scholarly journals Sex difference in cerebrospinal fluid/blood albumin quotients in patients with schizophreniform and affective psychosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Meixensberger ◽  
Karl Bechter ◽  
Rick Dersch ◽  
Bernd Feige ◽  
Simon Maier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neurological Patient ◽  
Spine Length ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Blood Albumin

Abstract Background The importance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostics for psychiatry is growing. The CSF/blood albumin quotient (QAlb) is considered to be a measure of the blood–CSF barrier function. Recently, systematically higher QAlb in males than in females was described in neurological patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a sex difference could also be detected in a well-characterized psychiatric cohort. Methods The patient cohort comprised 989 patients, including 545 females and 444 males with schizophreniform and affective syndromes who underwent CSF diagnostics, including QAlb measurement. The basic CSF findings and antineuronal autoantibody data of this cohort have already been published. This re-analysis employed analysis of covariance with age correction for QAlb mean values and chi2-testing for the number of increased age-corrected QAlb levels to investigate sex differences in QAlb. Results The QAlb levels were elevated above reference levels by 18% across all patients, and a comparison between male and female patients revealed a statistically significant sex difference, with increased values in 26% of male patients and a corresponding rate of only 10% in female patients (chi2 = 42.625, p < 0.001). The mean QAlb values were also significantly higher in males (6.52 ± 3.69 × 10–3) than in females (5.23 ± 2.56 × 10–3; F = 52.837, p < 0.001). Discussion The main finding of this study was a significantly higher QAlb level in male compared to female patients with psychiatric disorders, complementing previously described sex differences in neurological patient cohorts. This result indicates bias from some general factors associated with sex and could be partly explained by sex differences in body height, which is associated with spine length and thus a longer distance for CSF flow within the subarachnoid space down the spine from the occipital area to the lumbar puncture site in males compared to females. Hormonal influences caused by different estrogen levels and other sex-specific factors could also play a relevant role. The significance of the study is limited by its retrospective design, absence of a healthy control group, and unavailability of exact measures of spine length.

Abstract TMP23: Inflammasome-derived Caspase-1 is Elevated in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients and Correlated to Outcome

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonatan Hirsch ◽  
Joseph R Geraghty ◽  
Eitan A Katz ◽  
Jeffrey A Loeb ◽  
Fernando Testai
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
External Ventricular Drain ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
Caspase 1 ◽  
Initial Severity ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Introduction: The role of neuroinflammation following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and its relationship to outcome is the subject of many ongoing studies. The proteolytic enzyme, caspase-1, activated by the inflammasome complex, is known to contribute to numerous downstream pro-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated caspase-1 activity in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of SAH patients and its association to outcome. Methods: SAH patients were recruited from a regional stroke referral center. CSF samples from 18 SAH subjects were collected via an external ventricular drain and obtained within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms. For control subjects, we collected the CSF from 9 patients undergoing lumbar puncture with normal CSF and normal brain MRI. Caspase-1 activity was measured using commercially available luminescence assays. SAH subjects were categorized at hospital discharge into those with good outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale, GOS, of 4-5) and poor outcomes (GOS of 1-3). The levels of caspase-1 activity in various groups were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Pearson correlation tests. Caspase-1 activity was also adjusted by initial severity of bleed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Caspase-1 levels from SAH patients were significantly higher than that measured from the control group (mean 1.06x10-2 vs 1.90x10-3 counts per second (CPS)/μl*min), p = 0.0002). Within the SAH group, 10 patients (55.6%) had good outcomes and 8 patients (44.4%) had poor outcomes. Caspase-1 activity was significantly higher in the poor outcome group (mean 1.54x10-2 vs 1.60x10-3 CPS/μl*min), p = 0.0012). Additionally, caspase-1 activity had a statistically significant correlation with GOS score (r = -0.60; p = 0.0100). When adjusted for initial severity of bleed, the difference in caspase-1 activity in good vs. poor outcome remained significant (adjusted mean 7.10x10-3 vs. 2.54x10-2 CPS/μl*min, p=0.004). Conclusions: The inflammasome-dependent protein caspase-1 is elevated in CSF early after SAH and higher in those with poor functional outcome. Inflammasome activity therefore may serve as a novel biomarker to predict outcome shortly after aneurysm rupture.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Humor Training on Happiness and Life Satisfaction of Female Patients With Epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-262
Author(s):  
Nazanin Bagherzadeh Shirvan ◽  
◽  
Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
And Control

Background: Women with epilepsy face many physical and psychological problems due to their illness. Epilepsy affects women’s motherhood, parenting role, and quality of life. Thus, in addition to medical interventions, their recovery programs should also cover psychological therapies. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of humor training on happiness and life satisfaction of female patients with epilepsy. Methods: This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest design and control group. The research population included all female patients who were members of the Iranian Epilepsy Association, Tehran, in 2020. The subjects were selected using convenience sampling. To this end, 30 women who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group attended eight 2-hour humor training sessions and the control group did not receive any training. The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were completed by the subjects before and after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed by one-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) using SPSS software (version 24). Results: According to the findings, the patients who received humor training reported significantly higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction compared to the control group. There was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean scores of happiness (pre-test: 38.20±3.59; post-test: 45.27±4.18) (F=26.37; P=0.001) and also, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of pre-test and post-test of life satisfaction (pre-test: 13.01±6.16; post-test: 18.67±5.70) (F=30.07; P=0.001) in the intervention group. This difference was not significant in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Humor training increased happiness and life satisfaction among women with epilepsy. This low-cost and easy-to-implement training is recommended to be used by psychologists and psychiatric nurses as a non-pharmacologic alternative along with other treatment options.

scholarly journals Sex differences in association between cognitive impairment and clinical correlates in Chinese patients with first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Zhao ◽  
Xiao Hong Wang ◽  
Chuan Yi Kang ◽  
Yue Zheng ◽  
Li Ying Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hamilton Depression Scale ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Drug Naïve ◽  
Male Patients

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness with significant sex differences. Cognitive impairment is common in patients with schizophrenia, even in remission. This study was designed to examine the sex differences in the relationship between cognitive impairment and clinical correlations with first-episode drug-naïve (FEDN) schizophrenia. Methods 93 FEDN patients (male/female = 45/48) and 160 controls (male/female = 74/86) were enrolled to compare the sex differences in cognitive functions measure by the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were used to evaluated patients' clinical symptoms. We compared cognitive impairment with sociodemographic characteristics and measures of different genders, as well as group-by-sex interactions. Results Our results showed that the MCCB total and index score in FEDN were lower than in the control group, except for category fluency and social cognition. Male patients had significantly lower symbol coding, digital sequence, and verbal learning scores than female patients, and the controls showed a similar sex difference. Interestingly, we also found six indexes and MCCB total score that showed diagnosis-by-sex interactions, belonging to the speed of processing, attention, working memory, and verbal learning. The MCCB total score showed correlations with PANSS total score and education for both genders. In female patients, education showed significant positive correlations with MCCB total and all ten index scores. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that negative symptoms and general psychopathology of PANSS, HAMD total score, and education were independent contributors to MCCB total score. In male patients, only education was an independent contributor to MCCB total score. Conclusions These findings revealed significant sex differences in cognitive impairments and clinical symptoms in FEDN. These results should be considered, which will be worthy of a follow-up study of schizophrenia in the future.

Effects of a 6-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program on the Aging Voice

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1032
Author(s):  
Chia-Hsin Wu ◽  
Roger W. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Perceptual Evaluation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Aging Voice ◽  
Before And After

Purpose Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises with tubes or straws have been widely used for a variety of voice disorders. Yet, the effects of longer periods of SOVT exercises (lasting for weeks) on the aging voice are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week straw phonation in water (SPW) exercise program. Method Thirty-seven elderly subjects with self-perceived voice problems were assigned into two groups: (a) SPW exercises with six weekly sessions and home practice (experimental group) and (b) vocal hygiene education (control group). Before and after intervention (2 weeks after the completion of the exercise program), acoustic analysis, auditory–perceptual evaluation, and self-assessment of vocal impairment were conducted. Results Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences between the two groups in smoothed cepstral peak prominence measures, harmonics-to-noise ratio, the auditory–perceptual parameter of breathiness, and Voice Handicap Index-10 scores postintervention. No significant differences between the two groups were found for other measures. Conclusions Our results supported the positive effects of SOVT exercises for the aging voice, with a 6-week SPW exercise program being a clinical option. Future studies should involve long-term follow-up and additional outcome measures to better understand the efficacy of SOVT exercises, particularly SPW exercises, for the aging voice.

The Relationship of Compliance with Coping Strategies and Self-Esteem

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisli H. Gudjonsson ◽  
Jon Fridrik Sigurdsson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Summary: The Gudjonsson Compliance Scale (GCS), the COPE Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered to 212 men and 212 women. Multiple regression of the test scores showed that low self-esteem and denial coping were the best predictors of compliance in both men and women. Significant sex differences emerged on all three scales, with women having lower self-esteem than men, being more compliant, and using different coping strategies when confronted with a stressful situation. The sex difference in compliance was mediated by differences in self-esteem between men and women.

Sex Differences in Time Production Revisited

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Glicksohn ◽  
Yamit Hadad
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Internal Clock ◽  
Target Duration ◽  
Log P ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Time Production ◽  
T Score

Individual differences in time production should indicate differences in the rate of functioning of an internal clock, assuming the existence of such a clock. And sex differences in time production should reflect a difference in the rate of functioning of that clock between men and women. One way of approaching the data is to compute individual regressions of produced duration (P) on target duration (T), after log transformation, and to derive estimates for the intercept and the slope. One could investigate a sex difference by comparing these estimates for men and women; one could also contrast them by looking at mean log(P). Using such indices, we found a sex difference in time production, female participants having a relatively faster internal clock, making shorter time productions, and having a smaller exponent. The question is whether a sex difference in time production would be found using other methods for analyzing the data: (1) the P/T ratio; (2) an absolute discrepancy (|P-T|) score; and (3) an absolute error (|P-T|/T) score. For the P/T ratio, female participants have a lower mean ratio in comparison to the male participants. In contrast, the |P-T| and |P-T|/T indices seem to be seriously compromised by wide individual differences.

The effectiveness of positive training on happiness, aggression and hope in adolescents with leukemia in Ahvaz

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzieh . Shamkhani ◽  
Ali . Khalafi
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Measurement Tools ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Aggression Questionnaire ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Period Measurement

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of positive learning on happiness, Aggression and hope for adolescents with leukemia in Ahvaz. The sample consisted of 30 people who were selected by available sampling method. 15 subjects in the experimental group and 15 in the control group were randomly assigned. The experimental design was a pre-test-post-test type with control group and follow-up period. Measurement tools included Oxford Happiness Inventory (Argyle, 1989); Ahwaz's Aggression Questionnaire (Zahedifar, Najarian, and Shokrkon, 2000); Hope Scale (Schneider, 1991). To run, at first, the pre-test was taken from both groups. Then, the experimental group was trained in 14 sessions of 90 minutes, and after each group, they were subjected to post-test. And one month later, the follow-up process was completed. Data analysis was performed using multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results showed that positive attitudes toward happiness, aggressiveness and hopefulness of adolescents with leukemia in Ahvaz were effective.

PENGARUH PEMBELAJARAN INOVATIF TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR BAHASA INGGRIS SISWA KELAS VIIIB1 SMP NEGERI 2 GEROKGAK DENGAN PENGENDALIAN KECERDASAN LINGUISTIK

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-114
Author(s):  
I Made Wirta
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Innovative Learning ◽  
Inferential Analysis ◽  
English Students

The main objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of implementing innovative learning approaches upon English students’ achievement. The study was quasi experimental study using the post-test only control group design involving 35 students altogether selected using census sampling technique. The instrument which is used to gather data in the study was test. There were two tests used to gather intended data. They were linguistic test and student achievement test. The obtained data were analyzed statistically using descriptive and inferential analysis. The analysis of covariance was conducted to test the hypotheses.

scholarly journals Tower Running—Participation, Performance Trends, and Sex Difference

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Stark ◽  
Stefania Di Gangi ◽  
Caio Victor Sousa ◽  
Pantelis Nikolaidis ◽  
Beat Knechtle
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Performance Trends ◽  
The Difference

Though there are exhaustive data about participation, performance trends, and sex differences in performance in different running disciplines and races, no study has analyzed these trends in stair climbing and tower running. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate these trends in tower running. The data, consisting of 28,203 observations from 24,007 climbers between 2014 and 2019, were analyzed. The effects of sex and age, together with the tower characteristics (i.e., stairs and floors), were examined through a multivariable statistical model with random effects on intercept, at climber’s level, accounting for repeated measurements. Men were faster than women in each age group (p < 0.001 for ages ≤69 years, p = 0.003 for ages > 69 years), and the difference in performance stayed around 0.20 km/h, with a minimum of 0.17 at the oldest age. However, women were able to outperform men in specific situations: (i) in smaller buildings (<600 stairs), for ages between 30 and 59 years and >69 years; (ii) in higher buildings (>2200 stairs), for age groups <20 years and 60–69 years; and (iii) in buildings with 1600–2200 stairs, for ages >69 years. In summary, men were faster than women in this specific running discipline; however, women were able to outperform men in very specific situations (i.e., specific age groups and specific numbers of stairs).

scholarly journals The Relationships between HIV-1 Infection, History of Methamphetamine Use Disorder, and Soluble Biomarkers in Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1287
Author(s):  
T. Walter ◽  
Jennifer Iudicello ◽  
Debra Cookson ◽  
Donald Franklin ◽  
Bin Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Csf Biomarkers ◽  
Immune System Dysfunction ◽  
Immune Biomarkers ◽  
Plasma Factor ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hiv 1

Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is highly prevalent among people with HIV (PWH) and is a significant public health problem. HIV and METH use are each associated with immune system dysfunction; however, the combined effects on the immune system are poorly understood. This cross-sectional project measured soluble immune biomarkers in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from a control group, people with a history of a METH use disorder (METH+), PWH with no history of METH use disorder (HIV+), and PWH with a history of METH use disorder (HIV+/METH+). HIV, METH, and immune dysfunction can also be associated with affective and cognitive deficits, so we characterized mood and cognition in our participants. Two factor analyses were performed for the plasma and CSF biomarkers. Plasma IL-8, Ccl2, VEGF, and 8-isoprostane loaded onto one factor that was highest in the HIV+/METH+ group (p < 0.047) reflecting worse inflammation, vascular injury, and oxidative stress. This plasma factor was also negatively correlated with delayed recall (R = −0.49, p = 0.010), which was worst in the HIV+/METH+ group (p = 0.030 compared to the control group). Overall, these data implicate that combined HIV-1 infection and METH use may exacerbate inflammation, leading to worse cognition.

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