Traditional Pediatric Massage Enhanced Hippocampal GR, BDNF and IGF-1 Expressions and Exerted an Anti-depressant Effect in an Adolescent Rat Model of CUMS-induced Depression.

This study aimed to investigate the anti-depressant effect of traditional pediatric massage (TPM) in adolescent rats and its possible mechanism. The adolescent depression model in rats was established by using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). All rats were randomly divided into five groups (seven per group), including the groups of control (CON), CUMS, CUMS with TPM, CUMS with back stroking massage (BSM) and CUMS with fluoxetine (FLX). The tests of sucrose preference, Morris water maze and elevated plus maze were used to evaluate depression-related behaviors. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) level was measured by ELISA. The gene and protein expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured by RT-qPCR and IHC respectively. The results showed that CUMS induced depression-related behaviors in the adolescent rats, along with decreased weight gain and reduced hippocampal expressions of GR, IGF-1 and BDNF. TPM could effectively prevent depression-related behaviors in CUMS-exposed adolescent rats, manifested as increasing weight gain, sucrose consumption, ratio of open-arm entry, times of crossing the specific quadrant and shortening escape latency. TPM also decreased CORT level in plasma, together with enhancing expressions of GR, IGF-1 and BDNF in the hippocampus. These results may support the clinical application of TPM to prevent and treat adolescent depression.

Parent-Performed Infant Massage for Improving Parental Mental State Within 18 Months Postpartum: A Systematic Review.

The aim of the current review was to assess whether parent-performed infant massage (PPIM) could effectively improve the mental state of parents during the postpartum period. Several international electronic databases were thoroughly searched for relevant articles. Included studies observed the influence of PPIM on the mental state of parents of healthy full-term infants within 18 months postpartum or medically stable preterm infants during hospitalization after birth. Nine studies were included, which observed one or more aspects of parental mental state, including depression, anxiety, parental stress, or general mood state. Characteristics of participants, massage protocols, and outcome measures were heterogenous; hence, results regarding the influence of PPIM on parental mental state were inconsistent. Upon further investigation, 10-minute, home-based PPIM for at least 4 weeks is advisable for maternal depression within 5 months postpartum. Moreover, PPIM in a neonatal intensive care unit is advisable for improving the general mood of mothers of preterm infants. Additional methodologically rigorous studies are needed to provide stronger evidence. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(4), 52-59.].

Increased Hippocampal Glucocorticoid Receptor Expression and Reduced Anxiety-Like Behavior Following Tuina in a Rat Model With Allergic Airway Inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the influence mechanism of Tuina on anxiety-like behavior in immature rats with allergic airway inflammation (AAI). METHODS: A total of 27 Sprague-Dawley male rats (aged ∼5 weeks) were divided randomly into control, AAI, and AAI with Tuina groups (9 rats per group). The anxiety-like behavior was assessed by an open field test and elevated plus-maze test. Allergic airway inflammation was assessed based on the pathological score of the lung, plasma ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E, interleukin 4, interleukin 5, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) messenger RNA and protein expression in the hippocampus and lung were detected by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Meanwhile, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) messenger RNA in the hypothalamus, the plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone were also determined respectively by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) function. RESULTS: The AAI group had obvious anxiety-like behavior and hyperactive HPA axis, along with decreased GR expression in the hippocampus and lung. Following Tuina, AAI and the anxiety-like behavior were efficiently reduced, and the hyperactivity of HPA axis was efficiently inhibited, along with enhanced GR expression in the hippocampus and lung. CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoid receptor expression in the hippocampus and lung was enhanced, and anxiety-like behavior was reduced following Tuina in rats with AAI.

Transmission patterns of COVID-19 in the mainland of China and the efficacy of different control strategies: a data- and model-driven study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has seriously endangered the health and lives of Chinese people. In this study, we predicted the COVID-19 epidemic trend and estimated the efficacy of several intervention strategies in the mainland of China. METHODS: According to the COVID-19 epidemic status, we constructed a compartmental model. Based on reported data from the National Health Commission of People's Republic of China during January 10-February 17, 2020, we estimated the model parameters. We then predicted the epidemic trend and transmission risk of COVID-19. Using a sensitivity analysis method, we estimated the efficacy of several intervention strategies. RESULTS: The cumulative number of confirmed cases in the mainland of China will be 86 763 (95% CI: 86 067-87 460) on May 2, 2020. Up until March 15, 2020, the case fatality rate increased to 6.42% (95% CI: 6.16-6.68%). On February 23, 2020, the existing confirmed cases reached its peak, with 60 890 cases (95% CI: 60 350-61 431). On January 23, 2020, the effective reproduction number was 2.620 (95% CI: 2.567-2.676) and had dropped below 1.0 since February 5, 2020. Due to governmental intervention, the total number of confirmed cases was reduced by 99.85% on May 2, 2020. Had the isolation been relaxed from February 24, 2020, there might have been a second peak of infection. However, relaxing the isolation after March 16, 2020 greatly reduced the number of existing confirmed cases and deaths. The total number of confirmed cases and deaths would increase by 8.72 and 9.44%, respectively, due to a 1-day delayed diagnosis in non-isolated infected patients. Moreover, if the coverage of close contact tracing was increased to 100%, the cumulative number of confirmed cases would be decreased by 88.26% on May 2, 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The quarantine measures adopted by the Chinese government since January 23, 2020 were necessary and effective. Postponing the relaxation of isolation, early diagnosis, patient isolation, broad close-contact tracing, and strict monitoring of infected persons could effectively control the COVID-19 epidemic. April 1, 2020 would be a reasonable date to lift quarantine in Hubei and Wuhan.