The Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Traumatic Anosmia: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been implemented as a form of treatment for olfactory dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to use a tailored Guizhi decoction for the treatment of traumatic olfactory dysfunction. METHODS: Patients who had lost olfactory function after experiencing head trauma and whose olfactory function was anosmic were selected. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to two groups. In the CHM group, a tailored Guizhi decoction was prescribed, with patients also undergoing olfactory training (OT). In the OT group, patients performed OT only. The olfactory function of each patient was evaluated by both the phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) odor detection threshold test and the traditional Chinese version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (TC-UPSIT), at both 3 and 6 months after the completion of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients in the CHM group and 40 in the OT group completed the study. The TC-UPSIT scores of patients slightly rose after treatment in both the CHM and OT groups. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in TC-UPSIT scores before and after treatment in both groups. However, the PEA thresholds improved significantly in both CHM and OT groups (p = 0.005 and 0.016, respectively). Of note, there were no significant differences in threshold or identification scores between the CHM and OT groups. CONCLUSION: Our results show that adding a tailored Guizhi decoction to OT conferred a limited benefit to the olfactory function of patients experiencing traumatic anosmia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 133:1473-1479, 2023.

Quantitative Proteome Analysis Reveals Melissa officinalis Extract Targets Mitochondrial Respiration in Colon Cancer Cells.

Melissa officinalis (MO), known as lemon balm, is a popular ingredient blended in herbal tea. In recent decades, the bioactivities of MO have been studied in sub-health and pathological status, highlighting MO possesses multiple pharmacological effects. We previously showed that hot water MO extract exhibited anticancer activity in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the detailed mechanisms underlying MO-induced cell death remain elusive. To elucidate the anticancer regulation of MO extract in colon cancer, a data-driven analysis by proteomics approaches and bioinformatics analysis was applied. An isobaric tandem mass tags-based quantitative proteome analysis using liquid chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry was performed to acquire proteome-wide expression data. The over-representation analysis and functional class scoring method were implemented to interpret the MO-induced biological regulations. In total, 3465 quantifiable proteoforms were identified from 24,348 peptides, with 67 upregulated and 54 downregulated proteins in the MO-treated group. Mechanistically, MO impeded mitochondrial respiratory electron transport by triggering a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress response. MO hindered the mitochondrial membrane potential by reducing the protein expression in the electron transport chain, specifically the complex I and II, which could be restored by ROS scavenger. The findings comprehensively elucidate how MO hot water extract activates antitumor effects in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.

General Use of Chinese Herbal Products among Female Patients with Mastitis in Taiwan.

Objectives: Little information is available regarding the use of Chinese herbal medicine to treat mastitis. This study evaluated the prescription patterns of Chinese herbal medicine products in women with mastitis in Taiwan. Design: This is a population-based cross-sectional study. Setting. 8,531 women aged 20-49 years, who received a diagnosis of mastitis between 2004 and 2013, were identified from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database in Taiwan. We collected data on demographic characteristics, including age, monthly insurance premium, and urbanization level. The ten most Chinese herbal medicines prescribed for mastitis were assessed, including frequency, percentage, average daily dose, and average duration of prescription. Main outcome measures. We analysed the ten most single Chinese herbs and Chinese herbal formulae prescribed for mastitis. Results: Overall, 437 (5.1%) women received Chinese herbal medicine to treat mastitis. Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl.; 22.3%), Pu Gong Yin (Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.; 7.8%), and Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert; 3.5%) were three of the most commonly prescribed single Chinese herbs for mastitis. Xian-Fang-Huo-Ming-Yin (18.2%), Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (9.1%), and Chai-Hu-Shu-Gan-San (8.4%) were three of the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formulae. Conclusion: Xian-Fang-Huo-Ming-Yin can clear heat, detoxify body, alleviate swelling, activate blood, and relieve pain. It was the most frequently prescribed Chinese herbal formula in patients with mastitis.

SEED: the six excesses (Liu Yin) evaluation and diagnosis scale.

BACKGROUND: Infections such as common colds, influenza, acute upper respiratory infections, bacterial gastroenteritis, and urinary tract infections are usually diagnosed according to patients' signs and symptoms. This study aims to develop a scale for the diagnosis of infectious diseases based on the six excesses (Liu Yin) etiological theory of Chinese medicine (CM) by the Delphi method. METHODS: A total of 200 CM-guided diagnostic items measuring signs and symptoms for infectious diseases were compiled from CM literature archives from the Han to Ming dynasties, CM textbooks in both China and Taiwan, and journal articles from the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database. The items were based on infections and the six excesses (Liu Yin) etiological theory, i.e., Feng Xie (wind excess), Han Xie (coldness excess), Shu Xie (summer heat excess), Shi Xie (dampness excess), Zao Xie (dryness excess), and Huo Xie (fire excess). The items were further classified into the six excess syndromes and reviewed via a Delphi process to reach consensus among CM experts. RESULTS: In total, 178 items with a mean or median rating of 7 or above on a scale of 1-9 from a panel of 32 experts were retained. The numbers of diagnostic items in the categories of Feng (wind), Han (coldness), Shu (summer heat), Shi (dampness), Zao (dryness), and Huo (fire) syndromes were 15, 22, 25, 37, 17, and 62, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A CM-based six excesses (Liu Yin) evaluation and diagnosis (SEED) scale was developed for the evaluation and diagnosis of infectious diseases based only on signs and symptoms.

The impact of patent ductus arteriosus in neonates with late onset sepsis: a retrospective matched-case control study.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset sepsis (LOS) in neonates with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) may predispose them to more complicated hospital courses. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, the distribution of pathogens, and the clinical features of LOS in neonates with PDA and analyze their outcomes. METHODS: The medical records were reviewed retrospectively of infants with PDA and LOS who were hospitalized in NICUs of Chang Gung Children's Hospital between January 2003 and December 2009. The clinical features of these infants were compared with a group of gestational age and birth body weight-matched neonates with LOS during the same period. RESULTS: During this period, 224 neonates were found to have at least one event of blood-culture proven LOS and 79 (35.3%) were documented to have PDA. Although most LOS episodes (85/104, 81.7%) in neonates with PDA occurred after closure of PDA, neonates with PDA had a significantly higher rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (81.0% vs. 61.0%, p = 0.002) and a relatively higher rate of recurrent sepsis (25.3% vs. 15.2%, p = 0.079) than those without PDA. Longer durations of ventilator support and hospital stay were also noted in neonates with PDA as compared to those without (p = 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: In neonates with LOS, the presence of PDA, even though it is aggressively treated with indomethacin or surgical intervention, may still contribute to the complexity of hospitalization. Close monitoring and aggressive treatments are warranted in these neonates with PDA.

Traditional Chinese Medicine ZHENG Identification Provides a Novel Stratification Approach in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis.

Background. We aimed to apply the ZHENG identification to provide an easy and useful tool to stratify the patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) through exploring the correlation between the quantified scores of AR symptoms and the TCM ZHENGs. Methods. A total of 114 AR patients were enrolled in this observational study. All participants received the examinations of anterior rhinoscopy and acoustic rhinometry. Their blood samples were collected for measurement of total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), blood eosinophil count (Eos), and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). They also received two questionnaire to assess the severity scores of AR symptoms and quantified TCM ZHENG scores. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine explanatory factors for the score of AR manifestations. Results. IgE and ECP level, duration of AR, the 2 derived TCMZHENG scores of "Yin-Xu - Yang-Xu", and "Qi-Xu + Blood-Xu" were 5 explanatory variables to predict the severity scores of AR symptoms. The patients who had higher scores of "Yin-Xu - Yang-Xu" or "Qi-Xu + Blood-Xu" tended to manifest as "sneezer and runner" or "blockers," respectively. Conclusions. The TCM ZHENG scores correlated with the severity scores of AR symptoms and provided an easy and useful tool to stratify the AR patients.

Congenital colonic atresia: report of one case.

Colonic atresia is a very rare cause of intestinal obstruction, and surgical management is the mainstay of therapy. A case of congenital colonic atresia is reported in a full-term neonate who presented with delayed passage of meconium, abdominal distention and bilious vomiting. The present case and the pertinent literature are discussed, with an emphasis on surgical management.