Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed the response mechanism of pepper roots to Phytophthora capsici infection.

BACKGROUND: Phytophthora root rot caused by the oomycete Phytophthora capsici is the most devastating disease in pepper production worldwide, and current management strategies have not been effective in preventing this disease. Therefore, the use of resistant varieties was regarded as an important part of disease management of P. capsici. However, our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the defense response of pepper roots to P. capsici infection is limited. METHODS: A comprehensive transcriptome and metabolome approaches were used to dissect the molecular response of pepper to P. capsici infection in the resistant genotype A204 and the susceptible genotype A198 at 0, 24 and 48 hours post-inoculation (hpi). RESULTS: More genes and metabolites were induced at 24 hpi in A204 than A198, suggesting the prompt activation of defense responses in the resistant genotype, which can attribute two proteases, subtilisin-like protease and xylem cysteine proteinase 1, involved in pathogen recognition and signal transduction in A204. Further analysis indicated that the resistant genotype responded to P. capsici with fine regulation by the Ca2+- and salicylic acid-mediated signaling pathways, and then activation of downstream defense responses, including cell wall reinforcement and defense-related genes expression and metabolites accumulation. Among them, differentially expressed genes and differentially accumulated metabolites involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways were uniquely activated in the resistant genotype A204 at 24 hpi, indicating a significant role of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways in pepper resistance to P. capsici. CONCLUSION: The candidate transcripts may provide genetic resources that may be useful in the improvement of Phytophthora root rot-resistant characters of pepper. In addition, the model proposed in this study provides new insight into the defense response against P. capsici in pepper, and enhance our current understanding of the interaction of pepper-P. capsici.

Different outcomes of never-treated and treated patients with schizophrenia: 14-year follow-up study in rural China.

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcome of never-treated patients with schizophrenia is unclear. AIMS: To compare the 14-year outcomes of never-treated and treated patients with schizophrenia and to establish predictors for never being treated. METHOD: All participants with schizophrenia (n = 510) in Xinjin, Chengdu, China were identified in an epidemiological investigation of 123 572 people and followed up from 1994 to 2008. RESULTS: The results showed that there were 30.6%, 25.0% and 20.4% of patients who received no antipsychotic medication in 1994, 2004 and 2008 respectively. Compared with treated patients, those who were never treated in 2008 were significantly older, had significantly fewer family members, had higher rates of homelessness, death from other causes, being unmarried, living alone, being without a caregiver and poor family attitudes. Partial and complete remission in treated patients (57.3%) was significantly higher than that in the never-treated group (29.8%). Predictors of being in the never-treated group in 2008 encompassed baseline never-treated status, being without a caregiver and poor mental health status in 1994. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with schizophrenia still do not receive antipsychotic medication in rural areas of China. The 14-year follow-up showed that outcomes for the untreated group were worse. Community-based mental healthcare, health insurance and family intervention are crucial for earlier diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation in the community.

[Descriptive epidemiological study on disabilities attributed to non-dementia organic mental disorder in China].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence rates of disabilities attributed to non-dementia organic mental disorder and their demographic and regional distributions in China for supporting policy maker to prevent mental disabilities. METHODS: Using the data from the second China National Survey on Disability, the prevalence rates were statistically analysed. RESULTS: There were 1 200 people with non-dementia organic mental disabilities in 2 526 145 respondents, the point prevalence rate of disabilities attributed to non-dementia organic mental disorder was 0.475‰, ranking the third in all mental disabilities. Among the disabled, more male and more people with lower education level, being unemployed, divorced, widowed and unmarried were found. The decline of disability prevalence rates in different ethnic groups was found in the sequence of Uighur, Tibetan, Hui-Chinese (Muslims), Han-Chinese and Mongolian. The disability prevalence rates in Uighur and Tibetan were double higher than those in Han-Chinese and Hui-Chinese with statistical significances. The disability prevalence rates increased with age. Regarding the region distribution of non-dementia organic mental disabilities, the prevalence rate in western region was higher than that in eastern region. Among the eight economic regions, the prevalence rates in the underdeveloped southwest, south, northwest regions were significantly higher than those in the others. The proportions of extremely severe, severe, moderate, and mild disability were 36.8%, 17.0%, 14.3%, and 31.9%. The severest impairment on function of daily activities was found in the disabled. CONCLUSION: The proportion of non-dementia organic mental disabilities is relative high in all mental disabilities, therefore it should be focused for prevention and treatment. The disabled in males, with lower economic and education level, worse marital status, and being unemployed should receive more attention.

[Effect of Chlorambucil Combined with Ibrutinib on Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cell Line Jeko-1 and Its Related Mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the toxic effect of chlorambucil combined with ibrutinib on mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cell line Jeko-1 and its related mechanism. METHODS: The MCL cell line Jeko-1 was incubated with different concentrations of chlorambucil or ibrutinib or the combination of the two drugs, respectively. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation of the cells, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of BCL-2, caspase-3, PI3K, AKT and P-AKT. RESULTS: After Jeko-1 cells were treated with chlorambucil (3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 µmol/L) and ibrutinib (3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 µmol /L) alone for 24, 48, 72h respectively, the cell proliferation was inhibited in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the two drugs were applied in combination at low doses (single drug inhibition rate<50%), and the results showed that the combination of two drugs had a more significant inhibitory effect (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rate of the single drug group of chlorambucil (3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 µmol/L) and ibutinib (3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 µmol/L) was increased in a dose-dependent manner. The combination of the two drugs at low concentrations (3.125, 6.25, 12.5 µmol/L) could significantly increase the apoptosis rate compared with the corresponding concentration of single drug groups (all P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the protein expression levels of caspase-3 in Jeko-1 cells were upregulated, while the protein expression levels of BCL-2, PI3K, and p-AKT/AKT were downregulated after treatment with chlorambucil or ibrutinib alone. The combination of the two drugs could produce a synergistic effect on the expressions of the above-mentioned proteins, and the differences between the combination group and the single drug groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chlorambucil and ibrutinib can promote the apoptosis of MCL cell line Jeko-1, and combined application of the two drugs shows a synergistic effect, the mechanism may be associated with the AKT-related signaling pathways.

[Relationship between intestinal mucosal inflammation and mental disorders in patients with irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between inflammation and the comorbidity of mental disorders with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by comparing intestinal mucosa inflammatory biomarkers in patients with and without mental disorders. METHODS: A total of 43 consecutive IBS patients fulfilling the Rome III criteria and 15 volunteers serving as controls without digestive symptoms were recruited and interviewed with Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) by the well-trained staff and thus classified as with or without mental disorders. All subjects underwent colonoscopy and biopsies were acquired from the mucosa of distal ileum and colon. CD3(+) lymphocytes, mast cells, 5-HT positive cells and (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) IDO positive cells were identified immunohistologically in mucosa biopsies in volunteers (n = 13), IBS patients without mental disorder (n = 24) and IBS patients with mental disorder (n = 19). RESULTS: The incidence of mental disorders in IBS patients was significantly higher than that in the volunteers (19/43 vs 2/15, P = 0.012), including 9 patients with anxiety disorders and 8 with mood disorders. (1) The number of mast cells in IBS patients with mental disorder and that in IBS patients without mental disorder has no statistical significance ((16.7 ± 3.6)/HP vs (15.4 ± 3.1)/HP in distal ileum, (12.8 ± 2.2)/HP vs (12.3 ± 2.5)/HP in sigmoid, both P > 0.05). Similar results were seen in 5-HT positive cells ((3.7 ± 0.9)/HP vs (3.4 ± 0.8)/HP in distal ileum, (6.1 ± 1.8)/HP vs (5.2 ± 1.8)/HP in sigmoid, both P > 0.05). In distal ileum, the number of CD3(+) cells in IBS patients with mental disorder has no statistical significance with that in the IBS patients without mental disorder ((62 ± 16)/HP vs (55 ± 22)/HP, P > 0.05). Similar results were seen in IDO positive cells (6(2, 8)/HP vs 2(1, 5)/HP, P > 0.05). (2) The number of IDO positive cells from distal ileum in IBS patients with anxiety disorder was significantly higher than that in the IBS patients without mental disorder (6 (4,8) vs 2 (1,5), P = 0.018). The number of mast cells from distal ileum in the IBS patients with mood disorder were significantly higher than that in those without mental disorders ((18.3 ± 3.2)/HP vs (15.4 ± 3.1)/HP, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Mental disorders in the IBS patients may be associated with intestinal mucosal inflammation. The activation of IDO may cause the comorbidity of IBS with anxiety disorder while the activation of mast cells probably leads to the comorbidity of IBS with mood disorder.

[Psychiatric comorbidities in patients referred for irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients referred for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with questionnaires for mental disorders. METHODS: A total of 83 IBS patients at our hospital were enrolled and assessed with the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire for DSM-IV, version 4 (PDQ-4) and Composite International Diagnostic Interview, version 3.0 and 2.1 (CIDI-3.0 & CIDI-2.1) by trained interviewers. Such items as personality dysfunction, mental disorder and somatization disorder were examined. RESULTS: The male-female ratio was 1.08/1. Their mean age was (38 ± 14) years old. Among them, 20 patients (24.1%) were constipation-predominant, 31 (37.3%) diarrhea-predominant, 15 (18.1%) mixed and 17 (20.5%) unclassified type. (1) Sixty-two (74.7%) patients scored positive for any personality dysfunction. There was no significant gender difference. The cluster C (anxious-fearful) personality disorder was most commonly found in IBS patients (n = 58, 69.9%). The prevalence of somatoform disorders plus personality dysfunction was 46.8% (29/62). It was significantly higher than those without personality dysfunction [19.0% (4/21), P = 0.025]. (2) Thirty-seven patients (44.6%) had a lifetime CIDI-3.0 diagnosis. It was significantly higher than that in the general population. There was no gender difference. Anxiety and mood disorders were the most common types of psychiatric comorbidities [n = 21 (25.3%) and n = 19 (22.9%) respectively]. The lifetime prevalence of alcohol or nicotine abuse and(or) dependence and intermittent explosive disorder were 10.8% (n = 9) and 8.4% (n = 7). Psychiatric comorbidities were most commonly found in diarrhea-predominant patients (58.1%). But there was no significant difference among the subgroups. (3) Thirty-three patients (39.8%) had somatoform disorders. Neither gender nor subgroup difference was observed. The IBS patients with anxiety disorders presented significantly more somatoform disorders than the remainders [61.9% (13/21) vs 32.3% (20/62), P = 0.016]. CONCLUSION: Such psychiatric comorbidities as anxiety disorders and mood disorders are common in patients referred for IBS. The patients with personality dysfunction and(or) anxiety were more likely to suffer somatoform disorders. A gastroenterologist should grasp a thorough knowledge and make appropriate therapeutic recommendations for those patients.

[Significance of sleep problems in the diagnosis of depressive and anxiety disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the significance of sleep problems in the diagnosis of depressive and anxiety disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted through stratified convenient sampling in outpatients at our hospital from November 19, 2009 to January 19, 2010. A total of 203 outpatients (≥ 16 years old) were recruited from Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and other departments. Sleep Questionnaire was used as a screening tool for depressive and anxiety disorders. Composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI) was conducted by trained interviewers. According to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) using the outcome from the logistic diagnostic procedure of CIDI as a golden standard for depressive and anxiety disorders, the validities of Sleep Questionnaire were calculated. RESULTS: According to the Sleep Questionnaire, the 12-month prevalence of any sleep problem was 31.0% (63/203). The Cronbach's α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.764 and the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve 0.741. With a cut-off point of 1, the sensitivity was 68.0% and the specificity 74.2% respectively. And it achieved the best composite diagnostic capacity. The positive predictive values were at least 27.0%. CONCLUSION: Sleep problem is a common complaint at a general hospital. When the duration and severity of sleep problem meet the standards of Sleep Questionnaire, a physician should be aware of possible depressive and anxiety disorders and more detailed information should be collected.

Individual and societal impact on earnings associated with serious mental illness in metropolitan China.

To evaluate individual-level and societal-level losses of income associated with serious mental illness in metropolitan China, a multi-stage probability survey was administered to adults aged 18-70 years in Beijing and Shanghai. We used data to estimate individual-level expected earnings from a model that included information about the respondents' education level, marital status, age, and gender. Expected earnings were compared to observed earnings among respondents with mental illness and serious disability. The result shows that the 12-month prevalence of such serious mental illness was 0.6%. Its impact on earnings was significant in the total sample and was higher for males (76% of gender-specific expected salary was lost) than for females (32%). When projected to societal level, the annual impact was estimated to be 466 million Renminbi (RMB 8.27=USD 1), less than 0.2% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the two cities. Serious mental illness was associated with a substantial decrease in individual-level earnings, but the burden that resulted from societal-level loss of earnings was not large enough to help drive mental health policy and programs in China.

[Personality traits in patients referred for functional dyspepsia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ)-personality deviations in patients referred for functional dyspepsia (FD) with reliable and universal psychological measures, and to explore the relationship between co-occurring PDQ-personality deviations and functional dyspepsia. METHODS: The sample comprised 246 patients referred for functional dyspepsia. Four groups were divided according to their patterns of gastrointestinal symptoms: the FD group, FD with reflux-like symptom group (FD + RS group), FD with irritable bowel syndrome group (FD + IBS group), and FD with reflux-like symptom and irritable bowel syndrome group (FD + RS + IBS group). Participants were assessed with the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire for DSM-IV (PDQ-4) to evaluate the presence of personality deviations. RESULTS: Overall 65% patients scored positive for any personality deviation, male and female alike. Cluster C (anxious/fearful) personality was most commonly found in FD patients (142 patients, 57.7%). The FD + IBS group and the FD + RS + IBS group had significantly higher total PDQ scores than the FD group (23.39 ± 8.77 and 24.22 ± 10.97 vs 18.98 ± 11.88, P < 0.05, respectively), indicating that FD patients with greater level of personality deviations tend to report other symptoms involving the esophagus and lower gastrointestinal tract. Reflux-like symptom without actual pathological acid regurgitation indicated cluster A (odd/eccentric) personality deviations. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows personality deviations are common in patients referred for functional dyspepsia. Negative emotions, maladaptive coping, and lack of social support, may strongly influence their healthcare-seeking behavior. There is no single personality type specific for some kind of gastrointestinal symptom. But FD patients with personality deviations tend to report other symptoms involving the esophagus and lower gastrointestinal tract.

Impaired role functioning and treatment rates for mental disorders and chronic physical disorders in metropolitan China.

OBJECTIVES: To compare impairments in role functioning and treatment rate of mental disorders and chronic physical disorders in the general population of metropolitan China. METHOD: Face-to-face household interviews of 5201 people aged 18 to 70 years in Beijing and Shanghai were conducted from November 2001 to February 2002, using a multistage household probability sampling method. The World Mental Health version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI) was used for assessing sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses, and treatment. The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) was used to measure disorder-specific role impairment. RESULTS: Respondents generally attributed greater impairment to mental disorders than to chronic physical disorders, although there were some variations among specific disorders. This general pattern was supported by within-person comparison of impairment associated with a mental disorder versus any chronic physical disorder. Depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobia were the most impairing mental disorders. Diabetes, headaches, and asthma were the most impairing physical disorders. Comorbid mental and physical disorders were associated with more severe impairment. A much lower percentage of respondents with mental disorders (3.0%) than chronic physical disorders (42.8%) received treatment in the previous 12 months. CONCLUSION: Common mental disorders were associated with greater impairment than chronic physical disorders but were markedly undertreated. They warrant prioritization in the allocation of healthcare resources in China.

Efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy with medication for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A multicentre randomised controlled trial in China.

BACKGROUND: Meta-analyses support the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in Western cultures. However, there are no adequately powered multicentre studies in China. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of treatment with CBT combined with medication and medication alone in OCD patients in China. METHODS: OCD patients (N = 167) were recruited from outpatient clinics at three large tertiary psychiatric hospitals and one general hospital in China. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either CBT combined with medication (n = 92) or medication alone (n = 75) for a 24-week treatment period. Participants' symptoms and social functioning were assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Clinical Global Impression Scale for Severity (CGI-S) at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, and the effectiveness of the two treatments compared using linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: At 24 weeks, both groups showed large within-group effects in all measures. Significantly more patients receiving combined therapy than medication alone had a decrease in symptom severity of at least 35% (based on Y-BOCS total score). The CGI-S and GAF scores decreased in both groups, and significant differences were found between the groups. LIMITATIONS: Study limitations included lack of consideration of medication types and dosages, and the absence of a CBT-only arm. CONCLUSIONS: CBT combined with medication may be effective in alleviating symptoms and social functioning impairment associated with OCD, and is more effective than medication alone in China, particularly for the treatment of compulsive behaviours.

A genetic epidemiologic study of social support in a Chinese sample.

Accumulated evidence suggests that social support is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. However, there are little data that examine this issue from Asian samples. We reported results from a preliminary study that examined familial effects on social support in a Chinese adult twin sample. We administered a 10-item social support instrument that measures three dimensions of social support (i.e., objective support, subjective support, and utilization of support) developed for the Chinese population. Two hundred forty-two same-sex twin pairs, where both members of the pair completed the personal interview, were included in the final analysis. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate additive genetic (A), shared environmental (C), and nonshared environmental (E) effects on each dimension of social support. Familial factors (A+C) explained 56.63% [95% CI = 45.48-65.72%] and 42.42% [95% CI = 29.93-53.25%] of the total phenotypic variances of subjective support and utilization of support, respectively. For the objective support, genetic effects did not exist, but common environmental effect explained 37.56% [95% CI = 26.17-48.28%] of the total phenotypic variances. Neither gender nor age effects were seen on any dimension of social support. Except for objective support, genetic factors probably influence variation in subjective support and utilization of support. Shared environmental factors may influence all dimensions of social support.

[Efficient method for extraction of high quality RNA from microtubers of Pinellia ternata in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To extract RNA from Pinellia ternata and lay a foundation for studying the formation mechanism of P. ternata. METHOD: By modifying the method recommended by Guanidinium for extracting total RNA from plant tissues rich in phenolic and polysaccharidic compounds, a simple and convenient method for extraction of total RNA from the tubers, stems and leaves of P. ternate containing abundant polyphenols and polysaccharides was established. High concentrated p-mercaptoethanol was added in the RNA extracted buffer to remove polyphenols, phenol and chloroform were used to eliminate proteins, and isopropanol and sodium acetate were used to precipitate polysaccharides. RESULT: The A260/A230 value of RNA extracted with improved method were all over 2.0 and the values of A260/A280 were between 1.7 and 2.0. The electrophoresis bands were cleared on agarosegel and integrity of RNA was good. CONCLUSION: The results showed that RNA obtained from the tubers, stems and leaves of P. ternate with this method had high purity and quality and could be used in molecular biological research, as DDRT-PCR and reverse Northern blotting analysis directly. This method is simple, economic, stable performance, and has a good repeatability as well as is suitable for extracting total RNA of medicinal plants with high concentrations of phenolics and polysaccharides.

[Application of orthogonal design in tissue culture of Dioscorea opposite].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of different factors on buds and microtuber. These factors included plant growth substances and sucrose. METHOD: stems were selected as explants. The effects of three kinds of factors were studied by orthogonal design method including sucrose, 6-BA, NAA on the buds and microtuber induction. The data were analyzed with range analysis and vadance analysis. RESULT AND CONDUSION: The optimal media to induce many buds from stems were MS + 6-BA 1 mg x L(-1) + NAA 1 mg x L(-1) + sucrose 3%, the effect of the three factors was in sequence of sucrose >6-BA > NAA. The optimal media to induce microtuber from stems were MS+6-BA 1.5 mg x V1 +NAA 1.5 mg x L(-1) + sucrose 5%, the effect of the three factors was in sequence of sucrose >6-BA > NAA.

[Establishment and optimization of sliver staining differential display of microtubers from Pinellia ternata in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: In this study, orthogonal design was used to optinize DDRT-PCR amplification system on Pinellia ternata microtubers in vitro in five factors four levels respectively. METHOD: P. ternata stems and microtubers in vitro were selected as explants. The effects of five kinds of factors were studied by orthogonal design method including emplate cDNA, Mg2+, dNTPs, primers and Taq DNA polymerase, and in order to establish the optimum DDRT-PCR system of P. ternata microtubers in vitro. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: A satisfactory DDRT-PCR technique system for P. ternata microtubers in vitro with desirable repeatability and polymorphic bands was established. In a total volume of 20 microL DDRT-PCR system, it contained 10 x buffer, 150 micromol L(-1) dNTPs, 2 micromol L(-1) anchor primer, 1 micromol L(-1) arbitrary primer, 2.5 mmol L(-1) Mg2+, 0.6 U Taq DNA polymerase and 2.5 microg template cDNA. The effect of the five factors was in sequence of Taq DNA polymerase > template cDNA > dNTPs > Mg2+ > Primers. The optimum DDRT-PCR system will provide scientific reference basis for studying effecting character of P. ternata microtubers associated with genes expression.

[Mutation Rate and Clinical Characteristics of CALR, JAK2 V617F and MPL W515K Genes in Patients With Primary Thrombocythemia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the mutation rate and clinical characteristics of CALR, MPL W515K and JAK2 V617F genes in patients with primary thrombocythemia (PT). METHODS: Fifty-six patients with PT were selected as the research objects in our hospital. The CALR and MPL W515K gene mutations were determined by genomic DNA-PCR direct sequencing of the PCR products, and the JAK2 V617F gene mutation was detected by allele specific PCR method. RESULTS: Among the 56 patients with PT there were 14 cases of CALR gene mutation with the incidence rate of 25%, including 6 cases of type I, 5 cases of type II and 3 cases of type III. The sex, age, platelet(Plt) count, white blood cell (WBC) count and hemoglobin (Hb) level in the type I case of CALR gene mutation all were not significantly different from that in type II and III(all P>0.05); the WBC level in type III group significantly increased in comparison of type II group (P<0.05), while the sex, age, Hb and Plt levels showed no significant difference between the type III and type II groups (P>0.05). There were 3 cases of MPL W515K gene mutation with the incidence rate of 5.36%; 21 cases of JAK2 V617F gene mutation with the incidence rate of 37.50%. There were 13 cases of CALR gene mutation in negative patients with MPL W515K and JAK2 V617F (18 cases) with 72.22% incidence rate (13/18), and there was no cases of 1 or 2 gene mutations coexisted. The levels of Hb and WBC in peripheral blood of patients with CALR mutation were significantly lower than those of JAK2 V617F mutation (both P<0.05). In 56 cases, there were 3 cases of abnormal karyotype, with the incidence rate of 5.36%. The mutation rate of CALR gene in abnormal karyotypes (66.67%) was significantly higher than that of normal karyotypes (20.75%) (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The incidence of JAK2 V617F gene mutation increases in the patients with primary thrombocythemia; CALR mutation rate is higher in the patients with negative MPL W515K and JAK2 V617F gene mutation, which may closely correlate with abnormal karyotype; the levels of peripheral Hb and WBC in PT the patients with CALR gene mutation are significantly lower than those in patients with JAK2 V617F mutation.

[Effect of Chlorambucil on the Apoptotic Signaling Pathway in Lymphoma Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study whether chlorambucil has apoptotic effect on the B cell lymphoma A20 cells and its exact mechanisms in apoptotic signaling pathway. METHODS: The experimental cells were treated with 20 µmol/L chlorambucil, the control cells were treated with PBS. Annexin V-FITC Cell Apoptosis Detection Kit was used to examine cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of active caspase-3, Survivin, NF-κB and pAKT. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was performed to examine the mRNA expression of Survivin. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the proportion of FITC+/PI+ apoptotic cells and the expression of active caspase-3 (t=7.384, P=0.000) in the chlorambucil treatment group was significantly elevated. However, the expression of Survivin mRNA (t=4.384, P=0.000), protein expressions of survivin (t=12.360, P=0.000), NF-κB (t=5.462, P=0.000) and pAKT (t=7.183, P=0.000) in the chlorambucil-treated group all significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: The chlorambucil can induce the apoptosis of lymphoma cells, its mechanism may related with inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and expression of NF-κB and survivin.

Survey on the use of mental health services and help-seeking behaviors in a community population in Northwestern China.

There is little research into the patterns of mental health services use, related factors, and barriers in help-seeking behaviors among the community population in northwestern China. We conducted a community-based survey among the general population in Xi'an City with the stratified two-stage systematic selection scheme using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 computer-assisted personal interview (CIDI-CAPI 3.0). We interviewed 2447 individuals aged 16 years or older. The lifetime prevalence estimate of mental disorders was 21%. However, the lifetime use rate of mental health services of the 2447 responding subjects was 2.45% and 4.67% among those subjects who reported a mental disorder. Several variables were associated with lower use of mental health services: rural residence and divorced or unmarried. Among the group with mental disorders, 15/21 sought help from non-mental health specialty services such as a general physician (13/21). The high prevalence rate of mental disorders but low rate of mental health services use raises a significant public health issue in northwestern China. Reduction in the resource gap and encouraging people to seek treatment remain a challenge to the mental health services system.

Mental disorders among persons with heart disease - results from World Mental Health surveys.

OBJECTIVES: While depression and heart disease often co-occur in Western countries, less is known about the association of anxiety and alcohol use disorders with heart disease and about the cross-cultural consistency of this association. Consistency across emotional disorders and cultures would suggest that relatively universal mechanisms underlie the association. METHODS: Surveys with 18 random population samples of household-residing adults in 17 countries in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific were carried out. Medically recognized heart disease was ascertained by self-report. Mental disorders were assessed with the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview, a fully structured diagnostic interview. RESULTS: Specific mood and anxiety disorders occurred among persons with heart disease at rates higher than those among persons without heart disease. Adjusted for sex and age, the pooled odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 2.1 (1.9-2.5) for mood disorders, 2.2 (1.9-2.5) for anxiety disorders and 1.4 (1.0-1.9) for alcohol abuse/dependence among persons with versus those without heart disease. These patterns were similar across countries. CONCLUSIONS: An excess of anxiety disorders and that of mood disorders are found among persons with heart disease. These associations hold true across countries despite substantial between-country differences in culture and mental disorder prevalence rates. These results suggest that similar mechanisms underlie the association and that a broad spectrum of mood-anxiety disorders should be considered in research on the comorbidity of mental disorders and heart disease.

Arthritis and physical-mental comorbidity in metropolitan China.

BACKGROUND: This study estimates psychiatric and physical comorbidity among people reporting arthritis and related role impairment in metropolitan China. METHODS: Data were derived from a large-scale and representative household survey of adult respondents in Beijing and Shanghai. Arthritis and other chronic physical conditions were assessed by self-report. Mental disorders were assessed by the World Mental Health version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS: Of the respondents reporting arthritis in Beijing (8.6%) and Shanghai (15.3%), the vast majority (Beijing, 85.2%; Shanghai, 79.9%) also reported at least one other comorbid condition, including chronic pain (Beijing, 73.4%; Shanghai, 64.8%), chronic physical diseases (Beijing, 54.7%; Shanghai, 57.2%), and mental disorders (Beijing, 10.5%; Shanghai, 10.0%). Arthritis was significantly associated with role impairment, but the association disappeared after controlling for demographic variables and comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Physical-mental comorbidity is common and has important clinical and public health implications in China. Reasons for regional differences in prevalence and pattern of comorbidity require further study.