alpha-Calcitonin gene-related peptide (alpha-CGRP) plays a significant pathophysiological role in bone development, metabolism and remodeling around dental implants. However, the half-life of alpha-CGRP in plasma is only 10 min, which affects its long-time application and an alternative approach should be developed to deliver alpha-CGRP over long periods of time. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a lentiviral alpha-CGRP overexpression vector system can express this target-gene longer at peri-implant sites, thus enhancing osseointegration. Animals were divided to the following groups: alpha-CGRP(-/-), alpha-CGRP(-/-) with lentivirus transfection and alpha-CGRP(+/+) mice. MS Spectrum imaging observations identified the successful transfection of alpha-CGRP around experimental implants inserted in the femurs at 5 days after injection. Histomorphometrical analysis indicated an increase of bone-implant contact (BIC) at 1-month healing in the transfection group. Moreover, real-time RT-PCR and western blot results of bone-related markers Runx2, Osterix, and BSP levels elevated in lentivirus-transfected mice at 21 days, compared to the untreated alpha-CGRP(-/-) mice. There was no significant difference between the transfection group and alpha-CGRP(+/+) group. Further alpha-CGRP protein detection confirmed the persistent expression of this transgene at 21 days post-operatively. These results suggest that this lentiviral vector system expresses alpha-CGRP in an effective, appropriate and sustained manner, which might have a potential application in enhancing titanium implant osseointegration. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ObjectiveThis study examined the pattern of adjunctive antidepressant use in schizophrenia patients and its demographic and clinical correlates in a nationwide survey in China.
MethodsFourteen thousand and thirteen patients in 45 Chinese psychiatric hospitals or centers were interviewed (4,486 in 2002, 5,288 in 2006, and 4,239 in 2012). Patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure. Chi-square test, independent-samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used in data analyses.
ResultsAntidepressant use was found in 5.2% of the study population with 4.6% in 2002, 4.3% in 2006, and 6.9% in 2012, respectively. A significant increase in use from 2006 to 2012 was found (p<.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses in the whole population revealed that patients receiving adjunctive antidepressants were more likely to be outpatients in tertiary referral centers (level-III hospitals) and who had an earlier age of onset, less severe global illness, but more depressive symptoms. They were less likely to receive first-generation antipsychotics but more likely to receive benzodiazepines (R-2=0.255, p<.001).
ConclusionsDespite an increasing trend, the frequency of antidepressant use in schizophrenia in China was considerably lower than in Western countries. The benefits and risks associated with concomitant use of antidepressants in schizophrenia need to be studied further.
