A systematic review and meta-analysis of moxibustion for chronic prostatitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a common condition that affects many individuals. Previous clinical trials have explored the use of moxibustion as a potential treatment for CP. However, the evidence on the effectiveness of moxibustion for CP remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively assess the effects of moxibustion for CP. METHODS: In order to gather relevant and up-to-date information, we conducted a systematic literature search of databases including Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, CNKI, and Wangfang from inception until June 30, 2023. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of moxibustion for CP were included in this study. The primary outcomes of interest were the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) scores and the overall response rate. To evaluate the quality of the included studies, we used the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. RESULTS: After analyzing the data from 8 RCTs involving a total of 664 patients, we found significant differences in NIH-CPSI scores between moxibustion and other treatment modalities. Specifically, when compared with herbal medicine, moxibustion was associated with a mean difference (MD) of -1.78 in NIH-CPSI scores (95% confidence interval [CI] [-2.78, -0.78], P < .001), and when compared with western medicine, moxibustion was associated with a MD of -5.24 in NIH-CPSI scores (95% CI [-7.80, -2.67], P < .08). In terms of the overall response rate, moxibustion was found to be superior to herbal medicine, with a MD of 2.36 (95% [19, 4.67], P = .01). Additionally, when moxibustion was combined with herbal medicine, it yielded a higher overall response rate with a MD of 4.07 (95% CI [1.54, 10.74], P = .005) compared to herbal medicine alone. Moxibustion also outperformed western medicine in terms of the overall response rate, with a MD of 4.56 (95% CI [2.24, 9.26], P < .001). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, moxibustion appears to be a potentially efficacious treatment for CP. The results suggest that moxibustion can improve NIH-CPSI scores and overall response rate in patients with CP. However, further high-quality studies are needed to validate these results and establish the long-term effects of moxibustion as a treatment for CP.

Yangxin decoction for the treatment of angina pectoris of coronary heart disease: A systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the effectiveness of Yangxin Decoction (YXD) in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with angina pectoris (AP). METHODS: In this study, we systematically and comprehensively searched the PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WANGFANG, and VIP databases from their establishment to June 1, 2022. Clinical randomized controlled trials of YXD for the management of AP in patients with CHD were considered for inclusion. The outcomes included the response rate of AP, response rate based on electrocardiogram, and the rate of nitroglycerin use. Two authors independently performed literature selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. Any differences were resolved by a third author through a discussion. RESULTS: Nine trials involving 819 patients were included. The meta-analysis results showed that YXD significantly improved the response rate of AP (OR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.96-4.55, I2 = 0%, P < .01) and the response rate based on the electrocardiogram (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.28-2.78, I2 = 26%, P < .01), and significantly reduced the rate of nitroglycerin use (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.19-3.52, I2 = 0%, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that YXD was effective in the treatment of patients with AP of CHD. Further studies are required to confirm these results.

Domino Effect: Gold Electrocatalyzing Lithium Reduction to Accelerate Nitrogen Fixation.

Green production of NH3 , especially the Li-mediated electrochemical N2 reduction reaction (NRR) in non-aqueous solutions, is attracting research interest. Controversies regarding the NRR mechanism greatly impede its optimization and wide applications. To understand the electrocatalytic process, we treated Au coated carbon fibrous paper (Au/CP) as the model catalyst. In situ XRD confirmed the transformation of lithium intermediates during NRR. Au greatly improved electron transfer kinetics to catalyze metallic Li formation, and accordingly highly accelerated spontaneous NRR. The Faradaic efficiency of NRR on Au/CP reached 34.0 %, and NH3 yield was as high as 50 µg h-1 cm-2 . Our research shows that the key step of Li-mediated non-aqueous NRR is electrocatalytic Li reduction and offers a novel electrocatalyst design method for Li reduction.

Yangxin Decoction combined acupuncture on blood lipid metabolism in Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis type of Chest Bi-Syndrome: A protocol of systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, clinical studies about Yangxin Decoction combined acupuncture (YXDA) for the treatment of Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis type of Chest Bi-Syndrome (CBS-QDBS) has been increased, but the results are different. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of YXDA on blood lipid metabolism (BLMB) in patients with CBS-QDBS. METHODS: We will collect any randomized controlled trials that assess the effect of YXDA on BLMB in CBS-QDBS from PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All of these databases will be searched from their initial time to the present. All language limitation will be imposed. Literature selection, information collection, and risk of bias assessment will be performed independently by two authors, respectively. All data analysis will be undertaken using RevMan 5.3 Software. RESULTS: This study will summarize the systematic nature of the literature search and its methods for assessing study quality and analyzing all relevant outcome data. Considering the inconsistent results, this study will improve the existing evidence on the effect of YXDA on BLMB in CBS-QDBS. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will present the latest evidence of YXDA on BLMB in patients with CBS-QDBS. STUDY REGISTRATION: INPLASY202070047.