Elevated Thyroid Indices in Children and Adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Effects of Clomipramine Treatment

Objective: To examine the basal thyroid function in pediatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) versus controls, and to explore the relation between baseline thyroid measures and response to clomipramine treatment, and the effects of treatment on thyroid hormones. Methods: Sixteen children and adolescents with DSM-III-R OCE and 13 control children and adolescents without psychiatric illness were compared on basal measures of thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). For the OCD subjects, samples were compared pre- and post- 4 weeks of treatment with clomipramine. Response of OCD symptoms was measured by the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Results: OCD subjects demonstrated subtle but significant elevations of TSH, T3, and T4 pre-treatment compared to controls. Clomipramine treatment was associated with significant decreases in TSH and T3 concentrations. Pre-treatment TSH and T4 concentrations correlated with reductions in CY-BOCS following 8 weeks of clomipramine. Conclusion: Elevated thyroid function at baseline may be a biomarker of OCD improvement, and may reflect aspects of the underlying pathophysiology of OCD.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63200/1/cap.2005.15.581.pd

Major depressive disorder in a family study of obsessive–compulsive disorder with pediatric probands

Objective: This study examined the comorbidity of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a family study of OCD with pediatric probands. Method: This study assessed the lifetime prevalence of MDD in 141 first‐degree relatives (FDR) and 452 second‐degree relatives (SDR) of pediatric probands with OCD and healthy controls, and identified variables associated with MDD in case FDR. All available FDR were directly interviewed blind to proband status; parents were also interviewed to assess the family psychiatric history of FDR and SDR. Best‐estimate diagnoses were made using all sources of information. Data were analyzed with logistic regression and robust Cox regression models. Results: Lifetime MDD prevalence was significantly higher in case than in control FDR (30.4 versus 15.4%). Lifetime MDD prevalence was significantly higher in FDR of case probands with MDD than in FDR of case probands without MDD or control FDR (46.3 versus 19.7 versus 15.4%, respectively). MDD in case FDR was significantly associated with MDD in case probands and with age and OCD in those relatives. Lifetime MDD prevalence was similar in case and control SDR. However, lifetime MDD prevalence was significantly higher in SDR of case probands with MDD than in SDR of case probands without MDD or control SDR (31.9 versus 16.8 versus 15.4%, respectively). Conclusions: MDD prevalence was significantly higher in both FDR and SDR of case probands with MDD than in relatives of case probands without MDD or control relatives, suggesting that pediatric OCD comorbid with MDD is a complex familial syndrome. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87090/1/20824_ftp.pd

All-optical hyperpolarization of electron and nuclear spins in diamond

Low thermal polarization of nuclear spins is a primary sensitivity limitation for nuclear magnetic resonance. Here we demonstrate optically pumped (microwave-free) nuclear spin polarization of $^{13}\mathrm{C}$ and $^{15}\mathrm{N}$ in $^{15}\mathrm{N}$-doped diamond. $^{15}\mathrm{N}$ polarization enhancements up to $-2000$ above thermal equilibrium are observed in the paramagnetic system $\mathrm{N_s}^{0}$. Nuclear spin polarization is shown to diffuse to bulk $^{13}\mathrm{C}$ with NMR enhancements of $-200$ at room temperature and $-500$ at $\mathrm{240~K}$, enabling a route to microwave-free high-sensitivity NMR study of biological samples in ambient conditions.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

The National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP): Recognition and Definition of an Empirically Evolving Global Surgery Systems Science Comment on “Global Surgery – Informing National Strategies for Scaling Up Surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa”

bstract In 2015, the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS) working groups developed a National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP) framework to guide national surgical system development globally predicated on six data points (indicators) which can assess surgical systems. Zambia as well as other subSaharan Africa (SSA) countries have forged ahead in designing and implementing interventions based on LCoGS indicators collected to inform NSOAP. Concurrently, the Zambian team and others have recognized the need for rigorous scientific inquiry to assess and iteratively improve upon the NSOAP process and outputs. Based on the Zambian experience, as well as that of ours in Colombia, we have identified “core principles” through convergent works which inform a scientific framework through which NSOAP can be evaluated. We propose that when contextualized, participatory action research (PAR) and dissemination and implementation science are methodologies upon which a robust framework can be developed to achieving objective and iterative NSOAP evaluation, and ultimately universal health coverage as envisioned by the World Health Organization (WHO)

Facile silane functionalization of graphene oxide

The facile silane functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) was achieved yielding vinyltrimethoxysilane-reduced graphene oxide (VTMOS-rGO) nanospheres located in the inter-layer spacing between rGO sheets via an acid–base reaction using aqueous media. The successful grafting of the silane agent with pendant vinyl groups to rGO was confirmed by a combination of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The structure and speciation of the silane-graphene network (nanosphere) and, the presence of free vinyl groups was verified from solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) and solution 13C and 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. Evidence from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and TEM-High-Angle Annular Dark-Field (TEM-HAADF) imaging showed that these silane networks aided the exfoliation of the rGO layers preventing agglomeration, the interlayer spacing increased by 10 Å. The thermal stability (TGA/DTA) of VTMOS-rGO was significantly improved relative to GO, displaying just one degradation process for the silane network some 300 °C higher than either VTMOS or GO alone. The reduction of GO to VTMOS-rGO induced sp2 hybridization and enhanced the electrical conductivity of GO by 105 S m−1

Group Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Preliminary Outcomes

A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a 7-week group behavioral therapy program for adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Group sessions included therapist-assisted exposure and response prevention exercises, information regarding OCD, and the extensive use of behavioral homework assignments. An additional family session was conducted to educate families about OCD and to encourage participation in the group member's behavioral program. At the end of the group, all clients showed improvement on their Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores; 6-month follow-up revealed further improve ment. Our findings provide preliminary support for the efficacy of group behavioral therapy for adolescents with OCD.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68943/2/10.1177_104973159800800601.pd

Overt Behavior Problems and Serotonergic Function in Middle Childhood Among Male and Female Offspring of Alcoholic Fathers

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65662/1/j.1530-0277.1998.tb03917.x.pd

Psychotic versus nonpsychotic depression in hospitalized adolescents

One hundred fifty adolescent inpatients with major depression were systematically assessed for demographic and clinical differences between psychotic and nonpsychotic depression. Delusions and/or hallucinations were present in 10% of the subjects. The psychotic group had significantly more frequent and severe suicidal ideation. Posttraumatic stress disorder was also more frequent in the psychotic group. Depression and Anxiety 6:40–42, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/35214/1/6_ftp.pd

Error‐related brain activity in adolescents with obsessive‐compulsive disorder and major depressive disorder

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145307/1/da22767_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145307/2/da22767.pd

Altered Relationship Between Electrophysiological Response to Errors and Gray Matter Volumes in an Extended Network for Error-Processing in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract: Pediatric patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) show an increased electrophysiological response to errors that is thought to be localized to the posterior medial prefrontal cortex (pMFC). However, the relation of this response, the error-related negativity (ERN), to underlying brain structures remains unknown. In an examination of 20 pediatric OCD patients and 20 healthy youth, we found that more negative ERN amplitude was correlated with lower gray matter (GM) density in pMFC and orbital frontal cortex. The association of the ERN with pMFC gray matter volume was driven by the patient group. In addition, a group difference in the association of ERN with gray matter in right insula was observed, showing an association of these measures in healthy youth (more negative ERN amplitude was associated with lower GM density in insula), but not in patients. These findings provide preliminary evidence linking gray matter volumes in an extended network for error processing to the ERN, and suggest that structural alterations in this network may underlie exaggeration of the ERN in pediatric OCD. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1143-1153