Failure of a dietary model to affect markers of inflammation in domestic cats

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation can be altered by dietary factors in various species. However, little data are available in true carnivorous species such as domestic cats. As numerous anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative additives become available and might be of use in cats with chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases, the current study aimed to develop a model of diet-induced inflammation by use of two opposite diets. It was hypothesized that a high fat diet enhanced in n-6 PUFA and with lower concentrations of antioxidants would evoke inflammation and oxidative stress in domestic cats. Results: Sixteen healthy adult cats were allocated to two groups. One group received a moderate fat diet, containing pork lard and salmon oil (AA:(EPA + DHA) ratio 0.19) (MFn-3), while the other group was fed a high fat diet, containing pork lard and chicken fat (AA:(EPA + DHA) ratio 2.06) (HFn-6) for 12 weeks. Prior to and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after starting the testing period, blood samples were collected. Erythrocytic fatty acid profile showed clear alterations in accordance to the dietary fatty acid profile. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was higher when fed MFn-3 compared to the HFn-6, suggesting augmented oxidative stress. This was associated with a reduced serum vitamin E status, as serum a-tocopherol concentrations were lower with MFn-3, even with higher dietary levels of vitamin E. Serum cytokine and serum amyloid A concentrations were not influenced by diet. Conclusion: These results point towards a resistance of cats to develop dietary fat-induced inflammation, but also suggest a high susceptibility to oxidative stress when fed a fish oil-supplemented diet even with moderate fat level and additional vitamin E

Is twice daily LF-rTMS a viable treatment option for treatment-resistant OCD? Results from an open-label feasibility study

Several reports point to the beneficial effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rTMS targeting the dmPFC in the treatment of treatment-resistant OCD patients.Twelve patients received 20 sessions of low-frequency (LF) rTMS (1 Hz, 1200 pulses) in a twice daily protocol during 10 weekdays. Y-BOCS and IDS scores modestly but significantly decreased after treatment and at follow-up and HADS anxiety improved at follow-up. LF rTMS may improve OCD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant OCD and was a safe and well-tolerated treatment

In-vitro growth characteristics of commercial probiotic strains and their potential for inhibition of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens

The effect of catheter material on intravenous catheterisation complications in horses are unknown. This study evaluated the presence of bacterial colonisation on Teflon® and polyurethane short term intravenous catheters in healthy adult horses undergoing elective surgery. Horses on admission for elective surgery were randomly allocated according to catheter type. Sixteen horses received Teflon® catheters and 19 received polyurethane. Aseptic catheter placement and removal was standardised, however systemic antibiotic treatment was case dependant and at the clinician’s discretion. To simulate routine clinical practice, face masks were not worn during placement nor were the catheters bandaged. Catheters were maintained for 74 hours and assessed for clinical evidence of catheter site reaction, phlebitis or thrombosis twice daily. Bacteria were cultured from 69% of Teflon® and 89% of polyurethane catheters. Multiple isolates were found in 31% of Teflon® and 42% of polyurethane catheters The Fisher exact test showed no difference between the proportion of catheters with colonisation (P=0.28) or multiple isolates (P=0.76). The microbes cultured were predominantly gram positive, similar to other equine and human studies. Multiple-drug resistance was seen regularly, regardless of antibiotic treatment. Despite this, no clinical evidence of phlebitis or thrombosis occurred in any horse. It was concluded, that was no clear association between bacterial colonisation of Teflon® or polyurethane catheters (0.9<RR<1.87). The unexpected large proportion of bacterial isolates in the absence of clinical signs was also evaluated and suggests that the equine immune system plays a role in the development of septic phlebitis or thrombosis

Cognitive remediation following electroconvulsive therapy in patients with treatment resistant depression : randomized controlled trail of an intervention for relapse prevention : study protocol

Background: Major depressive episode (MDE) is worldwide one of the most prevalent and disabling mental health conditions. In cases of persistent non-response to treatment, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment strategy with high response rates. Unfortunately, longitudinal data show low sustained response rates with 6-month relapse rates as high as 50% using existing relapse prevention strategies. Cognitive side effects of ECT, even though transient, might trigger mechanisms that increase relapse in patients who initially responded to ECT. Among these side effects, reduced cognitive control is an important neurobiological driven vulnerability factor for depression. As such, cognitive control training (CCT) holds promise as a non-pharmacological strategy to improve long-term effects of ECT (i.e., increase remission, and reduce depression relapse). Method/design: Eighty-eight patients aged between 18 and 70 years with MDE who start CCT will be included in this randomized controlled trial (RCT). Following (partial) response to ECT treatment (at least a 25% reduction of clinical symptoms), patients will be randomly assigned to a computer based CCT or active placebo control. A first aim of this RCT is to assess the effects of CCT compared to an active placebo condition on depression symptomatology, cognitive complaints, and quality of life. Secondly, we will monitor patients every 2 weeks for a period of 6 months following CCT/active placebo, allowing the detection of potential relapse of depression. Thirdly, we will assess patient evaluation of the addition of cognitive remediation to ECT using qualitative interview methods (satisfaction, acceptability and appropriateness). Finally, in order to further advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying effects of CCT, exploratory analyses will be conducted using video footage collected during the CCT/active control phase of the study. Discussion: Cognitive remediation will be performed following response to ECT, and an extensive follow-up period will be employed. Positive findings would not only benefit patients by decreasing relapse, but also by increasing acceptability of ECT, reducing the burden of cognitive side-effects

Study protocol of the iMPaCT project : A longitudinal cohort study assessing psychological determinants, sexual behaviour and chlamydia (re)infections in heterosexual STI clinic visitors

Acknowledgements We are grateful to the staff at the STI clinics of Amsterdam, Kennemerland, Hollands Noorden, Twente, who are involved in the recruitment and data collection of participants, and Marlous Ratten and Klazien Visser from Soapoli-online, who are involved in the coordination of laboratory testing of the home-based sampling kits at six-month follow-up. We also thank the staff at the STI department at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, especially Birgit van Benthem. Funding This project is funded by the Strategic Programme (SPR) of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) (project number S/113004/01/IP). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Availability of data and materials The dataset (anonymised) generated during this study will be made available for interested parties on request.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Excoriatiestoornis in de klinische praktijk

Excoriatiestoornis (skin picking disorder; SPD) is een aandoening die sinds de DSM-5 in de classificatie van psychische stoornissen werd opgenomen. Ondanks een prevalentie van 1,4 tot 5,7% in de algemene populatie, is dit onder dermatologen en psychiaters een weinig bekende aandoening. We beschrijven de casus van een man die ten gevolge van een ernstige vorm van SPD alle bovenste snij- en hoektanden verloor. We geven een overzicht van de behandelmogelijkheden en roepen op tot een verhoogde aandacht voor deze aandoenin