Determining why continuous cropping reduces the production of the morel Morchella sextelata.

Artificial cultivation of Morchella sextelata and other morels is expanding in China, but continuous cropping reduces Morchella for unknown reasons. Here, we investigated soil that had been used or not used for M. sextelata cultivation for 0, 1, and 2 years. We found that the continuous cropping of M. sextelata substantially reduced the pH and the nutrient content of the hyphosphere soil and increased sclerotia formation by M. sextelata. Changes in the structure of bacterial and fungal communities were associated with levels of available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus in the soil. With continuous cropping, the richness and diversity of fungal and bacterial communities increased, but the abundance of Bacillus and Lactobacillus decreased and the abundance of pathogenic fungi increased. FAPROTAX analysis indicated that N cycle functions were enriched more with than without continuous cultivation, and that enrichment of N cycle and sulfate respiration functions was higher in the second than in the first year of cultivation. FunGuild analysis indicated that the functions related to pathotrophs and wood saprotrophs were enriched by M. sextelata cultivation. Overall, the results suggest that continuous cropping may reduce M. sextelata production by acidifying the soil and increasing the abundance of pathogenic fungi. Additional research is needed to determine whether increases in the abundance of pathogenic fungi and changes in soil chemistry result in the declines in production that occur with continuous M. sextelata cultivation.

Bioactivity-based analysis and chemical characterization of hypoglycemic and antioxidant components from Artemisia argyi.

Diabetes is one of the metabolic disorders in the world. It is the prime reason of mortality and morbidity owing to hyperglycemia which is link with numerus obstacles. Artemisia argyi is commonly used as an ingredient in healthy foods as well as an herbal medicine in Asian countries. The present research aims to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of A. argyi and reveal its the potentially active constituents. The chemical composition was identified by HPLC-DAD-Q-TOF-MS, and fractionation was performed by extraction. The fractions were assessed by the blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance and small intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory tests, and an analysis of the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. In our efforts to characterize the compounds responsible for hypoglycemic effect, bioactivity-guided fraction of the MeOH extract and chemical investigation of its active EtOAc fraction led to the successful identification of caffeoylquinic acids, which were elucidated by molecular docking, using the crystal structure of S. cerevisiae isomaltase (PD code: 3AXI). In summary, this bio-guided search revealed that caffeoylquinic acids from A. argyi as potential active constituents displayed with hypoglycemic activity, which provided a basis for further study of pharmacological activity.

Vitellaria paradoxa nutshells from seven sub-Saharan countries as potential herbal medicines for treating diabetes based on chemical compositions, HPLC fingerprints and bioactivity evaluation.

The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of the Vitellaria paradoxa nutshell as a new medicinal resource for treating diabetes. A total of forty-one compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD-Q-TOF-MS and phytochemical methods in V. paradoxa nutshell methanol extract. Based on HPLC fingerprints, four characteristic constituents were quantified and the origin of twenty-eight V. paradoxa nutshells from seven sub-Saharan countries was compared, which were classified into three groups with chemometric method. Twenty-eight samples contained high total phenolic content, and exhibited moderate-higher antioxidant activity and strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, all fractions and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, and α-glucosidase inhibitory action mechanism of four characteristic constituents including protocatechuic acid, 3, 5, 7-trihydroxycoumarin, (2R, 3R)-(+)-taxifolin and quercetin was investigated via molecular docking method, which were all stabilized by hydrogen bonds with α-glucosidase. The study provided an effective approach to waste utilization of V. paradoxa nutshell, which would help to resolve waste environmental pollution and provide a basis for developing potential herbal resource for treating diabetes.

Acupuncture for hearing loss after traumatic brain injury: A protocol for systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture on hearing loss (HL) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: In this study, the following databases will be retrieved from inception up to the May 1, 2019: PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. All databases will be retrieved without any language restrictions. Two reviewers will independently carry out article selection, data collection, and risk of bias evaluation. Any disagreements will be solved by a third reviewer through discussion. RESULTS: This study will systematically investigate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating HL after TBI through evaluating HL assessment, hearing threshold, quality of life, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: The expected findings of this study will provide latest evidence for assessing the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for HL after TBI. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study is supposed to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. No ethical approval is needed because this study will based on the literature analysis, but not the individual patient. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019133417.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hearing loss caused by skull base fracture: A protocol for systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on hearing loss (HL) caused by skull base fracture (SBF). METHODS: We will retrieve the following electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from the inception to January 1, 2019 for relevant RCTs of NMES for HL caused by SBF. Two experienced authors will independently perform the study selection, data extraction, and methodology quality assessment. A 3rd author will solve any disagreements between 2 authors through discussion. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of latest evidence of NMES for HL caused by SBF from comprehensive assessments, including hearing loss evaluation, hearing threshold, quality of life, and any relevant adverse events. CONCLUSION: The expected results of this systematic review will provide the up-to-date evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of NEMS for patients with HL caused by SBF. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The results of this study will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal or will be presented at an associated conference meeting. This study will not use individual patient data, thus, the ethical approval is not needed. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019120195.

Efficacy of transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumor: A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of transsphenoidal surgery (TPS) for patients with a pituitary tumor (PT). METHODS: We will retrieve the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials or case-control studies to assess the effect and safety of TPS for PT: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Each database will be retrieved from the inception to December 20, 2018. The entire process consists of the study selection, data collection, methodology quality assessment, data pooled, and meta-analysis performance. The methodology quality will be assessed by using Cochrane risk of bias tool. The data pooled and meta-analysis will be conducted by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of TPS for PT. The primary outcome includes total tumor resection rate. The secondary outcomes consist of quality of life, total tumor resection rate, postoperative complication rate, and the rate of functional tumor hormone levels. CONCLUSION: The expected results may provide up-to-date evidence of TPS for the treatment of PT. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42018120194.

Thrombomodulin and High-Sensitive C-Reactive Protein Levels in Blood Correlate with the Development of Cerebral Infarction Among Asians.

Our meta-analysis was designed to obtain the correlation between thrombomodulin (TM) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and the development of cerebral infarction (CI). Case-control studies relevant to the role plasma TM levels and serum hs-CRP levels in the development of CI were retrieved both electronically and manually and further screened according to a predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All enrolled studies were analyzed for meta-regression analyses, sensitivity analyses, and assessments of publication bias. Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 software (CMA 2.0) was used for statistical analysis. A total of 359 studies were initially retrieved, and 13 studies were eventually recruited into our meta-analysis with a total of 881 CI patients (plasma TM levels: n = 513; serum hs-CRP levels: n = 368) and 1067 healthy controls. The results of our meta-analysis suggested that plasma TM levels and serum hs-CRP levels in CI patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. In conclusion, increased plasma TM levels and serum hs-CRP levels in CI patients were associated with the development of CI in Asians.

Influence of GNB3 C825T polymorphism on the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We performed the present meta-analysis in order to evaluate the influence of a common polymorphism (C825T, rs5443 C>T) in the GNB3 gene on the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD: A relevant literature was searched using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CISCOM, CINAHL, Google Scholar, CBM and CNKI databases without any language restrictions. STATA Version 12.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas USA) was used for this meta-analysis. Odds ratio (OR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Our findings suggested that the GNB3 C825T polymorphism was significantly correlated with a higher response rate to antidepressants in MDD patients under the allele and dominant models. Furthermore, we found significant associations between GNB3 C825T polymorphisms and antidepressant-induced remission in MDD patients. Ethnicity-stratified analysis indicated that GNB3 C825T polymorphisms may be strongly related to the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of MDD among Asians, but not in Caucasians (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings provide empirical evidence that GNB3 C825T polymorphisms may be correlated with the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of MDD, especially among Asians patients.

Correlations of pituitary tumor transforming gene expression with human pituitary adenomas: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) is an important paracrine growth factor involved in early lactotrope transformation and early onset of angiogenesis in pituitary hyperplasia. Emerging evidences have shown that PTTG expression may contribute to the etiology of pituitary adenomas; but individually published studies showed inconclusive results. This meta-analysis aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the correlations of PTTG expression with human pituitary adenomas. METHODS: A range of electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE (1966∼2013), the Cochrane Library Database (Issue 12, 2013), EMBASE (1980∼2013), CINAHL (1982∼2013), Web of Science (1945∼2013) and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1982∼2013) without language restrictions. Meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 12.0 software. Crude odds ratio (OR) or standard mean difference (SMD) with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-four clinical cohort studies were included with a total of 1,464 pituitary adenomas patients. The meta-analysis results revealed that patients with invasive pituitary adenomas had higher positive expression of PTTG than those of non-invasive patients (OR  = 6.68, 95%CI  = 3.72-11.99, P<0.001). We also found a significant difference in microvessel density between invasive and non-invasive patients (SMD  = 1.81, 95%CI  = 0.39-3.23, P = 0.013). However, there were no significant difference in PTTG expression between functional and non-functional patients with pituitary adenomas (OR  = 1.11, 95%CI  = 0.58-2.10, P = 0.753). No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: This present meta-analysis suggests that PTTG expression may be associated with tumor invasiveness and microvessel density of pituitary adenomas, while no correlations with functional status was found.