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Objective. This paper aims to systematically evaluate the intervention effect of mind-body exercise on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients. Methods. Databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and SINOMED were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials on the effects of mind-body exercise on relieving cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients. The retrieval period started from the founding date of each database to January 6, 2021. Cochrane bias risk assessment tools were used to evaluate the methodological quality assessment of the included literature, and RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analyses. Results. 17 pieces of researches in 16 papers were included with a total of 1133 patients. Compared with the control group, mind-body exercise can improve cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients. The combined effect size SMD = 0.59, 95% CI was [0.27, 0.92], p < 0.00001. Doing Tai Chi for over 40 minutes each time with an exercise cycle of ≤6 weeks can improve cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients more significantly. Sensitivity analysis shows that the combined effect results of the meta-analysis were relatively stable. Conclusion. Mind-body exercise can effectively improve cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine decoction (TCMD) in the treatment of cardiac neurosis (CN) complicated with depression and anxiety. Methods. Relevant literature on TCMD in the treatment of CN complicated with depression and anxiety was retrieved from Chinese and English databases, and the retrieved literature was included and excluded. The quality of the retrieved literature was evaluated according to the Cochrane system, and the meta-analysis was undertaken with RevMan5.3 software. Results. A total of 10 papers were included, including 686 patients and 349 patients in the treatment group (131 males and 218 females), and there were 337 cases in the control group (131 males and 206 females). The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, TCMD could significantly improve palpitation (MD = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.55–1.01, P < 0.00001), chest tightness/chest pain (MD = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.10–0.97, P < 0.05), shortness of breath (MD = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.26–0.93, P = 0.0005), and TCM syndrome score (MD = 5.91, 95% CI = 4.32–7.49, P < 0.00001), reduce resting heart rate (MD = 13.21, 95% CI = 9.01–17.40, P < 0.00001), and could reduce psychological scale scores, such as Zung's self-rating Depression Scale (MD = 7.90, 95% CI = 4.98–10.83, P < 0.00001), Zung's self-rating Anxiety Scale (MD = 6.55, 95% CI = 4.25–8.86, P < 0.00001), Hamilton Depression Scale (MD = 4.46, 95% CI = 3.00–5.92, P < 0.00001), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (MD = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.85–4.85, P < 0.0001). The differences were statistically significant. Tonic drugs were commonly used; Angelica sinensis, Poria cocos, Polygala tenuifolia, Wild jujube kernel, and Bupleurum were the most frequently used traditional Chinese medicines. Conclusion. TCMD mainly composed of tonic and tranquilizing herbs could significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with CN and reduce heart rate, anxiety, and depression scores. However, the evidence grade of the clinical research was limited by the quality of the included literature, and more high-quality clinical trials are still needed for further verification. This trial was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42022312164 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study aims to explore the influences of Tai Chi on the balance function and exercise capacity among stroke patients. Methods. Databases including PubMed, Embase, WOS (Web of Science), the Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang Data, VIP (VIP database), and CBM (China Biology Medicine disc) were retrieved to gather the figures of randomized controlled trials on the balance function and exercise capacity among stroke patients. Then relevant data were input and analyzed in Review Manager 5.3. Results. Nineteen papers were included and analyzed in this study. According to the combined effect size, the balance function of stroke patients improved significantly: the Berg Balance Function Scale score [MD = 7.67, 95% CI (3.44, 11.90)]; standing and walking test scores [MD = 3.42, 95% CI (4.22, −2.63)]; gravity swing area [MD = 0.79, 95% CI (1.48, 0.10)]; and gravity swing speed [MD = −5.43, 95% CI (−7.79, 3.08)]. In addition, the exercise capacity improved significantly as well: the FMA (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale) scale score [MD = 4.15, 95% CI (1.68, 6.63)]. There are no significant influences or changes of other related results. Conclusions. Stroke patients are able to improve their balance functions and exercise capacities prominently when they do Tai Chi exercise once or twice a week and ≥5 times/week and >30 ≤ 60 min/time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cough variant asthma (CVA) is a unique type of asthma characterized by cough as the only or primary clinical presentation. Inhaled glucocorticoid is the main treatment in clinical practice currently, but its efficacy remains relatively unsatisfactory. Traditional Chinese medicine has certain advantages in the treatment of CVA, and at present, the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicine is Suhuang Zhike Capsule (SZC). The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of SZC in the treatment of CVA using a meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of papers published in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature database (CBM), Wanfang Database, and VIP Information (VIP) from January 2018 to June 2019 was conducted. Review Manager 5.3 was used to carry out a meta-analysis of 10 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In a total of 10 randomized controlled trials, 896 CVA patients were included. The results showed the following: (1) compared with conventional Western medicine, SZC can effectively increase the efficacy rate of CVA (RR 1.25, 95% CI, 1.16–1.35, P < 0.00001) and (2) compared with other traditional Chinese medicines, SZC can effectively increase the efficacy rate of CVA (RR 1.44, 95% CI, 1.01–2.05, P = 0.05), In conclusion, our study builds on existing clinical evidence showing that SZC is safe and effective in treating CVA. However, larger randomized controlled trials are required for further validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) began several thousand years ago, and the knowledge of practitioners is recorded in paper and electronic versions of case notes, manuscripts, and books in multiple languages. Developing a method of information extraction (IE) from these sources to generate a cohesive data set would be a great contribution to the medical field. The goal of this study was to perform a systematic review of the status of IE from TCM sources over the last 10 years. Methods. We conducted a search of four literature databases for articles published from 2010 to 2021 that focused on the use of natural language processing (NLP) methods to extract information from unstructured TCM text data. Two reviewers and one adjudicator contributed to article search, article selection, data extraction, and synthesis processes. Results. We retrieved 1234 records, 49 of which met our inclusion criteria. We used the articles to (i) assess the key tasks of IE in the TCM domain, (ii) summarize the challenges to extracting information from TCM text data, and (iii) identify effective frameworks, models, and key findings of TCM IE through classification. Conclusions. Our analysis showed that IE from TCM text data has improved over the past decade. However, the extraction of TCM text still faces some challenges involving the lack of gold standard corpora, nonstandardized expressions, and multiple types of relations. In the future, IE work should be promoted by extracting more existing entities and relations, constructing gold standard data sets, and exploring IE methods based on a small amount of labeled data. Furthermore, fine-grained and interpretable IE technologies are necessary for further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) are the major contributors to mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. This updated meta-analysis was aimed to assess the effects of mother's milk on the incidence of NEC, LOS, and other clinical outcomes in preterm infants. Methods. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched for papers published up to October 2022. Results. A total of 13 RCTs with 1330 infants were included in the final analysis. Significant difference in NEC (stage 2 or 3) was found between the intervention group and the control group (RR = 0.508, 95% CI: 0.314–0.822, and P = 0.008). The incidence of proven LOS (RR = 0.809, 95% CI: 0.610–1.071, and P = 0.139) and death (RR = 0.800, 95% CI: 0.571–1.122, and P = 0.196) was comparable between the two groups. Statistical differences in the incidence of proven or probable LOS (RR = 0.705, 95% CI: 0.577–0.862, and P = 0.001) and length of hospitalization (WMD = −4.868, 95% CI: −6.608 to −3.128, and P < 0.001) between the intervention group and the control group were observed. Conclusions. The results of this updated meta-analysis showed that compared to the placebo, mother's milk provides better effects in reducing the incidences of NEC, proven or probable LOS, and the length of stay, whereas no significant benefit of mother's milk was observed in reducing the incidence of proven LOS and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Evidence-based research methods were applied to assess the efficacy of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for the treatment of autism in children. Methods. We searched the Chinese Biomedical Literature, CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases to collect randomised controlled trials on faecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of autism in children. The search included studies published from the creation of the respective database to 5 April 2022. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation were implemented by three investigators according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.1 software. Results. Nine studies with population-based subjects and four studies with animal-based subjects were included. Five papers were screened for the meta-analysis. The results showed that FMT markedly reduced Autism Behaviour Checklist (ABC) scores in children with autism spectrum disorder (weighted mean difference (WMD) = −14.96; 95% confidence intervals (CI), −21.68 to −8.24; P < 0.001 ; I2 = 0%). FMT also reduced Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores (WMD = −6.95; 95% CI, −8.76 to −5.14; P < 0.001 ; I2 = 28.1%). Conclusion. Our results indicate that FMT can benefit children with autism by reducing ABC and CARS scores, but more high-quality studies are needed to verify these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In the present study, we systematically evaluated the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in rodent models (rats and mice) to provide potential evidence for the treatment of AGA by TCM. Methods. Previous research papers focusing on the treatment of AGA by TCM were retrieved from various electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, Vip, Wanfang data, and CBM) up to October 30, 2021. Screening of the literature was performed independently, and data were extracted and assessed. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results. When compared with the model groups, a group of C57BL/6 mice treated with TCM showed an increase in the total number of hair follicles (mean difference [MD] = 11.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] [5.94,18.03], P = 0.0001), as well as a decrease in serum testosterone (T) level (MD = −1.10, 95% CI [−1.43, −0.78], P < 0.00001), skin discoloration time (MD = −2.93, 95% CI [−4.03, −1.84], P < 0.00001), and skin hair growth time (MD = −3.16, 95% CI [−4.16, −2.16], P < 0.00001). Terminal hair/vellus hair also increased in TCM-treated AGA animals (MD = 3.02, 95% CI [2.05, 3.98], P < 0.00001). No significant difference was found in serum estradiol (E2) level, skin tissue E2 level, or skin tissue T level between the TCM-treated group and the model group. Conclusion. TCM can increase the total number of hair follicles and terminal hair/vellus hair ratio, and reduce skin discoloration time and skin hair growth time in AGA animal models. These effects may be related to the reduction of the serum T level in AGA animals. These conclusions need to be verified by high-quality studies as the current analysis may be affected by the number and quality of the studies identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modulation of Tai Chi in physiological function and psychological status attracts sustaining attention. This paper collected original articles regarding the effects of Tai Chi practice on modulating primary hypertension from 7 electronic databases (PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database) from their dates of origin to October 1st, 2020. A total of 45 articles were included. The literature analyses have shown that the benefits of Tai Chi practice for blood pressure management have been identified in all of the included 45 studies, and Tai Chi exercise has shown significant efficacy in improving hypertension clinical symptoms and quality of life, compared to the majority of control interventions, though there are also some methodological issues, including small sample sizes, lack of exact randomization methods and quality control criteria, and lack of specific standards used to measure the characteristics of Tai Chi practice. In the future, the inclusion of additional design standards, stricter quality controls, and evaluation measures for the features of Tai Chi practice is required in trials evaluating its effects on hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a highly prevalent disease associated with poor quality of life. In this paper, we appraised the role of acupuncture in the treatment of CRS. Methods. Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that examined the role of acupuncture in CRS. The primary outcome measures included posttreatment CRS severity, as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Total Effective Rate (TER). The risk of bias and quality of evidence were evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration's risk-of-bias tool and GRADE tool, respectively. Results. Evidence from the RCTs (n = 10) suggested that acupuncture as a monotherapy or adjunctive therapy to conventional treatment was associated with significant improvements in VAS, TER, and quality of life when compared with conventional treatments for CRS. However, there was a similar incidence of adverse events. The risk of bias was unclear and the quality of evidence for each finding was generally moderate to low. Conclusions. Acupuncture as a stand-alone or adjunctive treatment for CRS was associated with clinical symptom improvement and better quality of life, without any risk for serious adverse events. However, the high clinical heterogeneity of the included RCTs and overall moderate-to-low quality of evidence necessitates rigorous, well-designed trials to confirm these findings. Trial Registrations. This trial is registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42021292135). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To compare the treatment efficacy of Kuntai capsule with Climen only in the therapy of premature ovarian failure. Methods. Randomized controlled trials were electronically retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of science, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang, and Weipu database. In addition, some related papers were manually checked. All papers were assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, and the effective data were analyzed by Revman 5.3 Software. Results. 11 randomized control trials involving 1068 patients were included. Results of meta-analysis showed that E2 (estrogen), the total therapeutic effective rate of the group of Kuntai capsule, and hormone were higher than hormone only. The LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and Kupperman score of the group of Kuntai capsule and Climen were lower than Climen only. Conclusion. Available evidence shows that Kuntai capsule with Climen is more effective than Climen in the therapy of premature ovarian failure. Nowadays, the quality of the research studies is low. More large-scaled randomized trials will need to be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds. Chuanxiong Chatiao san (CXCT) is a famous Chinese classical prescription. It has a favorable effect in treating migraine. It is reported that CXCT combined with Western conventional medicine (WCM) could increase the therapeutic efficacy on migraine. The purpose of this paper is to systematically assess the clinical efficacy, safety, and some indexes of CXCT for migraine. Methods. PubMed, Embase Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, the Cochrane Library, and the CBM were searched from January 2000 to February 2019. We made a detailed record of outcome measurements. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results. A total of 3307 patients were included in the 37 articles. Meta-analysis showed that CXCT significantly increased the total efficiency rate (TER), compared with Western medicine treatment (WMC) (P < 0.00001). When CXCT is combined with WMC, the result showed that P < 0.00001. CXCT was significantly reduced the adverse events (AEs) compared with WMC (P < 0.00001). The levels of VAS, number of migraine episodes (NE), and time of headache duration (TD) were significantly reduced (P < 0.00001). Platelet function and blood rheology level were improved via a significantly decrease in 5-HT and β-EP (P < 0.00001). Other indicators such as substance P, CGRP high-cut viscosity, low-cut viscosity, plasma viscosity, and fibrinogen were significantly reduced (P < 0.00001). Conclusion. Our findings provide evidence that CXCT and CXCT combined with WMC have higher efficacy in the treatment of migraine compared with WCM alone. Methodological quality was generally low, so the conclusion of this paper has some limitations and it has to be carefully evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. In this paper, we systematically review the evidence looking at the effect of dance/movement therapy (DMT) and mental health outcomes and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Method. The literature search was done with the databases PubMed (MEDLINE), EBSCO, and Cochrane Central by using the following search words: "dancing/dance/movement therapy," "breast cancer/neoplasms/carcinoma/tumour" or "mammary cancer," "mental health," and "quality of life." Ninety-four articles were found. Only empirical interventional studies (N = 6) were selected for the review: randomised controlled trials (RCT) (n = 5) and non-RCT (n = 1). PRISMA guidelines were used. Results. Data from 6 studies including 385 participants who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, were of an average age of 55.7 years, and had participated in DMT programmes for 3–24 weeks were analysed. In each study, the main outcomes that were measured were quality of life, physical activity, stress, and emotional and social well-being. Different questionnaires were used for the evaluation of outcomes. The mental health of the participants who received DMT intervention improved: they reported a better quality of life and decreased stress, symptoms, and fatigue. Conclusion. We found only six studies for review, and some had a small number of participants. However, our findings indicate that DMT could be successfully used as a complimentary therapy in addition to standard cancer treatment for improving the quality of life and mental health of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. More research is needed to evaluate the complexity of the impact of complimentary therapies. It is possible that DMT could be more effective if used with other therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is recognized as the earliest prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emerging studies explored the effects of combined physical activity and cognitive training interventions on cognitive ability, psychological well-being, and emotion of older adults with SCD, but the results are now still controversial. Objective. This study systematically evaluated the enhancement effects of the combined physical-cognitive interventions on memory self-efficacy, objective cognitive function, psychological well-being, and emotion of older adults with SCD. Methods. Data sources PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang degree and conference papers database, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical (VIP) databases from their inception to 28 February 2020, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library, 2020, Issue 3), and the reference lists of all retrieved articles were searched. Data analysis and bias risk evaluation were conducted in 2020. Two reviewers (SG and YY) independently evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies using the RoB 2 tool. Results. Eleven RCTs involving 1713 participants with SCD (age 68.0 ± 6.1) were included for review and meta-analysis. The interventions in the included studies were physical activity combined with cognitive training. Multiple-modality exercise with mind-motor training, supervised strategy-based memory training sequentially after stationary cycling, Dejian Mind-Body intervention, and physical activity and cognitive stimulation were also practiced. Conclusions. Compared to the active or nonactive control groups, the combined interventions are effective in improving objective cognitive function in SCD which may show the potential value of combined physical-cognitive interventions in improving objective cognitive ability and preventing the conversion of SCD to MCI or AD and no adverse effects. However, owing to the limitations of the included studies, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To perform a systematic evaluation of the efficacy and safety of combined treatment of Shenmai injection and chemotherapy for lung cancer. Methods. A literature search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) describing the treatment of lung cancer by Shenmai injection and chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone was performed using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Value In Paper (VIP), China BioMed, and Wanfang databases. The databases were searched for entries published before September 1, 2019. Results. Thirty-seven RCTs, comprising a total of 2808 cases, were included in the present meta-analysis. Of these, 1428 cases were treated by Shenmai injection plus chemotherapy, and 1380 cases were treated only by chemotherapy. The results of meta-analysis showed that the combined treatment (Shenmai injection plus chemotherapy) increased the short-term efficacy of treatment (relative risk [RR] = 1.183, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.043–1.343, P < 0.01) and improved patients' quality of life (RR = 1.514, 95%CI = 1.211–1.891, P < 0.01) compared with chemotherapy alone. With regard to the adverse effects, the combined treatment markedly reduced the incidence of white blood cell (WBC) reduction (RR = 0.846, 95%CI = 0.760–0.941, P < 0.01), platelet reduction (RR = 0.462, 95% CI = 0.330–0.649, P < 0.01), and hemoglobin reduction (RR = 0.462, 95% CI = 0.330–0.649, P < 0.01) and alleviated drug-induced liver injury (RR = 0.677, 95%CI = 0.463–0.990, P < 0.05). However, it did not offer a significant protective effect (RR = 0.725, 95%CI = 0.358–1.468, P < 0.05). The effect of the combined treatment on the occurrence of vomiting was considerable (RR = 0.889, 95%CI = 0.794–0.996, P < 0.05), and the combined treatment markedly increased the immunity of patients with lung cancer. Conclusion. The combined treatment of Shenmai injection plus chemotherapy enhanced the short-term efficacy of chemotherapy, improved the patient quality of life, alleviated the adverse effects of chemotherapeutics, and increased the patient immunity. These results should be confirmed by large-scale, high-quality RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In recent years, there have been many clinical reports on acupuncture treatment of cough-variant asthma, but no researcher has objectively analysed and evaluated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment of cough-variant asthma from the perspective of evidence-based medicine. Objective. To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating cough-variant asthma and to provide reference values for clinical decision-making. Methods. The comprehensive computer retrieval Chinese journal full-text database (CNKI), Chinese science and technology periodical database (VIP), ten thousand data knowledge service platform (WanFang Data), PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were used to collect literature for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT) of acupuncture treatment of cough-variant asthma, as well as to retrieve papers and add reference retrieval after literature review, in accordance with the standard of literature filtering, data extraction, and quality evaluation. The data were meta-analysed using ReviewManager5.3 software recommended by Cochrane. Results. A total of 11 randomized controlled clinical studies were screened and included, comprising 929 patients. The results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, acupuncture intervention on CVA could enhance the total clinical effectiveness rate, reduce the relapse rate of drug withdrawal, relieve symptoms of cough, phlegm, and diaphragmatic congestion, and improve lung function-related indicators and immune inflammation indicators. There were statistically significant differences in all efficacy evaluation criteria. Conclusion. The clinical curative effect of acupuncture treatment for cough-variant asthma is precise and has certain advantages in relieving symptoms and reducing the recurrence rate. However, the low quality of the evaluation in the RCT research literature is a problem, and more high-quality clinical randomized controlled trials are needed to further verify the comprehensive clinical efficacy and safety of this treatment. Registration number: PROSPERO (no. CRD42020155244) (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of Tai Chi on blood pressure (BP) using the meta-analysis. Methods. This paper used 6 e-resource databases, and randomized controlled trials on the role of Tai Chi on blood pressure were retrieved. Besides, the meta-analysis was conducted according to the guidelines of the Moose-recommendations and applied with Review Manager 5.3, and the risk of bias assessment was performed with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The inclusion, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were independently finished by two researchers. Results. There are 24 trials meeting the criteria of inclusion and the results were reviewed. The meta-analysis indicates that, compared with no exercise, Tai Chi had the influence of lowering systolic blood pressure (mean difference = −6.07, 95%CI (−8.75, −3.39), P < 0.00001) and diastolic blood pressure (mean difference MD = −3.83, 95%CI (−4.97, −2.69), P < 0.00001). No significant discrepancies in all outcomes between Tai Chi and other aerobic exercises were discovered. Conclusion. Tai Chi can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic pressure than inactivity. However, Tai Chi does not show advantages in reducing blood pressure compared to other aerobic exercises. The trial is registered with CRD42020175306. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To explore the methods for improving the reporting quality of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture through evaluating the reporting quality in RCTs of acupuncture for acute herpes zoster by the CONSORT statement and STRICTA guidelines. Methods. English and Chinese databases were searched from database creation until October 2018 and updated to July 2019. The basic characteristics and methodological quality of the literatures included were evaluated based on the CONSORT statement and the STRICTA guidelines. Descriptive statistical analysis was used in this study. The agreement between the two researchers of all items was calculated by Cohen's kappa statistics. Results. A total of 40 RCTs were included. Based on the CONSORT statement, items "Background," "Randomised" in the title or abstract," "Statistical methods," and "Outcomes and estimation" were good reporting, with positive rates >80%. However, the quality of reporting in items "Sample size," "Allocation concealment," "Implementation," "Blinding," "Flow chart," "Intent-to-treat analysis," "Ancillary analyses," and "Clinical Trials Register" was very poor, with positive rates <10%. Based on the STRICTA guidelines, good reporting existed in items "Acupuncture rational," "Points used," "Needle stimulation," "Needle retention time," "Course of treatment," "Control intervention," and "Treatment frequency," with positive ratings >80%. The reporting quality of items "Numbers of needles inserted," "Depth of insertion," "Responses elicited," and "Practitioner background" was lower, with positive rates <50%. The agreement of most items was judged as moderate, substantial, or good.Conclusion. The reporting quality of RCTs in acupuncture for acute HZ is generally inadequate. It is necessary that researchers and journal editors learn and raise the adoption of the CONSORT statement and STRICTA guidelines to enhance the reporting quality of the RCTs in acupuncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of tanshinone for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the treatment of CKD using tanshinone were searched using 4 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Value In Paper (VIP), Wanfang, and Chinese Biology Medicine (CBM)) and 3 English databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Excerpta Medica Database (Embase)). The results included data on blood urine nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 24 h urine protein, microalbuminuria (mALB), β2-macroglobulin (β2-MG), cystatin C (CysC), and safety events. The data were analyzed using Revman 5.3 and Stata 12.0 software. Results. Twenty-one studies were entered into this meta-analysis, which involved 1857 patients including 954 cases from the tanshinone treatment group and 903 cases from the control group. BUN levels in the tanshinone treatment group were significantly reduced compared with the control (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.81 to −0.49, p < 0.01). In addition, subgroup analysis indicated that tanshinone had a significant effect in reducing Scr levels at 14, 21, and 28 days. Scr levels in the tanshinone treatment group were significantly reduced compared with the control group (SMD = −1.40, 95% CI: −2.09 to −0.71, p < 0.01); subgroup analysis based on treatment time also yielded the same results. GFR in the tanshinone treatment group was better than that in the control group (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.07, p < 0.01). In terms of urine protein levels, 24 h urine protein level, mALB, and β2-MG of CKD patients were reduced to some degree compared with controls, and CysC levels in the tanshinone treatment group were also significantly reduced compared with the control group (SMD = −0.24, 95% CI: −0.44 to −0.03, p < 0.05). Safety in the tanshinone treatment group did not differ significantly from that of the control group (risk ratio (RR) = 7.78, 95% CI: 0.99 to 61.05, p > 0.05). Conclusion. This meta-analysis showed that tanshinone could control urine protein level in CKD patients, improve kidney function, and delay the evolution of CKD without significant side effects. However, the results were limited and should be interpreted with caution because of the low quality of the included studies. In the future, more rigorous clinical trials need to be conducted to provide sufficient and accurate evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases to human life and there is no radical cure for it. In this paper, we compiled quantities of case history to evaluate the current available evidence of herbal Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, RSM) formulae for the treatment of cancer by means of the high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods. English and Chinese electronic databases were searched from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP database, Wanfang database until September 2018. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated by using the method of Cocharne evidence-based medicine system evaluation, the quality was evaluated by screening the literature that met the requirements, and the Review Manager 5.3 was used for statistical analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% CIs was used to estimate the correlation between Danshen formulae and therapeutic effects. Results. Thirteen RCTs with 1045 participants were identified. The studies investigated the lung cancer (n = 5), leukemia (n = 3), liver cancer (n = 3), breast or colon cancer (n = 1), and gastric cancer (n = 1). A total of 83 traditional Chinese medicines were used in all prescriptions and there were 3 different dosage forms. Meta-analysis suggested that Danshen formulae had a significant effect on RR (response rate) (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.66-3.42), 1-year survival (OR 1.70 95% CI 1.22-2.36), 3-year survival (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.62-4.78), and 5-year survival (OR 8.45, 95% CI 2.53-28.27). Conclusion. The current research results showed that Danshen formulae combined with chemotherapy for cancer treatment was better than conventional drug treatment plan alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate the beneficial and adverse effects of breviscapine injection in combination with antihypertensive drugs for treating hypertensive nephropathy in clinical practice. Methods. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Sino Med, VIP, and Wanfang Data for relevant literature. The timeframe of retrieval was set from the founding date of each database to September 28, 2018. Results. Fourteen papers were included in this study. The quality of all the studies included was determined to be low. All studies were conducted with Chinese populations. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with single-use antihypertensive drugs, using breviscapine injection in combination with antihypertensive drugs to treat hypertensive nephropathy can reduce serum creatinine (Scr) [WMD = –35.16, 95% CI(–50.01, –20.31), P ≤ 0.001], blood urea nitrogen (BUN) [WMD = –2.00, 95% CI(–3.07, –0.94), P ≤ 0.001], 24-hour urinary total protein (24 h UTP) [WMD = –0.04, 95% CI(–0.05, –0.02), P ≤ 0.001], and the beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) [WMD = –0.09, 95% CI(–0.11, –0.07), P ≤ 0.001], improve creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) [WMD = 7.84, 95% CI(5.20, 10.49), P ≤ 0.001], and increase the clinical efficacy [RR = 1.27, 95% CI(1.05, 1.53), P = 0.014], but does not lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) [WMD = –1.02, 95% CI(–2.88, 0.84), P = 0.281]. There was no significant difference in adverse events between experimental groups and control groups. Conclusion. Breviscapine injection in combination with antihypertensive drugs can improve clinical efficacy and Ccr and reduce Scr, BUN, 24 h UTP, and B2M in patients with hypertensive nephropathy. The present meta-analysis indicated that breviscapine injection can serve as a renal protective effect to patients with hypertensive nephropathy. However, the evidence of methodological quality and sample sizes is weak, and thus, further standardized research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The traditional Chinese medicine Kangai injection as an adjuvant method in combination with chemotherapy has been widely used for treating breast cancer in clinical practice in China. This study systematically reviewed the clinical effect and safety of traditional Chinese medicine Kangai injection as an adjuvant method in combination with chemotherapy for treating Chinese patients with breast cancer. Methods. Seven databases were searched in this study, namely, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Sino Med, VIP, and Wanfang Data. The timeframe of retrieval was set from the founding date of each database to November 1, 2017. Results. Fifteen papers were included in this study. The quality of all the studies included was low. All the studies were carried out among the Chinese population. Meta-analyses showed that, compared with single-use chemotherapy, using a Kangai injection combined with chemotherapy to treat Chinese breast cancer patient can increase the total effective rate [RR = 1.15, 95% CI (1.01, 1.32), and P=0.033], improve the quality of life [RR = 1.30, 95% CI (1.14, 1.48), and P≤0.001], decrease the incidence of weight loss [RR = 0.49, 95% CI (0.32, 0.77), and P=0.002], decrease WBC count [RR = 0.78, 95% CI (0.68, 0.89), and P≤0.001], decrease incidence of renal and liver dysfunction [RR = 0.58, 95% CI (0.46, 0.73), and P≤0.001], and decrease cardiac dysfunction [RR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.18, 0.94), and P=0.035]. For the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions [RR = 0.89, 95% CI (0.65, 1.21), and P=0.452], decreased platelet count [RR=0.49, 95% CI (0.18, 1.30), and P=0.150], and alopecia [RR = 1.01, 95% CI (0.89, 1.14), and P=0.879], these two groups showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion. Kangai injection as an adjuvant method in combination with chemotherapy for treating Chinese breast cancer patients can improve their life quality and physical conditions and reduce the adverse reactions that result from chemotherapy. However, the present conclusion is only suitable for the Chinese population. The long-term, high-quality researches are required to further verify the above conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used, in conjunction with conventional Western medicine, in clinical practice around the world to treat breast cancer. The study systematically reviewed and summarized the quality of life of breast cancer patients treated with integrated treatment method vs. conventional Western medicine. Methods. Eight databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine Disc, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wanfang Data knowledge service platform were searched in this study. The retrieval period was set from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020. Results. Twenty-two high-quality publications were included in this study. The total sample size was 1689 patients including 844 in the intervention group receiving traditional Chinese medicine combined with conventional Western medicine and 845 patients in the control group receiving conventional Western medicine only. Compared with the single-used conventional Western medicine treatment, an integrated approach to treat breast cancer can increase quality of life measured by rating scales (SMD = 1.29, 95% CI (1.07, 1.52) and P = 0.01) and ranking scales (RR = 1.53, 95% CI (1.39 1.68) and P = 0.02) and also decrease adverse reactions measured by rating scales (Z = 10.89, P < 0.05 ; Group 1: I2 = 9.0%, P = 0.258 , SMD = 1.03; and Group 2: I2 = 31.6%, P = 0.199 , SMD = 1.56). For further analysis, chemotherapy with epirubicin exhibited higher quality of life than the chemotherapy without epirubicin among breast cancer patients [Z = 19.80, P < 0.05 ; Group 1: I2 = 62.4%, P = 0.070 , SMD = 1.61; and Group 2: I2 = 9.0%, P = 0.359 , SMD = 1.04]. Despite the heterogeneity, which was due to a portion of relative low-quality literature or other factors, the results were satisfactory. In terms of secondary results, the patients with lower tumor markers (CEA and CA153) had better efficiency in quality of life with a statistically significant difference (SMD = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10,1.67) for rating scales. In addition, secondary results related to high incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions (RR = 1.33, 95% CI (1.20, 1.48)) and the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome (RR = 1.50, 95% CI (1.28, 1.80))showed lower quality of life in the intervention group than the control group for ranking scales. Conclusion. Traditional Chinese medicine, when used in conjunction with the conventional Western medicine, could be an effective way in improving the quality of life and alleviating incidence of associated adverse symptoms such as gastrointestinal adverse reactions, value of tumor markers, and the incidence of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome. Further investigation of larger and methodologically sound trials with longer follow-up periods and appropriate comparison groups is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Existing evidence produces conflicting findings regarding the effect of sesame intake on inflammatory biomarkers; this knowledge gap has yet to be met through systematic review and meta-analysis. This meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effects of sesame consumption on markers of inflammation in humans. Methods. PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched through August 2020 to identify relevant papers for inclusion. Using the random-effects model, data were evaluated as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cochrane's Q and I-squared (I2) tests were used to identify within-studies heterogeneity. Results. Seven RCTs with 310 participants (157 intervention and 153 control) were included in the meta-analysis. Sesame consumption reduced serum level interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD − 0.90; 95% CI (−1.71, −0.09), I2 = 80.4%) compared to the control group. However, sesame intake had no significant effects on C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) compared to the control group. Subgroup analysis identified a reduction in serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 concentration among studies with participants who had a higher level of these biomarkers at baseline, those which used sesamin capsules, and those with a bigger sample size, those conducted in Asia, and studies on females. Conclusion. Sesame consumption reduced serum levels of IL-6 but did not affect CRP and TNF-α in humans. Additional trials should be conducted utilizing a larger and longer treatment duration, along with studies using different sesame formulations (capsule, oil, and seed) and conducting on participants with varied health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The Carica papaya L. leaf is gaining interest as a potential therapeutic agent for alleviating dengue- and non-dengue-associated thrombocytopaenia. In that regard, safety considerations are as important as efficacy potential. The safety evaluation of botanical products for human use is complicated by variable formulations, complex phytochemical composition, and extrinsic toxicants. This review aimed to systematically collate related safety clinical and preclinical data, as well as reports on herb-drug interactions of C. papaya leaf consumption. Methods. A systematic search using predetermined keywords on electronic databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library Central, LILACS, and Web of Science) and grey literature was conducted. Relevant clinical and preclinical studies were identified, screened, and analysed to present an overall safety profile of C. papaya leaf consumption. Results. A total of 41 articles were included (23 clinical, 5 ongoing trials, and 13 preclinical) for descriptive analysis on study characteristics, adverse reactions, toxicity findings, and herb-drug interactions, from which 13 randomised controlled and quasiexperimental trials were further assessed for risk of bias and reporting quality. Overall, C. papaya leaf consumption (in the form of juice and standardised aqueous extract) was well tolerated by adult humans for short durations (

Cinobufotalin injection is a water-soluble preparation extracted from the skin secretion of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor or B. melanotictus Schneider, which has been widely used as an adjuvant treatment in lung cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cinobufotalin (PubChem CID: 259776) injection as an adjunctive treatment for lung cancer. We designed a meta-analysis that performed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We aim to include randomized controlled trials by systematically searching the PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP, CBM, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry from inception to Mar 1, 2020, comparing the difference between the use of cinobufotalin injection as an adjunctive treatment and a control group without cinobufotalin injection. The objective response rate (ORR) and quality of life (QOL) will be defined as the primary outcomes, and the disease control rate (DCR) and adverse events will be defined as the secondary outcomes. We included 21 articles with 1735 cases of lung cancer patients. Comparison results show that combining with cinobufotalin injection can improve ORR (OR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.43, 2.21], P < 0.001), with low heterogeneity (P = 0.94, I2 = 0%); DCR (OR = 2.20, 95% CI [1.70, 2.85], P < 0.001), with low heterogeneity (P = 0.60, I2 = 0%); KPS score (OR = 3.10, 95% CI [2.23, 4.32], P < 0.001), with low heterogeneity (P = 0.85, I2 = 0%); and the effect of pain relief (OR = 2.68, 95% CI [1.30, 5.55], P = 0.008), with low heterogeneity (P = 0.72, I2 = 0%). Low-to-moderate evidence shows that cinobufotalin injection combined with chemotherapy can significantly increase ORR, DCR, QOL, and the effect of pain relief. Meanwhile, cinobufotalin injection did not bring additional adverse events such as hematological toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity; however, multicenter, large-sample, high-quality clinical research results are still needed to reveal the therapeutic effect of cinobufotalin injection in small-cell lung cancer (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020170052). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The treatment effects and safety of Ma-Huang-Fu-Zi-Xi-Xin decoction for patients with allergic rhinitis have yet to be clarified. Objectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects and safety of Ma-Huang-Fu-Zi-Xi-Xin decoction in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods. We searched PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medical Database), Cochrane Library, Chinese Cochrane Centre’s Controlled Trials Register Platform, Wanfang Chinese Digital Periodical and Conference Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) Database, and VIP Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database to collect randomized controlled trials of Ma-Huang-Fu-Zi-Xi-Xin decoction (MHFZXXD) for allergic rhinitis (AR) prior to May 8, 2017. RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct a meta-analysis. GRADE methodology was applied to evaluate the evidence quality for each outcome. Results. Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 576 participants (10–78 years old) were included. A meta-analysis revealed that the overall effect of MHFZXXD for AR was not better than western medical treatment (RR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.26–0.65; P=0.0001) for all included studies. However, the evidence quality of these western medical intervention studies was low or very low due to a high risk of bias, small sample sizes, and poor-quality design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Evidence regarding the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on treating elderly stroke patients is scare and inconsistent. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of PNS by means of meta-analysis so as to provide an evidence-based reference for the treatment of elderly patients with stroke. Methods. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Database to identify the eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning using PNS to treat elderly people with stroke from their inception to first, May 2022. Meta-analysis was used for pool analysis of the included studies, whose quality was assessed via Cochrane Collaboration's RCT risk of bias tool. Results. Altogether 206 studies published between 1999 and 2022 with a low risk of bias were included, covering 21,759 participants. The results showed that the improved neurological status shown in the intervention group with PNS alone was statistically significant (SMD = −0.826, 95% CI: −0.946 to −0.707) in contrast to the control group. The total clinical efficacy (Relative risk (RR) = 1.197, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.165 to 1.229) and daily living activities (SMD = 1.675, 95% C: 1.218 to 2.133) of elderly stroke patients were significantly improved as well. In addition, the invention group using PNS combined with WM/TAU displayed significant improvement in neurological status (SMD = −1.142, 95% CI: −1.295 to −0.990) and the total clinical efficacy (RR = 1.191, 95% CI: 1.165 to 1.217) compared with the control group. Conclusion. Single PNS intervention or PNS combined with WM/TAU significantly improves the neurological status, the overall clinical efficacy and daily living activities of elderly stroke patients. However, more multicenter RCT research with high quality is required in the future to verify the results in this study. The trial registration number: Inplasy protocol 202330042. doi:10.37766/inplasy2023.3.0042. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the correlation between the constitution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout. Method. Databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBMdisc), PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Excerpta Medical Database (Embase) were searched to collect observational studies about TCM constitution in HUA and gout from inception to November 21, 2021. The distribution of TCM constitution types in HUA and gout patients was presented by proportion, while the correlation was presented by odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. Meta-analysis was performed using StataCorp Stata (STATA) version 16.0 software. Results. Twenty-one cross-sectional studies and 10 case-control studies involving 38028 samples were included, among which 27526 patients were diagnosed with HUA and 2048 patients with gout. Phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC), damp-heat constitution (DHC), and qi-deficiency constitution (QDC) are the most common types, accounting for 24% (20%–27%), 22% (16%–27%), and 15% (12%–18%), respectively, in HUA patients, while DHC, PDC, and blood stasis constitution (BSC) accounted for 28% (18%–39%), 23% (17%–29%), and 11% (8%–15%), respectively, in gout patients. PDC and DHC were the main constitution types in patients with HUA or gout in south China, east China, north China, southwest China, northwest China, and northeast China. There was no difference in the distribution of PDC and QDC in male or female patients with HUA, while males with DHC in HUA were more common than females. The proportion of PDC or DHC among HUA patients was 1.93 times and 2.14 times higher than that in the general population (OR and 95% CI: 1.93 (1.27, 2.93), 2.14 (1.47, 3.13)), while the proportions of PDC, DHC, and BSC were 3.59 times, 4.85 times, and 4.35 times higher than that of the general groups (OR and 95% CI: 3.59 (1.65, 7.80), 4.85 (1.62, 14.57), and 4.35(2.33, 8.11)). Conclusion. PDC, DHC, and QDC are the main constitution types of patients with HUA, while PDC and QDC may be the risk factors for HUA. DHC, PDC, and BSC are the main constitution types of patients with gout, and they may be the risk factors for gout. In clinical and scientific research, more attention should be paid to the relationship between the above-mentioned TCM constitution in HUA or gout. Nevertheless, because the quality of the included observational studies is low, more prospective cohort studies related to TCM constitution and HUA or gout can be carried out to verify the causality between TCM constitution and HUA or gout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. For evaluation of the correlation between tea drinking and the risk of carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Methods. By searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, the original studies on tea drinking and carcinoma of the urinary bladder risk were collected, the data were extracted, and meta-analysis package 5.2-0 of R language was used for meta-analysis. Results. This study contained 11 researches, composed of 7686 patients and 10320 controls. Tea drinking was not linked to carcinoma of the urinary bladder risk (OR:1.02, 95%CI: 0.95–1.11). Conclusion. Tea drinking may not be linked to carcinoma of the urinary bladder, but more definitive results are needed from higher-quality trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Dan’e-fukang soft extract in endometriosis treatment. Method. PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP, SinoMed, and Cochrane Library were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of Dan’e-fukang soft extract and conventional western medicines for endometriosis treatment were included. The data were extracted independently by two people and analyzed using RevMan 5.2.0 software. The relative risk (RR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals were considered as effective outcome indicators. Results. Thirty-nine papers including 5442 patients with endometriosis were included in this study. A meta-analysis revealed that Dan’e-fukang soft extract was more efficient than gestrinone in the treatment of endometriosis (RR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.15, I2 = 71%, REM, 18 trials) and its efficacy was comparable to that of danazol and mifepristone. Dan’e-fukang soft extract was also as effective as gestrinone and mifepristone in terms of relapse rate and relieving dysmenorrhea. The incidence of adverse reactions was lower than that of conventional western medicines. Conclusions. The results of this study showed that Dan’e-fukang soft extract offers certain advantages in endometriosis treatment, but rigorously designed, strictly implemented RCTs are needed to further validate its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is currently the second largest contributor to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in developing countries, and it is the third largest contributor to DALYs in developed countries. It requires a large number of resources from the health care system every year, which places a great burden on society, families, and individuals. The treatment of traditional Chinese medicine exercise therapy (TCMET) during stroke recovery has become a hot topic of current research due to its few adverse events and high efficiency. This article sorts out the latest progress of TCMET on the recovery of stroke through the review method and explores its role and mechanism based on existing clinical and experimental studies. TCMET treatment of stroke recovery mainly includes Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Daoyin, Yi Jin Jing, five-fowl play, and six-character tips, which can effectively improve motor function, balance and coordination ability, cognitive dysfunction, nerve function, depression or emotional state, daily living ability, and so on after stroke. The mechanisms of stroke treated by TCMET are discussed, and deficiencies in the literature are discussed and analyzed. It is hoped that some guiding suggestions will be provided for future clinical treatment and experimental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Bradyarrhythmia treatment is often not timely enough, posing a potential threat to health. It is necessary to find a strategy with stable curative effects and high safety. Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin (MFX) decoction and Shenmai injection (SMI) are compound Chinese Patent Medicines. Recent evidence has shown that the combined use of these two drugs can effectively treat bradyarrhythmia. Purpose. To evaluate the effect of MFX decoction combined with SMI on bradyarrhythmia. Methods. PRISMA was followed as the guideline for this systematic review. RevMan 5.4 software was applied for meta-analysis. Results. Eight studies were included in the analysis, with a total of 340 patients in the intervention and control groups. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the effective rate of MFX combined with SMI treatment was higher than that of SMI alone (OR = 3.27, 95% CI (2.18, 4.89), P < 0.01); after treatment, MFX combined with SMI treatment and SMI alone had no significant difference in heart rate. In the subgroup of patients with an age less than 60, the effect of MFX combined with SMI treatment on the 24-hour mean heart rate was better than that of SMI alone (MD = 3.68, 95% CI (3.14, 4.22), P < 0.01), as did the 24-hour minimal heart rate (MD = 3.48, 95% CI (3.03, 3.93), P < 0.01). In addition, the effect of MFX combined with SMI treatment on the Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome score (TCMSS) was significantly better than that of SMI alone (MD = −2.69, 95% CI (−3.10, −2.28), P < 0.01). In terms of safety, two adverse events were reported in the SMI combined with MFX group compared to 12 in the SMI alone group. Conclusions. MFX combined with SMI treatment is effective in treating bradyarrhythmia. However, the results were heterogeneous. The safety of MFX combined with SMI treatment should be verified and treated with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Qiliqiangxin (QLQX) capsules are a commonly used proprietary Chinese medicine for the adjuvant treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) in China. In recent years, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported on the efficacy and safety of QLQX combined with sacubitril/valsartan for CHF. Objective. The purpose of this study was to systematically analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of QLQX combined with sacubitril/valsartan in the management of CHF and to provide clinicians as well as scientists with optimal evidence-based medical evidence. Methods. We searched RCTs to evaluate the efficacy and safety of QLQX combined with sacubitril/valsartan in the treatment of CHF in the Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from their inception until January 8, 2022. RCTs on QLQX in combination with sacubitril/valsartan for CHF were included. The outcome measures considered were total effective rate, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD), and adverse events. The quality of the included RCTs was assessed thereafter using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Results. The meta-analysis included 17 trials involving 1427 CHF patients. The results indicated that with sacubitril/valsartan administration combined with QLQX treatment, the total effective rate (relative risk (RR) = 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.17, 1.31); p < 0.01), LVEF (mean difference (MD) = 6.20; 95% CI (5.36, 7.05; p < 0.01)), and 6-MWD (MD = 55.87; 95% CI (40.66, 71.09); p < 0.01) of CHF patients were significantly increased, and the LVEDD value of CHF patients was noted to be significantly reduced (MD = −3.98; 95% CI (−4.47, −3.48); p < 0.01). Moreover, there was no increase in the number of adverse events during treatment (RR = 0.67; 95% CI (0.33, 1.34); p < 0.01). Conclusions. This study indicated that in CHF patients, on the basis of sacubitril/valsartan treatment, combination with QLQX can potentially enhance the total effective rate, improve LVEF and 6-MWD, and reduce LVEDD values, with good safety. However, considering the poor quality of the included studies, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled study is needed for further confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To perform a meta-analysis and network analysis identification to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and potential mechanisms of modified Baitouweng decoction (mBTWD) in the treatment of radiation enteritis. Methods. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Databases, SionMed, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mBTWD treating radiation enteritis. Rev.Man 5.3 and Stata 14.0 software are employed for meta-analysis. The GRADE online tool is used to evaluate the quality of evidence. Network analysis and molecular docking approach are applied to predict the potential targets and ingredients of representative drugs in mBTWD for the treatment of radiation enteritis. Results. Seventeen studies are eventually included, covering a total of 1611 patients: (1) The clinical efficacy is significantly higher in mBTWD groups than in control groups (RR = 1.24, 95% CI (1.17, 1.32), P < 0.00001). (2) mBTWD has certain advantages in improving TCM syndromes (MD = −3.41, P < 0.00001). (3) mBTWD has a certain positive effect on the improvement of intestinal signs and symptoms (RR = 1.23, P = 0.0001 ; OR = 3.51, P < 0.00001). (4) Indexes including CRP, KPS, and OB, are better in mBTWD groups than in control groups (P < 0.00001 , P = 0.002 , P = 0.03), but the credibility is downgraded for a small sample size. Adverse events and recurrence rates require further confirmation with larger sample sizes. (5) Univariate meta-regression for clinical efficacy shows none of the coefficients are significantly associated with the estimated risk ratio. The clinical efficacy overestimates about 4.9% from publication bias. The quality of the included studies is low according to GRADE evidence. (6) Quercetin, isorhamnetin, and beta-sitosterol are the main ingredients from representative drugs in mBTWD and its key targets are MYC, TP53, and MAPK14/MAPK1. Conclusions. mBTWD may be effective in the treatment of radiation enteritis, but its long-term benefits, safety, and molecular mechanisms remain unclear due to the poor quality of the evidence. Larger sample sizes, high-quality studies, and basic research are essential in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Shuangdan Mingmu capsule in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods. Common Chinese and English databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, VIP, Wanfang, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were searched from their inception to May 31, 2022. According to the Cochrane Handbook, two reviewers independently evaluated and collected data on the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan software 5.4. Results. Seven trials with a total of 835 patients were included. The clinical effectiveness rate was defined as the primary outcome, and the TCM symptom score, Chinese-Version Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (CLVQOL) scores, macular thickness, hemorrhagic spot area, vascular endothelial growth factor levels, platelet-derived growth factor levels, and the incidence of adverse effects were the secondary outcome. The results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with conventional medical treatment alone, the Shuangdan Mingmu capsule combined with conventional treatment could significantly improve the clinical effectiveness rate of treating DR (OR = 4.07, 95% CI (2.10, 7.89), p < 0.0001), and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions in DR patients (OR = 0.47, 95% CI (0.26, 0.86), p = 0.01). In addition, other results showed that TCM symptom score(OR = −3.47, 95% CI (−3.84, −3.10), p < 0.00001); CLVQOL scores (OR = 23.93, 95% CI (21.37, 26.49), p < 0.00001); macular thickness (OR = −47.34, 95% CI (−50.67, 44.00), p < 0.00001); hemorrhagic spot area (OR = −0.91, 95% CI (−1.01, −0.81), p < 0.00001); vascular endothelial growth factor levels (OR = −45.76, 95% CI (−49.74, 41.79), p < 0.00001); platelet-derived growth factor levels (OR = −1.73, 95% CI (−2.15, −1.31), p < 0.00001). Conclusion. Compared with conventional treatment alone, the Shuangdan Mingmu capsule combined with conventional treatment is more effective and safer in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. However, due to the limitations of the included studies, more high-quality studies are still needed to further assess the efficacy and safety of the Shuangdan Mingmu capsule in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Microvascular angina (MVA) has received increasing attention and interest in recent years, but there are still some shortcomings in the diagnosis and treatments at current stage. In recent years, several studies have confirmed the efficacy of proprietary Chinese medicines (PCMs) in improving MVA symptoms; however, there is no systematic review and meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the efficacy of PCMs in this area. Objective. Investigating the clinical efficacy of proprietary Chinese medicines for treating MVA and coronary microvascular function. Methods. We looked up articles from January 1, 2012, to the present from eight databases. Then, we screened the literature and followed the 2019 version 2 of Cochrane risk of bias tool for systematic review. The Stata/SE 15.0 software was used for the meta-analysis. Results. There are 21 studies, including 1,641 patients who were included in this review. According to the results, the combination of PCMs and conventional MVA treatment was able to further enhance clinical efficacy [RR = 1.28, 95% CI (1.20, 1.36), p < 0.001], prolong the time of duration on the treadmill exercise testing (TET) [SMD = 1.49, 95% CI (0.63, 2.36), p = 0.001] and improve levels of NO [SMD = −1.77 95% CI (−2.11, −1.43), p < 0.001]. At the same time, PCMs could also decrease the microvascular resistance index (IMR) [SMD = −1.79, 95% CI (−2.58, −1.00), p < 0.001)], serum level of hs-CRP [SMD = −1.21, 95% CI (−1.84, −0.58), p < 0.001] and ET-1 [SMD = −1.77 95% CI (−2.11, −1.43), p < 0.001]. Regards to medication safety, a total of 27 adverse events occurred, including 10 cases in the intervention group and 17 cases in the control group. Conclusion. The study suggests that the combination of PCMs and conventional MVA treatment enhances clinical efficacy and could better improve coronary microvascular function. In the future, we expect more high-quality, randomized, double-blind clinical studies to validate the safety, and efficacy of PCMs to provide valuable evidence-based medicine (EBM) for the treatment of MVA with PCMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. This study aimed to examine the potential effectiveness of personalized nursing interventions on improving the heart-related quality of life of patients with CVDs versus an usual care. Design. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Sources. The study researched the article between January 2011 and December 2021 from four electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and Web of Science. Review Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to personalized nursing in CVDs population were included. The main variables were analyzed by standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals and heterogeneity was used by the I2 test and P value. Results. Of 734 studies, fourteen articles were eligible for this study. Personalized nursing significantly improved the quality of life [SMD = 0.39, 95% CI (0.29, 0.49)] with obvious heterogeneity (P = 0.000 , I2 = 66.1%) which needs to be further subgroup analyzed. The nurse-led intervention was considered the main-related effect to influence the heterogeneity with value of 0.39 (I2 = 66.1%, P = 0.000 ; Group 1: I2 = 48.4%, P = 0.071 , and Group 2: I2 = 0.0%,. In addition, related results of athletic ability and mental health and follow-up and education in the intervention had higher level of quality of life compared to the control group [SMD = 0.27, 95% CI (0.10, 0.44); SMD = 0.21, 95% CI (0.04, 0.37); SMD = 0.39, 95% CI (0.29, 0.49) and SMD = 0.28, 95% CI (0.11, 0.44)]. Conclusion. Effectiveness studies of personalized care focus on more relevant outcomes have higher health outcomes, whereas evidence of the effectiveness of personalized nursing approach is still limited. Therefore, more and more high-quality RCT are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history in the treatment of Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). A large number of animal experiments focused on the TCM treatment of IgAN are conducted every year. The evidence for these preclinical studies is not clear. This study summarized and evaluated the results of animal experiments on TCM treatment for IgAN. Methods. We systematically searched animal studies from 6 databases from inception to August 30, 2022. We included Chinese studies from the key magazine of China technology. The quality of the included studies was evaluated with the SYRCLE animal experimental bias risk assessment tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results. Out of 832 records identified in the initial search, 30 studies were selected. The results indicated that, compared with the control group, the TCM treatment group improved 24 h urine protein (24 h-UP) level (standardized mean difference (SMD) 3.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.48 to 2.66, P < 0.001), urine red blood cell (U-RBC) (SMD 13.66, 95% CI 17.99 to 9.32, P < 0.001), serum creatinine (Scr) (mean difference (MD) 10.89, 95% CI 17.00 to 4.77, P < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (MD 2.44, 95% CI 3.42 to 1.47, P < 0.001), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (MD 171.28 to 95% CI 323.68 to 18.88, P = 0.03), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β) (SMD 4.02, 95% CI 7.26 to 0.77, P = 0.02), matrix metalloproteinase-9/tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1(MMP-9/TIMP-1) (MD 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.06, P = 0.02), nephrin mRNA (SMD 3.39, 95% CI 2.59 to 4.18, P < 0.001). However, there is no difference in albumin level (MD 1.10, 95% CI 0.06 to 2.26, P = 0.06) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (MD 170.77, 95% CI 365.3 to 23.75, P = 0.09). Conclusions. TCM can improve 24 h-UP, U-RBC, Scr, BUN, MMP-9/TIMP-1, TNF-α, TGF-β, and nephrin mRNA of IgAN animal models. Moreover, there is a need for rigorous reporting of preclinical research methodology, which is essential to support the quality of preclinical research. Registration. This review was registered with a systematic review record CRD42020171404 in the PROSPERO database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) external treatment has been widely used in China as adjunctive treatment, and some small sample clinical studies have proved its effectiveness. However, due to the limited number of studies, we used network meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of 5 commonly used external treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, WanFang Knowledge Service Platform, and VIP databases and collected and screened randomised controlled trials on the external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine combined with mecobalamin in the treatment of DPN according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search period was from 2011 to May 2021. The quality of included studies was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. The outcome indicators are Toronto score, median nerve sensory conduction velocity, and median nerve motor conduction velocity. Results. A total of 22 publications were included in the study. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that acupuncture combined with mecobalamin was superior to other TCM external treatments combined with mecobalamin in terms of decreasing the Toronto score (MD = −2.8, 95% CI: −5.2∼−0.49), improving median nerve sensory conduction velocity (MD = 3.6, 95% CI: 2.4∼4.9), and median nerve motor conduction velocity (MD = 4.5, 95% CI: 2.6∼6.5). The SUCRA value and probability ranking chart showed that among the three outcome indicators, acupuncture combined with mecobalamin was the best, followed by acupoint injection combined with mecobalamin. Conclusion. In this network meta-analysis, acupuncture combined with mecobalamin shows the best results in the treatment of DPN, followed by acupoint injection combined with mecobalamin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To perform a systematic review on the application of leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) in tendon models by reviewing in vivo/in vitro studies. Methods. The searches were performed via electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to September 2022 using the following keywords: ((tenocytes OR tendon OR tendinitis OR tendinosis OR tendinopathy OR tendon injury) AND (platelet-rich plasma OR PRP OR autologous conditioned plasma OR leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma OR L-PRP OR leukocyte-richplatelet-rich plasma Lr-PRP)). Only in vitro and in vivo studies that assessed the potential effects of L-PRP on tendons and/or tenocytes are included in this study. Description of PRP, study design and methods, outcomes measured, and results are extracted from the data. Results. A total of 17 studies (8 in vitro studies and 9 in vivo studies) are included. Thirteen studies (76%) reported leukocyte concentrations of L-PRP. Four studies (24%) reported the commercial kits. In in vitro studies, L-PRP demonstrated increased cell proliferation, cell migration, collagen synthesis, accelerated inflammation, and catabolic response in the short term. In addition, most in vivo studies indicated increased collagen type I content. According to in vivo studies reporting data, L-PRP reduced inflammation response in 71.0% of studies, while it enhanced the histological quality of tendons in 67.0% of studies. All 3 studies reporting data found increased biomechanical properties with L-PRP treatment. Conclusions. Most evidence indicates that L-PRP has some potential effects on tendon healing compared to control. However, it appears that L-PRP works depending on the biological status of the damaged tendon. At an early stage, L-PRP may accelerate tendon healing, but at a later stage, it could be detrimental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this systematic review was to identify randomized controlled trials that looked at the effects of Nigella sativa in any form on different skin diseases. Up to March 2022, the online databases of Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane trials were searched. This study included 14 records of people who had experienced different types of skin disease including atopic dermatitis, vulgaris, arsenical keratosis, psoriasis, vitiligo, acute cutaneous leishmaniasis, warts, eczema, and acne. The mean SD age of the patients was 28.86 (4.49); [range: 18.3–51.4], with females accounting for 69% (506 out of 732) of the total. The follow-up mean SD was 8.16 (1.3) (ranged: 4 days to 24 weeks). The odds ratio (OR) was found to be 4.59 in a meta-analysis (95% CI: 2.02, 10.39). Whereas the null hypothesis in this systematic review was that lotion had no impact, OR 4.59 indicated that lotion could be effective. The efficacy of N. sativa essential oil and extract has been demonstrated in most clinical studies. However, more research is needed to completely evaluate and validate the efficacy or inadequacy of therapy with N. sativa, although it appears that it can be used as an alternative treatment to help people cope with skin problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of the integration of Western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) which is comorbid with anxiety and depression. Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in databases such as VIP, WanFang, CNKI, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library from the inception of databases to November 2021. RCTs on treating CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression with the integration of TCM and Western medicine were retrieved, and publications were screened according to the screening criteria. Software RevMan 5.4 was utilized to analyze related indicators. Results. Thirteen eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. They involved a total of 1460 cases, including 747 cases in the TCM and Western medicine group, and 713 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis results illustrated that the difference in the relief of angina pectoris in treating CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression with the integration of TCM and Western medicine was statistically significant (OR = 3.97, 95% CI [2.47, 6.39], P < 0.05), and HAMD score, HAMA score, and clinical effective rate were statistically significant (MD = −4.11, 95% CI [−5.10, 3.12]), (SMD = 1.88, 95% CI [2.53, 1.24]), (OR = 9.71, 95% CI [4.65, 20.28]). Conclusion. By combining TCM and Western medicine, the treatment of angina pectoris and CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression can alleviate anxiety and depression and can enhance patients' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the acupoint selection regulations and workable core acupoint combinations in cancer-related anorexia (CA) treatment. The Apriori algorithm, complemented by the FP-growth algorithm, was used to mine association rules based on retrieved randomized control trials (RCTs) and clinical control trials (CCTs). We searched the following databases for acupuncture treatment regimens for CA: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, WanFang Data, VIP, China Journal Full-Text Database (CNKI), and SinoMed (CBM). We extracted acupoints prescriptions from the 27 enrolled RCTs and CCTs for analysis. There have been 38 acupoints refined from 27 prescriptions. The pinnacle three regularly chosen acupoints were Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (RN12), and Sanyinjiao (SP6). We investigated 10 association rules, and the consequences confirmed that {RN4} ≥ {RN12}, {PC6} ≥ {ST36}, {RN12, SP6} ≥ {RN4}, {HT7} ≥ {RN12}, and {DU20} ≥ {RN12} had been the most frequent associated rules in the adoption literature. Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Guanyuan (RN4), Zhongwan (RN12), Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), and Baihui (DU20) would be regarded as acupuncture prescriptions in the treatment of CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuening combined with conventional iron supplementation in the treatment of anemia during pregnancy. Methods. Electronic searches of Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang database (Wanfang), and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) were conducted. A randomized controlled trial of Shengxuening combined with conventional iron supplements for the treatment of anemia in pregnancy was included. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook's Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (version 5.1.0), and data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software and Stata 15.0 statistical software. Results. A total of 150 studies were detected and 17 studies with a total of 1741 cases were finally included. Meta-analysis results showed that the effectiveness of Shengxuening combined with conventional iron supplementation was significantly better than that of conventional iron supplementation alone, and the adverse effects were significantly reduced compared with that of iron supplementation alone, and various anemia indicators such as Hb, RBC, MCV, and MCHC and iron metabolism indicators such as SI and TSAT were also significantly increased. Conclusion. The efficacy of the combination of Shengxuening and conventional iron supplementation in the treatment of anemia in pregnancy is better than that of conventional iron supplementation alone, and the adverse effects in the experimental group are much less than those in the control group, but the quality of the included studies is not high, and more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed for further validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has outbroken into a global pandemic. The death rate for hospital patients varied between 11% and 15%. Although COVID-19 is extremely contagious and has a high fatality rate, the amount of knowledge available in the published literature and public sources is rapidly growing. The efficacy of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy for COVID-19 is controversial. Objective. This meta-analysis was designed to assess the efficacy of CP therapy for COVID-19 through a literature survey. Methods. Until August 30, 2021, a literature search was undertaken in Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlling Trials (Central), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The Risk Ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a fixed or random effect model in dichotomous data. Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a fixed or random effect model in continuous data. Studies with missing or unsuitable data were presented descriptively in the outcomes. Results. In total, thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected for the present meta-analysis, which included a total of 13232 participants. Our results revealed that the CP group has lower mortality compared to the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference (RR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.89, Z = 2.92, P = 0.004 < 0.01); other secondary outcomes such as the shortness of breath symptom improved significantly in CP group (RR:1.48, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.93, Z = 2.85, P = 0.004 < 0.01), as well as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) (MD: −4.46, 95% CI: −8.28, −0.63, Z = 2.28, P = 0.02 < 0.05) and Ferritin (MD: −447.68, 95% CI: −501.75, −393.6, Z = 16.23, P < 0.00001) are reduced significantly in CP group. However, there was no statistically significant change in the ventilator withdrawal rate, imaging results improvement, or days to hospital discharge. There was also no substantial difference in viral nucleic acid negative conversion rate and neutralizing antibody-positive conversion rate, as well as the incidence of adverse reactions. Conclusions. The safety and potential efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy offer a promising treatment strategy for COVID-19. CP therapy can reduce mortality and improve breath and inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and Ferritin in COVID-19 with no significant increase in adverse reactions. However, it does not affect improving virology indicators. In summary, more high-quality clinical trials are needed to verify the conclusion of the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is globally the leading cause of hepatic dysfunction. Garlic has many physiological benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and antidiabetes effects. The present study aimed to systematically review the effects of garlic (Allium sativum) and its mechanisms of function in managing NAFLD and its associated complications. The guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statements were applied to perform the study (CRD42021289348). The Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched until February 2022. According to the inclusion criteria, finally, 12 studies were entered into the study. The evidence provided in the study revealed that garlic could regulate the development of NAFLD via several mechanisms of action, such as lowering body weight, modulating lipid and glucose metabolism, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress (OS). Overall, the beneficial effects of garlic in the treatment of NAFLD make it a potential therapeutic and efficient agent in managing NAFLD and its related risk factors. There is an insufficient number of clinical trials addressing the effects of garlic in humans; therefore, conducting more human research in the future is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common issue. In China, Abelmoschus manihot (AM) is widely used in the treatment of IgAN. However, their combined effectiveness and safety for this purpose have not yet been explored. AM is an effective medicine for treating IgAN. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of AM for IgAN. Materials and Methods. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (VIP), and the Wanfang Database were searched from their inceptions to June 2021. Random clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of AM treatment in patients with IgAN were included. The study evaluated the efficacy or effectiveness of AM for IgAN and had clear outcome data, such as total effectiveness rate or proteinuria. Results. A total of 11 RCTs with 850 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with that of the conventional therapy alone, being combined with conventional treatment was significantly more effective for the total efficacy rate (OR = 4.33; 95% CI = 2.66, 7.04; P < 0.00001) and proteinuria (MD = −0.41 g/24 h; 95% CI = −0.44, −0.38; P < 0.00001) but had no effect on serum creatinine (Scr) (MD = −2.23 μmol/L; 95% CI = −5.90, 1.45; P = 0.24), eGFR (MD = −0.45 mL/min·1.73 m2; 95% CI = −1.24, 2.13; P = 0.60), Bun (MD = −0.22 mmol/L; 95% CI = −0.59, 0.14; P = 0.23), systolic blood pressure (MD = −0.04 mmHg; 95% CI = −2.59, 2.51; P = 0.98), diastolic blood pressure (MD = −0.34 mmHg, 95% CI = −1.65, 2.33; P = 0.74), systolic blood pressure (MD = −0.04 mmHg, 95% CI = −2.59, 2.51; P = 0.98), or serum albumin (MD = 1.70 g/L, 95% CI = −1.06, 4.45; P = 0.23). Conclusions. AM provided additional benefits to proteinuria individuals with IgAN. However, due to the high clinical heterogeneity and small sample size of the included trials, future studies should conduct more rigorous RCTs on the clinical efficacy and safety of AM and RCTs with a larger sample size involving multicenters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This review evaluated the efficacy of tongue acupuncture for the clinical treatment of poststroke aphasia. Methods. PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, Embase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched from their inception to 1st June 2022. The dataset included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with tongue acupuncture for the treatment of poststroke aphasia. Data aggregation and risk of bias evaluation were conducted on Review Manager Version 5.4.1 and Stata16.0. The main outcome measures included the Aphasia Battery of Chinese (ABC), the Chinese Functional Communication Profile (CFCP), the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE), and clinical efficiency. Then, comparing the effectiveness of tongue acupuncture, tongue acupuncture combined with conventional therapies, conventional therapies with head acupuncture, language training, body acupuncture, and Jie Yu Dan. Results. A total of 20 studies with 1355 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that compared with conventional treatments, tongue acupuncture has a significant improvement in clinical efficacy score (MD = 1.25, 95% CI (1.09, 1.43), P = 0.001) and CFCP of poststroke aphasia (MD = 39.78, 95% CI (26.59, 52.97), P < 0.00001), but was not significant in improving ABC (MD = 5.95, 95% CI (2.85, 9.04), P = 0.06). Compared to the conventional treatments, tongue acupuncture combined with conventional therapies promoted the ABC (MD = 11.48, 95% CI (2.20, 20.75), P < 0.00001), clinical efficacy score (MD = 1.22, 95% CI (1.14, 1.30), P < 0.00001), and CFCP score (MD = 29.80, 95% CI (19.08, 40.52), P < 0.00001) of poststroke aphasia. Conclusion. This systematic review indicated that tongue acupuncture or tongue acupuncture combined with conventional treatments was an effective therapy for treating poststroke aphasia. However, stricter evaluation standards and rigorously designed RCTs are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This investigation was conducted to analyze and evaluate the impact of Chinese herbal medicine on glucolipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods. We used manual and computer-aided search methods, and the search scopes included Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, the China Science and Technology Journal Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database) and English databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library). We searched these eight databases for randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of Chinese herbal medicine on glucolipid metabolism in women with PCOS, with the retrieval deadline being June 2021. Two reviewers screened, selected, and extracted data and verified the results independently. The NoteExpress software was used to manage and screen the literature, the risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies, and the RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis. Results. A total of 13 trials were included, including 825 patients with PCOS. Because the drugs used in the control group were different, we divided the results into two parts, with four trials using placebo and nine trials using metformin as the control. The results of the meta-analysis showed that fasting insulin (MD = −2.45, 95% CI = [−4.74, −0.17], P = 0.04), 2 h fasting plasma glucose (MD = −0.33, 95% CI = [−0.64, −0.02], P = 0.04), serum total cholesterol (MD = −0.38, 95% CI = [−0.58, −0.18], P = 0.0002), triglycerides (MD = −0.36, 95% CI = [−0.58, −0.14], P = 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = −0.58, 95% CI = [−0.75, −0.41], P < 0.00001) were significantly improved in the Chinese herbal medicine group compared with the placebo group. In addition, compared with metformin, body mass index (MD = −1.04, 95% CI = [−1.55, −0.53], P < 0.0001), serum total cholesterol (MD = −0.27, 95% CI = [−0.46, −0.07] P = 0.007), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced (MD = −0.12, 95% CI = [−0.22, −0.02], P = 0.02) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = 0.09, 95% CI = [0.02, 0.17], P = 0.01) was significantly improved after treatment with Chinese herbal medicine. Conclusion. Compared with the placebo group, Chinese herbal medicine had positive effects on glucolipid metabolism in women with PCOS. Chinese herbal medicine had a positive effect on lipid metabolism when the control group was metformin, but no effect on glucose metabolism. These findings need to be verified in high-quality, large-sample, randomized controlled trials in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]