Screening Study on the Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Part II: Wild Chrysanthemum.

Background and Aims: Part 2 of our ongoing research with anti-angiogenic effects focuses on Wild chrysanthemum; a heat-clearing and detoxicating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We screened six heat-clearing and detoxicating TCM and noticed that wild chrysanthemum has a potent anti-angiogenic effect in zebrafish. This study aims to determine the genetic mechanisms underlying the anti-angiogenic effects of wild chrysanthemum. Methods: Wild chrysanthemum was decocted, concentrated, sieved and desiccated to attain the water extract. 200µg/mL wild chrysanthemum water extract (WCWE) was diluted in 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and given to zebrafish via fish water. 48h post-fertilization (hpf) fli1a-EGFP transgenic zebrafish were used to assay angiogenesis. mRNA-seq, qRT-PCR assay and a parallel reaction monitor (PRM) were carried out to reveal the underlying mechanisms. Results: WCWE showed a significant anti-angiogenic effect in zebrafish. The results of mRNA-seq showed that there were 1119 genes up-regulated and 1332 genes down-regulated by WCWE. The bioinformatic analysis based on mRNA-seq demonstrated that the proteasome signaling pathway was significantly down-regulated. The results of the qRT-PCR assay were consistent with those of the mRNA-seq assay. The results of the PRM assay showed that nine proteins involved in proteasome signaling and the protein expression level of ctnnb2 were significantly down-regulated. The results of the KEGG pathway analysis based on PRM assay demonstrated that WCWE may have an inhibitory action on the regulatory particle of the proteasome. Conclusion: Wild chrysanthemum has a significant anti-angiogenic effect in zebrafish and it may have an inhibitory action on the regulatory particle of the proteasome. The mechanisms underlying the anti-angiogenic effects of wild chrysanthemum may be related to the down-regulation of proteasome/ß-catenin signaling in zebrafish.

Transplantation of encapsulated human Leydig-like cells: A novel option for the treatment of testosterone deficiency.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the transplantation of alginate-poly-ʟ-lysine-alginate (APA)-encapsulated rat Leydig cells (LCs) provides a promising approach for treating testosterone deficiency (TD). Nevertheless, LCs have a limited capacity to proliferate, limiting the efficacy of LC transplantation therapy. Here, we established an efficient differentiation system to obtain functional Leydig-like cells (LLCs) from human stem Leydig cells (hSLCs). Then we injected APA-encapsulated LLCs into the abdominal cavities of castrated mice without an immunosuppressor. The APA-encapsulated cells survived and partially restored testosterone production for 90 days in vivo. More importantly, the transplantation of encapsulated LLCs ameliorated the symptoms of TD, such as fat accumulation, muscle atrophy and adipocyte accumulation in bone marrow. Overall, these results suggest that the transplantation of encapsulated LLCs is a promising new method for testosterone supplementation with potential clinical applications in TD.

Gegen huangqin huanglian decoction for children rotavirus enteritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus infection is the main cause of severe dehydration enteritis in children under 5 years old. It gives rise to malnutrition and even death in children even though there were rotavirus vaccines. However, there is no effective anti-virus drugs for rotavirus, supporting treatments are used in the clinics. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been treating diarrhea for many years. Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Decoction (GHHD)is a classic prescription for diarrhea in TCM. With the development of clinical trials and basic studies, GHHD has been proved that a good curative effect on diarrhea. Therefore, a systematic review is necessary to improve available evidence for GHHD in therapy of children under 5 years old with rotavirus enteritis. METHODS: Different studies from various databases will be involved in this study. Only randomized controlled trials of rotavirus enteritis patients diagnosed with Guidelines for the Treatment of Acute Gastroenteritis in Outpatient Pediatrics, which released by the Washington International Children's Medical Center, Zhu Futang's Practical Pediatrics (7 th Edition), and the 2016 clinical practice guidelines for children with acute infectious diarrhea in China. We will search the literature in the databases from China Conference Paper Database, manual searching. Electronic database includes PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI (China National Knowledge Internet), WanFang, VIP (Chongqing VIP), and CBM (China Biomedical Literature CDROM Database). The primary outcomes include the total effective rate, the time of stopping diarrhea, the level of IL-6 serum concentration, fecal microflora ratio, the conversion of fecal rotavirus antigen. The secondary outcomes include clinical efficacy and the quantitative integral of TCM symptom, recovery time of stool character, treatment period. Besides, incidence of adverse events (such as irritation and toxicity) and costs will be also considered. Data will be extracted by 2 researchers independently, risk of bias of the meta-analysis will be evaluated based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. All data analysis will be conducted by data statistics software Review Manager V.5.3 and Stata V.12.0. RESULTS: This study will synthesize and provide high-quality evidence based on the data of the currently published GHHD for the treatment of children rotavirus enteritis, in terms of the total effective rate, the time of stopping diarrhea, the level of IL-6 serum concentration, fecal microflora ratio, stool rotavirus antigen, clinical efficacy and the quantitative integral of TCM symptom, recovery time of stool character, treatment period, and safety. CONCLUSION: This systematic review aims to evaluated the benefits and harms of GHHD for the treatment of children rotavirus enteritis reported in randomized controlled trials, and provide more options for clinicians and patients to treat children rotavirus enteritis. REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020100023.

[Effect of catgut implantation at "Yingxiang"(LI20) on lower airway remodeling in allergic rhinitis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of catgut implantation at "Yingxiang"(LI20) on lower airway remodeling and levels of osteopon-tin (OPN) protein in allergic rhinitis (AR) rats, so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of AR. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and catgut implantation groups, with 10 rats in each group. The AR model was established by intraperitoneal injection and nasal drip of ovalbumin. The catgut implantation was applied to bilateral "Yingxiang"(LI20) for 28 days in rats of the catgut implantation group. The total score of allergic symptoms of rats in each group were observed. The histopathological changes of lower airway were observed under light microscope after Hematoxylineosin, Periodic acid-Schiff and Masson staining. The expression of OPN protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, separately. RESULTS: The total score of allergic symptoms of nose-wiping, running nose and sneezing, count of lung goblet cells, lung fiber content, and immunoactivity and expression levels of OPN protein were significantly increased in the model group in contrast to the control group (P<0.05). After the intervention, the total score of allergic symptoms, count of lung goblet cells, immunoactivity and expression levels of OPN protein were considerably down-regulated in the catgut implantation group relevant to the model group (P<0.05). H．E. stain showed thickening of partial airway wall, narrowing of lumen, increase of mucus section, widened alveolar septum, infiltration of inflammatory cells, lymphocytes and eosinophil around the bronchus and in the lung interstitium in AR rats, which was milder in the catgut implantation group. The immunoactivity and expression levels of OPN protein were positively related with the lung goblet cells count and lung fiber content (P<0.05，P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupoint implantation of catgut can improve pathological changes of lower airway remodeling, which may be related to its effect in down-regulating the expression of OPN protein in the lung tissue.

Transurethral resection of the prostate is an independent risk factor for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Biochemical recurrence (BCR) is important for measuring the oncological outcomes of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy (RP). Whether transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has negative postoperative effects on oncological outcomes remains controversial. The primary aim of our retrospective study was to determine whether a history of TURP could affect the postoperative BCR rate. We retrospectively reviewed patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who had undergone RP between January 2009 and October 2017. Clinical data on age, prostate volume, serum prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA), biopsy Gleason score (GS), metastasis stage (TNM), D'Amico classification, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification were collected. Statistical analyses including Cox proportional hazard models and sensitivity analyses which included propensity score matching, were performed, and the inverse-probability-of-treatment-weighted estimator and standardized mortality ratio-weighted estimator were determined. We included 1083 patients, of which 118 had a history of TURP. Before matching, the non-TURP group differed from the TURP group with respect to GS (P= 0.047), prostate volume (mean: 45.19 vs 36.00 ml, P < 0.001), and PSA level (mean: 29.41 vs 15.11 ng ml-1, P= 0.001). After adjusting for age, PSA level, T stage, N stage, M stage, and GS, the TURP group showed higher risk of BCR (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-3.94, P= 0.004). After matching (ratio 1:4), patients who underwent TURP were still more likely to develop BCR according to the adjusted propensity score (HR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.05-3.79, P= 0.034). Among patients with PCa, those with a history of TURP were more likely to develop BCR after RP.

"Yellow-dragon Wonderful-seed Formula" for hyperuricemia in gout patients with dampness-heat pouring downward pattern: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories, the typical clinical manifestations of gout are attributed to the "dampness-heat pouring downward." Therefore, TCM practitioners always consider prescribing the formulae which are believed to clear heat and drain dampness for the management of gout. This clinical trial aims: (1) to determine the hypouricemic effect of "Yellow-dragon Wonderful-seed Formula" (YWF) decoction in gout patients with dampness-heat pouring downward pattern and (2) to determine if gypsum could provide additional significant benefits to YWF. METHODS: A total of 72 hyperuricemic individuals with gout and dampness-heat pouring downward pattern were included with 62 of them completing the trial. Participants were randomly assigned to the YWF group, the YWF + gypsum group, or the allopurinol group. YWF and YWF + gypsum decoctions were orally administered for four weeks. Allopurinol was also orally administered for four weeks as the active control. Serum uric acid (sUA) level was the primary outcome measure. Urine urate level, scores on the SF-36 scale, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), X ray film, and C reactive protein (CRP) level were the secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Compared with the values at week 0, YWF and YWF + gypsum did not significantly decrease the sUA level at each weekend reading. YWF, YWF + gypsum, and allopurinol decreased the urine urate levels and there were significant differences between the YWF group and the YWF + gypsum group. All the changes in the eight structures of SF-36 during the intervention period were not significantly different among the three groups and there was no significant difference in the CRP level among the three groups at each weekend reading. CONCLUSIONS: YWM, which modified on the basis of Two Wonderful Herbs Powder (2WHP), does not show significant hypouricemic effect. There is a possibility that Gypsum Fibrosum may provide additional effects to YWF in decreasing the urine urate levels but cannot add benefits to YWF in other outcome measures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-TRC-12001933 . Registered on 10 February 2012.

Lead Poisoning Caused by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is widely used for primary health care worldwide as it mostly consists of herbs or herbal extracts known to be safe. However, owing to the intentional or unintentional addition to herbs of lead-containing bases or pastes, lead poisoning from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remains a serious issue. We report here a case of lead poisoning caused by long-term use of homemade TCM. A 66-year-old man was admitted for periumbilical pain and constipation. A detailed medication history revealed that the patient had been using homemade TCM for the past 8 months. Screening for heavy metals showed that the patient had a blood lead level of 657 µg/L and his wife, who was asymptomatic, had a blood lead level of 488 µg/L. Chemical analysis confirmed a lead concentration of more than 4,000 mg/kg in the TCM. Both individuals were advised to discontinue the medications and chelation treatment was immediately initiated for the husband. The patient's periumbilical pain was noticeably relieved after treatment, and blood lead levels returned to normal after three treatment rounds. We also review here the literature to summarize the usual reasons for taking TCM and common features of lead poisoning. Our findings suggest that potential exposure to lead from TCM treatment must be considered when diagnosing unexplained cases of abdominal colic in China. The Chinese health authority should speed up legislation to improve the regulatory framework of TCM, especially regarding small private clinics.

Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for management of poststroke depression: A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Poststroke depression (PSD) constitutes an important complication of stroke, leading to great disability as well as increased mortality. Since which treatment for PSD should be preferred are still matters of controversy, we are aiming to compare and rank these pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will employ a network meta-analysis to incorporate both direct and indirect evidence from relevant trials. We will search PubMed, the Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and the reference lists of relevant articles for randomized controlled trials (RCT) of different PSD treatment strategies. The characteristics of each RCT will be summarized, including the study characteristics, the participant characteristics, the outcome measurements, and adverse events. The risk of bias will be assessed by means of the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. The primary outcome was change in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score. Secondary outcomes involve patient response rate (defined as at least a 50% score reduction on HAMD), and remission rate (defined as no longer meeting baseline criteria for depression). Moreover, we will assess the acceptability of treatments according to treatment discontinuation. We will perform pairwise meta-analyses by random effects model and network meta-analysis by Bayesian random effects model. CONCLUSION: Formal ethical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected. Our results will help to reduce the uncertainty about the effectiveness and safety of PSD management, which will encourage further research for other therapeutic options. The review will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016049049.

Screening study on the anti-angiogenic effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Part I: Heat-clearing and detoxicating TCM.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Few studies have explored the anti-angiogenic effects of TCM - even more so, as it applies to cancer treatment research. Heat-clearing and detoxicating TCM is the most frequently used category in the treatment of cancerous tumors, but lacks sufficient validation studies. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present research (in our series of studies) aims to explore the anti-angiogenic effects of TCM; so we begin with heat-clearing and detoxicating TCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six typical heat-clearing and detoxicating TCM (Philippine Violet Herb, Wild Chrysanthemum, Heartleaf Houttuynia Herb, Chinese Lobelia Herb, Spreading Hedyotis Herb and Uniflower Swisscentaury Root) were decocted, concentrated, sieved and desiccated to attain the water extract. This study utilized the vascular organism research model for Fli1a-EGFP zebrafish, which were raised and maintained under standard conditions. 22h post-fertilization (hpf) embryos were distributed into 12-well plates for a treatment period of 26h. The TCM water extracts which were diluted in 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), were added to each well at a concentration of 200µg/ml. The positive control was 5µg/ml PTK787 (vatalanib) and the vehicle control was 0.1% DMSO. At 48hpf larvae were tricaine anesthetized and imaged. To demonstrate if TCM shows angiogenesis defects, ten larvae were randomly chosen to conduct a quantitative assay. Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to dissect the mechanisms involved by analyzing the contributions of signaling pathways and molecules concerning angiogenesis, with a total of ten genes examined. RESULTS: All 30 larvae treated with Wild Chrysanthemum, Uniflower Swisscentaury Root and PTK787 showed angiogenesis defects. Embryos treated with Wild Chrysanthemum and Uniflower Swisscentaury Root showed a lower number of complete intersegmental vessels (ISVs) and there was statistically significant differences between TCM and the vehicle control. Wild Chrysanthemum and Uniflower Swisscentaury Root have a higher inhibition rate and the statistical difference between TCM and the vehicle control was significant. Compared with vehicle controls, Wild Chrysanthemum could significantly modulate the relative mRNA expression of all ten genes. Whereas, Uniflower Swisscentaury Root could significantly regulate the relative mRNA expression of seven genes, it did not show a significant impact on the remaining three genes. CONCLUSIONS: The present research demonstrates that Wild Chrysanthemum and Uniflower Swisscentaury Root have anti-angiogenic effects in zebrafish and that they could regulate both proangiogenic mechanisms and negative angiogenesis regulators. Their anti-angiogenic effects result from effects on negative regulators overriding their effects on proangiogenic mechanisms. The results provide new insights into their clinical application and therapeutic potential for the management of angiogenesis-dependent diseases such as cancer.

Performance of a combined system of biotrickling filter and photocatalytic reactor in treating waste gases from a paint-manufacturing plant.

A pilot-scale biotrickling filter (BTF) was established in treating the waste gases that are intermittently produced from an automobile paint-manufacturing workshop. Results showed that the BTF required longer time to adapt to the aromatic compounds. The removal efficiencies (REs) for all aliphatic compounds reached more than 95% on day 80. Aromatic compounds were not easily removed by the BTF. The REs obtained by the BTF for toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, o-xylene and p-xylene on day 80 were 72.7%, 77.2%, 71.9%, 74.8% and 60.0%, respectively. A maximum elimination capacity (EC) of 13.8 g-C m(-3) h(-1) of the BTF was achieved at an inlet loading rate of 19.4 g-C m(-3) h(-1) with an RE of 72%. Glucose addition promoted the biomass accumulation despite the fact that temporal decrease of REs for aromatic compounds occurred. When the inlet loading rates exceed 11.1 g-C m(-3) h(-1), the REs of the aromatic compounds decreased by 10% to 15%. This negative effect of shock loads on the performance of the BTF can be attenuated by the pre-treatment of the photocatalytic reactor. Nearly all components were removed by the combined system with REs of 99%.

Combination Therapy with Chinese Medicine and ACEI/ARB for the Management of Diabetic Nephropathy: The Promise in Research Fragments.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefits of the application of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade, i.e., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), have been well established in patients with diabetic nephropathies (DN). Since the combination therapy with Chinese Medicine (CM) and conventional western medicine (CWM) is considered an effective approach to many conditions, many CM experts have investigated the combination therapy with CM and RAS blockade to look for new approaches to DN. AIM: The purpose of this article is to review the antiproteinuric and renopretective effects of combination therapy of CM and ACEI/ARBs for the management of DN. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified through PubMed and three major Chinese databases (CBM, CAJD, CSTJ) up to March 2013. FINDINGS: The results of the current literature are consistent with CM theories (e.g., tonifying and replenishing CM with blood-activating and stasis-resolving CM as major therapeutic strategies for the management of DN). 91 clinical articles on the combination therapy of CM and ACEI/ARBs were identified, but only eight randomized controlled trials were eventually included in the present review. The results were not always consistent: three articles reported that CM conferred both anti-proteinuric and reno-protective effects in addition to ACEI/ARBs; three articles reported that CM failed to provide additional reno-protective benefits; two articles reported that CM conferred neither anti-proteinuric nor renoprotective effects in addition to ACEI/ARBs. CONCLUSION: Current literature indicates that combination therapy with CM and ACEI/ARBs might have polypharmacological anti-proteinuric and reno-protective effects for the management of DN. Shortcomings concerning the interaction between CM and CWM, methodology, and study design need to be addressed in future research.

Emission of odorous volatile organic compounds from a municipal manure treatment plant and their removal using a biotrickling filter.

Odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from municipal manure treatment facilities are considered as a major nuisance issue for operators and nearby residents. In this study, up to 71 odorous VOCs were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry at the manure treatment plant. These compounds can be classified into five different categories, including alkanes, olefins, aromatics, volatile organosulphur compounds and terpenes. Toluene, dimethyl disulphide, dimethyl sulphide, xylene and ethylbenzene were the five most abundant pollutants. A pilot-scale biotrickling filter (BTF) was employed to treat the complex odorous gases. Correlation analysis showed that the removal efficiency (RE) of the BTF was related with the molecular weight and chemical structure of contaminants. Higher than 85% of REs could be reached for aromatic, terpenes and most alkanes compounds after 180 days of operation. Comparatively, most olefins and partial alkanes compounds with a molecular weight lower than 70 were not removed easily. The REs of these compounds ranged from 0% to 94%, and the average removal efficiency (RE) was only about 33.3%.

[Yimusake Tablet: safe and efficacious for premature ejaculation].

OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yimusake Tablet in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) through a multi-centered large-sample trial. METHODS: We conducted a multi-centered, open, fixed-dose, and self-compared clinical trial among 300 patients with diagnosed PE. The trial lasted 12 weeks, including 4 weeks without any medication and 8 weeks of treatment with Yimusake Tablet, 2 pills (1 g) per night. We observed the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) before and after treatment, evaluated the safety of medication, and performed a questionnaire investigation on the patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the 300 PE patients, 288 accomplished the clinical trial. The patients ranged in age from 22 to 60 years, averaging at 31.6 years. The mean IELT of the patient was 62.5 seconds at baseline, 168.9 seconds after 4 weeks of treatment with Yimusake Tablet, and 222.2 seconds after 8 weeks of medication. Among the 157 patients with normal erectile function (IIEF >21), the mean IELT was 71.4 seconds before treatment, 147.4 seconds after 4 weeks of medication, and 172.5 seconds after 8 weeks of medication. The patients' satisfaction was significantly increased after treatment. Those complicated by mild to moderate erectile dysfunction achieved different degrees of improvement in the IIEF-5 score, with a mean increase of 3.8. Only a few patients experienced mild adverse events, including constipation, dry mouth, nose bleeding, abdominal pain, and lumbosacral pain, which were all relieved without drug withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Yimusake Tablet is a safe and effective medicine for the treatment of PE.

'Huang Qi Elixir' for proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy: a study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the major complication of diabetes; proteinuria is the hall mark of DN. Currently, the treatment for proteinuria is mainly limited to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, Chinese medicinals 'securing essence and tonifying the kidney' may be appropriate for proteinuria. The most promising Chinese medicinals and formulae are introduced in the present study to form a potent formula for DN proteinuria. To make oral administration convenient, the formula will be processed in the form of granules. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized, multi-center pilot trial will be conducted. Forty eight participants with DN will be randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1. A granule group, at 10 grams, three times daily (G10 group, n = 12); 2. A granule group, at 20 grams, three times daily (G20 group, n = 12); 3. A decoction group (D group, n = 12); and 4. An irbesartan group (Aprovel group, n = 12).The following outcome measures will be used: the percentage change of the albumin-to-creatinine ratio; and the changes in serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobulin from baseline to the end of the trial. DISCUSSION: It is notable that most published clinical trials which assessed the efficacy of TCM on DN were of poor methodology and, therefore, their results have been invalidated. It is necessary to carry out well-designed clinical trials to provide sound evidence. The present trial is a study with potentially great value, for it will provide the parameters for future randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials with large sample sizes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-12002718 (http://www.chictr.org/cn/proj/show.aspx?proj=3820).

Fructus mume formula in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Background. "Fructus Mume or Dark Plum" (pilule form) has been used for many years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and may be a valid treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Aim. One aspect toward efficacy validation is the evaluation of the blood glucose-lowering effect of Fructus Mume (FM) with T2DM patients in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods. This pilot study uses a RCT procedure to assess efficacy of FM and Metformin. The trial was for 12 weeks, with 80 T2DM subjects. Both groups were standardized in their diet and exercise routine. Comparisons of several variables were analyzed. Results. No significant differences were found between groups in the fasting and postprandial glucose levels although both had significant decreases. The values of glycosylated hemoglobin were significantly reduced in both groups. For patients whose body mass index (BMI) was <23, neither FM nor Metformin had an effect on BMI; for those with a BMI between 23 and 25 or the BMI was >25, both FM and Metformin significantly reduce the BMI. Conclusions. In this pilot study, it was demonstrated that Fructus Mume formula may reduce the levels of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes.

[Qilin pills combined with levofloxacin for asthenospermia accompanied with accessory sex gland infection: a clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of the combination of Qilin Pills and levofloxacin in the treatment of asthenospermia accompanied with accessory sex gland infection. METHODS: We randomly assigned 80 asthenospermia patients with accessory sex gland infection to groups 1 and 2 of equal number, the former treated with Qilin Pills + levofloxacin, and the latter with levofloxacin only. Qilin Pills were administered at the dose of 6 g tid for 30 days, and levofloxacin at the dose of 0.5 g qd for 20 days. We obtained semen parameters, including the percentage of progressively motile sperm and peroxidase-positive white blood cell (WBC) count, before and after medication, and compared the clinical effects between the two groups. RESULTS: All the patients accomplished the clinical trial. The therapeutic effectiveness rates in improving progressive sperm motility were 60% in group 1 and 17.5% in group 2, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). As for the peroxidase-positive WBC count in semen, the effectiveness rates were 87.5% and 82.5%, respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: For the treatment of asthenospermia accompanied with accessory sex gland infection, Qilin Pills combined with levofloxacin is evidently better than levofloxacin alone in improving sperm motility, and it has no obvious adverse effects.

[Cultivation of aerobic granules in a large pilot SBR with domestic sewage].

The cultivation of aerobic granules in a large pilot-scale SBR was investigated using domestic wastewater. After operation of 210 days, the granules with a diameter of 330 microm were successfully formed by seeding anaerobic digested sludge. Results showed that, during the first three months of operation under low organic load of influent, removal efficiencies of pollutants increased steadily including COD, NH(4+)-N, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP). Meanwhile, microorganisms related to nitrogen and phosphorous were enriched. The organic load was enhanced since cycle time was shortened to 6 h, and the operational performance of the reactor still remained stable. Moreover, the average particle size of the sludge started to increase, along with excellent settling ability and high bioactivity. After the formation of aerobic granules, Sludge volume index (SVI) was maintained at 30 mL x g(-1) and the mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) concentration in the SBR reached 8.8 g x L(-1). MLVSS/MLSS ratio of the sludge increased to 82% with a high oxygen uptake rate (OUR) of 5.32 mg x (min x L)(-1). Bacillus was dominant on the outer layer of granules, while cocci were mainly located inside. The average COD and TP removal efficiencies kept at 90% and NH(4+) -N was almost completely depleted, NO(3-) -N and NO(2-) -N were not accumulated in the effluent. The aerobic granules were also capable of achieving simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) in a single SBR cycle, which resulted in a high TN removal efficiency of 80%.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: a Meta-analysis.

We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) by performing a meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs comparing CHM vs no treatment, placebo, conventional western medicine (CWM), or general non-specific surgical treatment for DUB were identified by electronic and manual searches. Trials of CHM treatments with CWM treatments were compared with CWM treatments alone. Jadad scale and allocation concealment were used to assess the quality of included studies. Four RCTs or quasi-RCTs involving 525 patients were included. The methodological quality was poor in all trials except one trial. No serious adverse events were reported in the included studies. With the lack of trials comparing CHM with no treatment or placebo, it is impossible to accurately evaluate the efficacy of CHM. However, CHM in these studies seem to show an encouraging comparative effectiveness with CWM. More RCTs with a higher quality are required.

Advances in heroin addiction treatment with traditional Chinese medicine: a systematic review of recent Chinese language journals.

The aim of this review is to critically examine the clinical trial research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an intervention in treating heroin addiction in People's Republic of China. This review examines Chinese-language-only publications for the patent medicines: Shenfu Tuodu, Fukang Pian, and Shifu Sheng. Other compound medicines will be reviewed in future publications. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in Western and Chinese databases. Most trials were excluded because they did not declare randomization and had poor methodology or reporting. The majority of clinical evidence in the random controlled trials demonstrates good evidence for TCM patent medicines in heroin addiction treatment. When compared to typical Western medications, TCMs demonstrate fewer side-effects, in addition to equal measures of treatment efficacy and safety.

[A multi-center clinical trial of Qianlieantong tablets for chronic prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of Qianlieantong Tablets in the treatment of chronic prostatitis. METHODS: A multi-center, self-controlled open clinical trial was conducted. A total of 280 subjects with chronic prostatitis were enrolled and treated by Qianlieantong Tablets, 3 times a day, 5 tablets each time. Before and after 2 and 4 weeks after the administration, NIH-CPSI scores and white blood cell counts in the prostate secretion were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 273 subjects evaluated, the rates of excellence, effectiveness and ineffectiveness were 35.2% (n = 96), 47.6% (n = 130) and 17.2% (n = 47), respectively, with a total effectiveness rate of 82.8%. After 4 weeks'medication, the scores of the subjects on NIH-CPSI pain, voiding and quality of life and white blood cell counts in prostate secretion were significantly decreased compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.01). No adverse events or laboratory abnormality related to the medication were observed. CONCLUSION: Qianlieantong Tablets has a significant effect on chronic prostatitis with high safety, particularly indicated in chronic prostatitis with pelvic pain.