1.Insomnia and quality of life as chain mediators between negative life events and depression severity in adolescents with depressive disorders
Xu ZHANG ; Lewei LIU ; Jiawei WANG ; Feng GENG ; Daming MO ; Changhao CHEN ; Zhiwei LIU ; Xiangwang WEN ; Xiangfen LUO ; Huanzhong LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):163-168
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between negative life events and depression severity in adolescent patients with depressive disorder, as well as the chain mediating role of insomnia symptoms and quality of life. Methods374 outpatient patients and hospitalized patients with adolescent depressive disorders were enrolled. The Adolescent Life Event Scale (ASLEC), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Center for Epidemiology Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to evaluate the negative life event situation, insomnia symptoms, quality of life level and depression severity of the subjects, respectively. In addition, the PROCESS 4.0 macroprogram was used to analyze the chain mediating effect of insomnia symptoms and quality of life between negative life events and depression severity in patients with adolescent depressive disorder. ResultsThe results of correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between negative life events and insomnia symptoms, quality of life, and depression severity (all P<0.05). In addition, the results of chain mediation showed that negative life events had a significant direct effect on depression severity, with an effect size of 0.12 (P<0.001). Insomnia symptoms and quality of life played a mediating role in the relationship between negative life events and depression severity in patients with adolescent depressive disorders, with indirect effect sizes of 0.062 (95%CI: 0.040-0.087) and 0.091 (95%CI: 0.059-0.123), respectively. It could also play a chain mediation role, and the effect size was 0.039 (95%CI: 0.024-0.057). ConclusionNegative life events experienced by patients with adolescent depressive disorder not only directly affect the severity of depressive symptoms, but may also indirectly exacerbate depression through insomnia symptoms and quality of life.
2.Impact of smartphone games on cognitive function in patients with chronic schizophrenia and gender differences
Shipan MIAO ; Jun LI ; Qianqian WANG ; Suqi SONG ; Kai ZHANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(1):44-49
BackgroundPatients with chronic schizophrenia often suffer from cognitive impairment. Traditional cognitive rehabilitation training has problems such as a single form and poor compliance, making it urgent to develop new cognitive intervention methods. ObjectiveTo explore the intervention effect of smartphone games on the cognitive function of patients with chronic schizophrenia, and to analyze the differences in cognitive function improvement between patients of different genders, in order to provide references for the cognitive function intervention of these patients. MethodsThis study was a prospective cohort study. A total of 30 patients who were hospitalized in the Psychiatry Department of Chaohu Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University from March to October 2021, met the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia as defined in the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10), and had a disease duration of above 5 years, were selected as the research subjects. All patients received smartphone game intervention for 12 weeks, 5 times a week, each session lasting 1 hour, in addition to conventional antipsychotic drug treatment. At the baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks of the intervention, the cognitive function was evaluated using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess mental symptoms, and the Problematic Mobile Gaming Questionnaire (PMGQ) was used to assess addiction symptoms. ResultsA total of 26 patients (86.67%) completed the study, including 13 females and 13 males. The time effects, group effects, and interaction effect between time and group for the immediate memory factor score of RBANS in the female group and the male group were all statistically significant (F=36.682, 5.712, 3.090, P<0.05 or 0.01), and the time effects and group effects for the verbal and delayed memory factors as well as the total score in both groups were also statistically significant (F=3.841, 6.149, 15.372, P<0.05 or 0.01). The time effects and group effects of the total score of PANSS in both groups had no statistical significance (F=2.041, 0.623, P>0.05 for both), and the interaction effect between time and group was statistically significant (F=5.728, P<0.01). The time effects, group effects, and interaction effect of the total score of PMGQ in both groups were all without statistical significance (F=2.672, 0.166, 0.642, P>0.05 for both). ConclusionSmartphone game intervention may help improve the cognitive function of patients with chronic schizophrenia (especially immediate memory, verbal function, and delayed memory), and the benefits are greater for female patients. The smartphone game intervention did not induce game addiction, but no significant improvement in psychotic symptoms was observed. [Funded by Excellent Young Talents Support Program of Anhui Provincial Department of Education (number, gxyqZD2022022); www.chictr.org.cn number, ChiCTR2100044113]
3.Meta analysis of the effect of exercise intervention on lipid metabolism among overweight or obese children and adolescents
LI Yanrong, JIN Qian,WANG Chengji
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(2):273-278
Objective:
To systematically evaluate the effect of exercise intervention on lipid metabolism among overweight or obese children and adolescents, providing evidence for improving lipid metabolism.
Methods:
Literature were retrieved and screened from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases regarding the impact of exercise intervention on lipid metabolism among overweight or obese children and adolescents, with a search period from 1,January 2000 to 30,April 2025. Data extraction and quality assessment of included studies were performed, and network Meta analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 18.0 software, with standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% CI as the effect measures.
Results:
A total of 15 eligible randomized controlled trials were included, with 13 reporting outcomes for total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and 14 for triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Network Meta analysis results showed that compared with the control group, aerobic exercise (AE) ( SMD = -0.51, 95% CI =-0.97 to -0.06) and combined aerobic and resistance exercise (COM) ( SMD =-0.54, 95% CI =-1.03 to -0.05) effectively reduced TC levels; AE ( SMD =-0.98, 95% CI =-1.64 to -0.32) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) ( SMD =-1.58, 95% CI = -2.52 to -0.64) effectively reduced TG levels; AE ( SMD =-0.60, 95% CI =-1.05 to -0.14), COM( SMD =-1.10, 95% CI =-1.72 to -0.48) and HIIT ( SMD =-1.05, 95% CI =-1.68 to -0.43) all effectively reduced LDL-C levels; only HIIT ( SMD = 1.03 , 95% CI =0.05-2.00) significantly increased HDL-C levels(all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Exercise intervention is beneficial to improve the dyslipidemia among children and adolescents, and the intervention effects of different exercise on different types of dyslipidemia are different.
4.Advances in ketamine therapy for multiple psychiatric disorders
Kai ZHANG ; Zhaoyang CHENG ; Yuting WANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):289-294
Ketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has gained increasing attention for its rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and suicidal ideation. Its mechanisms include NMDA receptor blockade, AMPA receptor activation, and upregulation of BDNF/mTOR signaling. Its enantiomers, esketamine and R-ketamine, as well as its metabolites, exhibit differences in efficacy and mechanisms. Intranasal esketamine has been approved in the Europe, United States, and China for TRD, demonstrating rapid efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms and acute suicidal ideation. In contrast, R-ketamine demonstrates potential for longer-lasting effects and a improved safety profile. This review summarizes recent advances in the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical applications of ketamine and its enantiomers in depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Despite ketamine's multifaceted therapeutic potential, safety concerns such as dissociation, cognitive impairment, and abuse liability warrant continued attention.[Funded by Key Project of Natural Science Research for Universities of Anhui Provincial Education Department (number, 2023AH050647); Anhui Provincial Department of Education Outstanding Young Talent Support Program Project 2022 (number, gxyqZD2022022)]
5.The influence of enriched environment on cognitive impairment and GAP-43 content changes in pregnant mice with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome through regulating the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway
Yunzhou Cheng ; Xueyan Li ; Yueming Zhang ; Rumeng Wei ; Yang Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1212-1217
Objective :
To investigate the effect of environmental enrichment on cognitive impairment and hippo- campus GAP-43 changes induced by exposure to obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS) during the period of late pregnancy in mice,and to explore relative inflammatory pathway mechanism.
Methods :
The experi- mental group of C57BL/6J pregnant mice were exposed to an intermittent hypoxic environment for 7 consecutive days starting from gestational day 15.The corresponding offspring were then placed in an enriched environment from postnatal day 21 to 2 months of age (designated as OSAHS + EE group) or in a normal environment (designat- ed as OSAHS group) .Pregnant mice in the control group were maintained in a normal oxygen environment,and their corresponding offspring were placed in an enriched environment (designated as Control + EE group) or a nor- mal environment (designated as Control group) at the same ages.The spatial learning and memory ability of the mice was assessed by Morris water maze at the age of 2 months.The mRNA levels of NF-kB,NLRP3 and GAP-43 in the hippocampus were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR , and the protein levels of NLRP3 and GAP-43 in the hippocampus were detected by Western blot.
Results:
Compared with Control group,the swimming distance increased (P<0. 01) ,and the percentage of swimming distance in target quadrant decreased (P<0. 01) in OSAHS group.The level of NF - κB mRNA,NLRP3 mRNA and protein in the hippocampus was increased,and the level of GAP-43 mRNA and protein was decreased (P<0. 01) .Compared with the Control group,there were no significant differences in swimming distance,percentage of swimming distance,NF-κB mRNA,NLRP3 mRNA and protein content in the OSAHS + EE group.
Conclusion
OSAHS during pregnancy impairs the learning and memory ability of offspring mice and reduces the level of GAP-43 protein.The mechanism may be related to the in- crease of NF-κB / NLRP3 level,and environmental enrichment can improve the damage.
6.Effect of different doses of agomelatine on liver function in patients with depressive disorders: a real-world study
Jun LI ; Shipan MIAO ; Qianqian WANG ; Suqi SONG ; Xiaoping YUAN ; Kai ZHANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(6):486-490
BackgroundAgomelatine, a novel antidepressant with dual efficacy in mood improvement and sleep regulation, has been widely utilized in clinical treatment of depressive disorders. The association between agomelatine and hepatic dysfunction has garnered increasing attention, yet there remains limited research on its long-term effect of liver function in real clinical scenarios. ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of different doses of agomelatine on liver function in patients with depressive disorders in real clinical scenarios, and to ascertain its safety profile and efficacy differences. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted, enrolling 200 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders according to the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10), who received agomelatine treatment at the Department of Psychiatry of Chaohu Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University from January 2019 to December 2024. Longitudinal follow-up was performed based on real-world data. Patients were divided into a low-dose group (25 mg/d) (n=121) and a high-dose group (50 mg/d) (n=79) based on their agomelatine dosage. Follow-up assessments were conducted at baseline, the 2nd, 6th, 14th, and 26th weeks after treatment initiation. Liver function indicators, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBIL), were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale-24 item (HAMD-24) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). ResultsNo statistically significant time effect, intergroup effect, or time-by-group interaction effect was observed for ALT, AST, or TBIL in either the low-dose or high-dose group (P>0.05). The time effects for both HAMD-24 and HAMA scores in the two groups were statistically significant (Ftime=430.573, 395.737, P<0.01). From the end of the 2nd week of treatment onward, the scores at each follow-up time point were significantly lower than those at the baseline period (P<0.01). ConclusionBoth low-dose and high-dose agomelatine may have no significant effect on liver function in patients with depressive disorders, with no difference in liver function impairment was observed between dosage groups. Low-dose and high-dose agomelatine may be equally effective in alleviating depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with depressive disorders. [Funded by the Education Work Committee of the Anhui Provincial Committee for Outstanding Young Talents in Colleges and Universities (number, gxyqZD2022022); the Key Project of Scientific Research Fund of Anhui Institute of Translational Medicine (number, 2023zhyx-B18)]
7.CST4, HP antibody typing and expression of HER2 in gastric cancer and their clinical significance
Shui Jin ; Liang Lu ; Rui Wang ; Dandan Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(12):2229-2236
Objective:
human cysteine protease inhibitor S; helicobacter pylori antibody typing; human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 ; gastric cancer; pathological stage; gastric cancer lymph node metastasis
Methods:
A total of 150 gastric cancer patients admitted to Chaohu Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University for surgery from December 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the study objects. Serum CST4 and HP antibody typing were performed before surgery, and HER2 expression levels in gastric cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry after surgery. The clinicopathological data of gastric cancer patients with different serum CST4, HP antibody types and HER2 expression were compared and the correlation was analyzed. ROC curve was used to compare the predictive value of single and combined detection of serum CST4, HP antibody typing and HER2 expression in lymph node metastasis and TNM staging of gastric cancer.
Results:
Patients with CST4, HPI and HER2-positive expression had deeper tumor invasion and were more likely to develop distant lymph node metastasis, and TNM stages were more likely to occur in Ⅲ and Ⅳ stages(P<0.05). Meanwhile, patients with CST4 positive expression were more likely to have vascular and nerve invasion(P<0.05). In patients with HPI positive expression, tumors were more likely to occur in the cardia and the bottom of the stomach, and the tumor diameter was larger and vascular invasion was more likely(P<0.05), while HER2 was negatively correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, and the tumors were more likely to occur in high and secondary differentiation(P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of single and combined detection of serum CST4, HPI and HER2 expression to predict lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer were 0.780, 0.676, 0.611 and 0.872, respectively(P<0.05). The AUC for TNM stage diagnosis of gastric cancer were 0.762, 0.635, 0.613 and 0.801(P<0.05), respectively. The diagnostic efficiency of combined detection was higher than that of single detection.
Conclusion
The expression of CST4, HPI and HER2 in serum is closely related to the depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. The expression of CST4, HPI and HER2 in serum can be used as an important predictor of lymph node metastasis and TNM stage in gastric cancer patients, providing a new idea for clinical diagnosis.
8.Association of depressive symptoms, Internet addiction and insomnia among medical students in Anhui Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(8):1174-1177
Objective:
To investigate the status of insomnia, Internet addiction, and depressive symptoms among medical students and to analyze the effect of Internet addiction on insomnia and the mediating role of depressive symptoms, in order to provide a basis for the development of targeted interventions and measurements for medical students.
Methods:
A stratified whole group sampling method was used to select full-time college students from three medical universities in Anhui Province. The Chinese version of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scale and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate the symptoms of insomnia, Internet addiction and depressive in students. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing insomnia among medical students and to analyze the relationship between insomnia with Internet addiction and depressive symptoms, respectively.
Results:
The overall rate of Internet addiction was 49.5%, depressive symptoms was 39.5%, insomnia was 18.6%. High academic stress, and the presence of surrounding people diagnosed with COVID-19 were associated with a higher risk of insomnia ( P <0.05). The higher the level of Internet addiction (mild, OR =2.60; moderate/severe, OR =4.21) and depression. (mild, OR =6.35; moderate/severe, OR =19.32), the higher the risk of insomnia. Mediated effect analysis showed that Internet addiction had a direct predictive effect ( β =0.02, P <0.05) on insomnia and also indirectly affected insomnia through depression (indirect effect=0.07,95% CI =0.06-0.08).
Conclusion
The detected rates of insomnia, Internet addiction and depressive symptoms are high among medical students in Anhui Province, and Internet addiction and depressive symptoms are risk factors for insomnia, which should be given more attention and appropriate interventions when necessary to improve their physical and mental health.
9.Relationship between ANKK1 gene polymorphism and atypical antipsychotic drug-induced metabolic syndrome
Renhua MIAO ; Meng LI ; Yanan WANG ; Xingxing ZHUANG
China Pharmacy 2023;34(2):195-199
OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between the ANKK1 rs1800497 polymorphism and atypical antipsychotic drug-induced metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS Totally 94 patients with schizophrenia were included, and ANKK1 rs1800497 genotypes of patients were detected by micro-fluorescence immunoassay; social demographic information, clinical characteristics and other data were collected. The χ2 test was used to compare the correlation between the sex of patients and the occurrence of MS, and the correlation between gene polymorphism and the occurrence of MS and its risk factors.RESULTS Totally 94 patients included 24 cases (25.53%) of GG, 51 cases (54.26%) of GA and 19 cases of AA (20.21%). Among them, there were 45 cases (47.87%) of MS, and the incidence of MS in male was higher than that in female (P<0.05). Genotype analysis showed that ANKK1 rs1800497 polymorphism was not associated with MS (P=0.452). ANKK1 rs1800497 A allele was significantly associated with hyperglycemia (χ2=4.379, P=0.036), while it was not related to abdominal obesity, hypertension, high level of TG and low level of HDL-C (P>0.05), suggesting that for patients with schizophrenia, allele A was a relative risk factor for inducing hyperglycemia [OR=2.008,95%CI(1.039, 3.881)]. CONCLUSIONS ANKK1 rs1800497 polymorphism has no correlation with the induction of MS by atypical antipsychotics, while the schizophrenia patients with A allele are more likely to induce hyperglycemia. The incidence of MS in male patients is significantly higher than that in female patients.
10.Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Insomnia Symptoms in Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder: Prevalence, Clinical Correlates, and the Relationship With Psychiatric Medications Use
Yudong SHI ; Wei LI ; Changhao CHEN ; Xiaoping YUAN ; Yingying YANG ; Song WANG ; Zhiwei LIU ; Feng GENG ; Jiawei WANG ; Xiangfen LUO ; Xiangwang WEN ; Lei XIA ; Huanzhong LIU
Psychiatry Investigation 2023;20(11):1018-1026
Objective:
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and insomnia symptoms are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), which might lead to a poor prognosis and an increased risk of depression relapse. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence, and sociodemographic and clinical correlates of EDS and insomnia symptoms among adolescents with MDD.
Methods:
The sample of this cross-sectional study included 297 adolescents (mean age=15.26 years; range=12–18 years; 218 females) with MDD recruited from three general and four psychiatric hospitals in five cities (Hefei, Bengbu, Fuyang, Suzhou, and Ma’anshan) in Anhui Province, China between January and August, 2021. EDS and insomnia symptoms, and clinical severity of depressive symptoms were assessed using Epworth sleepiness scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity.
Results:
The prevalence of EDS and insomnia symptoms in adolescents with MDD was 39.7% and 38.0%, respectively. Binary logistic regression analyses showed that EDS symptoms were significantly associated with higher body mass index (odds ratio [OR]=1.097, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.027–1.172), more severe depressive symptoms (OR=1.313, 95% CI=1.028–1.679), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use (OR=2.078, 95% CI=1.199–3.601). And insomnia symptoms were positively associated with female sex (OR=1.955, 95% CI=1.052–3.633), suicide attempts (OR=1.765, 95% CI=1.037–3.005), more severe depressive symptoms (OR=2.031, 95% CI=1.523–2.709), and negatively associated with antipsychotics use (OR=0.433, 95% CI=0.196–0.952).
Conclusion
EDS and insomnia symptoms are common among adolescents with MDD. Considering their negative effects on the clinical prognosis, regular screening and clinical managements should be developed for this patient population.


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