Sex steroid hormones status influence on antidepressant pharmacotherapy effect in male and female patients

Depression causes immense burden on health care systems worldwide with two time s higher prevalence in women. However, both male and female patients are treated with antidepressants under same protocols. As it was demonstrated that estrogen has a prodepressant and testosterone an antidepressant affect, it is reasonable to assume that pharmacotherapeutic effect might depend also on sex hormones status. The aim of this pilot study was to explore hormonal status of female and male patients upon hospitalization on occurrence of depressive episode and to correlate it with pharmacotherapy effect after four weeks of therapy. Subjects were 42 patients, 14 males, 14 females in the first (follicular) phase of menstrual cycle and 14 females in the second (luteal) phase of menstrual cycle upon hospitalization. The Hamilton scale was used to determine degree of depressive state upon hospitalization an after 28 days. At both time points, blood was sampled and level of testosterone and estrogen for male and estrogen, progesterone and testosterone for female patients was analysed. Results of the study showed that antidepressant effect calculated as a difference in Hamilton scale was highest in male group of patients and significantly higher than in women in the second phase of the cycle (10.4 vs 8.1). This correlated with increase of testosterone in male patients during four weeks treatment (12.08 vs. 9.46), while there was no significant change in the level of testosterone in both female groups of patients. Furthermore, in female patients in the luteal phase of the cycle, with lowest response to antidepressants, both estrogen and progesterone were significantly reduced during four weeks of treatment. In conclusion, results of our pilot study suggest sex differences in response to antidepressant therapy and level of hormonal status should be evaluated for better personalized pharmacotherapy.The Biochemistry Global Summit, 25th IUBMB Congress, 46th FEBS Congress, 15th PABMB Congress, July 9–14, 2022, Lisbon, Portuga

Cuantificación del calcio mineral en la ateromatosis carotídea mediante angiografía por tomografía computarizada: perfil evolutivo y relación con la progresión del grado de estenosis volumétrica

Antecedentes: La cuantificación y caracterización del calcio (Ca) mineral (hidroxiapatita) en la bifurcación carotídea con AngioTC, y su relación con la sintomatología neurológica, en un estudio preliminar de casos y controles (Miralles y cols. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2006), constituye la base conceptual del presente estudio. Sus resultados, al igual que los de otras publicaciones, sugerían un posible papel protector del calcio en el desarrollo de eventos neurológicos. Sin embargo, su relación con la progresión de la ateromatosis carotídea ha sido escasamente analizado. Objetivos: Principales: 1. Diseñar un método de medición volumétrica de la ateromatosis (AE) carotídea y contenido de Ca mediante AngioTC. 2. Analizar el grado de calcificación arterial y su relación con la progresión de la ateromatosis carotídea. Secundarios: 3. Evaluar la relación entre calcificación arterial carotídea y descalcificación ósea, así como su posible conexión a través de los factores humorales implicados en la regulación del metabolismo Ca-P. 4. Estudiar un posible mecanismo genético común: relación entre los polimorfismos del gen de la OPG y la progresión de la calcificación en la placa de ateroma. Pacientes y método: Diseño: Cohortes, medidas repetidas. Pacientes: 54 pacientes, neurológicamente asintomáticos con estenosis de la arteria carótida interna (ECI) >50% (eco-Doppler). Determinaciones: Medición del grado de ECI mediante eco-Doppler y proyecciones MIP 2D de AngioTC. Medición del Volumen del molde de contraste y contenido de Ca (AngioTC cuantitativa: Agatston score modificado: volumen de Ca (mm3) x densidad radiológica (unidades Hounsfield, UH) en reconstrucción volumétrica (volume rendering) de la bifurcación carotídea (volumen de contraste entre 2 cm por debajo y 1 cm por encima de la bifurcación [VBif] y su cociente con un segmento de 1 cm en carótida primitiva [VCP]) (n=45). En todos los pacientes se repitió la exploración a los 122 meses para valorar la variación en el contenido de Ca y en el grado de estenosis volumétrica de la bifurcación, como medición indirecta de la progresión/regresión de la AE carotídea. Densitometría ósea de columna y fémur (n=32), (basal y a los 122 meses). Bioquímica y metabolismo Ca-P (Ca, P, vit D, PTH). Determinación de osteopontina (OPN) y osteoprotegerina (OPG) sérica y distribución de 7 SNPs del gen de la OPG seleccionados sobre bases bibiliométricas (n=48). Análisis estadístico: descriptivo (media [DE]); concordancia intra e interobservador (gráficos de Bland-Altman) y coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI), precisión eco-Doppler/AngioTC y Volumetría 3D/MIP 2D: sensibilidad (Sens), especificidad (Esp), índice kappa, curvas operador receptor (COR), comparación de medias (prueba T), análisis de regresión uni y multivariable. Resultados: 1. La medición volumétrica de la bifurcación carotídea mostró una concordancia intra e interobservador con un CCI de 0,96 (IC 95%: 0,904-0,985) y 0,94 (IC 95%: 0,822-0,977), respectivamente. El VBif/VCP del grupo de ECI50% (p=0,001). El punto de corte óptimo de la relación VBif/VCP se identificó a partir de la curva COR en 4,1 (Sens=0,75; Esp=0,75, kappa=0,46). 2. La medición mediante AngioTC demostró, a los 12 meses, un aumento del volumen promedio de pared arterial (disminución del volumen de la columna de contraste), respecto al valor basal (475,45 [155,6] mm3xUH vs 501,3 [171,9] mm3xUH, p=0,04), así como un aumento del Ca intraplaca (56,8 [52,3] vs 64,58 [57,8] mm3xUH, p=0,002). El análisis univariable demostró una correlación inversa entre el contenido basal de Ca y progresión de estenosis volumétrica de la bifurcación (r=-0,481; p<0,001). El análisis de regresión múltiple permitió ajustar un modelo de regresión lineal entre la reducción del volumen de la bifurcación (progresión de AE carotídea) y el contenido basal de Ca intraplaca, ajustado por el índice de masa corporal (IMC). 3. Se observó una disminución estadísticamente significativa de la densidad ósea respecto a la determinación basal (2,08 [0,22] vs 2,06 [0,23] g/cm2; p=0,013), así como un aumento del Ca intraplaca respecto a los valores basales (79,2 [55] vs 64,58 [49,2] mm3xUH, p=0,12). Sin embargo, se identificó una correlación positiva entre la variación relativa del contenido de Ca y la variación relativa de la densidad ósea (r=0,574, p=0,003). En otras palabras, una mayor tendencia a la osteoporosis se asoció con una menor tendencia a la progresión del calcio intraplaca. Así mismo, se observó una relación entre los niveles plasmáticos de Vit D y la densitometría basal (r=-0,459, p=0,036) y entre los niveles plasmáticos de HDL-colesterol y la variación relativa, respecto a los valores basales, de la densidad ósea (r=-0,579, p=0,009). El análisis univariable demostró una correlación inversa entre el incremento del contenido de calcio intraplaca y los niveles plasmáticos de vit D (r=0,4; p=0,025) y score Z en fémur (r=0,378; p=0,047). Sólo la concentración de P en orina presentó una correlación positiva moderada con el aumento de Ca intraplaca (r=0,488, p=0,015). Ninguna otra variable, entre los parámetros del metabolismo Ca-P, mostró relación con la calcificación arterial. 4. No se observaron diferencias entre la distribución de los SNPs en los pacientes de la muestra del estudio y el grupo control. Tampoco se observó relación entre el genotipo (SNPs) y la concentración de OPG sérica. Conclusiones: 1. La medición volumétrica de la bifurcación carotídea supone un nuevo concepto basado en la valoración de la carga de placa más que en su efecto hemodinámico o estenosis máxima. Dada su precisión en la detección de variaciones pequeñas de la luz arterial, este método puede ser de especial utilidad en estudios de progresión de placa. 2. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que un mayor contenido de Ca confiere mayor estabilidad frente a la progresión de la AE carotídea y, eventualmente, a su capacidad para generar sintomatología tromboembólica. 3. Encontramos una tendencia independiente a la progresiva calcificación arterial y descalcificación ósea. Sin embargo, los resultados sugieren una relación temporal directa en la evolución del depósito de calcio en ambas localizaciones, por lo que no es posible descartar que su modulación se rija por mecanismos similares. 4. No se observó una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la distribución de los SNPs analizados y los niveles de la OPG o la calcificación intraplaca en los pacientes estudiados.Background: Quantification and characterization of mineral calcium (Ca) (hydroxyapatite) in the carotid bifurcation with AngioCT, and its relation with neurological symptomatology, in a preliminary case-control study (Miralles et al., Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2006) Constitutes the conceptual basis of the present study. Their results, like those of other publications, suggested a possible protective role for calcium in the development of neurological events. However, its relationship with the progression of carotid atheromatosis has been scarcely analyzed. Objectives: Primary: 1. To design a method of volumetric measurement of carotid atheromatosis (AE) and Ca content by AngioCT. 2. To analyze the degree of arterial calcification and its relation with the progression of carotid atheromatosis. Secondary: 3. To evaluate the relationship between carotid artery calcification and bone decalcification, as well as its possible connection through humoral factors involved in the regulation of Ca-P metabolism. 4 To study a possible common genetic mechanism: relationship between polymorphisms of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene and the progression of calcification in the atherosclerotic plaque. Patients and method: Design: Cohorts, repeated measures. Patients: 54 asymptomatic patients with internal carotid artery stenosis CAS>50% (duplex scanning). Determinations: Measurement of CAS grade with duplex scanning and MIP 2D projections of AngioCT. Volume measurement of contrast medium and Ca content (quantitative AngioCT: Agatston score: Ca volume (mm3) x radiological density (Hounsfield units, HU) in volume reconstruction of the carotid bifurcation [contrast volume between 2 cm below and 1 cm above the bifurcation (BifV) and its ratio with that from 1 cm segment in common carotid artery (CCV)] (n=45). In all patients, the scans was repeated at 12±2 months to assess the variation in Ca content and the degree of bifurcation volumetric stenosis as an indirect measure of carotid AE progression / regression. Bone and spine densitometry (n=32), where obtained at baseline and after 12±2 months, as well as Biochemistry and Ca-P metabolism parameters (Ca, P, vit D, PTH). Determination of plasma levels of osteopontin (OPN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) where compared with the distribution of 7 SNPs of the OPG gene selected on bibiliometrics bases (n=48). Statistical analysis: descriptive [mean (SD)]; Intra and interobserver agreement (Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), duplex scanning / AngioCT precision and 3D Volumetry / MIP 2D: Sensitivity (S), specificity (E), kappa index, ROC curves, means comparison (T test), univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Results: 1.The volumetric measurement of the carotid bifurcation showed intra and interobserver agreement with a ICC of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.904-0.985) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.822-0.977), respectively. The BifV/CCV of the CAS > 50% group was 5.2±1.8 vs 3.8 ±1.3 in the CAS >50% group (p=0.001). The optimum cutoff point for the BifV/CCV relation was identified from the ROC curve at 4,1 (S=0.75, E=0.75, kappa=0.46). 2. AngioCT measurement showed, at 12 months, an increase in mean arterial wall volume (decrease in contrast column volume), compared to baseline (475.45 [155.6] mm3xHU vs 501.3 [171.9] mm3xHU, p=0.04), as well as an increase in intraplaque Ca (56.8 [52.3] vs 64.58 [57.8] mm3xHU, p=0.002). Univariate analysis showed an inverse correlation between basal Ca content and progression of bifurcation volumetric stenosis (r=-0.481; p<0.001). The multiple regression analysis allowed to fit a linear regression model between the reduction of bifurcation volume (carotid AE progression) and the baseline intraplaque content of Ca, adjusted for body mass index (BMI). 3. A statistically significant decrease in bone density was observed with respect to the baseline determination (2.08 [0.22] vs 2.06 [0.23] g/cm2, p=0.013), as well as increased intraplaque Ca as compared with baseline values (79.2 [55] vs 64.58 [49.2] mm3xHU, p=0.12). However, a positive correlation was identified between the relative variation of Ca content and the relative variation of bone density (r=0.574, p=0.003). In other words, a greater tendency to osteoporosis was associated with a lower tendency to progression of intraplaque calcium. Likewise, a relationship between Vit D plasma levels and baseline densitometry (r=-0.459, p=0.036) and between plasma HDL-cholesterol levels and the relative variation, relative to baseline values, were observed. Bone density (r=-0.579, p=0.009). The univariate analysis showed an inverse correlation between the basal Ca content and the progression of bifurcation volumetric stenosis (r=-0.481; p<0.001), as well as between the increase in the intra-plaque calcium content and plasma levels of vit D (R=0.4, p=0.025) and femur Z score (r=0.378, p=0.047). Only the urine P concentration presented a moderate positive correlation with the increase of intra-plaque Ca (r=0.488, p=0.015). No other variable, among Ca-P metabolism parameters, was related to arterial calcification. 4. There were no differences between the distribution of SNPs in patients and control group. There was also no relationship between genotype and serum OPG concentration. Conclusions: 1. The volumetric measurement of the carotid bifurcation is a new concept based on the assessment of the plaque load rather than on its hemodynamic effect or maximal stenosis. Given its accuracy in detecting small variations in arterial lumen, this method may be especially useful in plaque progression studies. 2. The results of this study suggest that a higher content of Ca confers greater stability against the progression of carotid AE and, eventually, its capacity to generate symptomatology. 3. We found an independent tendency to progressive arterial calcification and bone decalcification. However, the results suggest a direct temporal relationship in the evolution of the calcium deposit in both locations, so it is not possible to rule out that its modulation is controlled by similar mechanisms. 4. The results are inconclusive with regard to the role of OPG in AE plaque calcification. No significant relationship between the distribution of SNPs analyzed and OPG levels in the studied patients was observed

Can acceptance of urban shrinkage shift planning strategies of shrinking cities from growth to de-growth?

Shrinking cities scholars claim that planning actors in the cities where shrinking is accepted are more likely to change the focus of planning strategy from pursuing growth to actively planning for de-growth. Considering this argument, this article investigates to what extent planning actors in shrinking cities seek solutions outside the dominant growth paradigm if they accept the reality of shrinkage. This is accomplished by examining the comprehensive plans of 18 shrinking cities in the Rust Belt area of the US and establishing relations between the interpretations of urban decline expressed in these planning documents and the resulting planning visions and strategies. The findings demonstrate that although planning actors in most analysed cases accepted urban shrinkage as a reality and adopted a vision of a smaller future city, they mainly devised strategies that facilitate growth. This suggests that urban planning may be far less impacted by specific interpretations of shrinkage, including acceptance, than what is popularly believed to be the case. Instead, growth remains a focal point of most planning efforts in shrinking cities, even when planning actors acknowledge it may not be realistically attainable

Faith in Trump, Moral Foundations, and Social Distancing Defiance during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Purpose: Over the past several months, the coronavirus has infected more than six million Americans and killed nearly 200,000. Governors have issued stay-at-home orders, and prosecutors have filed criminal charges against individuals for defying those orders. And yet many Americans have still refused to keep their distance from their fellow citizens, even if they had symptoms of infection. The authors explore the underlying causes for those who intend to defy these norms. Methods: Using national-level data from a March 2020 survey of 989 Americans, the authors explore intentions to defy social distancing norms by testing an interactionist theory of foundation-based moral behavior in combination with faith in President Trump during the coronavirus pandemic. The analysis controls for a range of variables, including measures of low self-control and deterrence. Results: Low self-control is the strongest predictor of defiance intentions. Consistent with interactionist theory, defiance intentions are significantly higher for those holding specific faith in Trump and those endorsing binding foundations. Furthermore, the interaction of these two variables is significant and in the predicted direction. The results hold for two different measures of faith in Trump. Conclusions: Even with a strong effect for low self-control, faith in President Trump is a strong predictor of refusal to social-distance, and its effect is largest among individuals high in binding foundations

Confronting the Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction: A Special Challenge for Social Work with Offenders

Millions of former offenders—often members of racial/ethnic minority or other disenfranchised groups—experience restrictions on their legal and civil rights as the collateral consequences of their criminal conviction. It is critical for the social workers and other human service professionals who frequently interface with this population to understand these collateral consequences to effectively serve their clients with criminal convictions. This exploratory study examined the impact these collateral consequences may have on social work practice with offenders. We assessed practitioners\u27 awareness, knowledge, and experiences with the collateral consequences of clients\u27 criminal convictions and practitioner efforts as “agents of restoration” to pursue statutorily available court-ordered expungements of their clients\u27 criminal conviction records. Findings revealed that practitioners lacked awareness of collateral consequences, their application, and expungement. Recommendations to enhance social work practitioners\u27 ability to address and reduce the far-reaching collateral consequences of incurring a criminal conviction are discusse

Faith in Trump, Moral Foundations, and Social Distancing Defiance during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Purpose: Over the past several months, the coronavirus has infected more than six million Americans and killed nearly 200,000. Governors have issued stay-at-home orders, and prosecutors have filed criminal charges against individuals for defying those orders. And yet many Americans have still refused to keep their distance from their fellow citizens, even if they had symptoms of infection. The authors explore the underlying causes for those who intend to defy these norms. Methods: Using national-level data from a March 2020 survey of 989 Americans, the authors explore intentions to defy social distancing norms by testing an interactionist theory of foundation-based moral behavior in combination with faith in President Trump during the coronavirus pandemic. The analysis controls for a range of variables, including measures of low self-control and deterrence. Results: Low self-control is the strongest predictor of defiance intentions. Consistent with interactionist theory, defiance intentions are significantly higher for those holding specific faith in Trump and those endorsing binding foundations. Furthermore, the interaction of these two variables is significant and in the predicted direction. The results hold for two different measures of faith in Trump. Conclusions: Even with a strong effect for low self-control, faith in President Trump is a strong predictor of refusal to social-distance, and its effect is largest among individuals high in binding foundations

Public Concern about Terrorism: Fear, Worry, and Support for Anti-Muslim Policies

In the era of 9/11, terrorist attacks occur with sufficient frequency and lethality to constitute a realistic threat to the well-being of the American public. Sensing this concern, politicians emphasize the threat of violent attacks to advance a platform of making public safety a priority. In this context, the authors assess the extent, sources, and emotional impact of the public’s concern about terrorism. On the basis of a national survey of 1,000 Americans, the authors examine levels of fear of a terrorist attack and worry about terrorism relative to other potential harms. They also determine whether concern about terrorism translates into support for homeland security measures that target Muslims. Of the predictors in the authors’ models, gender, religiosity, and psychological distress were most consistently associated with fear of terrorism and worry about being a victim of a terrorist attack. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that terrorism-related fear and worry predict support for anti-Muslim policies

Public Concern about Terrorism: Fear, Worry, and Support for Anti-Muslim Policies

In the era of 9/11, terrorist attacks occur with sufficient frequency and lethality to constitute a realistic threat to the well-being of the American public. Sensing this concern, politicians emphasize the threat of violent attacks to advance a platform of making public safety a priority. In this context, the authors assess the extent, sources, and emotional impact of the public’s concern about terrorism. On the basis of a national survey of 1,000 Americans, the authors examine levels of fear of a terrorist attack and worry about terrorism relative to other potential harms. They also determine whether concern about terrorism translates into support for homeland security measures that target Muslims. Of the predictors in the authors’ models, gender, religiosity, and psychological distress were most consistently associated with fear of terrorism and worry about being a victim of a terrorist attack. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that terrorism-related fear and worry predict support for anti-Muslim policies