The relationship between liver function and neurophysiological factors in depressed individuals: a cross-sectional study using an integrated "East meets West" medicine approach.

Introduction: Depression is a common mental disorder worldwide. The pathology of depression may involve the dysregulation of neurotransmitters and immunity and produce genetic and environmental effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced for several thousand years and has a different understanding of depression compared to Western medicine. However, this approach has not been widely accepted by scientific communities as TCM mainly focuses on clinical practice. Methods: In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 100 participants in a rehabilitation hospital to analyze the plausible pathways linking TCM-based liver function and depression, which we hypothesized in a prior theoretical review. Results: A significant relationship between adrenocorticotropic hormone and TCM-based liver function was found (r = 0.211, p = 0.041). Cortisol was significantly associated with norepinephrine (r = 0.243, p = 0.015) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (r = 0.302, p < 0.001). A positive significant relationship was also found between norepinephrine and adrenocorticotropic hormone (r = 0.272, p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between the ratio from low frequency to high frequency and TCM-based liver function (p = 0.690). Discussion: These results suggest that TCM-based liver function can be interpreted using the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This is a pioneering study to examine the mechanisms of depression in relation to liver function by integrating Eastern and Western medical approaches. The findings of this study are valuable for a deeper understanding of depression and public education.

Using Nonlinear Dynamics and Multivariate Statistics to Analyze EEG Signals of Insomniacs with the Intervention of Superficial Acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: As a noninvasive and nonpharmacological therapeutic approach, superficial acupuncture (SA) is a special method of acupuncture. In this study, using nonlinear dynamics and multivariate statistics, we studied the electroencephalography (EEG) of primary insomnia under SA intervention to investigate how brain regions change. METHOD: This study included 30 adults with primary insomnia. They underwent superficial acupuncture at the Shangen acupoint. The EEG signals were collected for 10 minutes at each state, including the resting state, the intervention state, and the postintervention state. The data were conducted using nonlinear dynamics (including approximate entropy (ApEn) and correlation dimension (CD)) and multivariate statistics. RESULT: The repeated-measures ANOVA results showed that both ApEn and CD values were not significantly different at the three states (p > 0.05). The paired t-test results showed that the ApEn values of electrodes O2 (the right occipital lobe) at the postintervention state have decreased, compared with the resting state (p < 0.05), and no difference was detected in CD (p > 0.05). The cluster analysis results of ApEn showed that patients' EEG has changed from the right prefrontal lobe (electrode Fp2) to the right posterior temporal lobe (electrode T6) and finally to the right occipital lobe (electrode O2), before, during, and after the SA intervention. In addition, the factor analysis results of CD revealed that patients' EEG of all brain regions except for the occipital lobes has changed to the frontal lobes and anterior temporal and frontal lobes from pre- to postintervention. CONCLUSION: SA activated the corresponding brain regions and reduced the complexity of the brain involved. It is feasible to use nonlinear dynamics analysis and multivariate statistics to examine the effects of SA on the human brain.

[Clinical significance of anti-D IgG screening and titer detection in 286 RhD negative pregnant women].

OBJECTIVE: Anti-D IgG in RhD negative pregnant women is the main antibody of Rh-induced hemolytic disease of newborn (HDN). The study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of anti-D IgG screening and titer detection in RhD negative pregnant women. METHODS: Sera of 286 RhD negative pregnant women were collected. Microtube column indirect antiglobulin test was used to screen and identify anti-D IgG. The indirect antiglobulin test was used to test the titer of anti-D IgG. RESULTS: Anti-D IgG was identified in 21 cases (7.3%). The titer of anti-D showed an increasing trend with pregnancy progresses. The clinical outcomes of 12 fetuses (newborns) from positive anti-D pregnant women were observed. Two cases died in utero, 2 cases did not show abnormality and 8 cases had hemolysis. The 8 cases with hemolysis were treated with exchange transfusion or blood transfusion, and they had a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The screening and titer detection of anti-D IgG in RhD negative pregnant women are valuable in the prediction and treatment of HDN.

[Analysis on Insomniac Electroencephalogram Data After Treatment with Superficial Needling Based on Approximate Entropy and Correlation Dimensionality].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of superficial needling on electroencephalogram (EEG) in patients with insomnia by using nonlinear kinetics measure. METHODS: Six patients (3 male and 3 female) suffering from insomnia for more than a month were recruited in the present study. EEG data before and during superficial acupuncture stimulation of Shangen point (the midpoint between the bilateral inner canthus) was recorded using an electroencephalograph for analyzing the correlation dimensionality (D 2) and approximate entropy (ApEn) of different cerebral regions. RESULTS: During superficial needling, the D 2 data of the right-forehead (Fp 2), anterior area of the left temple (F 7) and the anterior region of the right temple (F 8) were significantly increased (P<0.05), and ApEn data at the right anterior forehead(Fp 2), left occipital region (O 1), and F 8 region markedly decreased relevant to pre-acupuncture (P<0.05). Both paring test and trend analysis of D 2 data showed no significant changes. Only an obvious increase of D 2 was found in the Fp 2 region, suggesting a coherence of EEG activities in stability and synchronization during acupuncture treatment. Clustering analysis of D 2 data of various cerebral regions displayed a relatively concentrated tendency, particularly in the Fp 2, the right forehead (F 4) and F 8 regions. Factor analysis of ApEn data showed a significant change in Fp 2, F 8, O 1 and right occipital (O 2) regions. It suggests that during superficial needling stimulation of Shangen point, the EEG signals were lowered in complexity, and improved in synchronization, stabilization and ordering, favoring sleep at last. CONCLUSION: Superficial needling of Shangen point can make the EEG signals synchronized in insomnia patients, suggesting an improvement of sleeping.