The predictive role of impulsivity and perceived social support in psychiatric symptoms of women with methamphetamine use disorder.

Background: Currently, few studies have examined the mental states of Women methamphetamine patients, and the influence of impulsivity and perceived social support on substance misuse-induced mental disorders is unclear. We want to examine the mental state of women with methamphetamine use disorder and compare it to the Chinese norm value of healthy women. Investigate the connection between impulsivity, perceived social support and mental state of women with methamphetamine use disorder. Method: Two hundred thirty women subjects with a history of methamphetamine usage were recruited. The Chinese version of the SCL-90-R, (SCL-90) was used to evaluate psychological health problems, while the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Barratt Impulsiveness Seale-11 (BIS-11) were utilized to evaluate perceived social support and impulsivity, respectively. The t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, multivariable linear regression, stepwise regression models, moderating effect analysis were used to analyze the statistics. Results: There was a noticeable difference between the Chinese norm and all participants' SCL-90 ratings, especially for Somatization (t = 24.34, p < 0.001), Anxiety (t = 22.23, p < 0.001), Phobic anxiety (t = 26.47, p < 0.001), and Psychoticism (t = 24.27, p < 0.001). In addition, perceived social support levels and impulsivity levels are independently predictive of SCL-90 scores. Lastly, the impact of Impulsivity on SCL-90 can be modulated by perceived social support. Conclusion: According to this study, women with methamphetamine use disorder have worse mental health conditions compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, certain psychological symptoms associated with methamphetamine use in women can be aggravated by impulsivity, while perceived social support acts as a protective factor for methamphetamine-related psychiatric symptoms. Specifically, perceived social support weakens the impact of impulsivity on psychiatric symptoms in women with methamphetamine use disorder.

Time-dependent affective disturbances in abstinent patients with methylphenidate use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Methylphenidate (MPH), also called Ritalin, is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients. With occasional reports of subjects suffering from Methylphenidate use disorder (MPHUD), few studies analyzed the neuropsychological changes in this population. PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of individuals with MPHUD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 61 MPH patients (aged 16-27 years) admitted to the Beijing Gaoxin Hospital drug rehabilitation program from Jan 2017 to Mar 2019. The drug use history and drug abuse motivation scale were collected at admission. Clinicians rated the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and DSM-5 Stimulant use disorder criteria each week during the 4 weeks rehabilitation program. Correlation analyses were conducted between drug use history and affective disturbances. RESULTS: The results showed that the adolescent period is the peak for MPH exposure, and 1/3 of patients got their first exposure to MPH from their parents. MPH abstinence accompanies severe anxiety and depression symptoms, significantly alleviating after four weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: MPHUD is associated with substantial affective disturbances, which warrants a more considerable sample investigation.

Family Function Impacts Relapse Tendency in Substance Use Disorder: Mediated Through Self-Esteem and Resilience.

BACKGROUND: Substance abuse has been a public health concern, and even after detoxification treatment, the relapse rate is still high. Family function is closely related to substance dependence. However, studies on psychological mechanisms between them are rare. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to explore the mediating role of self-esteem and resilience in the pathway that family function impacts the relapse tendency among patients with substance use disorder (SUD). METHODS: A total of 282 SUD patients were recruited, and standard questionnaires were administered for each patient. The relapse tendency, family function, self-esteem and resilience were assessed by the family care index questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson resilience scale, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the relapse tendency questionnaire. Bootstrap method was conducted for mediation analysis to test the effects of how family function affects relapse tendency mediated through self-esteem and resilience. RESULTS: The average score of relapse tendency of the patients was 28.47 (SD = 11.89). Intermediary analysis found that self-esteem played an intermediary role in the relationship between family function and relapse tendency. Resilience plays an intermediary role in the relationship between family function and relapse tendency. Further, the path analysis showed that family function not only had a direct association with relapse tendency, but also indirectly related to relapse tendency through self-esteem and resilience. CONCLUSIONS: Self-esteem and resilience are the key factors in the relationship between family function and relapse tendency of SUD patients.

The prevalence and correlates of burnout among Chinese preschool teachers.

BACKGROUND: A series of studies have suggested that teachers are likely to experience professional burnout in various regions around the world. To date, no known research has been conducted to investigate the prevalence and correlates of burnout among preschool teachers in China. This study examined the level of self-reported burnout and correlates of burnout among Chinese preschool teachers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among1795 preschool teachers in Tianjin, China, during August 2018-October 2018. The validated Chinese version of the 15-item Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to assess burnout. A self-administered questionnaire collected the sociodemographic factors. The psychological factors were collected by the Chinese version of the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Perceived Stress Scale-14. RESULTS: The prevalence of burnout in Chinese preschool teachers was 53.2% (95% CI:51%─56%). Burnout rate was significantly decreased in overweight (P = 0.001, OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.42-0.79) and obesity (P = 0.048, OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.56-1.00) teachers compared with teachers with normal weight. The type of school (P = 0.007, OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.11-1.91), income satisfaction (P = 0.001, OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.53-0.86), depression (P < 0.001, OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 2.34-4.05) and perceived stress (P < 0.001, OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.13-1.18) were significantly associated with burnout. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of burnout among preschool teachers in Tianjin, China, is high. Burnout was significantly associated with BMI, the type of school, income satisfaction, depression and perceived stress among Chinese preschool teachers.

Does Depressive-Type Schizophrenia Exist? How Do We Prove It?: An Updated Review and Overview.

Depressive symptoms can occur at any point in the duration of schizophrenia. However, we are unable to predict if or when depression will occur in schizophrenic patients. Simultaneously, the standard treatment of depression in schizophrenic patients is the combination of antidepressants and antipsychotics, which has been minimally effective for most patients. Based on several studies, we hypothesized the existence of depressive-type schizophrenia and reviewed the substantial evidence supporting the hypothesis of depressive-type schizophrenia. Simultaneously, we propose technical methods to explore the neuropathology of depressive-type schizophrenia in order to identify the disease during its early stages and to predict how patients will respond to the standard treatment strategies. We believe that the new classification of depressive-type schizophrenia will differentiate it from other forms of depression. In return, this will aid in the discovery of new therapeutic strategies for combatting this disease.

The genomics of schizophrenia: Shortcomings and solutions.

Due to recent advances in human genomic technologies, there have been explosive interests and extensive research on the genomics of schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by social cognitive deficits, hallucinations, and delusions. These new technologies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) genome editing platform are capable of interrogating and editing the genome directly. In the past few years, these efforts have led to the identification of important loci and genes susceptible to schizophrenia. The findings have increased our understanding of the underlying genetic causes of schizophrenia and aided in the development of new approaches for more effectively diagnosing and treating schizophrenia. Despite the substantial progress, there are several unanswered questions about the genomics of schizophrenia, and there are a number of potential shortcomings in the current literature considering the complexity of the disease and limits of the current technologies. In the present review, we assessed the existing literature on the genomics of schizophrenia, identifying the strengths and study design shortcomings from the following aspects: elucidation of the pathogenesis, early risk prediction and diagnosis, and the treatment of schizophrenia. Moreover, we have proposed solutions to overcome the shortcomings of past studies. Lastly, we have discussed the importance of developing multidisciplinary teams and global research groups in order to improve the lives of schizophrenic patients globally.

[Treatment of Olanzapine-induced Hyperprolactinemia by Shaoyao Gancao Decoction].

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction (SGD) in treating olanzapine induced hyperprolactinemia. Methods Totally 120 schizophrenia patients who took Olanzapine Tablet (OT) were assigned to the treatment group and the control group by random number table, 60 in each group. All patients took OT. Those in the treatment group additionally took SGD. The ther- apeutic course for all was 8 weeks. Serum levels of prolactin were measured before treatment and at the end of week 2, 4, and 8 after treatment. The spiritual symptoms of patients were assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) before treatment and at the end of week 8 after treatment. Adverse reactions were assessed using Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) before treatment and at the end of week 8 after treatment. Results Compared with before treatment in the same group, ser- um levels of prolactin were significantly reduced in the treatment group at the end of week 4 and 8 after treatment (P <0. 05). There was no statistical difference in serum levels of prolactin in the control group among each time points (P > 0. 05). Compared with the control group, serum levels of prolactin de- creased significantly in the treatment group at the end of week 4 and 8 after treatment (P <0. 01). There was no statistical difference in PANSS between the two groups at the end of week 8 after treatment (P> 0. 05). Adverse reactions occurred in 5 cases (943%) of the treatment group and 4 cases (7. 14%) in the control group. They were manifested as insomnia, headache, constipation, and incapability of sitting quietly. There was no statistical difference in adverse reaction between the two groups (P'>0. 05). Con- clusions SGD could effectively improve olanzapine-induced hyperprolactinemia, and had no obvious effect on psychotic symptoms. It showed no obvious adverse reactions.

Impairment of endothelial protection by ischemic postconditioning in patients with major depressive disorder.

This study used a model of ischemia-reperfusion injury to the brachial artery endothelium to investigate whether the protective role of ischemic postconditioning (IPostC) is impaired in patients with major depressive episode. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured before and after ischemia-reperfusion in the absence or presence of IPostC in 24 patients with major depressive disorder and 20 healthy controls. In addition, the severity of the depression, as assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, and plasma nitrogen dioxide (NO(x)) levels were also determined. Ischemia-reperfusion resulted in a significant decrease in FMD in both patients with a major depressive episode and healthy controls. IPostC effectively prevented this decrease in FMD in healthy controls, but not in patients with a major depressive episode. HDRS and BDI scores were markedly increased, but plasma NO(x) levels decreased, in patients with a major depressive episode compared with those in healthy controls. Correlation analysis showed that HDRS and BDI scores and plasma NO(x) levels were significantly associated with post-ischemia-reperfusion FMD. These results suggest that endothelial protection by IPostC is impaired in patients with major depressive disorder, which may be related to the decrease in endothelial nitric oxide production and the severity of the depression.

Association study of astrocyte-derived protein S100B gene polymorphisms with major depressive disorder in Chinese people.

OBJECTIVE: Astroglial-derived protein S100B is known to play important roles in axonal growth, neural plasticity, and energy regulation. Disturbance of these neurodevelopmental processes is proposed as one possible etiology for mood disorder. Therefore, we performed a genetic analysis of S100B in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD: The polymorphisms of S100B were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in patients (n = 152) with MDD and healthy control subjects (n = 150). The genotypic and allelic distributions of 2 variants were analyzed in Chinese patients. RESULTS: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms did not display significant associations with MDD. However, there were significant differences in age of onset in 3 genotypes of S100B rs9722. Significant differences in the subgroup depression (first-episode and recurrent depression) were also shown in 3 genotypes of S100B rs9722 and rs11911834 in patients and control subjects (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings did not suggest association of S100B gene polymorphisms in patients with MDD in China. We found there were differences in depressive episodes among different genotypes of S100B gene.

The effects of gender and numbers of depressive episodes on serum S100B levels in patients with major depression.

S100B protein is a calcium-binding protein mostly derived from glial cells, which exerts trophic or toxic effects on neural cell depending on its concentration. It has been reported that S100B played an important role as a potential marker in psychiatric disorders. Thus, we will explore the clinical implication of S100B in major depression, especially the effect of gender and numbers of depressive episodes on S100B. The levels of serum S100B were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 54 patients with major depression and 35 age-matched healthy controls. The S100B levels in major depressed patients were significantly higher than those in controls. The serum S100B levels in female patients were significantly higher than those in male patients. Patients with recurrent depressive episodes had significantly higher S100B levels than those in first-episode depression. Serum S100B levels were significantly positive related with the numbers of depressive episode, family history and cognitive disturbance scores. These findings confirmed an increase in serum S100B levels in major depressive patients and presence of a sexual dimorphism. Moreover, numbers of depressive episodes in depression seemed to have an additional increasing effect on S100B levels.