Comparison of acupotomy release combined with glucocorticoid intrathecal injection versus isolated glucocorticoid intrathecal injection for carpal tunnel syndrome: A protocol for a meta-analysis of comparative studies.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is more common in people who need to engage in repetitive wrist work. Once it has occurred, localized pain and numbness of the fingers will develop, in severe cases, muscle atrophy will even arise, and after rest and physical therapy, many patients will still be unable to relieve or recur. In this case, the patient can receive intrathecal glucocorticoid injections, but the hormone injections alone can only provide short-term relief, and because the mechanical factors of median nerve compression are not fundamentally removed. Therefore, combined acupotomy release can help to release the compression of the transverse carpal ligament on the nerve and increase the volume within the carpal tunnel to achieve more satisfactory long-term results. Hence, a meta-analysis is necessary to provide evidence whether there is a significant difference in the treatment of CTS with acupotomy release combined with glucocorticoid intrathecal injection (ARGI) compared with isolated glucocorticoid intrathecal injection (GI). METHODS: We will search, with no time restriction, without any restriction of language and status, the time from the establishment of the database to October 2022, on the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Web of Science, Chinese national knowledge infrastructure, Wanfang data, Chinese scientific journals database, Chinese databases SinoMed, and electronic databases. The electronic database search will be supplemented by a manual search of the reference lists of included articles. We will apply the risk-of-bias tool of the Cochrane collaboration for randomized controlled trials to assess the methodological quality. Risk-of-Bias Assessment Tool for nonrandomized studies was used to evaluate the quality of comparative studies. Statistical analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: This systematic review will evaluate the difference in efficacy of ARGI versus isolated GI in the treatment of CTS. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence for judging whether ARGI is superior to GI for treatment of CTS.

Exploring the mechanism of anti-fatigue of resveratrol based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, and in vitro studies.

To investigate the potential mechanism of resveratrol in anti-fatigue by network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to investigate the anti-fatigue efficacy of resveratrol through in vitro animal experiments. Resveratrol action targets and fatigue-related targets were obtained using various databases. The anti-fatigue targets of resveratrol were obtained using the Venn diagram, uploaded to the String database, imported into Cytoscape 3.7.1, and constructed into a Protein-protein interaction network. The target genes were then subjected to Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of gene and genome enrichment analysis. Molecular docking verification was performed on the binding ability of the core target to resveratrol. Using swimming-trained mice as exercise models, exhaustive swimming time and fatigue-related biochemical parameters were used as indicators to investigate the effects of resveratrol on exercise endurance and energy metabolism. 104 anti-fatigue targets and 10 core target genes of resveratrol were obtained. KEGG analysis enrichment included AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Human cytomegalovirus infection, and Pathways in cancer. Molecular docking showed that the core target genes TP53, PIK3R1, AKT1, PIK3CA, and MAPK1 had good binding activity to resveratrol. Animal experiments showed that resveratrol could prolong the exhaustive swimming time of endurance-trained mice (P < 0.01), decrease aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, blood lactate (P < 0.01), decrease blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.05), increase the liver glycogen, muscle glycogen (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Resveratrol has the characteristics of multiple targets and multiple pathways in anti-fatigue; resveratrol can enhance exercise endurance in mice.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine Wuwei Xiaodu Drink for wound infection: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Wound infection (WI) is a disease in which pathogenic bacteria invade and multiply in a wound after trauma or surgery, causing a systemic inflammatory response. WI triggers an immune response in the body, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage, as well as slowing down the healing process. The traditional Chinese medicine prescription of Wuwei Xiaodu Drink (WWXDD) has been widely used in clinical practice with good results. However, there is no high-level evidence to support this result. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of WWXDD in the treatment of WI. METHODS: We will search articles in 7 electronic databases including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data (WF), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Chinese databases SinoMed (CBM), PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. All the publications, with no time restrictions, will be searched without any restriction on language and status, the time from the establishment of the database to October 2022. Two reviewers will independently assess the quality of the selected studies, NoteExpress and Excel software will be used to extract data, and the content will be stored in an electronic chart. Different researchers will separately screen the titles and abstracts of records acquired potential eligibility which comes from the electronic databases. Full-text screening and data extraction will be conducted afterward independently. Statistical analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.4 software (Cochrane Collaboration). RESULTS: What this study will do is evaluate the efficacy and safety of WWXDD in the treatment of WI in order to provide high quality, evidence-based clinical recommendations. CONCLUSION: This research provides a trusted clinical foundation for the treatment of WI with WWXDD.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine Buzhong Yiqi decoction for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a disorder of bone metabolism caused by estrogen deficiency in women after menopause, which manifests clinically as pain, spinal deformities, and even fragility fractures, affecting the quality of life of patients and possibly shortening their life span. Traditional Chinese medicine prescription Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (BZYQD) has been widely used in clinical practice and achieved good results. But there is no high-level evidence to support this result. The aim of this study is to evaluate BZYQD's efficacy and safety in the management of PMOP. METHODS: We will search articles in 7 electronic databases including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, Chinese databases SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. All the publications, with no time restrictions, will be searched without any restriction on language and status, the time from the establishment of the database to September 2022. Two reviewers will independently assess the quality of the selected studies, NoteExpress and Excel software will be used to extract data, and the content will be stored in an electronic chart. Different researchers will separately screen the titles and abstracts of records acquired potential eligibility which comes from the electronic databases. Full-text screening and data extraction will be conducted afterward independently. Statistical analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of BZYQD in the treatment of PMOP, to provide high-quality, evidence-based clinical recommendations. CONCLUSION: The study provides a trustable clinical foundation for BZYQD in the treatment of PMOP.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine Danggui Sini decoction for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) often causes joint pain, weakness and mobility disorders, which seriously affects people's daily life and makes them unable to work and study normally. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription Danggui Sini Decoction (DGSND) has been widely used in clinical practice and achieved good results. But there is no high-level evidence to support this result. The aim of this study is to evaluate DGSND's efficacy and safety in the management of KOA. METHODS: We will search 7 electronic databases including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data (WF), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Chinese databases SinoMed (CBM), PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. All the publications, with no time restrictions, will be searched without any restriction of language and status, the time from the establishment of the database to September 2022. Two reviewers will independently assess the quality of the selected studies, NoteExpress and Excel software will be used to extract data, and the content will be stored in an electronic chart. Different researchers will separately screen the titles and abstracts of records acquired potential eligibility which comes from the electronic databases. Full-text screening and data extraction will be conducted afterward independently. Statistical analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: This study will compare the effects of DGSND and any other different methods on patients with KOA to provide high-quality, evidence-based clinical recommendations. CONCLUSION: The study provides a trustable clinical foundation for DGSND in the treatment of KOA.

Astragalus mongholicus powder, a traditional Chinese medicine formula ameliorate type 2 diabetes by regulating adipoinsular axis in diabetic mice.

The global morbidity of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has dramatically increased. Insulin resistance is the most important pathogenesis and therapeutic target of T2DM. The traditional Chinese medicine formula Astragalus mongholicus powder (APF), consists of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge [Fabaceae], Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. [Fabaceae], and Morus alba L. [Moraceae] has a long history to be used to treat diabetes in ancient China. This work aims to investigate the effects of APF on diabetic mice and its underlying mechanism. Diabetic mice were induced by High-fat-diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). The body weight of mice and their plasma levels of glucose, insulin, leptin and lipids were examined. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, histology, and Western blot analysis were performed to validate the effects of APF on diabetic mice and investigate the underlying mechanism. APF reduced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyerleptinemia and attenuate the progression of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, these effects disappeared in leptin deficient ob/ob diabetic mice and STZ-induced insulin deficient type 1 diabetic mice. Destruction of either these hormones would abolish the therapeutic effects of APF. In addition, APF inhibited the protein expression of PTP1B suppressing insulin-leptin sensitivity, the gluconeogenic gene PEPCK, and the adipogenic gene FAS. Therefore, insulin-leptin sensitivity was normalized, and the gluconeogenic and adipogenic genes were suppressed. In conclusion, APF attenuated obesity, NAFLD, and T2DM by regulating the balance of adipoinsular axis in STZ + HFD induced T2DM mice.

Glucocorticoid minimizes local anesthetic infusion requirement through adductor canal block and improves perioperative prosthetic joint range of motion in total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The use of glucocorticoid as local anesthetic adjuvant in single-injection adductor canal block (ACB) is well-documented but its effects in the presence of an indwelling catheter is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the impacts of one-time perineural glucocorticoid injection on continuous adductor canal block in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: A single center retrospective study of 95 patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed. Patients were divided into three groups based on adjuvant received through ACB before continuous catheter placement: a control group with no adjuvant (N = 41), a treatment group with dexamethasone (DEX) as adjuvant (N = 33) and another treatment group with DEX/ Methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) as adjuvant (N = 21). The primary outcome was the amount of ropivacaine administered via patient controlled ACB catheter. Secondary outcomes included numeric pain score, perioperative opioid usage, immediately postoperative prosthetic knee joint active range of motion (AROM), opioid usage at 6 weeks and 3 months, length of stay and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Patients in both treatment groups demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the requirement of self-administered ropivacaine than the control group on postoperative day (POD) 1 (p<0.001) and POD 2 (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in opioid consumption and pain scores between either treatment group vs. control. Compared to control (66%), more home disposition was observed in the DEX (88%, p = 0.028) and DEX/MPA group (95%, p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that single dose perineural glucocorticoid injection with DEX or DEX/MPA significantly decreased the dose of local anesthetic ropivacaine infusion required through continuous ACB for TKA while maintaining comparable level of pain score and opioid consumption, and significantly more patients were discharged home.

Subambient daytime radiative cooling textile based on nanoprocessed silk.

Decreasing energy consumption is critical to sustainable development. Because temperature regulation for human comfort consumes vast amounts of energy, substantial research efforts are currently directed towards developing passive personal thermal management techniques that cool the human body without any energy consumption1-9. Although various cooling textile designs have been proposed previously, textile-based daytime radiative cooling to a temperature below ambient has not been realized6-13. Silk, a natural protein fabric produced by moth caterpillars, is famous for its shimmering appearance and its cooling and comforting sensation on skin14-17. It has been recently recognized that silk, with its optical properties derived from its hierarchical microstructure, may represent a promising starting point for exploring daytime radiative cooling18-21. However, the intrinsic absorption of protein in the ultraviolet region prevents natural silk from achieving net cooling under sunlight. Here we explore the nanoprocessing of silk through a molecular bonding design and scalable coupling reagent-assisted dip-coating method, and demonstrate that nanoprocessed silk can achieve subambient daytime radiative cooling. Under direct sunlight (peak solar irradiance >900 W m-2) we observed a temperature of ~3.5 °C below ambient (for an ambient temperature of ~35 °C) for stand-alone nanoprocessed silks. We also observed a temperature reduction of 8 °C for a simulated skin when coated with nanoprocessed silk, compared with natural silk. This subambient daytime radiative cooling of nanoprocessed silk was achieved without compromising its wearability and comfort. This strategy of tailoring natural fabrics through scalable nanoprocessing techniques opens up new pathways to realizing thermoregulatory materials and provides an innovative way to sustainable energy.

[Advances in bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil].

With continuous improvement of people's living standards, great efforts have been paid to environmental protection. Among those environmental issues, soil contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons has received widespread concerns due to the persistence and the degradation difficulty of the pollutants. Among the various remediation technologies, in-situ microbial remediation enhancement technologies have become the current hotspot because of its low cost, environmental friendliness, and in-situ availability. This review summarizes several in-situ microbial remediation technologies such as bioaugmentation, biostimulation, and integrated remediation, as well as their engineering applications, providing references for the selection of in-situ bioremediation technologies in engineering applications. Moreover, this review discusses future research directions in this area.

Bibliometric Analysis of Current Status on Bioremediation of Petroleum Contaminated Soils during 2000-2019.

Petroleum contaminated soils have become a great concern worldwide. Bioremediation has been widely recognized as one of the most promising technologies and has played an important role in solving the issues of petroleum contaminated soils. In this study, a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer based on Web of Science data was conducted to provide an overview on the field of bioremediation of petroleum contaminated soils. A total of 7575 articles were analyzed on various aspects of the publication characteristics, such as publication output, countries, institutions, journals, highly cited papers, and keywords. An evaluating indicator, h-index, was applied to characterize the publications. The pace of publishing in this field increased steadily over last 20 years. China accounted for the most publications (1476), followed by the United States (1032). The United States had the highest h-index (86) and also played a central role in the collaboration network among the most productive countries. The Chinese Academy of Sciences was the institution with the largest number of papers (347) and cooperative relations (52). Chemosphere was the most productive journal (360). Our findings indicate that the influence of developing countries has increased over the years, and researchers tend to publish articles in high-quality journals. At present, mainstream research is centered on biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and biosurfactant application. Combined pollution of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals, microbial diversity monitoring, biosurfactant application, and biological combined remediation technology are considered future research hotspots.

Social Networks, Community Engagement, and Cognitive Impairment among Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults.

AIMS: To examine the association of social networks and community engagement with cognitive impairment among community-dwelling Chinese older adults. METHODS: From November 2017 to May 2018, we selected 1,115 elderly individuals from 3 Chinese communities (Beijing, Hefei, and Lanzhou) using a random-cluster sampling method, and recorded data on demographics, social network characteristics, community activities, and cognitive function. The odds ratios (ORs) of these associations were adjusted for potential confounders in logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 25.7' (n = 287). An adequate social network (OR 0.55; 95' confidence interval [CI] 0.33-0.91) and enough social support from friends (OR 0.43; 95' CI 0.29-0.62) were negatively associated with cognitive impairment. Family support was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR 0.64; 95' CI 0.34-1.21). Taking part in elderly group travel, communication with others using WeChat, and community activities such as Tai Chi and walking together were negatively associated with cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: Social network characteristics and community engagement were found to be related to cognitive function among community-dwelling Chinese elderly adults.