HIV and AIDS in Older Adults: Neuropsychiatric Changes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients diagnosed with HIV can now survive well into their old age. Aging with HIV is not only associated with comorbid medical illnesses but also with neuropsychiatric conditions that can range from cognitive changes to severe behavioral manifestations. This paper reviews mood, anxiety, and cognitive changes in older patients with HIV, as well as some of the treatment challenges in this population. RECENT FINDINGS: Most recent findings show that untreated HIV illness over a long period of time may further worsen both preexisting neuropsychiatric illness and may cause new onset behavioral and cognitive symptoms. HIV induces immune phenotypic changes that have been compared to accelerated aging Low CD 4 counts and high viral counts are indicative of poor prognosis. Evaluation for potential HIV infections may be overlooked in older adults and require screening. Older adults experience accelerated CD4 cell loss. Older adults endorsing new onset mood or cognitive changes must be screened for HIV infection. New onset neurobehavioral symptoms should be carefully screened for and treated simultaneously in patients with HIV infection.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder in substance use disorders: a Bayesian meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Examine SSRIs' efficacy in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use in individuals with addiction. METHODS: From their inception until August 6, 2021, we searched Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, OVID MEDLINE, and Academic Search Complete. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and omitted open-label studies. Bayesian analysis was performed. Bayes factor (BF) established efficacy and tau (τ) statistical heterogeneity. The RoB2 method assessed potential biases. Subgroup analysis was carried out to determine SSRI performance. Treatment duration, SSRI dosage, and attrition rate were all examined in meta-regression. RESULTS: We investigated 64 RCTs with 6128 participants. SSRIs reduced depressive symptoms in opioid, alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, and nicotine use disorders (d = 0.353, BF > 99); social anxiety symptoms in alcohol use disorder (d = 0.875, BF > 99); and generalized anxiety symptoms in opioid, alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and nicotine use disorders (d = 0.346, BF = 4.236). Evidence for PTSD was inconclusive. SSRIs facilitated abstinence for opioid, alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, and nicotine use (d = 0.325, BF > 99); reduced craving for alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine use (d = 0.533, BF = 24.129); and reduced alcohol use (d = 0.452, BF > 99) and cocaine use (d = 0.255, BF = 3.87). Fluoxetine showed the highest antidepressant effect. There was no effect of attrition rate, SSRI dosage, or treatment length on SSRI's efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the use of SSRIs to treat substance use, depression, and anxiety in individuals with addiction. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020164944.

Leaf Surface Wax Chemicals in Trichosanthes anguina (Cucurbitaceae) Cultivars Mediating Short-Range Attraction and Oviposition in Diaphania indica.

Larval Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) cause complete defoliation of Trichosanthes anguina L. and reduce crop yield in India. Females lay eggs on the leaf surface, and therefore leaf surface waxes are potentially involved in host selection. Alkanes and free fatty acids are the major constituents of leaf surface waxes, so a study was conducted to determine whether these wax constituents from three T. anguina cultivars (MNSR-1, Baruipur Long, and Polo No.1) could act as short-range attractants and oviposition stimulants in D. indica females. Twenty n-alkanes from n-C14 to n-C36 and 13 free fatty acids from C12:0 to C21:0 were detected in the leaf surface waxes of these cultivars. Heptadecane and stearic acid were predominant among n-alkanes and free fatty acids, respectively, in these cultivars. Females showed attraction towards one leaf equivalent surface wax of each of these cultivars against solvent controls (petroleum ether) in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. A synthetic blend of heptadecane, eicosane, hexacosane, and stearic acid, a synthetic blend of hexacosane and stearic acid, and a synthetic blend of pentadecane and stearic acid comparable to amounts present in one leaf equivalent surface wax of MNSR-1, Baruipur Long, and Polo No.1, respectively, were short-range attractants and oviposition stimulants in D. indica. Female egg laying responses were similar to each of these blends, providing information that could be used to developing baited traps in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

Treatment of Patients with Mental Illness Amid A Global COVID-19 Pandemic.

A newly discovered coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is not only physically challenging but also has many subtle and overt mental impacts. The concern of being infected, lack of antiviral agents, preventive strategies of social distancing, and home isolation have created unrest in the society. The way of reacting to emergencies varies from individual to individual, and that this variability lies in our unique personality traits. The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the mental stability of all of us, and hence it is crucial to recognize the vulnerable population and support them to prevent or minimize the catastrophe like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotional trauma, and suicides. In this context, the role of psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and other mental healthcare providers is indispensable.

Identification of Lathyrus sativus plant volatiles causing behavioral preference of Aphis craccivora.

BACKGROUND: The viviparous aphid Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a serious threat to the crop yield of Lathyrus sativus L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as grass pea. The synthetic insecticides applied to control this insect pest are not safe for the environment. Hence, it is necessary to find volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two cultivars [BIO L 212 Ratan (BIO) and Nirmal B-1 (NIR)] of L. sativus plants causing behavioral preference of A. craccivora. RESULTS: The VOCs from undamaged (UD), insect-damaged (ID) [plants on which 50 or 100 adults of A. craccivora were fed for 4 h (ID 50 or ID 100)], and mechanically damaged (MD) plants were identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection analyses, respectively. Total VOCs were higher in ID plants compared to UD plants of each cultivar. However, total VOCs were higher in NIR cultivar compared to BIO cultivar for both UD and ID plants. Benzyl alcohol was predominant in volatile extracts of all treatments. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, females showed preference towards volatile extracts of UD, ID, and MD plants of each cultivar compared to the control solvent (CH2 Cl2 ). Insects preferred certain synthetic blends comparable to volatile extracts of UD, ID, and MD plants of each L. sativus cultivar against the control solvent. CONCLUSION: Females preferred a synthetic blend of benzyl alcohol, 1,3-diethylbenzene, thymol, and 1-hexadecene at ratios of 142.49: 62.03:1.18:1 dissolved in 25 µL of CH2 Cl2 in olfactometer bioassays, which could be used in developing lures to control this insect pest.

Comparative performance and digestive physiology of Diaphania indica (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Trichosanthes anguina (Cucurbitaceae) cultivars.

Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an important phytophagous pest of Trichosanthes anguina L. in India. We studied life table parameters by age-stage, two-sex, amylolytic and proteolytic activities, and food utilization parameters of D. indica on the leaves of three T. anguina cultivars (Baruipur Long, Polo No. 1 and MNSR-1). Further, nutrients (total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, amino acids and nitrogen) and antinutrients (total phenols, flavonols and tannins) in leaves were determined. The development time (egg to adult emergence) was the shortest on MNSR-1 (19.79 d) and the longest on Polo No. 1 (25.72 d). Fecundity was the highest and lowest on MNSR-1 (259 eggs) and Polo No. 1 (151.22 eggs), respectively. The lowest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and net reproductive rate (R0) of D. indica on Polo No. 1 were 0.1112 d-1 and 27.22 offspring individual-1, respectively. The mean generation time (T) was the shortest on MNSR-1 (23.99 days) and the longest on Polo No. 1 (29.70 d). The larvae of D. indica fed with MNSR-1 had the highest level of amylolytic and proteolytic activities, and the lowest activities were in the larvae fed with Polo No. 1. The fifth-instar larvae fed with Polo No. 1 had the lowest consumption index and growth rate. The higher larval development time and lower fecundity of D. indica on Polo No. 1 were due to the lower level of nutrients and a higher level of antinutrients than other cultivars. Our results concluded that Polo No. 1 cultivar could be suggested for cultivation.

Fruit Volatiles of Creeping Cucumber (Solena amplexicaulis) Attract a Generalist Insect Herbivore.

Herbivorous insects employ host plant volatile blends as cue for host recognition. Adults of Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feed on leaves, flowers, and fruits of Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi (syn: Melothria heterophylla) (Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as creeping cucumber. Currently, this pest is controlled by insecticides application. Hence, it is necessary to find out volatile components from fruits attracting the insect, which might be used for eco-friendly pest management program. behavioral responses of females were measured by Y-tube olfactometer bioassays towards volatile blends from undamaged (UD), insect-damaged (ID), and mechanically damaged (MD) fruits with the aim to identify the compounds responsible for host fruit location. Volatile organic compounds were identified and quantified by GC-MS and GC-FID analyses, respectively. Nonanal was predominant in volatile blends of UD, ID, and MD fruits. 1-Octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, 2-octanol, heptadienal (2E,4E), 1-pentadecanol, and 1-hexadecanol were present in volatile blends of ID and MD fruits, but females did not show response to these six compounds. 1-Octanol and 1-heptadecanol were unique in volatile blends of UD fruits after 4 hr of damage, but females did not show response to these compounds. Females were more attracted to volatile blends from UD fruits after 4 hr of damage in comparison to volatile blends released by UD fruits, due to increased emissions of (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal and 2E-nonenal. A synthetic blend of 3.35 µg (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal and 1.72 µg 2E-nonenal dissolved in 25 µl CH2Cl2 could be used for the development of baited traps to control this insect pest in integrated pest management strategies.

The role of Lathyrus sativus flower surface wax in short-range attraction and stimulant for nymph laying by an adult viviparous aphid.

Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is an important pest of Lathyrus sativus L. plants, and causes retarded plant growth and loss of seed production. The insect sucks cell sap from flowers and lays nymphs on flowers. Hence, an attempt has been made to observe whether flower surface wax compounds (alkanes and free fatty acids) from two cultivars (BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1) of L. sativus could act as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying by adult viviparous females. The n-hexane extracts of flower surface waxes were analyzed by TLC, GC-MS and GC-FID analyses. Twenty one and 22 n-alkanes between n-C12 and n-C36 were detected in BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1, respectively; whereas 12 free fatty acids between C12:0 and C22:0 were identified in both cultivars. Pentadecane and tridecanoic acid were predominant n-alkane and free fatty acid, respectively. One flower equivalent surface wax of both cultivars served as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying through Y-tube choice experiments and I-tube viviparity assays, respectively, by adult viviparous females. A synthetic blend of nonacosane, tridecanoic acid and linoleic acid, and a synthetic blend of tetradecane, pentadecane, nonacosane, tridecanoic acid and linoleic acid resembling in amounts as present in one flower equivalent surface wax of BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1, respectively, served as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying by adult viviparous females. This study suggests that both these blends could be used in lures in the development of baited traps in pest management programmes.

Antipsychotics for Amphetamine Psychosis. A Systematic Review.

Background: Among individuals experiencing amphetamine psychosis, it may be difficult to rule out schizophrenia. The use of antipsychotics for the treatment of amphetamine psychosis is sparse due to possible side effects. Some arguments disfavor their use, stating that the psychotic episode is self-limited. Without treatment, some individuals may not fully recover from the psychosis and may develop full-blown psychosis, emotional, and cognitive disturbance. This review aims to investigate the clinical benefits and risks of antipsychotics for the treatment of amphetamine psychosis. Methods: Electronic search on trials on antipsychotic drugs for amphetamine psychosis from their inception to November 2018 was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Cochrane Review Database, Medline Ovid, and EMBASE following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool assessed the risk of bias, the methodological quality of individual trials was assessed by the Oxford Quality Scoring System, and the quality of evidence for recommendations was judged by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE). The results were synthesized qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: The investigation of six randomized controlled trials of 314 participants showed that aripiprazole, haloperidol, quetiapine, olanzapine, and risperidone were able to reduce or control the psychotic episode (positive and negative symptoms) induced by amphetamine use with no adverse event. Although the side-effect profile of these agents varied, no drug was clinically superior to others. Conclusions: This review suggests that antipsychotics seem to be efficacious for amphetamine psychosis on both positive and negative symptoms. Practitioners need to tailor their use based on risks for side effects individually.