Evaluation of peripheral inflammatory parameters of cases with suicide attempts.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the inflammation markers of patients who have attempted suicide by comparing them with those of healthy controls. The leukocyte cell levels, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratios (NLR), Basophil/Lymphocyte Ratios (BLR), Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratios (PLR), Monocyte/Lymphocyte Ratios (MLR), Systemic Inflammation Index (SII), Neutrophil/Albumin Ratios (NAR) values were compared with those of healthy controls. METHOD: A total of 376 people were included in the study (276 patients who attempted suicide, and 100 healthy people (the control group)). The demographic data and laboratory parameters of the participants were analyzed from the hospital automation system. RESULTS: The participants' female/male ratio was 158/118 (42.8%/57.1%) in the group of patients who attempted suicide and 41/59 (41/59%) in the control group. When the distribution of laboratory parameters was evaluated, although the NLR, BLR, NAR, SII, and MLR values, which are indicators of peripheral inflammation, were high in patients who attempted suicide (p = 0.049 for MLR, p = 0.000 for other values), the PLR (p = 0.586) value did not differ significantly between the groups. Patients who had attempted more than one suicide had elevated BLR (p = 0.007), SII (p = 0.003), and NAR (p = 0.003) values. DISCUSSION: Based on the results obtained, it was considered that paying attention to inflammation parameters in patient follow-ups, and monitoring of SII, NLR, BLR, and NAR values of patients who had attempted suicide once would be beneficial in preventing future suicide attempts. These results strengthen the idea that inflammatory processes play roles in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of immune pathways underlying suicidal behavior.

Attention TurkerNeXt: Investigations into Bipolar Disorder Detection Using OCT Images.

Background and Aim: In the era of deep learning, numerous models have emerged in the literature and various application domains. Transformer architectures, particularly, have gained popularity in deep learning, with diverse transformer-based computer vision algorithms. Attention convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been introduced to enhance image classification capabilities. In this context, we propose a novel attention convolutional model with the primary objective of detecting bipolar disorder using optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Materials and Methods: To facilitate our study, we curated a unique OCT image dataset, initially comprising two distinct cases. For the development of an automated OCT image detection system, we introduce a new attention convolutional neural network named "TurkerNeXt". This proposed Attention TurkerNeXt encompasses four key modules: (i) the patchify stem block, (ii) the Attention TurkerNeXt block, (iii) the patchify downsampling block, and (iv) the output block. In line with the swin transformer, we employed a patchify operation in this study. The design of the attention block, Attention TurkerNeXt, draws inspiration from ConvNeXt, with an added shortcut operation to mitigate the vanishing gradient problem. The overall architecture is influenced by ResNet18. Results: The dataset comprises two distinctive cases: (i) top to bottom and (ii) left to right. Each case contains 987 training and 328 test images. Our newly proposed Attention TurkerNeXt achieved 100% test and validation accuracies for both cases. Conclusions: We curated a novel OCT dataset and introduced a new CNN, named TurkerNeXt in this research. Based on the research findings and classification results, our proposed TurkerNeXt model demonstrated excellent classification performance. This investigation distinctly underscores the potential of OCT images as a biomarker for bipolar disorder.

Evaluation of Psychiatric Symptomatology, Quality of Life, and Caregiver Burden in Mothers and Children with Primary Immunodeficiency.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of life, depression, and anxiety scores of children with primary immunodeficiency (PID) and depression, anxiety scores, and the caregiving burden of their mothers. METHODS: A total of 149 children aged 2-18 years and their mothers were included in the present study, along with 125 healthy children and their mothers as a control group. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Child Depression Inventory (CDI), and Screening for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) questionnaire were used based on the views of children and their mothers. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A), and Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCB) were used for the mothers. RESULTS: According to children and their mothers, the scores of the PedsQL were lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, according to the views of children and mothers, we found that PID children had higher depression and anxiety scores than healthy children (P < 0.05). The depression and anxiety levels of mothers in the patient group were also significantly higher than those in the control group (P = 0.05 and P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Statistically, we found significantly lower psychosocial health summary scores and total scale score levels from the subclass of PedsQL in the patient group than in the control group. According to the views of both children and mothers, we observed that PID children had higher depression and anxiety scores than healthy children. It was also found that the BDI and BAI values in case of mothers in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group.

Quality of life in children with food allergies, psychiatric symptoms, and caregiving burden of their mothers.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of life in children with food allergies, the accompanying depression and anxiety disorders, and caregiving burden of their mothers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 168 children with food allergy visiting our clinic and their mothers were included in the study group. The control group included 152 children who visited the healthy child follow-up clinic of our hospital and their mothers. Studying mothers' opinions, the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF) was used for evaluating children, and the Beck's Depression Inventory, Beck's Anxiety Inventory, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Auto-questionnaire, and Zarit Caregiver Burden Scales were used for evaluating mothers. RESULTS: No differences were noticed between the study and control group regarding mean age and gender distribution (P > 0.05). In the study, the FAQLQ-PF total and subscale scores of children with food allergies were determined according to the opinions of their mothers, and scores tended to increase with age (P < 0.0001). In addition, it was determined that mothers of children with food allergies had higher levels of anxiety, depression, and caregiving burden than mothers of the control group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In order to develop a multidisciplinary approach for children with food allergies, we conceived as appropriate to inform their families about the difficulties of caregiving and psychosocial disorders that could develop over time. They also must be informed to take preventive measures as well as the medical aspects of their children's disease.

Examination of the Relationship between Peripheral Inflammation Markers and Impulsivity and Aggression in Schizophrenia Patients Involved and Not Involved in Crime.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between peripheral inflammatory markers and aggression and impulsivity in schizophrenia patients with and without criminal histories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with patients with schizophrenia involved in crimes and hospitalized in the Forensic Psychiatry ward of Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital and patients with schizophrenia not involved in crimes and hospitalized in the psychiatry ward of Elazig Mental Health and Diseases Hospital. All participants completed the Buss-Waren Aggression Scale (BWAS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). Before treatment, venous blood samples were taken for laboratory measurements on the first day of hospitalization. RESULTS: All participants were male. The mean age of those involved in a crime was 39 ± 9.7 years, while the mean age of those not involved in a crime was 41.2 ± 10.7 years. The PANSS all subscale and total scores of the patients with schizophrenia who were involved in a crime were significantly higher than the group who were not involved (p values were p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.043, p = 0.001, respectively). The BWAS-physical aggression (p = 0.007) and total scores of the scale (p = 0.046) and BIS-11-inability to plan (p = 0.002) scores of the group involved in a crime were higher than the group not involved. As for laboratory parameters, MCH, MCHC, PDW, eosinophils, basophils, RDW-CV, and RDW-SD values were significantly higher in those involved in crime, while MPV, creatinine, albumin, and LDH values were lower. CRP and CRP/albumin values were significantly higher, while neutrophil/albumin values were significantly lower in those who committed murder in the first degree than those who committed other crimes. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we found that inflammatory agents were significantly increased in forensic schizophrenia patients with high aggression scores. Significant correlations between some inflammatory factors and impulsivity and aggression scores and differences in these factors according to crime types showed that these factors might be related to violence and criminal behavior. There is a need for further large-scale studies on this subject at different stages of the disease.

A Potential Biomarker for Predicting Schizophrenia: Metallothionein-1.

It has been thought that oxidative damage may occur in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia; metallothioneins (MT) have strong antioxidant functions. In this study, we aimed to measure MT-1 levels in schizophrenia patients. A total of 52 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 38 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum MT-1 concentrations were measured using the Human Metallothionein-1 ELISA Kit. In addition, Cu and Zn levels were measured. PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) was used to determine the disease severity of patients with schizophrenia. The MT-1 levels of the schizophrenia group were lower than the MT-1 levels of the control group. When the correlation analyses were examined, a positive correlation was found between MT-1 and illness duration and Cu/Zn. A negative correlation was found between MT-1 levels and PANSS total scores and PANSS positive scores. In the regression analysis, it was seen that the decrease in MT-1 levels poses a risk for schizophrenia. It was observed that a decrease of 1 ng/mL in MT-1 levels increased the risk of schizophrenia 1.115 times. The low concentration of MT-1 is likely to cause a deficiency in antioxidant defense in patients with schizophrenia. MT-1 may be a useful biomarker for predicting schizophrenia.

OCT Findings in Patients with Methamphetamine Use Disorder.

PURPOSE: In the present study, the purpose was to examine the results of optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements in patients diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) by comparing them with healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 114 eyes were evaluated in this study (27 patients and 30 control group participants). After detailed biomicroscopic examinations of all participants by the same ophthalmologist, both eyes were evaluated by OCT. The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) and macular thickness were calculated from OCT. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were detected between the demographic data of the patient and control groups (p > 0.05). When OCT findings were evaluated, macular thickness and volume were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). With respect to RNFL, the left eye superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal quadrants, as well as the left eye's total measurements were found to be thicker than those of controls (p < 0.05). In both eyes, the left eye nasal quadrant and APIS total score were negatively correlated, the total RNLF measurement of the right eye and APIS motivation subscale score were negatively correlated, central macular thickness and the APIS motivation subscale score were positively correlated, and the APIS substance use characteristics subscale score and left eye temporal quadrant RNLF measurement were positively correlated. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to evaluate addiction severity and OCT findings in MUD. However, this study needs to be supported by further studies so that OCT findings, which can be used as an effective method for demonstrating possible neurodegeneration in methamphetamine use disorder, gain importance.

Increased ghrelin and decreased leptin levels in patients with antisocial personality disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to compare acyl ghrelin (AG), des-acyl ghrelin (DAG), and leptin levels considered to be used as biological markers in the etiopathogenesis of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) with healthy controls, and to investigate the relationship between these hormones and aggression and impulsivity. METHOD: The study included 45 patients with ASPD and 61 healthy people in the control group. Sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and Buss-Durkee Aggression Scale (BDAS) were applied to all participants. Fasting venous blood samples were taken from all participants at the same time of the day and the height and weight of the participants were measured. RESULTS: It was found that the mean serum AG and DAG levels were significantly higher than that of healthy controls whereas leptin hormone levels were significantly lower in patients compared to healthy controls. BDI, BAI, BIS-11, and BDAS scores of the patients were significantly higher compared to healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between AG and DAG hormone levels and impulsivity and aggression. DISCUSSION: The present study is the first in the literature to examine AG, DAG, and leptin hormone levels of patients diagnosed with ASPD. According to the results of the study, it is believed that changes in serum leptin and ghrelin levels will bring a new perspective in terms of understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of ASPD. Further studies are required to explain the definitive roles of these hormones in ASPD.

Peripheral Inflammatory Parameters in Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to examine the peripheral inflammatory parameters in patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) including white blood cell levels, red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), basophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (BLR) by comparing with those of healthy controls. Methods: 48 patients diagnosed with APD and a matched healthy control group of 52 individuals were included in our study. Venous blood samples were taken from the participants in the fasting state and at approximately the same time of the day. Socio-demographic data sheet, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) were applied to all of the participants. Results: RDW and basophil cell levels were found significantly higher in the patients than the controls (p=0.005, p=0.038 respectively). BLR was found significantly higher in the participants with alcohol use than those without alcohol use (p=0.016). No significant difference in other laboratory parameters was found between the patient group and the control group. Scores of BDI, BAI, BIS-11, motor impulsivity subscale and physical aggression, anger, hostility and verbal aggression subscales of BDHI, and the total score of BDHI were significantly higher in patients than controls (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.003, p=0.001, p<0.001 respectively). A positive correlation was determined between the scale scores and the RDW, basophil, monocyte, lymphocyte levels among the laboratory parameters, and a negative correlation was determined between the MPV levels and the depression and impulsivity levels. Conclusion: The results of our study suggested that inflammation might play a role in the etiopathogenesis of APD. Furthermore, a significant relationship was found between the severity of symptoms and some inflammatory parameter levels such as RDW and basophil in APD patients.

Evaluation of complete blood cell count parameters and lymphocyte-related ratios in patients with Opioid Use Disorder.

Complete blood count (CBC) parameters and lymphocyte-related ratios are found to be associated with inflammation and increased cytokine production. In Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), CBC parameters can be examined as the inflammatory (oxidative stress) biomarkers which could be used as an objective marker to support the OUD diagnosis and could be used as a disease severity marker. CBC parameters of 142 patients with OUD were examined. Lymphocytes, monocytes, basophiles, eosinophils and platelet counts (PLT), red blood cell levels (HGB), mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) and lymphocyte-related ratios were calculated. The control group consisted of 140 healthy individuals. WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet count, neutrophil, basophil percentage, neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) values were significantly higher in OUD group. Lymphocyte, basophil percentage, basophile/lymphocyte ratio (BLR), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin were significantly higher in control group. Mean platelet volume (MPV), eosinophil/lymphocyte ratio (ELR), platelet/ lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values were not significant yet higher in the OUD group. CBC and related parameters (WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet count, neutrophil, basophil percentage, NLR, MLR) were found to be significantly higher in the OUD group. Evaluation of CBC parameters could be useful in treatment and follow-up of patients with OUD.

Electrocardiographic Evaluation of the Ventricular Arrhythmia Risk in Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine electrocardiographic ventricular arrhythmia predictors in patients with schizophrenia by comparing with healthy controls. Methods: The study included 100 patients with schizophrenia and 100 healthy controls. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed on all participants in resting position. T-wave peak to end (Tp-e), QT ranges, P-wave dispersion (Pd), and R-R range were measured. Then, the Schizophrenia Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) were applied to the schizophrenia group. Results: The PANSS positive symptom subscale was calculated as 10.41 (SD = 2.27), the negative symptom subscale was calculated as 14.44 (SD = 5.42), and the overall functionality level was calculated as 27.04 (SD = 5.43). The mean CDSS score was determined to be 3.74 (SD = 2.15). No differences were detected in the heart rate measurements of the patient and control groups in ECG results (P = .427). The minimum QT interval and minimum Tp-e wave times were found to be low in the patient group (P < .001 for both intervals). Corrected QTc dispersion, Pd, Tp-e dispersion, and QT dispersion were found to be higher in the patient group than in healthy controls (P < .001 for all intervals). Discussion: Based on our results, it is possible to speculate that patients with schizophrenia are at a risk of developing cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac dysfunction if they do not receive treatment. For this reason, clinicians should pay attention to cardiac transmission problems when organizing the treatment of patients. Further studies should be conducted to determine cardiac problems in patients with schizophrenia.

Nesfatin-1 Hormone Levels in Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder and Their Relationship with Clinical Variables.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the levels of nesfatin-1-hormone in patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and their relationship with clinical variables. METHODS: A total of 90 people (45 ASPD, 45 controls) were included in our study. Sociodemographic Data Form, Beck-Depression-Inventory (BDI), Beck-Anxiety-Inventory (BAI), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), Buss-Durkee-Hostility-Inventory (BDHI) were applied to all participants. Venous blood samples were taken from participants at the same time of the day when they were hungry. RESULTS: It was found that the BDI and BAI scores of the ASPD were higher than those of the controls (p<0.001, for both scales). The scores in BIS-11; motor and nonplanning-impulsivity subscales were higher than those of the controls (p<0.001, 0.036, respectively). The scores obtained by the ASPD were higher in all subscales of BDHI (p<0.001). For the nesfatin-1-hormone, the values of the ASPD were lower than those of the controls (p=0.044). No relationship was found between the nesfatin-1-hormone and any other laboratory parameters and applied scales (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to examine the nesfatin-1-hormone levels in patients with any personality disorder. Further studies with more participants are needed in different types of personality disorders to understand the relationship between personality disorder and nesfatin-1-hormone levels.

Reduced hippocampus and amygdala volumes in antisocial personality disorder.

In the present paper, we aimed to investigate hippocampus and amygdala volumes in a group of patients with antisocial personality disorder and hypothesized that hippocampus and amygdala volume alterations would be observed. It was measured hippocampus and amygdala volumes of twenty patients with antisocial personality disorder and those of healthy control subjects. We found that both sides of hippocampus and amygdala volumes of patients with antisocial personality disorder were statistically significantly reduced compared to those healthy control subjects, and observed statistically important correlations between the left and right and left hippocampus and left amygdala volumes, and age, some results on scale scores. Consequently, the present study suggest that hippocampus and amygdala volumes of patients with antisocial personality disorder had abnormally smaller than those of healthy control subjects, considering that these abnormalities might be associated with at least some clinical features of antisocial personality disorder. However, longitudinal studies are needed to assess causality of this relationship.

Copeptin levels and blood lipid profile in borderline patients with or without self-mutilation.

PURPOSE: Self-mutilation, known as self-harming behaviour of an individual without the intention of suicide, is commonly observed in individuals with borderline personality disorder. The objective of this study is to compare copeptin levels that are known to be related to aggressive behaviour and blood lipid profiles in borderline patients with and without self-mutilation. METHODS: Twenty patients with self-mutilation [SM(+)] and 20 patients without self-mutilation [SM(-)] between the ages of 18 and 49, diagnosed with borderline personality disorder based on DSM-IV-TR(8) diagnostic criteria and attended to by Firat University Psychiatry Polyclinic, participated in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical data form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Barrat Impulsivity Scale (BIS) were applied to all participants. Copeptin levels and plasma lipid levels were studied in the blood samples taken from the participants. RESULTS: Mean copeptin level found in SM(+) group (37.54 ± 18.8 ng/mL) was statistically significantly higher than SM(-) group (18.53 ± 16.6 ng/mL) (p = 0.002). A negative correlation was found between mean copeptin and mean total cholesterol levels (r = -0.436; p = 0.005), and between copeptin and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels (r = -0.403; p = 0.01) in both SM(+) and SM(-) patient groups. HAMA mean score for SM(+) group was found as 36.45 ± 13.2, and for SM(-) group, it was found as 35.7 ± 12.9. There was a statistically significant difference between the depression points achieved by the two groups (p = 0.046). BIS total points average for SM(+) group was determined as 71 ± 9.71, whereas it was determined as 66.8 ± 7.92 in SM(-) group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups based on anxiety points. Barrat planning, Barrat motor and Barrat attention points for SM(+) group were higher than the SM(-) group. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings of the study demonstrated that as cholesterol and LDL levels decreased, copeptin levels increased, and that could be related to the self-mutilation behaviour.