MicroRNAs and pro-inflammatory cytokines as candidate biomarkers for recent-onset psychosis

Background: Recent studies on the schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders showed that alternation of immune system components, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) and pro-inflammatory compounds, plays a significant role in developing the illness. The study aimed to evaluate serum expression of the miRNA-26a, miRNA-106a, and miRNA-125b as genetic factors and serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α as pro-inflammatory factors in an IranianAzeri population. Methods: Forty patients with recent-onset non-affective psychosis and 40 healthy people as a control group were involved. Expression levels of miRNAs and serum levels of the cytokines were measured using RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. T-test, receiver operating characteristics (ROC), and spearman correlation coefficient were carried out data analysis. Results: Findings showed higher levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, miR-26a, and miR-106a in the plasma of the patients’ group compared with the control. miRNA-26a showed a statistically significant higher level (p &lt;.003) compared to the control group, with AUC = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.77 to 0.93, P &lt;.001) and cut-off point = 0.17 in comparison to other miRNAs as mentioned above; in this regard, it might be a suggestive biomarker for schizophrenia in the early stage of the illness. Moreover, miRNAs’ expression level was not substantially associated with the level of any measured cytokines above. Conclusions: miR-26a might be a suggestive biomarker for schizophrenia in the early stage of the illness. Given that the relationship between other miRNAs and cytokines is not yet well understood; accordingly, there are encouragement and support for continued research in this fascinating field.</p

MicroRNAs and pro-inflammatory cytokines as candidate biomarkers for recent-onset psychosis

Background: Recent studies on the schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders showed that alternation of immune system components, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) and pro-inflammatory compounds, plays a significant role in developing the illness. The study aimed to evaluate serum expression of the miRNA-26a, miRNA-106a, and miRNA-125b as genetic factors and serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α as pro-inflammatory factors in an IranianAzeri population. Methods: Forty patients with recent-onset non-affective psychosis and 40 healthy people as a control group were involved. Expression levels of miRNAs and serum levels of the cytokines were measured using RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. T-test, receiver operating characteristics (ROC), and spearman correlation coefficient were carried out data analysis. Results: Findings showed higher levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, miR-26a, and miR-106a in the plasma of the patients’ group compared with the control. miRNA-26a showed a statistically significant higher level (p &lt;.003) compared to the control group, with AUC = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.77 to 0.93, P &lt;.001) and cut-off point = 0.17 in comparison to other miRNAs as mentioned above; in this regard, it might be a suggestive biomarker for schizophrenia in the early stage of the illness. Moreover, miRNAs’ expression level was not substantially associated with the level of any measured cytokines above. Conclusions: miR-26a might be a suggestive biomarker for schizophrenia in the early stage of the illness. Given that the relationship between other miRNAs and cytokines is not yet well understood; accordingly, there are encouragement and support for continued research in this fascinating field.</p

Psychometric Properties of the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) in Farsi: Based on DSM-5

ObjectivesThe first onset of many psychiatric disorders usually occurs inchildhood or adolescence. The structured interview of Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) was developed in response to the need for a standardized and reliable method to assess psychiatric disorders in preschool-age children. This study aimed to translate DSM-5-based PAPA into Farsi and evaluate its face and content validity and reliability.Materials &amp; MethodsThe procedure was a forward translation of PAPA to Farsi, evaluation for face and content validity, finalization of items within the expert panel, backward translation to English, matching the original PAPA with randomly selected items from the backward translation version, and revision as needed, and finally evaluation for the validity of the changes for localization and cultural considerations. The interviews based on the final Farsi version were performed on thirty parents of children from two to five years old (chosen from Tabriz health centers) to determine the reliability and were repeated at an interval of two weeks. ResultsThe mean of CVI=0.91 and Modified Kappa=0.90 were obtained, and reliability with Cronbach’s alpha was 0.89.ConclusionThe Farsi version of the DSM-5-based PAPA diagnostic interview has good face and content validity and reliability

Preparation, translation and evaluation of face and content validity of the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) in Farsi

Introduction: Childhood is the time of onset for many psychiatric disorders. Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) is developed in response to the need for a standard and reliable tool for assessment of psychiatric disorders in preschool age. The aim of this study was to translate this tool to Farsi and evaluate the face and content validity of this precious and comprehensive tool. Methods: The process was forward translation to Farsi, evaluation for face and content validity, finalization of items within expert panel, backward translation to English, matching the original PAPA with randomly selected items from the backward translation version and revision as needed and finally evaluation for validity of the changes for localization and cultural considerations. Results: The research team translated original PAPA to Farsi. In the next step, evaluation for face and content validity was performed by expert panel, a mean of 30-35 items from 100 pages were revised and 7 items which were not compatible with social and cultural conditions in our country got localized. Two percent of pages from this forward translation (14 pages) were randomly selected as a sample from the whole questionnaire in order to be back translated to Farsi and expert panel were asked to evaluate. This version was revised based on their comments. The localized items were evaluated based on certainty, necessity and appropriateness and revised if needed. Conclusion: Farsi version of PAPA diagnostic interview for preschool age is available and has face and content validity