Regulating emotion to improve physical health through the amygdala

The opinion of mind–body interaction has been increasingly acknowledged in recent years, as exemplified by accumulating evidence indicating that physical health (body) is associated with emotion and emotion regulation (mind). Yet, the neural basis linking emotion regulation with physical health remains largely uninvestigated. Here we used magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural basis of this pathway in a large population of healthy young adults. With a systematic study revealing the association of self-reported physical health and emotion traits of personality and general affective experiences, we further demonstrated that, for better physical health, individuals needed to regulate their emotion more effectively. Importantly, individuals who had larger gray matter (GM) volume in the amygdala reported not only a higher ability of emotion regulation but also better physical health. Further, GM volume in the amygdala mediated the correlation between emotion regulation ability and physical health. Our findings suggest that the amygdala plays a critical role in the neural circuit through which emotion regulation may influence physical health. Therefore, our study takes the first step toward exploring the neuroanatomical basis for body–mind interaction and may inform interventions aimed at promoting physical health by augmenting skills of emotion regulation.     

Effects of maternal subtotal nephrectomy on the development of the fetal kidney: A morphometric study

The present study was designed to explore if maternal subtotal (5/6) nephrectomy affects the development of fetal rat kidneys using morphometric methods and examining whether there are any apoptotic changes in the fetal kidney. To generate 5/6 nephrectomized model rats, animals underwent 2/3 left nephrectomy on gestation day (GD) 5 and total right nephrectomy on GD 12. The fetal kidneys were examined on GDs 16 and 22. A significant decrease in fetal body weight resulting from maternal 5/6 nephrectomy was observed on GD 16, and a significant decrease in fetal renal weight and fetal body weight caused by maternal nephrectomy was observed on GD 22. Maternal 5/6 nephrectomy induced a significant increase in glomerular number, proximal tubular length, and total proximal tubular volume of fetuses on GD 22. Maternal 5/6 nephrectomy resulted in an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the metanephric mesenchyme of the kidney on GD 16, and in the collecting tubules on GD 22. These findings suggest that maternal 5/6 nephrectomy stimulates the development of the fetal kidney while suppressing fetal growth.     

Persistent reduction of pancreatic Beta-cell mass after a limited period of protein-energy malnutrition in the young rat

Summary Kwashiorkor, the human disease of protein-energy malnutrition, has been implicated in the aetiology of malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus, a form of diabetes not uncommon in developing countries. We have previously demonstrated that temporary protein-energy malnutrition in young rats causes a persisting impairment of insulin secretion. The present study investigates whether this secretory deficiency is accompanied by structural alterations of the endocrine pancreas. Three-week-old rats were weaned onto semi-synthetic diets containing either 15% or 5% protein and these diets were maintained for 3 weeks. From 6 weeks of age all rats were fed a commercial chow containing 18% protein. The endocrine pancreas was investigated by light and electron microscopic morphometry at 3, 6 and 12 weeks of age. In rats not subjected to protein-energy malnutrition there was a progressive increase, with age, of total pancreatic Beta-cell weight and individual Beta-cell size. In 6-week-old rats fed the low protein diet total pancreatic Beta-cell weight and individual Beta-cell size were diminished. In 12-week-old rats previously fed the low protein diet total Beta-cell weight remained lower compared to control rats. It is concluded that protein-energy malnutrition early in life may result in a diminished reserve for insulin production. This may predispose to glucose intolerance or even diabetes in situations with an increased insulin demand.This work was presented in part at the 26th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Copenhagen, Denmark 10–13 September 1990     

基于体素的形态学测量原发性三叉神经痛患者脑灰质体积

目的 应用基于体素形态学测量(VBM)技术观察原发性三叉神经痛(ITN)患者脑内灰质体积(GMV)变化。方法 将43例ITN患者(ITN组)分为左侧ITN组(LITN组,21例)及右侧ITN组(RITN组,22例)。另选25名健康志愿者作为对照组。对3组均行MR检查,采集VBM数据,测量GMV,并进行统计学分析。结果 LITN组与对照组比较,双侧小脑半球、右侧丘脑GMV增加,左后扣带回、左楔前叶GMV减少(P均<0.001)。RITN组与对照组比较,双侧小脑半球、左海马旁回、左岛叶、右楔叶、中脑导水管周围灰质GMV增加,左颞中回、左中央后回、右颞下回GMV减少(P均<0.001)。RITN组与LITN组比较,左侧小脑半球、双侧岛叶、右中央后回、左扣带回GMV增加,右颞下回、右侧丘脑GMV减少(P均<0.001)。结论 ITN患者脑内GMV发生改变,VBM技术有助于客观反映ITN患者脑内GMV变化。     

基于体素的形态学MRI观察未经药物治疗的强迫症患者脑灰质结构改变

目的 探查未经药物治疗的强迫症患者脑灰质结构存在异常的区域,并探讨脑灰质体积改变与临床症状之间的关系.方法 用基于体素的形态学方法(voxel-based morphometry,VBM),对比分析21例未经药物治疗的强迫症患者和21例年龄、性别及受教育程度相匹配的正常对照者脑灰质体积存在差异的脑区,并采用耶鲁-布郎量表(Y-BOCS)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)及汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)评估临床症状.结果 强迫症患者与正常对照者相比脑灰质结构存在明显萎缩的区域主要位于双侧眶额叶、前扣带回、右侧丘脑以及右侧小脑(P＜0.05,FDR校正),患者左侧眶额叶的灰质体积与耶鲁布朗量表评分之间存在负相关(r=-0.63,P＜0.01).结论“皮质-纹状体-丘脑-皮质”环路的结构异常在强迫症的发病机制中起着重要作用,同时表明环路外小脑等结构的异常也可能参与了强迫症的病理生理学进程.     

Unmyelinated fiber sensory neuropathy differs in type 1 and type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain is common in diabetic patients. Degeneration of sensory C-fibers in peripheral nerve plays a prominent role in the generation of neuropathic pain. We examined degenerative changes of C-fibers in two rat models with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Type 1 insulinopenic BB/Wor and type 2 hyperinsulinemic diabetic BBZDR/Wor-rats of 8 months duration with equal exposure to hyperglycemia were examined. Thermal hyperalgesia was monitored using an infrared thermal probe. C-fiber size, number, frequencies of denervated Schwann cells, regenerating C-fibers, type 2 axon/Schwann cell relationship and collagen pockets in the sural nerve were examined morphometrically. Neurotrophic receptor expression was examined by Western blotting. Neurotrophins and neuropeptides were examined by ELISA. RESULTS: Type 1 rats showed increased thermal hyperalgesia followed by a decrease. Hyperalgesia in type 2 rats showed a slower progression. These findings were associated with a 50% (p < 0.001) loss of C-fibers, increased frequencies of denervated Schwann cells (p < 0.001), regenerating fibers (p < 0.001), collagen pockets (p < 0.001) and type 2 axon/Schwann cell relationship (p < 0.001) in type 1, but not in type 2 rats. Expression of insulin receptor, IGF-1R, TrkA and C was decreased in BB/Wor rats, whereas BBZDR/Wor rats showed milder or no deficits. NGF and NT-3 in sciatic nerve and substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in dorsal root ganglia were decreased in type 1, but not in type 2 rats. CONCLUSION: The more severe molecular, functional and morphometric abnormalities of nociceptive C-fibers in type 1 insulinopenic rats compared to type 2 hyperinsulinemic rats suggest that impaired insulin action may play a more important pathogenetic role than hyperglycemia per se.     

应用基于体素的形态学测量在不同程度OSAHS脑灰质密度变化的研究

目的应用基于体素的形态学测量(VBM)技术初步探讨不同程度的OSAHS对大脑微观结构的影响。 方法应用PHILIPS 3.0 T磁共振对通过脑MRI-VBM技术比较研究2016年1月至2017年12月我院确诊的轻、中、重度OSAHS患者的脑结构变化情况。 结果①本研究对55例确诊的OSAHS患者依据睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)将其分为轻、中、重度,各组间年龄、性别及海拔无明显差异(均P>0.05),轻度组平均血氧饱和度(MSpO₂)、最低氧饱和度(LSpO₂)均明显高于中度、重度组(P<0.05),重度OSAHS组AHI显著高于轻度、中度组(P＝0.000); ②中度OSAHS患者与轻度OSAHS患者VBM-MRI相比较,包括左侧杏仁核、左侧海马、左侧脑岛脑灰质体积减少;③重度OSAHS患者与轻度OSAHS患者VBM-MRI相比较,右侧海马旁回脑灰质体积减少;④重度OSAHS患者与中度OSAHS患者VBM-MRI相比较：包括左侧脑岛、左侧尾状核、左侧豆状壳核脑灰质体积增加;左侧丘脑、右侧丘脑脑灰质体积减少。 结论不同程度的OSAHS患者间歇缺氧下导致脑灰质有不同程度的变化,说明了OSAHS对患者的脑结构有着一定程度的影响。     

Effects of orthodontic magnets on cutaneous epithelial thickness and tibial bone growth in rats

The use of permanent magnets in orthodontic treatment has increased significantly over the past years, triggered by the introduction of rare earth magnetic alloys. Concerns about possible side effects have been expressed relating to their use in orthodontic treatment. In previous experimental studies evidence of a reduction in bone formation and epithelial turnover close to rare earth magnets has been presented. The aim of the present study was twofold: to confirm earlier results and to study whether the observed changes are reversible. One hind leg in each of 45 rats was fitted with aluminum rings with Co₅Sm magnets, whereas the other hind leg was fitted with sham rings. After 8 weeks 25 rats were killed, and the rings in the remaining rats were removed. The latter group was killed after another 11 weeks. The epithelial and bone reactions were evaluated histomorphometrically. Previous results showing thinner epithelium and retarded rate of bone formation close to Co₅Sm magnets were confirmed. These effects were also shown to be largely reversible. It was concluded on the basis of this and the magnitude of the effects that any local side effects from orthodontic rare earth magnets appear negligible when extrapolated to the clinical situation.