The visual stimulation in disorders of consciousness.

Severe brain damage usually leads to disorders of consciousness (DOC), which include coma, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and a minimally conscious state (MCS). Visual stimulation is widely used, especially in the diagnosis and treatment and treatment of DOC. Researchers have indicated that tests based on visual stimulation including visual pursuit, when used in conjunction with the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised, are able to differentiate between UWS from an MCS. Recently, targeting patients' circadian rhythms has been proposed to be a possible treatment target for DOC. Indeed, light therapy has been applied in some other fields, including treating seasonal affective disorder, sleep problems, and Parkinson's disease. However, at present, although visual stimulation and light therapy are frequently used in DOC, there is still no international unified standard. Therefore, we recommend the development of an international consensus in regard to the definitions, operational criteria and assessment procedures of visual stimulation and light therapy. This review combines visual stimulation, circadian rhythm recovery, and light therapy in DOC patients and presents the mechanisms and current advances in applications related to light therapy and visual stimulation in an attempt to provide additional ideas for future research and treatment of DOC.

Progress in traditional Chinese medicine against chronic gastritis: From chronic non-atrophic gastritis to gastric precancerous lesions.

Chronic gastritis (CG) is a persistent inflammation of the gastric mucosa that can cause uncomfortable symptoms in patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used to treat CG due to its precise efficacy, minimal side effects, and holistic approach. Clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of TCM in treating CG, although the mechanisms underlying this treatment have not yet been fully elucidated. In this review, we summarized the clinical research and mechanisms of TCM used to treat CG. Studies have shown that TCM mechanisms for CG treatment include H. pylori eradication, anti-inflammatory effects, immune modulation, regulation of gastric mucosal cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy levels.

Anti-tumour effect of Huangqin Decoction on colorectal cancer mice through microbial butyrate mediated PI3K/Akt pathway suppression.

Introduction. Huangqin Decoction (HQD), a Chinese herbal formula, is widely used for various diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC).Hypothesis/Gap Statement. We proposed that microbial butyrate mediated PI3K/Akt pathway suppression might involve the anti-cancer effect of HQD.Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the potential mechanism of HQD against CRC.Methodology. An azoxymethane plus dextran sulphate sodium induced CRC mouse model was used, and the intestinal flora and faecal short-chain fatty acid changes were detected, respectively, after HQD administration with 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Disease activity index, colon length and levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured to evaluate the effect of HQD on intestinal inflammation. Tumour size, number and histopathology were assessed to reflect the impact of HQD on tumour burden. Apoptosis and PI3K/Akt pathway activity were measured by TUNEL staining and Western-blotting. In vitro, the effects of sodium butyrate (NaB) on the viability of CRC cell lines were detected by the Cell-counting Kit-8. The apoptotic cells were determined by TUNEL staining. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Western-blotting and immunofluorescent staining were used to test the activity of PI3K/Akt pathway.Results. Animal study showed that HQD could improve the gut dysbiosis, increase the abundance of Clostridium and the level of faecal butyric acid. Then, we found that HQD could attenuate colitis, reduce tumour burden, promote cell apoptosis and suppress PI3K/Akt pathway activity in CRC mice. In vitro experiment revealed that NaB treatment could inhibit cell growth, migration and invasion in CRC cell lines. Additionally, NaB enhanced cellular apoptosis, and reduced phosphorylated PI3K and Akt expressions. Interestingly, addition of 740Y-P, an agonist of PI3K, reversed the NaB effects on CRC cells.Conclusion. Overall, in this study, we revealed that HQD could induce apoptosis through microbial butyrate mediated PI3K/Akt inhibition and perform anti-CRC activity.

Acupuncture for gastrointestinal diseases.

Acupuncture, an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, has gained growing attention around the world in the past decades. Both manual and electroacupuncture are commonly used in clinical practice, especially by patients with gastrointestinal disorders seeking symptoms control due to disease signs recurrence and/or lack of effective treatments. Currently, patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ileus, acute pancreatitis, and gastroparesis may benefit from acupuncture treatment, as clinically evident, and the most frequently used acupoints are chosen from the large intestine, stomach, bladder, and spleen meridian. The underlying mechanisms of acupuncture involve the neuromodulation, adjustment of gastrointestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity, anti-inflammation, repairment of gut microbiota, and intestinal barrier. As methodology advanced, cumulative number of well-designed clinical trials has been established, which might help elevating clinicians and gastroenterologists' awareness and perception toward application of acupuncture for gastrointestinal diseases management.

Transcriptomics integrated with metabolomics reveals the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on apoptosis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is one of the main active ingredients in the fruit of L. barbarum L. It has been used as herbal medicine for thousands of years in China. In this study, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was taken as the research object. After feeding tilapia with 5 different doses of LBP (0 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, 1500 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg) for 55 d, it was found that LBP could promote the growth of tilapia, and this effect was the strongest at Group 1500 mg/kg. Apoptosis analysis in the liver and spleen showed that dietary supplementation with 1000 mg/kg LBP had the best protective effect on the spleen and liver in tilapia. Combined transcriptomics and metabolomics of the spleen in tilapia at Group 0 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) such as NT5C2L1, pmm1, FasL and the differentially metabolites such as xanthine, dGMP, guanine and glutamate were mainly concentrated in signaling pathways such as Purine metabolism and FoxO signaling pathway. In conclusion, LBP regulates the metabolic waste levels of tilapia mainly through Purine metabolism and the FoxO signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting cell apoptosis, improving the utilization of nutrients, and promoting the growth of tilapia. This study not only provides a theoretical basis for the application of LBP in aquatic animals but also provides useful information for the healthy development of the aquaculture.

Enhanced luminescence performances of BaLaMgTaO6:Mn4+ red phosphor by Bi3+, Ca2+ doping for indoor plant lighting supplementary LED.

A new perovskite BaLaMgTaO6:Mn4+ (BLMTO:Mn4+) red phosphor was synthesized for the first time via the high-temperature solid-state method. The emission band of the phosphor ranges from 650 to 750 nm, which matches well with the absorption band of PFR and PR. By doping of Bi3+ and Ca2+ ions in the BLMTO:Mn4+ phosphor, a 4.76-fold enhancement in the luminescence emission intensity was achieved. The optimized BLMTO:0.5%Mn4+, 1.5%Bi3+, 2%Ca2+ phosphor exhibited a high quantum efficiency of 65% and a high color purity of 98.1% with the chromaticity coordinate (CIE) at (0.733, 0.267). Finally, a LED device was fabricated with the BLMTO:0.5%Mn4+, 1.5%Bi3+, 2%Ca2+ phosphor for further agricultural lighting, which emits warm white light with a low color temperature of 3549 K. The result indicates that the BLMTO:Mn4+, Bi3+, Ca2+ phosphors have a potential for applications in agricultural cultivations.

The interpretation of human body in traditional Chinese medicine and its influence on the characteristics of TCM theory.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of serving the Chinese people's health since its birth, including playing an important role in treating and preventing COVID-19 in 2020. The fact that TCM has been used in China for thousands of years shows the value and reason why it must exist. Although TCM has been or is being questioned, there is no doubt about its importance in terms of efficacy. This article focuses on how TCM understands the human body in comparison with anatomy knowledge in western medicine and discusses the development and advances of TCM in terms of the body view and the theory innovation. The purpose is to let foreign scholars get better understanding of TCM from this perspective.

Acupuncture, from the ancient to the current.

Acupuncture is characterized by the insertion of a fine metal needle through the skin of the human body at an acupuncture point (acupoint) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is an ancient form of therapy, and has a long history of prosperity and decline. Due to the persistent efforts of TCM practitioners, a number of well-designed clinical trials regarding acupuncture have been published in the past decade. Besides, numerous basic researches aiming to reveal the mechanisms of acupuncture have also been conducted. Several scientific explanations have been obtained to interpret the arcane TCM theory. This review provides brief information of acupuncture, including its history, status, evidence, and mechanisms.

Effects of weifuchun tablet for chronic atrophic gastritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is defined as an important precancerous disease in the development of gastric cancer. Early intervention of CAG is of great significance in reducing symptoms and blocking its progression to gastric cancer. Weifuchun (WFC) tablet is a classic Chinese patent medicine used to treat CAG. However, there is no systematic review related to WFC for atrophic gastritis published in English. we will conduct systematic review and meta-analysis to provide more evidence on the effectiveness and safety for clinical use of WFC. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Three English database and 4 Chinese databases will be searched from its inception to April 2020. Two trained researchers will independently select the qualified studies for data extraction and assess the quality and risk of bias. Then the meta-analyses will be performed by using the RevMan 5.2 and stata 14.0. The heterogeneity of data will be investigated by Cochrane X and I tests. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to evaluate the stability of the results. A funnel plot analysis and Egger's test will be drawn to assess the publication bias. Finally, we will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluate system to evaluate the methodological quality. RESULTS: The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether WFC is an effective intervention for patient with CAG. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: 10.17605/OSF.IO/2UTMB.

A New Model of Diarrhea with Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine a new method to create a rat model of diarrhea with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome. METHODS: A senna leaf (Folium sennae) decoction was made in 3 concentrations of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 g/mL. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control (C)-, high (H)-, middle (M)-, and low (L)- dose groups. The groups received saline, 1.0, 0.5, or 0.25 g/mL senna leaf decoction, respectively, for 4 weeks. Body weight monitoring, food consumption, water intake, defecation frequency, stool Bristol score, weight-loaded forced swimming test, forelimb grip strength test, D-xylose absorption test, serum cortisone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 24 h urine 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS), and histopathological detection were conducted to assess the success of the senna leaf decoction-induced model. RESULTS: This study showed that the senna leaf decoction could induce diarrhea and dose-dependently slow body weight growth, reduce food consumption, and increase water intake, stool Bristol score, and defecation frequency. Statistical differences were found between groups H and M in rectal temperature, weight-loaded forced swimming time, forelimb grip strength, and serum cortisone. The D-xylose absorption test also showed dysfunction of intestinal absorption in groups H and M. The serum cortisone and 24 h urine 17-OHCS were significantly reduced in group H. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric gavage of 10 mL/kg of body weight of a high concentration of a senna leaf decoction (1.0 g/mL) for 4 weeks was used to create a rat model of diarrhea with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome.

Protein losing enteropathy caused by eosinophilic gastroenteritis: A case report.

Protein losing enteropathy (PLE), a very rare disease with hypoproteinemia and edema as its characteristics, is caused by various diseases resulting in protein depletion from the gut. The diagnosis is relatively difficult due to its complex pathogeneses. The present paper reported a case whose symptom started with acute diarrhea and hypoproteinemia. Gastrointestinal endoscopies showed digestive ulcers and colon polyp. The treatments contained albumin infusion, Chinese herbal decoction and other symptomatic therapies. The hypoproteinemia become even worse and edema occurred after 4 days' treatment. A larger dose of albumin infusion (40-60 g/d) and modified herbal decoctions were prescribed. A final diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) complicated with PLE was confirmed by histopathological examination of a repeated gastroscopy. After three weeks' treatment, the serum albumin level was raised and the edema subsided gradually. In conclusion, herbs may have an effect on PLE patients, but PLE resulting from EG is very complex and easy to misdiagnose, especially in atypical conditions. Further studies are required to find the exact mechanisms.

1H NMR-Based Metabonomic Study of Functional Dyspepsia in Stressed Rats Treated with Chinese Medicine Weikangning.

1H NMR-based metabolic profiling combined with multivariate data analysis was used to explore the metabolic phenotype of functional dyspepsia (FD) in stressed rats and evaluate the intervention effects of the Chinese medicine Weikangning (WKN). After a 7-day period of model establishment, a 14-day drug administration schedule was conducted in a WKN-treated group of rats, with the model and normal control groups serving as negative controls. Based on 1H NMR spectra of urine and serum from rats, PCA, PLS-DA, and OPLS-DA were performed to identify changing metabolic profiles. According to the key metabolites determined by OPLS-DA, alterations in energy metabolism, stress-related metabolism, and gut microbiota were found in FD model rats after stress stimulation, and these alterations were restored to normal after WKN administration. This study may provide new insights into the relationship between FD and psychological stress and assist in research into the metabolic mechanisms involved in Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is one of the most common diseases presenting to gastroenterology clinics. Acupuncture is widely used as a complementary and alternative treatment for patients with GORD. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of GORD. METHODS: Four English and four Chinese databases were searched through June 2016. Randomised controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture (MA/EA) for GORD versus or as an adjunct to Western medicine (WM) were selected. Data extraction and quality evaluation were performed by two authors independently and RevMan 5.2.0 was used to analyse data. RESULTS: A total of 12 trials involving 1235 patients were included. Meta-analyses demonstrated that patients receiving MA/EA combined with WM had a superior global symptom improvement compared with those receiving WM alone (relative risk (RR) 1.17, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.26; p=0.03; six studies) with no significant heterogeneity (I2=0%, p=0.41). Recurrence rates of those receiving MA/EA alone were lower than those receiving WM (RR 0.42,95% CI 0.29 to 0.61; p<0.001; three studies) with low heterogeneity (I2=7%, p=0.34), while global symptom improvement (six studies) and symptom scores (three studies) were similar (both p>0.05). Descriptive analyses suggested that acupuncture also improves quality of life in patients with GORD. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment for GORD. However, due to the small sample size and poor methodological quality of the included trials, further studies are required to validate our conclusions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO Systematic review registration no. CRD42016041916.

Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials.

Objective. To explore the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS). Methods. Four English and four Chinese databases were searched through November, 2015. Randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trials were selected. Data extraction and quality evaluation were performed by two authors independently. RevMan 5.2.0 software was applied to analyze the data of included trials. Results. A total of 14 trials involving 1551 patients were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated superior global symptom improvement (RR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.31, 2.00; P < 0.00001; number needed to treat = 3.6), abdominal pain improvement (RR = 1.95; 95% CI 1.61, 2.35; P < 0.00001), diarrhea improvement (RR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.60, 2.20; P < 0.00001), pain threshold assessment (MD = 54.53; 95% CI 38.76, 70.30; P < 0.00001), and lower IBS Symptom Severity Score (SMD = -1.01; 95% CI -1.72, -0.30; P = 0.005), when compared with placebo, while for defecation threshold assessment, quality of life, and adverse events, no differences were found between treatment groups and controlled groups. Conclusion. This meta-analysis shows that Chinese herbal medicine is an effective and safe treatment for D-IBS. However, due to the small sample size and high heterogeneity, further studies are required.

[Multi-dimensional Clinical Profile for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches of Chinese Medicine].

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are manifested as digestive symptoms, but relative symptoms cannot be confirmed by traditional inspection methods. In 2015 Rome Foundation put forward the conception of multi-dimensional clinical profile (MDCP) for FGIDs, which emphasized multi-dimensional assessment of disease state and aimed to develop individualized treatment program. Chinese medicine also has multi-dimensional thoughts in diagnosis and treatment and has much in com- mon with MDCP in refining diagnosis, attaching importance to psychological factors and spirits, seeking biomarkers, and so on. The correlation between multi-dimensional diagnostic and therapeutic thoughts in Chinese medicine and MDCP was explored by combining functional dyspepsia as focal point.