A randomized controlled study on acupuncture for peri-operative pain after open radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To evaluate the advantages of adding acupuncture to standard postoperative pain management for open radical prostatectomy (RP).

Materials And Methods: A randomized controlled trial (1:1:1) comparing routine postoperative analgesic care (control [CON]) vs the addition of press tack needle acupuncture (ACU) or press tack placebo acupressure (SHAM) for pain management after open RP was performed. A total of 126 patients were enrolled between February 2020 and April 2021.

Slower progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with external application of a Chinese herbal plaster-The randomized, placebo-controlled triple-blinded ALS-CHEPLA trial.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by gradually increasing damage to the upper and lower motor neurons. However, definitive and efficacious treatment for ALS is not available, and oral intake in ALS patients with bulbar involvement is complicated due to swallowing difficulties.

Hypothesis/purpose: This study investigated whether the external plaster application of the herbal composition Ji-Wu-Li efficiently slows ALS progression because prior studies obtained promising evidence with oral herbal applications.

Shufeng Jiedu capsule ameliorates olfactory dysfunction via the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis.

Background: Shufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJDC) has been widely used as a conventional Chinese pharmaceutical agent for various upper respiratory infections, including acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and allergic rhinitis (AR). However, its mechanism in AR remains unclear.

Purpose: The present study aimed to decipher the antiallergic inflammatory effect of SFJDC in an AR model with olfactory dysfunction.

Acupuncture improves chemotherapy-induced neuropathy explored by neurophysiological and clinical outcomes - The randomized, controlled, cross-over ACUCIN trial.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is recognized as the second commonest side effect after chemotherapy. Besides neurological deficits and pain, it is a potential reason for terminating chemotherapy. Effective curative treatments of neurodegeneration are lacking.

Ecdysterone Attenuates the Development of Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Rats at Early Stage.

Oral mucositis is a common adverse reaction of radiotherapy used for head and neck cancers. Our research investigates the therapeutic effect and potential mechanisms of ecdysterone, a compound which was used as a functional food additive, isolated from the root of medicine-food herbs Achyranthes bidentata (Blume), on radiation-induced oral mucositis in rats during the early development stages of mucositis. In this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single 20 Gy X-ray dose to the head and neck after placement of each animal in a specially-constructed 5-mm lead jig.

Shufeng Jiedu, a promising herbal therapy for moderate COVID-19:Antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, pathways of bioactive compounds, and a clinical real-world pragmatic study.

Background: Shufeng Jiedu capsules (SFJDC), a patented herbal drug composed of eight medicinal plants, is used for the treatment of different viral respiratory tract infectious diseases. Based on its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activity in acute lung injury, SFJDC might be a promising candidate for the treatment of COVID-19.

Purpose: To evaluate the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and to discover the mechanism of action of SFJDC as a potential drug for the treatment of COVID-19.

Electrophysiologically verified effects of acupuncture on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes: The randomized, partially double-blinded, controlled ACUDIN trial.

Background: Acupuncture is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), but data from randomized controlled trials are rare.

Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled, partially double-blinded clinical trial randomly assigned adults with confirmed type 2 diabetes-induced DPN to receive 10 sessions of needle acupuncture, laser acupuncture, or placebo laser acupuncture for 10 consecutive weeks. Treatment was provided at bilateral acupoints Ex-LE-10 (Bafeng), Ex-LE-12 (Qiduan), and ST-34 (Lianqiu).

Systematic analyses on the potential immune and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-caused pneumonia.

The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-caused pneumonia (Coronavirus disease -19, COVID-19), has resulted in a global health emergency. However, there is no vaccine or effective antiviral treatment against the newly emerged coronavirus and identifying the available therapeutics as soon as possible is critical for the response to the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (SFJDC), a well-known prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China, has been widely used in treating upper respiratory tract infections and acute lung injury, owing to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.

The Course of Mild and Moderate COVID-19 Infections-The Unexpected Long-Lasting Challenge.

Background: The course of disease in mild and moderate COVID-19 has many implications for mobile patients, such as the risk of spread of the infection, precautions taken, and investigations targeted at preventing transmission.

Methods: Three hundred thirty-one adults were hospitalized from January 21 to February 22, 2020, and classified as severe (10%) or critical (4.8%) cases; 1.

ACUDIN - ACUpuncture and laser acupuncture for treatment of DIabetic peripheral Neuropathy: a randomized, placebo-controlled, partially double-blinded trial.

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus with significant clinical sequelae that can affect a patient's quality of life. Metabolic and microvascular factors are responsible for nerve damage, causing loss of nerve function, numbness, painful sensory symptoms, and muscle weakness. Therapy is limited to anti-convulsant or anti-depressant drugs for neuropathic pain and paresthesia.

Immediate Pain Relief in Adhesive Capsulitis by Acupuncture-A Randomized Controlled Double-Blinded Study.

Objective: Primary adhesive capsulitis (AC), or frozen shoulder, is an insidious and idiopathic disease. Severe pain is predominant in the first two of the three stages of the condition, which can last up to 21 months.

Design, Setting, And Subjects: Sixty volunteers with primary AC were randomly assigned to acupuncture with press tack needles compared with press tack placebos in a patient- and observer-blinded placebo-controlled study.

Neuroprotective Effect of Coptis chinensis in MPP[Formula: see text] and MPTP-Induced Parkinson's Disease Models.

The rhizome of Coptis chinensis is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine alone or in combination with other herbs to treat diseases characterized by causing oxidative stress including inflammatory diseases, diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, there is emerging evidence that Coptis chinensis is effective in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Coptis chinensis in vitro and in vivo using MPP[Formula: see text] and MPTP models of Parkinson's disease.

Neuroprotective Activity of Coptisine from Coptis chinensis (Franch).

Coptis chinensis rhizomes (CR) are one important ingredient of traditional Chinese herbal formulas such as San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang which is used for treatment of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies suggest that the extract of CR might be a potential therapeutic agent for amelioration of neurological disorders associated with oxidative stress. In the present study we aimed at revealing the main active compound(s) of the CR extract and at investigating the mechanism of action.

Coptis chinensis Franch. exhibits neuroprotective properties against oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The dried rhizome of Coptis chinensis Franch. (family Ranunculaceae) is traditionally used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and diabetes. Recent studies showed a variety of activities of Coptis chinensis Franch.

Can medical herbs stimulate regeneration or neuroprotection and treat neuropathic pain in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy?

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN) has a relevant impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. There are no curative conventional treatments, so further options have to be investigated. We conducted a systematic review in English and Chinese language databases to illuminate the role of medical herbs.

An acupuncture research protocol developed from historical writings by mathematical reflections: a rational individualized acupoint selection method for immediate pain relief.

While balancing yin and yang is one basic principle of Chinese medicine, balancing methods for combination of meridians and acupoints had been described throughout the history of Chinese medicine. We have identified six historical systems for combinations of acupuncture points in historical writings. All of them represent symmetrical combinations which are defined by the steps in the Chinese Clock.

Mathematical reflections on acupoint combinations in the traditional meridian systems.

The meridian system is a systematic order of empirical knowledge functioning as a rational ground for a balanced treatment by combining meridians. In TCM theory, a continuous circulation of Qi through 12 meridians is postulated, described as the Chinese clock (CC). On this basis, combinations of meridians and acupoints had been described in historical writings.

Regulation of the cardiovascular function by CO2 laser stimulation in anesthetized rats.

Physical stimulation of body surface points is known to affect various organ functions. In traditional Chinese medicine, so-called acupoints were defined. These points can be physically stimulated to effectively treat various diseases.

Inhibitory regulation of blood pressure by manual acupuncture in the anesthetized rat.

Effect of manual acupuncture (twisting; lifting and thrusting; combination of them) at acupoints Nei-guan (PL-6) in the fore limb and Zu-san-li (ST-36) in the hind limb on mean arterial blood pressure was investigated in anesthetized rats. During acupuncture treatment mean arterial blood pressure was decreased but fluctuated in intact rats, intensively decreased after vagotomy and completely abolished after spinalization. The depressor response was significantly higher with combination treatment than others at PL-6, rather than at ST-36.

Exudative age-related macular degeneration treated by intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. A prospective comparative nonrandomized study.

Purpose: To report on visual outcome of patients receiving an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment of progressive exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: The prospective comparative nonrandomized clinical interventional study included 187 consecutive patients with progressive exudative age-related macular degeneration, divided into a study group of 115 patients receiving an intravitreal injection of 25 mg triamcinolone acetonide, and a control group of 72 patients without treatment. The mean follow-up was 6.

New developments at BIONET.

BIONET has made considerable progress in developing communication links among molecular biologists and biochemists worldwide. We describe these efforts and also note the many new enhancements to the BIONET system itself.

Cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA for the rat atrial natriuretic factor precursor.

Atrial extracts contain factors which induce potent natriuresis changes in renal haemodynamics, and relax pre-contracted vascular smooth muscle. Low-molecular-weight peptides which mimic these actions have now been purified by several groups, including ours (see accompanying paper), and higher-molecular-weight proteins with similar but less potent biological activities have also been identified and are presumed to be precursors. If released into the circulation, these peptides, collectively called atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), may play a significant part in blood-pressure homeostasis, regulation of extracellular fluid volume and as antagonists to the hypertensive effects of the renin-angiotensin system and other hormonal and neurotransmitter systems.