embedding for chronic non-specific low back pain: A protocol of randomized controlled trial.

Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Acupoint embedding (ACE) is widely used in China for the treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain, but there are no rigorous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to confirm the effectiveness and safety of ACE for chronic non-specific low back pain. In this study, we design a single-center, single-blind, prospective RCT, with the aim of evaluating the efficacy and safety of ACE for CNLBP. 82 participants with CNLBP will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into an ACE group and a sham ACE group. Participants will receive either ACE treatment or sham ACE treatment at once every 2 weeks, for an 8-week period, and followed by 6 months of follow-up. The primary outcome will be the change in visual analog scale (VAS) scores before and after treatment. Secondary outcomes will include the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and the Short Form 36-Health Survey (SF-36). Adverse events that occur during the course of the trial will be recorded. Data will be analyzed according to a predefined statistical analysis plan. This study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Guangzhou Panyu Hospital of Chinese Medicine (202230). Written informed consent from patients is required. This trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059245). Trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2200059245.

Stretchable and transparent ionogel-based heaters.

Transparent heaters (THs) are widely used for various applications, such as in smart windows, deicers, defoggers, displays, and thermotherapy pads. The rapid development of flexible electronics has led to a demand for flexible and even stretchable THs. At present, most stretchable THs are designed using a combination of electronically conductive networks and flexible polymer materials. Electronic THs still face common challenges, such as a transparency-conductance trade-off, non-uniform heating, and poor interfacial adhesion. In this work, an ionic TH is reported based on a stretchable and transparent ionogel. Joule heating from an ionic current induced by alternating voltage functions as the heating source. This ionogel-based TH exhibits excellent and steady mechanical, optical, electrical, and thermal properties, simultaneously solving the abovementioned three problems relating to electronic THs. Two simple applications of this ionogel-based TH are demonstrated: deicing and boiling water. This reported ionogel-based TH provides a new material choice and heating principle to compete with conventional electronic TH technology.

Effectiveness and Safety Evaluation of Qixiong Zhongzi Decoction () in Idiopathic Asthenozoospermia Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of the Chinese medicine (CM) Qixiong Zhongzi Decoction (, QZD) in the treatment of patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. METHODS: A total number of 66 patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia were included and randomly divided into treatment and control groups by SAS-generated code from January 2015 to August 2016, 33 patients in each group. Patients in the treatment group were administered with 150 mL of QZD twice a day, whereas those in the control group were given 1 g of levocarnitine oral liquid twice a day. The two groups received the indicated medication for 12 weeks and were then followed up for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was sperm motility, and the secondary therapeutic indices were sperm volume, density, pregnancy probability, and CM syndrome score. The comparison between groups was carried out at 4, 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. The safety was determined before and after treatment. RESULTS: (1) Drop-off: 5 cases (7.58%) were lost after treatment (2 from the treatment group and 3 from the control group). (2) Primary outcomes: after 8- and 12-week treatment, the progressive sperms in the two groups were significantly higher than the baseline (all P<0.05); however, the treatment group showed greater improvement compared with the control group at 12-week treatment (22.7% ± 9.0% vs. 14.1% ±8.8%, P<0.05). The increasement of non-progressive grade sperms at both groups was observed at 8- and 12-week treatment with statistical difference (all P<0.05), however, the treatment group showed remarkable improvement compared with the control group at 12-week treatment (38.7% ±14.1% vs. 26.2% ±15.4%, P<0.05). (3) Secondary outcomes: no significant statistical differences were found in semen volume and density (4, 8, and 12-week treatment) and pregnancy probability of patients' wives (12-week treatment) between two groups (all P>0.05), however, the CM syndrome score of the treatment group significantly declined compared with baseline level at each time points (all P<0.05). (4) Safety: no obvious side reactions were found during the treatment in both groups. CONCLUSION: QZD could improve the progressive and non-progressive grade sperm in the treatment of idiopathic asthenozoospermia. It is safe with no obvious side effects.

[Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Longbishu Capsule Combined Doxazosin Mesylate Tablet].

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Longbishu Capsule (LBS) com- bined Doxazosin Mesylate Tablet (DMT) in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods Total- ly 360 BPH with Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS) were randomly assigned to group A, B, and C, 120 cases in each group. Patients in Group A took LBS placebos combined DMT. Those in Group B took LBS combined DMT. Those in Group C took LBS combined DMT placebos. The dose for LBS was 3 pills each time, 0. 3 g/pill, twice per day. The dose of DMT was 1 tablet each time, 2 mg/tablet, once per day. The therapeutic course for all was 12 months. A total of 113 cases in Group A were recruited in FAS analysis, 115 cases in Group B, and 116 cases in Group C. Main efficacy indicators [International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) , maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) , Quality of Life (QOL) ] , and sec- ondary efficacy indicators [postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) and prostate volume (PV) , symptoms scores of Chinese medicine (CM) I were observed in each group. The efficacy was analyzed in the three groups by taking average age of subjects (66 years) as the hierarchy factor (50 ≤age ≤66 and <66 0. 05). There was no statistical difference in clinical efficacy among post-treatment groups (P >0. 05). The efficacy in subjects more than 66 years old of Group B was superior to that of Group A and C with statistical difference (P <0. 05). Conclusions LBS, DMT, or LBS combined DMT was safe and effective for treating BPH. LBS combined DMT was suit- able for patients complicated with abnormal PVR or aged over 66 years.

Effect of Longbishu capsule () plus doxazosin on benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Longbishu Capsule (, LBS), doxazosin, and combination therapy on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, multi-center parallel trial was conducted involving 360 patients in hospitals in Beijing (108 cases), Heilongjiang (90 cases), Sichuan (90 cases), Shanghai (72 cases), China. They were randomly assigned with central randomization method to group A (LBS placebo plus doxazosin), group B (LBS plus doxazosin) or group C (LBS plus doxazosin placebo), 120 cases for each group. The international prostate symptom score, maximum urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine volume and prostate volume were measured for evaluating the efficacy of the three treatments. RESULTS: At baseline, there was no significant difference in the measured variables among the three groups. After 12-month treatment, the three groups showed significant improvements in IPSS and maximum urinary flow rate from baseline (P<0.01). Although postvoid residual urine volume was not significantly different from the baseline in group A (P>0.05), it significantly decreased in group B and C (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events were similar among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of LBS alone or LBS plus doxazosin was able to significantly improve IPSS in patients with BPH. The treatments may reduce the increase in prostate volume and postvoid residual urine volume as well.

[Treatment of oligospermia/asthenozoospermia patients by three different Chinese medical principles: a randomized control clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of three different Chinese medical principles in treating patients with male infertility (oligospermia/asthenozoospermia). METHODS: Totally 128 patients with male infertility were classified into 3 groups, i.e., Shen-essence deficiency syndrome, Pi-Shen deficiency syndrome, Shen-deficiency blood-stasis syndrome. They were assigned to the Chinese medical treatment group (96 cases) and the Western medical treatment group (32 cases) by stratified randomization in the ratio of 3: 1. Those in the Chinese medical treatment group were treated with Chinese drugs for Shen invigorating and blood activating, Shen invigorating and Pi supplementing, Shen-qi benefiting. Those in the Western medical treatment group were treated with Clomifene (at the daily dose of 25 mg per day, once daily). Three months consisted of one therapeutic course. The parameters of semen, the pregnancy rate, and adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS: Totally 24 patients dropped out in the two group, 17 in the Chinese medical treatment group (9 patients of Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome, 5 of Shen-Pi deficiency syndrome, and 3 of Shen-essence deficiency syndrome) and 7 in the Western medical treatment group. Compared with before treatment, there was no statistical difference in the improvement of semen amount at 3 months after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in the improvement of semen density, class A semen, class A +B semen, and 1-h activity ratio (P < 0.05). The improvement was most obvious in Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome, followed by Shen-Pi deficiency syndrome and Shen-essence deficiency syndrome. The improvement was the weakest in the Western medical treatment group. There was no statistical difference in the improvement of semen amount, semen density, class A semen, or 1-h activity ratio at 3 months after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). Best effect was obtained in improving class A + B semen quality in patients of Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome, showing statistical difference when compared with the other two syndrome types and the Western medical treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No obvious adverse reaction occurred in the two groups during the treatment course. CONCLUSION: Shen invigorating and blood activating method could improve the semen density and semen activities, and it was superior to other therapeutic methods.