Covalent organic framework in situ grown on Fe3O4 hollow microspheres for stir bar sorptive-dispersive microextraction of triazole pesticides.

Based on covalent organic framework (COF) 1,3,5-tris-(4-formylphenyl)benzene-benzidine (TFPB-BD) in situ grown on Fe3O4 hollow microspheres and combined with gas chromatography-flame thermionic detector, a rapid and simple stir bar sorptive-dispersive microextraction method was developed for the determination of five triazole pesticides (paclobutrazol, hexaconazole, flusilazole, propiconazole, and tebuconazole). The synthesized TFPB-BD/Fe3O4 microspheres were characterized by transmission electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer, and thermogravimetric analysis, which showed that the material has strong magnetism and higher load capacity of COF. Under optimal conditions, the extraction equilibrium could be achieved within 9 min with detection limits of 0.17-1.48 µg L-1 (S/N = 3) and a linear range of 5-1000 µg L-1. The developed method was applied to the determination of trace triazole pesticides in apples, pears, and cabbages with recoveries from 81 to 117%.

A ratio fluorescence sensor based on rhodamine B embedded metal-organic framework for glyphosate detection in agri-food products.

Glyphosate, a broad-spectrum and high-efficiency herbicide, could accumulate in the human body through the consumption of agri-food products. Herein, a ratio fluorescence sensor based on rhodamine B-embedded amino-functionalized iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF, NH2-MIL-88(Fe)@RhB) bonded with Cu2+ was developed for rapid detection of glyphosate. The synthesized NH2-MIL-88(Fe) was a biconical prism and had a cavity for the embedding of RhB as a reference compound. In the presence of Cu2+, Lewis interactions with NH2-MIL-88(Fe)@RhB cause the fluorescence signal to be turned off. When glyphosate was added, the signal was turned on due to chelation with Cu2+ and hydrogen bonding interactions with NH2-MIL-88(Fe)@RhB. Under optimal conditions, the developed sensor exhibited a linear range of 0.60-45 µmol L-1 with a response time of less than 1 min. The sensor was applied in the analysis of agri-food products (tea, soybean, wheat, cucumber), with recoveries between 97.93% and 109.06%, indicating its promising application in agri-food safety.

NIR persistent luminescence nanoparticles based turn-on aptasensor for autofluorescence-free determination of 17ß-estradiol in milk.

Consistent exposure to 17ß-estradiol through drinking water and food can cause health problems. Although many simple and sensitive fluorescence sensors of 17ß-estradiol have been reported, most of them are based on fluorescence quenching test mode working in visible light range, which are inferior in anti-interference ability and quantitative range. Here, we developed a near-infrared (NIR) phosphorescence aptasensor for the detection of 17ß-estradiol that has no background fluorescence. The aptasensor was based on Foster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between aptamer conjugated NIR persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs-Apt) and MoS2 nanosheets. The 17ß-estradiol was quantified by the recovery of PLNPs' phosphorescence. This assay can detect 17ß-estradiol in 0.5 mL samples with the LOD of 0.29 ng mL-1 and in concentrations of more than three orders of magnitude (from 0.5 ng mL-1 to 1.2 µg mL-1). This aptasensor exhibited selectivity for 17ß-estradiol and was applicable in complex milk samples.

Effect of Electroacupuncture versus Sham Electroacupuncture in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of evaluating the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHOD: A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted at a teaching hospital in Beijing. A total of 30 patients with KOA (Kellgren grade II or III) were randomly allocated to an eight-week treatment of either electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture. Patients and outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome was the proportion of responders achieving at least 1.14 seconds decrease in the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) at week eight compared with baseline. The secondary outcomes included the knee range of motion, the knee extensor and flexor muscle strength, Lequesne index, 9-step stair-climb test (9-SCT), and TUG. RESULTS: Of 30 patients allocated to two groups, 27 (90%) completed the study. The proportion of responders was 53.3% (8 of 15) for electroacupuncture group and 26.7% (4 of 15) for sham electroacupuncture group by the intention-to-treat analysis (P = 0.264). There was no statistically significant difference in TUG between the two groups at eight weeks (P = 0.856). The compliance rate measured according to patients who conformed to the protocol and had received treatments ≥20 times was 93.3% (28 of 30). The dropout rate was 20% (3 of 15). Adverse effects were not reported in the study. CONCLUSION: Our research demonstrated that further evaluation of the effectiveness of electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture was feasible and safe for patients with KOA. Whether or not the electroacupuncture can improve the physical functions of knee joint, expand the knee range of motion, and increase the extensor and flexor muscle strength more significantly than sham electroacupuncture, future studies can be designed with larger sample size, randomization design and less biases. This trial is registered with NCT03366363.

[Influence of therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking at Shenque (CV 8) for treatment of stroke patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking therapy for treatment of stroke. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-six cases were randomly divided into a non-acupoint sticking group (control group, n=122) and an acupoint sticking group (n=124). The control group was treated with routine ward treatment of stroke (acupuncture combined with routine western medicine). The acupoint sticking group was treated with basis ward treatment of stroke (similar to the control group), and acupoint sticking therapy was applicated on Shenque (CV 8). The scores of Stroke-Specific Quality of Life (SS-QOL) and WHOQOL-100BREF were adopted to evaluate the therapeutic effects and the cysteine of patients were tested before and after treatment. RESULTS: There were significant differences in scores comparison of SS-QOL and WHOQOL-100BREF before and after treatment in both groups (both P < 0.001); there was no significant difference after treatment between two groups (P > 0.05); there was a significant difference in thinking items of SS-QOL after treatment between two groups (P < 0.05), the acupoint sticking group was superior to that of control group; SS-QOL score of patients with abnormal cysteine of acupoint sticking group was superior to that of the control group after treatment, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupoint sticking therapy can improve the thinking ability of stroke patients, and improve the life quality of high cysteine stroke patients.

[Effect of alternative administration of scalp-acupuncture, body-acupuncture and abdominal-acupuncture on the upper-limb dyscinesia in patients with stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of combined treatment of apoplectic upper-limb dyscinesia with scalp-acupuncture, body-acupuncture and abdominal-acupuncture in stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 222 stroke patients were randomized into treatment group (n = 133) and control group (n = 89) according to the random number table method. For patients of treatment group, scalp-point used was Motor Area (MS 6); body acupoints were Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10), etc; and abdominal acupoints Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), etc. For patients in control group, only the same body acupoints were used. Acupuncture treatment was given once daily for 5 weeks. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment (FMA) and Barthel-index (BI) scores. RESULTS: In comparison with pre-treatment, FMA score and BI score increased significantly 5 weeks, 1 and 3 months in treatment group, 1 and 3 months in control group (P < 0.01). Comparison between two groups showed that both FMA score and BI score of treatment group were markedly higher than those of control group 5 weeks, 1 and 3 months after the treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Alternative administration of scalp-acupuncture, body-acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture can effectively improve stroke patients' upper-limb motor function, and its effect is obviously better than that of simple body acupuncture.

[Efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating 93 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: By prospective multi-centered randomized controlled design, 93 patients with BPH were assigned to two groups, 47 in the EA group treated by EA, and 46 in the control group treated by terazosin 2 mg taken orally once every evening. EA was applied on acupoints Zhongliao (BL33) and Huiyang (BL35), for 30 min, once every two days. The total treatment period was 4 weeks for them all. The indexes for efficacy evaluation were the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), the urinary symptom bother score (BS), the maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), the post-voided residual urine volume (PVR), and the size of prostate gland. And the times of difficulties for holding urine in 24 h (HU) and the times of night-urinating (NU) were recorded as well. RESULTS: The trial was completed in 91 patients. After 4 weeks of treatment, the IPSS lowered, Qmax increased, PVR decreased, BS score reduced, times of HU and NU lessened in both groups (P <0.01). However, comparisons between groups showed that the improvement of IPSS (6.52 +/- 0.41 vs 2.69 +/- 0.36, P < 0.01), Qmax (4.71 +/- 0.70 vs 1.75 +/- 0.55, P =0.001) and PVR (44.79 +/- 9.73 vs 16.97 +/- 4.75, P =0.012) was more significant in the EA group than in the control group respectively, but the size of prostate gland after treatment was not different between groups. CONCLUSION: EA at Zhongliao and Huiyin points can markedly improve the symptoms of difficult urination in mild or moderate patients with BPH, increase their Qmax and reduce PVR. Its efficacy is better than that of terazosin.