[A pilot study of transcranial alternating current stimulation in the treatment of drug-naive adult patients with major depressive disorder].

Objective: To explore the efficacy, adverse reactions, feasibility, and acceptability of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) treating drug-naive adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and provide basis for further study with a large sample. Methods: The study was performed in the Neuromodulation laboratory, Department of Neurology of Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University (Beijing, China) from July, 2017 to June, 2018. Thirty Eligible first-episode MDD outpatients were randomized 1∶1 to receive active tACS or sham intervention. The tACS was administered in a 40 minute, 77.5 Hz frequency, 15 mA session with one forehead (Fp1, Fpz, and Fp2, in the 10/20 international placement system, 4.45 cm×9.53 cm) and two mastoid (3.18 cm×3.81 cm) stimulation for 20 times in 4 consecutive weeks at fixed day time frame once daily from Monday through Friday, with weekends off (week 4), followed by 4 weeks with no tACS treatment (week 8). By utilizing the Hamilton rating scale for depression-17 item (HRSD-17) to assess the depressive severity of MDD patients, adverse events were administered by the treatment-emergent adverse events, the Young mania rating scale, and the self-made common questionnaire on cranial electrical stimulation. The primary efficacy outcome was the remission rate defined as HRSD-17 score ≤7 at week 8. Secondary outcomes included the rates of remission at week 4 and response at weeks 4 and 8. Safety was assessed by evaluation of adverse events. Also the proportions of participants accepting the intervention and this study procedure were evaluated at weeks 4 and 8. Results: Thirty MDD patients completed the study, and both groups had no statistical differences on their demographic characteristics (P>0.05). At week 8, the active group had a remission rate of 10/15, which was higher than 3/15 in the sham group (P<0.05). Also, the remission rate (14/15) in the active group was higher than 5/15 of the sham group at week 4 (P<0.05). For the response rates, significant differences were found between groups at week 8. For safety, both groups showed no severe adverse events and no mania/hypomania. One participant per group had 2 times of tinnitus cerebri during the intervention days. All patients accepted the intervention and the study procedure. Conclusions: The pilot study indicated that tACS with 77.5 Hz and 15 mA may have a therapeutic effect on depressive symptoms. It is well-tolerated and safe, as well as feasible and acceptable for adults with MDD.

Valproate versus diazepam for generalized convulsive status epilepticus: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evidence-based data to guide the management of status epilepticus (SE) after failure of primary treatment are still scarce and the alternate needs to be found when phenytoin (PHT) is not available or contraindicated. Comparison of intravenous (IV) valproate (VPA) and diazepam (DZP) infusion has not been conducted in adults with SE. This prospective randomized controlled trial is thus designed to evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of IV VPA and continuous DZP infusion as second-line anticonvulsants. METHODS: After failure of first-line anticonvulsants treatment, patients with generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) were randomized to receive either IV VPA or continuous DZP infusion. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients with effective control. Side effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were 66 cases enrolled, with the mean age of 41 ± 21 years. Seizure was controlled in 56% (20/36) of the DZP group and 50% (15/30) of the VPA group (P = 0.652). No patient in the VPA group developed respiratory depression, hypotension, or hepatic dysfunction, whereas in the DZP group, 5.5% required ventilation and 5.5% developed hypotension. Time (hour) for regaining consciousness after control was near-significantly longer in the DZP group [13(3.15-21.5)] than in the VPA group [3(0.75-11)] (P = 0.057). Virus encephalitis and long duration of GCSE were independent risk factors of drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Both IV VPA and continuous DZP infusion are effective second-line anticonvulsants for GCSE. IV VPA was well tolerated and free of respiratory depression and hypotension, which may develop in the DZP group. Outcome parameters were not significantly different between groups.

Determination of particulate and gaseous phthalic acid esters in ambient air by large-volume injection-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and effective analytical method has been optimized and validated for the determination of particulate and gaseous phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in ambient air. The samples were Soxhlet extracted with an n-hexane-dichloromethane-methanol mixture (1:1:1, volume ratio), and analyzed using large-volume injection coupled to a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LVI-GC-MS) system. Standard sample linearity in the range of 0.02 approximately 5 microg L(-1) provides regression coefficients (R(2)) better than 0.995. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were at the microg L(-1) level. Because the air sample volumes were 360 m(3), the accuracy and precision for the PAE concentrations at the pg m(-3) level were guaranteed. This sensitivity is much higher than the conventional 2 microL splitless injection and is suitable for the detection of ultra-trace PAEs in complex air matrices.

Atmospheric distribution of particulate- and gas-phase phthalic esters (PAEs) in a Metropolitan City, Nanjing, East China.

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are used in many branches of industry and are produced in huge amounts throughout the world. An investigation on particulate- and gas-phase distribution of PAEs has been conducted in Nanjing (China). The 12-h daily sampling program (from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm) for ten consecutive days was conducted in April, July and October 2005, and in January 2006 at about 1.5m above the ground level. For comparative purposes, sampling events were simultaneously conducted at two stations, one at the urban center and the other about 12 km from city center for suburban background monitoring. It was observed that the most abundant members of the PAE group were dimethyl phthalate (DMP) (10.1 ng m(-3), average), diethyl phthalate (DEP) (3.4 ng m(-3)), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (58.8 ng m(-3)), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) (3.2 ng m(-3)), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) (20.3 ng m(-3)) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) (1.2 ng m(-3)). The average contribution of PAEs in the gas phase to the total PAE concentration (Sigma(6)PAE, sum of six PAE congeners) ranged from 75.0% to 89.2%. Both particulate- and gas-phase Sigma(6)PAE concentrations decreased with increasing temperature. Experimentally determined gas-particle partitioning (K(p)) of PAEs is well-correlated with their vapor pressure. The Sigma(6)PAE levels in the urban area are approximately 3.5 times as high as the levels found at the suburban station. The vertical profiles from 1.5 to 30.0m above the ground display slight height dependence.

Cyclobakuchiol C, a new bakuchiol derivative from Psoralea coryllfolia.

A new compound, cyclobakuchiol C (1), together with four known bakuchiol derivatives, 2-5, was isolated from the non-polar fraction of the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, and compounds 3-5 were identified from this plant for the first time. The structure of 1 was determined by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR experiments.

Novel ceramides from the fungus Lactarium volemus.

Two novel ceramides, lactariamides A (N-2'-hydroxytetracosanoyl-2-amino-3,4-epoxyoctadecan-1-ol (1)) and B ((4E,8E)-N-2'-hydroxyoctadecanoyl-2-amino-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadine-1,3-diol (2)), were isolated from the fungus Lactarium volemus, together with a known compound, cerebroside D (3). Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical evidence and spectral methods.

Constituents from the leaves of Rhododendron latoucheae.

Twelve constituents from Rhododendron latoucheae were isolated. Among them, compounds 1 and 2, named rhodolatouside A and B, respectively, are new iridoids.