Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity:A case series and review of liver toxicity from herbal weight loss supplements

Dietary supplements represent an increasingly common source of drug-induced liver injury. Hydroxycut is a popular weight loss supplement which has previously been linked to hepatotoxicity, although the individual chemical components underlying liver injury remain poorly understood. We report two cases of acute hepatitis in the setting of Hydroxycut exposure and describe possible mechanisms of liver injury. We also comprehensively review and summarize the existing literature on commonly used weight loss supplements, and their individual components which have demon-strated potential for liver toxicity. An increased effort to screen for and educate patients and physicians about supplement-associated hepatotoxicity is warranted.

Adult celiac disease in the elderly

There is an increased awareness that celiac disease may occur in the elderly although presentations with either diarrhea, weight loss or both may be less common causing delays in diagnosis for prolonged periods. Higher detection rates also seem evident owing to active case screening, largely through serodiagnostic measures. In some elderly patients who are genetically predisposed, it has been hypothesized that celiac disease might be precipitated late in life by an antigen, possibly from an infectious agent. As a result, peptide mimicry or other poorly-defined mechanisms may precipitate an autoimmune gluten-dependent clinical state. Although diarrhea and weight loss occur, only isolated iron deficiency anemia may be present at the time of initial diagnosis. In addition, the risk of other autoimmune disorders, particularly autoimmune thyroiditis, and bone disease, are increased. Osteopenia may also be associated with an increased risk of fractures. Finally, elderly celiacs have an increased risk of malignant intestinal disease, especially lymphoma.

Overview on metabolomics in traditional Chinese medicine

Metabolomics has been widely used in the modern research of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. At the same time, the world is increasingly concerned about TCM, and many studies have been conducted to investigate different aspects of TCM. Among these studies, metabolomic approach has been implemented to facilitate TCM development. The current methods for TCM research are diverse, including nuclear magnetic resonance, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatographymass spectrometry. Using these techniques, some advantageous results have been obtained in the studies of TCM, such as diagnosis and treatment, quality control, and mechanisms of action. It is believed that the further development of metabo-lomic analytical techniques is benefcial to the modernization of TCM. This review summarizes potential applications of metabolomics in the area of TCM. Guidelines for good practice for the application of metabolomics in TCM research are also proposed, and the special role of metabolomics in TCM is highlighted.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR PRI MARY DYSMENORRHEA──A meta-analysis

Recent literature search showed that up to now there are a total of 9 theses abo ut clinical treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with acupuncture therapy, among th em 5 clinical trials are from Chinese journals and the rest 4 from foreign journals. Majority of the tri als have some methodological and/or reporting shortcomings. The frequency and in tensity of dysmenorrhea are divided into intermittent and continuous types. Resu lts of quantitative meta-analysis with Revman 4.1 software showed that the exis t ing evidence supports the value of acupuncture for the treatment of dysmenorrhea . However, the quality of evidence is not fully convincing. There is an urgent n eed for well-planned, large-scale and multiple-center studies to assess the e ffe ctiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture under real-life conditions.

RECENT PROGRESS IN THE STUDY OF ANTICANCER DRUGS ORIGINATING FROM PLANTS AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINES IN CHINA

Drugs of plant origin have received much attention due to their enormous potential for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Recent progress in the study of anticancer drugs originating from plants and traditional medicines in China is reviewed in this paper, with particular emphasis on taxol, daidzein, acetyl boswellic acid,curcumin and ginsenosid Rh2.

Liver alveolar echinococcosis in China: Clinical aspect with relative basic research

This paper deals with all aspects of liver alveolar echinococcosis (AE) including epidemiology, pathology, clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, surgical treatment and chemotherapy.The review is not only based on personal clinical experiences but also in combination with relative basic research such as proliferation and growth of alveococcus, preclinical studies of a novel compound extracted from TCM for treatment of liver AE, and molecular immunology used for specific AE diagnosis, etc.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL INTENTION OF "NEEDLING METHOD FOR TRANQUILLIZATION AND CALMING THE MIND" FOR TREATMENT OF INSOMNIA

A set of scientific theories and an effective acupuncture therapy for insomnia about ＂the needling method for tranquillization and calming the mind＂ are gradually formed through many years＇theoretical and clinical studies. In this paper, the theoretical intention about ＂the needling method for tranquillization and calming the mind＂ for treatment of insomnia are briefly introduced mainly from the cause of disease, pathogenesis, therapeutic method and characteristics of composition of a prescription, etc. in order to provide a new train of thoughts and a new method for working out scientific and standard prescriptions in the treatment of insomnia.

A novel understanding about oxidization of glucose in term of Wuxing TCM theory

Yin-yang theory and Wuxing theory are the core parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）. Most of researches on Wuxing theory are based on the paradigm of TCM or Traditional Chinese Culture. It is an evitable challenge to interpret Wuxing theory in the term of biomolecular, biochemistry, stem cell and so on. The oxidation of glucose is the important pathway in cell and there are five basic factors which will be responsible for the undergoing of this reaction. The relationships among these factors are similar to Wuxing theory just like inter-promotion and inter-restraint. So, this understanding on Wuxing theory maybe take some advancement for the modernization of TCM.

Clinical Experience in Electro-Acupuncture Treatment

According to the author's clinical experience, when the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is not so satisfactory, electro-acupuncture with modified current intensity and pulse frequency can be adopted for better results. The following are some examples.

ENDOMYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS IN CHINA

To introduce the epidemical, pathological, and clinical characteristics as well as the diagnostic and therapeutical experiences of endomyocardial fibrosis(EMF) in China. [WT5”BX] Data sources.[WT5”BZ]A CMBdisc search was done of the Chinese language literature published from January 1983 through June 1997 about EMF and/or restrictive cardiomyopathy. A manual search was then done for other contributions, including abstracts, between January 1965 and June 1997. [WT5”BX] Results. [WT5”BZ]Eighty seven Chinese cases of EMF were collected in this paper. There were 49 men and 38 women, with a mean age of 28±13 years(range, 8 to 68 years). The distribution of the cases is mainly in the south of China. Combined right and left ventricular disease occurs in 48 percent of cases, with pure right ventricular involvement occurring in 42 percent and pure left ventricular involvement in the remaining 10 percent of patients who are examined postmortem. The diagnosis of EMF was confirmed in 21 cases at autopsy, and in 66 cases by echocardiography, angiocardiography, and/or endomyocardial biopsy which showed the characteristic changes. Clinically, right sided disease is the commonest variety. Endocardiectomy and tricuspid(n=7) or mitral(n=1) valves replacement have been performed in 8 patients. There were 2 operative deaths. Six patients had a satisfactory recovery postoperatively and living well in the follow up duration. [WT5”BX] Conclusion.

Therapeutic effect of different treatment methods on functional anorectal pain

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of oral traditional Chinese medicine （Jiaweitiaoqi decoction）, electroacupuncture, biofeedback, and combined treatment on functional anorectal pain （FAP）. Methods： A total of 200 patients with FAP were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 50 patients in each group. Group 1 was given oral Jiaweitiaoqi decoction; group 2 was given electroacupuncture at the lumbosacral acupoints; group 3 was given biofeedback training; and group 4 was given combined treatment. The numeric rating scale （NRS）, Short Form-36 （SF-36） quality of life scale, static pressure of the anal canal, and maximum systolic pressure were observed in the 4 groups. Results： The observation indices of the 4 groups were all improved after treatment compared with those before treatment, and the fourth group showed the most obvious improvement. Regarding NRS scores, the static pressure of the anal canal, and maximum systolic pressure, group 4 had lower values than the other 3 groups （P 〈 0.05 for all）. In the SF-36 quality of life score, group 4 showed a higher value than the other 3 groups （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Non-drug therapy including acupuncture and physical exercise can enhance the clinical efficacy of single Chinese medicine in the treatment of FAP .

ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH INHALATION OF OXYGEN FOR TREATMENT OF 60 CASES OF EXTENSIVE ANXIETY

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects and adverse effects of "channel-oxygen therapy" for extensive anxiety. Methods: Sixty cases of extensive anxiety patients were treated with "channel-oxygen therapy" once daily and continuously for 4 weeks. Neiguan(内关PC 6) and Zusanli(足三里ST 36) were needled in combination with nasal inhalation of oxygen, 30 min each session. The therapeutic effects were assessed by Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and the adverse effects by Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). Results: Of the 60 cases, 35 were cured, 13 improved and 12 were ineffective, with the effective rate being 80.0% and the cured rate 58.3%. No evident adverse effects were found. Conclusion: The "channel-oxygen therapy" is safe and effective for extensive anxiety.

PERIPHERAL FACIAL PARALYSIS TREATED BY MULTI-DIRECTIONAL NEEDLING

Objective：To search for an effective therapy in treating peripheral facial paralysis. Methods： One hundred and eight patients were randomly divided into treatment group （n = 68） and control group （n = 40）. The multi-directional needling technique was used by selecting Jiache （颊车 ST 6）, Yangbai （阳白 GB 14） and Dicang （地仓 ST 4） in the treatment group, and the traditional acupuncture technique with conventional needle selection was used in the control group. The treatment was given once daily with 10 treatments constituting a therapeutic course, and 2 courses of treatment were given in both the groups. Results： After the treatment, of the 68 and 40 cases in treatment and control groups, 56 （82.3%） and 28 （70.0%） were cured, 11 （16.2%） and 8 （20.0%） improved in clinical symptoms and signs, 1 （1.5%） and 4 （10.0%） failed, with the total effective rate being 98.5% and 90.0% respectively, and the therapeutic effect of treatment group was significantly superior to that of control group （ P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The multi-directional needling is an effective therapy for treating peripheral facial paralysis.

Analysis of 610 cases inpatients with chronic heart failure

Objective： To analyze the clinical characteristics and medical treatment of hospitalized patients with chronic heartfailure, and provide medication for the patients. Methods： According to medical records of inpatients, demographicinformation, etiology, clinical features and treatment information were collected. Results： A total of 610 cases withheart failure from our hospital between July 2010 and June 2016 were analyzed. The average age of all the patientswas 63. Males accounted for 50.49%. There were 82.7% patients with NYHA functional classification at III-IV.31.3% patients with coronary artery disease, 28.4% with rheumatic heart diseases and 21.8% with expansion ofheart disease. 27.4 percent of the patients with the left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 40%. There were78.9% patients received aldosterone antagonist treatment, 63.4% received ACEI/ARB, 62.1% received digoxin,59.8% received beta blockers, and 75.4% patients received decoction, and 80.8% received Chinese patent medicine.Conclusion： The study has shown that high utilization of traditional Chinese medicine is to highlight theadvantages of the combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of heart failure. Theusage of spironolactone, ACEI/ARB, beta blockers in our hospital was lower than the ratio reported, higher thanthat of the national average. However, the use of diureticis is lower than that of national average, which may relateto the use of damp-clearing herbs. Clinicians should pay attention to the high utilization rate of digoxin. Patientswith the left ventricular ejection fraction 〉 50% accounted for 61.1%, which required more attention should be paidto the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart failure of the ejection fraction remains.

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS ON THE AUTOPLOIDY BETWEEN THE TWELVE YUAN (SOURCE) POINTS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING ZANGFU-ORGANS

In the present paper, the authors make a theoretical analysis on the autoploidy between the twelve Yuan （source） points and their corresponding Zangfu-organs from 1 ） historical development, 2） correlation, 3） clinical application, 4） experimental research results about the relationship between Yuan points and the Zangfu-organs, and between meridians and Zangfu-organs, and 5） literature description. The twelve Yuan points have an important role in clinical diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and a close association with the Zangfu-organs.

EFFECT OF MOXIBUSTION ON CATECHOLAMINE

Objective：To investigate whether moxibustion affects the secretion of catecholamine as adrenalin, noradrenaline and dopamine. Methods： Twenty Wistar rats were allocated to two groups. One was moxibustion-group （10 rats）, and the other was non-moxibustion-group （10 rats）. Four ignited moxa-cones were applied to bilateral “Shenshu” （肾俞 BL 23）. When a moxa-cone burned out, another one was replaced. At the end of each experiment, blood sample （2 mL/rat） was collected from the heart for assaying plasma adrenalin, noradrenaline and dopamine contents with high pressure liquid chromatography. Results： The presented results showed that plasma adrenalin and noradrenaline contents of moxibustion-group are significantly higher than those of non-moxibustion-group （P 〈 0.01）. However, there is no significant difference of dopamine between moxibustion-and non-moxibustion-groups （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： These results demonstrated that moxibustion stimulates the secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline in normal rats.

ACUPUNCTURE AND GLAUCOMA

It is to recognize glaucoma in view of Chinese medicine and synthesize the treatments and mechanisms of acupuncture on glaucoma in the paper. It is indicated in the results that acupuncture plays the importance in lowering ocular tension, improving ocular circulation and protecting optic nerve. Additionally, acupuncture inhibits probably the cellular apoptosis of optic ganglion and provides definite actions on psychological factors of glaucoma. Acupuncture cannot replace operation and medicinal therapy in lowing ocular tension, but their coordinated and auxiliary effects are quite clear and definite.

Cases analysis of Professor Li Yuanwen in treating eczema

Professor Li Yuan-wen is a tutor of doctoral candidates of Beijing university of Chinese medicine. He has combined traditional Chinese and modern medicine in treating skin diseases for more than 30 years in clinical his clinical practice, scientific research and education. He has rich experience in treating all kinds of complex skin diseases and holds a unique opinion. We summarize some of his clinical experience in the treatment of eczema.

Zhao Xuemin:A Celebrated Doctor of Folk Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine originated from the application of herbs and other natural materials. Since Tang Dynasty, there are two mainstreams during the development of TCM: folk TCM and classic TCM. Without any support from the government, folk TCM got fade away. However, during Qing Dynasty, Zhao Xuemin collected a large amount of folk prescriptions which were called zoufang and edited into Chuanya Neibian and Chuanya Waibian. Zhou Xuemin was respected as a celebrated medical scientist of Qing Dynasty due to his great contribution.