Intermittent theta burst stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improves cognitive function in polydrug use disorder patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Polydrug abuse is common among opioid users. Individuals who use both heroin and methamphetamine (MA) have been shown to experience a wide range of cognitive deficits. Previous research shows that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can change cerebral cortical excitability and regulate neurotransmitter concentration, which could improve cognitive function in drug addiction.

The relationship between physical activity and depression among community-dwelling adults in Wuhan, China.

Background: While the association between physical activity (PA) and depression has been established, there is limited research on the effect of PA on the risk of depression among Chinese individuals. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between PA and depression among Chinese individuals.

Methods: We used a stratified random sampling approach to recruit participants from five urban districts in Wuhan, China.

Sense of Alienation and Its Associations With Depressive Symptoms and Poor Sleep Quality in Older Adults Who Experienced the Lockdown in Wuhan, China, During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To examine the epidemiology of sense of alienation (SoA) and its associations with depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality (PSQ) in Chinese older adults who experienced lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: There is a dearth of data on SoA in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Altogether, 543 community-dwelling older adults (50+ years) were recruited via the three-tier mental health network in Wuhan, China, and completed an online questionnaire in April 2020, the first month after the reopening of Wuhan.

NUDT15 genotyping during azathioprine treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: implications for a dose-optimization strategy.

Background: NUDT15 R139C is an Asian-prevalent genetic variant related to azathioprine (AZA) intolerance in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it remains unclear how to utilize the genotyping results to improve the step-up dosing strategy with an already low starting dose in Asian practice.

Methods: Clinical data of eligible IBD patients who received AZA therapy and NUDT15 R139C testing were retrospectively collected.

Major depressive disorder in Chinese persons with speech disability: High rates of prevalence and perceived need for mental health care but extremely low rate of use of mental health services.

Background: In recent years, there has been increasing awareness on the importance of mental health services for persons with disability in China, but data on mental health of persons with speech disability (PwSD) are scarce. This study examined prevalence and correlates of major depressive disorder (MDD) among Chinese PwSD, as well as their perceived need for and utilization of mental health services.

Methods: A total of 227 community-residing adult PwSD were successfully recruited by using multi-stage sampling approach, and interviewed with the Mini-international Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.

Transcribed ultraconserved region (T-UCR) uc.261 expression is closely correlated with disease activity and intestinal permeability in Crohn's disease.

Objectives: Transcribed ultraconserved region (T-UCR) uc.261 is reported to participate in intestinal mucosa barrier damage in Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to determine the association with disease activity and intestinal permeability.

Circular RNA expression alterations in colon tissues of Crohn's disease patients.

Genetic factors are crucial in the development of Crohn's disease (CD). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to function as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and regulate a number of signalling pathways via circRNA‑miRNA interactions. As competing endogenous RNAs, the functions of circRNAs in CD should be investigated.

Prevalence of Deliberate Self-harm Among Chinese Patients With Heroin Dependence: A Meta-Analysis.

There is paucity of data regarding the prevalence and methods of deliberate self-harm (DSH) in patients with heroin dependence in international literature. In China, there have been a few studies investigating the prevalence of DSH in heroin-dependent patients (HDPs), but their rates varied widely. We thus conducted a meta-analysis of studies assessing the prevalence of DSH among Chinese HDPs.

Loneliness in Chinese older adults in primary care: prevalence and correlates.

Background: Loneliness is a significant public health concern among older adults (OA) given its association with a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Primary care is an opportune setting to manage loneliness. However, the epidemiology of loneliness in Chinese OA treated in primary care remains unclear.

Loneliness and its impact on quality of life in Chinese heroin-dependent patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment.

To date, no studies have examined loneliness in Chinese patients with substance use disorders. This study determined the prevalence and socio-demographic and clinical correlates of loneliness and its impact on quality of life (QOL) in Chinese heroin-dependent patients (HDPs) receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). A total of 603 HDPs were consecutively recruited from three city-owned MMT clinics in Wuhan, China, and administered with a standardized questionnaire to collect socio-demographic and clinical data.

Significantly more intense pain in methadone-maintained patients who are addicted to nicotine.

Pain and cigarette smoking are very common in heroin-dependent patients (HDPs) receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and both have substantial negative effects on HDPs' physical and mental health. Nevertheless, very few studies have assessed the relationship between the two in HDPs. This study examined the association between pain intensity and smoking in Chinese methadone-maintained HDPs.

Prevalence of pain and its socio-demographic and clinical correlates among heroin-dependent patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment.

To date there have been no studies investigating the characteristics of pain in Chinese heroin-dependent patients (HDPs) receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This study examined the frequency and socio-demographic and clinical correlates of pain in HDPs under MMT. A consecutive sample of 603 HDPs was recruited from three MMT clinics in Wuhan, China.

Tuberculosis screening using IGRA and chest computed tomography in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A retrospective study.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and potential risk factors of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to evaluate the role of chest computed tomography (CT) in the screening of LTBI.

Methods: A single-center retrospective study was conducted and all IBD patients who had been screened for LTBI by T-SPOT.TB between December 2011 and January 2016 were enrolled in the study.

Therapeutic modulation of gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease: More questions to be answered.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit impaired control of the microbiome in the gut, and 'dysbiosis' is commonly observed. Western diet is a risk factor for the development of IBD, but it may have different effects on gut microbiota between IBD and non-IBD individuals. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) can induce remission in pediatric Crohn's disease with a decrease in gut microbial diversity.

Associations between Urinary Excretion of Cadmium and Renal Biomarkers in Nonsmoking Females: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Areas of South China.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the relationship between urinary excretion of cadmium (U-Cd) and biomarkers of renal dysfunction.

Methods: One hundred eighty five non-smoking female farmers (aged from 44 to 71 years) were recruited from two rural areas with different cadmium levels of exposure in southern China. Morning spot urine samples were collected for detecting U-Cd, urinary creatinine (U-cre), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG), α₁-microglobulin (α₁-MG), metallothionein (MT), retinol binding protein (RBP), albumin (AB), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1).