The effects of metformin on simple obesity: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of metformin versus a placebo in the treatment of patients with simple obesity without obesity related diseases.

Methods: A search was done on Pub-Med, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Science Citation Index Expanded databases. The main inclusion criteria included the following:(1) randomized controlled trials.

[Changes of soil physical properties during the conversion of cropland to agroforestry system].

To provide theoretical basis for modeling and managing agroforestry systems, the influence of conversion of cropland to agroforestry system on soil physical properties was investigated via a walnut (Juglans regia)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) intercropping system, a wide spreading local agroforestry model in northern Weihe River of loess area, with the walnut and wheat monoculture systems as the control. The results showed that the improvement of the intercropping system on soil physical properties mainly appeared in the 0-40 cm soil layer. The intercropping system could prevent soil bulk density rising in the surface soil (0-20 cm), and the plow pan in the 20-40 cm soil layer could be significantly alleviated.

[Clinical study on method of "tonifying the lung to check the liver" for treatment of chronic cholecystitis].

Objective: To evaluate the significance of method of "tonifying the lung to check the liver" for treatment of chronic cholecystitis.

Methods: Forty cases were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group were treated with acupuncture and moxibustion by the method of "tonifying the lung to check the liver", and the control group with routine moxibustion.