Association of Per3 length polymorphism with bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia

Contenido: Sleep–wake disturbances have frequently been reported in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and are considered to be caused by an underlying circadian rhythm disorder. The study presented here was designed to investigate the existence of Per3 polymorphism in bipolar disorder type I (BD-I) and schizophrenic patients in South India. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 311 BD-I patients, 293 schizophrenia patients, and 346 age- and sex-matched normal controls. Per3 genotyping was performed on DNA by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Results: An increased prevalence of five repeat homozygotes was seen in BD-I patients as compared with healthy controls (odds ratio =1.72 [95% confidence interval: 1.08–2.76, P=0.02]). In BD-I patients, the frequency of the five repeat allele was higher (allele frequency =0.41), and that of the four repeat allele lower (allele frequency =0.36) (χ2=4.634; P,0.03) than in the control group. No significant association was observed in the allele frequencies of four and five repeat alleles in schizophrenia patients when compared with controls. Conclusion: The occurrence of the five repeat allele of Per3 may be a risk factor for BD-I onset in this ethnic grou

'Distant socializing,' not 'social distancing' as a public health strategy for COVID-19

Social distancing, also referred to as physical distancing, means creating a safe distance of at least two meters (six feet) between yourself and others. This is a term popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is one of the most important measures to prevent the spread of this virus. However, the term 'social distancing' can be misleading, as it may imply that individuals should stop socializing. However, socializing in a safe context (i.e. over the phone, video-chat, etc.) is especially important during this time of crisis. Therefore, in this narrative review, we suggest the term 'distant socializing' as more apt expression, to promote physical distancing measures while also highlighting the importance of maintaining social bonds. Further, articles discussing the practice, implementation, measurement, and mental health effects of physical distancing are reviewed. Physical distancing is associated with psychiatric symptoms (such as anxiety and depression), suicidal ideation, and domestic violence. Further, unemployment and job insecurity have significantly increased during COVID-19, which may exacerbate these negative mental health effects. Governments, medical institutions, and public health bodies should therefore consider increasing mental health resources both during and after the pandemic, with a specific focus on frontline workers, COVID-19 survivors, and marginalized communities

Scientists Against War: A Plea to World Leaders for Better Governance

The current Russian war against Ukraine is of global concern. It builds on the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequently the war in the Donbas region of Ukraine, and has become a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine from three directions, Crimea in the south, Russia in the east, and Belarus in the north. Despite the geopolitical background that, in the eyes of Russia, justifies its annexation of regions in and around Ukraine, we cannot turn a blind eye towards the untold miseries of the citizens of the invaded country. Although it is unclear as to how the situation will unfold, what is clear is that lives are being lost, many civilians are being injured, traumatized, and valuable assets destroyed. Taking into consideration that the population of the countries involved in this conflict totals nearly 200 million citizens, many lives on both sides will be sacrificed, millions of people displaced, Europe will be overrun with new refugees, and global world economics will be disrupted by the war itself and by the sanctions imposed on Russia. The current global governance mechanisms are likely to be forever changed, with other players with malevolent intentions becoming emboldened to embark on expansionist ventures.Fil: Pandi Perumal, Seithikurippu R.. Somnogen Canada Inc.; Canadá. Saveetha University; IndiaFil: Kumar, Velayudhan Mohan. National Academy of Medical Sciences; IndiaFil: Pandian, Namasivayam Ganesh. Kyoto University; JapónFil: de Jong, Joop T.. Amsterdam UMC; Países Bajos. University of Boston. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Andiappan, Sudalaikannu. Madurai Kamaraj University; IndiaFil: Corlateanu, Alexandru. Nicolae Testemitanu State University Of Medicine And Pharmacy; MoldaviaFil: Mahalaksmi, Arehally Marappa. JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research; IndiaFil: Chidambaram, Saravana Babu. JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research; IndiaFil: Kumar, Ramasamy Rajesh. Global Community Educational Foundation; AustraliaFil: Ramasubramanian, Chellamuthu. M. S. Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation; IndiaFil: Sivasubramaniam, Sudhakar. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University; IndiaFil: Bjørkum, Alvhild Alette. Western Norway University Of Applied Sciences; NoruegaFil: Cutajar, JosAnn. University of Malta; MaltaFil: Berk, Michael. Deakin University; AustraliaFil: Trakht, Ilya. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Vrdoljak, Anton. University Of Mostar; Bosnia y HerzegovinaFil: Meira e Cruz, Miguel. Universidad de Lisboa; PortugalFil: Eyre, Harris A.. Deakin University; Australia. University of California; Estados Unidos. Baylor College of Medicine; Estados Unidos. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Estados UnidosFil: Grønli, Janne. University of Bergen; NoruegaFil: Cardinali, Daniel Pedro. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Maercker, Andreas. Universitat Zurich; SuizaFil: van de Put, Willem A. C. M.. Institute for Tropical Medicine Antwerp; Países Bajos. Fordham University; Estados UnidosFil: Guzder, Jaswant. Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital; Canadá. Jewish General Hospital; CanadáFil: Bjorvatn, Bjørn. University of Bergen; Noruega. Haukeland University Hospital; NoruegaFil: Tol, Wietse A.. Universidad de Copenhagen; Dinamarca. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Países Bajos. ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre-International; Países BajosFil: Acuña Castroviejo, Darío. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Meudec, Marie. Institute of Tropical Medicine; BélgicaFil: Morin, Charles M.. Laval University; CanadáFil: Partinen, Markku. Terveystalo Healthcare; Finlandia. University of Helsinki; FinlandiaFil: Golombek, Diego Andres. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Cronobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin