This study examined the association of problem behavior with neurotransmitter deficiency in adolescents, which would provide new insights into behavioral problems. A total of 1259 students of the seventh grade from 4 middle schools in Wuhan city located in the central China were recruited. With the approval of school and parents, they were invited to complete the Youth Self-Report (YSR) questionnaire and Symptom Scale of Neurotransmitter Deficiency (SSND) questionnaire. Pearson's bivariate correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficients between each subscale of YSR and SSND ranged from 0.24 to 0.61 with all P<0.01. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that anxiety/depression was interrelated with insufficiency of GABA and 5-HT; aggressive behavior was associated with inadequate GABA; famine of DA influenced the attention problems. It was concluded that neurotransmitter deficiency may cause a series of behavioral and mental problems.

This study examined the effects of combined administration of tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) on heroin withdrawal syndromes and mental symptoms in detoxified heroin addicts. In the cluster-randomized placebo-controlled trial, 83 detoxified heroin addicts were recruited from a detoxification treatment center in Wuhan, China. Patients in the intervention group (n=41) were given the combined treatment with tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and 5-HTP and those in the control group (n=42) were administered the placebo. The sleep status and the withdrawal symptoms were observed daily throughout the study, and the mood states were monitored pre- and post-intervention. The results showed that the insomnia and withdrawal scores were significantly improved over time in participants in the intervention group as compared with those in the control group. A greater reduction in tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia and total mood disturbance, and a greater increase in their vigor-activity symptoms were found at day 6 in the intervention group than in the control group (all P<0.05). It was concluded that the neurotransmitter-precursor-supplement intervention is effective in alleviating the withdrawal and mood symptoms and it may become a supplementary method for patients' recovery from heroin addiction.

BACKGROUND:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are widely involved in regulation of physiological processes, such as human development, cel proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, angiogenesis and lipid metabolism. MiRNAs also play an important regulating role in the pathological process of femoral head necrosis. At present, the research about the effect of icarin on miRNA expression in glucocorticoid- induced avascular necrosis is stil in the exploratory stage, and the specific targets, possible regulation mechanism and signaling pathway remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of icarin on miRNA expression of bone microvascular endothelial cels in steroids-induced human femoral head lesionsin vitro.
METHODS: Bone microvascular endothelial cels in cancelous bone of the femoral head were isolated and harvested in vitro. Icarin preconditioning preceded establishment of models of glucocorticoid-induced bone microvascular endothelial cel injury. Differential expression profiles and transcriptomes in glucocorticoid and normal groups were tested by miRNA microarrays. The most differentialy expressed miR-23b and miR-339 in microarray analysis were further confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR, Meanwhile the effects of icarin on the expression of miR-23b-5p and miR-339-5p were detected.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:According to the microarray analysis, one miRNA was up-regulated and four mi RNAs were down-regulated in the glucocorticoid group (fold > 2,P < 0.05). Results of RT-qPCR revealed that miR-23b was down-regulated and miR-339 up-regulated in the glucocorticoid group, which were in agreement with the microarray analysis (P < 0.05). Icarin pretreatment effectively prevented the imbalances of miR-23b expression induced by glucocorticoid (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that Icarin may participate in the pathological process of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis through regulating the expression of miR-23b.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis and observe the influence of this method on lumbar functions and inflammatory factors in patients with this condition. Methods: A total of 120 LDH patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups, including a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a Western medication group, with 40 patients in each group. The patients in the Western medication group were treated with diflunisal tablets, 0.5 g per dose, 2 doses a day. Those in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with additional herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group at Back-Shu Points and Jiaji (EX-B2) Points once a day. Those in the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with the same methods as in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, except that the herbal cake was replaced by a flour cake. All the patients were treated for 10 d. After treatment, the scores of the visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and the changes of the interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and substance P (SP) levels were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and SP were lower than those before treatment, and the JOA score was higher than that before treatment in the three groups, indicating intra-group statistical significance (P<0.05). The VAS score and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and SP of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were lower than those of the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medication group, while the JOA score of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was higher than that of the other two groups, indicating inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was 92.5％, higher than that of the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group (80.0％) and the Western medication group (72.5％), indicating inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: On the basis of Western oral medication, additional herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can alleviate the pain and improve the lumbar functions in patients with LDH due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis. The efficacy of the integrated method is better than that of either flour cake-partitioned moxibustion or Western medication alone, which may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factors.

This study examined the effects of combined administration of tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) on heroin withdrawal syndromes and mental symptoms in detoxified heroin addicts. In the cluster-randomized placebo-controlled trial, 83 detoxified heroin addicts were recruited from a detoxification treatment center in Wuhan, China. Patients in the intervention group (n=41) were given the combined treatment with tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and 5-HTP and those in the control group (n=42) were administered the placebo. The sleep status and the withdrawal symptoms were observed daily throughout the study, and the mood states were monitored pre- and post-intervention. The results showed that the insomnia and withdrawal scores were significantly improved over time in participants in the intervention group as compared with those in the control group. A greater reduction in tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia and total mood disturbance, and a greater increase in their vigor-activity symptoms were found at day 6 in the intervention group than in the control group (all P<0.05). It was concluded that the neurotransmitter-precursor-supplement intervention is effective in alleviating the withdrawal and mood symptoms and it may become a supplementary method for patients' recovery from heroin addiction.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Dietary Supplements ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; administration & dosage ; Placebo Effect ; Single-Blind Method ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate psychological sub-health status and its correlation with suicidal behaviors among middle school students in Shenzhen, so as to provide reference for early prevention of suicide. Methods: A total of 4 014 students from 5 junior high schools and 5 senior high schools in Shenzhen were selected as the subjects. The status of psychological sub-health and suicidal behaviors were assessed, and their correlation was analyzed. Results: The detection rates of psychological sub-health, suicide ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempts were 21.38%, 24.66%, 11.81% and 3.64% respectively. The detection rates of suicidal ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempts among students with high level of psychological sub-health status were significantly higher than those without psychological sub-health status(P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the number of psychological sub-health symptoms was positively correlated with the number of suicidal ideations, suicide plans and suicide attempts(P<0.01). Conclusion Psychological health status of adolescents in Shenzhen is not optimistic. There is a correlation between psychological sub-health status and suicidal behaviors. More attention should be paid to suicide prevention among students with psychological sub-health status.

This study examined the association of problem behavior with neurotransmitter deficiency in adolescents, which would provide new insights into behavioral problems. A total of 1259 students of the seventh grade from 4 middle schools in Wuhan city located in the central China were recruited. With the approval of school and parents, they were invited to complete the Youth Self-Report (YSR) questionnaire and Symptom Scale of Neurotransmitter Deficiency (SSND) questionnaire. Pearson's bivariate correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficients between each subscale of YSR and SSND ranged from 0.24 to 0.61 with all P<0.01. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that anxiety/depression was interrelated with insufficiency of GABA and 5-HT; aggressive behavior was associated with inadequate GABA; famine of DA influenced the attention problems. It was concluded that neurotransmitter deficiency may cause a series of behavioral and mental problems.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; psychology ; Dopamine ; deficiency ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; metabolism ; psychology ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; deficiency ; Serotonin ; deficiency ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; deficiency

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish a comprehensive concise health index (CHI) for evaluating adolescents, so as to provide a basis for determining the overall health status of adolescents in China. Methods: On the basis of a literature review and consensus among core researchers, adolescent CHI indicators in the following five dimensions were assessed:physical growth, physical fitness, common diseases, mental health and behavioral health. A total of 24 experts used an analysis hierarcgy process (AHP) to calculate the indicators subjective weights. In addition, from October to December of 2021, two regions, A and B were selected to conduct empirical research, and the CRITIC method was used to calculate the objective weights of the indicators. Finally, the weight coefficients were determined through the AHP-CRITIC combination weight method, and comprehensive evaluation was performed with the TOPSIS method. Results: Across academic period and genders, the combined weighted coefficients of the health indicators were as follows:BMI, 0.081-0.095; waist circumference, 0.070-0.081; relative grip strength, 0.101-0.108; myopia, 0.110-0.128; dental caries, 0.055-0.070; psychological symptoms, 0.240-0.262; physical exercise, 0.085-0.115; screen time, 0.097-0.111; and sleep duration, 0.086-0.103. The health index of middle school students in city A (0.626±0.065) was significantly higher than that in city B(0.613±0.066)( t=6.34, P <0.01). Conclusion The comprehensive adolescent CHI evaluation method has good consistency and application value, and may serve as a reference for adolescent health monitoring.

Objective: To investigate the associated factors of myopia among primary and secondary school students in Shenzhen, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of myopia. Methods: By stratified cluster sampling, 3 073 students of 14 schools including primary,junior,regular and vocational senior schools from two districts in Shenzhen were selected and investigated. Results: For primary school students, the time of using computer for 2-<3 hours per day (OR=2.23，95%CI=1.19-4.20) , and no physical education class(2 sections per week OR=0.34, 95%CI=0.13-0.91; 4 sections per week OR=0.23, 95%CI=0.08-0.62; 5 sections or more per week OR=0.33, 95%CI=0.11-0.97) were positively associated with myopia. Teachers finishing class on time at break (occasionally delaying OR=1.99, 95%CI=1.51-2.63; frequently delaying OR=2.07, 95%CI=1.29-3.30), taking 0.5-1 hour break when using eyes at close range (1-<2 hours OR=1.33，95%CI=1.03-1.70; ≥3 hours OR=1.87, 95%CI=1.17-3.00), no parents with myopia(one parent with myopia OR=1.69, 95%CI=1.32-2.17; two parents with myopia OR=2.13, 95%CI=1.50-3.02) were negatively associated with myopia. For junior high school students, without parents with myopia (one parent with myopia OR=3.27, 95%CI=2.17-4.94; two parents with myopia OR=5.38, 95%CI=2.78-10.42) was the protective factor of myopia. For senior high school students, male (female OR=1.52, 95%CI=1.07-2.14), doing eye exercises twice a day in school (OR=0.41, 95%CI=0.23-0.75), and accumulating outdoor activities for ≥2 hours a day (OR=0.70, 95%CI=0.49-1.00) were negatively associated with myopia. Conclusion There are different risk factors for myopia among different students in Shenzhen. Students with high risk factors are the key objects of prevention and control.

Objective:To investigate the impact of switching to low iodine drinking water in areas with high water iodine levels on the iodine nutritional status and thyroid function of pregnant women.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Gaoqing County, Zibo City, Shandong Province. Pregnant women who underwent prenatal examinations at the Obstetrics Clinic of Gaoqing County People's Hospital from 2019 to 2021 were selected as the survey subjects. With reference to the Criteria for the Classification of Water Source High Iodine Areas and High Iodine Disease Areas (GB/T 19380-2016), pregnant women with drinking water iodine > 100 μg/L were considered as the high water iodine group and ≤100 μg/L was the non-high water iodine group. Basic information, one random urine sample, fasting blood sample, 24-hour urine sample and drinking water sample of pregnant women were collected, and thyroid ultrasound examination was performed on pregnant women. Urinary iodine (UI) concentration (UIC) and drinking water iodine concentration (WIC) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and 24-hour urinary iodine excretion (UIE) and daily iodine intake (TII) of pregnant women were calculated. Serum thyroid hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT 3), free thyroxine (FT 4), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and anti-thyroid autoantibodies (TgAb) were determined by automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay. Creatinine (CR) was determined using deproteinized endpoint microplate method and UI/CR was calculate. Results:A total of 797 pregnant women were included, and the UIC was 150.2 (88.1, 281.3) μg/L, the iodine nutrition was generally at an appropriate level. Among them, 584 pregnant women in the non-high water iodine group had a UIC of 120.9 (74.9, 191.5) μg/L, which was at the iodine deficiency level; 213 pregnant women in the high water iodine group had a UIC of 321.1 (201.9, 569.1) μg/L, which was at the iodine super-appropriate level; the differences in WIC, UIC, UIE, TII, and UI/CR between the two groups were statistically significant ( Z = 21.63, 13.34, 15.14, 15.14, 11.81, P < 0.001). After stratification by different gestational periods, the differences were statistically significant when comparing WIC and TSH in pregnant women in the non-high water iodine group and UI/CR in pregnant women in the high water iodine group by gestational period ( H = 59.13, 7.30, 13.60, P < 0.05). A total of 744 pregnant women were tested for thyroid function, and 128 cases of TSH > 2.5 mU/L, 15 cases of hypothyroxemia, and 19 cases of subclinical hypothyroidism were detected, with detection rates of 17.2%, 2.0%, and 2.6%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant when comparing TSH and TPOAb levels and the proportion of pregnant women with TSH > 2.5 mU/L in the high water iodine and non-high water iodine groups ( Z = 3.04, - 2.17, χ 2 = 6.94, P = 0.002, 0.030, 0.008). The thyroid glands of pregnant women were examined in 720 cases, and 30 cases of goiter and 150 cases of thyroid nodules were detected, with detection rates of 4.2% and 20.8%, respectively. The median thyroid volume was 8.92 ml in the high water iodine group and 8.60 ml in the non-high water iodine group, which were both within the normal range, with no statistically significant difference between the groups ( Z = - 0.75, P = 0.455). Conclusions:After changing to low iodine water, the overall iodine nutrition of pregnant women in Gaoqing County is now at an appropriate level, and the reduction of water iodine effectively reduces the risk of TSH abnormalities in local pregnant women. However, pregnant women in the non-high water iodine group are iodine deficiency, and pregnant women in the high water iodine group are at iodine super-appropriate, and the iodine nutrition level of pregnant women in this area is highly variable, which causes the "illusion" that the overall iodine level of local pregnant women is suitable.