Network analysis of depressive symptoms and C-reactive protein levels in major depressive disorder.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been implicated in the severity and symptomatology of major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of this study was to explore the structure of depressive symptoms in patients with MDD according to different groups of CRP levels using network analysis.

Methods: The study included 864 individuals (mean age = 54.

Identification of Rare Variants in Patients With Williams Syndrome and Severe Peripheral Pulmonary Stenosis.

Background: Peripheral pulmonary stenosis (PPS) is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the pulmonary arteries, which impairs blood flow to the lung. The mechanisms underlying PPS pathogenesis remain unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the genetic background of patients with severe PPS to elucidate the pathogenesis of this condition.

Functions and novel regulatory mechanisms of key glycolytic enzymes in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive vascular disease characterized by remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, ultimately leading to right heart failure and death. Despite its clinical significance, the precise molecular mechanisms driving PAH pathogenesis warrant confirmation. Compelling evidence indicates that during the development of PAH, pulmonary vascular cells exhibit a preference for energy generation through aerobic glycolysis, known as the "Warburg effect", even in well-oxygenated conditions.

Employing Bayesian analysis to establish a cut-off point and assess stigma prevalence in substance use disorder: a comprehensive study of the Chinese version of the Substance Use Stigma Mechanism Scale.

Purpose: In China, individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) face severe stigma, but reliable stigma assessment tool is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the Substance Use Stigma Mechanism Scale (SU-SMS-C) and set its cut-off point.

Methods: We recruited 1005 individuals with SUDs from Chinese rehabilitation centers.

The Mediating Effects of Perceived Family Support in the Relationship Between Anxiety and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Cross-Cultural Validation.

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is frequently considered a public health issue, especially in East Asia and Europe. Yet, there is a paucity of research focusing on cultural and familial determinants of PSU. This cross-cultural study aimed to investigate smartphone usage patterns and possible mediating effects of perceived family support (PFS) from a stress-coping perspective.

Gender differences in alcohol abuse/dependence among medical undergraduates during the post-COVID‑19 pandemic period (October 20, 2020-April 5, 2021) in China.

Background: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and the gender-specific risk factors of alcohol abuse/dependence among medical undergraduates during the post-COVID‑19 pandemic period in China.

Method: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) was used to identify respondents with alcohol abuse/dependence. A questionnaire on basic demographics and mental distresses (learning burnout, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, excessive daytime sleepiness, and history of mental disorders) was used.

Effects of Multiple High-Dose Methamphetamine Administration on Enteric Dopaminergic Neurons and Intestinal Motility in the Rat Model.

Several studies have identified the effects of methamphetamine (MA) on central dopaminergic neurons, but its effects on enteric dopaminergic neurons (EDNs) are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MA on EDNs and intestinal motility. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into MA group and saline group.

Stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness among caregivers of patients with mental disorders in China.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate stigmatizing attitudes toward depression, schizophrenia, and general anxiety disorder (GAD) among caregivers of patients with mental disorders in China.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 607 caregivers in China, using vignettes that described three mental illnesses. Data on the caregivers' attitudes and other people's attitudes toward individuals with mental disorders and their willingness to come in contact with people with mental disorders were collected.

Association of subclinical hypothyroidism with metabolic syndrome and its components among outpatients with first-episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder: a large-scale cross-sectional study.

Both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) are prevalent in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. However, their relationship in this population remains unknown. The study assessed the association between SCH and MetS in 1706 first-episode drug-naïve (FEDN) MDD patients.

Differences in clinical features and gut microbiota between individuals with methamphetamine casual use and methamphetamine use disorder.

Background: The transition from methamphetamine (MA) casual use (MCU) to compulsive use is enigmatic as some MA users can remain in casual use, but some cannot. There is a knowledge gap if gut microbiota (GM) play a role in differing MCU from MA use disorder (MUD). We aimed to investigate the clinical features and GM differences between individuals with MCU and MUD.

Association between thyroid hormones and comorbid psychotic symptoms in patients with first-episode and drug-naïve major depressive disorder.

Thyroid dysfunction is common in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients; however, its relationship with psychotic depression (PD) remains unclear. We aimed to assess thyroid hormones in 1718 first episode drug naïve (FEND) MDD patients and to determine their association with PD. The positive subscale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS-P), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) were used to detect clinical symptoms.

The prevalence and clinical correlates of anxiety in Chinese patients with first-episode and drug-naïve major depressive disorder at different ages of onset.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) with comorbid anxiety is very common and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. MDD patients at different ages of onset may have different clinical features and associated factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and related factors in MDD patients at different ages of onset.

α5 integrin regulates hepatic tight junctions through SRC-TET1-mediated DNA hydroxymethylation.

The functional tight junctions' integrity plays an important role in liver physiology. A variety of liver diseases have been associated with the perturbation of tight junctions. Herein, we showed that the lower expression of α5 integrin in hepatocytes in patients with liver cirrhosis is associated with matrix deposition in the space of Disse.

A network analysis of anxiety and depression symptoms among Chinese nurses in the late stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Nurses are at high risk for depression and anxiety symptoms after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to assess the network structure of anxiety and depression symptoms among Chinese nurses in the late stage of this pandemic.

Method: A total of 6,183 nurses were recruited across China from Oct 2020 to Apr 2021 through snowball sampling.

A brainnetome atlas-based methamphetamine dependence identification using neighborhood component analysis and machine learning on functional MRI data.

Addiction to methamphetamine (MA) is a major public health concern. Developing a predictive model that can classify and characterize the brain-based biomarkers predicting MA addicts may directly lead to improved treatment outcomes. In the current study, we applied the support vector machine (SVM)-based classification method to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data obtained from individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and healthy controls (HCs) to identify brain-based features predictive of MUD.

Mental health conditions and academic burnout among medical and non-medical undergraduates during the mitigation of COVID-19 pandemic in China.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a great impact on people's mental health, especially for undergraduate students. This study aimed to compare the mental health conditions and academic burnout between medical and non-medical undergraduates in China when the COVID-19 pandemic is mitigating. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 4,972 undergraduates between October 2020 and April 2021, when the pandemic was basically under control.