Abnormal resting-state functional connectivity of the right anterior cingulate cortex in chronic ketamine users and its correlation with cognitive impairments.

Background: Chronic ketamine use leads to cognitive impairments, however, the neural mechanisms underpinning these impairments are still unclear.

Aims: Many studies showed Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)is strongly involved in cognition and drug addiction, as supported by our previous studies. The objective of this study was to assess the variations in resting-state functional connectivity (FC) changes in the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of chronic ketamine users (CKUs) and their relationship with cognitive performance.

Determinants and outcomes of health-promoting lifestyle among people with schizophrenia.

Background: Healthy lifestyle is an important protective factor of developing cardiovascular disease in people with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the determinants of lifestyle and its contribution to metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to explore the influencing factors of health-promoting lifestyle (HPL) and its association with metabolic syndrome among people with schizophrenia.

Abnormal fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation in chronic ketamine users.

Background: Ketamine has become a major substance of abuse worldwide. Nevertheless, The long-term effects of ketamine use on intrinsic spontaneous neural activity remain unknown.

Objectives: In the present study, rs-fMRI was used to explore whether chronic ketamine use changes the intrinsic spontaneous neural activity, and whether the intrinsic spontaneous neural activity changes in chronic ketamine users(CKUs) are associated with cognitive impairments observed in chronic ketamine users.

Evaluating the effectiveness of stepwise swallowing training on dysphagia in patients with Alzheimer's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The high prevalence of dysphagia among Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients has become a public health and economic concern. Therefore, effective and accessible dysphagia treatments are needed. As a fundamental rehabilitation of dysphagia, swallowing muscle exercises have received increased attention.

Cross-sectional study of mental health related knowledge and attitudes among care assistant workers in Guangzhou, China.

Background: Care assistant workers (CAWs) are a part of a new pattern of mental health care providers in China and play a significant role in bridging the human resource shortage. CAWs in China mainly include community cadres, community mental health staff, and community policemen. The mental health related knowledge and attitudes of CAWs could influence their mental health care delivery.

Effects of treatment status and life quality on anxiety in MMT patients.

Background: Anxiety, an important factor that affects the therapeutic effect and preservation rate of methadone maintenance treatment, has a high prevalence among MMT patients. This study aims to investigate the effects of treatment status and life quality on anxiety in MMT patients.

Methods: One hundred and Seventy-seven methadone maintenance treatment users in Guangzhou, China were evaluated.

Interactive effects of elevated homocysteine and late-life depression on cognitive impairment.

Background: Both an elevated homocysteine (Hcy) level and depression are risk factors for cognitive impairment in the general population, but no study has analyzed whether the coexistence of an elevated Hcy level and late-life depression (LLD) is associated with worse cognitive performance.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between Hcy levels and cognitive function in individuals with LLD and whether the coexistence of an elevated Hcy level and LLD is associated with worse cognitive performance.

Methods: A total of 113 LLD patients and 89 normal controls underwent a standardized clinical interview and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment battery.

Effectiveness of an anti-stigma training on improving attitudes and decreasing discrimination towards people with mental disorders among care assistant workers in Guangzhou, China.

Background: Care assistant workers as a new pattern of care providers in China play an important role in bridging the mental health treatment gap. Stigma and discrimination against people with mental disorders among care assistant workers is a barrier which adversely influences mental health service delivery. However, programs aimed at reducing stigma among care assistant workers are rare in China.

Kynurenine pathway changes in late-life depression with memory deficit.

Kynurenine pathway (KP) activation is associated with many neuropsychiatric diseases, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Investigations conducted on MDD seldom shed light on KP changes in late-life depression (LLD), though memory deficit (MD) in patients with LLD is a predictable sign of AD. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether tryptophan (TRP) metabolism and kynurenine (KYN) metabolism were imbalanced in patients with LLD with MD and in patients with LLD without MD.

Clinical features of and risk factors for major depression with history of postpartum episodes in Han Chinese women: A retrospective study.

Background: We sought to investigate the clinical features of and risk factors for recurrent major depression (MD) with history of postpartum episodes (PPD) in Han Chinese women and the differences between first-onset postpartum MD (MD that has its first lifetime depressive episode in the postpartum period) and first-onset non-postpartum MD (MD with history of PPD and has its first lifetime depressive episode in a period other than postpartum).

Methods: Data were derived from the China, Oxford and Virginia Commonwealth University Experimental Research on Genetic Epidemiology (CONVERGE) study (N=6017 cases) and analyzed in two steps. We first examined the clinical features of and risk factors for MD patients with (N=981) or without (N=4410) a history of PPD.

Use of a two-way non-rebreathing valve to simplify the measurement of twitch mouth pressure using an inspiratory pressure trigger and the establishment of an optimal trigger threshold for healthy subjects and COPD patients.

Objective: Controlled twitch mouth pressure (Tw Pmo) via the use of a two-way non-rebreathing valve is a new method to assess diaphragm contractility. The optimal trigger threshold was confirmed.

Design: We sought to determine the optimal trigger threshold for 17 healthy subjects (29±4 years) and 17 COPD patients (64±10 years).