Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy on the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Resilience in Patients with Recurrent Schizophrenia in China.

Purpose: To explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between perceived social support and resilience in patients with recurrent schizophrenia in China.

Patients And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 176 patients with recurrent schizophrenia who were hospitalized in a tertiary hospital in Hunan Province, China, completed a general data questionnaire, the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the General Self-Efficacy Energy Scale (GSES).

Results: Among the 176 patients, the mean GSES score was 2.

Diagnostic challenges and case management of the first imported case of Plasmodium knowlesi in Sri Lanka.

Background: Sri Lanka has achieved 'malaria-free' status and is now in the phase of prevention of re-introduction of malaria. Imported malaria remains a challenge to resurgence of the disease. The diagnostic challenges encountered and the rapid response initiated to manage a Plasmodium infection, which was later confirmed as Plasmodium knowlesi, the first reported case from Sri Lanka, is discussed.

Adjunctive targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the work-up of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 3 and 4 lesions.

Introduction: The assessment and management of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 3 and 4 lesions (BI-RADS 3 and 4 lesions respectively) present numerous challenges for breast radiologists and physicians due to the ambiguity in the classification guidelines. Different imaging modalities have been investigated for their ability to provide additional aid in classification and management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as an adjunctive modality to mammography plus conventional ultrasound (MG + US) in the decision of whether further diagnostic work-up is needed for BI-RADS 3 and 4 lesions.

Membrane feeding of dengue patient's blood as a substitute for direct skin feeding in studying Aedes-dengue virus interaction.

Background: Understanding the interaction between Aedes vectors and dengue viruses (DENV) has significant implications in determining the transmission dynamics of dengue. The absence of an animal model and ethical concerns regarding direct feeding of mosquitoes on patients has resulted in most infection studies using blood meals spiked with laboratory-cultured DENV. Data obtained from such studies may not reflect the natural human-mosquito transmission scenario.

Functional Connections of the Vestibulo-spino-adrenal Axis in the Control of Blood Pressure Via the Vestibulosympathetic Reflex in Conscious Rats.

Significant evidence supports the role of the vestibular system in the regulation of blood pressure during postural movements. In the present study, the role of the vestibulo-spino-adrenal (VSA) axis in the modulation of blood pressure via the vestibulosympathetic reflex was clarified by immunohistochemical and enzyme immunoassay methods in conscious rats with sinoaortic denervation. Expression of c-Fos protein in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and blood epinephrine levels were investigated, following microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists or antagonists into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and/or sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension.

Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse): a potential vector of Zika virus in Singapore.

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) is a little known arbovirus until it caused a major outbreak in the Pacific Island of Yap in 2007. Although the virus has a wide geographic distribution, most of the known vectors are sylvatic Aedes mosquitoes from Africa where the virus was first isolated. Presently, Ae.

Oral susceptibility of Singapore Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus) to Zika virus.

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) is a little known flavivirus that caused a major outbreak in 2007, in the South-western Pacific Island of Yap. It causes dengue-like syndromes but with milder symptoms. In Africa, where it was first isolated, ZIKV is mainly transmitted by sylvatic Aedes mosquitoes.

[Correlation between interleukin-1 and the obesity of polycystic ovary syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and the obesity of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: (1) From Oct. 2006 to Jan.

Evaluation of the Dengue NS1 Ag Strip® for detection of dengue virus antigen in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Dengue fever is currently one of the most important mosquito-borne diseases that affect humans. With neither vaccines nor treatment available, prevention of the disease relies heavily on surveillance and control of mosquito vectors. In the present study, we have evaluated and showed the potential use of the Dengue NS1 Ag Strip(®) for the detection of dengue virus (DENV) in Aedes aegypti.

Is interleukin-18 associated with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Background: Recent research show that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with low-grade chronic inflammation, IL-18 is considered as a strong risk marker of inflammation.

Methods: To investigate serum IL-18 concentrations in PCOS patients and focus on its relationship between obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Sixty consecutive women with PCOS and thirty controls were recruited.

Association of polymorphisms of interleukin-18 gene promoter region with polycystic ovary syndrome in chinese population.

Background: Recent research shows that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with low-grade chronic inflammation, and that PCOS may induce an increase in serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels.

Methods: To investigate the polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene promoters with PCOS, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of the IL-18 gene (at positions -607C/A and -137G/C) in 118 Chinese women with PCOS and 79 controls were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: No significant differences were found in the genotype distribution, allele frequency and haplotype frequency between the PCOS and control groups.

[Effect of hyperprolactinemia upon clinical symptoms of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome].

Objective: To determine the effects of hyperprolactinemia (hyperPRL) upon the symptoms of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Age, body mass index, levels of hormone, lipid, beta-cell function and family medical history of 224 women with PCOS and 30 women with hyperPRL + PCOS were compared.

Results: Patients with hyperPRL + PCOS were younger to develop endocrine disturbances, an increased incidence of acne (64% vs 28% respectively), a high level of androstenedione (20 + or - 7 vs 13 + or - 5) nmol/L respectively and prolactine in serum (1492 + or - 1175 vs 367 + or - 164) mIU/L respectively; The PCOS patients were divided into the groups of hyperandrogenism PCOS and non-hyperandrogenism PCOS depending on the serum level of androgen.

Genotype and haplotype determination of interleukin (IL) 1 beta (g. -511C>T and g. +3954C>T) and IL-1RN in polycystic ovary syndrome.

The distribution of genotype frequencies, allele frequencies, and haplotype frequencies of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in interleukin (IL) 1RN and IL-1beta (-511C > T, exon-5C.>T) polymorphism demonstrated a positive association with the occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The carriage of allele V of IL-1RN and allele E1 of exon-5 on the IL-1beta gene may increase the risk of PCOS.

[Preliminary study of protein expression profiling of PCOS on different state].

Objective: To screen the serum protein expression profiles in patients having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with or without insulin resistance (IR) and search for discriminatory proteins.

Method: Fasting serum samples of 30 PCOS patients with IR, 30 PCOS patients without IR, and 30 control individuals from Reproductive Center of Peking University Third Hospital were studied.

Results: There were 27 differential protein peaks between PCOS IR patients and controls, 17 between PCOS non-IR patients and controls, and 19 between PCOS IR patients and non-IR patients.

[Interrelationship of abnormal family history in the first degree relatives and clinical phenotype of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome].

Objective: To study the relationship of abnormal family history in the first degree relatives and the clinical phenotype of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Clinical data of first degree relatives of 139 women with PCOS were collected by questionnaires, including body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), and hursutism score. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin releasing test were measured.

[Association of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and the clinical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome: analysis of 65 cases].

Objective: To investigate the association of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and the clinical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome: (PCOS).

Methods: Fasting peripheral venous blood samples were collected on the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual cycle or when there was no dominant follicle shown by ultrasonography after amenorrhea from 65 POCS patients, aged 30 +/- 3, 27 being attributed to the obese group according the body mass index (BMI) and 38 to the non-obese group, and 40 patients with infertility, aged 31 +/- 3, as controls, subdivided into obese and non-obese subgroups (both n = 20), and then the samples of serum. Were obtained.

[Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and its correlation with lipoprotein in polycystic ovary syndrome].

Objective: To measure serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels and study its associations with lipoproteins in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Sixty-five PCOS women and 20 ovulating normal women with body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 as controls were recruited. PCOS women were divided to two groups: 27 BMI >or = 25 kg/m2 patients as obese group; 38 BMI < 25 kg/m2 as non-obese group.

[Follicular stimulating hormone receptor gene C566T mutation in premature ovarian failure].

Objective: To investigate the incidence of follicular stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene C566T mutation in Chinese women with premature ovarian failure (POF) and to explore the etiologies of POF.

Methods: This case-control study was carried out between 73 Chinese women with idiopathic POF (POF group) and 35 controls (control group), including 25 normal females with a regular menstrual history and 10 normal post-menopause women. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of patients and controls.

[Protein expression profilings of polycystic ovary syndrome].

Objective: To screen out serum protein profiling of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) for discovering the discriminatory proteins.

Methods: Thirty one women with PCOS and thirty healthy women were detected by Weak Cation Exchange(WCX2)chip. ProteinChip reader and Biomarker Wizard software from Ciphergen Inc were combined with a bioinformatics method (support vector machines, SVM ) to analyze protein fingerprinting.

[The differential expression profile of polycystic ovary syndrome associated genes].

Objective: To explore the gene differential expression pattern of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods: We carried out microarray analysis to define the gene networks by the PCOS granulosa cells in order to identify differentially expressed genes in PCOS patients. These granulosa cells of five PCOS cases and five control cases which were derived during oocyte retrieval from women undergoing IVF.

[Expression of leptin and long form of leptin receptors messenger ribonucleic acid and protein in endometrium of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome].

Objective: To study the expression of leptin and long form of leptin receptors (Ob-R(L)) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein in endometrium during mid-luteal phase of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: The expression of leptin and Ob-R(L) mRNA in endometrium during mid-luteal phase from 15 normal controls and 14 PCOS related anovulatory patients who underwent ovulation induction therapy were studied by in situ hybridization, and levels of leptin and Ob-R(L) protein were investigated by immunohistochemical methods.

Results: The expression of Ob-R(L) mRNA and protein in endometrial glands of most patients with PCOS were weak or moderate positive, whereas the levels of Ob-R(L) mRNA and protein were moderate or strong positive in those of the controls, there was significant difference between the two groups; leptin mRNA and protein expression in endometrium of patients with PCOS and controls were not significantly different between the groups.