Sleep Deprivation Impairs Human Cognitive Reappraisal Ability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of sleep deprivation on individual cognitive reappraisal ability using a standardized behavioral paradigm. Methods: A randomized pretest-posttest control group design was conducted. Thirty-nine participants were eventually enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either the sleep control (SC: n = 17) or the sleep deprivation (SD: n = 22). Both of them were required to perform a standardized behavioral paradigm of measuring cognitive reappraisal ability one time under sleep-rested condition and another time under the condition of different sleep manipulation a week later. Results: Mean valence ratings of SD group were more negative than SC group's (p < 0.05) and mean arousal ratings of SD group were higher than SC group's (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Sleep deprivation may impair individual cognitive reappraisal ability and could potentially undermine the efficacy of cognitive therapy in terms of emotion regulation.

Melatonin attenuates radiation-induced cortical bone-derived stem cells injury and enhances bone repair in postradiation femoral defect model.

BACKGROUND: The healing of bone defects can be challenging for clinicians to manage, especially after exposure to ionizing radiation. In this regard, radiation therapy and accidental exposure to gamma (γ)-ray radiation have been shown to inhibit bone formation and increase the risk of fractures. Cortical bone-derived stem cells (CBSCs) are reportedly essential for osteogenic lineages, bone maintenance and repair. This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on postradiation CBSCs and bone defect healing. METHODS: CBSCs were extracted from C57BL/6 mice and were identified by flow cytometry. Then CBSCs were subjected to 6 Gy γ-ray radiation followed by treatment with various concentrations of melatonin. The effects of exogenous melatonin on the self-renewal and osteogenic capacity of postradiation CBSCs in vitro were analyzed. The underlying mechanisms involved in genomic stability, apoptosis and oxidative stress-related signaling were further analyzed by Western blotting, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assays. Moreover, postradiation femoral defect models were established and treated with Matrigel and melatonin. The effects of melatonin on postradiation bone healing in vivo were evaluated by micro-CT and pathological analysis. RESULTS: The decrease in radiation-induced self-renewal and osteogenic capacity were partially reversed in postradiation CBSCs treated with melatonin (P < 0.05). Melatonin maintained genomic stability, reduced postradiation CBSC apoptosis and intracellular oxidative stress, and enhanced expression of antioxidant-related enzymes (P < 0.05). Western blotting validated the anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin by downregulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels via the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. Melatonin was also found to exhibit antioxidant effects via NRF2 signaling. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the newly formed bone in the melatonin plus Matrigel group had higher trabecular bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV) and bone mineral density values with lower IL-6 and TNF-α levels than in the irradiation and the Matrigel groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that melatonin could protect CBSCs against γ-ray radiation and assist in the healing of postradiation bone defects.

Application of cloud database in the management of clinical data of patients with skin diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the needs and applications of using cloud database in the daily practice of dermatology department. METHODS: The cloud database was established for systemic scleroderma and localized scleroderma. Paper forms were used to record the original data including personal information, pictures, specimens, blood biochemical indicators, skin lesions,and scores of self-rating scales. The results were input into the cloud database. The applications of the cloud database in the dermatology department were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: The personal and clinical information of 215 systemic scleroderma patients and 522 localized scleroderma patients were included and analyzed using the cloud database. The disease status,quality of life, and prognosis were obtained by statistical calculations. CONCLUSIONS: The cloud database can efficiently and rapidly store and manage the data of patients with skin diseases. As a simple, prompt, safe, and convenient tool, it can be used in patients information management, clinical decision-making, and scientific research.