Chinese Herbal Medicine for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: An Overview of Systematic Review.

Objective: To summarize the use of Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and provide high-level evidence for clinical decisions. Methods: We analyzed systematic reviews (SRs). Two English-language and three Chinese-language electronic databases were searched from inception to July 1, 2019. Published SRs and meta-analyses evaluating CHM use in IPF and reporting clinically-relevant outcomes such as lung function, PO2, and quality of life were eligible for inclusion in this overview. The methodological qualities of the included SRs were assessed by AMSTAR and ROBIS tools. Results: All reviews were published from 2008 to 2019. 15SRs were published in Chinese-language while 2 were in English. A total of 15550 participants were included. All intervention arms received CHM with or without conventional treatment and were compared with control arms with conventional treatment alone, or hormone therapy. Twelve SRs were assessed with low risk of bias while five were assessed high risk by ROBIS. The quality of evidence was assessed to be "moderate" or "low" or "very low" using GRADE. Conclusions: CHM has potential benefits for patients with IPF especially in improving lung function (forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO)), PO2 level, and the quality of life of patients. Due to the low methodological quality of reviews, our findings should be interpreted with caution.

Combined effects of lipase and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 1-24-LJ on physicochemical property, microbial succession and volatile compounds formation in fermented fish product.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that either the addition of starter culture or enzyme can improve fermentation in fish or other products. However, little research has been carried out on the effects of coupling starter cultures with lipase on the microbial community and product quality. Suanzhayu is a Chinese fermented fish product that mainly relies on spontaneous fermentation, resulting in an unstable flavor and quality. The present study investigated the impact of lipase and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 1-24-LJ on the quality of Suanzhayu. RESULTS: Inoculation decreased pH and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values, and also helped the dominance of the strain in the ecosystem, whereas lipase addition raised TBARS values and had little effect on pH, water activity (aw ) and microbiota. The addition of lipase and/or Lpb. plantarum increased the content of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters and umami amino acids. The co-additions with the most significant effect and the total contents of volatile compounds (VCs) and free amino acids (FAAs) were 1801.92 g per 100 g and 21 357.05 mg per 100 g, respectively. Former-Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with pH, aw and Prevotella, but positively with VCs (ethyl ester of heptanoic acid, ethyl ester of octanoic acid) and FAAs (Tyr, Phe). Furthermore, adding Lpb. plantarum 1-24-LJ alone or in combination with lipase shortened the fermentation process. CONCLUSION: The present study provides a recommended Suanzhayu process approach for improving product quality and flavor, as well as shortening fermentation time, by adding Lpb. plantarum 1-24-LJ with or without lipase. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Transitioning Economic Statuses of Appalachian Counties during COVID-19.

In the past decade, the Appalachian economy in the United States was scarcely discussed in the literature. No studies were devoted to local economic development after the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease in 2019. This paper fills the literature gap by empirically examining how the Appalachian economy transitioned under the influence of the pandemic. Using county-level data from the Appalachian Regional Commission between 2019 and 2022, the study investigates how the Appalachian economy regressed during the pandemic. Transitioning economy indices were calculated for 420 local counties by comparing their composite index values before and after the outbreak of the pandemic. Regressions were run to estimate the influences of the unemployment rate, per capita income, and the poverty rate. During the pandemic, the unemployment rate consistently had the largest impact on the Appalachian counties' composite index value and the least effect on the poverty rate. The results suggest that the most effective strategy is for the government to reduce the local unemployment rate to improve the economic ranking. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11293-022-09749-2.

Geostatistical model of the spatial distribution of arsenic in groundwaters in Gujarat State, India.

Geogenic arsenic contamination in groundwaters poses a severe health risk to hundreds of millions of people globally. Notwithstanding the particular risks to exposed populations in the Indian sub-continent, at the time of writing, there was a paucity of geostatistically based models of the spatial distribution of groundwater hazard in India. In this study, we used logistic regression models of secondary groundwater arsenic data with research-informed secondary soil, climate and topographic variables as principal predictors generate hazard and risk maps of groundwater arsenic at a resolution of 1 km across Gujarat State. By combining models based on different arsenic concentrations, we have generated a pseudo-contour map of groundwater arsenic concentrations, which indicates greater arsenic hazard (> 10 µg/L) in the northwest, northeast and south-east parts of Kachchh District as well as northwest and southwest Banas Kantha District. The total number of people living in areas in Gujarat with groundwater arsenic concentration exceeding 10 µg/L is estimated to be around 122,000, of which we estimate approximately 49,000 people consume groundwater exceeding 10 µg/L. Using simple previously published dose-response relationships, this is estimated to have given rise to 700 (prevalence) cases of skin cancer and around 10 cases of premature avoidable mortality/annum from internal (lung, liver, bladder) cancers-that latter value is on the order of just 0.001% of internal cancers in Gujarat, reflecting the relative low groundwater arsenic hazard in Gujarat State.

Sub-lethal effects of six neonicotinoids on avoidance behavior and reproduction of earthworms (Eisenia fetida).

Avoidance behavior of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) against six neonicotinoids (NEOs) (acetamiprid, dinotefuram, clothianidin, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, imidacloprid) was studied following the protocol of ISO. The results showed obvious avoidance behavior of E. fetida against the tested insecticides, and the medium effective concentration for avoidance behavior (EC50) of the six pesticides was 0.14, 0.55, 0.91, 7.87, 1.32 and 0.77 mg/kg, respectively. Compared to the acute toxicity, avoidance behavior was more sensitive as an indicator of soil contamination with NEOs. Chronic toxicity of above six NEOs to E. fetida was also evaluated; cocoon production, hatchability, cocoon weight and adult weight were all affected in the test. Cocoon production and hatchability were more sensitive than cocoon weight and adult weight. The reproduction of earthworms were significantly reduced with a 56 d half-maximal effective hatchability concentration (EC50) of 0.37, 0.74, 1.30, 3.57, 1.20 and 0.70 mg/kg (acetamiprid, dinotefuram, clothianidin, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, imidacloprid), respectively. Most of the tested NEOs were highly toxic to E. fetida. Avoidance behavior and reproduction damage of E. fetida was observed at very low concentrations. The existing levels of pollution with NEOs in soil frequently exceed the lowest observed adverse effect concentrations, which are likely to have negative biological and ecological impacts on earthworms.

Yinzhihuang oral liquid combined with phototherapy for neonatal jaundice: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice affects at least 481,000 newborns every year. Phototherapy is recommended but it's effects are limited and adverse reactions can occur. In China, phototherapy combined with Yinzhihuang oral liquid is also used for this condition. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness and safety of combination therapy with Yinzhihuang oral liquid and phototherapy compared to phototherapy alone for treating neonatal jaundice. METHOD: A comprehensive literature search was performed in four Chinese databases, two English language databases and two trial registries from inception to June 2017. Two authors independently screened the citations and retrieved full publications for randomized trials on Yinzhihuang oral liquid combined with phototherapy for neonatal jaundice. The methodological quality of the trials was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3. RESULT: Totally 17 trials (involving 2561 neonates) were included in this review. Fourteen of them had a high risk of bias. Significant differences were detected between combination therapy and phototherapy alone for serum bilirubin level (MD - 50.25 µmol/L, 95% CI -64.01 to - 36.50, I2 = 98%; 7 trials, post-hoc decision choosing random effects model), failure of jaundice resolution (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.32, I2 = 0%; 11 trials, fixed effects model), and time to jaundice resolution (MD - 2.17 days, 95%CI -2.96 to - 1.38, I2 = 98%; 6 trials, random effects model). Adverse events were reported in eight trials but none were serious. Trial sequential analysis for serum bilirubin level suggested that the cumulative Z-curve (which represents 1478 participants) reached the required information size (DARIS = 1301 participants). CONCLUSION: Based on trials with low methodological quality, Yinzhihuang oral liquid combined with phototherapy seemed to be safe and superior to phototherapy alone for reducing serum bilirubin in neonatal jaundice. These potential benefits need to be confirmed in future trials using rigorous methodology. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Systematic review registration: [PROSPERO registration: CRD42016037691 ].

Xuan Bai Cheng Qi formula as an adjuvant treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of the syndrome type phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is used to treat AECOPD as adjunctive therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the TCM formula Xuan Bai Cheng Qi as an adjuvant therapy for AECOPD patients with the syndrome type of phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 244 patients were divided into the intervention group (n = 122, treated with conventional medicine and Xuan Bai Cheng Qi) and the control group (n = 122, treated with conventional medicine and placebo). Total symptom scores (cough, phlegm, wheezing, chest congestion) before treatment and at 3, 5, 7, 10 days post-treatment were recorded. Lung function, arterial blood gas, serum inflammatory cytokines, oxidation/anti-oxidation index were observed before treatment and at the end of the 10-day treatment. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients completed the study. The full analysis set (FAS) population was 244 and the per-protocol analysis set (PPS) population was 229. After the 10-day treatment, symptom scores of the Xuan Bai Cheng Qi group were significantly lower over time compared with the control group (FAS: mean difference -1.84, 95% CI -2.66 to -1.03, P < .001; PPS: mean difference -1.87, 95% CI -2.71 to -1.03, P < .001). FEV1, FVC, and FEV1%pred were significantly higher over time in the Xuan Bai Cheng Qi group compared with those in the control group (day 10, FAS and PPS: P < .05). PaO2 and PaCO2 were significantly improved in the Xuan Bai Cheng Qi group (day 10, FAS and PPS: P < .05). Xuan Bai Cheng Qi was also found to ameliorate cytokine levels and oxidation/antioxidant index compared with placebo. There were no differences in safety variables and adverse events between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Xuan Bai Cheng Qi formula appears to be a safe and beneficial treatment for AECOPD of phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs syndrome type.

Characterization of carbonaceous particles by single particle aerosol mass spectrometer in the urban area of Chengdu, China.

Carbonaceous particles are an important chemical component of atmospheric fine particles. In this study, a single particle aerosol mass spectrometer was used to continuously measure the carbonaceous particles in Chengdu, one of the megacities most affected by haze in China, from January 22 to March 3, 2021. During the observation period, the average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 62.3 ± 37.2 µg m-3, and the emissions from mobile sources were more prominent. Carbonaceous particles accounted for 68.6% of the total particles and could be classified into 10 categories, with elemental carbon (EC) mixed with sulfate (EC-S) particles making the highest contribution (33.1%). EC particles rich in secondary components and organic carbon (OC) particles rich in secondary component exhibited different diurnal variations, suggesting different sources and mixing mechanisms. From "excellent" to "polluted" days, the contributions of EC-S, EC mixed with sulfate and nitrate (EC-SN) and OC mixed with EC (OC-EC) particles increased by 9.8%, 4.5% and 6.6%, respectively, and thus these particles are key targets for future pollution control. The potential source contribution of the southwest area was stronger than that of other areas, and the potential contribution of regional transport to EC-related particles was stronger than to OC-related particles. Most particles were highly mixed with sulfate or nitrate, and the level of secondary mixing further enhanced as pollution worsened.

Correlation between lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms and quality of life in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To explore correlations between the symptoms of constipation and abdominal distention and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with stable disease. METHODS: We studied 191 patients with stable COPD (according to defined criteria) in this cross-sectional study from four three-level class A Chinese medicine hospitals in China. We built an Epidata 3.0 database and performed statistical analysis with SPSS, version 17.0. We analyzed correlations between the frequency of lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms (constipation and abdominal distention) and scores for major pulmonary symptoms (cough, sputum and wheezing) based on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and frequency of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). RESULTS: In addition to their pulmonary symptoms, 39.79% and 40.31% of study patients with stable COPD reported constipation and abdominal distention, respectively. Scores for major pulmonary symptoms (cough, sputum and wheezing), AECOPD and SGRQ values in patients with constipation and abdominal distention were significantly greater, and the 6MWD markedly shorter, than in those without them. According to Pearson's correlation analysis, there were strong correlations between these lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms and scores for pulmonary symptoms, SGRQ, 6MWD and AECOPD. CONCLUSION: Lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as constipation and abdominal distention can adversely affect pulmonary symptoms, frequency of acute exacerbations and quality of life in patients with stable COPD.

Fabrication of carboxymethyl chitosan/oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose composite film and its assessment for coating preservation of strawberry.

In the current study, a novel chitosan-based composite, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCHS)/oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (OCMC) was fabricated and characterized. The composite film (CMCHS 1.5%w/v + OCMC 0.8%w/v) was more uniform and had better tensile properties, UV blocking, water vapor permeability, and antifungal properties than pure CMCHS film. Preservation experiments showed that the CMCHS/OCMC film was more efficient for retaining the quality decrease of strawberry during storage. By the end of 7 days' storage, the hardness, contents of organic acid, soluble solids, and reducing sugar of coated strawberries were increased by 35.1%, 38.5%, 14.1%, and 3.5%, respectively, compared to the control group; and the decay rate of strawberries in CMCHS/OCMC group also dropped to 36%, about 42% decrease than that in control, suggesting the promising application of CMCHS/OCMC composite in coating preservation.