Mood symptoms and suicidality across the autism spectrum

Abstract Background Autism spectrum is a psychopathological dimension which encompasses a wide range of clinical presentations: from subthreshold forms and autistic traits (AT), that can be found in the general population, to full-blown autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many studies reported high rates of comorbidity between both ASD and AT and mood disorders, as well as a high prevalence of suicidal ideation among patients with ASD/AT. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mood symptoms and suicidal ideation and behaviors in patients with full-blown ASD and in subjects with AT, as well in a healthy control (HC) group, with a specific focus on which of the autistic features may be predictive of suicidal ideation and behaviors. Methods We recruited 262 adult subjects: 34 with ASD without intellectual impairment or language disability (ASD group), 68 fulfilling only one symptom criterion for ASD according to DSM-5 but who do not meet criteria for a full-blown diagnosis of ASD (AT group), and 160 HC. All subjects were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5); in addition, they were asked to fill two questionnaires: The Mood Spectrum, Self-report (MOODS-SR) and the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum). Results ASD subjects reported significantly higher AdAS Spectrum and MOODS-SR total scores, as well as higher MOODS-SR depressive component total scores, when compared with AT and HC subjects. AT subjects scored significantly higher than the HC group. No significant differences were reported between ASD and AT subjects for the suicidality score according to MOODS-SR, despite both groups scored significantly higher than the HC group. The strongest predictor of suicidality score were MOODS-SR depressive component score and AdAS Spectrum Restricted interests and rumination domain score. Conclusions Our results highlight a correlation between autism and mood spectrum, as well as between suicidality and both ASD and AT. Subthreshold forms of ASD should be accurately investigated due to their relationship with suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Terutroban, a Thromboxane/Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Receptor Antagonist, Increases Survival in Stroke-Prone Rats by Preventing Systemic Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction: Comparison with Aspirin and Rosuvastatin

ABSTRACT This study investigated the efficacy of terutroban, a specific thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonist, on stroke incidence in spontaneously hypertensive strokeprone rats (SHRSP). The effects of terutroban were compared with those of aspirin, another antiplatelet agent, and rosuvastatin, known to exert end-organ protection in SHRSP. Saltloaded male SHRSP were treated orally once a day with vehicle, terutroban (30 mg/kg/day), aspirin (60 mg/kg/day), or rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg/day). Compared with vehicle, and regardless of any effect on blood pressure or serum thromboxane B 2 levels, terutroban significantly increased survival (p Ͻ 0.001) as a consequence of a delayed brain lesion occurrence monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (p Ͻ 0.001), and a delayed increase of proteinuria (p Ͻ 0.001). Terutroban decreased cerebral mRNA transcription of interleukin-1␤, transforming growth factor-␤, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 after 6 weeks of dietary treatment. Terutroban also prevented the accumulation of urinary acute-phase proteins at high molecular weight, identified as markers of systemic inflammation, and assessed longitudinally by one-dimensional electrophoresis. Terutroban also has protective effects on the vasculature as suggested by the preservation of endothelial function and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase expression in isolated carotid arteries. These effects are similar to those obtained with rosuvastatin, and superior to those of aspirin. Terutroban increases survival in SHRSP by reducing systemic inflammation as well as preserving endothelial function. These data support clinical development of terutroban in the prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular complications of atherothrombosis. Several clinical and experimental studies Spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP) develop hypertension and proteinuria and die after the onset Article, publication date, and citation information can be found a

Revision of the genus Ebbrittoniella Martinez (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Ceratocanthidae)

Volume: 107Start Page: 259End Page: 27

Two New Records of Ceratocanthinae from Northeastern Argentina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea, Hybosoridae)

Germarostes (Haroldostes) rugiceps (Germar) and Germarostes (Haroldostes) diffundus (Petrovitz) (Ceratocanthinae) are recorded for the fi rst time for Argentina from Misiones and Corrientes, respectively. This brings to thirteen the total number of the Ceratocanthinae species recorded for Argentina up to now. Some remarks on the type series of G. diffundus and on the collecting circumstances of the Argentine specimens in here discussed are included

Tramadol anti-inflammatory activity is not related to a direct inhibitory action on prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases

The analgesic drug tramadol has been shown to relieve pain in inflammatory conditions, to inhibit the development of experimental inflammation, and to reduce prostaglandin (PG)E 2 concentrations in the inflammatory exudate. In this study, we evaluated the putative activity of tramadol to suppress prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-1 (PGHS-1), and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 (PGHS-2) activities in human whole blood in vitro. Platelet thromboxane (Tx)B 2 production and monocyte PGE 2 production in LPS-stimulated blood were measured in samples incubated with different concentrations (300 ng/ml, 3 \u3bcg/ml, 30 \u3bcg/ml) of tramadol or its enantiomers. Neither tramadol nor the enantiomers inhibited the formation of arachidonic acid metabolites. Our results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of tramadol demonstrated in some models is not related to a direct inhibitory effect on the formation of prostanoids

Distinct roles for PAR1- and PAR2-mediated vasomotor modulation in human arterial and venous conduits

BACKGROUND: Patency rates after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are better if the internal mammary artery (IMA) is used rather than the greater saphenous vein (GSV), and may be related to the endothelial release of vasodilators antagonizing vascular contraction. It has recently been shown that a family of protease-activated receptors (PARs) modulate endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and functional role of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in mediating vascular tone in IMAs and GSVs from patients undergoing CABG by means of real time-PCR and isometric tension measurements. RESULTS: PAR1 mRNA levels were higher than those of PAR2 mRNA in both vessels. A selective PAR2-activating peptide (PAR2-AP), SLIGKV-NH(2) (0.01-100 micromol L(-1)), failed to induce vasorelaxation in precontracted IMA and GSV rings, whereas the selective PAR1-AP, TFLLR-NH(2) (0.001 to 10 micromol L(-1)), caused greater endothelium-dependent relaxation in the IMAs (pD(2) values 7.25 +/- 0.6 vs. 7.86 +/- 0.42, P < 0.05; E(max) values 56.2 +/- 17.3% vs. 29.7 +/- 13.4%, P < 0.001). Preincubation with TNFalpha (3 nmol L(-1)) induced vasorelaxation in IMAs in response to PAR2-AP (P < 0.05 vs. non-stimulated vessels); the response to PAR1-AP was unchanged. The relaxation induced by both PAR-APs was NO- and endothelium-dependent. CONCLUSION: These data show that functionally active PAR1 and PAR2 are present in IMAs and GSVs, and that inflammatory stimuli selectively enhance endothelium-dependent relaxation to PAR2-AP in IMAs

Geotrupes rossii Jekel, 1866 (currently Ceratophyus rossii), nomen protectum. (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Geotrupidae)

The authors present evidence that, in accordance with Article 23.9 of the Code, Geotrupes rossii Jekel, 1866, despite a junior primary homonym of Geotrupes rossii Rosenhauer, 1856, warrants the status of valid name for the species currently known as Ceratophyus rossii (Jekel, 1866)