Low level light therapy/photobiomodulation for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes that strongly impact the patients' quality of life and working ability. Evidence indicated that low level light therapy (LLLT)/photobiomodulation might be effective for neuropathy. However, the effect of LLLT for DPN is not clear. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the effects and safety of LLLT/photobiomodulation for DPN, in comparison with other methods such as sham light, no treatment, other active treatment and LLLT as an additional treatment compared with another treatment alone. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search eight databases from their inception to the date before the review submission. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) will be included. Two reviewers will independently extract data using a structured data extraction method and assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Data will be synthesised using standardised mean difference or risk ratio with 95% CIs for continuous and dichotomous data, respectively. The primary outcome will be change in pain and secondary outcomes will include global symptom improvement, functional impairment and disability, impairment of sensation, quality of life, nerve conduction, and adverse events. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis will be employed to explore the influence of possible clinical and methodological characteristics. Publication bias will be assessed using funnel plot. We will conduct meta-analysis with RevMan V.5.4 and evaluate quality of the evidence using GRADE approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study does not require ethics approval. Our findings will be disseminated in the peer-reviewed publications. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021276056.

[CO2 laser moxibustion for endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of CO2 laser moxibustion on endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis were randomized into a laser moxibustion group and a sham laser moxibustion group, 38 cases in each group. In the laser moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied at bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1) using CO2 laser moxibustion instrument. In the sham laser moxibustion group, the manipulation of moxibustion was same as the laser moxibustion group, without laser output. The treatment was given once every other day, 30 min each time, 3 times a week for 4 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment and follow-up of 3 months after treatment, the scores of Gracely box scale (GBS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed, the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the duration of the treatment and the average days of taking drugs were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up in the laser moxibustion group (P<0.05), while those in the sham moxibustion group had no significant differences (P>0.05). Compared with the sham moxibustion group, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up (P<0.05), the cases and average days of taking drugs were less in the laser moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CO2 laser moxibustion can improve the pain symptom in patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis, and reduce the use of analgesic drugs.

A randomized sham-controlled trial of manual acupuncture for infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex polygenic disease and is one of the most common endocrinological and reproductive disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture combined with herbal medicine among infertile females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHOD: A total of 86 women with PCOS, experiencing infertility, were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either manual acupuncture (MA) or sham acupuncture (SA) twice per week for three menstrual cycles. Both groups received herbal medication. The evaluations were conducted after three menstrual cycles and 24 weeks' follow-up. RESULTS: The trial was completed by 79 (91.86%) of the 86 randomly selected patients. During this study, the pregnancy rate in the MA group (46.34%) was significantly higher than the SA group (18.42%), with a P-value of 0.008. Moreover, the ovulation rate of the MA group (58.14%) was higher than that of the SA group (45.74%), with a P-value of 0.046. The improvement rate of PCOS score and testosterone level showed a statistical difference between the two groups (P-values were <0.05). There were no other differences between the two groups. Sex hormones level, including E2, T, P, LH, and LH/FSH were significantly lower after intervention in the MA group (P-values were <0.05) compared with baseline, while only the progesterone level was reduced in the SA group (P-value = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Manual acupuncture combined with herbal medicine may be clinically useful for infertile women with PCOS in improving pregnancy and ovulation rate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800014997.

Lathyrane diterpenoids from Jatropha podagrica and their antitumor activities in human osteosarcoma cells.

Two new lathyrane-type diterpenoids, jatropodagins A and B (1 and 2), and five known analogues (3-7), were isolated from the stems of Jatropha podagrica. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic data and calculated ECD analyses. The cytotoxicities of all the lathyrane-type diterpenoids (1-7) were evaluated against two human osteosarcoma cell lines (Saos-2 and MG-63). Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxic effects against Saos-2 and MG-63 with IC50 values of 8.08 and 14.64 µM, respectively. The IC50 values for the positive control 5-FU against the Saos-2 and MG-63 cell lines were 19.01 and 25.00 µM, respectively. Morphological features of apoptosis activities were evaluated in 1-treated Saos-2 cells and the results confirmed apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.

Comprehensive analysis of key lncRNAs in ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. However, the treatments for ischemic stroke remained inadequate. The mechanisms underlying ischemic stroke are still not completely understood. the present study identified 19 lncRNAs related to stroke recovery by analyzing a public dataset GSE37587. A co-expression network included 24 lncRNAs, 1668 mRNAs and 3542 edges were constructed in the present study. Bioinformatics analysis showed these lncRNAs were involved in regulating multiple biological processes and pathways, such as mRNA nonsense-mediated decay, translation, cell-cell adhesion. Three lncRNAs, including DLEU1, LOC432369, and LOC338799, were identified as key lncRNAs in stroke. Bioinformatics showed DLEU1 was involved in regulating oxidative phosphorylation, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. LOC432369 was associated with oxidative phosphorylation. LOC338799 was associated with clathrin-dependent endocytosis, the establishment of organelle localization and ribonucleoprotein complex assembly. We thought this study could provide useful information to understand the mechanisms underlying stroke progression.

[Left ventricular Tei-index for evaluation of cardiac function in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy after radiochemotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical value of left ventricular Tei-index in early evaluation of cardiac function in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy after radiochemotherapy. METHODS: Thirty hypertensive patients with malignancies and left ventricular hypertrophy and 30 hypertensive patients with malignancies without left ventricular hypertrophy were enrolled in this study, with 30 normotensive patients with malignancies as the control group. Left ventricular Tei-index and cardiac function indexes of the patients were detected using Doppler echocardiography before and after radiochemotherapy, and the changes in the cardiac function index and left ventricular Tei-index were compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: After radiochemotherapy, left ventricular Tei-index was significantly higher in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy than in the control patients and hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy (P<0.05), and was similar between the latter two groups. No significant differences were found in the changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), ratio of the early to late ventricular filling velocities (E/A ratio), or end-systolic volume (EDV) among the 3 groups after radiochemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Tei-index is more sensitive than traditional echocardiography in assessing the changes of cardiac functions in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy after chemotherapy.

[Application and development of translational medicine in modern acupuncture and moxibustion].

In recent years, translational medicine, which is characterized by advanced concepts and methods, developes rapidly and playes a strategic role in the development of TCM acupuncture and moxibustion. Therefore, it is worth studying by acupuncturists. Through the background, development, features and research model of translational medicine, the present situation and problems of TCM acupuncture research are analyzed. Several cases of translational Chinese medicine and acupuncture are listed with the consideration of the concept of translational medicine. Studies and thoughts on translational acupuncture are expounded as well. Thus, it is suggested that combined with characteristics of acupuncture, the concept of translational medicine should be utilized to instruct the clinical treatment and research of acupuncture, foster researchers of translational medicine as well as establish the related research teams.