Metabolic,autonomic and immune markers for cardiovascular disease in posttraumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) has been associated with significantly greater incidence of heart disease.Numerous studies have indicated that health problems for individuals with PTSD occur earlier in life than in the general population. Multiple mechanistic pathways have been suggested to explain cardiovascular disese(CVD)risk in PTSD,including neurochemical,behavioral,and immunological changes. The present paper is a review of recent research that examines cardiovascular and immune risk profiles of individuals with PTSD. First,we address the relatively new evidence that the constellation of risk factors commonly experienced in PTSD fits the profile of metabolic syndrome. Next we examine the findings concerning hypertension/blood pressure in particular. The literature on sympathetic and parasympathetic responsivity in PTSD is reviewed. Last,we discuss recent findings concerning immune functioning in PTSD that may have a bearing on the high rates of CVD and other illnesses. Our primary goal is to synthesize the existing literature by examining factors that overlap mechanistically to increase the risk of developing CVD in PTSD.

Comparison of nutritional intake in US adolescent swimmers and non-athletes

Swimming is a very popular sport among adolescents in the US. Little is known about the diet of competitive adolescent swimmers in the US but data from other countries indicate several inadequacies, including excessive intake of fat and lower than recommended intake of carbohydrate and several micronutrients that may affect athletic performance and bone accrual. We assessed usual diet, using a food frequency questionnaire and calcium checklist, among 191 adolescent males and females [91 swimmers (mean 13.7, s = 2.5 years) and 100 non-athletes (mean 14.4, s = 2.8 years)]. For both males and females, swimmers and non-athletes generally had similar average intakes of macro- and micro-nutrients, including higher than recommended amounts of total fat (36%) and saturated fat (12%), and inadequate amounts of calcium, vitamin D, and daily servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. This first study of nutritional intake among adolescent swimmers in the US suggests that dietary habits of adolescents who swim competitively may jeopardize optimal athletic performance and place them at risk for future chronic diseases, including osteoporosis.

Gas Phase Thermodynamic Properties of Polychlorinated Xanthones Predicted with DFT Method and Cl Substituted Position

The gas phase thermodynamic properties of 135 polychlorinated xanthones(PCXTs)are calculated using a combination of quantum mechanical computations performed with the Gaussian 03 program at the B3LYP/6-311G**level.It is found that the chlorine substitution pattern strongly influences the thermodynamic properties of the compounds.The thermodynamic properties of congeners with the same number of chlorines also depend on the chlorine substitution pattern,especially for ortho-substituted congeners.PCXT congeners with one phenyl ring fully chlorinated are found to be the least stable among the analogues.The effect of the chlorine substitution pattern is quantitatively studied by considering the number and position of Cl atom substitution(NPCS).The results show that the NPCS model may be used to predict the thermodynamic properties for all 135 PCXT congeners. In addition,the values of molar heat capacities at constant pressure(cp,m)from 200 to 1000 K for PCXT congeners are calculated,and the temperature dependence relation of this parameter is obtained using the least-squares method.

Professional Ethical Concerns and Recommendations on Psychological Interventions during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

When COVID-19 pandemic hit China,Chinese clinical psychologists,counselors and other practitioners reacted quickly to provide psychological interventions for different target groups.Different professional ethical concerns and potential transgressions arose during different stages of pandemic.This paper aimed to summarize different ethical concerns and transgressions during different stages of pandemic in China,as well as how the professional ethical workgroup in the registration system of clinical psychologists and professional organizations of Chinese Psychological Society(CPS)to publish a series of documents as recommendations on ethical practice.It is hoped by providing a picture of“problems vs.solutions”in terms of professional ethical issues on psychological interventions for COVID-19 pandemic in China,the paper may provide certain inspirations as well as emotional support to clinical practitioners from other countries and regions who have beenfighting the pandemic.

Biological mechanisms underlying the liver's regulation of emotions in women: A study using the Trier Social Stress Test

Objective:Research on the biological mechanisms by which the liver controls dispersion and regulates emotion usually focuses on psychological stress.This study investigated the biological mechanisms underlying the liver's regulation of emotion using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).Differences in subjective stress,subjective emotion,and physiological responses were examined between healthy women (Group A) and depressed women with liver qi stagnation syndrome (Group B).Method:Subjects were 72 women who met the inclusion criteria after physical examination.The EPQ-RSC,BAI,and BDI-21 were used to assess personality and emotion.Subjects completed a 5-point scale to measure subjective stress.Heart rate and heart rate variability were measured.To measure changes in activity of the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LCNE)/autonomic nervous system and the HPA axis,saliva samples were collected at the end of the rest and preparation periods,and 5 time pionts after the TSST task.The PAD Emotion Scale was completed at 4 time points before and after the TSST task.Saliva cortisol was tested.These indexes were compared between the two groups.Results:There were 33 subjects in Group A and 39 subjects in Group B.Subjects in Group B had lower levels of stress,pleasure,and dominance,but higher arousal (after the task:P <.05).They also had higher saliva cortisol levels,slower heart rate,higher BVP,and more stable RMSSD and SDNN.Conclusion:In relation to mood,the liver's regulation of emotion mainly affects negative emotional experience and the sense of control Regarding the biological mechanisms underlying the liver's regulation of emotion,the activity of the LC-NE/autonomic nervous system in women is more obvious in response to psychological stress when the dispersion of the liver is normal.The activity of the HPA axis in women is more obvious in response to psychological stress when the dispersion of the liver is abnormal.

Structural Gender Inequality and Mental Health among Chinese Men and Women

Little is known about the association between structural gender inequality and health in patriarchal China.This study employed a sample from the Chinese Women’s Social Status,consisting of 26,139 participants aged 18 and 70 years(13,494 women and 12,645 men).Structural gender inequality was assessed at the macro-,meso-,and micro-levels.Mental health was measured by the summed scores of eight questions on depressive symptoms.Multilevel linear regression was applied for analysis.Results showed that total sex ratio at birth was associated with poorer mental health among women and men but sex ratio at birth of the second-born child predicted better mental health.Gender inequality at meso-level resulted in poorer mental health and gender inequality at micro-level was associated with poorer mental health both for men and women.Eliminating structural gender inequality promotes populations’mental health in China.

Cognitive behavioral therapy group intervention for HIV transmission risk behavior in perinatally infected adolescents

Purpose: This study analyzed treatment effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group counseling intervention on HIV transmission risk behavior, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use in HIV perinatally infected adolescents attending an HIV clinical care center in Uganda, Africa. Method: A total of 186 adolescents were randomly assigned to an experimental or control arm and assigned into groups of 11 - 16 adolescents. The experimental groups received an 80-minute CBT based weekly intervention for 8 consecutive weeks, while the control groups received only standard group care. Data from self report assessments were analyzed at pre- and post-test using repeated measures of analysis of variance. The participants, analyzed by variable, included 115 for sexual behavior, 106 for depression, 88 for anxiety, and 115 for alcohol use. Results: The results from the study show a large significant difference (p = 0.006) between the experimental and control groups on the anxiety variable. There were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups on the variables of sexual behavior (p = 0.876), depression (p = 0.700), and alcohol use (p = 0.815). There was an indication of reduced levels of HIV sexual transmission risk behavior, depression, and alcohol use levels in the participants in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusions: Risky sexual behavior places HIV perinatally infected adolescents at risk of re-infection, sexually transmitted diseases, and transmitting HIV to their sexual partners. CBT group counseling intervention equipped the participating adolescents with appropriate life skills to deal with psychological distress and anxiety often seen in their lives and may be useful in routine medical care to reduce transmission risks and improve wellness and call for its incorporation into HIV preventive programs and counselor education.

Distribution of intraocular pressure and its determinants in an Iranian adult population

AIMTo determine the distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) and its determinants in an Iranian population.METHODSIn a cross-sectional survey, random cluster sampling was conducted from the 40-64 years old population of Shahroud, in the north of Iran. All participants had optometry and ophthalmic exams. IOP was determined using the Goldmann tonometry method and biometric components were measured.RESULTSOf the 6311 people selected for the study, 5190 (82.2%) participated. The mean age of the participants was 50.9&#x000b1;6.2y and 58.7% of them were female. Mean IOP was 12.87&#x000b1;2.27 mm Hg. In this study 0.3% of the participants had an IOP higher than 21 mm Hg. The multiple linear regression model revealed that sex (Coef=-0.30; 95% CI: -0.43 to -0.17), diabetes (Coef=0.43; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.67), high systolic blood pressure (Coef=0.02; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.02), high body mass index (BMI) (Coef=0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.04), higher education (Coef=0.02, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.04), thicker central corneal thickness (Coef=0.01; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.02), and myopic shift in spherical equivalent (Coef=-0.14; 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.10) significantly correlated with high IOP.CONCLUSIONThe IOP in this 40-64 years old population is low overall. In the north of Iran, average IOP is statistically significantly correlated with female sex, diabetes, higher BMI, systolic blood pressure, higher education, thicker cornea, and myopic refractive error.

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Risk Behavior, and Recent Substance Use in a Sample of Urban Drug Users: Findings by Race and Sex

The aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence of HIV, past six-month illicit drug use, and risk behaviors among a population of heavy drug users living in an urban setting. Although many studies investigate substance use, sex-risk behavior, and HIV by race and gender, no studies have examined these variables simultaneously. The current study seeks to fill this gap in the literature by exploring HIV prevalence among a predominantly heterosexual sample of recent substance users by injection drug use (IDU) status, race, and sex. Baseline data from the Baltimore site of the NEURO-HIV epidemiologic study was used in this study. This study examines neuropsychological and social-behavioral risk factors of HIV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C among both injection and non-injection drug users. Descriptive statistics and chi-square statistics were used in data analyses. Blood and urine samples were obtained to test for the presence of recent drug use, viral hepatitis, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Findings presented here have several important implications for HIV prevention and care among substance users. Intervention programs that incorporate substance use treatment in addition to HIV education, particularly with respect to substance use and sex risk behavior are imperative.

New Strategy and Kinetic Energy Regeneration for the Developmen of China’s Urban Agglomeration

The rapid development of modern urban agglomerations has reshaped the territory of China’s economic geography and reconstructed the spatial forms of Chinese cities and regions.Since the reform and opening-up,China’s urban agglomerations have experienced three stages,i.e.spontaneous cultivation,rapid growth,and the super leading role of planning.The gian development area composed of super urban agglomerations is becoming an emerging geographic unit that improves the urban development quality promotes regional integration processes and participates in global industria competition and innovative resource allocations in China.While encountering challenges such as insufficient innovation kinetic energy and implementation difficulties of cross-regional coordination mechanisms,it has also ushered in new opportunities brought about by the shift of the global urban network system focus,the accelerated formation of high-speed rail urban belts,the rise of innovative geographic unit communities,etc.As entering the new era,centering on the high-quality development requirements of urbanization and urban agglomerations,China should establish a new mechanism for more effective coordinated regional development,build an urban pattern of coordinated development of large,medium and small cities and towns with urban agglomerations as the main body,comprehensively enhance the competitiveness of urban agglomerations and regions,and take a steady and innovation-driven road to modernization.

Effects of the menstrual cycle and neuroticism on women's sadness emotion and physiological responses based on an emotion-inducing experiment

Objective:To investigate the diversity of experiences of sadness emotion and physiological responses among female college students with high neuroticism (HN) and low neuroticism (LN) during the late luteal phase (LLP) and early follicular phase (EFP).Methods:Forty-two participants were classified as the HN group and 41 as the LN group based on their neuroticism score (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale for Chinese).Participants watched sadness-inducing experimental films during the LLP and EFP.Results:The HN group showed similar sadness intensities in both phases.The LN group showed higher sadness intensity in the LLP than the EFP.The LN group's sadness scale assessments were lower than the HN group in both phases.The blood volume pulse in the HN group fell in both the LLP and EFP (both P <.001).The root mean square standard deviation of NN intervals rose in the EFP in the HN group before and after watching experimental films (P =.027),but fell in the LN group (P >.05).Between-group comparisons showed heart rate was significantly lower in the HN group than the LN group during EFP (P =.009),but there were no statistically significant differences in subjective experience and physiological data during LLP.The HN group had stronger sadness feelings and greater sadness arousal than the LN group during EFP.There were significant associations between menstrual cycle-related changes in sadness ratings and changes in physiological outcomes.Conclusion:Women with HN have less fluctuation in sadness than those with LN during the menstrual cycle,but experience strong sadness feelings in the LLP.Women with HN show stronger physiological responses in the EFP than those with LN,and have the highest responses in the LLP.

Body weight misperception and psychological distress among young South Korean adults:the role of physical activity

Background:Emerging evidence suggests that body weight misperception may be associated with psychological distress among people in developed countries.Participating in physical activity(PA)may negate the association between weight misperception and psychological distress given the well-known benefits of PA on psychological health.This study examined the role of PA in associations between body weight misperception and psychological distress among young South Korean adults.Methods:Data from individuals aged 20 to 39 years who participated in the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2010-2012(N=6055)was included in the logistic regressions.Results:The proportions of the respondents under-and over-perceiving their body weight were 66.9%and 0.8%among men and 16.3%and 15.6%among women respectively.A moderating effect of PA participation was observed on the relationship between body weight over-perception and depressed mood(Odds Ratio[OR]=0.55;95%Confidence Intervals[95%CI]=0.34,0.89).Among individuals who did not meet the recommended vigorous-intensity PA(≥20 min/session and≥3 day/week),body weight over-perception was associated with depressed mood(OR=1.71,95%CI=1.19,2.46)compared to the accurate-perception group.However,no association was observed among those who met the recommended vigorous-intensity PA(OR=1.52,95%CI=0.45,5.22).Similar patterns were found among physically active versus inactive individuals(recommended walking not met:OR=2.02,95%CI=1.29,3.15;recommended walking met:OR=1.28,95%CI=0.66,2.49;muscular strengthening exercises for<2 day/week:OR=1.74,95%CI=1.21,2.51;muscular strengthening exercises for≥2 day/week:OR=1.38,95%CI=0.37,5.14).No relationship existed between body weight over-perception and depressed mood after adjusting for PA.Conclusions:Participating in regular PA may buffer a potential negative impact of body weight over-perception on depressive mood.

Assessing the prevalence of young children living in households prepared for COVID-19 in 56 low-and middle-income countries

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic and governments’attempts to contain it are negatively affecting young children’s health and development in ways we are only beginning to understand and measure.Responses to the pandemic are driven largely by confining children and families to their homes.This study aims to assess the levels of and associated socioeconomic disparities in household preparedness for protecting young children under the age of five from being exposed to communicable diseases,such as COVID-19,in low-and middle-income countries(LMICs).Methods:Using data from nationally representative household surveys in 56 LMICs since 2016,we estimated the percentages of young children under the age of five living in households prepared for communicable diseases(e.g.,COVID-19)and associated residential and wealth disparities at the country-and aggregate-level.Preparedness was defined on the basis of space for quarantine,adequacy of toilet facilities and hand hygiene,mass media exposure at least once a week,and phone ownership.Disparities within countries were measured as the absolute gap in two domains—household wealth and residential area-and compared across regions and country income groups.Results:The final data set included 766,313 children under age five.On average,19.4%of young children in the 56 countries lived in households prepared for COVID-19,ranging from 0.6%in Ethiopia in 2016 to 70.9%in Tunisia in 2018.In close to 90%of countries(50),fewer than 50%of young children lived in prepared households.Young children in rural areas or in the poorest households were less likely to live in prepared households than their counterparts.Conclusions:A large portion of young children under the age of five in LMICs were living in households that did not meet all preparedness guidelines for preventing COVID-19 and caring for patients at home.This study highlights the need to ensure all families in LMICs have the means to prevent the spread of the pandemic or other communicable illnesses to young children during pandemics.

Correction to:Assessing the prevalence of young children living in households prepared for COVID-19 in 56 low-and middle-income countries

Correction to:Global Health Research and Policy(2022)7:18 https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-022-00254-2 Following publication of the original article[1],the authors reported that one reference number needs to be corrected,and the captions listed in the Supplementary Information section need to be updated.The original article[1]has been corrected.

Factors influencing subjective symptoms in dry eye disease

AIM: To retrospectively investigate the association between dry eye symptoms and clinical or in vivo confocal microscopy parameters in patients with dry eye disease(DED), and to compare these parameters between eyes with DED and normal subjects.METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional, controlled study comprised 25 consecutive patients with non-Sj?gren dry eye disease and age-and sex-matched 25 healthy subjects. Each patient underwent a complete examination of the ocular surface in the following order: tear osmolarity measurements, InflammaDry test, tear break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test, subjective symptoms questionnaire using the dry eye-related qualityof-life score(DEQS), and in vivo confocal microscopy analysis of the central cornea. Beck depression inventory(BDI) as depressive scale and history of medications and smoking were also evaluated. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the factors affecting the DEQS.RESULTS: In univariate analysis, DEQS was associated with tear break-up time(ρ=-0.48, P=0.01), oral medications, such as hypotensive drug(ρ=0.56, P=0.004) and antidepressant(ρ=0.57, P=0.003), and BDI(ρ=0.61, P=0.001) in patients with DED. In multiple regression analysis, explanatory variables relevant to the DEQS were the anti-depressant medications(P=0.04, partial regression coefficient B=21.04) and BDI(P=0.02, B=0.76, adjusted R2=0.54) in these patients. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a significant association between depression and dry eye symptoms. It suggests that dry eye symptoms associate with higher depressive symptoms and its medications, although our patients were not followed longitudinally.

Acclimation during spaceflight:effects on human emotion

Recently,studies on the extent to which spaceflight affects the psychology of individuals has received attention.In order to reveal the mental challenges that humans face in space,we need practical viewpoints to integrate the psychological effects,behavior,performance and the environment itself for space exploration.The present review discusses the individual variables related to space psychology and manned spaceflight,in addition to their growing trends.These items include patterns of emotional changes in extreme environments and the approaches to evaluating emotions.Moreover,the review concludes with suggested future research on emotion during spaceflight and its analogs.These data and information are needed to plan for the exploration of the Moon and Mars,along with contributions to the construction of the international space station(ISS) and astronaut training.

Subjective Social Status,Income Inequality and Subjective Perceptions of Mobility(2003-2013)

Using a sample of over 90,000 urban and rura1 residents from the Chinese Social Survey(CSS)and China Genera1 Social Survey(CGSS)from 2003 to 2013,we analyzed the structural features and influencing factors underlying subjective social status in China.Our findings indicate that over these years,such identification has consistently assumed the shape of a bowling pin:those who“identify with a low social status”account for more than half of respondents,a much higher proportion than in most countries.At the individual level,the net effect on subjective social status of such objective indicators as education,income and occupation has been relatively small,and lessened over the ten years.The correlation between subjective perceptions of mobility and subjective social status is quite strong,but the upward impetus provided by perceptions of upward mobility weakened over the period.At the macro-level,the tempo of economic growth failed to raise the level of class identification,and income inequality had a markedly negative effect.Our research findings further demonstrate that curbing the income gap and increasing opportunities for mobility are important for raising the level of class identification during the transition period.

The twisted path from farm subsidies to health care expenditures

Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including but not limited to the following: hypertension;osteoarthritis;dyslipidemia;type 2 diabetes;coronary heart disease and stroke. Consequently, individuals who are obese are more likely to use health services and are more likely to use costly health services than non-obese individuals. Between 1987 and 2001, growth in obesity related health expenditures accounted for 27 percent of the growth in inflation-adjusted per capita health care spending. Researchers, popular press and the television news media have paid considerable attention to the effect that farm subsidies have on dietary habits and obesity. Prominent researchers in the field have concluded that US farm subsidies have had a negligible impact on obesity. However, even small increases in obesity rates are associated with higher health care expenditures. The primary intent of this study is to break down the linkages from farm subsidy to health expenditure and shed light on the unintended implications of the farm subsidy program. We find that agricultural subsidies have the potential to influence health care expenditures.

Risk factors for low high-density lipoprotein among Asian Indians in the United States

AIM To examine the differences in metabolic risk factors(RFs) by gender in the Asian Indian(AI) population in the United States. METHODS Using cross-sectional data from 1038 randomly selected Asian Indians, we investigated the relationship between metabolic syndrome(Met S) RFs, cardiovascular disease,and diabetes. RESULTS A greater percent of women in this group had increased waist circumference and low high density lipoprotein(HDL) levels than men, but AI males had increased blood glucose, increased blood pressure, and increased triglycerides compared to females. Those individuals who met the Met S criteria had increased cardiovascular disease. One of the biggest single RFs for cardiovascular disease and diabetes reported in the literature for AIs is low HDL. CONCLUSION Our results show that lack of knowledge about diabetes, low physical activity, increased body mass index, and age were the factors most significantly correlated with low HDL in this population. Future studies and prospective trials are needed to further elucidate causes of the Met S and diabetes in AIs.

Facial Expression Enhances Emotion Perception Compared to Vocal Prosody： Behavioral and fMRI Studies

Facial and vocal expressions are essential modalities mediating the perception of emotion and social communication. Nonetheless, currently little is known about how emotion perception and its neural substrates differ across facial expression and vocal prosody. To clarify this issue, functional MRI scans were acquired in Study 1, in which participants were asked to discriminate the valence of emotional expression （angry, happy or neutral） from facial, vocal, or bimodal stimuli. In Study 2, we used an affective priming task （unimodal materials as primers and bimodal materials as target） and participants were asked to rate the intensity, valence, and arousal of the targets. Study 1 showed higher accuracy and shorter response latencies in the facial than in the vocal modality for a happy expression. Whole-brain analysis showed enhanced activation during facial compared to vocal emotions in the inferior temporal-occipital regions. Region of interest analysis showed a higher percentage signal change for facial than for vocal anger in the superior temporal sulcus. Study 2 showed that facial relative to vocal priming of anger had a greater influence on perceived emotion for bimodal targets, irrespective of the target valence. These findings suggest that facial expression is associated with enhanced emotion perception compared to equivalent vocal prosodies.