IL-10 and IL-1ß Serum Levels, Genetic Variants, and Metabolic Syndrome: Insights into Older Adults' Clinical Characteristics.

Populational aging is marked by chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). IL-10 and IL-1ß are pleiotropic cytokines with multiple biological effects linked to metabolic disorders. This cross-sectional study assessed 193 participants' IL-10 and IL-1ß serum levels regarding their role in developing MetS, clinical characteristics, and their IL1B rs1143627 and IL10 rs1800890 variants' genotype frequencies in a population over 60. IL-10 levels correlated weakly with HDL levels and fat mass and inversely with triglycerides, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and estimated average blood glucose levels. IL-10 levels were also indirectly influenced by the patient's T2DM duration, lean mass amount, and bone mineral content. Participants with altered HDL, elevated serum glucose, raised HbA1c levels, or those over 80 had reduced serum IL-10 levels compared to those with normal levels or other age groups, respectively. Women also had higher serum IL-10 levels than men. Dissimilarly, IL-1ß levels correlated directly only with the number of total leukocytes and segmented neutrophils, showing only significant variations with self-reported alcohol consumption. Our study also found that those with the IL10 AA genotype (lower IL-10 levels) had a significantly higher risk of developing MetS. These findings may help direct future research and more targeted therapeutic approaches in older adults.

Effects of working in vulnerable contexts on the mental health of primary healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyse the relationship and psychosocial issues between working during the COVID-19 pandemic in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities located in the most vulnerable health region (HR) of the Federal District of Brazil (FDB) compared with a lesser region. DESIGN: Mixed-method study data. The questionnaire was based on the World Health Survey and the Convid Behavioural Survey. Quantitative data were described in absolute and relative frequency. Pearson's χ2 test verified differences according to the region (significance level <5%). A margin of error of 8% with 95% CI defined the sample. The content analysis (by Bardin) analysed the qualitative data. SETTING: A representative sample of PHC professionals working at the Western HR and Central HR of the FDB. PARTICIPANTS: 111 women and 27 male PHC professionals, aged ≥ 18 years. OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychosocial variables-personal emotions towards the clients, social relationships and use of psychoactive substances (PAS). INTERVENTION: An online questionnaire (27 questions) and 1 open-ended question. RESULTS: The sample comprised 138 PHC professionals; 80.40% were female aged between 40 and 49 years old (27.3%); declared themselves as black/pardo (58.7%); were married (53.60%), and worked in family healthcare teams (47.80%). No association between working in the most vulnerable HR compared with the least one and presenting psychosocial issues, except for anger towards clients (p=0.043). 55.10% worked much more than usual, 60.80% reported being depressed, 78.20% anxious, 76.80% stressed, 77.50% had no empathy and 78.30% felt isolated from family/friends. Towards the clients, 59.40% reported empathy and 72.5% no affection/care. The consume of psychotropic medications was reported by 34.80%, and 14.50% increased alcohol/PAS use. Qualitative data leverage quantitative findings: work overload, the indifference of the Federal Government and distance from family/friends. CONCLUSION: Working in the most vulnerable region and in the least one affects the psychosocial aspects of the PHC professionals equally.

The 3'UTR VNTR SLC6A3 Genetic Variant and Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a disabling and particularly persistent mental disorder that is considered to be a priority public health problem. The active human dopamine transporter (DAT), which is encoded by the SLC6A3 gene, regulates the dopamine concentration in the synaptic cleft. In this sense, this neurotransmitter is primordial in modulating human emotions. This systematic review aims to verify the SLC6A3 (DAT1) 3'UTR VNTR (rs28363170) gene variant's SS (9R/9R) genotype and S (9R) allele frequency fluctuation and its influence on the modulation of pharmacotherapy in MDD. For this purpose, we searched different databases, and after applying the eligibility criteria, six articles were selected. Studies have shown an association between the SS (9R/9R) genotypic and S (9R) allelic presence with the risk of developing MDD, in addition to influencing the decrease in response to antidepressant therapy. However, despite the findings, disagreements were observed between other studies. For this reason, further studies with the SLC6A3 3'UTR VNTR (rs28363170) variant in different populations are necessary to understand this polymorphism's role in the onset of this disease.

MAOA uVNTR Polymorphism Influence on Older Adults Diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus/Systemic Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is involved in several biological processes associated with well-being and mental health, and alterations in its function might directly impact various mental disorders. Some mental disorders concomitantly occur in individuals with clinical characteristics, such as substance abuse and diabetes. Objective: To analyze the functional MAOA uVNTR polymorphism genotype frequency in an older adult population with diabetes mellitus/arterial hypertension and associate this frequency with clinical characteristics impacting daily life. Methodology. Older adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, or both (DM/SAH) were selected and had their MAOA gene genotyped for uVNTR polymorphism. The revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and a questionnaire were also applied to determine their mental health and clinical characteristics. Results: The allelic variants detected among the participants were the 2R, 3R, 4R, and 3R/4R heterozygous genotypes. Genotypes solely containing the 3R allele had patients who marked yes for smoking and alcoholism, and only those with the 3R genotypes (female 3R/3R homozygote or male 3R∗ hemizygote) were significant. Although not statistically significant, only 3R and 3R/4R genotypes presented cases of severe depression per the revised BDI interpretations. Conclusion: The MAOA uVNTR polymorphism's low-activity 3R allele presence in an older adult population diagnosed with DM/SAH may represent a risk for developing substance use (alcohol and smoking) dependence.

MAOA uVNTR Genetic Variant and Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent multifactorial psychopathology affected by neurotransmitter levels. Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) influences several neural pathways by modulating these levels. This systematic review (per PRISMA protocol and PECOS strategy) endeavors to understand the MAOA uVNTR polymorphism influence on MDD and evaluate its 3R/3R and 3R* genotypic frequencies fluctuation in MDD patients from different populations. We searched the Web of Science, PubMed, Virtual Health Library, and EMBASE databases for eligible original articles that brought data on genotypic frequencies related to the MAOA uVNTR variant in patients with MDD. We excluded studies with incomplete data (including statistical data), reviews, meta-analyses, and abstracts. Initially, we found 43 articles. After removing duplicates and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, seven articles remained. The population samples studied were predominantly Asians, with high 3R and 4R allele frequencies. Notably, we observed higher 3R/3R (female) and 3R* (male) genotype frequencies in the healthy control groups and higher 4R/4R (female) and 4R* (male) genotype frequencies in the MDD groups in the majority of different populations. Despite some similarities in the articles analyzed, there is still no consensus on the MAOA uVNTR variant's role in MDD pathogenesis.

Dispensing of psychotropic drugs in the Brazilian capital city before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2018-2020).

Objective: Evaluate the data on the psychotropic drugs dispensed by private community pharmacies before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study compared the quarterly and annual consumption of psychotropic drugs per Defined Daily Dose per 1000 inhabitants-day (DHD). Interrupted time series were also constructed to expose changes in the consumption pattern in the periods before and after March 2020. Results: Among the 20 most consumed psychoactive drugs, 12 were antidepressants, for example, escitalopram (DHD 7.996 and 10.626; p < 0.001), and sertraline (DHD 6.321 and 8.484; p < 0.001), in addition to the hypnotic zolpidem (DHD 6.202 and 8.526; p < 0.001). The time series reveals (R 2 value) a variation in drug dispensing, in DHD values, during the pandemic. Conclusion: Despite the higher variance, a significant increase is clearly seen in the consumption trends of psychoactive drugs, particularly antidepressants, consistent with the pandemic's influence on the general population's mental health.

BDNF Genetic Variant and Its Genotypic Fluctuation in Major Depressive Disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) still has an unknown etiology and mechanisms. Many studies have been conducted seeking to associate and understand the connection of different genetic variants to this disease. Researchers have extensively studied the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met genetic variant in MDD; yet, their findings remain inconsistent. This systematic review sought to verify the GG (Val/Val) genotype frequency fluctuation in different populations with MDD. For this, we searched in different databases and, after applying the eligibility criteria, selected 17 articles. Most studies demonstrate the higher frequency of the ancestral (wild) GG (Val/Val) genotype, although associations of the polymorphic A (Met) allele, changes in BDNF protein serum levels, or both were also found in MDD, whether related to the disease's development or other factors. Nevertheless, despite these findings, disagreements between several studies are seen. For this reason, further BDNF Val66Met genetic variant studies should not only bridge the gap in the knowledge of this polymorphism's role in MDD's different facets but also analyze the genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity in different populations to help provide a better quality of life for patients.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles obtained by microwave-assisted green synthesis using Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos underbark extract.

We describe here a green method for the preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), by a microwave-assisted synthesis route using Handroanthus impetiginosus underbark extract, with antibacterial activity. After optimizing the synthesis parameters with a Box-Benhken designed experiment, samples were characterized by powder XRD, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR and zetametry. Using the overall optimized conditions of synthesis - time of reaction 15 min at 200 °C and plant extract/AgNO3 volume ratio equal to 10% - highly crystalline ∼13.4 nm-sized spherical AgNPs in a well-dispersed colloidal state were obtained. It was also proved that the plant extract compounds act as reductant and capping agents during synthesis to functionalize AgNPs, resulting in a negatively charged surface with high values of zeta potential in a wide range of pH, from acidic to alkaline media. Biological activity tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and cell viability experiments showed that synthesized AgNPs were not toxic to HaCaT mammalian cells and presented a high efficiency against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus). This was associated with the synergistic combination of AgNP silver cores with the capping layer containing natural compounds with antimicrobial properties and considered an alternative to the AgNPs commonly obtained from conventional routes that present antibacterial effectiveness preferentially against Gram-negative strains.