The impact of mindfulness therapy combined with mentalization-based family therapy on suicidal ideation in adolescents with depressive disorder: randomized intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with depression who engage in non-suicidal self harming behaviors are more likely to adopt negative coping strategies when faced with negative events. Therefore, these patients should be introduced to positive coping strategies. Evidences have showed that mindfulness-based interventions can positively impact the psychology of patients with mental disorders. This study was to explore the impact of a combination of mindfulness therapy and mentalization-based family therapy (MBFT) on suicidal ideation in adolescents with depressive disorder. METHODS: Eighty adolescent patients with depression and suicidal ideation admitted to our hospital from September 2021 to February 2022 were selected as subjects. They were divided into a control group and a study group using the random number table method, with each group comprising 40 subjects. The control group received MBFT, whereas the study group received both mindfulness therapy and MBFT. The psychological status and suicidal ideations of the two groups were compared before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The psychological health scores of both groups of patients were lower after the intervention, with the scores of the study group being lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The scores on the suicidal ideation scales for both groups were lower after intervention, and the study group scored lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The absolute values of the differences in psychological health scale scores and suicidal ideation scale scores before and after the intervention were higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of mindfulness therapy and MBFT can improve the psychological condition of adolescents with depression, reduce their suicidal ideations, and help them develop a healthy and positive outlook toward life, making this method worthy of clinical recommendation.

[Mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, network pharmacology, and cell experiment].

In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/electrostatic field orbit trap combined-type mass spectrometry(UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) was used to analyze the main active components of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction(HQGZ). A total of 50 active components were identified from HQGZ and 108 potential targets of the components related to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were retrieved based on network pharmacology, including 87 key targets, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment of the targets. The result indicated that HQGZ may exert therapeutic effects mainly through the sphingolipid signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor(TNF) signaling pathway, as well as the positive regulation of ribonucleic acid(RNA) polymerase Ⅱ promoter transcription, inflammatory response and other biological processes. At the same time, cell experiment was performed to verify the key proteins in the TNF signaling pathway. The results demonstrated that HQGZ significantly reduced the expression of caspase-3(CASP3), TNF, relaxed(RELA) protein, and IkappaB kinase beta(IKBKB) in fibroblast-like synoviocytes induced by TNF-α. The results of UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, network pharmacology and cell experiment showed that the active components in HQGZ may inhibit inflammatory response and regulate immune function and cell apoptosis by modulating key proteins in TNF signaling pathway to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Graphene-supported CoPc/TiO2synthesized by sol-gel-hydrothermal method with enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of the typical gas of landfill exhaust.

This work was focused on the enhanced photocatalytic activity of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc)/TiO2under visible light irradiation supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO). A series of RGO/CoPc/TiO2nanocomposites were synthesized via sol-gel-hydrothermal method. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra, UV-Vis spectra and Photoluminescence spectra. The results demonstrated that the TiO2existed as anatase phase both of CoPc/TiO2and RGO/CoPc/TiO2composites, and the absorption range in visible light of RGO/CoPc/TiO2composites were broadened further. The photodegradation results of diethyl sulfide, the typical gas of landfill exhaust, under visible light revealed that RGO/CoPc/TiO2nanocomposites exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than CoPc/TiO2and pure TiO2, indicating the ideal amount of RGO was 7.5 wt.%, the optimal amount of 7.5% RGO/CoPc/TiO2composite on each plat was 0.3g and the degradation efficiency of diethyl sulfide was about 90%.

[Study on the distribution and characteristics of Chinese medicine syndrome in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

OBJECTIVE: To supply evidence for establishing the standard for Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome differentiation by investigating the distribution and characteristics of CM syndromes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: 928 NAFLD patients' symptoms, signs, tongue and pulse parameters were studied by clinical epidemiologic survey. And the results were analyzed by the cluster analysis and factor analysis. RESULTS: The results of cluster analysis showed that the CM syndrome typings of fatty liver patients were mainly classified as dampness heat accumulation, Pi deficiency with dampness phlegm, Gan-qi stagnation and Pi deficiency, phlegm stasis accumulation, and Gan-Shen insufficiency, which were in accordance with clinical practice. The results of factor analysis indicated that overweight/obesity, abdominal distension, hypochondriac pain, discomfort in the hepatic region were common "condition factors" of fatty liver patients. The 5 "syndrome factors" such as dampness heat accumulation, Pi deficiency with dampness phlegm, Gan-qi stagnation and Pi deficiency, phlegm stasis accumulation, and Gan-Shen insufficiency showed identification significance in syndrome typing. CONCLUSIONS: The basic CM syndrome typings of NAFLD were dampness heat accumulation, Pi deficiency with dampness phlegm, Gan-qi stagnation and Pi deficiency, phlegm stasis accumulation, and Gan-Shen insufficiency. The four parameters of fatty liver patients could be classified by statistical analysis as condition factors and syndrome factors (which could reflect CM syndrome characteristics), which could provide certain evidence for establishing CM syndrome differentiation standards.

[Effect of yuquan pill on proinflammatory cytokines in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Yuquan Pill (YP) on proinflammatory cytokines in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). METHODS: Ninety patients with DM2 were randomly divided into the treated group and the control group by the ratio of 2:1. Both groups were treated with Glucobay on the base of dietary and exercise therapy for 3 months, with YP, given to the treated group additionally 6 g four times a day. And the changes of proinflammatory cytokines, including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), etc. were observed. RESULTS: The levels of serum CRP,TNF-alpha and IL-6 significantly lowered after treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and the improvement in the treated group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: YP could reduce the levels of the increased proinflammatory cytokines in patients with DM2.

Application of Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants.

Somatic embryogenesis is a developmental process where a plant somatic cell can dedifferentiate to a totipotent embryonic stem cell that has the ability to give rise to an embryo under appropriate conditions. This new embryo can further develop into a whole plant. In woody plants, somatic embryogenesis plays a critical role in clonal propagation and is a powerful tool for synthetic seed production, germplasm conservation, and cryopreservation. A key step in somatic embryogenesis is the transition of cell fate from a somatic cell to embryo cell. Although somatic embryogenesis has already been widely used in a number of woody species, propagating adult woody plants remains difficult. In this review, we focus on molecular mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis and its practical applications in economic woody plants. Furthermore, we propose a strategy to improve the process of somatic embryogenesis using molecular means.

The state of insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver and the intervention with Gankangyin.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) with insulin resistance and the intervention of it by Gankangyin(GKY). METHODS: Ninety-six patients with NAFL were randomly assigned into the treated group and the control group. They were treated with GKY and Silymarin for 3 months respectively. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin release test (IRT) were conducted and insulin sensitivity indexes were determined before and after treatment. And 32 healthy nonalcoholic persons were enrolled and used as the healthy control group. RESULTS: Before treatment, the levels of blood glucose and insulin at different time points in OGTT test, and the insulin resistance index (IRI) were significantly higher (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) while insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and insulin active index (IAI) were lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in the NAFL patients than those in the healthy persons. After treatment, the above-mentioned raised criteria were significantly lowered (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the lowered criteria were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the treated group, while in the control group all the criteria were insignificantly changed (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Evident insulin resistance exists in NAFL patients. GKY could increase the insulin sensitivity, thus improving the state of insulin resistance in NAFL patients.

Clinical observation of the effect of Xuesaitong soft capsule on post-hepatitis fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Xuesaitong soft capsule (XST) on liver fibrosis criteria in patients with post-hepatitis fibrosis. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with such fibrosis were randomly divided into the treated group and control group. They were treated with XST and Dahuang Zhechong pill (NFDA1) for 3 months respectively. Their liver fibrosis criteria were examined before and after treatment. RESULTS: The levels of serum procollagen III, hyaluronic acid, collagen IV, laminin in the two groups were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than those before treatment. The differences between the two groups were insignificant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: XST could recover liver dysfunction and had anti-liver fibrosis function.

[Relationship between phlegm-stasis syndrome and fibrinolytic status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between phlegm-stasis syndrome (PSS) and the fibrinolytic status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). METHODS: Seventy patients with NAFL were divided into the PSS group and non-PSS group according to TCM Syndrome typing, and a control group consisted of 28 healthy subjects was set up. Levels of plasminogen (PLG), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and D-dimer were determined and compared. RESULTS: The activity of t-PA in NAFL patients was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and PLG and PAI-1 were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). In respect to the TCM Syndrome typing, in patients of PSS, t-PA was significantly lower and PLG, PAI-1 were significantly higher than those in patients of non-PSS (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while D-dimer was insignificantly different between patients of the two Syndrome types (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: NAFL patients of PSS type shows significant lower of fibrinolytic activity, indicating that there is certain degree of microcirculatory disturbance and hyper viscosity state, so the application of dissolving phlegm and dispelling stasis principle in treating NAFL is significant.

[Liver fibrosis indexes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical utility of liver fibrosis indexes determination in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: Liver fibrosis indexes of 79 patients with fatty liver, diagnosed by B ultrasonic echography, 37 patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis patients and 32 healthy subjects were determined. RESULTS: The level of procollagen III(PC III), hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen IV(C IV), laminin (LN) in the fatty liver cases were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (P<0.05 - 0.01), but lower than those in the liver cirrhosis cases (P<0.01). The difference of PC III, C IV, LN between the severe and early fatty liver cases was significant (P<0.05 - 0.01). Positive rate of these indexes was higher in severe cases. CONCLUSION: There is a trend of liver fibrosis in severe fatty liver patients. Combined determination of liver fibrosis indexes may help the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in the fatty liver patients.

Effect of Xuezhikang Capsule on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hyperlipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Xuezhikang Capsule on the serum levels of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hyperlipidemia, and to explore whether it has anti-inflammatory effect. METHODS: A total of 84 patients were randomly assigned to two groups with stratified block randomization, the treatment group (42 cases) and the control group (42 cases). They were treated with Xuezhikang Capsule and polyene phosphatidylcholine capsule for twenty-four weeks, respectively. The changes in serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay before treatment and at the 12th and 24th week. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment, the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 significantly decreased in both groups after treatment (P<0.01). There was no significant change between the two groups for the treatments at different time points (P>0.05) and between the two groups for treatments at the same time points (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Xuezhikang Capsule can inhibit the serum inflammatory factor in patients with NAFLD and hyperlipidemia.