Knee osteoarthritis:A review of animal models and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine

Background:Knee osteoarthritis(KOA)characterized by degeneration of knee cartilage and subsequent bone hyperplasia is a prevalent joint condition primarily affecting aging adults.The pathophysiology of KOA remains poorly understood,as it involves complex mechanisms that result in the same outcome.Consequently,researchers are interested in studying KOA and require appropriate animal models for basic research.Chinese herbal compounds,which consist of multiple herbs with diverse pharmacological properties,possess characteristics such as multicomponent,multipathway,and multitarget effects.The potential benefits in the treatment of KOA continue to attract attention.Purpose:This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages,limitations,and specific considerations in selecting different species and methods for KOA animal models.This will help researchers make informed decisions when choosing an animal model.Methods:Online academic databases(e.g.,PubMed,Google Scholar,Web of Science,and CNKI)were searched using the search terms“knee osteoarthritis,”“animal models,”“traditional Chinese medicine,”and their combinations,primarily including KOA studies published from 2010 to 2023.Results:Based on literature retrieval,this review provides a comprehensive overview of the methods of establishing KOA animal models;introduces the current status of advantages and disadvantages of various animal models,including mice,rats,rabbits,dogs,and sheep/goats;and presents the current status of methods used to establish KOA animal models.Conclusion:This study provides a review of the animal models used in recent KOA research,discusses the common modeling methods,and emphasizes the role of traditional Chinese medicine compounds in the treatment of KOA.

Targeted metabolomics reveals the aberrant energy status in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the neuroprotective mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine JinMaiTong

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and devastating complication of diabetes, for which effective therapies are currently lacking. Disturbed energy status plays a crucial role in DPN pathogenesis. However, the integrated profile of energy metabolism, especially the central carbohydrate metabolism, remains unclear in DPN. Here, we developed a metabolomics approach by targeting 56 metabolites using high-performance ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPIC-MS/MS) to illustrate the integrative characteristics of central carbohydrate metabolism in patients with DPN and streptozotocin-induced DPN rats. Furthermore, JinMaiTong (JMT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, was found to be effective for DPN, improving the peripheral neurological function and alleviating the neuropathology of DPN rats even after demyelination and axonal degeneration. JMT ameliorated DPN by regulating the aberrant energy balance and mitochondrial functions, including excessive glycolysis restoration, tricarboxylic acid cycle improvement, and increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. Bioenergetic profile was aberrant in cultured rat Schwann cells under high-glucose conditions, which was remarkably corrected by JMT treatment. In-vivo and in-vitro studies revealed that these effects of JMT were mainly attributed to the activation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and downstream peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). Our results expand the therapeutic framework for DPN and suggest the integrative modulation of energy metabolism using TCMs, such as JMT, as an effective strategy for its treatment.

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on symptoms of patients with spleen and stomach deficiency-related tinnitus

BACKGROUND Tinnitus affects 10%-30%of the population.Recent evidence suggests that tinnitus is associated with spleen deficiency.However,compared with kidney deficiency-related tinnitus,less research has been conducted on the impact of spleen defi-ciency-related tinnitus.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of using Guipi Wan and dietary and lifestyle modification based on traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of patients with spleen and stomach deficiency-related tinnitus.METHODS We enrolled 110 patients with spleen and stomach deficiency-related tinnitus who were distributed into treatment(58 cases)and control(52 cases)groups.Tinnitus severity,sleep quality and emotional state were assessed by questionnaires[Tinnitus Evaluation Questionnaire(TEQ);Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI);Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21(DASS-21)]that were used for analysis in the two groups during the initial and intervention and after.In the treatment group,patients were treated with oral administration of Guipi Wan and consulted for healthy dietary and lifestyle modification.In the control group,patients were only assessed and not treated.RESULTS At the end of the 6-months,TEQ scores decreased significantly in the treatment group(P=0.021)but not in the Control group.Significant effects in the treatment group were noted for PSQI total score(P=0.043)and several PSQI component scores in the treatment group(P<0.05).After treatment,the DASS-21 scores were significantly reduced in the treatment group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Guipi Wan combined with dietary and lifestyle modification based on regulating the spleen and stomach can be considered core to the treatment of tinnitus related to spleen and stomach deficiency.

Corrigendum to“Targeted metabolomics reveals the aberrant energy status in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the neuroprotective mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine JinMaiTong”[J.Pharm.Anal.14(2024)225e243]

Original statement in the caption of Fig.5:Fig.5.JinMaiTong(JMT)treatment restored the perturbed central carbohydrate metabolism in the circulation and sciatic nerve of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)rats.Dash line arrows indicate the direct metabolic reactions,and solid line arrows indicate the indirect reactions.*P<0.05 and**P<0.01.ns:no significant difference.CON:control;TCA:tricarboxylic acid cycle;ADP:adenosine diphosphate:ATP:adenosine triphosphate;GDP:guanosine diphosphate;GTP:guanosine triphosphate.

From traditional Chinese medicine formulations to effective anticancer agents:Insights from Calculus bovis

This editorial examines the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for aggressive cancers,particularly liver cancer.It highlights the study by Huang et al,which shows how Calculus bovis,a component of the TCM Pien Tze Huang,suppresses liver cancer by inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.This research emphasizes the importance of transitioning from effective TCM formulations to isolating active components and understanding their mechanisms.While the study provides valuable insights,it primarily focuses on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and does not delve deeply into the mechanisms of individual components.Future research should aim to comprehensively study these components,explore their interactions,and validate findings through clinical trials.This approach will integrate traditional wisdom with modern scientific validation,advancing the development of innovative cancer treatments based on TCM formulations.

Narrative Medicine Under the Guidance of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

This paper is an exploration into the practice of narrative medicine in the clinical setting guided by the theory and approaches of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).By adopting the theory of TCM,the author attempted to provide the patients with systematic treatment from the perspective of society-psychology-biology under the guidance of both the unity of Heaven and Man,and the unity of Xing(Body)and Shen(Mind/Spirit)through his clinical practice.Guided by yin-yang and Wu Xing(Five Elements)theory and focusing on the social relations of the patients for any possible relationships between patients’social,psychological and biological state,the author took the patients’emotion management as a point of departure and helped the patients recover both physically and psychologically by promoting positive transformation in patients’social,psychological,and biological state.A clinical case was provided at the end of this paper to demonstrate how the above theory was put into practice.Narrative medicine under the guidance of TCM theory can supplement modern medical humanity practices as well as extend the scope of modern medical treatment from the perspective of the unity of Heaven and Man,by enriching the content of narrative medicine,and promoting the medical model from biological medical model toward social-psychological-biological model.

The role of selected medicinal plants from Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of fatigue in metabolic syndrome

Background:Fatigue is a symptom of metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome,which is currently increasing in the world.There is no specific medication for fatigue,but in many cases,such as in metabolic disorders,it can be relieved by treating the underlying causes.Oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with fatigue and metabolic syndrome.Other mechanisms in metabolic syndrome are also involved in causing fatigue.Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the role of selected medicinal plants from Iranian traditional medicine(ITM)in improving fatigue in patients with metabolic syndrome.Methods:ITM is one of the most ancient systems of medicine.In this article,we first explained fatigue,its types,and treatment from the perspective of ITM and then introduced a list of medicinal plants used in ITM to treat fatigue.Next,we reviewed the biological effects of these plants effective in treating the manifestations of the metabolic syndrome based on a search of electronic databases.Results:They have antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and anti-diabetic activities.Among them,Matricaria chamomilla L.,Laurus nobilis L.,Origanum majorana L.,Vitex agnus-castus L.,Lawsonia inermis L.,Anethum graveolens L.,and Pistacia terebinthus L.improve the lipid profile and reduce dyslipidemia.Also,the antihypertensive effects of Matricaria chamomilla,Laurus nobilis,and Origanum majorana have been proven.Conclusion:These plants prevent fatigue and disease progression by countering oxidative stress and inflammation and affecting the properties of the metabolic syndrome.

A retrospective study on professor Gui-Qi Xuan’s experience in traditional Chinese medicine treatment on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: based on data mining and network pharmacology

Background:To investigate the clinical medication approach of Professor Guiqi Xuan(Prof.Xuan)in treating pediatric patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)and the potential mechanism of the core herbal prescription.Methods:Following medical record information pretreatment,the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)inheritance computing platform system V3.0 was utilized to analyze the standardized data.The associate rules were summarized to identify the core prescription for treating ADHD.The extracted core herbal prescription’s active compounds and potential targets were used to establish a protein-protein interaction network of active ingredient-disease targets.Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was used to analyze the network’s topological parameters to obtain the key active ingredients and their targets.The Bioconductor data package of R4.0.2 was used to analyze the gene ontology biological functions and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways of key targets.Results:Two hundred and twenty-seven entries derived from TCM record information were selected.Through data mining,it was found that 62.5%of pediatric patients had short-tempered behavior,nearly half had sleep problems,and 30%-40%had picky eating and polyphagia issues.The highest-frequency syndrome type was kidney deficiency and liver hyperactivity.Deficiency,fire,phlegm,and dyspeptic food were the main pathological factors for ADHD.Prof.Xuan’s treatment of ADHD mainly focused on replenishing kidney essence and subduing Yang(active,external,ascending,warm,bright,functional and excited pertain to Yang).The core herbal prescription for ADHD included Yuan-zhi,Yi-zhi,Gui-jia,Bai-shao,Long-chi,Ci-shi,Shi-chang-pu,Yu-jin,Fu-shen,and Huang-jing.The protein-protein interaction network showed that MAOA,ADRB2,FOS,MAOB,and SLC6A3 were the five key targets essential in treating ADHD with core herbal prescriptions.The gene ontology biological function of crucial targets mainly involved G protein-coupled amine receptor activity,catecholamine binding,and neurotransmitter transmembrane transporter activity.Analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways showed that the dopaminergic synapse signaling and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways were significantly enriched and may be the primary routes for the main treatment of ADHD.Conclusion:Prof.Xuan’s treatment of ADHD has achieved satisfactory clinical effects by supplementing the kidney,replenishing the essence,opening the orifices,nourishing the Yin(static,internal,descending,cold,dim,organic,depressed and pertain to Yin),and subduing the Yang.The major prescription predominantly affects catecholamine binding,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,G protein-coupled amine receptor function,and signaling pathways for dopaminergic synapses.Our findings showed that the methodology and software used in this research could explore and analyze the mechanism behind Prof.Xuan’s clinical medication rule for treating ADHD in children.

TREATMENT OF COMPLICATIONS DUE TO PERITONEAL DIALYSIS FOR CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

In this paper,the experience in the treatment of complications due to continuousambulatory peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is reported.Modified Renshen Yangrong Tang(Ginseng Nutrition Decoction)wasused for anorexia and hypoproteinemia;modified Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang(Decoction ofCyperus and Amomum with Six Noble Ingredients)for abdominal pain and distension;modified Da Chaihu Tang(Major Bupleurum Decoction)for peritonitis;modifiedShenling Baizhu San(Powder of Ginseng,Poria and Atractylodes)for diarrhea due toinsufficiency of the spleen with abundance of dampness;Lizhong Tang(Decoction forRegulating the Function of Middle-jiao)and modified Sishen Wan(Pills of FourMiraculous Drugs)for insufficiency of both the spleen and the kidney;Siwu Tang(Decoction of Four Ingredients)added with other drugs for cutaneous pruritus,andGuishao Sijunzi Tang(Decoction of Four Noble Drugs added with Chinese Angelica Rootand white Peony Root)for renal anemia.The therapeutic principles of invigorating theliver and kidney,strengthening the bones and muscles,and promoting blood circulation toeliminate blood stasis were adopted in the treatment of renal osteopathy,and thetherapeutic principles of invigorating the liver and kidney,expelling phlegm and resolvingdampness,and promoting blood circulation to eliminate blood stasis in the treatment ofhyperlipemia.Shen Tekang capsules(capsules for improving the renal function)wasadministered to patients for strengthening the viability and improving the nutrition state,and the recipe for treating renal function failure(both formulated by the authors)forimproving the renal function so as to decrease the frequency and duration of dialysis.

Traditional herbal medicine in preventing recurrence after resection of small hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Disease recurrence is a main challenge in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. There is no generally accepted method for preventing recurrence of HCC after resection. OBJECTIVE： To compare the efficacy of a traditional herbal medicine （THM） regimen and transarterial chemoembolization （TACE） in preventing recurrence in post-resection patients with small HCC. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： This is a multicenter, open- label, randomized, controlled study, which was undertaken in five centers of China. A total of 379 patients who met the eligibility criteria and underwent randomization were enrolled in this trial. One hundred and eighty-eight patients were assigned to the THM group and received Cinobufacini injection and Jiedu Granule, and the other 191 patients were assigned to the TACE group and received one single course of TACE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Primary outcome measures were the annual recurrence rate and the time to recurrence. Incidence of adverse events was regarded as the secondary outcome measure. RESULTS： Among the 364 patients who were included in the intention-to-treat analysis, 67 patients of the THM group and 87 of the TACE group had recurrence, with a hazard ratio of 0.695 （P = 0.048）. Median recurrence-free survival of the patients in the THM and TACE groups was 46.89 and 34.49 months, respectively. Recurrence rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 17.7%, 33.0% and 43.5% for the THM group, and 28.8%, 42.5% and 54.0% for the TACE group, respectively （P = 0.026）. Multivariate analysis indicated that the THM regimen had a big advantage for prolonging the recurrence-free survival. Adverse events were mild and abnormality of laboratory indices of the two groups were similar. CONCLUSION： In comparison with TACE therapy, the THM regimen was associated with diminished risk of recurrence of small-sized HCC after resection, with comparable adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRTION IDENTIFIER： This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the identifier ChiCTR-TRC-07000033.

Role of traditional Chinese medicine in the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Traditional Chinese Medicines （TCMs） have been em-ployed for centuries in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. Previous reviews of this topic have focused on certain aspects of TCM treatment rather than an overall assessment of their value and mechanisms of action. Both the Chinese and English medical literatures were reviewed to identify where TCM might be of value in the treatment of HCC and the justifcation for such treatment. TCM treatment corrects the “internal disequilibriums” thought to be responsible for the development, growth, and spread of the tumor. It has also been used to manage symptoms associa-ted with HCC and the adverse effects of chemo- and radiation-therapies. Recent research has documented the precise effects of TCM on tumor biology. There are also increasing efforts to identify which of the many components of TCM herbal remedies are primarily res-ponsible for these beneficial effects. This review out-lines the benefits of TCM treatment of HCC and the laboratory data describing their anti-tumor properties.

Analysis of the impact of immunotherapy efficacy and safety in patients with gastric cancer and liver metastasis

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is the fifth most common type of cancer and has the fourth highest death rate among all cancers.There is a lack of studies examining the impact of liver metastases on the effectiveness of immunotherapy in individuals diagnosed with GC.AIM To investigate the influence of liver metastases on the effectiveness and safety of immunotherapy in patients with advanced GC.METHODS This retrospective investigation collected clinical data of patients with advanced stomach cancer who had immunotherapy at our hospital from February 2021 to January 2023.The baseline attributes were compared using either the Chi-square test or the Fisher exact probability method.The chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were employed to assess the therapeutic efficacy and survival duration in GC patients with and without liver metastases.RESULTS The analysis comprised 48 patients diagnosed with advanced GC,who were categorized into two groups:A liver metastasis cohort(n=20)and a non-liver metastatic cohort(n=28).Patients with liver metastasis exhibited a more deteriorated physical condition compared to those without liver metastasis.The objective response rates in the cohort with metastasis and the cohort without metastasis were 15.0%and 35.7%(P>0.05),respectively.Similarly,the disease control rates in these two cohorts were 65.0%and 82.1%(P>0.05),respectively.The median progression-free survival was 5.0 months in one group and 11.2 months in the other group,with a hazard ratio of 0.40 and a significance level(P)less than 0.05.The median overall survival was 12.0 months in one group and 19.0 months in the other group,with a significance level(P)greater than 0.05.CONCLUSION Immunotherapy is less effective in GC patients with liver metastases compared to those without liver metastasis.

Global Protein Expression Analysis of Molecular Markers of DS-1-47,a Component of Implantation-promoting Traditional Chinese Medicine

This study investigated the molecular markers of DS-1-47,a component of an implantation-promoting traditional Chinese medicine consisting of Astragalus mongholicus,Atractylodes macrocephala,Scutellaria baicalensis and Dipsacales,in an attempt to clarify the molecular mechanism and action targets of DS-1-47.Controlled ovarian stimulation（COS） method was used to establish the implantation dysfunction models of mice.Animals were divided into normal pregnant group,COS model group and DS-1-47 group.Laser capture microdissection-double dimensional electrophoresis-mass spectrum（LCM-DE-MS） was used to analyze the uterine protein molecules that were possibly involved in the promotion of implantation.Twenty-three proteins in DS-1-47 group were significantly changed as compared to those in COS model group,with 7 proteins down-regulated and 16 proteins up-regulated.Except for some constituent proteins,the down-regulated proteins included collagen α-1（Ⅵ） chain,keratin 7,keratin 14,myosin regulatory light chain 12 B,myosin light polypeptide 9,heat shock protein β-7,and C-U-editing enzyme APOBEC-2;the up-regulated proteins included apolipoprotein A-I,calcium regulated protein-3,proliferating cell nuclear antigen,L-xylulose reductase,and calcium binding protein.These 23 proteins that were regulated by DS-1-47 represented a broad diversity of molecule functions.The down-regulated proteins were associated with stress and immune response,and those up-regulated proteins were related to proliferation.It was suggested that these proteins were important in regulating the uterine environment for the blastocyst implantation.By identification of DS-1-47 markers,proteomic analysis coupled with functional assays is demonstrated to be a promising approach to better understand the molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.

Protective effects of medical ozone combined with traditional Chinese medicine against chemically-induced hepatic injury in dogs

AIM： To investigate the protective effect of medical ozone （O3） combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） Yigan Fuzheng Paidu Capsules （YC） against carbon tetrachloride （CCh）-induced hepatic injury in dogs. METHODS： Thirty healthy dogs were divided randomly into five groups （n = 6 in each group）, namely control, oleanolic acid tablet （OAT）, O3, YC and O3 ＋ YC, given either no particular pre-treatment, oral OAT, medical ozone rectal insulfflation every other day, oral YC, or oral YC plus medical ozone rectal insulfflation every other day, respectively, for 30 consecutive days. After pre-treatment, acute hepatic injury was induced in all dogs with a single-dose intraperitoneal injection of CCh. General condition and survival time were recorded. The biochemical and hematological indexes of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, aspartate aminotransferase/ alanine aminotransferase （AST/ALT）, serum total bUirubin （TBIL）, prothrombin time （PT）, blood ammonia （AMMO）, and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） were measured after CCh injection. Hepatic pathological changes were also observed.RESULTS： Compared to the other four groups, the changes of group O3 ＋ YC dogs＇ general conditions （motoricity, mental state, eating, urination and defecation） could be better controlled. In group O3 ＋ YC the survival rates were higher （P 〈 0.05 vs group control）. AST/ALT values were kept within a normal level in group O3 ＋ YC. Hepatic histopathology showed that hepatic injury in group O3 ＋ YC was less serious than those in the other four groups.CONCLUSION： Medical ozone combined with TCM YC could exert a protective effect on acute liver injury induced by CCI4,

Mutational landscape of TP53 and CDH1 in gastric cancer

In this editorial we comment on an article published in a recent issue of the World J Gastrointest Surg.A common gene mutation in gastric cancer(GC)is the TP53 mutation.As a tumor suppressor gene,TP53 is implicated in more than half of all tumor occurrences.TP53 gene mutations in GC tissue may be related with clinical pathological aspects.The TP53 mutation arose late in the progression of GC and aided in the final switch to malignancy.CDH1 encodes E-cadherin,which is involved in cell-to-cell adhesion,epithelial structure maintenance,cell polarity,differentiation,and intracellular signaling pathway modulation.CDH1 mutations and functional loss can result in diffuse GC,and CDH1 mutations can serve as independent prognostic indicators for poor prognosis.GC patients can benefit from genetic counseling and testing for CDH1 mutations.Demethylation therapy may assist to postpone the onset and progression of GC.The investigation of TP53 and CDH1 gene mutations in GC allows for the investigation of the relationship between these two gene mutations,as well as providing some basis for evaluating the prognosis of GC patients.

Avoiding misdiagnosis of multilocular thymic cysts as malignant tumors on computer tomography

This editorial provides insights from a case report by Sun et al published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases.The case report focuses on a case where a multilocular thymic cyst(MTC)was misdiagnosed as a thymic tumor,resulting in an unnecessary surgical procedure.Both MTCs and thymic tumors are rare conditions that heavily rely on radiological imaging for accurate diagnosis.However,the similarity in their imaging presentations can lead to misinterpretation,resulting in unnecessary surgical procedures.Due to the ongoing lack of comprehensive knowledge about MTCs and thymic tumors,we offer a summary of diagnostic techniques documented in recent literature and examine potential causes of misdiagnosis.When computer tomography(CT)values surpass 20 Hounsfield units and display comparable morphology,there is a risk of misdiagnosing MTCs as thymic tumors.Employing various differential diagnostic methods like biopsy,molecular biology,multi-slice CT,CT functional imaging,positron emission tomography/CT molecular functional imaging,magnetic resonance imaging and radiomics,proves advantageous in reducing clinical misdiagnosis.A deeper understanding of these conditions requires increased attention and exploration by healthcare providers.Moreover,the continued advancement and utilization of various diagnostic methods are expected to enhance precise diagnoses,provide appropriate treatment options,and improve the quality of life for patients with thymic tumors and MTCs in the future.continued advancement and utilization of various diagnostic methods are expected to enhance precise diagnoses,provide appropriate treatment options,and improve the quality of life for patients with thymic tumors and MTCs in the future.

Screening influencing factors of blood stasis constitution in traditional Chinese medicine

Objective To study the influencing factors of blood stasis constitution and provide a basis for treating blood stasis-related diseases by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) constitution identification.Methods Data were collected using the self-developed TCM constitution identification platform based on B/S model by the project team. The obtained data were divided into blood stasis constitution and normal constitution groups. The differences of the categorical type influencing factors(gender, birth mode, feeding mode within four months of birth, family history, marital status, eating habits, sleeping habits, exercise habits, emotional state, stress situation, and living environment) and the quantitative type influencing factors(sleep time, age,and mother’s age at birth) on the constitution of the two groups were analyzed. In the singlefactor analysis, the Pearson’s chi-square test was selected for the categorical variable, and the independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test were selected for the quantitative variables according to whether they conformed to the positive-terrestrial distribution;the binary logistic stepwise regression method was selected for the multi-factor analysis.Results The data of 318 cases were collected from the TCM composition identification platform, and 159 cases of blood stasis constitution were used as the experimental group and 159 cases of normal constitution were used as the control group. The Pearson’s chi-square test yielded significant differences(P < 0.05) in the effects of gender, pressure situation, family history, living environment, emotional state, exercise habits, and dietary habits on blood stasis constitution. The independent samples t test yielded differences in sleep duration between the blood stasis constitution and normal constitution populations(P < 0.05), which meant sleep duration of the blood stasis constitution population was less than that of the normal constitution population. The Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test results accepted the original hypothesis that there was no difference in the distribution of age and mother’s age at birth across constitution types(P > 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that gender, family history, marital status, living environment, exercise habits, and emotional state were risk factors for blood stasis constitution(P < 0.05).Conclusion Gender, family history, living environment, emotional state, and exercise habits were significant influencing factors of blood stasis constitution. Blood stasis constitution populations can pay more attention to these influencing factors in their daily life for the prevention and reconciliation of blood stasis constitution.

Health benefits of pendant from the viewpoint of Persian medicine

Background:Reviewing historical evidence in the various schools of traditional medicine shows that numerous methods have been used to maintain human good health and treatment of diseases.Persian medicine(PM)scholars have been employed different methods to prescribe medications,which can be classified into two main groups:internal uses,including oral,parenteral,and anal,and also external uses such as topical,transdermal,and applying pendants.In this study,we aim to introduce some of the therapeutic pendants.Methods:We reviewed the most famous PM textbooks and current evidence in relevant databases such as PubMed,Science Direct,Scopus,Google scholar and SID related to the topic.Results:In this study,about 100 traditional therapeutic substances were found and finally,thirty-two of them were represented.They were often stones,and some of them were other materials such as metals,gums,and herbs.According to the PM,the utilization of pendants,in addition to cosmetic purposes,has been considered to maintain the health and treatment of some diseases.Therapeutic pendants can be considered as a kind of external medication use in which therapeutic materials are hung on the body surface.The external use of pendants could have curative effects with their close contact to the body surface.Conclusion:Pendant therapy may probably be considered as a non-invasive and easy-to-use treatment with unnoticeable side effects that can be utilized along with other therapies.

Is the traditional Chinese medicine helpful for patients with hematologic malignant diseases? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for the treatment of hematologic malignant diseases.METHODS:We searched the Cochrane CENTRAL,PubM ed,Embase,Web of Science,AMED,CNKI,Wanfang Platform;China Sinomed and the clinical trial registry web sites and Googlescholar electronically up to June19th,2014 and hand searched related publications.Only randomized controlled trials(RCTs)researching on whether TCM as the adjuvant treatment improved the effect for hematologic malignant diseases were included.Two reviewers extracted data and evaluated the studies independently.Pooled risk ratios(RR)were calculated as outcome measures.Our primary outcomes were the overall response(OR)rate.RESULTS:We retrieved 13143 references and included11 RCTs involved 891 participants after screening.Because the non-significant heterogeneity we used the fixed effect model to combine data and TCM had a significantly higher OR and CR(complete response)rates than the control[RR=1.17,95%CI:(1.10,1.25),P<0.00001;RR=1.24,95%CI:(1.11,1.37),P<0.0001,respectively].Only three studies included in the survival rate analysis.We combined them with random effects model and there was no significant difference between the TCM and control arms.Becauseof the low heterogeneity we used the fixed effect model to combine the non-hematologic adverse effects(AEs)data.Our results showed that TCM significantly decreased non-hematologic AEs rates we researched,the gastrointestinal reaction[RR=0.50,95%CI:(0.37,0.68),P<0.0001],liver and/or kidney injury[RR=0.37,95%CI:(0.26,0.53),P<0.00001]and heart injury[RR=0.24,95%CI:(0.09,0.68),P=0.007].Additionally,TCM had a trend to decrease the infection rate[RR=0.16,(0.02,1.12),P=0.07],but not statistically significantly.CONCLUSION:TCM increases OR and CR rates for hematologic malignances and reduces treatment associated serious non-hematologic AEs.Therefore,TCM should be included in the treatment of hematologic malignances.