Integrated traditional and Western medicine for treatment of depression based on syndrome differentiation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials based on the Hamilton depression scale

AbstractObjectiveTo systematically review the benefits of integrated traditional and Western medicine therapies based on the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) following syndrome differentiation of depression.MethodsWe searched six English and Chinese electronic databases for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on integrated traditional and Western medicine for treatment of depression. Two authors extracted data and independently assessed the trial quality. RevMan 5 software was used for data analyses with an effect estimate presented as weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsSeven RCTs with 576 participants were identified for this review. All trials were eligible for the meta-analysis and were evaluated as unclear or having a risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed, compared with Western medicine alone, integrated traditional and Western medicine based on syndrome differentiation could improve the effect of treatment represented by the HAMD [WMD=−2.39, CI (−2.96,−1.83), Z=8.29, P<0.00001]. There were no reported serious adverse effects that were related to integrated traditional and Western medicine based therapies in these trials.ConclusionsIntegrated traditional and Western medicine based therapies for the syndrome differentiation of depression significantly improved the HAMD, illustrating that combining therapies from integrated traditional and Western medicine for treatment of depression is better than Western medicine alone. However, further large, rigorously designed trials are warranted due to the insufficient methodological rigor seen in the trials included in this study

Traditional Chinese medicine combined with hormone therapy to treat premature ovarian failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to provide critically estimated evidence for the advantages and disadvantages of Chinese herbal medicines used for premature ovarian failure (POF), which could provide suggestions for rational treatments.Materials and Methods: The databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CNKI, VIP, China Dissertation Database, China Important Conference Papers Database, and online clinical trial registry websites. Published and unpublished randomized controlled trials of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with hormone therapy (HT) and HT alone for POF were assessed up to December 30, 2015. Two authors extracted data and assessed trial quality independently using Cochrane systematic review methods. Meta-analysis was used to quantitatively describe serum hormone levels and Kupperman scores associated with perimenopause symptoms.Results: Seventeen randomized controlled trials involving 1352 participants were selected. Compared with HT alone, although no significant effects were observed in the levels of luteinizing hormone, therapy with TCM combined with HT compared to HT alone effectively altered serum hormone levels of follicle stimulating hormone (P&lt;0.01) and estradiol (P &lt; 0.01), and improved Kupperman index scores (P&lt; 0.01).Conclusions: The reported favorable effects of TCM combined with HT for treating POF patients are better than HT alone.However,the beneficial effects derived from this combination therapy cannot be viewed conclusive.In order to better support the clinical use, more rigorously designed trials are required to provide.Keywords: Traditional Chinese medicine, Hormone therapy, Premature ovarian failure, Meta-analysi

Integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine for Menopausal syndrome: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: To critically assess the evidence of integrated Chinese and western medicine for treating  Menopausal syndrome (MPS).Methods and Materials: A search across the Chinese Biomedical Medicine (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP database (VIP), Wangfang database (Wanfang), PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted (up to October 31st, 2013) in commonly used integrated Chinese and western medicine therapies for menopausal syndrome. A number of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of integrated Chinese and western medicine in patients with PPS were included. The quality of the included studies was evaluated and a meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan5.0 software.Results: Twelve RCTs with 1155 patients were evaluated in this review. The results of meta-analysis showed that the therapy of using integrated Chinese and western medicine was significantly superior to that of western medicine alone towards improving the efficacy, relieving the clinical symptoms and decreasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH）levels (P&lt;0.05), even though the effects of two treatments were the same in regulating the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2).Conclusion: Compared to a regular treatment with western medicine alone, the therapeutic approach that utilizes integration of Chinese with western medicine can effectively improve the clinical efficacy and serum hormone levels in patients with menopausal syndrome. However, the evidence was not very strong due to the poor quality of the included studies.Key words: Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Menopausal Syndrome, Meta-analysi

The use of Rheum palmatum L. In the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Background: Chinese medicine theory shows that “lung being connected with large intestine”, and the modern western medicine also shows that the lung and intestinal tract affect each other in physiological and pathological conditions. If the lung ventilation dysfunction is caused by inflammatory exudate or secretions obstruction of the small airway ventilation, blood gas partial pressure is increased and intestinal gas absorption difficulty may lead to intestinal inflation and dysfunction (Wang N et al., 2011). Rheum palmatum L. can play the roles of anti-coagulation and anti-thrombosis, and improve microcirculation through lowering the endotoxin-induced permeability of microvascular tissue, reducing tissue oedema, decreasing inflammatory exudation and necrosis, and enhancing cyto-protection mechanism (Yang TZ et al., 2014). Therefore, systemic evaluation of the evidence pertaining to the usage of Rheum palmatum L. in treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has significant clinical significance.Materials and Methods: Various Electronic Databases CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched until December 2015. Numerous randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of Rheum palmatum L. for the treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome were collected. The quality of the included studies was evaluated and a meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan5.0 software.Results: Eight RCTs involving 489 patients were selected for this review. The results of the Meta-analysis revealed that Rheum palmatum L. therapy, combined with routine comprehensive treatment, was significantly superior to that of routine comprehensive treatment alone, in the areas of decreasing mortality, the mechanical ventilation time, the level of interleukin-6,8 and the untoward effect, and also in improving arterial blood gas (PaO2/FiO2, PaO2) (P&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Compared with treatment with routine comprehensive alone, Rheum palmatum L. treatment combined with routine comprehensive, has been shown to effectively decrease the mortality, mechanical ventilation time and ameliorate the arterial blood gas, the cytokine levels, and the untoward effect. However, the evidence appears not to be very compelling due to the poor quality of the original studies.Keywords: Rheum palmatum L., Western medicine therapy, ALI/ARDS, Systematic Review, Meta-analysi

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE COMBINED WITH HORMONE THERAPY TO TREAT PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to provide critically estimated evidence for the advantages and disadvantages of Chinese herbal medicines used for premature ovarian failure (POF), which could provide suggestions for rational treatments. Materials and Methods: The databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CNKI, VIP, China Dissertation Database, China Important Conference Papers Database, and online clinical trial registry websites. Published and unpublished randomized controlled trials of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with hormone therapy (HT) and HT alone for POF were assessed up to December 30, 2015. Two authors extracted data and assessed trial quality independently using Cochrane systematic review methods. Meta-analysis was used to quantitatively describe serum hormone levels and Kupperman scores associated with perimenopause symptoms. Results: Seventeen randomized controlled trials involving 1352 participants were selected. Compared with HT alone, although no significant effects were observed in the levels of luteinizing hormone, therapy with TCM combined with HT compared to HT alone effectively altered serum hormone levels of follicle stimulating hormone (

INTEGRATED TRADITIONAL CHINESE AND WESTERN MEDICINE FOR MENOPAUSAL SYNDROME: META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS

Background: To critically assess the evidence of integrated Chinese and western medicine for treating Menopausal syndrome (MPS). Methods and Materials: A search across the Chinese Biomedical Medicine (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP database (VIP), Wangfang database (Wanfang), PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted (up to October 31st, 2013) in commonly used integrated Chinese and western medicine therapies for menopausal syndrome. A number of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of integrated Chinese and western medicine in patients with PPS were included. The quality of the included studies was evaluated and a meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan5.0 software. Results: Twelve RCTs with 1155 patients were evaluated in this review. The results of meta-analysis showed that the therapy of using integrated Chinese and western medicine was significantly superior to that of western medicine alone towards improving the efficacy, relieving the clinical symptoms and decreasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)levels (

THE USE OF RHEUM PALMATUM L. IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIALS

Background: Chinese medicine theory shows that “lung being connected with large intestine”, and the modern western medicine also shows that the lung and intestinal tract affect each other in physiological and pathological conditions. If the lung ventilation dysfunction is caused by inflammatory exudate or secretions obstruction of the small airway ventilation, blood gas partial pressure is increased and intestinal gas absorption difficulty may lead to intestinal inflation and dysfunction (Wang N et al., 2011). Rheum palmatum L. can play the roles of anti-coagulation and anti-thrombosis, and improve microcirculation through lowering the endotoxin-induced permeability of microvascular tissue, reducing tissue oedema, decreasing inflammatory exudation and necrosis, and enhancing cyto-protection mechanism (Yang TZ et al., 2014). Therefore, systemic evaluation of the evidence pertaining to the usage of Rheum palmatum L. in treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has significant clinical significance. Materials and Methods: Various Electronic Databases CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched until December 2015. Numerous randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of Rheum palmatum L. for the treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome were collected. The quality of the included studies was evaluated and a meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan5.0 software. Results: Eight RCTs involving 489 patients were selected for this review. The results of the Meta-analysis revealed that Rheum palmatum L. therapy, combined with routine comprehensive treatment, was significantly superior to that of routine comprehensive treatment alone, in the areas of decreasing mortality, the mechanical ventilation time, the level of interleukin-6,8 and the untoward effect, and also in improving arterial blood gas (PaO2/FiO2, PaO2) (

An Exposome Atlas of Serum Reveals the Risk of Chronic Diseases in the Chinese Population

Although adverse environmental exposures are considered a major cause of chronic diseases, current studies provide limited information on real-world chemical exposures and related risks. For this study, we collected serum samples from 5696 healthy people and patients, including those with 12 chronic diseases, in China and completed serum biomonitoring including 267 chemicals via gas and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Seventy-four highly frequently detected exposures were used for exposure characterization and risk analysis. The results show that region is the most critical factor influencing human exposure levels, followed by age. Organochlorine pesticides and perfluoroalkyl substances are associated with multiple chronic diseases, and some of them exceed safe ranges. Multi-exposure models reveal significant risk effects of exposure on hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive human serum exposome atlas and disease risk information, which can guide subsequent in-depth cause-and-effect studies between environmental exposures and human health

Analysis between ABO blood group and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients and the potential mediating role of ACE2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become the most common coronavirus that causes large-scale infections worldwide. Currently, several studies have shown that the ABO blood group is associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and some studies have also suggested that the infection of COVID-19 may be closely related to the interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and blood group antigens. However, the relationship between blood type to clinical outcome in critically ill patients and the mechanism of action is still unclear. The current study aimed to examine the correlation between blood type distribution and SARS-CoV-2 infection, progression, and prognosis in patients with COVID-19 and the potential mediating role of ACE2. With 234 patients from 5 medical centers and two established cohorts, 137 for the mild cohort and 97 for the critically ill cohort, we found that the blood type A population was more sensitive to SARS-CoV-2, while the blood type distribution was not relevant to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute kidney injury (AKI), and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Further study showed that the serum ACE2 protein level of healthy people with type A was significantly higher than that of other blood groups, and type O was the lowest. The experimental results of spike protein binding to red blood cells also showed that the binding rate of people with type A was the highest, and that of people with type O was the lowest. Our finding indicated that blood type A may be the biological marker for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and may be associated with potential mediating of ACE2, but irrelevant to the clinical outcomes including ARDS, AKI, and death. These findings can provide new ideas for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead