Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin injection before frozen-thawed embryo transfer: A retrospective cohort study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in hormone replacement regimen for frozen-thawed embryos. We performed a retrospective cohort study and included patients who underwent frozen embryo transfer (FET) between January 1, 2020 and May 31, 2022. According to the protocols for the FET cycle, the patients were divided into control (n = 238) and hCG groups (n = 216). The clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, early abortion rate, late abortion rate, and ectopic pregnancy rate were compared between the 2 groups. There was a significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the hCG and control groups (55.1% vs 45.8%, P = .048). The ectopic pregnancy rate decreased (5.0% vs 6.4%, P = .654), while the live birth rate increased (36.1% vs 29.0%, P = .105) in the hCG group. However, these differences were not statistically significant. The administration of hCG injection in HRT-FET cycles alone was also found to be associated with clinical pregnancy by logistic regressive analysis. HCG injection in the hormone replacement regimen for FET increased the clinical pregnancy rate.

[Composition Characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds and Associated Contributions to Secondary Pollution in Shenyang Industrial Area in Summer].

Based on the observation data of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the industrial area of Shenyang during the summer of 2019 and 2020, the composition characteristics and sources of VOCs were preliminarily studied. The ozone formation potential (OFP) and aerosol formation potential (AFP) of VOCs were also estimated using the max incremental reactivity (MIR) and aerosol formation coefficient (FAC) methods, respectively. The results showed that the average concentration of VOCs was 41.66 µg·m-3, and the proportions of alkanes, olefins, aromatics, and acetylene were 48.50%, 14.08%, 15.37%, and 22.05%, respectively. The top ten species of VOCs were primarily C2-C5 alkanes, also including acetylene, ethylene, and some aromatics, accounting for 69.25% of the total VOCs. VOCs showed obvious diurnal variation characteristics with a high concentration in the morning and evening (at 06:00 and 22:00) and a low concentration in the afternoon (11:00-16:00). According to the value of toluene/benzene (T/B) and isopentane/n-pentane, the atmosphere of the industrial area was mainly affected by vehicle exhaust emissions, solvent use, combustion sources, and LPG/NG. The total AFP of VOCs was up to 41.43×10-2 µg·m-3, and aromatics were the largest contributor. The total OFP of VOCs reached 117.59 µg·m-3, in which the alkenes contributed the most.

Cangfu Daotan Wan alleviates polycystic ovary syndrome with phlegm-dampness syndrome via disruption of the PKP3/ERCC1/MAPK axis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cangfu Daotan Wan (CFDTW) has been widely used for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients in the type of stagnation of phlegm and dampness. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of CFDTW on PCOS with phlegm-dampness syndrome (PDS). METHODS: In silico analysis was adopted to identify CFDTW potential targets and the downstream pathways in the treatment of PCOS. Expression of PKP3 was examined in the ovarian granulosa cells from PCOS patients with PDS and rat PCOS models induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). PKP3/ERCC1 was overexpressed or underexpressed or combined with CFDTW treatment in ovarian granulosa cells to assay the effect of CFDTW on ovarian granulosa cell functions via the PKP3/MAPK/ERCC1 axis. RESULTS: Clinical samples and ovarian granulosa cells of rat models were characterized by hypomethylated PKP3 promoter and upregulated PKP3 expression. CFDTW reduced PKP3 expression by enhancing the methylation of PKP3 promoter, leading to proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells, increasing S and G2/M phase-arrested cells, and arresting their apoptosis. PKP3 augmented ERCC1 expression by activating the MAPK pathway. In addition, CFDTW facilitated the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and repressed their apoptosis by regulating PKP3/MAPK/ERCC1 axis. CONCLUSION: Taken together, this study illuminates how CFDTW confers therapeutic effects on PCOS patients with PDS, which may offer a novel theranostic marker in PCOS.

Uncovering the origin of the anomalously high capacity of a 3d anode via in situ magnetometry.

Transition metals can deliver high lithium storage capacity, but the reason behind this remains elusive. Herein, the origin of this anomalous phenomenon is uncovered by in situ magnetometry taking metallic Co as a model system. It is revealed that the lithium storage in metallic Co undergoes a two-stage mechanism involving a spin-polarized electron injection to the 3d orbital of Co and subsequent electron transfer to the surrounding solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) at lower potentials. These effects create space charge zones for fast lithium storage on the electrode interface and boundaries with capacitive behavior. Therefore, the transition metal anode can enhance common intercalation or pseudocapacitive electrodes at high capacity while showing superior stability to existing conversion-type or alloying anodes. These findings pave the way for not only understanding the unusual lithium storage behavior of transition metals but also for engineering high-performance anodes with overall enhancement in capacity and long-term durability.

[Establishment and Spatial Distribution of S/IVOCs Emission Inventory in Jiangsu Province in 2019].

The semi-/intermediate volatile organic compound (S/IVOCs) emissions inventory of Jiangsu province was established in 2019 using the activity data of various S/IVOCs emission sources, emission factors, and an estimation method. S/IVOCs emissions for each source and city in Jiangsu province were analyzed. The total amount of S/IVOCs emissions in Jiangsu province in 2019 was 637.31 Gg. Industrial sources were the major source of total S/IVOCs emissions accounting for 63.42% (404.20 Gg), followed by residential on-road mobile sources (22.23%), and off-road mobile sources accounted for the least (0.06%). Suzhou had the highest S/IVOCs emissions in 2019, accounting for 25.40% (161.86 Gg) of the total S/IVOCs emissions in Jiangsu province. The S/IVOCs emission intensity per unit area in Suzhou was the highest, reaching 18.70 t·km-2, and the emission intensity per unit GDP was the highest in Lianyungang (22.45 t·100 million yuan-1). The spatial distribution map revealed that S/IVOCs emissions in southern Jiangsu were relatively higher. The difference in the total emission of S/IVOCs, emission intensity per unit area, and emission intensity per unit of GDP were quite different among cities. The uncertainty range of S/IVOCs emissions was -88.46%-224.38% in Jiangsu province in 2019. The uncertainty range of biomass burning sources was the largest (-96.40%-277.17%).

By-Products of Zea mays L.: A Promising Source of Medicinal Properties with Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Comprehensive Review.

Zea mays (Z. mays) is one of the main cereal crops in the world, and it's by-products have exhibited medicinal properties to explore. This article intends to review the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of by-products of Z. mays (corn silks, roots, bract, stems, bran, and leaves) which support the therapeutic potential in the treatment of different diseases, with emphasis on the natural occurring compounds and detailed pharmacological developments. Based on this review, 231 natural compounds are presented. Among them, flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids are the most frequently reported. The by-products of Z. mays possess diuretic effects, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, plant protection activity, and other activities. This article reviewed the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Z. mays for comprehensive quality control and the safety and effectiveness to enhance future application.

Verniciflavanol A, a profisetinidin-type-4-arylflavan-3-ol from toxicodendron vernicifluum protects SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-Induced oxidative stress.

Eleven undescribed derivatives of flavan, including flavan-3,4-diols vernicinosides A-H and profisetinidin-type-4-arylflavan-3-ols verniciflavanols A-C, together with eight known compounds were purified from the heartwood of Toxicodendron vernicifluum. The chemical structures of the undescribed compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data interpretation, including NMR (1H and 13C NMR HSQC and HMBC) and HRESIMS analysis. CD data analysis was conducted to assign the absolute configurations of the undescribed compounds and the active compound verniciflavanol A was also confirmed by ECD experiment. The absolute configuration of the sugar moiety was identified by GC analysis of chiral derivatives in the hydrolysate. MTT assay was applied to test these compounds against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Results found that verniciflavanol A demonstrated the best potential in protecting SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting cell apoptosis and attenuate reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and mitochondrial dysfunction. And the underlying mechanism was confirmed to be associated with Nrf2-antioxidant response element signaling and IL-6 cell survival pathways.

Can second language metaphorical competence be taught through instructional intervention? A meta-analysis.

Background: For a long time, the traditional view regarded metaphor as merely a rhetorical device that served to enrich linguistic expression. With the continuous development of cognitive linguistics, foreign language educators began to realize the vital role of metaphor in foreign language education. Objectives: This study looked at how well pedagogical interventions improve metaphorical competence by looking at how well teachers teach metaphors. Methods: After a rigorous literature search and selection process from the Chinese and English databases, 13 Chinese and 7 international studies with 51 effect sizes were included in this meta-analysis. With the help of the meta-analysis 3.0 software, the literature and heterogeneity tests were performed to ensure that the meta-analysis results were as accurate and valid as possible. Results: The effect size tests revealed that the metaphorical instructional intervention was significantly effective in general and produced a large effect size (d = 0.888) on improving learners' metaphorical abilities. Meta-regression analyses were also conducted to examine how other factors might change the effects of the interventions. Findings: Research has shown that instructional interventions that combine prolonged input of metaphorical concepts with reinforcement of metaphorical practice can help second language learners develop metaphorical competence. Teaching puts more pressure on teachers and the learning environment, and the results of this study could help teachers teach metaphors in the future.

Census of Twitter users: Scraping and describing the national network of South Korea.

Population-level national networks on social media are precious and essential for network science and behavioural science. This study collected a population-level Twitter network, based on both language and geolocation tags. We proposed a set of validation approaches to evaluate the validity of our datasets. Finally, we re-examined classical network and communication propositions (e.g., 80/20 rule, six degrees of separation) on the national network. Our dataset and strategy would flourish the data collection pool of population-level social networks and further develop the research of network analysis in digital media environment.

[Pollution Characteristics and Sources of Water-soluble Organic Nitrogen in PM2.5 in Jiangbei New Area, Nanjing].

The seasonal variation characteristics of water-soluble organic nitrogen (WSON) in PM2.5 were analyzed in the Nanjing Jiangbei new area. The relationship between WSON and water-soluble inorganic nitrogen (WSIN) was also discussed. The results showed that the variation range of WSON in PM2.5 was 0.446 to 4.200 µg·m-3, with an average value of 2.04 µg·m-3. This value was slightly higher than the observed results in Beijing, Shanghai, and Changzhou. The average value of WSON was the highest in autumn[(2.967±0.643) µg·m-3], which was approximately 1.7 times that of the other three seasons. The average contribution ratio of WSON to water-soluble total nitrogen (WSTN) in fine particles of Nanjing accounted for 25%, with high ratios in summer-autumn and low ratios in winter-spring. For example, the proportion of WSON/WSTN in winter was only approximately 50% of that in summer and autumn. WSON had the highest correlation with NO2--N and the lowest correlation with NO3--N in WSIN, which may be related to the volatilization of NO3--N caused by high temperatures in summer. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that WSON of PM2.5 in Nanjing was mainly derived from secondary transformation, sea salt, dust, and biomass combustion.

The effect of mildly stimulated cycle versus artificial cycle on pregnancy outcomes in overweight/obese women with PCOS prior to frozen embryo transfer: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that frozen embryo transfer (FET) resulted in increased live birth rates (LBR) and reduced the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) than did fresh embryo transfer in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, overweight/obese women with PCOS are at increased risk of subfertility and complications of pregnancy, compared with normal-weight women. The ovarian stimulation and artificial hormone regimes are the two more commonly used endometrial preparation protocols in PCOS patients.This retrospective study aims to compare the pregnancy outcomes of mildly stimulated cycles (mSTC) and artificial cycles (AC) prior to FET in overweight/obese women with PCOS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in overweight/obese women with PCOS who underwent their first FET cycles from January 2018 to December 2020. Two endometrial preparation protocols were used: the mildly stimulated cycles (N = 173) and the artificial cycles (N = 507). All pregnancy outcomes were analyzed by Student's t-test, Chi-square (χ2) statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: This study enrolled 680 cases of FET cycles. The mSTC group exhibited significantly higher LBR compared with the AC group (49.7% vs. 41.0%; P = 0.046), while the rate of miscarriage was significantly lower (6.4% vs. 23.0%; P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in positive pregnancy rate (57.8% vs. 60.0%, P = 0.618), clinical pregnancy rate (54.3% vs. 55.6%, P = 0.769), and ectopic pregnancy rate (2.1% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.860) between two groups. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis also yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS: For overweight/obese women with PCOS, mSTC-FET demonstrated a higher LBR and a lower pregnancy loss rate than that in the AC-FET. When considering the most cost-effective treatment with the least adverse effects on patients, the mSTC for FET endometrial preparation may be considered. To corroborate our findings, additional prospective randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are required.

A comprehensive review on ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Rhus chinensis Mill.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rhus chinensis Mill., firstly recorded as herbal medicine in Shan Hai Jing, have been used for thousands of years to treat various diseases. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review targets on the ethnomedicinal applications of R. chinensis and to gather the phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological data which support the therapeutic potential of R. chinensis in treatment on different diseases, with emphasis on the naturally occurring compounds and detailed pharmacological developments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information of R. chinensis was collected based on a variety of popular databases such as Scifinder, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Springer, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar and other published materials (books and Ph.D. and M. Sc. Dissertations). The keywords "Rhus chinensis", "Rhus amela", "Rhus javanica", "Rhus osbeckii", "Rhus semialata", and "Schinus indicus" were applied to search the literature related in this review. RESULTS: 152 natural compounds of R. chinensis belong to different classes are presented in this review, including flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, simple phenolics, urushiols, tannins, triterpenoids, steroids and other types of constituents. Among them, flavonoids, lignans, and triterpenoids are most frequently reported components. The pharmacological effects of R. chinensis were numerous and complicated, including anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-diarrheal, hepatoprotective, anti-proliferation, enzyme-inhibiting, anti-oxidants and so on. CONCLUSION: In order to discover more compounds with novel structures to both enrich chemical context of genus Rhus and expand the variety of constituents, the phytochemical research is urgent and indispensable. Anti-diarrhea, the most widely application of R. chinensis traditionally, is insufficient in underlying mechanism exploration. And for other activities, in-depth studies on the mechanism of pharmacological effects in vivo and in vitro are both needed. Meanwhile, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, quality control and preclinical and clinical data are urgent to assess the rationale and safety of the medicinal and food application of R. chinensis.

Evaluation of Allicin Against Alveolar Echinococcosis In Vitro and in a Mouse Model.

PURPOSE: At present, the chemotherapy for alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is mainly based on albendazole (ABZ). However, more than 20% of patients fail chemotherapy. Therefore, new and more effective treatments are urgently needed. Allicin has been reported to have antibacterial and antiparasitic effects. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the in vivo and in vitro efficacy of allicin against Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis). METHODS: The effects of allicin on protoscolex survival and structural changes were evaluated in vitro. The 4-week-old BALB/c male mice used for in vivo modelling underwent inoculation of E. multilocularis protoscoleces by intraperitoneal injection, followed by intragastric administration of allicin for 6 weeks. Then, the effects of allicin on lymphocyte subsets, metacestode growth and host tissue matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2)/MMP9 expression around metacestodes in mice were evaluated. The toxicity of allicin was further evaluated in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Att 40 µg/mL, allicin showed a killing effect on protoscoleces in vitro and treatment resulted in the destruction of protoscolex structure. Molecular docking showed that allicin could form hydrogen bonds with E. multilocularis cysteine enzymes. After 6 weeks of in vivo allicin treatment, the spleen index of mice was increased and the weight of metacestodes was reduced. Allicin increased the proportion of CD4+ T cells and decreased the proportion of CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood and spleen. Pathological analysis of the metacestodes showed structural disruption of the germinal and laminated layers after allicin treatment. In addition, allicin inhibited the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in metacestode-surrounding host tissues. At 160 µg/mL, allicin had no significant toxicity to normal hepatocytes but could inhibit hepatoma cell proliferation. At 30 mg/kg, allicin had no significant hepatorenal toxicity in vivo. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that allicin exerts anti-E. multilocularis effects in vitro and in vivo and can enhance immune function in mice, with the potential to be developed as a lead compound against echinococcosis.

Sustainable Superhydrophobic Surface with Tunable Nanoscale Hydrophilicity for Water Harvesting Applications.

Superwettable surfaces show great potential in water harvesting applications, however, a scalable water harvesting surface remains elusive due to the trade-off between water deposition and transport. Herein, we report a unique superhydrophobic surface with tunable nanoscale hydrophilicity constructed by structured Pickering emulsions. Preferential exposure of the cellulose nanocrystal's outer surface and wax microspheres accelerates droplet deposition allowing for the manipulation of droplet mobility. Appropriate tuning of the wetting characteristics of the surfaces, optimizing the hydrophobicity and density of the water affinity nanodomains enhance the water deposition rate without the sacrifice of water transport rate, achieving an optimal water harvesting flux of 3.402 L m-2 h-1 for a plate and 5.02 L m-2 h-1 for a mesh. This hydrophilic/superhydrophobic surface allows the controllable manipulation of droplet nucleation and removal to enhance the water harvesting efficiency.

Transforming 3D CAU-10-H into 2D Materials with High Base Stability for Membrane Separation.

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have received a significant research attention owing to their unique chemical and physical properties. These materials not only provide the chemically active sites and exposed surface atoms, but also display the porous nature suitable for their use as membranes for gas separation. In this study, 3D CAU-10-H has been transformed into a novel alkali stabilized 2D CACl-10 (180). Though CACl-10 (180) is similar to AlOOH, it is a novel 2D nanomaterial synthesized by using 4-chloroisophthalic acid and aluminum nitrate nonahydrate, with thermal decomposition at 300 °C. Further, CACl-10 (180) is noted to retain its framework structure in strong alkali solutions, attributed to the alkali-resistant aluminum hydroxide. At the same time, it has been demonstrated that 3D CAU-10-H can also transform into 3D CACl-10 (140) and 3D CACl-10 (130), and the halogen atoms of the ligands (-Cl) affect the alkali stability of the materials. Subsequently, the PVAm-CACl-10 (180)/MPSf mixed matrix membranes were prepared and applied for CH4 /N2 separation. The developed membrane exhibits the CH4 permeance of 1647.99 GPU with a CH4 /N2 selectivity of 3.1. As a result, 2D CACl-10 (180), with a strong alkali stability and an acceptable CH4 /N2 membrane separation performance, represents a high potential of application in the membrane separation process.

In vivo and in vitro efficacy of crocin against Echinococcus multilocularis.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a fatal zoonosis caused by the larvae of Echinococcus multilocularis. However, current chemotherapy treatment options are based on benzimidazoles [albendazole (ABZ) and mebendazole], which have limited efficacy. Therefore, novel drugs are necessary for the treatment of this disease. METHODS: The anthelmintic effects of crocin were tested on E. multilocularis metacestodes, germinal cells and protoscoleces in vitro. Human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) and Reuber rat hepatoma (RH) cells were used to assess cytotoxicity. The in vivo efficacy of crocin was investigated in mice following secondary infection with E. multilocularis. Furthermore, collagen deposition and degradation in host tissues around the metacestodes were evaluated. RESULTS: In vitro, crocin had a median effective concentration of 11.36 µM against cultured E. multilocularis metacestodes, while it reduced germinal cell viability at a median inhibitory concentration of 10.05 µM. Crocin was less toxic to HFFs and RH mammalian cell lines than to metacestodes. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that crocin treatment resulted in structural damage in the germinal layer. In addition, 60.33 ± 3.06% of protoscoleces were killed by treatment with 10 µM crocin for 7 days, indicating that crocin has a parasiticidal effect. In vivo, the metacestode weight was significantly reduced after the administration of crocin at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg (55.1 and 68.1%, respectively). Metacestode pathology showed structural disruption of the germinal and laminated layers after crocin treatment. The crocin- and ABZ-treated groups presented significant increases in the levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4. Furthermore, crocin inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (MMP2 and MMP9) and promoted collagen deposition in the metacestode. CONCLUSIONS: Crocin was demonstrated to exert parasiticidal activity against E. multilocularis in vitro and in vivo, and can be developed as a novel drug for the treatment of AE.

[Comparison of fracture strength of two chairside CAD/CAM ceramic blocs with different thickness].

PURPOSE: To provide theoretical basis for clinical CAD/CAM restorations with a comparison of the fracture strength between two chairside CAD/CAM immediate restorative materials (IPS e.max CAD and Vita Enamic) with different occlusal thickness in vitro. METHODS: IPS e.max CAD and Vita Enamic full-crowns with occlusal thicknesses 1.5/2.0/2.5 mm were fabricated with CEREC and adhesively seated to dies customized by manufacturer (n=42). All specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 ℃ for 24 h. Later, static fractural loading was performed. The fracture surface was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS). The composites of two materials were detected by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results of fracture strength were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and t-test via SPSS 20.0 software package. RESULTS: With the increase of occlusal thickness, the fracture strength of IPS e.max CAD increased remarkably. However, the Vita Enamic's fracture strength remained the same with no significant difference. With the occlusal thickness increased from 1.5 to 2.0 mm, there was no significant difference in the fracture strength between IPS e.max CAD group and Vita Enamic group. As the thickness increased from 1.5 to 2.0 mm, the fracture strength of IPS e.max CAD group was significantly higher than that of Vita Enamic group. The results of SEM showed that the filler particles of IPS e.max CAD were smaller compared to that of Vita Enamic. Cone cracks were mainly found in the fracture surface of IPS e.max CAD, while radical cracks appeared in Vita Enamic. EDS showed the metal oxide and SiO2 in Vita Enmic was significantly higher than that in IPS e.max CAD. XRD showed that the primary crystal phase of IPS e.max CAD was lithium silicate, while Vita Enamic was amorphous. CONCLUSIONS: Both IPS e.max CAD and Vita Enamic can meet the standard of clinical application as the occlusal thickness reaches 1.5 mm. IPS e.max CAD showed better fracture resistance when the thickness was greater than 2.0 mm.

The type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility gene CDKAL1 polymorphism is associated with depressive symptom in first-episode drug-naive schizophrenic patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia have an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus that has shown a significant association with the rs7754840 polymorphism in the gene encoding the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) regulatory subunit-associated protein 1-like 1 (CDKAL1). OBJECTIVE: To examine whether this polymorphism was involved in the susceptibility in first-episode drug-naive schizophrenic patients (FDSP), and further influenced their clinical symptoms. METHODS: This polymorphism was genotyped in 239 FDSP and 368 healthy controls. The clinical symptoms in FDSP were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) five-factor models. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of this polymorphism between two groups (both p > 0.05) after adjusting for covariates. However, the PANSS depressive score significantly differed by genotype in FDSP after adjusting for covariates (F = 5.25, p = 0.006). This significant difference also persisted after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05). FDSP with C/C genotype had significantly higher PANSS depressive score than those with C/G genotype (p = 0.007) and those with G/G genotype (p = 0.005). Moreover, further stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed the significant association between the rs7754840 polymorphism and PANSS depressive score in FDSP (ß = -1.07, t = -2.75, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that although the CDKAL1 rs7754840 polymorphism did not contribute to the susceptibility to FDSP, it might be implicated in depressive symptoms in this patient group.

Association between stereopsis deficits and attention decline in patients with major depressive disorder.

Cognitive and sensory deficits were considered a core feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, few studies investigated stereopsis integrity in patients with MDD. Thus, the objectives of this study investigated stereopsis integrity and its correlations with cognitive function and depressive symptom in patients with MDD. 90 patients with MDD and 116 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. Their stereoacuity was evaluated using the Titmus Stereopsis Test as well as assessing their cognitive function and depressive symptom by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Log seconds of arc was significantly higher in patients than HCs (1.92 ± 0.41 versus 1.67 ± 0.16, t = 5.35, p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients with correct stereopsis detection was markedly declined in 400 (z = 3.06, p = 0.002), 200 (z = 3.84, p < 0.001), 140 (z = 4.73, p < 0.001), 100 (z = 4.58, p < 0.001), 80 (z = 5.06, p < 0.001), 60 (z = 4.72, p < 0.001), 50 (z = 4.24, p < 0.001), and 40 (z = 4.85, p < 0.001) seconds of arc compared with HCs. Log seconds of arc was significantly correlated with the RBANS total score (r = -0.38, p < 0.0001), subscores of attention (r = -0.49, p < 0.0001) and language (r = -0.33, p = 0.001) rather than HAMD score (r = 0.03, p = 0.78) in MDD patients. In addition, log seconds of arc was significantly related to the RBANS total score (r = -0.58, p < 0.0001) and language score (r = -0.45, p = 0.006) rather than attention score (r = -0.30, p = 0.07) in HCs. Further stepwise multivariate regression analyses showed the negative correlation of log seconds of arc with attention score (ß = -0.80, t = -3.95, p < 0.0001) rather than HAMD score (ß = -0.008, t = -0.09, p = 0.93) in MDD patients. However, there was no relationship between log seconds of arc and attention score in HCs (ß = 1.52, t = 1.19, p = 0.24). Our results identified the marked deficits of stereopsis in MDD patients that were tightly correlated with their attention functioning rather than depressive symptom.

Associations among gonadal hormone, triglycerides and cognitive decline in female patients with major depressive disorders.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment has been identified as a core feature of depression. Serum triglycerides (TG), gonadal hormone and sex difference were shown to influence cognitive performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations among serum TG, gonadal hormone, sex difference and cognitive performance in patients with major depressive disorders (MDD). METHODS: The enrolled 183 patients (male/female = 80/103) meeting DSM-IV criteria for MDD were divided into high TG group (patients-HTG) and normal TG group (patients-NTG) according to TG level. Serum TG, estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels were measured by the glycerokinase peroxidase-peroxidase and chemiluminescence methods. Cognition was assessed by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The study was conducted between August 2016 and January 2020. RESULTS: In female, patients-HTG had lower immediate memory, language, attention, delayed memory and RBANS total scores than patients-NTG after adjusting for covariates. There were significant differences in serum E2 and T levels between patients-HTG and patients-NTG in female after controlling for covariates. In female patients-HTG, serum E2 level was positively associated with immediate memory, delayed memory and RBANS total scores, and serum T level was positively related to immediate memory, language and RBANS total scores. These findings were not seen in male patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that patients-HTG exhibited poorer cognitive function compared with patients-NTG in female. Moreover, the decline in serum gonadal hormone level might contribute to the high TG development of female MDD, and was further implicated in their cognitive decline.