Effect of acupotomy combined with electroacupuncture on knee function of patients with knee osteoarthritis. / åˆƒé’ˆç»“åˆç”µé’ˆæ²»ç–—å¯¹è†å ³èŠ‚éª¨å ³èŠ‚ç‚Žæ‚£è€ è†å ³èŠ‚åŠŸèƒ½çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical effect of combined therapy of acupotomy and electroacupuncture (EA) with the simple application of EA on knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and their influence on knee function. METHODS: Sixty-eight KOA patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, an acupotomy group and an EA group. In the acupotomy group, the combined therapy of acupotomy and EA was adopted. In the EA group, EA was simply used, delivered once every two days, 3 treatments a week；and the duration of treatment was 4 weeks. In the acupotomy group, besides the treatment as the EA group, acupotomy was combined once weekly, and the duration of treatment was 4 weeks. Separately, before and after treatment, and in 4 and 12 weeks after treatment completion (1-month and 3-month follow-up), the results of the timed up and go test (TUG), the 9-step stair climb test (9-SCT) and the knee function (Western Ontario and McMaster University osteoarthritis index visualization scale ［WOMAC］) were measured in the two groups. RESULTS: By the intention-to-treat analysis, the results of TUG, 9-SCT and WOMAC scores were reduced after treatment and in 1-month and 3-month follow-up when compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (P<0.05). Compared with the EA group at the same time point, TUG results were decreased after treatment and in 1-month follow-up, and WOMAC score was reduced after treatment in the acupotomy group. WOMAC score in 1-month follow-up was reduced when compared with that before treatment within the acupotomy group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Either the simple application of EA or the combined therapy of acupotomy and EA can improve knee function, but the combined therapy obviously increases the walking speed and relieves the symptoms such as joint pain and morning stiffness. The treatment with acupotomy and EA is safe and effective on KOA and the long-term effect is satisfactory.

[Network Meta-analysis of different Chinese medicine injections combined with conventional western medicine in treatment of acute heart failure].

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine injection in the treatment of acute heart failure. PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, and SinoMed were searched for the randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Chinese medicine injection combined with conventional western medicines in the treatment of acute heart failure with the time interval from the inception to July 10, 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. Stata 15.1 was used to perform network Meta-analysis. A total of 117 RCTs were included, involving 10 529 patients and 7 Chinese medicine injections: Shenfu Injection, Shenmai Injection, Danhong Injection, Puera-rin Injection, Xinmailong Injection, Shengmai Injection, and Yiqi Fumai Injection. Network Meta-analysis yielded the following results.(1) In terms of improving the total response rate, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA) ranking was Shengmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenmai Injection + conventio-nal western medicine > Shenfu Injection + conventional western medicine > Xinmailong Injection + conventional western medicine > Yiqi Fumai Injection + conventional western medicine > Puerarin Injection + conventional western medicine > conventional western medicine.(2)In terms of reducing brain natriuretic peptide(BNP), the SUCRA ranking was Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine > Xinmailong Injection + conventional western medicine > Yiqi Fumai Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenfu Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Puerarin Injection + conventional wes-tern medicine > Shengmai Injection + conventional western medicine > conventional western medicine.(3)In terms of reducing N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), the SUCRA ranking was Shenmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Yiqi Fumai Injection + conventional western medicine > Xinmailong Injection + conventional western medicine > Shengmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenfu Injection + conventional western medicine > Puerarin Injection + conventional western medicine > Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine > conventional western medicine.(4) In terms of improving the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), the SUCRA ranking was Shenmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Xinmailong Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenfu Injection + conventional western medicine > Yiqi Fumai Injection + conventional western medicine > Puerarin Injection + conventional western medicine > Danhong Injection + conventional western medicine > Shengmai Injection + conventional western medicine > conventional western medicine.(5) In terms of decreasing the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD), the SUCRA ranking was Shenmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenfu Injection + conventional western medicine=Xinmailong Injection + conventional western medicine > Shengmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Yiqi Fumai Injection + conventional western medicine > conventional western medicine > Puerarin Injection + conventional western medicine.(6) In terms of increasing the 6-min walk trail(6MWT), the SUCRA ranking was Xinmailong Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenfu Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Yiqi Fumai Injection + conventional western medicine > conventional western medicine.(7) In terms of reducing the Minnesota heart failure quality of life scale(MLHFQ) scores, the SUCRA ranking was Xinmailong Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenmai Injection + conventional western medicine > Shenfu Injection + conventional western medicine > conventional western medicine.(8)In terms of safety, the group of Chinese medicine injection combined with conventional western medicine had lower incidence of adverse reactions than the control group. The current evidence shows that combining Chinese medicine injection with conventional western medicine treatment can improve the therapeutic effect on acute heart failure, with high safety. Due to the limited number and quality of included studies, the above conclusions need to be verified by more high-quality studies.

Clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of allergic rhinitis by Meta-analysis. METHODS: Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, Elsevier, CNKI, and VIP databases were searched for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTS) on acupoint catgut embedding for allergic rhinitis from the establishment of the database to December 30, 2022. RevMan5.4 and Stata12 software were used for Meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 17 articles were included, involving 1231 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate of acupoint catgut embedding for allergic rhinitis was higher than that of the control group [Pooled Odds Ratio = 5.19, 95%CI (3.14, 8.58), P < 0.00001]. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the total effective rate of acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of allergic rhinitis was stable. The efficacy of the acupoint embedding group was better than that of the western medicine group [OR = 5.78, 95%CI (3.25, 10.27), P < 0.00001]. Acupoint embedding decreased serum IL-33 levels [MD = -70.79, 95%CI (-102.60, -38.98), P < 0.0001] and improved TNNSS score [MD = -0.25, 95%CI (-0.40, -0.11), P = 0.0005] was statistically different from the control group. CONCLUSION: Acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of allergic rhinitis has a certain effect, but the accuracy of this conclusion still needs to be verified by higher-quality RCT in the later stage.

Clinical efficacy of the shallow puncture and more-twirling acupuncture method in migraine treatment and its effects on serum 5-HT and ß-EP levels.

BACKGROUND: The incidence rate for migraine is 12% worldwide, and recurrence is common, which seriously affects the physical and mental health of patients. OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Shallow Puncture and More Twirling method of acupuncture in treating migraine and its impact on serum 5-HT and ß-EP. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with migraine were randomized into a control group and acupuncture group with 38 cases in each. In the control group, patients were orally administered flunarizine hydrochloride before sleep, 2 capsules once daily for 4 weeks. In the acupuncture group, Shallow Puncture and More Twirling method was adopted for the acupoints of Sizhukong (SJ 23), Toulinqi (GB 15) Shuaigu (GB 8), Xuanlu (GB 5), Fengchi (GB 20), Waiguan (SJ 5), Zulinqi (GB 41). Patients were given acupuncture 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Then, the total VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scores, composite score of migraine, serum level of 5-HT and ß-EP, and the clinical efficacy differences were observed before and after treatment and the side-effects were recorded among the two groups. RESULTS: The total VAS scores and composite score of migraine were significantly reduced among both groups after the treatment (P< 0.05), and the serum level of 5-HT and ß-EP was significantly improved (P< 0.05). Compared with control group, the acupuncture group reported lower results in VAS score and migraine composite score (P< 0.05), and higher results in serum 5-HT and ß-EP level (P< 0.05). The acupuncture group with shallow puncture and more twirling method showed a total effective rate of 86.5%, which is higher than the control group (78.4%). The difference is statistically significant (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Shallow Puncture and More Twirling method was superior to flunarizine hydrochloride in the treatment of clinical symptoms of migraine. Acupuncture also increases the serum level of 5-HT and ß-EP in migraine.

Comparison of Blood Routine Changes in Treatment of Aplastic Anemia by Kidney-tonifying and Blood-generating Method and Qi-promoting and Blood-nourishing Method and Mode of Treatment by Stages / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effect of kidney-tonifying and blood-generating method and qi-promoting and blood-nourishing method combined with western medicine on the treatment of aplastic anemia and the characteristics of blood routine recovery， and to explore a new phased treatment model for aplastic anemia. MethodThis study was based on a prospective， multicenter， double-blind， and randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients with aplastic anemia from 19 centers were analyzed and divided into a kidney-tonifying and blood-generating group and a Qi-promoting and blood-nourishing group， which were treated with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） combined with western medicine. The clinical effect and the changes in blood routine in each group during treatment were evaluated. ResultDuring the observation period， 375 cases of aplastic anemia were included in two groups， and TCM syndrome differentiation conformed these cases as Qi-deficiency type and both Qi and blood-deficiency type. These cases were randomly divided into two groups， including 184 in the kidney-tonifying and blood-generating group and 191 in the Qi-promoting and blood-nourishing group， being treated by kidney-tonifying and blood-generating granules and Qi-promoting and blood-nourishing granules， respectively， and combined oral androgen and ciclosporin soft capsules. The treatment lasted for six months and was divided into three stages. Visits were conducted from the beginning of the treatment to the end of the first， fourth， and sixth months. The curative effect was evaluated six months later. The total effective rate of the kidney-tonifying and blood-generating group was 86.4% （159/184）， which was significantly better than that of the Qi-promoting and blood-nourishing group ［68.6% （131/191）， P<0.01）］. The results of the percentage quartile of blood cell growth in each stage of the 2 groups were analyzed. The hemoglobin concentration and platelet count of the patients in the kidney-invigorating blood group continued to increase after treatment, and significantly increased in the second and third stages compared with the first stage (P<0.05). The increase of reticulocyte count was most significant in the first stage of treatment (P<0.05). The reticulocyte count in supplementing Qi and nourishing blood group increased significantly in the first and second stages of treatment (P<0.05). The other observation indicators increased at each stage, but there was no statistical difference in the growth rate. The effects of the two groups were compared by stages. In the second stage of treatment, the increase of hemoglobin concentration in the kidney-invigorating blood group was better than that in the supplementing Qi-nourishing blood group (P<0.05). The increase of platelet count and red blood cell count in supplementing Qi and nourishing blood group was greater (P<0.05). In the third stage of treatment, the increase of hemoglobin concentration in the bushen Shengxue group was more significant (P<0.05). ConclusionThe overall effective rate of the kidney-tonifying and blood-generating method in the treatment of aplastic anemia is better than that of the Qi-promoting and blood-nourishing method， with significant effects and safety. This study has proposed a three-stage early treatment mode for aplastic anemia. The first and third stages (0-1, 5-6 months) were mainly treated by invigorating kidney and generating blood. In the second stage of treatment (2-4 months), invigorating kidney and generating blood combined with invigorating Qi and nourishing blood were adopted. It may be closer to the actual clinical treatment response and objective rule changes of aplastic anemia.

Clinical Effect of Qifu Yixin Prescription on Chronic Heart Failure in Patients with Syndrome of Heart Qi Deficiency / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Qifu Yixin prescription in treating chronic heart failure in the patients with the syndrome of heart Qi deficiency， so as to provide clinical evidence for the treatment of chronic heart failure with this prescription and promote the clinical application and transformation of this prescription. MethodA total of 106 chronic heart failure patients with the syndrome of heart Qi deficiency who met the criteria in Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） from September 2022 to May 2023 were selected and randomized into an observation group （53 cases） and a control group （53 cases）. Both groups received routine Western medicine treatment. In addition， the observation group received Qifu Yixin prescription， while the control group received placebo. The treatment course for both groups was 12 weeks. The New York heart association （NYHA） cardiac function grading， N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）， soluble growth-stimulating expression gene 2 （sST2）， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， the ratio of early diastolic maximum mitral flow velocity （E） to early diastolic mitral annular motion velocity （e'） （E/e'）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， TCM syndrome scores， 6-minute walking test （6MWT）， Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire （MLHFQ）， and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire （KCCQ） were determined before and after treatment. ResultFinally， 102 patients were included for analysis， including 51 patients in the observation group and 51 patients in the control group. After treatment， 42 patients in the observation group showed improved cardiac function grading， with a total response rate of 82.35%， and 32 patients in the control group showed improved cardiac function grading， with a total response rate of 62.75%. The total response rate regarding the cardiac function in the observation group was higher than that in the control group （χ2=4.923， P<0.05）. The observation group outperformed the control group in lowering the NT-proBNP level， elevating LVEF， decreasing the E/e' ratio （P<0.05）， reducing LVEDD and sST2 levels， and recovering TCM syndrome score， 6MWT score， MLHFQ score， and KCCQ score （P<0.05）. None of the safety indexes in the two groups showed abnormal values before and after treatment， and no serious adverse reaction was observed. ConclusionQifu Yixin prescription can improve the heart function， exercise tolerance， and quality of life and alleviate the TCM syndrome of the chronic heart failure patients with the syndrome of heart Qi deficiency by inhibiting myocardial fibrosis.

[Clinical observation of Xiaoluowan (II) in treating epididymitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Xiaoluowan (II) on epididymitis. METHODS: 61 patients with epididymitis were divided into two groups, acute group (23 cases) and non-acute group (38 cases) . Both groups of patients were treated with Xiaoluowan (II) 6g twice a day orally, while acute group patients were given antibiotics intravenously. The treatment period is 4 weeks. The acute group evaluates the therapeutic efficacy comprehensively based on changes in clinical symptoms and signs, while recording changes in visual pain score (VAS). Chronic epididymitis symptom index (CESI) was used to evaluate the clinical symptoms before and after treatment in the non-acute group, and the curative efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the VAS scores in the acute group decreased from 7.08 ± 1.09 to 2.10 ± 1.37 (P<0.05). Total efficiency is 82.60% . In the non-acute group, the scores of pain before and after treatment were 7.08 ± 1.09 and 2.10 ± 1.37, the scores of quality of life were 7.28 ± 1.14 and 1.87 ± 1.56, the total scores were 14.37 ± 1.78 and 3.97±2.73, respectively. The difference was significant(P<0.05). Total efficiency is 84.21% . CONCLUSION: Xiaoluowan (II) is an effective method to treat epididymitis and an effective supplement to modern medicine.

Network pharmacology of Huatan Tongluo decoction and clinical effects of its combination with acupuncture in the treatment of stroke.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to probe the clinical effect and mechanism of Huatan Tongluo decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: The clinical data of 100 patients with ischemic stroke were retrospectively collected. On the basis of treatment method, they were split into two groups, each with 50 cases: the conventional treatment group (acupuncture) and the combined treatment group (Huatan Tongluo decoction + acupuncture). After treatment, the neurological function and clinical therapeutic effects of the two groups were evaluated. The treatment of ischemic stroke with Huatan Tongluo decoction was studied by the method of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) network pharmacology. Resources from databases such as GeneCards, TCMSP, PubChem, Swiss Target Prediction, String, and WebGestalt were integrated, in order to screen for targets of stroke treatment, the active compound composition of Huatan Tongluo decoction, and the targets of compound composition by the use of Cytoscape and R language software. Finally, from the perspective of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) co-expression network, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, the significance of Huatan Tongluo decoction in the treatment of ischemic stroke was discussed. RESULTS: The total effectiveness rate in the combined treatment group was superior to the conventional treatment group. The combined group had higher scores of neurological function, limb movement function, and ability to perform daily living tasks than the conventional treatment group (all P < 0.05). 368 pharmacological targets for Huatan Tongluo decoction and a total of 5690 ischemic stroke targets were retrieved from the database, and 215 intersection targets were found. The results of the PPI network indicated that 43 targets, including EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), SRC (proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase), PTPN11 (protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 11), PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha), AKT1 (serine/threonine kinase 1), VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), and FYN (FYN proto-oncogene, Src family tyrosine kinase), had the strongest interactions, so they could be used as targets for subsequent basic research verification. The results suggested that pathways such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway and other pathways were enriched. CONCLUSION: The combination of Huatan Tongluo decoction and acupuncture can help patients with sequelae of stroke promote the regaining of neurological function, thus improving their movement and enhancing their abilities to perform daily living. Huatan Tongluo decoction can mediate the VEGF signaling pathway and other pathways to treat ischemic stroke.

Fire Needle Combined Therapy or Surgery Therapy for Carbuncle of Neck? A Case Series.

Background: Skin carbuncle is a suppurative infection of adjacent multiple hair follicles and their surrounding tissues, mostly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Skin carbuncle often occurs in the neck, the back, and other skin thicker parts. It can also spread to the subcutaneous tissue and cause extensive subcutaneous infection. It is especially common in people with low immunity such as diabetes, nephritis, and malnutrition. Patients and Methods: We reported four cases of carbuncle of the neck, three of which were treated with traditional Chinese medicine therapy based on fire needles combined with topical drugs, and the other one was treated by surgical incision and drainage, debridement, and dressing change. Results: All four cases achieved good therapeutic effects. The results showed that in the treatment of early carbuncle, compared with surgical treatment, fire needle therapy had less trauma, smaller prognosis scar, less cost, and faster recovery. However, when the carbuncle significantly expands or the deep tissue of the late carbuncle shows erosion necrosis, surgical debridement is necessary. Conclusion: The traditional Chinese medicine therapy based on the fire needle for the early treatment of carbuncle has important clinical significance, which is worthy of further study.

A randomized, parallel control and multicenter clinical trial of evidence-based traditional Chinese medicine massage treatment VS External Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Both massage and topically administered NSAIDs are safe and effective treatments for knee osteoarthritis (KOA); however, different massage technique sects in China caused assessment difficulties for the treatment of KOA. In order to standardize the massage techniques and procedures, we organized multi-disciplinary experts in China to acquire an evidence-based traditional Chinese medicine massage treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The purposes of this study will be to provide clinicians a complementary and alternative therapy for patients and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of evidence-based traditional Chinese medicine massage treatment of KOA compared to External Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel. METHODS AND DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial in which 300 participants diagnosed with KOA will be recruited and randomly allocated to either the experimental group or the control group in a ratio of 2:1. Two hundred participants will receive evidence-based traditional Chinese medicine massage 2 sessions per week for 10 weeks as the experimental group, and 100 participants will receive External Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel 3-4 times per day for 10 weeks as the control group. The patients in the two groups will receive follow-up at two time points at 5 weeks and 10 weeks from the beginning of treatment, respectively. The MRI scans and X-ray will be performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. The primary outcome will be the changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes will be measured by the PRO scale for knee osteoarthritis based on the concept of traditional Chinese medicine (Chinese scale for knee osteoarthritis (CSKO)), X-ray evaluation, and MRI scan evaluation. The data of WOMAC and CSKO will be analyzed at the baseline, 5 weeks, and 10 weeks from the beginning of treatment. The data from MRI scans and X-rays will be analyzed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. The significance level sets as 5%. The safety of interventions will be evaluated after each treatment session. DISCUSSION: This study will provide clinicians with much-needed knowledge for the treatment of KOA through a controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800014400 . Registered on 10 January 2018.

Clinical efficacy of nutritional diet therapy on gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effect of nutritional diet therapy on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: One hundred pregnant women with GDM who were admitted to Ji'nan Central Hospital were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into an observation group (received individualized nutrition nursing, n=50) and a control group (received routine nursing, n=50). RESULTS: The total incidence of postpartum complications in the control group was 28.00%, which was significantly higher than 8.00% in the observation group (χ2=4.500, P=0.034). After nursing, the amniotic fluid index in the observation group increased significantly as compared with the control group (P<0.001). The nursing satisfaction rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (t=14.324, P<0.001). The health condition of newborns in the observation group was better than that in the control group (χ2=4.762, P=0.029). After intervention, the level of blood glucose of women in the observation group was better than that of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Nutritional diet therapy for pregnant women with GDM can help to reduce complications, control blood sugar, and improve the neonatal outcome. It is also conducive to the postpartum rehabilitation of pregnant women. It is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Effect of Chaihu plus Longgu Muli decoction plus five-element music therapy in the treatment of cancer-related depression.

BACKGROUND: Ninety percent of tumour patients have negative emotions during or after anti-tumour treatment, resulting in depression. Western medicine antidepressants have many adverse reactions. Patients often discontinue antidepressants due to intolerance. AIM: This study aims to observe the clinical effect of Chaihu plus Longgu Muli decoction with five-element music therapy in treating cancer-related mild and moderate depression. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with depression in the Oncology Department of Tangshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hebei Province, from July 2017 to March 2019, were selected and randomly divided into the control and study groups (60 cases each) by the random number table method. The study group was treated with Chaihu plus Longgu Muli decoction with five-element music therapy for depression. The control group was treated with escitalopram tablets. After three courses of treatment, the degree of depression, clinical efficacy, quality of life, serum norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, the HAMD-24 (Hamilton Depression 24) scale scores of the study group (13.93 ± 6.32) were lower than the control group (19.04 ± 7.46), and the difference was statistically significant (x2 = 4.048, p = 0.008). The total effective rate of the study group (93.33%) was higher than the control group (73.33%), and the difference was statistically significant (x2 = 7.260, p = 0.000). After treatment, according to the QLQ-C30 (quality of life questionnaire) scale, the functional score of the study group was higher than the control group (p < 0.05), and the symptom score of the study group was lower than the control group (p < 0.05). After treatment, the serum NE and 5-HT levels in the study group were higher than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) (NE: 221.81 ± 31.14 vs 198.91 ± 29.97, t = 4.078, p = 0.000; 5-HT: 141.41 ± 20.35 vs 125.32 ± 14.58, t = 5.781, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Chaihu plus Longgu Muli decoction with five-element music therapy can effectively alleviate patients' cancer-related depression and improve their quality of life, which is worthy of promotion.

Effect of Qingfei Paidu decoction combined with Western medicine treatments for COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPDD) showed to be beneficial for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. PURPOSE: This study aimed to systematically assemble the evidence on the efficacy and safety of QFPDD combined with Western medicine treatments (WMT) for COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CSTJ, CBM, Wanfang Data for clinical trials with a control arm until January 13, 2022. Studies matched the selection criteria were included. Data extraction and quality assessment of the included studies were independently conducted by two reviewers. Review Manager 5.4 was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 9 trials including 1108 COVID-19 patients met the selection criteria. Meta-analysis demonstrated that QFPDD combined with WMT reduced aggravation rate (AR) by 71% [risk ratio (RR) = 0.29, 95% confidence intervals (CI) (0.17, 0.51)], increased effective rate (ER) by 13% [RR = 1.13, 95%CI (1.04, 1.22)], shortened 4.78 days of viral shedding [95%CI (-5.79, -3.77)] and 4.45 days of hospital stay [95%CI (-6.05, -2.86)], also decreased the incidence of adverse events (AE) by 56% [RR = 0.44, 95%CI (0.22, 0.89)]. CONCLUSION: QFPDD combined with WMT might reduce the proportion of severe cases and the incidence of AE, shorten the duration of viral shedding and length of hospital stay. More randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are required to confirm our findings in the future.

Efficacy of Yangxin Recipe in Combination with Conventional Western Medicine in Treatment of Angina Pectoris of Coronary Heart Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of Yangxin Recipe (YXR) in patients with stable angina pectoris of coronary heart disease and its impacts on coronary CT angiography. METHODS: A total of 78 patients with coronary heart disease and angina pectoris were randomly divided into a control group (n = 39) and a YXR group (n = 39). The control group adopted conventional Western medicine while the YXR group received conventional western medicine + oral administration of YXR. After six months of continuous treatment, the clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the level of coronary CT vascular stenosis were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effective rate of YXR was 92.31%, which was higher than (P < 0.01) that of the western medicine control group. The total score of TCM syndromes in the YXR group was (14.44 ± 9.87), which was significantly lower than (P < 0.001) that in the simple western medicine control group (22.44 ± 13.87). The degree of coronary stenosis in the YXR group decreased to (49.87 ± 7.82) %, which was significantly lower than (P < 0.001) that in the western medicine control group (57.05 ± 9.92) %. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of YXR + conventional western medicine in treating coronary heart disease and angina pectoris is significantly improved compared with the simple conventional western medicine.

Optimal exposure targets for vancomycin in the treatment of neonatal coagulase-negative Staphylococcus infection: A retrospective study based on electronic medical records.

BACKGROUND: The currently advocated ratio of area under the curve (AUC) over 24 h to minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC/MIC) > 400 and AUC < 600 mg h/L as the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) target of vancomycin is based on data from multiple observational studies in adult patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. It may not be applicable to newborns with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) infection. We conducted a retrospective study to identify the optimal exposure targets for vancomycin in the treatment of neonatal CoNS infection. METHODS: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, serum vancomycin concentration, demographics, clinical data, and related laboratory data of newborns who received vancomycin intravenous infusion from June 1, 2016 to February 1, 2021 were collected retrospectively. The AUC was calculated using the maximum a posteriori Bayesian (MAPB) method. The vancomycin exposure threshold of AUC/MIC for efficacy and AUC for toxicity (acute kidney injury, AKI) were determined based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The correlation between vancomycin exposure and both clinical effect and nephrotoxicity was analyzed using logistic multivariate regression. RESULTS: In total, 153 patients and 245 vancomycin concentrations (160 trough and 85 peak concentrations) were included. The ROC curve analysis showed that the exposure thresholds of AUC/MIC for clinical efficacy and AUC for nephrotoxicity were 281 and 602 mg h/L, respectively. The multivariate regression analysis showed that AUC/MIC > 280 was a predictor of efficacy (OR: 13.960, 95% CI: 1.891-103.078, P < 0.05) and AUC > 600 mg h/L was associated with AKI (OR: 9.008, 95% CI: 2.706-29.983, P < 0.05). The vancomycin AUC/MIC threshold for treating neonatal CoNS infection with vancomycin is lower than the currently advocated AUC/MIC >400. CONCLUSION: The optimal exposure targets for vancomycin in neonatal CoNS infection were AUC/MIC > 280 and AUC < 600 mg h/L.

Effect evaluation of acupuncture combined with nerve block treatment on patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with nerve block treatment on Grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis. METHODS: Seventy patients with Grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis were randomly divided into a control group (n=70) treated with merely nerve block and an observation group (n=70) treated with acupuncture based on the nerve block treatment in the control group. The clinical efficacy rate, pain severity evaluated by VAS (on the 3rd day and in one week after treatment), recovery of spinal functions evaluated by Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) and the quality of life reflected by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The overall efficacy rate (94.29% vs 77.14%, P=0.036) and SF-36 score of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (both P<0.05). The VAS and ODI scores of the two groups after treatment were decreased and the observation group had lower scores (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with nerve block can improve the efficacy rate of treatment of Grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis, relieve the pain of patients, restore their spinal functions and improve their quality of life, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Exploration of the pathogenic factors of neonatal jaundice and the clinical effect of blue phototherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenic factors of neonatal jaundice and the clinical effect of blue light phototherapy. METHODS: We selected 240 children with neonatal jaundice admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 as the research subjects, and divided them into a control group and experimental group by a random grouping method, with 120 cases in each group. The control group received conventional treatment, and the experimental group received blue phototherapy. We observed the therapeutic effect on the two groups and analyzed the onset factors, compared the transcutaneous bilirubin value, serum bilirubin level, the time for the jaundice to subside after treatment, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) in the myocardial enzyme spectrum, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to show liver function. RESULTS: Rate of effective treatment in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group. The transcutaneous bilirubin values and serum bilirubin levels of the two groups of children with jaundice were reduced after treatment (P<0.001), and the decrease in the experimental group after treatment was more notable (P<0.001). Jaundice subsided after treatment in the experimental group faster than in the control group (P<0.001). Children with jaundice in the experimental group had lower indexes of LDH, CK, ALT and AST compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Phototherapy is a preferable method for neonatal jaundice and worthy of clinical application.

Clinical observation of warming acupuncture and moxibustion at the temples combined with Deanxit in the treatment of tension headache with anxiety and depression: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Tension-type headache (TTH), also called muscle contraction headache or neurological headache, is mainly characterized by chronic and persistent bilateral headache in the neck and a severe sense of restraint in the head. This study aims to analyze the effect of warming acupuncture and moxibustion at temples combined with Deanxit on tension headache. METHODS: A total of 252 patients with anxiety and tension headache were randomly divided into routine group and study group. The study group was treated with Dailixin on the basis of warm acupuncture and moxibustion. The headache score, pericranial muscle tenderness score, therapeutic effect, tension headache attack times and duration, HAMD and HAMA scores were analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: The effective cure rate of the study group was significantly higher than that of the routine group. The pericranial muscle tenderness scores of the study group were significantly lower than those of the routine group. Furthermore, the headache degree score, number of attacks, and duration of the study group after treatment were significantly lower than those of the routine group. And the HAMD and HAMA scores in the study group was significantly lower than those in the routine group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of warming acupuncture and moxibustion at temples combined with Deanxit in the treatment of tension headache significantly reduces the number and duration of headache attacks and decreases the degree of headache.

Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment of Migraine Delivered by Senior or Junior Acupuncturists: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Acupuncture is an efficacious and safe treatment choice for migraine prevention. Results from clinical trials have shown that non-specific effects play an important role in acupuncture's efficacy. To date, however, there is no evidence available quantitatively evaluating the effect of non-specific effects, such as patients' expectations and beliefs for acupuncturists, on acupuncture efficacy, necessitating further exploration. METHODS: A total of 156 patients with migraine without aura (MwoA) will be randomized to either junior or senior acupuncturist group, at a ratio of 1:1. The study will last 24 weeks, for each patient, comprising baseline, treatment, and follow-up phases lasting 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. All patients will undergo 12 sections of acupuncture treatment delivered by either a junior or senior acupuncturist following the same acupuncture prescription and manipulation. The primary outcomes will be changes in the number of migraine days and frequency of attacks per 4 weeks cycle, relative to the baseline. Secondary outcomes will include severity of headache pain, quality of life, anxiety/depression levels, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) per 4 weeks cycle, compared to the baseline, as well as adverse events and rate of positive response to treatment. Prior to randomization of patients into junior or senior acupuncturist groups, the Acupuncture Expectations Evaluation Scale (AES) will be used to evaluate their expectations and belief with regards to acupuncture efficacy delivered by senior or junior acupuncturists. DISCUSSION: Results from this clinical randomized controlled trial will help to quantitatively evaluate the extent of the effect of acupuncture treatment delivered by a senior or junior acupuncturist (high relative to low expectations) in migraine patients. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has been approved by the Institutional Review Boards and Ethics Committees of Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Approval No. 2020KL-058).