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.

On the Study of the Translator's Position in Traditional Translation Theories

In traditional translation theories, the author and the translator, the original text and the translated text are in the binary oppositions. Both author-centeredness and text-centeredness are in authoritative positions. Moreover, there are some incorrect viewpoints about the translator's position in the traditional translation theories. In this case, this paper will analyze the translator's position in the traditional translation theories comprehensively.

Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Standard Review for Self-Inspection and Management for VOC Emission in China’s Traditional Energy Chemical Industry

The emission of the traditional energy chemical industry accounts for 20% of the total manmade VOC emission in China, of which coal chemical and petrochemical plants are one of the most important VOC emission sources. VOC emission sources mainly include the leakage of oil refinery units and equipment, pipes and valves, respiration and leakage of various types of storage tanks, effusion of oils during loading and unloading, effusion of sewage treatment systems, all kinds of process tail gas, etc. In this paper, the current management status of VOC emission in China’s coal chemical industry and petrochemical industry are analyzed, which divides VOC management into intentional and fugitive emission. The Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) management method and technology for equipment, pipes and valves implemented in the United States are studied to propose self-inspection management methods and measures for VOC emissions in the energy chemical industry, providing strategies and recommendations for energy conservation, emission reduction and cleaner production in the traditional energy chemical industry.

Structural and functional characteristics of microbiota in oropharynx of sub-healthy children with gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome differentiated by traditional Chinese medicine

Objective:To explore the structural and functional characteristics of microbiota in oropharynx of subhealthy children with gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome(GHRS)differentiated by traditional Chinese medicine,and screen the biometric operational taxonomic units(OTUs)to assist the clinical diagnosis.Methods:We recruited children according to the“GHRS diagnostic scale”,collected their oropharyngeal swabs,and sequenced the 16 SrDNA V4 region.We described the bacterial structure with alpha-indexes,beta-distances,and relative abundances;moreover,we screened the differential genera/OTUs with Wilcoxon rank-sum test,Metagenome Seq analysis,and linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEf Se)analysis,in which biometric OTUs were selected to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve to verify the diagnostic value.The bacterial function was predicted with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways according to 16S rDNA gene by using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States.Results:The study population was composed of 10 children with GHRS and 10 healthy control children.GHRS children were more likely to overeat(gluttony,P=.033).Alpha-indexes,such as Sobs,abundancebased coverage estimator,Bootstrap,and Qstat,were significantly higher in the GHRS group,while betadistances did not exhibit any significant intergroup differences.There were 9 differently distributed nonpredominant genera between the groups in Wilcoxon rank-sum test,as well as 13 non-predominant genera in Metagenome Seq analysis and 3 non-predominant OTUs in LEfSe analysis.OTU44 and OTU196 were used to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve,and the area under curve was 0.92.Predicted functions showed that pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and carbon metabolism were enriched in healthy control samples,while the pathway related to renin secretion was remarkably enriched in GHRS samples.Conclusion:Unique oropharyngeal microbial structure and function were identified in GHRS children.OTU44 and OTU196 were specific OTUs,which could be used as biomarkers of GHRS to assist clinical diagnosis.

The Li Lineage of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Professor Li Ding(李鼎)is the founder and tenured professor,doctoral supervisor at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,a Representative Inheritor for China Intangible Cultural Heritage-Acupuncture and Moxibustion.It is well known that Chinese medicine is rooted in Chinese culture and history.The inheritance of Chinese medicine cannot be separated from the inheritance of Chinese culture and history.Professor Li Ding’s path of Chinese medicine inheritance perfectly reflects the above-mentioned laws and is worthy of further exploration and research.The full text of this article is divided into three parts and will be published one after another.The first part“The Lineage of Gu Yi Tang”brings us Li’s family historical stories;the second part“The Lineage of Chinese Studies”introduces professor Li’s Chinese culture studies;and the third part“The Lineage of Dao Sheng Tang”discusses professor Li's inheritance of Chinese medicine.This article will bring our readers a rich and colorful Chinese scroll painting,which not only focuses on Chinese Medicine,acupuncture but also touches ancient Chinese history culture,Daoism,and even more.

Impact of different anastomosis methods on post-recurrence after intestinal resection for Crohn's disease:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Crohn's disease(CD)is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract,often requiring intestinal resection as a common treatment.However,recurrence after surgery is common.The anastomotic configuration after bowel resection appears to be associated with the recurrence of CD.Previous studies have suggested that the Kono-S anastomosis may help to reduce the recurrence rate.However,the results remain controversial.Therefore,evidence-based evidence is needed to prove the advantages of Kono-S anastomosis.AIM To measure the influence of anastomosis techniques on the long-term relapse rate of CD by conducting a meta-analysis.METHODS PubMed,Scopus,and Cochrane Library were searched until October 8,2023.Patients who underwent intestinal resection due to CD were included.The intervention measures included Kono-S anastomosis,whereas the control group received traditional anastomosis such as end-to-end,end-to-side,and side-to-side anastomosis.Only randomized clinical trials and observational studies were included.The primary outcome measures were hospital stay post-surgery,overall postoperative complication incidence,the proportion of Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa or higher,overall postoperative recurrence rate,and Rutgeerts score.RESULTS From 2011 to 2023,six articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The results indicated that Kono-S anastomosis can reduce the hospital stay post-surgery of patients with CD[MD=-0.26,95%CI:-0.42 to-0.10,P=0.002]than other traditional anastomosis methods.Compared to other traditional anastomosis methods,Kono-S anastomosis can significantly reduce the total recurrence rate[MD=0.40,95%CI:0.17 to 0.98,P=0.05]and postoperative Rutgeerts score[MD=-0.81,95%CI:-0.96 to-0.66,P<0.001]in patients with CD.However,there is no significant disparity in the overall occurrence of postoperative complications and the proportion of Clavien-Dindo≥IIIa.CONCLUSION Kono-S anastomosis has the potential to expedite the recuperation of CD and diminish relapse hazards;however,additional larger trials are necessary to authenticate its effectiveness.

Ziwan-Taoren herb pair can exert an therapeutical effect in primary Sjogren’s syndrome through inhibiting the TLR/NF-κB pathway

Background:Ziwan and Taoren(ZT)is a classic medicine pair in the formula of Mai Dong Di Shao Decoction,has been used to treat primary Sjogren’s syndrome(pSS)for more than 20 years.But its action mechanism is still unknown.This study is aimed to reveal the potential mechanism of ZT treated pSS and discover its active compounds of ZT and therapeutic target for pSS.Methods:Firstly,the potential pathways of ZT for pSS treatment were predicted through network pharmacology and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.Secondly,the inter-structural relationships between active compounds of ZT and target proteins were visualized using molecular docking techniques.Finally,efficacy and mechanism were conducted through in vivo experiments,such as water intake,spleen index,hematoxylin-eosin staining pathological changes,ELISA,Western Blot analysis,and immunofluorescence staining.Results:Nine active compounds were extracted from network pharmacology,including quercitrin,luteolin,kaempferol,β-sitosterol,isorhamnetin,galangin,hederagenin,diosmetin and gibberellin 7.Seven disease targets were identified:RELA,TP53,AKT1,interleukin(IL)6,MAPK1,ESR1,IL10;with RELA being the most core target.KEGG and GO enrichment analysis indicated that ZT may act through the TLR/NF-κB/RELA inflammatory mechanism process.preliminary results of molecular docking showed that ZT’s active compounds bind well to the RELA(p65)receptor.In vivo results demonstrated that a high dose of ZT significantly improved water intake and reduced lymphocytes infiltration in submandibular gland pathology in NOD mice.The expression content of AQP5 and vasoactive intestinal peptide in the submaxillary gland was significantly increased,while levels of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α,IL-6,and IL-1βalong with protein expressions including toll-like receptor4,p-p65 and p-IKKα/βin NF-κB pathway were reduced.Conclusions:The ZT treatment exhibits a promising efficacy in mitigating dryness symptoms of pSS,potentially attributed to its capacity for suppressing the TLR/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway.

Systematic evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine for treating Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND：To evaluate the quality of the literature addressing traditional Chinese medicine for treating Parkinson＇s disease.DATA SOURCE：A computer-based online search of Chinese publications from January 2001 to July 2008 was conducted in Chinese Biology Medical Disc Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Search key words were Parkinson＇s disease, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, and Chinese herb therapy.DATA SELECTION：Articles describing randomized, controlled trials and quasi-randomized, controlled trials were included. Literature quality was assessed using the criteria-Systematic evaluation of clinical literature related to treatment of Parkinson＇s disease with traditional Chinese medicine. This included methodology, interventions in the treatment/control group, evaluation criterion of outcomes, and frequency.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：Evaluation criterion of outcomes （various score methods and evaluation scales）, methodological quality, and frequency distribution were all measured.RESULTS：A total of 33 articles with randomized, controlled trials were included. Of these, six described a random method, and the remaining did not describe random allocation methods or random sequence generation methods. None of the studies estimated sample size. Case descriptions of withdrawal and loss to follow-up were unclear. Both the Unified Parkinson＇s Disease Rating Scale and Webster scale were used in the eligible studies as evaluation criteria.CONCLUSION：There are no high-quality studies that address traditional Chinese medicine therapy and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for treating Parkinson＇s disease in China. Eligible studies were not performed in accordance with Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement or Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture criteria, and the literature quality was low. The presently used criteria for evaluating therapeutic effects do not completely assess outcomes of traditional Chinese medicine for treating Parkinson＇s disease. The identification of precise outcomes should be verified using randomized, controlled studies with adequate controls and proper designs.

A New Page for Women's Reproductive Health in Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

The integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) of obstetrics and gynecology (OBS/GYN) emerged eventually with more than 40 years’ hard struggle, and one of the most promising articles is the integration of the masterpieces of menstrual disorder and infertility in TCM and the virtual explosion of new knowledge and methods in

Reception of Translated Classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Spanish-speaking World:A Survey of Seven Spanish Versions of Huangdi Neijing(The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic)

Previous studies on translations of Huangdi Neijing(The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic)have focused on English versions;little attention has been given to non-English translations.The present study is the first investigation of the reception of the seven Spanish versions of Huangdi Neijing in terms of three parameters:collection records in libraries worldwide;book reviews and citation counts in international journals;and customer reviews on Amazon.The results revealed four features of Spanish translations and communication of Huangdi Neijing in terms of reception of academia,reception of general readers,the center of translation and communication,and the role of Chinese scholars.These factors demonstrate the marginal status of Spanish translations of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)classics.The implications are summarized in hopes of promoting the translation and communication of TCM classics in the Spanish-speaking world and to provide insights into the communication of TCM culture in the non-English-speaking world.

Diversity of China's Wedding Traditions and Customs

“Raise your bridal veil and let me have a close look at your face. Your brows are so thin and long, like the crescent in the sky. Your brows are so thin and long, like the bow-shape moon.”By singing this melodious Uygur love song, I cannot help imagining the unique ethnic weddings of Uygur lovers and recalling the fascinating panorama of "the Second China Cultural Festival on Ethnic Wedding Traditions" recently hosted in Butterfly Lovers Park in Ningbo, a port city in the southeast coast of China.

The Birth of Modern Poetry:Tradition and Individual Talent——An Understanding of T. S. Eliot's Critical Essay‘Tradition and Individual Talent'in comparison with Nietzsche's Spirits of Tragedy

As one of the most significant critical essays of T.S.Eliot,Tradition and Individual Talent has defined writing as a process during which the primitive oneness has seized the individual writer of figurative descriptions to help represent itself.This theory has latter been practiced in Eliot’s Wasteland,and shows its similarity with The Birth of Tragedy,written by Friedrick Nietzsche,the German philosopher.Eliot’s‘tradition’has been concluded by Nietzsche as‘Dionysian Spirit’,which represents oneness transcending good and evil,past and present,while‘individual talent’has resembled‘Apollonian Spirit’in the urge for original figuration as an apparatus.The paper aims to explain and compare the definitions of‘tradition’and‘individual talent’of Eliot’s work with that of‘Dionysian spirit’and‘Apollonian Spirit’in Nietzsche’s illustrations,so as to provide a deeper understanding of these two works by unveiling the individual and social sameness and difference of Eliot and Nietzsche.

Inheriting Good Tradition and Expanding Cooperation Fields for New Stage of Friendship:on FES President Beck 's Visit to China

At the invitation of the Chinese Association for International Understanding(CAFIU),a delegation headed by Mr.Kurt Beck,President of FriedrichEbert-Stiftung(FES),visited China from 17 to 20,October 2013.As his first visit to China since taking the office of FES President,President Beck aimed at keeping abreast of China’s political,economic and social development since the 18th National Congress of the CPC as well as renewing the Memorandum of Understanding between CAFIU and FES.

Research and Analysis on the Origin of the Term“Xinche”in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Its Translation

Translating the terminology of traditional Chinese medicine(Thereafter referred to as TCM)is the core of translating TCM culture.By analyzing the connotation and denotation of the word“Xinche”(心掣)in Huangdi Neijing(Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine),the earliest existing TCM classic,and by comparing different English translations of the term“Xinche,”we hope to provide certain reference for the standardization of TCM terminology and to share some ideas for the translation of TCM classics.

China's Traditional Music Enters a New Era——Impression of "China National Concert in Spring Festival of Year of Horse" by HK Zhongyue Orchestra

At 11:00 a.m. of February 10, 2002, the"China National Concert in the Spring Festival ofthe Year of the Horse" was solemnly given in thegolden hall of Vienna. The Hong Kong ChineseFolk Music Orchestra, under the direction of thechief inspector and famous conductor

Old Festival, New Traditions- China's Spring Festival

SpringFestivalisthemostimportantholidayoftheyear.Thefestival,usuallyfallinginFebruaryaccordingtothesolarcalendar.isatimeoffamilyreunion.Forcenturies,peoplehavebeenreturningtotheirhomestocelebratewiththeirfamilies.Inoldtimes,evenprisonerswereallowedto...

China's Science: Tradition and the Future

I.Was Science Known in Ancient China? Kexue(Science)is China's oldest scientific journal.Its publishing office is in Shanghai,and the present editor--in-chief is Prof.

Ancient Charm in a Modern World Kashgar’s old city recalls Silk Road’s history and time-honored traditions

[Kashgar is] the best-preserved example of a traditional Islamic city to be found anywhere in Central Asia.

China’s Traditional and Modern Business Culture

China＇s traditional business cultureConfucian thought has had a profound influence on the way Chinese people do business. For example, ＂etiquette,＂ the basic element of Confucianism, originated from the ritual worship of, and sacrifice to, the ancestors. Later it developed into a set of moral rules based On kinship and hierarchy, and has been weaved into five interpersonal relations： those between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, brothers and friends. Not only did it play a role in solidifying patriarchal-feudal relationship, but it is deeply rooted in the living habits and customs of today and has become a force which regulates social interactions and behaviors. Since ancient times, the principle that ＂an even temper brings wealth＂ has been an essential part of Confucianism.