Circ_0012152 Accelerates Acute Myeloid Leukemia Progression through the miR-652-3p/SOX4 Axis.

OBJECTIVE: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy characterized by abnormal myeloid blast expansion. Recent studies have demonstrated that circular RNAs play a role in AML pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of circ_0012152 in AML and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of this condition. METHODS: Circ_0012152 expression was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in samples obtained from 247 patients with AML and 40 healthy controls. A systematic analysis of clinical characteristics and prognostic factors was also conducted. Cell growth was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and apoptosis and cell cycle progression were evaluated by flow cytometry. Moreover, RNA pull-down was performed to identify target microRNAs, and transcriptome RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were utilized to identify downstream mRNA targets. RESULTS: Circ_0012152 was significantly upregulated in samples from patients with AML and served as an independent adverse prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio: 2.357; 95% confidence interval 1.258-4.415). The circ_0012152 knockdown reduced cell growth, increased apoptosis, and inhibited cell cycle progression in AML cell lines. RNA pull-down and sequencing identified miR-652-3p as a target microRNA of circ_0012152. Cell growth inhibition by circ_0012152 knockdown was significantly relieved by miR-652-3p inhibitors. We suggested that miR-652-3p targeted SOX4, as the decrease in SOX4 expression resulting from circ_0012152 knockdown was upregulated by miR-652-3p inhibitors in AML cells. CONCLUSION: Circ_0012152 is an independent poor prognostic factor for OS in AML, and it promotes AML cell growth by upregulating SOX4 through miR-652-3p.

Analysis of Ethylene Signal Regulating Sucrose Metabolism in Strawberry Fruits Based on RNA-seq.

Ethylene is a key hormone that regulates the maturation and quality formation of horticultural crops, but its effects on non-respiratory climacteric fruits such as strawberries are not yet clear. In this study, strawberry fruits were treated with exogenous ethephon (ETH) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). It was found that ETH treatment increased the soluble solids and anthocyanin content of the fruits, reduced hardness, and decreased organic acid content, while 1-MCP treatment inhibited these processes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in the starch-sucrose metabolism pathway. qRT-PCR results further showed significant changes in the expression levels of sucrose metabolism genes, confirming the influence of ethylene signals on soluble sugar accumulation during strawberry fruit development. This study elucidates the quality changes and molecular mechanisms of ethylene signal in the development of strawberry fruits, providing some key targets and theoretical support for guiding strawberry cultivation and variety improvement.

Next-generation sequencing technology for diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of a patient with visceral leishmaniasis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania and transmitted by infected sand flies. VL has a low incidence in China, and its clinical presentation is complex and atypical. This disease is easily misdiagnosed and can become life-threatening within a short period of time. Therefore, early, rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment of the disease are essential. CASE SUMMARY: A 25-year-old male patient presented with the clinical manifestations of irregular fever, hepatosplenomegaly, increased polyclonal globulin, and pancytopenia. The first bone marrow puncture biopsy did not provide a clear diagnosis. In order to relieve the pressure and discomfort of the organs caused by the enlarged spleen and to confirm the diagnosis, splenectomy was performed, and hemophagocytic syndrome was diagnosed by pathological examination of the spleen biopsy. Following bone marrow and spleen pathological re-diagnosis and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology detection, the patient was finally diagnosed with VL. After treatment with liposomal amphotericin B, the body temperature quickly returned to normal and the hemocytes recovered gradually. Post-treatment re-examination of the bone marrow puncture and mNGS data showed that Leishmania was not detected. CONCLUSION: As a fast and accurate detection method, mNGS can diagnose and evaluate the efficacy of treatment in suspicious cases of leishmaniasis.

[Effects of Dasatinib on the Expansion, Subsets, Receptor Expression and Cytotoxic Function of NK Cells in Vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dasatinib on the expansion of NK cells in vitro, as well as the subsets, receptor expression and cytotoxic function of NK cells. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy adult volunteers and cultured with SCGM added IL-2 and IL-15 for expansion of NK cells. In this culture system, dasatinib of different concentrations were added. Cell counting and phenotyping by flow cytometry were used to evaluate the amplification efficiency of NK cells. FCM was used to detect the expression of receptors on the surface of NK cells and the distribution of subsets. Subsequently, degranulation assay and CFSE/7AAD based cytotoxicity assay were used to detect the effects of dasatinib on NK cytotoxicity against leukemia cell line K562 cells. RESULTS: The expansion efficiency of NK cells in vitro could be increased by dasatinib at the concentration range of 5-50 nmol/L, and the expansion efficiency of NK cells reached the peak at 20 nmol/L of dasatinib. The NK cytotoxicity against K562 cells in dasatinib cultured group at the concentration of 20 nmol/L was significantly higher than that in control group. For the cells cultured by disatinib in vitro, the MFI of CD226, NKP46 and NKG2D was up-regulated; the ratio of NKG2A+CD57- subset was down-regulated, while the ratio of NKG2A-CD57+ subset was up-regulated.The degranulation response of NKG2A-CD57+ NK cells to K562 cells was stronger than that of NKG2A+CD57- NK cells. CONCLUSION: The results shows that appropriate dose of dasatinib(20 nmol/L) can increases the amplification efficiency of NK cells, simultaneously up-regulates the expression of NK activating receptors and increases the NKG2A-CD57+ subset, which lead to the enhancement of NK cytotoxicty against leukemia cell lines.

Tip of the iceberg: roles of circRNAs in hematological malignancies.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of covalently closed RNA molecules whose 3'- and 5'-ends are linked by a back-splicing event. Emerging evidence has shown that circRNAs play a vital role in the occurrence and development of many diseases and are promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, knowledge of circRNAs in hematological malignancies is limited. In this review, the biogenesis, categories, characteristics, and functions of circRNAs are summarized, especially the roles of circRNAs in hematopoiesis and hematological malignancies.

NK cell predicts the severity of acute graft-versus-host disease in patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in pretreatment scheme.

BACKGROUND: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the most complex complications after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Current standard of grading system is based on clinical symptoms in skin, liver and intestinal. However, it's difficult to differ GVHD and its extent just by clinical manifestation. Here we retrospectively analyzed cell immune function in patients implemented allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Ningbo first Hospital from Jan 2013 to Jan 2018. RESULTS: the data are collected from 51 patients (mean age was 42; 45.1% women). The average NK cell percentage was 39.31% in severe GVHD (Grade III-IV), was 16.98% in mild GVHD (GradeI-II), while was 21.15% in No GVHD group. The statistical analysis showed difference among each grade. Further analysis was performed in Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) treated group and control group. We showed NK Cell percentage was sharply different in ATG treated group: 47.34% in severe GVHD, 11.98% in mild GVHD group, while 18.3% in no GVHD group. However, in control group, the average percentage of NK cells was 23.27% in severe GVHD, was 23.22%in mild GVHD group, while was 21.13% in no GVHD group. CONCLUSION: The data supports that ATG can prevent GVHD by increasing NK cell percentage. The percentage of NK cell seemed to be a useful probe to evaluate the severity of GVHD in allogeneic stem cell transplantation patients using ATG in pretreatment.

[Clinical Characteristics and Karyotype Analysis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients with TP53 mutation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with TP53 mutant and the relationship between TP53 mutation and monosomal karyotype in MDS patients. METHODS: The TP53 mutations in 102 patients with de nove MDS were retrospectively analyzed, and the clinical features of the TP53 mutation group and the non-mutation group were compared. The relationship between TP53 mutation and karyotype, especially monosomal karyotype was analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-two out of the 102 MDS patients were male and 50 were female, the median age was 59.5 (23-83) years old. The mutational frequency of TP53 was 12.7%, which mostly occurred in patients with MDS-EB. As compared with non-mutation group, the hemoglobin level and platelet count were lower (P=0.001, P=0.033), the LDH level and bone marrow blast ratio were higher in TP53 mutation group (P=0.002, P＜0.001), but the statistical difference of alsolute count of neutrophils and levels of serum ferritin and ß2-microglobulin between 2 groups was not found. The karyotype abnormality frequency of patients with TP53 mutation was 90.9%, among them 72.7% was monosomal karyotype. The incidence of monosomal karyotype in the TP53 mutation group was very significantly higher than that in the non-mutation group (P＜0.001). MDS with TP53 mutation and monosomal karyotype appeared in the groups with high and very high IPSS-R risk. CONCLUSION: MDS patients with TP53 mutation have unique clinical features and high incidence of monosomal karyotype, and their overall prognosis is poor.

Epidemiological characteristics and drug resistance surveillance of Shigella in infants and young children in Henan Province from 2013 to 2017 / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the pathogenic characteristics of Shigella in infants from 2013 to 2017 in Henan Province. Methods From 2013 to 2017, 606 Shigella strains were isolated from 5 149 children with diarrhea under 5 years old in Henan Province. Serotyping, drug sensitivity test and Polymerase Chain Reaction detection of virulence gene methods were used to detect the pathogen of Shigella. Results The detection rate of Shigella in children with diarrhea was 11.77%, and the highest detection rate was in the 1-2 age group(24.08%). 606 Shigella strains were divided into two groups and 11 serotypes. Shigella flexneri accounted for 73.43%， and Shigella sonnei accounted for 26.57%. Resistance of 176 Shigella strains to ampicillin and naphthidine was serious (resistance rate > 90%), and the resistance rates to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and compound sulfamethoxamine were higher than 65%, and the sensitivity of imipenem and cephalosporin were higher. There were differences in drug resistance between Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei. The virulence genes of infants were mainly shET-1+, shET-2+, ipaH+ and ial+, and 5 avirulent strains were detected. Conclusions The bacterial dysentery of infants in Henan Province is dominated by Shigella flexneri. There are serious resistance and multidrug resistance to common antibiotics, and the dominant genes in different serotyping strains are different.

Comparison of therapeutic efficacy and complications between autologous stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy for large B-cell lymphoma: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To contrast the clinical effects and complications for the treatment of large B-cell lymphoma between autologous stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy. METHODS: Multiple databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Articles that met the inclusion criteria were included. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies including 795 patients were involved, which eventually met the eligibility criteria. 385 and 410 samples were included in ASCT group and chemotherapy group respectively. The heterogeneity test suggested that clinical efficacy (RR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.17, 1.42], P < 0.00001; P for heterogeneity = 0.0002, I2 = 72%), side effects (RR = 1.72, 95% CI [1.15, 2.58], P = 0.009; P for Heterogeneity < 0.0001, I² = 85%) and overall 5-year survival rate (RR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.05, 1.29], P = 0.004; P for Heterogeneity = 0.008, I² = 58%) were significantly different between ASCT group and chemotherapy group, while non-disease 5-year survival rate (RR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.04, 1.48], P = 0.02; P for Heterogeneity = 0.22, I² = 24%) appears insignificantly. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a comprehensive summary and critical assessment of the current evidence for the treatment of large B-cell lymphoma. The evidence shows that the clinical efficacy of ASCT was better than that of chemotherapy to some extent, but ASCT might lead to more possibility of complications.

Supporting Effect of Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on CD34+ Cell Proliferation and Its Mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of UCB-derived MSCs to support the expansion of HSCs ex vivo and the possible mechanisms involved in this process. METHODS: HSCs from UCB were co-cultured with UCB-derived MSCs for 14 days, and then the total number of HSCs and colony-forming units (CFU) were detected. Cytokines levels of MSCs supernatant were analyzed using ELISA. RESULTS: The proliferation rate of HSCs co-cultured with MSCs was significantly higher than that of cultured HSCs alone (P<0.05). Furthermore, the addition of exogenous cytokines to the culture system significantly increased the proliferation rate of HSCs (P<0.05). MSCs had secretion of many cytokines, including GM-CSF, IL-7, IL-8, IL-11, SCF and SDF-1α. CONCLUSION: UCB-derived MSCs as a feeder layer can be an alternative approach for ex vivo expansion of HSCs, and the cytokines by secreted UCB-MSCs may mediate the supportive role of MSC to HSC proliferation.

[Effect of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets].

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on subsets and cytokine secretion of T lymphocytes. METHODS: Umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCBMSCs) were isolated by density gradient and were cultared by amplifying culture. The subsets and cytokine secretion of T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytomety after being co-cultured with UCBMSC. RESULTS: The proliferation of lymphocytes was inhibited. CD4(+)T cell subsets were increased, CD8(+)T cell subsets decreased when co-cultured with UCBMSC; Th1 and Tc1 level significantly reduced, while Th2 and Tc2 level slightly increased. CONCLUSION: The UCBMSC can inhibit the proliferation of lymphocytes, especially CD8(+)T cell subsets. In addition, UCBMSCs can reduce Th1 and Tc1 cells, and increase Th2 and Tc2 cells. UCBMSC may have the clinical application potential for preventing and remedying GVHD.

Sustained-release bupropion for smoking cessation in a Chinese sample: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Bupropion is a first-line pharmacological aid for smoking cessation; however, no clinical trials have been conducted in a Chinese population. METHODS: We enrolled 248 smokers in a hospital-based, randomized, smoking cessation trial conducted at four outpatient centers in Beijing. A total of 123 participants received an 8-week course of sustained-release bupropion (Bup-SR) and 125 participants received 8 weeks of placebo. All participants received brief education and counseling on smoking cessation. We determined rates of abstinence and smoking reduction based on chemical verification and self-report at 8 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the medication treatment (8 weeks) and at the end of the trial (12 weeks), the abstinence rates for Bup-SR were 29.3% and 39.8%, respectively, and 10.4% and 8.0% for placebo, respectively (both p < .001). Bup-SR was also superior to placebo in reducing cigarettes per day and urinary cotinine levels. CONCLUSION: Bup-SR is efficacious for smoking cessation in healthy Chinese patients treated in the outpatient setting. It is well tolerated with a few mild side effects.

Investigation on distribution of Yersinia enterocolitica in Henan province between 2005 and 2011 / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the distribution of Yersinia enterocolitica in Henan province from 2005 to 2011.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 6700 samples of stool specimen were collected from diarrhea patients and different domestic animals between 2005 and 2011 from Zhengzhou, Suixian and Dengfeng, as well as flies and the daub specimens of raw and cooked meat products. The bacteria were isolated by cold enrichment method, analyzed by the systematic biochemistry to determine the serotypes and bio-types, and tested the virulence genes by PCR method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 216 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica were isolated from 11 kinds of animal hosts and foods, while 29.63% (64/216) of them were from swine. The dominant epidemic serotypes of the Yersinia enterocolitica were O: 5 and O: 8, accounted for 23.2% (50/216) and 20.4% (44/216), respectively; type 1A was the dominant bio-type, accounted for 84.7% (183/216). The dominant serotype and bio-type differed a lot among various hosts.16 pathogenic strains were isolated from swine, followed by diarrhea patients (6 strains) and dogs (6 strains).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distribution of the host of Yersinia enterocolitica was widespread, while swine was the dominant animal host.</p>

Clinical trial on the prevention of diarrhea by oral BIFICO for infants aged 1-6 years / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevention of diarrhea by oral BIFICO for infants aged 1-6 years.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>490 cases of infants were randomly divided after age stratification: the experimental group (n = 247) and the control group (n = 243). Based on principles of randomized double-blind and placebo-controlled, the infants were given BIFICO (dedicated clinical research)therapy for 4 consecutive days, then observed for 21 days. 25 days composed a cycle. They were observed total 5 cycles. During the study period, principles for "the diarrhoea patients must be detected", follow-up visited the participant infants and conducted etiology detection by way of sampling for diarrhea infants. Evaluate the prevention efficacy of diarrhea by oral BIFICO for infants aged 1-6 years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 480 completed all study. 120 and 95 infants in the control group and experimental group were detected with diarrhea. The incidence of diarrhea was 50.85% and 38.93% in these two guoup, respectively. The difference has statistical significance (chi2 = 4.175, P = 0.041). In the third observation period, the infants in the control group had a higer incidence of diarrhea compared with which in the experimental group (chi2 = 4.415, P = 0.036). 14 strains of rotavirus, 3 strains of norovirus, 3 strains of sappovirus, 2 strains of adenovirus, 5 strains of salmonella and 4 strains of Shigella were check out in 128 samples.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral BIFICO can paly certain preventive role on diarrhea, and decrease the incidence of diarrhea in infants aged 1-6 years.</p>

Effects of acute combined serotonin and dopamine depletion on cue-induced drinking intention/desire and cognitive function in patients with alcohol dependence.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol cues can precipitate the desire to drink and cause relapse in recovering alcohol-dependent patients. Serotonin and dopamine may play a role in alcohol cue-induced craving. Acute combined tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), and phenylalanine (Phe) depletion (CMD) in the diet attenuates the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine in the human brain. However, no study of the effects of acute CMD has been previously conducted. Therefore, we investigated whether the attenuation of serotonin and dopamine synthesis changes cue-induced alcohol craving in recently abstinent alcoholics. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 12 male patients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, criteria for alcohol dependence were divided into two conditions: (1) monoamine depletion (i.e., consumption of a concentrated amino acid beverage that resulted in a rapid and significant decrease in plasma-free Tyr/Phe/Trp) and (2) balanced condition (i.e., consumption of a similar beverage that contained Tyr/Phe/Trp). The participants were scheduled for two experimental sessions, with an interval of ≥7 days. The cue-induced craving test session was conducted 6h after each amino acid beverage administration. Drinking urge, blood pressure, heart rate, working memory, and attention/psychomotor performance were assessed before and after administration. RESULTS: Compared with the balanced condition, the monoamine depletion condition significantly increased drinking intention/desire and diastolic blood pressure. Cognitive performance was not different between the two conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Acute combined serotonin and dopamine depletion may increase drinking intention/desire and diastolic blood pressure without influencing cognitive function.

Analysis of etiological surveillance results of Shigella spp between 2009 and 2010 in Henan province / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the etiologic characteristics of bacillary dysentery found in Henan province, between year 2009 and 2010.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In order to explore the distribution of bacterial types, drug susceptibility and the virulence gene carrier situation, 482 strains of Shigella isolated in Henan province between 2009 and 2010 were pathogen-detected and analyzed by serotype screening, anti microbial sensitivity test and PCR methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 482 isolated strains were confirmed to be Shigella by both morphological and biochemical tests. The Shigella strains were divided into 13 serotypes in 2 groups, namely Shigella flexneri (B group) accounting for 72.0% (347/482) and Shigella sonnei (D group), accounting for 28.0% (135/482). The detection rate of Serotype F2a, as the dominant type of Shigella flexneri, decreased from 43.4% (106/245) in 2009 to 33.8% (80/237) in 2010; while the detection rate of Shigella sonnei increased from 13.1% (32/245) to 43.5% (103/237) in the same period. The results of microbial sensitivity tests carried out in year 2009 and 2010, both showed that over 98% of the 185 studied strains were resistant to ampicillin (AMP), trimethoprim-pyrimidine (TMP), tetracycline (TE), streptomycin (S) and nalidixic acid (NA).182 strains were recruited in the virulence factors detection, 67.6% (123/182) of which carried Shigella Enterotoxin 1B (set1B), Shigella Enterotoxin 2 (set2), invasive plasmid antigen H (ipaH) or invasion-related virulence factors (ial) and 24.2% (44/182) of which carried 3 virulence factors mentioned above.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalent serotypes of Shigella in Henan province have changed in recent years. The isolated strains showed high resistance to common antibacterial drugs and generally carried virulence factors.</p>

[Induction of dendritic cells with multidrug resistance from K562/MDR1 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To induce the differentiation of K562/MDR1 cells into dendritic cells (DC) with multidrug resistance property. METHODS: K562/MDR1 cells and K562 cells were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 to generate DC and matured by TNF-α. On d14 K562/MDR1-DC and K562-DC cells were harvested and the expressions of CD1a, CD83, CD80, CD86, HLA-ABC and HLA-DR were assessed by flow cytometry (FCM). The antigen presentation function of K562/MDR1-DC and K562-DC was determined by allogenic mixed lymphocyte reaction (Allo-MLR). The expression of P-glycoprotein and the intracellular accumulation of daunorubicin (DNR) were detected by FCM. The sensitivity of K562/MDR1-DC and K562-DC cell to vincristine, adriamycin was measured using MTT assay. RESULTS: Both K562/MDR1 and K562 cells were differentiated into dendritic cells in the presence of cytokine cocktails, showing the morphologic and immunophenotypic characteristics of DC. K562/MDR1-DC more markedly enhanced proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes in MLR than K562-DC. High level expression of P-glycoprotein and efflux of DNR were demonstrated in K562/MDR1-DC. K562/MDR1-DC showed multidrug resistance property, with higher IC(50) to VCR and ADM than that of K562-DCs. CONCLUSION: K562/MDR1 cells can be differentiated into DC with the presence of cytokines, the induced K562/MDR1-DC cells express high level of P-glycoprotein and acquire the multidrug resistance property.

Comparative analysis of headspace volatiles of Chinese Rosa rugosa.

The floral headspace compounds of Chinese Rosa rugosa germplasms that were isolated by an automated headspace sampler with built-in trap, and followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for identification and quantification. Up to 33 volatile compounds were identified from the 23 rose germplasms, including nine alcohols, five esters, three alkanes, 10 terpenes, three aldehydes, two ketones, and one ether. The main floral components identified were 2-phenylethanol, ß-citronellol, ethanol, and n-hexane. 'xizi', 'miaofengshan', 'xiangciguo', and 'tangbai' contained the highest amounts of 2-phenylethanol at 84.66 µg·g⁻¹, ß-citronellol at 70.98 µg·g⁻¹, ethanol at 83.87 µg·g⁻¹, and n-hexane at 18.23 µg·g⁻¹, respectively. 'Rongchengyesheng', 'tanghong', 'xizi', 'miaofengshan', and 'baizizhi' could be considered good materials for extracting rose oil and breeding new cultivars.

Nocturnal sleep architecture disturbances in early methadone treatment patients.

The subjective and objective sleep patterns of patients with opioid dependence have been previously reported, but the sleep characteristics of patients in early methadone treatment, especially the objective sleep patterns, remain largely unexamined. This study was designed to explore the nocturnal sleep structure of patients on early methadone treatment. Twenty male methadone treatment (MT) patients and 20 male age- and body mass index-matched controls were assessed with overnight limited polysomnography. Subjective sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Compared with healthy controls, MT patients had lower sleep efficiency, shorter total sleep time, more awakenings and shorter slow wave sleep (SWS). The PSQI and ESS scores in MT patients were significantly higher than in the controls. ESS scores of the patients were significantly associated with the SWS. The findings indicate that patients in early MT have poor sleep quality and abnormal sleep architecture.