How inflammation influences psychiatric disease

Recent studies highlight the strong correlation between infectious diseases and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. In this editorial, we comment on the article "Anti-infective therapy durations predict psychological stress and laparoscopic surgery quality in pelvic abscess patients" by Zhang et al, published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Psychiatry 2023; 13 (11): 903-911. Our discussion highlighted the potential consequences of anxiety, depression, and psychosis, which are all linked to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, which are relevant to the impact of inflammation on the sequelae in mental health as those we are observing after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We focus specifically on the immune mechanisms triggered by inflammation, the primary contributor to psychiatric complications. Importantly, pathophysiological mechanisms such as organ damage, post-injury inflammation, and infection-induced endocrine alterations, including hypocortisolism or autoantibody formation, significantly contribute to the development of chronic low-grade inflammation, promoting the emergence or development of psychiatric alterations in susceptible individuals. As inflammation can have long-term effects on patients, a multidisciplinary treatment plan can avoid complications and debilitating health issues, and it is crucial to recognize and address the mental health implications.

Evaluating serum CXCL12, sCD22, Lp-PLA2 levels and ratios as biomarkers for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Grasping the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still a work in progress, and existing diagnostic techniques encounter various obstacles. Therefore, the discovery of dependable biomarkers is essential for early detection, tracking the disease's advancement, and steering treatment strategies.

AIM

To explore the diagnostic potential of serum CXCL12, sCD22, Lp-PLA2, and their ratios in AD, aiming to enhance early detection and inform targeted treatment strategies.

METHODS

The study was conducted in Dongying people's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022. Participants included 60 AD patients (AD group) and 60 healthy people (control group). Using a prospective case-control design, the levels of CXCL12, sCD22 and Lp-PLA2 and their ratios were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit in the diagnosis of AD. The differences between the two groups were analyzed by statistical methods, and the corresponding ratio was constructed to improve the specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis.

RESULTS

Serum CXCL12 levels were higher in the AD group (47.2 ± 8.5 ng/mL) than the control group (32.8 ± 5.7 ng/mL, P < 0.001), while sCD22 levels were lower (14.3 ± 2.1 ng/mL vs 18.9 ± 3.4 ng/mL, P < 0.01). Lp-PLA2 levels were also higher in the AD group (112.5 ± 20.6 ng/mL vs 89.7 ± 15.2 ng/mL, P < 0.05). Significant differences were noted in CXCL12/sCD22 (3.3 vs 1.7, P < 0.001) and Lp-PLA2/sCD22 ratios (8.0 vs 5.2, P < 0.05) between the groups. Receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed high sensitivity and specificity of these markers and their ratios in distinguishing AD, with area under the curves ranging from 0.568 to 0.787.

CONCLUSION

Serum CXCL12 and Lp-PLA2 levels were significantly increased, while sCD22 were significantly decreased, as well as increases in the ratios of CXCL12/sCD22 and Lp-PLA2/sCD22, are closely related to the onset of AD. These biomarkers and their ratios can be used as potential diagnostic indicators for AD, providing an important clinical reference for early intervention and treatment.

Psychological interventions for depression in children and adolescents: A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression has gradually become a common psychological disorder among children and adolescents. Depression in children and adolescents affects their physical and mental development. Psychotherapy is considered to be one of the main treatment options for depressed children and adolescents. However, our understanding of the global performance and progress of psychological interventions for depression in children and adolescents (PIDCA) research is limited.

AIM

To identify collaborative research networks in this field and explore the current research status and hotspots through bibliometrics.

METHODS

Articles and reviews related to PIDCA from January 2010 to April 2023 were identified from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The Charticulator website, CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to visualize the trends in publications and citations, the collaborative research networks (countries, institutions, and authors), and the current research status and hotspots.

RESULTS

Until April 16, 2023, 1482 publications were identified. The number of documents published each year and citations had increased rapidly in this field. The United States had the highest productivity in this field. The most prolific institution was the University of London. Pim Cuijpers was the most prolific author. In the context of research related to PIDCA, both reference co-citation analysis and keywords co-occurrence analysis identified 10 research hotspots, including third-wave cognitive behavior therapy, short-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy, family element in psychotherapy, modular treatment, mobile-health, emotion-regulation-based transdiagnostic intervention program, dementia risk in later life, predictors of the efficacy of psychological intervention, and risks of psychological intervention.

CONCLUSION

This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive overview of PIDCA from 2010 to present. Psychological intervention characterized as psychological-process-focused, short, family-involved, modular, internet-based, emotion-regulation-based, and personalized may benefit more young people.

KAT7/HMGN1 signaling epigenetically induces tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A expression to ameliorate insulin resistance in Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have revealed a correlation between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Insulin resistance in the brain is a common feature in patients with T2D and AD. KAT7 is a histone acetyltransferase that participates in the modulation of various genes.

AIM

To determine the effects of KAT7 on insulin patients with AD.

METHODS

APPswe/PS1-dE9 double-transgenic and db/db mice were used to mimic AD and diabetes, respectively. An in vitro model of AD was established by Aβ stimulation. Insulin resistance was induced by chronic stimulation with high insulin levels. The expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) was assessed using immunofluorescence. The protein levels of MAP2, Aβ, dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase-1A (DYRK1A), IRS-1, p-AKT, total AKT, p-GSK3β, total GSK3β, DYRK1A, and KAT7 were measured via western blotting. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and SOD activity was measured to determine cellular oxidative stress. Flow cytometry and CCK-8 assay were performed to evaluate neuronal cell death and proliferation, respectively. Relative RNA levels of KAT7 and DYRK1A were examined using quantitative PCR. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was conducted to detect H3K14ac in DYRK1A.

RESULTS

KAT7 expression was suppressed in the AD mice. Overexpression of KAT7 decreased Aβ accumulation and MAP2 expression in AD brains. KAT7 overexpression decreased ROS and MDA levels, elevated SOD activity in brain tissues and neurons, and simultaneously suppressed neuronal apoptosis. KAT7 upregulated levels of p-AKT and p-GSK3β to alleviate insulin resistance, along with elevated expression of DYRK1A. KAT7 depletion suppressed DYRK1A expression and impaired H3K14ac of DYRK1A. HMGN1 overexpression recovered DYRK1A levels and reversed insulin resistance caused by KAT7 depletion.

CONCLUSION

We determined that KAT7 overexpression recovered insulin sensitivity in AD by recruiting HMGN1 to enhance DYRK1A acetylation. Our findings suggest that KAT7 is a novel and promising therapeutic target for the resistance in AD.

Navigating the intersection of psychiatry and ophthalmology: A comprehensive review of depression and anxiety management in glaucoma patients

Glaucoma, a prevalent and debilitating eye disease, has long been associated with vision impairment and blindness. However, recent research has shed light on the often-underestimated psychological dimensions of this condition. Anxiety and depression, two pervasive psychiatric comorbidities, have been increasingly recognized among glaucoma patients. This comprehensive review aims to explore the intricate relationship between psychiatry and ophthalmology, in the context of managing depression and anxiety in glaucoma patients. By meticulously examining peer-reviewed literature, we synthesize current knowledge on the prevalence, risk factors, and underlying mechanisms of anxiety and depression in glaucoma. The evidence reveals that glaucoma patients face an elevated risk of experiencing these mood disorders. Factors such as progressive vision loss, complex medication regimens, and the fear of further visual deterioration contribute to their vulnerability. Moreover, we delve into the bidirectional relationship between glaucoma and mood disorders, shedding light on the complex interplay between ocular and emotional health. Our review investigates the implications of anxiety and depression on glaucoma management, including their potential impact on treatment adherence, disease progression, and overall quality of life. We also explore the neurobiological pathways linking glaucoma and mood disorders, providing a foundation for future research and potential therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, recognizing the psychological burden carried by glaucoma patients is essential for holistic and patient-centered care. This review underscores the pressing need for integrated approaches that bring together ophthalmological and psychiatric expertise to optimize the well-being of individuals facing the challenges of glaucoma. By addressing anxiety and depression in glaucoma care, healthcare providers can enhance the overall quality of life for these patients, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and a brighter future for those affected by this condition. This review offers valuable insight for healthcare practitioners and researchers, providing a concise overview of key topics and research in the field of managing depression and anxiety in glaucoma patients.

Optimization of nursing interventions for postoperative mental status recovery in patients with cerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage (HCH), the most common chronic diseases, has become a topic of global public health discussions.

AIM

To investigate the role of rehabilitative nursing interventions in optimizing the postoperative mental status recovery phase and to provide clinical value for future rehabilitation of patients with HCH.

METHODS

This randomized controlled study included 120 patients with cerebral HCH who were contained to our neurosurgery department between May 2021-May 2023 as the participants. The participants have randomly sampled and grouped into the observation and control groups. The observation group received the rehabilitation nursing model, whereas the control group have given conventional nursing. The conscious state of the patients was assessed at 7, 14, 21, and 30 d postoperatively. After one month of care, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were compared between the two groups. Patient and family satisfaction were assessed using a nursing care model.

RESULTS

The results showed that the state of consciousness scores of the patients in both groups significantly increased (P < 0.05) after surgical treatment. From the 14th day onwards, differences in the state of consciousness scores between the two groups of patients began to appear (P < 0.05). After one month of care, the sleep quality, anxiety state, and depression state of patients were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Satisfaction with nursing care was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The rehabilitation nursing model has a more complete system compared to conventional nursing, which can effectively improve the postoperative quality of life of patients with cerebral hemorrhage and improve the efficiency of mental state recovery; however, further analysis and research are needed to provide more scientific evidence.

Analysis of risk factors of suicidal ideation in adolescent patients with depression and construction of prediction model

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder is a common mental illness among adolescents and is the largest disease burden in this age group. Most adolescent patients with depression have suicidal ideation (SI); however, few studies have focused on the factors related to SI, and effective predictive models are lacking.

AIM

To construct a risk prediction model for SI in adolescent depression and provide a reference assessment tool for prevention.

METHODS

The data of 150 adolescent patients with depression at the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang from June 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on whether or not they had SI, they were divided into a SI group (n = 91) and a non-SI group (n = 59). The general data and laboratory indices of the two groups were compared. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing SI in adolescent patients with depression, a nomogram prediction model was constructed based on the analysis results, and internal evaluation was performed. Receiver operating characteristic and calibration curves were used to evaluate the model's efficacy, and the clinical application value was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

There were differences in trauma history, triggers, serum ferritin levels (SF), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (hs-CRP), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels between the two groups (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that trauma history, predisposing factors, SF, hs-CRP, and HDL-C were factors influencing SI in adolescent patients with depression. The area under the curve of the nomogram prediction model was 0.831 (95%CI: 0.763-0.899), sensitivity was 0.912, and specificity was 0.678. The higher net benefit of the DCA and the average absolute error of the calibration curve were 0.043, indicating that the model had a good fit.

CONCLUSION

The nomogram prediction model based on trauma history, triggers, ferritin, serum hs-CRP, and HDL-C levels can effectively predict the risk of SI in adolescent patients with depression.

Vulnerable brain regions in adolescent major depressive disorder: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant mental health concern that often leads to recurrent depression in adulthood. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) offers unique insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this condition. However, despite previous research, the specific vulnerable brain regions affected in adolescent MDD patients have not been fully elucidated.

AIM

To identify consistent vulnerable brain regions in adolescent MDD patients using rs-fMRI and activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature search through July 12, 2023, for studies investigating brain functional changes in adolescent MDD patients. We utilized regional homogeneity (ReHo), amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and fractional ALFF (fALFF) analyses. We compared the regions of aberrant spontaneous neural activity in adolescents with MDD vs healthy controls (HCs) using ALE.

RESULTS

Ten studies (369 adolescent MDD patients and 313 HCs) were included. Combining the ReHo and ALFF/fALFF data, the results revealed that the activity in the right cuneus and left precuneus was lower in the adolescent MDD patients than in the HCs (voxel size: 648 mm3, P < 0.05), and no brain region exhibited increased activity. Based on the ALFF data, we found decreased activity in the right cuneus and left precuneus in adolescent MDD patients (voxel size: 736 mm3, P < 0.05), with no regions exhibiting increased activity.

CONCLUSION

Through ALE meta-analysis, we consistently identified the right cuneus and left precuneus as vulnerable brain regions in adolescent MDD patients, increasing our understanding of the neuropathology of affected adolescents.

Potential use of large language models for mitigating students' problematic social media use: ChatGPT as an example

The problematic use of social media has numerous negative impacts on individuals' daily lives, interpersonal relationships, physical and mental health, and more. Currently, there are few methods and tools to alleviate problematic social media, and their potential is yet to be fully realized. Emerging large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly popular for providing information and assistance to people and are being applied in many aspects of life. In mitigating problematic social media use, LLMs such as ChatGPT can play a positive role by serving as conversational partners and outlets for users, providing personalized information and resources, monitoring and intervening in problematic social media use, and more. In this process, we should recognize both the enormous potential and endless possibilities of LLMs such as ChatGPT, leveraging their advantages to better address problematic social media use, while also acknowledging the limitations and potential pitfalls of ChatGPT technology, such as errors, limitations in issue resolution, privacy and security concerns, and potential overreliance. When we leverage the advantages of LLMs to address issues in social media usage, we must adopt a cautious and ethical approach, being vigilant of the potential adverse effects that LLMs may have in addressing problematic social media use to better harness technology to serve individuals and society.

Automatic recognition of depression based on audio and video: A review

Depression is a common mental health disorder. With current depression detection methods, specialized physicians often engage in conversations and physiological examinations based on standardized scales as auxiliary measures for depression assessment. Non-biological markers-typically classified as verbal or non-verbal and deemed crucial evaluation criteria for depression-have not been effectively utilized. Specialized physicians usually require extensive training and experience to capture changes in these features. Advancements in deep learning technology have provided technical support for capturing non-biological markers. Several researchers have proposed automatic depression estimation (ADE) systems based on sounds and videos to assist physicians in capturing these features and conducting depression screening. This article summarizes commonly used public datasets and recent research on audio- and video-based ADE based on three perspectives: Datasets, deficiencies in existing research, and future development directions.

Risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have been found to be at risk of concurrent cognitive dysfunction in previous studies, which has now become an important public health issue of widespread concern.

AIM

To investigate the risk factors for concurrent cognitive dysfunction in patients with CKD.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study conducted among patients with CKD between October 2021 and March 2023. A questionnaire was formulated by literature review and expert consultation and included questions about age, sex, education level, per capita monthly household income, marital status, living condition, payment method, and hypertension.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged 60-79 years [odds ratio (OR) = 1.561, P = 0.015] and ≥ 80 years (OR = 1.760, P = 0.013), participants with middle to high school education (OR = 0.820, P = 0.027), divorced or widowed individuals (OR = 1.37, P = 0.032), self-funded patients (OR = 2.368, P = 0.008), and patients with hypertension (OR = 2.011, P = 0.041) had a higher risk of cognitive impairment. The risk of cognitive impairment was lower for those with a college degree (OR = 0.435, P = 0.034) and married individuals.

CONCLUSION

The risk factors affecting cognitive dysfunction are age, 60-79 years and ≥ 80 years; education, primary school education or less; marital status, divorced or widowed; payment method, self-funded; hypertension; and CKD.

Climate change, ambient air pollution, and students' mental health

The impact of global climate change and air pollution on mental health has become a crucial public health issue. Increased public awareness of health, advancements in medical diagnosis and treatment, the way media outlets report environmental changes and the variation in social resources affect psychological responses and adaptation methods to climate change and air pollution. In the context of climate change, extreme weather events seriously disrupt people's living environments, and unstable educational environments lead to an increase in mental health issues for students. Air pollution affects students' mental health by increasing the incidence of diseases while decreasing contact with nature, leading to problems such as anxiety, depression, and decreased cognitive function. We call for joint efforts to reduce pollutant emissions at the source, improve energy structures, strengthen environmental monitoring and gover-nance, increase attention to the mental health issues of students, and help student groups build resilience; by establishing public policies, enhancing social support and adjusting lifestyles and habits, we can help students cope with the constantly changing environment and maintain a good level of mental health. Through these comprehensive measures, we can more effectively address the challenges of global climate change and air pollution and promote the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Keep in mind sex differences when prescribing psychotropic drugs

Women represent the majority of patients with psychiatric diagnoses and also the largest users of psychotropic drugs. There are inevitable differences in efficacy, side effects and long-term treatment response between men and women. Psychopharmacological research needs to develop adequately powered animal and human trials aimed to consider pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of central nervous system drugs in both male and female subjects. Healthcare professionals have the responsibility to prescribe sex-specific psychopharmacotherapies with a priority to differentiate between men and women in order to minimize adverse drugs reactions, to maximize therapeutic effectiveness and to provide personalized management of care.

Sepsis one-hour bundle management combined with psychological intervention on negative emotion and sleep quality in patients with sepsis

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a serious infectious disease caused by various systemic inflammatory responses and is ultimately life-threatening. Patients usually experience depression and anxiety, which affect their sleep quality and post-traumatic growth levels.

AIM

To investigate the effects of sepsis, a one-hour bundle (H1B) management was combined with psychological intervention in patients with sepsis.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 300 patients with sepsis who were admitted to Henan Provincial People's Hospital between June 2022 and June 2023. According to different intervention methods, the participants were divided into a simple group (SG, n = 150) and combined group (CG, n = 150). H1B management was used in the SG and H1B management combined with psychological intervention was used in the CG. The changes of negative emotion, sleep quality and post-traumatic growth and prognosis were compared between the two groups before (T0) and after (T1) intervention.

RESULTS

After intervention (T1), the scores of the Hamilton Anxiety scale and Hamilton Depression scale in the CG were significantly lower than those in the SG (P < 0.001). Sleep time, sleep quality, sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction, sleep disturbance dimension score, and the total score in the CG were significantly lower than those in the SG (P < 0.001). The appreciation of life, mental changes, relationship with others, personal strength dimension score, and total score of the CG were significantly higher than those of the SG (P < 0.001). The scores for mental health, general health status, physiological function, emotional function, physical pain, social function, energy, and physiological function in the CG were significantly higher than those in the SG (P < 0.001). The mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit stay time, and 28-d mortality of the CG were significantly lower than those of the SG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

H1B management combined with psychological intervention can effectively alleviate the negative emotions of patients with sepsis and increase their quality of sleep and life.

Cognitive dissonance and mindset perturbations during crisis: "eco-socio-psycho-somatic" perspectives

Mandatory and restrictive health regulations during the corona pandemic caused psychic disorders in many people, which even led to clinically relevant mental disorders. At the same time, there was gradually a polarization of opinions among the population. In order to improve future pandemic management, an integrative understanding of these psychosocial processes therefore seems useful. Here we start theoretically with the mental effects of inconsistencies of the information environment by referring to concepts such as the theory of cognitive dissonance. In a next step, we use the psychodynamic theory to understand the affective-motivational defense mechanisms underlying these cognitive states and processes. However, a broader theoretical framework of psychoanalysis seems to make sense, because self-referential processing also influences the style of thinking. For this reason, we use a more comprehensive psychological systems theoretical framework model to integrate these different perspectives. This integrative view refers in part to basic knowledge of health psychology regarding the resistance of unhealthy ways of thinking and behaviors and the possibilities for interventions for change. We then extend this model to a broader picture that also covers the relationship between men and their environment. This results in the perspective of a multidimensional socioecological theoretical framework, which as a heuristic reference model and related to other ecological approaches could also be helpful for various theoretical questions for public health, and could provide a better public understanding of health issues. In line with this perspective, we hypothesize that with regard to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the acceptance of public health narratives could be increased if a more consistent picture of the scientific descriptions and explanations of the pandemic - similar to the model proposed - could be provided, which would enable the understanding of the origin, course and countermeasures, and thus could have positive collective psycho-hygienic effects.

Depression and anxiety among cancer patients visiting a tertiary care cancer hospital

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients frequently experience psychological problems related to reactions to cancer diagnosis, cancer type and stage, treatment effects, recurrence, fear of end-of-life, survivorship, and financial burden. Depression and anxiety are both psychological and physiological disturbances among cancer patients.

AIM

To assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety among cancer patients attending a tertiary care cancer hospital.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital in Kathmandu Valley among 220 cancer patients aged from 18 years to 70 years. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee of CiST College. Convenient sampling was used to interview patients with the standardized Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for Depression and Hospital Anxiety and Depression sub-scale (HADS-A) for anxiety. Epi-Data was used for data entry and transferred to SPSS Version 25 for analysis.

RESULTS

The study revealed that of 220 patients, most of the respondents belonged to the age group 51-60 years. More than half 131 (59.6%) of the respondents were female, most of them had depression, and one-third had anxiety. Among the respondents, 124 (56.4%) had mild depression, 70 (31.8%) had moderate depression, and 3 (1.3%) had severe depression; 79 (35.9%) had mild anxiety, 64 (29.1%) had moderate anxiety, and 4 (1.8%) had severe anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Most respondents were depressed and one-third had anxiety. More than half and nearly one-third had mild and moderate depression, respectively, and nearly one-third had mild and moderate anxiety, which is higher than other studies.

Disparities in the impact of economic well-being on self-esteem in adulthood: Race and ethnicity

BACKGROUND

Most studies have defined economic well-being as socioeconomic status, with little attention given to whether other indicators influence self-esteem. Little is known about racial/ethnic disparities in the relationship between economic well-being and self-esteem during adulthood.

AIM

To explore the impact of economic well-being on self-esteem in adulthood and differences in the association across race/ethnicity.

METHODS

The current study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979. The final sample consisted of 2267 African Americans, 1425 Hispanics, and 3678 non-Hispanic Whites. Ordinary linear regression analyses and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

African Americans and Hispanics were more likely to be in poverty in comparison with non-Hispanic Whites. More African Americans were unemployed than Whites. Those who received fringe benefits, were more satisfied with jobs, and were employed were more likely to have higher levels of self-esteem. Poverty was negatively associated with self-esteem. Interaction effects were found between African Americans and job satisfaction predicting self-esteem.

CONCLUSION

The role of employers is important in cultivating employees' self-esteem. Satisfactory outcomes or feelings of happiness from the workplace may be more important to non-Hispanic Whites compared to African Americans and Hispanics.

Therapeutic approach to emotional reactions accompanied with thermal skin injury - from basic to epidemiological research

In this editorial, we discuss the status of a therapeutic approach to emotional reactions accompanying thermal skin injuries. Burns are considered a major health problem, as well as an economic and social problem, with potentially devastating and life-changing consequences. They affect a wide range of patients with different damage mechanisms, varied depths, and localizations of the burns. The most common are thermal burns, with more than 11 million occurrences annually according to the World Health Organization data. Thermal skin injuries are among the most tragic and catastrophic injuries, almost unsurpassed in terms of severity, morbidity, and mortality, as well as functional, aesthetic, social, economic, and psychological consequences. Burn survivors face stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, body deformity, social isolation, unemployment, financial burden, and family problems. The advances in acute burn care have allowed researchers and physicians to pay more attention to other effects of burns, focusing on psychological consequences in particular. Apart from the significant improvements in routine protocols, it seems useful to take care of psychological disturbances that occur simultaneously but may emerge as the most lasting outcome of those injuries. In that sense, various standards and additional approaches may be involved to achieve overall recovery.

Catatonia: A deep dive into its unfathomable depths

This editorial addresses catatonia, a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterised by a spectrum of psychomotor disturbances. The editorial seeks to clarify the ambiguous aspects of catatonia, integrating recent research findings, including global studies and diagnostic advancements. It discusses catatonia's clinical manifestations, prevalence, and associated psychiatric and medical conditions, with particular emphasis on its frequent co-occurrence with schizophrenia and mood disorders. The prevalence of catatonia, which varies across psychiatric populations, is illustrated by a significant study conducted in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. This study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of the Bush-Francis Screening Instrument compared to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 criteria in diagnosing catatonia. The editorial evaluates treatment approaches, primarily focusing on benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy, and discusses emerging therapeutic strategies. It underscores the importance of robust diagnostic frameworks and early intervention in managing catatonia, as recommended by the latest evidence-based consensus guideline. Furthermore, it suggests future research directions, particularly in exploring the neurobiological and genetic factors of catatonia, to enhance our understanding and improve treatment outcomes. This editorial succinctly aims to demystify catatonia and provide valuable insights for clinicians and researchers in mental health care.

Neuropathological characteristics of abnormal white matter functional signaling in adolescents with major depression

BACKGROUND

Major depression disorder (MDD) constitutes a significant mental health concern. Epidemiological surveys indicate that the lifetime prevalence of depression in adolescents is much higher than that in adults, with a corresponding increased risk of suicide. In studying brain dysfunction associated with MDD in adole-scents, research on brain white matter (WM) is sparse. Some researchers even mistakenly regard the signals generated by the WM as noise points. In fact, studies have shown that WM exhibits similar blood oxygen level-dependent signal fluctuations. The alterations in WM signals and their relationship with disease severity in adolescents with MDD remain unclear.

AIM

To explore potential abnormalities in WM functional signals in adolescents with MDD.

METHODS

This study involved 48 adolescent patients with MDD and 31 healthy controls (HC). All participants were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Scale and the mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) suicide inventory. In addition, a Siemens Skyra 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner was used to obtain the subjects' image data. The DPABI software was utilized to calculate the WM signal of the fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and regional homogeneity, followed by a two-sample t-test between the MDD and HC groups. Independent component analysis (ICA) was also used to evaluate the WM functional signal. Pearson's correlation was performed to assess the relationship between statistical test results and clinical scales.

RESULTS

Compared to HC, individuals with MDD demonstrated a decrease in the fALFF of WM in the corpus callosum body, left posterior limb of the internal capsule, right superior corona radiata, and bilateral posterior corona radiata [P < 0.001, family-wise error (FWE) voxel correction]. The regional homogeneity of WM increased in the right posterior limb of internal capsule and left superior corona radiata, and decreased in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus (P < 0.001, FWE voxel correction). The ICA results of WM overlapped with those of regional homo-geneity. The fALFF of WM signal in the left posterior limb of the internal capsule was negatively correlated with the MINI suicide scale (P = 0.026, r = -0.32), and the right posterior corona radiata was also negatively correlated with the MINI suicide scale (P = 0.047, r = -0.288).

CONCLUSION

Adolescents with MDD involves changes in WM functional signals, and these differences in brain regions may increase the risk of suicide.

Alterations of sleep deprivation on brain function: A coordinate-based resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sleep deprivation is a prevalent issue that impacts cognitive function. Although numerous neuroimaging studies have explored the neural correlates of sleep loss, inconsistencies persist in the reported results, necessitating an investigation into the consistent brain functional changes resulting from sleep loss.

AIM

To establish the consistency of brain functional alterations associated with sleep deprivation through systematic searches of neuroimaging databases. Two meta-analytic methods, signed differential mapping (SDM) and activation likelihood estimation (ALE), were employed to analyze functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data.

METHODS

A systematic search performed according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted across multiple databases through July 29, 2023. Studies that met specific inclu-sion criteria, focused on healthy subjects with acute sleep deprivation and reported whole-brain functional data in English were considered. A total of 21 studies were selected for SDM and ALE meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies, including 23 experiments and 498 subjects, were included. Compared to pre-sleep deprivation, post-sleep deprivation brain function was associated with increased gray matter in the right corpus callosum and decreased activity in the left medial frontal gyrus and left inferior parietal lobule. SDM revealed increased brain functional activity in the left striatum and right central posterior gyrus and decreased activity in the right cerebellar gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, corpus callosum, and right cuneus.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis consistently identified brain regions affected by sleep deprivation, notably the left medial frontal gyrus and corpus callosum, shedding light on the neuropathology of sleep deprivation and offering insights into its neurological impact.

Impaired implicit emotion regulation in patients with panic disorder: An event-related potential study on affect labeling

BACKGROUND

Panic disorder (PD) involves emotion dysregulation, but its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Previous research suggests that implicit emotion regulation may play a central role in PD-related emotion dysregulation and symptom maintenance. However, there is a lack of studies exploring the neural mechanisms of implicit emotion regulation in PD using neurophysiological indicators.

AIM

To study the neural mechanisms of implicit emotion regulation in PD with event-related potentials (ERP).

METHODS

A total of 25 PD patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) underwent clinical eva-luations. The study utilized a case-control design with random sampling, selecting participants for the case group from March to December 2018. Participants performed an affect labeling task, using affect labeling as the experimental condition and gender labeling as the control condition. ERP and behavioral data were recorded to compare the late positive potential (LPP) within and between the groups.

RESULTS

Both PD and HC groups showed longer reaction times and decreased accuracy under the affect labeling. In the HC group, late LPP amplitudes exhibited a dynamic pattern of initial increase followed by decrease. Importantly, a significant group × condition interaction effect was observed. Simple effect analysis revealed a reduction in the differences of late LPP amplitudes between the affect labeling and gender labeling conditions in the PD group compared to the HC group. Furthermore, among PD patients under the affect labeling, the late LPP was negatively correlated with disease severity, symptom frequency, and intensity.

CONCLUSION

PD patients demonstrate abnormalities in implicit emotion regulation, hampering their ability to mobilize cognitive resources for downregulating negative emotions. The late LPP amplitude in response to affect labeling may serve as a potentially valuable clinical indicator of PD severity.

Analysis of risk factors leading to anxiety and depression in patients with prostate cancer after castration and the construction of a risk prediction model

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients often suffer from severe stress reactions psychologically, such as anxiety and depression. Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the common cancer types, with most patients diagnosed at advanced stages that cannot be treated by radical surgery and which are accompanied by complications such as bodily pain and bone metastasis. Therefore, attention should be given to the mental health status of PC patients as well as physical adverse events in the course of clinical treatment.

AIM

To analyze the risk factors leading to anxiety and depression in PC patients after castration and build a risk prediction model.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 120 PC cases treated in Xi'an People's Hospital between January 2019 and January 2022. The patient cohort was divided into a training group (n = 84) and a validation group (n = 36) at a ratio of 7:3. The patients' anxiety symptoms and depression levels were assessed 2 wk after surgery with the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), respectively. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting negative mood, and a risk prediction model was constructed.

RESULTS

In the training group, 35 patients and 37 patients had an SAS score and an SDS score greater than or equal to 50, respectively. Based on the scores, we further subclassified patients into two groups: a bad mood group (n = 35) and an emotional stability group (n = 49). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that marital status, castration scheme, and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were independent risk factors affecting a patient's bad mood (P < 0.05). In the training and validation groups, patients with adverse emotions exhibited significantly higher risk scores than emotionally stable patients (P < 0.0001). The area under the curve (AUC) of the risk prediction model for predicting bad mood in the training group was 0.743, the specificity was 70.96%, and the sensitivity was 66.03%, while in the validation group, the AUC, specificity, and sensitivity were 0.755, 66.67%, and 76.19%, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed a χ2 of 4.2856, a P value of 0.830, and a C-index of 0.773 (0.692-0.854). The calibration curve revealed that the predicted curve was basically consistent with the actual curve, and the calibration curve showed that the prediction model had good discrimination and accuracy. Decision curve analysis showed that the model had a high net profit.

CONCLUSION

In PC patients, marital status, castration scheme, and postoperative pain (VAS) score are important factors affecting postoperative anxiety and depression. The logistic regression model can be used to successfully predict the risk of adverse psychological emotions.

Incidence and risk factors of depression in patients with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Many studies have explored the relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome (MetS), especially in older people. China has entered an aging society. However, there are still few studies on the elderly in Chinese communities.

AIM

To investigate the incidence and risk factors of depression in MetS patients in mainland China and to construct a predictive model.

METHODS

Data from four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were selected, and middle-aged and elderly patients with MetS (n = 2533) were included based on the first wave. According to the center for epidemiological survey-depression scale (CESD), participants with MetS were divided into depression (n = 938) and non-depression groups (n = 1595), and factors related to depression were screened out. Subsequently, the 2-, 4-, and 7-year follow-up data were analyzed, and a prediction model for depression in MetS patients was constructed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression in middle-aged and elderly patients with MetS was 37.02%. The prevalence of depression at the 2-, 4-, and 7-year follow-up was 29.55%, 34.53%, and 38.15%, respectively. The prediction model, constructed using baseline CESD and Physical Self-Maintenance Scale scores, average sleep duration, number of chronic diseases, age, and weight had a good predictive effect on the risk of depression in MetS patients at the 2-year follow-up (area under the curve = 0.775, 95% confidence interval: 0.750-0.800, P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 74%.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of depression in middle-aged and elderly patients with MetS has increased over time. The early identification of and intervention for depressive symptoms requires greater attention in MetS patients.

Using ChatGPT to promote college students' participation in physical activities and its effect on mental health

As one of the most famous large language models, ChatGPT has great potential for application in physical education. It can provide personalized exercise plans, a variety of exercise options, and interactive support. The integration of ChatGPT into the teaching process can promote college students' participation in physical activities and improve their mental health while expanding the traditional teaching environment and promoting the reform of traditional teaching methods. However, the application of ChatGPT faces challenges and obstacles in physical education. To make full use of ChatGPT in physical education, it can be combined with wearable devices and sports equipment to enhance the efficiency of interactions with users. Relevant policies are urgently needed to avoid the improper use of users' data.