Sex-controlled differences in sertraline and citalopram efficacies in major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind trial.

To investigate the response to antidepressants while controlling for sex, which has been controversial, 92 outpatient males and females with major depressive disorder were assigned to sertraline (100 mg/day) or citalopram (40 mg/day) in two strata and were assessed using Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) scores and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interleukin (IL)-6 and cortisol serum levels in this 8-week, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind clinical trial. Data of 40 sertraline and 40 citalopram recipients with equal representation of males and females assigned to each medication were analyzed, while their baseline characteristics were not statistically different (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between sertraline and citalopram recipients in outcome changes (P > 0.05), all of which indicated improvement, but a significant time-treatment-sex interaction effect in BDNF levels was observed (P = 0.035). Regarding this, subgroup analyses illustrated a significantly greater increase in male BDNF levels following sertraline treatment (P = 0.020) with a moderate to large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.76 and ). Significant associations were observed between percentage changes in IL-6 levels and BDNF levels in sertraline recipients (P = 0.033) and HDRS scores in citalopram recipients (P < 0.001). Sex was an effect modifier in BDNF alterations following sertraline and citalopram administration. Further large-scale, high-quality, long-term studies are recommended.

L-Theanine adjunct to risperidone in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia inpatients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

RATIONALE: Inadequate responses to current schizophrenia treatments have accelerated research into novel therapeutic approaches. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive L-theanine, an ingredient with neuroimmunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties, for chronic schizophrenia. METHODS: Eighty chronic schizophrenia inpatients were equally assigned to receive risperidone (6 mg/day) plus either L-theanine (400 mg/day) or matched placebo in this 8-week, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The participants were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) by recording the results of subscales at baseline and weeks 4 and 8 to measure treatment efficacy. Additionally, the participants were assessed for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and adverse events, including the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS). RESULTS: Sixty patients, 30 in each group, were included in the analyses. All baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups (p-values > 0.05). The reduction rates from baseline to endpoint in negative, general psychopathology, and total scores of PANSS were greater in the L-theanine group (p-values = 0.03, 0.01, and 0.04, respectively). Regarding general psychopathology scores, the reduction in the L-theanine group was also greater until week 4 (p-value < 0.01). The time × treatment interaction effect was significant on negative (p-value = 0.03), general psychopathology (p-value < 0.01), and total (p-value = 0.04) scores of PANSS, indicating additional improvements in the L-theanine group. The HDRS and side effects were comparable between the groups (p-values > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: L-Theanine adjunct to risperidone safely and tolerably outperformed adjunctive placebo for schizophrenia, and promising evidence indicated its effects on primary negative symptoms, which need to be scrutinized in further studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered and published prospectively in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( http://www.irct.ir ; registration number: IRCT20090117001556N133) on 2020-12-12.

Effects of electromagnetic waves emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems on human semen analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 3G+wifi modems on human sperm quality.A total of 40 semen specimens were gathered between March and September 2015, from healthy adult men. METHODS: The sperm samples were divided into two groups - 3G+wi-fi exposed and unexposed groups. In the unexposed group, the specimens were shielded by aluminum foil in three layers and put into an incubator at a temperature of 37°C for 50 minutes. The exposed group was positioned in another room in an incubator at a temperature of 37°C for 50 minutes. A 3G+wi-fi modem was put into the same incubator and a laptop computer was connected to the modem and was downloading for the entire 50 minutes.Semen analysis was done for each specimen and comparisons between parameters of the two groups were done by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov study and a paired t-test. RESULTS: Mean percentage of sperm with class A and B motility were not significantly different in two groups (p = 0.22 and 0.54, respectively). In class C, it was significantly lower in the exposed group (p = 0.046), while in class D it was significantly higher (p = 0.022).Velocity curvilinear, velocity straight line, velocity average path, mean angular displacement, lateral displacement and beat cross frequency were significantly higher in the unexposed group. The limitation was the in vitro design. CONCLUSIONS: Electromagnetic waves (EMWs) emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems cause a significant decrease in sperm motility and velocity, especially in non-progressive motile sperms. Other parameters of semen analysis did not change significantly.EMWs, which are used in communications worldwide, are a suspected cause of male infertility. Many studies evaluated the effects of cell phones and wi-fi on fertility. To our knowledge, no study has yet been done to show the effects of EMWs emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems on fertility.Our study revealed a significant decrease in the quality of human semen after exposure to EMWs emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems.