Spatial distribution and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from the northern Bohai Strait, China.

The epicontinental seas to the east of China have become highly anthropogenically impacted due to rapid economic development in recent decades, resulting in various environmental problems, including heavy metal pollution. The Bohai Strait, as a key junction connecting the material-energy exchange between the Bohai and Yellow Seas, is extremely critical in regional pollution prevention and control. To ascertain the spatial distribution and contamination levels of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the northern Bohai Strait, a systematic investigation was conducted.

Individuals at ultra-high risk of psychosis and first-degree relatives of patients with schizophreniaexperience impaired family functionality and social support deficit in comparison to healthy controls.

Aim: The present study was designed to assess the role of family function and social support in the context of different phases of schizophrenia.

Methods: First-episode patients with experiences of schizophrenia (FEP), ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR), first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with experiences of schizophrenia, and healthy controls (HC) (40 per group) were subjected to in-person clinical interviews. The results of these interviews were then used to gauge social support and family function using the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACESII-CV).

Individuals at high risk for psychosis experience more childhood trauma, life events and social support deficit in comparison to healthy controls.

Evidence for psychological risk factors on prodromal state of psychosis remained limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate childhood trauma, life events and social support in subjects with high risk for psychosis (HR), first episode psychosis with schizophrenia (FEP) and healthy control (HC). In the study, 56 FEP, 83 HR and 61 HC underwent face-to-face clinical interview and psychological assessment, including Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Life Events Scale (LES) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS).

Cognitive functioning in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis, first-degree relatives of patients with psychosis and patients with first-episode schizophrenia.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare cognitive functioning of first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia who were also at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis with patients with first-episode (FE) schizophrenia, first degree relatives of patients not fulfilling UHR criteria (FDR), and healthy control (HC) subjects.

Method: Forty subjects in each group were included, underwent a face-to-face interview and completed a neurocognitive test battery, including the Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A, psychomotor functions), Stroop Color Word Test (attention), Digit Symbol Coding Test (DST, processing speed and working memory) and Hopkins Verbal Leaning Test-Revised (HVLT-R, verbal memory).

Results: Functioning in all the cognitive test domains displayed a gradual decrease from the HC, FDR, UHR to FE groups.

[Comparative study on EEG and neuroimaging of patients with cerebral cysticercosis before and after treatment].

Objective: To study the changes of cerebral function and pathological morphology before and after the antiparasitic treatment with albendazole and praziquantel in patients with cerebral cysticercosis.

Methods: The data of EEG and neuroimaging of 412 patients with cerebral cysticercosis were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Before the treatment, the mild abnormality, moderate abnormality, and severe abnormality were observed in 40.

[Clinical analysis of 91 cases of imported falciparum malaria from Africa].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, early diagnosis, and treatment of patients with imported falciparum malaria from Africa.

Methods: The clinical data of 91 imported falciparum malaria cases were analyzed by retrospective study.

Results: All the 91 cases had the history of mosquito bites.

Use of a collagen membrane loaded with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 with collagen-binding domain for vertical guided bone regeneration.

Background: Vertical bone regeneration of severe atrophic alveolar ridges remains a challenging procedure in implant dentistry.

Methods: The aim of this study, accordingly, is to use a rabbit vertical guided bone regeneration model to evaluate whether using a collagen membrane (CM) loaded with small doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 with collagen-binding domain (rhBMP-2/CBD) would enhance two-way vertical bone regeneration. In each of eight rabbits, four titanium cylinders were screwed in perforated slits made into the external cortical bones of the calvaria.