Insomnia symptoms as a mediator between school connectedness and suicidal ideation in Chinese adolescents: A three-wave longitudinal model.

AIM: School connectedness is related to suicidal ideation (SI) in adolescents. However, little is known about the mediating role of insomnia symptoms in the school connectedness-SI link. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal mediating effect of insomnia symptoms on the relationship between school connectedness and SI as well as the moderating effect of sex using a three-wave longitudinal design. METHODS: A total of 3110 adolescents completed three online surveys. Data were collected over the course of 1 year, in three waves 6 months apart. Participants completed the School Connectedness Scale, Youth Self-Rating Insomnia Scale, Self-rating Idea of Suicide Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and a self-compiled demographic questionnaire. Linear regressions and mediation analyses were performed to examine the associations between school connectedness, insomnia symptoms and SI. RESULTS: School connectedness had a significant mediating effect on SI through insomnia symptoms (ßa×b = -.03, 95% confidence interval = -0.04, -0.02) after controlling for demographics and depressive symptoms. Mediation analyses showed that insomnia symptoms accounted for 23.1% of the total effects in the entire sample, with 13.3% in males and 27.3% in females. Sex had no significant moderating effect on the school connectedness-SI link association. CONCLUSIONS: The association between school connectedness and SI appears to be mediated by insomnia symptoms. Assessing and promoting school connectedness, as well as intervening and treating distress associated with insomnia, may have important clinical implications for reducing the risk of SI in adolescents.

Perceived school bullying and psychotic-like experiences in sexual minority adolescents: the mediating and moderating roles of resilience.

AIMS: This two-wave, longitudinal study aimed to examine the potential moderating and mediating effects of resilience on the association between perceived school bullying and psychotic-like experiences among Chinese sexual minority adolescents. METHODS: A total of 4192 senior high students were included and 984 (23.5%) of them were identified as a sexual minority (mean age = 16.68 years, SD = 0.71). Participants completed two online surveys during April 21 to May 12, 2021 and December 17 to 26, 2021, respectively, as well as completed self-report measures of sample characteristics, perceived school bullying, resilience, and psychotic-like experiences (including two dimensions: delusional experiences and hallucinatory experiences). RESULTS: Perceived school bullying and resilience were associated with psychotic-like experiences in sexual minority adolescents. Resilience mediated the relationship between perceived school bullying and subsequent psychotic-like experiences (b = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.01 ~ 0.04)/ delusional experiences (b = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.01 ~ 0.04)/ hallucinatory experiences (b = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.01 ~ 0.03). Additionally, resilience only moderated the associations of perceived school bullying with hallucinatory experiences (b = -0.06, 95% CI = -0.12 ~ -0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that resilience plays a crucial role in mediating or moderating the relationship between perceived school bullying and psychotic-like experiences. Assessing and reducing school bullying, as well as promoting resilience, may have important clinical implications for reducing the risk of psychotic-like experiences in sexual minority adolescents.

Family Functioning and Depressive Symptoms Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men: Mediating Roles of Stigma and Resilience.

Background: Depressive symptoms are common among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aims to explore (1) the relationship between family functioning and depressive symptoms and (2) the mediating roles of stigma and resilience in the relationship among HIV-positive MSM. Methods: We used data from a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample in Hunan Province, China, conducted in 2019. The data analysis included 191 HIV-positive MSM with an average age of 26.98 years. All participants completed self-report questionnaires on demographic variables, family functioning, stigma, resilience, and depressive symptoms. Results: Better family functioning was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms. Both stigma (Indirect effect = -0.04, 95% CI, -0.10 ~ -0.001) and resilience (Indirect effect = -0.06, 95% CI, -0.12 ~ -0.01) were significant partial mediators in the relationship between family functioning and depressive symptoms. A parallel and chain mediating role of stigma and resilience in the relationship between family functioning and depressive symptoms was also supported (Indirect effect = -0.03, 95% CI, -0.08 ~ -0.01). Conclusion: Improving family functioning is crucial for alleviating depressive symptoms among HIV-positive MSM in China. Depression assessment and reduction should be an integral part of prevention and treatment programs targeting stigma and resilience.

Comorbid trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and depressive symptoms in a 10-year cohort of Chinese Wenchuan earthquake survivors: Course, predictors, and consequences.

OBJECTIVES: Survivors may suffer mental health problems following disasters, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms. However, few studies have explored longitudinal processes of co-occurring PTSD and depressive symptoms among adolescent survivors and their associated predictors and consequences. The present study examines the codevelopment of both symptoms postearthquake using a 10-year cohort. METHOD: A total of 1,357 senior high school students reported PTSD and depressive symptoms at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Self-report measures were also used to evaluate earthquake exposure, negative life events, social support, and trait resilience. At the 10-year follow-up (T10y), 799 participants reported their quality of life (QoL) online and 744 of them provided available data. A parallel-process latent class growth analysis was used to identify trajectories. Multinominal logistic and linear regressions were used, respectively, to analyze the predictors and consequences of these trajectories. RESULTS: Three comorbid trajectories were found: a resilient group (56.7%), a vulnerable group (33.3%), and a chronic high-risk group (9.9%). Gender, injury/missing/killed of family members, witnessing of traumatic sciences, negative life events, social support, and trait resilience were significant predictors of vulnerable and chronic high-risk groups. Finally, adolescents in these two groups were more likely to experience poorer QoL in adulthood. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the heterogeneity of depression-PTSD comorbidities among adolescent survivors. They also emphasize PTSD-depression symptoms predictors and their adverse impacts on life outcomes in adulthood. Individualized interventions should be provided for adolescents affected by natural disasters, especially those in the vulnerable and higher risk groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

CRISPR-based engineering of RNA viruses.

CRISPR RNA-guided endonucleases have enabled precise editing of DNA. However, options for editing RNA remain limited. Here, we combine sequence-specific RNA cleavage by CRISPR ribonucleases with programmable RNA repair to make precise deletions and insertions in RNA. This work establishes a recombinant RNA technology with immediate applications for the facile engineering of RNA viruses.

CRISPR-based engineering of RNA viruses.

CRISPR RNA-guided endonucleases have enabled precise editing of DNA. However, options for editing RNA remain limited. Here, we combine sequence-specific RNA cleavage by CRISPR ribonucleases with programmable RNA repair to make precise deletions and insertions in RNA. This work establishes a new recombinant RNA technology with immediate applications for the facile engineering of RNA viruses. One-Sentence Summary: Programmable CRISPR RNA-guided ribonucleases enable recombinant RNA technology.

Cumulative stressful events and mental health in young adults after 10 years of Wenchuan earthquake: the role of social support.

ABSTRACTBackground: After a natural disaster, stressful events often continue to accumulate, affecting individuals in a different manner than the original disaster never occurred. However, few studies have examined these associations, the cumulative impacts of stressful events on mental health outcomes, and the role of social support. This study examined the prospective association between cumulative stressful events and mental health problems and the role of social support in young adults.Methods: 695 participants provided available data on earthquake exposure, childhood maltreatment, other negative life events, and social support at baseline. Depressive symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder were assessed at baseline and 10 years after the earthquake (T10y). A cumulative stressful events index was used to evaluate the levels of cumulative stressful events. Linear regressions were used to explore the predictive effects.Results: Of 695 participants, 41.3%, 28.5%, and 7.9% reported one, two, and three stressful events, respectively. The associations between cumulative stressful events and mental health problems at T10y presented a dose-response pattern: those who experienced three events had the highest risk of mental health problems, followed by those who experienced two events and those who reported one event. Additionally, higher social support partially reduced the negative impact of cumulative stressful events on mental health.Conclusions: Cumulative stressful events are associated with mental health problems 10 years later in young earthquake survivors. Social support could reduce the negative impact, but its protective role disappears when stressful events accumulate at the highest level. These findings highlight the importance of assessing the cumulative impacts of stressful events and social support available to young disaster survivors and intervening to prevent worse mental health outcomes.

The associations between cumulative stressful events and mental health problems 10 years presented a dose­response pattern.Social support could buffer the negative impacts, but its protective role disappears when stressful events accumulate at the highest level.It is critical to assess the cumulative impacts of stressful events and social support available to young disaster survivors to prevent worse mental health consequences.

Sleep disturbance is predictive of psychotic-like experiences among adolescents: A two-wave longitudinal survey.

PURPOSE: Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are prevalent among adolescents and are the most significant predictor of future mental disorders. This study aims to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep disturbance and PLEs in a large cohort of adolescents. METHODS: The 17,722 adolescents in our study were assessed from April 21 to May 12, 2021 (Time 1, T1) and again 6 months later from December 17 to 26, 2021 (Time 2, T2). The Youth Self Rating Insomnia Scale and 8-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences were used to assess sleep and PLEs, respectively. Sample characteristics and depression were also evaluated at T1, and negative life events were measured at T2. Sleep duration ≤6 h per night was considered as sleep deprivation, and sleep disturbance was defined as having insomnia or poor sleep quality. RESULTS: The prevalence of sleep disturbance and frequent PLEs at T1 were 14.1% and 14.5%, respectively. Sleep disturbance and sleep deprivation at T1 were significantly associated with increased risk for PLEs at T2 after adjusting for sample characteristics, depression, and negative life events. Furthermore, sleep disturbance and sleep deprivation also predicted the new onset and persistence of PLEs. CONCLUSION: Sleep disturbance predicts the development and persistence of PLEs. Early assessment and treatment of sleep disturbance may therefore contribute to a comprehensive strategy for the successful prevention and treatment of PLEs in adolescents.

Sequence-specific capture and concentration of viral RNA by type III CRISPR system enhances diagnostic.

Type-III CRISPR-Cas systems have recently been adopted for sequence-specific detection of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we repurpose the type III-A CRISPR complex from Thermus thermophilus (TtCsm) for programmable capture and concentration of specific RNAs from complex mixtures. The target bound TtCsm complex generates two cyclic oligoadenylates (i.e., cA3 and cA4) that allosterically activate ancillary nucleases. We show that both Can1 and Can2 nucleases cleave single-stranded RNA, single-stranded DNA, and double-stranded DNA in the presence of cA4. We integrate the Can2 nuclease with type III-A RNA capture and concentration for direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal swabs with 15 fM sensitivity. Collectively, this work demonstrates how type-III CRISPR-based RNA capture and concentration simultaneously increases sensitivity, limits time to result, lowers cost of the assay, eliminates solvents used for RNA extraction, and reduces sample handling.

The Association Between Morningness-Eveningness Preference, Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia Among Chinese Textile Workers With or Without Shift Work.

Objective: Circadian preference and mental health disorders are closely related to insomnia. This study aimed to evaluate insomnia symptoms in textile factory workers with different work schedules, and to investigate the association between insomnia, morningness-eveningness preference, anxiety, and depression. Methods: A total of 3,883 textile workers were assessed using the 3-items of Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, Composite Scale of Morningness, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, and socio-demographic questionnaires. Results: The prevalence rate of insomnia in textile workers was 16.7% (N = 646), with 49.8% (N = 322) were shift workers. Among shift workers (N = 1,833), 9.5% had difficulty initiating sleep, and almost 9.0% suffered from early morning awakening, a rate significantly higher than among daytime workers. Logistics regressions revealed that work schedule was insignificantly associated with insomnia. Depression (OR = 1.034, 95% CI = 1.022-1.046) and anxiety (OR = 1.031, 95% CI = 1.018-1.043) positively predicted insomnia, whereas morningness preference (OR = 0.977, 95% CI = 0.960-0.995) decreased the likelihood of insomnia. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that both anxiety and depression independently mediated the association between circadian preferences and insomnia in textile workers with or without shift work. Conclusion: This study highlighted the insomnia, depression, and anxiety of textile factory workers in a Chinese textile factory. To improve insomnia symptoms, interventions to promote morningness circadian preference and reduce depressive and anxious symptoms among workers are encouraged.

CRISPR-Cas, Argonaute proteins and the emerging landscape of amplification-free diagnostics.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is the reigning gold standard for molecular diagnostics. However, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reveals an urgent need for new diagnostics that provide users with immediate results without complex procedures or sophisticated equipment. These new demands have stimulated a tsunami of innovations that improve turnaround times without compromising the specificity and sensitivity that has established PCR as the paragon of diagnostics. Here we briefly introduce the origins of PCR and isothermal amplification, before turning to the emergence of CRISPR-Cas and Argonaute proteins, which are being coupled to fluorimeters, spectrometers, microfluidic devices, field-effect transistors, and amperometric biosensors, for a new generation of nucleic acid-based diagnostics.

Sequence-specific capture and concentration of viral RNA by type III CRISPR system enhances diagnostic.

Type-III CRISPR-Cas systems have recently been adopted for sequence-specific detection of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we make two major advances that simultaneously limit sample handling and significantly enhance the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection directly from patient samples. First, we repurpose the type III-A CRISPR complex from Thermus thermophilus (TtCsm) for programmable capture and concentration of specific RNAs from complex mixtures. The target bound TtCsm complex primarily generates two cyclic oligoadenylates (i.e., cA3 and cA4) that allosterically activate ancillary nucleases. To improve sensitivity of the diagnostic, we identify and test several ancillary nucleases (i.e., Can1, Can2, and NucC). We show that Can1 and Can2 are activated by both cA3 and cA4, and that different activators trigger changes in the substrate specificity of these nucleases. Finally, we integrate the type III-A CRISPR RNA-guided capture technique with the Can2 nuclease for 90 fM (5x104 copies/ul) detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA directly from nasopharyngeal swab samples.