Modulating the default mode network: Antidepressant efficacy of transcutaneous electrical cranial-auricular acupoints stimulation targeting the insula.

BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous electrical cranial-auricular acupoint stimulation (TECAS) is a novel non-invasive therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) that stimulates acupoints innervated by the trigeminal and auricular vagus nerves. However, there are few neuroimaging studies involving the TECAS for the treatment of MDD. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the treatment response and neurological effects of TECAS using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHOD: A total of 34 patients with mild-to-moderate MDD and 34 demographically matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. After an eight-week treatment the primary outcome was clinical response, defined as a baseline-to-endpoint ≥ 50 % reduction in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). The low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) method were used to investigate the brain abnormalities of MDD patients and HCs, and altered brain networks were analyzed between pre- and post-treatment using seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis. RESULTS: We found no significant differences in terms of gender, age, and years of education between the two groups. After treatment, the response rate was 58.82 %. Compared to HCs, MDD patients showed lower ALFF values in the left insula(t = -4.298,P < 0.005), the insula-based FC revealed in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG)/ right superior frontal gyrus, orbital part (ORBsupmed) (t = -5.29,P < 0.005) and the right anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC)were decreased (t = -6.08,P < 0.005). Furthermore, Compared to pre-treatment, abnormal FC values in the ACC /orbital superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (t = 3.42,P < 0.005) and left superior frontal gyrus (SFG)/ supplement motor area (SMA) were enhanced (t = 3.34,P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: TECAS exhibits antidepressant efficacy, particularly influencing the insula-based functional connections within the Default Mode Network (DMN) related to emotion processing in individuals with MDD.

Preliminary single-arm study of brain effects during transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation treatment of recurrent depression by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the brain effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) treatment of recurrent depression based on the functional brain network by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS: Twenty-five patients with recurrent depression were enrolled in a single-arm trial of taVNS treatment for eight weeks. Clinical results were assessed by 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) scales. Resting-state fMRI was conducted to explore the brain effects before and after treatment. For the functional connectivity (FC) analysis, the bilateral nucleus accumbens, globus pallidus, caudate, and putamen were selected as seeds. Finally, the correlations between FC and the clinical scale scores were calculated. RESULTS: After treatment, the patients' scores of HAMD-17, HAMA, SDS, SAS, and RRS were significantly decreased ( < 0.05). FC was considerably decreased between the following areas: the left globus pallidus and the right postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal gyrus, the right globus pallidus and the left superior marginal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, superior parietal gyrus, inferior parietal gyrus, precuneus, right postcentral gyrus, superior marginal gyrus, and inferior parietal gyrus, between the right caudate and the right lingual gyrus, calcarine gyrus, and cerebellum. Changes in FC between the right globus pallidus and the left inferior parietal gyrus, between the left globus pallidus and the right postcentral gyrus were negatively correlated with HAMD-17 scores change before and after treatment (before, = 0.003, = -0.6; after, 0.009,= -0.54). The change of FC between the right globus pallidus and the right postcentral gyrus was negatively correlated with the change in SDS (= 0.026,= -0.474). The difference in FC between the right globus pallidus and the right postcentral gyrus was negatively correlated with the change in SAS (= 0.016,= -0.513). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent depression could be effectively treated with taVNS. The changes in brain FC involving the basal ganglia, default mode, and sensorimotor networks provide insight into the effects of taVNS treatment on recurrent depression.

Performance of vaginal self-sampling high-risk HPV genotyping as primary and combining cytology or viral load as secondary in cervical cancer screening / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotyping with vaginal self-sampling in primary screening and combining cytology or viral load for HR-HPV positive as secondary screening strategies.Methods:The data referring to HR-HPV genotyping of self-collected sample with mass array matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), HR-HPV viral load of physician-collected sample with hybrid capture Ⅱ (HC-Ⅱ), liquid-based cytology and histology of 8 556 women were from Shenzhen cervical cancer screening trial Ⅱ (SHENCCAST-Ⅱ) conducted between April 2009 and April 2010. The data were reanalyzed to determine the sensitivity and specificity to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) of grade 2 or worse (CIN Ⅱ +), CIN of grade 3 or worse (CIN Ⅲ +) when HR-HPV genotyping combining with colposcopy as primary screening strategy based on varied HR-HPV subtype (strategy 1, including 5 sub-strategies: 1a: HPV 16/18 positive; 1b: HPV 16/18/58 positive; 1c: HPV 16/18/58/31/33 positive; 1d: HPV 16/18/58/31/33/52 positive; 1e: any HR-HPV positive). The data were also compared to determine the efficacy of cytology (strategy 2, including 5 sub-strategies: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) or HR-HPV viral load (strategy 3, including 4 sub-strategies: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) of physician-collected sample as a triage with HR-HPV genotyping for self-sampling HR-HPV positives. Results:(1) The HR-HPV positive rate was 13.77% (1 178/8 556) in the self-collected samples of 8 556 pregnant women. Of them,the prevalences of HPV 16/18, HPV 16/18/58, HPV 16/18/58/31/33 and HPV 16/18/58/31/33/52 were 3.16% (270/8 556), 5.14% (440/8 556), 6.66% (570/8 556) and 9.81% (839/8 556), respectively. The HR-HPV viral load ≥10 relative light units/control (RLU/CO) was 8.87%(759/ 8 556), while cytological results ≥atypical squamous cell of undetermined signification (ASCUS) were 12.05% (1 031/8 556). (2) The strategy 1e had the highest sensitivities for CIN Ⅱ +, CIN Ⅲ + which were 92.70% and 94.33%,respectively,among 14 sub-strategies,while the lowest specificity and positive predictive value (PPV). Meanwhile,the required colposcopy referral rates were much higher than other 13 sub-strategies (13.77%). The other 4 sub-strategies of strategy 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), strategy 1a had the highest specificities for CIN Ⅱ + and CIN Ⅲ + (97.92%, 97.69%, respectively), while 1d had the highest sensitivities for CIN Ⅱ + and CIN Ⅲ + (88.41%, 92.20%, respectively). (3) Both strategies of referring self-sampling HPV 16/18 positives for immediate colposcopy followed by triage physician-collected sample cytology (≥ASCUS) or viral load (≥10 RLU/CO) for non-HPV 16/18 positives had significantly higher sensitivity and specificity for CIN Ⅱ, CIN Ⅲ +, as well as lower referral rates (strategy 2a and 3a). Additionally, based on these two secondary screening strategies, cumulatively using the other four HR-HPV (HPV 58, 31, 33 and 52) positives as triage for immediate colposcopy showed an enhanced sensitivity. Conclusions:Primary HR-HPV cervical cancer screening strategy based on self-sampling with triage of cytology (≥ASCUS) or viral load (≥10 RUL/CO) provides a good balance among sensitivity, specificity for CIN Ⅱ + and CIN Ⅲ + and the number of tests required, referral rates. The efficacy of HR-HPV genotyping combining cytology or viral load secondary screening strategies will have a spiral escalation when HPV 58, 31, 33, 52 are included.

Analysis on cardio-metabolic related risk factors in farmers of 15 provinces in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To analyze the prevalence and co-prevalence of cardio-metabolic related risk factors in farmers aged ≥18 years in China,to explore the influence of population economic factors on them.Methods A total of 3 367 farmers,including fishermen or hunters,aged ≥ 18 years were selected as study subjects from the database of Nutritional Status and Health Transition of Chinese Residents Project in 2015.Basic information (age,gender),data on anthropometric (body height,weight and waist size),blood biochemical and socioeconomic (occupation,income,education level and living area) were included.According to the definition of the metabolic syndrome released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2005,five cardio-metabolic risk factors appeared as central obesity,increased triglycerides,decreased HDL-C,increased blood pressure and increased plasma glucose.Co-prevalence of risk factors was defined as detecting 2 or more risk factors in a person at the same time.Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic factors and metabolic risk factors.Results In 3 367 framers of 15 provinces (autonomous region and municipality),the prevalence rates of central obesity,increased blood pressure,increased plasma glucose,increased triglycerides and decreased HDL-C were 51.8％,59.0％,17.0％,25.5％ and 38.7％ respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risks for central obesity (OR=3.69,95％CI:3.17-4.28) and decreased HDL-C (OR=3.28,95％CI:2.81-3.82) were higher in women than in men,and the risks for increased blood pressure (OR=0.73,95％ CI:0.63-0.84),increased blood glucose (OR=0.80,95％ CI:0.67-0.97) were lower in women than in men.Age was positively correlated with the prevalence or co-prevalence of metabolic risk factors (trend P＜0.05).Framers in western China had obviously lower risk for central obesity compared with farmers in central China.No significant correlation was found between farmers' income level,education level or the prevalence of metabolic risk factors.Conclusion In 15 provinces of China,the prevalence of at least 1 kind of cardio-metabolic risk factor was found in 85.5％ of the farmers,and the co-prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factor was found in 60％ of farmers.The prevalence and co-prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors were significantly associated with age and gender.It is suggested to take targeted nutritional intervention and health education according to the distribution characteristics of prevalence and co-prevalence of cardio-metabolic factors and strengthen the early prevention and control programs of the diseases.

Analysis on cardio-metabolic related risk factors in farmers of 15 provinces in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To analyze the prevalence and co-prevalence of cardio-metabolic related risk factors in farmers aged ≥18 years in China,to explore the influence of population economic factors on them.Methods A total of 3 367 farmers,including fishermen or hunters,aged ≥ 18 years were selected as study subjects from the database of Nutritional Status and Health Transition of Chinese Residents Project in 2015.Basic information (age,gender),data on anthropometric (body height,weight and waist size),blood biochemical and socioeconomic (occupation,income,education level and living area) were included.According to the definition of the metabolic syndrome released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2005,five cardio-metabolic risk factors appeared as central obesity,increased triglycerides,decreased HDL-C,increased blood pressure and increased plasma glucose.Co-prevalence of risk factors was defined as detecting 2 or more risk factors in a person at the same time.Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic factors and metabolic risk factors.Results In 3 367 framers of 15 provinces (autonomous region and municipality),the prevalence rates of central obesity,increased blood pressure,increased plasma glucose,increased triglycerides and decreased HDL-C were 51.8％,59.0％,17.0％,25.5％ and 38.7％ respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risks for central obesity (OR=3.69,95％CI:3.17-4.28) and decreased HDL-C (OR=3.28,95％CI:2.81-3.82) were higher in women than in men,and the risks for increased blood pressure (OR=0.73,95％ CI:0.63-0.84),increased blood glucose (OR=0.80,95％ CI:0.67-0.97) were lower in women than in men.Age was positively correlated with the prevalence or co-prevalence of metabolic risk factors (trend P＜0.05).Framers in western China had obviously lower risk for central obesity compared with farmers in central China.No significant correlation was found between farmers' income level,education level or the prevalence of metabolic risk factors.Conclusion In 15 provinces of China,the prevalence of at least 1 kind of cardio-metabolic risk factor was found in 85.5％ of the farmers,and the co-prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factor was found in 60％ of farmers.The prevalence and co-prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors were significantly associated with age and gender.It is suggested to take targeted nutritional intervention and health education according to the distribution characteristics of prevalence and co-prevalence of cardio-metabolic factors and strengthen the early prevention and control programs of the diseases.

Several microRNAs could predict survival in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cancer.

MicroRNAs as biomarkers play an important role in the tumorigenesis process, including hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). In this paper, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to mine hepatitis B-related liver cancer microRNAs that could predict survival in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cancer. There were 93 cases of HBV-HCC and 49 cases of adjacent normal controls included in the study. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of a liver cancer group versus a normal control group of differentially expressed genes identified eight genes with statistical significance. Compared with the normal liver cell line, hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines had high expression of 8 microRNAs, albeit at different levels. A Cox proportional hazards regression model for multivariate analysis showed that four genes had a significant difference. We established classification models to distinguish short survival time and long survival time of liver cancers. Eight genes (mir9-3, mir10b, mir31, mir519c, mir522, mir3660, mir4784, and mir6883) were identified could predict survival in patients with HBV-HCC. There was a significant correlation between mir10b and mir31 and clinical stages (p < 0.05). A random forests model effectively estimated patient survival times.

Clinicopathologic significance of legumain overexpression in cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Since reports on the clinical significance of legumain in cancer have shown inconsistent results, we systematically evaluated clinical indicators of legumain in cancer. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and EBSCO databases and the Wangfang and CNKI databases in China by using "legumain" and ("neoplasms" OR "cancer") as search terms. We included case-controlled studies of legumain and cancer. The quality of the studies was evaluated by using Lichtenstein's guidelines, and valid data was extracted for analysis. In total, 10 articles were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that legumain was overexpressed in cancer compared with in normal tissue and was higher in stage III-IV disease than in I-II disease. Moreover, legumain overexpression was correlated with poor prognosis and clinical stage. Furthermore, Cancer Genome Atlas data showed that among patients with rectal cancer, those with tumors overexpressing legumain had shorter overall survival than those in the low expression group (P < 0.05). Legumain appears to be involved in tumor development and deterioration; thus, it can potentially be developed into both a marker for monitoring and diagnosing tumors and a therapeutic target.

Femtosecond pulsed laser ablation of dental hard tissues with numerical control: a roughness and morphology study / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the femtosecond laser experimental platform in vitro for numerical controlled cavity preparation, and to evaluate the roughness quantitatively and observe the microscopic morphology of the cutting surface.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Enamel and dentin planes were prepared on human third molars. A universal motion controller was used to control the samples to do rectangle wave motion perpendicular to the incident direction of the laser at focus. The surface roughness was observed with confocal laser scanning microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Precise ablation of the dental hard tissues can be achieved with the established femtosecond laser numerical control platform. For enamel, the surface roughness of the cavity inside laser scanning line was 7.173 µm at the bottom and 2.675 µm on the wall of the cavity. The surface roughness of the cavity between laser scanning lines was 13.667 µm at the bottom and 33.927 µm on the wall. For dentin, the surface roughness of the cavity bottom was 51.182 µm and 25.629 µm for the wall. Scanning electron microscope images showed no micro-cracks or carbonization on enamel, while carbonization, cracks and a small amount of crystalline particles were observed on dentin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Precise tooth preparation can be achieved with femtosecond laser numerical control flatform. The surface roughness of cavity wall was less than that of the bottom and can meet the clinical needs. Suitable femtosecond laser output power should be set for different cutting objects, otherwise it may result in tissue damages.</p>