Photoprotective Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Ultraviolet-Induced Zebrafish and Human Skin Fibroblasts Cells.

Background: The long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) raises oxidative stress and chronic inflammation levels, which in turn has a series of deleterious effects on skin health, such as sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer. Hence, our study was determined to investigate the effects and mechanisms of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in zebrafish and human skin fibroblasts (HSF) cells to alleviate ultraviolet-induced photoaging. Methods: The 4 days postfertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae and HSF cells were treated with 10 J/cm2 UVA + 30 mJ/cm2 UVB, or 25, or 50 µM EGCG for 72 hr. The indicators involving in oxidative stress, inflammatory, and photoaging were measured by the kits, ELISA Kits and western blot methods. Results: EGCGs protect against UVR-induced skin damage in zebrafish and HSF cells. EGCG markedly decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde, 8-OHdG levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and significantly inhibited inflammatory factors levels including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in zebrafish, and HSF cells irradiated with UVR. We found that EGCG could reduce UVR-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) phosphorylation and effectively inhibited the activity of the transcriptional factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), thereby reducing the protein-1 (AP-1), TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expressions, which are critical mediators of skin aging cascade causing the photoaging. Conclusion: These results validate that EGCG for protection of photoaging in zebrafish and HSF cells induced by UVR, which is closely related to the regulation of p38 MAPK/NF-κB, AP-1 signaling pathway which relieve oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen degradation.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Paeonol from Moutan Cortex: Purification and Component Identification of Extract.

Moutan Cortex (MC) is a traditional Chinese medicine that contains abundant medicinal components, such as paeonol, paeoniflorin, etc. Paeonol is the main active component of MC. In this study, paeonol was extracted from MC through an ultrasound-assisted extraction process, which is based on single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM). Subsequently, eight macroporous resins of different properties were used to purify paeonol from MC. The main components of the purified extract were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The results indicate the optimal parameters are as follows: liquid-to-material ratio 21:1 mL/g, ethanol concentration 62%, ultrasonic time 31 min, ultrasonic temperature 36 °C, ultrasonic power 420 W. Under these extraction conditions, the actual yield of paeonol was 14.01 mg/g. Among the eight tested macroporous resins, HPD-300 macroporous resin was verified to possess the highest adsorption and desorption qualities. The content of paeonol increased from 6.93% (crude extract) to 41.40% (purified extract) after the HPD-300 macroporous resin treatment. A total of five major phenolic compounds and two principal monoterpene glycosides were characterized by comparison with reference compounds. These findings will make a contribution to the isolation and utilization of the active components from MC.

The role of light wavelengths in regulating algal-bacterial granules formation, protein and lipid accumulation, and microbial functions.

High value-added products recovery from algal-bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) has received great attention recently. This study aimed to explore the role of different light wavelengths in regulating granule formation, protein and lipid production, and microbial functions. Bacterial granular sludge (BGS, R0) was most conducive to forming ABGS under blue (R2) light with the highest chlorophyll a (10.2 mg/g-VSS) and diameter (1800 µm), followed by red (R1) and white (R3) lights. R0-R3 acquired high protein contents (>164.8 mg/g-VSS) with essential amino acids above 44.4%, all of which were suitable for recycling, but R2 was the best. Also, blue light significantly increased total lipid production, while red light promoted the accumulation of some unsaturated fatty acids (C18:2 and C18:3). Some unique algae and dominant bacteria (e.g., Stigeoclonium, Chlamydomonas, and Flavobacteria) enrichment and some key functions (e.g., amino acid, fatty acid, and lipid biosynthesis) up-regulation in R2 might help to improve proteins and lipids quality. Combined, this study provides valuable guidance for protein and lipid recovery from ABGS.

The effect of semen cuscutae flavonoid on Sertoli cells and blood-testis barrier in male infertility: integrating network pharmacology and experimental verification.

CONTEXT: Semen cuscutae is commonly used to treat male infertility (MI), and semen cuscutae flavonoid (SCF) is the main active component of semen cuscutae. The therapeutic mechanism of SCF on MI is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the mechanisms of SCF against MI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the potential pathways of SCF against MI. Primary Sertoli cells (SCs) were extracted from testis of 60-day-old rats and divided into Control, Model, and 3 treatment groups. The Control and Model groups were given normal medium, the treatment groups were treated with various concentrations of SCF-containing medium (200, 400, and 800 µg/mL). After 24 h, the Model and treatment groups were exposed to heat stress at 43 °C for 15 min. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of targets. RESULT: Network pharmacology indicated that the treatment of SCF on MI was closely related to PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. The in vitro experiments showed that SCF could up-regulated the expression of AKT, AR, occludin, and Ki67, and down-regulated the expression of CK-18 in SCs after heat stress. The AKT inhibitor could block this process. CONCLUSIONS: SCF can treat MI by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of SCs and the integrity of the blood-testis barrier. The study could provide experimental basis for clinical research.

Silencing of YAP attenuates pericyte-myofibroblast transition and subretinal fibrosis in experimental model of choroidal neovascularization.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main reason of irreversible vision loss in the elderly. The subretinal fibrosis subsequent to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is an important feature in the late stage of wet AMD and is considered to be one reason for incomplete response to anti-VEGF drugs. Recent studies have shown that pericyte-myofibroblast transition (PMT) is an important pathological process involving fibrotic diseases of various organs. However, the specific role and mechanism of PMT in the subretinal fibrosis of CNV have not been clarified. It has been clear that the Hippo pathway along with its downstream effector Yes-associated protein (YAP) plays an important role in both epithelial and endothelial myofibroblast development. Therefore, we speculate whether YAP participates in PMT of pericytes and promotes fibrosis of CNV. In this study, experimental CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in C57BL/6J (B6) mice, and aberrant YAP overexpression was detected in the retinal pigment epithelial/choroid/sclera tissues of the laser-injured eyes. YAP knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of human retinal microvascular pericytes in vitro. It also reduced subretinal fibrosis of laser-induced CNV in vivo. Moreover, by proteomics-based analysis of pericyte conditioned medium (PC-CM) and bioinformatic analyses, we identified that the crosstalk between Hippo/YAP and MAPK/Erk was involved in expression of filamin A in hypoxic pericytes. These findings suggest that Hippo/YAP and MAPK/Erk are linked together to mediate pericyte proliferation, migration as well as differentiation, which may embody potential implications for treatment in diseases related to CNV.

Postoperative pain treatment with transmuscular quadratus lumborum block and fascia iliaca compartment block in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients often suffer moderate or even severe pain after total hip arthroplasty; such pain seriously affects early postoperative recovery. This study aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block combined with fascia iliaca compartment block for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Fifty-four patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty were included in this randomized controlled study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive only transmuscular quadratus lumborum block (group Q) or transmuscular quadratus lumborum block combined with fascia iliaca compartment block (group QF) with ultrasound guidance. Postoperatively in both groups, paracetamol 1 g was regularly administered at 6 h intervals and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was administered. The primary outcome was cumulative sufentanil consumption via patient-controlled intravenous analgesia 24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included pain degree, time to the first analgesic requirement, joint range of motion, quality of recovery, and the incidence of postoperative complications. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included, and their data were analyzed. The cumulative sufentanil consumption in group QF was significantly lower during the first 24 h after surgery than that in group Q, and the cumulative sufentanil consumption in group QF was reduced at 6-12 and 12-18 h after surgery. The postoperative pain intensity was lower in group QF than in group Q (linear mixed-effects model, the main effect of treatment: P < 0.001). Compared with group Q, group QF had higher quality of recovery and joint range of movement. The time to the first analgesic requirement was longer in group QF than in group Q (log-rank, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in complications postoperatively between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a multimodal, opioid-sparing analgesic regimen for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The combination of transmuscular quadratus lumborum block and fascia iliaca compartment block provides a significant advantage for early postoperative functional recovery. Further studies are required to confirm the minimum effective dose. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on the 21st December 2020 (retrospectively registered) on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000038686 .

Effect of Wuzi Yanzong Pills on Sertoli cells and blood-testis barrier in heat-stressed rats based on Akt signalling pathway.

The blood-testis barrier (BTB) of Sertoli cells (SCs) is an important biological barrier that maintains spermatogenesis and provides a favourable microenvironment for spermatogenesis. However, heat stress can directly damage the BTB structural proteins of testicular SCs, leading to dyszoospermia. Wuzi Yanzong Pills (WYP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used to treat male reproductive diseases. However, whether WYP could ameliorate heat stress injury in primary SCs extracted from rat testes and BTB proteins remains unknown. Here, treatment with WYP (low, medium and high dose) increased the SC viability and the proliferation of cell antigen Ki67 significantly. Additionally, it promoted SC maturation, which presented in the form of increased androgen receptors (ARs) and decreased cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) in three WYP dose groups. WYP upregulated BTB proteins such as zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) and occludin across all WYP groups and decreased phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) in the middle and high-dose groups; however, ZO-1 and occludin recovery were reduced with the presence of Akt inhibitor in WYP groups. WYP improved SC viability and proliferation, and ameliorated dedifferentiation and BTB-proteins damaged by heat stress via Akt signalling. The findings present theoretical support for the effects of WYP in the management of dyszoospermia and male infertility.

[Extracellular vesicles and male reproduction: Advances in studies].

The transportation of extracellular vesicles (EV) is a newly discovered mechanism of cellular communication, which plays a biological role by interacting with cell surface receptors, endocytosis and direct fusion with target cell membranes. In the field of reproduction, experimental studies have found that EVs can influence the phenotypes and functions of receptor cells related to male reproduction and affect male reproductive health via transferring biological information carriers such as functional proteins and non-coding RNAs. This review focuses on the relationship between EVs and male reproduction from the perspectives of the testis, epididymis, semen, seminal vesicle and prostate, which are closely related to male reproduction, and discusses the new mechanisms affecting male reproductive health from the perspective of EVs.

YAP nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation is regulated by mechanical signaling, protein modification, and metabolism.

Nuclear-cytoplasmic transport is necessary for the biological function of nuclear proteins. The mechanism underlying this process is very complex and has been a subject of intense research. Yes-associated protein (YAP), a Hippo signaling pathway effector, localizes to both the cytoplasm and the nucleus and can influence cell proliferation, stem cell status, and tissue homeostasis. Recent studies have focused on the significance of YAP distribution between the nucleus and the cytoplasm in disease, but it remains unclear how this dynamic process is regulated. In this review, we discuss YAP nuclear-cytoplasmic transport under different physiological and pathological conditions in terms of mechanical signaling, protein modification, and metabolism. Understanding the mechanisms underlying nuclear-cytoplasmic YAP transport mechanism under different physiological and pathological conditions may help identify important targets for disease treatment.

Association of hemorrhage at termination in caesarean scar pregnancy using the crossover sign of ultrasound image.

PURPOSE: To analyze whether crossover sign (COS) can help predict the risk of bleeding during surgical evacuation in patients with caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical presentations, ultrasound images and treatment outcomes of patients with CSP. The relationship among the gestational sac, caesarean scar and the anterior uterine wall, defined as the COS, was analyzed to predict the risk of severe bleeding during surgical evacuation in these patients. All patients were categorized according to the relationship between the endometrial line and the superior-inferior diameter of the gestational sac into crossover sign-1 and crossover sign-2 groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the data with non-normal distribution, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the correlates of severe bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients were included. In COS-1 group (n = 21), 16 (76.19%) patients suffered heavy bleeding(≥200 mL) during surgical evacuation, while COS-2 group (n = 53) had only 1(11.89%) patient complaint of heavy bleeding (≥200 mL) (P < 0.01). Adverse surgical outcomes were more common in women with COS-1. Logistic regression analysis showed that COS-1 (OR, 7.93; 95% CI, 1.35-46.67) was independently associated with severe bleeding. CONCLUSION: COS can help predict who has a higher risk of severe hemorrhage in patients with CSP and guide the clinical treatment selection for optimal management of this condition.

Beneficial effects of konjac powder on lipid profile in schizophrenia with dyslipidemia: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Konjac powder has the effect of improving blood lipids in the general population, but there is no research on schizophrenic patients who are susceptible to dyslipidemia. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of konjac powder on blood lipid, glucose levels, body weight, and blood pressure in schizophrenia inpatients with dyslipidemia. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: After a two-week adaptation period, 76 people with schizophrenia were enrolled in a 30-day double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects in the experimental group were given a beverage containing konjac powder 30 minutes before each meal, whereas those in the control group were given a beverage containing resistant maltodextrin. RESULTS: The lipid profile, plasma glucose, blood pressure, and body weight were measured at baseline and at the end of 30-day treatment. Fiftynine subjects completed the study. There was a substantial decrease in total serum cholesterol in the experimental group, but an increase in the control group. Likewise, apolipoprotein B decreased in the experimental group but increased in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that a diet supplemented with konjac powder may prevent the deterioration of dyslipidemia in people with schizophrenia, demonstrating its potential value in the treatment of metabolic disorders in schizophrenia as a new therapeutic method.

The protective effect of persistent trigeminal artery in patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Almost all case reports related to persistent trigeminal artery indicated that the existence of persistent trigeminal artery may increase the risk of ischemic stroke. However our case demonstrated that the persistent trigeminal artery may also play a protective role in preventing severe ischemic stroke by functioning as collateral circulation. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a patient with left internal carotid artery occlusion with persistent trigeminal artery manifesting only as a minor acute ischemia stroke exhibiting acute onset of dizziness and difficulty in walking. Brain MRI showed two small areas of restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging in the left hemisphere. The digital subtraction angiography showed his left middle cerebral artery and bilateral anterior cerebral artery were supplied by the basilar artery via a persistent trigeminal artery. Furthermore, CT perfusion showed no remarkable difference between the two hemispheres. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent trigeminal artery may have a protective role in the setting of an acquired occlusion of homolateral internal carotid artery. Therefore, it is important to fully assess the presence of the persistent trigeminal artery in acute ischemic stroke.

Correlation between the epigenetic modification of histone H3K9 acetylation of NR2B gene promoter in rat hippocampus and ethanol withdrawal syndrome.

Patients with alcohol use disorder may develop acute ethanol withdrawal syndrome (EWS). Previous studies showed that an epigenetic modification of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, especially NMDA receptor 2B subunit (NR2B), was involved in the pathological process of EWS. However, the relationship between the epigenetic regulation of the NR2B gene in the rat hippocampus region and EWS were inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of the histone H3K9 acetylation of the NR2B gene in the rat hippocampus region in EWS. A rat model of chronic ethanol exposure was established. EWS score and the behavioral changes were recorded at different time points. The NR2B expression levels and the histone H3K9 acetylation level in the NR2B gene promoter region were measured using qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation, respectively. Finally, the relationship between the epigenetic modification of histone H3K9 acetylation of NR2B gene promoter and EWS were examined. Our ultimate results showed that the EWS score was increased at 2 h, peaked at 6 h after withdrawal of ethanol, and reduced to the level parallel to the normal control group at day 3 after ethanol withdrawal. The NR2B mRNA expression and protein levels showed similar patterns. Further correlation analyses indicted that both histone H3K9 acetylation in NR2B gene promoter and the expression levels of NR2B were positively associated with EWS. Our results suggest that chronic ethanol exposure may result in epigenetic modification of histone H3K9 acetylation in NR2B gene promoter in rat hippocampus, and the expression levels of NR2B were found to be positively correlated with ethanol withdrawal syndrome.

The association of HTR3A mRNA expression and craving in Han Chinese alcohol-dependent patients: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 3 receptor plays a crucial role in craving of alcohol dependence. Recent evidence shows that chronic alcohol exposure causes changes in gene expression and induces behavioral changes. However, the relationship between gene expression of 5-HT3 receptor and craving in alcohol-dependent patients is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the relationship between gene expression of the 5-HT3 receptor and craving in alcohol-dependent patients and the epigenetic mechanism. METHODS: We recruited 50 male Han Chinese alcohol-dependent patients and 46 male Han Chinese healthy controls. We investigated the changes of HTR3A mRNA, which encodes the 5-HT3 receptor A subunit, and H3K9 acetylation in HTR3A promoter region. Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) was used to assess the craving of alcohol-dependent patients relative to controls. RESULTS: HTR3A mRNA expression levels and acetylation levels of H3K9 in the HTR3A promoter region were significantly higher in the alcohol-dependent patients. HTR3A mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with OCDS scores. Moreover, HTR3A mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with acetylation levels of H3K9 in HTR3A promoter region. CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest that HTR3A mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with craving in Han Chinese alcohol-dependent patients. The regulation of H3K9 histone acetylation in HTR3A promoter region may offer a target for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

Genome-Wide Identification of NAC Family Genes in Oat and Functional Characterization of AsNAC109 in Abiotic Stress Tolerance.

The plant-specific NAC gene family is one of the largest transcription factor families, participating in plant growth regulation and stress response. Despite extensive characterization in various plants, our knowledge of the NAC family in oat is lacking. Herein, we identified 333 NAC genes from the latest release of the common oat genome. We provide a comprehensive overview of the oat NAC gene family, covering gene structure, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic characteristics, conserved motif compositions, and gene duplications. AsNAC gene expression in different tissues and the response to various abiotic stresses were characterized using RT-qPCR. The main driver of oat NAC gene family expansion was identified as segmental duplication using collinearity analysis. In addition, the functions of AsNAC109 in regulating abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis were clarified. This is the first genome-wide investigation of the NAC gene family in cultivated oat, which provided a unique resource for subsequent research to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for oat stress tolerance and provides valuable clues for the improvement of stress resistance in cultivated oat.

Prevalence of mental health symptoms and associated risk factors among healthcare workers in specialized COVID-19 hospitals in Anyang, China: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spread worldwide and brought unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems. Healthcare workers experienced tremendous pressure and psychological issues. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from January 2022 to April 2022 among healthcare workers in Anyang, Henan Province, China. Insomnia, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and problematic internet use (PIU) were evaluated. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the factors that were associated with mental health problems. Results: A total of 242 participants (mean [SD] age, 34.7 [6.6] years, 187 female [77.3 %]) were included in the study. The prevalence of symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, depression, PTSD and PIU during the COVID-19 pandemic in China was 53.7 %, 100.0 %, 7.0 %, 20.3 %, and 19.4 %, respectively. Participants who smoked, used sedative-hypnotic drugs and may need psychological assistance were at a higher risk for mental health problems. Respondents who were older than 45 years and were married displayed a lower risk of insomnia and PTSD, respectively. Conclusions: Mental health symptoms are pervasive among healthcare workers in specialized COVID-19 hospitals during the outbreak. Risk factors include smoking, sedative-hypnotic drug use, and the need for psychological assistance, while protective factors include age and marital status. Developing social media platforms and providing psychological assistance may be effective interventions for healthcare workers.

Therapeutic sleep deprivation for major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is treated primarily using antidepressant drugs, but clinical effects may be delayed for weeks to months. This study investigated the efficacy of brief therapeutic sleep deprivation (TSD) for inducing rapid improvements in MDD symptoms. METHODS: From November 2020 to February 2023, 54 inpatients with MDD were randomly allocated to TSD and Control groups. The TSD group (23 cases) remained awake for 36 h, while the Control group (31 cases) maintained regular sleep patterns. All participants continued regular drug therapy. Mood was assessed using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) at baseline and post-intervention in both groups. In the TSD group, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was utilized to evaluate subjective mood during and after the intervention. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Objective sleep parameters were recorded in the TSD group by polysomnography. The follow-up period spanned one week. RESULTS: HAMD-24 scores did not differ between groups at baseline or post-intervention. However, the clinical response rate was 34.8 % higher in the TSD group on day 3 post-intervention compared to the Control group (3.2 %), but not sustained by day 7. Moreover, responders demonstrated a faster improvement in the VAS score during TSD than non-responders (p = 0.047). There were no significant differences in MoCA scores or objective sleep parameters between the groups. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size and notable attrition rate. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic sleep deprivation can rapidly improve MDD symptoms without influencing sleep parameters or cognitive functions. Assessment of longer-term effects and identification of factors predictive of TSD response are warranted.

Sleep Deprivation and Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Volunteers: Effects of REM and SWS Sleep Deprivation.

Objective: Using PSG-guided acute selective REM/SWS sleep deprivation in volunteers, this study examined the effects of sleep deprivation on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems, as well as the relationship between cardiac neuromodulation homeostasis and cardiovascular disease. Methods: An experiment was conducted using 30 healthy volunteers (male : female = 1 : 1, aged 26.33 ± 4.5 years) divided into groups for sleep deprivation of SWS and REM sleep, and then, each group was crossed over for normal sleep (2 days) and repeated sleep deprivation (1 day, 3 times). During the study period, PSG and ELECTRO ECG monitoring were conducted, and five-minute frequency domain parameters and blood pressure values were measured before and after sleep deprivation. Results: Changes in VLF, LFnu, LF/HF, HF, and HFnu after SWS sleep deprivation were statistically significant (P < 0.05), but not LF (P = 0.063). Changes in VLF, LF, HF, LF/HF, LFnu, and HFnu after REM sleep deprivation were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: An increase in sympathetic nerve activity results from sleep deprivation and sudden awakening from SWS sleep is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

Depression severity partially mediates the association between thyroid function and psychotic symptoms in first-episode, drug-naive major depressive disorder patients with comorbid anxiety at different ages of onset.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and psychotic symptoms are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), with a strong association with thyroid function. Age of onset contributes to the heterogeneity of MDD patients. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in MDD patients with comorbid anxiety and to explore the relationship between thyroid function and psychotic symptoms by ages of onset. METHODS: A total of 894 first-episode, drug-naïve Chinese Han MDD patients with comorbid anxiety were recruited. Thyroid function and psychometric measures including Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale were evaluated. Patients were divided into early adulthood onset (EAO, < 45 years old) and mid-adulthood onset (MAO, ≥ 45 years old) groups. RESULTS: The MAO subgroup had a higher prevalence of psychotic symptoms compared to EAO subgroup. TSH and TPOAb levels were positively correlated with psychotic symptoms severity, with a more pronounced effect in MAO subgroup. Furthermore, MDD severity partially mediated the effects of TPOAb and TSH levels on psychotic symptoms in both subgroups. LIMITATIONS: A causal relationship could not be demonstrated with this cross-sectional study, and the results should be limited to first-episode, drug-naïve MDD patients without considering more potential confounders. Moreover, the male-to-female ratio imbalance is present. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that age of onset moderated the association between thyroid function and psychotic symptom, and depression severity partially mediated the effects of thyroid function on psychotic symptoms, suggesting thyroid function may serve as a biomarker of psychotic symptoms in MDD patients with anxiety.

Associations of three thermogenic adipokines with metabolic syndrome in obese and non-obese populations from the China plateau: the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: High altitude exposure decreases the incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, but increases the expression of the thermogenic adipokines (leptin, fat cell fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) and visfatin). This study investigated the correlation of these adipokines with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in populations residing in a plateau-specific environment. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: We cross-sectionally analysed data from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 475 obese (OB, body mass index (BMI)≥28.0 kg/m2) plateau Han people and 475 age, sex and region-matched non-obese (NO, 18.5≤BMI<24.0 kg/m2) subjects were recruited. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Data with normal distributions were expressed as the mean (Stanard Deviation, SD), and data with skewed distributions were expressed as the median (Interquartile Range, IQR). The participants were grouped and the rank-sum test, χ2 test or t-tests was used for comparing groups. Spearman correlation coefficients were estimated to assess the relationships among leptin, A-FABP, visfatin and the components of MetS in each group. RESULTS: A-FABP was an independent predictor of OB (OR, 1.207; 95% CI, 1.170 to 1.245; p<0.05), ABSI (OR, 1.035; 95%CI, 1.019 to 1.052; p<0.05) and MetS (OR, 1.035; 95% CI, 1.013 to 1.057; p<0.05). Leptin was an independent predictor of MetS in the NO group. Visfatin was an independent predictor of increased ABSI, but not for OB or MetS. CONCLUSION: An abnormally elevated plasma A-FABP level, but not leptin or visfatin is a potential risk factor for MetS in high-altitude populations.