scholarly journals Platelet polyphosphate and SARS-Cov-2 mRNA-vaccine-induced inflammatory side-effects: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Uematsu ◽  
Atsushi Sato ◽  
Hachidai Aizawa ◽  
Tetsuhiro Tsujino ◽  
Taisuke Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Initial Dose ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Continuous Treatment ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Male Group

Abstract Background: Platelets have recently been recognized as immune cells. Platelets first contact invading pathogens and then induce immune reactions in cooperation with white blood cells. Platelet polyphosphate (polyP), which is classically recognized as a thrombotic and hemostatic biomolecule, has recently attracted attention as a cytokine that modulates inflammation and is involved in intercellular communication between platelets and major immune cells. Objective: To determine the involvement of polyP in SARS-Cov-2-mRNA vaccine-induced immune responses, this pilot study examined the effects of mRNA vaccines on platelet polyP levels. Methods: Before and after vaccination (BNT162b2), blood samples were obtained from healthy, non-smoking individuals (relatively older male group, n=6 vs. younger female group, n=23), who did not have systemic diseases that required continuous treatment. Washed platelets were prepared and subjected to a fluorometric determination of platelet polyP levels using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The side effects of vaccination were recorded as scores. Results: Compared with the male group, platelet polyP levels decreased in the relatively younger female group after the initial dose, while the side effect score increased in the female group after the second dose. Moderate correlation coefficients were observed between the reduction in polyP levels and the side effect scores or the original polyP levels. Conclusions: Despite being a pilot study using a small sample size, this study suggests the possibility that platelet polyP may suppress the side effects induced by the mRNA vaccines after the initial dose, but not the second dose, in relatively young female subjects who generally have high immune responsiveness.

scholarly journals The influence of phychoemotional stress on white blood cells circulation and thrombodynamics in healthy volunteers

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 718-722
Author(s):  
A P Lozhkin ◽  
Yu V Chernokhvostov ◽  
V G Dvoenosov ◽  
M V Panasyuk ◽  
R I Zhdanov
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Male Group ◽  
Psychoemotional Stress ◽  
Group Sex

Aim. To characterize the influence of psychoemotional stress on a white blood cells number in peripheral blood and clotting parameters. Methods. Lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes blood counts and coagulological testing were performed in fifty-one students (26 males and 25 females) during the midyear examinations. Psychological tests were used to reveal stress resistance and predisposition to stress. Results. The higher monocyte counts were found in male group under stress compared to control group. Meanwhile, female group under stress showed higher percentage of granulocytes and lower percentage of lymphocytes compare to control group. Sex differences in stationary speed of clot formation were found in stress and non-stress groups. Both sex groups showed an association of psychoemotional stress and hemostasis parameters, the differences in male group were more marked. Conclusion. The obtained data suggest that psychoemotional stress modulates immune cells and hemostasis parameters in healthy volunteers.

Sexual dysfunction and mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder: A review

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s849-s849 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Gómez Sánchez-Lafuente ◽  
R. Reina Gonzalez ◽  
M. Hernandez Abellán
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Mood Stabilizers ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Short Period

IntroductionMood stabilizers can cause many side effects. Although many of these are well known, like thyroid and renal failure after taking lithium, sexual dysfunction side effects remains unclear.MethodsWe made a systematic computerized literature search of clinical studies using MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library and Trip for clinical studies of sexual dysfunction published up to December 2015.ResultsOnly eight relevant papers were identified. All of them studied lithium sexual dysfunction in bipolar disorder patients. Valproic acid, carbamazepine and lamotrigine were not studied in patients with bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, the three were studied in epilepsy. Clinical reports usually used Arizona Sexual Experience Scale or Psychotropic Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire to measure sexual dysfunction and Brief Adherence Rating Scale to measure medication adherence. They suggest lithium could decrease desire and sexual thoughts, worse arousal and cause orgasm dysfunction. In overall, those patients with sexual dysfunction had lower level of functioning and poor compliance. Taking benzodiazepines during lithium treatment may increase the risk of sexual dysfunction even more.ConclusionThere are few studies that focus on mood stabilizers sexual dysfunction. This inevitably entails a number of limitations. First, the small sample size and, in some studies, the relative short period of follow-up may underestimate the results. Besides, practical management was not treated in any study. Actually, handling this side effect have not been well established.To conclude, this revision suggest that approximately 30% patients receiving lithium experience this side effect, and it is associated with poor medication adherence.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

An Innovative Approach to Clinical Communication in Schizophrenia: The Approaches to Schizophrenia Communication Checklists

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon G. Dott ◽  
Peter Weiden ◽  
Penelope Hopwood ◽  
A. George Awad ◽  
Jonathan S.E. Hellewell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Treatment Compliance ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Busy Clinical Setting

ABSTRACTSide effects from antipsychotic medications can have a profound effect on patients' lives and may adversely affect their willingness to comply with treatment. Identification of side effects through improved communication between psychiatrists, other members of the healthcare team, and their patients might increase treatment compliance. The Approaches to Schizophrenia Communication (ASC) Steering Group developed two simple, practical checklists for use in the busy clinical setting. The ASC–Self-Report (ASC-SR) checklist is completed by the patient and comprises a list of the more common or clinically important side effects of antipsychotic treatment. The ASC-Clinic (ASC-C) checklist is completed by both clinician and patient together, being used as the basis for a semi-structured interview. In a multicenter pilot study set up to evaluate the utility of checklists, 86% of patients responding considered the ASC-SR to be useful in communicating their problems to psychiatrists and other members of the healthcare team. All healthcare team respondents found both checklists to be helpful when discussing side effect problems with their patients. Moreover, 41% and 47% of healthcare team respondents reported that the ASC-SR and ASC-C, respectively, had assisted them in identifying side-effect problems not previously acknowledged. Preliminary evaluation of the ASC-SR and ASC-C in this multicenter pilot study suggests that both tools were user-friendly, encouraged communication between patients and healthcare professionals about antipsychotic drug side effects, and could readily integrated into everyday clinical practice.

Lithium Levels in White Blood Cells and their Relationship to Observed Side Effects

1983 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Lock Ong
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
White Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Lithium Therapy ◽  
Hand Tremor

SummaryA strong correlation was obtained between white blood cell (WBC) lithium concentrations and the severity of observed side effects in a group of 40 patients receiving prophylactic lithium therapy. However, there was no significant correlation between these levels and the specific side effect of hand tremor, although WBC concentrations were higher in patients with greater tremor. These results contrasted with those for plasma and red blood cell (RBC) lithium concentrations, which showed no relationship to side effects. This suggests that WBC lithium concentrations may be a more sensitive index of side effects than conventional plasma estimations.

Adjustment of the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale for adults with intellectual disabilities. A pilot study

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Louise Tveter ◽  
Trine Lise Bakken ◽  
Jørgen G. Bramness ◽  
Jan Ivar Røssberg
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Psychotropic Medication ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – Patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) and additional psychiatric disorders are often treated with psychotropic medication. However, examinations of side effects among these patients are scarce. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the most frequently used side effect scale, UKU Side Effect Rating Scale (UKU-SERS), in this patient population. Design/methodology/approach – The aim of the present study is to explore whether the UKU-SERS is feasible for patients with ID. The UKU-SERS consists originally of 48 items, measuring side effects of psychotropic medication. In the study, UKU-SERS was used to score a group of 13 adults with ID admitted to a specialised inpatient psychiatric unit. First, an expert panel of seven psychiatrists and five psychiatric nurses independently evaluated the UKU-SERS and decided which items they considered possible to score after observation alone. Second, a total of 26 staff members, based on observation, scored the 13 patients on the ward. These results were used as the basis for recommending items from UKU-SERS to be used. Items scored differently by the two groups were examined more thoroughly. Findings – The expert panel and the ward staff agreed on 24 of the original 48 UKU-SERS items. The other 24 items were examined more thoroughly based on clinical meaningfulness. Consequently, 11 more items were included despite disagreement in the scorer groups. As expected, items that are based on observations seem more feasible than items based on the patients’ subjective experiences. Originality/value – The revised checklist comprises 35 items and seems applicable for further research and for use in clinical settings for this patient population. It is possible to observe important side effects using the UKU Side Effect Scale, but adjustment of the scale is desirable to make it more appropriate for the specific purpose and target group.

scholarly journals Time and Side-Effect Burden Associated with Red Blood Cell Transfusions in Patients Diagnosed with Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4987-4987
Author(s):  
Shaloo Gupta ◽  
Halley Costantino ◽  
Kacper Perkowski ◽  
Bryan Inyart ◽  
Lauren Ashka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Time Requirements ◽  
Rbc Transfusion

Abstract Introduction: β-thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder marked by the inability to produce hemoglobin. Diagnosed primarily in childhood, transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) is the most severe form of this disorder and results in chronic anemia, requiring frequent red blood cell (RBC) transfusions to maintain hemoglobin levels. While previous studies have shown that health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is adversely affected in patients with TDT, the issues associated with the transfusion process itself in these patients (eg, side effects and time requirements) have not always been examined. These issues are the focus of this study. Methods: Following exploratory qualitative interviews with a small sample of patients identified by the Cooley's Anemia Foundation (CAF), a 30-minute web-based survey was developed to assess HRQoL variables in TDT. Subsequently, CAF identified patients in the US who were ≥ 18 years of age, had a self-reported physician diagnosis of β-thalassemia, and had received ≥ 1 RBC transfusion in the past 6 months, and invited them to participate in the study. Following informed consent, patients completed a number of validated and ad hoc questions about their treatment, side effects, psychological burden, time requirements for a transfusion, and caregiver information. Data were collected in May 2021. Descriptive results are presented as frequencies, means, and standard deviations (SD). Results: A total of 100 patients were identified and recruited by CAF and completed the survey. Of these, 35 (35%) were male, with a mean age of 36.0 (SD = 10.4) years. Patients had been diagnosed with TDT for a mean of 34.4 years (SD = 10.3) and had received a mean of 9.6 (SD = 4.3) RBC transfusions in the previous 6 months. In addition to receiving RBC transfusions (100%), other treatments ever received for TDT included iron chelation therapy (94%), surgery (47%), and stem cell/bone marrow transplantation (5%). Regarding RBC transfusions, 66% of patients reported requiring them more than once per month, 31% each month, and 3% every other month. Common patient-reported side effects of RBC transfusions were iron overload (81%), rashes/hives (74%), fatigue (61%), and pain/bruising at the injection site (52%). Additionally, 86% of patients reported feeling fatigued leading up to RBC transfusions, 75% reported that treatments for TDT had become routine, and 64% accepted the routine. Time required for an RBC transfusion was estimated at a mean of 7.4 hours (SD = 11.3) including transfusion preparation time. Travel and wait times were estimated as requiring an additional 7.1 hours. Other time requirements included frequent outpatient visits and frequent laboratory tests, averaging 3.9 visits and 6.1 visits in a 6-month period, respectively. Overall, 13% of patients reported having a caregiver. Caregiver activities included travel to and from appointments (77%), help with household duties (77%), and assistance in treatment decisions (62%). Conclusions: The results of this survey suggest there is a substantial time and side-effect burden associated with transfusion and treatment among patients diagnosed with TDT. This includes considerable time devoted to preparing for and receiving transfusions, transfusion-related side effects, frequent laboratory and outpatient appointments, and help from a caregiver. Medical treatments that would decrease the dependency on transfusions in TDT could decrease this burden and improve overall quality of life. Disclosures Gupta: Kantar Health: Current Employment; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Costantino: Kantar Health: Current Employment; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Perkowski: Kantar Health: Current Employment; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Inyart: Kantar Health: Current Employment; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ashka: Kantar Health: Current Employment; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Clapp: Kantar Health: Current Employment; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Price: Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Knoth: Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment.

scholarly journals Patient preferences for the pharmacological treatment of osteoarthritis using adaptive choice-based conjoint (ACBC) analysis: A pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basem Al-Omari
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Patient Preferences ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Heart Attack ◽  
Hierarchical Bayes ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Pharmaceutical Treatment ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Adaptive Choice

Background: Patient preferences for pharmaceutical treatment of osteoarthritis have been investigated using Conjoint Analysis. Studies have identified the importance of side effects in determining preferences, but noted that methodological limitations precluded further investigation of additional attributes such as hepatic and renal toxicity.Objective: Following on from a feasibility study of adaptive choice-based conjoint (ACBC) analysis, the aim of this study was to evaluate 8 medication attributes for the pharmaceutical treatment of osteoarthritis (OA).Setting and Participants: Eleven participants were recruited from members of a Research Users’ Group (RUG) who had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. RUG members individually complete the ACBC task. Main outcome measures: The relative importance of each attribute and the utilities (part-worth) of each level of each attribute were estimated using ACBC built-in Hierarchical Bayes (HB).Results: The combined relative importance of the 4 risk side-effect attributes when selecting osteoarthritis medication (kidney and liver side effects, heart attack and stroke side effects, stomach side effects and addiction) was 66% while the effectiveness attribute accounted for 8% of the relative importance of the medication decision.Conclusions: In this study, the gap between relative importance of 4 side-effect attributes and expected benefit was 66% vs 8%. These preliminary findings indicate that OA patients are most concerned with the avoidance of adverse events and that there is a threshold above which expected benefit has little impact on patients’ medication preferences. The study highlights methodological features of ACBC that may be useful more generally in health services research, but the results must be interpreted in conjunction with the study limitations.

Effect of Parecoxib, A Novel Intravenous Cyclooxygenase Type-2 Inhibitor, on the Postoperative Opioid Requirement and Quality of Pain Control

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 1305-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Tang ◽  
Shitong Li ◽  
Paul F. White ◽  
Xiaoguang Chen ◽  
Ronald H. Wender ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Initial Dose ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Study Medication ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background The analgesic efficacy and side effect profile of intravenous parecoxib, a novel cyclooxygenase type-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, was assessed in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study involving patients undergoing major gynecologic surgical procedures. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, 60 consenting women, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III, undergoing lower abdominal surgery with a standardized general anesthetic technique were randomly assigned to receive one of three study medications: group 1 (control) received normal saline; group 2 received intravenous parecoxib, 20 mg; and group 3 received intravenous parecoxib, 40 mg. The initial dose of study medication was administered when the patient first requested pain medication after surgery. All patients had access to patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous morphine, 1 or 2 mg, with a 6-min lockout period. Subsequent doses of the same study medication were administered at 12-h and 24-h intervals after the initial dose. The postoperative opioid analgesic requirement (PCA morphine usage), pain scores, pain relief scores, side effects, and need for supplemental medications (e.g., antiemetics, antipruritics, laxatives) were recorded. Results Compared with saline, intravenous parecoxib, 20 mg and 40 mg every 12 h, significantly decreased the PCA morphine usage during the first 6 h postoperatively (group 1, 25 +/- 13 mg; group 2, 16 +/- 11 mg; group 3, 17 +/- 10 mg) and at 12 h (group 1, 34 +/- 18 mg; group 2, 24 +/- 14 mg; group 3, 23 +/- 13 mg) and 24 h (group 1, 51 +/- 27 mg; group 2, 34 +/- 20 mg; group 3, 33 +/- 21 mg) after surgery. However, there were no significant differences in the patients' global evaluation of the study medications at 12 h and 24 h between those who received intravenous parecoxib (20 or 40 mg) and saline. Moreover, the postoperative pain scores and side effect profiles were similar in the three treatment groups. Conclusion Intravenous parecoxib (20 or 40 mg) was effective in decreasing the PCA opioid requirement after lower abdominal surgical procedures. However, it failed to improve pain management or reduce opioid-related side effects in the early postoperative period.

Cutaneous ulcers following hydroxyurea therapy

Phlebologie ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 33 (06) ◽  
pp. 202-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Hartmann ◽  
S. Nagel ◽  
T. Erichsen ◽  
E. Rabe ◽  
K. H. Grips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Antineoplastic Agent ◽  
Limited Time ◽  
Myeloproliferative Diseases ◽  
Dermatological Side Effects ◽  
Chronic Myeloproliferative Diseases ◽  
Hydroxyurea Therapy

SummaryHydroxyurea (HU) is usually a well tolerated antineoplastic agent and is commonly used in the treatment of chronic myeloproliferative diseases. Dermatological side effects are frequently seen in patients receiving longterm HU therapy. Cutaneous ulcers have been reported occasionally.We report on four patients with cutaneous ulcers whilst on long-term hydroxyurea therapy for myeloproliferative diseases. In all patients we were able to reduce the dose, or stop HU altogether and their ulcers markedly improved. Our observations suggest that cutaneous ulcers should be considered as possible side effect of long-term HU therapy and healing of the ulcers can be achieved not only by cessation of the HU treatment, but also by reducing the dose of hydroxyurea for a limited time.

Acoustical Properties of Speech as Indicators of Depression and Suicidal Risk

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Joshua Landau
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Energy Band ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Cross Product ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Suicidal Risk ◽  
Energy Bands ◽  
Band Ratio ◽  
Acoustical Properties ◽  
Male Group

Acoustical properties of speech have been shown to be related to mental states such as remission and depression. The objective of this project was to relate the energy in frequency bands with the severity of the mental state using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Recorded speech was obtained from male and female subjects with mental states of remission, depression, and suicidal risk. These subjects had recorded automated and spontaneous speech samples. Multiple regression analysis was used to relate the independent energy band ratio variables with the dependent BDI scores, and thus allow the determination of equitable BDI scores for future patients. For the male group, the square of the 3rd energy band and the cross-product of the 2nd and 3rd energy band were prominent in both the reading and interviewed groups. Therefore the equation with the 2nd lowest Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) score was chosen for the reading male group, and the 1st lowest AIC score was chosen for the interviewed male group. For the female group, the square and cross-product of the 1st and 2nd energy bands were prominent in both the reading and interviewed groups. Therefore the 2nd lowest AIC score was chosen for the reading female group, and the 1st lowest AIC score was chosen for the interviewed female group. The clinician could thus determine the patient’s mood or state of mind by comparing the estimated BDI score with the ranges of total BDI scores: remitted 0 – 20, depressed 15 – 38, suicidal 38 – 46. Keywords: speech, mental states, power spectra, multiple regression, information theoretic criterion

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