[Association of sleep duration and physical exercise with dyslipidemia in older adults aged 80 years and over in China].

Objective: To explore the impact of sleep duration, physical exercise, and their interactions on the risk of dyslipidemia in older adults aged ≥80 (the oldest old) in China. Methods: The study subjects were the oldest old from four rounds of Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2014 and 2017-2018). The information about their demographic characteristics, lifestyles, physical examination results and others were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were collected from them for blood lipid testing. Competing risk model was used to analyze the causal associations of sleep duration and physical exercise with the risk for dyslipidemia. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) function was used to explore the dose-response relationship between sleep duration and the risk for dyslipidemia. Additive and multiplicative interaction model were used to explore the interaction of sleep duration and physical exercise on the risk for dyslipidemia. Results: The average age of 1 809 subjects was (93.1±7.7) years, 65.1% of them were women. The average sleep duration of the subjects was (8.0±2.5) hours/day, 28.1% of them had sleep duration for less than 7 hours/day, and 27.2% had sleep for duration more than 9 hours/day at baseline survey. During the 9-year cumulative follow-up of 6 150.6 person years (follow-up of average 3.4 years for one person), there were 304 new cases of dyslipidemia, with an incidence density of 4 942.6/100 000 person years. The results of competitive risk model analysis showed that compared with those who slept for 7-9 hours/day, the risk for dyslipidemia in oldest old with sleep duration >9 hours/day increased by 22% (HR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.07-1.39). Compared with the oldest old having no physical exercise, the risk for dyslipidemia in the oldest old having physical exercise decreased by 33% (HR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.57-0.78). The RCS function showed a linear positive dose-response relationship between sleep duration and the risk for hyperlipidemia. The interaction analysis showed that physical exercise and sleep duration had an antagonistic effect on the risk for hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: Physical exercise could reduce the adverse effects of prolonged sleep on blood lipids in the oldest old.

Drug use and its associated factors among money boys in Hunan Province, China.

OBJECTIVES: To describe drug use, types of drugs and related factors among money boys in Hunan Province, China. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2012 and January 2013. METHODS: Based on respondent-driven sampling, researchers located seven 'seeds' via a gay-dating website: http://www.ixxqy.org. After three waves of recruitment, 234 money boys were enrolled. They were asked to complete a 23-item questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, drug use, a history of human immunodeficiency virus infection and family environment. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 20.0. RESULTS: In total, 205 valid questionnaires were collected. Based on the data collected, 80 (39.0%) money boys had used drugs within the last 3 months. Rush popper (36.6%) and methamphetamine (12.7%) were used most commonly, and other drugs used were ecstasy (7.8%), ketamine (5.9%), marijuana (2.4%), morphine (1.5%), heroin (1.0%) and cocaine (0.5%). Factors included in the logistic regression were length of service (odds ratio [OR] 0.395, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.175-0.896), being an only child (OR 2.272, 95% CI 1.108-4.659), relationship between parents (OR 0.428, 95% CI 0.213-0.858) and social network (OR 2.387, 95% CI 1.144-4.970). A shorter length of service and a good relationship between parents were protective factors against drug use, while being an only child and having a wide social network were risk factors. CONCLUSION: Drug use is common among money boys. This study found that length of service, being an only child, relationship between parents and social network are associated with drug use.

Conjugated linoleic acids alleviate the immunosuppression of peripheral blood T lymphocytes in broiler chickens exposed to cyclosporin A.

The immunoregulatory actions of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) of relevance immunosuppression were investigated. To test the hypothesis that CLA ameliorate immunosuppression, we developed the immunosuppressive model of peripheral blood T lymphocytes in broiler chickens induced by cyclosporin A. Peripheral blood T lymphocytes of broiler chickens were cultured with media containing various concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 µmol/L) of c9, t11-CLA and t10, c12-CLA to investigate the effects of CLA isomers on peripheral blood T lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin-2, the activity of phospholipase C, and protein kinase C production. Results suggested that CLA alleviated the immunosuppression of T lymphocytes in broiler chickens exposed to cyclosporin A through increasing of peripheral blood T lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin-2. The 2 CLA isomers enhanced T lymphocyte proliferation at low concentration and inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation at high concentration. In addition, the effect of c9, t11-CLA was better than that of t10, c12-CLA. At the cellular level, the effects of CLA on the alleviation of immunosuppression in T lymphocytes are mainly attributable to increasing the signaling molecules, such as phospholipase C and protein kinase C.

Conjugated linoleic acids alleviate infectious bursal disease virus-induced immunosuppression in broiler chickens.

The immunoregulatory actions of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) of relevance to viral disease pathogenesis and immune responses were investigated. To test the hypothesis that CLA ameliorates immunosuppression, we developed a viral challenge model by infecting chickens with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). After 14 d of dietary supplementation with either soybean oil or CLA, half of the chickens in each group were challenged with IBDV. We examined the effect of CLA on the development of lesions (i.e., lymphoid depletion and necrosis) and observed the immune responses against IBDV. The IBDV infection depleted lymphocytes in the medullary area and significantly stimulated interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-6 mRNA relative expression of bursa (P < 0.05) compared with the uninfected bursa. Compared with the CLA diet, lymphocytes depletion was more accentuated in chickens fed the control diet, whereas IFN-γ and IL-6 mRNA relative expression were upregulated (P < 0.05). Additionally, histopathological examination of the bursa revealed that the pathological changes tended to be more severe in infected chickens fed the control diet, which also significantly decreased (P < 0.05) on lymphocyte proliferation. Significant interactions were found between infection and diets for lymphocyte proliferation, antibody titers, and IFN-γ mRNA relative expression (P < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that dietary CLA enhanced immune function in chickens, particularly those of the IBDV-immunosuppressive status. Furthermore, at the molecular level, the immunoregulatory functions of CLA on chickens are attributable mainly to the antiinflammatory properties of CLA and are mediated, at least in part, through suppressing IBDV-specific proinflammatory cytokines mRNA relative expression.

The effect of glucagon-like peptide 2 injection on performance, small intestinal morphology, and nutrient transporter expression of stressed broiler chickens.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of injecting glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) on the small intestinal weight, morphology, and nutrient transporter expression in pharmacologically stressed broiler chickens. A total of 144 seven-day-old birds were fed either a basal diet (CTRL) or a basal diet plus 30 mg of corticosterone (CORT)/kg of diet for a total of 14 d. Half of the birds from each group were injected daily with GLP-2 (6.7 nmol/kg of BW) or saline for 14 d. The average final BW, ADG, ADFI, and the ratio of feed intake to weight gain (F:G) was recorded over 21 d for the 4 groups of 36 birds, namely CTRL + saline, CTRL + GLP-2, CORT + saline, and CORT + GLP-2. In addition, the absolute and relative small intestinal weight, villus height (VH), and crypt depth (CD) of the duodenum and jejunum, as well as the abundance of sodium and glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT-1), vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein-28,000 molecular weight (CaBP-D28k), and peptide transporter 1 (PepT-1) mRNA in the duodenum and of liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) mRNA in the jejunum. The total DNA, RNA, and protein content in small intestinal mucosa were also determined. The results showed that CORT administration significantly lowered average final BW, ADG, ADFI, absolute small intestinal weight, VH, and CD of duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05) while increasing the relative small intestinal weight, F:G, relative abundance of SGLT-1, CaBP-D28k, PepT-1, and L-FABP mRNA (P < 0.05). Glucagon-like peptide 2 injection increased the average final BW, ADG, VH, and CD in duodenum and jejunum and relative abundance of SGLT-1, CaBP-28k, PepT1, and PepT1 mRNA of broiler chickens, respectively (P < 0.05), and decreased F:G (P < 0.05). In chickens fed basal diet plus CORT, injecting GLP-2 decreased F:G (P < 0.05); increased VH and CD of duodenum and CD of jejunum; and increased relative abundance of SGLT-1, CaBP-D28k, PepT-1, and L-FABP mRNA, RNA, and total protein content in small intestine compared with the injection of saline (P < 0.05). In birds fed the basal diet, GLP-2 injection decreased F:G (P < 0.05) and increased final BW, ADG, small bowel weight, CD of jejunum, and relative abundance of CaBP-D28k and PepT-1 mRNA compared with injecting saline (P < 0.05). In conclusion, GLP-2 injection reversed the negative effect of stress on the weight and morphology and the absorptive function of small bowel of broiler chickens. Glucagon-like peptide 2 injection also had a positive effect on the growth performance of healthy broiler chickens.

Pilot study to assess the viability of a rape trauma syndrome questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have revealed that rape victims undergo a number of psychological symptoms following the attack, which constitute a specific syndrome termed the rape trauma syndrome (RTS). Evidence of the RTS has been admitted as scientific testimony in the prosecution of sexual offences and has been integral in their successful conviction. The present study aims to assess the viability of a questionnaire designed to identify the RTS in victims of alleged rape. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A 77-item rape trauma syndrome questionnaire (RTSQ) was developed and administered to 30 women who reported rape and 57 nurses who formed the control group. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Windows Version 6.0). RESULTS: Statistical analysis suggested that the questionnaire was internally consistent and effective in uncovering significant differences between rape victims and controls in their experience of rape trauma symptoms. Rape victims scored significantly higher than controls on the RTS scale. Those who faked rape were also found to endorse a greater number of the rape trauma symptoms than actual rape victims, as well as a greater number of fictitious and unlikely symptoms. CONCLUSION: This pilot study confirmed the viability of the RTSQ and paves the way for a more rigorous examination of its reliability and validity. In the future, the questionnaire may be of use in ascertaining the veracity of victims' claims of rape in the conviction of sexual offences where circumstances are equivocal.

The relationship between stress and absenteeism.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND OF STUDY: Three hundred and sixty three subjects from various civil service organisations were administered the SCOPE-i (Stress, Coping and Personality Inventory) as part of the Institute of Mental Health's efforts to promote mental health in the workplace. AIM OF STUDY: This study examines the relationship between stress-related factors and absenteeism. Absenteeism is measured by the number of days of medical leave taken (MC) and self-report of minor illnesses (MI) which are not severe enough to warrant the coverage of a medical certificate. RESULTS: In this study, we are interested in the differences between MI and MC, and their respective relationships with stress-related factors. We hypothesised that MI, rather than MC, is more related to poor workplace conditions. The findings of this study support this hypothesis. Thus if workplace environment is stressful, people are still likely to come to work despite their illness. An interesting observation in this study is the different ways in which environmental stressors and psychosocial aspects of the workplace environment affect the MC variable. Individuals are more likely to take MC when the environmental stressors are high (i.e., poor lighting, uncomfortable temperatures, etc) as compared to poor psychosocial environmental conditions (e.g., work overload, high organisational tension, career limitations and high personal constraints). On the other hand, when faced with poor psychosocial environmental conditions, MI increases instead of MC. CONCLUSION: These findings have implications on the types of changes in a workplace which employers should make in order to decrease MC and improve physical well-being. In addition, the study shows the usefulness of MI in future studies as a dependent variable.

Psychological and psychiatric investigations of HIV infection in Singapore.

A psychosocial study was carried out on 10 out of the 18 HIV positive persons who were under surveillance and receiving counselling at either Middle Road Hospital or the Communicable Disease Centre in February 1988. The results of the psychological testing and psychiatric findings are presented. All 10 were male: 9 of them were homosexual and 1 heterosexual. Only one had significant depressive symptoms at the time of study. All had fears about their infection being found out by others and of the stigma that this might bring to their families. Psychometric tests on memory function did not show any signs of visuo-verbal memory impairment but did reveal a possible indication of audio-verbal memory dysfunction.

Male transsexualism in Singapore: a description of 56 cases.

A psychiatric investigation on 56 cases of male transsexuals in Singapore revealed a prevalence of I in 25,000. Eighty-two per cent were prostitutes and 83 per cent had completed secondary education. All were unmarried, and 35 per cent were co-habiting with men. Fifty-eight per cent had felt they were females before the age of 5, 65 per cent cross-dressed before the age of 10, and by the age of 20, 57 per cent were completely cross-dressed of whom 73 per cent were receiving female sex hormones. Their mean IQ was 105. Thirty-two (58 per cent) underwent sexual reassignment surgery. There was no report of psychiatric complications. It was concluded that transsexualism as described by different authors may not refer to the same condition. Aetiologically, these cases did not appear to be determined by early childhood experience.