A volumetric study of brain structures in clinical subtypes of major depression

Structural neuroimaging studies in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) examining hippocampal, amygdalar and subgenual cingulate volumes are scarce and not conclusive regarding the differentiation of melancholic and psychotic MDD. Furthermore, the influence of Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis on brain volume has not been studied consistently in subtypes of MDD.We examined the volumes of hippocampus, amygdala, anterior and posterior subgenual cingulate cortex, on magnetic resonance images, in 22 patients with melancholic MDD, 17 patients with psychotic MDD and 18 controls. Also, we studied their relationship with MDD clinical features and symptoms, as well as with markers of HPA axis (plasma cortisol levels, pituitary volume).The examined volumes did not differ between patient groups. In contrast, compared to controls, both patient groups showed significantly larger amygdala volumes bilaterally and significant smaller anterior subgenual volumes. Furthermore, amygdala volumes were significantly larger in patients with insomnia and in patients with late-onset MDD compared to patients without sleep disorder and patients with early-onset MDD. Also, they were significantly correlated (negatively) with the volume of the tail of the left hippocampus. Brain volume did not correlate with plasma cortisol levels, whereas, posterior subgenual and hippocampal volumes correlated significantly (positively and negatively respectively) with pituitary volume.In conclusion, the examined volumes did not correlate with the subtype of depression and its severity. Significantly differentiated volumes between patients and controls correlated significantly with the diagnosis of depression and with symptoms at the level of Autonomic Nervous System (sleep, appetite). Furthermore, the volumes of most examined brain structures were related with MDD chronicity features and some of them with HPA axis markers. Finally, amygdala volume findings seem to be in agreement with studies suggesting that amygdala is implicated in memory consolidation during sleep deprivation.Από τα ευρήματα μελετών δομικής νευροαπεικόνισης στη Μείζονα Κατάθλιψη (ΜΚ) αναφορικά με τον όγκο του ιπποκάμπου, της αμυγδαλής και της υπογονάτιας περιοχής της έλικας του προσαγωγίου (υπΕΠ) δεν είναι δυνατόν να εξαχθούν αξιόπιστα συμπεράσματα σχετικά με τη διαφοροποίηση μελαγχολικής και ψυχωτικής κατάθλιψης. Επίσης, φαίνεται ότι δεν έχει μελετηθεί συστηματικά η επίδραση του άξονα Υποθάλαμος-υπόφυση-επινεφρίδια (ΗΡΑ) στον όγκο των εγκεφαλικών σχηματισμών σε αυτές τις κλινικές μορφές ΜΚ. Προκειμένου να διερευνηθεί περαιτέρω αν η κλινική διαφοροποίηση των ανωτέρω τύπων ΜΚ αντιστοιχεί και σε μια διαφοροποίησή τους σε δομικό επίπεδο, μελετήθηκαν, μέσω Μαγνητικής Τομογραφίας, οι όγκοι του ιπποκάμπου, της αμυγδαλής και της πρόσθιας και οπίσθιας υπΕΠ, σε 22 ασθενείς με μελαγχολική ΜΚ, σε 17 ασθενείς με ψυχωτική ΜΚ και σε 18 μάρτυρες. Επιπλέον, μελετήθηκε η σχέση τους με κλινικά χαρακτηριστικά και συμπτώματα της ΜΚ, αλλά και με δείκτες του άξονα ΗΡΑ (επίπεδα κορτιζόλης πλάσματος, όγκος υπόφυσης). Οι υπό μελέτη όγκοι δεν διαφοροποιήθηκαν μεταξύ ασθενών με μελαγχολική και ασθενών με ψυχωτική ΜΚ. Σε σχέση με τους μάρτυρες, οι όγκοι της δεξιάς (ΔΑ) και της αριστερής αμυγδαλής (ΑΑ) βρέθηκαν σημαντικά μεγαλύτεροι και ο όγκος της αριστερής πρόσθιας υπΕΠ σημαντικά μικρότερος σε αμφότερες τις ομάδες ασθενών, ενώ οι υπόλοιποι όγκοι δεν εμφάνισαν σημαντικές διαφορές. Επιπλέον, ο όγκος της αμυγδαλής βρέθηκε αμφοτερόπλευρα σημαντικά μεγαλύτερος στους ασθενείς με αϋπνία και με πρώιμη ΜΚ σε σχέση με αυτούς χωρίς διαταραχές ύπνου και με όψιμη ΜΚ αντίστοιχα και συσχετίσθηκε αμφοτερόπλευρα αρνητικά με τον όγκο της ουράς του αριστερού ιπποκάμπου. Οι όγκοι των εγκεφαλικών σχηματισμών δεν συσχετίσθηκαν με τα επίπεδα κορτιζόλης πλάσματος. Αντίθετα, με τον όγκο της υπόφυσης συσχετίσθηκαν ισχυρά οι όγκοι της οπίσθιας υπΕΠ αμφοτερόπλευρα όπως και οι όγκοι του ιπποκάμπου. Συμπερασματικά, οι όγκοι που μελετήθηκαν δεν συσχετίσθηκαν με τον τύπο της κατάθλιψης και τη βαρύτητά της. Αντίθετα, οι όγκοι που διαφοροποιήθηκαν μεταξύ ασθενών και μαρτύρων συνδέθηκαν με τη διάγνωση της κατάθλιψης και με διαταραχές σε επίπεδο ΑΝΣ (ύπνος, όρεξη). Επίσης, η πλειοψηφία των όγκων συνδέθηκε με παραμέτρους χρονιότητας της διαταραχής και ορισμένοι από αυτούς με δείκτες του άξονα ΗΡΑ. Τέλος, τα ευρήματα που αφορούν στον όγκο της αμυγδαλής φαίνεται να είναι σε συμφωνία με μελέτες που προτείνουν μια εμπλοκή της αμυγδαλής στη σταθεροποίηση της μνήμης σε φάση στέρησης ύπνου

A Chair-Based Music–Kinetic Combined Exercise Program as an Alternative Approach for Increasing Health, Functional Capacity, and Physical Fitness Indices in Middle-Aged Pre-Menopausal Women

Lately, chairs have been widely used as a cheap, easily accessible, safe, and effective training means in different settings (e.g., in gyms, the house, workplaces, and in rehabilitation). This study investigated the effectiveness of a 10-week chair-based music–kinetic integrated combined exercise program on health, functional capacity, and physical fitness indicators of middle-aged pre-menopausal women. A total of 40 healthy women (40–53 years) were assigned to two groups: exercise (EG) and control (CG). The EG followed a 10-week (3 times/weekly; 30 training sessions) chair-based exercise program including aerobic dance, flexibility, coordination, and strength exercises with body weight or auxiliary means. Selected indicators of health, functional capacity, and physical fitness were evaluated before and after the 10 weeks. Following the program, the EG significantly reduced their body fat (−2.5%), blood pressure (by −4.5 to −5.5%), the time during the timed up-and-go (TUG) test (by −10.27%), heart rate (by −6.35 to −13.78%), and the rate of perceived exertion (by −24.45 to −25.88%), while increasing respiratory function (3.5–4%), flexibility (12.17%), balance (50.38–51.07%), maximal handgrip strength (10–12.17%), and endurance strength (43.87–55.91%). The chair-based combined music–kinetic exercise program was effective and could be safely used in different settings to improve health, functional capacity, and physical fitness in middle-aged women

Innovative Use of Olive, Winery and Cheese Waste By-Products as Novel Ingredients in Weaned Pigs Nutrition

New sustainable sources of feeds, which can enhance the health and welfare of farm animals, lower feeding costs, and lead to safer products, are of high priority in modern animal production systems. In the present study, a novel silage created from Greek olive, winery, and feta cheese waste by-products, was evaluated as a feed ingredient at different inclusion rates (0%, 5% or 10%) in 34-day-old weaned pigs. The potential beneficial effects on performance, health and intestinal digesta microflora balance of the pigs were evaluated. Additionally, chemical, microbiological and quality analysis of the meat was carried out. Results showed no detrimental effects (p > 0.05) on the pigs’ performance and no significant changes (p > 0.05) in meat pH, color and chemical analysis. Ileum and cecum microflora populations (total anaerobes, Lactobacillaceae) were positively affected (p ≤ 0.05) by the dietary usage of the silage. The microbial populations (Clostridium spp.) of belly meat cuts were positively modified (p ≤ 0.01). The concentration of total phenols in the meat cuts were increased (p ≤ 0.05) and their resistance to oxidation was improved (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, the fatty acid profile of the meat lipids (polyunsaturated and n-3 fatty acids) was positively modified (p ≤ 0.001)

AOP-Based Transformation of Abacavir in Different Environments: Evolution Profile of Descyclopropyl-Abacavir and In Silico Toxicity Assessment of the Main Transformation Products

This study explores the photocatalytic transformation of the antiviral drug abacavir employing different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as UV/TiO2, UV/MOF/H2O2, UV/MOF/S2O82−, UV/Fe2+/H2O2, and UV/Fe2+/S2O82−. All processes appear to be effective in eliminating abacavir within a few minutes, while the evolution profile of the basic transformation product, descyclopropyl-abacavir (TP-247) was also monitored. Moreover, the implementation of the most efficient technologies towards the removal of abacavir in different matrices such as wastewater effluent and leachate was also assessed, revealing that the organic matter present or the inorganic constituents can retard the whole process. Four major transformation products were detected, and their time-evolution profiles were recorded in all studied matrices, revealing that different transformation pathways dominate in each matrix. Finally, the prediction of the toxicity of the major TPs employing ECOSAR software was conducted and showed that only hydroxylation can play a detoxification role in the treated solution

An Enjoyable Workplace Combined Exercise Program for Health Promotion in Trained Employees: Yoga, Pilates, and Circuit Strength Training

Corporate wellness has become an important public health priority through the designing and implementation of different workplace exercise interventions. The objectives of this study were to investigate: (a) the effectiveness of a 4-month workplace combined yoga, Pilates, and circuit strength training program (outside work shift) on health indices, functional capacity, and physical fitness in office employees; and (b) the employees’ enjoyment following the program. Fifty physically active office employees (26–55 years old) were equally divided into training (TG) and control groups (CG). The TG followed a 4-month (3 times/week, 50–60 min/training) combined yoga, Pilates, and circuit strength training program. Health indices (body composition, body mass, circumferences, musculoskeletal pains), functional capacity (flexibility, balance), and physical fitness (strength, aerobic capacity) were measured before and after the 4-month time period. After the completion of the program, the TG participants’ enjoyment was assessed. The TG significantly improved (p p > 0.05). Furthermore, a great percentage of employees (84%) reported high levels of enjoyment. This program could be effectively and safely used in workplace settings as an enjoyable intervention to improve specific health, functional capacity, and physical fitness indices in office employees

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Pomegranate Peel with Xylanase on Egg Quality and Antioxidant Parameters in Laying Hens

Pomegranate contains bioactive compounds in all its parts. In this study, two levels of pomegranate peel byproduct (PPB) with or without the inclusion of xylanase enzyme were used to supplement laying hens’ diet, in a 2 × 2 full factorial design. A total of 48 Isa brown laying hens were fed the following experimental diets for 8 weeks: T1 (2.5% PPB); T2 (2.5% PPB and xylanase); T3 (5% PPB); T4 (5% PPB and xylanase). Eggs collected were analyzed for egg quality parameters. Moreover, egg yolks were analyzed for Malondialdehyde content (MDA), fatty acid profile and total phenolic content. The T2 eggs showed enhanced yolk coloration and greater yolk total phenolic content. The T3 and T4 egg yolks showed lower MDA levels compared with T1, T2. Overall, results have shown that (a) xylanase inclusion affected egg yolk coloration and total phenolic content when combined with 2.5% PPB dietary supplementation; (b) dietary supplementation of 5% PPB resulted in eggs with reduced MDA levels

Innovative Use of Olive, Winery and Cheese Waste By-Products as Functional Ingredients in Broiler Nutrition

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary use of novel silage that was created by combining three agro-industrial wastes produced in bulk, i.e., olive mill wastewater, grape pomace, and deproteinized feta cheese whey, in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 216 one-day-old male Ross-308 chicks were randomly allocated to three treatment groups with six replications (12 chicks per pen). Three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated to include the examined silage at 0%, 5%, or 10%. Commercial breeding and management procedures were employed throughout the trial. At the end of the trial (day 35), tissue samples were collected for analysis. Feeding 10% silage resulted in increased (p ≤ 0.001) final body weight (p ≤ 0.001) and feed intake. Jejunum and cecum microflora, as well as breast and thigh meat microflora, were modified (p ≤ 0.05) by the dietary inclusion. Thigh meat oxidative stability was improved (p < 0.01) by the silage supplementation. In addition, breast and thigh meat fatty acid profiles were different, respectively, (p < 0.05) in the supplemented treatments compared to the control. The examined silage was successfully tested in broiler diets with potential benefits for their performance and meat quality

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of a Resin-Purified Aqueous-Isopropanol Olive Leaf Extract on Meat and Liver Antioxidant Parameters in Broilers

Olive leaves are byproducts οf the agro-industrial sector and are rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. They could be supplemented in poultry diets powdered or less frequently as extracts to improve performance, health and product quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of an aqueous isopropanol olive leaf extract—purified through filtration (250–25 µm) and a resin (XAD-4)—when supplemented in broiler chickens’ diets, on meat quality parameters, focusing mainly on antioxidant parameters as there is limited published information. For this purpose, four-hundred-and-eighty-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: T1 (control: basal diet); T2 (1% olive leaf extract); T3 (2.5% olive leaf extract); T4 (positive control: 0.1% encapsulated oregano oil commercially used as feed additive). At the end of the experimental period (day 42), the birds were slaughtered, and samples from breast, thigh meat and liver were collected for antioxidant parameters evaluation. On day 1, after slaughter, in thigh meat, Malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in T2 compared to T3, and total phenolic content (TPC) was higher in T2 compared to T3 and T4. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was increased in T2 and T4 breast meat compared to the control. In liver, T4 treatment resulted in higher TPC. The lack of dose-dependent effect for olive leaf extract may be attributed to the pro-oxidant effects of some bioactive compounds found in olive leaves, such as oleuropein, when supplemented at higher levels. In summary, it can be inferred that the inclusion of 1% olive leaf extract in the feed of broilers has the potential to mitigate oxidation in broiler meat and maybe enhance its quality