Effects of sleep quality on suicide risk in COVID-19 patients: The chain mediating of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Background: Although current studies have identified sleep disorders as an independent risk factor for suicide, the relationship between sleep disorders and suicide risk has not been well established. This study explored whether anxiety and depressive symptoms are used as mediators to participate in the impact of sleep quality on suicide risk. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. We administered a psychological questionnaire to the participants, using a combination of self-assessment and psychiatrist assessment.Sleep quality, suicide risk, level of anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed by PSQI, NGASR, SAS and SDS.The study subjects were 391 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from Wuhan hospitals. We used model 6 in the PROCESS (version 3.5) plug-in of SPSS software to conduct mediation test with sleep quality as the independent variable, suicide risk as the dependent variable, level of anxiety and depressive symptoms as intermediate variables. Results: The severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms and the risk of suicide in the sleep disorder group (63.15 ± 13.71, 59.85 ± 13.38, 6.52 ± 3.67) were higher than those in the non-sleep disorder group (49.83 ± 13.14, 44.87 ± 10.19, 2.87 ± 3.26) (P < 0.001). The mediation model works well, The total indirect effect was 0.22 (95%CI = [0.17, 0.28]), and the direct effect was 0.16 (95%CI = [0.08, 0.24]). Limitations: This study used a self-assessment scale. Conclusions: Anxiety and depressive symptoms played a chain mediating role between sleep quality and suicide risk.

Proteomic insights into protostane triterpene biosynthesis regulatory mechanism after MeJA treatment in Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz.

Protostane triterpenes in Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz. have unique structural features with distinct pharmacological activities. Previously we have demonstrated that protostane triterpene biosynthesis could be regulated by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) induction in A. orientale. Here, proteomic investigation reveals the MeJA mediated regulation of protostane triterpene biosynthesis. In our study, 281 differentially abundant proteins were identified from MeJA-treated compared to control groups, while they were mainly associated with triterpene biosynthesis, α-linolenic acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and response to stress/defense. Key enzymes 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), squalene epoxidase (SE), oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) and cytochrome P450s which potentially involved in protostane triterpene biosynthesis were significantly enriched in MeJA-treated group. Basic Helix-loop-helix (bHLH), MYB, and GRAS transcription factors were enhanced after MeJA treatment, and they also improved the expressions of key enzymes in Mevalonate pathway and protostane triterpene. Then, MeJA also could increase the expression of α-galactosidase (α-GAL), thereby promoting carbohydrate decomposition, and providing energy and carbon skeletons for protostane triterpene precursor biosynthesis. As well, exogenous MeJA treatment upregulated 13-lipoxygenase (13-LOX), allene oxide synthase (AOS) and allene oxide cyclase (AOC) involved in α-linolenic acid metabolism, leading to the accumulation of endogenous MeJA and activation of the protostane triterpene biosynthesis transduction. Finally, MeJA upregulated stress/defence-related proteins, as to enhance the defence responses activity of plants. These results were further verified by quantitative real-time PCR analysis of 19 selected genes and content analysis of protostane triterpene. The results provide some new insights into the role of MeJA in protostane triterpene biosynthesis.

Memantine attenuated alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviors through down-regulating NR1-CaMKII-ERK signaling pathway.

Alcohol abuse and anxiety disorders often occur concurrently, but their underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors (NMDARs) have recently received attention from those interested in the neurobiology of anxiety. A chronic alcohol exposure rat model (28 consecutive days of 20% alcohol intake and 6 h of withdrawal) was established. Here, we investigated the NMDAR1 (NR1), Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway in the modulation of anxiety-like behaviors in rats exposed to an open field and elevated plus maze (EPM) through systematic injections of memantine (a NMDAR inhibitor). We found that the NR1-CaMKII-ERK signaling pathway was activated after alcohol withdrawal in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) but not core (NAcC). Memantine treatment greatly ameliorated anxiety-like behavior in the rats experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Moreover, memantine uniformly suppressed the phosphorylation of NR1-CaMKII-ERK pathway induced by alcohol withdrawal. Our results suggest that activation of the NR1-CaMKII-ERK pathway in the mPFC and NAcSh is an important contributor to the molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety behaviors. NMDAR signaling pathway inhibitors are thus potential therapeutics for treating alcohol abuse.

Genetic association analyses and meta-analysis of Dynorphin-Kappa Opioid system potential functional variants with heroin dependence.

Prodynorphin (PDYN) binds to k-opioid receptors (KOPr; encoded by OPRK1) and is known to regulate dopaminergic tone, making this system important for drugs addiction. Dynorphin (Dyn)/KORr system are powerful effectors of stress-induced alterations in reward processing and dysphoric states. Thus, We identified 11 potential functional SNPs and one variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) in this system, performed a case-control association analysis, investigated particular disease phenotypes, assessed the joint effect of variants in two genes, carried out a meta-analysis to analyze the association between this VNTR and Heroin dependence (HD) risk. Eleven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using SNaPshot SNP technology. Participants included 566 healthy controls and 541 patients with HD. We found that PDYN polymorphisms modulate the susceptibility to HD. An increased risk of HD was significantly associated with H alleles of PDYN VNTR (χ2 = 10.824, p = 0.001, OR = 1.419, 95% CI = 1.151-1.748). In addition, the results revealed the patients with the HH genotype showed greater number of withdrawal instances (F(2538) = 7.987, p = 0.0004) compared to the patients with the LL genotype. The Meta-analysis showed the pooled effect of the H allele at this locus is a risk factor for HD in Chinese Han. Gene-gene interaction analysis indicated strong interactions between PDYN rs3830064, 68-bp VNTR and OPRK1 rs16918842, rs3802279. These findings support the important role of PDYN polymorphism in HD, and may guide future studies to identify genetic risk factors for HD.

Sodium humate accelerates cutaneous wound healing by activating TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in rats

Sodium humate (HA-Na) has been topically used as a wound healing and anti-inflammatory agent in folk medicine. In the present study, HA-Na was investigated for cutaneous wound healing in Sprague-Dawley rats. HA-Na solution (1.0%, w/v) was topically administered to rats undergoing excision wound models. Healing was assessed with a recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor for external use as positive control. Wound healing rates were calculated on Day 3, 6, 9, 14 and 21 after injury, and tissues were also harvested after the same intervals for histological analysis. In addition, tissue hydroxyproline levels were measured. Furthermore, mRNA levels and protein expressions of transforming growth factor-β1, 2, 3 (TGF-β1, 2, 3) were determined by RT-PCR and western blot. Protein expression levels of Smad-2, -3, -4 and -7 were also detected by western blot. Our study demonstrates that HA-Na has the capacity to promote wound healing in rats via accelerated wound contraction and increased hydroxyproline content. More importantly, these wound healing effects of HA-Na might be mediated through the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. HA-Na may be an effective agent for enhanced wound healing.

Efficacy comparison of lamivudine and telbivudine combined with hepatitis B vaccine in blocking vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of lamivudine and telbivudine combined with hepatitis B vaccine in blocking vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in pregnant women with HBV infection during late stage of pregnancy.Methods From January 2010 to December 2013,195 pregnant women with HBV infection who received prenatal examination and institutional delivery were enrolled and randomized into three groups based on random number table method,lamivudine group,telbivudine group and control group,65 cases in each group.The subjects in lamivudine group and telbivudine group orally took lamivudine 100 mg/d and telbivudine 600 mg/d respectively,from the 28th week of gestation to 1 month after delivery.The primary end point was HBsAg positivity of infants at 12 months of age.Results Serum lgHBV DNA level of mothers in lamivudine group was 3.7 ± 1.2,and in telbivudine group was 3.6 ± 1.5,in control group was 8.4 ± 1.7.The serum lgHBV DNA level of mothers in lamivudine group and telbivudine group was significantly lower than that in control group (P ＜ 0.01).HBsAg positivity rate of infants at 12 months of age in lamivudine group was 3.1％(2/65),in telbivudine group was 4.6％(3/65),and in control group was 15.4％ (10/65).HBsAg positivity rate of infants at 12 months of age in lamivudine group and telbivudine group was significantly lower than that in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Lamivudine and telbivudine are both effective in preventing vertical transmission of HBV for pregnant women with HBV infection in late stage of pregnancy,and further clinical study is required.

Interventional effect of atorvastatin on inflammatory factors hs-CRP,TNF-αand IL-6 of coronary heart disease / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To explore the effects of atorvastatin on inflammatory factors(hs-CRP,TNF-αand IL-6 levels )of coronary heart disease. Methods 160 patients with coronary artery disease were selected which were treated in Nanyang Municipal Central Hospital from January 2010 to July 2014.The 160 CHD patients were divided into two groups using the random number table method.On the basis of conventional treatment,patients of the experimental group were given atorvastatin,but the patients of control group were given only the other conventional treatment.Patients of two groups were tested about inflammatory factors before treatment and after two months treatment,and then analyzed and compared.Results It had no statistically significant difference on hs-CRP,TNF-αand IL-6 levels in patients of the two groups before treatment;it had statistically significant difference on hs-CRP,TNF-αand IL-6 levels in patients of the two groups of two months after treatment(P<0.05 );differences on hs-CRP,TNF-αand IL-6 levels of patients between pre-treatment and after treatment of two months in the experimental group were statistically significant (P<0.05 );however,it was opposite in the control group.Conclusion Atorvastatin could significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory factors(hs-CRP、TNF-αand IL-6)of patients with coronary artery disease.It has important clinical value.

The diagnosis and treatment primary malignant tumor of the duodenum:a report of 54 cases / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant tumor of the duodenum. Methods The clinical data of 54 patients with primary malignant tumor of the duodenum treated during a period of 6 years were analysed retrospectively. Results Tumors located in the first, second, third and fourth parts accounted for 6 cases(11.1%), 44 cases(81.5%), 2 cases(3.7%), and 2 cases(3.7%) respectively; and among them, ampullary tumor accounted for 38 cases(86.4%) of tumor of descending portion of duodenum and 70.4% of the total number of duodenal tumors. The main clinical presentation included jaundice, upper abdominal pain, weight loss, abdominal distention, and gastrointestinal obstruction. Upper abdominal pain, no positive signs and abdominal mass were found in 72.0%, 20.0% and 8.0% respectively on abdominal examination. Preoperative associated cholecystopathy accounted for 37.0%. The accuracy rate of duodenoscopy and ERCP in preoperative diagnosis was 94.4%, and 77.8% respectively. Preoperative diagnostic accuracy rate was 27.8%. Panceaticoduodenectomy was performed in 38 cases, duodenectonmy in 1 case, palliative resection of tumor in 9 cases, and tumor was inoperable in 6 cases. Radical resection rate was 72.2%. The postoperative 3- and 5-year survival rate was 40.6% and 21.9%, respectively. After palliative resection, death occurred from 1month to 24months. Conclusions The tumors in the ampullary region account for the majority of primary malignant tumors of the duodenum and are mainly adenocarcinoma. The symptoms of advanced stage are complicated, and specific signs on abdominal examination are few. Associated cholecystopathy is relatively ferquent and preoperative accurate diagnostic rate is low. The examinations of first choice are duodenoscopy and ERCP, and radical panceaticoduodenectomy can extend survival time.