Background The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern. To date, there are limited studies that have investigated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among female population. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and it’s related factors among women in Guangzhou, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from 30th March 2020 to 13th April 2020 using anonymous online questionnaire among 864 women at 6–12 weeks postpartum. The Chinese version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a questionnaire regarding associated factors were administered to all participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors that were significantly associated with PPD. Results The prevalence of PPD among women at 6–12 weeks postpartum was 30.0%. A multivariate logistic regression model identified significant factors as: immigrant women, persistent fever, poor social support, concerns about contracting COVID-19 and certain precautionary measures. Conclusions The findings suggest the need for policies and interventions to not only mitigate the psychological impacts but also target disadvantaged sub-groups of women following childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The incidence of PPD was slightly higher than other regions of China. It's of great importance to distinguish risk factors in regional culture context and develop health promotion program in order to enhance the well-being of delivery women.

Aim: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major polyphenol in green tea. In this study, we investigated the effects of EGCG on insulin resistance and insulin clearance in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mice. Methods: Mice were fed on a high-fat diet for 24 weeks. During the last 4 weeks, the mice were injected with EGCG (10, 20 and 40 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 , ip). Glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance and insulin clearance were assessed. After the mice were euthanized, blood samples and tissue specimens were collected. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was examined in isolated pancreatic islets. The progression of NAFLD was evaluated histologically and by measuring lipid contents. Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) protein expression and enzyme activity were detected using Western blot and immunocapture activity assays, respectively. Results: The high-fat diet significantly increased the body weight and induced grade 2 or 3 liver fatty degeneration (steatosis, lobular inflammation and ballooning) accompanied by severe hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in the model mice. Administration of EGCG dose-dependently ameliorated the hepatic morphology and function, reduced the body weight, and alleviated hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in NAFLD mice. Furthermore, EGCG dosedependently enhanced insulin clearance and upregulated IDE protein expression and enzyme activity in the liver of NAFLD mice. Conclusion: EGCG dose-dependently improves insulin resistance in NAFLD mice not only by reducing body weight but also through enhancing the insulin clearance by hepatic IDE. The results suggest that IDE be a potential drug target for the treatment of NAFLD.

No abstract

The development of PPD in women from single-child families is an important public health concern. Health practitioners should offer psychoeducation and culturally sensitive counseling during the postpartum period, and the screening of mood disorders from the prenatal to the postpartum period should be covered by maternity insurance.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an integrated transitional care program on health outcomes in stroke survivors based on an original community for healthcare. Design: A pilot randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment. Randomization by statistician using computer-generated, random numbers concealed in opaque envelopes. Setting: A tertiary hospital and participants’ home across Lishui, China. Subjects: A total of 98 people with acute cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction, eight weeks following discharge from our hospital. Interventions: Each participant received stroke unit–based treatment including acute medical treatment, early rehabilitation and health education. Patients in the intervention group received ongoing rehabilitation at home through multidisciplinary team, while patients in the control group received secondary stroke prevention. Main measures: Short-Form Health Survey-36, Modified Barthel Index and Caregiver Strain Index at four and eight weeks, respectively, after discharged. Results: A total of 98 participants were recruited (intervention n = 49, control n = 49). Patients had an average age of 61.4 years (61.4 ± 18.3). Mean values of Physical Components Summary and Mental Components Summary, integral components of Short-Form Health Survey-36, were significantly better in the intervention group at four and eight weeks (40.2 ± 6.3 and 42.9 ± 3.7 for the former; 43.9 ± 2.6 and 46.1 ± 1.8 for the later). The same trend was observed in Modified Barthel Index (87.1 ± 9.2 and 92.5 ± 6.7 at four and eight weeks, respectively). But the significant improvement in Caregiver Strain Index was only observed at four weeks. There were significant differences between groups in these scores. Conclusion: The transitional care program has been proven to be feasible and improve health-related outcomes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of andrographolide (AP), a bioactive component isolated from Andrographis paniculata, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury as well as the possible mechanisms involved in this protection in mice. Acute liver injury was induced by CCl(4) intoxication in mice. Serum biological analysis, lipid peroxides and antioxidant estimation, histopathological studies, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assay were carried out. CCl(4) treatment resulted in severe hepatic injury, as evidenced by significant elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and typical histopathological changes, such as hepatocyte necrosis. Additionally, CCl(4) administration led to oxidative stress in mice, as indicated by a remarkable increase in the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level, together with a significant decrease in liver reduced glutathione (GSH) content. However, CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with AP, as demonstrated by significant reduction of serum ALT, AST levels and hepatic MDA activity, along with a remarkable increase in hepatic GSH content. Histopathological changes induced by CCl(4) were also ameliorated by AP pretreatment. The marked increase of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced by CCl(4) was attenuated by AP, and the dramatic elevation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) at transcriptional and protein levels was augmented following AP pretreatment. AP can effectively prevent liver injury induced by CCl(4), which may be due to inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern. To date, there are limited studies that have investigated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among female population. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and it’s related factors among women in Guangzhou, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from 30th March 2020 to 13th April 2020 using anonymous online questionnaire among 864 women at 6-12 weeks postpartum. The Chinese version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a questionnaire regarding associated factors were administered to all participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors that were significantly associated with PPD.Results: The prevalence of PPD among women at 6-12 weeks postpartum was 30.0%. A multivariate logistic regression model identified significant factors as: immigrant women, persistent fever, poor social support, concerns about contracting COVID-19 and certain precautionary measures.Conclusions: The findings suggest the need for policies and interventions to not only mitigate the psychological impacts but also targeting disadvantaged sub-groups of women following childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic.