Emotion Regulation as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Cognitive Biases and Depressive Symptoms in Depressed, At-risk and Healthy Children and Adolescents

Contemporary cognitive models of depression propose that cognitive biases for negative information at the level of attention (attention biases; AB) and interpretation (interpretation biases; IB) increase depression risk by promoting maladaptive emotion regulation (ER). So far, empirical support testing interactions between these variables is restricted to non-clinical and clinical adult samples. The aim of the current study was to extend these findings to a sample of children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 109 children aged 9–14 years who completed behavioural measures of AB (passive-viewing task) and IB (scrambled sentences task) as well as self-report measures of ER and depressive symptoms. In order to maximize the variance in these outcomes we included participants with a clinical diagnosis of depression as well as non-depressed youth with an elevated familial risk of depression and non-depressed youth with a low familial risk of depression. Path model analysis indicated that all variables (AB, IB, adaptive and maladaptive ER) had a direct effect on depressive symptoms. IB and AB also had significant indirect effects on depressive symptoms via maladaptive and adaptive ER. These findings provide initial support for the role of ER as a mediator between cognitive biases and depressive symptoms and provide the foundations for future experimental and longitudinal studies. In contrast to studies in adult samples, both adaptive as well as maladaptive ER mediated the effect of cognitive biases on depressive symptoms. This suggests potentially developmental differences in the role of ER across the lifespan.

Telefitting of Nucleus Cochlear Implants: A Feasibility Study

Purpose This study aims to describe the recommended equipment and procedures required for successful telefitting, based on our experience, document and evaluate patient satisfaction with telefitting, and assess its clinical usefulness and address the existing issues. Method Twenty (seven children and 13 adults) individuals who lived far from cochlear implant (CI) centers and who were Nucleus CI users underwent conventional face-to-face fitting and telefitting. We examined the participants' subjective satisfaction and cost and time saved with the telefitting experience. Results The telefitting sessions lasted for an average of 16 min. Majority of the participants responded positively to the telefitting experience. Eighty percent (16/20) of the participants were satisfied with the new procedure, and 85% of them agreed to use telefitting again. Conclusions The results of our feasibility study suggest that telefitting was well received by CI users and is a viable alternative to local MAPping, even in young children with CIs. Although there are some limitations in terms of adaptability, telefitting could be an effective means of delivering CI service to remote locations.

Tracheostomy in Patients With COVID-19: A Single-center Experience

BACKGROUND/AIM

Tracheostomy performed on patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to the infection of operators and medical staff. To date, there are no established methods of infection control. The aim of this study was to provide helpful and useful information regarding tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis on 12 patients with severe COVID-19 who were intubated and underwent tracheostomy in our hospital.

RESULTS

Percutaneous tracheostomy was performed in eight cases, and open tracheostomy was performed in four cases. Open tracheostomy in the operating room was performed under a negative pressure closed-space system using a surgical drape to prevent aerosolization.

CONCLUSION

Our experience suggests that bedside percutaneous tracheostomy may be a useful option in patients with COVID-19. In cases where percutaneous tracheostomy is anticipated to be difficult, open tracheostomy using a negative pressure closure may be useful in preventing aerosolization and reducing the risk of infection of healthcare workers.

Endoscopy-assisted transoral resection of a parapharyngeal space schwannoma without mandibular dissection

Of the schwannomas that arise from the parapharyngeal space, those in the high cervical region are particularly invasive, requiring mandibular dissection. Because these tumors are benign, however, excessive surgical invasion and postoperative neurological complications should be avoided. Postoperative dropout symptoms may be avoided by intracapsular extraction, including nerve integrity monitoring (NIM) and narrow-band imaging (NBI). Video laryngoscopy surgery is reported to be useful for transoral resection of pharyngeal and laryngeal tumors. This report describes the transoral removal of a giant schwannoma located in the high cervical region from a 74-years-old man using a surgical support device without mandibular dissection. The tumor was located on the right lateral pharyngeal wall and extended from the upper oropharynx to the hypopharynx while compressing the epiglottis to the skull base. No separation was observed between the internal jugular vein and the internal carotid artery. The tumor was diagnosed as a schwannoma with no malignancy on the basis of the histology of a core needle biopsy (CNB), and was completely and safely removed endoscopically using NIM and NBI, with no need for an external incision or mandibular dissection. This case illustrates that even a huge sympathetic schwannoma located in the parapharyngeal space at a high cervical position can be excised transorally using video-laryngoscopic surgery (TOVS) without mandibular dissection.

Upregulation of adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 in endothelial cells promotes tumor angiogenesis in colorectal cancer

Tumor angiogenesis is an important therapeutic target in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to identify novel genes associated with angiogenesis in CRC. Using RNA sequencing analysis in normal and tumor endothelial cells (TECs) isolated from primary CRC tissues, we detected frequent upregulation of adipocyte enhancer‐binding protein 1 (AEBP1) in TECs. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that AEBP1 is upregulated in TECs and stromal cells in CRC tissues. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that there is little or no AEBP1 expression in CRC cell lines, but that AEBP1 is well expressed in vascular endothelial cells. Levels of AEBP1 expression in Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were upregulated by tumor conditioned medium derived from CRC cells or by direct coculture with CRC cells. Knockdown of AEBP1 suppressed proliferation, migration, and in vitro tube formation by HUVECs. In xenograft experiments, AEBP1 knockdown suppressed tumorigenesis and microvessel formation. Depletion of AEBP1 in HUVECs downregulated a series of genes associated with angiogenesis or endothelial function, including aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and periostin (POSTN), suggesting that AEBP1 might promote angiogenesis through regulation of those genes. These results suggest that upregulation of AEBP1 contributes to tumor angiogenesis in CRC, which makes AEBP1 a potentially useful therapeutic target.

Cytotoxic Tph-like cells are involved in persistent tissue damage in IgG4-related disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine pathological features of T peripheral helper (Tph)-like (PD-1⁺CXCR5^-CD4⁺ T) cells in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).

METHODS

Tph-like cells in the blood and submandibular glands (SMGs) from IgG4-RD patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. Correlations between level of a Tph-like cell subset and clinical parameters of IgG4-RD were investigated. The cytotoxic capacity of Tph-like cells was also examined. Expression profiles of a molecule related to a Tph-like cell subset in IgG4-RD SMGs were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Tph-like cells from IgG4-RD patients highly expressed a fractalkine receptor, CX3CR1. Percentages of circulating CX3CR1⁺ Tph-like cells were significantly correlated with clinical parameters including IgG4-RD Responder Index, number of involved organs, and serum level of soluble IL-2 receptor. CX3CR1⁺ Tph-like cells abundantly possessed cytotoxic T lymphocyte-related molecules such as granzyme A, perforin, and G protein-coupled receptor 56. Functional assays revealed their cytotoxic potential against vascular endothelial cells and ductal epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry showed that fractalkine was markedly expressed in vascular endothelial cells and ductal epithelial cells in IgG4-RD SMGs.

CONCLUSION

CX3CR1⁺ Tph-like cells are thought to contribute to persistent tissue injury in IgG4-RD and are a potential clinical marker and/or therapeutic target for inhibiting progression of IgG4-RD.

A study protocol for a randomised trial of adjunct computerised memory specificity training (c-MeST) for major depression in youth: targeting cognitive mechanisms to enhance usual care outcomes in mental health settings

Background

Youth depression is highly prevalent and is related to impairments in academic, social and behavioural functioning. Evidence-based treatments are available, but many young people do not respond or sufficiently recover with first-line options, and a significant proportion experience relapse. Consequently, there is clear scope to enhance intervention in this critical period of early-onset depression. Memory specificity training (MeST) is a low-intensity intervention for depression that targets reduced specificity when recalling memories of the past, a common cognitive vulnerability in depression. This randomised controlled trial will assess the efficacy of adding a computerised version of MeST (c-MeST) to usual care for youth depression.

Methods/design

Young people aged 15–25 years with a major depressive episode (MDE) will be recruited and randomised to have immediate access to the seven session online c-MeST program in addition to usual care, or to usual care and wait-list for c-MeST. The primary outcomes will be diagnostic status of an MDE and self-reported depressive symptoms assessed at baseline, 1-, 3- and 6-month intervals. Autobiographical memory specificity and other variables thought to contribute to the maintenance of reduced memory specificity and depression will be assessed as mediators of change.

Discussion

Online provision of c-MeST provides a simple, low-intensity option for targeting a cognitive vulnerability that predicts the persistence of depressive symptoms. If found to be efficacious as an adjunct to usual care for depressed youth, it could be suitable for broader roll-out, as c-MeST is highly accessible and implementation requires only minimal resources due to the online and automated nature of intervention.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12619000234112p. Registered on the 18 February 2019. All items from the WHO Trial Registration Data Set can be found within the protocol.

Protocol version

1.0

Impairments in episodic future thinking for positive events and anticipatory pleasure in major depression

BACKGROUND

Characteristic of the cardinal symptom of anhedonia, people with clinical depression report lower levels of anticipatory pleasure. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying these deficits are poorly understood. This is the first study to assess whether, and to what extent, phenomenological characteristics of episodic future thinking for positive future events are associated with anticipatory pleasure among depressed individuals.

METHODS

Individuals with a Major Depressive Episode (MDE; N = 117) and without (N = 47) completed ratings scales for depressive symptoms and trait anticipatory and consummatory pleasure. They then provided descriptions of personally-relevant positive future events and rated them for phenomenological characteristics and state anticipatory pleasure.

RESULTS

Between-groups analysis showed that those with MDE reported lower trait anticipatory and consummatory pleasure. They also simulated future events with less specificity, less detail/vividness, less use of mental imagery, less use of first-person perspective, less plausibility/perceived likelihood of occurring, and reported less associated state anticipatory pleasure. In regression analyses in the depressed group, lower scores for detail/vividness, mental imagery, and personal significance all uniquely predicted lower state anticipatory pleasure.

LIMITATIONS

Cognitive functioning was not assessed, which may help clarify deficits that underpin these findings. History of previous depressive episodes in the comparison group were not assessed, which may mean the observed between-group effects are underestimated.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides further evidence of deficits in episodic future thinking and anticipatory pleasure in depressed individuals. It also establishes links between particular characteristics of episodic future thinking and state anticipatory pleasure, and indicates cognitive targets that may be amenable to intervention in order to reduce anhedonia.

Localization of Tricellular Tight Junction Molecule LSR at Midbody and Centrosome During Cytokinesis in Human Epithelial Cells

Epithelial integrity and barrier function are maintained during cytokinesis in vertebrate epithelial tissues. The changes in localization and the roles of tricellular tight junction molecule lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) during cytokinesis are not well known, although new tricellular tight junctions form at the flank of the midbody during cytokinesis. In this study, we investigated the changes in localization and the role of LSR at the midbody and centrosome during cytokinesis using human endometrial carcinoma cell line Sawano, comparing the tricellular tight junction molecule tricellulin; bicellular tight junction molecules occludin, claudin-7, zonula occludens-1, and cingulin; and the epithelial polarized related molecules apoptosis-stimulating of p53 protein 2, PAR3, and yes-associated protein. During cytokinesis induced by treatment with taxol, the epithelial barrier was maintained and the tricellular tight junction molecules LSR and tricellulin were concentrated at the flank of the acetylated tubulin-positive midbody and in γ-tubulin-positive centrosomes with the dynein adaptor Hook2, whereas the other molecules were localized there as well. All the molecules disappeared by knockdown using small interfering RNAs. Furthermore, by the knockdown of Hook2, the epithelial barrier was maintained and most of the molecules disappeared from the centrosome. These findings suggest that LSR may play crucial roles not only in barrier function but also in cytokinesis.

Rho-kinase and PKCα Inhibition Induces Primary Cilia Elongation and Alters the Behavior of Undifferentiated and Differentiated Temperature-sensitive Mouse Cochlear Cells

Primary cilia, regulated via distinct signal transduction pathways, play crucial roles in various cellular behaviors. However, the full regulatory mechanism involved in primary cilia development during cellular differentiation is not fully understood, particularly for the sensory hair cells of the mammalian cochlea. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632 and PKCα inhibitor GF109203X on primary cilia-related cell behavior in undifferentiated and differentiated temperature-sensitive mouse cochlear precursor hair cells (the conditionally immortalized US/VOT-E36 cell line). Our results indicate that treatment with Y27632 or GF109203X induced primary cilia elongation and tubulin acetylation in both differentiated and undifferentiated cells. Concomitant with cilia elongation, Y27632 treatment also increased Hook2 and cyclinD1 expression, while only Hook2 expression was increased after treatment with GF109203X. In the undifferentiated cells, we observed an increase in the number of S and G2/M stage cells and a decrease of G1 cells after treatment with Y27632, while the opposite was observed after treatment with GF109203X. Finally, while both treatments decreased oxidative stress, only treatment with Y27632, not GF109203X, induced cell cycle-dependent cell proliferation and cell migration.

Induction of airway progenitor cells via p63 and KLF11 by Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632 in hTERT-human nasal epithelial cells

Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632, which is a factor in conditional reprogramming culture, induces airway progenitor clone formation. To investigate whether Y27632 enhances airway progenitor cells in nasal epithelium, primary cultures of HNECs transfected with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT-HNECs) were treated with Y27632. In TERT-HNECs treated with Y27632 for 5 days, upregulation of p63, gap junction molecules Cx26, Cx30, Cx43, cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C9, CYP2C18, CYP39A1, CYP4B1, CYP2G1P, CYP4Z1, and KLF families KLF10 and KLF11 were observed compared to the control. Downregulation of tight junction molecules claudin-4, -7, and -23 was observed. Circumfential submembrane F-actin was also induced. The functions of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and the epithelial barrier were upregulated. Knockdown of p63 by siRNAs of TAp63 or ΔNp63 inhibited Cx26, Cx43 and CYP2C18, and induced claudin-1, and -4. Knockdown of KLF11 prevented p63 expression and enhancement of the epithelial barrier function by Y27632. In nasal mucosal tissues from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), localized alteration of p63, KLF11, RhoA, Cx30 and claudin-4 was observed. Treatment with Y27632 in long-term culture induced airway progenitor cells via KLF11 in p63-positive human nasal epithelium. Airway progenitor cells of nasal epithelium induced by Y27632 is important in understanding upper airway disease-specific characteristics.

Circulating PD-1+CXCR5-CD4+ T cells underlying the immunological mechanisms of IgG4-related disease

Objective

The aim was to study the pathological role of lymphocytes with a peripheral T helper-cell-like phenotype (PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻CD4⁺) in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).

Methods

PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻CD4⁺ T cells in the blood of patients with IgG4-RD (n = 53), patients with SS (n = 16) and healthy volunteers (n = 34) as controls were analysed by flow cytometry. Correlations between results obtained by flow cytometry and clinical parameters relevant to IgG4-RD were also analysed.

Results

The percentage and absolute number of PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻ cells within total CD4⁺ T cells in IgG4-RD patients were significantly increased compared with those in healthy volunteers. Further analysis showed that there were marked positive correlations of the percentage of PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻CD4⁺ T cells with the serum level of IgG4 and the number of organs involved. Interestingly, granzyme A (GZMA)⁺ cells were enriched in PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻CD4⁺ T cells, and the percentage and absolute number of GZMA⁺PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻CD4⁺ T cells were significantly elevated in IgG4-RD patients. Although no obvious change was observed in the percentage of total CD4⁺ T cells, the percentage and absolute number of PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻CD4⁺ T cells decreased in accordance with a reduction of serum IgG4 level after treatment with glucocorticoids.

Conclusion

In IgG4-RD, circulating CD4⁺ T-cell populations were composed of PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻ cells, and the ratios of these cells were correlated with clinical manifestations of IgG4-RD. Further analysis of GZMA⁺PD-1⁺CXCR5⁻CD4⁺ T cells might lead to a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of ectopic lymphoid follicles and the persistent inflammation in IgG4-RD.

Correction: Myeloproliferative leukemia protein activation directly induces fibrocyte differentiation to cause myelofibrosis

Owing to the insufficient specificity of the anti-myeloproliferative leukemia protein (MPL) antibody in the original version of this Article, Figure 6 and parts of Figures 2a, 4e, and 5a do not represent the correct information. The corrected version of Figure 6 is in this correction and those of Figures 2a, 4e, and 5a are shown in the supplemental information.

Clinical and Prognostic Analysis of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Synchronous and Metachronous Multiple Malignancies

BACKGROUND/AIM

To analyze the clinical features and prevalence of synchronous and metachronous second primary malignancies (SPMs) in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC), their associated risk factors, and cause-specific mortality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 136 patients treated with curative intent at our hospital. Statistical analyses were performed to determine factors predictive of SPM and cause-specific mortality.

RESULTS

Sixty-three of 136 patients (46.3%) developed SPM; of these, 41 (30.1%) and 42 (30.9%) had synchronous and metachronous SPMs, respectively, with patient overlap. The most common site of synchronous and metachronous SPMs was the oesophagus (65.8% and 24.4%, respectively); the corresponding overall survival rates were 34.1% and 66.5%, respectively. Furthermore, heavy drinking was significantly correlated with synchronous SPM (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Oesophageal cancer surveillance is recommended for patients with HSCC, especially heavy drinkers. Our findings may help identify and properly manage HSCC patients at high risk of SPMs.

Evaluation of consistency in quantification of gene copy number by real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and virus titer by plaque-forming assay for human respiratory syncytial virus

The plaque-forming assay is the standard technique for determining viral titer, and a critical measurement for investigating viral replication. However, this assay is highly dependent on experimental technique and conditions. In the case of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in particular, it can be difficult to objectively confirm the accuracy of plaque-forming assay because the plaques made by RSV are often small and unclear. In recent studies, RT-qPCR methods have emerged as a supportive procedure for assessment of viral titer, yielding highly sensitive and reproducible results. In this report, we compare the viral replication, as determined by plaque-forming assay, and the copy numbers of RSV genes NS1, NS2, N, and F, as determined by RT-qPCR. Two real-time PCR systems, SYBR Green and TaqMan probe, gave highly similar results for measurement of copy numbers of RSV N genes of virus subgroups A. We determined the RSV gene copy numbers in the culture cell supernatant and cell lysate measured at various multiplicities of infection. We found that copy number of the RSV N gene in the culture supernatant and cell lysate was highly correlated with plaque-forming units. In conclusion, RT-qPCR measurement of RSV gene copy number was highly dependent on viral titer, and the detailed comparison between each gene copy number and virus titer should be useful and supportive in confirming RSV plaque-forming assay and virus dynamics. The technique may also be used to estimate the amount of RSV present in clinical specimens.

Guanylate binding protein-1-mediated epithelial barrier in human salivary gland duct epithelium

Guanylate-binding protein-1 (GBP-1) is an interferon-inducible large GTPase involved in the epithelial barrier at tight junctions. To investigate the role of GBP-1 in the epithelial barrier, primary human salivary gland duct epithelial cells were treated with the the proinflammatory cytokines IFNγ, IL-1β, TNFα and the growth factor TGF-β. Treatment with IFNγ, IL-1β, or TNFα markedly enhanced GBP-1 and the epithelial barrier function, and induced not only CLDN-7 but also the tricellular tight junction molecule lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR). Knockdown of GBP-1 by its siRNA induced endocytosis of tight junction molecules, and prevented the increases of CLDN-7 and LSR with the upregulation of the epithelial barrier function induced by treatment with IFNγ or TNFα. Treatment with a PKCα inhibitor induced expression of GBP-1, CLDN-7 and LSR and enhanced the epithelial barrier function. In almost intact salivary gland ducts from patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) indicated significant infiltration of IgG-positive plasma cells, expression of GBP-1, CLDN-7 and LSR was increased. These findings indicated that GBP-1 might play a crucial role in barrier function of normal human salivary gland duct epithelium and perform a preventive role in the duct epithelium of IgG4-RD disease.

Immunoreactivity patterns of tight junction proteins are useful for differential diagnosis of human salivary gland tumors

The expression pattern of tight junction proteins (TJPs) varies among organs and tumor types. In this study, we examined the immunoreactivity of claudin (CLDN)-1, -4, and -7, and JAM-A in salivary gland tumors (SGTs) by histological types and cell types to estimate their usefulness as differential diagnostic markers. Immunoreactivity of CLDN1 was higher in ductal epithelium cells of SGTs than in non-tumor tissues. Conversely, immunoreactivity of CLDN1 was significantly decreased in basal/myoepithelium cells of SGTs compared with that in non-tumor tissues. There was no significant difference between the immunoreactivity of CLDN1 in benign tumors and that in malignant tumors. Immunoreactivity of CLDN4, CLDN7, and JAM-A in ductal epithelium cells was higher in many SGTs than in non-tumor tissues. There was a difference depending on the histological type of SGT in immunoreactivity of CLDN4, CLDN7, and JAM-A in basaloid/myoepithelial cells. It was possible to classify SGTs by a hierarchical clustering using immunoreactivity of TJPs. The results suggest that an immunohistochemical marker panel including these TJPs may be useful for differential diagnosis of SGTs and that CLDN1 is associated with tumorigenesis of SGTs.

Correlations between skin hydration parameters and corneocyte-derived parameters to characterize skin conditions

BACKGROUND

Skin hydration is generally assessed using the parameters of skin surface water content (SWC) and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). To date, few studies have characterized skin conditions using correlations between skin hydration parameters and corneocyte parameters.

AIMS

The parameters SWC and TEWL allow the classification of skin conditions into four distinct Groups. The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristics of skin conditions classified by SWC and TEWL for correlations with parameters from corneocytes.

METHODS

A human volunteer test was conducted that measured SWC and TEWL. As corneocyte-derived parameters, the size and thick abrasion ratios, the ratio of sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bonds (SH/SS) and CP levels were analyzed.

RESULTS

Volunteers were classified by their median SWC and TEWL values into 4 Groups: Group I (high SWC/low TEWL), Group II (high SWC/high TEWL), Group III (low SWC/low TEWL), and Group IV (low SWC/high TEWL). Group IV showed a significantly smaller size of corneocytes. Groups III and IV had significantly higher thick abrasion ratios and CP levels. Group I had a significantly lower SH/SS value. The SWC/TEWL value showed a decline in order from Group I to Group IV.

CONCLUSION

Groups classified by their SWC and TEWL values showed characteristic skin conditions. We propose that the SWC and TEWL ratio is a comprehensive parameter to assess skin conditions.