Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and inflammatory markers in schizophrenia: A comparative analysis of drug-naive schizophrenia patients, remitted patients, and healthy controls.

This study aims to examine the plasma concentrations of NGAL and other inflammatory parameters, including TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IFN-γ, in schizophrenia patients and healthy volunteers. It also investigates potential associations between these biomarkers and symptom severity in schizophrenia and the utility of NGAL as a potential diagnostic and monitoring biomarker for schizophrenia. The study included 49 drug-naive schizophrenia patients (DNS), 59 patients with schizophrenia in remission (REM) on antipsychotic treatment, and 58 healthy volunteers (HC). The Positive and Negative Symptoms Evaluation Scale (PANSS) was utilized to assess the severity of symptoms in schizophrenia patients. Plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IFN-γ, and NGAL were measured for all participants. NGAL levels were significantly lower in the DNS group than in HC. Significantly lower TNF-α levels were observed in both the DNS and REM groups compared to the HC group. Notably, a statistically significant positive correlation was detected between TNF-α and NGAL levels. The findings of this study are noteworthy, as they demonstrate that drug-naive individuals with schizophrenia exhibit significantly diminished levels of NGAL and TNF-α compared to healthy controls. These identified biomarkers hold promise for providing valuable insights into the complex and evolving pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Evaluation of psychological resilience and anxiety levels of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum diagnosis and comparison with healthy pregnant women

Objective: To compare the psychological resilience and anxiety levels of patients diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and healthy pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A sociodemographic data form and the Resilience scale for Adults (RSA) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were administered. The sociodemographic data form was completed by the physician, and the RSA and STAI were completed by the participant. The sample of the study consisted of 60 pregnant women with HG and hospitalized and 97 healthy voluntary pregnant women with similar characteristics to the research group without any pregnancy complications. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistical analyses, the independent samples t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: The age range was 18-42 years for HG group and 20-43 years for control group. The average age of the HG group was 28.17±5.96 years and that of the control group was 29.45±5.83 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of pregnancy week. Regarding the prevalence of state and trait anxiety between the groups, it was found that 66.7% of the HG group had a high level of trait anxiety and 51.7% had a high level of state anxiety. It was found that 61.9% of the control group had a high level of trait anxiety and 38.1% had a high level of state anxiety. There was no difference between the healthy pregnant group and the HG group in terms of anxiety (p=0.125). It was found that there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of only sub-dimensions of RSA, which were perception of self (U=2385.00, p=0.044) and perception of future (U=2350.50, p=0.030). The perception of self and perception of future scores of the healthy control group were higher. Conclusion: There was no difference between the healthy pregnant group and the HG group in terms of anxiety. It was observed that the HG group had a lower perception of self and future. Apart from the usual increase in anxiety levels during pregnancy, HG accompanied by stubborn nausea and vomiting does not create an extra psychological burden, either as a cause or a result.

Publication Rate of Abstracts Presented at the Psychiatry National Congresses Held by the Psychiatric Association of Turkey. / Türkiye Psikiyatri Dernegi Ulusal Psikiyatri Kongrelerinde Sunulan Bildirilerin Yayina Dönüsme Oranlari.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to investigate the frequency and the factors determining the conversion rate of the oral and poster presentations into articles. Five consecutive national psychiatry congresses held by the Psychiatric Association of Turkey (PAT) between 2012 and 2016 were evaluated. METHOD: The manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals were identified using the Web of Knowledge, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The identified manuscripts were classified according to the type of the publication, the duration until publication, the impact factor and the index of the journal. RESULTS: Out of the total 1372 reports presented at the five consecutive National Congress of Psychiatry events, a total of 297 abstracts (21.6%), comprising 201 of the 1104 posters and 96 of the 268 oral presentations, were converted in to publications. A significantly higher percentage of the oral presentations (p<0.001) compared to the poster presentations were converted into publications; and more of the publications consisted of research reports as compared to case reports. The mean time taken from presentation at the congress to publication was 19.04 (±12.47) months. The mean impact factor of the journals at the time of publication was 1.45 (±1.49). CONCLUSION: Although the publication percentage of the presentations made in National Congress of Psychiatry events held by the PAT is similar to that of other studies conducted in Turkey, they are below the percentage reported by similar research in the international literature. There is a need in the mental healthcare institutions of Turkey for time allocation to make research and for creating units that can support researchers in the difficult process of publishing research results. Also, a more selective approach should be adopted when evaluating the congress presentations, and research that is considered to be of high academic value should be encouraged for submission as oral presentations.