CG9920 is necessary for mitochondrial morphogenesis and individualization during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism for investigating spermatogenesis due to its powerful genetics, conserved genes and visible morphology of germ cells during sperm production. Our previous work revealed that ocnus (ocn) knockdown resulted in male sterility, and CG9920 was identified as a significantly downregulated protein in fly abdomen after ocn knockdown, suggesting a role of CG9920 in male reproduction. In this study, we found that CG9920 was highly expressed in fly testes. CG9920 knockdown in fly testes caused male infertility with no mature sperms in seminal vesicles. Immunofluorescence staining showed that depletion of CG9920 resulted in scattered spermatid nuclear bundles, fewer elongation cones that did not migrate to the anterior region of the testis, and almost no individualization complexes. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that CG9920 knockdown severely disrupted mitochondrial morphogenesis during spermatogenesis. Notably, we found that CG9920 might not directly interact with Ocn, but rather was inhibited by STAT92E, which itself was indirectly affected by Ocn. We propose a possible novel pathway essential for spermatogenesis in D. melanogaster, whereby Ocn indirectly induces CG9920 expression, potentially counteracting its inhibition by the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

The underlying neuropsychological and neural correlates of the impaired Chinese reading skills in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Impaired basic academic skills (e.g., word recognition) are common in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The underlying neuropsychological and neural correlates of impaired Chinese reading skills in children with ADHD have not been substantially explored. Three hundred and two children with ADHD (all medication-naïve) and 105 healthy controls underwent the Chinese language skill assessment, and 175 also underwent fMRI scans (84 ADHD and 91 controls). Between-group and mediation analyses were applied to explore the interrelationships of the diagnosis of ADHD, cognitive dysfunction, and impaired reading skills. Five ADHD-related brain functional networks, including the default mode network (DMN) and the dorsal attention network (DAN), were built using predefined regions of interest. Voxel-based group-wise comparisons were performed. The ADHD group performed worse than the control group in word-level reading ability tests, with lower scores in Chinese character recognition (CR) and word chains (WS) (all P < 0.05). With full-scale IQ and sustained attention in the mediation model, the direct effect of ADHD status on the CR score became insignificant (P = 0.066). The underlying neural correlates for the orthographic knowledge (OT) and CR differed between the ADHD and the control group. The ADHD group tended to recruit more DMN regions to maintain their reading performance, while the control group seemed to utilize more DAN regions. Children with ADHD generally presented impaired word-level reading skills, which might be caused by impaired sustained attention and lower IQ. According to the brain functional results, we infer that ADHD children might utilize a different strategy to maintain their orthographic knowledge and character recognition performance.

Aggregation induced emission dynamic chiral europium(III) complexes with excellent circularly polarized luminescence and smart sensors.

The synthesis of dynamic chiral lanthanide complex emitters has always been difficult. Herein, we report three pairs of dynamic chiral EuIII complex emitters (R/S-Eu-R-1, R = Et/Me; R/S-Eu-Et-2) with aggregation-induced emission. In the molecular state, these EuIII complexes have almost no obvious emission, while in the aggregate state, they greatly enhance the EuIII emission through restriction of intramolecular rotation and restriction of intramolecular vibration. The asymmetry factor and the circularly polarized luminescence brightness are as high as 0.64 (5D0 → 7F1) and 2429 M-1cm-1 of R-Eu-Et-1, achieving a rare double improvement. R-Eu-Et-1/2 exhibit excellent sensing properties for low concentrations of CuII ions, and their detection limits are as low as 2.55 and 4.44 nM, respectively. Dynamic EuIII complexes are constructed by using chiral ligands with rotor structures or vibration units, an approach that opens a door for the construction of dynamic chiral luminescent materials.

Aperiodic components and aperiodic-adjusted alpha-band oscillations in children with ADHD.

This study aimed to investigate the aperiodic properties and aperiodic-adjusted alpha-band oscillations in children with ADHD, focusing on the influence of different scalp regions and lateralization on these neural correlates. Sixty-two ADHD children and 52 typical developing children aged 6-12 years were enrolled. EEG recordings were made with eyes closed for a minimum of 6 min. The 'FOOOF' was used to compute aperiodic parameters (exponent and offset), and aperiodic-adjusted alpha-band features including center frequency (CF), adjusted power (AP), and bandwidth (BW). Mixed-design ANOVAs were conducted with two between-subjects levels (ADHD and control groups) and two within-subjects' factors (lateralization and scalp region). ANCOVAs were conducted after accounting for sex and age. The ADHD group showed a significantly lower exponent compared to the control group, and this difference was not influenced significantly by factors like lateralization, scalp region, or sex. There were no notable distinctions between the groups for other measures. We noticed alpha-band CF tends to increase with age, while only frontal AP shows a significant positive correlation with age. Significant main effects of sex and lateralization were observed for offset, along with an interaction effect between sex and lateralization for CF. Our findings indicate that children aged 6-12 with ADHD have a markedly lower exponent, suggesting that this measure could potentially serve as a biomarker for ADHD. Future studies should consider factors such as age, sex, lateralization, and scalp region when investigating aperiodic and aperiodic-adjusted features.

One-year follow-up of the effectiveness and mediators of cognitive behavioural therapy among adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: secondary outcomes of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The long-term effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in medicated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) adults with residual symptoms needs to be verified across multiple dimensions, especially with respect to maladaptive cognitions and psychological quality of life (QoL). An exploration of the mechanisms underlying the additive benefits of CBT on QoL in clinical samples may be helpful for a better understanding of the CBT conceptual model and how CBT works in medicated ADHD. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial including 98 medicated ADHD adults with residual symptoms who were randomly allocated to the CBT combined with medication (CBT + M) group or the medication (M)-only group. Outcomes included ADHD-core symptoms (ADHD Rating Scale), depression symptoms (Self-rating Depression Scale), maladaptive cognitions (Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire and Dysfunctional Attitude Scale), and psychological QoL (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version-psychological domain). Mixed linear models (MLMs) were used to analyse the long-term effectiveness at one-year follow-up, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to explore the potential mechanisms of CBT on psychological QoL. RESULTS: ADHD patients in the CBT + M group outperformed the M-only group in reduction of ADHD core symptoms (d = 0.491), depression symptoms (d = 0.570), a trend of reduction of maladaptive cognitions (d = 0.387 and 0.395, respectively), and improvement of psychological QoL (d = - 0.433). The changes in above dimensions correlated with each other (r = 0.201 ~ 0.636). The influence of CBT on QoL was mediated through the following four pathways: 1) changes in ADHD core symptoms; 2) changes in depressive symptoms; 3) changes in depressive symptoms and then maladaptive cognitions; and 4) changes firstly in depressive symptoms, maladaptive cognitions, and then ADHD core symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term effectiveness of CBT in medicated ADHD adults with residual symptoms was further confirmed. The CBT conceptual model was verified in clinical samples, which would be helpful for a deeper understanding of how CBT works for a better psychological QoL outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1900021705 (2019-03-05).

A CTL - Lys immune function maintains insect metamorphosis by preventing gut bacterial dysbiosis and limiting opportunistic infections.

BACKGROUND: Gut bacteria are beneficial to the host, many of which must be passed on to host offspring. During metamorphosis, the midgut of holometabolous insects undergoes histolysis and remodeling, and thus risks losing gut bacteria. Strategies employed by holometabolous insects to minimize this risk are obscure. How gut bacteria affect host insects after entering the hemocoel and causing opportunistic infections remains largely elusive. RESULTS: We used holometabolous Helicoverpa armigera as a model and found low Lactobacillus load, high level of a C-type lectin (CTL) gene CD209 antigen-like protein 2 (CD209) and its downstream lysozyme 1 (Lys1) in the midgut of the wandering stage. CD209 or Lys1 depletion increased the load of midgut Lactobacillus, which further translocate to the hemocoel. In particular, CD209 or Lys1 depletion, injection of Lactobacillus plantarum, or translocation of midgut L. plantarum into the hemocoel suppressed 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling and delayed pupariation. Injection of L. plantarum decreased triacylglycerol and cholesterol storage, which may result in insufficient energy and 20E available for pupariation. Further, Lysine-type peptidoglycan, the major component of gram-positive bacterial cell wall, contributed to delayed pupariation and decreased levels of triacylglycerols, cholesterols, and 20E, in both H. armigera and Drosophila melanogaster. CONCLUSIONS: A mechanism by which (Lactobacillus-induced) opportunistic infections delay insect metamorphosis was found, namely by disturbing the homeostasis of lipid metabolism and reducing 20E production. Moreover, the immune function of CTL - Lys was characterized for insect metamorphosis by maintaining gut homeostasis and limiting the opportunistic infections.

Paravertebral block's effect on analgesia and inflammation in advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization and microwave ablation.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with microwave ablation (MWA) is an effective treatment strategy for patients with advanced gastric cancer and liver metastasis. However, it may cause severe postoperative pain and inflammatory responses. The paravertebral block (PVB) is a regional anesthetic technique that provides analgesia to the thoracic and abdominal regions. AIM: To evaluate the effect of PVB on postoperative analgesia and inflammatory response in patients undergoing TACE combined with MWA for advanced gastric cancer and liver metastasis. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into PVB and control groups. The PVB group received ultrasound-guided PVB with 0.375% ropivacaine preoperatively, whereas the control group received intravenous analgesia with sufentanil. The primary outcome was the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h after the procedure. Secondary outcomes were the dose of sufentanil used, incidence of adverse events, and levels of inflammatory markers (white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin) before and after the procedure. RESULTS: The PVB group had significantly lower VAS scores at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h after the procedure compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The PVB group also had a significantly lower consumption of sufentanil and a lower incidence of nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression than did the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the PVB group had significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers 24 h and 48 h after the procedure (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PVB can effectively reduce postoperative pain and inflammatory responses and improve postoperative comfort and recovery in patients with advanced gastric cancer and liver metastasis treated with TACE combined with MWA.

Predictive value of multiple imaging predictive models for spread through air spaces of lung adenocarcinoma: A systematic review and network meta­analysis.

Spread Through Air Spaces (STAS) is involved in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) recurrence, where cancer cells spread into adjacent lung tissue, impacting surgical planning and prognosis assessment. Radiomics-based models show promise in predicting STAS preoperatively, enhancing surgical precision and prognostic evaluations. The present study performed network meta-analysis to assess the predictive efficacy of imaging models for STAS in LUAD. Data were systematically sourced from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Wiley and Web of Science, according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions) and A Measurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2. Using Stata software v17.0 for meta-analysis, surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) was applied to identify the most effective diagnostic method. Quality assessments were performed using Cochrane Collaboration's risk-of-bias tool and publication bias was assessed using Deeks' funnel plot. The analysis encompassed 14 articles, involving 3,734 patients, and assessed 17 predictive models for STAS in LUAD. According to comprehensive analysis of SUCRA, the machine learning (ML)_Peri_tumour model had the highest accuracy (56.5), the Features_computed tomography (CT) model had the highest sensitivity (51.9) and the positron emission tomography (pet)_CT model had the highest specificity (53.9). ML_Peri_tumour model had the highest predictive performance. The accuracy was as follows: ML_Peri_tumour vs. Features_CT [relative risk (RR)=1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.99-1.32]; ML_Peri_tumour vs. ML_Tumour (RR=1.04; 95% CI, 0.83-1.30) and ML_Peri_tumour vs. pet_CT (RR=1.04; 95% CI, 0.84-1.29). Comparative analyses revealed heightened predictive accuracy of the ML_Peri_tumour compared with other models. Nonetheless, the field of radiological feature analysis for STAS prediction remains nascent, necessitating improvements in technical reproducibility and comprehensive model evaluation.

The correlation between tumor radiological features and spread through air spaces in peripheral stage IA lung adenocarcinoma: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: The consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) is a predictor of invasiveness in peripheral T1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma. However, its association with spread through air spaces (STAS) remains largely unexplored. We aimed to explore the correlation between the CTR of primary tumors and STAS in peripheral T1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We collected data from patients who underwent surgery for malignant lung neoplasms between January and November 2022. Univariate and multivariate analyses following propensity-score matching with sex, age, BMI, were performed to identify the independent risk factors for STAS. The incidence of STAS was compared based on pulmonary nodule type. A smooth fitting curve between CTR and STAS was produced by the generalized additive model (GAM) and a multiple regression model was established using CTR and STAS to determine the dose-response relationship and calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: 17 (14.5%) were diagnosed with STAS. The univariate analysis demonstrated that the history of the diabetes, size of solid components, spiculation, pleural indentation, pulmonary nodule type, consolidation/tumor ratio of the primary tumor were statistically significant between the STAS-positive and STAS-negative groups following propensity-score matching(p = 0.047, 0.049, 0.030, 0.006, 0.026, and < 0.001, respectively), and multivariate analysis showed that the pleural indentation was independent risk factors for STAS (with p-value and 95% CI of 0.043, (8.543-68.222)). Moreover, the incidence of STAS in the partially solid nodule was significantly different from that in the solid nodule and ground-glass nodule (Pearson Chi-Square = 7.49, p = 0.024). Finally, the smooth fitting curve showed that CTR tended to be linearly associated with STAS by GAM, and the multivariate regression model based on CTR showed an OR value of 1.24 and a p-value of 0.015. CONCLUSIONS: In peripheral stage IA lung adenocarcinoma, the risk of STAS was increased with the solid component of the primary tumor. The pleural indentation of the primary tumor could be used as a predictor in evaluating the risk of the STAS.

Rapid classification of whole milk powder and skimmed milk powder by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy combined with feature processing method and logistic regression.

Whole milk powder and skimmed milk powder are suitable for different groups of people due to their differences in composition. Therefore, a rapid classification method for whole milk powder and skimmed milk powder is urgently needed. In this paper, a novel strategy based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and feature processing methods combined with logistic regression (LR) was constructed for the classification of milk powder. A LR classification model based on mini-batch gradient descent (MGD) was employed first. As indicated by the research results, the accuracy of the MGD-LR model for the milk powder samples in the test set is 96.33% and the modeling time is 33.07 s. The modeling efficiency is low and needs to be improved. Principal components analysis (PCA) and mutual information (MI) were used as feature processing methods to reduce the high dimensional LIBS data into fewer features for improving the modeling efficiency of the classification model. The research results indicate that the accuracy of the PCA-MGD-LR model and the MI-MGD-LR model for the test set of milk powder samples was 99.33% and 99.67%, respectively. Compared with MGD-LR model, the modeling efficiency of PCA-MGD-LR and MI-MGD-LR models has increased by 89.7% and 74.8%, respectively. The results fully demonstrate the feasibility of rapid milk powder classification based on LIBS and feature processing methods combined with LR, and it will provide a new technology for the identification and classification of milk powder.

Dual Oxytocin Receptor-G Protein Signaling in the Autoregulation of Activities of Oxytocin Neurons.

Oxytocin (OT), a hypothalamic nonaneuropeptide, can extensively modulate mental and physical activities; however, the regulation of its secretion from hypothalamic OT neurons remains poorly understood. OT neuronal activity is generally modulated by neurochemical environment, synaptic inputs, astrocytic plasticity, and interneuronal interactions. By changing intracellular signals and ion channel activity, these extracellular factors dynamically regulate OT neuronal activity and OT release in a microdomain-specific manner. In this process, OT receptor (OTR) and OTR-coupled G proteins are pivotal, typically observed during lactation. Suckling-elicited somatodendritic release of OT causes sequential activation of Gq and Gs proteins to increase the firing rate gradually and trigger burst firing transiently, and then of Gi/o protein to cause post-burst inhibition as a result of potential bolus somatodendritic release of OT during the burst-like discharges. Under chronic social stress like mother-baby separation and cesarean section, excessive somatodendritic secretion of OT and over-excitation of OT neurons cause post-excitation inhibition of OT neuronal activity and reduction of OT secretion. In this process, dominance of G protein that couples to OTR is switched from Gq to Gi/o type because of inhibition of OTR-Gq signaling following negative feedback of downstream Gq signaling or crosstalk of Gq with Gs and Gi signals. This review summarizes our current understandings of OT/OTR signaling in the autoregulation of OT neuronal activity under physiological and pathological conditions.

Identifying subgroups of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from the psychopathological and neuropsychological profiles.

The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) advocates the dimensional approach in characterizing mental disorders. We followed RDoC to characterize children with ADHD using profiling based on the cognitive and psychopathological domains. We aimed to identify and validate ADHD subtypes with different clinical characteristics and functional impairments. We recruited 362 drug-naïve children with ADHD and 103 typically developing controls. The cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups based on the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). The subgroups' clinical characteristics and functional impairments were assessed using the WEISS Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Parent Report (WFIRS-P) and the Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ). The cluster analysis yielded four subgroups: (1) ADHD with severe impairment in psychopathology and executive functions (EF), (2) ADHD with mild executive dysfunctions and normal-level psychopathology, (3) ADHD with severe externalizing problems and (4) ADHD with severe executive dysfunctions. These subgroups showed different clinical characteristics and degrees of functional impairment. The EF impairment group displayed more serious learning problems and worse life skills than the externalizing group. The two groups with externalizing problems (i.e. the severe impairment group and the externalizing group) both exhibited higher rates of the combined subtype of ADHD and higher rates of comorbid ODD. Different subtypes of ADHD displayed different profiles of internalizing and externalizing problems and levels of executive dysfunctions. In particular, the subtype with severe impairment in EF exhibited more learning problems and worse life skills, suggesting EF is a critical target for intervention in children with ADHD.

Integrative pharmacology reveals the mechanisms of Erzhi pills, A traditional Chinese formulation, stimulating melanogenesis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Erzhi pills (EZP), a traditional Chinese medicine formula prescribed for the treatment of vitiligo, has shown promising efficacy. However, the oral bioactive components and mechanisms underlying the promotion of melanogenesis by EZP remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological basis and mechanism of EZP in promoting melanogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: UHPLC-TOF-MS analysis was used to identify absorbed phytochemicals in serum after oral administration of EZP. Network pharmacology methods were used to predict potential targets and pathways involved in the melanogenic activity of EZP, resulting in the construction of a "compound-target-pathway" network. Zebrafish and B16F10 cells were used to evaluate the effects of EZP on tyrosinase activity and melanin content. Western blot and ELISA analyses were used to validate the effects of EZP on melanogenesis-related proteins, including MITF, TYR, CREB, p-CREB, and cAMP. RESULTS: UHPLC-TOF-MS analysis identified 36 compounds derived from EZP in serum samples. Network pharmacology predictions revealed 89 target proteins associated with the identified compounds and closely related to vitiligo. GO and KEGG analyses indicated the involvement of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in the promotion of melanogenesis by EZP. Experimental results showed that EZP increased tyrosinase activity and melanin content in zebrafish and B16F10 cells without inducing toxicity. Western blot and ELISA results suggested that the melanogenic effect of EZP may be related to the activation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. These results confirm the feasibility of combining serum pharmacological and network pharmacological approaches. CONCLUSIONS: EZP have the potential to increase tyrosinase activity and melanin content in zebrafish and cells possibly through activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway.

The ABC-Death Score for Mortality Prediction in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Catheter Ablation.

Background: Data on the performance of risk scores in predicting mortality risk after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablations are limited. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of mortality with preablation biomarkers and evaluate the performance of age, biomarker, and clinical history (ABC)-death score in patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation. Methods: Patients with AF undergoing catheter ablations between 2013 and 2019 in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry were enrolled. Biomarkers associated with ABC-death score were quantified from baseline blood samples collected before AF ablation. Clinical outcomes were all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. Discrimination, reclassification, clinical use, and calibration were further evaluated. Results: We identified 4,218 patients with AF undergoing catheter ablations. During a median follow-up period of 4.0 years, 119 patients died due to all causes, with 49 dying due to cardiac causes. Biomarker levels were all independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and cardiac death. The ABC-death score was superior to the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting all-cause death (C index 0.73 vs 0.63; P = 0.001) and cardiac death (C index 0.83 vs 0.71; P = 0.007). Reclassification analysis revealed significant reclassification improvements of the ABC-death score compared with the CHA2DS2-VASc (cardiac failure or dysfunction, hypertension, age ≥75 [doubled], diabetes mellitus, stroke [doubled]-vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years and sex category [female]) score. Decision curve analysis showed the greater net benefit of use of the ABC-death score. Calibration plots presented an overestimation of the observed mortality event rate by ABC-death score. Conclusions: Preablation biomarkers associated with ABC-death score were independently related to increased all-cause and cardiac mortality risk. Despite the overestimation of the event rate, the ABC-death score outperformed the CHA2DS2-VASc score in discriminating and reclassifying mortality risk, especially for cardiac mortality.

Catheter ablation versus medical therapy for atrial fibrillation with prior stroke history: a prospective propensity score-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke history have a high risk of cardiovascular events despite anticoagulation therapy. It is unclear whether catheter ablation (CA) has further benefits in these patients. METHODS: AF patients with a previous history of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) from the prospective Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study between August 2011 and December 2020 were included in the analysis. Patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio to CA or medical treatment (MT) based on propensity score. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or ischemic stroke (IS)/SE. RESULTS: During a total of 4.1 ± 2.3 years of follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 111 patients in the CA group (3.3 per 100 person-years) and in 229 patients in the MT group (5.7 per 100 person-years). The CA group had a lower risk of the primary outcome compared to the MT group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47-0.74, P < 0.001]. There was a significant decreasing risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.001), IS/SE (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.97, P = 0.033), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.54, P < 0.001) and AF recurrence (HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.37, P < 0.001) in the CA group compared to that in the MT group. Sensitivity analysis generated consistent results when adjusting for time-dependent usage of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: In AF patients with a prior stroke history, CA was associated with a lower combined risk of all-cause death or IS/SE. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm the benefits of CA in these patients.

Specific brain imaging alterations underlying autistic traits in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Autistic traits (ATs) are frequently reported in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to examine ATs in children with ADHD from both behavioral and neuroimaging perspectives. METHODS: We used the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) to assess and define subjects with and without ATs. For behavioral analyses, 67 children with ADHD and ATs (ADHD + ATs), 105 children with ADHD but without ATs (ADHD - ATs), and 44 typically developing healthy controls without ATs (HC - ATs) were recruited. We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data and analyzed the mean amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (mALFF) values (an approach used to depict different spontaneous brain activities) in a sub-sample. The imaging features that were shared between ATs and ADHD symptoms or that were unique to one or the other set of symptoms were illustrated as a way to explore the "brain-behavior" relationship. RESULTS: Compared to ADHD-ATs, the ADHD + ATs group showed more global impairment in all aspects of autistic symptoms and higher hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI). Partial-correlation analysis indicated that HI was significantly positively correlated with all aspects of ATs in ADHD. Imaging analyses indicated that mALFF values in the left middle occipital gyrus (MOG), left parietal lobe (PL)/precuneus, and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) might be specifically related to ADHD, while those in the right MTG might be more closely associated with ATs. Furthermore, altered mALFF in the right PL/precuneus correlated with both ADHD and ATs, albeit in diverse directions. CONCLUSIONS: The co-occurrence of ATs in children with ADHD manifested as different behavioral characteristics and specific brain functional alterations. Assessing ATs in children with ADHD could help us understand the heterogeneity of ADHD, further explore its pathogenesis, and promote clinical interventions.

Psychophysical therapy and underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms for the rehabilitation of long COVID-19.

With the global epidemic and prevention of the COVID-19, long COVID-19 sequelae and its comprehensive prevention have attracted widespread attention. Long COVID-19 sequelae refer to that three months after acute COVID-19, the test of SARS-CoV-2 is negative, but some symptoms still exist, such as cough, prolonged dyspnea and fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations and insomnia. Its pathological mechanism is related to direct viral damage, immunopathological response, endocrine and metabolism disorders. Although there are more effective methods for treating COVID-19, the treatment options available for patients with long COVID-19 remain quite limited. Psychophysical therapies, such as exercise, oxygen therapy, photobiomodulation, and meditation, have been attempted as treatment modalities for long COVID-19, which have the potential to promote recovery through immune regulation, antioxidant effects, and neuroendocrine regulation. Neuroendocrine regulation plays a significant role in repairing damage after viral infection, regulating immune homeostasis, and improving metabolic activity in patients with long COVID-19. This review uses oxytocin as an example to examine the neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the psychophysical therapies of long COVID-19 syndrome and proposes a psychophysical strategy for the treatment of long COVID-19.

Bidirectional associations between maladaptive cognitions and emotional symptoms, and their mediating role on the quality of life in adults with ADHD: a mediation model.

Background/objectives: Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have more maladaptive cognitions, emotional problems and a poorer quality of life (QoL). A verification of the psychological model in clinical samples is needed for a better understanding of the mechanisms of ADHD diagnosis on QoL via maladaptive cognitions, emotional symptoms, and their interactions. Methods: 299 ADHD participants and 122 healthy controls were recruited. ADHD core symptoms, maladaptive cognitions, emotional symptoms and psychological QoL were rated. Pearson's correlation and structural equation modeling were analyzed to explore the relationship and influence of ADHD diagnosis on QoL. Results: More maladaptive cognitions, emotional symptoms, and poorer QoL were found in the ADHD group, and the dysfunctional attitudes were on par between ADHD with or without medication (p = 0.368). Moderate to strong correlations were found between emotional symptoms, maladaptive cognitions and QoL, and ADHD core symptoms presented correlations among the above scores (r = 0.157 ~ 0.416, p < 0.01) in ADHD participants. The influence of ADHD diagnosis on QoL was mediated through maladaptive cognitions, emotional symptoms, and their bidirectional interactions (p < 0.05), especially those with stable medication. Conclusion: Our study is the first to verify the psychological model in adults with ADHD in China. The findings determined the direct influence of ADHD diagnosis on QoL and the indirect influence through maladaptive cognitions, emotional symptoms, and their interactions, emphasizing the importance of interventions for emotional symptoms and maladaptive cognitions for ADHD patients both with or without medication for a better QoL outcome.

Development and validation of the thyroid cancer self-perceived discrimination scale to identify patients at high risk for psychological problems.

Objective: To develop a Thyroid Cancer Self-Perceived Discrimination Scale (TCSPDS) to identify patients at high risk for psychological problems and to test its reliability, validity and acceptability. Methods: Using classical test theory, a total of 176 thyroid cancer patients from November 2021 to October 2022 were recruited to develop the TCSPDS. Item analysis was used to improve the preliminary TCSPDS. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation model (SEM) were used to test the construct validity of the final TCSPDS. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the validity coefficient between TCSPDS and EORTC QLQ-C30 to test the criterion-related validity (CRV) of the final TCSPDS. The internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach's alpha coefficient), split half reliability (Spearman-Brown coefficient) and test-retest reliability were used to verify the reliability of the final TCSPDS. The questionnaire completion time and effective response rate were used to validate the acceptability of the final TCSPDS. Results: The TCSPDS consisted of 20 items and was divided into 3 subscales: 8 items for stigma, 6 items for self-deprecation, and 6 items for social avoidance. The TCSPDS had good validity (χ2/df=1.971, RMSEA=0.074, GFI=0.921, CFI= 0.930, IFI=0.932, TLI=0.901, Validity coefficient=0.767), reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.867, Spearman-Brown coefficient=0.828, test-retest reliability coefficient=0.981) and acceptability [average completion time (15.01 ± 1.348 minutes) and an effective response rate of 95.14%]. Patients with higher TCSPDS scores reported a lower quality of life (P<0.05). Conclusion: The TCSPDS could be used for early identification and assessment of the level of self-perceived discrimination in patients with thyroid cancer, which may provide a scientific basis for health education, social support and psychosocial oncology services in the future, especially in Southwest China.