Sex-differential cognitive performance on MCCB of youth with BD-II depression.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidences have shown sex-differential cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder (BD) and differences in cognitions across BD subtypes. However, the sex-specific effect on cognitive impairment in BD subtype II (BD-II) remains obscure. The aim of the current study was to examine whether cognitive deficits differ by gender in youth with BD-II depression. METHOD: This cross-sectional study recruited 125 unmedicated youths with BD-II depression and 140 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs). The Chinese version of the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess cognitive functions. Mood state was assessed using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (24-HDRS) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted. RESULT: ​Compared with HCs, patients with BD-II depression had lower scores on MCCB composite and its seven cognitive domains (all p < 0.001). After controlling for age and education, MANCOVA revealed significant gender-by-group interaction on attention/vigilance (F = 6.224, df = 1, p = 0.013), verbal learning (F = 9.847, df = 1, p = 0.002), visual learning (F = 4.242, df = 1, p = 0.040), and composite (F = 8.819, df = 1, p = 0.003). Post hoc analyses suggested that males performed worse in the above-mentioned MCCB tests than females in BD-II depression. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated generalized cognitive deficits in unmedicated youths with BD-II depression. Male patients performed more serious cognitive impairment on attention/vigilance, verbal learning, and visual learning compared to female patients.

Gender-related alterations of serum trace elements and neurometabolism in the anterior cingulate cortex of patients with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: It is widely known that sex differences have a significant impact on patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aims to evaluate the sex-related connection between serum trace elements and changes in neurometabolism in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of MDD patients. METHODS: 109 untreated MDD patients and 59 healthy controls underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) under resting conditions. We measured metabolic ratios in the ACC from both sides. Additionally, venous blood samples were taken from all participants to detect calcium (Ca), phosphorus, magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), ceruloplasmin (CER), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) levels. We performed association and interaction analyses to explore the connections between the disease and gender. RESULTS: In individuals with MDD, the Cu/Zn ratio increased, while the levels of Mg, CER, Zn and Fe decreased. Male MDD patients had lower Cu levels, while female patients had an increased Cu/Zn ratio. We observed significant gender differences in Cu, CER and the Cu/Zn ratio in MDD. Male patients showed a reduced N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/phosphocreatine + creatine (PCr + Cr) ratio in the left ACC. The NAA/PCr + Cr ratio decreased in the right ACC in patients with MDD. In the left ACC of male MDD patients, the Cu/Zn ratio was inversely related to the NAA/PCr + Cr ratio, and Fe levels were negatively associated with the GPC + PC/PCr + Cr ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight gender-specific changes in Cu homeostasis among male MDD patients. The Cu/Zn ratio and Fe levels in male MDD patients were significantly linked to neurometabolic alterations in the ACC.

A sodium carboxymethyl cellulose-induced emission and gelation system for time-dependent information encryption and anti-counterfeiting.

Many lanthanide complexes do not form gel or even exhibit characteristic luminescence of lanthanide ions, which limits their applications in many fields. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a third component that can not only promote emission but also gel the lanthanide complex system to construct new smart materials such as time-dependent information encryption and anti-counterfeiting materials. Herein, a luminescent lanthanide metallogel was successfully prepared by using the third component sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) to induce the gelation and luminescence of the complex (H3L/Tb3+) of 4,4',4″-((benzene-1,3,5-tricarbonyl)tris(azanediyl)) tris(2-hydroxybenzoic acid) (H3L) and Tb3+. The H3L/Tb3+ complex itself does not form gel and has no characteristic luminescence of Tb3+. Moreover, the multicolor emission of H3L/Tb3+/NaCMC gels was prepared based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) platforms to obtain a high-security level information encryption and anti-counterfeiting materials. These multicolor emission gels exhibit emission color tunability with time dependence due to the different energy transfer efficiencies at each pH node controlled by glucono-δ-lactone hydrolysis time. Based on the time response characteristics, the time-dependent information encryption and anti-counterfeiting materials are developed.

The Properties of Modified Bagasse Fiber/Nano-TiO2 Composite Asphalt in a High-Temperature and High-Humidity Salt Environment.

The southern tropical coastal areas of China are high-temperature and high-humidity salt environments, which hinder the durability and service life of ordinary asphalt pavement. To enhance the durability of asphalt pavement in these areas, modified bagasse fiber combined with nano-TiO2 was used to improve the corrosion resistance of asphalt pavement in high-temperature and high-humidity salt environments. The micro-morphology, high-temperature oil absorption, high-temperature heat resistance, and hygroscopicity of bagasse fiber modified using three silane coupling agents combined with NaOH were compared, and the best silane coupling agent/NaOH modification scheme for bagasse fiber was found. Based on conventional physical tests (penetration, softening point, ductility), rheological property tests (rotational viscosity, dynamic shear rheological test, multi-stress creep recovery test, linear amplitude scanning test), and a four-point bending fatigue test of the asphalt mixture, the properties of modified bagasse fiber asphalt binder and mixture after cyclic dry-wet erosion under pure water and salt solution (NaCl, Na2SO4) were determined, and the effects of the erosion environment and fiber ratio on the basic physical and rheological properties of the asphalt were clarified. Compared with the silane coupling agents KH550 and KH590, the bagasse fiber modified with KH570/NaOH had a better high-temperature oil absorption capacity, heat stability capacity, and matrix asphalt compatibility. The worst erosion environment was Na2SO4, but the increase in test temperature and fiber content weakened the sensitivity of the asphalt binder performance in different erosion environments. The erosion capacity order was as follows: Na2SO4 > NaCl > pure water. In the worst erosion environment, 0.5% modified bagasse fiber/Nano-TiO2 asphalt binder (Bn-570-0.5) had the best corrosion resistance in a high-temperature and high-humidity salt environment. The penetration, softening point, creep recovery rate R3.2, non-recoverable creep compliance Jnr3.2, and fatigue life after long-term aging (with 5% strain) of Bn-570-0.5 were, respectively, increased by -16.9%, 37.5%, 37.95%, -27.86%, and 38.30% compared with unblended base asphalt binder (B). In addition, the four-point flexural fatigue life of Bn-570-0.5 was 169.2% higher than that of the unblended base mixture.

A Case of Pneumonia Masking Pleural Malignancy.

The invasion of the pleural membrane by a malignant pleural tumor can lead to the production of malignant pleural effusion (MPE), resulting in the symptoms of dyspnea, and some patients have cough, sputum and other symptoms, which are easily confused with pneumonia. In this case, the initial diagnosis of the patient is pneumonia, and the final diagnosis is pneumonia combined with pleural malignancy. Therefore, if the patient has unexplained symptoms of bloody pleural effusion, it is necessary to examine for malignant tumors and should actively perform thoracentesis and drainage, look for malignant cells in the pleural effusion cell precipitation, evaluate the nature of pleural effusion, conduct pleural biopsy tissue examination, and determine the type and source of lung malignancy by the combined application of cell block technology and immunohistochemistry. Take the cytological examination results in pleural effusion seriously, and finally, surgical or immunotherapy can be performed.