Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1) and Growth Factors Called into Question as Markers of Prolonged Psychosocial Stress

BACKGROUND:Psychosocial stress is becoming a major contributor to increased mental ill-health and sick leave in many countries. Valid markers of chronic stress would be valuable for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. A recent study suggested monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as markers of chronic stress. We aimed to confirm these potential biomarkers of prolonged psychosocial stress in female patients. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Circulating levels of MCP-1, EGF and VEGF, along with several other cytokines, were measured in plasma from 42 female patients suffering from exhaustion due to prolonged psychosocial stress and 42 control subjects, using a protein biochip immunoassay. There were no significant differences between patients and controls in any of the cytokines or growth factors analyzed. Furthermore, when using a different protein bioassay and reanalyzing MCP-1 and VEGF in the same samples, markedly different levels were obtained. To further explore if inflammation is present in patients with exhaustion, the classical inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured in another group of patients (n=89) and controls (n=88) showing a small but significant increase of CRP levels in the patients. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:MCP-1, EGF and VEGF may not be suitable markers of prolonged psychosocial stress as previously suggested. Furthermore, significant differences were obtained when using two different protein assays measuring the same samples, indicating that comparing studies where different analytic techniques have been used might be difficult. Increased levels of CRP indicate that low-grade inflammation might be present in patients with exhaustion due to prolonged stress exposure but this inflammation does not seem to be reflected by increase in circulating MCP-1 or other cytokines measured

Migration-related detention centers : The challenges of an ecological perspective with a focus on justice

Background: In recent years, border control and migration-related detention have become increasingly widespread practices affecting the lives of undocumented migrants, their families, and communities at large. In spite of the concern within academia, few studies have directly witnessed the life and experiences of people confined to migration-related detention centers. In the medical and psychological fields, a considerable body of research has demonstrated the pathogenic nature of detention in terms of mental health, showing an association between length of detention and severity of distress. Nevertheless, it was limited to the assessment of individuals’ clinical consequences, mainly focusing on asylum seekers. There currently exists a need to adopt an ecological perspective from which to study detained migrants’ experiences as context-dependent, and influenced by power inequalities. This paper addresses this gap. Discussion: Drawing upon advances in community psychology, we illustrate an ecological framework for the study of migration-related detention contexts, and their effects on the lives of detained migrants and all people exposed to them. Making use of existing literature, Kelly’s four principles (interdependence, cycling of resources, adaptation, succession) are analyzed at multiple ecological levels (personal, interpersonal, organizational, communal), highlighting implications for future research in this field. A focus on justice, as a key-dimension of analysis, is also discussed. Wellbeing is acknowledged as a multilevel, dynamic, and value-dependent phenomenon. Summary: In presenting this alternative framework, the potential for studying migration-related detention through an ecological lens is highlighted, pointing the way for future fields of study. We argue that ecological multilevel analyses, conceptualized in terms of interdependent systems and with a focus on justice, can enhance the comprehension of the dynamics at play in migration-related detention centers, providing an effective tool to address the multi-level challenges of doing research within them. Furthermore, they can contribute to the development of policies and practices concerned with health, equality, and human rights of all people exposed to migration-related detention. Consistent with these assumptions, empirical studies adopting such a framework are strongly encouraged. These studies should use mixed and multi-method culturally situated designs, based on the development of collaborative and empowering relationships with participants. Ethnographic approaches are recommended.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT

A Decrease in Albumin in Early SIV Infection Is Related to Viral Pathogenicity

A decrease in circulating albumin levels after seroconversion has been reported as a predictor of disease progression in HIV-infected adults. We hypothesized that a similar decrease would be seen in pig-tailed macaques in early SIV infection, and that the degree of this decrease would be related to the pathogenicity of the infecting viral strain. Ten juvenile pig-tailed macaques were previously inoculated with virus derived from molecular clones representing different stages of infection: early (SIVMneCL8, n = 2), intermediate (SIVMne35wkSU, n = 2), late blood (SIVMne170, n = 3), or late lymph node (SIVMne027, n = 3). Albumin was measured in stored samples. Changes from baseline were evaluated by paired sample t tests and by linear regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE). Albumin levels decreased in the week after SIV inoculation (p = 0.02), increased above baseline at week 5, then fell, returning below baseline by week 16 (p = 0.03). In GEE modeling, albumin decreased significantly in both early and chronic infection (weeks 0–3, p < 0.001; weeks 5–16, p = 0.004) and this change differed significantly between infections caused by late versus early or intermediate virus variants (weeks 0–3, p = 0.002; weeks 5–16, p = 0.001). A decrease in albumin levels occurs in both early and chronic SIV infection, and is more marked in macaques infected with more pathogenic virus variants. These results suggest that both early and late events in SIV pathogenesis are influenced by properties of the infecting viral strain