Traditional Chinese medicine for smoking cessation: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may have special advantages in facilitating smoking cessation, but consensus on effectiveness is lacking. We aim to comprehensively review, update, and refine current evidence on TCM effectiveness and safety. METHODS: Nine databases were searched from their inception up to 28 February 2023. Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis of TCM for smoking cessation were identified and retrieved. Additional databases and hand searches of RCTs from included SRs were performed for data pooling. Cochrane ROB tools and AMSTAR-2 were used to evaluate the methodological quality of RCTs and SRs, respectively. RCT data are presented as relative risks (RR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using RevMan 5.4. RESULTS: Thirteen SRs involving 265 studies with 33081 participants were included. Among these 265 studies, 157 were duplicates (58.36%) and 52 were non-RCTs (19.62%). Combined with the remaining 56 RCTs identified through hand searches, 88 RCTs involving 12434 participants were finally included for data synthesis. All the SRs focused on acupoint stimulation, and the majority were of low or very low quality. The methodological quality of RCTs was either unclear or high risk. For continuous abstinence rate, TCM external interventions were better than placebo in 6 months to 1 year (RR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.14-2.25; I2=27%; n=5533 participants). Compared with placebo, TCM external application was effective in reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and the effect was gradually stable and obvious in the fourth week (MD= -4.46; 95% CI: -5.43 - -3.49; n=165 participants). Twelve RCTs reported adverse events as outcome indicators for safety evaluation, and no serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the methodological limitations of the original studies, our review suggests that TCM intervention shows potential effectiveness on the continuous abstinence rate. Extending the intervention time can enhance the effect of TCM on nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Referred to adverse events, more data for safety evaluation are required.

Electroacupuncture relieves chronic pain by promoting microglia M2 polarization in lumbar disc herniation rats.

Electroacupuncture has an effective analgesia on chronic pain caused by lumbar disc herniation (LDH) clinically, however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we investigated whether electroacupuncture alleviated pain in LDH model rats by inducing spinal microglia M2 polarization. We established a noncompression LDH rat model by implanting autologous caudal nucleus pulposus into L5/L6 nerve root. Electroacupuncture (30 min/day) treatment on the ipsilateral side was started on the 8th postoperative day, once a day for consecutive 7 days. Paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were tested for pain behavior. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression in lumbar enlargement (L5/L6). Immunofluorescence was used to detect iNOS+/Iba-1+ and Arg-1+/Iba-1+ and CB2R+/Iba-1+ in lumbar enlargement (L5/L6). We show that PWT and PWL decreased in the LDH group while Iba-1, iNOS, and TNF-α expression increased significantly in lumbar spinal dorsal horn (SDH) after LDH surgery, and revealing that microglia were activated and polarized towards proinflammatory M1 phenotype. Electroacupuncture treatment significantly increased PWT and PWL while reducing Iba-1, iNOS, and TNF-α expression, interestingly, Arg-1 and IL-10 expression were significantly increased. Moreover, electroacupuncture treatment led to CB2 receptors on microglia upregulation, while NF-κB and p-NF-κB expression in lumbar SDH downregulation. Our study indicated that electroacupuncture may reduce nociceptive hyperalgesia by inhibiting microglia activation and microglia M1 polarization and promoting microglia M2 polarization in lumbar SDH of LDH rats, which may be caused by the activation of CB2 receptors on microglia and inhibition of NF-κB pathway in lumbar SDH.

Loss of the mitochondrial protein Abcb10 results in altered arginine metabolism in MEL and K562 cells and nutrient stress signaling through ATF4.

Abcb10 is a mitochondrial membrane protein involved in hemoglobinization of red cells. Abcb10 topology and ATPase domain localization suggest it exports a substrate, likely biliverdin, out of mitochondria that is necessary for hemoglobinization. In this study, we generated Abcb10 deletion cell lines in both mouse murine erythroleukemia and human erythroid precursor human myelogenous leukemia (K562) cells to better understand the consequences of Abcb10 loss. Loss of Abcb10 resulted in an inability to hemoglobinize upon differentiation in both K562 and mouse murine erythroleukemia cells with reduced heme and intermediate porphyrins and decreased levels of aminolevulinic acid synthase 2 activity. Metabolomic and transcriptional analyses revealed that Abcb10 loss gave rise to decreased cellular arginine levels, increased transcripts for cationic and neutral amino acid transporters with reduced levels of the citrulline to arginine converting enzymes argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase. The reduced arginine levels in Abcb10-null cells gave rise to decreased proliferative capacity. Arginine supplementation improved both Abcb10-null proliferation and hemoglobinization upon differentiation. Abcb10-null cells showed increased phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha, increased expression of nutrient sensing transcription factor ATF4 and downstream targets DNA damage inducible transcript 3 (Chop), ChaC glutathione specific gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase 1 (Chac1), and arginyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (Rars). These results suggest that when the Abcb10 substrate is trapped in the mitochondria, the nutrient sensing machinery is turned on remodeling transcription to block protein synthesis necessary for proliferation and hemoglobin biosynthesis in erythroid models.

[Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and to preliminarily explore its action mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with CFS were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off, 1 case excluded) and an acupuncture group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the moxibustion group were treated with bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion, while the patients in the acupuncture group were treated with routine acupuncture. Both groups were treated once a day, 6 days as a course of treatment with 1 day interval, for a total of 2 courses of treatment. Before treatment, 1 and 2 courses into treatment and in the follow-up of 14 days after treatment, the fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) and somatic and psychological health report (SPHERE) scores were observed in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the contents of CD+3, CD+4, CD+8 of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were measured and CD+4/CD+8 ratio was calculated; the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the FS-14 and SPHERE scores in the two groups were decreased 1 and 2 courses into treatment and in the follow-up (P<0.01), and the FS-14 and SPHERE scores in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the contents of CD+3, CD+4 and CD+4/CD+8 ratio in the moxibustion group were increased after treatment (P<0.01). There was no significant difference of CD+3, CD+4, CD+8 and CD+4/CD+8 ratio between before and after treatment in the acupuncture group (P>0.05). After treatment, the contents of CD+3 and CD+4 in the moxibustion group were higher than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the moxibustion group, which was higher than 73.3% (22/30) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion could improve the physical and mental fatigue symptoms and psychological status in patients with CFS. Its effect may be related to regulating the contents of CD+3, CD+4 of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and CD+4/CD+8 ratio.

Plumbagin Enhances the Anticancer Effects of PF Chemotherapy via Downregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K Pathway in Human Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (PF) is used as the standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy (also called preoperative chemotherapy) in the treatment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Although PF chemotherapy reduces the distant metastasis of TSCC, the five-year survival rate has not significantly improved. In recent years, components considered in traditional Chinese medicine have been researched as adjuvant drugs for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Plumbagin (PB) is a quinone component isolated from Plumbago zeylanica L. Notably, PB demonstrates numerous anticancer properties. In order to examine the chemosensitization effect of PB on PF and its associated mechanisms, in vitro experiments using TSCC Cal27 and cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant Cal27/CDDP cells were carried out in the present study, and the results were subsequently verified using nude mice xenografts. Results of the present study demonstrated that PB enhanced the anticancer effects of PF on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Cal27 and Cal27/CDDP cells. Cell cycle assays demonstrated that both Cal27 and Cal27/CDDP cells were arrested in the S phase following the combined treatment of PF and PB. Moreover, the PF and PB combination group induced higher levels of apoptosis in Cal27 and Cal27/CDDP cells compared with the group treated with PF alone. In addition, the results of the present study demonstrated that combined PB and PF inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K pathway in TSCC cells. Moreover, the weight and volumes of tumors in nude mice were reduced following treatment with a combination of PF and PB. Results of the present study also demonstrated that the expression levels of Ki67 were markedly reduced in the combined treatment group compared with the group treated with PF alone. In summary, the results of the present study demonstrated that PB enhanced the PF sensitivity of TSCC through induction of S-phase arrest and apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K pathway.

Differentially Expressed Genes and Signalling Pathways Regulated by High Selenium Involved in Antioxidant and Immune Functions of Goats Based on Transcriptome Sequencing.

The objective of this study is to observe the effect of high selenium on the antioxidant and immune functions of growing goats based on transcriptome sequencing. Eighteen goats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) the control (CON) group was fed a basal diet, and (2) the treatment 1 group (LS) and treatment 2 group (HS) were fed a basal diet with 2.4 and 4.8 mg/kg selenium-yeast (SY), respectively. The results indicate that HS treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the apparent digestibility of either extract and significantly increased (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity, whereas it significantly (p < 0.05) decreased plasma aspartate aminotransferase and malondialdehyde relative to the control group. The LS treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) increased glutathione S-transferase and catalase compared to CON. A total of 532 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CON and HS were obtained using transcriptome sequencing. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis identified upregulated (p < 0.05) DEGs mainly related to vascular smooth muscle contraction, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, the VEGF signalling pathway, and proteoglycans in cancer; downregulated (p < 0.05) DEGs mainly related to the NOD-like receptor signalling pathway, influenza A, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, haematopoietic cell lineage, and African trypanosomiasis. Ontology analyses of the top genes show that the identified DEGs are mainly involved in the regulation of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor production for biological processes, the external side of the plasma membrane for cellular components, and carbohydrate derivative binding for molecular functions. Seven genes are considered potential candidate genes for regulating antioxidant activity, including selenoprotein W, 1, glutathione peroxidase 1, glutathione S-transferase A1, tumour necrosis factor, tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 10, tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 8, and tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 13b. The experimental observations indicate that dietary supplementation with 4.8 mg/kg SY can enhance antioxidant and immune functions by improving muscle immunity, reducing the concentrations of inflammatory molecules, and modulating antioxidant and inflammatory signalling pathways in growing goats.

Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and to preliminarily explore its action mechanism.@*METHODS@#Sixty-four patients with CFS were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off, 1 case excluded) and an acupuncture group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the moxibustion group were treated with bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion, while the patients in the acupuncture group were treated with routine acupuncture. Both groups were treated once a day, 6 days as a course of treatment with 1 day interval, for a total of 2 courses of treatment. Before treatment, 1 and 2 courses into treatment and in the follow-up of 14 days after treatment, the fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) and somatic and psychological health report (SPHERE) scores were observed in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the contents of CD+3, CD+4, CD+8 of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were measured and CD+4/CD+8 ratio was calculated; the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the FS-14 and SPHERE scores in the two groups were decreased 1 and 2 courses into treatment and in the follow-up (P<0.01), and the FS-14 and SPHERE scores in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the contents of CD+3, CD+4 and CD+4/CD+8 ratio in the moxibustion group were increased after treatment (P<0.01). There was no significant difference of CD+3, CD+4, CD+8 and CD+4/CD+8 ratio between before and after treatment in the acupuncture group (P>0.05). After treatment, the contents of CD+3 and CD+4 in the moxibustion group were higher than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the moxibustion group, which was higher than 73.3% (22/30) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion could improve the physical and mental fatigue symptoms and psychological status in patients with CFS. Its effect may be related to regulating the contents of CD+3, CD+4 of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and CD+4/CD+8 ratio.

Is the erythropoietin-erythroferrone-hepcidin axis intact in human neonates?

In a two-part process, we assessed elements of the principal hormonal pathway regulating iron homeostasis in human neonates. Part 1: Quantifying erythropoietin (Epo), erythroferrone (ERFE), hepcidin, and relevant serum and erythrocytic iron-related metrics in umbilical cord blood from term (n = 13) and preterm (n = 10) neonates, and from neonates born to mothers with diabetes and obesity (n = 13); Part 2: Quantifying serum Epo, ERFE, and hepcidin before and following darbepoetin administration. Part 1: We measured Epo, ERFE and hepcidin in all cord blood samples. Epo and ERFE levels did not differ between the three groups. Preterm neonates had the lowest hepcidin levels, while neonates born to diabetic women with a very high BMI had the lowest ferritin and RET-He levels. Part 2: Following darbepoetin dosing, ERFE levels generally increased (p < 0.05) and hepcidin levels generally fell (p < 0.05). Our observations suggest that the Epo/ERFE/hepcidin axis is intact in the newborn period.

Effect of Supplementation With Selenium-Yeast on Muscle Antioxidant Activity, Meat Quality, Fatty Acids and Amino Acids in Goats.

The objective of this study was to observe the effects of selenium-yeast (SY) on growth performance, muscle antioxidant activity, meat quality, fatty acid and amino acid profiles in growing goats. A total of 18 Qianbei-pockmarked goats were assigned to three groups (six duplicates per group) by body weight (25.75 ± 1.75 kg; mean ± standard deviation) according to a completely randomized design: (1) basal diet (CON); (2) CON with 2.4 mg/kg SY (LS); and (3) CON with 4.8 mg/kg SY (HS). The results indicated that goats receiving SY did not show any differences (P > 0.05) in terms of dry matter intake, growth performance, or muscle chemical composition. In addition, dietary treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) the pH values (pH45min and pH24h), percentage of water loss, drip loss, or cooking loss. The HS group showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the dressing percentage, eye muscle area and meat color, as well as muscle total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity levels, whereas it showed a significant drop (P < 0.05) in shear force and muscle malondialdehyde levels relative to the control. Feeding 4.8 mg/kg SY led to a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the levels of C8:0, C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C20:0 and total saturated fatty acids, whereas it led to a significant (P < 0.05) increase in C15:1 in comparison with that of the control group. Goats receiving 2.4 mg/kg SY had significantly (P < 0.05) increased C16:1, C17:1, C18:1n7, C18:2n6, C18:3n3, C20:4n6, C22:1n9, and PUFA relative to the control group. Compared with the control group, the treatment groups had higher (P < 0.05) levels of C18:1n9, C22:4, and monounsaturated fatty acids. The inclusion of 2.4 mg/kg SY induced significant (P < 0.05) increases in 4-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid and umami amino acid concentrations compared to the control. In addition, the feeding of 4.8 mg/kg SY had significantly higher (P < 0.05) muscle serine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, ornithine hydrochloride, methionine, and tyrosine levels than the control group. Collectively, Se supplementation in the diet did not affect growth performance, muscle chemical composition, whereas it could improve meat quality, muscle antioxidant activity, fatty acid and amino acid profiles in Qianbei-pockmarked goats. This showed that the optimal accession SY level was 4.8 mg/kg under the experimental conditions of this study.

Rauwolfia vomitoria extract suppresses benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing expression of androgen receptor and 5α-reductase in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: Herbal medicine is an important therapeutic option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common disease in older men that can seriously affect their quality of life. Currently, it is crucial to develop agents with strong efficacy and few side effects. Herein we investigated the effects of the extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, a shrub grown in West Africa, on BPH. METHODS: Rats with testosterone-induced BPH were treated with R. vomitoria. Prostates were histologically analyzed by Hematoxylin and eosin staining. Proliferation index and the expression levels of androgen receptor and its associated proteins were quantified through immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Androgen receptor target genes were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The sperm count and body weight of rats were also measured. RESULTS: The oral administration of R. vomitoria extract significantly reduced the prostate weight and prostate weight index in BPH rats, supported by the decreased thickness of the prostate epithelial layer and increased lumen size. Similar effects were observed in the BPH rats treated with the reference drug, finasteride. R. vomitoria extract significantly reduced the testosterone-induced proliferation markers, including proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1, in the prostate glands of BPH rats; it also reduced levels of androgen receptor, its associated protein steroid 5α-reductase 1 and its downstream target genes (FK506-binding protein 5 and matrix metalloproteinase 2). Notably, compared with the finasteride group, R. vomitoria extract did not significantly reduce sperm count. CONCLUSION: R. vomitoria suppresses testosterone-induced BPH development. Due to its milder side effects, R. vomitoria could be a promising therapeutic agent for BPH.

Rauwolfia vomitoria extract suppresses benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing expression of androgen receptor and 5α-reductase in a rat model / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Herbal medicine is an important therapeutic option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common disease in older men that can seriously affect their quality of life. Currently, it is crucial to develop agents with strong efficacy and few side effects. Herein we investigated the effects of the extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, a shrub grown in West Africa, on BPH.@*METHODS@#Rats with testosterone-induced BPH were treated with R. vomitoria. Prostates were histologically analyzed by Hematoxylin and eosin staining. Proliferation index and the expression levels of androgen receptor and its associated proteins were quantified through immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Androgen receptor target genes were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The sperm count and body weight of rats were also measured.@*RESULTS@#The oral administration of R. vomitoria extract significantly reduced the prostate weight and prostate weight index in BPH rats, supported by the decreased thickness of the prostate epithelial layer and increased lumen size. Similar effects were observed in the BPH rats treated with the reference drug, finasteride. R. vomitoria extract significantly reduced the testosterone-induced proliferation markers, including proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1, in the prostate glands of BPH rats; it also reduced levels of androgen receptor, its associated protein steroid 5α-reductase 1 and its downstream target genes (FK506-binding protein 5 and matrix metalloproteinase 2). Notably, compared with the finasteride group, R. vomitoria extract did not significantly reduce sperm count.@*CONCLUSION@#R. vomitoria suppresses testosterone-induced BPH development. Due to its milder side effects, R. vomitoria could be a promising therapeutic agent for BPH.

[Systematic review and sequential analysis on treatment of herpes zoster pain mainly by fire needle therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect and safety of fire needle therapy in the treatment of herpes zoster pain. METHODS: We collected randomized controlled trials about treatment of herpes zoster pain mainly by fire needle therapy (published from the date of establishment of each database to Dec 1 of 2018) from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Document Service System (SinoMed), PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library by using key words of "fire needle" "burnt needle" "red-hot needle" "herpes zoster" "postherpetic neuralgia" and "herpetic neuralgia". Then, we conducted Meta-analysis and sequential analysis about the outcomes of studies met our inclusion criteria using RevMan5.3.5 and TSA0.9.10 Beta softwares and employed GRADE profiler 3.6.1 to grade the quality of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 25 studies including 2 024 patients were brought into the present analysis. Outcomes of the qualitative analysis indicated that the fire needle therapy has a higher effective rate than the western medicine group. Meta-analysis showed that after the treatment mainly with fire needle therapy, 1) the VAS score is evidently lower [WMD=-0.96, 95% CI(-1.22, -0.71), P<0.000 01], 2) the duration of 30% pain relief is obviously shorter [WMD=-1.82, 95% CI (-2.46, -1.18), P<0.000 01], 3) the duration of pain is evidently shorter {fire needle combined with electroacupuncture [WMD=-11.53, 95% CI(-14.57, -8.48), P<0.000 01]; fire needle combined with cupping [WMD=-4.75, 95% CI (-7.99, -1.51), P=0.004]; pure fire needle therapy [WMD=-1.82, 95% CI (-2.46, -1.18), P<0.000 01], and 4) the occurrence rate of post-herpetic neuralgia is considerably lower [RR=0.16, 95% CI (0.09, 0.30), P<0.000 01]. The occurrence and management of adverse events were not mentioned in all the included studies, suggesting no safety problem of the therapy, but the publication bias has not been taken seriously. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of herpes zoster pain, fire needle as the main treatment approach can significantly relieve pain, shorten the pain duration, and reduce the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia.

Simultaneous determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium by HPLC-MS/MS and discovery of antioxidant ingredients based on relevance analysis.

A rapid and reliable LC-MS/MS method was developed for the quantitation of major components in Folium Artemisiae Argyi (mugwort), a widely used traditional Chinese herbal medicine. A total of 5 phenolic acids and 17 flavonoids were separated and simultaneously determined by using a Shiseido C18 column (150 × 3.0 mm, 3 µm) and gradient elution of acetonitrile-aqueous formic acid (100:0.1, v/v) at a 0.5 mL min-1 flow rate, via multiple reaction monitor (MRM) in polarity switching mode. The quantitative method was validated in terms of sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and stability, which proved to be sensitive, accurate and reproducible. Then 65 samples collected from different areas were selected for component analysis by LC-MS/MS and assessment of antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, O2- and OH scavenging assays. Grey relational analysis and partial least square regression were used to evaluate the relevance between chemicals and bioactivities, and the results indicated chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid B, A, C, eriodictyol, jaceosidin and eupatilin made the key contribution to antioxidant activity. The present study combines chemical analysis and bioassay to identify bioactive markers, which possesses potential value for the activity-oriented quality control of mugwort.

Systematic review and sequential analysis on treatment of herpes zoster pain mainly by fire needle therapy / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect and safety of fire needle therapy in the treatment of herpes zoster pain. METHODS: We collected randomized controlled trials about treatment of herpes zoster pain mainly by fire needle therapy (published from the date of establishment of each database to Dec 1 of 2018) from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Document Service System (SinoMed), PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library by using key words of "fire needle" "burnt needle" "red-hot needle" "herpes zoster" "postherpetic neuralgia" and "herpetic neuralgia". Then, we conducted Meta-analysis and sequential analysis about the outcomes of studies met our inclusion criteria using RevMan5.3.5 and TSA0.9.10 Beta softwares and employed GRADE profiler 3.6.1 to grade the quality of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 25 studies including 2 024 patients were brought into the present analysis. Outcomes of the qualitative analysis indicated that the fire needle therapy has a higher effective rate than the western medicine group. Meta-analysis showed that after the treatment mainly with fire needle therapy, 1) the VAS score is evidently lower [WMD=-0.96, 95% CI(-1.22, -0.71), P<0.000 01], 2) the duration of 30% pain relief is obviously shorter [WMD=-1.82, 95% CI (-2.46, -1.18), P<0.000 01], 3) the duration of pain is evidently shorter {fire needle combined with electroacupuncture [WMD=-11.53, 95% CI(-14.57, -8.48), P<0.000 01]; fire needle combined with cupping [WMD=-4.75, 95% CI (-7.99, -1.51), P=0.004]; pure fire needle therapy [WMD=-1.82, 95% CI (-2.46, -1.18), P<0.000 01], and 4) the occurrence rate of post-herpetic neuralgia is considerably lower [RR=0.16, 95% CI (0.09, 0.30), P<0.000 01]. The occurrence and management of adverse events were not mentioned in all the included studies, suggesting no safety problem of the therapy, but the publication bias has not been taken seriously. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of herpes zoster pain, fire needle as the main treatment approach can significantly relieve pain, shorten the pain duration, and reduce the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia.

[Correlation between chemical compositions of traditional Chinese medicine extracts and phenomenon of wall stickiness in spray drying].

To explore the correlation between chemical compositions (organic acids, small molecule sugars, protein and others) of traditional Chinese medicine extracts and the wall stickiness in spray drying. In this study, 55 types of most common used Chinese herbs were selected to determine the content of 7 chemical components such as citric acid and fructose from plant extraction. The status of wall stickiness was observed during the drying process. The principle component analysis (PCA-X), hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were then used to evaluate the correlation between each chemical compositions and wall stickiness, so as to look for the essential chemical compositions associated with the wall stickiness. All of the above 3 statistical analysis methods showed significant results in distinguishing the two groups (sticky or non-sticky). PCA-X score chart and HCA clustering scatter plot suggested that the small molecular substance was the main factor causing wall stickiness, which was then proved by the reality where some of the traditional herb extracts were in non-sticky state after drying but in sticky state after alcohol precipitation. OPLS-DA results revealed that L-malic acid, citric acid, fructose and glucose were the difference factors for the wall stickiness of the extracts. Under small molecular components, L-malic acid, citric acid, fructose and glucose were the crucial factors that directly led to the hot melt sticky wall of the herbal extracts, and macromolecular substances might ameliorate the function of wall stickiness.

[A new device for determination of adhesive force and its application in predicting hot-melt sticking in spray drying of traditional Chinese medicine].

A new device was designed to measure adhesive force and predict whether traditional Chinese medicine extracts would appear hot-melt sticking in spray drying process．Based on the physical property tester as fundamental test platform, the device was fixed with a camera, a temperature and humidity sensor probe and a set of equipment for hot air. This device could simulate the dry environment of spray dryer and analyze the variables of testing solutions' adhesiveness against drying time. To establish and validate a model of predicting hot-melt sticking in spray drying, data was collected by using data mining. The results of this study proved that the device could be used to predict the hot-melt sticking in spray drying based on the adhesive force of materials (testing solutions). In addition, the study also found that the adhesiveness of the hot-melt sticking materials gradually increased with the evaporation of water, while that of non-sticking materials first increased and then rapidly decreased.

A new device for determination of adhesive force and its application in predicting hot-melt sticking in spray drying of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

A new device was designed to measure adhesive force and predict whether traditional Chinese medicine extracts would appear hot-melt sticking in spray drying process．Based on the physical property tester as fundamental test platform, the device was fixed with a camera, a temperature and humidity sensor probe and a set of equipment for hot air. This device could simulate the dry environment of spray dryer and analyze the variables of testing solutions' adhesiveness against drying time. To establish and validate a model of predicting hot-melt sticking in spray drying, data was collected by using data mining. The results of this study proved that the device could be used to predict the hot-melt sticking in spray drying based on the adhesive force of materials (testing solutions). In addition, the study also found that the adhesiveness of the hot-melt sticking materials gradually increased with the evaporation of water, while that of non-sticking materials first increased and then rapidly decreased.

Correlation between chemical compositions of traditional Chinese medicine extracts and phenomenon of wall stickiness in spray drying / 中国中药杂志

To explore the correlation between chemical compositions (organic acids, small molecule sugars, protein and others) of traditional Chinese medicine extracts and the wall stickiness in spray drying. In this study, 55 types of most common used Chinese herbs were selected to determine the content of 7 chemical components such as citric acid and fructose from plant extraction. The status of wall stickiness was observed during the drying process. The principle component analysis (PCA-X), hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were then used to evaluate the correlation between each chemical compositions and wall stickiness, so as to look for the essential chemical compositions associated with the wall stickiness. All of the above 3 statistical analysis methods showed significant results in distinguishing the two groups (sticky or non-sticky). PCA-X score chart and HCA clustering scatter plot suggested that the small molecular substance was the main factor causing wall stickiness, which was then proved by the reality where some of the traditional herb extracts were in non-sticky state after drying but in sticky state after alcohol precipitation. OPLS-DA results revealed that L-malic acid, citric acid, fructose and glucose were the difference factors for the wall stickiness of the extracts. Under small molecular components, L-malic acid, citric acid, fructose and glucose were the crucial factors that directly led to the hot melt sticky wall of the herbal extracts, and macromolecular substances might ameliorate the function of wall stickiness.

Where is the exact origin of narrow premature ventricular contractions manifesting qR in inferior wall leads?

BACKGROUND: In recent years, radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFCA) has been established as an effective therapy for idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), however, its effect on the narrow PVCs (QRS duration < 130 msec) with qR pattern in inferior leads, may not been fully concluded. METHODS: Characteristics of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrophysiologic recordings were analyzed in 40 patients with symptomatic PVCs manifesting narrow QRS complex with qR pattern in inferior leads. The procedure of RFCA was performed based on pace mapping and activation mapping. RESULTS: Among the 40 patients with narrow PVCs, complete elimination of PVCs was achieved by RFCA in 35 patients during a median follow-up period of 23 months. Successful ablation was achieved on 19 patients at the sites where earliest Purkinje potentials were recorded in left ventricular anterosuperior septum, thus PVCs arising from left anterior fascicle (LAF) were confirmed, for these PVCs, the QRS morphology were right bundle branch and left posterior fascicle block (RBBB + LPFB) with rightward axis, the average QRS duration 116.07 ± 7.96 ms, R or rsR'in lead V1,with transition zone ahead of lead V1 in precordial leads. Another 16 successful RFCA were achieved by energy delivery at interleaflet triangle(ILT) between right coronary cusp(RCC) and left coronary cusp(LCC) where no Purkinje potentials were recorded, for narrow PVCs arising from the L-RCC ILT, the QRS morphology were similar to the PVCs arising from LAF but much narrower in QRS duration (100.44 ± 3.49 vs. 116.07 ± 7.96 ms, p < 0.05), they were also R or Rs in lead V1 with the transition zone ahead of lead V1. For 5 symptomatic narrow PVCs failed to the procedure of RFCA, their electrocardiographic characteristics showed that the narrowest QRS duration (91.80 ± 6.94 vs. 100.44 ± 3.49, 116.07 ± 7.96 ms, p < 0.05), rs or rS (r/s or r/S≦1) morphology in lead V1 with the precordial transition zone behind lead V3. CONCLUSIONS: Most of idiopathic PVCs of narrow QRS duration (<130 msec) with qR pattern in inferior leads can be cured by the procedure of RFCA. On the basis of our study, we proposed that for narrow PVCs presenting qR pattern in inferior leads, when the ablation procedure failed at proximity of LAF within left anterosuperior septum, mapping and ablation in L-RCC ILT can be tried. The present findings can be helpful for planning catheter ablation for narrow PVCs manifesting qR in inferior leads.

Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in 115 rural and urban communities involving 47 000 people from China.

BACKGROUND: Identification and treatment of hypertension in China remain suboptimal despite high prevalence of hypertension and increasing incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: This study reported blood pressure levels, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension, in addition to drug treatments in China. METHODS: This is a country-specific analysis of 45 108 individuals, average age 51.4 (standard deviation 9.6) (35-70) years, enrolled between 2005 and 2009, from 70 rural and 45 urban communities in 12 provinces. RESULTS: Among 18 915 (41.9% overall population) hypertensive participants, 7866 (41.6%) were aware, 6503 (34.4%) treated but only 1545 (8.2%) controlled. Prevalence of hypertension was higher, but awareness, treatment, and control were lower in rural than urban residents. Prevalence of hypertension was highest in eastern (44.3%), intermediate in central (39.3%), and lowest in western regions (37.0%). Awareness was higher in central (44.3%) and eastern (42.4%) but lower in western regions (37.0%). Similar patterns were observed in treatment rates, 37.7% central, 35.2% eastern, and 26.7% in western regions with control rates of 8.3% in eastern, 7.6% central, and 5.3% west regions. Of 4744 participants receiving documented treatments, 37.5% received traditional combination drugs alone, 55.4% western drugs alone and 7.1% combination of traditional combination drug in addition to western drugs. CONCLUSION: In China, hypertension is common, and while recent studies suggest some improvements, more than half of affected individuals were unaware that they had hypertension. Rates of control remain low. National programs effective in preventing and controlling hypertension in China are urgently needed.