Research progress on endogenous small-molecule phenolics and the proposal of "phenolomics" / 药学学报

Small-molecule phenolic substances widely exist in animals and plants, and have some shared biological activities. The metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine in the human body, and especially the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters, produces endogenous small-molecule phenols. Endogenous small-molecule phenolic substances are functionally related to the important physiological processes and the occurrence of mental diseases in humans and some animals, which are systematically sorts and summarized in this review. Integrating the previous experimental research and literature analysis on natural small-molecule phenols by our research group, the understanding of the hypothesis that "small-molecule phenol are pharmacological signal carriers" was deepened. Based on above, the concept of "phenolomics" was further proposed, analyzed the research direction and research content which can bring into the knowledge framework of phenolomics. The induction of phenolomics will provide wider perspectives on explaining the pharmacological mechanism of drugs, discovering new drug targets, and finding biomarkers of mental diseases.

Three Cases in which Kampo Therapy was Effective in the Long Term for Menstrual Symptoms in Patients with Mental Illness / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We report three cases of patients with mental illness suffering from symptoms associated with menstruation, which were improved with Kampo treatment. Case1: A 39-year-old female had been in a depressive state after delivery and diagnosed with persistent mood disorder in the Neuropsychiatry Department of Fukushima Medical University (FMU). During treatment for the disorder, she developed premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and was immediately hospitalized. After she was introduced to the Obstetrics/Gynecology Department, we treated her with Kampo medicine such as tokakujokito considering the meaning of the pattern (sho), and then she recovered from PMDD. Case2: A 29-year-old female with schizophrenic disorder treated in the Neuropsychiatry Department of FMU was referred to the Obstetrics/Gynecology Department due to PMDD. We administered Kampo medicine such as kamishoyosan, nyosinsan and saikozai when yang pattern was observed, and ninjinto and daikenchuto in yin sho. Then, her condition then gradually improved. Case3: A 37-year-old female diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was hospitalized in the Neuropsychiatry Department of FMU. She was introduced to the Obstetrics/Gynecology department due to dysmenorrhea and PMS. After she was treated with keishibukuryogan and hangekobokuto, her symptoms improved. In conclusion, Kampo treatment appears to be effective for symptoms associated with menstruation in women with mental illness.

Profile and costs involved in long-term compulsory hospitalization of psychiatric patients

Objective: Involuntary hospitalization for acute psychiatry cases can be acceptable when there is potential harm. However, there are few reasons for a patient committed on these grounds to stay in an institution for a long period. The objective of the present study was to identify the profile and costs of compulsory hospitalizations over 20 days in a public psychiatric hospital in the coastal region of the state of São Paulo. Methods: Retrospective data were collected from the medical records of 1,064 patients admitted between July 2013 and June 2016 from an intensive mental healthcare unit in Santos, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Results: Records were found of 527 patients who had been hospitalized for at least 21 days during the study period. Long-term hospitalization related to judicial mandates represented 5.9% of the total sample. These patients stayed in the hospital for an average period of 142 days, while patients hospitalized for any other reason stayed an average period of 35 days (p < 0.001). The cost of a long-term court-ordered hospitalization averaged US$ 21,311 per patient. Conclusion: Judicial mandate has been an important reason for the long-term hospitalization of chronic psychiatric patients in Santos, Brazil.

The effect of most important medicinal plants on two importnt psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression)-a review

Anxiety and depression are highly comorbid psychiatric conditions that the prevalence will be increased to the second greatest risk of morbidity, causing a significant socioeconomic burden. Due to side effects and destructive effects of some chemical drugs, many patients prefer herbal medicines to treat diseases. Although there are key review papers in the area of medicinal plants and psychiatry disorders, they have either covered the area in a relatively cursory manner or focused on a specific plant medicine. In the present study, we tried to present the effect of most important medicinal plants on two important highly comorbid psychiatric conditions-anxiety and depression.

The effect of most important medicinal plants on two importnt psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression)-a review

Anxiety and depression are highly comorbid psychiatric conditions that the prevalence will be increased to the second greatest risk of morbidity, causing a significant socioeconomic burden. Due to side effects and destructive effects of some chemical drugs, many patients prefer herbal medicines to treat diseases. Although there are key review papers in the area of medicinal plants and psychiatry disorders, they have either covered the area in a relatively cursory manner or focused on a specific plant medicine. In the present study, we tried to present the effect of most important medicinal plants on two important highly comorbid psychiatric conditions-anxiety and depression.

MicroRNAs in Human Diseases: From Autoimmune Diseases to Skin, Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression via degradation or translational repression of their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Recent studies have clearly demonstrated that miRNAs play critical roles in several biologic processes, including cell cycle, differentiation, cell development, cell growth, and apoptosis and that miRNAs are highly expressed in regulatory T (Treg) cells and a wide range of miRNAs are involved in the regulation of immunity and in the prevention of autoimmunity. It has been increasingly reported that miRNAs are associated with various human diseases like autoimmune disease, skin disease, neurological disease and psychiatric disease. Recently, the identification of mi- RNAs in skin has added a new dimension in the regulatory network and attracted significant interest in this novel layer of gene regulation. Although miRNA research in the field of dermatology is still relatively new, miRNAs have been the subject of much dermatological interest in skin morphogenesis and in regulating angiogenesis. In addition, miRNAs are moving rapidly onto center stage as key regulators of neuronal development and function in addition to important contributions to neurodegenerative disorder. Moreover, there is now compelling evidence that dysregulation of miRNA networks is implicated in the development and onset of human neruodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Tourette's syndrome, Down syndrome, depression and schizophrenia. In this review, I briefly summarize the current studies about the roles of miRNAs in various autoimmune diseases, skin diseases, psychoneurological disorders and mental stress.

MicroRNAs in Human Diseases: From Autoimmune Diseases to Skin, Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression via degradation or translational repression of their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Recent studies have clearly demonstrated that miRNAs play critical roles in several biologic processes, including cell cycle, differentiation, cell development, cell growth, and apoptosis and that miRNAs are highly expressed in regulatory T (Treg) cells and a wide range of miRNAs are involved in the regulation of immunity and in the prevention of autoimmunity. It has been increasingly reported that miRNAs are associated with various human diseases like autoimmune disease, skin disease, neurological disease and psychiatric disease. Recently, the identification of mi- RNAs in skin has added a new dimension in the regulatory network and attracted significant interest in this novel layer of gene regulation. Although miRNA research in the field of dermatology is still relatively new, miRNAs have been the subject of much dermatological interest in skin morphogenesis and in regulating angiogenesis. In addition, miRNAs are moving rapidly onto center stage as key regulators of neuronal development and function in addition to important contributions to neurodegenerative disorder. Moreover, there is now compelling evidence that dysregulation of miRNA networks is implicated in the development and onset of human neruodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Tourette's syndrome, Down syndrome, depression and schizophrenia. In this review, I briefly summarize the current studies about the roles of miRNAs in various autoimmune diseases, skin diseases, psychoneurological disorders and mental stress.

Sex-dependent behavioral effects and morphological changes in the hippocampus after prenatal invasive interventions in rats: implications for animal models of schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES: Although schizophrenia affects both human genders, there are gender-dependent differences with respect to age of onset, clinical characteristics, course and prognosis of the disease. METHODS: To investigate sex-dependent differences in motor coordination and activity as well as in cognitive and social behavior, we repeatedly tested female (n = 14) and male (n = 12) Fisher rats (postnatal days, PD 56-174) that had received intracerebroventricular injections of kainic acid as well as female (n = 15) and male (n = 16) control animals. The hippocampus was examined histologically. RESULTS: Compared to male controls, in the alcove test both female controls and female animals with prenatal intervention spent less time in a dark box before entering an unknown illuminated area. Again, animals that received prenatal injection (particularly females) made more perseveration errors in the T-maze alternation task compared to controls. Female rats exhibited a higher degree of activity than males, suggesting these effects to be sex-dependent. Finally, animals that received prenatal intervention maintained longer lasting social contacts. Histological analyses showed pyramidal cells in the hippocampal area CA3 (in both hemispheres) of control animals to be longer than those found in treated animals. Sex-dependent differences were found in the left hippocampi of control animals and animals after prenatal intervention. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate important differences between males and females in terms of weight gain, response to fear, working memory and social behavior. We also found sex-dependent differences in the lengths of hippocampal neurons. Further studies on larger sample sets with more detailed analyses of morphological changes are required to confirm our data.

Risco de suicídio em pacientes em hemodiálise: evolução e mortalidade em três anos / Risk of suicide in hemodyalisis patient: evolution and mortality in three years

A morte por suicídio em pacientes portadores de insuficiência renal crônica (IRC) em diálise tem sido reportada há décadas. No Brasil, raros são os estudos que têm mensurado sua prevalência, evolução e mortalidade. OBJETIVO: Identificar a presença de risco de suicídio, em duas unidades de diálise e analisar a evolução e a mortalidade por três anos. MÉTODO: O MINI foi utilizado em três etapas. Foram obtidas as freqüências do transtorno e sua evolução foi acompanhada. A curva de Kaplan-Meier e a regressão de Cox foram aplicadas para estudar a mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Participaram 244 pacientes na primeira etapa, 200, na segunda etapa e 110, na terceira etapa. O risco de suicídio foi diagnosticado em 40 pacientes na primeira etapa, 49, na segunda etapa e sete na terceira etapa. Da primeira para a segunda etapa, nove pacientes morreram, 29 continuaram e 20 outros pacientes passaram a apresentar a condição. Da segunda para a terceira etapa, 13 deles morreram, sete continuaram a apresentar e 29 evoluíram para outro transtorno. A incidência de óbitos naqueles sem o transtorno foi de 3,35 e naqueles com risco de suicídio, 9,91 (RR = 2,87; IC 95 por cento [1,69-4,87]). CONCLUSÕES: O risco de suicídio teve alta prevalência, e a mortalidade associada a esta condição é elevada.

Risk of suicide is associated with high rates of death in chronic hemodialysis patients. In Brazil only few studies have measured your prevalence, evolution and mortality. OBJECTIVE: Study the prevalence, evolution and mortality of risk of suicide in two nephrology units for three years. METHODS: The Mini was used in three moments. Frequency and evolution of Risk of Suicide was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier Curve and Cox Regression was used to study the mortality. RESULTS: 244 patients in 1st step, 200 in 2nd and 110 in 3rd. Risk of suicide was diagnosticated in 40 in 1st, 49 in 2nd and seven in 3rd period. Between the 1st and 2nd period, nine patients death, 29 followed with the condition and 20 others patients presented risk of suicide. Between the 2nd and 3rd period thirteen death, seven followed with the condition and 29 changed the disorder. The death incidence in patients without disorder was 3.35 and in patients with risk was, 9.91 (RR = 2.87; IC de 95 percent [1.69-4.87]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of risk of suicide was high, and this condition was associated with high rates of mortality.

A Study of Intermal Medical Disorder in a Psychiatric Inpatients

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between psychiatric disease and systemic Internal Medical disease in psychiatric inpatients who were consulted to department of Internal Medicine and was directed to assess the physical problems and possible ways to resolve them in a closed psychiatric unit. METHOD: Through evaluation of medical records of 1549 inpatients who had consulted in department of internal medicine in Seoul National(mental) Hospital from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002. We classified the Physical illness according to ICD-9-CM and psychiatric disease according to DSM-IV RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) In age and sex distribution, male was 64.4% and 45.9% of the subject was 4th and 5th decades. 2) The most systemic diagnosis were disease of respiratory system, disease of digestive system and endocrine system. 3) schizophrenia showed the highest rate in respiratory disease. Rate of digestive disease was the highest in alcohol use disorder. Disease of respiratory system and disease of digestive system were the most frequent in mood disorder 4) In 1st decade, Digestive system digease was the most frequent, others were respiratory system disease. 5) onset age of psychiatric disease was the oldest in circulatory disease. In genitourinary system disease, duration of psychiatric disease was the longest CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of psychiatric disease influenced to get systemic disease in psychiatric patients.

A Study of Physical Disorder in a Geriatric Psychiatric Inpatients

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between psychiatric disease and systemic disease in geriatric psychiatric inpatients who were consulted to department of internal medicine and were above 6th decade, and was directed to assess the physical problems and possible ways to resolve them in a closed psychiatric unit. METHOD: Through evaluation of medical records of 225 inpatients who had consulted in department of internal medicine in Seoul National Mental Hospital from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1999. We classified the physical illness according to ICD-9-CM and psychiatric disease according to NTA. RESULTS: The result were as follows: 1) In age sex distribution, male was 62.7%, and 81.8% of the subjects was 6th decade. 2) The most common systemic diagnosis were disease of circulatory system, disease of digestive system, and disease of respiratory system. 3) The most systemic disease was disease of circulatory system in 6th and 8th decade. 4) Disease of circulatory system in all psychiatric disease was the most frequent. 5) Rate of circulatory disorder was the highest in organic mental disorder. Disease of digestive system and disease of endocrine system were the most frequent in alcoholics. Disease of respiratory system showed the highest rate in schizophrenea. CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of psychiatric diseases influenced to get systemic disease in geriatric patients.