Psychological features in male and female adolescents with eating disorders: is it the same condition?

PURPOSE: Eating disorders (EDs) are psychiatric disorders with a typical prevalence in adolescence. EDs have long been wrongly considered female gender-bound disorders, resulting in a systematic underrepresentation of males in EDs research. The main goal of the present study is exploring the clinical and psychological characteristics of adolescent males with EDs in comparison with females. METHODS: In this observational and retrospective study, 14 males and 28 females hospitalized for eating disorders during the adolescent age (from 12 to 17.11 years) were recruited. Main clinical data (age, BMI, duration of illness), behavioural characteristic of the disorder (over-exercising, self-harm, purging-behaviours) and psychological symptoms (Eating Disorders Inventory-3rd edition-EDI-3, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised-SCL-90, Children's Global Assessment Scale-C-GAS) were collected and examined for significant correlations with severity of body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Adolescent males show a peculiar and more severe psychopathological profiles partially influenced by BMI and characterized by purging-behaviours, over-exercising, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, anxiety, and psychoticism. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a gender-specific profile of adolescent males with EDs, which may be considered in diagnosis and treatment. LEVEL III: Evidence obtained from retrospective well-designed case-control study.

Adolescents with anorexia nervosa with or without non-suicidal self-injury: clinical and psychopathological features.

PURPOSE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) share typical onset in adolescence, greater prevalence in females and similar risk factors. Nevertheless, clinical features of eating disorders (ED) in this population are still under-investigated, especially associated to psychological features. METHODS: The present study aims at comparing clinical and ED characteristics and psychopathological traits in a sample of 253 female adolescents with AN with or without NSSI and to determine possible clinical and psychological predictors on the presence of NSSI. The two groups were compared through multivariate analyses, while correlation and regression analyses were conducted to determine possible associations and predictors. RESULTS: AN + NSSI group showed higher prevalence of binging-purging-type AN (p < .001), and mean higher age (p = .008) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (p = .002) than AN without NSSI group. Concerning psychological scales, AN + NSSI group showed higher scores in mostly of the sub-scale of the test Eating Disorders Inventory-3, higher scores at the scale for depression (p < 0.001) and higher scores at the three indexes of Symptom Checklist 90-Revised test, Global Severity Index (p < 0.001), Positive Symptoms total (p = .003) and Positive Symptom Distress Index (p < 0.001). No differences emerged at Children's Global Assessment Scale and at scale for evaluation of alexithymia. Regression analyses showed that a diagnosis of binging-purging-type AN (p = .001) predicts NSSI. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that adolescents with AN and NSSI show peculiar clinical features with higher prevalence of binging-purging-type AN and more severe psychopathological traits than adolescents with AN without NSSI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Evidence obtained from cohort or case-control analytic studies.

Does low concentration mycotoxin exposure induce toxicity in HepG2 cells through oxidative stress?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to low concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2) and patulin (PAT) in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) exerts toxic effects through mechanisms related to oxidative stress, and how cells deal with such exposure. Cell viability was determined by the MTT and protein content (PC) assays over 24, 48 and 72 h. The IC50 values detected ranged from >10 to 2.53 ± 0.21 µM (DON), 0.050 ± 0.025 to 0.034 ± 0.007 µM (T-2) and 2.66 ± 0.66 to 1.17 ± 0.21 µM (PAT). The key players in oxidative stress are the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) dysfunction. The results obtained showed that PAT, DON and T-2 did not significantly increase LPO or ROS production with respect to the controls. Moreover, PAT and DON did not alter MMP, though T-2 increased MMP at the higher concentrations tested (17 and 34 nM). In conclusion, the exposure of HepG2 cells to nontoxic concentrations of T-2 condition them against subsequent cellular oxidative conditions induced by even higher concentrations of mycotoxin.

Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescent Males: A Peculiar Psychopathological Profile.

(1) Background: Eating Disorders (EDs) are severe psychiatric disorders with high rates of mortality, multiple medical and psychiatric comorbidities associated, and often chronic illness. Historically, EDs are among the most gendered of psychiatric illnesses, and male presentations have been perceived as rare and unusual. This perception resulted in the systematic underrepresentation of males in research on Eds, and as consequence, in a scarcity of research investigating clinical and psychological features in this population. (2) Methods: The present study aims to evaluate clinical and psychopathological features in a sample of 287 children and adolescents, 27 males and 260 females with EDs, in order to identify similarities and differences. (3) Results: Males were younger than females, with similar medical and clinical conditions, but a different distribution of typology of EDs in middle childhood and middle adolescents. The Eating Disorders Inventory-3, TAS-20 for alexithymia and CDI for depressive symptoms' profiles are similar, while males showed higher scores at the global indexes of Symptom Checklist 90-Revised test in early adolescence. (4) Conclusions: Results suggest gender-specific similarities and differences in clinical and psychological features in children and adolescent males, which may require specific diagnosis and treatment.

Renal dysfunctions and clinical correlates in adolescents with restrictive anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The alteration of kidney function in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) is a frequent, but still poorly investigated, consequence of AN. In this study, we analyzed glomerular filtration rate with the Cockroft-Gault formula in a group of 148 adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa and correlated it to clinical and biochemical data collected at admission. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 148 patients hospitalized from 2016 to 2019 for severe malnutrition due to restrictive AN. We measured glomerular filtration rate and correlated it with the patients' anamnestic history, nutritional status and biochemical data. RESULTS: For the 148 AN patients, 40 (27%) resulted at admission at stage 1 of kidney damage (GFR>90 mL/min), 88 patients (59%) at stage 2 (GFR 89-60 mL/min), 17 patients (11%) at stage 3A (GFR 59-45 mL/min) and 3 patients (2%) at stage 3B (GFR 44-30 mL/min). Results outlined a correlation between the entity of kidney damage and BMI at admission and before illness onset, but not with the rapidity and entity of weight loss. Further, more severe renal damages corresponded to major biochemical and hormonal alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study confirm that kidney damage is a frequent condition in adolescents with restrictive-type AN and support making kidney functionality tests part of routine care in patients with AN.

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of the Infraorbital Nerve.

The objective of this study is to report a large, rare, and ulcerative infiltrated skin lesion. Its diagnosis, therapeutic management, and progress are described. The patient is a 78-year-old white man, who presented with a 12-month ulcerative perforated lesion that had affected and infiltrated the skin, with easy bleeding. He had a history of hypertension, although controlled, was a 40-year smoker, had chronic atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and microangiopathy. During the consultation, the patient also presented with ocular obstruction due to an inability to open the eye. He mentioned having reduced vision. The computed tomography scan showed upper maxilla osteolysis without eye involvement. We underwent a radical resection in which upper maxilla and the anterior orbital margin were included. We used a Becker-type flap that allowed us to rebuild the cheek and to complete a modified neck dissection. Progress was favorable; the patient recovered ocular motility and his vision improved to 20/200. The final biopsy result was "malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, malignant schwannoma." Malignant schwannoma of the peripheral nerve is extremely rare. The total resection and reconstruction being completed in one surgery represented a challenge due to the difficulty in obtaining tissues in addition to the necessity of an oncological resection.

Schwannoma axilar. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Axillary Schwannoma. Case report and literature reviewz

Introducción: El schwannoma (neurinoma o neurilemoma) es un tumor benigno originado en la vaina de mielina de los nervios periféricos a partir de la células de Schwann. En su variedad benigna es el tumor más frecuente dependiente de esta estructuras. Se manifiesta entre la tercera y quinta década de vida, sin distinción de género. La localización axilar es extremadamente infrecuente, constituyendo el 5% de todos los casos reportados. Los schwannomas son tumores bien delimitados y de lento crecimiento. La presentación más frecuente es como masa palpable o por la sintomatología clínica correspondiente al territorio de inervación del nervio afectado. Es importante tener en cuenta que estas lesiones puedes formar parte de cuadros clínicos de base genética más complejos como la neurofibromatosis, entre otros. El método diagnóstico de elección es la resonancia magnética nuclear. El tratamiento consiste en la extirpación de la lesión tratando de preservar la función de la estructura nerviosa afectada. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar el reporte de un caso de lesión compatible con schwannoma axilar y realizar un revisión de la literatura.

Introduction: Schwannoma (neurinoma or neurilemoma) is a benign tumor originated in myelin sheath of peripheral nerves from schwann cells. In its benign variety, it is the most frequent tumor dependent of these structures. It appears between the third and fifth decade of life without distinction of geder. Axillary location is extremely rare, accounting for 5% of all reported cases. Schwqnnomas are well-defide, slow-growing tumors. The most frequent presentation is as palpabel mass or due to the clinical symptoms corresponding to the innervation territory of the affected nerve. It's important to know that these lesions can be part of more complex genetic-based clinical cases such as neurofibromatosis. The diagnostic method of choice is magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment cosists of excising the lesion, trying to preserve the function of the affected nerve structure. Objetive: The aim of this report is to describe our experience with one case of axillary schwannoma diagnosed in our institution and to perform a review of the literature.

Síndrome de Eagle, apófisis estiloides con prolongación hasta el hioides / Eagle syndrome, styloid process with prolongation to the hyoid

Se presenta un caso de un paciente de 48 años que fue tratado inicialmente por síndrome de articulación temporomandibular; posteriormente se diagnosticó apófisis estiloides mayor a 8 cm que se prolongaba hasta el hioides bilateralmente. Refería intenso dolor a predominio izquierdo en cabeza y cuello. La radiografía panorámica y la tomografía computada 3 D permitieron evaluar la dimensión de las apófisis. Se intervino quirúrgicamente el lado izquierdo que resultaba ser el más sintomático, por vía externa con buena evolución sin morbilidad..(AU)

It is presented a case of a 48 year male who was treated initially by temporomandibular malfunction; lately was diagnosed a styloid process longer than 8 cm that extended up to hyoids bilaterally. He referred an intense pain especially in the left side of head and neck. The panoramic radiography and the tomography scan with 3 dimension reconstruction allowed us to evaluate the process dimension. We underwent an external access surgery on the more symptomatic side. The evolution was good without complications..(AU)

Effects of histamine H3 receptor ligands on the rewarding, stimulant and motor-impairing effects of ethanol in DBA/2J mice.

Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists are currently being investigated for the possible therapeutic use in various cognitive deficits such as those in schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Alzheimer's disease. Our previous studies suggest a role for H3Rs in ethanol-related behaviors in rat and mice. Here we have examined the role of different H3R ligands on the effects of ethanol in conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, stimulation of locomotor activity and motor impairment in rotarod and balance beam in male DBA/2J mice. We found that H3R antagonists ciproxifan and JNJ-10181457 inhibited the ethanol-evoked CPP whereas H3R agonist immepip did not alter ethanol-induced place preference. Acute stimulatory response by ethanol was also modulated by H3R ligands. Ciproxifan increased ethanol activation when ethanol was given 1g/kg but not at 1.5g/kg dose. Immepip pretreatment diminished ethanol stimulation and increased motor-impairing effects of ethanol on the balance beam. In conclusion, these findings give further evidence of the involvement of H3R in the regulation of the effects of ethanol. The inhibition of ethanol reward by H3R antagonism implies that H3R might be a possible target to suppress compulsory ethanol seeking. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Trends in neuropharmacology: in memory of Erminio Costa'.

Metástasis en troides de tumores primarios extratroideos / Thyroidal metastasis of primary extrathyroidal tumors

Antecedentes: las metástasis en tiroides son infrecuentes, pocas veces diagnosticadas antes de la cirugía; sin embargo, las autopsias muestran una frecuencia que oscila entre el 1 y el 24%. Objetivo: presentar nuestra estadística de metástasis en tiroides de tumores extratiroideos y citar una metástasis a los 23 años del tumor renal primario. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo estadístico sobre 1000 tiroidectomías y sus hallazgos histológicos, en un Hospital General. Resultados: en 1000 tiroidectomías, hallamos 3 metástasis extratiroideas, 2 de riñón (un paciente masculino de 70 años con primario 9 años antes y una mujer de 73 años con primario 23 años antes) y uno de útero (pacientede 74 años con primario de 5 años antes). La metástasis del carcinoma renal fue la más frecuente. Conclusión: la localización de metástasis en tiroides es poco habitual pero debe ser considerada especialmente en aquellos enfermos con antecedentes de carcinomas.

Background: Although metastasis in the thyroid gland are rare and infrequently diagnosed, they can be found in 1 to 24% of all autopsies. Objective: to present our series of thyroidal metastasis, of extra thyroid primary tumors and to report one case of metastasis 23 years after a primary renal tumor. Material and methods: retrospective study of 1000 thyroidectomies and the histological findings in a General Hospital. Results: in 1000 thyroidectomies, we found 3 metastases of extrathyroid cancer, 2 renal (male 70 years old with 9 year prior primary, female 73 years old with a primary 23 years before) and a female 74 years old with a primary of uterus operated 5 years earlier. The renal metastases in thyroid were the most common. Conclusion: the localization of metastases in thyroid are unusual, but should be considered in patients with history of malignancy carcinomas.