[Textual research on Wumei Pills].

Wumei Pills originates from Treatise on Cold Damage. A total of 128 records on it were screened out, involving 102 ancient books, 110 modern clinical studies, and 48 diseases. According to the records, the prescription origin, prescription composition, prescription explanation, main indications, dosage, medicinal processing, preparation, and usage, contraindications, and mo-dern clinical applications were analyzed. The result shows that Wumei Pills is composed of Mume Fructus, Asari Radix et Rhizoma, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Coptidis Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex. The main indications expand over time, and it can be applied to diarrhea, dysentery, retching, chest pain, cough, Qi ascending from lower abdomen, and reversal cold of hands and feet with the syndromes of cold and heat in complexity and hyperactivity of liver Yang and spleen deficiency. According to modern clinical records, it is mainly used for the treatment of diseases in the digestive system, nervous system, endocrine system, metabolic system, etc., such as ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, insomnia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The dosage of Wumei Pills has gradually reduced from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, but the proportions of the medicinals has remained basically unchanged. In this prescription, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and Zanthoxyli Pericarpium need to be processed, while the rest medicinals are used in raw form. As for the medicinal selection, Zanthoxyli Pericarpium is examinable. Asari Radix et Rhizoma is derived from Aristolochiaceae, which is toxic to the liver and kidney, so the dosage should be kept in a safe range. In summary, Wumei Pills has great clinical value. The textual research on Wumei Pills helps clarify the development of Wumei Pills, which provides evidence in-depth research and development and rational clinical application of Wumei Pills.

Association between obstructive sleep apnea and male serum testosterone: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no consensus on the effect of obstructive sleep apnea on male serum testosterone levels. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the association between obstructive sleep apnea and male serum testosterone level. METHODS: The literature related to obstructive sleep apnea and male serum testosterone in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from their inception to June 10, 2021. Data were pooled using the Stata 15 software. We performed a subgroup analysis of studies after matching the age and body mass index, as well as according to the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. RESULTS: Eighteen studies involving 1823 men were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. A significant inverse association between obstructive sleep apnea and male serum testosterone (SMD = -0.76; 95% CI: -1.18, -0.33; p = 0.001) was found. After adjusting for age and body mass index, this inverse association still existed (SMD = -0.8; 95% CI = -1.41, -0.18, p = 0.012). According to the subgroup analysis of obstructive sleep apnea severity, our results showed that serum testosterone was not significantly decreased in mild (SMD = -0.58; 95% CI = -1.88, 0.73, p = 0.386) and moderate obstructive sleep apnea patients (SMD = -0.94; 95% CI = -2.04, 0.15, p = 0.092), whereas it was significantly reduced in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (SMD = -1.21; 95% CI = -2.02, -0.41, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive sleep apnea is inversely associated with male serum testosterone levels, independent of body mass index and age. Notably, the severity of obstructive sleep apnea is also correlated with male serum testosterone, which is significantly reduced in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.