Clinical Efficacy Evaluation and Potential Mechanism of Zhishe Tongluo Capsule in the Treatment of Cerebral Infarction by Meta-Analysis Associated with Network Pharmacology

Objective. By integrating meta-analysis and network pharmacology strategy, the clinical efficacy of Zhishe Tongluo capsule in the treatment of cerebral infarction was evaluated, and the intervention mechanism was preliminary explored. Methods. Through meta-analysis, the Chinese and English literature of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Zhishe Tongluo capsule in the treatment of cerebral infarction was comprehensively searched. Based on the standard of Na Pai, the quantitative literature was determined and the Review Manager data were statistically analyzed. Results. A total of 10 RCTs literatures were included. These literatures included a total of 1278 subjects, of which 670 were in the treatment group and 608 were in the control group. In terms of indicators of efficiency and adverse reaction rate, the treatment group was better than the control group. There was a statistical difference P < 0.05 ; a total of 559 chemical constituents and 2306 potential targets were obtained from the online database. Of these, 201 components, 145 targets, and 185 pathways were closely related to cerebral infarction. Conclusions. The available evidence indicates that the addition of Zhishe Tongluo capsule to the conventional treatment of Western medicine can improve the clinical efficacy of cerebral infarction and has some advantages in regulating blood lipids and hemorheology, but the overall evidence level is low, which still needs to be further supported by large-scale and multicenter RCTs; intervention of brain infarction by Zhishe Tongluo capsule is a comprehensive result of multicomponent and multi-target interactions. On the basis of the combined meta-analysis and network pharmacology in scientific attempts, it also provides a reference for the clinical evaluation of other drugs and mechanism research.

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Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Ligustrazine in Cerebral Infarction

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/3595946 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tian Yu ◽

Xiaoheng Guo ◽

Zhen Zhang ◽

Rong Liu ◽

Liang Zou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Cerebral Infarction ◽

Clinical Efficacy ◽

Large Scale ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Blood Rheology ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Secondary Outcome Measure ◽

Clinical Effects

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ligustrazine in the treatment of cerebral infarction.Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted in 6 databases until 30 June 2016 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ligustrazine in the treatment of cerebral infarction. The quality of all the included studies was evaluated. All data were analyzed by Review Manager 5.1 Software.Results. 19 RCTs totally involving 1969 patients were included. The primary outcome measures were Neurological Deficit Score (NDS) and clinical effective rate. The secondary outcome measure was adverse events. Meta-analysis showed that ligustrazine could improve clinical efficacy and NDS of cerebral infarction with [OR = 3.60, 95% CI (2.72, 4.78),P<0.00001] and [WMD = −3.87, 95% CI (−4.78, −2.95),P<0.00001]. Moreover, ligustrazine in treatment group exerted better clinical effects in improving the Blood Rheology Index (BRI) in patients compared with control group. Ten trials contained safety assessments and stated that no obvious side effects were found.Conclusions. Ligustrazine demonstrated definite clinical efficacy for cerebral infarction, and it can also improve NDS in patients without obvious adverse events. However, due to the existing low-quality research, more large-scale and multicentric RCTs are required to provide clear evidence for its clinical efficacy in the near future.

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The Treatment of Acne with the Addition and Subtraction of Loquat Qingfei Yin: A Meta-Analysis

Journal of Clinical and Nursing Research ◽

10.26689/jcnr.v5i4.2290 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 167-176

Author(s):

Wenjun Xue ◽

Pengguang Xu

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Cochrane Collaboration ◽

Effective Rate ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Comprehensive Collection

Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Loquat Qingfei Yin (LQFY) in the treatment of acne. Methods: Using computer retrieval, comprehensive collection of the full text database of Chinese journals till December 2020 (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), Viper Database (VIP), PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline were included in the LQFY addition or subtraction treatment of acne randomized controlled trial (RCT). Screening of the literatures included in the Note Express 3.2.0. Assessment of the risk of bias in trials using Cochrane collaboration tools, and used Rev Man 5.3 to evaluate the curative effect. Results: 25 RCT, all in Chinese, there were 2257 cases. Of the 1216 cases who were treated, control group was 1041 cases. A random effect model was used for Meta analysis. The results showed that the effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group, Differences were statistically significant (P=0.94, I2=0%), RR=2.87, CI [2.25,95 per cent 3.67], P<0.00001. Conclusion: There are limited evidence that LQFY is safe and effective in treating acne. However, this conclusion needs to be confirmed by a more large-scale, multi-center, high-quality RCTs.

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Effect of Argatroban Injection on Clinical Efficacy in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction: Preliminary Findings

European Neurology ◽

10.1159/000512813 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Pan Huang ◽

Xiao-ying He ◽

Min Xu

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Cerebral Infarction ◽

Clinical Efficacy ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Acute Cerebral Infarction ◽

Control Group ◽

Scale Scores ◽

The Difference ◽

And Control

Objective: The aim is to observe the effects of argatroban injection and butylphthalide injection on blood flow rheology, clinical efficacy, and safety in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods: 344 patients with acute cerebral infarction within 48 h after admission were divided into treatment group and control group, with 172 cases in each group. The control group received routine treatment. The treatment group received argatroban injection 60 mg on the basis of the control group, intravenously guttae (ivgtt) was used for 2 days and then changed to argatroban injection 10 mg, ivgtt bid for 5 days, and the total course of treatment was 7 days. The neurological changes, activities of daily living, and the rheology indicators (fibrinogen [Fib], platelet aggregation rate [Pag], whole blood high shear viscosity [Whsv], hematocrit [Hct]) were compared between the 2 groups, clinical efficacy and adverse drug reactions. Results: After treatment, the total effective rates of the treatment group and the control group were 90.70% (156 /172 cases) and 74.41% (128 and 172 cases), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). After treatment, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of the treatment group and the control group were (7.05 ± 1.97) and (8.30 ± 1.79), respectively, and the Barthel index was (68.02 ± 11.07) and (62.32 ± 11.46), respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). After treatment, the treatment group and the control group were (2.66 ± 0.22) g/L and (3.50 ± 0.22) g/L, respectively, and Pag were (0.68 ± 0.06)% and (0.81 ± 0.09)%, respectively, and Whsv was (6.44 ± 0.76) mPs/s and (6.87 ± 0.91) mPs/s, Hct were (8.19 ± 1.21)% and (10.44 ± 1.04)%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group and the control group was 6.97 and 5.81%, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Argatroban injection is effective in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction, which can significantly improve the hemorheology of patients with good safety.

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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis about the Effect of Bisphosphonates on the Risk of Skeletal-Related Event in Men with Prostate Cancer

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520620666200521114815 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (13) ◽

pp. 1604-1612

Author(s):

Congcong Wu ◽

Hua Jiang ◽

Jianghua Chen

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Fixed Effects Model ◽

Related Event ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Skeletal Related Event

Background: Although the adjuvant therapy of bisphosphonates in prostate cancer is effective in improving bone mineral density, it is still uncertain whether bisphosphonates could decrease the risk of Skeletal- Related Event (SRE) in patients with prostate cancer. We reviewed and analyzed the effect of different types of bisphosphonates on the risk of SRE, defined as pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation therapy to the bone, surgery to bone, hypercalcemia, bone pain, or death as a result of prostate cancer. Methods: A systemic literature search was conducted on PubMed and related bibliographies. The emphasis during data extraction was laid on the Hazard Ratio (HR) and the corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) from every eligible Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). HR was pooled with the fixed effects model, and preplanned subgroup analyses were performed. Results: 5 RCTs (n = 4651) were included and analyzed finally after screening 51 articles. The meta-analysis of all participants showed no significant decrease in the risk of SRE when adding bisphosphonates to control group (HR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.874 - 1.072, p = 0.536) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 4) p = 0.679). There was no significant improvement on SRE neither in the subgroups with Metastases (M1) or Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (CSPC) (respectively HR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.874 - 1.072, p = 0.536, I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 4) p = 0.679; HR = 0.954, 95% CI = 0.837 - 1.088, p = 0.484, I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 3) p = 0.534). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that bisphosphonates could not statistically significantly reduce the risk of SRE in patients with prostate cancer, neither in the subgroups with M1 or CSPC.

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Sofosbuvir with daclatasvir and the outcomes of patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis with GRADE assessment

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-140287 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. postgradmedj-2021-140287

Author(s):

Ahmad Fariz Malvi Zamzam Zein ◽

Catur Setiya Sulistiyana ◽

Wilson Matthew Raffaello ◽

Arief Wibowo ◽

Raymond Pranata

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Absolute Risk ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Invasive Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Reduce Mortality Rate ◽

Icu Admission ◽

Clinical Recovery

PurposeThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (SOF/DCV) on mortality, the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and clinical recovery in patients with COVID-19.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature search through the PubMed, Scopus and Embase from the inception of databases until 6 April 2021. The intervention group was SOF/DCV, and the control group was standard of care. The primary outcome was mortality, defined as clinically validated death. The secondary outcomes were (1) the need for ICU admission or IMV and (2) clinical recovery. The pooled effect estimates were reported as risk ratios (RRs).ResultsThere were four studies with a total of 231 patients in this meta-analysis. Three studies were randomised controlled trial, and one study was non-randomised. SOF/DCV was associated with lower mortality (RR: 0.31 (0.12, 0.78); p=0.013; I2: 0%) and reduced need for ICU admission or IMV (RR: 0.35 (0.18, 0.69); p=0.002; I2: 0%). Clinical recovery was achieved more frequently in the SOF/DCV (RR: 1.20 (1.04, 1.37); p=0.011; I2: 21.1%). There was a moderate certainty of evidence for mortality and need for ICU/IMV outcome, and a low certainty of evidence for clinical recovery. The absolute risk reductions were 140 fewer per 1000 for mortality and 186 fewer per 1000 for the need for ICU/IMV. The increase in clinical recovery was 146 more per 1000.ConclusionSOF/DCV may reduce mortality rate and need for ICU/IMV in patients with COVID-19 while increasing the chance for clinical recovery.Protocol registrationPROSPERO: CRD42021247510.

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The utility of self-rated health in population surveys: the role of bodyweight

Population Health Metrics ◽

10.1186/s12963-021-00255-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Robert Bozick

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Large Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

The Usa ◽

Group Members ◽

Nationally Representative

Abstract Background Self-rated health (SRH) is one of the most commonly used summary measures of overall health and well-being available to population scientists due to its ease of administration in large-scale surveys and to its efficacy in predicting mortality. This paper assesses the extent to which SRH is affected by its placement before or after questions about bodyweight on a survey, and whether differences in placement on the questionnaire affects SRH’s predictive validity. Methods I assessed the validity of SRH in predicting the risk of mortality by comparing outcomes of sample members who were asked to rate their health before reporting on their bodyweight (the control group) and sample members who were asked to rate their health after reporting on their bodyweight (the treatment group). Both the control and treatment group were randomly assigned via an experiment administered as a module in a nationally representative sample of adults in the USA in 2019 (N = 2523). Results The odds of reporting a more favorable appraisal of health are 30% lower for sample members who were in the treatment group when compared with the control group. Additionally, the SRH of treatment group members is significantly associated with their risk of mortality, while the SRH of control group members is not. Conclusion The findings from this study suggest that for researchers to maximize the utility of SRH, closer attention needs to be paid to the context of the survey within which it asked. SRH is highly sensitive to the questions that precede it, and this sensitivity may in turn mischaracterize the true health of the population that the survey is intending to measure.

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Effectiveness of sustained natural apophyseal glides in females with cervicogenic headache: A randomized controlled trial

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation ◽

10.3233/bmr-210018 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Muhammad Kashif ◽

Nosheen Manzoor ◽

Rimsha Safdar ◽

Hafsa Khan ◽

Maryam Farooq ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Neck Disability Index ◽

Placebo Treatment ◽

Cervicogenic Headache ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Head Positioning ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Neck Disability

BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a common condition that results in significant disability. To treat this dysfunction, Mulligan described sustained natural apophyseal gliders (SNAGs) as a manual therapy approach. However, only inconclusive short-term evidence exists for treating CGH with SNAGs. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the effect of SNAGs in the treatment of CGH. METHODS: Fourty female patients ranging from 20 to 40 years with CGH were randomly assigned to two groups: 20 in a treatment group and 20 in a control group. SNAGs were applied to the treatment group while the control group received placebo treatment. Both groups received their respective treatment for 20 minutes, alternately three times per week, for a total of 12 times in four weeks. The outcome measures were the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Participants were assessed at baseline and at the end of each week. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Independent t-testing was used to reveal changes between groups. One-way ANOVA was used to determine changes within groups. The level of significance was P< 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty participants (100%) in the treatment group and 17 (85%) in the control group had a history of headache aggravation with active movements or passive head positioning. There was no significant difference at baseline (p> 0.05), indicating that both groups were homogeneous at the time of recruitment. The p value (p< 0.05) showed a significant difference in pain and level of disability at three and four weeks (p< 0.05) in patients treated with SNAGs. However, the cervical range of motion (ROM) showed a statistically significant improvement in flexion and extension in the treatment group (p< 0.05) while there was no significant improvement in side flexion and rotation ROM in both groups (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that SNAGs were effective in reducing pain and neck disability and improved ROM in females with CGH.

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2021 Mark Coventry Award: Use of a smartphone-based care platform after primary partial and total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial

The Bone & Joint Journal ◽

10.1302/0301-620x.103b6.bjj-2020-2352.r1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 103-B (6 Supple A) ◽

pp. 3-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David A. Crawford ◽

Paul J. Duwelius ◽

Michael A. Sneller ◽

Michael J. Morris ◽

Jason M. Hurst ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Care Management ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Total Knee

Aims The purpose is to determine the non-inferiority of a smartphone-based exercise educational care management system after primary knee arthroplasty compared with a traditional in-person physiotherapy rehabilitation model. Methods A multicentre prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted evaluating the use of a smartphone-based care management system for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and partial knee arthroplasty (PKA). Patients in the control group (n = 244) received the respective institution’s standard of care with formal physiotherapy. The treatment group (n = 208) were provided a smartwatch and smartphone application. Early outcomes assessed included 90-day knee range of movement, EuroQoL five-dimension five-level score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS JR) score, 30-day single leg stance (SLS) time, Time up and Go (TUG) time, and need for manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA). Results Overall, 90-day mean flexion was not significantly different between the control (121° (SD 11.7°)) and treatment groups (121o; p = 0.559); 90-day mean SLS was 22.7 seconds (SD 9.8) in controls and 24.3 seconds (SD 20.8) in treatment (p = 0.519); 90-day mean TUG times were 10.1 seconds (SD 4.8) in control and 9.3 seconds (SD 3.3) in treatment (p = 0.139). Mean KOOS JR scores were significantly different between control group (73.6 (SD 13.4)) and treatment group (70.4 (SD 12.6); p = 0.026). MUAs were performed in nine (3.7%) patients in the control group and four (1.9%) in the treatment group (p = 0.398). Physiotherapy was performed by 230 (94.4%) of control group and 123 (59.3%) of treatment group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups in postoperative urgent care visits, or readmissions within 90 days, with significantly fewer emergency department visits in the treatment group (16 (8.2%) vs five (2.5%), p = 0.014). Conclusion The use of the smartwatch/smartphone care platform demonstrated non-inferiority of clinically significant outcomes to traditional care models, while requiring significantly less postoperative physiotherapy and fewer emergency department visits. This platform could aid in decreasing postoperative costs, while improving patient engagement and communication with the healthcare team. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6 Supple A):3–12.

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Long-Term Effect of Interactive Online Dietician Weight Loss Advice in General Practice (LIVA) Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Family Medicine ◽

10.1155/2014/245347 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Carl J. Brandt ◽

Vibeke Brandt ◽

Mathilde Pedersen ◽

Dorte Glintborg ◽

Søren Toubro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

General Practice ◽

Large Scale ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Complex Interventions ◽

Control Group ◽

Average Weight ◽

Practice Setting ◽

Management Support ◽

General Practice Setting

Background. Internet-based complex interventions aiming to promote weight loss and optimize healthy behaviors have attracted much attention. However, evidence for effect is lacking. Obesity is a growing problem, resulting in an increasing demand for cost efficient weight loss programs suitable for use on a large scale, for example, as part of standard primary care. In a previous pilot project by Brandt et al. (2011) without a control group, we examined the effects of online dietician counseling and found an average weight loss of 7.0 kg (95% CI: 4.6 to 9.3 kg) after 20 months. Aims and Methods. To analyze the effects of a complex intervention using trained dieticians in a general practice setting combined with internet-based interactive and personalized weight management support compared with conventional advice with a noninteractive internet support as placebo treatment in 340 overweight patients during a 2-year period. Primary endpoints are weight loss and lowering of cholesterol (LDL). We will also explore patients’ sociodemographics and use of the intervention as well as the health professionals’ views and perceptions of the intervention (their role and the advice and support that they provide). Perspective. The project will generate knowledge on the cost-effectiveness of a complex internet-based intervention in a general practice setting and on barriers and acceptability among professionals and patients.

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Efficacy and Safety of Lianhuaqingwen Capsules for the Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Prospective Open-Label Controlled Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/7962630 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Xiaowei Gong ◽

Boyun Yuan ◽

Yadong Yuan ◽

Fengju Li

Keyword(s):

Nucleic Acid ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Close Contact ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Open Label ◽

Medical Observation ◽

Observation Period ◽

Close Contacts ◽

Nucleic Acid Tests

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. Community and close contact exposures continue to drive the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no confirmed effective treatment for suspected cases and close contacts. Lianhuaqingwen (LH) capsules, a repurposed Chinese herbal product that is currently on the market, have proven effective for influenza and COVID-19. To determine the safety and efficacy of LH capsules for the prevention of COVID-19, we conducted a prospective open-label controlled trial of LH capsules on subjects who had close contact with people infected with COVID-19. Subjects received LH capsules (4 capsules, three times daily) or the usual medical observation for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of positive nucleic acid tests of nasal and pharyngeal swabs during the quarantine medical observation period. We included 1976 patients, including 1101 in the treatment group and 875 in the control group. The rate of positive nucleic acid tests in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.27% vs. 1.14%, respectively; mean difference: −0.87%; 95% CI: −1.83 to −0.13; p = 0.0174 ) during the quarantine medical observation period (14 days). Among subjects with different close contact states, there was no significant difference in the rate of positive nucleic acid test results among close contacts in the treatment group and the control group (6.45% vs. 11.43%, respectively; p = 0.6762 ). Among secondary close contacts, the rate of positive nucleic acid tests in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.09% vs. 0.71%, respectively; p = 0.0485 ). No serious adverse events were reported. Taken together, and in light of the safety and effectiveness profiles, these results show that LH capsules can be considered to prevent the progression of COVID-19 after close contact with an infected person. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2100043012.

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