Dosage effects of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on cortical surface area and functional connectivity

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that leads to a valine-to-methionine substitution at codon 66 (Val66Met) in BDNF is correlated with differences in cognitive and memory functions, as well as with several neurological and psychiatric disorders.MRIstudies have already shown that this genetic variant contributes to changes in cortical thickness and volume, but whether the Val66Met polymorphism affects the cortical surface area of healthy subjects remains unclear. Here, we used multimodal MRI to study whether this polymorphism would affect the cortical morphology and resting-state functional connectivity of a large sample of healthy Han Chinese human subjects. An SNP-wise general linear model analysis revealed a "dosage effect" of the Met allele, specifically a stepwise increase in cortical surface area of the right anterior insular cortex with increasing numbers of the Met allele. Moreover, we found enhanced functional connectivity between the anterior insular and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices that was linked with the dosage of the Met allele. In conclusion, these data demonstrated a "dosage effect" ofBDNFVal66Met on normal cortical structure and function, suggesting anewpath for exploring the mechanisms underlying the effects of genotype on cognition

Biocontrol of the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata, by the tachinid fly Exorista civilis is synergized by Cry1Ab protoxin

Tritrophic interactions between Mythimna separata, its tachinid parasite Exorista civilis and the Cry1Ab were examined. Although 6th instar M. separata mortality increased with increasing Cry1Ab concentration, some tolerance was evident. Likewise, parasitization by E. civilis resulted in only 18% host mortality. However, combination of Cry1Ab and E. civilis parasitization resulted in a significant Cry1Ab dose-dependent increase in mortality over that of either alone, including a 50–56% synergistic increase in efficacy at the two concentrations tested. Pupal weight, adult emergence and lifetime fecundity of M. separata derived from larvae surviving both agents were negatively affected. The ability of E. civilis to parasitize and subsequently develop on the host was not adversely influenced by Cry1Ab. Instead, pupation rate increased significantly among host larvae fed 3.125 μg/g Cry1Ab diet. Overall, our results demonstrate that use of Cry1Ab to control M. separata not only is compatible with the use of the tachinid parasitoid, but that the two methods can act synergistically to manage this destructive pest, provide support for the safety of transgenic Cry1Ab Bt plants in China. This example of two independent pest management strategies acting synergistically against a difficult pest offers a new perspective of broad significance in striving for agricultural sustainability

Persistence and Nonpersistence of a Predator Prey System with Stochastic Perturbation

We analyze a predator prey model with stochastic perturbation. First, we show that this system has a unique positive solution. Then, we deduce conditions that the system is persistent in time average. Furthermore, we show the conditions that there is a stationary distribution of the system which implies that the system is permanent. After that, conditions for the system going extinct in probability are established. At last, numerical simulations are carried out to support our results

Persistence and Nonpersistence of a Predator Prey System with Stochastic Perturbation

We analyze a predator prey model with stochastic perturbation. First, we show that this system has a unique positive solution. Then, we deduce conditions that the system is persistent in time average. Furthermore, we show the conditions that there is a stationary distribution of the system which implies that the system is permanent. After that, conditions for the system going extinct in probability are established. At last, numerical simulations are carried out to support our results

Aqueous Extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on Memory Impairment Induced by Ovariectomy in Mice

The present study aims to test two different doses of aqueous extract of black maca on learning and memory in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and their relation with malonalehyde (MDA), acetylcholinesterase (Ache) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) brain levels. Female mice were divided into five groups: (i) naive (control), (ii) sham, (iii) OVX mice and OVX mice treated with (iv) 0.50 g kg−1 and (v) 2.00 g kg−1 black maca. Mice were orally treated with distilled water or black maca during 35 days starting 7 days after surgery. Memory and learning were assessed using the water Morris maze (from day 23–27) and the step-down avoidance test (days 34 and 35). At the end of each treatment, mice were sacrificed by decapitation and brains were dissected out for MDA, Ache and MAO determinations. Black maca (0.5 and 2.0 g/kg) increased step-down latency when compared to OVX control mice. Black maca decreased MDA and Ache levels in OVX mice; whereas, no differences were observed in MAO levels. Finally, black maca improved experimental memory impairment induced by ovariectomy, due in part, by its antioxidant and Ache inhibitory activities

Association between activities of daily living and depressive symptoms among older adults in China: evidence from the CHARLS

ObjectiveThe limitation of activities of daily living (ADL) affects the mental health of older adults. We distinguished activities of daily living into basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and aimed to explore the relationship between the two limitations and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults by using nationally representative cross-sectional data.MethodsData from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, wave 4) were used, and 9,789 older adults aged 60 years and above were screened. The 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D-10) scale was used to measure the depressive symptoms of older adults, and a 12-item scale for ADL was used to estimate functional limitations. Generalized linear mixed-effect models were employed to examine the relationship between BADL/IADL and depressive symptoms among older adults.ResultsThe prevalence of high-risk depression among older adults was 43.5%, and the rates of limitation in BADL and IADL were 19.02 and 25.29%, respectively. The prevalence of high-risk depression significantly differed among subgroups of smoking, drinking, chronic diseases, duration of sleep, having social activities or not, and the type of medical insurance. Older adults with limited BADL or IADL were at a higher risk of depression than those without limitations of BADL or IADL; BADL (OR-adjusted = 2.71; 95% CI: 2.40–3.06) and IADL (OR-adjusted = 2.68; 95% CI: 2.41–2.98) had various influences on the risk of depression in older adults.ConclusionADL was a related factor in the risk of depression among older adults in China. BADL and IADL had different effects on the risk of depression, suggesting that older adults with physical function limitations might be more likely to suffer from depression

Secondary pulmonary infection and co-infection in elderly COVID-19 patients during the pandemics in a tertiary general hospital in Beijing, China

BackgroundMost people are infected with COVID-19 during pandemics at the end of 2022. Older patients were more vulnerable. However, the incidence of secondary bacterial, fungal or viral pulmonary infection and co-infection is not well described in elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all elderly (≥65 years) hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from December 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023. Demographics, underlying diseases, treatments, and laboratory data were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the risk factors associated with secondary bacterial, fungal or viral pulmonary infection and co-infection.ResultsA total of 322 older patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. The incidence of secondary bacterial, fungal or viral pulmonary infection and co-infection was 27.3% (88/322) and 7.5% (24/322), respectively. The overall in-hospital mortality of all patients was 32.9% (106/322), and the in-hospital mortality among patients who acquired with secondary pulmonary infection and co-infection was 57.0% (57/100). A total of 23.9% (77/322) of patients were admitted to ICU within 48 h of hospitalization. The incidence of secondary pulmonary infection and co-infection among patients admitted to the ICU was 50.6% (39/77) and 13.0% (10/77), respectively. The overall in-hospital mortality of ICU patients was 48.1% (37/77), and the in-hospital mortality of ICU patients acquired with secondary pulmonary infection and co-infection was 61.4% (27/44). A total of 83.5% (269/322) of the included patients received empirical antibiotic therapy before positive Clinical Microbiology results. Influenza A virus (the vast majority were the H3N2 subtype) was the most common community acquired pathogen for co-infection. While A. baumannii, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa were the common hospital acquired pathogens for co-infection and secondary pulmonary infection. The incidence of Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) infections was high, and the mortality reached 76.9%. Predictors of secondary pulmonary infection and co-infection were ICU admission within 48 h of hospitalization, cerebrovascular diseases, critical COVID-19, and PCT > 0.5 ng/mL.ConclusionThe prognosis for elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients with secondary pulmonary infection or co-infection is poor. The inflammatory biomarker PCT > 0.5 ng/mL played an important role in the early prediction of secondary pulmonary infection and co-infection in COVID-19 patients

Association of heat shock protein polymorphisms with patient susceptibility to coronary artery disease comorbid depression and anxiety in a Chinese population

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the severe diseases that threaten human health worldwide. In addition, the associated rate of comorbidity with depression and anxiety is extremely high. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of proteins that possesses cardiovascular and psychological protection properties. The objective of this study is to determine the association of the two most widely studied HSPs, namely, HSP70 and HSP90, with CAD comorbid depression and anxiety in a Chinese population. Methods A case-control study involving 271 CAD patients and 113 healthy individuals was conducted. The 271 CAD patients include individuals with (123) and without depression (148) and individuals with (57) and without anxiety (214). Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for HSP70 and seven SNPs for HSP90 were selected and genotyped. Results Results revealed that the HSP70 rs10892958 C allele and HSP70 rs2236658 T allele were associated with a decreased risk of CAD (P < 0.05), whereas the G allele of the rs11218941 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of CAD. The haplotype analysis results indicated that the haplotype TGGGC of the HSPA8 gene (coded the HSP70 family, rs4936770/rs4802/rs10892958/rs11218941/rs2236658) significantly increased the risk of CAD (P = 0.008). Among the patients with CAD, the carriers of the CC genotype for the HSP90 rs1042665 showed higher risks of anxiety than the carriers of another genotypes. However, no significant relationships were found among the CAD with depression and CAD without depression groups for the selected SNPs. These findings suggested that the genetic polymorphisms in the HSP gene, especially the HSPA8 of HSP70, contribute to CAD susceptibility and rs1042665 genetic polymorphisms might have an effect on the anxiety incidence among CAD patients