Optical properties and energy transfer performances in high quality Cr,Nd: YAG transparent laser ceramics for solar pumped lasers.

Realizing a high solar light conversion magnitude in Cr,Nd: YAG transparent ceramic is crucial to its applications in solar pumped solid state lasers. In this study, high quality Cr,Nd:YAG transparent laser ceramics with homogeneous microstructure and theoretical transmittance were fabricated, and an efficient laser oscillation of watt-level was realized by pumping ceramic at 808 nm. There were no any characteristic absorptions corresponding to Cr2+ or Cr4+ ions detected, even when the Cr3+ ion doping concentration reached 0.6 at.%. Increasing Cr3+ and Nd3+ doping concentrations significantly enhanced the emission intensity of ceramics at 1.06 µm, and energy transfer efficiency of the 0.3 at.% Cr,Nd: YAG ceramics was increased from 14.9% to 36.9% when increasing Nd3+ ion concentration from 0.3 at.% to 1.0 at.%, with an increasing magnitude of 247.6%. The results indicated that Cr,Nd: YAG transparent ceramic is a promising gain medium for solar pumped solid state lasers.

Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture Combined with Herbal Medicine for Children and Adolescents with Tourette Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing prevalence of Tourette syndrome (TS), the search for alternative therapy for TS is a growing public concern. In recent years, a growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have revealed the value of acupuncture combined with herbal medicine for the treatment of TS; however, its holistic efficacy and safety remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with herbal medicine and to provide preliminary evidence for clinical practice. METHODS: Eight databases were searched from their establishment to November 27, 2022, to collect RCTs of acupuncture combined with herbal medicine for TS treatment. Two researchers independently completed the study screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment by using NoteExpress, Excel, and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 (RoB 2.0). Stata 15.0 software was applied to conduct meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1,400 participants in 18 RCTs were included. Compared with the Western medicine, acupuncture combined with herbal medicine had better curative effect in the field of effective rate (risk ratio [RR] = 1.18, 95% CI: [1.12, 1.23], p < 0.05, I2 = 0%), Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) total score (mean difference [MD] = -3.91, 95% CI: [-5.49, -2.33], p < 0.05, I2 = 96.4%), TCM syndrome total score (MD = -2.42, 95% CI: [-3.71, -1.13], p < 0.05, I2 = 87.1%), and serum IgE negative rate (RR = 3.41, 95% CI: [1.69, 6.87], p < 0.05, I2 = 0%). Furthermore, acupuncture combined with herbal medicine reduced the adverse reaction rate (RR = 0.20, 95% CI: [0.14, 0.30], p < 0.05, I2 = 0%) and the recurrence rate (RR = 0.27, 95% CI: [0.13, 0.52], p < 0.05, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with herbal medicine, which is probably a better alternative therapy for TS. However, the small number, low quality, and potential bias of the included studies caused the limitations of our results. More high-quality RCTs are required to provide supplementary evidence in the future.Mit der steigenden Prävalenz des Tourette-Syndroms (TS) ist die Suche nach alternativen Therapien für TS zunehmend zu einer Angelegenheit von öffentlichem Interesse geworden. In den vergangenen Jahren zeigte eine immer größer werdende Zahl randomisierter, kontrollierter Studien den Nutzen der Akupunktur in Kombination mit Heilkräutern; ihre ganzheitliche Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit ist jedoch weiterhin nicht klar. Mit dieser Studie sollten die Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit von Akupunktur in Kombination mit Heilkräutern beurteilt und erste Belege für die klinische Praxis gewonnen werden.Acht (8) Datenbanken wurden ab ihrer Einrichtung bis zum 27. November 2022 nach randomisierten kontrollierten Studien (RCTs) über Akupunktur in Kombination mit Heilkräutern zur Behandlung von TS durchsucht. Das Screening der Studien, die Datenextraktion und die Bewertung des Verzerrungsrisikos wurden von zwei unabhängigen Forschern mit Hilfe von NoteExpress, Excel und dem Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 (RoB 2.0) durchgeführt. Die Metaanalyse erfolgte mit der Software Stata 15.0.Insgesamt wurden 1400 Teilnehmer in 18 RCTs eingeschlossen. Im Vergleich zur westlichen Medizin (WM) hatte Akupunktur in Kombination mit Heilkräutern eine bessere kurative Wirkung in Bezug auf die Wirksamkeitsrate (RR = 1,18, 95%-KI [1,12, 1,23], p < 0,05, I2 = 0%), den Gesamtscore der Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) (MD = -3,91, 95%-KI [-5,49, -2,33], p < 0,05, I2 = 96,4%), den TCM-Syndrom-Gesamtscore (MD = -2,42, 95%-KI [-3,71, -1,13], p < 0,05, I2 = 87,1%) und die Serum-IgE-Negativrate (RR = 3,41, 95%-KI [1,69, 6,87], p <0,05, I2 = 0 %). Darüber hinaus verringerte Akupunktur in Kombination mit Heilkräutern die Nebenwirkungsrate (RR = 0,20, 95%-KI [0,14, 0,30], p < 0,05, I2 = 0%) sowie die Rezidivrate (RR = 0,27, 95%-KI [0,13, 0,52], p < 0,05, I2 = 0%).Diese Studie belegt die Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit der Akupunktur in Kombination mit Heilkräutern, die wahrscheinlich eine bessere alternative Therapie für TS darstellt. Unsere Ergebnisse werden allerdings durch die geringe Zahl, die niedrige Qualität und die potenzielle Verzerrung der eingeschlossenen Studien eingeschränkt. Zukünftig sind weitere hochwertige RCTs erforderlich, die zusätzliche Belege liefern.

Clinical treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of radiofrequency ozone and injection of anti-inflammatory analgesic solution into the internal orifice of nerve root combined with traditional Chinese medicine hook operation in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: Patients with lumbar disc herniation who were admitted to our hospital on December 20, 2017 and June 19, 2019 were selected as the main research objects, and the included patients were divided into control group, basic group and comprehensive group by random number table method. Control group was treated with radiofrequency ozone therapy, basic group was treated with injection of anti-inflammatory analgesic solution into the internal orifice of nerve root in addition to the control group, comprehensive group was treated with traditional Chinese medicine hook operation in addition to the basic group. The clinical treatment effects were observed. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients were included in this study, including 40 in the control group, 40 in the basic group, and 73 in the comprehensive group. The results showed that the NRS scores of control group were 3±0.98, 2±0.93 and 2±0.85 at 1 month, 3 months and 1 year after treatment, respectively. NRS scores in the basic group were 3±0.18, 2±0.33, and 2±0.15, respectively. NRS scores in the comprehensive group were 2±0.78, 1±0.54, and 1±0.77, respectively. Compared with the control group, there were significant differences in basic group and comprehensive group at each time point (P < 0. 05). At the same time, compared with the basic group, the NRS score of the comprehensive group was statistically different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ozone and injection of anti-inflammatory analgesic solution into the internal orifice of nerve root combined with hook operation can obtain good short-term and medium-term effects in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. It is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment method. KEY WORDS: Internal orifice of nerve root, Lumbar disc herniation, Ozone.

Effectiveness and safety of warm needle acupuncture for sciatica: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sciatica is a syndrome characterized by sciatic nerve path and distribution area pain. Many kinds of literature reported the definite effect of warm needle acupuncture (WNA) on sciatica. However, there is no systematic review or meta-analysis on WNA for sciatica. Therefore, this study will design a protocol to comprehensively and systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of WNA on sciatica. METHODS: The two researchers in this study will search the electronic database for randomized controlled trials, (RCTs) of WNA on sciatica, The databases we will search include PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Wanfang Database, and Chinese biomedical literature database (CBM). Review Manager 5.4 software and Cochrane risk bias tool will be us used for data analysis and to evaluate research quality. The main clinical indicators will include visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). RESULTS: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of WNA for sciatica. CONCLUSION: This study will provide a reliable scheme for objectively and comprehensively evaluating the efficacy and safety of WNA on sciatica. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020110074.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 3, 8-dimethyl-5-isopropylazulene Derivatives as Anti-gastric Ulcer Agent.

Recent studies showed that Guaiazulene (GA) and Sodium guaiazulene sulfonate (GAS-Na) have good anti-gastric ulcer effect. Here, two series of GA derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-gastric ulcer activity. The data obtained from in vivo testing of these compounds in a rodent ethanol-induced stomach injury model are discussed. Among the tested compounds, A1, A4, and A9 (ulcer index: 1.125 ± 1.246**, 1.714 ± 0.756*, 1.875 ± 1.126*) exhibited better anti-gastric ulcer activity than the positive control Omeprazole (2.005 ± 1.011*). The information got from these studies and the results of 3D-SAR investigation may be useful in the design of novel anti-gastric ulcer agents.

Synthesis and evaluation of asiatic acid derivatives as anti-fibrotic agents: structure/activity studies.

Fibrotic diseases are characterized by the over-accumulation of fibrous components in the extracellular matrix and the liver, which can lead to liver cirrhosis. Current treatment options cannot reverse or halt liver fibrosis, motivating a search for newer treatment options. Previously, we showed that asiaticoside, a bioactive triterpene glycoside from Centella asiatica, has anti-fibrotic properties. Here, the aglycone asiatic acid was chemically modified, and these derivatives were evaluated for their potential as anti-fibrotic agents. The data obtained from in vivo testing of these compounds in a rodent CCl4-induced liver injury model are discussed. The information obtained from these studies may be useful in the design of novel anti-fibrotic agents.