Metabolomics and Cytokine Analysis for Identification of Schizophrenia with Auditory Hallucination.

PURPOSE: To investigate the metabolic profile and biomarkers of schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations (AHs). METHODS: A total of 18 schizophrenic patients with the symptom of pure AHs (pAHs), 28 without AH (nAHs) and 43 age-matched healthy persons (Con) were enrolled in this study. Participants in pAHs and nAHs groups had relapsed into exacerbations of psychosis after self-discontinuing antipsychotics for at least one month; blood samples were drawn prior to restarting anti-psychotic treatment. Participants with history of recreational substance use were excluded. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS) were used to assess the clinical mental state of all samples. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to estimate the level of cytokines, and metabolomics analysis to identify potential biomarkers and pathways in the three groups. Graphpad 8.0 software was used to calculate the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The relationship between metabolites and cytokines were determined using correlation analysis. RESULTS: Questionnaire scores showed significant differences in the positive symptom scale and PANSS total between nAHs and pAHs groups. Four cytokines (BDNF, IL-2, NGF-ß and TNF-α) differed significantly among the three groups. Six molecules in the nAHs group (phenylalanine, hippurate, serine, glutamate, valine and cystine) and four in the pAHs group (phenylalanine, serine, glutamate and cystine) were identified as potential biomarkers. In addition, phenylalanine was shown as a potential independent diagnostic biomarker for pAHs. Correlation analysis revealed that cystine and serine were significantly negatively correlated with IL-2 in the pAHs group. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the metabolic profile of patients with schizophrenia with AHs and provided new information to support the diagnosis. The identification of unique biomarkers would contribute to objective and reliable diagnoses of patients with schizophrenia with AH.

Characteristics of vascular anastomoses in monochorionic twin 587 placentas with selective intrauterine growth restriction via 89 three-dimensional computed tomography angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of the choriovascular anatomy, especially the potential role of arteriovenous perfusion imbalance in the pathogenesis of selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) using three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA). METHOD: Computed tomography angiography of the placental choriovascular tree from 15 twins with sIUGR and 15 twins without sIUGR were analyzed, and inter-twin vascular anastomoses were compared between the placentas from these two groups. The parameters evaluated were the presence and measures of artery-to-artery anastomoses (AAA), vein-to-vein anastomoses (VVA) or artery-to-vein anastomoses (AVA). RESULTS: The frequency of AAA, VVA, and AVA did not differ significantly between sIUGR and without sIUGR-pairs. The area of the vein draining to the AVA in the larger twin's placenta was significantly greater in sIUGR compared to when no sIUGR was present. Based on the net cross-sectional area difference we speculate that in sIUGR there is net flow from the smaller to the larger twin. CONCLUSION: We used 3D-CTA to display the vascular anastomoses in sIUGR twin pairs, demonstrating a difference in cross-sectional diameter of the vein draining to the AVA.

Urban-rural inequalities in suicide among elderly people in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: China has an unusual pattern of suicides, with overall suicide rates in rural areas higher than urban areas. While suicide rates have decreased dramatically, older people increasingly contribute to the overall burden of suicide. However, it is unclear if elderly people within rural areas experience greater suicide risk than those in urban areas. We aimed to systematically review the incidence of suicide in rural and urban China among the elderly (aged over 60 years), with a view to describing the difference in rates between rural and urban areas and trends over time. METHODS: Chinese and English language articles were searched for using four databases: EMBASE (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), PsycINFO (EBSCOhost) and CNKI (in Chinese). Articles describing completed suicide among elderly people in both rural and urban areas in mainland China were included. The adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess risk of bias. One reviewer (ML) assessed eligibility, performed data extraction and assessed risk of bias, with areas of uncertainty discussed with the second reviewer (SVK). Random effects meta-analysis was conducted. Suicide methods in different areas were narratively summarised. RESULTS: Out of a total 3065 hits, 24 articles were included and seven contributed data to meta-analysis. The sample size of included studies ranged from 895 to 323.8 million. The suicide rate in the general population of China has decreased in recent decades over previous urban and rural areas. Suicide rates amongst the elderly in rural areas are higher than those in urban areas (OR = 3.35; 95% CI of 2.48 to 4.51; I2 = 99.6%), but the latter have increased in recent years. Insecticide poisoning and hanging are the most common suicide methods in rural and urban areas respectively. Suicide rates for these two methods increase with age, being especially high in elderly people. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of suicide in China has changed in recent years following urbanisation and aging. Differences in suicide rates amongst the elderly exist between rural and urban areas. Addressing the high suicide rate amongst the elderly in rural China requires a policy response, such as considering measures to restrict access to poisons.

EXPOSURE TO FAMINE IN EARLY LIFE AND THE RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN ADULTHOOD: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Objective: To assess the association between famine exposure in early life and osteoporosis in adulthood. Methods: A total of 2,292 participants born between 1955 and 1965 in Fujian Province were selected; after 3 years, 1,378 participants attended a follow-up research visit. Calcaneus bone mineral density and bone quality were measured by quantitative ultrasound. The T-score was used to assess bone mineral density, and the parameters quantitative ultrasound index (QUI), speed of sound (SOS), and broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) were used to assess bone quality. A T-score threshold of -1.8 was defined as osteoporosis, and a possible vertebral fracture was considered as a prospective height loss of 0.8 inches or more. Results: Compared with the nonexposed cohort, risks of osteoporosis for fetal-, early childhood, and mid-childhood famine-exposed cohorts in postmenopausal women were adjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.741 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.233, 11.44) versus OR 2.894 (95% CI, 0.997, 8.571) versus OR 4.699 (95% CI, 1.622, 13.612) by logistic regression but not significant in men. Moreover, the fetal-exposed cohort had a weak negative relation with QUI (ß, -5.07 [-10.226, 0.127]) and BUA (ß, -4.321 [-0.88, 0.238]). The early- and mid-childhood-exposed cohorts had significantly lower QUI (ß, -7.085 [-11.799, -2.372] versus ß, -10.845 [-15.68, -6.01]) and BUA (ß, -6.381 [-10.515, -2.246] versus ß, -8.573 [-12.815, -4.331]) than the nonexposed cohort by linear regression. None of the famine-exposed cohorts had a significant relationship with SOS. Conclusion: Famine exposure during early life is associated with higher risk of osteoporosis in adulthood, which is most obvious in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, famine exposure in early life has adverse effects on bone quality. Abbreviations: BMD = bone mineral density; BUA = broadband ultrasonic attenuation; CI = confidence interval; OR = odds ratio; QUI = quantitative ultrasound index; QUS = quantitative ultrasound; SOS = speed of sound.

Evaluation of the sacral nerve plexus in pelvic endometriosis by three-dimensional MR neurography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of three-dimensional MR neurography (3D MRN) for the sacral plexus using sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution (SPACE) sequences, and to demonstrate structural abnormalities in the pelvic nerve of women with pelvic endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with pelvic endometriosis and 20 healthy controls were examined by contrast-enhanced 3D short time inversion recovery T2-weighted imaging (CE 3D STIR T2WI) SPACE sequences on 3 Tesla MRI. Image quality and diagnostic confidence of the sequences in identifying abnormalities of the sacral plexus were analyzed and compared with conventional three-plane images of 2D turbo-spin echo T2-weighted images (2D TSE T2WI). The changes in the sacral plexus caused by endometrial lesions were evaluated. RESULTS: The sacral plexus was clearly revealed in both healthy controls and patients with endometriosis on 3D STIR SPACE images. A good agreement was reached in the evaluation of both imaging quality (Kappa value [κ] = 0.73-1.00) and diagnostic confidence (κ = 0.66-0.81) when compared between the two independent readers. Abnormalities caused by endometriosis were identified in 17 patients, unilaterally in 10 patients, and bilaterally in 7 patients. Nerve fiber abnormalities of lumbar 5 (L5) were detected in 11 patients, of sacral 1 (S1) in 14 patients and of sacral 2 (S2) in 9 patients. CONCLUSION: CE 3D STIR SPACE sequences demonstrate its significant capacity to investigate and map the sacral plexus, and reveal the compression and adhesion of the sacral plexus nerve as a result of ectopic lesions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:1225-1231.

Diagnostic challenges and case management of the first imported case of Plasmodium knowlesi in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka has achieved 'malaria-free' status and is now in the phase of prevention of re-introduction of malaria. Imported malaria remains a challenge to resurgence of the disease. The diagnostic challenges encountered and the rapid response initiated to manage a Plasmodium infection, which was later confirmed as Plasmodium knowlesi, the first reported case from Sri Lanka, is discussed. CASE PRESENTATION: An army officer who returned from Malaysia in October 2016 was found to be positive for Plasmodium both by microscopy and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) by the Anti Malaria Campaign Sri Lanka (AMC) during his third visit to a health care provider. Microscopy findings were suspicious of P. knowlesi infection as the smears showed parasite stages similar to both Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium falciparum. Nested PCR at AMC confirmed Plasmodium genus, but not the species. In the absence of species confirmation, the patient was treated as a case of P. falciparum. The presence of P. knowlesi was later confirmed by a semi-nested PCR assay performed at the Environmental Health Institute, National Environmental Agency in Singapore. The parasite strain was also characterized by sequencing the circumsporozoite gene. Extensive case investigation including parasitological and entomological surveillance was carried out. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmodium knowlesi should be suspected in patients returning from countries in the South Asian region where the parasite is prevalent and when blood smear results are inconclusive.

Functional Connections of the Vestibulo-spino-adrenal Axis in the Control of Blood Pressure Via the Vestibulosympathetic Reflex in Conscious Rats.

Significant evidence supports the role of the vestibular system in the regulation of blood pressure during postural movements. In the present study, the role of the vestibulo-spino-adrenal (VSA) axis in the modulation of blood pressure via the vestibulosympathetic reflex was clarified by immunohistochemical and enzyme immunoassay methods in conscious rats with sinoaortic denervation. Expression of c-Fos protein in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and blood epinephrine levels were investigated, following microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists or antagonists into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and/or sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension. Both microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists (NMDA and AMPA) into the MVN or rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus (RVLM) and SNP-induced hypotension led to increased number of c-Fos positive neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and increased blood epinephrine levels. Pretreatment with microinjection of glutamate receptor antagonists (MK-801 and CNQX) into the MVN or RVLM prevented the increased number of c-Fos positive neurons resulting from SNP-induced hypotension, and reversed the increased blood epinephrine levels. These results indicate that the VSA axis may be a key component of the pathway used by the vestibulosympathetic reflex to maintain blood pressure during postural movements.

Association Between Heart Rate at Diagnosis and Long-Term Recurrence Risk of Pulmonary Embolism in a Historical Cohort Study of Elder Women.

To investigate the association between heart rate (HR) at diagnosis and long-term pulmonary embolism (PE) recurrence among elderly (≥ 50 year-old) female patients after acute PE (APE). Hospitalized patients with APE were grouped separately according to whether they experienced recurrent PE and whether the HR was < 80 beats/min. Logistic regression and COX regression analysis were employed to assess the risk of PE recurrence. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to compare the recurrence-free survival of PE recurrence. Eighty-five patients were included, including 24 ones with HR < 80 beats/min and 11 recurrent PE cases. The mean time of PE recurrence were 71.7 ± 26.9 months (n = 6) and 27.7 ± 25.2 months (n = 5) among the patients with low HR and with high HR, respectively (P < .001). The HR (< 80 beats/min) was a negative predictor of PE recurrence (OR 0.071 (0.090-0.572), P = .013; HR 0.091 (0.016-0.523), P = .007), even after the adjustment for age, BMI, albumin, risk stratification, surgery, immobility ≥ 4 days, the blood cells counts, bilirubin and complications. The cumulative recurrence-free rates of PE recurrence at the 1st-, 2nd-, 5th-, and 10th-years for the low HR group were 100%, 100%, 87.5%, and 58.3%, compared to the 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-years of 94.0%, 93.4%, and 48.0% for the high HR group (log-rank = 0.019). The low HR (< 80 beats/min at diagnosis) among elderly (≥ 50 years old) female patients at APE diagnosis would benefit to the long-term PE recurrence. But limited recurrent cases should be noted.

Prediction of breast cancer and axillary positive-node response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging radiomics models.

PURPOSE: Accurate identification of primary breast cancer and axillary positive-node response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is important for determining appropriate surgery strategies. We aimed to develop combining models based on breast multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging and clinicopathologic characteristics for predicting therapeutic response of primary tumor and axillary positive-node prior to treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 268 breast cancer patients who completed NAC and underwent surgery were enrolled. Radiomics features and clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed through the analysis of variance and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm. Finally, 24 and 28 optimal features were selected to construct machine learning models based on 6 algorithms for predicting each clinical outcome, respectively. The diagnostic performances of models were evaluated in the testing set by the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. RESULTS: Of the 268 patients, 94 (35.1 %) achieved breast cancer pathological complete response (bpCR) and of the 240 patients with clinical positive-node, 120 (50.0 %) achieved axillary lymph node pathological complete response (apCR). The multi-layer perception (MLP) algorithm yielded the best diagnostic performances in predicting apCR with an AUC of 0.825 (95 % CI, 0.764-0.886) and an accuracy of 77.1 %. And MLP also outperformed other models in predicting bpCR with an AUC of 0.852 (95 % CI, 0.798-0.906) and an accuracy of 81.3 %. CONCLUSIONS: Our study established non-invasive combining models to predict the therapeutic response of primary breast cancer and axillary positive-node prior to NAC, which may help to modify preoperative treatment and determine post-NAC surgery strategy.

Path Analysis of Self-Efficacy, Coping Style and Resilience on Depression in Patients with Recurrent Schizophrenia.

Purpose: Based on the two mediating variables of self-efficacy and coping style, a multiple mediating model was constructed to explore the mechanism by which psychological resilience affects depression in patients with recurrent schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 210 patients with recurrent schizophrenia who were hospitalized in a tertiary hospital in Hunan Province, China, were enrolled. The Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), General Self-Efficacy Energy Scale (GSES) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were used to evaluate resilience, self-efficacy, coping style and depression. Path analysis was performed by constructing a structural equation model, and the mediating effect between variables was verified by the bias-corrected nonparametric percentile bootstrap method. Results: Resilience, self-efficacy and positive coping together explained 53.2% of the variance in depression. (1) The total scores of self-efficacy, coping style, resilience and depression in patients with recurrent schizophrenia were 2.54±0.61, 31.73±9.62, 58.06±17.26 and 50.48±12.55, respectively. (2) Pearson analysis showed that the scores of self-efficacy, positive coping, resilience and depression were significantly correlated with depression (r=-0.24-0.51, P<0.01). (3) The path analysis showed that resilience directly affects depression (ß=-0.401); additionally, resilience indirectly affects depression through self-efficacy (ß=-0.179) and through the chain mediating effect of self-efficacy and positive coping style (ß=-0.024). Conclusion: There is a high incidence of depression in patients with recurrent schizophrenia in China, and intervention is needed. This research revealed that resilience directly affects depression in patients with recurrent schizophrenia and that self-efficacy and positive coping play a part in mediating resilience and depression in patients with recurrent schizophrenia in China. Implementing targeted interventions based on action paths to improve the level of resilience and reduce the incidence of depression has guiding significance in the field of occupational rehabilitation of patients with recurrent schizophrenia.

New insights into breast microcalcification for poor prognosis: NACT cohort and bone metastasis evaluation cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to analyze the poor prognosis of microcalcification in breast cancer (BC), including the pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and the risk of bone metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 313 breast cancer patients received NACT to evaluate pCR and 1182 patients from a multicenter database to assess bone metastases were retrospectively included. Two groups were divided according to the presence or absence of mammography microcalcification. Clinical data, image characteristics, neoadjuvant treatment response, bone involvement, and follow-up information were recorded. The pCR and bone metastases were compared between subgroups using the Mann-Whitney and χ2 tests and logistic regression, respectively. RESULTS: Mammographic microcalcification was associated with a lower pCR than uncalcified BC in the NACT cohort (20.6% vs 31.6%, P = 0.029). Univariate and multivariate analysis suggested that calcification was a risk factor for poor NACT response [OR = 1.780, 95%CI (1.065-2.974), P = 0.028], [OR = 2.352, 95%CI (1.186-4.667), P = 0.014]. Microcalcification was more likely to be necrosis on MRI than those without microcalcification (53.0% vs 31.7%, P < 0.001), multivariate analysis indicated that tumor necrosis was also a risk factor for poor NACT response [OR = 2.325, 95%CI (1.100-4.911), P = 0.027]. Age, menopausal status, breast density, mass, molecular, and pathology type were not significantly associated with non-pCR risk assessment. In a multicenter cohort of 1182 patients with pathologically confirmed BC, those with microcalcifications had a higher proportion of bone metastases compared to non-calcified BC (11.6% vs 4.9%, P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that microcalcification was an independent risk factor for bone metastasis [OR = 2.550, 95%CI (1.620-4.012), P < 0.001], [OR = 2.268(1.263-4.071), P = 0.006)]. Osteolytic bone metastases predominated but there was no statistical difference between the two groups (78.9% vs 60.7%, P = 0.099). Calcified BC was mainly involved in axial bone, but was more likely to involve the whole-body bone than non-calcified BC (33.8% vs 10.7%, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: This study provides important insights into the poor prognosis of microcalcification, not only in terms of poor response to NACT but also the risk factor of bone metastases.

[Correlation between interleukin-1 and the obesity of polycystic ovary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and the obesity of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: (1) From Oct. 2006 to Jan. 2007, 118 PCOS patients were enrolled in this study in Peking University Third Hospital, which were divided into 56 patients in obese PCOS group and 62 patients in non-obese PCOS group according to the WHO International Obesity Task Force Asia-Pacific criteria [body mass index (BMI) 25 kg/m(2)]. The polymorphism of IL-1ß gene promoter region, exon-5 and intron 2 of IL-1ra gene were detected by PCR. (2) Twenty-nine obese PCOS patients and 31 non-obese PCOS patients were selected randomizedly serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-1ra were measured by ELISA, in the mean time, serum levels of fasting glucose, fasting insulin and the total white blood cell, hypersensitive C-reactive protein levels were measured. RESULTS: (1) Genetic test:the frequency of TT genotype and T allele of IL-1ß promoter region (-511) in obese PCOS patients were significantly higher than those in non-obese patients (44.6% vs. 11.3%, 63.4% vs. 39.5%, all P < 0.05). The frequency of IL-1raI/V genotype and V allele of IL-1ra gene were 19.6% and 9.8% in obese PCOS patients, which were significantly higher than those in non-obese group (3.2% and 1.6%, P < 0.05). (2) Serological test:serum level of IL-1ß and IL-1ra of (149 ± 36) and (284 ± 97) ng/L in obese PCOS group which were significantly higher than those in non-obese PCOS group [(96 ± 42) and (208 ± 84) ng/L, P < 0.05]. Fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and hypersensitive C-reactive protein and white blood cell count were (5.1 ± 0.7) mmol/L, (17 ± 9) mU/L, (1.5 ± 0.6) mg/L and (7.0 ± 2.3) × 10(9)/L in obese PCOS group, which were significantly higher than in non-obese PCOS group [(4.9 ± 0.5) mmol/L, (11 ± 8) mU/L, (0.9 ± 0.4) mg/L and (5.9 ± 1.3) × 10(9)/L, P < 0.05]. (3)The correlation between interleukin and BMI: serum levels of IL-1ß (r = 0.673) and IL-1ra (r = 0.557) were positively correlated with BMI in PCOS patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory factors IL-1ß and IL-1ra had correlation with obesity of PCOS patients, PCOS patients who carried T allele of IL-1ß gene promoter region (-511) and V allele of IL-1ra gene were high risk of obesity.

Elevated Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in People Living with HIV.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been generally considered as a highly adaptive and rapidly evolving virus. It still constitutes a major public health problem all over the world despite an effective outcome in the prevention and reversal of the development and prognosis by using antiretroviral therapy. The salient question lies in the more frequent emergence of a series of comorbidities along with the prolongation of the life, which deeply affects the survival in such group. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been recognized to be the third most common cardiovascular condition within people living with HIV (PWH). In terms of its mechanism of action, the occurrence of VTE is quite multifactorial and complex in HIV. Prior exploration concerning the etiology of VTE in PWH identifies general, disease-specific, and miscellaneous factors for explaining its occurrence and development. VTE has constituted an important role in PWH and may increase its all-cause mortality. Therefore, it is quite necessary to understand VTE from the following aspects of epidemiology, pathophysiology, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic interventions so as to balance the risks and benefits of anticoagulation and optimize corresponding treatment.

Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy on the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Resilience in Patients with Recurrent Schizophrenia in China.

Purpose: To explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between perceived social support and resilience in patients with recurrent schizophrenia in China. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 176 patients with recurrent schizophrenia who were hospitalized in a tertiary hospital in Hunan Province, China, completed a general data questionnaire, the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the General Self-Efficacy Energy Scale (GSES). Results: Among the 176 patients, the mean GSES score was 2.02±0.61, the mean PSSS score was 56.77±14.61, and the mean CD-RISC score was 58.06±17.26. Self-efficacy played a partial mediating role between social support and resilience, and the mediating effect accounted for 42.56% of the total effect. Conclusion: The resilience level of patients with recurrent schizophrenia in China is moderate and needs to be improved. This research revealed that self-efficacy played a part in mediating perceived social support and resilience in patients with recurrent schizophrenia in China. Perceived social support can indirectly affect resilience in patients with recurrent schizophrenia through self-efficacy. Comprehensive interventions in perceived social support and self-efficacy would help to improve the resilience of patients with recurrent schizophrenia.

Wolbachia wAlbB remains stable in Aedes aegypti over 15 years but exhibits genetic background-dependent variation in virus blocking.

The ability of the maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia to induce cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and virus blocking makes it a promising weapon for combatting mosquito-borne diseases through either suppression or replacement of wild-type populations. Recent field trials show that both approaches significantly reduce the incidence of dengue fever in humans. However, new questions emerge about how Wolbachia-mosquito associations will co-evolve over time and whether Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking will be affected by the genetic diversity of mosquitoes and arboviruses in the real world. Here, we have compared the Wolbachia density and CI expression of two wAlbB-infected Aedes aegypti lines transinfected 15 years apart. We have also assessed wAlbB-mediated virus blocking against dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses and examined whether host genetic backgrounds modulate viral blocking effects by comparing ZIKV infection in mosquitoes with a Mexican genetic background to those with a Singaporean background. Our results show that over 15 years, wAlbB maintained the capacity to form a stable association with Ae. aegypti in terms of both density and CI expression. There were variations in wAlbB-induced virus blocking against CHIKV, DENV, and ZIKV, and higher inhibitory effects on ZIKV in mosquitoes on the Singaporean genetic background than on the Mexican background. These results provide important information concerning the robustness and long-term stability of Wolbachia as a biocontrol agent for arbovirus disease control.

Is interleukin-18 associated with polycystic ovary syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Recent research show that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with low-grade chronic inflammation, IL-18 is considered as a strong risk marker of inflammation. METHODS: To investigate serum IL-18 concentrations in PCOS patients and focus on its relationship between obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Sixty consecutive women with PCOS and thirty controls were recruited. Serum level of IL-18 and fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) were measured. RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-18 was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group. Serum level of IL-18 was higher in the PCOS group with IR than in the PCOS group without IR. Serum level of IL-18 was higher in obese PCOS patients than in lean PCOS patients. Serum level of IL-18 was higher in lean PCOS patients than in the lean control group. Serum level of IL-18 in the PCOS group was positively related to BMI, IR index and T. CONCLUSION: IL-18 level was increased in PCOS patients, and correlated with insulin resistance, obesity and hyperandrogenism.

Relationship between stressful life events, coping styles, and schizophrenia relapse.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between stressful life events, coping styles, and schizophrenia relapse. The sample for this study included 248 patients with schizophrenia from a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Hunan Province, China. Stressful life events, occurrence of schizophrenia relapse, and coping style were assessed by the Scale for the Social Readjustment Rating, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were adopted to explore the relationships among coping styles, schizophrenia relapse, and stressful life events. Stressful life events and negative coping exhibited significant positive association with schizophrenia relapse, while positive coping exhibited a significant negative association with schizophrenia relapse. Stressful life events and positive coping exerted significant effects on schizophrenia relapse, while negative coping did not. We also found that both positive coping and negative coping have moderating effects on the relationship between stressful life events and schizophrenia relapse, but the relationship is weak. The study highlighted the importance of interventions designed to reduce stressful life events, promote positive coping, and address negative coping in patients with schizophrenia.

Prevalence of simian malaria parasites in macaques of Singapore.

Plasmodium knowlesi is a simian malaria parasite currently recognized as the fifth causative agent of human malaria. Recently, naturally acquired P. cynomolgi infection in humans was also detected in Southeast Asia. The main reservoir of both parasites is the long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, which are indigenous in this region. Due to increased urbanization and changes in land use, there has been greater proximity and interaction between the long-tailed macaques and the general population in Singapore. As such, this study aims to determine the prevalence of simian malaria parasites in local macaques to assess the risk of zoonosis to the general human population. Screening for the presence of malaria parasites was conducted on blood samples from 660 peridomestic macaques collected between Jan 2008 and Mar 2017, and 379 wild macaques collected between Mar 2009 and Mar 2017, using a Pan-Plasmodium-genus specific PCR. Positive samples were then screened using a simian Plasmodium species-specific nested PCR assay to identify the species of parasites (P. knowlesi, P. coatneyi, P. fieldi, P. cynomolgi, and P. inui) present. All the peridomestic macaques sampled were tested negative for malaria, while 80.5% of the 379 wild macaques were infected. All five simian Plasmodium species were detected; P. cynomolgi being the most prevalent (71.5%), followed by P. knowlesi (47.5%), P. inui (42.0%), P. fieldi (32.5%), and P. coatneyi (28.5%). Co-infection with multiple species of Plasmodium parasites was also observed. The study revealed that Singapore's wild long-tailed macaques are natural hosts of the five simian malaria parasite species, while no malaria was detected in all peridomestic macaques tested. Therefore, the risk of simian malaria transmission to the general human population is concluded to be low. However, this can be better demonstrated with the incrimination of the vectors of simian malaria parasites in Singapore.

Association of polymorphisms of interleukin-18 gene promoter region with polycystic ovary syndrome in chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Recent research shows that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with low-grade chronic inflammation, and that PCOS may induce an increase in serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels. METHODS: To investigate the polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene promoters with PCOS, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of the IL-18 gene (at positions -607C/A and -137G/C) in 118 Chinese women with PCOS and 79 controls were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the genotype distribution, allele frequency and haplotype frequency between the PCOS and control groups. Further analysis demonstrated a relationship between IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and PCOS insulin resistance (IR). Regarding the -137 allele frequency, G and C allele frequencies were 93.5% and 6.5%, respectively, in the PCOS with IR patients; G and C allele frequencies were 85.4% and 14.6%, respectively, in PCOS patients without IR (chi2 = 3.601, P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a polymorphism in the IL-18 gene was found to have no correlation with the occurrence of PCOS. Carriage of the C allele at position -137 in the promoter of the IL-18 gene may play a protective role from the development of PCOS IR.

Down-regulation of lysosomal protein ABCB6 increases gossypol susceptibility in Helicoverpa armigera.

Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is the major insect herbivore of cotton plants. As its larvae feed and grow on cotton, H. armigera can likely tolerate gossypol, the main defense metabolite produced by cotton plants, through detoxification and sequestration mechanisms. Recent reports have shown that various P450 monooxygenases and UDP-glycosyltransferases in H. armigera are involved in gossypol detoxification, while the roles of ABC transporters, another gene family widely associated with metabolite detoxification, remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that ingestion of gossypol-infused artificial diet and cotton leaves significantly induced the expression of HaABCB6 in H. armigera larvae. Knockdown and knockout of HaABCB6 increased sensitivity of H. armigera larvae to gossypol. Moreover, HaABCB6-GFP fusion protein was localized on lysosomes in Hi5 cells and its overexpression significantly enhanced gossypol tolerance in vitro. These experimental results strongly support that HaABCB6 plays an important role in gossypol detoxification by H. armigera.