Effectiveness of Zhenqi Buxue Oral Liquid Combined with Progesterone for Treatment of Oligomenorrhea and Hypomenorrhea with Qi-Blood and Kidney (Shen) Essence Deficiency: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Zhenqi Buxue Oral Liquid (ZQ), progesterone capsules, and their combination in treating oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea with qi-blood and Kidney (Shen) essence deficiency. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, multi-center controlled trial between June 2022 to December 2022. Ninety-six oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea patients with qi-blood and Shen essence deficiency were randomly assigned to receive ZQ (ZQ group, 29 cases), progesterone capsules (PG group, 32 cases), or the combined Chinese and Western medicine (COM group, 31 cases) at a ratio of 1:1:1. Patients in the ZQ or PG group took daily 10 mL twice a day of ZQ or 200 mg once a day of progesterone capsules for 10 consecutive days on day 15 of the menstrual cycle respectively, and patients in the COM group received the same ZQ combined with progesterone capsules. The treatment course lasted for 3 months and follow-up was performed at 1 and 3 months after the end of treatment. Primary endpoint was the menstrual Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Scale (TCMSS) scores. Secondary endpoints included pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) scores, clinical efficacy rate, 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores, sex hormones and thickness of endometrium. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded. RESULTS: TCMSS scores after 1- and 3-month treatment in all groups were significantly lower than those at baseline (P<0.05). Only TCMSS scores after 3-month treatment in the ZQ and COM groups continuously decreased compared with those after 1-month treatment in the same group (P<0.01). TCMSS scores after 3-month treatment in the ZQ and COM groups were significantly lower than those in the PG group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with baseline, PBAC scores in the ZQ and COM groups after 3 months of treatment were also significantly higher (both P<0.01). The total effective rates of TCM syndrome of 3-month treatment were significantly improved in all groups compared with that after 1 month of treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the COM group was the highest in the 3rd month of treatment and significantly higher than that of PG group alone (P<0.05). Compared with baseline, only the SF-36 scores of COM group were significantly improved after 3 months of treatment (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions were observed after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ZQ and PG, or ZQ only had better effects on reducing TCMSS scores compared with PG, and COM showed the higher total effective rate compared with monotherapy. Besides, COM could effectively improve menstrual blood loss and quality of life. ZQ combined with PG may be an effective and safe option for oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea patients with qi-blood and Shen essence deficiency.

[Effects of acupuncture on hemorrhagic transformation and motor function in stroke patients after intravenous thrombolysis with rt-PA: a prospective cohort study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of the Xingnao Kaiqiao (regaining consciousness and opening orifices) acupuncture on hemorrhagic transformation and limb motor function after intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 130 stroke patients after rt-PA thrombolytic were divided into an acupuncture group (58 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a non-acupuncture group (72 cases, 7 cases dropped off) according to whether they received acupuncture treatment. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match each group, with 38 patients in each group. The patients in the non-acupuncture group received rt-PA thrombolytic therapy and western medical basic treatment. In addition to the basic treatment, the patients in the acupuncture group received Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture at Shuigou (GV 26), bilateral Neiguan (PC 6), and ipsilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Chize (LU 5), once a day for 14 days. The incidence of hemorrhagic transformation within 30 days after onset was compared between the two groups. The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) score and activities of daily living (ADL) score were observed at baseline and 30 days, 6 months, 1 year after onset in the two groups. The disability rate at 6 months and 1 year after onset was recorded, and safety was evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The incidence of hemorrhagic transformation in the acupuncture group was 5.3% (2/38), which was lower than 21.1% (8/38) in the non-acupuncture group (P<0.05). At 30 days, 6 month, and 1 year after onset, the FMA and ADL scores of both groups were higher than those at baseline (P<0.01), and the scores in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the non-acupuncture group (P<0.01). The disability rate in the acupuncture group at 1 year after onset was 10.5% (4/38), which was lower than 28.9% (11/38) in the non-acupuncture group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture method could reduce the incidence of hemorrhagic transformation in stroke patients after intravenous thrombolysis with rt-PA, improve their motor function and daily living ability, and reduce the long-term disability rate.

Calcium-binding properties, stability, and osteogenic ability of phosphorylated soy peptide-calcium chelate.

Introduction: Bioactive peptides based on foodstuffs are of particular interest as carriers for calcium delivery due to their safety and high activity. The phosphorylated peptide has been shown to enhance calcium absorption and bone formation. Method: A novel complex of peptide phosphorylation modification derived from soybean protein was introduced, and the mechanism, stability, and osteogenic differentiation bioactivity of the peptide with or without calcium were studied. Result: The calcium-binding capacity of phosphorylated soy peptide (SPP) reached 50.24 ± 0.20 mg/g. The result of computer stimulation and vibration spectrum showed that SPP could chelate with calcium by the phosphoric acid group, carboxyl oxygen of C-terminal Glu, Asp, and Arg, and phosphoric acid group of Ser on the SPP at a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1, resulting in the formation of the complex of ligand and peptide. Thermal stability showed that chelation enhanced peptide stability compared with SPP alone. Additionally, in vitro results showed that SPP-Ca could facilitate osteogenic proliferation and differentiation ability. Discussion: SPP may function as a promising alternative to current therapeutic agents for bone loss.

A case of GFAP-IgG positivity followed by anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there have been an increasing number of reports on overlapping antibodies in autoimmune encephalitis (AE). There are various types of overlapping antibodies, but the clinical significance of each type is not yet clear. Glial antibodies, such as MOG, AQP4, and especially NMDAR, can be detected in patients with AE. However, little is known about the overlapping antibodies of anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and only a few case reports have described this overlap. Case presentation The patient was a 7-year-old girl with recurrent intermittent fever and seizures, and viral encephalitis was diagnosed at the beginning of the disease. She was discharged after treatment with acyclovir, high-dose immunoglobulins, and valproic acid as an antiseizure medication. Subsequently, the patient still had occasional seizures and abnormal behavior, and the anti-NMDAR antibody test was positive (1:3.2). She was treated with high-dose methylprednisolone and antiseizure therapy. Approximately half a year later, the patient experienced fever and seizures again, serum GFAP IgG was 1:100, and a head MRI indicated new lesions. Improvement was achieved after repeated high-dose methylprednisolone and continuous prednisone anti-inflammatory therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis combined with GFAP-IgG is uncommon, and repeated tests for AE-associated antibodies may be required in patients with recurrent encephalitis. Compared with cerebrospinal fluid antibody-positive children, serum GFAP IgG-positive children should be comprehensively diagnosed according to their clinical manifestations. It is worth considering whether overlapping antibody syndrome can still be an issue for patients with AE who recover and have negative antibodies after a few months if disease recurrence and new antibodies are detected.

Preparation and Properties of Salecan-Soy Protein Isolate Composite Hydrogel Induced by Thermal Treatment and Transglutaminase.

Salecan (Sal) is a novel marine microbial polysaccharide. In the present research, Sal and soy protein isolate (SPI) were adopted to fabricate Sal-SPI composite hydrogel based on a stepwise process (thermal treatment and transglutaminase induction). The effect of Sal concentration on morphology, texture properties, and the microstructure of the hydrogel was evaluated. As Sal concentration varied from 0.4 to 0.6 wt%, hydrogel elasticity increased from 0.49 to 0.85 mm. Furthermore, the internal network structure of Sal-SPI composite hydrogel also became denser and more uniform as Sal concentration increased. Rheological studies showed that Sal-SPI elastic hydrogel formed under the gelation process. Additionally, FTIR and XRD results demonstrated that hydrogen bonds formed between Sal and SPI molecules, inferring the formation of the interpenetrating network structure. This research supplied a green and simple method to fabricate Sal-SPI double network hydrogels.

Pyridoxine-responsive KCNQ2 epileptic encephalopathy: Additional cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Typical patients with KCNQ2 (OMIM# 602235) epileptic encephalopathy present early neonatal-onset intractable seizures with a burst suppression EEG pattern and severe developmental delay or regression, and those patients always fail first-line treatment with sodium channel blockers. Vitamin B6, either pyridoxine or pyridoxal 50-phosphate, has been demonstrated to improve seizure control in intractable epilepsy. METHODS: Here, we collected and summarized the clinical data for four independent cases diagnosed with pyridoxine-responsive epileptic encephalopathy, and their exome sequencing data. Moreover, we reviewed all published cases and summarized the clinical features, genetic variants, and treatment of pyridoxine-responsive KCNQ2 epileptic encephalopathy. RESULTS: All four cases showed refractory seizures during the neonatal period or infancy, accompanied by global development delay. Four pathogenetic variants of KCNQ2 were uncovered and confirmed by Sanger sequencing: KCNQ2 [NM_172107.4: c.2312C > T (p.Thr771Ile), c.873G > C (p.Arg291Ser), c.652 T > A (p.Trp218Arg) and c.913-915del (p. Phe305del)]. Sodium channel blockers and other anti-seizure medications failed to control their seizures. The frequency of seizures gradually decreased after treatment with high-dose pyridoxine. In case 1, case 2, and case 4, clinical seizures relapsed when pyridoxine was withdrawn, and seizures were controlled again when pyridoxine treatment was resumed. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that pyridoxine may be a promising adjunctive treatment option for patients with KCNQ2 epileptic encephalopathy.

Fabrication of a donkey spleen ferritin-pectin complex to reduce iron release and enhance the iron supplementation efficacy.

Iron deficiency is a global issue, influencing more than one-third of the population in the world. Ferritin as a natural iron-containing protein is considered a marvelous iron supplement due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability and bioavailability. However, foodstuffs contain plenty of reductants which could induce iron release from the cavity of ferritin and cause oxidative damage. In this study, we aimed to prevent the iron release from donkey spleen ferritin (DSF) by pectin encapsulation driven by the electrostatic interaction and evaluated the iron supplementation of the DSF-pectin complex (DPC). After DSF was purified, we fabricated the DPC and the iron release was decreased by 53.68% after 60 min when DSF : pectin was 1 : 10 (w/w). TEM analysis showed that ferritin in the DPC is clustered in a linear pattern, and the cell viability assay indicated that the DPC has no toxicity towards Caco-2 cells. In the mouse experiment, the DPC increased the content of serum iron and serum ferritin with no significant difference from the control check. Furthermore, the DPC increased the iron content in the liver, suppressed the expression of hepcidin and increased the expression of ferroportin. These results suggested that the DPC could prevent the interactions between food components and ferritin and is a promising iron supplement to ameliorate iron deficiency.

Effect of Baihu and Guizhi decoction in acute gouty arthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence rates of gout worldwide have increased annually. Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) accounts for a large proportion of gout patients and causes severe physical and mental pain in patients. Controlling the occurrence and development of gout inflammation is the first step in the treatment of gout. The main treatment drugs in gout are non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and glucocorticoids, but these treatments have many adverse reactions which limit their clinical application. Baihu and Guizhi decoction (BHGZ) is one of the classic prescriptions in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber and is a good prescription for AGA. Previous clinical studies have shown that BHGZ confers a strong benefit for treating AGA. However, the literature shows a lack of high-quality RCT research on BHGZ with respect to AGA. Therefore, in this study, we use a randomized, double-blind, controlled study with a placebo to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of BHGZ on the AGA of moist heat arthralgia spasm syndrome. METHODS: This study is a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. A total of 102 adult participants with AGA of moist heat arthralgia spasm syndrome will be enrolled, with balanced treatment allocation (1:1). The experimental intervention will be BHGZ plus the low-dose colchicine, and the control intervention will be placebo plus the low-dose colchicine for 10 days. To study the clinical efficacy (including VAS score; joint tenderness, joint swelling, joint movement disorder; TCM evidence efficacy score) and the changes of inflammatory indexes. At the same time, the improvement of joint inflammation in patients with AGA will be observed from musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging, and the safety evaluation will be carried out. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first placebo-controlled RCT to assess whether BHGZ plus low-dose colchicine have beneficial effects on changing reducing inflammation of joints for patients with AGA of moist heat arthralgia spasm syndrome. The results of this trial will help to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Register ChiCTR1900024974 . Registered on 5 August 2019.

Efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine Jiangniaosuan formula for treatment of hyperuricemia: study protocol for a double-blinded non-inferiority randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Jiangniaosuan formula (JNSF) is commonly used in China for treating hyperuricemia, but there is little research-based evidence to support its use. This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of JNSF. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with hyperuricemia will be selected and randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:2 to receive either Western medicine, i.e., febuxostat 40 mg (WG group; n = 24), or Chinese herbal medicine, i.e., Jiangniaosuan formula + febuxostat 20 mg (WJNSG group; n = 48). After 12 weeks, the WJNSG will be randomly divided into two groups of 24 patients each; one group (WJNSG; n = 24) still will receive febuxostat 20 mg + Jiangniaosuan formula, and the other group (JNSG; n = 24) will continue to receive Jiangniaosuan formula + placebo. Participants will be followed up at 4-week intervals. The primary outcome will be the change in serum uric acid level, and the secondary outcome will be the change in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores. Serum creatinine, blood glucose, and insulin levels will also be measured. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that patients with hyperuricemia will benefit from JNSF. This study will provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. DISSEMINATION: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated by academic conferences. The datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Register ChiCTR2000041083 . Registered on 3 May 2021. The protocol version number is V3.0, 20210301.

Yinang formulation versus placebo granules as a treatment for chronic kidney disease stages III-IV in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: study protocol for a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common potentially life-threatening inherited kidney diseases. It is the fourth most common cause of end-stage renal disease requiring renal replacement therapy. There are few management options for controlling disease progression. Hence, identification of alternative treatments for patients is important. The Chinese herbal yinang formulation (YNF), which is derived from a Chinese patent medicine, appears to have a satisfactory effect in treating ADPKD. Because a considerable proportion of ADPKD patients presenting with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages III-IV are diagnosed with the spleen, kidney deficiency, and blood stasis syndrome according to the diagnostic criteria of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we hypothesize that YNF may be a complementary drug for ADPKD patients with the corresponding syndrome. Therefore, we have designed a strict clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of YNF for ADPKD patients with CKD stages III-IV exhibiting the TCM syndrome of spleen, kidney deficiency, and blood stasis. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a multi-center prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial. The total target sample size is planned to be 72 participants, with a balanced treatment allocation (1:1). The experimental intervention will be YNF plus conventional therapy and the control intervention will be a placebo plus conventional therapy for 24 weeks. An additional 24 weeks of follow-up will be conducted after treatment completion. The primary outcome will be the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes in total kidney volume (TKV), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), TCM symptoms, and pain will be the secondary outcomes. Adverse events (AEs) will be monitored throughout the trial. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial to assess whether YNF plus conventional therapy has a beneficial effect on eGFR, TKV, Scr, and BUN, and whether it can alleviate TCM clinical symptoms, reduce ADPKD-related pain, and reduce the frequency of AEs for ADPKD patients with CKD stages III-IV with the spleen, kidney deficiency, and blood stasis syndrome. The results of this trial may provide an evidence-based recommendation for clinicians. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Register, ChiCTR-INR-16009914 . Registered on 18 November 2016.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to assess the benefits and harms of vitamin D supplementation for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients. Methods: We followed the standard methodological procedures of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Social Science and Humanities (Web of Science), ClincalTrials.gov, and World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched for RCTs in January 2019. Independently, two authors (J.G., T.X.) extracted data, assessed the risk of bias, combined the data, and graded evidence quality using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Our primary outcomes were assessed through rating scales of ADHD severity. Secondary outcomes measured were the possible adverse effects of vitamin D supplementation and vitamin D status after supplementation for ADHD. Results: We included four RCTs with 256 children addressing vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate on ADHD symptoms. Vitamin D supplementation demonstrated a small but statistically significant improvement in ADHD total scores, inattention scores, hyperactivity scores, and behavior scores. The improvement was likely limited due to the low to very low quality of evidence in the literature. There was no statistically significant improvement in oppositional scores. Reported adverse events in the vitamin D group were mild and not significantly different from the control group. Vitamin D supplementation increased serum vitamin D levels and the ratio of patients with sufficient vitamin D levels. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate appeared to reduce ADHD symptoms without serious adverse events, associated with improved vitamin D status. However, considering the generally low strength of evidence, well-designed RCTs are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation for both children and adults with ADHD, especially in the setting of a combination of vitamin D and other ADHD treatments.

Development of double network gels based on soy protein isolate and sugar beet pectin induced by thermal treatment and laccase catalysis.

Soy protein isolate (SPI) and sugar beet pectin (SBP) were adopted to fabricate double network (DN) gels via thermal treatment and laccase-catalysis. The concentrations of SBP (0.5%-2.5%, w/w) and SPI (4%-8%, w/w) were evaluated. DN gels showed higher holding water capacity (WHC, above 83%), compared with SBP single gel (75.96%). The presence of SPI improved the mechanical properties of gels significantly. Apparent phase separation could be observed when SPI concentration was 4%. Moreover, interpenetrating networks gradually formed with the increase of SPI concentration. The favorable structural heterogeneity and mechanical integrity derived from these polymers might be mainly responsible for the enhancement of the mechanical properties. The presence of SBP and laccase could improve the ß-sheet amounts of SPI and make it form more rigid structure according to the results of circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectra. The excellent performance of DN gels could enable the delivery of various components.

Role of PCSK9 in the Development of Mouse Periodontitis Before and After Treatment: A Double-Edged Sword.

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent infectious disease associated genetically with coronary heart disease (CHD). The effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a critical regulator of CHD, on periodontitis have not been studied to date. Here, we found that PCSK9 expression was increased in periodontitis patients and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg)-infected mice. Loss of PCSK9 attenuated Pg-induced periodontal bone loss in mice. First, PCSK9 deficiency reduced the release of inflammation-associated cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1ß, in vitro and in vivo. Second, its deficiency enhanced Pg and endotoxin clearance during Pg invasion in part by upregulating CD36 and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), respectively. However, after berberine treatment, periodontal bone regeneration in the PCSK9 knockout group was significantly lower than that in wild-type. This was because PCSK9 overexpression promoted osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLCs) prechallenged by TNF-α. Furthermore, PCSK9 could rescue PDLC osteogenesis by repressing the NF-κB signaling pathway by interacting with TRAF2. These results suggest that PCSK9 may be a potent drug target for treating periodontitis.

Neuroprotective Effect of Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy for Schizophrenia: A Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study.

The underlying mechanism of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) treatment for drug-resistant and catatonic schizophrenia remains unclear. Here, we aim to investigate whether MECT exerts its antipsychotic effects through elevating N-acetylaspartate (NAA) concentration measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS). Multiple-voxel H-MRS was acquired in the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and thalamus to obtain measures of neurochemistry in 32 MECT, 34 atypical antipsychotic-treated schizophrenic patients, and 34 healthy controls. We found that both MECT and atypical antipsychotic treatments showed significant antipsychotic efficacy. MECT and atypical antipsychotic treatments reversed the reduced NAA/creatine ratio (NAA/Cr) in the left PFC and left thalamus in schizophrenic patients compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, the NAA/Cr ratio after treatments was significant higher in the MECT group, but not in the medication group. Our findings demonstrate that eight times of MECT elevated the relative NAA concentration to display neuroprotective effect, which may be the underlying mechanism of rapid antipsychotic efficacy.

Screening of Phosphorus-Accumulating Fungi and Their Potential for Phosphorus Removal from Waste Streams.

While bacteria have been primarily studied for phosphorus (P) removal in wastewater treatment, fungi and their ability to accumulate intracellular polyphosphate are less investigated. P-accumulating fungal strains were screened from soybean plants and surrounding soil by flask cultivation with potato dextrose broth and KH2PO4 in this study. Mucor circinelloides was selected for its high efficiency in P removal efficiency and high cellular P content. Neisser staining and growth-curve analysis confirmed that M. circinelloides stored polyphosphate intracellularly by luxury phosphate uptake. The effect of culture medium compositions on P removal efficiency and cellular P content was also investigated. Monosaccharides (such as glucose and fructose) and organic nitrogen (N, such as urea, and peptone) promoted fungi growth and P accumulation. M. circinelloides also preferred organic phosphates. When glucose, urea, and phytic acid sodium salt were used as the carbon, N, and P source, respectively, the maximum utilization efficiency was 40.1% for P and 7.08% for cellular P content. In addition, the potential of M. circinelloides for P removal from waste streams was investigated. Compared with the non-inoculated control culture, inoculation with M. circinelloides improved the soluble P removal in treating wastewater centrate, screened manure, and digested manure.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ameliorates anxiety-like behavior and impaired sensorimotor gating in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been employed for decades as a non-pharmacologic treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although a link has been suggested between PTSD and impaired sensorimotor gating (SG), studies assessing the effects of rTMS against PTSD or PTSD with impaired SG are scarce. AIM: To assess the benefit of rTMS in a rat model of PTSD. METHODS: Using a modified single prolonged stress (SPS&S) rat model of PTSD, behavioral parameters were acquired using open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPMT), and prepulse inhibition trial (PPI), with or without 7 days of high frequency (10Hz) rTMS treatment of SPS&S rats. RESULTS: Anxiety-like behavior, impaired SG and increased plasma level of cortisol were observed in SPS&S animals after stress for a prolonged time. Interestingly, rTMS administered immediately after stress prevented those impairment. CONCLUSION: Stress-induced anxiety-like behavior, increased plasma level of cortisol and impaired PPI occur after stress and high-frequency rTMS has the potential to ameliorate this behavior, suggesting that high frequency rTMS should be further evaluated for its use as a method for preventing PTSD.

Atypical antipsychotic drug treatment for 6 months restores N-acetylaspartate in left prefrontal cortex and left thalamus of first-episode patients with early onset schizophrenia: A magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

Early onset schizophrenia (EOS) is often associated with poorer outcomes, including lack of school education, higher risk of mental disability and resistance to treatment. But the knowledge of the neurobiological mechanism of EOS is limited. Here, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we investigated the possible neurochemical abnormalities in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and thalamus of first-episode drug-naïve patients with EOS, and followed up the effects of atypical antipsychotic treatment for 6 months on neurochemical metabolites and clinical symptoms. We measured the ratios of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho) to creatine (Cr) in 41 adolescents with first episode of EOS and in 28 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and years of education. The EOS patients presented with abnormally low NAA/Cr values in the left PFC and left thalamus with a reduced tendency in the right PFC compared with healthy controls. No significant differences were detected between groups for Cho/Cr in PFC and thalamus in any hemisphere. After atypical antipsychotic treatment for 6 months, the reduced NAA/Cr in the left PFC and left thalamus in EOS patients was elevated to the normal level in healthy controls, without any alteration in Cho/Cr. We also found that there was no significant correlation between the neurochemical metabolite ratios in the PFC and thalamus in patients with EOS, and clinical characteristics. Our results suggest that there was neurochemical metabolite abnormalities in PFC and thalamus in EOS patients, atypical antipsychotic treatment can effectively relieve the symptoms and restore the reduced NAA in PFC and thalamus.

[Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of prefrontal lobe and thalamus in schizophrenics on modified electroconvulsive therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential effects of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) in prefrontal lobe and thalamus in patients with schizophrenia by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS). METHODS: From November 2010 to June 2011, a total of 31 schizophrenics fulfilling the third edition of the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders (CCMD-III) were recruited. And prefrontal lobe and thalamus were evaluated by multi-voxel (1)H-MRS before and after 8 sessions of MECT. The subjects were evaluated by the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). And the N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho) and creatine compounds (Cr) were measured and the ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr determined. RESULTS: (1) In left prefrontal lobe and bilateral thalamus, the NAA/Cr ratio at post-treatment demonstrated higher than that at pre-treatment (1.50 ± 0.31 vs 1.35 ± 0.30, t = 2.07, P < 0.05; 1.53 ± 0.31 vs 1.38 ± 0.27, t = 2.03, P < 0.05; 1.51 ± 0.29 vs 1.36 ± 0.26, t = 2.14, P < 0.05). (2) The major influencing factors of the changes of NAA/Cr in left prefrontal lobe were age of onset, decrease rate of PANSS, baseline PANSS total score and duration of illness. And the major influencing factors for left thalamus were age of onset and duration of illness while a major influencing factor for right thalamus was baseline PANSS total score. CONCLUSION: MECT may modify brain metabolism as measured by (1)H-MRS. The pattern of changes suggests possible neuroprotective effects in schizophrenics. And these effects are correlated with age of onset, duration and severity of illness.

Hydrothermal conversion of big bluestem for bio-oil production: the effect of ecotype and planting location.

Three ecotypes (CKS, EKS, IL) and one cultivar (KAW) of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) that were planted in three locations (Hays, KS; Manhattan, KS; and Carbondale, IL) were converted to bio-oil via hydrothermal conversion. Significant differences were found in the yield and elemental composition of bio-oils produced from big bluestem of different ecotypes and/or planting locations. Generally, the IL ecotype and the Carbondale, IL and Manhattan, KS planting locations gave higher bio-oil yield, which can be attributed to the higher total cellulose and hemicellulose content and/or the higher carbon but lower oxygen contents in these feedstocks. Bio-oil from the IL ecotype also had the highest carbon and lowest oxygen contents, which were not affected by the planting location. Bio-oils from big bluestem had yield, elemental composition, and chemical compounds similar to bio-oils from switchgrass and corncobs, although mass percentages of some of the compounds were slightly different.

The interaction between emulsified isoflurane and lidocaine is synergism in intravenous regional anesthesia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies have demonstrated that emulsified isoflurane (EI) produced epidural anesthesia and blockade of nerve conduction. We designed this study to observe whether EI could produce an anesthetic effect in IV regional anesthesia (IVRA) and to investigate the underlying interaction between EI and lidocaine when they were combined in IVRA. METHODS: IVRA was evaluated using tail-flick and tail-clamping tests in a rat model. In experiment 1, Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 4 groups (n = 10 per group), receiving 0.5 mL of 8%EI, 0.5% lidocaine, 30% Intralipid, or normal saline to observe whether EI could produce an anesthetic effect in IVRA. In experiment 2, for tail IVRA, EC(50) (median effective concentration) of EI alone and EC(50) of lidocaine alone, as well as EC(50) of lidocaine with the addition of Intralipid (0.0% EI) or with the addition of EI at different concentrations (0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6%) were determined using an up-and-down method. Isobolographic analysis was used to evaluate the interaction between EI and lidocaine. RESULTS: For experiment 1, successful IVRA was observed in 8 of 10 rats with 8% EI, 10 of 10 rats with 0.5% lidocaine, and 0 of 10 rats with 30% Intralipid or normal saline. The anesthetic effect was not different in onset time (1.5 ± 0.9 vs 1.0 ± 0.0 minutes, P = 0.104) or recovery time (15 ± 9 vs 18 ± 12 minutes, P = 0.394) between 8% EI and 0.5% lidocaine. For experiment 2, EC(50) of EI was 4.467% ± 0.375% and EC(50) of lidocaine was 0.183% ± 0.072%; EC(50) of lidocaine was 0.173% ± 0.036% with the addition of Intralipid, and 0.064% ± 0.008%, 0.035% ± 0.005%, and 0.028% ± 0.006% with the addition of 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6% EI, respectively. With the addition of EI, the requirement for lidocaine was reduced in a synergistic manner. CONCLUSIONS: EI produced IVRA, and a synergistic interaction was found between EI and lidocaine for IVRA in a rat tail model.