Associations Between Cocaine, Amphetamine or Psychedelic Use and Psychotic Symptoms in a Community Sample

Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between use of cocaine, amphetamines, or psychedelics and psychotic symptoms. Method: Cumulated data from a prospective, longitudinal community study of 2588 adolescents and young adults in Munich, Germany were used. Substance use was assessed at baseline, 4-year and 10-year follow-up using the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview; psychotic symptoms were assessed at 4-year and 10-year follow-up. Multinomial logistic regression analyses, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, common mental disorders, other substance use, and childhood adversity (adjusted odds ratios, AOR), revealed associations between cocaine, amphetamine or psychedelic use and psychotic symptoms. Results: Lifetime experience of psychotic symptoms was associated with lifetime use of cocaine (AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.10-3.45), amphetamines (AOR 1.69; 95%CI 0.98-2.93), psychedelics (AOR 2.37; 95%CI 1.20-4.66) and all three substances (AOR 1.95; 95%CI 1.19-3.18). Conclusion: Associations between psychotic symptoms and use of cocaine, amphetamines, and/or psychedelics in adolescents and young adults call for further studies to elucidate risk factors and developmental pathways

Two antisense RNAs target the transcriptional regulator CsgD to inhibit curli synthesis

Escherichia coli produces proteinaceous surface structures called curli that are involved in adhesion and biofilm formation. CsgD is the transcriptional activator of curli genes. We show here that csgD expression is, in part, controlled post-transcriptionally by two redundant small RNAs (sRNAs), OmrA and OmrB. Their overexpression results in curli deficiency, in accordance with the inhibition of chromosomally encoded, FLAG-tagged CsgD. Downregulation of csgD occurs by a direct antisense interaction within the csgD 5′-UTR, far upstream of the ribosome-binding site (RBS). OmrA/B downregulate plasmid-borne csgD-gfp fusions in vivo, and inhibit CsgD translation in vitro. The RNA chaperone Hfq is required for normal csgD mRNA and OmrA/B levels in the cell, and enhances sRNA-dependent inhibition of csgD translation in vitro. Translational inhibition involves two phylogenetically conserved secondary structure modules that are supported by chemical and enzymatic probing. The 5′-most element is necessary and sufficient for regulation, the one downstream comprises the RBS and affects translational efficiency. OmrA/B are two antisense RNAs that regulate a transcription factor to alter a morphotype and group behaviour