Correlation of emotional abnormalities with the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in obese patients / 四川精神卫生

BackgroundBariatric surgery has emerged as an important tool in the management of obesity. Some patients undergoing bariatric surgery are prone to develop emotional abnormalities and have abnormally elevated concentrations of inflammatory factors level in peripheral blood， whereas current domestic research focusing on the impact of preoperative emotional states and peripheral blood inflammatory factors level on weight loss effect remains limited. ObjectiveTo explore the correlation of preoperative emotional abnormalities with the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in obese patients， and to provide theoretical basis for improving the clinical efficacy of bariatric surgery. MethodsEighty-one obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery at gastrointestinal surgery Department of West China Hospital， Sichuan University from December 30， 2022 to June 30， 2023 were enrolled and assessed using Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item （HAMD-17） and Hamilton Anxiety Scale （HAMA）. Patients who scored 7 or above on HAMD-17 or HAMA or had a history of previous depression or anxiety diagnoses were classified into emotional abnormality group （n=34）， and samples who scored less than 7 on HAMD-17 and HAMA and were free of history of previous depression and anxiety diagnoses were set as non-emotional abnormality group （n=47）. The data were collected by the self made questionnaire. Patients were subjected to complete the assessment of Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation-Chinese Version （BSI-CV）， Eating Disorder Inventory （EDI） and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）. Laboratory tests including peripheral blood C-reactive protein （CRP） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Body weight and height assessed in the early morning after an overnight fasting period were recorded in all participants at 1- and 6-month after surgery through outpatient clinic visits or telephone follow-up. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine relationship among body mass index （BMI）， preoperative emotional states and peripheral blood inflammation mediators. ResultsAmong 81 obese patients， 62 completed the study， including 27 cases in emotional abnormality group and 35 cases in non-emotional abnormality group. Emotional abnormality group scored higher on BSI-CV （current）， BSI-CV （worst）， EDI and PSQI， and detected higher levels of CRP and IL-6 compared with non-emotional abnormality group （Z=2.677， 2.975， t=3.573， 4.035， 1.990， 2.799， P<0.05 or 0.01）. For BMI， there was no significant group effect and time×group interaction effect （P>0.05）， but a significant time effect （F=227.740， P<0.01）. Within emotional abnormality group， BMI at the baseline， 1- and 6-month after surgery showed a positive correlation with IL-6 level （r=0.419， 0.510， 0.559， P<0.05 or 0.01）， BMI at 6-month after surgery was positively correlated with HAMD-17 total score （r=0.390， P<0.05）， and ΔBMI% at 6-month after surgery was negatively correlated with HAMD-17 total score （r=-0.421， P<0.05）. Within non-emotional abnormality group， baseline BMI was positively correlated with IL-6 level （r=0.338， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe short-term effect of bariatric surgery may be comparable in obese patients with or without emotional abnormalities， while it cannot be ruled out whether the outcome of bariatric surgery is related to the severity of preoperative depression.

Study of discrepancy in subjective and objective cognitive function in patients with depressive disorder / 四川精神卫生

BackgroundThere exist differences in the subjective and objective cognitive functions of patients with depressive disorder， ane there are limited research on influencing factors of such phenomenon currently. ObjectiveTo explore the differences in subjective and objective cognitive function in patients with depressive disorder as well as influencing factors， and to provide references for further understanding of cognitive impairment in patients with depressive disorder. MethodsA total of 77 patients with depressive disorder who received outpatient or inpatient treatment in the Fourth People's Hospital of Chengdu from January 13， 2022 to December 11， 2023 were selected for the study. These patients also met the diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fifth edition（DSM-5）. Various tools were employed to assess patients in this study： Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale （MADRS） for the depressive symptoms， Perceived Deficits Questionnaire for Depression （PDQ-D） and Chinese Version of Brief Neurocognitive Test Battery （C-BCT） for the subjective and objective cognitive function， Sheehan Disability Scale （SDS） for the social function， and Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness（CGI-SI） for the severity of patient's condition. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation of subjective and objective cognitive function and their differences with age， years of education， MADRS total score， SDS total score， and CGI-SI score. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the influencing factors of the differences between subjective and objective cognitive function. ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in the total PDQ-D scores and the difference of subjective and objective cognitive function （D value） between depressive patients with and without medication （t=-4.228， -2.392， P<0.05 or 0.01）. There was no statistically significant correlation in subjective and objective cognitive function in patients with depressive disorder （r=-0.148， P>0.05）. Negative correlations can be observed between the PDQ-D total score and age or years of education （r=-0.333， -0.369， P<0.01）. The PDQ-D total score was positively correlated with MADRS total score， SDS total score and CGI-SI score （r=0.487， 0.637， 0.434， P<0.01）. D value was negatively correlated with age and years of education （r=-0.411， -0.362， P<0.01）， while positively correlated with MADRS total score， SDS total score and CGI-SI score （r=0.259， 0.468， 0.299， P<0.05 or 0.01）. Age （β=-0.328， P<0.01） and SDS total score （β=0.409， P<0.01） were two predictive factors for D value. ConclusionThe difference between subjective and objective cognitive function among patients with depressive disorder is related to several factors including age， years of education， severity of symptoms and impairment of social function. ［Funded by Surface Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China （number， 62173069）； Technological Innovation 2030-Major Project of "Brain Science and Brain-Like Research" （number， 2022ZD0211700）； Key R&D Support Program and Major Application Demonstration Project of Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau （number， 2022-YF09-00023-SN）］

Research progress of anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of major depressive disorder / 四川精神卫生

Major depressive disorder is one of the common mental disorders， and its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Elevated levels of inflammation are recognized as one of the mechanisms contributing to the onset of major depressive disorder. Numerous studies have indicated that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs， omega-3 fatty acids， statins， pioglitazone， minocycline， N-acetylcysteine， corticosteroids and other medications may exert anti-depressant effects through their anti-inflammatory actions. This article provides a comprehensive review of the application of these drugs in the treatment of major depressive disorder， exploring the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of action of different anti-inflammatory agents， thereby offering a reference for the future application of anti-inflammatory interventions in the treatment of depression. ［Funded by The Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China （Number， 2022ZD0211700）］

Application of supportive psychotherapy among COVID-19 positive patients / 四川精神卫生

ObjectiveTo explore the role of supportive psychotherapy in mental health improvement of COVID-19 positive patients， and to provide references for the implementation of early psychological intervention measures in response to the sudden epidemic outburst， such as COVID-19. MethodsA total of 35 patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to ICU ward of Wuhan People’s Hospital from February 1 to March 1， 2020 were enrolled in this study. All the selected individuals received a 2-week supportive psychotherapy. Then Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）， Patients’ Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item （PHQ-9）， Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale （GAD-7） and Social Support Rating Scale （SSRS） were used to evaluate the sleep quality， depression， anxiety and social support of participants at the baseline and the 2nd week of the intervention. ResultsInsomnia was detected in 32 patients （91.43%）， anxiety symptoms in 31 （88.57%）， depressive symptoms in 32 （91.43%）， and 29 patients （82.86%） reported feeling a lack of social support. After 2 weeks of intervention， the PSQI， GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores decreased （t=5.272， 5.475， 4.621， P<0.01）， and SSRS score increased （t=-4.639， P<0.01）. After the intervention， the proportion of patients with insomnia， anxiety， depression and lack of social support was also decreased （χ2=18.714， 16.232， 16.970， 4.480， P<0.01）. ConclusionSupportive psychotherapy may ameliorate anxiety， depression and sleep quality in COVID-19 patients.

Correlation between altered levels of neurotransmitters in the frontal lobe and hippocampus and behavioral abnormalities in a Clock mutant mice modeling bipolar manic disorder / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the correlation between altered levels of neurotransmitters in the frontal lobe and hippocampus and behavioral abnormalities in a Clock variant mice modeling bipolar disorder manic disorder.@*METHODS@#Open field test and Elevated plus-maze test were carried out on the Clock mutant and wild-type control groups. The frontal lobe and hippocampus of Clock mutant mice and controls were dissected, and neurotransmitters in tissue extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The concentration of neurotransmitters and behavioral indicators were assessed by t test and Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS 22.0.@*RESULTS@#The Clock mutant mice showed a significant increase in activity, albeit with no difference in the level of anxiety from the wild-type controls, which suggested that the Clock mutant mice can be used as a model for manic attack of bipolar disorder. Altered neurotransmitter levels were detected in the frontal and hippocampal regions, including elevated histamine in the left hippocampus, reduced histamine in the right hippocampus, reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in bilateral hippocampus, elevated dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in the left frontal lobe and reduced DOPA in the right hippocampus, and decreased glutamine in bilateral frontal lobes. The reduced glutamine in the left frontal lobe and GABA in the right hippocampus correlated with the increased activity of Clock mutant mice.@*CONCLUSION@#Clock mutant mice showed abnormal behavior with increased activity. Reduced glutamine in the left frontal lobe and GABA in the right hippocampus were correlated with increased activity.

Age-Related Reduction in Cortical Thickness in First-Episode Treatment-Naïve Patients with Schizophrenia / 神经科学通报·英文版

Substantial evidence supports the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia. Meanwhile, progressive neurodegenerative processes have also been reported, leading to the hypothesis that neurodegeneration is a characteristic component in the neuropathology of schizophrenia. However, a major challenge for the neurodegenerative hypothesis is that antipsychotic drugs used by patients have profound impact on brain structures. To clarify this potential confounding factor, we measured the cortical thickness across the whole brain using high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in 145 first-episode and treatment-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 147 healthy controls. The results showed that, in the patient group, the frontal, temporal, parietal, and cingulate gyri displayed a significant age-related reduction of cortical thickness. In the control group, age-related cortical thickness reduction was mostly located in the frontal, temporal, and cingulate gyri, albeit to a lesser extent. Importantly, relative to healthy controls, patients exhibited a significantly smaller age-related cortical thickness in the anterior cingulate, inferior temporal, and insular gyri in the right hemisphere. These results provide evidence supporting the existence of neurodegenerative processes in schizophrenia and suggest that these processes already occur in the early stage of the illness.

White Matter Abnormalities in Major Depression Biotypes Identified by Diffusion Tensor Imaging / 神经科学通报·英文版

Identifying data-driven biotypes of major depressive disorder (MDD) has promise for the clarification of diagnostic heterogeneity. However, few studies have focused on white-matter abnormalities for MDD subtyping. This study included 116 patients with MDD and 118 demographically-matched healthy controls assessed by diffusion tensor imaging and neurocognitive evaluation. Hierarchical clustering was applied to the major fiber tracts, in conjunction with tract-based spatial statistics, to reveal white-matter alterations associated with MDD. Clinical and neurocognitive differences were compared between identified subgroups and healthy controls. With fractional anisotropy extracted from 20 fiber tracts, cluster analysis revealed 3 subgroups based on the patterns of abnormalities. Patients in each subgroup versus healthy controls showed a stepwise pattern of white-matter alterations as follows: subgroup 1 (25.9% of patient sample), widespread white-matter disruption; subgroup 2 (43.1% of patient sample), intermediate and more localized abnormalities in aspects of the corpus callosum and left cingulate; and subgroup 3 (31.0% of patient sample), possible mild alterations, but no statistically significant tract disruption after controlling for family-wise error. The neurocognitive impairment in each subgroup accompanied the white-matter alterations: subgroup 1, deficits in sustained attention and delayed memory; subgroup 2, dysfunction in delayed memory; and subgroup 3, no significant deficits. Three subtypes of white-matter abnormality exist in individuals with major depression, those having widespread abnormalities suffering more neurocognitive impairments, which may provide evidence for parsing the heterogeneity of the disorder and help optimize type-specific treatment approaches.

Neurocognitive Graphs of First-Episode Schizophrenia and Major Depression Based on Cognitive Features / 神经科学通报·英文版

Neurocognitive deficits are frequently observed in patients with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD). The relations between cognitive features may be represented by neurocognitive graphs based on cognitive features, modeled as Gaussian Markov random fields. However, it is unclear whether it is possible to differentiate between phenotypic patterns associated with the differential diagnosis of schizophrenia and depression using this neurocognitive graph approach. In this study, we enrolled 215 first-episode patients with schizophrenia (FES), 125 with MDD, and 237 demographically-matched healthy controls (HCs). The cognitive performance of all participants was evaluated using a battery of neurocognitive tests. The graphical LASSO model was trained with a one-vs-one scenario to learn the conditional independent structure of neurocognitive features of each group. Participants in the holdout dataset were classified into different groups with the highest likelihood. A partial correlation matrix was transformed from the graphical model to further explore the neurocognitive graph for each group. The classification approach identified the diagnostic class for individuals with an average accuracy of 73.41% for FES vs HC, 67.07% for MDD vs HC, and 59.48% for FES vs MDD. Both of the neurocognitive graphs for FES and MDD had more connections and higher node centrality than those for HC. The neurocognitive graph for FES was less sparse and had more connections than that for MDD. Thus, neurocognitive graphs based on cognitive features are promising for describing endophenotypes that may discriminate schizophrenia from depression.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI texture analysis predicts microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma before operation / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of the texture analysis contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) in predicting microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before operation. Methods Sixty patients with HCC confirmed by pathology in the Chinese Academy Medical Sciences from January 2014 to December 2016,were enrolled in our study retrospectively.According to the post-operative pathology, the patients were divided into positive microvascular invation[MVI(+)]group including 30 patients, and negative MVI[MVI(-)] group including 30 patients. All patients underwent normal MR and DCE-MRI before surgery.Sixty seven texture features were extracted from the original data of arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PVP) of DCE-MRI. All data were calculated by using Omni-Kinetics(OK)software of the United States.The difference between MVI(+)group and MVI(-)group was statistically significant using the independent sample t test. The identified methods of the DCE-MR texture features in predicting MVI adopted the principal component analysis (PCA) and the establishing prediction model including dimensionality reduction, modeling, prediction and verification. The model was established by logistic regression method. According to the histopathology, 80% data of AP and PVP were used as training group[48 cases,MVI(+)and MVI(-)group 24 cases respectively],20% as validation group [12 cases, MVI(+) and MVI(-) group 6 cases respectively]. The DCE-MRI images of AP and PVP were modeled and cross-referenced respectively, and the diagnostic efficiency of ROC evaluation model was adopted. Results There were 15 significant different texture features of the AP and three significant different texture features of the PVP between MVI(+) group and MVI(-) group respectively. The PCA method extracted the important DCE-MRI texture features and analyzed the 15 features of AP.The UPP and energy showed a good correlation(r>0.90),therefore the UPP were removed.Fourteen texture features were analyzed using the PCA method.There were four important texture features including the GLCM Correlation, Hara Variance, GLCM sum Variance and GLCM sum Entropy in the AP. Moreover, there were three important texture features including GLCM difference Entropy, Long Run Low Grey Level Emphasis and GLCM difference Variance in the PVP.Through the prediction model was established and crossly validated. There were three significant different texture features in the AP of DCE-MRI,including GLCM Correlation, GLCM Contrast and GLCM sum Entropy.And there were two significant different texture features in the PVP of DCE-MRI,including GLCM difference Variance and Long Run Low Grey Level Emphasis.In the training and validation group,the areas under the ROC of the AP model and PVP model were 0.774,0.681,0.889 and 0.611 respectively.The diagnosed accuracy rate of the AP model(83.30%,10/12)was higher than that of the PVP model(42.00%,5/12).Conclusion The DCE-MRI texture analysis technique could predict the MVI of HCC before operation,and the predictive accuracy of the AP texture feature was higher.

Application of different biomaterials in the preservation of vital pulp in carious deciduous teeth: a prospective, single-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:The success of the preservation of vital pulp in carious deciduous teeth depends not only on determining the health status of the pulp,but also on selecting the most suitable pulp capping agent.At present,the commonly used pulp capping agent materials contain calcium hydroxide preparation and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).Recently,new biomaterials,such as Bioaggregate,Biodentine,and TheraCal,with good biocompatibility and good edge sealing,have been developed and extensively used.OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacies of MTA,calcium hydroxide preparation,Biodentine and TheraCal LC that are commonly used in pediatric dentistry in the preservation of vital pulp in carious deciduous teeth.METHODS:This prospective,single-center,randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted in Chengdu Maternal and Child Center,China.Children with deep caries of deciduous teeth,who will be scheduled to undergo indirect pulp capping,direct pulp capping,and vital pulpotomy,will be selected and randomized into four groups according to pulp capping agents:MTA group,calcium hydroxide group,Biodentine group and TheraCal group.Patients will receive return visit at postoperative 3,6 and 12 months during follow-up.By using X-ray,we will observe and compare the speed and quality of the formation of the dentin bridge with different biomaterials,and assess the reason for the failure of treatment.This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT03220360,on July 14,2017.The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Chengdu Maternal and Child Center,China (approval number:20170506).All protocols will be performed in accordance with the Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects in the Declaration of Helsinki.Written informed consent will be provided by each patient and their family members after they indicated that they fully understood the treatment plan.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:This study will compare the efficacies of various biomaterials in the preservation of vital pulp in carious deciduous teeth.New materials Biodentine and TheraCal will be selected in classical technique to verify their efficacies and explore their superiorities.Classical materials calcium hydroxide and MTA will be selected as controls,which will be separately used in indirect pulp capping,direct pulp capping,and vital pulpotomy to provide reliable choices for clinicians.

The quantitative analysis of MR dynamic contrast-enhangced imaging on efficacy and prognosis of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective@#To investigate the prognostic value of quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhangced MR (DCE-MR) on short-term efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).@*Methods@#79 patients with HCC underwent non-enhanced MR imaging and DCE on a 3.0T MR scanner before and one month after TACE. The quantitative parameters were measured on the maximal tumor region, including maximal tumor diameter(MTD), ADC, Ktrans, Kep and Ve value before and after TACE. All patients were divided into stable group (36 patients) and progressive group (43 patients) based on follow-up. The quantitative data of the two groups before and after TACE was collected for analysis.@*Results@#Among the 79 lesions in 79 patients, 21 were located in the left lobe of the liver, 53 in the right lobe of the liver and 5 in the junction area of the hepatic lobe. The maximum tumor diameter (MTD) was 2.2-9.9 cm, the median MTD was 5.1 cm. There were significant differences between progressive group and the stable group in MTD, Ktrans, Kep values of the tumor before TACE (P<0.05). One month after TACE, the MTD, Ktrans, Kep,ΔMTD, ΔKtrans and ΔKep values of the tumor in progressive group were statistically different with the stable group (P<0.05, respectively). For all the patients, the pre-TACE MTD, AFP, Ktrans and Kep values of tumors were statistically different with the post-TACE values (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The quantitative parameters (Ktrans, Kep,ΔKtrans and ΔKep values) of the DCE-MR could predict and evaluate the short-term efficacy of TACE on HCC.

Association of Val66Met polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene with cognitive impairment and clinical symptoms in first episode schizophrenia / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the association of cognitive impairment and clinical symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia with the Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>For 87 patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 76 healthy controls, the Val66Met polymorphism was determined with a Taqman Assay-on-Demand method. Wechsler intelligence test was carried out for all participants. Correlation of cognitive impairment with clinical severity was also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients were significantly lower in total IQ, verbal IQ and performance IQ compared to the controls. The lower total IQ (F=4.59, P= 0.01) and verbal IQ (F=4.44, P=0.01) were influenced by genetic factors and diagnostic interaction. The vertal IQ of Val/Val patients was significantly lower than those of Val/Met and Met/Met carriers. For the control group, the verbal IQ of Met/Met carriers was lower than that of Val/Met carriers, and the total IQ of Met/Met carriers was lower than those of Val/Met and Val/Val carriers. For the patient group, the total IQ of Val/Val carriers was negatively correlated with positive symptoms (r=-0.65, P=0.03) and thought disorders (r=-0.61, P=0.02).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cognitive impairment in first-episode schizophrenic patients is associated with the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene, and has an important clinical relevance.</p>

Pathway-focused correlation study of genome-wide methylation status with visual memory / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE To explore the biological processes and pathways associated with memory function which may be regulated by gene promoter methylation. METHODS The genome-wide promoter methylation statuses in 9 healthy individuals were analyzed with a Multiplex HG18 CpG Promoter chip. Genes with promoter methylation statuses strongly correlated with both immediate and delayed visual memory function were preceded for pathway and physical interactions analysis. RESULTS Sixty nine genes have been correlated with both immediate and delayed visual memory functions. Twenty two pathways, with a Q-value of < 0.05, were identified by the pathway and physical interactions analysis, which included energy metabolism, axon guidance, tyrosine kinase activity, anterograde synaptic vesicle transport, and leukocyte migration and differentiation. CONCLUSION Pathways related with memory function may be regulated by DNA methylation.

Difference in brain surface area between first-episode familial and sporadic schizophrenia and its association with COMT gene polymorphisms / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the association of impairment of surface area of first-episode schizophrenia(SZ) with polymorphisms of COMT gene, and the difference in the impaired patterns between familial patients with schizophrenia(FPS) and sporadic patients with schizophrenia(SPS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-eight patients with first-episode SZ(FPS=40, SPS=58) and 78 healthy controls were recruited. COMT gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Participants were scanned for 3.0T magnetic resonance images. Freesurfer software was used to analyze the difference in brain surface area between SZ and controls, its association with COMT genotypes, and the difference between SPS, FPS and control groups. Multiple tests were corrected using a Monte Carlo simulation at P<0.05.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with controls, SZ showed decreased surface area in right occipital cortex and left prefrontal cortex. No association was found between COMT polymorphisms and whole brain area difference. Among the three subgroups, SPS showed smaller left prefrontal area compared with both FPS and control groups. Patients with SPS also showed significant area reduction in right occipital lobe compared with controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Surface area impairment can be found in those with first-episode SZ, but without association with COMT gene polymorphisms. The SPS have more severe area impairment than FPS, indicating that SPS and FPS may be attributed to different etiological mechanisms.</p>

Association of gender, age, education and polymorphism of DRD4 gene with cognitive functions in adults / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the association of cognitive functions with gender, age, education and polymorphism of dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene in healthy adults.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four hundred and fifty-five healthy participants have completed 3 cognitive function tests including Tower of Hanoi (TOH), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Trail Making Test (TMT). Peripheral blood samples were collected from all participants, and genomic DNA was extracted according to a standard phenol-chloroform procedure. Rs3758653 in the promoter region of the DRD4 gene was genotyped using Illumina GoldenGate genotyping assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Males have performed better than females in terms of TOH executive time and TOH total score, but did worse in TOH planning time. Most of the measured cognitive domains were affected by age and education. Cognitive ability has decreased along with increased age and decline of educational years. The polymorphism of rs3758653 has mainly correlated with the TOH executive time. Compared with A allele carriers, G allele carriers did worse in TOH executive time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gender, age, education and the rs3758653 polymorphism of the DRD4 gene play an important role in cognitive functions in healthy adults.</p>

Predictive value of diffusion-weighted imaging histogram in evaluation of the response to radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the value of MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) histogram analysis for predicting tumor progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In a retrospective study, both 35 stable patients and 38 progressive patients with biopsy-proven HCC underwent breath-hold DWI before RFA treatment. The pre-treatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were averaged from the lowest to 10th, 30th, 50th, and 100th percentile using DWI histogram analysis software respectively, and were called ADC10, ADC30, ADC50 and ADC100. The ratios of ADC10, ADC30, ADC50 and ADC100 to mean ADC of non-lesional area were calculated, called RADC10, RADC30, RADC50 and RADC100, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before RFA treatment, the ADC30, ADC50, ADC100, RADC30, RADC50 and RADC100 values of the tumors in the progression group were significantly higher than those of the stable group (P < 0.05 for all), respectively. The progression-free survival (PFS) of all patients was (16.0 ± 10.6) months. Univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that RADC10, RADC30, RADC50 values of the tumor were significantly associated with PFS (P < 0.05 for both). In multivariate analysis, only the RADC50 value of tumor was a significant predictor for tumor progression (P < 0.05). When the cut-off value of RADC50 (0.72) was used, the PFS of below the cut-off value group [(30.2 ± 3.0) months] was significantly higher than that of those above the cut-off value group [(20.0 ± 3.1) months] (P = 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pre-RFA DWI histogram analysis may serve as a biomarker for predicting tumor progression in patients with HCC treated with RFA.</p>

Application of immunofluorescence measured troponin I / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the clinical application of determination of troponin I(cTnI) by enzyme linked fluorescent(EL-FA) method .Methods The concentration of cTnI in serum was detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA) method and ELFA method .The precision test ,linear test ,recovery test and interference test were done on ELFA method .The correlation analy-sis was done on the results of cTnI detected by ELFA method and CLIA method .Results Determination of the concentration of cTnI by ELFA method ,the intraassay coefficient of variation(CV) of high(30 .00 μg/L cTnI) and low (0 .12 μg/L cTnI) values were 2 .81% and 1 .62% ,the interassay CV were 5 .67% and 3 .52% .Reliable detection range detection of ELFA method was 0 .00-30 .00 μg/L .When the total bilirubin concentration less than 450μmol/L ,hemoglobin concentration less than 1 .5 g/L ,three glycerol concentration less than 7 .0 mmol/L ,the ELFA method for the determination of cTnI was without interference .Determina-tion of the concentration of cTnI had a good correlation between ELFA method and CLIA method(r=0 .971) .Conclusion The EL-FA method has good precision ,recovery and linear range ,and has a good correlation with the CLIA method ,and the ELFA method is rapid and convenient ,suitable for the emergency inspection ,can satisfy the clinical requirements .

The influence of lack of parental accompaniment, physical abuse and neglect in childhood on the psycholog-ical distress in college entrant students / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the influence of lack of parental accompaniment, physical abuse and neglect in childhood on the psychological distress of college entrant students. Methods In a comprehensive university in Sichuan Province, 8367 freshmen were surveyed using the 6-item Kessler psychological distress (K6) scale and a questionnaire for lack of parental accompany, physical abuse and neglect in childhood. The students were divided into rural group and urban group for data analysis. Results The months of lack of maternal and/or paternal accompaniment were more in rural group than that in urban group (P<0.05). In rural group, female (standardizedβ’=0.139, P<0.001), neglect (standardizedβ’=0.237, P<0.001) and physical abuse (standardized β’=0.076, P<0.001) were associated with K6 scale. In urban group, female (standardizedβ’=0.091, P<0.001), lack of paternal accompaniment (standardizedβ’=0.050, P<0.001), ne? glect (standardized β’=0.169, P<0.001) and physical abuse (standardized β’=0.095, P<0.001) related with K6 scale. Conclusions Neglect and physical abuse are independent risk factors to freshmen both from rural and urban areas. Lack of paternal accompaniment in childhood is a risk factor only in urban freshmen. Further research should select more rep?resentative samples and also include more factors which may interact with the loss of parental accompaniment such as pa?rental divorce and conditions regarding so calledleft-behindchildren in rural area.

Abnormal grey matter changes in first-episode antipsychotic-na?ve patients with adolescent-onset schizophrenia / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To investigate gray matter structural damage in first-episode antipsychotic-na?ve patients with adolescent-onset schizophrenia. Methods Twenty-six patients with schizophrenia and 26 healthy controls were scanned by using GE 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging in order to explore brain gray matter volume (GMV) changes with registration techniques based on the latest morphological deformation field theory. The correlation of gray matter volume abnormalities with clinical severity was also analyzed. Results Compared with healthy controls, patients with adoles-cent-onset schizophrenia showed significant reduction in GMV in the left parietal lobe, parahippocampal gyrus and right cerebellar pyramis. GMV of the left parahippocampal gyrus is significantly correlated with PANSS paranoid scores (r=-0.49, P=0.02). Conclusions There is structural abnormality in GM in parahippocampal-parietal-cerebellar in pa-tients with adolescent-onset schizophrenia and the severity of paranoid symptoms is related to the reduced GMV in the left parahippocampal gyrus.

Association study of LIS1 and TSNAX genes with bipolar disorder in Chinese Han population / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the association of neural development-related genes LIS1and TSNAX with bipolar disorder in a Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred and eight five patients (including 188 males and 197 females) from Guangzhou Brain Hospital with bipolar disorder meeting the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Bipolar Disorder (BDI) (Fourth Edition) criteria and 475 healthy controls from the local community were recruited. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the LIS1 and TSNAX genes were genotyped by GoldenGate genotyping assay on an Illumina Beadstation 500 machine. Association analyses of SNPs and haplotypes were performed with Plink 1.07 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Analysis of the total sample has failed to find any association of SNP or haplotype of the two genes with BDI (P> 0.05). When patients were divided into subgroups with or without psychotic symptom, no significant association of the two genes was found with psychotic BDI or non-psychotic BDI (P> 0.05). No significant association was found between any SNP and haplotype of two genes and female BDI or male BDI, nor were significant association found between age of onset and LIS1 and TSNAX gene polymorphisms.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results indicated that LIS1 and TSNAX genes are not associated with susceptibility to bipolar I disorder in Chinese Han population.</p>