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Objective To examine the association between the polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) and geriatric depression (GD),and then conduct an exploratory investigation to analyse whether the APOE polymorphisms would relate to the depressive syndrome severity,the cognitive function,or the level of serum lipid in patients.Methods Participants,including 120 GD patients and 120 normal controls were enrolled to detect the two single nucleotide polymorphisms of APOE,rs7412 and rs429358 using the technology of SNP site testing.The frequency differences of genotype and allele were compared between the two groups.Then the association between APOE polymorphisms and clinical or demographic data of patients were clarified.The relationship between clinical or demographic data,and the cognitive function of GD patients were investigated using the Logistic multiple regression analysis.Results The frequency of APOE genotype and allele showed no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Patients carrying e4 allen had significantly lower total scores of Man-Machine System Engineering((22.38±2.22) vs (25.28±2.28),t=3.091,P＜0.01) and higher levels of TC (t=2.225,P＜ 0.05) and LDL(t=2.728,P＜0.01) compared with those without ε4 allen.The specific symptoms of patients carrying e4 allen were cognitive impairment(load 0.902) and retardant factors(load 0.695),while patients without ε4 allen had characteristic symptoms of anxiety(load 0.990) and weight factors(load 0.864).Ranked by the effect power,the risk factors of cognitive impairment of GD patients are ε4(b'=1.097) and then TCTC (b'=0.401).Conclusions APOE may not modulate the susceptibility to GD.Patients carrying ε4 allen have severer cognitive impairment and higher levels of serum lipid.The different genotypes may lead to different clinical symptoms.
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Objective To examine white matter integrity in heroin-dependent patients and matched normal controls with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).Methods The fractional anisotropy was compared between 15 heroin-dependent patients and 15 controls.Results We found the fractional anisotropy was significantly decreased in specific brain regions of the heroin-dependent patients (P ＜ 0.001 uncorrected),including the frontal gyrus,the parietal lobule,the insula,and the corpus callosum.Conclusion The presence of microstructural abnormality is found in the white matter of several brain regions of heroin-dependent patients.
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Objective To explore what brain regions are modulated by heroin addiction and withdrawal.MethodsWe used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the brain function in 15 heroin-dependent patients 3 days (acute) and 1 month (protracted) after heroin abstinence.Sixteen normal controls were included.Results The blood oxygen level-dependent signal in the orbitofrontal cortex of the brain of heroin-dependent patients was significantly elevated 3 days after the withdrawal.Hyperfunction of the orbitofrontal cortex declined 1 month after the withdrawal.Conclusion Heroin-dependent subjects at both 3 days and 1 month abstinence have persistent abnormalities in the brain function.Although some tangible beneficial effects are noted following 1month of detoxification,possible permanent damage to the brain caused by heroin use is suggested.
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OBJECTIVE@#To explore the regional homogeneity of resting state brain activity in early onset schizophrenia using functional magnetic resonance imaging.@*METHODS@#Schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder was diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR (diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition, text revision). A total of 18 adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS; onset of psychotic symptoms by age 18) and 18 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers were tested in a resting-state fMRI scan. Regional homogeneity approach was used to analyze the functional imaging data,and statistical parametric mapping 5 (SPM5)was used to perform t-test in ReHo maps between the patients and controls.@*RESULTS@#In comparison with the controls, the early-onset patients showed significantly decreased regional homogeneity in bilateral medial prefrontal cortex(P20), but no brain regions showed significantly increased regional homogeneity in the patients.@*CONCLUSION@#Regional homogeneity of resting state brain activities in EOS was decreased in bilateral medial prefrontal cortex. These abnormal changes may be involved in the psychopathology of schizophrenia.
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Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Brain , Case-Control Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Methods , Prefrontal Cortex , Schizophrenia , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Objective To detect whether and where brain functional connectivity exists in the resting state of patients with early-onset schizophrenia by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods Nineteen early-onset schizophrenic patients were diagnosed with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) of American Psychiatric Association. The 19 early-onset schizophrenic patients and another 19 healthy volunteers underwent fMRI in resting state. Cingulate gyrus was selected as region of interest and the difference was analyzed in the cingulate gyrus functional connectivity pattern between the 19 patients with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) and 19 matched controls using resting-state fMRI. A two-sample t test was performed on the individual in a voxel by voxel manner. Results Statistical map was set a combined threshold of P＜0.005 and the number of voxel>20. Functional connectivity in the resting state was abnormal in the patients,including decreased functional connectivity and increased functional connectivity. The abnormal area was distributed all over the brain. The brain area with decreased functional connectivity included bilateral posterior cerebellar lobes, superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, gyrus rectus,hippocampus, cuneus gyrus,fusiform gyrus,middle occipital gyrus,inferior occipital gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus,right middle temporal gyrus, and right angular gyrus. The brain area with increased functional connectivity included left middle temporal and left inferior temporal gyrus. Conclusion Abnormal cingulate gyrus functional connectivity of schizophrenia might exist in the resting state. Resting state fMRI is important for the research of schizophrenia.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the association between occupational stress and other socio-psychological factors and work-related unintentional injury in off-shore oil production.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 561 Chinese off-shore oil workers. They were inquired with a self-administered questionnaire involving in socio-demographic characteristics, occupational stress, type A behavior personnel, social support and coping style, and work-related unintentional injury in the past year.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventy-six (13.5%) workers experienced work-related unintentional injury for once time or more in the past year. A total 141 number of person-times were counted including 18 person-times being serious injury, 26 person-times moderate, and 97 person-times light. After adjustment for age, educational level, marital status, duration of off-shore work and job title, logistic regression indicated that perceived stress from "management problem and relationship with others" were significantly associated with work-related unintentional injuries in the past year (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.05-1.68; P < 0.05). Workers lack of emotional support from friends seemed to less reporting on work-related unintentional injuries (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.22-0.63).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results implied emphasizing on that the training and guidance as well as better cooperation among the workers might reduce work-related unintentional injuries in off-shore oil industry.</p>
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Adult , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Accidents, Occupational , Fuel Oils , Occupational Diseases , Stress, Psychological , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
Aim To study the effect of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on the expression of caspase-3 and apoptosis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells was treated with MG132 (2,5 ?mol?L~(-1)) for 24 h. The apoptotic cells were determined by DNA fragment analysis and flow cytometric analysis. The level of caspase-3 mRNA was quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein contents of caspase-3 were analyzed by immunocytochemistry.Results The results showed that the increase of the degree of human umbilical vein endothelial cells apoptosis was concentration dependent. MG132 could up-regulate the gene/protein expression of caspase-3.Conclusions The results implicated that proteasome inhibitor MG132 induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells apoptosis by accumulation of caspase-3.