Systematic Literature Review of Quetiapine for the Treatment of Psychosis in Patients With Parkinsonism

Objective: The purpose of this article was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine compared with placebo or other interventions for psychosis in parkinsonism. Methods: Participants with a diagnosis of parkinsonism participated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine for psychotic symptoms within a defined follow-up period. The authors conducted searches on PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, and EMBASE for articles published from January 1991 to October 2017. Study methodology and patient- and treatment-level data were independently extracted and summarized by using descriptive statistics. Studies underwent quality assessment for risk of bias. Results: A total of 17,615 unique records were identified, and seven RCTs (total N=241) met inclusion criteria. Five RCTs were placebo controlled, and two compared quetiapine against clozapine. The mean study duration was 12 weeks, and the mean daily quetiapine dose was 103 mg per day (range, 12.5–300 mg). In four of five placebo-controlled RCTs, quetiapine failed to demonstrate significant improvement of psychosis in parkinsonism compared with placebo. In two clozapine-comparator RCTs, quetiapine was better tolerated but no more effective than clozapine. Across all RCTs, the mean completion rates for quetiapine, clozapine, and placebo were 66%, 68.5%, and 66%, respectively. Quetiapine did not significantly worsen motor function. Conclusions: The efficacy of quetiapine in RCTs for psychosis in parkinsonism is no better than that for placebo or clozapine. On the basis of novel data, clinicians should reevaluate traditional viewpoints on the benefits of quetiapine for psychosis in parkinsonism

Spatial structural analysis of species associations in mixed Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum L.) stands of Zagros woodlands (Case study: Firooz Abad, Fars province)

Interspecific interaction of tree species is an important process in establishing spatial structure of species associations in ecosystems with low species diversity. This study was aimed to investigate the interspecific interactions of Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum L.) and two accompanying species (i.e., Amygdalus scoparia and Astragalus gossypinus) in a site close to Firooz Abad, Fars province. A 200 m × 200 m sample plot was selected in a part of the site. The spatial locations of 629 individuals were measured together with their tree species, height and crown area. In addition to bivariate g(r), M(r) and P(r) were applied to explore more details about interspecific species interactions. The results showed that A. monspessulanum had the highest density, mean height and crown area compared to other species. The results indicated negative interspecific interactions of tree species, which was decreased with increasing distance. Negative interactions were observed between A. monspessulanum with A. scoparia and A. monspessulanum with A. gossypinus up to spatial scale of 3 m and 10 m, respectively. Moreover, A. monspessulanum and two other species showed repulsion up to 7 m distance. In general, it was concluded that A. monspessulanum showed negative interspecific interactions with A. scoparia and A. gossypinus in the study area. This might be caused by environmental heterogeneity and resource limitation. Furthermore, M(r) and P(r) explored more details about type and spatial scale of negative interspecific interactions of A. monspessulanum with two other species

Fuzzy leopard unnatural mortality risk map which shows hot areas facing with unnatural mortality events in red.

<p>Fuzzy leopard unnatural mortality risk map which shows hot areas facing with unnatural mortality events in red.</p

Persian leopard's (<i>Panthera pardus saxicolor</i>) unnatural mortality factors analysis in Iran

<div><p>Due to the relatively low offspring survival rate, surviving adult leopards play a critical role in the species’ viability. The unnatural mortality of leopards, caused by human activities can seriously compromise the species’ long-term population survival. An analysis of spatial distribution and sex ratio of unnatural mortality of 147 recorded Persian leopard (<i>Panthera pardus saxicolor</i>) carcasses during a fifteen-year period (from 2000–2015) in Iran indicated that road mortality is the second most frequent cause of unnatural mortality of Persian leopards’ after illegal hunting (or prey poisoning, such as poisoned meat) by villagers, shepherds and military forces. The greatest percent of unnatural mortality events were recorded in the Golestan provinc in the north of Iran and eastern most parts of the Hyrcanian forests. Using distribution models of species, based on road accident locations as species data, we mapped the species’ distribution and critical areas of unnatural mortality of Persian leopard that can be used in prioritizing leopard-human conflicts management. Our results showed that mortality records were significantly higher in non-protected compared to protected areas. Males constituted 65 percent of the records used in the study as males dispersed more widely compared to the females. This imbalance can have severe demographic effects. A large proportion of leopards’ activity, occurrence area, and habitat lies in non-protected areas, which is mirrored by the greater number of unnatural mortality outside protected areas. Most of the incidents were due to human factors, thus management interventions such as traffic speed limitations, signs, cameras, and faunal bridges as well as increasing public participation and awareness (especially among rural communities) will positively affect the species’ conservation programs. This research aimed to produce unnatural mortality of leopards’ risk map throughout Iran and discuss the different aspects of this phenomenon, major human-caused threats and the efficiency of the legal protected areas in satisfying the species’ ecological requirements. We propose management interventions such as traffic speed limitations, signs, cameras, and faunal bridges as well as increasing public awareness and participation, especially among rural communities, to support the species’ conservation.</p></div

Habitat variables percent contribution in the model (ALT = Altitude, SLP = Slope, DHS = Distance to the human settlements, DTR = Distance from the traffic roads, DFS = Distance from streams, DFL = Distance from lakes, DFF = Distance from dry farming lands, DFI = Distance from irrigated farming lands, DFF = Distance from forested areas, DFW = Distance from woodlands, DFS = Distance from scrublands, DFR = Distance from range lands, DFB = Distance from bare lands, DFM = Distance from rocky mountainous areas, DFP = Distance from protected areas).

<p>Habitat variables percent contribution in the model (ALT = Altitude, SLP = Slope, DHS = Distance to the human settlements, DTR = Distance from the traffic roads, DFS = Distance from streams, DFL = Distance from lakes, DFF = Distance from dry farming lands, DFI = Distance from irrigated farming lands, DFF = Distance from forested areas, DFW = Distance from woodlands, DFS = Distance from scrublands, DFR = Distance from range lands, DFB = Distance from bare lands, DFM = Distance from rocky mountainous areas, DFP = Distance from protected areas).</p

Persian leopard road mortality points in Golestan National Park which corresponds to the road mortality of brown bears (<i>Ursus arctos</i>).

<p>On the left, the intersection of the roads and highways with protected areas across the country has been shown.</p

Saffron effects on liver enzymes, antioxidant capacity, insulin, inflammation and genes expression of lipolysis and lipogenesis in a rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Summary: Background and aim: According to increasing attention to the protective effects of saffron in liver disease and increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the present study aimed to investigate the mechanism effects of saffron consumption on treatment of NAFLD in a rat model. Materials and Methods: In this study 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied for 13 weeks. Rats were divided in 4 groups, including group 1 that was fed HFHS+ 250 mg/kg S, group 2 that was fed HFHS+ 125 mg/kg S, group 3 that was fed HFHS, and group 4 that was fed chow diet. Results: Saffron consumption in HFHS+ 250 mg/kg S group and in HFHS + 150 mg/kg S group led to a significant reduction in ALT, AST, blood glucose, insulin, and significant elevation in TAC versus HFHS group. Saffron consumption in HFHS+250, 150 mg/Kg S caused a significant reduction in TG and significant elevation in HDL serum levels. The difference between HFHS+250 mg/kg S and HFHS for PPARα gene expression was significant (p=0.01). SREBP 1-c gene expression reduction among groups was significant and there was a significant difference between HFHS+250 mg/kg S and HFHS (p=0.02 and 0.05, respectively). DGAT2 gene expression was decreased significantly among groups, and HFHS+125 mg/kg S and HFHS+250 mg/kg S versus to HFHS (p=0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that consumption of Saffron could treat NAFLD in Rats at least partially through modulation in gene expression of PPARα, SREBP 1-c, and DGAT2, liver enzymes, glycemic indices and TAC

The effect of yogurt co-fortified with probiotic and vitamin D on lipid profile, anthropometric indices and serum 25-hydroxi vitamin D in obese adult: A Double-Blind Randomized- Controlled Trial

Vitamin D deficiency can be regarded as one of the overgrowing health problem in all of the world. Evidence from a clinical trial suggested a role for probiotic bacteria in increasing vitamin D. However, probiotic's effect is strain specific and this effect should be confirmed about different strains. The objective was to determine if yogurt fortification with probiotic bacteria, Lactobillus acidophilus La-B5, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 either alone or in combination with vitamin D can be a complementary treatment for vitamin D deficiency. The end-points were vitamin D, cardio metabolic lipid profile, anthropometric indices (weight, height, waist, hip, fat mass, lean body mass) and dietary intake. A 10-week parallel-group, double-blind, randomized and controlled trial was conducted on 140 obese men and women. The participants were randomly allocated to receive 100 grams either 1) plain low-fat yogurt or 2) probiotic yogurt or 3) vitamin D-fortified yogurt or 4) probiotic and vitamin D cofortified yogurt. All groups received low-calorie diet. Vitamin D increased significantly in group 4 (p = .008), group 3 (p = .001) and group 1 (p = .012 with no difference between groups. Vitamin D-fortified yogurt had the most effect size and showed a significant difference versus plain (p = .018) and probiotic yogurt (p = .002). Regarding lipid profile, there were no significant differences between groups. Data from this study does not support the hypothesis that yogurt fortified with probiotic bacteria, Lactobillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 either alone or in combination with vitamin D might impose any increasing effect on serum level of vitamin D in comparison with vitamin D-fortified yogurt