The relationship between childhood trauma and insomnia among college students with major depressive disorder: Mediation by the role of negative life events and dysfunctional attitudes.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common problem among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). According to previous studies, the development and severity of Insomnia are influenced by childhood trauma experience. Furthermore, negative life events and dysfunctional attitudes may also mediate the impact. So, this study aimed to examine the association between childhood trauma, negative life events, dysfunctional attitudes and insomnia and investigate how negative life events and dysfunctional attitudes mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and insomnia in MDD. METHOD: This cross-sectional study recruited 621 college students with MDD. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Life Event Scale (LES), Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17) were used to assess participants' psychosocial factors. Descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, t-test, Pearson correlations, and serial mediation analyses were used in data analysis. In order to eliminate the influence of the severity of depression symptoms, severity of depression symptoms was used as a control variable in this study. RESULTS: There were 166 (26.7%) participants having clinical insomnia (ISI score > 14). After controlling for the effect of severity of depression symptoms, results of serial mediation analyses determined that childhood trauma has a direct (Estimate = 0.109, 95%CI: 0.023,0.190) and indirect (Estimate = 0.090, 95%CI: 0.054,0.137) impact to insomnia. The indirect impact of childhood trauma on insomnia through the pathways of negative life events alone (Estimate = 0.050, 95%CI: 0.024,0.093), dysfunctional attitudes alone (Estimate = 0.027, 95%CI: 0.008,0.050), and negative life events to dysfunctional attitudes (Estimate = 0.013, 95%CI: 0.006,0.024) were significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that screening for childhood trauma should be considered when treating insomnia in college students with MDD. Managing negative life events and dysfunctional attitudes may mitigate the negative impact of childhood trauma on insomnia in college students with MDD.

Serum ferritin is correlated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in middle-aged and older patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown the correlations between serum ferritin and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or diabetes. However, this relationship remains unclear in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with NAFLD. Therefore, this study aimed to elaborate the relationship between serum ferritin levels and NAFLD in middle-aged and older patients with T2DM and further explored the biomarkers for NAFLD in T2DM. METHODS: A total of 805 middle-aged and older patients with T2DM were divided into NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups, and their serum ferritin levels were compared. Next, NAFLD group were divided into five subgroups according to the quintile levels of serum ferritin, and the differences in the constituent ratios of NAFLD were analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for NAFLD in patients with T2DM. RESULTS: The serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in T2DM patients with NAFLD (168.47 (103.78, 248.00) ng/mL) than in the non-NAFLD patients (121.19 (76.97, 208.39) ng/mL). The constituent ratios of NAFLD were significantly higher in the F5 and F4 groups than in the F2 or F1 groups (22.70 and 22.70% vs. 15.90 and 16.90%, respectively; P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that serum ferritin (P = 0.001) was an independent risk factor for NAFLD in patients with T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ferritin levels were significantly increased in T2DM with NAFLD, and the constituent ratios of NAFLD increased gradually along with the increased levels of serum ferritin. Thus, serum ferritin is an independent risk factor for NAFLD in patients with T2DM.

Full-Scale Clinical Data and Reshaped Intestinal Microbiome on a Short-Term Low-Phosphorus Diet among Healthy Adults.

OBJECTIVES: During the past few decades, phosphorus intake has dramatically increased along with higher protein intake and overuse of inorganic phosphate additives worldwide. The detrimental effects of overconsumption of phosphorus are well recognized for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and dietary phosphorus restriction was recommended for these patients. However, the effects of dietary phosphorus restriction in healthy people have not been fully studied. METHODS: In this open-label crossover study, healthy adult men (n = 12) consumed normal phosphorus diet (NPD, 1,500 mg/d) for five days. After a 10-day washout period, healthy adults took low phosphorus diet (LPD, 500 mg/d) for another five days. On the fifth day of each intervention, blood, urine and saliva samples were collected at ten time points, and fecal specimens were collected for bacterial taxa identification. RESULTS: We found that 24-h mean levels of serum phosphate (Pi), urinary Pi, serum parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor 23 decreased, while serum calcium (Ca) and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D increased significantly under LPD compared with those under NPD. Dietary phosphorus intake did not change salivary Pi, urinary Ca, salivary Ca and magnesium (Mg) metabolism. Compared with NPD, LPD increased the relative abundance of beneficial microbes including Bacteroidetes, Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, indicating that multiple bacterial metabolic pathways have been shifted. CONCLUSIONS: Full-scale data of dietary phosphorus restriction on Pi, Ca and Mg metabolism in healthy male adults are provided. More importantly, for the first time, dietary phosphorus restriction was found to reshape the intestinal microbiome, which provides information for benefits of dietary phosphorus restriction in healthy people, and potential clues for treating patients with CKD.

High-phosphorus diet controlled for sodium elevates blood pressure in healthy adults via volume expansion.

Whether increasing exposure to dietary phosphorus can lead to adverse clinical outcomes in healthy people is not clear. In this open-label prospective cross-over study, we are to explore the impact of various dietary phosphorus intake on mineral, sodium metabolisms and blood pressure in young healthy adults. There were 3 separate study periods of 5 days, each with a 5 days washout period between different diets interventions. Six young healthy male volunteers with normal nutrition status were recruited in Phase I Clinical Research Center and sequentially exposed to the following diets: (a) normal-phosphorus diet (NPD): 1500 mg/d, (b) low-phosphorus diet (LPD): 500 mg/d, (c) high-phosphorus diet (HPD): 2300 mg/d. HPD induced a significant rise in daily average serum phosphate (1.47 ± 0.02 mmol/L [4.56 ± 0.06 mg/dl]) compared to NPD (1.34 ± 0.02 mmol/L [4.15 ± 0.06 mg/dL]) and LPD (1.17 ± 0.02 mmol/L [3.63 ± 0.06 mg/dL]) (p < .05). Daily average levels of serum parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor 23 in HPD were significantly higher, and serum 1,25(OH)2 D3 was remarkably lower than those in LPD. HPD induced a significant decrease in daily average serum aldosterone and an increase in daily average atrial natriuretic peptide level compared to LPD. The 24-hour urine volume in HPD subjects was less than that in LPD subjects. HPD significantly increased daily average systolic blood pressure by 6.02 ± 1.24 mm Hg compared to NPD and by 8.58 ± 1.24mm Hg compared to LPD (p < .05). Our study provides the first evidence that 5-day high-phosphorus diet can induce elevation in SBP in young healthy adults, which may due to volume expansion.

[Effects of soil surface electric field on aggregates breakdown and water erosion in black soil region of Northeast China]. / åœŸå£¤è¡¨é¢ç”µåœºå¯¹é»‘åœŸå›¢èšä½“ç ´ç¢Žå’Œä¾µèš€çš„å½±å“.

Through quantitatively adjust soil electric field, we investigated the effect of soil electric field on aggregate stability and soil erosion in black soil region of Northeast China with the experiments of wet sieving and rainfall simulation. Results showed that: 1) Soil surface potential absolute value and electric field strength increased with the decreases of electrolyte concentration in bulk solution. Soil electric field strength could reach to 108 V·m-1. 2) With the increase of soil electric field strength, the degree of fragmentation of soil aggregates increased and the mean weight diameter (MWD) decreased sharply first and then kept constant. 3) With decreasing electrolyte concentration and increasing surface potential, the amount of soil loss increased. As the electrolyte concentration was <0.01 mol·L-1, the corresponding soil surface potential was > 210 and 209 mV for Bin-xian and Keshan, respectively, the cumulative amounts of soil loss with rainfall time almost overlapped, suggesting that the electrolyte concentration of 0.01 mol·L-1 was the threshold for soil erosion. 4) There was a linear relationship between soil cumulative loss and MWD. Our results indicated that soil electric field strength increased as the rain enters into the soil, which could induce soil aggregate breakdown and release amounts of fine soil particles. Finally, soil erosion occurred under the driving of flowing water. Our results provided insights into the mechanism underlying soil erosion in the black soil region of Northeast China.

Applied anatomy for pituitary adenoma resection.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenomas are common intracranial tumors, with a rising incidence in China. Excision is a mainstay therapy for this disease, and is often carried out via transfrontal, transsphenoidal or transpterional approaches. However, few studies have systematically addressed the regional anatomy involved in these microsurgical procedures. The present study attempted to establish some key anatomic measurements relevant to pituitary adenoma resection based on cadaver and computer tomography (CT) image studies. METHODS: Head specimens from 30 randomly selected formalin-fixed adult cadavers were used for anatomical analysis. Measurements were made on the base of the skull following removal of brain structures above the pituitary gland, and on the mid-sagittal plane of the cranium. Parameters were designed by considering the 3 above-mentioned common microsurgical approaches, and obtained on each head using a sliding caliper. Multi-level CT images from 30 individuals were also used for distance measurements between landmark structures that are relevant to these surgeries. All data were subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS 11.5 software. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) of distance measured on cadavers relative to CT images in 3 sets of measurements related to the transfrontal surgical approach, i.e., distances from the midpoint of superciliary arch superior border to the cranial entrance of internal carotid arteries (ICAs), the opposite side entrance of ICA and to the genu of ICA. While regional anatomical analyses were carried out according to the transpterional approach, statistically significant difference was also found in 3 sets of distance measurements between cadaver and CT image data, with regard to the distances between the pterion and some landmark structures around the pituitary. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides key anatomical and CT image measurements involving the 3 conventionally used surgical approaches for pituitary tumor resection. The data implicate that while CT scan results can provide valuable guidelines for operations, cautions and adjustments are needed during surgery for sufficient tumor excision and protection of key blood vessels and nerves in the vicinity of the pituitary gland and around the surgical pathway.

In vivo antibacterial activity of nemonoxacin, a novel non-fluorinated quinolone.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the in vivo antibacterial efficacy of nemonoxacin, a novel C8-methoxy non-fluorinated quinolone in murine systemic and local infection models. METHODS: The efficacy of nemonoxacin in systemic infections was evaluated in mouse peritonitis models using isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, n=1), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, n=1), methicillin- and levofloxacin-resistant Staphylococcus capitis (levofloxacin-resistant MRSC, n=1), penicillin-intermediate Streptococcus pneumoniae (PISP, n=1), penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP, n=2), Enterococcus faecalis (n=2, including 1 vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, VRE) and Escherichia coli (n=3). The local infections included mouse pulmonary infections caused by PRSP (n=1), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=1) and mouse ascending urinary tract infection caused by E. coli (n=1). RESULTS: In the mouse systemic infection model, nemonoxacin demonstrated potent activity against MSSA (ED(50) =2.08 mg/kg), MRSA (ED(50) =2.59 mg/kg), levofloxacin-resistant MRSC (ED(50) =2.52 mg/kg), PISP (ED(50) =5.47 mg/kg), PRSP (ED(50) =3.68-5.28 mg/kg) and E. coli (ED(50) =3.13-5.28 mg/kg), and moderate activity towards E. faecalis infection (ED(50) =8.48-15.16 mg/kg). The therapeutic efficacy of nemonoxacin was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of levofloxacin in infections caused by Gram-positive isolates (MSSA, MRSA, levofloxacin-resistant MRSC, PISP, PRSP and E. faecalis), but less potent than that of levofloxacin against E. coli infection (P<0.01). Nemonoxacin in vivo efficacy results with Gram-positive isolates (2- to 5-fold ED(50) advantage over levofloxacin) are consistent with the MIC data (4- to 16-fold MIC advantage of nemonoxacin over levofloxacin). In the mouse pulmonary infection model, nemonoxacin showed potent activity towards PRSP (higher than levofloxacin) and K. pneumoniae (lower than levofloxacin) infections. In the mouse ascending urinary tract infection model, nemonoxacin exhibited potent activity against E. coli infection (lower than levofloxacin). CONCLUSIONS: The results validated the potent efficacy of nemonoxacin in vivo. The higher efficacy of nemonoxacin than of levofloxacin towards infections caused by Gram-positive cocci (especially MRSA, levofloxacin-resistant MRSC, PRSP and VRE) warrants investigation of its clinical use.

[Study on TR beta gene mutation in a thyroid hormone resistance syndrome family].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the gene mutation of thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR beta) in a family with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome. METHODS: The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of the patient, 14 family members and 7 healthy subjects. The exons 7-10 of TR beta gene were amplified by PCR. The products of PCR were purified and sequenced directly to detect the gene mutation. RESULTS: Five members of this family were confirmed to have the C to G transition mutation at nucleotide 1642 site within exon 10 of TR beta gene, which was a missense mutation causing the substitution of Proline to Alanine (P453A); and also to have the C to T transition mutation at nucleotide 1020 within exon 7 of TR beta gene, which was a synonymous mutation that didn't cause the change of amino acid at this position (F245F). The two mutations were heterozygote. No mutation in the exons 7-10 of TR beta gene were identified in other family members. CONCLUSION: A family with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome caused by TR beta gene mutation is first founded in Chinese people.

[Obesity and diseases in the elderly inpatient].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the obesity distribution in old people and the relation between senile obesity and health. METHODS: First, a questionnaire was designed which included chronic disease history, body mass index (BMI), physiological value, biochemistry index, anti-oxidation index, diagnosis of diseases, etc. Second, the measure and detection methods were unified; and the last, the investigation was made along with daily clinical work by clinicians. RESULTS: We received 391 questionnaires. The overweight rate was 36.1% and the obesity rate was 7.9% . Total anti-oxidation activity in serum (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased with body mass index (BMI), and the value in the obesity group was the lowest; Malonaldehyde (MDA) of overweight obesity was the largest. The mean blood pressure, blood fat, and blood glucose as well as the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, hyperlipemia, and glycuresis increased with BMI; and the value in the obesity group was the largest. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the senile obesity was below the average and the senile obesity complications were various and serious, and perhaps related to imbalance of free radical's production and cleanup, so the senile obesity seriously harmed old people's health.

[Gene expression profiles and effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 intervention in Peyronie's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate molecular insight into the pathology of Peyronie's disease (PD). A preliminary profile of differential gene expression between the PD plaque and control tunica albuginea was obtained with DNA microarrays. Also, to investigate the effect of intervention in PD cells, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was recruited to treat PD cell lines. METHODS: Three PD plaques and control tunica albugineas were constructed and studied. cDNA probes were prepared from RNA isolated from those cells and hybridized with the Clontech Atlas 3.6 Array. Relative changes of greater than 2.0 defined up-regulation and down-regulation, respectively. The expression of selected individual gene MCP-1 and the effect of TGF-beta1 on MCP-1 were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Some up-regulated genes in the PD plaque detected by the Clontech assay were screened, one of them was monocyte chemotactic protein. One involved the pathogenesis of PD as a downstream gene and responded to the TGF-beta1 treatment but not CTGF. The results were also confirmed by TR-PCR in all the types of cell. CONCLUSIONS: The cell lines from plaque tissue and normal tunica from men with PD were successfully established. The findings indicate a potential role for MCP-1 over expression in the pathogenesis of PD as a downstream gene regulated by some genes and could be a new therapeutic target in PD. The information may allow a better understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, it may permit some strategies of therapeutic interventions combine routine methods with Chinese herbal medicine.