Effect of melatonin in reducing second-generation antipsychotic metabolic effects: A double blind controlled clinical trial

Introduction The use of second-generation atypical antipsychotics has an increasing role in the development of metabolic syndrome. However, these medications due to metabolic disorders can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and subsequently mortality as well as reduced adherence to treatment. The main objective of current study was to determine the ability of melatonin to reduce the metabolic effects of second-generation antipsychotics. Methods This double blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on 100 patients aged 18–64 years old were treated with the second-generation antipsychotics for the first time. The patients were divided randomly into two groups of 50. The case group received slow-release melatonin at a dose of 3 mg and the control group was given oral placebo at 8 p.m. Results The findings in melatonin group indicated significantly increase of HDL and decreased fasting blood sugar and systolic blood pressure, as well as had statistically significant increase in waist circumference, weight and BMI compared with placebo group. Conclusion According to the findings, it can be claimed that the addition of melatonin to atypical antipsychotics has led to a reduction in some of the metabolic effects of these drugs. In this study, HDL level was increased, and the mean systolic blood pressure and FBS were decreased in the melatonin group. Considering that these factors are contributing to cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of mortality in psychiatric patients, so the use of melatonin can reduce some of the medical effects of long-term treatment of atypical antipsychotics. © 2017 Diabetes Indi

Adapted MMSE and TYM cognitive tests: how much powerful in screening for Alzheimer�s disease in Iranian people

Alzheimer�s disease (AD) is a major global health priority and providing an efficient way for early diagnosis of people developing dementia is important. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE, total score = 30) and Test Your Memory (TYM, total score = 50) are widely used as screening tests for cognitive function. In the present study 174 subjects including healthy people (CON group) and those having Alzheimer�s disease (AD group) were introduced to MMSE and TYM cognitive tests adjusted to Iranian population. Sensitivities and specificities with optimal cut-off scores, area under curve (AUC), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were measured for both tests. The MMSE scores of the CON and AD groups were 23.77 ± 0.327 and 10.88 ± 0.762, respectively. The TYM scores were 44.32 ± 0.389 and 14.37 ± 1.368 in the CON and AD participants, respectively. Findings in the MMSE test were: AUC = 0.962, optimal cut-off score = 18.5, sensitivity = 0.90 and specificity = 0.96. Values in the TYM test were: AUC = 0.991, optimal cut-off score = 31, sensitivity = 0.90 and specificity = 1. We found no correlation between the cognitive performance and age in the CON group but a positive correlation in the AD patients. On the other hand, t-test analysis indicated that achievement of the test scores are significantly sex dependent, with more scores attained by the females. Taken together, in regard to correct classification rate (CCR); the TYM test seems to be more appropriate for cognitive screening in our study. However, considering an analogous AUC, both tests are comparable and have high sensitivity and specificity for discriminating between people with and without AD. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Ligamentum arteriosum calcification on paediatric postmortem computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Ligamentum arteriosum calcification may be a normal finding in some children, although the frequency has not been well described. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of ligamentum arteriosum calcification in children at postmortem imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-centre retrospective review of paediatric postmortem CT and chest radiographic imaging over a 6-year period (January 2012 to December 2018). Two independent reviewers assessed the presence of calcification on imaging. We calculated descriptive statistical analysis of ligamentum arteriosum calcification frequency and association with age and gender. RESULTS: During the study period, 220 children underwent whole-body postmortem CT and 182 underwent radiographic imaging. The frequency was higher on postmortem CT than plain radiographs (67/220, 30.5% vs. 3/182, 1.6%) and was highest in children ages 1-7 years (53.6-66.7%), with gradual reduction in frequency in older children, and none in children older than 12 years. There was no gender predilection. CONCLUSION: In the postmortem setting, ligamentum arteriosum calcification is a common finding in children <8 years of age. It can be better identified on postmortem CT than chest radiographs. Radiologists new to reporting postmortem paediatric CT studies should recognise this as a common normal finding to avoid unnecessary further investigations at autopsy

Does severity of Alzheimer's disease contribute to its responsiveness to modifying gut microbiota? A double blind clinical trial

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with cognitive dysfunction. Evidence indicates that gut microbiota is altered in the AD and, hence, modifying the gut flora may affect the disease. In the previous clinical research we evaluated the effect of a probiotic combination on the cognitive abilities of AD patients. Since, in addition to pathological disorders, the AD is associated with changes in oxidant/antioxidant and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory biomarkers, the present work was designed to evaluate responsiveness of the inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers to the probiotic treatment. The control (CON) and probiotic (PRO) AD patients were treated for 12 weeks by the placebo and probiotic supplementation, respectively. The patients were cognitively assessed by Test Your Memory (TYM = 50 scores). Also serum concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) were measured. The cognitive test and the serum biomarkers were assessed pre- and post-treatment. According to TYM test 83.5 of the patients showed severe AD. The CON (12.86 ± 8.33) and PRO (-9.35 ± 16.83) groups not differently scored the cognitive test. Not pronounced change percent was found in the serum level of TNF-α (1.67 ± 1.33 vs. -0.15 ± 0.27), IL-6 (0.35 ± 0.17 vs. 2.18 ± 0.15), IL-10 (0.05 ± 0.10 vs. -0.70 ± 0.73), TAC (0.07 ± 0.07 and -0.06 ± 0.03), GSH (0.08 ± 0.05 and 0.04 ± 0.03) NO (0.11 ± 0.06 and 0.05 ± 0.09), MDA (-0.11 ± 0.03 and -0.17 ± 0.03), 8-OHdG (43.25 ± 3.01 and 42.70 ± 3.27) in the CON and PRO groups, respectively. We concluded that the cognitive and biochemical indications in the patients with severe AD are insensitive to the probiotic supplementation. Therefore, in addition to formulation and dosage of probiotic bacteria, severity of disease and time of administration deeply affects results of treatment. © 2018 Agahi, Hamidi, Daneshvar, Hamdieh, Soheili, Alinaghipour, Esmaeili Taba and Salami

The effects of folate-conjugated gold nanorods in combination with plasmonic photothermal therapy on mouth epidermal carcinoma cells

The use of lasers has emerged to be highly promising for cancer therapy modalities, most commonly, the photothermal therapy method. Unfortunately, the most common disadvantage of laser therapy is its nonselectivity and requirement of high power density. The use of plasmonic nanoparticles as highly enhanced photoabsorbing agents has thus introduced a much more selective and efficient cancer therapy strategy. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the selective targeting and destruction of mouth epidermal carcinoma cells (KB cells) using the photothermal therapy of folate-conjugated gold nanorods (F-GNRs). Considering the beneficial characteristics of GNRs and overexpression of the folate receptor by KB cells, we selected F-GNRs as a targeted photothermal therapy agent. Cell viability was evaluated using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using an annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide apoptosis detection kit. No cell damage or cytotoxicity from the individual treatment of laser light or F-GNRs was observed. However, a 56 cell lethality was achieved for KB cells using combined plasmonic photothermal therapy of 20 μM F-GNRs with seven pulses of laser light and 6-h incubation periods. Cell lethality strongly depends on the concentration of F-GNRs and the incubation period that is mainly due to the induction of apoptosis. This targeted damage is due to the F-GNRs present in the cancer cells strongly absorbing near-infrared laser light and rapidly converting it to heat. This new therapeutic avenue for cancer therapy merits further investigation using in vivo models for application in humans. © 2013 Springer-Verlag

Determinants of social participation of visually impaired older adults

PURPOSE: To assess determinants of social participation among visually impaired older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included visually impaired persons (>/=55 years; n = 173) who were referred to a low-vision rehabilitation center. Determinants (i.e., sociodemographic, physical, social and psychological factors, and personal values) of participation were identified in four domains of participation: (1) domestic life; (2) interpersonal interactions and relationships; (3) major life areas; and (4) community, social, and civic life. Study participants completed telephone interviews. RESULTS: Age, physical fitness, and helplessness were determinants of participation in domestic life. Social network size was associated with participation in major life areas. The personal value attached to participation (i.e., perceived importance) was a determinant of participation in interpersonal interactions and relationships, major life areas, and community, social and civic life. Vision-related characteristics (i.e., self-perceived vision and degree of visual impairment) were not associated with participation. CONCLUSIONS: Across the participation domains, perceived importance is a major determinant of social participation among visually impaired older adults. Physical health along with social and psychological status, also affect participation. Knowing how participation is determined can be used to develop rehabilitation interventions to enhance participation of visually impaired older adults