Paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder and depressive symptoms: clinical correlates and CBT treatment outcomes.

Depression frequently co-occurs with paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), yet the clinical correlates and impact of depression on CBT outcomes remain unclear. The prevalence and clinical correlates of depression were examined in a paediatric specialist OCD-clinic sample (N = 295; Mean = 15 [7 - 18] years, 42 % female), using both dimensional (Beck Depression Inventory-youth; n = 261) and diagnostic (Development and Wellbeing Assessment; n = 127) measures of depression. The impact of depressive symptoms and suspected disorders on post-treatment OCD severity was examined in a sub-sample who received CBT, with or without SSRI medication (N = 100). Fifty-one per-cent of patients reported moderately or extremely elevated depressive symptoms and 26 % (95 % CI: 18 - 34) met criteria for a suspected depressive disorder. Depressive symptoms and depressive disorders were associated with worse OCD symptom severity and global functioning prior to CBT. Individuals with depression were more likely to be female, have had a psychiatric inpatient admission and less likely to be attending school (ps < 0.01). OCD and depressive symptom severity significantly decreased after CBT. Depressive symptoms and depressive disorders predicted worse post-treatment OCD severity (βs = 0.19 and 0.26, ps < 0.05) but became non-significant when controlling for pre-treatment OCD severity (βs = 0.05 and 0.13, ns). Depression is common in paediatric OCD and is associated with more severe OCD and poorer functioning. However, depression severity decreases over the course of CBT for OCD and is not independently associated with worse outcomes, supporting the recommendation for treatment as usual in the presence of depressive symptoms

Evaluation of 22 genetic variants with Crohn's Disease risk in the Ashkenazi Jewish population: a case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Crohn's disease (CD) has the highest prevalence among individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) descent compared to non-Jewish Caucasian populations (NJ). We evaluated a set of well-established CD-susceptibility variants to determine if they can explain the increased CD risk in the AJ population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We recruited 369 AJ CD patients and 503 AJ controls, genotyped 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at or near 10 CD-associated genes, <it>NOD2</it>, <it>IL23R</it>, <it>IRGM</it>, <it>ATG16L1</it>, <it>PTGER4</it>, <it>NKX2-3</it>, <it>IL12B</it>, <it>PTPN2</it>, <it>TNFSF15 </it>and <it>STAT3</it>, and assessed their association with CD status. We generated genetic scores based on the risk allele count alone and the risk allele count weighed by the effect size, and evaluated their predictive value.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three <it>NOD2 </it>SNPs, two <it>IL23R </it>SNPs, and one SNP each at <it>IRGM </it>and <it>PTGER4 </it>were independently associated with CD risk. Carriage of 7 or more copies of these risk alleles or the weighted genetic risk score of 7 or greater correctly classified 92% (allelic count score) and 83% (weighted score) of the controls; however, only 29% and 47% of the cases were identified as having the disease, respectively. This cutoff was associated with a >4-fold increased disease risk (p < 10e-16).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>CD-associated genetic risks were similar to those reported in NJ population and are unlikely to explain the excess prevalence of the disease in AJ individuals. These results support the existence of novel, yet unidentified, genetic variants unique to this population. Understanding of ethnic and racial differences in disease susceptibility may help unravel the pathogenesis of CD leading to new personalized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.</p

Correlates of comorbid anxiety and externalizing disorders in childhood obsessive compulsive disorder

The present study examines the influence of diagnostic comorbidity on the demographic, psychiatric, and functional status of youth with a primary diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Two hundred and fifteen children (ages 5–17) referred to a university-based OCD specialty clinic were compared based on DSM-IV diagnostic profile: OCD without comorbid anxiety or externalizing disorder, OCD plus anxiety disorder, and OCD plus externalizing disorder. No age or gender differences were found across groups. Higher OCD severity was found for the OCD + ANX group, while the OCD + EXT group reported greater functional impairment than the other two groups. Lower family cohesion was reported by the OCD + EXT group compared to the OCD group and the OCD + ANX group reported higher family conflict compared to the OCD + EXT group. The OCD + ANX group had significantly lower rates of tic disorders while rates of depressive disorders did not differ among the three groups. The presence of comorbid anxiety and externalizing psychopathology are associated with greater symptom severity and functional and family impairment and underscores the importance of a better understanding of the relationship of OCD characteristics and associated disorders. Results and clinical implications are further discussed

The Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol Potentiates Intestinal Inflammation by Salmonella Typhimurium in Porcine Ileal Loops

Background and Aims: Both deoxynivalenol (DON) and nontyphoidal salmonellosis are emerging threats with possible hazardous effects on both human and animal health. The objective of this study was to examine whether DON at low but relevant concentrations interacts with the intestinal inflammation induced by Salmonella Typhimurium. Methodology: By using a porcine intestinal ileal loop model, we investigated whether intake of low concentrations of DON interacts with the early intestinal inflammatory response induced by Salmonella Typhimurium. Results: A significant higher expression of IL-12 and TNF alpha and a clear potentiation of the expression of IL-1 beta, IL-8, MCP-1 and IL-6 was seen in loops co-exposed to 1 mu g/mL of DON and Salmonella Typhimurium compared to loops exposed to Salmonella Typhimurium alone. This potentiation coincided with a significantly enhanced Salmonella invasion in and translocation over the intestinal epithelial IPEC-J2 cells, exposed to non-cytotoxic concentrations of DON for 24 h. Exposure of Salmonella Typhimurium to 0.250 mu g/mL of DON affected the bacterial gene expression level of a limited number of genes, however none of these expression changes seemed to give an explanation for the increased invasion and translocation of Salmonella Typhimurium and the potentiated inflammatory response in combination with DON. Conclusion: These data imply that the intake of low and relevant concentrations of DON renders the intestinal epithelium more susceptible to Salmonella Typhimurium with a subsequent potentiation of the inflammatory response in the gut

Discordant Gene Expression Signatures and Related Phenotypic Differences in Lamin A- and A/C-Related Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS)

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a genetic disorder displaying features reminiscent of premature senescence caused by germline mutations in the LMNA gene encoding lamin A and C, essential components of the nuclear lamina. By studying a family with homozygous LMNA mutation (K542N), we showed that HGPS can also be caused by mutations affecting both isoforms, lamin A and C. Here, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis in both, lamin A- (sporadic) and lamin A and C-related (hereditary) HGPS. For this, we performed detailed molecular studies on primary fibroblasts of hetero- and homozygous LMNA K542N mutation carriers, accompanied with clinical examinations related to the molecular findings. By assessing global gene expression we found substantial overlap in altered transcription profiles (13.7%; 90/657) in sporadic and hereditary HGPS, with 83.3% (75/90) concordant and 16.7% (15/90) discordant transcriptional changes. Among the concordant ones we observed down-regulation of TWIST2, whose inactivation in mice and humans leads to loss of subcutaneous fat and dermal appendages, and loss of expression in dermal fibroblasts and periadnexial cells from a LMNAK542N/K542N patient further confirming its pivotal role in skin development. Among the discordant transcriptional profiles we identified two key mediators of vascular calcification and bone metabolism, ENPP1 and OPG, which offer a molecular explanation for the major phenotypic differences in vascular and bone disease in sporadic and hereditary HGPS. Finally, this study correlates reduced TWIST2 and OPG expression with increased osteocalcin levels, thereby linking altered bone remodeling to energy homeostasis in hereditary HGPS

Yield and nutritive value of Anti-Taurus Mountain rangeland shrubs in Turkey

Shrubs provide the bulk of feed for goats in the Mediterranean agropastoral farming systems, yet quantitative data on productivity and nutritive value of highland shrubs species that is needed to develop rangeland management strategies are limited. Edible Fodder (EF) yield and concentrations of CP, ADF, NDF and IVOMD in the EF of shrubs were evaluated at Saksak and Candir in Yayladagi County of Antakya on the Anti-Taurus Mountains in Turkey. Significant variations in EF yield (8-4003 kg DM ha-1), CP (5.9-23.1%), ADF (19.9-38.4%), NDF (30.9-54.2%) and IVOMD (22.7-56.7%) were recorded among the shrubs at Saksak. Similarly, variations in EF yield (202-1523 kg DMha-1), CP (5.9-13.2%), ADF (22.8-37.7%), NDF (38.3-53.6%) and IVOMD (29.3-51.4%) were significant among the shrubs at Candir. Based on digestible organic matter yield, the shrubs could be ranked as: Daphne sericea&gt;Cafycotome infesta&gt;Styrax officinalis&gt;Cistus salviaefolius&gt; Rhamnus alaternus&gt;Laurus nobilis&gt;Juniperus oxycedrus&gt;Quercus cocciferd&gt;Pistacia terebentis in Saksak and Daphne sericea&gt;Styrax officinalis&gt;Cistus salviaefolius&gt;Juniperus oxycedrus&gt;Quercus coccifera&gt; Pistacia terebentis in Candir. D. sericea, S. qfficinalis, C. salviaefolius and C. infesta showed greater potential for development of agroforestry technologies to increase rangeland productivity in the Anti-Taurus Mountains region and similar highland environments in other parts of the world. Further research on cheaper methods of establishment, defoliation options to optimize and sustain edible fodder and wood production, fodder quality in terms of outputs of livestock products may be needed. © Medwell Journals, 2010

The effect of lead on sera malonyldialdehyde, vitamin C, vitamin E and erythrocyte reduced glutathione

Lead is one of the heavy metals that is toxic for human and animals. Several reports indicate that peroxidation damage of tissues in laboratory animals are enhanced in acute toxicity from transition metal ions such as copper, iron, mercury and lead. In this study sera malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte reduced glutathione(GSH), sero vitamin C and E values were determined in 30 male subjects occupationally exposed to lead 20 healthy male subjects were used as control group. Blood lead level of control group was found as 10 ± 1.8 mg/dL. However, blood lead level of lead exposed subjects was very high with a value of 317 ± 47 mg/dL. MDA, GSH, vitamin C and vitamin E levels of lead exposed subjects were 0.56 ± 0.30 nmol/mL, 2.77 ± 0.50 mmol/g Hb, 1.33 ± 0.40 mg/dL and 5.40 ± 0.60 mg/mL, respectively. MDA, GSH, vitamin C and vitamin E value of control group were 0.17 ± 0.02 nmol/mL, 5.10 ± 1.20 mmol/g Hb, 1.75 ± 0.34 mg/dl and 8.98 ± 1.75 mg/mL, respectively. Our experimental results showed that there is a significant increase in MDA values of lead exposed subjects as compared with that of the controls. However, vitamin E, vitamin C and GSH values of lead exposed subjects were significantly lower than the vitamin E, vitamin C and GSH values of normal controls