LncRNA-MEG3/miR-93-5p/SMAD7 axis mediates proliferative and inflammatory phenotypes of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Synovial hyperplasia, inflammation and immune cell infiltration are the central pathological basis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nonetheless, the cellular, molecular and immunological mechanisms of RA remain poorly understood. An integrated analysis of single-cell RNA (scRNA) and bulk RNA sequencing datasets‌ aimed to unravel the cellular landscape, differentiation trajectory, transcriptome signature, and immunoinfiltration feature of RA synovium.

Peripheral blood complement factors C2 and C3 as biomarkers of clinical efficacy in patients with first-episode schizophrenia after aripiprazole treatment.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify serum complement factor-based biomarkers indicative of clinical efficacy in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (SCZ) following treatment with aripiprazole.

Methods: The retrospective study cohort comprised 40 patients diagnosed with first-episode SCZ (SCZ group) and 40 healthy individuals (control group). Quantitative analyses were conducted on five complement factors, namely complement component 1 (C1), C2, C3, C4, and the 50% hemolytic complement (CH50).

Associations Between Thyroid Hormones Levels and Gray Matter Volume of Frontal Lobe Involved into Violence in Male Schizophrenia Patients.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction and frontal lobe gray matter volume (GMV) alterations are associated with violence in schizophrenia (SCZ); however, little is known about the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and frontal lobe GMV. This study aimed to evaluate whether thyroid hormone levels were associated with frontal lobe GMV in male patients with schizophrenia and violence.

Methods: Fifty-five male patients with SCZ underwent triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and free thyroxine (fT4) tests and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) scans.

Effects of PM and Its Components on Disease Severity in Patients with Schizophrenia and the Mediating Role of Thyroid Hormones.

Studies have indicated the different effects of PM components on human health. However, specific components that influence the severity of disease in schizophrenia patients and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, a repeated measures study for schizophrenia was constructed based on Anhui Mental Health Center.

Prevalence and risk factors of low bone mineral density in Chinese Han male patients with alcohol dependence.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) along with its possible risk factors in male Han Chinese patients with alcohol dependence (AD).

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included male patients with AD, classified into normal and low BMD groups according to bone densitometry T scores. Demographic and alcohol-related data, and routine laboratory parameters were compared between the two groups.

The interplay among burnout, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in Chinese clinical therapists.

Burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress negatively impact the well-being and retention of healthcare professionals. The interplay of these symptoms is understudied. Utilizing network analysis, this study examined the interrelationships among these symptom clusters in clinical therapists in China.

Abnormal functional lateralization and cooperation in bipolar disorder are associated with neurotransmitter and cellular profiles.

Background: Hemispheric lateralization and cooperation are essential for efficient brain function, and aberrations in both have been found in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. This study investigated alterations in hemispheric lateralization and cooperation among patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and associations with neurotransmitter and cell-type density distributions to identify potential molecular and cellular pathomechanisms.

Methods: Sixty-seven BD patients and 127 healthy controls (HCs) were examined by resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI).

Identification of serum exosomal lncRNAs and their potential regulation of characteristic genes of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease whose pathogenesis is poorly understand. Gaps in laboratory biomarkers cause a lack of clinically available strategies for the early diagnosis and treatment of RA. This study aims to identify serum exosomal lncRNAs as promising biomarkers and to unravel potential mechanisms by which they affect characteristic genes of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) to induce RA malignant properties.

Association of Maternal Short Sleep Duration With Neurodevelopmental Delay in Offspring: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Context: To investigate how short sleep duration (SSD) during pregnancy is related to neurodevelopmental delays in offspring, we aimed to inform pregnancy sleep guidelines and promote maternal health and child development.

Objective: To identify the associations between SSD during pregnancy and offspring neurodevelopmental delay and to determine whether fetal glucose metabolism plays a role in SSD and neurodevelopmental delays.

Methods: This cohort study followed 7059 mother-child pairs from the Maternal & Infants Health in Hefei cohort, and collected sleep data during pregnancy via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at weeks 24 to 28 and 32 to 36.

Population pharmacokinetics of long-term hydroxychloroquine therapy in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Aims: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is recommended for the long-term treatment of rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Given the complex process of HCQ metabolism and individual physiological differences, the metabolic profile of HCQ after long-term administration is unknown. This study aimed to establish a population pharmacokinetic model for long-term HCQ treatment in patients with rheumatic diseases and to identify the factors influencing HCQ metabolism.

Mediation analysis of cognitive function in the relationship between pulmonary function and depression among middle-aged and older adults.

Aim: This study aims to explore the association between declining lung function and depression in middle-aged and older adults, with a special focus on the mediating role of cognitive function.

Methods: This study utilizes self-reported and physical examination data from 5345 individuals participating in the 2015 cycle of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to explore the role of cognitive function changes in mediating the effects of diminished lung function on depression among middle-aged and older adults.

Results: Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between pulmonary and cognitive functions (β = 0.

Hyperactivity and altered functional connectivity of the ventral striatum in schizophrenia compared with bipolar disorder: A resting state fMRI study.

Background: Schizophrenia patients frequently present with structural and functional abnormalities of the ventral striatum (VS).

Methods: we examined basal activation state and functional connectivity (FC) in four subregions of the bilateral ventral striatum: left inferior ventral striatum (VSi_L), left superior ventral striatum(VSs_L), right inferior ventral striatum(VSi_R), and right superior ventral striatum(VSs_R). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were obtained from 62 schizophrenia patients (SCH), 57 bipolar disorder (BD) patients, and 26 healthy controls (HCs).

Quantifying the historical and future heat-related mortality above the heat alert thresholds of the inaugural Chinese national heat-health action plan.

Background: China published its inaugural national heat-health action plan (HHAP) in 2023, but the mortality burden associated with temperatures exceeding the heat alert thresholds specified by this HHAP (maximum temperatures >35, 37, or 40 °C) remains unknown. We aimed to estimate the historical and future mortality burden associated with temperatures above the heat alert thresholds of the Chinese national HHAP.

Methods: We conducted time-series analyses to estimate the mortality burden associated with temperatures exceeding the three heat alert thresholds from 2016 to 2019 in Jiangsu Province (including 13 cities, population ∼80.

Extreme temperatures, PM and trajectories of impaired thyroid hormone sensitivity: A longitudinal study of patients with schizophrenia.

Background: The climate change scenario has witnessed an increase in extreme temperature events (ETEs), including heat waves and cold spells, and a heightened occurrence of compounding with fine particulate matter (PM). However, the impact of this phenomenon on the sensitivity to thyroid hormones (THs) in humans is unclear, especially in a group as specific as schizophrenia.

Methods: A longitudinal study was constructed using longitudinal measurements of thyroid function in schizophrenia in the Anhui Mental Health Center.

Risk Factors for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study.

Purpose: The co-morbidity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) has a negative impact on patient treatment and prognosis. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with BD and investigate the risk factors of NAFLD.

Patients And Methods: A total of 678 patients with BD were included in the study.

Effect of Common Cold on Serum Clozapine Concentrations in Hospitalized Patients with Schizophrenia.

Objective: The present study aims to investigate the effect of common cold on the serum clozapine concentrations in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: A total of 65 schizophrenic patients with common cold receiving clozapine treatment were retrospectively enrolled. The demographic data, medication situation, clozapine concentration, and parameters of routine haematological and biochemical laboratory tests were obtained from the medical record system.

A study of somatization symptoms and low-frequency amplitude fluctuations of emotional memory in adolescent depression.

Studies have revealed that somatization symptoms are associated with emotional memory in adolescents with depressive disorders. This study investigated somatization symptoms and emotional memory among adolescents with depressive disorders using low-frequency amplitude fluctuations (ALFF). Participants were categorized into the somatization symptoms (FSS) group, non-FSS group and healthy control group (HC).

Investigation of peripheral inflammatory biomarkers in association with violence in schizophrenia.

Background: Violent behavior carried out by patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) is a public health issue of increasing importance that may involve inflammation. Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers, such as the systemic immune inflammation index (SII), the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the monocyte lymphocyte ratio (MLR) are objective, easily accessible and cost-effective measures of inflammation. However, there are sparse studies investigating the role of peripheral inflammatory biomarkers in violence of patients with SCZ.