Therapeutic effects of Huangqi formula (Eefooton) in chronic kidney disease: clinical research and narrative literature review.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the clinical effects of employing the Huangqi formula (Eefooton; EFT) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. A narrative literature review was undertaken to elucidate the specific ingredients of EFT and their potential impact on renal health.

Methods: A retrospective observational study investigated EFT treatment in outpatients with stable CKD (stages 3B to 5) from March 2019 to March 2021.

Prognostic value of longitudinal HbA1c variability in predicting the development of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort observational study.

Aims/introduction: This prospective cohort study aims to identify the optimal measure of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) variability and to explore its relationship with the development of new diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, building upon previous cross-sectional studies that highlighted a significant association between HbA1c visit-to-visit variability and DSPN.

Materials And Methods: In a prospective study, 321 participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus underwent comprehensive clinical assessments, neurophysiologic studies, and laboratory evaluations at enrollment and follow-up. Various indices, including HbA1c standard deviation (HbA1c SD), coefficient of variation (HbA1c CV), HbA1c change score (HbA1c HVS), and average real variability (HbA1c ARV), were employed to calculate the visit-to-visit variability HbA1c based on 3 month intervals.

Prescription characteristics of Xue-Fu-Zhu-Yu-Tang in pain management: a population-based study using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

To explore the prevalence and distinctive features of Xue-Fu-Zhu-Yu-Tang (XFZYT) prescriptions by analyzing the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to identify the specific medical problems for which XFZYT is prescribed. This nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional study included 109,073 XFZYT users and 532,848 XFZYT non-users among Chinese herbal product (CHP) users in NHIRD. Chi-squared tests were used to analyze disparities between the XFZYT user and XFZYT non-user cohorts, and the mean age was evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Impacts of Chemerin Levels and Antioxidant Capacity on the Severity of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes.

Existing evidence supports an association between chemerin levels and cardiovascular risk, while reduced thiol levels are linked to diabetes mellitus. It is hypothesized that chemerin may contribute to autonomic dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), potentially mediated by the antioxidant capacity of patients with well-controlled T2DM and prediabetes. Comprehensive cardiovascular autonomic testing and biomarker assessments were conducted for all participants.

Sudoscan as substitute for quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test in composite autonomic scoring scale and its correlation with composite autonomic symptom scale 31 in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of substituting electrochemical skin conductance measurement using SUDOSCAN for sudomotor function testing in the Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale (CASS) and to correlate the results with the Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale 31 (COMPASS 31) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Fifty patients with T2DM underwent cardiovascular autonomic function testing and the SUDOSCAN test and completed the COMPASS 31 questionnaire. We developed a SUDOSCAN-based sudomotor subscore as a substitute for the original sudomotor subscore (based on the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test [QSART]).

Quantitative thermal testing as a screening and follow-up tool for diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

Introduction: The diagnosis and assessment of neuropathy severity of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) are mainly based on clinical neuropathy scores and electrophysiologic studies. This study aimed to determine whether quantitative thermal testing (QTT) can be used as a screening and follow-up tool for DSPN of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes at baseline and at 1-year follow-up.

Methods: All patients were assessed using the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS) and underwent electrophysiological testing, including a nerve conduction study (NCS) and QTT, at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up.

Effect of light needle in the treatment of opioid use disorder: A protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Opioid use disorder occurs worldwide and creates an increasing economic burden and public health crisis. Some problems are associated with using opioid agonists; therefore, there is a need to develop non-opioid treatments to improve acute and long-term opioid withdrawal syndromes.

Methods: We will enroll 100 participants with opioid use disorders receiving methadone maintenance treatment at an addiction treatment center and randomly allocate them to an experimental or control group.

Effect of three clinical therapies on cytokines modulation in the hip articular cartilage and bone improvement in rat early osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Background: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have been used clinically for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). The study elucidated that ESWT, ADSCs, and combination therapy modulated pro-inflammatory cytokines in the articular cartilage and subchondral bone of early rat ONFH.

Methods: ESWT and ADSCs were prepared and isolated for treatment.

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Laser meridian massage decreased craving in men with opioid use disorder on methadone maintenance treatment.

Background: The incidence of opioid use disorder (OUD) is increasing worldwide, and the opioid-related overdose crisis is currently a major global challenge. This study investigated the effects of adjuvant laser meridian massage (LMM) in men with OUD undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Methods: A case-controlled study was conducted from February 2019 to April 2020.

The Utilization of Chinese Herbal Products for Hyperthyroidism in National Health Insurance System (NHIRD) of Taiwan: A Population-Based Study.

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) relieves associated symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as heat intolerance, palpitations, tremor, anxiety, weight loss, increased frequency of bowel movements, and shortness of breath. However, there are no studies regarding the core prescription patterns of herbal formula and single herbs for hyperthyroidism in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan to analyze the prescription patterns of TCM.

Grounding the Body Improves Sleep Quality in Patients with Mild Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background: Grounding refers to having direct contact with the Earth, such as by walking barefoot or lying on the ground. Research has found that grounding can improve inflammation, free radical damage, blood pressure, sleep quality, pain, stress, mood, and wound healing. However, there has been no research on the effect of utilizing grounding for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Acute Effects of Tissue Flossing Coupled with Functional Movements on Knee Range of Motion, Static Balance, in Single-Leg Hop Distance, and Landing Stabilization Performance in Female College Students.

Flexibility, specifically that in the amplitude of sagittal-plane range of motion (ROM), can improve jump landing patterns and reduce the potential for sports injury. The use of floss bands (FLOSS) reportedly increases joint range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder, ankle, and elbow joints. However, little research on the effectiveness of FLOSS on the knee joint has been conducted.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Conditioned Medium Modulates the Expression of Inflammation Induced Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2, -5 and -6 as Well as Compared with Shockwave Therapy on Rat Knee Osteoarthritis.

The dose-dependent effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) were compared with those of shockwave (SW) therapy in the treatment of early osteoarthritis (OA). Anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) with medial meniscectomy (MMx) was performed in rats divided into sham, OA, SW, CM1 (intra-articular injection of 100 μL ADSC-CM into knee OA), and CM2 (intra-articular injection of 200 μL ADSC-CM) groups. Cartilage grading, grading of synovium changes, and specific molecular analysis by immunohistochemistry staining were performed.

Prescription of Radix in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study Using the National Health Insurance Research Database.

While radix (Danshen; RSM) is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine, its current usage has not yet been analyzed in a large-scale survey. This study aimed to investigate the conditions for which RSM is prescribed and the utilization of RSM in Taiwan. 1 million beneficiaries enrolled in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were sampled to identify patients who were prescribed RSM.

Autologous Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined with Shockwave Therapy Synergistically Ameliorates the Osteoarthritic Pathological Factors in Knee Joint.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and shockwave (SW) therapy have been shown to exert a chondroprotective effect for osteoarthritis (OA). The results of this study demonstrated that autologous ADSCs had dose-dependent and synergistic effects with SW therapy (0.25 mJ/mm with 800 impulses) in OA rat knee joint.

Laser Acupuncture Improves Tear Film Stability in Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Two-Center Randomized-Controlled Trial.

To investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture (LA) therapy in patients with dry eye disease (DED). A two-center randomized controlled trial. The Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese Medicine at the Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and the Sunming Eye Clinic in South Taiwan.

Immediate effect of non-invasive auricular acupoint stimulation on the performance and meridian activities of archery athletes: A protocol for randomized controlled trial.

Background: Archery has existed in human history for millenniums. Being a unique exercise and precision sport, the keys to performance are emotional control, attention, and concentration rather than explosive force, muscle power, and endurance. During the execution of archery, attention is the key to performance in elite players, especially in the initial period while drawing the bow.

Chinese Herbal Products for Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study.

Combinations of Chinese herbal products (CHPs) are widely used for Parkinson's disease (PD) in Taiwan. Thereby, we investigated the use of CHPs in patients with PD. This study was a population-based cohort study that analyzed the data of patients with PD from the National Health Insurance Research Database.

Toona sinensis modulates autophagy and cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Toona sinensis (TS) is a medicinal herb possessing anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat diabetes, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, TS clears dampness and heat, strengthens the stomach function, and regulates vital energy flow. TS is also used as an astringent and a pesticide.

Combined effect of laser acupuncture and electroacupuncture in knee osteoarthritis patients: A protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disorder that affects 250 million people globally. KOA can lead to disability and is often associated with cardiovascular disease, poor quality of life, and mortality. The most common treatment for KOA is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration.

Adjuvant laser meridian massage in men with opioid use disorder on methadone maintenance treatment: Protocol for a case-controlled study.

Background: Heroin addiction remains a significant public health problem worldwide, and relapse to heroin use following cessation of agonist maintenance treatment is common. The problems associated with use of opioid agonists mean that non-opioid therapies need to be developed to ameliorate acute and protracted opioid withdrawal syndromes.

Methods: Fifteen men with opioid use disorder on methadone maintenance treatment have been enrolled from an addiction treatment center as an experimental group in this case-controlled study.

Outcomes of adjunctive steroid therapy in adult patients with bacterial meningitis in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based epidemiologic study.

Background: Although corticosteroids are an effective anti-inflammatory adjuvant therapy, the role of adjunctive steroid therapy in treating adult bacterial meningitis in Taiwan remains controversial.

Methods: Cases of acute bacterial meningitis were identified from the annual hospitalization discharge claims of the National Health Insurance Research Database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes from January 2000 to December 2013. Patients were classified into two groups: (1) steroid group (adjunctive steroids and empirical antibiotics) and (2) placebo group (empirical antibiotics only).