Perceived parenting and risk for major depression in Chinese women

BACKGROUND

In Western countries, a history of major depression (MD) is associated with reports of received parenting that is low in warmth and caring and high in control and authoritarianism. Does a similar pattern exist in women in China?

METHOD

Received parenting was assessed by a shortened version of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) in two groups of Han Chinese women: 1970 clinically ascertained cases with recurrent MD and 2597 matched controls. MD was assessed at personal interview.

RESULTS

Factor analysis of the PBI revealed three factors for both mothers and fathers: warmth, protectiveness, and authoritarianism. Lower warmth and protectiveness and higher authoritarianism from both mother and father were significantly associated with risk for recurrent MD. Parental warmth was positively correlated with parental protectiveness and negatively correlated with parental authoritarianism. When examined together, paternal warmth was more strongly associated with lowered risk for MD than maternal warmth. Furthermore, paternal protectiveness was negatively and maternal protectiveness positively associated with risk for MD.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the structure of received parenting is very similar in China and Western countries, the association with MD is not. High parental protectiveness is generally pathogenic in Western countries but protective in China, especially when received from the father. Our results suggest that cultural factors impact on patterns of parenting and their association with MD.

Ovarian VEGF(165)b expression regulates follicular development, corpus luteum function and fertility

Angiogenesis and vascular regression are critical for the female ovulatory cycle. They enable progression and regression of follicular development, and corpora lutea formation and regression. Angiogenesis in the ovary occurs under the control of the vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) family of proteins, which are generated as both pro-(VEGF(165)) and anti(VEGF(165)b)-angiogenic isoforms by alternative splicing. To determine the role of the VEGF(165)b isoforms in the ovulatory cycle, we measured VEGF(165)b expression in marmoset ovaries by immunohistochemistry and ELISA, and used transgenic mice over-expressing VEGF(165)b in the ovary. VEGF(165)b was expressed in the marmoset ovaries in granulosa cells and theca, and the balance of VEGF(165)b:VEGF(165) was regulated during luteogenesis. Mice over-expressing VEGF(165)b in the ovary were less fertile than wild-type littermates, had reduced secondary and tertiary follicles after mating, increased atretic follicles, fewer corpora lutea and generated fewer embryos in the oviduct after mating, and these were more likely not to retain the corona radiata. These results indicate that the balance of VEGFA isoforms controls follicle progression and luteogenesis, and that control of isoform expression may regulate fertility in mammals, including in primates.

Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 6 modulates the radiation sensitivity of glioblastoma

Increasing the sensitivity of glioblastoma cells to radiation is a promising approach to improve survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). This study aims to determine if serine/threonine phosphatase (protein phosphatase 6 (PP6)) is a molecular target for GBM radiosensitization treatment. The GBM orthotopic xenograft mice model was used in this study. Our data demonstrated that the protein level of PP6 catalytic subunit (PP6c) was upregulated in the GBM tissue from about 50% patients compared with the surrounding tissue or control tissue. Both the in vitro survival fraction of GBM cells and the patient survival time were highly correlated or inversely correlated with PP6c expression (R²=0.755 and −0.707, respectively). We also found that siRNA knockdown of PP6c reduced DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity in three different GBM cell lines, increasing their sensitivity to radiation. In the orthotopic mice model, the overexpression of PP6c in GBM U87 cells attenuated the effect of radiation treatment, and reduced the survival time of mice compared with the control mice, while the PP6c knocking-down improved the effect of radiation treatment, and increased the survival time of mice. These findings demonstrate that PP6 regulates the sensitivity of GBM cells to radiation, and suggest small molecules disrupting or inhibiting PP6 association with DNA-PK is a potential radiosensitizer for GBM.

Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on hepatic tight junction after partial hepatectomy in rats

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) on the hepatic tight junction in rat liver after partial hepatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: sham operation, 70% hepatectomy, 70% hepatectomy with administration of 1 mL/kg n-3 PUFA, and 70% hepatectomy with administration of 2 mL/kg n-3 PUFA. Morphologic features of the hepatic tight junction were observed at transmission electron microscopy, and expression of the tight junction proteins occludin, claudin-3, and ZO-1 was studied using Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The hepatic tight junction structure became loosened 3 days after 70% hepatectomy. The levels of tight junction occludin decreased markedly, whereas claudin-3 and ZO-1 levels increased 2- or 3-fold over control levels. Supplementation of n-3 PUFA alleviated the changes in tight junction structure and occludin expression.

CONCLUSION

n-3 PUFA has protective effects on hepatic tight junction structure after 70% hepatectomy, which were attributed in part to modulation of occludin expression.

Inhibition of β-catenin signaling by nongenomic action of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77

Dysregulation of β-catenin turnover due to mutations of its regulatory proteins including adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and p53 is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer. Thus, intensive effort is being made to search for alternative approaches to reduce abnormally activated β-catenin in cancer cells. Nur77, an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, has a role in the growth and apoptosis of cancer cells. Here, we reported that Nur77 could inhibit transcriptional activity of β-catenin by inducing β-catenin degradation via proteasomal degradation pathway that is glycogen synthase kinase 3β and Siah-1 independent. Nur77 induction of β-catenin degradation required both the N-terminal region of Nur77, which was involved in Nur77 ubiquitination, and the C-terminal region, which was responsible for β-catenin binding. Nur77/ΔDBD, a Nur77 mutant lacking its DNA-binding domain, resided in the cytoplasm, interacted with β-catenin, and induced β-catenin degradation, demonstrating that Nur77-mediated β-catenin degradation was independent of its DNA binding and transactivation, and might occur in the cytoplasm. In addition, we reported our identification of two digitalis-like compounds (DLCs), H-9 and ATE-i2-b4, which potently induced Nur77 expression and β-catenin degradation in SW620 colon cancer cells expressing mutant APC protein in vitro and in animals. DLC-induced Nur77 protein was mainly found in the cytoplasm, and inhibition of Nur77 nuclear export by the CRM1-dependent nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B or Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor prevented the effect of DLC on inducing β-catenin degradation. Together, our results demonstrate that β-catenin can be degraded by cytoplasmic Nur77 through their interaction and identify H-9 and ATE-i2-b4 as potent activators of the Nur77-mediated pathway for β-catenin degradation.

Absence of long-range magnetic ordering in the pyrochlore compound Er2Sn2O7

The low temperature behaviour of powder Er2Sn2O7 samples has been studied by magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and neutron scattering experiments. We report here the absence of magnetic ordering down to 100 mK. Anomalies in the heat capacity can be accounted for through an analysis of the crystal field spectrum observed by inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy. These new measurements on Er2Sn2O7 suggest a new lower bound for the frustration index of f = |Θ(CW)|/T(N) = 14/0.1 = 140, placing this compound into a highly frustrated regime.

Treatment intensification in patients with type 2 diabetes who failed metformin monotherapy

AIM

To evaluate the time to and factors associated with treatment intensification in patients with type 2 diabetes who failed metformin monotherapy.

METHODS

In a retrospective analysis using a large US electronic medical record database, eligible patients included those with type 2 diabetes and an HbA(1c) of ≥7.0% or at least two fasting blood glucose levels of ≥126 mg/dl while on metformin monotherapy for at least 6 months within the period of 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2008. Time to treatment intensification was calculated as the time between index date (date on which HbA(1c) ≥ 7% after metformin monotherapy for at least 6 months) and first prescription for additional antihyperglycaemic agent during follow-up period. All patients were required to have data for at least 12 months prior to and following the index date. A Cox proportional hazards model was employed to determine patient baseline characteristics associated with time to treatment intensification.

RESULTS

Of the 12 566 patients identified, mean age at index date was 63 years and 51% were female. Mean index HbA(1c) was 8.0% overall, with 66, 19 and 15% of patients having an index HbA(1c) of 7 to <8%, 8 to <9% and ≥9%, respectively. Median time to treatment intensification was 14.0 months overall and 19.0, 8.7 and 4.5 months for patients with index HbA(1c) of 7 to <8%, 8 to <9% and ≥9%, respectively. Factors associated with treatment intensification included higher index HbA(1c) , younger age, higher Charlson co-morbidity index, metformin daily dose ≥ 1500 mg and later index date (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In US clinical practice, median time to receive additional antihyperglycaemic medication is more than 1 year for patients with type 2 diabetes who failed metformin monotherapy.

Short range ordering in the modified honeycomb lattice compound SrHo(2)O(4)

The low temperature behaviour of single crystalline SrHo(2)O(4) has been characterized by dc magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and neutron scattering experiments. Our results show that despite the lack of magnetic long-ranged ordering in the presence of strong antiferromagnetic correlations, SrHo(2)O(4) does not order down to 1.8 K. Elastic neutron scattering experiments show prominent magnetic diffuse scattering correlated with a broad feature in the dc susceptibility at T = 4 K, indicative of magnetic short-ranged ordering of the Ho(3) spins. Inelastic neutron scattering shows the presence of five crystal field levels up to 80 K in energy, in agreement with the integration of the magnetic specific heat component yielding Rln5 entropy release. The magnetic short-ranged ordering is fitted to a nearest neighbour interaction model with good agreement.

Spin liquid state in the S = 1/2 triangular lattice Ba3CuSb2O9

The synthesis and characterization of Ba3CuSb2O9, which has a layered array of Cu2+ spins in a triangular lattice, are reported. The magnetic susceptibility and neutron scattering experiments of this material show no magnetic ordering down to 0.2 K with a θ(CW) = -55  K. The magnetic specific heat reveals a T-linear dependence with a γ = 43.4  mJ  K(-2)  mol(-1) below 1.4 K. These observations suggest that Ba3CuSb2O9 is a new quantum spin liquid candidate with a S = 1/2 triangular lattice.

Strong impact of acute kidney injury on survival after liver transplantation

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In an evaluation of Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria in liver transplanted patients, we retrospectively analyzed the usefulness of these criteria to predict survival of 193 consecutive patients at a single center who underwent primary OLT for clinical parameters and peak AKI. Postoperative AKI according to AKIN occurred in 60.1% of the patients, namely, stages 1, 2, and 3 in 30%, 13% and 17.1% respectively. Using multivariate logistic regression, AKIN stage 1 and 2 AKI were independently associated with the pre-OLT Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and age, while stage 3 AKI was independently associated with MELD and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores. The 28-day and 1-year mortality post-OLT of AKI patients were 15.5% and 25.9% respectively compared with 0% and 3.9% among non-AKI patients (P < .05 for both). The survival rates of non-AKI and stages 1, 2, and 3 AKI subjects were 96%, 85.5%, 84%, and 45.3%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed independent risk factors for mortality during the first year after transplantation to include post-OLT AKI (12.1; P < .05), post-OLT infection (HR 4.7; P < .01), pre-OLT hypertension (HR 4.4; P < .01) hazard ratio [HR] and post-OLT APACHE II ≥10 (HR 3.6; P < .05). We concluded that AKI as defined by the AKIN criteria is a major complication of OLT linked to a poor outcomes. It remains to be evaluated whether aggressive perioperative therapy to prevent AKI can improve survival among OLT patients.

Mega-voltage versus kilo-voltage cone beam CT used in image guided radiation therapy: comparative study of microdosimetric properties

Mega-voltage computed tomography (MVCT) and kilo-voltage cone beam CT (CBCT) are routinely used in image-guided radiation therapy. In current practice, doses from MVCT and CBCT are reported with no correction for radiation quality. In this study, we compared microdosimetric properties as well as doses for MVCT and CBCT. Monte Carlo simulation codes BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc were used to simulate a Varian CBCT 125 kVp photon beam and primary electron spectra for CT sets of two patients. The revised Oak Ridge Electron transport Code (NOREC) was used to simulate electron tracks in liquid water. C++ code was developed to compute lineal energy in a sphere of 1 μm diameter. Dose-mean lineal energy-based quality factors were calculated for critical organs in-field. The estimated quality factor for CBCT is up to a factor of 1.3 times that of MV beams.

A predictive value of hyponatremia for poor outcome and cerebral infarction in high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage patients

BACKGROUND

The clinical significance of hyponatremia has not been investigated in high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) patients. Thus, we assessed the predictive value of hyponatremia for poor outcome or cerebral infarction in high grade patients (the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons Scale (WFNS) grade 4 or 5) after aSAH.

METHODS

Patients with WFNS grade 4 or 5 after aSAH were selected into this study between January 2005 and January 2008. In the same period, patients with WFNS grade 1, 2 or 3 after aSAH (low grade) were also chosen into this study. Hyponatremia was determined with serum sodium measurements obtained within 9 days after aSAH. Prognosis of patients was estimated with Glasgow Outcome Scale at 3 months. The relationship between hyponatremia and poor outcome and association of hyponatremia and cerebral infarction were analysed, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 124 high-grade patients were included in this study. Of those, 78 patients developed hyponatremia. Hyponatremia developed in 32.3% of cases between days 1 and 3 after aSAH, and 30.6% developed hyponatremia after 3 days post-aSAH. Multivariable analysis revealed that hyponatremia was not correlated with poor outcome in high-grade aSAH patients. Furthermore, only late-onset hyponatremia was correlated with cerebral infarction in these patients. Meanwhile, there was no significant correlation between hyponatremia and poor outcome or cerebral infarction in 259 low-grade aSAH patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyponatremia does not predict poor outcome in all-grade aSAH patients. However, late-onset hyponatremia in high-grade aSAH patients is associated with cerebral infarction. Therefore, the appropriate management of hyponatremia could be beneficial in those patients.

Level crossings and zero-field splitting in the {Cr8}-cubane spin cluster studied using inelastic neutron scattering and magnetization

Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) in variable magnetic field and high-field magnetization measurements in the millikelvin temperature range were performed to gain insight into the low-energy magnetic excitation spectrum and the field-induced level crossings in the molecular spin cluster {Cr(8)}-cubane. These complementary techniques provide consistent estimates of the lowest level-crossing field. The overall features of the experimental data are explained using an isotropic Heisenberg model, based on three distinct exchange interactions linking the eight Cr(III) paramagnetic centers (spins s = 3/2), that is supplemented with a relatively large molecular magnetic anisotropy term for the lowest S = 1 multiplet. It is noted that the existence of the anisotropy is clearly evident from the magnetic field dependence of the excitations in the INS measurements, while the magnetization measurements are not sensitive to its effects.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors in adult patients: CT and MR imaging features

Primary AT/RT is a rare highly malignant tumor of the CNS, usually occurring in children younger than 5 years of age. The objective of this study was to characterize the CT and MR imaging findings in a series of 5 adult patients with pathologically proved AT/RT. All 5 AT/RTs were supratentorial. In 2 patients who underwent nonenhanced CT, the tumors appeared isoattenuated, and 1 of the 2 tumors contained calcifications. Solid portions of the tumors on MR imaging were isointense on T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and FLAIR images, and 1 case showed restricted diffusion on DWI. The tumors also demonstrated a bandlike rim of strong enhancement surrounding a central cystic area on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. One tumor was associated with destruction of the calvaria. Although AT/RTs can have nonspecific findings, the tumors in our series were large and isointense on T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and FLAIR images with central necrosis and prominent rim enhancement.

Ferromagnetically coupled Shastry-Sutherland quantum spin singlets in (CuCl)LaNb₂O₇

A thorough crystal structure determination at very low temperature of (CuCl)LaNb₂O₇, originally proposed as a spin-1/2 square-lattice antiferromagnet, is reported thanks to the use of single-crystal x-ray diffraction and powder neutron diffraction. State-of-the-art calculations (maximum entropy method) reveal that (CuCl)LaNb₂O₇ is orthorhombic with Pbam symmetry. First-principles calculations demonstrate that the dominant magnetic interactions are antiferromagnetic between fourth nearest neighbors with a Cu-Cl-Cl-Cu exchange path, which lead to the formation of spin singlets. The two strongest interactions between the singlets are ferromagnetic, which makes (CuCl)LaNb₂O₇ the first system of ferromagnetically coupled Shastry-Sutherland quantum spin singlets.

From (pi,0) magnetic order to superconductivity with (pi,pi) magnetic resonance in Fe(1.02)Te(1-x)Se(x)

The iron chalcogenide Fe(1+y)(Te(1-x)Se(x)) is structurally the simplest of the Fe-based superconductors. Although the Fermi surface is similar to iron pnictides, the parent compound Fe(1+y)Te exhibits antiferromagnetic order with an in-plane magnetic wave vector (pi,0) (ref. 6). This contrasts the pnictide parent compounds where the magnetic order has an in-plane magnetic wave vector (pi,pi) that connects hole and electron parts of the Fermi surface. Despite these differences, both the pnictide and chalcogenide Fe superconductors exhibit a superconducting spin resonance around (pi,pi) (refs 9, 10, 11). A central question in this burgeoning field is therefore how (pi,pi) superconductivity can emerge from a (pi,0) magnetic instability. Here, we report that the magnetic soft mode evolving from the (pi,0)-type magnetic long-range order is associated with weak charge carrier localization. Bulk superconductivity occurs as magnetic correlations at (pi,0) are suppressed and the mode at (pi, pi) becomes dominant for x>0.29. Our results suggest a common magnetic origin for superconductivity in iron chalcogenide and pnictide superconductors.

Impact of concurrent macrovascular co-morbidities on healthcare utilization in patients with type 2 diabetes in Europe: a matched study

AIM

To examine and to quantify the impact of concurrent macrovascular co-morbidities (MVC) on healthcare resource utilization among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Europe.

METHODS

This is a matched cohort study based on the Real-Life Effectiveness and Care Patterns of Diabetes Management study, a multicentre, observational study with retrospective medical chart reviews of T2DM patients in Spain, France, UK, Norway, Finland, Germany and Poland. Included patients were aged > or =30 years at time of diagnosis of T2DM who added a sulfonylurea or a PPARgamma agonist to failing metformin monotherapy (index date) and had concurrent MVC (cases). A control cohort with T2DM but without concurrent MVC was identified using 1:1 propensity score matching. Logit models were used to identify the relationship between concurrent MVC and the likelihood of emergency room admission, receiving medical/surgical procedures, and hospitalization during the study period after controlling for baseline demographics, clinical information and baseline treatment. Negative binomial models were used to predict the number of office visits and length of hospital stay per year attributable to the concurrent MVC.

RESULTS

Relative to controls, patients with MVC were significantly more likely to have emergency department admissions [odds ratio (OR) 2.69; 95% CI: 1.56-4.65], receiving medical/surgical procedures (OR 2.57; 95% CI: 1.56-4.21) and hospitalizations (OR 2.58; 95% CI: 1.64-4.07) after controlling for other predictors. Similarly, MVC were associated with 1.49 additional office visits per year (p = 0.036) and 0.32 days of hospital stay per year (p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Within a seven-country European sample, this study showed that T2DM patients with MVC were more likely to use healthcare resources compared with T2DM patients without MVC.