Evaluating the Relationship between Ceramides and Depressive Symptoms in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Depression is highly prevalent in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD), and increases risk of mortality. Ceramides, a family of sphingolipid species, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of both CAD and depression due to their pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic characteristics. This study assessed the relationship between ceramides and depression in a CAD population. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between plasma ceramide concentrations and depressive symptoms, as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD). High performance liquid chromatography coupled electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure ceramide species. Higher plasma concentrations of the ceramide species C16:0 (β=0.195, p=0.039) and C22:1 (β=0.199, p=0.039) were significantly associated with greater depressive symptoms. Plasma concentrations of C18:0 (β =0.108, p=0.257) and C20:0 (β=0.167, p=0.078) were not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Findings suggest a potential role of specific ceramides in the pathophysiology of depression in CAD.M.Sc

A Meta-Analysis of the Potential Antidepressant Effects of Buprenorphine Versus Placebo as an Adjunctive Pharmacotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

BACKGROUND: Numerous reports have suggested that buprenorphine may have antidepressant effects. Many individuals with depressive disorders don\u27t respond to first-line treatment and are classified with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Novel therapies for depression are required to better treat this population. This meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials sought to evaluate the potential antidepressant effects of buprenorphine as an adjunctive pharmacological treatment for individuals with TRD. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched until June 2019 for original peer-reviewed reports of buprenorphine used for the treatment of depression. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were generated from random effects models. Risk of publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot. Potential sources of heterogeneity were explored in subgroup analyses. RESULTS: In six studies that met inclusion criteria, depression symptom severity in individuals with TRD was not significantly decreased after an adjunctive intervention with buprenorphine when compared to placebo (SMD = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.21-0.06, p = 0.30). Five of the six studies utilized a combination of buprenorphine/samidorphan. In these studies, depression symptom severity was also not significantly reduced after intervention compared to placebo (SMD = -0.08, 95% CI: -0.21 - 0.05, p = 0.23). LIMITATIONS: Five included studies were performed by the same research group with significant conflicts of interest. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis did not reveal a significant reduction in depression symptom severity in individuals with TRD after an adjunctive intervention with buprenorphine when compared to placebo. However, more optimal doses of buprenorphine (2 mg/day) and longer treatment lengths should be explored

When Did the Empathy Die?: Examining the Correlation Between Length of Medical Training and Level of Empathy

PURPOSE: Empathy is an important skill for physicians as it can lead to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. This study assessed self-reported empathy by medical students across all four years of medical school and potential differences in empathy across students interested in different subspecialties. METHOD: All medical students enrolled at New York Medical College in August 2020 were invited to participate in this study. Participants completed the student version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. RESULTS: A total of 179 medical students participated. Mean empathy score in fourth-year students was significantly lower than that in first-year students. Mean empathy score was greatest among students interested in Pediatrics and was greater in participants who identified as women. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported empathy may be lower in upper-year medical students when compared to lower-year students. The potential reasons for lower empathy in the later years of training are discussed. A systematic curriculum for teaching and maintaining empathy should be developed and uniformly implemented across medical schools to combat a potential decline in empathy

Dataset for: The effect of acute exercise on blood concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in healthy adults: A meta-analysis

It has been hypothesized that one mechanism through which physical activity provides benefits to cognition and mood is via increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations. Some studies have reported immediate benefits to mood and various cognitive domains after a single session of exercise. This meta-analysis sought to determine the effect of a single exercise session on concentrations of BDNF in peripheral blood, in order to evaluate the potential role of BDNF in mediating the beneficial effects of exercise on brain health. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Source, and CINAHL databases were searched for original, peer-reviewed reports of peripheral blood BDNF concentrations before and after acute exercise interventions. Risk of bias within studies was assessed using standardized criteria. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were generated from random effects models. Risk of publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger’s test. Potential sources of heterogeneity were explored in subgroup analyses. In 55 studies that met inclusion criteria, concentrations of peripheral blood BDNF were higher after exercise (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.46 – 0.72, p < 0.001). In meta-regression analyses, greater duration of exercise was associated with greater increases in BDNF. Subgroup analyses revealed an effect in males but not in females, and a greater BDNF increase in plasma than serum. Acute exercise increased BDNF concentrations in the peripheral blood of healthy adults. This effect was influenced by exercise duration and may be different across genders

The Effect of Exercise Training on Resting Concentrations of Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>The mechanisms through which physical activity supports healthy brain function remain to be elucidated. One hypothesis suggests that increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mediates some cognitive and mood benefits. This meta-analysis sought to determine the effect of exercise training on resting concentrations of BDNF in peripheral blood.</p><p>Methods</p><p>MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Source, and CINAHL databases were searched for original, peer-reviewed reports of peripheral blood BDNF concentrations before and after exercise interventions ≥ 2 weeks. Risk of bias was assessed using standardized criteria. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were generated from random effects models. Risk of publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s test. Potential sources of heterogeneity were explored in subgroup analyses.</p><p>Results</p><p>In 29 studies that met inclusion criteria, resting concentrations of peripheral blood BDNF were higher after intervention (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.60, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses suggested a significant effect in aerobic (SMD = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.33–0.99, p < 0.001) but not resistance training (SMD = 0.07, 95% CI: -0.15–0.30, p = 0.52) interventions. No significant difference in effect was observed between males and females, nor in serum vs plasma.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Aerobic but not resistance training interventions increased resting BDNF concentrations in peripheral blood.</p></div

Search and selection of articles.

<p>Search and selection of articles.</p

Subgroup analysis of aerobic exercise interventions vs resistance training interventions.

<p>Diamonds indicate SMD and 95% CI. Test for subgroup differences: P = 0.004.</p

Baseline study population characteristics.

<p>Baseline study population characteristics.</p

Resting peripheral BDNF concentration change pre- to post-intervention.

<p>Diamond indicates SMD and 95% CI. Significance of overall effect: Z = 5.00, P < 0.00</p

Subgroup analysis of BDNF concentration changes in serum vs plasma.

<p>Diamonds indicate SMD and 95% CI. Test for subgroup differences: P = 0.06.</p