Effects of breathing exercises on low back pain in clinical: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to systematically evaluate the effect of breathing exercises on the low back pain (LBP). METHODS: The studies of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing the effect of breathing exercises on LBP were selected after strict screening from the establishment of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CBM, and CNKI databases until September 2022. The studies included were then independently assessed for risk bias by two investigators. The PRISMA 2020 statement was followed in this study. RESULTS: 11 RCTs involving 383 patients were included in this analysis. Results showed that the effective rate of LBP patients after breathing exercises was significantly higher than those in the control group, and the VAS (Visual Analogue Score) and ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) scores of LBP patients were significantly lower than those in the control group [VAS: MD = -0.50, 95% CI (-0.88, -0.11), I2 = 76%, p = 0.0009; ODI: MD = -2.46, 95% CI (-3.41, -1.52), I2 = 20%, p = 0.28]. The results of subgroup showed that the duration of treatment had little effect on the effect of breathing exercises, and breathing exercises alone could also have a positive effect on LBP. However, there were methodological limitations in the included studies, future studies should ensure blinded outcome assessors and full reporting to reduce bias risks. Because this review is a study of breathing exercises as an intervention without any adverse events, all studies did not involve safety assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that breathing exercises have a positive effect on alleviating LBP, but due to the lack of methodological rigor and some limitations of the included studies, more critical RCTs are still needed in the future to verify the precision of this conclusion. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42022345561).

Effect of a Baduanjin intervention on the risk of falls in the elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Falls are a global public problem and may be an important cause of death in older adults. However, older adults with mild cognitive impairment(MCI) are more likely to fall and suffer more damage than older adults with normal cognitive function, which shows the importance of preventing falls. More and more evidence shows that Baduanjin can improve the balance function of the elderly and reduce the risk of falls in the elderly with MCI, but the mechanism is still unclear. The main purpose of this study is to verify the intervention effect of Baduanjin training on the risk of falls in elderly people with MCI and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of Baduanjin training in reducing the risk of falls in MCI patients. METHODS: In this prospective study, outcome assessor-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial, a total of 72 eligible participants will be randomly allocated (1:1:1) into the 12-week Baduanjin exercise intervention (60 min per session, three sessions per week), the 12-week brisk walking group(60 min per session, three sessions per week) or the 12-week health education group. Primary outcome is the Fall-Risk Self-Assessment Questionnaire(FRQ), and secondary outcomes are fall efficacy index, gait assessment, balance function, lower limb muscle strength, cognitive function, activities of daily living(ADL) and MRI scans. In addition to the MRI scans, which will be measured before and after the intervention,other primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks (at the end of the intervention) and after an additional 12-week follow-up period. The mixed linear model will be conducted to observe the intervention effects. DISCUSSION: This trial will investigate the effect of Baduanjin exercise on the prevention of falls in elderly individuals with MCI, explore the imaging mechanism of Baduanjin exercise to reduce the risk of falls in elderly individuals with MCI from the perspective of vestibular neural network, and provide strong evidence for Baduanjin exercise to reduce the risk of falls in elderly individuals with MCI, as well as provide new ideas and approaches for the central mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TRC) rehabilitation methods to intervene in falls in elderly. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2200057520. Registered on 14 March 2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=146592 .

Labdane diterpenoids from Lagopsis supina and their anti-neuroinflammatory activity.

In this study, ten labdane-type diterpenoids 1-10 were isolated from a methanol extract of the whole plant Lagopsis supina, including three undescribed compounds 1-3. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analyses such as HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR, as well as comparison with literature data. At the same time, the absolute configuration of five compounds 2-5 and 10 was confirmed for the first time by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. All the compounds were isolated from L. supina for the first time. The CCK-8 assay showed that all compounds had no significant damage to BV-2 microglial cells, and then screened their inhibitory effects of nitric oxide production stimulated by lipopolysaccharide in BV-2 microglial cells. The pharmacological results showed that compound 4 greatly inhibited LPS-stimulated NO release at the concentration of 10 µM, indicating that it has potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of manipulative therapy for patients with chronic neck pain.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of people suffer from chronic neck pain due to increased telecommuting. Manual therapy is considered a safe and less painful method and has been increasingly used to alleviate chronic neck pain. However, there is controversy about the effectiveness of manipulation therapy on chronic neck pain. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to determine the effectiveness of manipulative therapy for chronic neck pain. METHODS: A search of the literature was conducted on seven databases (PubMed, Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Medline, CNKI, WanFang, and SinoMed) from the establishment of the databases to May 2022. This study included RCTs on chronic neck pain managed with manipulative therapy compared with sham, exercise, and other physical therapies. The retrieved records were independently reviewed by two researchers. Further, the methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale. All statistical analyses were performed using RevMan V.5.3 software. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) assessment was used to evaluate the quality of the study results. RESULTS: Seventeen RCTs, including 1190 participants, were included in this meta-analysis. Manipulative therapy showed better results regarding pain intensity and neck disability than the control group. Manipulative therapy was shown to relieve pain intensity (SMD = -0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [-1.04 to -0.62]; p < 0.0001) and neck disability (MD = -3.65; 95% CI = [-5.67 to - 1.62]; p = 0.004). However, the studies had high heterogeneity, which could be explained by the type and control interventions. In addition, there were no significant differences in adverse events between the intervention and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Manipulative therapy reduces the degree of chronic neck pain and neck disabilities.

Effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation under different intensities upon rehabilitation of chronic pelvic pain syndrome: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Nearly one in seven women worldwide suffers from chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) each year. Often, CPPS necessitates a combination of treatments. Studies have shown the good therapeutic effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) upon CPPS. We wish to undertake a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to observe the effect of high-frequency rTMS at different intensities upon CPPS. METHODS AND ANALYSES: In this prospective, double-blinded RCT, 63 female CPPS participants will be recruited and randomized (1:1:1) to high-intensity rTMS, low-intensity rTMS, or sham rTMS. The control group will receive a 10-day course of conventional pelvic floor (PF) rehabilitation (neuromuscular stimulation, magnetic therapy, or light therapy of the PF). On the basis of conventional treatment, participants in the high-intensity rTMS group will receive pulses of 10 Hz with a resting motor threshold (RMT) of 110% for a total of 15,000 pulses. Participants in the low-intensity rTMS group will receive pulses of 10 Hz with an RMT of 80% with 15,000 pulses. The sham rTMS group will be subjected to sham stimulation with the same sound as produced by the real magnetic stimulation coil. The primary outcome will be determined using a visual analog scale, the Genitourinary Pain Index, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. The secondary outcome will be determined by electromyography of the surface of PF muscles at baseline and after treatment completion. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study is approved by the Ethics Committee of Bao'an People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province (approval number: BYL20211203). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at scientific conferences (Protocol version 1.0-20220709). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2200055615. Registered on 14 January 2022, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=146720 . Protocol version 1.0-20220709.

Repurposing Vitamin C for Cancer Treatment: Focus on Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment.

Based on the enhanced knowledge on the tumor microenvironment (TME), a more comprehensive treatment landscape for targeting the TME has emerged. This microenvironment provides multiple therapeutic targets due to its diverse characteristics, leading to numerous TME-targeted strategies. With multifaced activities targeting tumors and the TME, vitamin C is renown as a promising candidate for combination therapy. In this review, we present new advances in how vitamin C reshapes the TME in the immune, hypoxic, metabolic, acidic, neurological, mechanical, and microbial dimensions. These findings will open new possibilities for multiple therapeutic avenues in the fight against cancer. We also review the available preclinical and clinical evidence of vitamin C combined with established therapies, highlighting vitamin C as an adjuvant that can be exploited for novel therapeutics. Finally, we discuss unresolved questions and directions that merit further investigation.

VPS18-regulated vesicle trafficking controls the secretion of pectin and its modifying enzyme during pollen tube growth in Arabidopsis.

In eukaryotes, homotypic fusion and vacuolar protein sorting (HOPS) as well as class C core vacuole/endosome tethering (CORVET) are evolutionarily conserved membrane tethering complexes that play important roles in lysosomal/vacuolar trafficking. Whether HOPS and CORVET control endomembrane trafficking in pollen tubes, the fastest growing plant cells, remains largely elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that the four core components shared by the two complexes, Vacuole protein sorting 11 (VPS11), VPS16, VPS33, and VPS18, are all essential for pollen tube growth in Arabidopsis thaliana and thus for plant reproduction success. We used VPS18 as a representative core component of the complexes to show that the protein is localized to both multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and the tonoplast in a growing pollen tube. Mutant vps18 pollen tubes grew more slowly in vivo, resulting in a significant reduction in male transmission efficiency. Additional studies revealed that membrane fusion from MVBs to vacuoles is severely compromised in vps18 pollen tubes, corroborating the function of VPS18 in late endocytic trafficking. Furthermore, vps18 pollen tubes produce excessive exocytic vesicles at the apical zone and excessive amounts of pectin and pectin methylesterases in the cell wall. In conclusion, this study establishes an additional conserved role of HOPS/CORVET in homotypic membrane fusion during vacuole biogenesis in pollen tubes and reveals a feedback regulation of HOPS/CORVET in the secretion of cell wall modification enzymes of rapidly growing plant cells.

Systematic Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Post Stroke Cognitive Impairment / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Method:Seven databases, including CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, The Cochrane library and ClinicalTrials.gov, were electronically searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCM in the treatment of PSCI. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies, descriptive analysis was carried out on the included studies, and the Meta quantitative analysis was carried out with RevMan 5.3 software. Result:A total of 16 RCTs were included with 1 296 participants, and they were assigned to the intervention group (n=649) and the control group (n=647). The results showed that TCM combined with western medicine group and TCM group were better than western medicine group in improving the scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index (BI), Activity of Daily Living (ADL), Chinese stroke scale (CSS) and National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) of PSCI patients, and no serious adverse events were observed. Conclusion:TCM has potential advantages in improving the cognitive function of patients with PSCI, and it also has certain efficacy in improving the daily living ability and neurological impairment symptoms, and no serious adverse events have been observed. Due to the low quality of methodology included in the studies, in order to provide reliable basis for clinical decision-making, high-quality of RCTs are still needed to study the efficacy and safety of TCM for PSCI.

Initial Relative Position Influencing Self-Assembly of a Black Phosphorus Ribbon on a CNT.

It is difficult to obtain a nanotube from phosphorus with a 3sp² electron configuration by chemical synthesis. However, a physical fabrication approach, such as self-assembly, is worth trying. In an experiment, when using a carbon nanotube (CNT) to trigger self-assembly of a black phosphorus (BP) ribbon, the final configuration of the BP component may be sensitive to the initial relative position of the CNT to the BP ribbon. For instance, using the same CNT with different initial relative positions to the BP ribbon, the BP ribbon may finally become a nanotube, or a scroll, or just wind upon the CNT, or escape from the CNT, etc. In this study, the sensitivity is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Numerical results illustrate some essentials for potential fabrication of a BP nanotube from ribbon.

Electroacupuncture ameliorate learning and memory by improving N-acetylaspartate and glutamate metabolism in APP/PS1 mice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the precise mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) to delay cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease. METHODS: N-Acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate (Glu) and myoinositol (mI) metabolism were measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, learning and memory of APP/PS1 mouse was evaluated by the Morris water maze test and the step-down avoidance test, neuron survival number and neuronal structure in the hippocampus were observed by Nissl staining, and BDNF and phosphorylated TrkB detected by Western blot. RESULTS: EA at DU20 acupuncture significantly improve learning and memory in behavioral tests, up-regulate NAA, Glu and mI metabolism, increase the surviving neurons in hippocampus, and promote the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that EA is a potential therapeutic for ameliorate cognitive dysfunction, and it might be due to EA could improve NAA and Glu metabolism by upregulation of BDNF in APP/PS1 mice.

Electrical and histological remodeling of the pulmonary vein in 2K1C hypertensive rats: Indication of initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of pulmonary vein (PV) remodeling in the mechanistic association between hypertension and AF is not definitive. In this study, we aimed to identify changes in the electrophysiology and histology in PVs in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats. METHODS: Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into the 2K1C and sham-operated groups. The systolic blood pressure was measured every 2 weeks. The left atrial diameter was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Left superior PV (LSPV) and left atrial (LA) fibrosis was evaluated by Masson's trichrome staining. The expression of fibrosis markers [angiotensin II (Ang II), transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and collagen I (Col I)] and ion channels [Kir2.1, Kir2.3, Cav1.2, and Nav1.5] in LSVP was quantified by western blot. Conventional microelectrodes were used to record the action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) and effective refractory period (ERP) in isolated LA. RESULTS: At 4 months, the 2K1C hypertensive rats developed LA dilation. Col deposition in LSPV and left atrium and expression of TGF-ß1, MMP-2, and Col I in LSPV were significantly increased in 2K1C hypertensive rats. In addition, hypertension reduced the expression of Nav1.5 and Kir2.1, although there were no significant differences in APD90; ERP; and expression of Ang II, Kir2.3, and Cav1.2 between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Hypertension may lead to changes in the electrophysiology and histology of rats PVs, which is characterized by significant reduction in the expression of Nav1.5 and Kir2.1 and increase in interstitial fibrosis. These observations may clarify the role of PVs in the mechanistic association between hypertension and AF.

Electroacupuncture ameliorate learning and memory by improving N -acetylaspartate and glutamate metabolism in APP/PS1 mice

OBJECTIVE: To explore the precise mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) to delay cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease. Methods N -Acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate (Glu) and myoinositol (mI) metabolism were measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, learning and memory of APP/PS1 mouse was evaluated by the Morris water maze test and the step-down avoidance test, neuron survival number and neuronal structure in the hippocampus were observed by Nissl staining, and BDNF and phosphorylated TrkB detected by Western blot. RESULTS: EA at DU20 acupuncture significantly improve learning and memory in behavioral tests, up-regulate NAA, Glu and mI metabolism, increase the surviving neurons in hippocampus, and promote the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that EA is a potential therapeutic for ameliorate cognitive dysfunction, and it might be due to EA could improve NAA and Glu metabolism by upregulation of BDNF in APP/PS1 mice.

Modulatory effects of acupuncture on brain networks in mild cognitive impairment patients.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging has been widely used to investigate the effects of acupuncture on neural activity. However, most functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have focused on acute changes in brain activation induced by acupuncture. Thus, the time course of the therapeutic effects of acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, 32 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment were randomly divided into two groups, where they received either Tiaoshen Yizhi acupuncture or sham acupoint acupuncture. The needles were either twirled at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints, including Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (EX-HN3), Neiguan (PC6), Taixi (KI3), Fenglong (ST40), and Taichong (LR3), or at related sham acupoints at a depth of approximately 15 mm, an angle of ± 60°, and a rate of approximately 120 times per minute. Acupuncture was conducted for 4 consecutive weeks, five times per week, on weekdays. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging indicated that connections between cognition-related regions such as the insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, inferior parietal lobule, and anterior cingulate cortex increased after acupuncture at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints. The insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus acted as central brain hubs. Patients in the Tiaoshen Yizhi group exhibited improved cognitive performance after acupuncture. In the sham acupoint acupuncture group, connections between brain regions were dispersed, and we found no differences in cognitive function following the treatment. These results indicate that acupuncture at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints can regulate brain networks by increasing connectivity between cognition-related regions, thereby improving cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

What is the impact of n-3 PUFAs on inflammation markers in Type 2 diabetic mellitus populations?: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the possible role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in lowering inflammation markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: PubMed, CNKI and Cochrane databases were searched until December 30, 2015; references from papers or reviews were also retrieved and screened. Screening was performed by two independent researchers, and randomized controlled trials reporting the specific n-3 PUFA type, dose, frequency, and duration of treatment, as well as the baseline and follow-up concentrations of inflammation markers, including interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP), were selected for final analysis. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. RESULTS: Eight studies involving 955 participants were included; all reported CRP. Only one included study reported IL-2 or IL-6 while two studies reported TNF-α. N-3 PUFAs significantly reduced CRP concentration compared with control [SMD 95 % CI, 1.90 (0.64, 3.16), Z = 2.96, P = 0.003, random effect model]. CONCLUSIONS: N-3 PUFAs decrease CRP concentration in type-2 diabetes mellitus. However, larger and rigorously designed RCTs are required to confirm this finding and extend it into other inflammatory biomarkers.

Ginseng panaxoside Rb1 reduces body weight in diet-induced obese mice.

Crude extracts from ginseng demonstrated anti-obesity properties. Ginsenoside Rb1 is the main component of ginseng, however, there are only few studies examining its effects in obesity. In the present study, we evaluated its potential anti-obesity effects in the murine model of diet-induced obesity. Seventy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided to consume for 12 weeks either chow diet (N = 8) or high-fat (HF) diet (N = 62). The latter mice were then divided into four groups: diet-induced obesity group (DIO; N = 10), obesity-resistant group (OR; N = 10), HF group (N = 5), and the group whose diet was changed from HF to normal diet (DC; N = 5). Intraperitoneal injections of Rb-1 were administered daily to mice in the DIO and OR groups for 3 weeks. Body weight and energy intake were monitored, and fasting blood glucose, lipids, neuropeptide Y, Y2 receptor, and peptide YY were quantified. Compared with HF group, weight gain and food intake of DIO mice with Rb-1 injection was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Further, levels of blood glucose and some lipids were also decreased in DIO-Rb1 group compared with HF group. Furthermore, Rb1 was also found to modulate serum levels of PYY and NPY, and mRNA expression of NPY, Y2 receptor and PYY in tissue samples of DIO mice. Taken together, ginsenoside Rb1 may be useful in the treatment of obesity via modifying the serum content and mRNA expression of NPY, Y2 receptor and PYY.

[Studies on the chemical constituents from Caragana intermedia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Caragana intermedia. METHODS: The compounds were separated by chromatography methods. Their structures were identified by spectral analysis. RESULTS: Eight compounds were isolated and identified as 7,5'-dihydroxy-3 '-methoxyisoflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), isorhamnetin 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (2), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3), N-trans-caffeoyltyramine (4), D-3-O-methyl-inositol (5),7alpha-hydroxy-beta-sitosterol (6),7beta-hydroxy-beta-sitosterol (7) and stearic acid (8). CONCLUSION: All these compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on flavonoid constituents of Caragana intermediia].

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of Caragana intermedia. METHODS: The compounds were separated by chromatography methods, their structures were identified by spectral analysis. RESULTS: Ten compounds were isolated and identified as 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxyflavone (1), 3,5,7,8,4'-pentahydroxy-3'-methoxyflavone(2), puercetin(3), limocitrin(4), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone(5), 7,3',5'-trihydroxyflavanone(6), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone(7), butein(8), liquiritigenin(9) and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone(10). CONCLUSION: Compound 6 is a new compound and the others were obtained from this plant for the first time.