Phylogenomic analyses and comparative genomics of Pseudomonas syringae associated with almond (Prunus dulcis) in California.

We sequenced and comprehensively analysed the genomic architecture of 98 fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from different symptomatic and asymptomatic tissues of almond and a few other Prunus spp. Phylogenomic analyses, genome mining, field pathogenicity tests, and in vitro ice nucleation and antibiotic sensitivity tests were integrated to improve knowledge of the biology and management of bacterial blast and bacterial canker of almond. We identified Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, P. cerasi, and P. viridiflava as almond canker pathogens. P. syringae pv. syringae caused both canker and foliar (blast) symptoms. In contrast, P. cerasi and P. viridiflava only caused cankers, and P. viridiflava appeared to be a weak pathogen of almond. Isolates belonging to P. syringae pv. syringae were the most frequently isolated among the pathogenic species/pathovars, composing 75% of all pathogenic isolates. P. cerasi and P. viridiflava isolates composed 8.3 and 16.7% of the pathogenic isolates, respectively. Laboratory leaf infiltration bioassays produced results distinct from experiments in the field with both P. cerasi and P. syringae pv. syringae, causing significant necrosis and browning of detached leaves, whereas P. viridiflava conferred moderate effects. Genome mining revealed the absence of key epiphytic fitness-related genes in P. cerasi and P. viridiflava genomic sequences, which could explain the contrasting field and laboratory bioassay results. P. syringae pv. syringae and P. cerasi isolates harboured the ice nucleation protein, which correlated with the ice nucleation phenotype. Results of sensitivity tests to copper and kasugamycin showed a strong linkage to putative resistance genes. Isolates harbouring the ctpV gene showed resistance to copper up to 600 µg/ml. In contrast, isolates without the ctpV gene could not grow on nutrient agar amended with 200 µg/ml copper, suggesting ctpV can be used to phenotype copper resistance. All isolates were sensitive to kasugamycin at the label-recommended rate of 100µg/ml.

Does the intensity of dissociation predict antidepressant effects 24 hours after infusion of racemic ketamine and esketamine in treatment-resistant depression? A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Ketamine and esketamine have both shown significant antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and conflicting evidence suggests that induced dissociation by these drugs can be a clinical predictor of esketamine/ketamine's efficacy. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis from a bi-center, randomized, controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive an IV infusion of esketamine (.25 mg/kg) or racemic ketamine (.50 mg/kg) over 40 minutes. Dissociative symptoms were assessed using the Clinician-Administered Dissociative State Scale (CADSS) 40 minutes following the beginning of the infusion. The variation in depression scores was measured with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), which was administered before the intervention as a baseline measure and 24 hrs, 72 hrs, and 7 days following infusion. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were included in the analysis. Examining CADSS scores of 15 or below, for every 1-point increment in the CADSS score, there was a mean change of -0.5 (SD = 0.25; p-value 0.04) of predicted MADRS score from baseline to 24 hrs. The results for 72 hrs and 7 days following infusion were not significant. Limitations: This study was not designed to assess the relationship between ketamine or esketamine-induced dissociation and antidepressant effects as the main outcome, therefore confounding variables for this relationship were not controlled. CONCLUSION: We suggest a positive relationship between dissociation intensity, measured by CADSS, and antidepressant effect 24 hours after ketamine and esketamine infusion for a CADSS score of up to 15 points.

Arketamine for bipolar depression: Open-label, dose-escalation, pilot study.

There are significantly fewer options for the treatment of bipolar depression than major depressive disorder, with an urgent need for alternative therapies. In this pilot study, we treated six subjects with bipolar disorder types I and II (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria) who had been in a current depressive episode for at least four weeks. Four subjects were female (66.66%), and the mean age was 45.33 (±12.32). Subjects received adjunct treatment with two arketamine intravenous infusions one week apart-0.5 mg/kg first and then 1 mg/kg. The mean baseline Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score was 36.66, which decreased to 27.83 24h after the first infusion of 0.5 mg/kg of arketamine (p = 0.036). In respect of the 1 mg/kg dose, the mean MADRS total score before the second infusion was 32.0, which dropped to 17.66 after 24h (p < 0.001). Arketamine appears to have rapid-acting antidepressant properties, consistent with previous animal studies on major depression. All individuals tolerated both doses, exhibiting nearly absent dissociation, and no manic symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this pilot trial is the first to test the feasibility and safety of the (R)-enantiomer of ketamine (arketamine) for bipolar depression.

Genome Sequence and Assembly of 18 Fusarium Isolates from Florida Citrus under High Huanglongbing Disease Pressure and California Citrus under Low Huanglongbing Disease Pressure.

The genomes of eighteen Fusarium isolates cultured from diseased and healthy citrus trees were sequenced, assembled, and annotated. Isolate species identification was confirmed using single marker (TEF1-alpha) phylogenetic assessment. Studies of the traits and genotypes of plant-associated isolates are important to understanding the fungal contribution to phytobiomes of citrus.

Arketamine as adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant depression: A placebo-controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Racemic ketamine is a mixture of (R)-ketamine (arketamine) and (S)-ketamine (esketamine), with the latter regarded as the main isomer for antidepressant effects. However, preclinical data and one open-label human trial suggest arketamine might exert a more potent and longer-lasting antidepressant effect with fewer side effects. We aimed to explore the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of arketamine for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and to assess its efficacy and safety compared to placebo. METHODS: This is a, randomized, double-blind, crossover, pilot trial (n = 10). All participants received saline and arketamine (0.5 mg/kg) with a one-week interval. Treatment effects were analyzed with a linear mixed effects (LME) model. RESULTS: Our analysis suggested the presence of a carryover effect, so the main efficacy analysis was limited to the first week, which demonstrated a main effect of time (p = 0.038) but not for treatment (p = 0.40) or their interaction (p = 0.95). This indicates that depression improved over time, but without significant difference between arketamine and placebo. Analyzing the two weeks together, findings were the same. Dissociation and other adverse events were minimal. LIMITATIONS: This was a pilot study with a small sample and underpowered. CONCLUSIONS: Arketamine was not superior to placebo for TRD but demonstrated to be extremely safe. Our findings reinforce the importance of continuing studies with this drug, with better powered clinical trials, perhaps considering a parallel design with higher or flexible doses and repeated administrations.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels following ketamine and esketamine intervention for treatment-resistant depression: secondary analysis from a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests that ketamine's influence on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be involved in its mechanism of rapid antidepressant action. We aimed to evaluate the differential impact of ketamine and esketamine on serum BDNF levels and its association with response patterns in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). METHODS: Participants (n = 53) are from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy of single-dose ketamine (0.5mg/kg, n = 27) and esketamine (0.25mg/kg, n = 26) in TRD. Depression severity was assessed before and 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after the intervention, using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Blood samples were collected before infusion, 24 hours, and 7 days afterwards. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in BDNF levels at post-infusion evaluation points, and no difference in BDNF levels comparing ketamine and esketamine. Both drugs exhibited similar therapeutic effect. There was no association between BDNF levels and response to treatment or severity of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: There was no significant treatment impact on BDNF serum levels - neither with ketamine nor esketamine - despite therapeutic response. These results suggest that ketamine or esketamine intervention for TRD has no impact on BDNF levels measured at 24 hours and 7 days after the infusion.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels following ketamine and esketamine intervention for treatment-resistant depression: secondary analysis from a randomized trial

Abstract Objectives Evidence suggests that ketamine's influence on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be involved in its mechanism of rapid antidepressant action. We aimed to evaluate the differential impact of ketamine and esketamine on serum BDNF levels and its association with response patterns in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Methods Participants (n = 53) are from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy of single-dose ketamine (0.5mg/kg, n = 27) and esketamine (0.25mg/kg, n = 26) in TRD. Depression severity was assessed before and 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after the intervention, using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Blood samples were collected before infusion, 24 hours, and 7 days afterwards. Results There were no significant changes in BDNF levels at post-infusion evaluation points, and no difference in BDNF levels comparing ketamine and esketamine. Both drugs exhibited similar therapeutic effect. There was no association between BDNF levels and response to treatment or severity of depressive symptoms. Conclusion There was no significant treatment impact on BDNF serum levels - neither with ketamine nor esketamine - despite therapeutic response. These results suggest that ketamine or esketamine intervention for TRD has no impact on BDNF levels measured at 24 hours and 7 days after the infusion. This clinical trial is registered on the Japan Primary Registries Network: UMIN000032355.

Late Diagnosis of Disseminated Sporothrix brasiliensis Infection with Bone Marrow Involvement in an HIV-Negative Patient.

Sporotrichosis is a fungal disease that causes symptoms similar to those of other infectious and non-infectious diseases, making diagnosis difficult and challenging. Here, we report a case of an HIV-negative patient presenting disseminated sporotrichosis with widespread cutaneous lesions mimicking pyoderma gangrenosum, with bone marrow infection, pancytopenia, and hemophagocytic syndrome. However, all the clinical manifestations and a bacterial coinfection delayed the request for a fungal diagnosis. Therefore, sporotrichosis should always be investigated in patients from endemic areas presenting with widespread cutaneous lesions associated with pancytopenia.

Microbial Turnover and Dispersal Events Occur in Synchrony with Plant Phenology in the Perennial Evergreen Tree Crop Citrus sinensis.

Emerging research indicates that plant-associated microbes can alter plant developmental timing. However, it is unclear if host phenology affects microbial community assembly. Microbiome studies in annual or deciduous perennial plants face challenges in separating effects of tissue age from phenological driven effects on the microbiome. In contrast, evergreen perennial trees, like Citrus sinensis, retain leaves for years, allowing for uniform sampling of similarly aged leaves from the same developmental cohort. This aids in separating phenological effects on the microbiome from impacts due to annual leaf maturation/senescence. Here, we used this system to test the hypothesis that host phenology acts as a driver of microbiome composition. Citrus sinensis leaves and roots were sampled during seven phenological stages. Using amplicon-based sequencing, followed by diversity, phylogenetic, differential abundance, and network analyses, we examined changes in bacterial and fungal communities. Host phenological stage is the main determinant of microbiome composition, particularly within the foliar bacteriome. Microbial enrichment/depletion patterns suggest that microbial turnover and dispersal were driving these shifts. Moreover, a subset of community shifts were phylogenetically conserved across bacterial clades, suggesting that inherited traits contribute to microbe-microbe and/or plant-microbe interactions during specific phenophases. Plant phenology influences microbial community composition. These findings enhance understanding of microbiome assembly and identify microbes that potentially influence plant development and reproduction. IMPORTANCE Research at the forefront of plant microbiome studies indicates that plant-associated microbes can alter the timing of plant development (phenology). However, it is unclear if host phenological stage affects microbial community assembly. Microbiome studies in annual or deciduous perennial plants can face difficulty in separating effects of tissue age from phenological driven effects on the microbiome. Evergreen perennial plants, like sweet orange, maintain mature leaves for multiple years, allowing for uniform sampling of similarly aged tissue across host reproductive stages. Using this system, multiyear sampling, and high-throughput sequencing, we identified plant phenology as a major driver of microbiome composition, particularly within the leaf-associated bacterial communities. Distinct changes in microbial patterns suggest that microbial turnover and dispersal are mechanisms driving these community shifts. Additionally, closely related bacteria have similar abundance patterns across plant stages, indicating that inherited microbial traits may influence how bacteria respond to host developmental changes. Overall, this study illustrates that plant phenology does indeed govern microbiome seasonal shifts and identifies microbial candidates that may affect plant reproduction and development.

Esketamine for Unipolar Major Depression With Psychotic Features: A Retrospective Chart Review and Comparison With Nonpsychotic Depression.

PURPOSES/BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to assess subanesthetic esketamine as an antidepressant for major depressive disorder with psychotic features (PMDD) and to compare posttreatment symptoms among those with PMDD to a sample of nonpsychotic depression (major depressive disorder [MDD]). METHODS/PROCEDURES: This study is a retrospective chart review of patients with major depression and current psychotic symptoms, treated with a single parenteral 0.5-mg/kg dose of esketamine. Depression symptoms were assessed at baseline and 24-hour posttreatment with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Individuals with PMDD were matched in a 1:2 ratio to nonpsychotic MDD patients from a randomized, noninferiority clinical trial of esketamine. FINDINGS/RESULTS: A total of 15 individuals with PMDD were included, which had higher baseline depression scores (PMDD = 40.9, MDD = 33.6, P = 0.004). A statistically significant change in depressive symptoms was found for the PMDD sample (ß = -16.20 [95% confidence interval, -23.30 to -9.10], P < 0.001), and no difference between PMDD and MDD groups was observed in the matched-sample analysis (ß = -2.2 [95% confidence interval, -9.32 to 4.58], P = 0.537). Treatment-induced dissociative symptoms were present for both groups, self-contained to within 2 hours after treatment, and no exacerbation of psychotic symptoms was found in clinical assessments. IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a single 0.5-mg/kg dose of esketamine may benefit individuals with PMDD, and the symptom reduction may be comparable with esketamine's effects for MDD. Furthermore, esketamine may induce an antidepressant response in those with PMDD without complication of psychotic symptoms. Future research with controlled designs is warranted.

Suicide attempt, impulsivity, and exposure to trauma in college students

Objectives: Past suicide attempt (SA) is one of the most important risk factors for suicide death. An ideation-to-action framework posits that impulsivity, potentially traumatic events, and mental disorders also play a role in increasing suicide risk. This study aimed to assess the association between trait impulsivity, lifetime exposure to trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with SA in a sample of Brazilian college students. Methods: A total of 2,137 participants filled self-reported questionnaires consisting of a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, Trauma History Questionnaire, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Civilian version, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Results: Our findings suggest that trait impulsivity may be interpreted as exerting a distal effect on SA, even in the presence of other variables - such as trauma history, psychological neglect, and PTSD - which also increase the odds of SA. High and medium levels of impulsivity, history of trauma, and PTSD increased the likelihood of SA. Conclusions: Intervention strategies to prevent SA may target trait impulsivity and exposure to traumatic experiences.

Estado nutricional e consumo alimentar de produtores rurais em um assentamento de Minas Gerais / Nutritional status and food consumption of rural producers in a settlement in Minas Gerais / Estado nutricional y consumo de alimentos de productores rurales de un asentamiento en Minas Gerais

Objetivo:avaliar o estado nutricional e consumo alimentar dos trabalhadores rurais de um assentamento em Minas Gerais. Método: estudo transversal, descritivo, comparativo e observacional realizado com produtores rurais, no período de junho a outubro de 2018. Todos os participantes responderam um recordatório de 24 horas através da técnica de múltiplos passos e foram submetidos a avaliação antropométrica e pesquisa socioeconômica. Realizou-se análise descritiva dos dados Resultados:participaram dos estudos 31 trabalhadores rurais. A média dos valores do IMC foi de 26,79kg/m2. Observou-se carências nutricionais diretamente relacionadas ao tipo de alimento consumido, para as vitaminas A e C, com 254,69 RE e 67,30mg respectivamente. O consumo defibras ficou em média 8g abaixo do recomendado; e o consumo de colesterol acima, sendo 501,20mg (±1271,20). Estas inadequações são fatores de risco para desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis relacionadas aos hábitos de vida, como diabetese hipertensão arterial. Conclusão:os produtores rurais apresentaram alto índice de sobrepeso e obesidade, e comorbidades associadas aos estados nutricionais, consequência da má nutrição associada a falta de atenção do Estado em assistir populações em situação de vulnerabilidade alimentar de maneira suficiente e satisfatória.

Objective: to evaluate the nutritional status and food consumption of rural workers in a settlement in Minas Gerais.Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative and observational study carried out with rural producers, from June to October 2018. All participants answered a 24-hour recall using the multiple-step technique and underwent anthropometric assessment and socioeconomic research. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed.Results: thirty-one rural workers participated in the study. The mean BMI values were 26.79kg/m2. Nutritional deficiencies directly related to the type of food consumed were observed, for vitamins A and C, there are 254.69 RE and 67.30mg respectively. Fiber consumption was on average 8g below the recommended level; and the cholesterol consumption above being 501.20mg (±1271.20). Theseinadequacies are risk factors for the development of chronic non-communicable diseases related to life habits, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.Conclusion: rural producers had a high rate of overweight and obesity, and comorbidities associated with nutritional status, a consequence of malnutrition associated with the lack of attention of the State in assisting populations in situations of food vulnerability in a sufficient and satisfactory way.

Objetivo: evaluar el estado nutricional y el consumo de alimentos de trabajadores rurales en un asentamiento de Minas Gerais.Método: estudio transversal, descriptivo, comparativo y observacional realizado con productores rurales, de junio a octubre de 2018. Todos los participantes respondieron un recordatorio de 24 horas mediante la técnica de pasos múltiples y fueron sometidos a evaluación antropométrica e investigación socioeconómica. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los datos. Resultados: participaron del estudio 31 trabajadores rurales, los valores medios del IMC fueron de 26,79kg/m2. Se observaron deficiencias nutricionales directamente relacionadas con el tipo de alimento consumido, para las vitaminas A y C se encuentran 254.69 RE y 67.30mg respectivamente. El consumo de fibra estuvo en promedio 8g por debajo del nivel recomendado; y el consumo de colesterol por encima de 501,20mg (±1271,20). Estasinsuficiencias son factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles relacionadas con el estilo de vida, como la diabetes y la hipertensión arterial.Conclusión: los productores rurales presentaban un alto índice de sobrepeso y obesidade, y comorbilidades asociadas al estado nutricional, consecuencia de la desnutrición asociada a la falta de atención del Estado en atender de manera suficiente y satisfactoria a las poblaciones en situación de vulnerabilidad alimentaria.

Severe COVID-19 in Cardiopath Young Pregnant Patient without Vertical Transmission.

The new betacoronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the cause of COVID-19, and has spread rapidly around the world, reaching more than 200 countries, around 364 million people and causing more than 5 million deaths according to the World Health Organization, so this paper reports a fatal case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a young pregnant woman with heart disease, without vertical transmission. A 26 years old patient at 28th week of pregnancy with regular prenatal care, presented dry cough, high fever, and severe respiratory distress. Due to her clinical symptoms, she sought medical care at a cardiology hospital in Northern Brazil. The medical conditions she presented were heart disease, rheumatic fever history and had no recent record of national or international travel. She was hospitalized and after clinical stabilization, she was referred for an emergency cesarean intervention. The young mother and the newborn were transferred to the intensive care unit after surgery, where diagnostic tests for respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, were performed. The mother tested positive, while her newborn was negative for SARS-CoV-2 demonstrating no vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in this severe case. This study reveals that despite the mother's initially mild symptoms, she progressed to severe clinical conditions resulting in death, although no vertical transmission was observed. This report highlights the relevance of comorbidities for the unfavorable clinical course of COVID-19.

Suicide attempt, impulsivity, and exposure to trauma in college students.

OBJECTIVES: Past suicide attempt (SA) is one of the most important risk factors for suicide death. An ideation-to-action framework posits that impulsivity, potentially traumatic events, and mental disorders also play a role in increasing suicide risk. This study aimed to assess the association between trait impulsivity, lifetime exposure to trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with SA in a sample of Brazilian college students. METHODS: A total of 2,137 participants filled self-reported questionnaires consisting of a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, Trauma History Questionnaire, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Civilian version, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that trait impulsivity may be interpreted as exerting a distal effect on SA, even in the presence of other variables - such as trauma history, psychological neglect, and PTSD - which also increase the odds of SA. High and medium levels of impulsivity, history of trauma, and PTSD increased the likelihood of SA. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention strategies to prevent SA may target trait impulsivity and exposure to traumatic experiences.

Clinical predictors of depressive symptom remission and response after racemic ketamine and esketamine infusion in treatment-resistant depression.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and most people do not achieve symptom remission. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is characterized by the failure of at least one adequate trial of a major class of antidepressant, with adequate time and dosage. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of depressive symptom remission and response 24 h and 7 days after racemic ketamine and esketamine infusions. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial using ketamine and esketamine in TRD. Individuals diagnosed with MDD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV and fulfilling TRD criteria were recruited from March 2017 to June 2018. Participants received a single subanesthetic dose of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) or esketamine (0.25 mg/kg) for 40 min. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and symptom remission was defined as a MADRS score ≤7 and response defined as ≥50% reduction in depressive symptom severity, 24 h and 7 days after the infusion. Clinical variables were selected based on previous clinical trials. Stepwise backward logistic regression was used, considering a confidence level of 95%. RESULTS: 61 subjects were included: 39 (63.9%) were females with a mean age of 47.2 ± 14.9. Higher number of therapeutic failures (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.677; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47-0.97) and higher severity of illness (OR = 0.912; 95% CI: 0.83-0.99) were associated with fewer remissions of depressive symptoms 7 days after intervention, and with fewer response in 24 h (OR = 0.583; 95% CI: 0,40; 0,84 and OR = 0.909; 95% CI: 0,83; 0,99, respectively). CONCLUSION: Number of treatment failures and severity of illness were predictors of fewer remissions and responses of depressive symptoms in this TRD population. Study of predictors of remission may contribute to better selection patients that may benefit from receiving ketamine.

Lifestyle-related behaviors and depressive symptoms in college students.

This study sought to examine the association between lifestyle-related behaviors and depressive symptoms among college students. This cross-sectional study analyzed baseline data of a dynamic-cohort study from a public university in Central-Western Brazil, in all 21 undergraduate full-time courses. Students up to 25 years old who were enrolled for the first time in a university were included in the study, except pregnant and/or nursing women. All students who met the eligibility criteria were invited to participate in the study. From a total of 1,212 eligible students, 1,038 were included (85.6%). All participants answered a self-administered questionnaire on smoking, alcohol consumption, screen time, sleep duration, and meal patterns. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Multivariate Poisson regression models stratified by sex were used to estimate the associations. Depressive symptoms was observed in 31.6% (males 23.6%; females 39.9%; p-value chi-square test = 0.01) of the students. Smoking, drinking spirits, and having irregular meal habits were directly associated with depressive symptoms in both males and females. The co-occurrence of two risk behaviors (men: aPR = 2.23, 95%CI: 1.25; 3.99; women: aPR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.03; 2.30) and three or more risk behaviors (men: aPR = 3.42, 95%CI: 1.90; 6.16; women: aPR = 2.09, 95%CI: 1.39; 3.15) increased the occurrence of depressive symptoms among the students. Lifestyle-related unhealthy behaviors were associated with an increased occurrence of depressive symptoms among college students. These findings suggest the need of interventions encouraging changes in lifestyle to promote mental health and to improve the quality of life in this group.

A combined injectable contraceptive improves plasma redox status and does not induce vascular changes in female rats.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the combined injectable contraceptive (CIC) containing estradiol valerate (EV) and norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN) on aorta function and morphology, as well as on redox status, of female Wistar rats. Female rats (9-10 weeks of age) received intramuscular injections of CIC (0.1 mg EV plus 1 mg NET-EN) or castor oil (control group, CTL) for 8 weeks, once a week. Food intake, body weight and systolic blood pressure were measured during the treatment period. Thoracic aortic segments were prepared for isometric tension recording and morphological analysis. Redox status was evaluated by total oxidant status (TOS) and lipid peroxidation (LP) on plasma and reduced glutathione (GSH) on whole blood. CIC group presented lower food intake and lower total weight gain compared to CTL group. There was no change in systolic blood pressure, vascular response of aorta to phenylephrine and acetylcholine and aorta thickness. Plasma TOS and LP values were reduced in CIC group, although GSH was not altered. It was shown that the long-term treatment with the CIC containing EV plus NET-EN does not induce endothelial dysfunction and histomorphometric changes of vascular wall, as well as improves redox status on female Wistar rats.