[Prevalence and risk factors of non-suicidal self-injury behavior]. / Rasprostranennost' i faktory riska nesuitsidal'nogo samopovrezhdayushchego povedeniya.

The prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior in adolescents has increased significantly in the early 21st century. The phenomenon of NSSI behavior has become one of the key health problems in the field of adolescent psychiatry and psychology over the past decade worldwide. However, the social characteristics and factors influencing NSSI are very different in different regions of the world. Studies of self-harming behavior indicate that the upward trend is almost equally relevant for developing and developed countries. To date, the methodological basis for the diagnosis of NSSI has not been sufficiently developed in the Russian Federation, there are only some studies of NSSI both from an empirical perspective and in the context of the search for risk factors, causes and functions, models of comorbidity with mental disorders.

[Quantitative characteristics of the alpha-band of the electroencephalogram in people with alcohol dependence]. / Kolichestvennye kharakteristiki al'fa-ritma elektroentsefalogrammy u lits s alkogol'noi zavisimost'yu.

OBJECTIVE: To study the quantitative characteristics of the alpha-band in patients with alcoholism, depending on the main clinical and dynamic characteristics of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 76 patients, aged 24 to 55 years, with alcohol dependence were examined. Forty-five healthy individuals were examined as a control group. Recording and analysis of the electric activity of the brain was carried out using a 16-channel encephalograph in a state of calm wakefulness with closed and open eyes. The values of the absolute spectral power of the alpha-band were analyzed, the microstructure of the alpha spindle and the alpha band reactivity index were evaluated. RESULTS: The values of the spectral power of the alpha-band with closed eyes were statistically significantly lower in patients with alcohol dependence in all leads (p<0.05), except for the antero-temporal and mid-temporal. The microstructure of the alpha spindle in patients with alcohol dependence was mainly represented by a flat (59.2%) or low-amplitude (28.9%) type with a predominance of an accelerated band (40.8%). The degree of alpha-band depression in the leads P3 (p=0.043), P4 (p=0.047), O2 (p=0.039), T5 (p=0.037) and T6 (p=0.002) was significantly less pronounced in patients with alcohol dependence compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that some aspects of addictive behavior are accompanied by significant objective functional changes in the brain.

[A screening study of non-suicidal forms self-injurious behavior in persons of draft age]. / Skriningovoe issledovanie nesuitsidal'nykh form samopovrezhdayushchego povedeniya u lits prizyvnogo vozrasta.

A screening study on non-suicidal self-injurious behavior in men of military age was conducted. OBJECTIVE: Study was aimed to determine the prevalence, structure and causes of non-suicidal self-injuries in 193 men aged 19.68±2.07. METHOD: Assessment of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) was performed with clinical interview and the scale on self-harm behavior (Polskaya, 2014). RESULTS: The study revealed that 38.7% (75 persons) in the sample committed an act of self-harm at least once in their life. The most common acts of instrumental self-harm were striking with a fist, leg, head or body by hard surfaces and self-cutting. Among somatic self-harm, nail biting, lip, cheeks and tongue biting, as well as skin combing and creating obstacles for wound healing were founded. CONCLUSION: Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior of persons of military age presented by the tools and somatic self-harm and caused by the factors of «regaining control over emotions¼, «impact on others¼, «stress relief¼.

[Hormones of stress-response system in alcohol dependence: the ability to predict duration of remission]. / Gormony stress-realizuyushchei sistemy pri alkogol'noi zavisimosti: vozmozhnost' prognozirovaniya dlitel'nosti remissii.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the spectrum of hormones of the stress-realizing system in the time course of therapy of withdrawal syndrome and post-withdrawal state and analyze their possible relationships with the duration of therapeutic remission in patients with alcohol dependence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination included 74 men admitted in the clinic at Mental Health Research Institute NRMC diagnosed as having «Mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol¼ (dependence syndrome F10.21 and withdrawal state - F10.30) according to ICD-10. The control group included 35 men matched in age with patients. Concentration of cortisol, testosterone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4) were determined by immunoenzyme method (IEM), in patients - at two points: point 1 - by day 3-5 of the admission in the clinic in the withdrawal syndrome state after alcohol detoxification; point 2 - by day 15-17 of the anti-alcohol therapy. RESULTS: In the general group of patients with alcohol dependence the elevation of the level of cortisol in comparison with control was established (pc<0,0001 at both points) and increase of concentration at point 2 (p=0,0253 to point 1). Concentration of testosterone at point 1 exceeded the level of control (pc=0,0203), at point 2 decreased up to control values and in relation to point 1 (p=0,0004). In relation to control the level of TSH in patients was decreased at point 1 (pc=0,0077); the concentration of fT3 and fT4 was reliably decreased at both points; concentration of fT4 decreased further in the process of the therapy of the post-withdrawal state (p=0,0003 to point 1). According to the duration of the last therapeutic remission, two groups of patients were formed: those with unstable remission (up to 6 months) and with the formed stable remission (1 year or more). A comparative analysis of the concentration of cortisol and testosterone in blood serum taken in patients at point 1 revealed a significant excess of testosterone in the group with unstable remission, both in relation to the control (pc=0,0239) and to the indicator in the group of patients with stable remission (p=0,0159). CONCLUSION: Dysfunctions in the spectrum of stress-realizing hormones in patients with alcohol dependence in the time course of the therapy for withdrawal syndrome and post-withdrawal state were revealed, the main of which are high level of cortisol, testosterone, reduction of secretion of free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine. Patients with unstable therapeutic remission are characterized by a high concentration of testosterone after alcohol detoxification, which allows us to consider testosterone as a biological criterion that can increase the accuracy of prediction of the duration of remission after anti-alcohol therapy.

Guaifenesin stone matrix proteomics: a protocol for identifying proteins critical to stone formation.

Drug-related kidney stones are a diagnostic problem, since they contain a large matrix (protein) fraction and are frequently incorrectly identified as matrix stones. A urine proteomics study patient produced a guaifenesin stone during her participation, allowing us to both correctly diagnose her disease and identify proteins critical to this drug stone-forming process. The patient provided three random midday urine samples for proteomics studies; one of which contained stone-like sediment with two distinct fractions. These solids were characterized with optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Immunoblotting and quantitative mass spectrometry were used to quantitatively identify the proteins in urine and stone matrix. Infrared spectroscopy showed that the sediment was 60 % protein and 40 % guaifenesin and its metabolite guaiacol. Of the 156 distinct proteins identified in the proteomic studies, 49 were identified in the two stone-components with approximately 50 % of those proteins also found in this patient's urine. Many proteins observed in this drug-related stone have also been reported in proteomic matrix studies of uric acid and calcium containing stones. More importantly, nine proteins were highly enriched and highly abundant in the stone matrix and 8 were reciprocally depleted in urine, suggesting a critical role for these proteins in guaifenesin stone formation. Accurate stone analysis is critical to proper diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones. Many matrix proteins were common to all stone types, but likely not related to disease mechanism. This protocol defined a small set of proteins that were likely critical to guaifenesin stone formation based on their high enrichment and high abundance in stone matrix, and it should be applied to all stone types.

[Etno-territorial prevalence of hashishism in some Siberian areas].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of cannabinoid dependence (hashishism) in the Siberian region in the etno-territorial context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on the statistical results, we analyzed the dynamics of prevalence of hashish addiction in some Siberian territories in 1999-2006. RESULTS: The dynamics of the indicators studied differ significantly, with some differences being in opposite directions. The following variants of these changes (trends) were specified: linear, logarithmic, polynominal and a trend that reflected the degree of changes (degree trend). Territories attributed to the linear variant are characterized by the relatively lower prevalence of hashishism, accelerated or slowed down changes are noted for the logarithmic variant, the instability of indicators is characteristic of the polynomial variant and the high degree of the prevalence of cannabinoid dependence is the main feature of the "degree trend". CONCLUSION: Despite the differences between territories, the number of registered patients in whole is an equipotential variable, typical for a distinct territory, without any trend toward the dramatic changes.

[Ethnoterritorial heterogeneity of alcohol dependence formation in the native population of Siberia].

Clinical-dynamic parameters of heterogeneity of alcohol dependence in 155 tuvinian and russian patients with lucid and psychotic forms of the disease have been studied. A highly progressive form of alcoholism with late onset of systematic consumption of alcohol has been identified in tuvinians as compared with russians. The formation of withdrawal syndrome occurs at later age than in russians (37.7 and 29.6 years; p=0.00004), but its development is more rapid - in average 2-2.5 years of systematic alcohol consumption. Psychotic forms of alcoholism are more frequent in tuvinians with the earlier onset of systematic consumption of alcohol and manifestation of basic disease syndromes (by 7 and 5 years, respectively) than in those with lucid alcoholism. In conclusion, treatment and rehabilitation of patients of different ethnic groups should be based on clinical and social features of the disease.

[Use of remaxol in the combination therapy of post-withdrawal disorders in alcoholic patients with comorbid liver damage].

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of Remaxol used to treat post-withdrawal disorders in alcoholic patients with comorbid liver damage. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The authors assessed the severity of clinical parameters, such as pathological craving and anhedonia, biochemical parameters (bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) in 120 patients aged 30-60 years in the stage of remission formation. The patients were divided into two groups: 1) 62 patients received Remaxol; 2) 58 persons took placebo (a comparative group). RESULTS: The use of the drug caused an accelerated reduction in somato-autonomic symptoms and a decrease in affective strain and manifestations of anxiety with disactualization of a pathological alcohol craving ideator. The patients receiving remaxol showed a prompt improvement in some biochemical parameters: the levels of total and direct bilirubin halved; in Group 1, the multiplicity of a decrease in ALT and AST activities was 2.5 and 2.2 times versus 1.38 and 1.47 in Group 2. After the course of therapy, the symptoms of anhedonia diminished by 5.2 times in Group 1 and only by 2.4 times in Group 2. CONCLUSION: The positive changes induced by remaxol incorporated into the combination treatment are due to the polymodal effect of the drug on metabolic mechanisms in both the nervous system and liver. This double action promotes the increased efficiency of treatment and the creation of conditions for remission.

[The role of reamberin in combined therapy of abstinence syndrome in alcoholics].

Clinical efficacy of 7 day reamberin therapy of abstinence syndrome was compared in 32 alcoholics with concomitant exogenous organic brain lesions (F 10.2, mean age 41.2 +/- 6.3 YR) and 46 control patients given no treatment. Reamberin accelerated reduction of somatovegetative manifestations of abstinence syndrome with subsequent normalization of its affective components. It is concluded that combined therapy including reamberin significantly reduced severity of endogenous intoxication in alcoholics suffering exogenous organic brain lesions.

Identification of pro- and mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor in human saliva.

OBJECTIVE: Growth factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are polypeptides that are involved in the maintenance, survival, and death of central and peripheral cells. Numerous growth factors have been identified in saliva and are thought to promote wound healing and maintenance of the oral epithelium. The aim of this study was to determine if BDNF is also found in human saliva. METHODS: Whole, unstimulated saliva samples (n = 30) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot using an anti-human BDNF antibody. Proteolytic cleavage products were similarly assessed following the incubation of pooled saliva with N-glycanase F and plasmin. Subjects were also genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). RESULTS: These experiments revealed the presence of immunoreactive bands at 14, 32 and 34 kDa, corresponding to mature (mBDNF) and proBDNF, as well as a truncated pro-form at 24 kDa. Not every sample contained all forms of BDNF. Treatment with N-glycanase and plasmin reduced the size of the higher molecular weight bands, confirming the glycosylated pro-form of BDNF. mBDNF was detected significantly less often in subjects with the Val66Met SNP, compared to those without the polymorphism (chi(2) = 4.05; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While the function of salivary BDNF still requires elucidation, these findings suggest that it may be possible to use saliva in lieu of blood in future studies of BDNF and the Val66Met polymorphism.

Neuroprotective effects of novel phosphatidylglycerol-based phospholipids in the 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease.

Administration of VP025 (Vasogen Inc.), a novel drug formulation based on phospholipid nanoparticles incorporating phosphatidylglycerol, has previously been shown to have a neuroprotective effect in the brain. We examined the effect of VP025 in a rat model of Parkinson's disease, the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion of the medial forebrain bundle. VP025 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was administered to rats 14 days, 13 days and 1 day before the unilateral 6-OHDA lesion. Functional integrity of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons was assessed 7 and 21 days later by amphetamine-induced rotational testing and we observed that rotational counts were significantly less in rats that were pretreated with VP025 compared with PBS-pretreated 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Neurochemical analysis at 10 and 28 days after lesion revealed that VP025 protected against a 6-OHDA-induced decrease in concentrations of striatal dopamine and its metabolites. Immunocytochemical studies of the ipsilateral substantia nigra showed that VP025 significantly inhibited 6-OHDA-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons. We also observed that increases in immunostaining for activated microglia and for activated p38 in dopaminergic neurons of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats were prevented by VP025. This study shows that VP025 has significant protective effects on the 6-OHDA-lesioned nigrostriatal pathway and may therefore have potential for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Reduced fear and aggression and altered serotonin metabolism in Gtf2ird1-targeted mice.

The GTF2IRD1 general transcription factor is a candidate for involvement in the varied cognitive and neurobehavioral symptoms of the microdeletion disorder, Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). We show that mice with heterozygous or homozygous disruption of Gtf2ird1 exhibit decreased fear and aggression and increased social behaviors. These findings are reminiscent of the hypersociability and diminished fear of strangers that are hallmarks of WBS. Other core features of WBS, such as increased anxiety and problems with spatial learning were not present in the targeted mice. Investigation of a possible neurochemical basis for the altered behaviors in these mice using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed increased levels of serotonin metabolites in several brain regions, including the amygdala, frontal cortex and parietal cortex. Serotonin levels have previously been implicated in fear and aggression, through modulation of the neural pathway connecting the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. These results suggest that hemizygosity for GTF2IRD1 may play a role in the complex behavioral phenotype seen in patients with WBS, either individually, or in combination with other genes, and that the GTF2I transcription factors may influence fear and social behavior through the alteration of neurochemical pathways.

Mental and behavioral disorders in substance use among adolescents under conditions of the Far North.

UNLABELLED: It is worthwhile to pay attention to substance dependence in the Far North, which exacerbates personality by formation of psychological dependence. The Circumpolar region of West Siberia is an area of discomforts (Korolenko C.P., 1978; Yagya N.S., 1980; Sapov I.A., Novikov V.S., 1984; Khrushchev V.L., 1994; Kaznacheyev V.P. et al., 2002). The results of the reported research have been obtained in a complex study of addictive states among adolescents living in Gubkinsky of YNAO. The Far North is a region with an extreme environment. MATERIAL: 490 adolescents of Gubkinsky (53.8% of all adolescents). Mean age 15.4 +/- 0.9 years. Basic (1) group--adolescents abusing substances (n = 174), using drugs (at least once in the life), alcohol--100-200 g of vodka (1-2 times a week) and adolescents with tolerance to vodka 300-500g and more. Control (2) group--adolescents without substance consumption (n = 316). Drug addicts (3) group--Gubkinsky (n = 64), mean age: 19.7 +/- 1.3 years; drug addicts (4) group--Tomsk (n = 60), mean age: 20.6 +/- 1.7 years. Local situation in recent 10 years has been characterized by high prevalence of alcohol and drug dependence among population with increase of viral hepatitis and HIV-infection.

A 1.5 million-base pair inversion polymorphism in families with Williams-Beuren syndrome.

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is most often caused by hemizygous deletion of a 1.5-Mb interval encompassing at least 17 genes at 7q11.23 (refs. 1,2). As with many other haploinsufficiency diseases, the mechanism underlying the WBS deletion is thought to be unequal meiotic recombination, probably mediated by the highly homologous DNA that flanks the commonly deleted region. Here, we report the use of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to identify a genomic polymorphism in families with WBS, consisting of an inversion of the WBS region. We have observed that the inversion is hemizygous in 3 of 11 (27%) atypical affected individuals who show a subset of the WBS phenotypic spectrum but do not carry the typical WBS microdeletion. Two of these individuals also have a parent who carries the inversion. In addition, in 4 of 12 (33%) families with a proband carrying the WBS deletion, we observed the inversion exclusively in the parent transmitting the disease-related chromosome. These results suggest the presence of a newly identified genomic variant within the population that may be associated with the disease. It may result in predisposition to primarily WBS-causing microdeletions, but may also cause translocations and inversions.

The effect of VAS972 on allergic contact hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a Th1-mediated immune response that can be down-regulated by immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine and environmental stimuli such as ultraviolet light. Recently, an immunomodulation therapy, VAS972, has been developed which is believed to down-regulate the Th1 arm of the immune response. This VAS972 involves modifying autologous blood by controlled exposure to the oxidizing agent ozone and UVC light, at an elevated temperature ex vivo. The processed blood is then administered by intramuscular injection. OBJECTIVE: To further evaluate the immune modulating effect of VAS972. METHODS: We examined the effect of VAS972 treatment on CHS. Contact hypersensitivity was induced with dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) in animals receiving VAS972- processed blood, control blood, or saline. A preliminary study was also conducted to evaluate the effect of plasma and cellular fractions of processed blood. RESULTS: Mice injected with VAS972-processed blood demonstrated a significantly lower (46%) CHS response than controls. Histologic examination of challenged ear skin from control mice displayed edema with a significant lymphocytic infiltration, whereas animals administered processed blood demonstrated a reduction in lymphocytic infiltration. Mice injected with either plasma or the cellular fraction of the VAS972-treated blood also demonstrated a significant suppression (49% and 41%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that VAS972 suppresses CHS and cellular infiltration. Furthermore, the plasma and cellular components of the VAS972 treatment were also able to induce immunosuppression. This further supports the hypothesis that VAS972 down-regulates the Th1 arm of the immune response.

A microdeletion in 19q13.2 associated with mental retardation, skeletal malformations, and Diamond-Blackfan anaemia suggests a novel contiguous gene syndrome.

Diamond-Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a constitutional red blood cell hypoplasia which may be associated with a variety of developmental abnormalities. A gene for DBA was recently mapped to chromosome 19q13.2 and subsequently cloned. Analysis of 19q marker alleles in DNA of sporadic DBA cases showed de novo microdeletions in three patients also presenting with mental retardation. We have studied one of these patients and characterised the deletion by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) to extended DNA fibres. The deletion was shown to be continuous over a 3.2 Mb region and the fibre-FISH analysis showed both chromosomal breakpoints. In combination, the clinical and molecular findings suggest a contiguous gene syndrome with a gene locus for mental retardation and, probably, skeletal malformations included in the deletion.

Pictorial essay: thoracic cardiovascular complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome frequently develop complications of cardiac, pericardial, and thoracic vascular origin. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to review the most common etiologic and diagnostic imaging findings of these diseases. Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome often demonstrate enlargement of the cardiac silhouette on the chest radiograph. While the cause of this finding may be clinically evident, the authors share cases in which chest computed tomography, echocardiography, and nuclear medicine studies better reveal the nature of underlying cardiac and pericardial abnormalities. Thoracic vascular complications, including pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary thromboembolism, and the sequelae of indwelling venous catheters, are also addressed.

A new clinical scoring system fails to differentiate hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke when used in the acute care setting.

Recently, a new diagnostic scoring system has been proposed to help differentiate intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) from ischemic infarct. The system, derived using data from hospitalized stroke patients, is based on eight variables readily available to all clinicians. A diagnostic score <1.0 is reportedly 100% predictive of ischemic infarct. The clinical scoring system is asserted to be a useful adjunct in the initial evaluation of patients with acute stroke syndrome. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate this clinical scoring system in our emergency department (ED). Sixty-one ED patients with focal neurologic deficit undergoing cranial computed tomography (CT) scan to rule out ICH were entered in the study. Thirteen [21% (95% CI, 12-34%)] were found to have an ICH. Twenty-two [36% (95% CI, 24-49%)] had a diagnostic score < 1.0. The CT scans on 4 of these 22 patients showed ICH. The positive predictive value for ischemic infarct for these 22 patients using the diagnostic scoring system was 82% (95% CI, 60-95%). Our results suggest that this new clinical scoring system is of no value in helping to differentiate ICH from ischemic stroke in the acute care setting.

Accuracy and precision of NMR relaxation experiments and MD simulations for characterizing protein dynamics.

Model-free parameters obtained from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations commonly are used to describe the intramolecular dynamical properties of proteins. To assess the relative accuracy and precision of experimental and simulated model-free parameters, three independent data sets derived from backbone 15N NMR relaxation experiments and two independent data sets derived from MD simulations of Escherichia-coli ribonuclease HI are compared. The widths of the distributions of the differences between the order parameters for pairs of NMR data sets are congruent with the uncertainties derived from statistical analyses of individual data sets; thus, current protocols for analyzing NMR data encapsulate random uncertainties appropriately. Large differences in order parameters for certain residues are attributed to systematic differences between samples for intralaboratory comparisons and unknown, possibly magnetic field-dependent, experimental effects for interlaboratory comparisons. The widths of distributions of the differences between the order parameters for two NMR sets are similar to widths of distributions for an NMR and an MD set or for two MD sets. The linear correlations between the order parameters for an MD set and an NMR set are within the range of correlations observed between pairs of NMR sets. These comparisons suggest that the NMR and MD generalized order parameters for the backbone amide N-H bond vectors are of comparable accuracy for residues exhibiting motions on a fast time scale (< 100 ps). Large discrepancies between NMR and MD order parameters for certain residues are attributed to the occurrence of "rare" motional events over the simulation trajectories, the disruption of an element of secondary structure in one of the simulations, and lack of consensus among the experimental data sets. Consequently, (easily detectable) severe distortions of local protein structure and infrequent motional events in MD simulations appear to be the most serious artifacts affecting the accuracy and precision, respectively, of MD order parameters relative to NMR values. In addition, MD order parameters for motions on a fast (< 100 ps) timescale are more precisely determined than their NMR counterparts, thereby permitting more detailed dynamic characterization of biologically important residues by MD simulation than is sometimes possible by experimental methods. Proteins 28:481-493, 1997.