Ubiquitin Is Not a Blood Biomarker of an Early Cognitive Decline in the Polish Elderly.

Together with development of new pharmaceutical interventions, as well as the introduction of the concept of initial dementia phase, the demand for early diagnosis has been growing. Research on potential blood biomarkers, amazingly attractive, mainly due to the facility of deriving the material, has provided ambiguous results throughout. The existence of an association between ubiquitin and Alzheimer's disease pathology suggests that it could be a potential neurodegeneration biomarker. The present study aims to identify and assess the relationship between ubiquitin with regard to the adequacy as a biomarker of an initial dementia and cognitive decline in the elderly. Method: The study sample was composed of 230 participants: 109 women and 121 men aged 65 and older. The relationships of plasma ubiquitin levels with cognitive performance, gender, and age were analyzed. The assessments were performed in three groups of cognitive functioning level: cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment, and mild dementia, of which the subjects were divided with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: No significant disparities in plasma ubiquitin levels for various levels of cognitive functioning were identified. Significantly higher plasma ubiquitin levels in women were found in comparison to men. No significant differences were found in ubiquitin concentrations based on age. Results suggest that ubiquitin does not meet the requirements for qualification as a blood biomarker of an early cognitive decline. In order to thoroughly evaluate the potential of research on ubiquitin in connection to an early neurodegenerative process, further studies are needed.

Impact of Mental State on the Severity of Psoriasis Symptoms: A Study on Patient's Emotional Well-Being.

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic systemic skin disease affecting approximately 2% of the global population. In addition to the characteristic inflammatory changes on the skin, patients with psoriasis often experience comorbidities, including depressive symptoms and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the course of psoriasis and the mental state of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted among 70 patients with psoriasis. An interview was conducted to assess the course of psoriasis. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used. CRP concentration as well as VAS, NRS, and PASI scales were measured. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS Psoriasis was severe in 50% of the patients. Most (52.8%) of patients had moderate pruritis (VAS) and 58.5% had moderate pain (NRS). Moderate depressive symptoms (BDI) were present in 60% of patients, 18.6% had pathological anxiety (HADS-A), and 18.6% had pathological depression (HADS-D). CRP levels were significantly associated with PASI, VAS, and NRS. CONCLUSIONS The mental state of the patient plays an essential role in the course of psoriasis, and negative emotions affect the severity of skin symptoms. Emotional stress to patients with psoriasis should be limited, which will undoubtedly contribute to overall improvement of health.

The Unknown Role of Periostin in Psoriatic Epidermal Hyperplasia.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that affects 1-2% of the general population. The pathomechanism is based on type 1 immunological reactions. Hyperplasia of the epidermis in psoriasis is a result of disrupted epidermal architecture due to increased synthesis and expression of extracellular matrix proteins. In our study, we analyzed the involvement of periostin (POSTN) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, as one of the extracellular matrix proteins belonging to the fasciclin family. The study group consisted of 70 patients with psoriasis, while the control group comprised 30 healthy individuals. The serum concentrations of POSTN, Il-6, Il-17, Il-22, TNF-α and IFN-γ were measured in all participants. The severity of psoriasis was determined using the PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) score. The presence of POSTN in biopsy samples of 50 patients was assessed using the direct immunofluorescence method. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. The serum concentrations of POSTN, Il-6, Il-17, Il-22, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the study group are significantly higher than in the control group. Positive correlation has been demonstrated between the PASI score and the investigated cytokines, but not with POSTN. There was no statistically significant correlation between the POSTN level and the cytokines levels. POSTN deposits were localized in the epidermis in 66% of patients with psoriasis. The role of POSTN in the pathogenesis of psoriasis remains unclear. The mechanisms inducing the synthesis and expression of POSTN in psoriatic skin are not yet fully understood. Further research is needed to enhance our understanding of the mechanism underlying epidermal hyperplasia in psoriasis.

Cholesterol and Dementia: A Long and Complicated Relationship.

BACKGROUND: There is a huge demand for efficient strategies for maintaining cognitive wellbeing with age, especially in the context of population aging. Dementia constitutes the main reason for disability and dependency in the elderly. Identification of potential risk and protective factors, as well as determinants of conversion from MCI to dementia, is therefore crucial. In case of Alzheimer's disease, the most prevalent dementia syndrome amongst the members of modern societies, neurodegenerative processes in the brain can begin many years before first clinical symptoms appear. First functional changes typically mean advanced neuron loss, therefore, the earliest possible diagnosis is critical for implementation of promising early pharmaceutical interventions. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to discuss the relationships between both circulating and brain cholesterol with cognition, and explore its potential role in early diagnosis of cognitive disorders. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: The causal role of high cholesterol levels in AD or MCI has not been confirmed. It has been postulated that plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC can potentially be used as an early biochemical marker of altered cholesterol homeostasis in the CNS. Some studies brought conflicting results, finding normal or lowered levels of 24(S)-OHC in dementia patients compared to controls. In spite of decades of research on the relationship between cholesterol and dementia, so far, no single trusted indicator of an early cognitive deterioration has been identified. CONCLUSION: The current state of knowledge makes the use of cholesterol markers of cognitive decline in clinical practice impossible.

Blood Lipids and Cognitive Performance of Aging Polish Adults: A Case-Control Study Based on the PolSenior Project.

Background: The demand for effective strategies for maintaining cognitive capableness and establishing early dementia diagnosis has been tremendous, especially in the context of population aging. However, studies on the elderly population and neurocognitive impairment had provided ambiguous results throughout, while potential blood biomarkers of cognitive decline are yet to be clearly understood. Objectives: The present study is aimed at assessing the relationship between blood lipids-especially in the context of their usefulness as biomarkers of an early cognitive decline-and cognitive functioning of aging adults. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 230 participants-(109 women, 121 men) aged 65+ years. Plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol [24(S)-OHC], serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were assessed. The analyses were conducted in three groups of cognitive performance: cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild dementia, of which the subjects were divided with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: No significant differences in 24(S)-OHC plasma concentrations for different levels of cognitive performance were found. Significant differences were found in serum TC (p = 0.026) and LDL (p = 0.007) concentrations for different levels of cognitive performance. Concentrations of both parameters were highest in the MCI group and lowest in mild dementia and cognitive norm, respectively. No significant differences between serum HDL concentrations and cognitive performance were found. Conclusions: To fully assess the potential of research on blood lipids in regards to a cognitive decline, cross-sectional or epidemiological studies aimed at further exploring blood lipid roles in both the early and advanced MCI and dementia, are needed.