Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with somatoform disorders: A pilot preliminary randomized controlled trial.

Background and objective: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for somatoform disorders (SFDs) is understudied in China. Western findings may not be applicable to Chinese culture. This preliminary study evaluated the efficacy of CBT for patients in China, relative to treatment-as-usual (TAU). Methods: Seventy patients with SFDs randomly received either combined CBT and TAU (CBT + TAU), or TAU alone between January 2018 to May 2019. The CBT + TAU group received 12 weekly individual 50-minute CBT sessions. Participants were blindly assessed at 4 timepoints (baseline, week 6, end of treatment: week 12; 12 weeks post-treatment: week 24) using the following outcome measures: SQSS (Self-screening Questionnaire for Somatic Symptoms); PHQ-15 (Patient-Health-Questionnaire-15) and the WI (Whiteley Index); GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7); HAMD-17 (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17); Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS); Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS); and the Short Form of Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q-SF). The primary endpoint was the difference between the SQSS total score at week 24 and the baseline. A mixed model for repeated measures was used to analyze inter- and intra-group changes from the baseline. Results: At week 24, The least-squares mean (LSM) change of the total score on the SQSS was -18.87 points and -9.69 points, respectively in the CBT + TAU group and in the TAU group (LSM difference, -9.18 points; 95% confidence interval, -15.72 to -2.64; P = 0.0068). At week 24, the LSM changes from baseline in the WI, HAMD, PHQ15, FBIS and SDS total scores were significantly different between the two groups, however, there was no significant difference in the Q-LES-Q-SF. The SQSS of group effect sizes were 0.63 at 24 weeks. The dropout rates of the CBT + TAU and TAU groups were comparable (22.9% and 19.3%). Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that CBT may be helpful for improving the symptoms of patients with SFDs in China.

Effect of Hedysarum Polysaccharides on Bcl-2/Caspase-3 Signaling Pathway of Schwann Cells Cultured in High Glucose / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Hedysarum polysaccharides（HPS）on the signaling pathways of B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 3 （Caspase-3）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in Schwann cells（SCs）cultured in high glucose，and explore the possible mechanism of HPS against diabetic peripheral neuropathy（DPN）. MethodFour SD suckling mice aged 5-7 days were randomly divided into a normal group，a high-glucose group，an HPS + high-glucose group，and an α-lipoic acid（α-LA）+ high-glucose group. SCs were extracted from the sciatic nerve and cultured in a 37 ℃，5% CO2 incubator. After the cells reached 80% confluence，Cell Counting Kit-8（CCK-8）was used to screen the experimental concentrations suitable for high glucose，HPS， and α-LA interventions. Western blot and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of Bcl-2，Bax，and Caspase-3. The apoptosis rate of SCs was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate （FITC）/propidium iodide （PI）. ResultAs revealed by Western blot and real-time PCR，compared with the normal group，the high-glucose group showed reduced protein and mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and increased protein and mRNA expression of Bax and Caspase-3（P<0.01）. Compared with the high-glucose group，the HPS + high-glucose group and the α-LA + high-glucose group showed increased protein and mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and decreased protein and mRNA expression of Bax and Caspase-3（P<0.01）. As displayed by the results of flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI， compared with the normal group，the high-glucose group showed increased apoptosis rate；compared with the high-glucose group，the HPS + high-glucose group and the α-LA + high-glucose group showed reduced apoptosis rate（P<0.01）. ConclusionHPS can alleviate the apoptotic response of SCs，and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the Bcl-2/Caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Effects of experiment-related factors on hematological parameters in SD rats / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To study the effects of experiment-related factors on hematological parameters in SD rats, analyze the data difference and causes, understand the effects of anesthetics and stress responses on the physiological aspects of animals, and to provide a reference for the standardization of animal welfare and compound toxicity testing methods.Methods According to gender (A), fasting time (B), anesthesia (C) and blood collection mode (D), SPF SD rats were divided into 24 groups.Blood samples were collected from each group.Then, red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, white blood cell count and classification indicators were measured.Results The primary and secondary order of the factors affecting the white blood cell count was D > C > A > B, and the levels of white blood cell count of each factor were male rats > female rats, and venous blood > arterial blood, chloral hydrate > pentobarbital sodium > no anesthesia.The primary and secondary order of the factors affecting the white blood cell classification was C > D=A=B, and factors affecting the levels of white blood cell classification were chloral hydrate > pentobarbital sodium > no anesthesia.The primary and secondary order of the effects of the factors on the red blood cell count and hemoglobin level was C > D=A=B, and the levels of red blood cell count and hemoglobin level were pentobarbital sodium > chloral hydrate> no anesthesia.There was no significant difference in the blood indexes between the different fasting time groups.Conclusions There is no effect of fasting on hematological parameters, but there are differences in the blood parameters between arteries and veins.The effect of chloral hydrate anesthesia on the count and classification of white blood cells is greater than that of pentobarbital sodium.The effect of chloral hydrate anesthesia on the red blood cell count and hemoglobin level is greater than that of pentobarbital sodium.The two kinds of anesthesia methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Effects of celastrol on the proliferation and apoptosis of human leukemia cells HL-60 and Jurkat / 中国药科大学学报

@#To determine the effects of celastrol on the proliferation and apoptosis of cell lines HL-60 and Jurkat in human leukemia. Human leukemia cell lines were treated with celastrol at different concentrations. The inhibitory rate of cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay; the apoptosis rate was detected by AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining; cell cycle was observed by PI staining; cell morphology was observed by transmission electron microscope(TEM). Cell proliferation was inhibited by celastrol, with IC50 of(0. 46±1. 05)μmol/L and(0. 88±1. 13)μmol/L at 24 h. Celastrol induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The cell cycle distribution of G1 phase rate increased, S phase rate decreased(P< 0. 05)with typical cell apoptosis-induced morphological changes. Results showed that celastrol could significantly inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in human leukemia cell lines of HL-60 and Jurkat.

Electrochemical immunosensor for detection of topoisomerase based on graphene-gold nanocomposites.

A facile electrochemical immunosensor based on graphene-three dimensional nanostructure gold nanocomposites (G-3D Au) using simple and rapid one-step electrochemical co-reduction technique was developed for sensitive detection of topoisomerase. The resultant G-3D Au nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and then were used as a substrate for construction of the "sandwich-type" immunosensor. Amperometric current-time curve was employed to monitor the immunoreaction on the protein modified electrode. The proposed method could respond to topoisomerase with a linear calibration range from 0.5 ng mL(-1) to 50 ng mL(-1) with a detection limit of 10 pg mL(-1). This new biosensor exhibited a fast amperometric response, high sensitivity and selectivity, and was successfully used in determining the topoisomerase which was added in human serum with a relative standard deviation (n=5)<5%. The immunosensor served as a significant step toward the practical application of the immunosensor in clinical diagnosis and prognosis monitor.

The posterolateral mid-forearm perforator flap: anatomical study and clinical application.

BACKGROUND: Defects sustained at the distal forearm are common and pedicled perforator flaps have unique advantages in resurfacing it. The purpose of this study is to reappraise the anatomy of the perforator in the posterolateral aspect of the mid-forearm and present our clinical experience on using perforator flaps based on it for reconstruction of defects in the distal forearm. METHODS: This study was divided into anatomical study and clinical application. In the anatomical study, 30 preserved upper limbs were used. Clinically, 11 patients with defects at the forearm underwent reconstruction with the posterolateral mid-forearm perforator flaps. The defects, ranging from 4.5 × 2.5 cm to 10.5 × 4.5 cm, were located at the dorsal aspect of the distal forearm in 6 cases and at the volar aspect of the distal forearm in 5 cases. RESULTS: Three patterns of the perforator were observed in the posterolateral aspect of the mid-forearm, which originated from the posterior interosseous artery, the proximal segment of the radial artery or the radial recurrent artery, and the middle segment of the radial artery, respectively. The perforator was located 11.8 ± 0.2 cm to 15.8 ± 0.4 cm inferior to the lateral humeral epicondyle. Clinically, flaps in 8 cases survived uneventfully, while the other 3 cases suffered mild marginal epidermal necrosis, which was cured with continuous dress changing. CONCLUSION: The location of the perforator at the posterolateral aspect of the mid-forearm is consistent; the posterolateral mid-forearm perforator flap is particularly suitable to cover defects in the distal one-third of the forearm.

A sandwich-type DNA biosensor based on electrochemical co-reduction synthesis of graphene-three dimensional nanostructure gold nanocomposite films.

A novel electrochemical DNA biosensor based on graphene-three dimensional nanostructure gold nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (G-3D Au/GCE) was fabricated for detection of survivin gene which was correlated with osteosarcoma. The G-3D Au film was prepared with one-step electrochemical coreduction with graphite oxide and HAuCl4 at cathodic potentials. The active surface area of G-3D Au/GCE was 2.629cm(2), which was about 3.8 times compared to that of a Au-coated GCE under the same experimental conditions, and 8.8 times compared to a planar gold electrode with a similar geometric area. The resultant nanocomposites with high conductivity, electrocatalysis and biocompatibility were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A "sandwich-type" detection strategy was employed in this electrochemical DNA biosensor and the response of this DNA biosensor was measured by CV and amperometric current-time curve detection. Under optimum conditions, there was a good linear relationship between the current signal and the logarithmic function of complementary DNA concentration in a range of 50-5000fM with a detection limit of 3.4fM. This new biosensor exhibited a fast amperometric response, high sensitivity and selectivity and has been used in a polymerase chain reaction assay of real-life sample with a satisfactory result.

Establishment of ischemic precondition model and the protective effect of nitric oxide on PC12 cell line / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To establish the ischemic precondition ([PC) model of PC12 cell line in vitro, and to explore the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the IPC cerebral protection. Method PC12 cells were cultured and used for producing the model of ischemie precondition by the way of oxygen-glucose deprivation. Twenty dishes of cells were randomly divided into four groups (5 dishes for each group): control group, ischemic precondition group (IPC),non-ischemic precondition group (NIPC) and L-NAME treatment group (L-NAME). In control group, the cells were in-cubated with low glucose (<1 g/L) and2% FBS medium in normal oxygen; in IPC group, the cells were administrated with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 6 hours, and then subjected with reperfuaion before OGD 15 hours; in NIPC group, the cells were treated the same as control group for 6 hours, and then subjected with reperfusion before OGD 15 hours; in L-NAME group, the cells received L-NAME (1 mmol/L) and cocultured for 30 minutes before OGD 6 hours, and then received the same treatment as the IPC group. To test whether the model was established, metabolic rate of MIT, LDH release were measured and the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry following oxygen-glucose deprivation 15 hours. The activity of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) was as-sessed by biochemical assay. One-way ANOVA and LSD multiple comparison test were used to analyze differences among different groups, and P<0.05 was considered different. Results Compared with NIPC group, the metabolic rate of MTT increased (94.9%±35.1%, P<0.05), while LDH release and the cell apoptotic rate decreased significantly in IPC group (279.1%±28.1%, P<0.03). Compared with control group(100.0%± 13.5%),the activities of NOS increased both in NIPC and IPC groups (390.0%±14.6%, P<0.01;126.3% ±10.6%, P<0.01). Moreover, the apoptosis rates in each group (control group, IPC group, NIPC group and L-NAME group) were 5.90, 8.73, 38.62 and 11.73%,respectively. Conclusions IPC reduces the death and apoptosis rate of PC12 cell after oxygen-glucose deprivation injury. NO might be involved, but it is not the only factor.