Weekly phototherapy is an effective therapy for patients with vitiligo.

The current strategies for the treatment of vitiligo using phototherapy usually involve treatment for two-three times per week; however, in practice, the number of patient sessions does not meet this standard. The present study found that phototherapy once a week was also effective. The present study was designed to examine the efficacy of weekly light therapy. For this purpose, 296 patients with vitiligo were included and divided into five sub-samples of the neck, face, trunk, extremities and scalp according to the site of phototherapy, and were treated once or twice weekly with phototherapy. The difference in efficacy between phototherapy performed once and twice weekly was observed using a Chi-squared test. It was concluded that there was a minimal difference between phototherapy performed twice weekly compared to once weekly for the treatment of vitiligo on the face, neck, torso, limbs and scalp. Thus, phototherapy once a week is valid for the treatment of vitiligo, although weekly light therapy takes longer to restore color for the first time.

[Analysis of acupoints selection rules and efficacy evaluation of acupuncture and moxibustion for allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rules of acupoints selection of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) by using data mining technology, as well as to compare the efficacy of different acupoints selection methods. METHODS: Papers about acupuncture and moxibustion for treating AR published from January 2002 to August 2022 was retrieved from Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed and PubMed by using keywords of "acupuncture", "moxibustion" and "allergic rhinitis". According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the collected literature was screened to establish the AR database. Frequency statistic analysis was conducted for detecting high-frequency acupoints and specific acupoints frequency, and the curative effects of different acupoints selection methods were compared. SPSS26.0 software was used for factor analysis, cluster analysis and QUEST decision tree model identification. RESULTS: A total of 289 papers were included, with 384 acupuncture prescriptions extracted. A total of 99 acupoints were involved with the application frequency of 2 430 times. Among them, the application frequency of Yingxiang (LI20) is the highest (296 times, 12.18%), followed by Yintang (GV24+) and Hegu (LI4), etc. The main invloved meridians are the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming and the Governor Vessel. The involved specific acupoints with the highest frequency of application is the crossing acupoints. Nine common factors of acupoints combinations units were extracted by factor analysis, and two cluster prescriptions of acupoints combinations correlation were obtained by cluster analysis. Three decision paths of simplified acupoints selection were simulated by the decision tree, with LI20 as the dependent variable. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of AR with acupuncture and moxibustion, the regularities and characteristics of acupoints selection are as follows: 1) often selecting local acupoints and acupoint combinations along meridians, 2) focusing on combination of dispelling pathogenic factors with strengthening vital energy, 3) advocating diversification of acupoint matching methods. The combination of factor analysis, cluster analysis and QUEST decision tree application provides three directions for clinical acupoints selection of AR.

Preparation and characterization of a novel colorimetric indicator film based on gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol incorporating mulberry anthocyanin extracts for monitoring fish freshness.

This work aimed to develop a novel colorimetric indicator film for monitoring of food freshness based on gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol matrix incorporated with anthocyanin extracts from mulberry. The color of anthocyanin extracts solutions obviously changed from bright red to dark green in the pH range of 2.0-11.0. FTIR spectra and isothermal titration calorimetry showed that the anthocyanin extracts were successfully combined with gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol matrix by hydrogen binding and electrostatic interaction, which enhanced the stability of anthocyanin. The scanning electric microscopy showed that the compatibility between polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin were improved owing to the addition of anthocyanin extracts. With the anthocyanin extracts addition from 0 to 45 mg/100 mL mixed solution, the tensile strength decreased from 30.80 to 21.01 MPa and the elongation at break increased from 589.22% to 905.86%. The color response of film in buffer solution of different pH were in accordance with anthocyanin extracts solutions, and its color changes were clearly visible with naked eye. Finally, the film was evaluated by a test on monitoring fish spoilage, which presented visible color changes due to volatile nitrogenous compounds formed over time. These results showed that this developed film could be used as an effective method for the monitoring of food freshness.

Protective effects of Momordica grosvenori extract against lipid and protein oxidation-induced damage in dried minced pork slices.

The experiment was conducted to assess the protective effects of Momordica grosvenori extract (MGE) against lipid and protein oxidation-induced damage in vacuum-packed dried minced pork slices stored at room temperature for 21days. Antioxidant activity of MGE was evaluated by measuring its radical scavenging activities and reducing power with progressive concentrations from 40 to 200g/L. MGE was added to the dried minced pork slices at 7, 10 or 15g/100g. Results showed that inclusion of MGE in dried minced pork slice significantly delayed the formation of hexanal, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and carbonyls and reduced the sulfhydryl loss in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), indicating that MGE exerted a protective effect against lipids and protein oxidation. Concomitantly, an intense increase of redness and loss of lightness and yellowness was found to take place (P<0.05), though it exhibited little negative effects on the sensory properties of slices. Mogrosides, the main bioactive components in M. grosvenori, decreased primarily during processing while they were relatively stable during storage under vacuum condition, room temperature. All these results demonstrated MGE had great potential as a natural antioxidant used in meat products.

Lower folate levels in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the association between folate level and schizophrenia in order to provide the evidence for the treatment of schizophrenia. Data were extracted from all the studies meeting our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The association between the folate level and schizophrenia was evaluated by the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The 20 published articles of our meta-analysis included 1463 (53.4%) cases and 1276 (46.6%) controls. The folate level was significantly lower in schizophrenia cases than in healthy controls. Subgroup analysis showed the folate level was lower in cases from Asia subgroup than in healthy controls. Sensitivity analysis showed that the current results were credible and reliable and the funnel plots indicated no publication bias in our meta-analysis. Our study indicates that schizophrenia patients may have lower folate levels. More epidemiological and laboratory studies are still needed to confirm whether it is necessary to supplement folate in schizophrenia patients.

Religion and Completed Suicide: a Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is a major public health concern and a leading cause of death around the world. How religion influences the risk of completed suicide in different settings across the world requires clarification in order to best inform suicide prevention strategies. METHODS: A meta-analysis using search results from Pubmed and Web of Science databases was conducted following PRISMA protocol and using the keywords "religion" or "religious" or "religiosity" or "spiritual" or "spirituality" plus "suicide" or "suicidality" or "suicide attempt". Random and fixed effects models were used to generate pooled ORs and I2 values. Sub-analyses were conducted among the following categories: young age (<45 yo), older age (≥45 yo), western culture, eastern culture, and religious homogeneity. RESULTS: Nine studies that altogether evaluated 2339 suicide cases and 5252 comparison participants met all selection criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis suggested an overall protective effect of religiosity from completed suicide with a pooled OR of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.21-0.71) and I2 of 91%. Sub-analyses similarly revealed significant protective effects for studies performed in western cultures (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18-0.46), areas with religious homogeneity (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.13-0.26), and among older populations (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.21-0.84). High heterogeneity of our meta-analysis was attributed to three studies in which the methods varied from the other six. CONCLUSION: Religion plays a protective role against suicide in a majority of settings where suicide research is conducted. However, this effect varies based on the cultural and religious context. Therefore, public health professionals need to strongly consider the current social and religious atmosphere of a given population when designing suicide prevention strategies.

[Electroacupuncture intervention combined with general anesthesia for craniocerebral operations].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention combined with general anesthesia (GA) for craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery involving cerebral eloquent areas. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with cerebral tumors (durosarcoma, neurogliocytoma, metastatic tumor) involving the cerebral eloquent areas were recruited in the present summary. They were equally divided into general anesthesia (GA) group and EA + GA group. Patients of the EA + GA group were treated with EA stimulation (2 Hz/100 Hz) of the bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Shuaigu (GB 8) and acupuncture stimulation of Quanliao (SI 18), Zulinqi (GB 41) and Taichong (LR 3), and not given intubation during surgery. Patients of the GA group were treated with intravenous administration of Propofol, Fentanyl, Midazolam, Isopropanol, etc. In addition, all the patients were given with controlled hypotension by intravenous injection of Propofol and Fentanyl. Dosages of Propofol and Sulfentanyl used were recorded. Karnofsky performance status scale was used to assess the patient's general well-being and activities of daily life. RESULTS: The craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery was successful in all the 20 patients. Compared with the GA group, the dosages of Sulfentanyl and Propofol of the EA+ GA group were significantly lower (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the GA and EA+ GA groups in Karnofsky performance scores (P > 0.05). Patients of the EA+GA group experienced successful tumour-removal surgery without trachea cannula, were awake and could make a good cooperation with the operator during surgery. They had no aggravation of neurofunctional disturbance following the operation. CONCLUSION: EA combined with general anesthesia is safe and effective for patients with craniocerebral tumor-removal operations involving cerebral eloquent areas.

[Effects of lead exposure on 18 elements in blood and excretions in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lead exposure on lead and other metal elements contents in rats. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into control group and several experiment groups of different doses. The rats were exposed to lead acetate through intragastric administration every other day for 5 times. The whole blood, urine and feces of all the rats were collected. The concentrations of lead and 18 metal elements in these samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atom emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). RESULTS: No significant difference among the groups was found for body weight and organ-body ratios of the rats after lead exposure (P>0.05). With the increase of exposure dose, lead content in blood, total lead in urine and feces tended to increase, while the total lead in urine no longer increased in the high dose group. Significant differences among the groups (P<0.05) were observed for the sodium, magnesium, potassium, strontium, antimony, thallium and bismuth contents in the whole blood, the potassium, iron and antimony contents in the urine, and the calcium, iron, zinc, copper, thallium, bismuth and rare earth elements contents in the feces. CONCLUSION: The effect of lead on the metabolism of divalent metal ions, namely calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and strontium ion, may be due to the competition of lead with the ions for common delivery carrier. Lead exposure induces the excretion of light rare earth elements and toxic elements (thallium and bismuth), and changes the antimony, sodium and potassium contents in rats. But there is no effect of lead on molybdenum and cadmium in rats.

[Effects and mechanism of Sibiraea angustata on lipid metabolism in hight-fatted rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Sibiraea angustata on lipid metabolism in hight-fatted SD rats. METHODS: After the obese model was built,Sibiraea angustata was administrated intragastrically to obese rats for 8 weeks. Peeled off fat around kidneys and made pathological tissue sections. The number and size of adipocytes were detected. The levels of adiponectin, adipoR2, AMPK, and PPARgamma mRNA in adipose tissue were detected by RT-PCR. AMPK protein expression in adipose tissue were detected by Western Blot. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the diameter of adipocytes were reduced while the number increased after adminiseration of Sibiraea angustata for 8 weeks. The levels of adiponectin, adipoR2, AMPK and PPARgamma mRNA were increased siginficantly. The expression of AMPK protein was also up-regulated significantly. CONCLUSION: Sibiraea angustata has anti-obesity effect. The mechanism may be related to the adiponectin signal transduction pathway.

[Determination of 5 heavy metals in Chinese traditional medicines and extraction liquid containing mineral materials].

Chinese traditional medicine (CTM) containing realgar may contain high levels of toxic metals, such as arsenic, etc. The monitoring of trace elements, especially the harmful elements, is closely related to the quality control of the CTM. Three kinds of CTM containing realgar were digested by microwave method and electric heating plate method, and As, Hg, Cu, Cd and Pb were determined using ICP-MS and ICP-AES. In addition, this research determined the content of soluble heavy metals in the human gastrointestinal solution. The results showed that three kinds of CTM contained As of 24 350-68 627 mg x kg(-1); Hg of 0.26-122 313.6 mg x kg(-1); Cu of 2.04-6.95 mg x kg(-1); Cd of 0.02-1.46 mg x kg(-1); Pb of 0.42-40.60 mg x kg(-1). In comparison, the contents of soluble heavy metals in the human gastrointestinal solution are: As of 81-618 mg x L(-1); Hg of 0.34-216 mg x L(-1); Cu of 1.08-215 mg x L(-1), and Pb, Cd were not detected.

[Determination of trace BrO3- and Br- in Chinese patent drugs, waters and beverages by ion chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry].

In the present study, a method for determination of BrO3- and Br- using ion chromatograghy coupling with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS) was developed. BrO3- and Br- were separated on a Hamilton PRP X-100 (150 x 4.1 mm, 10 microm) column guarding with a On-guard II RP (4 x 50 mm) column with 10 mmol x L(-1) NH4NO3 eluent solution at 2 mL x min(-1). By using 200 microL sample loop, the detection limits for BrO3- and Br were 0.35 and 0.36 microg x L(-1), respectively. BrO3- had good linearity in the range 4.8-160.0 ng x L(-1). The standard solution linear equation was y = 250.31x-45.43, and R2 = 0.9999. Br had good linearity in the range 4.2-140.0 ng x L(-1). The standard solution linear equation was y = 186.84x-127.10, and R2 = 0.9994. Recoveries of spiked samples were 98.9%-109.5% and 97.4%-106.1%, respectively. The samples included various kinds of Chinese patent drugs, waters, and beverages. Among them, 14 bottled drinking waters and 2 kinds of tap waters were found containing BrO-, while other samples were under BrO3- detection limit. Br- was detected in all samples.

[Character study of content and correlativity of elements in Radix Astragali obtained from different regions].

OBJECTIVE: To study the characters of concentration of 42 elements in Radix Astragali and make an attempt at looking for relationship between the element concentration and regions where samplers are obtained. METHOD: Determining the content of elements in 40 Radix Astragali samples from 7 different provinces by ICP-MS, AFS and ASS. Analyzing the correlation of elements in Radix Astragali using statistic software (Spss). RESULT: Firstly, similar lines of element concentration have been acquired in our research. Secondly, it is observed that the content of elements in the samples shows regional diversity. Thirdly, there are 346 correlative element pairs in correlate analysis. And some of them indicate remarkable correlativity. CONCLUSION: With the aid of obtained results, it is concluded that element content in Radix Astragali display special distributing line. Remarkable correlation is presented in some element pairs. The quality of Radix Astragali gained from Neimeng, Shanxi and Gansu are better than those from other regions.

[Preliminary attempt at the speciation of 25-elements in the Chinese medicinal herbs].

OBJECTIVE: To make an attempt at the multi-element speciation in the Chinese medicinal herbs by determining the concentrations of 25 elements in different extraction solutions. METHOD: Firstly, five Chinese medicinal herbs (Buddleja officinalis, Dictamnus dasycarpus, Myristica fragrans, Albizia judibrissin and Inula japonica) from the same region of China were treated to obtain water-soluble phase, lipid-soluble phase and non-soluble phase by water extraction, organic solvent extraction and acid digestion, respectively. Secondly, Phytolacca acinosa, a Chinese medicinal herb collected from 9 regions of China, was extracted by 0% EtOH, 50% EtOH, 75% EtOH, 95% EtOH, respectively, referring the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Finally, the concentrations of 25 elements, such as Be, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Tl, Pb and REEs, in the above three phases were determined by ICP-MS. RESULT: Under the optimal conditions, all the 25 elements could be determined with detection limits ranged from 0.003 to 0.71 ng x g(-1). The average recoveries of the elements in P. acinosa were 88% approximately 119%, with the relative standard deviations 1.7% approximately 13.3%. It was observed that the determined 25 elements distributed in all the water-soluble, lipid-soluble and non-soluble phases, indicating that the inorganic species, organicspecies, as well as the protein bound species were coexisted in the herbs. Big differences of the element extraction rates could be found by using different ethanol solutions. CONCLUSION: With the aid of the obtained results, we may increase the extraction of necessary elements while decrease that of the toxic elements from the herbs by choosing a suitable solvent during the drug production.

[Determination of trace Cs, Th and U in ten kinds of human autopsy tissues by ICP-MS].

This paper studied the trace elements Cs, Th and U in ten kinds of human autopsy tissues by ICP-MS. The instrumental operating conditions were optimized for the measurement of Cs, Th and U. Rhodium (Rh) was used as an internal standard element to compensate matrix effect. Detection limits for Th, U and Cs were 5.7-17.8 pg x mL(-1). The recoveries for spiking liver samples were 96%-107%, and their RSDs were 4.8%-8.9%. Reference materials of NIST SRM 8414 Bovine and NIST SRM 1486 Bone Meal were analyzed by the described method, and the analytical results agreed well with the reference values. Human autopsy tissues samples were digested by mixed acid (HNO3 + HClO4). The determination of Cs, Th and U in lung, liver, bone, heart, stomach, spleen, muscle, kidney, thyroid gland and intestinum tenue was performed by ICP-MS without separation and enrichment procedures. The obtained results indicated that this method is rapid, sensitive and accurate; the distribution of the three elements is different from one to another human organ sample; the main organ targets for Th and U are lungs and kidneys; and a coordinated variation of Cs, Th and U concentration in lungs was found in the samples collected from Hebei and Sichuan provinces.