Identification of Metabolites Derived from the Anti-trypanosomal Drug Megazol

Background: African Trypanosomiasis is an endemic vector-borne parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by different parasites of the genus Trypanosoma and is transmitted through a tsetse fly (Glossina sp.) bite during a blood meal. This neglected tropical disease remains difficult to control due to the complexity of treatment protocols and use of toxic drugs. Over the decades, nitroimidazole compounds have been promising molecules for anti-parasite therapy. One of them, megazol, has proven to be an effective anti-trypanosomal drug, but interest dropped after reports were published concerning its mutagenic properties. Objectived: We therefore decided to characterize and identify megazol metabolites, with the hypothesis that they could be less toxic. Methods: We treated groups of mice with different derivatives and then detected metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry in urine, feces, and plasma samples from mice. Results: In vivo results showed that eleven metabolites were detected in urine (M1 to M11); six metabolites were detected in plasma (M1a/b, M2a/b, M5, M7a/b M9, andM10a/b) and in feces, only two (M1 a/b and M5) were found. Conclusions: The structures of metabolites were deduced using chromatograms and mass spectra data combined with usual metabolic patterns.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Mental Health Symptoms in Obese Children

Objective: Decreased 25(OH)-vitamin D concentrations represent a risk factor for the development of cardiometabolic and mental health disorders in adults. We investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health symptoms in overweight and obese children, and adolescents with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Patients and Methods: Two hundred and twenty (n=220) overweight and obese children and adolescents [Mean age ± SEM: 10.24±0.17 years; BMI ± SEM: 26.69±0.28 kg/m2; BMI z-score ± SEM: 2.42±0.07; males: 114 (51.8%), females: 106 (48.2%)] with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were studied prospectively and randomly assigned into the supplementation (n=109) or the control group (n=111). Participants in the supplementation group received 50,000 IU cholecalciferol once a week for 6 weeks followed by a maintenance dose. Blood samples for determination of 25(OH)-vitamin D, endocrinologic and cardiometabolic parameters were obtained at baseline and 12 months later. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was determined twice and the mean value was calculated. Mental health was assessed by questionnaires at baseline and 12 months later. Results: Subjects in the supplementation group had significantly lower BMI (p=0.010), hsCRP (p=0.048) and total cholesterol (p=0.015), and higher HDL (p<0.001) concentrations than the control group. In addition, they demonstrated significantly lower scores in anxiety, attention problems, aggressive behavior, externalizing problems, attention deficit hyperactivity problems and oppositional defiant problems than the control group. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation may prevent the development of cardiometabolic risk manifestations and may improve anxiety-related, externalizing (behavioral) and internalizing (emotional) problems in overweight and obese children and adolescents with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.

Irisin as a Biomarker for Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Meta-analysis

Background: Irisin has attracted growing interest as a potential novel biomarker of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  Aim: A meta-analysis was performed to compare circulating irisin concentrations between PCOS and control women, and to explore the possible relation of irisin and insulin resistance, by associating this hormone with the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Methods: An extended search of the PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases (last updated on 9 March 2019) was performed to identify all articles published in the English language pertaining to circulating irisin in women with PCOS and control women. Results: Eleven studies that involved 1,017 PCOS patients and 669 controls were included. A random effects model revealed a moderate estimate of effect size (SMD: 0.27, 95% CI:  -0.13 to 0.67), indicating that circulating irisin concentrations did not differ significantly between PCOS women and controls. Another random effects model (four studies) revealed a moderate estimate of correlation and a statistically significant positive correlation between circulating irisin concentrations and HOMA-IR (Correlation: 0.372, 95% CI: 0.0843 to 0.603, p = 0.012). Irisin may play an important role in PCOS in relation to the inherent insulin resistance of the syndrome. This association requires further clarification in well-designed large-scale studies in women with PCOS

Validation of the Stress in Children (SiC) Questionnaire in a Sample of Greek Pupils

Aim: The purpose of this study was to validate a Greek version of the Stress in Children (SiC) Questionnaire and assess its psychometric qualities in a Greek pediatric sample. Materials and Methods: Healthy children aged 8-12 years, attending schools of various areas of Attica, the largest region in Greece, were eligible to participate in the study. Data were collected from May 2016 until June 2017, anonymously, though three self-reported questionnaires, a simple demographic questionnaire, the SiC Questionnaire and the State and Trait Anxiety in Children Questionnaire. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 100 pupils (54 boys, 46 girls) aged (mean ± SD) 10.6 ± 1.26 years. A three-factor structure (“Distress”, “Presence of well-being”, and “Presence of social support”) accounted for 41.33% of variance. Reliability Cronbach's alpha of “Distress”, “Presence of well-being” and “Presence of social support” factors was equal to 0.75, 0.75 and 0.61, respectively. Regarding concurrent validity, positive correlations were found between “Distress” and both trait anxiety (rho=0.59, p<0.0001) and state anxiety (rho=0.61, p<0.0001). Correlations were also found between “Presence of Wellbeing” and age (rho=-0.24, p=0.019), state (rho=-0.36, p=0.006) and trait anxiety (rho=-0.45, p<0.0001). Conclusions: The Greek version of SiC Questionnaire demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties (content validity, internal reliability) that support its use in Greek children

Reliability and Validity of the Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Stress Scale in the Greek Population

Objective: To examine the validity and the reliability of a novel measurement tool, the Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Stress Scale (NDBCSS) in the Greek population. The tool aimed to assess distress in patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: We performed a principal component analysis (PCA) of the 17 items of the scale. Results: The PCA resulted in 4 factors: 1. Personal life, 2. Procedural issues, 3. Facing challenges and 4. Psychological load. All subscales showed satisfactory internal consistency and variance, relative to theoretical score ranges. Subscale scores and total score were significantly correlated with perceived stress and hospital anxiety and depression scale, implying good criterion validity. Associations with social, demographic and disease related information were also found. Conclusions: The NDBCSS resulted in acceptable reliability and good validity, and was considered as a valuable tool for health-care workers and oncologists to measure psychological distress in early stage of breast cancer

DNA replication control: Liquid-liquid phase separation comes into play

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been recently suggested as a new potential mechanism underpinning various organizational aspects of the cell, from the formation of sub-cellular, biomolecule enrichments to the assembly of organelles. In eukaryotes, DNA replication follows a strict temporal and spatial program that is majorly affected by the chromatin structure, the nuclear organization and the availability of limiting initiation factors, however the regulatory mechanisms driving the process have not been fully elucidated. Original data published lately revealed for the first time that the components of the pre-replicative complex, ORC, Cdc6 and Cdt1, are able to phase separate indicating a possible connection between LLPS and DNA replication. Here, we critically present these preliminary data and propose mechanistic models that could support this regulatory link and lead to new future research directions

Τhe Effect of the Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention on Psychological, Lifestyle and Cognitive Measures of a Community Sample

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention, termed  “Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention” (PSAI). Materials and Methods: The PSAI was applied to a community sample for eight weeks. Measurements included demographic characteristics, daily habits, sleep quality, fatigue, perceived stress levels and depressive symptoms. Cognitive function was measured by the Symbol Digits Modality Test (SDMT), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). Results: The high-compliance group showed statistically significant differences in healthy lifestyle and personal control choices (HLPCQ; p=0.006), sleep quality (PSQI; p=0.007), self-regulation eating behavior (SREBQ; p=0.009), perceived stress (PSS; p=0.001) and depressive symptoms (p=0.003).  Conclusions: Frequent practice of the PSAI had a positive effect on the psychological, lifestyle, and cognitive measures of the community sample. Larger studies are needed to establish the PSAI as an effective stress management method

Keeping up with the Spread of SARS-CoV-2: a Review of the Global Response to the Need for Innovative Tests for Global Population Screening

Respiratory viral infections constitute a global problem in current medicine, veterinary, and plant pathology. Up to now, a vast number of techniques based on microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology have been proposed for virus determination. However, most of these assays are time-consuming, require complicated procedures for sample preparations and sophisticated instrumentation. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for the development of more accurate, rapid, early and cost-effective bioassays for high-throughput measurements. Therefore, the deployment of biosensors as well as lateral flow assays provides an alternative means to reliable and fast viral detection with tremendous future perspectives

Effects of the Pythagorean Self Awareness Intervention on Childhood Emotional Eating and Psychological Wellbeing: a Pragmatic Trial

Background: Emotional eating is the tendency to regulate negative emotions (such as stress, depression and anxiety) through increased or unhealthy food intake. Emotion management, such as stress management could be an appropriate approach to prevent or control maladaptive eating behavior among children. Materials and methods: This is a controlled pragmatic trial, testing the effects of Pythagorean Self Awareness Intervention (PSAI), a cognitive stress management program in a primary school setting. The eligibility criterion was being a 4th grade active pupil. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 23) or the control group (n = 22). Self-report measures were used for the evaluation of various variables at the beginning and the end of the 8-week monitoring period. Descriptive and inferential statistic methods were used for the statistical analysis. Results: At the end of the 8-week period pupils in the intervention group experienced statistically significant reduction in stress (SIC, p < 0.001), anxiety (STAIC-trait anxiety, p = 0.019, STAIC-state anxiety, p = 0.006), guilt (p < 0.001) and emotional eating (EES-C, p < 0.001) and an increase in Mediterranean diet quality (KIDMED, p = 0.001) and pride (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences between the two groups were recorded regarding depression symptoms (CDI, p = 0.551) and shame (p = 0.120). Conclusions: PSAI had positive effects on a sample of primary school attendants’ emotional eating and psychological state

An 8-week Stress Management Program in Information Technology Professionals and the Role of a New Cognitive Behavioral Method: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate the sort-term benefits of the effects of an 8-week stress management techniques in information technology professionals. Methods: In this parallel randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to either the stress management group (n=40; relaxation breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery) or in the Pythagorean Self awareness group (n=41). Self-reported validated measures were used to evaluate perceived stress, health locus of control, anxiety and depression. Results: All groups were found with significantly better cognitive speed and verbal memory at the end of the follow-up. Taking into account the group by time interaction coefficients, PSAT was found significantly superior to standard SM with regards to depression, emotional intelligence, lifestyle and personal control and verbal memory suggesting that verbal memory improvement through time should be mostly attributed to PSAT. On the other hand, the cognitive speed improvement during follow-up should be attributed to both interventions. Conclusions: These findings provide important insight into the role of stress management. Future studies should focus on randomized, controlled trials with larger samples and longer follow-up times.