Comprehensive effects of traditional Chinese medicine treatment on heart failure and changes in B-type natriuretic peptide levels: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Heart failure(HF),a common cardiovascular condition,is characterized by significant morbidity and mortality.While traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is often used as a complementary approach in HF management,systematic evalua-tions of its impact on clinical outcomes,TCM syndrome scores,and B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP)levels are lacking.This study fills this gap through a comprehensive analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)focusing on TCM for HF treatment.It encompasses an assessment of methodological quality,a meta-analysis,and an evaluation of evidence quality based on established standards.The results offer crucial insights into the potential advantages and constraints of TCM in HF management.RCTs on TCM for HF treatment published since the establishment of the database were searched in four Chinese and English databases,including China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,VIP Information Chinese Science and Technology Journal,and PubMed.Methodological quality was assessed for the included studies with the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool,and the meta-analysis and publication bias assessment was performed with the RevMan5.3 software.Finally,the quality of evidence was rated according to the GRADE criteria.RESULTS A total of 1098 RCTs were initially retrieved.After screening,16 RCTs were finally included in our study,which were published between 2020 and 2023.These RCTs involved 1660 HF patients,including 832 in the TCM group[TCM combined with conventional Western medicine(CMW)treatment]and 828 in the CWM group(CWM treatment).The course of treatments varied from 1 wk to 3 months.TCM syndrome differentiation was analyzed in 11 of the included RCTs.In all included RCTs,outcome indicators included comprehensive clinical outcomes,TCM syndrome scores,and BNP levels.The meta-analysis results showed significant differences between the TCM and CWM groups in terms of comprehensive clinical outcomes[risk ratio=-0.54;95%confidence interval(CI)=-0.61,-0.47;P<0.00001],TCM syndrome scores[weighted mean difference(WMD)=-142.07;95%CI=-147.56,-136.57;P<0.00001],and BNP levels(WMD=-142.07;95%CI=-147.56,-136.57;P<0.00001).According to the GRADE criteria,RCTs where"TCM improves clinical comprehensive outcomes"were rated as low-quality evidence,and RCTs where"TCM reduces TCM syndrome scores"or"TCM decreases BNP levels"were rated as medium-quality evidence.CONCLUSION TCM combined with CWM treatment effectively improves comprehensive clinical outcomes and diminishes TCM syndrome scores and BNP levels in HF patients.Given the low and medium quality of the included RCTs,the application of these results should be cautious.

Silencing SMYD3 in hepatoma demethylates RIZI promoter induces apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation and migration

AIM： To investigate the role of SMYD3 in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） development and progression and to verify whether its regulation activity was through RIZ1 inactivation. METHODS： Expression of SMYD3 in HCC cell lines and tissues were measured; silencing of SMYD3 by RNA interference （RNAi） was effectuated, hepatoma cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were tested, with RIZl CpG promoter methylation, and corresponding mRNA expression were investigated. RESULTS： SMYD3 over-expression in HCC was associated with RIZl hypermethylation and mRNA down-expression. Suppression of SMYD3 expression de- methylated RIZl CpG promoter （P 〈 0.01） and increased RIZl mRNA expression （P 〈 0.01）. Consequently, SMYD3 down-expression with RIZl de-methylation strongly inhibited hepatoma cell growth （MTT inhibitory rates： Pgenesil-1-s1 60.95%± 7.97%, Pgenesil-1-s2 72.14% ± 9.68% vs Pgenesil-1-hk 6.89% ± 4.12%, P 〈 0.01） and migration （Pgenesil-1-s1 4.24% ± 1.58%, Pgenesil- 1-s1 4.87% ± 0.73% vs Pgenesil-1 19.03% ± 4.63%, Pgenesil-1-hk 19.95% ±5.21%, P 〈 0.01） and induced apoptosis （FCM subG1 phase Pgenesil-1-s1 19.07% ＋ 1.78%, Pgenesil-1-s2 17.68% ± 2.36% vs Pgenesil-1 0.47% ± 0.12%, Pgenesil-1-hk 1.46% ± 0.28%, P 〈 0.01. TUNEL-positive cells： Pgenesil-1-s1 40.24%± 5.18%, Pgenesil-1-s2 38.48% ± 4.65% vs Pgenesil-1 2.1B% - 1.34%, Pgenesil-1-hk 2.84%± 1.22%, P 〈 0.01） in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION： These results demonstrate that SMYD3plays a critical role in the carcinogenesis and progression of HCC, The proliferation, migration induction and apoptosis inhibition activities of SMYD3 may be mediated through RIZl CpG promoter hypermethylation.

Charge-changing cross section measurements of 300 MeV/nucleon^(28)Si on carbon and data analysis

Charge-changing cross section(σcc)measurements via the transmission method have recently seen significant progress with the aim of determining the charge radii of exotic nuclei.In this work,we report a newσcc measurement of 304(9)MeV/nucleon^(28)Si on carbon at the second Radioactive Ion Beam Line in Lanzhou(RIBLL2)and describe the data analysis procedure in detail.This procedure is essential for evaluating the systematic uncertainty in the transmission method.The determinedσcc of 1125(11)mb is found to be consistent with the existing data at similar energies.The present work will serve as a reference forσcc determinations at RIBLL2.

Recent developments on anode materials for magnesium-ion batteries:a review

In recent years,there has been significant growth in the demand for secondary batteries,and researchers are increasingly taking an interest in the development of nextgeneration battery systems.Magnesium-ion batteries(MIBs)have been recognized as the optimal alternative to lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)due to their low cost,superior safety,and environment-friendliness.However,research and development on rechargeable MIBs are still underway as some serious problems need to be resolved.One of the most serious obstacles is the generation of an irreversible passivation layer on the surface of the Mg anode during cycling.In addition to exploring new electrolytes for MIBs,alternative anode materials for MIBs might be an effective solution to this issue.In this review,the composition and working principle of MIBs have been discussed.In addition,recent advances in the area of anode materials(metals and their alloys,metal oxides,and two-dimensional materials)available for MIBs and the corresponding Mg-storage mechanisms have also been summarized.Further,feasible strategies,including structural design,dimension reduction,and introduction of the second phase,have been employed to design high-performance MIB anodes.

α Decay Properties of Even-Even Nuclei296-308120 Within the Two-Potential Approach

In the present work,we predict the α decay half-lives of unknown even-even nuclei 296-308120 within the two-potential approach,whose α decay energy Qa is calculated using WS3+mass model.To reduce the deviations between the predictions and experimental data due to nuclear shell effect,the analytic formula of α decay hindrance factor is introduced to the two-potential approach,whose parameters had been extracted from even-even nuclei in the region of 82 <Z <126 and 152 <N ≤184 in our previous work [Deng et al.,Chin.Phys.C 42(2018) 044102].In addition,for comparing,we use a type of α decay general formula Universal Decay Law(UDL) and a semi-empirical formula in the superheavy nucleus(SEMFLS) to calculate the half-lives of even-even nuclei 296-308120.The results indicate that our predicted values and the calculated values of the above two empirical formulas are mutually confirmed.Meanwhile,we systematically study α decay chains of 296-308120 and predict the decay modes for superheavy nuclei to help to identify new superheavy isotopes.