Profiling complex volatile components by HS-GC-MS and entropy minimization software: An example on Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.

Volatile oil, as an important bioactive fraction of medicinal herbs, is comprised of a diversity of compounds. At present, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is one of the mainstream approaches to profiling these complex components. However, GC-MS faces the major bottleneck in data analysis, such as co-elution of more than one compound, and interference caused by high background noise; this usually makes an operator have to spend a lot of time and effort in optimizing experimental conditions. Taking Chuanxiong Rhizoma (the dry rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., abbreviated as "CR") as an example, this study is intended to provide a feasible, quick and cost-effective solution for compound identification based on the chemometric method of entropy minimization (EM) algorithm. Ten batches of geo-authentic CR and eight batches of adulterants including Fuxiong (FX), Shanchuanxiong (SCX) and Cnidii Rhizoma (CNR) were determined by headspace GC-MS. FX and SCX were rhizomes of L. chuanxiong but subjected to improper harvest time. CNR was the dried rhizome of Cnidium officinale Makino. The co-eluting and overlapping peaks and low-concentration peaks with high background were precisely reconstructed by EM algorithm, and then the reconstructed pure mass spectra of each component were compared with the ion fragment information in NIST library for qualitative identification. EM algorithm proves to be capable of delivering results with increased accuracy and high confidence. Moreover, by the GC-MS approach established in this work, the volatile chemical profiles of FX, SCX, and CNR, were quite distinct from those of geo-authentic CR, suggesting that the adulterants should not be confused with CR in clinical practice and pharmaceutical industry. In brief, the advanced EM algorithm is envisioned to be applied to a variety of medicinal herbs, enabling rapid and accurate identification of volatile phytochemicals.

Comparison of therapeutic effects of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of peripheral facial nerve paralysis: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidences show that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has positive effects on peripheral facial nerve paralysis (PFP), but there are many acupuncture treatments based on meridian theory, and there are differences in the efficacy of each program. This study will compare the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture treatments for PFP through mesh meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of PFP are going to be retrieved from 8 Science databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Chinese Biomedical Science, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from establishment to January 2022. We will use the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool to assess the quality of the studies and the grading of recommendation assessment, development and evaluation method to assess the strength of the evidence. All data analyses will be performed by Revman5.3, Gemtc 0.14.3, and Stata 14.0. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the efficacy of different acupuncture treatments for PFP by evaluating clinical efficacy rate, facial nerve function score, facial disability score scale, facial electromyography, adverse reactions, etc, and further explore the mechanism of action of each therapy. CONCLUSION: This study will provide a reliable evidence-based basis for selecting the best acupuncture treatment for PFP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open science framework registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/XQRK9.

New Internet-Based Warfarin Anticoagulation Management Approach After Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement: Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical heart valve replacement (MHVR) is an effective method for the treatment of severe heart valve disease; however, it subjects patient to lifelong warfarin therapy after MHVR with the attendant risk of bleeding and thrombosis. Whether internet-based warfarin management reduces complications and improves patient quality of life remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of internet-based warfarin management and the conventional approach in patients who received MHVR in order to provide evidence regarding alternative strategies for long-term anticoagulation. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial with a 1-year follow-up. Patients who needed long-term warfarin anticoagulation after MHVR were enrolled and then randomly divided into conventional and internet-based management groups. The percentage of time in the therapeutic range (TTR) was used as the primary outcome, while bleeding, thrombosis, and other events were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 721 patients were enrolled. The baseline characteristics did not reach statistical differences between the 2 groups, suggesting the random assignment was successful. As a result, the internet-based group showed a significantly higher TTR (mean 0.53, SD 0.24 vs mean 0.46, SD 0.21; P<.001) and fraction of time in the therapeutic range (mean 0.48, SD 0.22 vs mean 0.42, SD 0.19; P<.001) than did those in the conventional group. Furthermore, as expected, the anticoagulation complications, including the bleeding and embolic events had a lower frequency in the internet-based group than in the conventional group (6.94% vs 12.74%; P=.01). Logistic regression showed that internet-based management increased the TTR by 7% (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.09; P<.001) and reduced the bleeding and embolic risk by 6% (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.96; P=.01). Moreover, low TTR was found to be a risk factor for bleeding and embolic events (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83-0.91; P=.005). CONCLUSIONS: The internet-based warfarin management is superior to the conventional method, as it can reduce the anticoagulation complications in patients who receive long-term warfarin anticoagulation after MHVR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800016204; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=27518. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032949.

Therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicines for post-stroke depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Whether the addition of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in routine western medicines for post-stroke depression yields additional therapeutic effects still remains to be controversial. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of combination of CHM with routine western medicines versus routine western medicines alone in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). METHODS: Electronic databases such as PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were systematically searched from inception till October 2019. Studies designed as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and that investigated the therapeutic effects of CHM plus routine western medicines (CHM group) versus routine western medicines alone (control group) in PSD patients were eligible. The relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the categories and continuous data using random-effects model. Software STATA was applied to perform statistical analysis (Version 10.0; StataCorp, TX,). RESULTS: A total of 18 RCTs involving a total of 1,367 PSD patients were selected for final analysis. The effective rate in CHM group was significantly higher than that in control group (RR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.12-1.24; P < .001). Moreover, patients in CHM group showed association with lower Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (WMD: -3.17; 95%CI: -4.12 to -2.22; P < .001) and Scandinavian Stroke Scale (WMD: -3.84; 95%CI: -5.73 to -1.96; P < .001) than those in control group. Furthermore, patients in CHM were associated with high level of Barthel Index than those in control group (WMD: 11.06; 95%CI: 4.01 to 18.10; P = .002). Finally, patients in CHM group had lower risk of gastrointestinal (RR: 0.49; 95%CI: 0.31-0.77; P = .002) and neurological (RR: 0.50; 95%CI: 0.33-0.75; P = .001) adverse events than those in control group. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings revealed that addition of CHM to routine therapies could improve the therapeutic effects and reduce gastrointestinal or neurological adverse events.

Protective Effect of a Novel Polysaccharide from Lonicera japonica on Cardiomyocytes of Mice Injured by Hydrogen Peroxide.

Lonicera japonica is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunoregulation functions. A method to isolate polysaccharides from Lonicera japonica (LJP) has been reported previously by our group. We also reported previously that LJP was consisted of 6 types of monosaccharides and had the characteristic absorption of typical polysaccharides. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of LJP on cardiomyocytes of mice injured by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results showed that LJP can increase the cardiomyocyte viability and the activities of the enzyme (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, AST, CPK, and LDH) in cardiomyocytes of mice injured by hydrogen peroxide. The results of intracellular ROS contents showed that a high dose (40 µg mL-1) of LJP had the best effects on protecting the cardiomyocytes of mice injured by H2O2. In addition, the measurement results of the cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the activity of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 in cardiomyocytes confirmed this conclusion from another perspective.

[Warming needling combined with Zhuyu Tongluo Xuebi decoction for arteriosclerosis obliterans with stasis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect difference of warming needling combined with Zhuyu Tongluo Xuebi decoction and ciloprost for arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) with stasis. METHODS: A total of 96 ASO patients with stasis were randomly assigned into a combination group and a western medication group, 48 cases in each group. Anti-hypertension, glucose-lowering and lipid lowering therapies were applied in the two groups. Ciloprost was prescribed orally in the western medication group, twice a day, 100 mg a time. The main acupoints in the combination group were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4), and Xuehai (SP 10), matched with Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Weizhong (BL 40). Warming needling was used at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuehai (SP 10) and Guanyuan (CV 4), 5 times a week, once a day, 20 min a time. At the same time, self-made Zhuyu Tongluo Xuebi decoction was applied in the combination group, 1 dose a day, twice a day. All the treatment was given for continuous 3 courses, 1 month as a course. The indexes were the symptom scores for cool limb skin, sour swelling, numbness, pain, abnormal complexion, ankle brachial index (ABI) and blood biochemical indexes, including fasting blood-glucose (FPG), triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol total (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (AST), serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The adverse reactions were recorded. The clinical effect was evaluated. Two-month follow-up was carried out. RESULTS: After treatment, the symptom scores for cool limb skin, sour swelling, numbness, pain, abnormal complexion and total score decreased in the two groups (all P<0.05), with better results in the combination group (all P<0.05). The bilateral ABI were higher than those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05), with better results in the combination group (both P<0.05). The FPG, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, ALT, AST, Scr, BUN before and after treatment had no statistical significance in the two groups (all P>0.05). There was no adverse reaction on acupuncture and moxibustion. The total effective rate of the combination group was 95.8% (46/48), which was better than 91.7% (44/48) of the western medication group (P<0.05). The recurrence and aggravation rate in the combination group was 8.7% (4/46), which was lower than 18.2% (8/44) in the western medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Warming needling combined with Zhuyu Tongluo Xuebi decoction for ASO are better than simple oral ciloprost, with safety.

[Clinical study of the electroacupuncture combined with thunder-fire moxibustion in treatment of degenerative knee osteoarthritis with cold-damp stagnation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of early degenerative knee osteoarthritis with cold-damp stagnation treated with electroacupuncture (EA) combined with thunder-fire moxibustion and simple EA. METHODS: Eighty cases were randomly assigned into a combination group and an EA group,40 cases in each one. Twenty-five min EA was used in the EA group mainly at ashi points,Neixiyan(EX-LE 4),Zusanli(ST 36),Dubi(ST 35),Yanglingquan(GB 34),Yinlingquan(SP 9) and Liangqiu(ST 34) after deqi (qi arrival),once a day. Based on EA at the same acupoints as the EA group,thunder-fire moxibustion was applied at ashi points,Dubi(ST 35)and Liangqiu(ST 34) by means of 20-minute suspended moxibustion,once a day. Ten-day treatment was seen as one course,and continuous 2 courses were applied. The indices were observed before and after treatment including visual analogue scale(VAS) score,Lequesne index score,Lysholm score of knee joint,serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Clinical effects were also evaluated and 6-month follow-up was implemented to show the recurrence rate. RESULTS: After treatment the total effective rate of the combination group was 95.0%(38/40),which was better than 82.5%(33/40) of the EA group(P<0.05).The Lequesne index score,VAS score,serum CRP and ESR apparently decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups(all P<0.05),and the four indices in the combination group were obviously lower than those in the EA group(all P<0.05). As for the Lysholm knee joint score,the good rates of the two groups enhanced after treatment(both P<0.05),and the result of the combination group was superior to that of the EA group[87.5%(35/40) vs 72.5%(29/40),P<0.05]. At 6-month follow-up,the recurrence rate of the combination group was lower than that of the EA group[26.7%(4/15) vs 100.0%(9/9),P<0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: EA combined with thunder-fire moxibustion achieve good effect for degenerative knee osteoarthritis with cold-damp stagnation. The combination therapy have advantages in effect duration compared with simple EA.

[Distribution and pollution characteristics of nutrients and heavy metals in sediments of Hedi Reservoir].

Core sediments were collected from the riverine, transition and lacustrine zones of Hedi Reservoir in southern China to investigate the spatial distributions of nutrients and heavy metals and assess the potential ecological risk of heavy metals. The total nitrogen (TN) contents of the sediments at three sampling sites are between 2.314-2.427 mg x g(-1), while total phosphorus (TP) contents range from 0.591 mg x g(-1) to 0.760 mg x g(-1), TN contents of the surface sediments increase from the riverine zone to the lacustrine zone, but the TP content in the transition zone is higher than that in the other two sites (riverine zone and lacustrine zone). The mean contents of heavy metals are: 31.094, 46.85, 75.615, 385.739, 0.624 and 0.171 mg x kg(-1) respectively, except Cr, the contents of heavy metals in sediment of lacustrine zone are higher than the sediment of transition zone. In all core sediments, the contents of nutrients and heavy metals decrease from the surface to the bottom of core sediments. Inorganic phosphorus (IP) is the dominant fraction of phosphorus in the sediment and the NaOH-P is the main forms of inorganic phosphorus. The potential ecological risk assessed by using of the highest environmental background values before industrialization as the reference indicates that each single heavy metal only causes slightly pollution, but two heavy metals (Cd and Hg) cause heavy pollution based on the soil environmental background values of Guangdong province. In spite of the slight difference between two kinds of risk assessment, all demonstrated that Cd and Hg resulted in more serious pollution than the other metals and these two metals contributed most to the RI values.

[Yangjing capsule plus low-dose tadalafil for functional anejaculation].

OBJECTIVE: To search for an effective therapy for functional anejaculation (AE). METHODS: Fifty-five AE patients were randomized into a treatment group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 25), the former treated with Yangjing Capsule (once 5 pills, tid) and low-dose tadalafil (5 mg, qd alt, 1 h before bedtime), while the latter with oral ephedrine (25 mg before bedtime). Meanwhile, the patients were advised to expose themselves to sexual stimulation, reduce the frequency of sexual intercourses and quit masturbation. The medication lasted 1-3 months, followed by observation of the therapeutic effects. RESULTS: The total effectiveness rate was 83.34% in the treatment group, 11 cases cured, 8 obviously improved, 6 improved and 5 unimproved, significantly higher than 40.00% in the control group, 4 cases cured, 3 obviously improved, 3 improved and 15 unimproved (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Yangiing Capsule plus low-dose tadalafil is safe and effective for the treatment of functional anejaculation.

[Qianlie Beixi capsule for unliquefiable semen: a clinical study of 180 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and possible action mechanism of Qianlie Beixi Capsule in the treatment of unliquefiable semen. METHODS: A total of 240 patients with unliquefiable semen were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 180), treated with Qianlie Beixi Capsule, and a control group (n = 60), given compound tablets of zinc and protein. The treatment lasted two courses of 45 days each, and the seminal changes were observed and recorded. RESULTS: Of the patients in the treatment group, 144 were cured, 12 responded and 24 failed to respond to the medication after the first course; and 158 were cured, 7 responded and 15 failed to after the second course, with the effectiveness rate of 91.67%. Meanwhile, sperm motility was obviously improved, with statistically significant difference from that of the controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Qianlie Beixi Capsule is effective for unliquefiable semen by improving the function of the prostate and shortening the time of seminal liquefaction.