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Medicine Jun 2024Rosacea is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease affecting the center of the face that causes burning and itching sensations and changes in aesthetics. Liang...
Rosacea is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease affecting the center of the face that causes burning and itching sensations and changes in aesthetics. Liang Xue Wu Hua Tang (LXWHT) is a classic herbal formulation that is efficacious and has been widely used in the clinical treatment of rosacea; however, the pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of action of LXWHT using network pharmacology and molecular docking. The Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database was searched to identify the active ingredients and pharmacological targets of LXWHT, and the GeneCard, Disgenet, and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were applied to screen rosacea-related targets. Cytoscape software was used to visualize the protein-protein interaction network, and network topology analysis was used to identify core targets. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed for the core targets. Molecular docking simulations and visualization were performed using Maestro and PyMOL, respectively. A total of 43 active compounds and 28 potential targets for LXWHT treatment of rosacea were selected for analysis. The Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results indicated that LXWHT may exert therapeutic effects on rosacea by intervening in immune pathways including tumor necrosis factor pathway, interleukin-17 pathways, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. Chemokine ligand 2, interferon-γ, interleukin-1ß, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 may be the core therapeutic target. Quercetin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, luteolin, beta-carotene, baicalein, acetin, and isorhamnetin were predicted to be the key active ingredients. LXWHT may exert therapeutic effects in the treatment of rosacea by modulating immunity and angiogenesis, laying the foundation for further research.
Topics: Rosacea; Molecular Docking Simulation; Humans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Network Pharmacology; Protein Interaction Maps; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 38941423
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038705 -
Medicine Jun 2024To evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of acupoint embedding therapy and traditional Chinese medicine dialectical treatment regimen in improving clinical... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Clinical application and effect evaluation of acupoint thread embedding therapy and traditional Chinese medicine treatment based on menstrual cycle characteristics in the management of breast hyperplasia: An observational study.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of acupoint embedding therapy and traditional Chinese medicine dialectical treatment regimen in improving clinical symptoms, promoting tumor regression, controlling adverse reactions and complications, and enhancing patient satisfaction by comparing and analyzing the clinical data of 120 breast tumor patients. One hundred twenty patients with breast cancer were divided into a treatment group (60 cases) and a control group (60 cases) according to different treatment plans. Patients in the treatment group received a combination of acupoint embedding therapy and traditional Chinese medicine dialectical treatment based on different time points of the menstrual cycle. Including the proportion of reduction in the number of breast masses, the proportion of reduction in mass size, changes in pain severity scores, tumor regression rate, regression time, incidence of adverse reactions and complications, and patient satisfaction. Statistical software was used to analyze the data to evaluate differences between the 2 groups. In terms of clinical symptoms, the proportion of reduction in the number of breast masses in the treatment group averaged 50%, significantly higher than the 25% in the control group; the proportion of reduction in mass size averaged 40%, also higher than the 15% in the control group; and the improvement in pain severity scores was also superior to the control group. Regarding tumor regression, the tumor regression rate in the treatment group reached 85%, with an average regression time of 6.2 weeks, both significantly better than the 55% and 9.8 weeks in the control group. In terms of adverse reactions and complications, the incidence rate in the treatment group was relatively low, and no serious adverse events occurred. Patient satisfaction surveys showed that the treatment group had significantly higher satisfaction with treatment effectiveness, treatment process, and physician service attitude compared to the control group. Based on clinical data from 120 breast tumor patients, the results of this study indicate that breast tumor patients treated with a specific treatment regimen have significant advantages in improving clinical symptoms, tumor regression, controlling adverse reactions and complications, and patient satisfaction. This treatment regimen has high clinical application value and deserves further promotion.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Breast Neoplasms; Patient Satisfaction; Acupuncture Points; Menstrual Cycle; Hyperplasia; Acupuncture Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Breast; Combined Modality Therapy
PubMed: 38941407
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038502 -
Medicine Jun 2024This study aims to critically reassess existing systematic reviews (SR) on Traditional Chinese Exercises (TCE) for treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)....
This study aims to critically reassess existing systematic reviews (SR) on Traditional Chinese Exercises (TCE) for treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The primary objectives include synthesizing available evidence, evaluating the methodological quality of reviews and overall evidence, and providing comprehensive insights into the effectiveness of different TCE types in managing COPD. Sinomed, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from inception to April 2023 for SR literature on the treatment of COPD with TCE. The extracted data from the included SRs encompassed various aspects such as general information, study population, intervention measures, meta-analysis results, and conclusions. The methodological quality of the included SRs was assessed using the AMSTAR II tool. Additionally, the GRADE tool was used to determine the evidence level of outcome indicators. This study included 17 SRs and 4 types of TCE. The CCA was 0.041, indicating a slight overlap between the primary studies. Notably, one study was rated as low quality on the AMSTAR II scale, while the rest were classified as critically low quality. The results from the GRADE evaluation revealed 26 pieces of very low-quality evidence, 55 pieces of low-quality evidence, and 17 pieces of moderate-quality evidence. The moderate-quality evidence suggests that Liuzijue effectively improves TCM syndrome scores in patients with COPD. Additionally, low-quality evidence suggests that Liuzijue improves patients' lung function (FEV1, FVC) and quality of life (CAT, MRC/mMRC). Similarly, low-quality evidence suggests that Baduanjin can improve patients' lung function (FEV1%, FVC) and quality of life (SGRQ). Low-quality evidence also suggests that Health Qigong can significantly improve patients' exercise endurance (6MWD). No SR reported TCE-related adverse reactions. TCE interventions are effective and safe in the treatment of COPD. Different types of TCE have varying effects on outcomes in COPD patients. However, these findings are limited by the generally low methodological and evidence quality of the included SRs. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to improve study designs to obtain higher-quality clinical evidence and to strictly follow SR protocols.
Topics: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Humans; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Exercise Therapy; Quality of Life; Qigong; East Asian People
PubMed: 38941382
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038700 -
Medicine Jun 2024Blood stasis (BS) refers to a pattern of symptoms resulting from circulatory dysfunction or stagnation in the human body. Due to its historical origin and diverse... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Blood stasis (BS) refers to a pattern of symptoms resulting from circulatory dysfunction or stagnation in the human body. Due to its historical origin and diverse interpretations, communication between patients and doctors of traditional Korean medicine (DKMs) presents challenges. Efforts to improve patients understanding in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) have led to the development of disease-specific standard clinical practice guidelines. However, there is a limited focus on creating clinical practice guidelines or informative leaflet specifically addressing BS, which is a frequently encountered pattern of symptoms in TKM.
METHODS
This study aimed to bridge the gap between patients and DKMs by developing an informative leaflet focusing on BS for metabolic diseases. We assessed its appropriateness through expert advisory meetings and the Delphi process, and evaluated its clinical effectiveness. We conducted a prospective, randomized, crossover trial to compare the clinical effectiveness of using BS leaflets in TKM treatment. The hypothesis investigated whether the leaflet group would show higher scores in satisfaction of DKMs' explanations, understanding of DKMs' explanations, improving the reliability of TKM, satisfaction with treatment time, improvement in explanations compared to previous TKM experiences, and necessity of managing BS treatment, compared to the no-leaflet group.
RESULTS
In a study involving 40 patients (mean age: 62.3 ± 7.8 years), symptoms persisted for an average of 16.75 ± 9.3 hours daily, with a severity rating of 2.53. The leaflet group exhibited significantly higher satisfaction scores than the no-leaflet group in all aspects (all P < .0001). After confirming the absence of sequence and period effects using a linear-mixed effect model, we were able to ascertain the presence of a treatment effect, as evidenced by statistically significant higher scores across all survey items in the leaflet group compared to the no-leaflet group (all P < .0001).
CONCLUSION
Expert consensus on symptoms aligning with the BS pattern resulted in the development of an informative leaflet. Its utilization notably improved patient satisfaction, comprehension, and trust in TKM treatment, unaffected by temporal influences, thus demonstrating its clinical effectiveness. In summary, the BS leaflet significantly enhanced patient understanding and optimized treatment procedures.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cross-Over Studies; Prospective Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Medicine, Korean Traditional; Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Pamphlets; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38941368
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038702 -
PloS One 2024X-ray computed tomography (XRCT) imaging allows non-destructive visualization of the structure of various materials. Applied to wooden objects, it allows determination...
X-ray computed tomography (XRCT) imaging allows non-destructive visualization of the structure of various materials. Applied to wooden objects, it allows determination of their morphologies or manufacturing techniques, but also measurement of growth ring widths. We have applied XRCT to a selection of 38 mummy labels. This funerary furniture, made up of endemic or imported tree species, has survived thanks to environmental conditions in very large quantities in regions in Middle and Upper Egypt and is featured now in museum collections across the globe. Mummy labels thus represent a unique and abundant data source to build floating or absolutely dated dendrochronological chronologies for this period. Here we discuss the possible contributions and limitations of XRCT for the analysis of these artifacts and show that the approach allows identification of discriminating markers for the identification of certain species on the transverse plane, but that the insufficient resolution of the tangential and radial planes normally prevents formal identification of species. By contrast, XRCT undeniably enhances the visibility of toolmarks (in terms of numbers and depth), and thereby allows highlighting marks that remain invisible to the naked eye; XRCT also provides key insights into cutting methods and the calibers used and yields new information on silvicultural practices and the knowhow of Egyptian craftsmen. Finally, the measurement of ring widths on XRCT imagery is also more accurate than what can be achieved by traditional dendrochronological measurements, especially in the case of cuts realized on a slab. The approach also confirms the limited potential of local broadleaved species for dendrochronological approaches due to unreadable or poorly visible tree rings and mostly short tree-ring sequences.
Topics: Egypt; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Mummies; Wood; Trees; Humans
PubMed: 38941322
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303695 -
MSphere Jun 2024The gut microbiome has the potential to buffer temporal variations in resource availability and consumption, which may play a key role in the ability of animals to adapt...
UNLABELLED
The gut microbiome has the potential to buffer temporal variations in resource availability and consumption, which may play a key role in the ability of animals to adapt to a broad range of habitats. We investigated the temporal composition and function of the gut microbiomes of wild common marmosets () exploiting a hot, dry environment-Caatinga-in northeastern Brazil. We collected fecal samples during two time periods (July-August and February-March) for 2 years from marmosets belonging to eight social groups. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, metagenomic sequencing, and butyrate RT-qPCR to assess changes in the composition and potential function of their gut microbiomes. Additionally, we identified the plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate components of the marmosets' diet via DNA metabarcoding. Invertebrate, but not plant or vertebrate, consumption varied across the year. However, gut microbiome composition and potential function did not markedly vary across study periods or as a function of diet composition. Instead, the gut microbiome differed markedly in both composition and potential function across marmosets residing in different social groups. We highlight the likely role of factors, such as behavior, residence, and environmental heterogeneity, in modulating the structure of the gut microbiome.
IMPORTANCE
In a highly socially cohesive and cooperative primate, group membership more strongly predicts gut microbiome composition and function than diet.
PubMed: 38940510
DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00233-24 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024
Review
Topics: Animals; Humans; Cocaine; Cocaine-Related Disorders; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Yin-Yang
PubMed: 38940056
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906215 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Even simple tapping tasks require cognitive processes. Some variants of the Finger Tapping Test (FTT) may reveal cognitive aspects associated with frontal processing,...
INTRODUCTION
Even simple tapping tasks require cognitive processes. Some variants of the Finger Tapping Test (FTT) may reveal cognitive aspects associated with frontal processing, including executive functions such as inhibition, or emotional aspects such as anxiety. A context of particular interest for the application of cognitive-motor-anxiety interactions is sports. Although athletes generally exhibit better anxiety levels, they may experience heightened anxiety before important competitions. The problem lies in determining whether the application of anxiety control techniques can be useful in pre-competition situations, given the lack of quick and easy methods to detect if an athlete is experiencing anxiety at a particular moment.
METHODS
This exploratory study evaluated anxiety using online versions of questionnaires (ISRA, the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, and STAI) and applied a variant of the FTT to 204 participants, both athletes and non-athletes. The scores were compared and correlated.
RESULTS
Athletes exhibited lower general anxiety and greater cognitive resistance to interference (better cognitive inhibition). Non-athletes displayed a particular parameter in the FTT variant that differed from the one obtained by athletes and exhibited higher anxiety levels. In the athletes' group only, anxiety was correlated with a specific parameter of the FTT task.
DISCUSSION
Our conclusion is that this parameter holds potential relevance in elite sports performance to detect if an athlete is experiencing anxiety. It could be of particular interest in psychological interventions in sports. Further investigation is warranted to fully explore this potential.
PubMed: 38939223
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1424152 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Men with writing proficiency enjoyed a privileged position in ancient Egyptian society in the third millennium BC. Research focusing on these officials of elevated...
Men with writing proficiency enjoyed a privileged position in ancient Egyptian society in the third millennium BC. Research focusing on these officials of elevated social status ("scribes") usually concentrates on their titles, scribal statues, iconography, etc., but the individuals themselves, and their skeletal remains, have been neglected. The aim of this study is to reveal whether repetitive tasks and maintained postures related to scribal activity can manifest in skeletal changes and identify possible occupational risk factors. A total of 1767 items including entheseal changes, non-metric traits, and degenerative changes were recorded from the human remains of 69 adult males of well-defined social status categories from the necropolis at Abusir (2700-2180 BC). Statistically significant differences between the scribes and the reference group attested a higher incidence of changes in scribes and manifested themselves especially in the occurrence of osteoarthritis of the joints. Our research reveals that remaining in a cross-legged sitting or kneeling position for extended periods, and the repetitive tasks related to writing and the adjusting of the rush pens during scribal activity, caused the extreme overloading of the jaw, neck and shoulder regions.
Topics: Humans; Male; Egypt, Ancient; History, Ancient; Risk Factors; Adult; Writing; Posture; Bone and Bones
PubMed: 38937484
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63549-z -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Palaeontologists have long sought to explain the diversification of individual clades to whole biotas at global scales. Advances in our understanding of the spatial...
Palaeontologists have long sought to explain the diversification of individual clades to whole biotas at global scales. Advances in our understanding of the spatial distribution of the fossil record through geological time, however, has demonstrated that global trends in biodiversity were a mosaic of regionally heterogeneous diversification processes. Drivers of diversification must presumably have also displayed regional variation to produce the spatial disparities observed in past taxonomic richness. Here, we analyse the fossil record of ammonoids, pelagic shelled cephalopods, through the Late Cretaceous, characterised by some palaeontologists as an interval of biotic decline prior to their total extinction at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. We regionally subdivide this record to eliminate the impacts of spatial sampling biases and infer regional origination and extinction rates corrected for temporal sampling biases using Bayesian methods. We then model these rates using biotic and abiotic drivers commonly inferred to influence diversification. Ammonoid diversification dynamics and responses to this common set of diversity drivers were regionally heterogeneous, do not support ecological decline, and demonstrate that their global diversification signal is influenced by spatial disparities in sampling effort. These results call into question the feasibility of seeking drivers of diversity at global scales in the fossil record.
Topics: Fossils; Biodiversity; Animals; Extinction, Biological; Bayes Theorem; Cephalopoda; Paleontology; Phylogeny; Biological Evolution
PubMed: 38937471
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49462-z