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OBJECTIVE: Vascular aging, as assessed by structural and functional arterial properties, is an independent predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the associations of ultra long-term blood pressure (BP) variability from childhood to midlife with vascular aging in midlife. METHODS: Using data from the longitudinal cohort of Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study, 2065 participants aged 6-18âyears were enrolled and followed up with seven visits over 30âyears. Ultra long-term BP variability (BPV) was defined as the standard deviation (SD) and average real variability (ARV) of BP over 30âyears (seven visits). Vascular aging included arterial stiffness, carotid hypertrophy, and carotid plaque. RESULTS: After adjusting for demographic variables, clinical characteristics and mean BP over 30âyears, higher SD SBP , ARV SBP , SD DBP and ARV DBP since childhood were significantly associated with arterial stiffness in midlife. Additionally, higher SD DBP and ARV DBP were significantly associated with carotid hypertrophy and the presence of carotid plaque in midlife. When we used cumulative exposure to BP from childhood to midlife instead of mean BP as adjustment factors, results were similar. Furthermore, we found a significant association between long-term BPV from childhood to adolescence and the presence of carotid plaque, whereas long-term BPV from youth to adulthood is associated with arterial stiffness. CONCLUSION: Higher BPV from childhood to adulthood was associated with vascular aging in midlife independently of mean BP or cumulative BP exposure. Therefore, long-term BPV from an early age may serve as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in later life.
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The article summarizes the relevant factors to the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on knee osteoarthritis, including the origin and storage time of moxa leaves, the time of moxibustion, the numbers of moxa cone, and the temperature when moxibustion is operated. Artemisia mugwort in Qichun county stored for over 3 years is the best regarding its propertyï¼ and it is recommended for about 40 min in suspended moxibustionï¼ and the heat-sensitive moxibustion is determined when the sensation of moxibustion disappearsï¼ and in terms of moxibustion techniques and the numbers of moxa cone, two moxa cones are optimal in warm needling, but the highly applicable duration of moxibustion needs to be confirmed through more high-quality studies. There are few studies on the other influencing factors, such as the specific operation of suspended moxibustion, the angle of knee flexion, treatment sequence, light and smoking factors, moxibustion method and disease staging and typeï¼ and the studies are limited in the comparison in terms of the middle-term and long-term efficacy, the comparison of the efficacy among different syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine in patients and the comparison among various frequencies and sessions of treatment. In future, more high-quality clinical trials should be designed to complete the evidence-based regimens and optimize clinical operations.
Subject(s)
Moxibustion , Osteoarthritis, Knee , Humans , Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy , Temperature , Acupuncture Points , Hot TemperatureABSTRACT
We conducted an umbrella review to consolidate the evidence of adopting plant-based diets on anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes. Six electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched for systematic reviews with meta-analysis (SRMAs) published from each journal's inception until 1 October 2022. Effect sizes from SRMAs and primary studies were pooled separately using random effects models. Overlapping primary studies were removed for primary studies' analyses. Seven SRMAs representing 51 primary studies were included, suggesting significant benefits of plant-based diets on weight (-2.09 kg, 95% CI: -3.56, -0.62 kg, p = 0.01, I2 = 95.6%), body mass index (-0.95 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.26, -0.63 kg/m2, p = 0.002; I2 = 45.1%), waist circumference (-2.20 cm, 95% CI: -0.08, 0.00 cm, p = 0.04; I2 = 88.4%), fasting blood glucose (-0.11 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.13, -0.09 mmol/L, p < 0.001, I2 = 18.2%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.31 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.41, -0.20 mmol/L, p < 0.001, I2 = 65.6%). Changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure were not statistically significant. Generally, plant-based diets were recommended to improve anthropometry, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism. However, findings should be interpreted with caution, because most of the reviews were rated to be of low credibility of evidence and were largely based on Western eating habits and traditions, which may limit the generalizability of findings.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases , Diet, Vegetarian , Adult , Humans , Body Mass Index , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Cholesterol, LDL , Systematic Reviews as TopicABSTRACT
Background The purpose of this meta-analysis is to systematically evaluate the efficacy of probiotics on allergic rhinitis (AR).Methods Collecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with probiotics as intervention measures for AR, two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies, and used RevMan 5.3 software for meta-analysis to observe the effects of probiotics on Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQLQ) scores, Rhinitis Total Symptom Scores (RTSS), blood eosinophil count, total and antigen-specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels by using the fixed- or the random-effects model to calculate the pooled risk for significant heterogeneity.Results A total of 2708 patients were included in 30 RCTs. Meta-analysis results showed that the RQLQ global scores (mean difference [MD] = −9.43; P < 0.00001), RQLQ nasal scores (MD = −1.52; P = 0.03), and RTSS nasal scores (MD = −1.96; P = 0.02) significantly improved in the probiotic group when compared with those in the placebo group. There was no significant difference in blood eosinophil count (MD = −0.09; P=0.82), RQLQ eye scores (MD = −1.45; P = 0.07), RTSS global scores (MD = −2.24; P = 0.26), RTSS eye scores (MD = −0.39; P = 0.31), total and antigen-specific serum IgE levels (MD = −0.04; P = 0.7 and MD = −0.08; P = 0.81) between the probiotic and the placebo group.Conclusion Compared with the placebo group, the quality of life and symptoms of patients with AR significantly improved in the probiotic group, thus providing a new potential method for the application of probiotics in AR. However, because of the limited evidence for the current study outcomes, the heterogeneity of research, and the differences in research results, more high-quality studies are needed to in the future (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Probiotics/therapeutic use , Rhinitis, Allergic/drug therapy , Immunoglobulin E , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Biological agent is an important green pathway to control Verticillium wilt. A field experiment was performed to examine the effects of Bacillus subtilis agent (15, 30 and 45 kg·hm-2), Trichoderma humatum agent (15, 18 and 24 kg·hm-2), 'Yufeng 99' agent (15, 22.5 and 30 kg·hm-2) and Zhongnonglyukang agent (30, 45 and 60 kg·hm-2) on cotton Verticillium wilt and soil microbial community. The results showed that all of the four biological agents could reduce the incidence and index of cotton Verticillium wilt, with control effects of 50.0%-77.4% in the whole growth period of cotton. The control effects of B. subtilis, 'Yufeng 99' and Zhongnonglyukang agent were positively correlated with the application doses, while that of T. humatum agent of 18 kg·hm-2 was significantly higher than 15 and 24 kg·hm-2. The relative abundance of V. dahliae was significantly reduced, which was negatively correlated with the control effect. The quantity and species richness of soil bacteria were significantly increased with the increases of application doses. The quantity and species abundance of actinomycete were significantly increased, while the quantity of actinomycete varied greatly among different application doses. The quantity and species richness of fungi increased with the increased application doses of T. humatum agent, but was decreased with the increased application doses of other three biological agents, respectively. The control effect was positively correlated with the quantity of bacteria and actinomycetes, but was negatively correlated with that of fungi. Meanwhile, the control effect was significantly and positively correlated with the abundance of Actinomycetes, Nitrospirae, Ascomycota, Chytridiomycota, but was significantly and negatively correlated with that of Deuteromycota. The application doses of 'Yufeng 99', zhongnonglyukang, B. subtilis and T. humatum agents were suggested to be 30, 60, 45 and 18 kg·hm-2, respectively.
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Verticillium , Biological Factors , Plant Diseases , Rhizosphere , Soil , Soil MicrobiologyABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of Xingbi Wenmin Gel on serum levels of IL-4, TGF-β1 and nasal mucosa eosinophils (EOS) in allergic rhinitis (AR) rats; To discuss its mechanism of action. Methods Intraperitoneal injection of egg albumin and aluminum hydroxide based sensitized to ovalbumin challenge 2％ local AR model was established successfully. The experimental rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive control group, and Xingbi Gel low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups. Each medication group was given relevant medicine for intervention. The rat symptom scores in each group were compared, and serum IL-4, TGF-β1, and nasal mucosa EOS counts were detected. Results Compared with the normal group, the serum levels of IL-4 and TGF-β1 in model group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the nasal mucosa EOS counts increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the serum levels of IL-4 and TGF-β1 in Xingbi Gel medium-dosage group and positive control group decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the nasal mucosa EOS counts decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Xingbi Wenmin Gel may be effective through down-regulation of IL-4, TGF-β1 levels of inflammatory factors, and reduction of EOS infiltration in nasal mucosa.
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Objective:To identify the function of extracellular soluble vimentin that promotes proliferation, activation and chemotaxis of inflammatory cells. Methods: The proliferation of rat splenocytes stimulated with vimentin was evaluated in vitro. The lymphocyte counts and vimentin-antibody levels of peripheral blood in mice immunized with vimentin were detected in vivo. Peritoneal macrophages were collected and cultured with different concentrations of vimentin to detect the effect on phagocytosing chicken red blood cells. The chemotaxis of NIH3T3 fibroblast towards vimentin was observed in transwell chamber. Results:In vitro vimentin dose dependently promoted the proliferation of splenocytes. The proliferation indexes of primed and naive splenocytes cultured with 16μg/ml vimentin were reached up to ( 196. 0 ± 9. 7 )% and ( 208. 9 ± 4. 6 )% respectively without significant difference. In vivo vimentin significantly enhanced the lymphocytes number(109 L-1)of peripheral blood(5. 74±0. 51 vs. 1. 69±0. 13)and the levels of vimentin specific antibody( OD value 2. 31 ± 0. 06 vs. 0. 19 ± 0. 08 ) that shown no significant difference from immunization with vimentin plus CFA. In vitro vimentin dose dependently stimulated phagocytic ability of macrophages and performed the chemotactic effects on NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Conclusion:Extracellular soluble vimentin promotes the proliferation,activation and chemotaxis of concerned inflammatory cells and possesses the functions as an alarmin.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the intervention of Shenkangling Decoction (SD) on the renal injury of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) children patients of Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS) and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 65 PNS children patients were randomly assigned to the combined group (33 cases, treated by SD +Western medicine) and the Western medicine group (32 cases, treated by Western medicine). Meanwhile, 30 healthy children were recruited as the healthy control group from the medical examination center. Those in the Western medicine group were treated with prednisone (5 mg per tablet) at the daily dose of 1.5 -2.0 mg/kg till two weeks after their urine protein turned to negative. Then the dosage was reduced once daily per every other day. The therapeutic course lasted for more than 1 year. For those with no effect of prednisone or partial effect, cyclophosphamide intravenous pulse therapy was additionally applied for 2 successive days per week, a total of 6 times, or they took cyclosporine A. Patients in the combined group additionally took SD while starting treatment of prednisone. SD was decocted in water for oral dose, once daily, taken in two portions until 2 months after prednisone was discontinued. Efficacy was evaluated based on serum levels of chemotactic factor CXCL16, disintegrin metalloproteinase 10 ( ADAM10 ), disintegrin metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), albumin (ALB), total cholesterol (TC), and 24-h urine protein excretion (UPE) detected by ELISA before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with before treatment in the same group, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE were significantly lower in the two treatment groups (P <0. 01). Compared with the control group, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE significantly increased, and the serum ALB level decreased in the two treatment groups (P <0.01). Compared with the Western medicine group at the same time point, levels of CXCL16, ADAM10, ADAM17, TC, and 24-h UPE significantly decreased in the combined group. The 1 -year recurrence rate and the recurrence times decreased in the combined group (P <0.01). The complete remission rate increased in the combined group (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SD could effectively improve the clinical prognosis of PNS children patients possibly by reducing the release of inflammatory mediators such as CXCL16, ADAM10, and ADAM17, decreasing UPE and the TC level, and elevating the serum ALB level.</p>
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Therapeutic Uses , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Nephrotic Syndrome , Drug Therapy , Prednisone , SyndromeABSTRACT
To study the mechanism of Shenkangling (SKL), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, combined with prednisone in treating adriamycin-induced nephropathy in rats.