Vitamin D levels in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy patients: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis aimed to explore correlations between vitamin D and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). METHODS: A comprehensive database search was conducted on 13 October 2020. Mean differences (MDs) and aggregated risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine the correlation between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and IIM. Statistical analysis was performed with RevMan 5.4 and Stata15, statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Search revealed five studies with 286 IIM patients and 480 healthy controls. Results with random-effects modeling indicated that serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in IIM patients than in healthy controls (MD = -13.10 ng/mL; 95% CI: -16.51 to -9.68; p < 0.00001). No differences were found between patients with IIM and other autoimmune diseases on vitamin D levels (MD =-2.65 ng/mL; 95% CI: -11.31-6.01; p = 0.55). In two studies with 185 IIM patients, those with low vitamin D levels exhibited higher creatine kinase levels (MD = 85.20 IU/L; 95% CI: 72.67-97.73; p < 0.00001) than those with normal vitamin D levels. VDD was correlated with an increased risk of IIM (RR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.81-5.79; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed correlations between vitamin D level and IIM. The results indicated, VDD may be a risk factor for IIM, a determinant of immune dysregulation in IIM, or a consequence of IIM. Also, it implied further research to determine whether vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for patients with IIM.

[Meta analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion for anxiety and depression in irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of anxiety and depression in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by meta-analysis. METHODS: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, China Scientific Journal Database (VIP), China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS anxiety and depression from database inception to June 30, 2021. RevMan5.3 and Stata16.0 were used to conduct Meta-analysis of relevant outcome indicators. RESULTS: A total of 11 RCTs were included in this study, involving 774 IBS patients (431 in the intervention group and 343 in the control group). Eight of them used manual acupuncture (MA) intervention, and the other three used electroacupuncture (EA) intervention. Meta-analysis showed that compared with the western medicine, MA improved the sedation-agitation scale (SAS) scores (MD=5.24, 95%CI=ï¼»3.49, 7.00ï¼½, P<0.000 01) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores (MD=8.50, 95%CI=ï¼»4.68, 12.32ï¼½, P<0.000 1) in IBS patients, and there was no significant difference between MA or EA and western medicine in the improvement of Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) scores (MD=1.10, 95%CI=ï¼»0.36, 2.56ï¼½, P=0.14) and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) scores (MD=0.53, 95%CI=ï¼»0.89, 1.94ï¼½, P=0.47). In terms of total effective rates (RR=1.21, 95%CI=ï¼»1.12, 1.31ï¼½, P<0.000 01) and the irritable bowel syndrome severity scoring system (IBS-SSS) scores (MD=42.16, 95%CI=ï¼»27.40, 56.91ï¼½, P<0.000 01), both MA and EA therapy was superior to western medicine in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms of IBS patients. CONCLUSION: MA and EA can improve the anxiety and depression of IBS patients, while the influence of other acupuncture and moxibustion interventions needs to be deeply explored with more high-quality RCTs.

[Meta-analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion for the therapeutic effect on postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction of gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (GID) of gastric cancer with meta-analysis. METHODS: The articles of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for postoperative GID of gastric cancer were retrieved from the following databases from the time of database establishment to December 31, 2020, including PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, VIP database and China Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed). RevMan5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Using Stata16.0 software, sensitivity analysis and publication bias test were performed. RESULTS: A total of 16 RCTs were included finally, including 1 360 patients, of which, there were 681 cases in the intervention group and 679 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis results showed that acupuncture and moxibustion shortened the time of first flatus (P<0.000 01, MD =-14.52, 95%CI = [-17.31, -11.74]), the time of first bowel sound (P<0.000 01, MD =-10.50, 95%CI =[-13.99, -7.01]) and the time of first defecation (P<0.000 1, MD =-13.79, 95%CI =[-20.09, -7.50]). Meanwhile, acupuncture and moxibustion shortened the time of the first food intake (P<0.000 1, MD =-3.23, 95%CI = [-3.45, -3.00]) and the hospital stay (P<0.000 01, MD =-1.94, 95%CI =[-2.20, -1.69]) after gastric cancer operation, and reduced the incidences of postoperative adverse reactions, i.e. nausea and vomiting (P =0.000 3, RR =0.43, 95%CI =[0.28, 0.68]) and abdominal distention (P =0.000 5, RR =0.41, 95%CI =[0.25, 0.68]). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion can promote the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function in the patients with gastric cancer. But, for the comparison among different measures of acupuncture and moxibustion intervention, it needs more high-quality trials for a further verification.

Physiological mechanisms by which gypsum increases the growth and yield of Lentinula edodes.

Lentinula edodes is one of the most important commercially cultivated edible mushrooms. It is well known that gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) supplementation in sawdust medium increases the yield of L. edodes, while the physiological mechanisms remain unclear. Our previous study showed that the acidification of the medium to pH 3.5-4.0 was essential for the growth of L. edodes. In this study, it was found that the oxalic acid excreted by L. edodes was responsible for the acidification of the medium. The biosynthesis of oxalic acid was regulated by the ambient pH and buffer capacity of the medium. To acidify the sawdust medium, the concentrations of total and soluble oxalate were 51.1 mmol/kg and 10.8 mmol/kg, respectively. However, when the concentration of soluble oxalate was 8.0 mmol/kg, the mycelial growth rate decreased by 29% compared with the control. Soluble oxalate was toxic to L. edodes, while soluble sulfate was nontoxic. CaSO4 reacted with soluble oxalate to form nontoxic insoluble CaC2O4 and the strong acid H2SO4. When the CaSO4 supplemented in sawdust medium was more than 25 mmol/kg, the soluble oxalate decreased to less than 1 mmol/kg, and the mycelial growth rate increased by 32% compared with the control. In conclusion, gypsum improved the growth and yield by relieving the toxicity of oxalate and facilitating the acidification of sawdust medium. KEY POINTS: • L. edodes excretes oxalic acid to acidify the ambient environment for growth. • Soluble oxalate is toxic to L. edodes. • Gypsum increases growth by reacting with oxalate to relieve its toxicity.

Colloidal Two-Dimensional Metal Chalcogenides: Realization and Application of the Structural Anisotropy.

ConspectusDue to the spatial confinement, two-dimensional metal chalcogenides display an extraordinary optical response and carrier transport ability. Solution-based synthesis techniques such as colloidal hot injection and ion exchange provide a cost-effective way to fabricate such low-dimensional semiconducting nanocrystals. Over the years, developments in colloidal chemistry made it possible to synthesize various kinds of ultrathin colloidal nanoplatelets, including wurtzite- and zinc blende-type CdSe, rock salt PbS, black phosphorus-like SnX (X = S or Se), hexagonal copper sulfides, selenides, and even transition metal dichalcogenides like MoS2. By altering experimental conditions and applying capping ligands with specific functional groups, it is possible to accurately tune the dimensionality, geometry, and consequently the optical properties of these colloidal metal chalcogenide crystals. Here, we review recent progress in the syntheses of two-dimensional colloidal metal chalcogenides (CMCs) and property characterizations based on optical spectroscopy or device-related measurements. The discoveries shine a light on their huge prospect for applications in areas such as photovoltaics, optoelectronics, and spintronics. In specific, the formation mechanisms of two-dimensional CMCs are discussed. The growth of colloidal nanocrystals into a two-dimensional shape is found to require either an intrinsic structural asymmetry or the assist of coexisted ligand molecules, which act as lamellar double-layer templates or "facet" the crystals via selective adsorption. By performing optical characterizations and especially ultrafast spectroscopic measurements on these two-dimensional CMCs, their unique electronic and excitonic features are revealed. A strong dependence of optical transition energies linked to both interband and inter-subband processes on the crystal geometry can be verified, highlighting a tremendous confinement effect in such nanocrystals. With the self-assembly of two-dimensional nanocrystals or coupling of different phases by growing heterostructures, unconventional optical performances such as charge transfer state generation or efficient Förster resonance energy transfer are discovered. The growth of large-scale individualized PbS and SnS nanosheets can be realized by facile hot injection techniques, which gives the opportunity to investigate the charge carrier behavior within a single nanocrystal. According to the results of the device-based measurements on these individualized crystals, structure asymmetry-induced anisotropic electrical responses and Rashba effects caused by a splitting of spin-resolved bands in the momentum space due to strong spin-orbit-coupling are demonstrated. It is foreseen that such geometry-controlled, large-scale two-dimensional CMCs can be the ideal materials used for designing high-efficiency photonics and electronics.

Comparison of acupuncture and pinaverium bromide in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common chronic gastrointestinal diseases, and the current diagnosis of IBS is still based on symptoms and examination. Pinaverium bromide is commonly used as an antispasmodic in the treatment of IBS. But adverse effects of pinaverium bromide are common. Meta-analyses show that acupuncture has a positive therapeutic effect on IBS. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of comparing the efficacy of acupuncture and pinaverium bromide in the treatment of IBS will be searched in the relevant database: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies selected will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. Data will be carried out independently from the selected articles by 2 reviewers. Any disagreement will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer. RESULTS: Our study aims to compare the efficacy of acupuncture and pinaverium bromide in the treatment of IBS and to fill the lack of relevant evidence. CONCLUSION: Through the inclusion of relevant literature, the overall efficacy of acupuncture and pinaverium bromide in the treatment of IBS will be evaluated, and the gap between various acupuncture treatment measures will be further analyzed. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY 202130068.

Effectiveness of Banxia Xiexin Decoction in the treatment of precancerous lesions: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric precancerous lesion (GPL) is a necessary stage in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. At present, the incidence of gastric cancer is increasing year by year. It is important to prevent and control gastric cancer through early detection and intervention. Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) has a good effect in improving symptoms, reducing inflammation, promoting the repair of gastric mucosa, reversing its atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. BXD may be a foreground choice for the treatment of GPL. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of BXD for GPL will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreement will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer. RESULTS: Our study aims to explore the efficacy of BXD for GPL and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of GPL. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence for the efficacy of BXD on GPL. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY 202130102.

Effectiveness of Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang combined with Si-Ni-San for irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a high morbidity rate worldwide, but there are no effective treatment measures, which seriously affect people's lives. Previous clinical studies on Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang (TXYF) combined with Si-Ni-San (SNS) in the treatment of IBS have been increasing, but there is no systematic evaluation. This study aims to systematically study the effectiveness of TXYF combined with SNS in the treatment of IBS. METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, Science Network, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature, Wanfang Chinese Digital Journal and Conference Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and VIP China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) will be used Search related literature, and the search time is from the date of establishment to February 2021. The National Institutes of Health clinical registry Clinical Trials, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and the Chinese clinical trial registration platform will be searched to find ongoing or unpublished trials. After screening the literature according to the criteria, two researchers independently extracted data according to a predetermined table. The primary outcome is total effective rate. The RevMan 5.3.5 software will be used for statistical analysis. Finally, the recommendation, evaluation, development and evaluation system will be used to evaluate the quality evidence for each result. RESULTS: This study will provide the latest evidence of efficacy for the TXYF combined with SNS for IBS. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of TXYF combined with SNS for IBS will be evaluated. UNIQUE INPLASY NUMBER: INPLASY202120075.

Efficacy and safety of Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a significant public health problem associated with a substantial burden of functional disability. The Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction (GSZD), a traditional medicine, has been used in China for a long time to treat RA. This study aimed to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of GSZD in the treatment of RA. METHODS: We will search the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database, and also manually search the Chinese Clinical Trial Register and unpublished studies or references, with the establishment up to February 2021. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we will screen the literature, and the data are extracted independently by the 2 researchers. We will collect RCTs of GSZD in the treatment of RA. RevMan5.3 will be used for statistical analysis. According to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), we will appraise each outcome quality evidence. RESULTS: We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: We will evaluate the efficacy and safety of GSZD in treating RA. UNIQUE INPLASY NUMBER: INPLASY2020120147.

Effectiveness of acupuncture for anxiety and depression in irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most commonly gastrointestinal diseases. The Rome Foundation's global study on 33 countries shows the total prevalence of IBS under the Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria was 3.8%. It is well established that people with IBS have higher levels of anxiety and depression. The impact of the acupuncture associated with anxiety and depression has been widely studied in Western countries. Acupuncture may be a promising choice for the treatment of anxiety and depression in IBS. METHODS: RCTs of acupuncture for depression and anxiety in IBS will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreement will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer. RESULTS: Our study aims to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for depression and anxiety in IBS and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of IBS. CONCLUSION: This study will perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of acupuncture for depression and anxiety in IBS, making up for the lack of relevant evidence of the clinical use of acupuncture. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY 202120014.

Effectiveness of acupuncture for the recovery of gastrointestinal function of patients with gastric cancer in the postoperative period: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common malignant tumors in the world and surgical resection remains the primary treatment for it. Postoperative patients often suffer from gastrointestinal dysfunction as the most common side effects of surgery for GC patients. Acupuncture has a regulatory effect on gastrointestinal function. We conducted this study to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture on the restoration of gastrointestinal function of postoperative patients with GC. METHODS: Seven electronic databases will be searched from inception to November 2020 to identify any relevant study: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). No restriction on time and language. The primary outcome measure will be the Time to First Flatus and secondary outcome measures include the time of first defecation and the quality of life (QOL) and the number of patients with abdominal distention. We will use EndNote V.9.1 to screen the eligible literature and the I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity in the included studies. The meta-analysis will be conducted using the Review Manager (RevMan) software (V.5.3). RESULTS: Our study aims to systematically assess whether the pooled effects of currently available trials prove effects of acupuncture in improving gastrointestinal function of patients with GC in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: This study will conduct an evaluation about the efficacy of acupuncture for the recovery of gastrointestinal function of patients with GC in the postoperative period, making up for the lack of relevant clinical evidence. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020110066.

Efficacy and safety of pricking-blood therapy for acute gouty arthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute gouty arthritis is a joint inflammatory reaction that affects the daily quality of patients. Previous reviews of pricking-blood therapy for acute gouty arthritis have been growing, but a systematic review is not available. This study aimed to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of pricking-blood therapy in treating acute gout arthritis. METHODS: We will search for relevant literature through Chinese and English databases, with the retrieval deadline being December 2020. Databases include PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database. We will also manually search Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Acupuncture Research, Chinese Clinical Trial Register, and unpublished studies or references. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature will be screened, and the data are extracted independently by the 2 researchers. The primary outcomes were the total effective rate and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score. RevMan 5.3.5. software will be used for statistical analysis. According to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), each evidence of outcome quality will be appraised. RESULTS: This study will provide a comprehensive review of current evidence for a pricking-blood therapy treatment for acute gouty arthritis. CONCLUSION: The efficacy and safety of picking-blood therapy in treating acute gout arthritis will be evaluated. UNIQUE INPLASY NUMBER: INPLASY2020100094.

[Mechanisms of tanshinone â ¡_A in reducing 4-HNE-induced hepatocyte damage by activating PPARα].

Tanshinone Ⅱ_A( Tan Ⅱ_A),the liposoluble constituents of Salvia miltiorrhiza,can not only ameliorate the lipidic metabolism and decrease the concentration of lipid peroxidation,but also resist oxidation damage,scavenge free radicals and control inflammation,with a protective effect on prognosis after liver function impairment. Therefore,the studies on the exact mechanism of Tan Ⅱ_A in protecting the liver can provide important theoretical and experimental basis for the prevention and treatment effect of Tan Ⅱ_A for liver injury. In the present study,the protective effects and mechanism of Tan Ⅱ_A on 4-hydroxynonenal( 4-HNE)-induced liver injury were investigated in vitro. Normal liver tissues NCTC 1469 cells were used to induce hepatocytes oxidative damages by 4-HNE treatment. The protective effect of Tan Ⅱ_A on hepatocytes oxidative damages was detected by release amount of lactate dehydrogenase( LDH) analysis and hoechst staining. The protein expression changes of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α( PPARα) and peroxisome proliferator response element( PPRE) were analyzed by Western blot analysis in NCTC 1469 cells before and after Tan Ⅱ_A treatment. The gene expression changes of fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase( FALDH) were analyzed by Real-time polymerase chain reaction( PCR) analysis. The results showed that 4-HNE increased the release amount of LDH,lowered the cell viability of NCTC 1469 cells,and Tan Ⅱ_A reversed 4-HNE-induced hepatocyte damage. Western blot analysis and RT-PCR analysis results showed that 4-HNE decreased the expression of PPARα and FALDH and increased the expression of 4-HNE. However,the expression of PPARα and FALDH were increased significantly and the expression of 4-HNE was decreased obviously after Tan Ⅱ_A treatment. This study confirmed that the curative effect of Tan Ⅱ_A was obvious on hepatocytes damage,and the mechanism may be associated with activating PPARα and FALDH expression as well as scavenging 4-HNE.

Efficacy and safety of oral traditional Chinese patent medicine for chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency patients: A protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency (CCCI) is a common clinical cerebrovascular disease, especially among middle-aged and elderly patients, which seriously endangers their quality of life and physical and mental health. At present, Oral traditional Chinese patent medicine (OTCPM) is widely used in the treatment of CCCI in China, but its actual efficacy and safety lack of evidence-based evidence. Therefore, we will screen out the most effective OTCPM through a systematic review and network meta-analysis to provide a reliable theoretical basis for clinical decisions. METHODS: We will search electronic databases to collect relevant RCT studies from inception to October 2019. Those electronic databases include PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and Wan-fang database. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) concerned any OTCPM treatments for CCCI will be collected. The included studies will no restrictions on language or publication year. There were no publication year or language for the included literature. Risk bias tools will assess the quality of the included literature. A Bayesian NMA will be performed to combine the direct and indirect comparisons of TCPMs interventions. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) will be drawn to display the hierarchy of each TCPMs treatment. All statistical analyses will be implemented using R v3.5.2. and GeMTC v1.4.3.We will publish this systematic review in academic journals. Since this literature review will not involve directly contacting patients, ethical approval and informed consent are not required. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019123878.

Understanding the cellular uptake and biodistribution of a dual-targeting carrier based on redox-sensitive hyaluronic acid-ss-curcumin micelles for treating brain glioma.

The gliomas treatment is challenging due to the limits imposed by blood-brain barrier to the distribution of the drugs in the brain. Therefore, we designed a brain glioma targeting redox-sensitive hyaluronic acid (HA)-ss-curcumin (CUR) micelles. HA was conjugated to CUR through a disulfide bond, which could form micelles independently in aqueous solution. And we further increased the drug loading by loading free CUR. Brain penetration was achieved with Tween 80, whereas glioma-targeting was inclined by CD44-mediated endocytosis. Compared to the disulfide-free group, the redox-sensitive micelles exhibited rapid in vitro drug release under high glutathione conditions, significantly enhanced cell apoptosis and cellular uptake in G422 glioma cells. Redox-sensitive micelles displayed about 4.70-fold higher area under the curve in rats after intravenous injection in comparison to the free CUR and effectively accumulated in the brain. These findings suggest that redox-sensitive micelles could be a promising candidate to achieve brain targeted CUR delivery.