Analysis of initial sandplay characteristics among university students with different levels of loneliness.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Loneliness is detrimental to mental health, with university students at higher risk of feeling lonely than other population groups. The mental health of college students is a hot topic at present. Despite numerous studies exploring interventions for loneliness among university students. However, little research has explored early psychological manifestations of university students with different levels of loneliness. Despite numerous studies exploring interventions for loneliness among university students, little research has explored early psychological manifestations of university students with different levels of loneliness. Initial sandplay is a good tool to reveal psychological activity. Therefore, our study aims to explore the characteristics of initial sandplay application among university students with different levels of loneliness. METHODS: We recruited 60 volunteers from a university to perform a sandplay experiment from January to April 2021. The UCLA Loneliness Scale measured the levels of loneliness. These 60 participants were divided into the experimental group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30) according to their levels of loneliness. The experimental group included participants with a scale score of more than 44. Other participants with a scale score of less than 44 belong to the control group. We recorded their sandplay artwork and statistically analyzed it by the Sandplay Process Record Form. Group comparisons were performed using the t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables, and the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. The logistic regression analysis by forward stepwise method was conducted to analyze the sandplay theme features for loneliness. RESULTS: Regarding the sandplay tools, the experimental group used fewer transportation tools (t=-3.608, p < 0.01) and more natural elements (t = 2.176, p < 0.05) than the control group. Moreover, the experimental group created more natural scenes (χ2 = 4.310, p < 0.05) and used less of the lower left (χ2 = 4.593, p < 0.05) and lower right (χ2 = 5.934, p < 0.05) spaces. With regards to sand changes, the experimental group was less likely than the control group to make substantial changes (χ2 = 5.711, p < 0.05) and more likely to make almost no changes (χ2 = 4.022, p < 0.05). In terms of the themes, the experimental group was more likely to exhibit sandplay artwork themes of emptiness (χ2 = 8.864, p < 0.05) and neglect (χ2 = 6.667, p < 0.05), and less likely to show themes of energy (χ2 = 5.079, p < 0.05). In the logistic regression analysis of the sandplay themes, emptiness (OR = 5.714, 95%CI: 1.724-18.944, p = 0.003) and neglect (OR = 7.000, 95%CI: 1.381-35.479, p = 0.010) were demonstrated a nominal association with high levels of loneliness among both groups (F = 16.091, p < 0.01, ΔR2 = 0.193), but failed to pass the Bonferroni testing correction (p threshold < 0.0025). CONCLUSION: University students with higher degree of loneliness do not like to drastic changes and prefer to use natural elements in element selection, while the control group likes to drastic changes and prefers to use transportation tools in element selection. Regression analysis of sandplay theme features revealed emptines and neglect may as significant associated factors for loneliness. We propose sandplay characteristics can help identify university students with different levels of loneliness during psychological evaluations. Therefore, it is important that the school and healthcare systems assist college students in identifying the loneliness through initial sandplay and carrying on the necessary psychological counseling to the lonely student population.

Key Genes of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Effective Chinese Herbs： A Bioinformatics Analysis and Systematic Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the key gens of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC-PBMC） and potentially effective Chinese herbs based on bioinformatics， and to verify the clinical efficacy of these Chinese herbs via a systematic review. Method:The chips GSE58208 and GSE36076 of HCC-PBMC were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO）， followed by the identification of differentially expressed genes （DEGs） using RStudio. After protein-protein interaction （PPI） analysis by STRING， the DAVID was employed for gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis. The DEGs of HCC-PBMC were visualized by Cytoscape. The key genes of HCC-PBMC were calculated by CytoHubba plug-in and mapped with those in Coremine Medical for screening out the potential Chinese herbs for the treatment of HCC， which were then included for subsequent systematic review. Result:A total of 203 DEGs were obtained （194 up-regulated and nine down-regulated）. As revealed by DAVID analysis， the DEGs were mainly enriched in such biological processes and signaling pathways as transcriptional regulation of DNA template， hydrolysis of ribonucleic acid phosphodiester bond， positive regulation of intranuclear mitosis and division， skeletal muscle fiber development， activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK）activity， Fanconi anemia pathway， and metabolic pathway. The key genes of HCC-PBMC were calculated by Cytoscape to be<italic> </italic>GTPase IMAP family member 1 （GIMAP1）， GTPase IMAP family member 4 （GIMAP4）， GTPase IMAP family member 6 （GIMAP6）， GTPase IMAP family member 7 （GIMAP7）， GTPase IMAP family member 8 （GIMAP8）， interleukin-1<italic>β </italic>（IL-1<italic>β）</italic>， CX3C chemokine receptor 1 （CX3CR1）， C-C chemokine receptor type 2 （CCR2）， Toll-like receptor 7（TLR7）， and epidermal growth factor（EGF）. Through Coremine Medical analysis， it was concluded that Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma， Curcumae Longae Rhizoma， Centellae Herba， and Hedyotidis Herba were closely related to the key genes. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma has the effects of tonifying and benefiting lung and spleen and enhancing strength， suitable for the liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome or Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome of HCC. Hence， Si Junzitang with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma as the sovereign medicinal was included for systematic review. It has been confirmed that Ginseng Radix Et Rhizoma was superior to western medicine alone in improving the overall clinical efficacy， alleviating TCM syndrome， elevating serum CD4⁺and CD4⁺/CD8⁺levels， and reducing the serum CD8⁺and TBIL levels （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， with high safety. Conclusion:This study conducted at the gene level has provided new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment of HCC. The systematic review of Ginseng Radix Et Rhizoma against HCC provides a basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of HCC with TCM.

Clinical Efficacy of Modified Xiaofengsan and Its Effect on Cytokines in Persistent Asthma Patients with Wind-asthma Pattern / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Xiaofengsan and its effect on cytokines in persistent asthma patients with wind-asthma pattern. Method: The 120 eligible patients with chronic and persistent asthma were randomly divided into control group (60 cases) and treatment group (60 cases). Patients in control group received the budesonide/formoterol (160 μg/4.5 μg, 2 inhales/time, bid). Patients in treatment group additionally received the modified Xiaofengsan combined with budesonide/formoterol (160 μg/4.5 μg). The treatment course was 1 month in both groups. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was observed. Before and 3 months after treatment, asthma control test (ACT) and the average times of acute exacerbation in 6 months before and after treatment between two groups were observed; percentage of forced expiratory volume in first second and its predicted value (FEV1%), variety ratio of Peak expiratory flow (PEF), eosinophilic granulocyte (EOS) count in peripheral blood and the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4), interleukin-6(IL-6) and interleukin-13(IL-13) in serum were measured before and after treatment respectively. In addition, the safety of the two groups was evaluated. Result: The total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (P1% in treatment group were higher(PPConclusion: Modified Xiaofengsan combined with budesonide/formoterol could relieve symptoms of asthma, improve pulmonary function and lower the levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-13 in serum.

Effect of Modified Jinshui Liujunjian Combined with Salmeterol/Fluticasone on VEGF and TGF-β1 in Serum of Senile Asthma on Persistent Stage / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of modified Jinshui Liujunjian combined with salmeterol/fluticasone on senile asthma on persistent stage and its effect on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in serum. Method:The 100 cases of senile asthma who met inclusion criteria were selected and divided into two equal groups by random number table:the control group and the treatment group. Patients of the two groups were given oxygen therapy,phlegm reduction,infection control and salmeterol/fluticasone 50 μg·(500 μg)-1. Patients in control group were given sustained release capsule of theophylline in addition to the above therapy,while patients in treatment group were given modified Jinshui Liujunjian. The course of treatment was 8 weeks. The therapeutic effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome between two groups was observed. Asthma control test (ACT) scores at four different time points(before and after treatment,3, 6 months after treatment),pulmonary function,the levels of VEGF and TGF-β1 in serum before and after treatment between two groups were also observed. The pharmic safety during treatment was evaluated. Result:The total effective rate of treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group(PPβ1 in serum in treatment group were significantly lowered after treatment(P1%), and the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second and its forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were significantly higher(PPConclusion:Modified Jinshui Liujunjian combined with Salmeterol/Fluticasone was more effective than Sustained release capsule of theophylline combined with Salmeterol/Fluticasone in improving the clinical efficacy and pulmonary function of senile asthma on the persistent stage. Its mechanism of action is probable correlated with the reduction of levels of VEGF and TGF-β1 in serum.