Agomelatine Changed the Expression and Methylation Status of Inflammatory Genes in Blood and Brain Structures of Male Wistar Rats after Chronic Mild Stress Procedure.

The preclinical research conducted so far suggest that depression development may be influenced by the inflammatory pathways both at the periphery and within the central nervous system. Furthermore, inflammation is considered to be strongly connected with antidepressant treatment resistance. Thus, this study explores whether the chronic mild stress (CMS) procedure and agomelatine treatment induce changes in TGFA, TGFB, IRF1, PTGS2 and IKBKB expression and methylation status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in the brain structures of rats. Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to the CMS and further divided into matched subgroups to receive vehicle or agomelatine. TaqMan gene expression assay and methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) were used to evaluate the expression of the genes and the methylation status of their promoters, respectively. Our findings confirm that both CMS and antidepressant agomelatine treatment influenced the expression level and methylation status of the promoter region of investigated genes in PBMCs and the brain. What is more, the present study showed that response to either stress stimuli or agomelatine differed between brain structures. Concluding, our results indicate that TGFA, TGFB, PTGS2, IRF1 and IKBKB could be associated with depression and its treatment.

Preliminary Study of the Impact of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of IL-1α, IL-1ß and TNF-α Genes on the Occurrence, Severity and Treatment Effectiveness of the Major Depressive Disorder.

The purpose of the preliminary study was to determine whether the occurrence of certain SNPs of genes encoding IL-1α, IL-1ß, and TNF-α is associated with the development of depression. Five polymorphisms were selected: i.e. c.-1560G > C-IL-1ß (rs1143623), c. -118 C > T-IL-1ß (rs1143627), c.340G > T-IL-1α (rs17561), c.-1211T > C-TNF-α (rs1799964) and c.-488G > A-TNF-α (rs1800629). These were analyzed using TaqMan probes. The genotypes of the analyzed polymorphisms were found to be associated with disease severity and may affect the effectiveness of antidepressant therapy. In addition, the gene-gene analysis confirmed that combined genotypes of investigated SNPs may modulate the risk of depression.

DNA damage and repair in neuropsychiatric disorders. What do we know and what are the future perspectives?

Over the past two decades, extensive research has been done to elucidate the molecular etiology and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. In majority of them, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, increased oxidative and nitrosative stress was found. This stress is known to induce oxidative damage to biomolecules, including DNA. Accordingly, increased mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, as well as RNA damage, were observed in patients suffering from these diseases. However, recent findings indicate that the patients are characterised by impaired DNA repair pathways, which may suggest that these DNA lesions could be also a result of their insufficient repair. In the current systematic, critical review, we aim to sum up, using available literature, the knowledge about the involvement of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage and repair, as well as about damage to RNA in pathoetiology of neuropsychiatric disorders, i.e., AD, PD, ALS, BD, schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, as well as the usefulness of the discussed factors as being diagnostic markers and targets for new therapies. Moreover, we also underline the new directions to which future studies should head to elucidate these phenomena.

Impact of improvements in mesoporous titania layers on ultrafast electron transfer dynamics in perovskite and dye-sensitized solar cells.

Improvement in the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSC) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) upon modifications of mesoporous titania layers has been studied. For PSC with triple cation perovskite (FA0.76 MA0.19 Cs0.05 Pb (I0.81 Br0.19)3) about 40% higher photocurrent (up to ∼24 mA cm-2) was found for more homogenous, made of larger particles (30 nm) and thinner (150-200 nm) titania layer. For DSSC (both with liquid cobalt-based electrolyte as well as with solid state hole transporter - spiro-OMeTAD), a greater dye loading, rise in photovoltage, and the enhancement in relative photocurrent were observed for the cells prepared from the diluted titania paste (2 : 1 w/w ratio) with respect to those prepared from undiluted one. The impact of these improvements in titania layers on charge transfer dynamics in the complete solar cells as well as in pristine TiO2 layers was investigated by femtosecond transient absorption. Shorter photocarriers lifetime in perovskite material observed in better PSC, indicated that faster electron transfer at the titania interface was responsible for the higher photocurrent. Moreover, the photoinduced changes close to TiO2 interface were revealed in better PSC, which may indicate that in the efficient devices halide segregation takes place in perovskite material. In liquid DSSC, the fast component of unwanted recombination was slower in the samples with the diluted titania paste than in those made with undiluted ones. In solid state DSSC, hole injection from MK2 dye to spiro-OMeTAD takes place on the very fast ps time scale (comparable to that of electron injection) and the evidence of better penetration of spiro-OMeTAD into thinner and more porous titania layers was provided.

The Effect of Chronic Mild Stress and Escitalopram on the Expression and Methylation Levels of Genes Involved in the Oxidative and Nitrosative Stresses as Well as Tryptophan Catabolites Pathway in the Blood and Brain Structures.

Previous studies suggest that depression may be associated with reactive oxygen species overproduction and disorders of the tryptophan catabolites pathway. Moreover, one-third of patients do not respond to conventional pharmacotherapy. Therefore, the study investigates the molecular effect of escitalopram on the expression of Cat, Gpx1/4, Nos1/2, Tph1/2, Ido1, Kmo, and Kynu and promoter methylation in the hippocampus, amygdala, cerebral cortex, and blood of rats exposed to CMS (chronic mild stress). The animals were exposed to CMS for two or seven weeks followed by escitalopram treatment for five weeks. The mRNA and protein expression of the genes were analysed using the TaqMan Gene Expression Assay and Western blotting, while the methylation was determined using methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting. The CMS caused an increase of Gpx1 and Nos1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus, which was normalised by escitalopram administration. Moreover, Tph1 and Tph2 mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex was increased in stressed rats after escitalopram therapy. The methylation status of the Cat promoter was decreased in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the rats after escitalopram therapy. The Gpx4 protein levels were decreased following escitalopram compared to the stressed/saline group. It appears that CMS and escitalopram influence the expression and methylation of the studied genes.

The patient's readiness to accept the changes in life after the radical lung cancer surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer holds the first position as the number of deaths among both the genders and, even if oncological efficient, is related to lasting psychological effects, which may significantly influence further functioning of a patient's professional and social life. The researches objective was to find the level of acceptance of lung cancer and to determine what is the patient's readiness to accept the changes in life after the surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 135 patients suffering from lung cancer were enrolled. To evaluate the readiness to accept the changes in life after the surgery the authors' questionnaire was used and to evaluate of level of acceptance of illness the standardized the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) was used. RESULTS: The awareness of the treatment consequences is high among the patients scheduled for surgery. The acceptance of lung cancer is high (mean = 32.23; SD = 7.53). The level of disease acceptance depends on the evaluation of own health - both currently (it is higher among the patients who consider their health as good) and compared to the previous year (it is higher among the patients who evaluate it as the same or better than a year ago) (p < 0.05). The willingness to accept the life changes depends on a gender, age, marital status, education, employment and health orientation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the achievements of the recent years in the lung cancer treatment, it remains the biggest oncologic challenge worldwide. Only multidisciplinary actions including prevention and psychological support may contribute to much more efficient treatment.

Understanding the Effect of Different Synthesis Conditions on the Physicochemical Properties of Mixed-Ion Perovskite Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells, composed of a mixture of methylammonium (MA) and formamidinium (FA) cations [in the benchmark proportions of (FAPbI3 )0.85 (MAPbBr3 )0.15 ] and titania as an electron-accepting material, are prepared under different conditions, with the objective of finding correlations between the solar cell performance and several important stationary and dynamical parameters of the material. The effects of humidity, oxygen, the use of anti-solvent, and the presence and quality of a mesoporous titania layer are investigated. It is found that an increase in the photocurrent corresponds to a higher content of the desired cubic perovskite phase and to increased long-wavelength absorption of the sample. On the contrary, for poorer-quality cells, additional short-wavelength bands in both absorption and emission spectra are present. Furthermore, a higher photocurrent of the cells is correlated with faster interfacial charge-transfer dynamics. For the highest photocurrent of >20 mA cm-2 , the characteristic times of about 1 µs are observed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and emission half-lifetimes of about 6 ns by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (upon excitation with 420 nm pulses of ≈0.5 mW power). Both first- and second-order rate constants, extracted from the emission measurements, are greater for the cells showing higher photocurrents, probably owing to a more rapid charge injection.

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of TPH1 and TPH2 genes, and depressive disorders.

Tryptophan catabolites pathway disorders are observed in patients with depression. Moreover, single nucleotide polymorphisms of tryptophan hydroxylase genes may modulate the risk of depression occurrence. The objective of our study was to confirm the association between the presence of polymorphic variants of TPH1 and TPH2 genes, and the development of depressive disorders. Six polymorphisms were selected: c.804-7C>A (rs10488682), c.-1668T>A (rs623580), c.803+221C>A (rs1800532), c.-173A>T (rs1799913)-TPH1, c.-1449C>A (rs7963803), and c.-844G>T (rs4570625)-TPH2. A total of 510 DNA samples (230 controls and 280 patients) were genotyped using TaqMan probes. Among the studied polymoorphisms, the G/G genotype and G allele of c.804-7C>A-TPH1, the T/T homozygote of c.803+221C>A-TPH1, the A/A genotype and A allele of c.1668T>A-TPH1, the G/G homozygote and G allele of c.-844G>T-TPH2, and the C/A heterozygote and A allele of c.-1449C>A-TPH2 were associated with the occurrence of depression. However, the T/T homozygote of c.-1668T>A-TPH1, the G/T heterozygote and T allele of c.-844G>T-TPH2, and the C/C homozygote and C allele of c.-1449C>A-TPH2 decreased the risk of development of depressive disorders. Each of the studied polymorphisms modulated the risk of depression for selected genotypes and alleles. These results support the hypothesis regarding the involvement of the pathway in the pathogenesis of depression.

Hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis during low-temperature anaerobic digestion of dilute dairy wastewater in an inverted fluidised bioreactor.

The application of low-temperature (10 °C) anaerobic digestion (LtAD) for the treatment of complex dairy-based wastewater in an inverted fluidised bed (IFB) reactor was investigated. Inadequate mixing intensity provoked poor hydrolysis of the substrate (mostly protein), which resulted in low chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency throughout the trial, averaging ~69 % at the best operational period. Overgrowth of the attached biomass to the support particles (Extendospheres) induced bed stratification by provoking agglutination of the particles and supporting their washout by sedimentation, which contributed to unstable bioprocess performance at the organic loading rates (OLRs) between 0.5 and 5 kg COD m(-3) day(-1). An applied OLR above 2 kg COD m(-3) day(-1) additionally promoted acidification and strongly influenced the microbial composition and dynamics. Hydrogenotrophic methanogens appeared to be the mostly affected group by the Extendospheres particle washout as a decrease in their abundance was observed by quantitative PCR analysis towards the end of the trial, although the specific methanogenic activity and maximum substrate utilisation rate on H2/CO2 indicated high metabolic activity and preference towards hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis of the reactor biomass at this stage. The bacterial community in the bioreactor monitored via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) also suggested an influence of OLR stress on bacterial community structure and population dynamics. The data presented in this work can provide useful information in future optimisation of fluidised reactors intended for digestion of complex industrial wastewaters during LtAD.

Level of basic hope and symptoms of anxiety and depression in women after miscarriage.

Introduction: The study aimed to determine the level of basic hope and symptoms of anxiety and depression in women after miscarriage.Methods: To evaluate the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and basic hope, the standardized questionnaires the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Basic Hope Inventory (BHI-12), respectively, were used. Patients hospitalized at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Provincial Combined Hospital in Kielce due to miscarriage in the period from September 2019 to August 2021 were included in the study. Results: The sense of basic hope increased after 3 months (p < 0.001). The intensity of symptoms of anxiety and depression decreased (p < 0.001). The BHI-12 correlated significantly and negatively with the level of anxiety (r = -0.438, p < 0.001) and depression symptoms (r = -0.456, p < 0.001) during and after hospitalization (anxiety r = -0.649, p < 0.001; depression r = -0.643, p < 0.001). Conclusions: It was found that the level of hope significantly increased after 3 months compared to this level during hospitalization. Hope was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms.

Enhanced Diagnostic Capabilities: Ultrasound Imaging of Fetal Alimentary Tract Obstruction with Advanced Imaging Technologies.

BACKGROUND Congenital malformations of the alimentary tract constitute 5% to 6% of newborn anomalies, with congenital intestinal atresia being a common cause of alimentary tract obstruction. This study explores advanced ultrasound diagnostic possibilities, including 2D, HDlive, HDlive inversion, and HDlive silhouette imaging modes, through the analysis of 3 cases involving duodenal and intestinal obstructions. Congenital malformations of the alimentary tract often present challenges in prenatal diagnosis. The most prevalent defect is congenital intestinal atresia leading to alimentary tract obstruction, with an incidence of approximately 6 in 10 000 births. We focused on advanced ultrasound diagnostic techniques and their applications in 3 cases of duodenal and intestinal obstructions. CASE REPORT Three cases were examined using advanced ultrasound imaging modes. The first patient, diagnosed at week 35 of gestation, revealed stomach and duodenal dilatation. The second, identified at week 32, had the characteristic "double bubble" symptom. The third, at week 31, also had double bubble symptom and underwent repeated amnioreduction procedures. HDlive, HDlive inversion, and HDlive silhouette modes provided intricate visualizations of the affected organs. Prenatal diagnosis of alimentary tract obstruction relies on ultrasound examinations, with nearly 50% of cases being diagnosed before birth. CONCLUSIONS Advanced ultrasound imaging modes, particularly HDlive silhouette, play a crucial role in diagnosing fetal alimentary tract obstruction. These modes offer detailed visualizations and dynamic evaluations, providing essential insights for therapeutic decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of sustained fetal surveillance, a multidisciplinary approach, and delivery in a level III referral center to ensure specialized care for optimal outcomes.

Low-temperature (10°C) anaerobic digestion of dilute dairy wastewater in an EGSB bioreactor: microbial community structure, population dynamics, and kinetics of methanogenic populations.

The feasibility of anaerobic digestion of dairy wastewater at 10°C was investigated in a high height : diameter ratio EGSB reactor. Stable performance was observed at an applied organic loading rate (OLR) of 0.5-2 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies above 85%. When applied OLR increased to values above 2 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), biotreatment efficiency deteriorated, with methanogenesis being the rate-limiting step. The bioreactor recovered quickly (3 days) after reduction of the OLR. qPCR results showed a reduction in the abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogenic Methanomicrobiales and Methanobacteriales throughout the steady state period followed by a sharp increase in their numbers (111-fold) after the load shock. Specific methanogenic activity and maximum substrate utilising rate (A(max)) of the biomass at the end of trial indicated increased activity and preference towards hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, which correlated well with the increased abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Acetoclastic Methanosaeta spp. remained at stable levels throughout the trial. However, increased apparent half-saturation constant (K(m)) at the end of the trial indicated a decrease in the specific substrate affinity for acetate of the sludge, suggesting that Methanosaeta spp., which have high substrate affinity, started to be outcompeted in the reactor.

Repeatability and Reproducibility of Potential Ultrasonographic Bishop Score Parameters.

Determination of the Bishop score (BS) is a traditional method of assessing the cervix in obstetrics and gynecology. This examination is characterized by subjectivity of assessment and low repeatability. In scientific studies intended to evaluate the results of the procedure based on the initial assessment, it is necessary to find an objective scale based on ultrasonography. We selected five ultrasound parameters, measured with a transvaginal transducer, that are equivalent to the individual BS axes (dilatation assessed in three-dimensional ultrasound (DL), angle of progression (AoP), vagino-cervical angle (VCA), strain elastography using the E-Cervix module, and cervical length (CL)). All selected parameters were characterized by good to excellent repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.878-0.994) and reproducibility (ICC = 0.826-0.996). Each of the selected parameters significantly correlated with its corresponding BS axis. The highest value of the correlation coefficient was achieved with CL (-0.75) and DL (0.71). Other parameters were characterized by an average to high correlation (AoP and station = 0.69, hardness ratio and consistency = -0.33, position and VCA = -0.38). The best correlation with the sum of the BS points was exhibited by AoP (0.52) and CL (-0.61). The selected ultrasound parameters analogous to the BS axes were characterized by high repeatability and significant correlation with the axes of the original clinical BS. Further research into the predictive properties of a multivariate model based on these parameters is needed.

Basic hope, level of stress and strategies used to cope with stress after miscarriage during hospitalization and 3 months after its completion.

OBJECTIVES: Basic hope is important for successfully coping with, and adapting to, difficult situations. The aim of the study was to determine the level of stress and basic hope and identify the associated coping processes in women after miscarriage during hospitalization and threemonths after discharge. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Atotal of 161women hospitalized due to miscarriage were included. To evaluate the level of stress, basic hope and coping strategies, the following standardized questionnaires were used: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Inventory to Measure Coping Strategies with Stress (Mini-COPE) and the Basic Hope Inventory (BHI-12). RESULTS: 110 patients declared high levels of stress during hospitalization and 80 claimed the same three months after discharge. The level of stress decreased after three months (p < 0.001). Adaptive stress-coping strategies were employed more frequently than maladaptive stress-coping strategies. During hospitalization, the most frequently used strategies were acceptance and seeking emotional support; with planning, acceptance, seeking emotional and instrumental support being used three months after discharge. The sense of basic hope increased after three months (p < 0.001). The level of the sense of basic hope correlates significantly (p < 0.001) and negatively (r ˂ 0) with the severity of stress symptoms during and after the hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The sense of basic hope increased significantly after three months in relation to the level experienced during the hospitalization period, and the intensity of stress decreased. Preventive women-oriented interventions are needed to minimize the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Modeling of Charge Injection, Recombination, and Diffusion in Complete Perovskite Solar Cells on Short Time Scales.

A model of charge population decay upon ultrafast optical pulse excitation in complete, working perovskite solar cells is proposed. The equation, including charge injections (extractions) from perovskite to contact materials, charge diffusion, and charge recombination via first-, second-, and third-order processes, is solved using numerical simulations. Results of simulations are positively verified by broadband transient absorption results of mixed halide, triple-cation perovskite (FA0.76MA0.19Cs0.05Pb(I0.81Br0.19)3). The combined analytical and experimental findings reveal the best approaches for the proper determination of the crucial parameters that govern charge transfer dynamics in perovskite solar cells on picosecond and single nanosecond time scales. Measurements from both electron and hole transporting layer sides under different applied bias potentials (zero and close to open circuit potential) and different pump fluence (especially below 5 µJ/cm2), followed by fitting of parameters using numerical modeling, are proposed as the optimal methodology for describing the processes taking place in efficient devices.

How fish consumption prevents the development of Major Depressive Disorder? A comprehensive review of the interplay between n-3 PUFAs, LTP and BDNF.

MDD (major depressive disorder) is a highly prevalent mental disorder with a complex etiology involving behavioral and neurochemical factors as well as environmental stress. The interindividual variability in response to stress stimuli may be explained by processes such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). LTP can be described as the strengthening of synaptic transmission, which translates into more efficient cognitive performance and is regulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein responsible for promoting neural growth. It is found in high concentrations in the hippocampus, a part of the limbic system which is far less active in people with MDD. Omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) not only contribute to structural and antioxidative functions but are essential for the maintenance of LTP and stable BDNF levels. This review explores the mechanisms and potential roles of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of MDD.

Sexual quality of life and female sexual function in women after fetal death.

OBJECTIVES: Pregnancy loss is associated with distress which can have a significant emotional impact on women and their spouses including a lower sexual quality of life and sexual dysfunction. The present study aimed to assess sexual quality of life and sexual function in women after fetal death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 110 women with a history of pregnancy loss hospitalized in the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology were included. In order to evaluate the sexual quality of life and sexual functions the standardized questionnaires - the Sexual Quality of Life (SQoL-F) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), respectively were used. RESULTS: Women declared a lower sexual quality of life. Most of them (52.73%) were at a risk of sexual dysfunction in the areas of desire (4.15 ± 1.21) and orgasm (3.82 ± 1.48). The older the age and length of the relationship was (p = 0.002; r = -0.298) the worse the sexual quality of life (p < 0.001) and sexual function were (p < 0.05). The sexual quality of life (p < 0.001) and sexual function in the area of desire (p = 0.001), arousal (p = 0.001) and orgasm (p < 0.001) were significantly better in the women who have experienced one pregnancy loss than in those with more than one pregnancy loss. Sexual function was better in women who did not plan to have a pregnancy. The week in which the pregnancy was lost and the fact of having other children have not been statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual quality of life and female sexual function in women after an experience of fetal death were less satisfying.

Variations in FVC and FEV1 Biologic Quality Control Measures in a Global Multi-Center Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although quality control standards are recommended to ensure accurate test results, the coefficient of variation for the FVC and FEV1 biologic quality control (BioQC) is not specified. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate variations in spirometry BioQCs in a large and diverse cohort of individuals to determine an acceptable standard for the coefficient of variation. METHODS: The FVC and FEV1 biologic control data were secondary analyses from an inhaled medication trial that was conducted over 3 y ending in 2018 that included 114 laboratories. Results were sent to a central repository for expert review. The FVC and FEV1 coefficients of variation were based upon a minimum of 10 spirometry values annually separated by at least 5 d. A second method of computing the coefficient of variation used 10 values within 28 d. Descriptive statistics were computed. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were conducted to compare whether the median coefficient of variation values between the 2 methods differed, tested at α = 0.05 using SPSS. RESULTS: Of 249 biologic control participants, 170 met the first year's inclusion criteria. The coefficient of variation for the 5-d separated method was < 5% for 94.1% of FVC and 93.5% of FEV1 values in the first year. By year 3, 90% of FVC and FEV1 coefficient of variation values were < 4%. The medians for the 5-d separated and the 28-d measure showed no difference for either FVC coefficient of variation or FEV1 coefficient of variation, Z = -1.764, P = .78, and Z = -0.980, P = .33, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Interlab biologic control variation values of < 4% for FVC and FEV1 are achievable; however, individual labs should strive to attain lower values. Acceptable coefficients of variation can be achieved within 28 d.

Stress, anxiety, depression and basic hope in family members of patients hospitalised in intensive care units - preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: The family response to intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalisation includes development of adverse psychological outcomes such as stress, anxiety or depression. These complications from exposure to critical care are termed post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-f). Psychological repercussions of critical illness affect the family member's ability to perform care functions after hospitalisation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 37 family members of patients hospitalised in an ICU were included. To evaluate the level stress, anxiety, depression and basic hope the standardized questionnaires the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Basic Hope Inventory (BHI-12) respectively were used. RESULTS: In 33 respondents (89.19%) a high level of stress was identified, and 14 (37.84%) and 12 (32.43%) respondents had severe anxiety and depression, respectively. Higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression were found in spouses and family members living with the patient. Female subjects had a higher level of basic hope (P = 0.026). It was found that perceived stress correlated with anxiety (r = 0.456, P = 0.005) and depression (r = 0.481, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Most relatives of the patients reported stress, anxiety, depression and low basic hope. Preventive family-centred interventions are needed to minimize the risk of adverse psychological repercussions, including post-intensive care syndrome family.

The Importance of Epigenetics in Diagnostics and Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.

Recent studies imply that there is a tight association between epigenetics and a molecular mechanism of major depressive disorder (MDD). Epigenetic modifications, i.e., DNA methylation, post-translational histone modification and interference of microRNA (miRNA) or long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), are able to influence the severity of the disease and the outcome of the therapy. This article summarizes the most recent literature data on this topic, i.e., usage of histone deacetylases as therapeutic agents with an antidepressant effect and miRNAs or lncRNAs as markers of depression. Due to the noteworthy potential of the role of epigenetics in MDD diagnostics and therapy, we have gathered the most relevant data in this area.