The study has contemporary significance as disasters, crises and communicable disease has been prevalent throughout human history and may attack the world at any time in the future.Crisis usually involves participants who trust and distrust each other, commonly in the same time. COVID-19 infodemic induced confidence crisis and distrust in authorities, science communities, governments and institutions can lead to harmful health behaviors and ill mental health and become a serious threat to public and global mental health as another kind of virus. Distrust mentality, conspiracy thinking and blame games may have detrimental effects not just on the individual level, but on the level of the whole groups, communities and global world. Public distrust and mistrust are related to the crisis in the domain of social and political relations, not only on the same country level, but also between different countries at regional or global level. Dynamics between public trust and mental health is a complex and bidirectional, ill mental health is causing and enhancing the inclination to confidence crisis, distrust, conspiracy theories and blame games and vice versa confidence crisis, distrust, conspiracy thinking and blame games are leading to ill mental health. It is important to have a holistic transdisciplinary integrative understanding of these dynamics and science-based treatment and prevention.

The aim of our study was to investigate the differences in beliefs, attitudes toward CAM, beliefs in afterlife and religiosity among the sample of psychiatrists, psychologists, and theologists. Relationship among these constructs could have impact on the concept of mental health.

Research was conducted in the Split urban area, Croatia, during 2017 on a sample of psychiatrists (n=51), psychologists (n=55), and theologists (n=25). Participants were presented a figure of the human body, which contained numbers identifying eight different regions of the body. Participants were asked to select which region best represents the location of the self, soul, and mind in the body. We used CAIMAQ (The Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medicine Attitudes Questionnaire) which contains five subscales. The Afterdeath Beliefs Scale was used to measure the varieties of afterlife beliefs. Analyses showed that applied questionnaires have appropriate reliability and expected factor structure.

The most frequent locaalitative research methodology.

The results of our study could have impact on the concept of mental health and in the future must be deeper evaluated within qualitative research methodology.

Problematic Internet use (PIU), that may be defined as the inability to control one’s use of Internet with negative consequences in daily life, is an emerging problem involving primarily, but not only young generations. Different studies have shown that students are particularly vulnerable to PIU. Given the paucity of information on PIU in our country, the aim of this paper was at investigating the characteristics of PIU amongst Italian University students.

A self-assessment questionnaire, referred by the acronym QUNT („Questionario sull’Utilizzo delle Nuove Tecnologie”), composed by 101 items grouped together to identify a series of factors, was developed and sent through e-mail invitation to several students from three Italian Universities.

The returned questionnaires were 3324, out of a total of 51,304 sent, with no difference between the two sexes. On the contrary, the distribution of the QUNT factors was different in the two sexes, in people living alone and in overweight subjects. Men resulted to omen for social relationships. Men are also at risk of developing PIU. Again, Internet use might be a basic vulnerability factor of increasing weight gain and obesity amongst young people.

This study aims to investigate the influence of traditional Chinese music on the physical and psychological functions of hospitalized patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

A total of 120 patients with AS admitted to the People’s Hospital of Anhui Province between March 2018 and March 2019 were randomly divided into experiment and control groups. The experiment group was a traditional music group composed of 56 patients, namely, 50 males and 6 females. The control group was further divided into a painting group and a routine treatment group with a total of 64 patients, namely, 48 males and 16 females. The physical and psychological functions of each group of patients before and after the intervention were assessed in terms of physical and psychological function dimensions obtained before and after the intervention.

After 8 weeks of treatment, the score in terms of physical functions is the highest in the music group (P<0.05), and the difference in eating functions is statistically significant (P&erapy is better than painting therapy and routine hospitalization in promoting the recovery of physical and psychological functions of hospitalized patients.

Traditional Chinese music therapy and painting therapy can promote the recovery of patients’ physical and psychological functions. Traditional Chinese music intervention therapy is better than painting therapy and routine hospitalization in promoting the recovery of physical and psychological functions of hospitalized patients.

Pathological narcissism has previously been investigated with regard to negative parenting and interpersonal forgiveness, but inconsistent findings have been obtained in relation to its two phenotypic forms – grandiosity and vulnerability. Moreover, the role of negative parenting in the lack of forgiveness within narcissistic pathology has not been explored thus far. The aim of the current research was to investigate the complex relations among pathological narcissism, negative parenting, and interpersonal forgiveness in psychiatric outpatients.

A sample of 250 adult psychiatric outpatients (61% female; mean age 39.15 years) were enrolled in this study. The participants filled out the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI), the Tendency to Forgive Scale (TTF), the Measure of Parental Styles (MOPS), and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS21).

Narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability were positively correlated with mothers’ and fathers’ negative parenting, but this association wasalso represents one of the underlying mechanisms of the negative parenting – interpersonal forgiveness relationship. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed in relation to pathological narcissism and lack of forgiveness.

Cerebrospinal levels of isoprostanes (IsoPs) have been established as biomarkers of oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). The value of peripheral levels in the diagnostics of these diseases is less conclusive. The aim of this study was to determine serum 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2α) levels in Bosnian AD and VD patients and to establish whether there is an association between 8-iso-PGF2α serum concentration and cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with dementia.

Serum levels of 8-iso-PGF2α were measured by enzyme immunoassay method in AD (n=30) and VD patients (n=30) and control subjects (CG, n=30). The AD and VD group were further stratified according to the level of CI.

The serum 8-iso-PGF2α levels were significantly higher in the AD (74.00 pg/mL) and VD groups (38.00 pg/mL) compared to the CG (17.50 pg/mL). A significant difference in serum 8-iso-PGF2α levels between patients with moderate and severe CI was not established in either AD or VD.

Serum 8-iso-PGF2α proved to be a good biomarker in AD and VD, however it cannot be recommended for the differentiation of moderate and severe CI.

Serum 8-iso-PGF2α proved to be a good biomarker in AD and VD, however it cannot be recommended for the differentiation of moderate and severe CI.

Menopause is a special stage in a woman’s life, but no safe clinical treatment exists against menopausal symptoms. To analyze the effect of the information support method combined with yoga exercise on the depression, anxiety, and sleep quality of menopausal women.

From June 2019 to December 2019, menopausal women who were newly recruited in three yoga clubs in three cities in East China were selected as the participants by convenience sampling. A total of 52 women were in the experiment group and 54 were in the control group. In 24 weeks, the experiment group engaged in yoga exercise for 60 minutes each time, three times a week. They group was given professional positive psychological information support at the same time. The Kupperman Menopausal Symptom Distress Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used before the experiment, three months into the experiment, and six months into the experiment to monitor the interventiprove their sleep quality, and reduce their symptoms of menopausal distress.

The information support method combined with yoga exercise can alleviate the depression and anxiety of menopausal women, improve their sleep quality, and reduce their symptoms of menopausal distress.

Regular practice of physical activity is associated with better quality of life and functioning in people with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence of the association between physical activity and quality of life and global functioning among people in the initial stages of psychosis. The aim to explore the association of the level of physical activity with quality of life and global functioning among patients in early stages of psychosis.

Cross-sectional study carried out in an early intervention program in 2016. The socio-demographic and clinical variables were assessed via a form; the adherence through the Measurement of Treatment Adherence; the global functioning through the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale; the level of physical activity through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and quality of life through the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The Mann-Whitney test was used for analysis.

A total of eighty-five participants (mean age=32, 57.6% were men) were assessed. Of the 85, 46 (54.1%) were classified as physically active. The physically active patients presented higher values, on average (standard deviation), in relation to the SF-36 domain of physical functioning (active patients 87.1 (20.9) vs. inactive patients 80.1 (20.5) inactive; p=0.016), and global functioning when compared to the physically inactive group (active patients 71.5 (17.6) vs. inactive patients 60.1 (20.9); p=0.011).

Higher levels of physical activity are associated with better quality of life and higher global functioning in patients in early stages of psychosis.

Higher levels of physical activity are associated with better quality of life and higher global functioning in patients in early stages of psychosis.

The prevalence of hyperprolactinemia among psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotic medications was estimated to be between 30% and 70%. A review of the literature on prolactin and schizophrenia symptoms suggests that the correlation between them is complex and not limited to the adverse effects of antipsychotics. Relations with specific symptom dimensions have not been found consistently across studies. The association between increased prolactin and recurrent episodes of schizophrenia needs to be replicated in larger samples and in a population of female patients. The aim of this study was to find out whether elevated prolactin is related to specific symptoms or dimensions of schizophrenia, which is a heterogenic entity.

The sample consisted of 119 consecutively acute admitted women, aged 18 to 45 years with recurrent schizophrenia diagnosed on bases of DSM-5 criteria. Assessment for all the enrolled subjects comprised a psychiatric evaluation and blood draw to determine the prolactin level. Symptoms of schizophrenia were determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Data were analyzed by regression analysis and the Independent Samples t Test. Values are given as means ±SD.

Hyperprolactinemia was detected in 74.79% patients (n=89), whereas the group without hyperprolactinemia comprised 25.21% of the sample. When plasma prolactin levels and clinical features between groups were compared, there was a statistically significant difference in the negative subscale scores of the PANSS (p=0.0011), positive subscale scores of the PANNS (p=0.0043), general subscale scores of the PANSS (p=0.0226) and total scores of the PANNS (p=0.0003).

There were statistically significant differences in the clinical symptoms between two compared groups in total score and in the positive, negative and general subscores.

There were statistically significant differences in the clinical symptoms between two compared groups in total score and in the positive, negative and general subscores.

Schizophrenia is a severe illness whose clinical course is characterized by various numbers of psychotic episodes (PE). The neurotoxic hypothesis (NH) of schizophrenia assumes that psychosis is biologically toxic. The aim of the study was to investigate whether schizophrenia patients (SP) with multiple PE have greater grey matter volume (GMV) reduction compared to SP with fewer PE.

We enrolled 106 adult SP and 63 healthy controls. Demographic and clinical data were collected and statistically analysed for all included subjects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was acquired on a 1.5 T scanner. SP were grouped according to the number of PE into a group with up to 3 PE (SCHG-1) and with 4 or more PE (SCHG-2). SCHG-1 was further subdivided into two groups regarding to disease duration (DD). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyses were performed between SP groups as well as between SP groups and the healthy controls group (HCG).

No relevant GMV differences were detected between SP groups. Comparison between HCG and SCHG-1 showed only 3 regions with reduced GMV, while multiple regions with reduced GMV were detected when comparing HCG and SCHG-2.

GMV reduction in schizophrenia varies depending on the number of PE when compared to HCG, regardless of disease duration (DD), but PE is not the only contributing factor that leads to neurotoxicity.

GMV reduction in schizophrenia varies depending on the number of PE when compared to HCG, regardless of disease duration (DD), but PE is not the only contributing factor that leads to neurotoxicity.

Retina is considered as a window to the brain due to the similarities in terms of development and pathologies. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can perform quantitative examinations in the retina. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of drugs used in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD) on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness.

The study included schizophrenia (n=35) and euthymic BD (n=46) patients on various medications, and age, gender matched healthy control group (n=31). For retinal evaluation, measurements of RNFL and macula were performed with Optovue RTVue Premier OCT.

In the schizophrenia group, chlorpromazine equivalent dose of antipsychotics was a statistically significant negative predictor of left RNFL nasal superior region thickness. In the BD group, serum valproate level was a significant positive predictor of thickness in the right macular inferior outer, left macular nasal outer region, right RNFL inferotemporal, left temporal and inferotemporal regions.

Since the retina consists of neurons, morphological or functional examination of retina may be beneficial for the evaluation of the effects of psychopharmalogical treatments in schizophrenia and BD. The outcome of this study implies that valproate has neuroprotective effects on the optic nerve and macula, and this finding is consistent with the literature implying neurotrophic effects of valproate.

Since the retina consists of neurons, morphological or functional examination of retina may be beneficial for the evaluation of the effects of psychopharmalogical treatments in schizophrenia and BD. The outcome of this study implies that valproate has neuroprotective effects on the optic nerve and macula, and this finding is consistent with the literature implying neurotrophic effects of valproate.The comorbidity of bipolar disorder (BD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is widely known. The overall rate of association between BD and OCD is very high and varies, depending on the authors, from 11% to 18%, with peaks of 21% in primarily bipolar patients. Vice versa, about 60% of patients with OCD have a second psychiatric diagnosis, which in 23% of cases turns out to be BD. The differences between the BD patients with and without OCD were so numerous and important (e.g., different onset of mood episodes, history of suicide attempts, seasonality, rapid cycling and impulsivity) that the comorbidity between BD and OCD may represent a distinct form of BD, similar to cyclothymic BD for psychopathological features. However, the comorbidity does not seem to have any impact on cognitive performance, such as there is no specific difference between patients who first develop BD and then OCD or vice versa. Anyway, the detection of the neurocognitive profile of these patients at the time of the first clinical evaluation could have clinical implications also in the therapeutic and rehabilitative management of this type of patient. Indeed, it would be desirable to develop a new model of rehabilitation that is less differentiated for both BD and OCD or for their comorbidity, also to make cognitive rehabilitation faster and less expensive. The purpose of this mini-review is to update the knowledge currently available on the impact of BD and OCD comorbidity on neurocognitive profile.

The prevalence of the three main eating disorders (EDs) anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) is increasing, and a growing number of patients with EDs is seeking professional help. Thus, there is a need for additional treatment strategies in EDs. The aim of this review was to summarize the literature on the benefits and risks of music as well as the evidence for its therapeutic application in people with EDs.

Following the PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic literature review on scientific studies on the effect of music in people with or at risk for EDs using PubMed and the Web of Science database. The search terms used were „music”, „music therapy”, „eating disorders”, „anorexia nervosa”, „bulimia nervosa” and „binge eating disorder”.

16 out of 119 identified and screened articles qualified as scientific studies involving a total of 3,792 participants. They reported on the use of music or music therapy in individuals with or at risk of AN and BN, but not Borous randomized controlled trial (RCT) design is scarce.Major depressive disorder is the greatest burden of developed countries in the context of morbidity caused by mental disorders. Until recent, ketamine has been mostly used for anesthesia, analgesia, sedation and treatment of chronic pain syndromes. However, unique pharmacodynamic properties of ketamine have increased interests in it’s use for treatment of depression. It is assumed that ketamine reverses synaptic chronic stress pathology within one day of administration by postsynaptic glutamate activation, providing synaptic connectivity restoration that last for days or weeks. Potential glutamatergic agents, in context of treatment of major depressive disorder are not entirely novel phenomenon. Considering the aforementioned, current neurobiological view of depression as a solely monoaminergic phenomenon should be reassessed in order to prompt discovery of putative antidepressant drugs of novel generation. Acute side effects, such as increased salivation, increase in heart rate, systemic arterial pressure and intracranial pressure necessitate careful monitoring during intravenous administration of ketamine, even in subanesthetic doses. However, major burden of ketamine administration lies in it’s ability to produce psychotomimetic side effects and emergence delirium. Esketamine nasal spray has now been widely approved and is considered safe in terms of acute side effects, tolerability and consistent therapeutic benefit.From January 2022, the WHO member countries shall start implementing the mortality and morbidity statistics (MMS) version of the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Regarding mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders, there are substantial changes from ICD-10 to ICD-11. The subchapter for schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorders has changed due to a revised structure, new diagnostic criteria, and the introduction of dimensional elements (i.e., course and symptom qualifiers). The aim of this manuscript is twofold. First, we review changes from ICD-10 to ICD-11 in the classification and diagnosis of schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorders, including findings from recent field studies. Second, we provide an overview of approaches to the implementation of ICD-11 in clinical practice. Critical elements for transition from ICD-10 to ICD-11 include the use of digital tools, education and training, stakeholder involvement, national adaptations, and continuous evaluation.Well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (WDPNETs) are a group of rare and heterogeneous tumors. However, the prognostic factors for recurrence after curative resection still remain controversial. We aim to illustrate the prognostic factors for recurrence of resected WDPNETs. All relevant articles published through June 2020 were identified via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Articles that examined the prognostic factors of WDPNETs were enrolled. 10 articles were finally included in this study. From 1993 to 2018, 2863 patients underwent curative resection and 358 patients had recurrence, the combined recurrence rate was 13%. Furthermore, the pooled data indicated that patients with G2, positive lymph node and surgical resection margin, vascular invasion and perineural invasion had a decreased disease free survival for WDPNETs. However, gender, function, and tumor size had no significant relationship with WDPNETs recurrence. These findings demonstrated that G2, positive lymph node and surgical resection margin, vascular invasion and perineural invasion could be prognostic factors for recurrence of resected WDPNETs, indicating that patients with these high-risk factors need closer postoperative follow-up, and may benefit from adjuvant therapy.

Hydrocephalus is not usually part of Down syndrome (DS). Fourth ventricle outlet obstruction is a rare cause of obstructive hydrocephalus, difficult to diagnose, because tetraventricular dilatation may suggest a communicant/nonobstructive hydrocephalus.

We describe the case of a 6-year-old boy with obstructive tetraventricular hydrocephalus, caused by Luschka and Magen-die foramina obstruction and diverticular enlargement of Luschka foramina (the so-called fourth ventricle outlet obstruction) associated with DS. He was treated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) without complications, and a follow-up MRI revealed reduction of the ventricles, disappearance of the diverticula, and patency of the ventriculostomy.

Diverticular enlargement of Luschka foramina is an important radiological finding for obstructive tetraventricular hydrocephalus. ETV is a viable option in tetraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus in DS.

Diverticular enlargement of Luschka foramina is an important radiological finding for obstructive tetraventricular hydrocephalus. ETV is a viable option in tetraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus in DS.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) experience excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia and they are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy could improve symptoms and decrease these risks; however, adherence is problematic. Although the oral appliance is another therapeutic option, patient satisfaction is limited and the effect of the nasal airway stent – a new device – remains unclear.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NAS therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate OSAS in a prospective, single-arm, interventional pilot study.

Patients with mild/moderate sleep apnea (n = 71; Apnea-Hypopnea Index [AHI], 5-20 events/h on polysomnography) were recruited. Sleep-associated events were measured using a portable device (WatchPAT200) pre- and immediately post-treatment and at 1 month follow-up. AHI (including supine and non-supine AHI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI), percutaneous oxygen saturation, heart rate, and snore volume were evaluated. Symptoms were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

NAS use significantly improved AHI, supine AHI, RD, ODI, and snore volume compared to pre-intervention (r = 0.44, 0.48, 0.3, 0.42, and 0.34; p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.011, p < 0.001, and p = 0.048, respectively). Additionally, 25 and 10% of patients showed complete and partial response for AHI, respectively; these improvements remained significant 1 month later. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores improved from 6.0 to 5.3 (r = 0.46, p = 0.022).

NAS therapy reduced severity and snoring in patients with mild-to-moderate OSAS. Approximately 30% of patients did not tolerate NAS due to side effects.

NAS therapy reduced severity and snoring in patients with mild-to-moderate OSAS. Approximately 30% of patients did not tolerate NAS due to side effects.Recently, graphene has provided unprecedent progress in device performance at the atom limit. High performance of field-effect transistors (FETs) requires a low graphene-metal contact resistance. However, the chemical doping methods used to tailor or improve the properties of graphene are sensitive to ambient conditions. Here, we fabricate a single layer perfluorinated polymeric sulfonic acid (PFSA), also known as Nafion, between graphene and the substrate as a p-type dopant. The PFSA doping method, without inducing any additional structural defects, reduces the contact resistance of graphene by ~28.8%, which has a significant impact on practical applications. This reduction can keep at least 67 days due to the extreme stability of PFSA. Effective, uniform and stable, the PFSA doping method provides an efficient way to reduce the contact resistance of graphene applications.Magnetic skyrmions are quasiparticle-like textures that are topologically different from a single domain magnetization state. Their topological protection, combined with the low current density needed to move them, make these objects relevant to be used as information storage structures. In such a context, the analysis of the interactions between skyrmions is interesting and relevant for future applications. In this work, through micromagnetic simulations and numerical calculations, we studied the interaction between two skyrmions living on different parallel ferromagnetic racetracks connected by an exchange-like interaction. The upper and lower racetracks are separated by a height offset and the interaction between the upper and the lower skyrmion is analyzed in terms of the magnetic and geometrical parameters. Three states are predicted, as a function of these parameters scattered or free skyrmions, bound skymions, and annihilated skyrmions. Our results, presented in a phase diagram, demonstrate that even in the case here called free skyrmions, there is a small and brief interaction when both are close enough, but the skyrmion in the top layer does not drag the skyrmion in the bottom layer. For bound skyrmions, both keep linked during larger times. In the latter case, there are strong changes in the velocity of the skyrmions induced by the effect of a higher effective mass when both are coupled.

Social distancing is a crucial intervention to slow down person-to-person transmission of COVID-19. However, social distancing has negative consequences, including increases in depression and anxiety. Digital interventions, such as text messaging, can provide accessible support on a population-wide scale. We developed text messages in English and Spanish to help individuals manage their depressive mood and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a two-arm randomized controlled trial, we aim to examine the effect of our 60-day text messaging intervention. Additionally, we aim to assess whether the use of machine learning to adapt the messaging frequency and content improves the effectiveness of the intervention. Finally, we will examine the differences in daily mood ratings between the message categories and time windows.

The messages were designed within two different categories behavioral activation and coping skills. Participants will be randomized into (1) a random messaging arm, where message categnternational scientific meetings.

Results will contribute to our knowledge of effective psychological tools to alleviate the negative effects of social distancing and the benefit of using machine learning to personalize digital mental health interventions.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04473599; https//clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04473599.

DERR1-10.2196/23592.

DERR1-10.2196/23592.

According to World Health Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the world inducing considerable fear, worry and concern in the population.

This study explores anxiety, meaning in life, self-efficacy and resilience in university students belonging to families with one or more members with SEND during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, the differences between participants and the regression coefficients.

Study population consisted of 61 participants, aged 20-58 years. A Self-report Questionnaire, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Resilience Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale were used for data collection.

Participants presented higher levels of anxiety, meaning in life (presence), general self-efficacy and resilience (than average scale). Parents had higher values than university students in state anxiety, state-trait anxiety (total), meaning in life (presence) and resilience. Individuals with higher levels of resilience and meaning in life had lower anxiety levels. A significant correlation was observed for the regression coefficients according to pathway analysis.

Families having members with SEND, although experiencing difficult situations and anxiety due to the unprecedented conditions of the pandemic, activate mechanisms, such as self-efficacy, meaning in life and resilience, to maintain their balance and mental health.

Families having members with SEND, although experiencing difficult situations and anxiety due to the unprecedented conditions of the pandemic, activate mechanisms, such as self-efficacy, meaning in life and resilience, to maintain their balance and mental health.Expansion of glutamine residue track (polyQ) within soluble protein is responsible for eight autosomal-dominant genetic neurodegenerative disorders. These disorders affect cerebellum, striatum, basal ganglia and other brain regions. Each disease develops when polyQ expansion exceeds a pathogenic threshold (Qth). A pathogenic threshold is unique for each disease but the reasons for variability in Qth within this family of proteins are poorly understood. In the previous publication we proposed that polarity of the regions flanking polyQ track in each protein plays a key role in defining Qth value [1]. To explain the correlation between the polarity of the flanking sequences and Qth we performed quantitative analysis of interactions between polyQ-expanded proteins and proteasome. Based on structural and theoretical modeling, we predict that Qth value is determined by the energy of polar interaction of the flanking regions with the polyQ and proteasome. More polar flanking regions facilitate unfolding of α-helical polyQ conformation adopted inside the proteasome and as a result, increase Qth. Predictions of our model are consistent with Qth values observed in clinic for each of the eight polyQ-expansion disorders. Our results suggest that the agents that can destabilize polyQ α-helical structure may have a beneficial therapeutic effect for treatment of polyQ-expansion disorders.Tendon stem cells (TSCs) are a kind of progenitor cells found in tendon niches, which play a key role in the repair of tendon injuries. Exosomes that mediate cell communication are involved in physiological processes and various diseases, while the effect of exosomes derived from TSCs (TSC-exo) on TSCs is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of TSC-exo on TSCs. Analyzing the characteristics of TSC-exo, we found that the TSC-exo were enriched in a large amount of transforming growth factor β (TGF β) by western blotting. We also found that the TGF β carried by TSC-exo can effectively accelerate the proliferation and migration of TSCs. We further found that TGF β carried by TSC-exo can activate the TGF β-Smad2/3 and the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in TSCs. Furthermore, matrix metalloenzyme 2 (MMP2), a downstream molecule of Smad2, is regulated by TGF β carried by TSC-exo. Collectively, our findings provide molecular insights into TSC-exo and indicate that TSC-exo are a potential strategy for treating tendon injuries.LINC00525 is a new-researched long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in a few cancers. This study aims at researching the function of LINC00525 in spinal chordoma and the underlying mechanism of action. LINC00525, microRNA-31-5p (miR-31-5p) and microRNA-125a-5p (miR-125a-5p) detection was performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We found the high expression of LINC00525 but the low levels of miR-31-5p and miR-125a-5p in spinal chordoma tissues. After LINC00525 was downregulated in spinal chordoma cells, there were inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT but a promoting effect on cell apoptosis. MiR-31-5p and miR-125a-5p were the downstream targets of LINC00525. The function of LINC00525 knockdown in spinal chordoma cells were achieved by upregulating miR-31-5p and miR-125a-5p. Tumorigenesis of spinal chordoma in vivo was also inhibited by knockdown of LINC00525 via the promotion of miR-31-5p and miR-125a-5p. All these results suggested that LINC00525 targeted miR-31-5p and miR-125a-5p to promote the tumorigenesis and progression of spinal chordoma. LINC00525 can be a novel molecular target in spinal chordoma.

Apolipoprotein H (APOH), also known as beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2-GPI), is an acute phase protein in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and binds to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with high-affinity. APOH expression is upregulated by HBV and the large surface protein (LHBs), but also elevated in HBV-related hepatoma cells. Previous studies show that intracellular retention of HBsAg induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a key driver of hepatocyte damage during chronic liver injury, but the mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesize that APOH mediates HBV-induced ER stress through increased retention of HBsAg.

VR-APOH-myc and VR-LHBs-flag plasmids were constructed by PCR using pcDNA3.1(-)-APOH or an HBV expression vector, respectively. APOH and ER stress markers were examined at protein and mRNA levels by Western Blot or RT-qPCR. HBsAg titer was assayed by ELISA. RNA-seq was performed to elucidate the transcriptional impact of APOH manipulation in HBV-producing cells (HepG2.2.15 cells).

We found that HBV upregulates APOH expression in 293 T cells, and APOH overexpression subsequently inhibits secretion of HBsAg. Next, we show that LHBs overexpression in conjunction with APOH leads to ER stress in 293 T cells, as evidenced by production of the binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), as well as increased splicing of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1). We further observed that loss of beta2-GPI reduced CHOP expression in HepG2.2.15 cells, while beta2-GPI overexpression enhanced CHOP production.

The interaction of beta2-GPI and HBV initiates ER stress through driving intracellular retention of HBsAg and activates the UPR.

The interaction of beta2-GPI and HBV initiates ER stress through driving intracellular retention of HBsAg and activates the UPR.Over the past three decades, citizens of Maine in the northeastern United States have experienced increasing blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) abundance and rising incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) overabundance has been considered one cause of the high incidence of tick-borne diseases on offshore islands of New England. Most of Maine’s 15 offshore, unbridged island communities have a history of concern about ticks, Lyme disease, and white-tailed deer overabundance, but have been challenged to keep deer numbers down through hunting or culls. This history has led to perennial, often divisive community debates about whether and how to reduce the size of their deer herds. In 2016 we conducted a convenience sample survey of year-round and summer residents of Maine’s offshore islands to quantify the level of concern about Lyme disease, and assess the motivations and level of support for deer herd reduction. Among respondents, 84 % agreed Lyme disease was a problem on their island and 61 % supported deer herd reduction. Agreement that Lyme disease was a problem was associated with having acquired tick-borne disease as well as with tick bites without disease. Respondents ranked deer overabundance as a top cause of tick abundance and tick-borne disease and supported deer herd reduction as an approach to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. Other problems associated with deer overabundance (vehicle collisions, damage to landscaping, and damage to forests) also motivated support for deer reduction. Approval of doe permits, an expanded archery season, and sharpshooting as reduction methods was greater than an expanded firearms season. Respondents felt responsibility for tick control fell to the town for the most part, and recognized that multiple factors have contributed to the tick problem in Maine, not just deer.

Iron, which is essential for many vital biological processes, causes significant clinical pathologies in the case of its deficiency or excess. Cardiovascular protective pathways are activated by iron therapy. However, determining the appropriate iron concentration is essential to protect heart tissue from iron-induced oxidative stress. The thioredoxin system is one of the antioxidant systems that protect cells against oxidative stress. Moreover, it allows the binding of many transcription factors for apoptosis, myocardial protection, the stimulation of cell proliferation, and angiogenesis processes, especially the regulation of the cardiovascular system. This study’s goal was to understand how iron overload affects the gene and protein levels of the thioredoxin system in the mouse heart.

BALB/c mice were randomly separated into two groups. The iron overload group was administered with intraperitoneal injections of an iron-dextran solution twice a week for three weeks. In parallel, the control group was inotein level rather than the gene level. The amount and duration of iron overload used in this study may be considered as a starting point for further studies to determine appropriate conditions for the iron therapy of cardiovascular diseases.

In the case of iron overload, the cardiac thioredoxin system is affected by the protein level rather than the gene level. The amount and duration of iron overload used in this study may be considered as a starting point for further studies to determine appropriate conditions for the iron therapy of cardiovascular diseases.Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don (Liliaceae, syn. Fritillaria roylei Hook.) is a critically endangered medicinal herb of immense importance due to its pharmaceutical bioactive compound, especially sipeimine, used for the treatment of chronic respiratory disorders. However, the industrial demand for sipeimine solely depends on its endangered natural habitat. Therefore; there is an utmost need for its biodiversity conservation as well as for the sustainable utilization of phytochemicals. Plant cell culture and transcriptomics-based molecular bioprospection of key regulatory genes involved in sipeimine biosynthesis as such will play a crucial role in exploring the unexplored traits, that are in supply crisis or nearly in extinction stage. De novo comparative transcriptome sequencing of the bulb (in vivo), callus, and regenerated plantlets (in vitro) resulted in more than 150 million high-quality paired-end clean reads that assembled into final 31,428 transcripts. Functional annotation and unigenes classification withtissues (in vivo), undifferentiated cells (callus), and de-differentiated tissues i.e. regenerated plantlets (in vitro) has been evident from the present study. Comprehensive genomic resources created in F. cirrhosa will provide strong evidence of bulb derived in vitro culture as an alternative promising source for steroidal alkaloids biosynthesis and metabolite upscaling through genetic and metabolic engineering.Sepsis is one of the deadliest diseases in North America and in spite of the vast amount of research on this topic there is still uncertainty in the outcome of sepsis treatments. This study aimed at investigating the informativeness of temporal electronic health records (EHR) in stratifying septic patients and identifying subpopulations of septic patients with similar trajectories and clinical needs. We performed hierarchical clustering and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) analyses using data from septic patients in the MIMIC III intensive care unit database. The t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) method was utilized to map patients to a two-dimensional space. We utilized silhouette index and cluster-wise stability assessment by resampling to investigate the validity of the clusters. The hierarchical clustering with Euclidean metric identified twelve clinically recognizable subgroups that demonstrated different characteristics in spite of sharing common conditions. Our results demonstrated that data-driven approaches can help in customizing care platforms for septic patients by identifying similar clinically relevant groups.The present study proposes a new approach for determining the concentration of acids. The method is based on the combination of Monte Carlo simulation and artificial neural network (ANN) technique for predicting the concentration of acids. Firstly, a Monte Carlo simulation model is validated based on the comparison of simulation data with experimental data. Then, the whole data derived from the Monte Carlo simulation using the MCNP code was used to train the ANN model. The trained ANN model was used to predict the percentage concentrations of 14 acid samples, which yields the maximum relative deviation between the predicted and the reference concentrations is less than 3.5%.Given the rapidly growing older adult population, future nurses should increase their knowledge and skills in gerontological nursing to deliver high-quality care to older adults. The aim of this national survey (n = 40 nursing schools) was to analyse the status of gerontology education in Portuguese baccalaureate nursing programmes. Data were collected using a 51-item questionnaire about baccalaureate nursing education programmes and gerontology-related topics. Descriptive analysis was used. A total of 18 nursing schools returned the questionnaire (response rate = 45%). Results showed that 66.7% (n = 12) of nursing schools integrated gerontology content into several courses, 38.9% (n = 7) of them had stand-alone courses, and 11.1% (n = 2) of them had both options. The most significant factor inhibiting the development of the gerontological nursing curriculum was the negative image of gerontological nursing (44.4%). Gerontological-related competencies were identified in only two nursing programmes. Thirteen schools reported needing help to strengthen the gerontological content in the nursing curriculum. This study has demonstrated that gerontological content is covered in the nursing curriculum of all nursing schools. The increase of knowledge and skills in gerontological nursing and the development of a standard gerontological curriculum could contribute to enhancing gerontological nursing education and practice.Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an effective antimalarial drug, has been widely investigated as an anti-tumor agent. Although previous studies have indicated the potential therapeutic effects of DHA on multiple malignancies, its detailed molecular mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) are still undocumented. In the present study, we applied network pharmacology and bioinformatics (gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses) to obtain the collective targets of DHA and GC and analyzed their involvement in constructing a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The top 10% hub targets in this network were identified, and TCGA database was utilized for the single gene analysis of their correlation with the prognosis of GC. CCK8, EdU, Transwell, and flow cytometry analyses were conducted, and subcutaneous xenograft tumor models were constructed to assess the effects of DHA on the tumorigenesis and invasion of GC. Furthermore, the targets of DHA were verified by molecular docking, quantiL1/CASP3/7 pathways. Our findings might provide a novel approach for the treatment of GC.There are no standard choices on antifungal drugs for talaromycosis due to various factors, and related studies are also limited. This study summarizes and analyzes efficacy of different antifungal drugs for patients with talaromycosis, which can provide more reference evidence for drugs’ choices in practice. We conducted a meta-analysis on prognostic impacts of different antifungal drugs against talaromycosis, and primary outcome was all-cause mortality. A total of 975 patients from 8 studies were included. One of the 8 studies was a randomized controlled trial and the others were retrospective studies. Among these patients, 582 cases were initiated with amphotericin B, 31 cases died (9.28%). The other 393 cases were initiated with itraconazole, and 54 cases died (14.00%). The initial use of amphotericin B for talaromycosis significantly reduced mortality compared with itraconazole (risk ratio (RR) 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-0.90; P=0.01; I2=4%). Initial treatment with amphotericin B for talaromycosis in different regions (internal and external) and studies (sample size less then 100) had no obvious prognostic advantages over itraconazole (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.32-1.13; P=0.11; I2=44%; RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.37- 1.00; P=0.05; I2=0%; RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.39-1.29; P=0.26; I2=0%, respectively). However, when study’s sample size was ≥ 100, the mortality of amphotericin B group was significantly reduced (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32- 0.92; P=0.02; I2=46%). In conclusion, amphotericin B is a better choice as initial therapeutic drug for talaromycosis.This research examines public acceptability of regulations to reduce agricultural nutrient runoff and curb Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). We tested the effects of two novel policy specific beliefs including support for farmers’ autonomy and support for external accountability. We also simultaneously tested the direct and indirect effects of political orientation and environmental worldview through a Direct Effect Model and a Mediation Model using structural equation modelling. Survey data were collected from 729 Ohio residents collected in November 2018. The specific regulatory policy measure we targeted is fines on excessive agricultural runoff. As hypothesized, autonomy beliefs negatively affect, and accountability positively affect support for fines. Both models revealed good fits. the direct effects of environmental worldviews political orientation were not supported. Instead, environmental worldviews indirectly increased support for fines through increased accountability beliefs and diminished autonomy beliefs. From the results, we suggest that when proposing suitable regulations for specific sites, policy makers and interest groups should be aware of differences in public support for farmer autonomy and external accountability, and that such differences are likely rooted in environmental worldviews. The study also suggests a need for coupled ecological and social studies that assess the likelihood of regional agricultural producers voluntarily adopting conservation practices and forecast the effectiveness of potential accountability measures.Biofilm attached cultivation is a promising method for efficient production of microalgae. Determining the surface property index to select an appropriate substrate benefiting the algae adhesion and biofilm formation is very important for the cultivation method. This work focused on elucidating and quantifying the influence of surface wettability and roughness of substrate on Chlorella vulgaris adhesion. Firstly, surface modified styrene-acrylic (SA) resin films by adding different dosage of perfluoroalkyl ethyl acrylate (FM) were prepared. Property characterization shows that the surface contact angle in water, formamide and diiodomethane of FM modified SA films is significantly associated with the FM dosage, while the other surface properties including zeta potential, surface potential and surface roughness have insignificant difference. The calculated surface free energy parameters show that the SA films belong to the non-polar substrata. A well quantitative correlation that the adhesion capacity of C. vulgaris linearly declines with the increase of water contact angle was obtained. And a near linear relationship between the adhesion capacity and the surface free energy (γ), or the cohesion free energy (ΔGcoh) was also observed. Secondly, the surface roughness solely changed SA films were prepared by replicating the morphology of stainless steel sieves through the PDMS template method. The patterned SA films have alternately arranged rectangular „valleys” and „ridges”. A well linear correlation between the microalgae adhesion capacity and the surface roughness was also obtained.Machine Learning (ML) is a powerful tool for big data analysis that shows substantial potential in the field of healthcare. Individual patient data can be inundative, but its value can be extracted by ML’s predictive power and ability to find trends. A great area of interest is early diagnosis and disease management strategies for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the world. Treatment is often inhibited by analysis delays, but rapid testing and determination can help improve frequency for real time monitoring. In this research, an ML algorithm was developed in conjunction with a flexible BNP sensor to create a quick diagnostic tool. The sensor was fabricated as an ion-selective field effect transistor (ISFET) in order to be able to quickly gather large amounts of electrical data from a sample. Artifical samples were tested to characterize the sensors using linear sweep voltammetry, and the resulting data was utilized as the initial training set for the ML algorithm, an implementation of quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) written in MATLAB.