Good Sleep Quality Improves the Relationship Between Pain and Depression Among Individuals With Chronic Pain

Individuals with chronic pain often experience co-existing sleep problems and depression-related states. Chronic pain, sleep problems, and depression interrelate, and have been shown to exacerbate one another, which negatively impacts quality of life. This study explored the relationships between pain severity, pain interference, sleep quality, and depression among individuals with chronic pain. Secondly, we tested whether sleep quality may moderate the relationship between pain and depression. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 1,059 adults with non-malignant chronic pain conditions (Mage 43 years, 88% identified as women) and collected measures related to pain severity, pain interference, sleep quality and depression. Multiple regression analyses found that pain severity, pain interference and sleep quality are all significantly associated with depression. Secondly, moderated regression analyses revealed that sleep quality moderates the relationship between pain interference and depression among individuals with chronic pain such that good sleep quality attenuates the effect of pain interference on depression, and poor sleep quality amplifies the effect of pain interference on depression. These findings suggest that sleep quality may be a relevant therapeutic target for individuals with chronic pain and co-existing depression

Acute impact of a national lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing outcomes among individuals with chronic pain

Changes to wellbeing in a community- based sample of 638 adults with non-malignant chronic pain were assessed during a period of mandated lockdown measures in the UK to control the COVID-19 outbreak. Participants completed an online survey pre-lockdown and were followed up during lockdown. Multivariate analysis demonstrate that decreased ability to self-manage, restricted access to healthcare and increased dependence on others were associated with negative wellbeing outcomes related to sleep, anxiety and depression. Essential but nonurgent services are required during periods of lockdown to maintain independence and self-management in order to preserve wellbeing in this population

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Mental Health and Sleep in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are prevalent among university students in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students’ mental health and sleep in Saudi Arabia. Method: A total of 582 undergraduate students from Saudi Arabia aged between 18 and 45 years old (M = 20.91, SD = 3.17) completed a cross-sectional online questionnaire measuring depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). Analysis included an independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: Undergraduate students reported high levels of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress and low levels of resilience (p < 0.001) during the pandemic. In addition, students reported experiencing insomnia. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that lower resilience, high levels of insomnia, having a pre-existing mental health condition, and learning difficulties (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia) were significantly associated with high levels of depression and stress. In addition, lower resilience, a high level of insomnia, and pre-existing mental health conditions were significantly associated with high levels of anxiety. Finally, a lower level of psychological resilience and a high level of insomnia were significantly associated with increased levels of depression, anxiety and stress within university students. CONCLUSION: This study has provided evidence that a lower level of psychological resilience and insomnia were associated with mental health problems among undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia, thus enhancing psychological resilience and interventions to support sleep and mental health are vital to support student well-being outcomes throughout the pandemic

Good Sleep Quality Improves the Relationship Between Pain and Depression Among Individuals With Chronic Pain

Individuals with chronic pain often experience co-existing sleep problems and depression-related states. Chronic pain, sleep problems, and depression interrelate, and have been shown to exacerbate one another, which negatively impacts quality of life. This study explored the relationships between pain severity, pain interference, sleep quality, and depression among individuals with chronic pain. Secondly, we tested whether sleep quality may moderate the relationship between pain and depression. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 1,059 adults with non-malignant chronic pain conditions (M^{age} 43 years, 88% identified as women) and collected measures related to pain severity, pain interference, sleep quality, and depression. Multiple regression analyses found that pain severity, pain interference, and sleep quality are all significantly associated with depression. Secondly, moderated regression analyses revealed that sleep quality moderates the relationship between pain interference and depression among individuals with chronic pain such that good sleep quality attenuates the effect of pain interference on depression, and poor sleep quality amplifies the effect of pain interference on depression. These findings suggest that sleep quality may be a relevant therapeutic target for individuals with chronic pain and co-existing depression

Acute impact of a national lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing outcomes among individuals with chronic pain

Changes to wellbeing in a community-based sample of 638 adults with non-malignant chronic pain were assessed during a period of mandated lockdown measures in the UK to control the COVID-19 outbreak. Participants completed an online survey pre-lockdown and were followed up during lockdown. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that decreased ability to self-manage pain, restricted access to healthcare and increased dependence on others were associated with negative wellbeing outcomes related to sleep, anxiety and depression. Essential but non-urgent services are required during periods of lockdown to maintain independence and self-management in order to preserve wellbeing in this population

Paediatric musculoskeletal infections with Panton-Valentine leucocidin.

Paediatric musculoskeletal infections by Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-producing Staphylococcus aureus constitute a rare, but highly critical event. They are characterised by a rapid course of marked inflammation, worsening under conservative therapy and a high rate of recurrence. This study aimed to illustrate the importance of paediatric PVL-producing S. aureus musculoskeletal infections in western Switzerland. Case records, clinical parameters and biological assessments of children with musculoskeletal infections due to PVL-producing S. aureus who attended the University Hospitals of Lausanne and Geneva from 2008 to 2016 were studied retrospectively. Of the nine cases (seven male), four presented with haematogenous acute osteomyelitis, two with septic arthritis, and three with skin and soft tissue infections. Laboratory analysis revealed mean values for white blood cell count of 12,700/mm3, C-reactive protein (CRP) 171mg/l, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 62 mm/h and platelet count 241,000/mm3. Notably, fever and laboratory values were higher for osteoarticular infections. PVL was produced by methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) in eight cases and by community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) in one case. PVL was identified in blood cultures (six cases), operative samples (seven cases) and an oral swab (one case). Treatment relied on surgical procedures, endorsed by two-agent antimicrobial therapy for up to 9 weeks. Complications included recurrent infections (five cases), pathological fracture (one case) and growth arrest (two cases), as well as an important psychological impact (one case). The results of this study highlight the low prevalence of PVL-producing S. aureus musculoskeletal infections in the paediatric population in our region. Nevertheless, given the importance of complications, the recurrence rate and the duration of treatment, clinicians caring for children need to be especially well versed with the peculiarity of this entity. Retrospective case series. IV

The 2021 NICE guidelines for assessment and management of chronic pain: A cross-sectional study mapping against a sample of 1,000* in the community

Objectives To characterise the prevailing pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management strategies among adults with chronic pain, comparing these against the newly published NICE guidelines NG-193, and examine these pre-NG-193 pain management strategies in relation to pain severity, pain interference, sleep quality and mental health outcomes. Design This study was conducted using a cross-sectional online survey study design. Setting This study was conducted on a community-dwelling cohort. Participants Adults aged 18+, living in the UK, with diagnosis of chronic pain by a health care professional. Main outcome measures Primary outcomes were characterisation of the pain management strategies utilised. Secondary outcomes were related to pain severity, pain interference, sleep quality, depression and anxiety via validated self-report measures. Results Several strategies were employed by respondents to manage their chronic pain condition including physical therapy, exercise, psychological therapy and pharmacological therapy. The data also indicated a high level of joint-care planning among patients and their clinicians. Some group differences were found in relation to pain, sleep and mental health outcomes. Conclusion This study set a comparative starting baseline to which the efficacy of the NG-193 may be compared in future years. There is evidence that NICE recommendations are being followed for the management of chronic primary pain conditions; however, pharmacological use of opioid drugs is still reported by 47%. Despite the confirmed evidence in this study of small efficacy of chronic pain by pharmacological agent, the reduction in the use of pain relief medications be it over the counter medications or prescription opioids, as recommended by NG-193, may be slow to be adopted. The data suggest that more care provision is needed to meet the recommendations around pharmacological management and review

Kinetic theory and dynamic structure factor of a condensate in the random phase approximation

We present the microscopic kinetic theory of a homogeneous dilute Bose condensed gas in the generalized random phase approximation (GRPA), which satisfies the following requirements: 1) the mass, momentum and energy conservation laws; 2) the H-theorem; 3) the superfluidity property and 4) the recovery of the Bogoliubov theory at zero temperature \cite{condenson}. In this approach, the condensate influences the binary collisional process between the two normal atoms, in the sense that their interaction force results from the mediation of a Bogoliubov collective excitation traveling throughout the condensate. Furthermore, as long as the Bose gas is stable, no collision happens between condensed and normal atoms. In this paper, we show how the kinetic theory in the GRPA allows to calculate the dynamic structure factor at finite temperature and when the normal and superfluid are in a relative motion. The obtained spectrum for this factor provides a prediction which, compared to the experimental results, allows to validate the GRPA. PACS numbers:03.75.Hh, 03.75.Kk, 05.30.-dComment: 6 pages, 1 figures, QFS2004 conferenc

An acetylation-mono-ubiquitination switch on lysine 120 of H2B.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histones are crucial for transcriptional control, defining positive and negative chromatin territories. A switch of opposing functional significance between acetylation and methylation occurs on many residues. Lysine 120 of H2B is modified by two PTMs: ubiquitination, which is required for further trans-tail H3 methylations and elongation, and acetylation, whose role is less clear. ChIP-Seq with MNase I-treated chromatin indicates that H2BK120ac is present on nucleosomes immediately surrounding the TSS of transcribed or poised units, but not in core promoters. In kinetic ChIP analysis of ER-stress inducible genes, H2BK120ac precedes activation and H2B-ub deposition. Using in vitro acetylation assays, pharmacologic inhibition and RNAi, we established that KAT3 is responsible for H2BK120ac. Interestingly, the global levels of H2B-ub decreased in KAT3-inactivated cells. However, RNF20 recruitment was not impaired by KAT3-inactivation. Our data point at acetylation of Lysine 120 of H2B as an early mark of poised or active state and establish a temporal sequence between acetylation and mono-ubiquitination of this H2B residue