The change of intimate relationship between people with Alzheimer's disease and their adult child caregivers: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

This study aims to explore the change of intimate relationship between people with Alzheimer's disease and their adult child caregivers as the disease progresses. Twelve adult child caregivers were recruited through purposive sampling. Explanatory phenomenological analysis was conducted to analyse data collected by semi-structured in-depth interviews. This study found a dynamically changing relationship between adult child caregivers and their parents with Alzheimer's disease during care giving that evolved with the progress of the disease. The relationship was the most intimate in the middle stage of the disease for most caregivers and a new reciprocal relationship developed due to caregiving. Caregivers experienced different degrees of self-growth when providing care, though caregiver burdens were common. The positive experience and perception of caregivers were important for improving the quality of life for adult child caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease.

IL-10 -1082 A/G polymorphism is related with the risk and clinical characteristics of acute kidney injury: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-10 (IL-10), a kind of anti-inflammation cytokine, has a key role in the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Recently, several studies addressed the link between the risk of AKI and the IL-10 -1082 A/G polymorphism with conflicting findings. METHODS: To identify the effects of the IL-10 -1082 A/G polymorphism on the risk of AKI, we designed this case-control study. This study recruited 320 AKI patients and 408 ICU patients without AKI. The association between the AKI risk and this polymorphism was analyzed using the logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors. RESULTS: The IL-10 -1082 A/G polymorphism enhanced the risk of AKI. After stratified analysis, this polymorphism increased the risk of AKI among the males, smokers, those aged exceeding 60 years old, and overweight individuals (BMI ≥ 25). Moreover, -1082 A/G polymorphism was remarkably related with APACHE II score and eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, the IL-10 -1082 A/G polymorphism is linked with an elevated risk of AKI. Further studies in China need be performed to verify these results.

Influencing Factors of Psychological Well-Being of the Non-designated Hospital Staff in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Recent studies report that hospital staff at the forefront of caring for COVID-19 patients experience increased psychological distress. To effectively manage the outbreak of COVID-19, China established COVID-19 designated and non-designated hospitals. To date, few studies have examined the impacts of COVID-19 on psychological health of staff working at non-designated hospitals. This study is to explore factors affecting psychological health of non-designated hospital staff in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected through an online questionnaire between February and March 2020. The questionnaire consists of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), sociodemographic characteristics, employment history, health status, and contact history of COVID-19. The questionnaire was distributed through hospital WeChat groups and work colleague referrals. A total of 470 non-designated hospital staff members completed the questionnaire. Multiple Linear Regression analysis was used to interpret the associations among social support, coping styles, sociodemographic factors, job roles, and psychological status. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Results: The non-designated hospital staff differed significantly in anxiety and depression subscores of the GHQ-20 by their job roles, levels of social support, and history of mental disorders. Staff with medical job roles, good self-reported health status, no previous mental disorders, adequate social support, and positive coping styles scored lower in GHQ-20 total score, which indicated healthier psychological status. Conclusions: The results indicate that history of mental health disorders, non-medical job roles, and inadequate social support are associated with greater psychological distress. Personalized support should be provided to those who are vulnerable and in need of social and psychological support.

Mitigating arsenic accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using Fe-Mn-La-impregnated biochar composites in arsenic-contaminated paddy soil.

Arsenic (As) is a prominent metal contaminant of the soil in China. Pot experiments were conducted to examine the effects of corn stem powder biochar (BC) and Fe-Mn-La-impregnated biochar composites (FMLBC1, FMLBC2, and FMLBC3; BC:Fe:Mn:La at different weight ratios) on As accumulation in an indica cultivar of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The application of FMLBCs and BC improved the dry weight of the grains, leaves, stems, and roots of rice. The As uptake in different rice organs was significantly reduced in the FMLBC-amended soils (FMLBC3 > FMLBC2 > FMLBC1) compared with the BC treatment. Compared to the concentration of As in the control, the concentration of As in rice grains decreased by 56.0-89.4% with the addition of 2% FMLBC3. The application of FMLBCs significantly increased the ratio of essential amino acids in grains and the contents of Fe and Mn plaques on root surfaces. The reduction in As accumulation can be ascribed to the Fe, Mn, and La oxides that enhance the adsorption and retention of As, as well as the FMLBCs that provide nutrients and create a rhizosphere environment, promoting rice growth. This study demonstrated that applications of 2% FMLBC2 and FMLBC3 have the potential to remediate As-contaminated soils, reduce As accumulation in rice plants, and improve rice grain quality.

Safety and Efficacy of 630-nm Red Light on Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Study.

Introduction: Studies have shown that excess formaldehyde accumulation in the brain accelerates cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, reports from our research team revealed that red light treatment (RLT) improved memory in AD mice by activating formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FDH) and thus reducing formaldehyde levels. Here, we developed a medical RLT device to investigate the safety and efficacy of this device in older adults with mild to moderate AD. Methods: This will be a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that will include 60 participants who will be recruited and randomly divided into an RLT group and a control group. The RLT group will receive RLT intervention 5 days a week for 30 min each time for 24 weeks while the control group will continue their routine treatments without RLT. All participants will undergo neuropsychological and functional assessments including the Mini-Mental State Examination, the AD assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Barthel Index at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. All participants will undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning and blood/urine biomarkers tests at baseline and 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be the ADAS-cog score while the secondary outcomes will be the GDS and NPI scores. Adverse events will be recorded and treated when necessary. Both an intention-to-treat analysis and a per-protocol analysis will be performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RLT. Discussion: This protocol outlines the objectives of the study and explained the RLT device developed by the research team. The study is designed as an RCT to evaluate the safety and effects of the RLT device on older adults with mild to moderate AD. This study will provide evidence for the clinical use of RLT on treatment for AD. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR1800020163; Pre-results.

Effects of a Modified Tai Chi Program on Older People with Mild Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Tai Chi exercise is a non-pharmacological therapy that has received increased attention in recent years. A Tai Chi program has been specifically modified for older people with cognitive impairments by the research team. OBJECTIVE: We aim to assess the effects of this Tai Chi program on mild dementia. METHODS: Eighty older people with mild dementia were recruited and randomly assigned to a Tai Chi group or a control group. The Tai Chi group practiced the Tai Chi program three times a week for 10 months, while the control group continued receiving routine treatments. All participants were assessed for cognitive function, behavior/mood, and activities of daily living at baseline, 5 months, and 10 months. RESULTS: The Tai Chi group performed better than the control group. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant group×time interaction in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Further analysis of sub-items of the MoCA showed a significant time effect in naming and abstraction. It was statistically significant in both main effect of time and group×time interaction in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Paired sample t test showed the Tai Chi group scored lower at 5 and 10 months in the NPI and at 10 months in the GDS compared with baseline. The Tai Chi group scored lower than the control group at 10 months in the NPI and GDS. CONCLUSION: The results suggest this Tai Chi program may help improve cognitive function and mental well-being for older adults with mild dementia.

The Effects of Music Therapy on Cognition, Psychiatric Symptoms, and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, affecting millions of older people worldwide. However, pharmacological therapies have not achieved desirable clinical efficacy in the past decades. Non-pharmacological therapies have been receiving increased attention to treat dementia in recent years. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the effects of music therapy on cognitive function and mental wellbeing of patients with AD. METHODS: A total number of 298 AD patients with mild, moderate, or severe dementia participated in the study. The participants with each grade of severity were randomly divided into three groups, which were a singing group, a lyric reading group, and a control group. These three groups received different interventions for three months. All participants underwent a series of tests on cognitive functions, neuropsychological symptoms, and activities of daily living at baseline, three months, and six months. RESULTS: The analysis shows that music therapy is more effective for improving verbal fluency and for alleviating the psychiatric symptoms and caregiver distress than lyrics reading in patients with AD. Stratified analysis shows that music therapy is effective for enhancing memory and language ability in patients with mild AD and reducing the psychiatric symptoms and caregiver distress in patients with moderate or severe AD. However, no significant effect was found for activities of daily living in patients with mild, moderate, or severe AD. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that music therapy is effective in enhancing cognitive function and mental wellbeing and can be recommended as an alternative approach to manage AD associated symptoms.

[Genetic analysis of a case with atypical neonatal Cri-du-chat syndrome].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical features and genetic mutations in a neonate with atypical Cri-du-chat syndrome, whom only featured with weak cry but had no dysmorphic facial features and congenital heart disease. METHODS G-banding karyotyping was performed on the child and her parents. The result was validated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Chromosome microarray (CMA) was used to further delineate the mutation. RESULTS G-banding analysis suggested that the child had a karyotype of 46,XX,del(5)(p14p15), while both of his parents had a normal karyotype. FISH confirmed the absence of D5S23 and D5S721 at 5p15.2. A 25.7 Mb deletion was detected in the 5p15.33p14.1 region by CMA. CONCLUSION The phenotype of Cri-du-chat syndrome can vary significantly among patients, particularly in neonates, and can be easily mis-diagnosed. Combined cytogenetic and molecular analysis can identify the missing fragments with greater precision.

Purified coronavirus spike protein nanoparticles induce coronavirus neutralizing antibodies in mice.

Development of vaccination strategies for emerging pathogens are particularly challenging because of the sudden nature of their emergence and the long process needed for traditional vaccine development. Therefore, there is a need for development of a rapid method of vaccine development that can respond to emerging pathogens in a short time frame. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2003 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in late 2012 demonstrate the importance of coronaviruses as emerging pathogens. The spike glycoproteins of coronaviruses reside on the surface of the virion and are responsible for virus entry. The spike glycoprotein is the major immunodominant antigen of coronaviruses and has proven to be an excellent target for vaccine designs that seek to block coronavirus entry and promote antibody targeting of infected cells. Vaccination strategies for coronaviruses have involved live attenuated virus, recombinant viruses, non-replicative virus-like particles expressing coronavirus proteins or DNA plasmids expressing coronavirus genes. None of these strategies has progressed to an approved human coronavirus vaccine in the ten years since SARS-CoV emerged. Here we describe a novel method for generating MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV full-length spike nanoparticles, which in combination with adjuvants are able to produce high titer antibodies in mice.

[The variation characters of EPSC-IPSC in rat visual cortex II/III pyramidal neurons during critical period of visual development].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the characters of EPSC-IPSC induced by paired-pulse stimulation of rat visual cortex layer II/III pyramidal neurons during critical period of visual development, and discuss their relationships, to discuss the role of short-term synaptic plasticity in the critical period of visual development of rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were used, they were divided into P10-P12, P14-P16, P21-P23, P28-P30, P35-P37 five groups, n = 6. Whole-cell voltage clamp recording was performed, the membrane potential was clamped on -50 mV, 0 mV respectively to separate EPSC and IPSC. We set the PPR as the observation indicator, analyzed the developmental features of EPSC and IPSC induced by paired-pulse stimulation of different groups. RESULTS: The PPR of layer II/III pyramidal neurons in group P10-P12, P14-P16, P21-P23, P28-P30, P35-P37 was 0.43 ± 0.08, 0.07 ± 0.08, 0.10 ± 0.10, 0.20 ± 0.07, 0.22 ± 0.12 respectively. The PPR of group P14-P16 decreased, the difference was statistically significant compared with the group before eyes open (t = -3.13, P = 0.04). The PPR of corresponding groups was 0.6036 ± 0.3021, 0.2830 ± 0.0504, 0.0287 ± 0.0907, -0.0449 ± 0.1443, -0.3089 ± 0.05553 respectively (F = 5.0799, P = 0.0037), the PPR of IPSC gradually reduced with age, and turned negative from the P28-P30 group, changed from PPF to PPD. CONCLUSIONS: The PPR of EPSC response to visual stimuli rapidly, but did not change significantly in the critical period of visual development (P19-P32). The short-term depression of IPSC increased gradually from the eyes open to the end of the critical period of visual development, which may play a more important role in the process of layer II/III pyramidal neurons maturation and the critical period of visual development ending.

Adipose-selective overexpression of ABHD5/CGI-58 does not increase lipolysis or protect against diet-induced obesity.

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) catalyzes the first step of triacylglycerol hydrolysis in adipocytes. Abhydrolase domain 5 (ABHD5) increases ATGL activity by an unknown mechanism. Prior studies have suggested that the expression of ABHD5 is limiting for lipolysis in adipocytes, as addition of recombinant ABHD5 increases in vitro TAG hydrolase activity of adipocyte lysates. To test this hypothesis in vivo, we generated transgenic mice that express 6-fold higher ABHD5 in adipose tissue relative to wild-type (WT) mice. In vivo lipolysis increased to a similar extent in ABHD5 transgenic and WT mice following an overnight fast or injection of either a ß-adrenergic receptor agonist or lipopolysaccharide. Similarly, basal and ß-adrenergic-stimulated lipolysis was comparable in adipocytes isolated from ABHD5 transgenic and WT mice. Although ABHD5 expression was elevated in thioglycolate-elicited macrophages from ABHD5 transgenic mice, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling was comparable in macrophages isolated from ABHD5 transgenic and WT mice. Overexpression of ABHD5 did not prevent the development of obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet, as shown by comparison of body weight, body fat percentage, and adipocyte hypertrophy of ABHD5 transgenic to WT mice. The expression of ABHD5 in mouse adipose tissue is not limiting for either basal or stimulated lipolysis.

Skin epithelial cells in mice from umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was investigation of the potential to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human umbilical cord blood (UCB) and differentiate them into epithelial cells in mouse skin tissues. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) from UCB (UCB-MNCs) were isolated and induced to MSCs in culture. UCB-MSCs were transfected with pEGFP and labeled with PKH26 dye. eGFP-transfected and PKH26-labeled UCB-derived MSCs were purified by flow cytometry to gate purified eGFP(+) PKH26(+) cells and transplanted at a single clone level into injured nude Balb/C mice by tail vein injection. The phenotype of cultured UCB-MSCs, the expression of human cytokeratins and the expression of eGFP(+) PKH26(+) cells in mouse skin tissues were examined by flow cytometry. Human HLA-1 antigen and cytokeratin 10 (CK10) were detected by direct immunofluorescence on mouse skin tissue sections and flow cytometry. Sry gene (sex-determining region of Y chromosome) was detected by PCR reaction. The results showed that MSCs were isolated from UCB and had heterogeneous morphology and growth potential. Moreover, UCB-derived MSCs localized into mouse skin tissues and differentiated into skin epithelial cells confirmed by in vivo cell tracking and human antigen detection. At two weeks after transplant, a number of eGFP(+) PKH26(+) cells were detected in recipient mouse skin tissues. The detection of sry gene and HLA-1 antigen further confirmed that the human UCB-derived cells were present in recipient mouse skin tissues. Human cells localizing to mouse skin and differentiating into skin epithelial cells were demonstrated by cytokeratins (CK) 8 and 10 expression during flow cytometry, and CK10 expression on injured skin tissue section by direct immunofluorescence. CONCLUSION: UCB-derived MSCs localized to injured skin in vivo and differentiated into epithelial phenotypes. The results demonstrate that UCB-derived MSCs contribute to skin tissue regeneration in vivo and may be an ideal cell source for therapy of skin epithelial tissue injury, including burns.