Microbial Profiles of Patients With Antipsychotic-Related Constipation Treated With Electroacupuncture.

Antipsychotic-related constipation (APRC) is one of the most common side effects of taking antipsychotic medication. APRC can seriously impact patient quality of life and is potentially fatal, though the efficacy of current APRC treatments is low for most patients. In this study, we conducted a controlled, pilot randomized, sham-electroacupuncture (SEA) study to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in patients with APRC. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the microbial profiles of these patients and analyze how EA treatments affected their bacteria. Methods: We treated 133 APRC patients with randomly assigned EA treatments or SEA treatments for 4 consecutive weeks, fully evaluating the patients 8 weeks after treatment. The participants, outcome assessors, and statistics were all blind to the EA and SEA treatments. Outcomes assessed included changes in spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) and the frequency of rescue measures. We detected assessed the microbial diversity of stool specimens both before and after EA treatment using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Both EA and SEA treatments reduced the need for constipation rescue measures and did not have serious side effects. EA treatments were better than SEA treatments at increasing SBMs and reducing rescue measures. The diversity of gut microbiota changed after EA treatment. LEfSe analysis indicated changes in the genus (belonging to phylum Proteobacteria) of gut microbiota in patients following EA treatment. Conclusions: This study found that EA treatment is effective and safe for patients with APRC, and could be associated with changes in their microbial profiles. Further study, with larger sample sizes, is needed to explore the efficacy of EA intervention as a clinical treatment for APRC. Trial Registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR-ONC-17010842, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=18420.

Analysis of Chinese Herbal Formulae Recommended for COVID-19 in Different Schemes in China: A Data Mining Approach.

BACKGROUND: Novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP), or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a worldwide health threat that has affected millions of people globally. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been introduced for the treatment of COVID-19. However, efficacy differs among herbal medicines, and the ideal prescription pattern for TCM herbal formulae for COVID-19 treatment needs to be explored. Therefore, the data mining method has been used in this study to analyze the TCM prescription pattern for COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the TCM prescription pattern in Regional Schemes in China for COVID-19 in order to provide a new reference for the use of TCM in COVID-19 treatment. METHODS: By searching the TCM treatment protocols of COVID-19 in 23 Regional Schemes, TCM syndromes and herbal medicines were analyzed by data mining. The Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.1 personal Edition) was used to perform frequency statistics, correlation analysis, and cluster analysis. A total of 82 TCM syndromes and 171 Chinese herbal medicines were found. The course of the disease can be divided into the early stage, middle stage, severe stage, and recovery stage. RESULTS: In the early stage, the focus is primarily on resolving dampness, dispelling cold, and diffusing the lungs. In the middle stage, the treatment priority is clearing heat and resolving toxins, promoting lung function, and relieving asthma. In the severe stage, the focus is on tonifying Qi, restoring Yang, and relieving the depletion of Yin and Yang. In the recovery stage, the main treatment is to invigorate the spleen and regulate Qi, tonify Qi, nourish Yin, and clear residual disease. There are certain differences between the Regional Schemes and the Nation Schemes, but the core prescription pattern of the former is consistent with the latter. The effectiveness of these 171 Chinese herbs include but are not limited to inhibiting COVID-19, strengthening immune system function, preventing heart failure, acting as antioxidants, oxidative stress inhibitory effects, maintaining organ function, and improving leukocyte survival. CONCLUSION: This study may help to improve understanding of TCM herbal prescription pattern, practices, reveal the efficacy of combinations of Chinese herbs, and provide new ideas for TCM treatment for COVID-19.

Treatment of Rosacea using acupuncture for improving the local skin microcirculation: A case report.

RATIONALE: Rosacea is an irritating disease that affects patients' health and life quality. The current treatments for rosacea have limited efficacy and are generally not satisfying most patients. This report presents a patient diagnosed with rosacea who was treated with acupuncture to a satisfactory effect. Laser Doppler was used to measure the local blood perfusion of the nose before, during, and after acupuncture treatment. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to measure the impact of rosacea on the quality of the patient's life. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 52-year-old woman had been diagnosed with rosacea 18 months before this study. She had tried medical treatments in other hospitals with metronidazole cream, antifungal drugs, and steroidal ointments, but the effect was poor and limited. DIAGNOSES: In this study, the diagnosis of rosacea (stage I, subtype Erythematotelangiectatic) was made by a dermatologist according to physical examination). INTERVENTIONS: The patient's treatment included a half-hour of acupuncture 3 times per week. OUTCOMES: The patient experienced significant improvements in the region around the nose after 3 sessions of acupuncture treatment within the first week and reported that there was no relapse for 6 months after acupuncture treatment. The perfusion of blood flow was redistributed during and after acupuncture treatment according to laser Doppler measurements. The patient's DLQI score substantially improved. The patient was generally satisfied with the acupuncture treatment. LESSONS: The results suggested that acupuncture might be an alternative therapy for facial localized rosacea. As well, acupuncture may be effective in treating rosacea through redistributing micro-circulation of blood at the localized area of effect. The overall costs of the rosacea treatment may be reduced, provided that this therapy is demonstrated to be effective in future controlled studies.