Psychophysiological Assessment of Youthful Motor Vehicle Accident Survivors

Twenty-one children and adolescents (age range 8–17, mean 12.7 years) who had been in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), and 14 non-MVA controls matched for age and gender, underwent a psychophysiological assessment in which heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and skin conductance were measured during baseline and two stressor phases: mental arithmetic and listening to and imagining a MVA like their own. The eight youth who currently met criteria for PTSD or sub-syndromal PTSD significantly reported more subjective distress to the MVA audiotape than the 13 MVA non-PTSD youth or the 14 non-MVA controls. All groups responded physiologically to the mental arithmetic. However, in contrast to expectations, there were no differential physiological responses among the groups to the stimuli reminiscent of the trauma. Possible explanations are explored.     

Startle Responses in Motor Vehicle Accident Survivors: A Pilot Study

The aim of the present study was to investigate startle responses in motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors to trauma-related, startle, and neutral sounds. Participants were 17 MVA survivors, 11 of whom participated in a controlled treatment study comparing cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and supportive therapy (ST) versus a waitlist condition. Though participants differed significantly in their pretreatment clinical status and symptom severity, these differences were not reflected by group differences in EMG (at orbicularis oculi) to the stimuli at the initial assessment. Some cue-specificity was found, as all participants showed larger startle responses to trauma-related sounds, compared to startle and neutral sounds. At posttreatment, a significant reduction in EMG reactivity to all stimuli was observed in participants who received active treatment (either CBT or ST), compared to waitlist controls. The use of startle responses as a PTSD treatment outcome index is discussed.     

Facial EMG Responses to Combat-Related Visual Stimuli in Veterans With and Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Veterans with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) participated in an exploratory study of facial reactivity to neutral slides and to slides depicting unpleasant combat-related material that were previously determined to be emotionally evocative. It was found that the zygomaticus major (cheek), masseter (jaw), and lateral frontalis (forehead) muscles were especially reactive to the combat slides in the veterans with PTSD, suggesting the importance of facial emotional expression in this disorder. The PTSD participants' self-reports of overall distress paralleled these effects. However, autonomic reactivity did not reflect general arousal effects due to the visual stimuli, showing both the sensitivity of facial muscle assessment in this context and the need for further research on the relationship between stimulus modality and physiological trauma reactions. Additional directions for research in this area are discussed including efforts to correlate subjective and physiological reactions.     

Residential Treatment for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Identifying Trajectories of Change and Predictors of Treatment Response

Background

Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a difficult condition to treat and has been associated with serious medical and economic issues among U.S. military veterans. Distinguishing between treatment responders vs. non-responders in this population has become an important public health priority. This study was conducted to identify pre-treatment characteristics of U.S. veterans with combat-related PTSD that might contribute to favorable and unfavorable responses to high value treatments for this condition.

Method

This study focused on 805 patients who completed a VHA PTSD residential program between 2000 and 2007. These patients completed the PTSD Clinical Checklist at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and a four-month follow-up assessment. Latent growth curve analysis (LCGA) was incorporated to determine trajectories of changes in PTSD across these assessments and whether several key clinical concerns for this population were associated with their treatment responses.

Study Findings

LCGA indicated three distinct trajectories in PTSD outcomes and identified several clinical factors that were prospectively linked with changes in veterans'' posttraumatic symptomatology. When compared to a group with high PTSD symptom severity that decreased over the program but relapsed at follow-up (41%), the near half (48.8%) of the sample with an improving trajectory had less combat exposure and superior physical/mental health. However, when compared to a minority (10.2%) with relatively low symptomatology that also remained somewhat stable, patients in the improving group were younger and also reported greater combat exposure, poorer physical/mental health status, and more problems with substance abuse before the start of treatment.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that veterans are most likely to benefit from residential treatment in an intermediate range of symptoms and risk factors, including PTSD symptom severity, history of combat exposure, and comorbid issues with physical/mental health. Addressing these factors in an integrative manner could help to optimize the effectiveness of treatments of combat-related PTSD in many cases.     

Prevalence and Positive Correlates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Chinese Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

Positive psychological constructs have been given increasing attention in research on the coping resources of cancer-related distresses. However, little research is available on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with hematological malignancies. The purposes of this study were to assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms and to explore the associations of perceived social support (PSS), hope, optimism and resilience with PTSD symptoms among Chinese patients with hematological malignancies.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from July 2013 through April 2014. A total of 225 inpatients with hematological malignancies, which were eligible for the study, completed the Post-traumatic Stress Checklist-Civilian Version, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Adult Hope Scale, Life Orientation Scale-Revised, and Resilience Scale. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to explore the correlates of PTSD symptoms.

Results

Overall, the prevalence of PTSD symptoms was 10.7%. Initially, PSS was negatively associated with PTSD symptoms (β = -0.248, P < 0.01). However, when positive psychological variables were added, optimism was negatively associated with PTSD symptoms (β = -0.452, P < 0.01), and gender had a significant effect on PTSD symptoms. Women were more vulnerable to these symptoms than men (β = 0.123, P < 0.05). When the analysis was performed separately by gender, only optimism showed a significantly negative association with PTSD symptoms in both men (β = -0.389, P < 0.01) and women (β = -0.493, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Some patients with hematological malignancies suffer from PTSD symptoms. The positive effects of PSS and optimism on PTSD symptoms suggest that an integrated approach to psychosocial intervention from both external and internal perspectives could have practical significance. Gender difference should be considered in developing potential interventions in reducing cancer-related PTSD symptoms.     

Risk Factors and Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Diseases in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Model in Wistar Rats as Dependent on Stress Resistance and Age

Doklady Biological Sciences - The article focuses on the pathogenetic mechanisms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is associated with psychological stress because of the coronavirus...     

The Effects of Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Biofeedback on Heart Rate Variability and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Pilot Study

Recent studies have found a significant association between PTSD and low heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker of autonomic dysregulation. Research indicates that respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback increases HRV while reducing related pathological symptoms. This controlled pilot study compared RSA biofeedback to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as adjunctive interventions for 38 persons with PTSD symptoms in a residential treatment facility for a substance use disorder. Both groups were assessed at pre-intervention and 4-week post-intervention. Group × time interactions revealed significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms and increases in HRV indices for the RSA group. Both groups significantly reduced PTSD and insomnia symptoms and a statistical trend was observed for reduced substance craving for the RSA group. Increases in HRV were significantly associated with PTSD symptom reduction. Overall, these results provide preliminary support for the efficacy of RSA biofeedback in improving physiological and psychological health for individuals with PTSD.     

Psychosocial Factors and Respiratory and Cardiovascular Parameters During Psychophysiological Stress Profiling in Working Men and Women

The relationship between psychosocial factors and psychophysiological reactions to a situation including stressors and relaxation in a working population was examined. A sample of 115 working men and women aged 26–65 was used. Each participant was examined at baseline, during deep breathing, experimentally induced stress and relaxation. Heart rate, exhalation carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation and blood pressure were monitored. Significant variations across experimental conditions were observed for all physiological variables. There was a pronounced lowering of blood pressure during deep breathing. Women showed significantly more pronounced physiological variation than men. Participants with low education reacted with significantly more systolic blood pressure elevation during the stressful conditions than others. The implication of the results for therapeutic and preventive exercises with deep breathing are discussed.     

冠心病患者静息心率与血小板活性相关研究

目的:探讨冠心病患者静息心率与血小板活性的相关研究。方法:选择2013年1月至2014年9月于我院住院患者474例,按静息心率快慢分为三组,心率70 bmp为第一组(Q1)150例,心率位于70~85 bmp为第二组(Q2)265例,心率85 bmp为第三组(Q3)59例,三组患者均于病情稳定时行血栓弹力图(TEG)中MA值检测,同时随访3个月,观察和比较三组患者MA值变化及预后。结果:三组患者MA值分别为61.16±7.29 mm、62.02±7.46 mm、65.32±6.56 mm,第三组患者MA值与第一组或第二组患者MA值比较差异均存在统计学意义(P0.05),通过血栓弹力图检测三组经花生四烯酸(AA)途径的血小板抑制率和经二磷酸腺苷(ADP)途径的血小板抑制率发现,静息心率高低与抗血小板药物作用疗效无相关关系(P0.05)。随访3个月,三组患者心绞痛、再住院、脑血管病及死亡的总发生率分别为28%、28.68%、40.67%。结论:冠心病患者静息心率越快,MA值越大即血小板活性越高,静息心率的高低与抗血小板药物作用疗效无关。     

Cardiovascular, ventilatory and total activity responses of brown trout to handling stress

Changes in total activity, heart and ventilation rates were observed in 2-year-old brown trout, following handling stress, using non-contact bioelectronic monitoring equipment. Experiments were carried out in laboratory conditions at water temperatures below 4° C, Transfer between tanks as well as 5 min restraint stress increased the total activity of fish for 24 to 48 h, after which it declined to near the pre-stress level. The transfer and struggle both elevated the heart rate for 3 to 4 days. Ventilation rate was elevated to a maximum of about 30% above the nominal level and recovered within 3 to 4 days. Both heart and ventilation rates were higher in feeding fish relative to fasting fish after stress and rates remained higher throughout a 7 day period of recovery. A diel rhythm of lower rates during the night appeared in both heart and ventilation rates within 3 to 4 days after handling stress.     

Cardiovascular, hematologic, and biochemical effects of acute ventral exposure of conscious rats to 2450-MHz (CW) microwave radiation

In this study the influence of acute (6 hr) exposure to 2450 MHz (CW) microwave radiation on certain cardiovascular, biochemical, and hematologic indices was examined in unanesthetized rats. Under methoxyflurane anesthesia, a catheter was inserted into the right femoral artery, which was used for monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sampling. Colonic temperature was monitored via a VITEK thermistor probe inserted rectally to a depth of 5 cm. The rat was subsequently placed into a ventilated restraining cage which was located inside an anechoic chamber. The temperature and humidity in the chamber were maintained at 22 +/- 0.5 degrees C and 60 +/- 5% (means +/- S.E.), respectively, during the experimental period. Rats (60) were exposed to either 0 (sham) or 10 mW/cm2 (exposed) for 6 hr. During exposure rats were oriented perpendicular to the E-field, and the measured specific absorption rate (SAR) was 3.7 mW/g. In the sham and exposed rats, the preexposure (time 0) mean +/- S.E. arterial blood pressure (MABP), heart rate, and colonic temperature were approximately 120 +/- 5 mmHg, 450 +/- 10 beats/min, and 37.0 +/- 0.2 degrees C, respectively. In the sham-exposed rats these values remained stable throughout the 6-hr exposure period. In the exposed rats, no effects were noted on MABP or colonic temperature; however after 1 hr of exposure, a significant reduction in heart rate was noted (450 versus 400 beats/min). This decrease in heart rate persisted throughout the remainder of the exposure period. None of the hematologic or biochemical parameters examined were affected by the microwave exposure. Although other mechanisms may be responsible, this decrease in heart rate may have been due to subtle cardiovascular adjustments because of microwave-induced heating with a resultant reduction in resting metabolic rate.     

渗透胁迫下水稻种子萌发特性及抗旱性鉴定指标研究

用聚乙二醇（PEG）-6000作为渗透剂模拟干旱胁迫,探讨在4种不同浓度的渗透胁迫下水稻种子的萌发特性,并确立间接评价水稻苗期抗旱性的萌发期鉴定指标。结果表明,高浓度渗透液对种子萌发的抑制作用明显大于低浓度,萌发率的干旱胁迫反应指数随渗透液浓度的降低和萌发进程而增加。在不同浓度的渗透胁迫处理中,20％浓度下萌发6d后的萌发率表现较大的变异幅度和变异系数以及较均衡的品种频率分布,较好地反映了水稻种质对渗透胁迫的不同反应,认为20％／6d条件较适合作为萌发率鉴定的渗透液模拟干旱胁迫;经反复干旱后的幼苗存活率与萌发胁迫指数和20％胁迫浓度下萌发8d后芽鞘长的干旱胁迫反应指数（DRI）表现极显著或显著正相关,认为萌发胁迫指数和芽鞘长的DRI可作为评价水稻苗期抗旱性的间接鉴定指标。     

益生菌，益生元对肥胖的治疗及其机制的研究进展

肥胖是继心脑血管疾病和癌症之后威胁全人类健康第三大疾病,全球有40%的成年人面临肥胖和超重困扰。中国肥胖人数成人已达到世界第二,儿童达到了世界第一,并且儿童期肥胖极大可能发展为成年期肥胖。研究表明肠道微生物可能是众多导致代谢紊乱的因素之一,这些紊乱会导致肥胖、β细胞功能紊乱、代谢内毒素血症、全身炎症和氧化应激。近年来,应用微生态制剂（益生菌和益生元）治疗肥胖已成为研究热点,本文主要围绕肥胖人群肠道菌群特点以及益生菌、益生元对肥胖的干预作用进行综述,以期为以后相关研究提供参考。     

脑钠肽在慢性心功能不全诊治的临床观察

目的：评价脑钠肽在慢性心功能不全过程中的诊治效果,探讨其临床适用性。方法：选择从2012年3月至2013年3月于我院就诊的82例心功能不全患者作为实验组,另选择同期的80例健康体检者作为对照组,分析实验组和对照组人员的脑钠肽的浓度,以及实验组患者经过治疗后的脑钠肽浓度变化情况,所有人员同时给予超声心动并观察实验组血浆脑钠肽浓度与左室射血分数及心功能分级之间的关系。结果：实验组患者的血浆脑钠肽浓度明显高于对照组人员,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;实验组患者治疗前后血浆脑钠肽浓度有明显改变,差异也有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;心功能和左室射血分数不同分级之间的血浆脑钠肽浓度也不同,各级差异有明显统计学意义（P〈0．05）;脑钠肽浓度的不同参考值测定的灵敏度和特异性也不同。结论：脑钠肽在慢性心功能不全的诊治过程中有重要价值,为临床心功能的判断可以提供较为敏感的指示,适合临床长期推广应用。     

Circadian rhythm of airways caliber and its autonomic modulation

ABSTRACT

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is one of the effector pathways for circadian variation of many physiological parameters. Autonomic tone and airways caliber have been reported to exhibit circadian variation in separate studies. A simultaneous investigation of heart rate variability (HRV) and airway caliber might ascertain how airway caliber is modulated by autonomic tone. This study was planned to identify the variations in airway caliber and autonomic function tone during a 24-hour span. A total of 56 healthy male subjects with almost similar daily routines were studied. Time domain, frequency domain and nonlinear analysis of R-R interval from 5 min electrocardiogram (ECG) was done seven times during the daytime wake span at 3-hour intervals starting at 05:00 h in the morning until 23:00 h in the night. Simultaneously peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was determined using a mini Wright’s peak flow meter. Rhythmometric analysis was done for PEFR and HRV parameters. Significant circadian variation in low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) variance was identified in this group of healthy subjects. The circadian rhythm of LF variance was characterized by a gradual increase and corresponding reciprocal change in HF variance from morning until night. The LF/HF ratio and SD2/SD1 ratio reflecting sympatho-vagal balance showed low to high values from morning to evening. The acrophase of the PEFR temporal pattern is similar to that of LF power and almost opposite in phase to that of HF power. PEFR is positively correlated with LF power. The circadian rhythm of airway caliber co-varies with cardiac autonomic tone. It appears that the temporal pattern of cardiac autonomic tone precedes in time that of airways caliber, thereby suggesting the latter operates under the modulatory effect of the 24-hour pattern in sympatho-vagal balance.     

热激处理对冷藏蚕豆种子褐变和有关酶活性的影响

研究了45℃30、60和120s短期热激处理对蚕豆种子在1℃贮藏期间褐变和有关酶活性的影响。结果表明,采用45℃ 60s热激处理可显著降低蚕豆在冷藏期间的呼吸强度、PPO和PAL活性,抑制MDA和总酚含量及褐变度的上升,延缓叶绿素和Vc含量的下降。从而起到延缓衰老和保持品质的作用。45℃热处理120s使2周后MDA含量和褐变度上升及Vc含量下降较快,这可能是由于组织受到了热伤害造成的。     

高通量测序技术在罕见病分子诊疗中的 应用及临床实例分析

罕见病病种繁多,且表型复杂多样,不仅仅体现在疾病间的不同,同一种疾病的不同患者在表型上也可能大相径庭。这种普遍存 在的遗传异质性和临床异质性,使罕见病的诊疗极具挑战。近年来,在后人类基因组计划时代,各种测序技术快速发展,使得大规模测 序如疾病目标基因集测序、全外显子组测序、全基因组测序等成为了现实。高通量测序技术可实现对多个靶基因进行高通量平行测序, 有效节约了成本与时间,越来越广泛地应用到临床疾病分子诊疗领域。分析传统测序技术与高通量测序技术的优缺点,介绍罕见病诊疗 中常用的高通量测序策略,并结合临床实例,综述高通量测序技术在罕见病诊疗中的应用。     

基于供给侧视角的我国分级诊疗相关问题思考

自习近平总书记首次提出供给侧改革以来,“供给侧”作为经济改革新词逐渐在医疗领域也引起热议,继续推行分级诊疗制更有现实必要性。从医疗服务提供者和相关配套措施角度详细分析了我国分级诊疗供给侧存在的问题,并提出逐步剥离医院门诊服务、加大对基层的投入力度和加强不同医疗机构的协作的建议。     

双氯芬酸钠与塞来昔布治疗类风湿关节炎的疗效及对心血管的影响研究

目的：探讨双氯芬酸钠和塞来昔布治疗类风湿关节炎的临床疗效及用药安全性。方法：将我院2011 年1 月-2012 年1 月门诊收治的98 例类风湿性关节炎患者随机分为对照组和观察组,每组49 例。对照组给予双氯芬酸钠治疗,观察组给予塞来昔布治疗,观察两组临床治疗效果及心血管不良事件的发生情况。结果：观察组总有效率为91.84%显著高于对照组的75.51%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;观察组ESR及CRP 分别为（110.65± 7.28）mm/h 和（10.42± 0.98）mg/L显著低于治疗前和对照组,比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;观察组心血管不良事件发生率为8.16%显著低于对照组的20.41%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：塞来昔布治疗类风湿关节炎具有较好的临床疗效,可有效改善患者疼痛、僵硬或功能受限等症状,且心血管不良事件发生率低,值得临床进一步推广和应用。