Study on the Correlation between Hcy and Hs-CRP Levels and Cognitive Function in Patients with Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the correlation and clinical significance of homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels with cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). METHODS: Patients with BD admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to December 2022 were chosen retrospectively. BPD patients were categorized into comorbidity groups, while those without BPD were assigned to non-comorbidity groups, each consisting of 60 cases. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to assess serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in both patient groups. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Cognitive function was evaluated and compared using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Pearson correlation analysis was performed on the correlation between patients' serum Hcy and hs-CRP levels and HAMD, YMRS, and RBANS scores. RESULTS: In the comorbidity group, patients exhibited significantly elevated serum Hcy and hs-CRP levels compared to the non-comorbidity group (p < 0.05). Patients in the comorbidity group displayed higher HAMD and YMRS scores than those in the non-comorbidity group (p < 0.05). Additionally, attention, speech, visual span, immediate memory, and delayed memory in the comorbidity group were notably lower than in the non-comorbidity group (p < 0.05). The speech, visual span, and immediate memory of RBANS in bipolar depressive patients with comorbid BPD were lower than those in bipolar depressive patients without comorbid BPD (p < 0.05), the speech of RBANS in bipolar manic patients with comorbid BPD was lower than those in bipolar manic patients without comorbid BPD (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression of Hcy and hs-CRP in the comorbid group was positively correlated with HAMD and YMRS scores, and negatively correlated with attention, speech, visual span, immediate memory, and delayed memory, and these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High serum Hcy and hs-CRP expression levels may regulate inflammatory responses, aggravating cognitive impairment in patients with BD and BPD. Serum Hcy and hs-CRP expression levels are significantly related to cognitive dysfunction. They are expected to guide the prevention and treatment of BD comorbid BPD patients.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve negative symptoms and/or neurocognitive impairments in the first psychosis episode: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Negative symptoms and neurocognitive impairments in psychosis correlate with their severity. Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment. We aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) on negative symptoms and neurocognitive impairments in patients in first-episode of psychosis(FEP) in a randomized controlled trial(RCT). METHOD: This is a single-site RCT of 85 patients with FEP. Patients were randomized to receive a 4-week course of active(n = 45) or sham rTMS(n = 40). Factor analysis was applied to a cross-sectional dataset of 744 FEP patients who completed negative symptom evaluation and neurocognitive battery tests. Two independent dimensions were generated and used for the K-means cluster analysis to produce sub-clusters. rTMS of 1-Hz was delivered to the right orbitofrontal(OFC) cortex. RESULTS: Two distinct dimensional factors of neurocognitive functions(factor-1) and negative symptoms(factor-2), and three clusters with distinctive features were generated. Significant improvements in factor-1 and factor-2 were observed after 4-weeks of rTMS treatment in both the active and sham rTMS groups. The repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of time×group(F = 5.594, p = 0.021, η2 = 0.073) on factor-2, but no effect of time×group on factor-1. Only improvements in negative symptoms were significantly different between the active and sham rTMS groups(p = 0.028). Patients in cluster-3 characterized by extensive negative symptoms, showed greater improvement in the active rTMS group than in the sham rTMS group. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-Hz right OFC cortex rTMS is more effective in reducing negative symptoms than neurocognitive impairments. It is especially effective in patients with dominantly negative symptoms in FEP.

Childhood maltreatment and personality disorders in adolescents and adults with psychotic or non-psychotic disorders.

Introduction: While the attention to personality disorders (PD) and childhood maltreatment (CM) has grown in recent years, there remains limited understanding of the prevalence and distinctions of PD and CM in clinical populations of Chinese adolescents in comparison to adults. Methods: A total of 1,417 participants were consecutively sampled from patients diagnosed with either psychotic or non-psychotic disorders in the psychiatric and psycho-counseling clinics at Shanghai Mental Health Center. The participants were categorized into two groups based on their age: adolescents (aged 15-21 years) and adults (aged 22-35 years). PDs were evaluated using a self-reported personality diagnostic questionnaire and a structured clinical interview, while CMs were assessed using the Chinese version of the Child Trauma Questionnaire Short Form. Results: When comparing self-reported PD traits and CM between adolescents and adults, differences emerge. Adolescents, particularly in the psychotic disorder group, exhibit more pronounced schizotypal PD traits (p=0.029), and this pattern extends to non-psychotic disorders (p<0.001). Adolescents in the non-psychotic disorder group also report higher levels of emotional abuse (p=0.014), with a notable trend in physical abuse experiences compared to adults (p=0.057). Furthermore, the most prevalent PDs in the clinical sample are avoidant, borderline, and obsessive-compulsive PDs. Among patients with psychotic disorders, adolescents exhibit higher rates of schizoid, schizotypal, and obsessive-compulsive PDs compared to adults. Logistic regression analyses highlight distinct predictors for psychotic and non-psychotic disorders in adolescents and adults. Discussion: The findings emphasize distinct differences in PDs and CMs between adolescent and adult groups, shedding light on their potential roles in psychotic and non-psychotic disorders.

Serum neurofilament light chain and inflammatory cytokines as biomarkers for early detection of mild cognitive impairment.

To investigate the association between serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels, inflammatory cytokines, and cognitive function to assess their utility in the early detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 157 community-dwelling individuals aged 55 years and above, categorized into healthy controls, MCI, and probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). Serum levels of NfL, inflammatory cytokines, and AD pathology markers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlations between these biomarkers and cognitive function were analyzed, and the diagnostic performance of the cognitive assessment scales and serum biomarker concentrations was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Serum NfL levels were significantly elevated in MCI and probable AD groups compared to healthy controls. Positive correlations were found between serum NfL and inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and Aß40. Combining serum NfL with p-tau217 and the Boston Naming Test significantly enhanced the predictive accuracy for MCI. However, combining serum NfL with inflammatory markers did not improve MCI prediction accuracy. Elevated serum NfL is associated with cognitive impairment and inflammatory markers, suggesting its potential as a peripheral serum biomarker for MCI detection. The combination of serum NfL with p-tau217 and cognitive tests could offer a more accurate prediction of MCI, providing new insights for AD treatment strategies.

The diagnostic value of cognitive assessment indicators for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate and analyze the standard diagnostic methods for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: This study used a prospective case-control study to examine baseline data and diagnostic indicators in a population of elderly with MCI. Based on different cognitive abilities, this study divided MCI and healthy control groups. The diagnostic indicators included CDT, MOCA, MMSE, PSQI, MBI, DST, HAMD, AD-related blood markers, and olfactory testing. The diagnostic value of each indicator was done using the ROC curve. RESULTS: This study included 240 adult participants, 135 in the health group and 105 in the MCI group. A comparison of baseline data revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding age, blood glucose, MMSE, CTD, MOCA, ability to perform daily living, AD-related blood indices and olfactory tests (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis statistically showed that age, MOCA, and CDT were independent diagnostic factors for MCI (all p < 0.05). Combining these three indicators has the best diagnostic specificity (92.54%). AD-related blood and olfactory tests indices had only moderate diagnostic values (AUC: 0.7-0.8). CONCLUSION: Age, MOCA, and CDT are good indicators for diagnosing early-stage MCI. AD-related blood indices and olfactory tests can serve as valuable adjuncts in diagnosing MCI.

Study on the Correlation between Hcy and Hs-CRP Levels and Cognitive Function in Patients with Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder

Objective: This study aims to explore the correlation and clinical significance of homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels with cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Methods: Patients with BD admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to December 2022 were chosen retrospectively. BPD patients were categorized into comorbidity groups, while those without BPD were assigned to non-comorbidity groups, each consisting of 60 cases. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to assess serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in both patient groups. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Cognitive function was evaluated and compared using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Pearson correlation analysis was performed on the correlation between patients' serum Hcy and hs-CRP levels and HAMD, YMRS, and RBANS scores. Results: In the comorbidity group, patients exhibited significantly elevated serum Hcy and hs-CRP levels compared to the non-comorbidity group (p < 0.05). Patients in the comorbidity group displayed higher HAMD and YMRS scores than those in the non-comorbidity group (p < 0.05). Additionally, attention, speech, visual span, immediate memory, and delayed memory in the comorbidity group were notably lower than in the non-comorbidity group (p < 0.05). The speech, visual span, and immediate memory of RBANS in bipolar depressive patients with comorbid BPD were lower than those in bipolar depressive patients without comorbid BPD (p < 0.05), the speech of RBANS in bipolar manic patients with comorbid BPD was lower than those in bipolar manic patients without comorbid BPD (p < 0.05). ... (AU)

Profile and mental health characterization of childhood overprotection/overcontrol experiences among Chinese university students: a nationwide survey.

Introduction: The childhood experiences of being overprotected and overcontrolled by family members have been suggested to be potentially traumatic. However, the possible associated factors of these experiences among young people are still not well studied. This study aimed to partly fill such gaps by a relatively large, nationwide survey of Chinese university students. Methods: A total of 5,823 university students across nine different provinces in China were included by the convenience sampling method in the data analyses. All participants completed the overprotection/overcontrol (OP/OC) subscale in a recently developed 33-item childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ- 33). Data were also collected on all participants' socio-demographic profiles and characterization of mental health. Binary logistic regression was conducted to investigate the associated socio-demographic and psychological factors of OP/ OC. Results: The prevalence of childhood OP/OC was estimated as 15.63% (910/5,823) based on a cutoff OP/OC subscale score of ≥ 13. Binary logistic regression suggested that being male, being a single child, having depression, having psychotic-like experiences, lower family functioning, and lower psychological resilience were independently associated with childhood OP/OC experiences (all corrected-p < 0.05). The OP/OC was also positively associated with all the other trauma subtypes (abuses and neglects) in the CTQ-33, while there are both shared and unique associated factors between the OP/OC and other trauma subtypes. Post-hoc analyses suggested that OP/OC experiences were associated with depression in only females and associated with anxiety in only males. Discussion: Our results may provide initial evidence that childhood OP/OC experiences would have negative effects on young people's mental health which merits further investigations, especially in clinical populations.

Occurrence of metabolic syndrome in untreated bipolar disorders: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to observe the occurrence of metabolic syndrome in untreated individuals with bipolar disorders. METHODS: A total of 125 untreated individuals with bipolar disorders were collected as the study group, and 201 cases from the health examination centre of our hospital were selected as the control group. The participants enrolled were assessed for general demographic data, case characteristics, and metabolic indexes including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose. RESULTS: The incidence of metabolic syndrome in the bipolar disorders group was higher compared to the control group (9.6% VS. 8.5%). After calibrating sex and age data, a significant difference between the two groups was observed (P < 0.05). Diastolic and systolic blood pressure were higher in the bipolar disorders group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Men with bipolar disorders had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than women (14.5% vs. 5.8%). Bipolar disorders, sex, age, and BMI were identified as independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome. No significant difference was found in terms of metabolic index and incidence of metabolic syndrome between individuals with depressive episodes (n = 37) and manic episodes (n = 75). CONCLUSION: Patients with bipolar disorders were found to have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than healthy individuals. Bipolar disorders, male sex, age, and BMI may contribute to an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Correlation of Obesity and Clinical Characteristics in Drug-Naive First-Episode Patients With Schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of obesity in drug-naive first-episode (DNFE) patients with schizophrenia and its association with metabolic parameters, psychopathological symptoms, and cognitive function. METHODS: We collected general information on 411 DNFE schizophrenia patients and divided them into obese and nonobese groups according to body mass index (BMI). Glucolipid metabolic parameters of patients were collected. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was performed for assessing patients' psychopathological symptoms. Cognitive function was observed and evaluated in both groups. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to assess factors related to BMI, while we conducted multiple stepwise regression analysis for determining risk factors for obesity. RESULTS: Obesity occurred in 60.34% of DNFE patients with schizophrenia, whereas the obese group had notably higher BMI value and waist-to-hip ratio than the nonobese group ( P < 0.05). Obese patients had markedly higher levels of blood glucose, insulin, apolipoprotein B, total triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol versus nonobese patients ( P < 0.05). Besides, the disease severity and cognitive function were dramatically lower in the obese group. Results of multiple stepwise regression analysis demonstrated negative symptoms, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose levels as the risk factors for comorbid obesity in DNFE patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: The detection rate of obesity was high in DNFE patients with schizophrenia, and there was an intrinsic association between obesity and glucolipid metabolism, clinical symptoms, and cognitive function among them. Our study will provide a theoretical foundation for the diagnosis of obesity in DNFE patients with schizophrenia and the development of effective early interventions.

Disordered gut microbiota and changes in short-chain fatty acids and inflammatory processes in stress-vulnerable mice.

Long-term exposure to chronic stress increases the incidence of depression. However, chronic stress is an associated risk factor in only a subset of individuals. Inflammation has been identified as a putative mechanism promoting stress vulnerability. Because of the gut microbiota's potential role as a source of inflammatory substances, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) may exert their influence on inflammation, emotional states, and cognition via the gut-brain axis. In this study, Classic behavioral tests were used to categorize C57BL/6 J mice into a CUMS-vulnerable and a CUMS-resilient group after they were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). We compared the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences retrieved from fecal samples between control, CUMS-vulnerable, and CUMS-resilient mice. SCFAs in fecal samples were detected by liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Hippocampal cytokine production and TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB inflammatory pathway activation were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and western blotting. Then, we supplemented SCFAs in CUMS mice. we observed depression-like behavior and the expression of TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB inflammatory pathway in hippocampus of SCFAs supplementation mice. Susceptible mice to CUMS showed more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, α diversity was significantly different, as well as higher expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß and TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB inflammatory pathway components in the hippocampus. SCFA levels in the feces were significantly higher in CUMS-resilient mice than in control mice. Depressive behavior was reversed in CUMS-SCFAs group, and the protein level of TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB in hippocampus was decreased. Overall, these results provide new light on the possible involvement of the microbiome in the gut-brain axis development in depressive disorder and provide a theoretical basis for identifying novel therapeutic targets.

Effect of night shift work on metabolic syndrome in adults who suffered from earthquake stress in early life.

Objective: To examine the role of night shift work on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults suffered from earthquakes prenatally or as infants and to analyse the effect of stress on factors that influence MetS in this population. Methods: We included 870 subjects from 2014 to 2015. All subjects work as miners for the Kailuan Mining Group and were born were living in Tangshan. Participants were classified into two groups on basis of their work schedules: day shift and night shift. They were further classified into the prenatal exposure group, the infancy exposure group, and the control group based on their age during the Tangshan earthquake. This study was conducted 38 years after the earthquake. Participants' general demographic data, smoking and drinking habits, as well as work schedules were collected. All participants' sleep status was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The measurement of all subjects' waist circumference and blood pressure was made, and triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins were measured by collecting blood samples. The definition of MetS was made after the guidelines for preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes in China (2017 Edition). Results: A total of 187 (21.5%) workers were determined to have MetS. The incidence of MetS was greatly higher in night shift workers who were exposed to an earthquake during infancy than in day shift workers (χ2 = 8.053, p = 0.005). A multivariate logistic regression analysis displayed male participants had a higher risk develop MetS than female participants (p = 0.042, OR = 0.368, 95% CI = 0.140, 0.965). Current smokers (p = 0.030, OR = 1.520, 95%CI = 1.042, 2.218) and participants who sleep fewer than 7 h per night (p = 0.015, OR = 1.638, 95%CI = 1.101, 2.437) had a higher risk of MetS. Prenatal earthquake stress was also a risk element for MetS (p = 0.012, OR = 1.644, 95%CI = 1.115, 2.423). Conclusion: The risk of MetS is significantly higher in night shift workers exposed to earthquake stress during infancy than day shift workers. Earthquake exposure during pregnancy is an independent risk factor for MetS. Smoking and sleeping less than 7 h have a higher risk of MetS than the control group.

Ecological correlation between short term exposure to particulate matter and hospitalization for mental disorders in Shijiazhuang, China.

The associations between particulate matter (PM) and overall and specific mental disorders (MDs) are investigated using data from two general hospitals in Shijiazhuang, China, from January 2014 to December 2019. A longitudinal time series study, as one type of ecological study, is conducted using a generalized additive model to examine the relationship between short-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and daily hospital admissions for MDs, and further stratification by subtypes, age, and gender. A total of 10,709 cases of hospital admissions for MDs have been identified. The significant short-time effects of PM2.5 on overall MDs at lag01 and PM10 at lag05 are observed, respectively. For specific mental disorders, there are substantial associations of PM pollution with mood disorders and organic mental disorders. PM2.5 has the greatest cumulative effect on daily admissions of mood disorders and organic mental disorders in lag01, and PM 10 has the greatest cumulative effect in lag05. Moreover, the effect modification by sex or age is statistically significant, with males and the elderly (≥ 45 years) having a stronger effect. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10can be associated with an increased risk of daily hospital admissions for MDs.

Estimated prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of mental disorders in medical students of Hebei Province, China: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In China, the identification rate and treatment rate of mental disorders are low, and there are few surveys on the prevalence of mental disorders among college students using diagnostic tools such as Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), so the prevalence and treatment of mental disorders among college students are unclear. AIM: To estimate prevalence of mental disorders among medical students in Hebei Province, and provide guidance for improving their mental health. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on an Internet-based survey. Three levels of medical students in Hebei Province were randomly selected (by cluster sampling) for screening. Using the information network assessment system, the subjects scanned the 2D code with their mobile phones, clicked to sign the informed consent, and answered a scale. A self-designed general status questionnaire was used to collect information about age, gender, ethnicity, grade, and origin of students. The MINI 5.0. was used to investigate mental disorders. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software. Statistically significant findings were determined using a two-tailed P value of 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 7117 subjects completed the survey between October 11 and November 7, 2021. The estimated prevalence of any mental disorders within 12 mo was 7.4%. Mood disorders were the most common category (4.3%), followed by anxiety disorders (3.9%); 15.0% had been to psychological counseling, while only 5.7% had been to a psychiatric consultation, and only 10% had received drug therapy in the past 12 mo. CONCLUSION: Although the estimated prevalence of mental disorders in medical students is lower than in the general population, the rate of adequate treatment is low. We determined that improving the mental health of medical students is an urgent matter.

Association between peripheral orexin A/B levels and depression with childhood trauma.

BACKGROUND: Orexin dysfunction has previously been demonstrated to be associated with depression. However, no studies reported the different effects of orexin A/B on depression with and without childhood trauma (CT). In this study，we assessed the correlation between expression of orexin A/B and depression severity in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients and healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 97 MDD patients and 51 healthy controls were recruited in this study. According to the total scores of childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), the MDD patients were further divided into two subgroups, MDD with CT and MDD without CT. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), and plasma orexin A and orexin B concentrations were measured in all participants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Orexin B plasma levels were significantly higher in MDD patients with CT and without CT than that in the healthy control group (P < 0.05), whereas there was no statistical difference between the two depression groups. After adjusting age and BMI for covariates, the LASSO regression revealed significant association between the plasma orexin B levels and the total scores of HAMD (ß = 3.348), CTQ (ß = 2.005). There was no difference in plasma orexin A levels among three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although peripheral orexin B levels are associated with the depression, rather than orexin A, CT appear to play a role in the association between orexin B levels and depression. China Clinical Trial Registration Center (Registration No.: ChiCTR2000039692).

Features of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in patients with first-episode depression and their relationship with the clinical symptoms.

Objective: To compare the differences in gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs; metabolites of gut microbiota) in the serum of patients with first-episode depression and the healthy population and to analyze the relationship between gut microbiota and metabolite SCFAs and the clinical symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: A total of 45 patients with first-episode depression and 22 healthy volunteers were chosen to complete relevant scale evaluations, and feces samples and venous blood samples were collected. The 16S RNA method was used to analyze the intestinal microflora and the characteristics of serum SCFAs detection by ELISA kit, as well as the intestinal flora, SCFAs content and their correlation with MDD clinical indicators. Results: The abundance of Akkermansia, Megamonas, Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group, and butyrate-producing bacteria, Lachnospira, Subdoligranulum, Blautia, and Dialister, and acetate-producing bacteria, Streptococcus, in the gut microbiota of the MDD group was lower than that in the control (C) group. The abundance of Parasutterella in the MDD group was higher than that in the C group. Dialister negatively correlated with all measured clinical symptoms (r < 0, P < 0.05). The serum SCFA content in the MDD group was higher than that in the C group, and the content positively correlated with the Hamilton anxiety scale scores (r = 0.584, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the MDD group differed from the C group in terms of gut microbiota and SCFAs in the serum and that the change in certain intestinal bacteria might participate in the pathogenic mechanism of MDD.

Salvianolic Acids Alleviate Chronic Mild Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Salvianolic acids possess anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of salvianolic acids on chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depressive-like behaviors in rats and the involvement of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). METHODS: Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly subjected to CMS or non-CMS protocol for 6 weeks. Starting 3 weeks after CMS exposure, the rats in each group were administered saline, fluoxetine (positive control), salvianolic acids, or salvianolic acids + fluoxetine daily for 3 weeks. The body weight change, sucrose preference, and immobility duration in forced swimming were examined before and after drug treatment. The rats were sacrificed at 3 weeks after drug treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of TLR4 and MyD88 in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of rats. RESULTS: Compared with non-CMS rats, CMS rats had significantly reduced weight gains and sucrose preference, along with significantly increased immobility durations and elevated mRNA levels of TLR4 and MyD88 in both the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Treatment with fluoxetine and salvianolic acids, alone or in combination, facilitated weight gains, alleviated depressive-like behaviors, and reduced cerebral TLR4/MyD88 mRNA levels in CMS rats. Besides, fluoxetine and salvianolic acids additively suppressed TLR4/MyD88 mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex of rats. Furthermore, TLR4 mRNA levels in both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex positively correlated with MyD88 mRNA expression, inflammatory cytokine secretion, and immobility duration but negatively correlated with sucrose preference. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, salvianolic acids alleviate depressive-like behaviors, possibly by suppressing TLR4/MyD88-mediated inflammatory signaling in the brain.

Protective effects of low temperature on the risk of hospitalization for mental and behavioral disorders: a time series study.

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of mental illness worldwide is a substantial economic burden on society. Temperature and the occurrence of mental and behavioral disorders (MDs) seem to have a relationship, but this has not been widely researched. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the hospitalization rate of patients with MDs in a temperate monsoon climate region of northern China. METHODS: Patients with MDs hospitalized in the Mental Health Center of Hebei Medical University and Psychology Department in The third Hospital of Shijiazhuang, China, from January 2014 to December 2019 were included in the study. The delayed exposure - response relationship between temperature and the number of hospitalized MDs patients was analyzed using a quasi-Poisson generalized additive model combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model. RESULTS: With the reference of 15.3°C (temperature with the minimum hospitalizations), the single lag effect of low temperature (-2°C, 10th percentile) increased the hospitalization of patients with MDs, while the cumulative effect decreased the risk of hospitalization for some MD subtypes; it was an acute protective effect. The single and cumulative lag effect of high temperature statistically increased the hospitalization rates of patients with MDs. The optimum temperature for each subtype was different, and the males and the younger age group were more susceptible to high temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: Low temperature has an acute protective effect on the hospitalization of patients with MDs. In comparison, high temperature increases hospitalization rates. Men and younger people are more affected by temperature, which provides early warning and health intervention measures for patients with corresponding temperature changes.

Long-term effects of early stress due to earthquake exposure on depression symptoms in adulthood: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of early stress by Tangshan earthquake on symptoms of depression in adulthood. METHOD: A total of 1534 volunteers born and raised in Tangshan were investigated; finally, 1328 subjects were enrolled in the study. They were divided into three groups according to their birth dates: infant exposure, prenatal exposure, and non-exposure. The questionnaires and psychological evaluation of all subjects were completed using a one-on-one psychological test. RESULTS: The rate of depressive symptoms in the prenatal exposure group was the highest, and the lowest in the non-exposure group, with statistical differences among the three groups (P = 0.002). Moreover, the incidences of depressed mood, suicide ideation and work and loss of interest in the prenatal exposure group were significantly higher than those in the infant exposure group and the non-exposure group (P = 0.008, P = 0.001, P = 0.038, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that male could be a protective factor for symptoms of depression in adulthood, and earthquake exposure was an important predictor of the incidence of depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal or infancy exposure to earthquake might correlate to depression symptoms in adulthood.

Sex difference in the prevalence of psychotic-like experiences in adolescents: results from a pooled study of 21,248 Chinese participants.

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are subclinical psychotic symptoms in the general population which are linked to increased risks for later psychiatric disorders. Male and female adolescents were reported to experience PLEs differently, but the results were mixed in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate possible sex differences in the prevalence of adolescent PLEs using a large pooled sample. A total of 21,248 Chinese adolescents aged 11 to 19 years were included, which were drawn from five separate cross-sectional surveys undertaken between 2015 to 2021 in China. PLEs were measured by the 8-item Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. Using binary logistic regression analyses, no significant sex differences were found in the overall prevalence of PLEs after controlling for age and dataset effects. As for specific PLE subtypes, however, being female was associated with a higher prevalence of delusion of reference and a lower prevalence of visual hallucinations. Furthermore, post-hoc subgroup analyses showed that the sex differences in visual hallucinations persist across both early (<= 14 years old) and late (> 14 years old) adolescence, while differences in the delusion of reference were significant in only early adolescence. These findings may help us to further understand the biological basis of PLEs.

Mediating role of impaired wisdom in the relation between childhood trauma and psychotic-like experiences in Chinese college students: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The association between childhood trauma (CT) and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) is well-established. Many previous studies have recognized wisdom as a protective factor for mental health, but its role in the relation between CT and PLEs remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the mediating effect of wisdom in the above association among Chinese college students. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide survey covering 9 colleges across China and recruited a total of 5873 students using online questionnaires between September 14 and October 18, 2021. Convenience sampling was adopted. We employed the San Diego Wisdom Scale (SD-WISE), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), and the 15-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-15) to measure the wisdom, CT and PLEs, respectively. Descriptive, correlation, and mediation analysis were utilized. RESULTS: The positive correlation between CT and PLEs was well-replicated among college students (Pearson's r = 0.30, p < 0.001). Wisdom was negatively associated with CT (Pearson's r = - 0.46, p < 0.001) and frequency of PLEs (Pearson's r = - 0.25, p < 0.001). Total wisdom scores partially mediated the relationship between cumulative childhood trauma, neglect, abuse and PLEs, separately. The mediated model respectively explained 21.9%, 42.54% and 18.27% of the effect of CT on PLEs. Our model further suggested that childhood trauma could be related to PLEs through decreasing the following wisdom components: decisiveness, emotional regulation and prosocial behavior. CONCLUSION: For the first time, our results suggested that impaired wisdom played a role in the translation from childhood adversity to subclinical psychotic symptoms, implicating wisdom as a possible target for early intervention for psychosis among young individuals. Longitudinal work is warranted to verify the clinical implications.