Mindfulness practice for protecting mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emerging evidence shows that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is negatively affecting mental health around the globe. Interventions to alleviate the psychological impact of the pandemic are urgently needed. Whether mindfulness practice may protect against the harmful emotional effects of a pandemic crisis remains hitherto unknown. We investigated the influence of mindfulness training on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. We hypothesized that mindfulness practitioners might manifest less pandemic-related distress, depression, anxiety, and stress than non-practitioners and that more frequent practice would be associated with an improvement in mental health during the pandemic. Therefore, we assessed pandemic-related distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as the frequency of meditation practice at the peak of new infections (Feb 4-5; N = 673) and three weeks later (Feb 29-30; N = 521) in mindfulness practitioners via online questionnaires. Self-reported symptoms were also collected from non-practitioners at peak time only (N = 1550). We found lower scores of pandemic-related distress in mindfulness practitioners compared to non-practitioners. In general, older participants showed fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. In younger practitioners, pandemic-related distress decreased from peak to follow-up. Importantly, increased mindfulness training during the preceding two weeks was associated with lower scores of depression and anxiety at both assessments. Likewise, practice frequency predicted individual improvement in scores of depression, anxiety, and stress at follow-up. Our results indicate that mindfulness meditation might be a viable low-cost intervention to mitigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis and future pandemics.

Poor Status of Vitamin D: A Survey of Area With Lowest Sunlight Radiation in Sichuan, China.

Objective: Vitamin D plays an important role in bone and mineral metabolism. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is the primary determinant for vitamin D synthesis. However, population-based data of vitamin D status was sparse in areas with sunlight deprivation in China. This study aimed to assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels among adult women in Sichuan basin with the lowest sunlight radiation in China, and the associations with sunlight exposure and age. Methods: In the context of the same ethnicity, similar latitude and lifestyle in sunlight-limited basin and sunlight-abundant plateau, 1,057 women in basin and 337 in plateau aged 29-95 years were included in this study, from November 2012 to February 2013. Daily sunlight exposure duration of previous month was obtained using questionnaires. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D severe deficiency [25(OH)D <30 nmol/L] and deficiency [30 ≤ 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L] was significantly higher in basin than plateau (21.85% vs. 10.09%, and 59.32% vs. 40.36%; P<0.0001). Women from basin exhibited lower serum 25(OH)D levels than those from plateau (40.66 ± 15.62 vs. 52.54 ± 19.94 nmol/L, P<0.0001). In basin, women more than 50 years old had higher 25(OH)D than younger counterparts, and 25(OH)D level of these groups was not associated with sunlight exposure duration. While in plateau, women younger than 60 years old had higher 25(OH)D than the older women. Furthermore, for those younger groups, women with long sunlight exposure (≥3 h daily) had higher 25(OH)D concentration than those with short sunlight exposure (<3 h daily). Serum PTH was negatively associated with 25(OH)D in basin, but not in plateau. Conclusions: Alarmingly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed in women in sunlight-deprived basin in Sichuan. Only the vitamin D status of younger women from plateau with adequate solar radiation could benefit from sunlight exposure. Vitamin D supplementation and vitamin D-fortified food should be encouraged to improve vitamin D status for women living in sunlight-limited areas, or with old age.

Thermal ablation versus hepatic resection for the treatment of liver metastases from gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a retrospective study.

Objective: The study aimed to compare effectiveness and safety of thermal ablation and hepatic resection in patients with liver metastases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).Method: A total of 55 patients (27 in the ablation group and 28 in the surgery group) with liver metastases were included. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed with Kaplan-Meier's survival estimate curves. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were carried out to identify potential prognostic factors.Results: The median OS was 102.0 months in the ablation group and 117.0 months in the surgery group (p = .875). The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 100%, 88.9% and 74.1% in the ablation group and 92.8%, 82.1% and 78.6% in the surgery group, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 48.1%, 25.9% and 18.5% in the ablation group and 67.8%, 64.3% and 64.3% in the surgery group, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment (progressive disease, PD) (HR, 13.985; 95% CI, 1.791-109.187; p = .012) was the only significant independent prognostic factor for OS. Tumor number (HR, 1.318; 95% CI, 1.021-1.702; p = .034) was identified as an independent predictor for PFS in multivariate analysis. There were fewer postoperative complications (18.5% vs. 78.6%, p = .001) and shorter lengths of hospital stay (8.0 vs. 16.5 days, p = .001) in the ablation group.Conclusion: Compared with resection, thermal ablation offered comparable OS for liver metastases of GISTs. Furthermore, thermal ablation had the advantages of fewer complications and shorter lengths of hospital stay.

[Influence of warming needling technique on gastrointestinal reaction after hyperthermic intrape-ritoneal chemotherapy in patients with postoperation of colon cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of warming needling therapy on gastrointestinal reaction after hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients of spleen and stomach deficiency syndrome after colon cancer surgery. METHODS: A total of 120 cases of HIPEC were randomized into observation group and control group, 60 cases in each. The patients of the two groups all received HIPEC. In the observation group, 1 h before HIPEC, warming needling technique was applied to Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Yinlingquan (SP9) and the even-needing technique of acupuncture was applied to Neiguan (PC6) for 30 min, and then the intravenous injection with Ondansetron was given 30 min before HIPEC. In the control group, The intravenous injection with Ondansetron was given 30 min before HIPEC. In the two groups, the changes in nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, diarrhea, total bilirubin (TB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and KPS score, as well as the average hospitalization length of stay were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rates in the treatment of nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention and diarrhea were 91.67%(55/60), 93.33%(56/60), 80.00%(48/60) and 88.33%(53/60) in the observation group and were 78.33%(47/60), 78.33%(47/60), 63.33%(38/60) and 70.00%(42/60) in the control group respectively, and the total effective rate in the treatment of gastrointestinal reaction of HIPEC in the observation group was obviously higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The KPS score and curative effect in the observation group was obviously higher than those of the control group(P<0.05), and the average hospitalization length of stay in the observation group was obviously reduced as compared with the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in serum TB, ALT and ALP contents between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The warming needling technique of acupuncture and moxibustion alleviates the gastrointestinal reaction, improves KPS score and reduces the hospitalization length of stay in HIPEC patients after the surgery of colon cancer and differentiated as the spleen and stomach deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine.

Fourier Series Analysis for Novel Spatiotemporal Pulse Waves: Normal, Taut, and Slippery Pulse Images.

In this article, a three-dimensional pulse image (3DPI) instead of a one-dimensional temporal pulse wave is studied to elucidate its spatiotemporal characteristics. To check the spatial and temporal properties of 3DPI, adopted is Fourier series, in which a ratio (r) is defined as one amplitude divided by the sum of the first three amplitudes of harmonics. A ratio sequence is constituted from 70 to 90 ratios in a heartbeat with 70-90 3DPIs by sampling. Twenty-four subjects (14 males and 10 females with age of 22.2 ± 3.7 years, 20.4 ± 1.4 BMI, and 112.1 ± 4.7 mmHg systolic blood pressure) are involved in this research. There are significant statistical differences in the groups of the normal, taut, and slippery 3DPIs by the first harmonic ratio average ( r 1 ¯ ) and ratio difference (Δr 1) produced from the ratio sequence. The proposed method of this study gives us a novel viewpoint to clarify the spatiotemporal characteristics of pulse images, which can translate and quantize the pulse feeling in Chinese medicine texts.

Sorafenib versus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefits and safety of Sorafenib versus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are inconsistent in some studies. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Sorafenib versus HAIC for patients with advanced HCC. METHODS: An electronic search was performed from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science to identify comparative studies evaluating Sorafenib versus HAIC for HCC. Objective response rate, disease control rate, overall survival, progression-free survival and adverse events were evaluated using meta-analytical techniques. RESULTS: Fourteen retrospective studies with 1779 patients (Sorafenib = 773, HAIC = 1006) were included in the meta-analysis. HAIC delivered favorable outcomes in objective response rate (odds ratio 0.13; 95%CI, 0.07-0.24) and disease control rate (odds ratio 0.48; 95%CI 0.26-0.87) assessed by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. The pooled hazard ratio for overall survival at 0.60 (95% CI 0.39-0.91) and the pooled hazard ratio for progression-free survival at 0.69(95% CI 0.51-0.95), further indicates that HAIC was superior to Sorafenib. There was a higher incidence of adverse events, including hypertension (odds ratio 13.07; 95% CI 2.37-71.67), fatigue (odds ratio 6.72; 95% CI 2.14-21.13), dermatological disorders (odds ratio 15.87; 95% CI 5.58-45.16) and gastrointestinal disorders (odds ratio 3.20; 95% CI 2.02-5.07) in patients receiving Sorafenib than in those receiving HAIC. CONCLUSION: HAIC offers a safe and effective alternative to Sorafenib with better tumor response and longer overall survival and progression-free survival, hence HAIC should be recommended for the patients with advanced HCC.

Qigong or Tai Chi in Cancer Care: an Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Qigong and Tai Chi are two increasingly popular mind-body interventions with the potential to address the multifaceted needs of cancer survivors. The aim of this updated review and meta-analysis was to quantitatively evaluate the treatment effects of Qigong/Tai Chi on cancer survivors since 2014. RECENT FINDINGS: There were statistically significant and clinically meaningful effects in favor of Qigong/Tai Chi interventions for symptoms of fatigue and sleep quality. There were positive trends, but not statistically significant effects, observed for anxiety, stress, depressive symptoms, and overall quality of life (QOL). Cancer-related cognitive impairment is a common complaint among cancer survivors that has received increasing attention in this area in recent years. Qigong/Tai Chi in cancer care shows great promise with short-term effects in treating many cancer-related symptoms. Further methodologically sound trials with longer follow-up periods and more active control conditions are required, before definitive conclusions can be recommended for cancer patients.

[Association of Serum Vitamin D with Hand-grip Strength and Balance Ability: a Cross-sectional Study on Community-dwelling Women in Sichuan, China].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2 D and the hand-grip strength and balance ability of women in Sichuan, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on a representative sample of 1 095 women aged 29-95 yr. in Sichuan Province was undertaken. Their hand-grip strength and balance ability were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer and the short physical performance battery (SPPB), respectively. The participants were divided into four groups according to the level of serum 25(OH)D: sufficient (>75 nmol/L), insufficient (51-75 nmol/L), deficiency (25-50 nmol/L), and serious deficiency (<25 nmol/L). General liner models were established to compare the differences of the four groups in balance ability. Logistic regression models were established to examine the associations of serum 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2 D withhand-grip strength and physical performance. RESULTS: About 70.9% of the participants had vitamin D deficiency. Those with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency were more likely to reside in a higher latitudinal area (P<0.001), spend less time in outdoor activities (P=0.013), and take less vitamin D supplements (P<0.001). Older women (≥65 years) had lower serum 25(OH)D (P=0.001) and were more likely to have ≤50 nmol/L 25(OH)D than their younger counterparts (74.6% vs. 68.9%, P=0.046). However, no significant age differences were found in serum 1, 25(OH)2 D. Serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2 D were not found to be associated with hand-grip strength and balance ability after adjusting for confounding factors. Hand-grip strength and balance ability decreased with age (OR=1.066, P<0.001; OR=1.111, P<0.001). Higher body mas was associated with higher hand-grip strength (OR=0.958, P<0.001). Higher serum albumin (OR=0.896, P=0.001) and longer walking time (OR=0.799, P=0.001) were associated with higher balance ability. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2D are not associated with hand-grip strength and balance ability.

Prevalence of Pain and Effects of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Chronic Pain.

This study aimed to screen the prevalence of pain in Chinese community-dwelling older adults and to evaluate the effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention on chronic pain. The prevalence of pain among Chinese older adults was 40.5%. The brief mindfulness intervention had significant effects on reducing pain intensity (P = 0.004), and increasing the mindfulness measures: observing, acting with awareness, non-judging and non-reactivity inner experience (all P values < 0.05). Pain prevalence among Chinese older adults was relatively high. This study showed that a brief mindfulness-based intervention reduced ratings of pain intensity and enhanced ratings of the perception of mindfulness.

Fire-Needle Moxibustion for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of fire-needle moxibustion as an intervention in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods. An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on fire-needle moxibustion in treating KOA was conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang database, and the Chinese Medical Database (CNKI) since their inception through March 2016. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. Results. Thirteen RCTs were identified in the systematic study which consisted of 1179 participants. Fire-needle moxibustion treatment group had a statistical significance on recovery rate as well as recovery and marked-improvement rate compared with control group. Subgroup analysis indicated that there was significant difference between fire-needle moxibustion group and control group. However, GRADE analysis indicated that the quality of evidence for all outcomes was relatively low. Only two of 13 studies reported adverse reactions (difficulty in movement and intolerance of cold). Conclusion. This meta-analysis suggests that fire-needle moxibustion is more effective than control group in symptom management of KOA. Further high quality trials should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of fire-needle moxibustion on KOA.

A novel synthesis and characterization of ordered meso/macroporous alumina with hierarchical and adjustable pore size.

The sub-micron polystyrene (PS) microspheres with adjustable size were firstly synthesized using emulsion polymerization method by adding only a small amount of emulsifier. Then, three dimensionally ordered macroporous alumina with mesoporous walls and adjustable macropore size was facilely prepared by the colloidal template method. The alumina and PS spheres were characterized by nanoparticle size analyzer, SEM, XRD and N2 adsorption. The results show that the polystyrene microsphere has adjustable single-sized pore with diameter in the range of 100-350 nm and the yield is higher than that prepared by soap free emulsion polymerization. The alumina materials as prepared using the PS colloidal crystals as the template, had ordered meso-macroporous structures and adjustable apertures. The mesopores (about 3.6 nm) in γ-alumina were formed by controlling the heat treatment of alumina precursor. BET surface area and pore volume of the hierarchical alumina as obtained can reach to 241.3 m2/g and 0.33 cm3/g, respectively.

Sorafenib suppresses the rapid progress of hepatocellular carcinoma after insufficient radiofrequency ablation therapy: an experiment in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely applied treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but insufficient RFA can promote rapid progression of the residual tumor through the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) pathway. Although sorafenib has been successfully applied to advanced HCC, the use of sorafenib in residual tumor cells after RFA has rarely been tested. PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential role of sorafenib as an adjunct to RFA to reduce the recurrence rate after insufficient RFA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Xenograft tumors of SMMC 7721 were created by subcutaneously inoculating nude mice with hepatoma cells (5 × 10(6) cells per mouse). Fourteen days after inoculation, all mice were divided into three groups (control group [sham puncture], RFA group, and RFA combined with sorafenib treatment group) with six mice in each group. Each group was given a different treatment procedure. After treatment, the volume of the tumors was calculated from the resected specimens. The mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGFA was quantified by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis. The micro-vessel density (MVD) was determined by CD34 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that, compared to the RFA group, HIF-1α and VEGFA expression were significantly decreased in the group that received RFA combined with sorafenib treatment (P < 0.05). By comparing the control group with the RFA group, we found that insufficient RFA promoted HIF-1α and VEGFA expression (P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained for MVD expression. Additionally, the combination of RFA with sorafenib therapy resulted in a synergistic reduction in tumor growth compared to insufficient RFA and sham puncture (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sorafenib was able to inhibit the expression of HIF-1α and VEGFA, and sorafenib was able to increase time to recurrence when used as an adjunct to RFA.

[Blood lead status and influencing factors among preschool children in urban areas of China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the blood lead status and influencing factors among preschool children in the sampling city. METHOD: Stratified-clustered-random sampling was used. Standardized questionnaire and peripheral blood samples were obtained from 69 968 children aged 0-6 years in fixed kindergartens and communities of Yinchuan, Xi'an, Chengdu, Wuhan, Hefei, Beijing, Harbin, Zhengzhou, Huhhot, Shijiazhuang, Haikou, Dalian, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Nanning and Changsha from 2004 to 2008, respectively. Tungsten atomic absorbtion spectrophotometry was employed to determine the blood lead level of children. RESULT: The proportion of children with blood lead level ≥ 100 µg/L was 7.57% (among which the proportion of high blood lead level, mild lead poisoning, moderate lead poisoning, severe lead poisoning were 91.0%, 2.76%, 3.32%, 2.93%, respectively) and the blood lead level was lower than those of the past studies. The proportion of high blood lead level has steadily declined from 2004 to 2008 [the proportions were 10.03%, 7.85%, 7.40%, 6.91% and 4.78%, respectively (χ(2) = 297.36, P < 0.0001)]. The proportion of children with blood lead level ≥ 100 µg/L in Haikou, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Shijiazhuang, Changsha, Xi'an, Wuhan, Hefei, Chengdu, Yinchuan, Harbin, Beijing, Dalian, Huhhot, Nanning and Qingdao were 12.15%, 10.49%, 10.37%, 9.69%, 9.53%, 9.46%, 9.40%, 8.50%, 7.99%, 7.98%, 7.51%, 6.10%, 3.25%, 2.89%, 2.46% and 2.39%, respectively (χ(2) = 768.21, P < 0.0001). By multiple regression method, the risk factors which influenced blood lead status of children were education status of mother, older children, behavior and dietary habit of children, boy, stay for long time in traffic busy areas, the type of housing, taking traditional Chinese and herbal medicine. The protective factors against lead poisoning in children mainly included scattered living, the nutritional status of calcium, iron, zinc, frequent intake of milk, and older mother. CONCLUSION: The blood lead level of children has decreased, but is still higher than those in developed countries. Lead exposure remains a public health issue which affects children most. The blood lead level of children is affected by multiple factors. Government and the whole society should pay attention to interrupt the lead pollutant and to promote nutritional health education. With all these efforts, it is possible to stop the progress of lead exposure and reduce its hazardous effects on the growth and development of children.

[Clinical observation on effect of tongfu xiere recipe in treating surgical abdominal diseases accompanied with systemic inflammatory response syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tongfu Xiere Recipe (TXR) on surgical abdominal diseases accompanied with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). METHODS: Forty-six patients in the post-operational stage were treated by basic therapy, including conventional treatment and antibiotics applying, and combined use of TXR, and compared with the 43 patients treated by basic therapy alone as the control group. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the incidence of complications in the treatment group was significantly lower (P<0.01). The incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and the mortality in the treatment group showed an decreasing tendency. Moreover, levels of plasma endotoxin, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 in the treatment group after treatment decreased significantly, while IL-2 level increased (P < 0.01), and showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) as compared with those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The combined therapy can decrease the levels of blood endotoxin and inflammation promoting cytokine and increase the level of cytokine that directly related with immune function to regulate immunity and inhibit the inflammatory reaction, and furthermore, to prevent MODS and decrease the mortality of patients with surgical abdominal diseases accompanied SIRS.