Ulinastatin inhibits the metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by involving uPA/uPAR signaling.

Distant metastasis is the primary reason for treatment failure in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we investigated the effect of ulinastatin (UTI) on NPC metastasis and its underlying mechanism. Highly-metastatic NPC cell lines S18 and 58F were treated with UTI and the effect on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were determined by MTS and Transwell assays. S18 cells with luciferase-expressing (S18-1C3) were injected into the left hind footpad of nude mice to establish a model of spontaneous metastasis from the footpad to popliteal lymph node (LN). The luciferase messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the metastasis inhibition rate was calculated. Key molecular members of the UTI-related uPA, uPAR, and JAT/STAT3 signaling pathways were detected by qPCR and immunoblotting. UTI suppressed the migration and infiltration of S18 and 5-8F cells and suppressed the metastasis of S18 cells in vivo without affecting cell proliferation. uPAR expression decreased from 24 to 48 h after UTI treatment. The antimetastatic effect of UTI is partly due to the suppression of uPA and uPAR. UTI partially suppresses NPC metastasis by downregulating the expression of uPA and uPAR.

Post-hepatectomy liver failure prediction and prevention: Development of a nomogram containing postoperative anticoagulants as a risk factor.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a serious complication after hepatectomy, and its effective methods for preoperative prediction are lacking. Here, we aim to identify predictive factors and build a nomogram to evaluate patients' risk of developing PHLF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of a training cohort, including 199 patients who underwent hepatectomy at the Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, was conducted. Independent risk variables for PHLF were identified using multivariate analysis of perioperative variables, and a nomogram was used to build a predictive model. To test the predictive power, a prospective study in which a validation cohort of 71 patients was evaluated using the nomogram. The prognostic value of this nomogram was evaluated by the C-index. RESULTS: Independent risk variables for PHLF were identified from perioperative variables. In multivariate analysis of the training cohort, tumor number, Pringle maneuver, blood loss, preoperative platelet count, postoperative ascites and use of anticoagulant medications were determined to be key risk factors for the development of PHLF, and they were selected for inclusion in our nomogram. The nomogram showed a 0.911 C-index for the training cohort. In the validation cohort, the nomogram also showed good prognostic value for predicting PHLF. The validation cohort was used with similarly successful results to evaluate risk in two previously published study models with calculated C-indexes of 0.718 and 0.711. CONCLUSION: Our study establishes for the first time a novel nomogram that can be used to identify patients at risk of developing PHLF.

PBRM1 deficiency oncogenic addiction is associated with activated AKT-mTOR signalling and aerobic glycolysis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells.

The PBRM1 (PB1) gene which encodes the specific subunit BAF180 of the PBAF SWI/SNF complex, is highly mutated (~ 40%) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, its functions and impact on cell signalling are still not fully understood. Aerobic glycolysis, also known as the 'Warburg Effect', is a hallmark of cancer, whether PB1 is involved in this metabolic shift in clear cell renal cell carcinoma remains unclear. Here, with established stable knockdown PB1 cell lines, we performed functional assays to access the effects on 786-O and SN12C cells. Based on the RNA-seq data, we selected some genes encoding key glycolytic enzymes, including PFKP, ENO1, PKM and LDHA, and examined the expression levels. The AKT-mTOR signalling pathway activity and expression of HIF1α were also analysed. Our data demonstrate that PB1 deficiency promotes the proliferation, migration, Xenograft growth of 786-O and SN12C cells. Notably, knockdown of PB1 activates AKT-mTOR signalling and increases the expression of key glycolytic enzymes at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, we provide evidence that deficient PB1 and hypoxic conditions exert a synergistic effect on HIF 1α expression and lactate production. Thus, our study provides novel insights into the roles of tumour suppressor PB1 and suggests that the AKT-mTOR signalling pathway, as well as glycolysis, is a potential drug target for ccRCC patients with deficient PB1.

[Effects of CUMS on excitatory/inhibitory balance of hippocampal and prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons in anxiety-like mice].

Objective: To explore the changes in the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance of pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in mice with anxiety disorder induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Methods: Twenty-four C57/BL6 male mice were randomly divided into control group (CTRL) and model group (CUMS), with 12 mice in each group. The mice in CUMS group were subjected to 21 days of stress, including restraint for 1 h, reversed day/night cycle for 24 h, forced warm water bath for 5 min, water/food deprivation for 24 h, housing in wet sawdust for 18 h, shaking the cage for 30 min, noise for 1 h, and social stress for 10 min. CTRL group mice were fed normally. Anxiety-related behavioral tests and whole-cell recording tests were performed after modeling. Results: Compared with CTRL group, the time of spent in the central arena of CUMS group was reduced significantly in open field test (P＜0.01), the time and number of entering the open arms were decreased significantly in elevated plus maze test (P＜0.01), and the time of staying in the closed arms was increased significantly in CUMS group (P＜0.01). The sEPSC frequency, capacitance and E/I ratio of dlPFC, mPFC and vCA1 pyramidal neurons of mice in CUMS group were increased significantly (P＜0.01), while sEPSC amplitude, sIPSC frequency, amplitude and capacitance were not significantly changed (P＞0.05). The frequency, amplitude, capacitance and E/I ratio of sEPSC and sIPSC of dCA1 pyramidal neurons were not significantly changed (P＞0.05). Conclusion: The anxiety-like behavior of CUMS-induced mice may be the result of the participation of multiple brain regions, which is mainly related to the increase of the excitability of pyramidal neurons in dlPFC, mPFC and vCA1 brain regions, but seems to have little relationship with dCA1 brain regions.

Sex difference in lipid levels in first-diagnosed drug-naïve depression patients: A case-control and 12-weeks follow-up study.

AIM: Patients with depression have a high prevalence of developing dyslipidemia. In this study, we aim to investigate the difference of serum lipids, including total cholesterol (TCH), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), between the depressed patients and healthy controls. Sex differences in lipids and their psychological correlations were also included. METHODS: The study included 56 healthy controls (males/females = 26/30) and 110 first-diagnosed drug-naïve outpatients (males/females = 35/75). A total of 42 patients (males/females = 14/28) were followed for 3 months. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in TCH and LDL-C among healthy control and patients. Interestingly, female patients with first-diagnosed, drug-naïve depression had lower atherogenic indices than male patients. After 3 months of antidepressants therapy, female patients exhibited detrimental changes in serum lipids, namely increased TG and atherogenic index. Moreover, correlation analysis showed significant correlations between changes of depression inventory (HAMD and BDI) score and serum lipids (TCH, HDL-C) in depressed patients. CONCLUSION: We found that dyslipidemia was more common in female patients with depression during therapy with antidepressants. Moreover, the altered serum lipids and atherogenic index might be a hallmark of female patients. Further investigation of sex differences in lipid metabolism of depression is warranted.

Evaluation of nuclear PGAM2 value in hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis.

Phosphoglycerate mutase (PGAM) is a critical enzyme in glycolysis. PGAM2 is abundant in several types of tissues and malignant tumours. However, there is limited information regarding their clinicopathological significance in dysplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of PGAM2 as a new biomarker for HCC. The PGAM2 expression level was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in liver cirrhosis (n = 10), low-grade dysplastic nodules (n = 15), high-grade dysplastic nodules (n = 15) and HCCs (n = 20) and 178 pairs of HCC and adjacent peritumoral liver tissues. We selected X-tile software for counting cut-point based on the outcomes for prognosis analysis, and used Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis can assess the prognosis of clinicopathologic parameters. Nuclear PGAM2 was significantly overexpressed in peritumoral liver tissues compared with HCC tissues (P = 0.0010). Kaplan-Meier analyses of 178 HCC samples revealed that nuclear PGAM2's high expression level, but not cytoplasmic PGAM2, was significantly related to good overall survival rate (OS). In addition, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses indicated nuclear PGAM2 expression could be regarded as valuable predictors for OS in HCC. PGAM2 was highly expressed in HCC tissues than liver cirrhosis tissues, and nuclear PGAM2's high expression might demonstrate HCC patients have poor postoperative results. Thus, nuclear PGAM2 can be regarded as valuable predictors for OS in HCC patients after surgery.

Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis Reveals Essential Genes and Pathways in Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a major and highly heritable mental illness with severe psychosocial impairment, but its etiology and pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the essential pathways and genes involved in BD using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), a bioinformatic method studying the relationships between genes and phenotypes. Using two available BD gene expression datasets (GSE5388, GSE5389), we constructed a gene coexpression network and identified modules related to BD. The analyses of Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were performed to explore functional enrichment of the candidate modules. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was further constructed to identify the potential hub genes. Ten coexpression modules were identified from the top 5,000 genes in 77 samples and three modules were significantly associated with BD, which were involved in several biological processes (e.g., the actin filament-based process) and pathways (e.g., MAPK signaling). Four genes (NOTCH1, POMC, NGF, and DRD2) were identified as candidate hub genes by PPI analysis and CytoHubba. Finally, we carried out validation analyses in a separate dataset, GSE12649, and verified NOTCH1 as a hub gene and the involvement of several biological processes such as actin filament-based process and axon development. Taken together, our findings revealed several candidate pathways and genes (NOTCH1) in the pathogenesis of BD and call for further investigation for their potential research values in BD diagnosis and treatment.

Meta-analysis dataset comparing orthodontic mini-implants and conventional anchorage reinforcement for maximum orthodontic anchorage.

The present article describes data from systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the efficacy and safety outcomes comparing mini-implants (MIs) and conventional anchorage reinforcement in patients with maximum dentoalveolar protrusion. All relevant RCTs and non-RCTs published up to 2018 were collected from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane database. Thirteen studies assessing the effect of mini-implants were included, of which 4 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 9 observational studies. The efficacy parameters include mesiodistal movements of molars and incisors and vertical movements of molars and incisors. Whereas, the safety parameters were angular and linear measurement of soft tissue change. Subgroup analysis data was provided in terms of patients average age (<18 years and ≥18 years) at the initiation of treatment. This dataset is suitable for research purpose in the field of orthodontics and also helps dental doctors to determine their treatment preferences in the choice of anchorage reinforcement.

Increased frontal gray matter volume in individuals with prodromal psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Brain anatomical deficits associated with cognitive dysfunction have been reported in patients with schizophrenia. However, it remains unknown whether such anatomical deficits exist in individuals with prodromal psychosis. The present study is designed to investigate anatomical deficits in prodromal individuals and their associations with clinical/cognitive features. METHODS: Seventy-four prodromal individuals and seventy-six healthy controls were scanned using structural magnetic resonance imaging. Support vector machines were applied to test whether anatomical deficits might be used to discriminate prodromal individuals from healthy controls. RESULTS: Prodromal individuals showed significantly increased gray matter volume (GMV) in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and right rectus gyrus relative to healthy controls. No correlations were observed between increased GMV and clinical/cognitive characteristics. The combination of increased GMV in the right rectus gyrus and right IFG showed a sensitivity of 74.32%, a specificity of 67.11%, and an accuracy of 70.67% in differentiating prodromal individuals from healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence of increased frontal GMV in prodromal individuals. A combination of GMV values in the two frontal brain areas may serve as potential markers to discriminate prodromal individuals from healthy controls. The results thus highlight the importance of the frontal regions in the pathophysiology of psychosis.

Dalbergioidin (DAL) protects MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells against H2O2-induced cell damage through activation of the PI3K/AKT/SMAD1 pathway.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a pivotal pathogenic factor in the development of osteoporosis. Dalbergioidin (DAL) can be isolated from Uraria crinite, an edible herb used as a natural food for childhood skeletal dysplasia. Recent research has implicated DAL as having an antiosteoporosis effect, although the mechanism of this is unclear. We used an effective oxidative stress model, induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, to investigate the protective effects of DAL in osteoporosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The results indicated that treatment with DAL maintained redox balance, reduced MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis, improved alkaline phosphatase activity, and elevated the osteogenic-related protein expression of Runx2, Osterix, and BMP2 against oxidative damage induced by H2O2. The potential molecular mechanism involved in the protective effect of DAL against H2O2-induced cell death in MC3T3-E1 cells may lie in the activation of the PI3K/AKT/SMAD1 cell signal pathway. Taken together, the results indicated that the potential protective effects of DAL against osteoporosis were linked to a reduction in oxidative damage, suggesting that DAL may be useful in bone metabolism diseases, particularly osteoporosis.

[Expression of HIF-1α in the genioglossus associated with induced bilateral intermittent nasal obstruction in young rats].

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of HIF-1α in the genioglossus associated with induced bilateral intermittent nasal obstruction in young rats. METHODS: Thirty 4-week-old SD rats were employed and equally divided into 3 groups. In group A, both nostrils were occluded by nose plugs. In group B, the right nostril was occluded. In group C, no obstruction of the nose was performed as control group. The obstruction time was from 8 am to 12 am everyday, and the period was 21 d and 55 d. The genioglossus was taken for HE, and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α. The data was analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software package. RESULTS: The rats were sacrificed at the 21th day and 55th day, respectively. The expression of HIF-1α in group A was significantly higher than that in group B and group C, and became stronger with the increasing of obstruction time. CONCLUSIONS: Oral breathing caused by bilateral intermittent nasal obstruction in young rats results in overexpression of HIF-1α in the genioglossus. Supported by Research Fund and Experimental Animal Fund of Science and Technology Committee of Shanghai Municipality (11140902001).

Potential mechanisms of atypical antipsychotic-induced hypertriglyceridemia.

RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND: The development of atypical antipsychotic (AAP) drugs has brought about dramatic improvement in the function of many patients with schizophrenia and related mental disorders. However, prescription of AAPs is frequently associated with the emergence of weight gain, hypertriglyceridemia, and other metabolic disturbances. Although the mechanisms involved in AAP-induced hypertriglyceridemia remain to be fully elucidated, several studies have proposed that this side effect may be associated with weight gain and obesity. Recently, special emphasis has been placed on the evidence indicating a direct effect of AAPs on triglyceride metabolism. OBJECTIVES: In this review, we highlight recent findings discussing the potential mechanisms by which AAPs may contribute to hypertriglyceridemia. In addition, we summarize the adjunctive pharmacologic treatments for AAP-associated dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that AAPs may cause hypertriglyceridemia through several possible mechanisms: (1) a direct effect on triglyceride metabolism either by stimulation of hepatic triglyceride production and secretion or by inhibition of lipoprotein lipase-mediated triglyceride hydrolysis and (2) an indirect mechanism associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The practical applications of this manuscript provide new insights for the future investigation of AAPs.

Reversal alterations of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in early and late onset, first-episode, drug-naive depression.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how patients with early onset depression (EOD) and late onset depression (LOD) differ at the neural level. Using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) approach, we are to test the hypothesis of the different abnormal neural activities between patients with EOD and LOD. METHODS: Fifteen patients with EOD, 15 patients with LOD, 15 young healthy subjects (HS) and 15 old HS were enrolled in the study. ALFF approach was employed to analyze the images. RESULTS: ANOVA analysis revealed widespread differences in ALFF values among the four groups throughout frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital cortex, cerebellum and limbic regions. Compared to LOD group, EOD group had higher ALFF in bilateral precuneus, superior medial frontal gyrus and superior frontal gyrus, and lower ALFF in left brainstem and left superior temporal gyrus. Compared to young HS, lower ALFF in left superior/inferior temporal gyrus, left lingual gyrus and right middle occipital gyrus and higher ALFF in left medial frontal gyrus and bilateral superior frontal gyrus were seen in the EOD group; in contrast, in the LOD group, lower ALFF in bilateral superior frontal gyrus and higher ALFF in left superior temporal gyrus were observed. Further ROC analysis suggested that the mean ALFF values in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus and left superior temporal gyrus could serve as markers to separate patients with EOD from individuals with LOD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with EOD and LOD exhibit reversal pattern of abnormal ALFF in bilateral superior frontal gyrus and left superior temporal gyrus.

[Study on urine biomarkers in 1,3-butadiene exposed workers].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the urine biomarkers in 1,3-butadiene exposed workers, and to provide basement for establishing biological limit value. METHODS: 44 BD exposed workers as exposure group and 25 BD non-exposed people as control group including 12 workers in boiler workshop in the same factory and 13 people in one public institute, we collected their in-end-of shift urine, then detected urine BD-derived mercapturic metabolites [3,4-dihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (DHBMA),1- and 2-monohydroxy-3-butenyl mercapturic acid (MHBMA)] concentrations using UPLC-MS/MS method. Meanwhile, we detected air BD concentration with GC-FID in the workplace, and compared their relationship. RESULTS: lgDHBMA and lg (MHBMA + DHBMA) levels in exposed group (lgDHBMA: 2.51 ± 0.44) µg/L, lg [MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.68 ± 0.27) µg/L] were higher than which in control group (lgDHBMA: (2.20 ± 0.25) µg/L, lg(MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.49 ± 0.34) µg/L), and the differences were significant (P < 0.01). Urine DHBMA was obviously influenced by air BD concentrations (r = 0.539, P = 0.001). The equation of Multiple Regression Analysis was y = 2.417 + 0.520x (x represents air BD dose, and represents urinary DHBMA level). Adjusted R(2) of this model was 0.262. Urinary MHBMA was not affected by smoking, alcohol and years of works. CONCLUSION: Urine metabolite DHBMA in BD-exposed workers might be major biological exposure indice.

Abnormal neural activity of brain regions in treatment-resistant and treatment-sensitive major depressive disorder: a resting-state fMRI study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and those with treatment-sensitive depression (TSD) responded to antidepressants differently. Previous studies have commonly shown that patients with TRD or TSD had abnormal neural activity in different brain regions. In the present study, we used a coherence-based ReHo (Cohe-ReHo) approach to test the hypothesis that patients with TRD or TSD had abnormal neural activity in different brain regions. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with TRD, 22 with TSD, and 19 healthy subjects (HS) matched with gender, age, and education level participated in the study. RESULTS: ANOVA analysis revealed widespread differences in Cohe-ReHo values among the three groups in different brain regions which included bilateral superior frontal gyrus, bilateral cerebellum, left inferior temporal gyrus, left occipital cortex, and both sides of fusiform gyrus. Compared to HS, lower Cohe-ReHo values were observed in TRD group in bilateral superior frontal gyrus and left cerebellum; in contrast, in TSD group, lower Cohe-ReHo values were mainly found in bilateral superior frontal gyrus. Compared to TSD group, TRD group had lower Cohe-ReHo in bilateral cerebellum and higher Cohe-ReHo in left fusiform gyrus. There was a negative correlation between Cohe-ReHo values of the left fusiform gyrus and illness duration in the pooled patients (r = 0.480, p = 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of cerebellar Cohe-ReHo values differentiating TRD from TSD were 83% and 86%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to healthy controls, both TRD and TSD patients shared the majority of brain regions with abnormal neural activity. However, the lower Cohe-ReHo values in the cerebellum might be as a marker to differentiate TRD from TSD with high sensitivity and specificity.

Early and late onset, first-episode, treatment-naive depression: same clinical symptoms, different regional neural activities.

BACKGROUND: Patients with early onset depression (EOD) and late onset depression (LOD) have distinctive risk factors and clinical pictures. Using regional homogeneity (ReHo) approach, we were to test the hypothesis of the different abnormal neural activity between patients with EOD or LOD. METHODS: Fifteen patients with EOD, 15 patients with LOD, 15 young healthy subjects (HS) and 15 old HS participated in the study. ReHo approach was employed to analyze the scans. RESULTS: ANOVA analysis revealed widespread differences in ReHo values among the four groups throughout frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital cortex, cerebellum and limbic regions. Compared to LOD group, EOD group had higher ReHo in right precuneus (PCu) and bilateral superior frontal gyrus, and lower ReHo in left superior temporal gyrus. Compared to young HS, lower ReHo in left parahippocampal gyrus and higher ReHo in left fusiform gyrus and bilateral superior frontal gyrus were seen in EOD group; in contrast, in LOD group, lower ReHo in right PCu and higher ReHo in left superior temporal gyrus and left Crus I of the cerebellum were observed. Further ROC analysis suggested that the mean ReHo values in right PCu and bilateral superior frontal gyrus could serve as markers to identify patients with EOD from individuals with LOD. LIMITATION: The large age gap may limit the translational value of our findings. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with EOD and those with LOD have abnormal neural activities in different brain regions, although the two groups share the same symptoms.

Altered white matter integrity of forebrain in treatment-resistant depression: a diffusion tensor imaging study with tract-based spatial statistics.

BACKGROUND: The association between alterations of the white matter (WM) integrity in brain regions and mood dysregulation has been reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there has never been a neuroimaging study in patients who have treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and are in a current treatment-resistant state. In the present study, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method to investigate the WM integrity of different brain regions in patients who had TRD and were in a current treatment-resistant state. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with TRD and Hamilton Rating Scale total score of ≥18 and 19 healthy controls matched with age, gender, and education level to patients were scanned with DTI. Thirty 4 mm thick, no gap, contiguous axial slices were acquired and fractional anisotropy (FA) images were generated for each participant. An automated TBSS approach was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Voxel-wise statistics revealed that patients with TRD had lower FA values in the right anterior limb of internal capsule, the body of corpus callosum, and bilateral external capsule compared to healthy subjects. Patients with TRD did not have increased FA values in any brain regions compared to healthy subjects. There was no correlation between the FA values in any brain region and patients' demographics and the severity of illness. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the abnormalities of the WM integrity of neuronal tracts connecting cortical and subcortical nuclei and two brain hemispheres may play a key role in the pathogenesis of TRD.

Alterations of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in treatment-resistant and treatment-response depression: a resting-state fMRI study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and those with treatment-response depression (TSD) respond to antidepressants differently and previous studies have commonly reported different brain networks in resistant and nonresistant patients. Using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) approach, we explored ALFF values of the brain regions in TRD and TSD patients at resting state to test the hypothesis of the different brain networks in TRD and TSD patients. METHODS: Eighteen TRD patients, 17 TSD patients and 17 gender-, age-, and education-matched healthy subjects participated in the resting-state fMRI scans. RESULTS: There are widespread differences in ALFF values among TRD patients, TSD patients and healthy subjects throughout the cerebellum, the visual recognition circuit (middle temporal gyrus, middle/inferior occipital gyrus and fusiform), the hate circuit (putamen), the default circuit (ACC and medial frontal gyrus) and the risk/action circuit (inferior frontal gyrus). The differences in brain circuits between the TRD and TSD patients are mainly in the cerebellum, the visual recognition circuit and the default circuit. CONCLUSIONS: The affected brain circuits of TRD patients might be partly different from those of TSD patients.

Abnormal neural activities in first-episode, treatment-naïve, short-illness-duration, and treatment-response patients with major depressive disorder: a resting-state fMRI study.

BACKGROUND: Abnormality of limbic-cortical networks was postulated in depression. Using a regional homogeneity (ReHo) approach, we explored the regional homogeneity (ReHo) of the brain regions in patients with first-episode, treatment-naïve, short-illness-duration, and treatment-response depression in resting state to test the abnormality hypothesis of limbic-cortical networks in major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Seventeen patients with treatment-response MDD and 17 gender-, age-, and education-matched healthy subjects participated in the resting-state fMRI scans. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested the abnormality of limbic-cortical networks in first-episode, treatment-naïve, short-illness-duration, and treatment-response MDD patients, and added an expanding literature to the abnormality hypothesis of limbic-cortical networks in MDD.