Longitudinal assessment of S100B serum levels and clinical factors in youth patients with mood disorders

AbstractMood disorders have been discussed as being in relation to glial pathology. S100B is a calcium-binding protein, and a marker of glial dysfunctions. Although alterations in the S100B expression may play a role in various central nervous system diseases, there are no studies on the potential role of S100B in mood disorders in adolescents and young adults . In a prospective two-year follow-up study, peripheral levels of S100B were investigated in 79 adolescent/young adult patients (aged 14–24 years), diagnosed with mood disorders and compared with 31 healthy control subjects. A comprehensive clinical interview was conducted which focused on clinical symptoms and diagnosis change. The diagnosis was established and verified at each control visit. Serum S100B concentrations were determined. We detected: lower S100B levels in medicated patients, compared with those who were drug-free, and healthy controls; higher S100B levels in a depressed group with a family history of affective disorder; correlations between age and medication status; sex-dependent differences in S100B levels; and lack a of correlation between the severity of depressive or hypo/manic symptoms. The results of our study indicate that S100B might be a trait-dependent rather than a state-dependent marker. Due to the lack of such studies in the youth population, further research should be performed. A relatively small sample size, a lack of exact age-matched control group, a high drop-out rate.

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The Effect of Immunosuppression on Selected Antioxidant Parameters in Patients with Graves’ Disease with Active Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes ◽

10.1055/a-1274-0998 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Magdalena Londzin-Olesik ◽

Beata Kos-Kudla ◽

Jacek Karpe ◽

Aleksandra Nowak ◽

Mariusz Nowak

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽

Serum Vitamin ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Paraoxonase 1 ◽

Control Group ◽

Graves Disease ◽

Methylprednisolone Treatment ◽

Antioxidant Parameters

Abstract Background and Study Aims Thyroid-associated orbitopathy, the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease, is an autoimmune inflammation of orbital soft tissue. We report the study assessing the effect of immunosuppressive treatment with methylprednisolone on selected antioxidant parameters in patients with Graves’ disease with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy. Patients and Methods Activity and serum levels of selected antioxidant parameters as well as lipid peroxidation products were determined in a group of 56 patients with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy at three time-points: at baseline, after the discontinuation of intravenous methylprednisolone treatment and at 3 months after the discontinuation of additional oral methylprednisolone treatment. A control group consisted of 20 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. Results We found an increased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and increased serum levels of uric acid, malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes, as well as a reduced activity of paraoxonase-1 and reduced serum vitamin C level in the study group at baseline. Systemic intravenous and oral methylprednisolone therapy led to normalization of activity and concentration of the most studied parameters. Conclusion Results of our study confirmed that oxidative stress is one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of thyroid-associated orbitopathy and the methyloprednisolone treatment is effective in reducing both clinical symptoms and oxidative stress in patients with this disease.

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ECT rekindles pharmacological response in schizophrenia

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2009.04.005 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (8) ◽

pp. 521-525 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

H. Hustig ◽

R. Onilov

Keyword(s):

Small Sample Size ◽

Antipsychotic Agents ◽

Pharmacological Therapy ◽

Small Sample ◽

Clinical Population ◽

Control Group ◽

Clinical Notes ◽

Symptom Profiles ◽

Pharmacological Response ◽

Maintenance Ect

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of our naturalistic-observational study was to determine the efficacy and utility of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in clinical population of individuals with schizophrenia where pharmacological response was suboptimal.MethodsThe cohort comprised 27 patients suffering from schizophrenia with refractoriness to antipsychotic agents and with severe, disabling symptoms. They only interventional assessing tool was clinical global impression (CGI-S) performed at the baseline and at the end of the treatment.ResultsThe administration of ECT resulted in overall clinical improvement reflected in CGI scales and descriptions in clinical notes. On 12 months follow-up period, 10 patients (37.1%) maintained improvement and were able to continue with pharmacological therapy only, suggesting its rekindling effect, especially with Clozapine. Conversely, 17 patients (62.9%) deteriorated and required an additional course of ECT to maintain improvement. In some cases, maintenance ECT treatment was required. The group who engaged in self-harming behaviour at baseline demonstrated they were more likely to relapse into psychosis at the end of the first course of ECT, their self-harming behaviour abated, especially when maintenance ECT was undertaken.ConclusionsAlthough limited by lack of control group, small sample size, heterogeneous symptom profiles and various concurrent neuroleptic agents, the ECT proved as valuable and safe augmentative procedure when unsatisfactory response to pharmacological interventions had been demonstrated prior to interventions. This effect was evident despite the chronicity of the illness.

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Transgenic Chickens Overexpressing Aromatase Have High Estrogen Levels but Maintain a Predominantly Male Phenotype

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2015-1697 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 157 (1) ◽

pp. 83-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Luke S. Lambeth ◽

Kirsten R. Morris ◽

Terry G. Wise ◽

David M. Cummins ◽

Terri E. O'Neil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Sample Size ◽

Sex Differentiation ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Sex Reversal ◽

High Serum ◽

Small Sample ◽

Chicken Embryos ◽

Sex Development ◽

Multistep Process ◽

Transgenic Chickens

Abstract Estrogens play a key role in sexual differentiation of both the gonads and external traits in birds. The production of estrogen occurs via a well-characterized steroidogenic pathway, which is a multistep process involving several enzymes, including cytochrome P450 aromatase. In chicken embryos, the aromatase gene (CYP19A1) is expressed female-specifically from the time of gonadal sex differentiation. Ectopic overexpression of aromatase in male chicken embryos induces gonadal sex reversal, and male embryos treated with estradiol become feminized; however, this is not permanent. To test whether a continuous supply of estrogen in adult chickens could induce stable male to female sex reversal, 2 transgenic male chickens overexpressing aromatase were generated using the Tol2/transposase system. These birds had robust ectopic aromatase expression, which resulted in the production of high serum levels of estradiol. Transgenic males had female-like wattle and comb growth and feathering, but they retained male weights, displayed leg spurs, and developed testes. Despite the small sample size, this data strongly suggests that high levels of circulating estrogen are insufficient to maintain a female gonadal phenotype in adult birds. Previous observations of gynandromorph birds and embryos with mixed sex chimeric gonads have highlighted the role of cell autonomous sex identity in chickens. This might imply that in the study described here, direct genetic effects of the male chromosomes largely prevailed over the hormonal profile of the aromatase transgenic birds. This data therefore support the emerging view of at least partial cell autonomous sex development in birds. However, a larger study will confirm this intriguing observation.

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Nearly Lethal Resuscitated Suicide Attempters Have No Low Serum Levels of Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.106.3.785-790 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 106 (3) ◽

pp. 785-790 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Maurizio Pompili ◽

David Lester ◽

Marco Innamorati ◽

Paolo Girardi ◽

Roberto Tatarelli

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempt ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Serum Cholesterol ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Small Sample ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Lower Serum ◽

Lower Serum Cholesterol

To verify the hypothesis that suicide attempts are associated with lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels of patients with mood disorders, 26 patients with mood disorders (bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder) were admitted after a medically serious suicide attempt to the emergency department and then hospitalized in the psychiatric unit of the Sant'Andrea Hospital (Rome, Italy). Controls were 87 patients who had not made a recent suicide attempt. Attempters and nonattempters did not differ in the levels of serum cholesterol or triglycerides. Indeed, attempters had nonsignificantly higher serum levels of cholesterol and lower serum levels of triglycerides. The use of biologic indicators such as levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides in the prediction of suicide risk in mood disorders was not fully supported from this small sample.

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OP0086 GENDER INFLUENCE ON CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS, DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR (BDNF) SERUM LEVELS IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY FIBROMYALGIA

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.3326 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 47.2-47

Author(s):

C. Gioia ◽

B. Lucchino ◽

C. Iannuccelli ◽

G. Dolcini ◽

M. DI Franco

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Serum Level ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Control Group ◽

Males And Females

Background:Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common rheumatic disease characterized by chronic widespread pain, sleep and mood disorders. A higher prevalence of FM in women compared with men is well known, although the specific differences in clinical manifestations related to gender are still poorly defined. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is an endogenous growth factor that gained attention for its potential as biomarker of several diseases, including FM and depression.Objectives:The aims of this study were to investigate gender-related difference among males and females affected by FM in clinical manifestations, depressive features and BDNF serum level, evaluating also the diagnostic potential of the latter.Methods:We consecutively enrolled adult patients affected by FM (ACR 2016) referring to our out-patient clinic. Each subject underwent clinical and answered to questionnaires for the severity of FM symptoms (Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, R-FIQ) and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II). We collected blood samples from a subgroup of patients of both sexes, matched for age, for BDNF serum level dosage through ELISA. BDNF levels were assessed also in a control group, matched for sex and age.Results:The cohort was composed by 201 FM patients (172 F, 29 M), mean age 49.13. Females showed higher values of R-FIQ total score (p=0,0005) as well the specific items of the R-FIQ for pain (p=0,013), fatigue (p=0,014), memory problems (p=0,007), tenderness to touch (p<0,0001), balance problems (p<0,0001) and sensitivity to environmental stimuli (p=0,012) when compared with males (fig. 1). There was no difference in BDI-II between males and females, but notably male patients reported a significantly higher frequency of coexisting depressive disorder (p=0,038) (fig. 2). Serum BDNF levels were evaluated in 40 FM patients and 40 healthy controls (HC) (F:M 1:1). BDNF levels were significantly lower in FM patients compared with HC (p<0,0001). Among FM patients, BDNF levels were lower in males compared with females (p<0,0001) (fig.3). BDNF did not correlate with any clinical and clinimetric parameter. BDNF showed a good diagnostic performance (AUC=0,89, CI95%=0,82-0,9630, p<0,0001) (fig. 4). At a cut-off value <6,47 ng/dl, BDNF showed a specificity of 75% and a sensibility of 92,31%,(CI 95%=79,68-97.35) for FM identification (LR=3,692).Conclusion:FM clinical manifestations are strongly dependant from gender. While females present a more severe disease and a higher burden of symptoms, mood disorders tend to be a major characteristic of males with FM. Reduced BDNF serum levels have been reported as typical of depressive disorders. Our findings of lower BDNF levels in male FM patients compared to females support this hypothesis. BDNF have potential as biomarker of the disease and should be validated in larger cohorts.References:[1]Sarzi-Puttini et al. Nature Reviews 2020[2]Colucci-D’Amato et al. Int J Molecular Sciences 2020[3]Nugraha et al. Rheumatol Int 2012[4]Schmitt et al. Ann Med 2016[5]Melchior et al. Neuroscience 2016[6]Stefani et al. Neuroscience Letters 2012Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Acetaminophen-Related Liver Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Experimental Studies in Vivo

Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.2174/1574888x16666211007092055 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

Author(s):

Li Wang ◽

Yiwen Zhang ◽

Jiajun Zhong ◽

Yuan Zhang ◽

Shuisheng Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group

Objective: The efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in acetaminophen-induced liver injury has been investigated in animal experiments, but individual studies with a small sample size cannot be used to draw a clear conclusion. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies to explore the potential of using MSCs in acetaminophen-induced liver injury. Methods: Eight databases were searched for studies reporting the effects of MSCs on acetaminophen hepatoxicity. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool for animal studies was applied to assess the methodological quality. A meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.4 and STATA/SE 16.0 software. Results: Eleven studies involving 159 animals were included according to PRISMA statement guidelines. Significant associations were found for MSCs with the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) (standardized mean difference (SMD) − 2.58, p < 0.0001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SMD − 1.75, p = 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (SMD 3.7, p < 0.0001), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (SMD 1.86, p = 0.022), interleukin 10 (IL-10) (SMD 5.14, p = 0.0002) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (SMD − 4.48, p = 0.011) compared with those in the control group. The subgroup analysis showed that the tissue source of MSCs significantly affected the therapeutic efficacy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis results demonstrate that MSCs could be a potential treatment for acetaminophen-related liver injury.

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Thought overactivation as a marker of bipolar disorder

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.547 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. s222-s223 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Ferrari ◽

P. Ossola ◽

V. Lucarini ◽

V. Accardi ◽

C. De Panfilis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Mental States ◽

Small Sample ◽

Bipolar Spectrum ◽

Global Functioning ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Bipolar Patients

IntroductionRecent studies have underlined the importance of considering the form of thoughts, beyond their content, in order to achieve a better phenomenological comprehension of mental states in mood disorders. The subjective experience of thought overactivation is an important feature of mood disorders that could help in identifying, among patients with a depressive episode, those who belong to the bipolar spectrum.ObjectivesPatients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD) were compared with matched healthy controls (HC) on a scale that evaluates thought overactivation.AimsValidate the Italian version of a scale for thought overactivation (i.e. STOQ) in a sample of bipolar patients.MethodsThirty euthymic BD and 30 HC completed the Subjective Thought Overactivation Questionnaire (STOQ), the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and global functioning (VGF).ResultsThe 9-items version of the STOQ has been back translated and its internal consistency in this sample was satisfactory (alpha = .91). Both the brooding subscore of RRS (b-RRS) (r = .706; P < .001) and STOQ (r = .664; P < .001) correlate significantly with depressive symptoms whereas only the first correlate with VGF (r = –.801; P < .001). The two groups did not differed in the b-RRS (HC = 8.41 vs BD = 9.72; P = .21), whereas BD where significantly higher in the STOQ total score (HC = 6.62 vs. BD = 14.9; P = .007).ConclusionOur results, although limited by the small sample size, confirm the validity of the STOQ and suggest that this scale could grasp a feature characteristic of BD, independently from their tendency to ruminate. The latter seems to impact more on global functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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An experimental study on the effects of exposure to magazine advertising on children's food choices

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980010002983 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. 1337-1344 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Sandra C Jones ◽

Lisa Kervin

Keyword(s):

Small Sample Size ◽

Food Preferences ◽

Food Choices ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Snack Food ◽

South Wales ◽

Children's Magazines ◽

Food Advertisements ◽

Effects On Children

AbstractObjectiveThe present study sought to determine the feasibility of an experimental research design to investigate the effects of exposure to magazine advertising on children's food choices.DesignChildren were randomized to read either a magazine with food advertisements or a magazine with no food advertisements. They then chose two food items from the intervention ‘store’ to eat after the session. Data were also collected on attitudes to advertising and snack food preferences. Finally, participants’ parents were provided with a self-completion survey on food choices and other variables (n24).SettingThree vacation care centres in regional New South Wales, Australia.SubjectsChildren aged 5–12 years (n47).ResultsChildren in the experimental condition were more likely to choose advertised foods than those in the control group. Interestingly, the majority reported taste and healthiness as the most important factors in snack food choices; however, when faced with the actual food choice, they predominantly chose unhealthy foods (eighty-two unhealthy and only twelve healthy items were chosen).ConclusionsThis was the first study to assess the effects on children of exposure to food advertising within the context of reading a child-targeted magazine. Importantly, even with the small sample size and venue limitations, we found that exposure to magazine advertising influenced food choices. Children's magazines are an under-researched and poorly regulated medium, with considerable potential to influence children's food choices. The present study shows that the methodology is feasible, and future studies could replicate this with larger samples.

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Prevalence, Symptoms and Duration of Post Acute Effects in SARS-CoV-2 Positive Children – a Nationwide Cohort Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-839948/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Luise Borch ◽

Mette Holm ◽

Maria Knudsen ◽

Svend Ellermann-Eriksen ◽

Soeren Hagstroem

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Muscle Weakness ◽

School Children ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Risk Difference ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Respiratory Problems ◽

Danish Health ◽

Registration Number

Abstract Background: Most children have a mild course of acute COVID-19, but only a few mainly non-controlled studies with small sample size, have evaluated the long-term recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection in children (‘long COVID’).Methods: We conducted a nationwide cohort study of 37,522 children age 0-17 years with RT-PCR verified SARS-CoV-2 infection and a control group of 78,037 randomly selected children. An electronic questionnaire was sent to both groups of children from March 24th until May 9th 2021.Results: Long COVID symptoms were reported by 12-51% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children. Among pre-school children, fatigue Risk Difference (RD) 0.05 (CI 0.04-0.06), loss of smell RD 0.01 (CI 0.01-0.01), loss of taste RD 0.01 (CI 0.01-0.02) and muscle weakness RD 0.01 (CI 0.00-0.01) were statistically significant symptoms of ‘long COVID’.Among school children the most significant symptoms were loss of smell RD 0.12 (CI 0.12-0.13), loss of taste RD 0.10 (CI 0.09-0.10), fatigue RD 0.05 (CI 0.05-0.06), respiratory problems RD 0.03 (CI 0.03-0.04), dizziness RD 0.02 (CI 0.02-0.03), muscle weakness RD 0.02 (CI 0.01-0.02), and chest pain RD 0.01 (CI 0.01-0.01). Children in the control group experienced significantly more concentration difficulties, headache, muscle- and joint pain, cough, nausea, diarrhea and fever than the SARS-CoV-2 infected. In most children ‘long COVID’ symptoms resolved within 1-5 months.Conclusions: This study provides new evidence of ‘long COVID’ symptoms in children.Trial registration number: The study was approved by The Danish Health Data Authority and registered at Central Denmark region (# 1-16-02-621-20).

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The impact of visual impairment on nutritional status: A systematic review

British Journal of Visual Impairment ◽

10.1177/0264619617730860 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 17-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nabila Jones ◽

Hannah Bartlett

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Sample Size ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Visually Impaired People ◽

Impaired People ◽

The Impact

The aim of this review was to evaluate the literature that has investigated the impact of visual impairment on nutritional status. We identified relevant articles through a multi-staged systematic approach. Fourteen articles were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The sample size of the studies ranged from 9 to 761 participants. It was found that visual impairment significantly affects nutritional status. The studies reported that visually impaired people have an abnormal body mass index (BMI); a higher prevalence of obesity and malnutrition was reported. Visually impaired people find it difficult to shop for, eat, and prepare meals. Most studies had a small sample size, and some studies did not include a study control group for comparison. The limitations of these studies suggest that the findings are not conclusive enough to hold true for only those who are visually impaired. Further studies with a larger sample size are required with the aim of developing interventions.

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