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ObjectiveTo analyze the quantity-quality transfer of standard decoction of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma（GRR） decoction pieces produced by fresh and traditional cutting， and to provide reference for quality control and application development of the decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting. MethodTen batches of representative GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh and traditional cutting and their standard decoctions were prepared by standard process， and high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） fingerprint of the standard decoction was established and performed on an Agilent EC-C18 column（4.6 mm×150 mm， 2.7 μm） with acetonitrile（A）-0.1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution（B） as the mobile phase for gradient elution（0-23 min， 18%-21%A； 23-35 min， 21%-28%A； 35-80 min， 28%-32%A）， and the detection wavelength was 203 nm. Then similarity evaluation， principal component analysis（PCA） and partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） of fingerprint of the standard decoction were performed to screen the differential components with variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1. Quantitative analysis was carried out on the screened known differential components， and combined with the indicators of the dry extract rate and the transfer rate， to explore the differences in the quantity-quality transfer between the standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh and traditional cutting. ResultThe fingerprint similarity of the standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh and traditional cutting was more than 0.950， and 18 common peaks were identified， including 9 identified common peaks. The results of PCA and PLS-DA showed that there were some differences in the contents of index components between the two standard decoctions. The contents of ginsenoside Rg1， Re and Ro in GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting were higher than those in traditional decoction pieces， while the contents of ginsenoside Rb1， Rc ， Rb2 and Rd were lower than those in traditional decoction pieces. The contents of ginsenoside Rg1， Re， Rb1 and Ro in the standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting were higher than those in the standard decoction of traditional decoction pieces， while the contents of ginsenoside Rc ， Rb2 and Rd were comparable between the two standard decoctions. Compared with the standard decoction of the traditional decoction pieces， the average transfer rates of ginsenoside Rg1， Rb1， Rc， Rb2 and dry extract rate of the standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting were significantly increased（P<0.05）， and the average transfer rate of ginsenoside Re and Rd also increased， but the difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionThe dry extract rate， content and transfer rate of index components of standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting are better than those of the standard decoction of traditional decoction pieces， which can provides data support for the subsequent clinical application of fresh cutting products.
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ObjectiveTo analyze the quantity-quality transfer of standard decoction of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma（GRR） decoction pieces produced by fresh and traditional cutting， and to provide reference for quality control and application development of the decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting. MethodTen batches of representative GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh and traditional cutting and their standard decoctions were prepared by standard process， and high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） fingerprint of the standard decoction was established and performed on an Agilent EC-C18 column（4.6 mm×150 mm， 2.7 μm） with acetonitrile（A）-0.1% phosphoric acid aqueous solution（B） as the mobile phase for gradient elution（0-23 min， 18%-21%A； 23-35 min， 21%-28%A； 35-80 min， 28%-32%A）， and the detection wavelength was 203 nm. Then similarity evaluation， principal component analysis（PCA） and partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） of fingerprint of the standard decoction were performed to screen the differential components with variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1. Quantitative analysis was carried out on the screened known differential components， and combined with the indicators of the dry extract rate and the transfer rate， to explore the differences in the quantity-quality transfer between the standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh and traditional cutting. ResultThe fingerprint similarity of the standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh and traditional cutting was more than 0.950， and 18 common peaks were identified， including 9 identified common peaks. The results of PCA and PLS-DA showed that there were some differences in the contents of index components between the two standard decoctions. The contents of ginsenoside Rg1， Re and Ro in GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting were higher than those in traditional decoction pieces， while the contents of ginsenoside Rb1， Rc ， Rb2 and Rd were lower than those in traditional decoction pieces. The contents of ginsenoside Rg1， Re， Rb1 and Ro in the standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting were higher than those in the standard decoction of traditional decoction pieces， while the contents of ginsenoside Rc ， Rb2 and Rd were comparable between the two standard decoctions. Compared with the standard decoction of the traditional decoction pieces， the average transfer rates of ginsenoside Rg1， Rb1， Rc， Rb2 and dry extract rate of the standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting were significantly increased（P<0.05）， and the average transfer rate of ginsenoside Re and Rd also increased， but the difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionThe dry extract rate， content and transfer rate of index components of standard decoction of GRR decoction pieces produced by fresh cutting are better than those of the standard decoction of traditional decoction pieces， which can provides data support for the subsequent clinical application of fresh cutting products.
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Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis (meningococcal meningitis) is an acute respiratory infectious disease with high mortality and serious sequelae. Meningococcal vaccine is an effective measure to prevent and control meningococcal meningitis. At present, group B meningococcal meningitis has become the main prevalent serum group in the world, including China. Meningococcal ACYW and other vaccines are mainly composed of capsular polysaccharides, while the main component of group B meningococcal vaccine is protein, including outer membrane vesicles (OMV) and recombinant protein vaccine. The methods for evaluating the immunogenicity of group B meningococcal vaccine include hSBA and alternative methods such as meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS), flow cytometric meningococcal antigen surface expression assay (MEASURE), genetic meningococcal antigen typing system (gMATS) and bexsero antigen sequence type (BAST). The evaluation of vaccine immunogenicity is the basis of vaccine development and clinical trial research, However, at present, there is no group B meningococcal vaccine in China. Therefore, in this paper, the research progress of immunogenicity evaluation of group B meningococcal vaccine has been reviewed, in order to provide technical guidance for the research and development of group B meningococcal vaccine, immunogenicity evaluation and clinical trial research in China.
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Humans , Meningitis, Meningococcal/prevention & control , Meningococcal Vaccines , Neisseria meningitidis , Serogroup , Vaccines, CombinedABSTRACT
Aim To explore the regulatory effect of mitochondrial solute carrier protein SLC25A26 on senescence of hepatoma cells induced by methionine cycle metabolism. Methods HepG2 cell line was cultured in vitro. After hepatoma cell senescence was induced by toposide (2 [xmol • Ľ'), a positive drug for inducing cell senescence, methionine circulating metabolite SAM (0. 1 mmol • L " ') was treated. Western blot and Real-time PGR were used to detect the senescence indexes including pl6, p21, and HMGAl, and flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle. Transfecting SLC25A26 overexpression plasmid, the effect of overexpressing SLC25A26 on the senescence indexes of hepatoma cells was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence detection, and the level of SAM after overexpressing SLC25A26 was detected by the kit. The effect of overexpressing SLG25A26 on the senescence of hepatoma cells after SAM treatment was detected by Real-time PGR. Results Western blot and Real-time PGR showed that methionine cycle metabolism could weaken the senescence level of HepG2 cells induced by Etoposide, and flow cytometry showed that cell cycle was arrested in Gl phase; overexpression of SLG25A26 decreased the levels of SAM and SAH in cytoplasm of HepG2 cells, and exogenous SAM partially offset the aging effect of HepG2 cells induced by SLG25A26. Conclusions Promoting methionine cycle metabolism can inhibit hepatoma cells senescence; overexpression of SLG25A26 can induce hepatoma cells senescence; SLG25A26 can induce hepatoma cells senescence by regulating methionine cycle metabolism.
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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provided is beneficial to Salvia miltiorrhiza for increasing yield, promoting the accumulation of active ingredients, and alleviating S. miltiorrhiza disease etc. However, the application of fungicides will affect the benefit of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and there is little research about it. This article study the effect of four different fungicides: carbendazim, polyoxin, methyl mopazine, and mancozeb on mycorrhiza benefit to S. miltiorrhiza by the infection intensity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, the growth of S. miltiorrhiza, and the content of active ingredients. RESULTS:: showed that different fungicides had different effects. The application of mancozeb had the strongest inhibitory effect on the mycorrhizal benefit to S. miltiorrhiza. Mancozeb significantly reduced the mycorrhizal colonization and the beneficial effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and the accumulation of active components of S. miltiorrhiza. The application of polyoxin had no significant effect on mycorrhizal colonization. Instead, it had a synergistic effect with the mycorrhizal benefit to promoting the growth and accumulation of rosmarinic acid of S. miltiorrhiza. The inhibitory strengths of four fungicides are: mancozeb>thiophanate methyl, carbendazim>polyoxin. Therefore, we recommend applying biological fungicides polyoxin and avoid applying chemical fungicides mancozeb for disease control during mycorrhizal cultivation of S. miltiorrhiza.
Subject(s)
Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology , Mycorrhizae , Plant Roots , Salvia miltiorrhiza , SymbiosisABSTRACT
AIMS: Opioids have been hypothesized to suppress the immune function and worsen outcomes among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The study aimed to identify key factors associated with the increased cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell counts among HIV-positive people who inject heroin and receive methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted at a psychiatric hospital in Northern Taiwan. Participants were recruited from 2006 through 2011, and received CD4 cell counts and HIV viral load monitoring once every 4 to 6 months. Trend in CD4 cell counts, defined as change in CD4 cell count over time, was used as the outcome measure. Independent variables included MMT-related factors and baseline characteristics. Baseline characteristics included age, gender, CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, tests for other infections, liver function tests, and urine drug screens. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty one participants were recruited during the study period. The multivariate linear mixed model analysis revealed a higher MMT attendance rate, a higher baseline CD4 cell count, and a shorter duration of MMT were associated with an increase in CD4 cell count over time. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed better adherence to MMT was associated with better preserved immune functions. The negative impact of duration of MMT on CD4 cell counts may be ameliorated by improving the attendance rate, initiation of MMT earlier when the baseline CD4 cell count is still relatively high and by the other beneficial effects of MMT, such as healthier lifestyles with reduced use of short-acting opioids.
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HIV Infections , Methadone , Cell Count , Cell Differentiation , HIV , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Heroin , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Methadone/therapeutic use , Opiate Substitution Treatment , TaiwanABSTRACT
The link between exposure to violence in the home and children's later exhibition of violent behaviors is well documented in the criminological literature. To date, most research on partner violence (PV) and children's welfare has focused on adolescent outcomes. As such, we know little about how PV affects the behavior of the youngest, and perhaps most vulnerable population of children who have been exposed to PV. Our understanding of the PV-child behavior association is also limited because extant research has focused less attention on identifying risk factors that explain and modify the link between exposure to PV and children's behavior. We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a five-wave longitudinal study of U.S.-born children (N = 2,896) and structural equation modeling (SEM), to explore the impact of PV exposure on later aggressive behaviors. We extend the literature on PV exposure and childhood aggression in three ways: (a) We focus on young children's behavioral outcomes; (b) we identify child-parent attachment as a potential moderator of the PV-childhood aggression relationship; and (c) we investigate variation in the effect of PV exposure on children's aggressive behavior by children's attachment to parents. Findings support our hypotheses that exposure to PV during first 3 years of life is associated with increased aggression at age 5 and age 9. We find that the effect of PV on aggression at age 9 is fully mediated through the parent-child attachment. Contrary to our expectations, we do not find evidence of a strong parent-child attachment moderating the impact of PV exposure on children's aggressive behavior.
Subject(s)
Aggression , Child Behavior/psychology , Exposure to Violence/psychology , Intimate Partner Violence/psychology , Object Attachment , Parent-Child Relations , Child , Child, Preschool , Exposure to Violence/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Intimate Partner Violence/statistics & numerical data , Latent Class Analysis , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Parents , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) is a non-specific and chronic recurrent autoimmune disease that involves the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical symptoms of intestinal bleeding, diarrhea, and weight loss threat to human health and induce colorectal cancer. The pathogenesis included living environment, genetic factors, immune cell infiltration and immune stress, weakened mucosal barrier defense and intestinal flora imbalance. At present, clinical treatment drugs mainly include aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, biological agents, etc., in view of the disadvantages of poor therapeutic effect and expensive price. The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the treatment IBD have various biological activities and multiple targets such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-tumor and immune regulation. This article summarized the application and the research progress in protecting intestinal epithelial barrier, maintaining intestinal microbial homeostasis, inhibiting causative factors, and regulating Th1/Th17/Treg balance about TCM in the treatment of IBD. The review provided new ideas for further development of the new drugs on the mechanism based on active ingredients of TCM in IBD treatment.
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Humans , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases , Therapeutics , Intestinal Mucosa , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
A GC-MS fingerprint of rosemary oil and an UPLC fingerprint of non-volatile compounds of rosemary were established. Sixty-three kinds of volatile compounds and thirty-eight kinds of non-volatile compounds were identified tentatively using GC-MS and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, respectively, and most of them are flavonoids, oxygenated monoterpenes, and diterpenoids, etc. According to multivariate data analysis, chemical differences existed among commercial rosemary samples, for example, the essential oil of imported rosemary sample belongs to Morocco/Tunisian type and the one of domestic sample belongs to Spanish type. The results of principal components analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis showed that the imported and domestic rosemary samples were classified into two groups and fourteen components including eucalyptol, (+)-α-pinene, and carnosic acid, were found as the discrimination markers. In comparison with imported rosemary, it can be found that the contents of ten markers such as (+)-α-pinene, o-cymene, and carnosic acid were higher, nonetheless, lower contents for the other markers, in those domestic rosemary samples. Moreover, rosmarinic acid, an important bioactive component in rosemary extract, extensively varied among different samples, indicating that the quality evaluation of rosemary should be concerned.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Lang-chuang-ding Decoction (, LCD) on the expression of DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PBMCs isolated from female patients with SLE or healthy donors were cultured and treated with LCD medicated serum or normal serum for 24 or 48 h. The mRNA expressions of CD70 gene in PBMCs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the DNA methylation of the CD70 gene promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treated with medicated serum for 48 h, the mRNA expression levels of CD70 in PBMCs of SLE patients were signifificantly higher than those of healthy donors (P<0.05); the DNA methylation levels of CD70 promoter region in PBMCs of SLE patients treated with medicated serum for 48 h were signifificantly higher than those treated with fetal bovine serum (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LCD could inhibit CD70 gene expression in PBMCs of SLE patients by promoting the DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , CD27 Ligand , Genetics , Metabolism , DNA Methylation , Genetics , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Gene Expression Regulation , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Metabolism , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Drug Therapy , Genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
By comparing the effects of soil pH on the efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis on Salvia miltiorrhiza， the study is aimed to provide guidance for the use of mycorrhiza in the cultivation of S. miltiorrhiza. In this experiment, the inoculant treated and the non-inoculant treated control were grown in different soil pH. The data was collected after 60 days of cultivation including rate of mycorrhizal infection, biomass, and three chemical constituents with known medicinal action. The results showed that Glomus versiforme was more apt to infect S. miltiorrhiza (F>94.00%; M>69.45%; m>73.66%) and promote the growth of S. miltiorrhiza under pH 5-9 soil. The mycorrhizal contribution to the growth of S. miltiorrhiza was the highest when grown in pH 8 soil. Plants grown with mycorrhiza in pH 8 soil had above-ground biomass more than 2 times and root biomass more than 5 times. The uninoculated plants grew better under acidic and neutral conditions, but the inoculated plants grew better under alkaline (pH 8) conditions. This result showed mycorrhiza can play a role in the adaptability of S. miltiorrhiza to the environment. Inoculation of mycorrhiza significantly increased the accumulation of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, and dihydrotanshinone by 6.59,5.03 and 2.20-folds. Based on our results alkaline soil (pH 8) is most suitable for the cultivation of S. miltiorrhiza by inoculation with the mycorrhiza G. versiforme.
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Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii is a rare and endangered Chinese medicine. In the collection of Notopterygium franchetii fruits, we collected a sample of N. forrestii , which is a spurious breed. Fruits of N. franchetii and N. forrestii are very similar in morphology and can be easily confused. Until now the morphological identification of the fruits of Notopterygium has not been reported. To provide a scientific basis for the identification of N. franchetii and N. forrestii fruits, the morphology and microscopic identification were studied in this paper. In this study, stereomicroscope and paraffin sections were used to compare the morphological characteristics and microscopic characteristics of these two fruits. Our results showed that these two fruits were different in size, surface texture and the number of vertical edges on the back. These traits can be used as diagnostic characteristic of these two fruits. The difference between the number of tubing and the endosperm cell contents can be used as microscopic identification features. The above discriminative characteristics can distinguish the two fruits and provide scientific basis for the identification and germplasm evaluation of Notopterygium fruits.
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Aim To investigate the protective effect of compound total flavonoids on atherosclerosis in ApoE -/- knockout mice.Methods Seven-week old C57BL/6 mice considered of the normal group (n =1 5 );seven-week old ApoE -/- mice were fed with high-fat diet and were assigned randomly into 5 groups:model group,simvastatin group,the low com-pound flavonoids group,the middle compound fla-vonoids group and the high compound flavonoids group.After 1 6 weeks,mice serum and aortas were harvested.The formation of atherosclerotic plaque was analyzed by HE staining,The serum level of lipids pro-files and superoxide dismutase (SOD )were deter-rnined.The levels of IL-1 βand NF-κB in serum were detected by ELISA assay.Results Area of atheroscle-rotic lesion was significantly less in the compound fla-vones group than in model.The level of TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-1 β,NF-κB in serum of the compound flavonoids group were decreased significantly,while SOD and HDL-C increased significantly compared with the mod-el group,and the difference was significant (P <0.05).Conclusion The compound flavonoids have a good protective effect on early atherosclerosis in mice, which may be due to its alleviating effects on hyperlipi-demia and inflammation and oxidation.
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Paecilomyces hepiali is a new species of fungus isolated from a field collection of Ophiocordyceps sinensis from Baima snow mountain, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province by the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. The specimen was identified and named as Paecilomyces hepiali by Qing-Tao Chen, the professor of the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Paecilomyces hepiali) (2008), who identified a dried culture of living strain 82-2 as the holotype. Until now, the holotype (the voucher specimen) was deposited in the Herbarium of the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica (HICMM), China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing. The P. hepiali neotype designated by the paper "Neotypification of P. hepiali (Hypocreales)" published in TAXON 64 (1) by Yao Yi-Jian et al. in February 2015 is untenable.
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Objective To explore the efficacy and toxicities of gemcitabine combined with S-1 in treating locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and prognostic factors. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving gemcitabine and S-1 as first-line therapy in the Department of Medical Oncology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2014 to January 2017.Gemcitabine was administered at a dose of 1000 mg/mover 30 min-utes on days 1 and 8,and oral S-1 at a dose of 40-60 mg twice daily from days 1 to 14,repeated every 3 weeks.All patients received at least two cycles of chemotherapy. Results A total of 60 patients were included,13(22%) achieved partial remission,37(61%) had stable disease,and 10(17%) experienced progressive disease.The median progression-free survival was 7 months(95% CI=6-10 months) and the median overall survival was 12 months(95% CI=9-20 months).Both univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors showed primary resection was significant in predicting shorter progression-free survival and lung metastasis was significant for shorter overall survival.The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia(27%) and leukopenia(18%). Conclusion Gemcitabine combined with S-1 is an effective regimen with manageable toxicities in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer and can be used as first-line therapy.
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Objective To study the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)that predict a patient's risk of grade 2-3 paclitaxel-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN) in Chinese Han populations.Methods Totally 216 patients received paclitaxel in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled.DNA was isolated from peripheral blood.Genotyping for eight candidate SNPs was performed on Sequenom-MassARRARYiPLEX platform.Patients were followed up and PSN was assessed by trained physicians according to National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03.Results A total of 209 patients entered the final analysis.Among the candidate SNPs,only rs4141404:A>C(LIMK2) was significantly associated with grade 2/3 PSN (OR:4.32,95%CI:2.37-7.89,P<0.0001).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,both rs4141404:A>C(LIMK2) and history of receiving platinum compound (OR:2.70,95%CI:1.32-5.51,P=0.007) were associated with grade 2/3 PSN.Conclusion rs4141404:A>C(LIMK2) may be the markers of risk of grade 2/3 PSN.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of near-infrared light combined with tacrolimus 0.1％ ointment in the treatment of facial glucocorticoid-dependent dermatitis.Methods A total of 68 patients with facial glucocorticoid-dependent dermatitis were enrolled from Department of Dermatology of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital between December 2014 and December 2015,and randomly and equally divided into treatment group and combination group by a random number table.The treatment group was treated topically with tacrolimus ointment twice a day for 4 weeks.Besides the treatment with tacrolimus ointment,the combination group was irradiated with near-infrared light once a week for 4 sessions.After 4-week treatment,improvement in clinical manifestations such as itching and burning sensation was evaluated,so was the therapeutic effect.Results The combination group showed significantly higher response rate (85.3％ [29/34]) compared with the treatment group (61.8％ [21/34],x2 =4.84,P ＜ 0.05).Additionally,response rates for itching and burning sensation,erythema,scales and papules were all significantly higher in the combination group than in the treatment group (x2 =4.84,6.35,8.42 and 5.52,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Near-infrared light combined with tacrolimus ointment is effective and safe for the treatment of facial glucocorticoid-dependent dermatitis.
Subject(s)
Condoms/statistics & numerical data , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis , Risk-Taking , Safe Sex/psychology , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/transmission , Attitude to Health , Bisexuality/psychology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Homosexuality, Male/psychology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control , Vulnerable Populations/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ethnic density (the proportion of ethnic minority populations in a geographic area) has emerged as an important factor determining population health. By examining the relationship between mortality rates and the proportion of aboriginal population in Taiwan, this ecological approach highlights the pressing need to understand why aboriginal health remains relatively disadvantaged affecting the population as a whole, especially given the provision of universal health coverage. METHODS: Using combined data from various government departments in Taiwan, we first compare overall mortality rates between aboriginal people and the general population in Taiwan's 21 administrative locations during the years 2010 and 2011. Then we describe the associations between ethnic density and the relative risk of 40 different causes of death. RESULTS: Aboriginal people in Taiwan on average have higher overall mortality rates than the general population. The proportion of aboriginal population is associated with a higher risk of death for overall mortality, homicide, vehicle crashes, tuberculosis, and several alcohol-related diseases such as peptic ulcer, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis. These affect the health of the general population in counties where aborigines are abundant. CONCLUSION: The proportion of aboriginal population may play an essential role in determining Taiwan's population health. When universal health coverage is in place, the root causes (for example, alcoholism, culture, and socioeconomic disadvantages) of health disparities between aboriginal populations and general populations need to be addressed.
