Analysis of Polarizing Microscopic Characteristics and X-ray Diffraction Fingerprint of Mineral Medicine Maifanitum / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the polarized light microscopic characteristics， the composition of physical phases and their relative contents of Maifanitum from different origins， and to establish the Fourier characteristic fingerprint of Maifanitum powder crystals by X-ray diffraction（XRD）. MethodA total of 26 batches of Maifanitum samples were selected， and the microscopic characteristics of the sample powders and grinding flakes were observed by polarized light microscopy under single polarized light and orthogonal polarized light， and the main phase compositions and their relative contents were analyzed by powder crystal XRD technique， and the XRD Fourier characteristic fingerprint of Maifanitum was established. The incident light source of XRD was Cu target Kβ radiation， the light tube voltage and light tube current were 40 kV and 40 mA， respectively， the divergence slit was 1°， the scattering slit was 1°， the receiving slit was 0.2 mm， the scanning speed was 5°·min-1 with continuous scanning and scanning range of 5-90°（2θ）， and the step length was 0.02°. ResultThe polarized light micrographs of powders and grinding flakes of Maifanitum were obtained， and the main phases were plagioclase， potassium feldspar and quartz， and a few samples also contained illite， pyrite， iron dolomite， calcite， iron amphibole and chlorite， etc. The relative total content of feldspar phases was 61.9%-82.4%， and the relative content of quartz was 12.6%-33.6%. The XRD Fourier fingerprint analysis method of Maifanitum with 13 common peaks as the characteristic fingerprint information was established， and the similarity calculated by the mean correlation coefficient method was 0.920 9-0.997 7， the similarity calculated by the mean angle cosine method was 0.940 5-0.998 4， the similarity calculated by the median correlation coefficient method was 0.921 1-0.997 5， and the similarity calculated by the median angle cosine method was 0.947 5-0.998 2. ConclusionThe polarized light microscopic identification characteristics of Maifanitum are mainly plagioclase， quartz and potassium feldspar， and the technique of powder crystal XRD Fourier fingerprint analysis can be used for the identification of Maifanitum.

Combined application of extended depth of field imaging, image stitching and polarized microscopy techniques in identification of Spatholobus suberectus / 中草药·英文版

Objective: As traditional techniques for microscopic identification of Chinese medicines currently lack objective and high-quality reference images, here we developed a systemic procedure to be used in microscopic identification of Chinese medicines, which would lead to more objective, effective and accurate identification process. Methods: Spatholobi Caulis (Jixueteng in Chinese) was used as the specimen in the development of such procedure. Jixueteng samples were microscopically examined in bright- and dark-field microscopy. Microscopic images were obtained by regular, EDF, and image stitching techniques. Results: The microscopic images of the characteristics in pulverized Jixueteng were captured, thanks to EDF imaging and image stitching techniques which allowed the detailed and full sighting of each characteristic to be obtained simultaneously. Different layers in anatomical transverse section, including cork, phelloderm, cortex, phloem, cambium, xylem and pith, were distinctively observed. Moreover, by comparing images of bright- and dark-field microscopy, birefringent and non- birefringent components could readily be distinguished. Conclusion: With application of the developed procedure, high-definition, panoramic and microscopic images were acquired, which could be used as the reference images for microscopic identification of Chinese medicines.

Pharmacognostical study of Chinese medicine Prinsepiae Nux / 中草药

Objective: To provide scientific evidence for the identification of Prinsepiae Nux by observing the characteristics and microscopic characteristics, which may be of relevance to the compilation of 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Methods: The pharmacognosy of fruit core from 12 batches of P. uniflora and nine batches of P. uniflora var. serrata were studied by character identification, micro-morphological identification, conventional microscopic identification and polarized light microscopic identification. Results: From the shape, size, color, surface characteristics, texture, cross-section, qi, taste and other aspects, the characteristics of pupae and dentate wood were observed and studied. For the hard texture and after the softening treatment, it is still not suitable to prepare cross-sections to observe the complete plant tissue structure and determine the medicinal material of the tissue site. Using free-hand slicing technology of positioning and taking materials can accurately obtain the microscopic characteristics of plant tissue in specific parts; A medicinal material that integrates a large group of bundles and is difficult to show the complete morphological characteristics of a single cell after pulverization. Using dissociated tissue filming technology, it is possible to obtain clear, complete, and non-overlapping single cell full-spectrum and characteristic information. Conclusion: Micro-morphological characteristics (endocarp,cotyledon and seed coat)were obtained for the first time. the results of microscopic identification and micro-morphological identification fill in the blank of color image information. Stone cells of endocarp can be used as specific markers for microscopic identifying Prinsepiae Nux.

Pharmacognostical study of Chinese medicine Mylabris / 中草药

Objective: To provide the scientific evidence for the identification of Mylabris phalerata and Mylabri scichorii by observing the characteristics and microscopic characteristics of the two species, which may be of relevance to the compilation of 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Methods: The pharmacognosy of six batches of M. phalerata and four batches of M. scichorii were studied by character identification, micro-morphological identification, conventional microscopic identification, polarized light microscopic identification and microsublimation methods. Results: Colored holographic image of the micro-morphological characteristics (body length, antenna, elytron and hind-wing), microscopic characteristics (bristle, body wall fragment, elytron debris, hind-wing debris, muscle fiber, debris of gas pipeline and undigested plant tissue) and crystalline sublimate characteristics were obtained for the first time. Conclusion: The results of micro-morphological identification complement the fine structural characteristics of traditional character identification. The microscopic and microsublimation methods for identification can be used as specific markers for identifying Mylabris.

Clinical efficacy of infrared polarized light in the treatment of frozen shoulder / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of infrared polarized light irradiation in the treatment of frozen shoulder. Methods A total of 150 patients with frozen shoulder who were treated in the rehabilitation department of Tianjin People's Hospital from October 2015 to December 2018 were randomly divided into a control group (75 cases) and a treatment group (75 cases) using a random number table. Finally, 120 patients who underwent the complete treatment were enrolled including 67 in the treatment group and 53 in the control group. The patients in the treatment group was treated with infrared polarized light irradiation combined with shoulder joint mobilization, and in the control group was treated with shoulder mobilization alone. The whole course is 2 months, and the treatment was 5 times a week. In each treatment, the duration of infrared polarized light irradiation is 10 min and the duration of joint mobilization is 15 to 20 min. Rehabilitation assessment of pain (visual analogue scale, VAS), range of motion (ROM), muscle strength and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) were performed before the first treatment and after 2 weeks of treatment. Results Before the treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in VAS, ROM, muscle strength and SAS scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with that before treatment, VAS and SAS scores were significantly decreased, ROM and muscle strength scores were significantly increased in the two groups after 2 weeks treatment (all P<0.01). After 2 weeks of treatment, there were significant differences in VAS scores, muscle strength scores, the ROM of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction between the two groups (all P<0.05), but there were no significant difference in ROM of internal rotation, external rotation and SAS scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). The improvements of the indicators in the treatment group was greater than that of the control group. Conclusions Infrared polarized light irradiation can significantly improve the treatment effect of frozen shoulder.

Cristalurias medicamentosas en el laboratorio de urgencias: reporte de dos casos / Drug induced crystalluria in the emergency laboratory: report of two cases

Ciertos fármacos que son excretados en orina, como los antibióticos, pueden formar cristales cuando la dosis empleadas son elevadas, la diuresis se encuentra disminuida o el pH de la orina es ácido. Los eventos de cristaluria medicamentosa son poco frecuentes y pueden ser cuadros asintomáticos e incluso originar fallos renales agudos. En este reporte se describen dos casos: una mujer de 26 años con cristaluria de ampicilina y una niña de 8 años con cristaluria de amoxicilina, registrados en el laboratorio de urgencias del Hospital Central del Instituto de Previsión Social. El análisis del sedimento fue realizado empleando microscopía óptica, luego los cristales fueron sometidos a microscopía de polarización y espectrofotometría infrarroja logrando la identificación exacta de la naturaleza química de los cristales. Este es el primer reporte de cristaluria medicamentosa del país y pone de manifiesto la importancia del trabajo colaborativo entre instituciones del estado.

Certain drugs that are excreted in the urine, including antibiotics, could induce theformation of crystals when the dose used is high, the diuresis is low or the pH of the urine isacid. The events of drug induced crystalluria are rare and could be asymptomatic or couldcause acute renal failure. In this report, we describe two cases: One of a 26-year-oldwoman with ampiciline crystalluria and a 8-year-old child with amoxiciline crystalluria, bothregistered at the Emergency Laboratory of the Central Hospital of the Instituto de PrevisionSocial. The analysis of the urinary sediment was made by conventional microscopy, andthen the crystals were studied by polarized light microscopy and infrared spectroscopyachieving the exact identification of the chemical nature of the crystals. This is the firstreport of drug induced crystalluria in the country and shows the importance of thecolaborative work between state institutions.

Morphological and microscopic characterization of five commonly-used testacean traditional Chinese medicines

Testacean traditional Chinese medicine (TTCM), derived from the outer shell of sea or freshwater mollusks, is a special and important category of Chinese medicinal materials. To ensure the effective use of TTCM, a comparative identification study was performed on five commonly-used testacean drugs, including Haliotidis Concha, Arcae Concha, Meretricis Concha, Ostreae Concha and Margaritifera Concha (Shijueming, Walengzi, Geqiao, Muli and Zhenzhumu in Chinese, respectively). Typical morphological photographs of the crude drugs were acquired, and the key microscopic characteristics of the derived powders under normal light microscope and polarized light microscope were summarized. The major results can be concluded as follows: (1) the original species involved in the five TTCMs could be distinguished by their respective interspecies morphological characteristics; (2) the key identification characteristics of the five powdered crude drugs were mainly crystal fragments, with the fragment features under both normal light and polarized light microscope providing powerful points for differentiating the five commonly-used testacean drugs. This study demonstrated that it is feasible to provide authentication for these five kinds of TTCMs by the combination of morphology with microscopy.

The utility of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of evolving lesions of vitiligo.

Background: Early lesions of vitiligo can be confused with various other causes of hypopigmentation and depigmentation. Few workers have utilized dermoscopy for the diagnosis of evolving lesions of vitiligo. Aim: To analyze the dermoscopic findings of evolving lesions in diagnosed cases of vitiligo and to correlate them histopathologically. Methods: Dermoscopy of evolving lesions in 30 diagnosed cases of vitiligo was performed using both polarized light and ultraviolet light. Result: On polarized light examination, the pigmentary network was found to be reduced in 12 (40%) of 30 patients, absent in 9 (30%), and reversed in 6 (20%) patients; 2 patients (6.7%) showed perifollicular hyperpigmentation and 1 (3.3%) had perilesional hyperpigmentation. A diffuse white glow was demonstrable in 27 (90%) of 30 patients on ultraviolet light examination. Melanocytes were either reduced in number or absent in 12 (40%) of 30 patients on histopathology. Conclusion: Pigmentary network changes, and perifollicular and perilesional hyperpigmentation on polarized light examination, and a diffuse white glow on ultraviolet light examination were noted in evolving vitiligo lesions. Histopathological examination was comparatively less reliable. Dermoscopy appears to be better than routine histopathology in the diagnosis of evolving lesions of vitiligo and can obviate the need for a skin biopsy.

Influencia de un enjuague a base de fluoruro y xilitol en la remineralización in vitro del esmalte en dientes temporales / Influence exerted by a xylitol and fluoride based mouthwash on the in vitro enamel remineralization of primary teeth

El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de un enjuague bucal con fluoruro de sodio y xilitol, en la remineralización del esmalte de dientes temporales. Se utilizaron 40 dientes sin caries, aplicando ácido fosfórico al 35% durante 20 segundos, y fueron inmersos en el enjuague por 0, 15, 30, 45 y 60 días. Se observaron cortes longitudinales de 150-250 µm de cada muestra y se valoró la remineralización, de acuerdo a la birrefringencia observada después de aplicarles solución de Thoulet (1.47 IR) bajo luz polarizada en un fotomicroscopio. A los 15 días tuvo una media de 0.444 (± 0.527), a los 30 días de 0.778 (± 0.441), a los 45 de 1.444 (± 0.527) y a los 60 días de 1.47 (± 0.483). El análisis de varianza permitió establecer diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos (p < 0.001), y comparándolos entre sí (p < 0.05). Puede concluirse que el enjuague empleado tuvo un ligero efecto remineralizante en el esmalte.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness on primary teeth of a fluoride and xylitol based mouthwash. 40 caries-free teeth were used. 35% phosphoric acid was applied during 20 seconds. Teeth were then immersed in the mouthwash for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. 150-250μm longitudinal slices were taken of each sample. Re-mineralization was assessed according to bi-refringence observed after applying Thoulet solution (1.47 IR). Assessment was conducted under polarized light in a photo-microscope. At 15 days, a mean of 0.444 (± 0.527) was observed. After 30 days the observed mean was 0.778 (± 0.441). At 45 days, observed mean was 1.444 (± 0.527), and at 60 days, observed mean was 1.47 (± 0.483). Variance analysis established statistically significant differences among groups (p < 0.001) as well as when comparisons among groups were established (p < 0.05). After conducting the aforementioned tests it could be concluded that the employed mouthwash exerted a slight re-mineralizing effect upon the enamel of treated teeth.

Usefulness of additional polarized light irradiation for those treated with stellate ganglion block in sudden deafness

BACKGROUND: Both stellate ganglion block (SGB) and polarized light irradiation (Superlizer) have a tendency to increase blood flow. Increases in blood flow can be estimated indirectly by changes in tympanic membrane temperature. In this study, we sought to evaluate how simultaneous SGB and Superlizer treatment affects tympanic temperature and tympanic blood flow in individuals suffering from sudden deafness. METHODS: Among patients who visited the pain clinic complaining of sudden deafness, we divided them into two groups: one receiving only SGB; the other receiving both SGB and Superlizer treatment. By comparing the tympanic membrane temperature measurements of both groups on 10, 30, and 60 minutes after treatment through a prospective study, we intended to evaluate the effect of treatment with SGB and Superlizer. RESULTS: Temperature changes measured after the injection were statistically significant in both groups. Temperature changes of the tympanic membrane were greater in the group who received both SGB and Superlizer compared to the group receiving only SGB. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that SGB followed by Superlizer has effects on the amount of increase in tympanic membrane temperature. This seems to be attributed to the increase in blood circulation of the inner ear compared with the group receiving only SGB. We came to the conclusion that in sudden deafness patients, the use of SGB combined with polarized light irradiation appears to be more effective in the treatment of sudden deafness.

Anti-hypercholesterolemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects of polarized-light therapy in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet / 한국실험동물학회지

The effects of polarized-light therapy (PLT) on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis were investigated in comparison with that of lovastatin in rabbits. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding male New Zealand white rabbits with 1% cholesterol in diet for 2 weeks and maintained with 0.5% cholesterol for 6 weeks, followed by normal diet for 2 weeks for recovery. Lovastatin (0.002% in diet) or daily 5-min or 20-min PLT on the outside surface of ears was started 2 weeks after induction of hypercholesterolemia. Hypercholesterolemic rabbits exhibited great increases in serum cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels, and finally severe atheromatous plaques formation covering 57.5% of the arterial walls. Lovastatin markedly reduced both the cholesterol and LDL, but the reducing effect (47.5%) on atheroma formation was relatively low. By comparison, 5-min PLT preferentially decreased LDL, rather than cholesterol, and thereby potentially reduced the atheroma area to 42.2%. Notably, 20-min PLT was superior to lovastatin in reducing both the cholesterol and LDL levels as well as the atheromatous plaque formation (26.4%). In contrast to the increases in blood alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase following lovastatin treatment, PLT did not cause hepatotoxicity. In addition, PLT decreased platelets and hematocrit level. The results indicate that PLT attenuates atherosclerosis not only by lowering blood cholesterol and LDL levels, but also by improving blood flow without adverse effects. Therefore, it is suggested that PLT could be a safe alternative therapy for the improvement of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

The effect of botulinum toxin type A combined with infrared polarized light for the treatment of chronic migraine / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of local injection of botulinum toxin A ( BTX-A ) combined with infrared polarized light for patients with chronic migraine ( CM ). Methods Ninety-one patients with CM were randomly divided into 4 groups.Group A served as the control group in which Nimodipine was used to treat CM ( n =22 ) ; in group B infrared polarized light was used to irradiate the area of the CM for 50 to 60 d ( n =22 ) ; in group C subcutaneous injections of BTX-A were used ( n =24 ) ; and in group D infrared polarized light irradiation of the affected area was combined with subcutaneous injections of BTX-A ( n =23 ).The onset of headaches,their severity,quality of life,as well as side effects were recorded using the migraine disability assessment scale (MIDAS) and the short form of the medical outcomes study form (MOS-SF).The results obtained before and after 6 months of treatment were compared. Results Both of MIDAS and MOS-SF assessment showed significant differences before treatment and after 1,3 and 6 months of treatment in all groups.After 1,3 and 6 months of treatment,the MIDSA and MOS-SF results revealed statistically significant differences between groups A and D,as well as between groups B and C. Conclusion BTX-A injection combined with infrared polarized light exerts significant therapeutic effects on CM with few side effects.

Correlação entre a avaliação microscópica e a leitura por laser fluorescência de lesões de manchas brancas em dentes bovinos: estudo in vitro / Correlation between the microscopic evaluation and reading by laser fluorescence of enamel decalcification in bovine teeth: in vitro study

Objetivo: avaliar a correlação entre as leituras de descalcificação artificial de esmalte in vitro por meio do DIAGNOdent® e pela microscopia óptica com luz polarizada. Metodologia: foram utilizados 25 dentes bovinos que foram expostos a um meio artificial de cáries por uma hora, duas vezes ao dia, por 35 dias. Em seguida, procedeu-se as leituras das fluorescências utilizando o aparelho laser DIAGNOdent®. Foram registradas as leituras das áreas sem descalcificação (para calibração) e as áreas desmineralizadas artificialmente. Após as leituras da fluorescência, as regiões de leitura por laser foram cortadas em secções de aproximadamente 400μm e avaliadas por meio da microscopia de luz polarizada. Resultados: demonstraram que, embora com algum grau de variação, o sistema DIAGNOdent® foi capaz de detectar as descalcificações semelhantemente àqueles reconhecidos por microscopia de luz polarizada, estabelecendo um padrão razoável de equivalência de leituras. Conclusão: os valores médios encontrados para o DIAGNOdent® demonstraram um coeficiente de correlação de Pearson de 0,63 com relação aos valores das leituras microscópicas.

Aim: evaluate the correlation between the artificial in vitro enamel decalcification through DIAGNOdent® laser and through optic microscopic with polarized light. Methodology: for this research, 25 bovine teeth had been exposed to an artificial decay environment during one hour, two times a day, for 35 days. After wards, DIAGNOdent® laser has been used to read the fluorescence from the enemel areas without decalcification (for calibration) and to evaluate the non-mineralized artificially. After the fluorescence readings regions of laser read were cut into sections of about 400μm and evaluated by polarized light microscopy. Results: the results had demonstrated that, even with some degree of variation, the DIAGNOdent® system was capable of recognizing the decalcification, establishing regular equivalence of standard readings such as light polarized microscopy. Conclusion: the average values found for DIAGNOdent® laser had demonstrated a 0,63 coefficient of correlation of Pearson to the values of microscopically readings.

Application of polarized light dermoescopy in the early diagnosis of vitiligo and its differential diagnosis from other depigmented diseases / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the early diagnosis of vitiligo and its differential diagnosis from other depigmentated diseases using polarized light dermoscopy(PD)imaging analysis.Methods Patients with localized depigmented macules were enrolled into this study.PD was used to observe the micromorphology,feature and color of skin lesions.Histopathology was performed to confirm the diagnosis of all cases except for those of pityriasis versicolor which were confirmed by clinical and laboratory examination.Results Of the 176 patients.97 were diagnosed as vitiligo.Residual perifollicular pigmentation Was observed in 91.94%(57/62)of patients with progressing vitiligo and 62.86%(22/35)of those with stable vitiligo,with significant difference between the two groups of patients(P<0.05).However.residual perifollicular pigmentation was absent in the 79 non-vitiligo depigrnented cases.The presence of telangiectasia,early reservoirs of pigmentation and perilesional hyperpigmentation were related to the stage of vitiligo and treatment history of patients.Conclusions PD,which efficiently eliminates the interference of reflected light on skin lesions of vililigo,is an imaging technique that allows for the visualization of minor structures and features of the skin lesions that are indiscernible to naked eyes.In a nutshell,the application of PD has offered references to the early diagnosis of vitiligo and its differential diagnosis from other depigmentation diseases.

Macromolecular array patterns of silk gland secretion in social Hymenoptera larvae

The cocoon, produced by most holometabolous insects, is built with silk that is usually produced by the larval salivary gland. Although this silk has been widely studied in the Lepidoptera, its composition and macromolecular arrangement remains unknown in the Hymenoptera. The macromolecular array patterns of the silk in the larval salivary gland of some meliponids, wasps, and ants were analyzed with polarized-light microscopy, and they were compared with those of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera). There is a birefringent secretion in the glandular lumen of all larvae, due to filamentous structural proteins that display anisotropy. The silk in the distal, middle and proximal regions of the secretory portion of Formicidae and Vespidae glands presented a lattice optical pattern. We found a different pattern in the middle secretory portion of the Meliponini, with a zigzag rather than a lattice pattern. This indicates that the biopolymer fibers begin their macromolecular reorganization at this glandular region, different from the Formicidae and the Vespidae, in which the zigzag optical pattern was only found at the lateral duct. Probably, the mechanism of silk production in the Hymenoptera is a characteristic inherited from a common ancestor of Vespoidea and Sphecoidea; the alterations in the pattern observed in the Meliponini could be a derived characteristic in the Hymenoptera. We found no similarity in the macromolecular reorganization patterns of the silk between the Hymenoptera species and the silkworm.

Preliminary Researches for the Causes of Maltese-Cross Formed in Biological Liquid Crystals / 昆明医科大学学报

We studied the causes of Maltese-cross formed in biological liquid crystals. We conidered that the Maltese-cross is a kind of interfernce pattern of polarized light which passed through the biological liquid crystal. We had observed different interfernce patterns which were differ- ent shapes of Maltese-cross, under a convergent, perpendicular, polarized light micro- scope because the light-axis direction in biological liquid crystals is at pleasure.