Serum HMGB1 and Beclin 1 Levels in Patients with a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia. / Sizofreni Tanili Hastalarda Serum HMGB1 ve Beklin 1 Düzeyleri.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that inflammation plays a role in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. In this study, we examined high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and Beclin 1 levels and their relationship with clinical variables in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Forty-three patients with schizophrenia and 43 healthy controls were included in this study. The patients were administered sociodemographic data form, the Positive Negative Symptoms Assessment Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale. After the scales were filled, venous blood samples were taken from both the patient and control groups to measure serum HMGB1 and Beclin 1 levels. Serum samples obtained at the end of centrifugation were measured by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: The mean serum HMGB1 levels were significantly increased and the mean serum Beclin 1 levels were significantly decreased in the schizophrenia group compared to the control group. In addition, a negative correlation was found between HMGB1 and Beclin 1 levels. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, current research shows that HMGB1 is increased and Beclin 1 is decreased in patients with schizophrenia, and these findings may contribute to the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Serum Claudin-5, but not Zonulin, May Be Associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to assess serum zonulin and claudin-5 concentrations to show whether or not their eventual changes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) could have etiopathogenetic importance. There was no research in the literature assessing serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in OCD to the best of our understanding. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this study, we assumed that there may be a deterioration in serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in OCD patients and this may affect the severity of the disease. Thirty-six OCD patients and 35 healthy controls were included in this study. The patients were administered Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Yale-Brown Obsession Compulsion Scale (Y-BOCS) to determine the severity of depression and OCD, respectively. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels were measured. RESULTS: The mean serum claudin-5 level was significantly higher without a significant difference between age, sex, and body mass index, whereas serum zonulin level was not different from the control group in OCD patients. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the current research indicates that claudin-5 is enhanced in OCD patients and this finding may contribute to the role of blood-brain barrier in the pathogenesis of OCD.

Evaluation of Anxiety Sensitivity, Anxiety, Depression, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Patients with Tinnitus.

Context: There may be a connection between tinnitus, a common disease in society, and psychiatric disorders. When the literature is reviewed, it has been realized that more data are needed to elucidate this issue. Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the symptoms of anxiety sensitivity, anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in patients with tinnitus with healthy individuals and to investigate the relationship between tinnitus and psychiatric disorder symptoms. Settings and design: This study was designed as a case-control study. Materials and methods: Fifty-one patients with tinnitus and 51 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Clinical severity of the psychiatric variables were evaluated by Beck depression inventory, Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), anxiety sensitivity index-3, and adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS) in patient and control groups. Statistical analysis used: Variables are presented as either a number, a percentage, a mean ± standard deviation, or frequency. Chi-squared, Student t tests, and logistic regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between variables. Results: Logistic regression analysis results indicated that a significant predictive power of BAI for the presence of tinnitus. Based on a backward-elimination regression analysis, ASRSs (inattention subscale scores) were considered to predict a higher tinnitus handicap inventory score. Conclusion: These findings provide additional evidence that anxiety and attention-deficit (inattentive) symptoms could contribute to the pathophysiology of tinnitus.

Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK) Levels Are Decreased in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: There has been no study in the literature evaluating serum tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) levels in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, we performed the present study to specifically measure serum TWEAK levels to see whether or not its eventual alterations might have an etiopathogenetic significance in children with ADHD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 49 treatment-naive children with ADHD and 39 healthy controls were included in the present study. The severities of ADHD and conduct disorder symptoms were assessed via parent- and teacher-rated questionnaires. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum TWEAK levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum TWEAK levels of the ADHD group were significantly lower than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that ADHD patients have decreased serum TWEAK levels, suggesting a possible involvement of TWEAK in the etiopathogenesis of ADHD.

Investigation of anxiety sensitivity levels of cancer patients in terms of COVID-19 vaccine: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Our study's purpose was to investigate the viewpoints of cancer patients who had not yet been vaccinated. Cancer patients usually cannot get every vaccine because their immunity is low. For this reason, we aimed to detect their anxiety and curiosity for new vaccines for a new disease. METHODS: The goal of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to investigate cancer patients' perceptions of COVID vaccination. Over 18 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19 and who agreed to participate were included in the study. We applied three questionnaires between May and June 2021, one of them was prepared by us; the other two questionnaires were The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) form and Anxiety Sensitivity index to a total of 497 participants. Chi-square, Spearmen correlation test, and multivariable multinomial logistic regression tests were used when comparing. RESULTS: Our participants' ages were between 21 and 88, with a mean age of 61.38 (SD = 11.68), 48.6% (n = 251) of the participants were female. We discovered that 79.1% (n = 408) of respondents were not afraid of getting the COVID-19 vaccine. 27.7% (n = 143) of these patients were concerned about the COVID-19 vaccine's adverse effects, and 24.2% (n = 125) were afraid of its side effects with their treatments. 91.1% (n = 470) of the patients did not know which vaccine they would have and the type of the vaccine. Since the anxiety level is generally higher in women, anxiety scores were also higher in cancers seen in women, such as breast and ovarian cancer. Of course, in parallel with this, anxiety scores were lower in prostate cancers. Special patient groups should not be neglected during this vaccine season, and their concerns should be addressed. When a new vaccine is found, it can have long-term effects, which should not be ignored.

An Investigation into the Association Between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Bipolar Disorder

Objective: Studies have implicated Toxoplasma gondii in the etiology of mental disorders because of its neurotropic nature and its ability to modulate neurotransmitter pathways. This study aims to investigate T. gondii seroprevalence in patients with bipolar disorder and in healthy controls living in the Isparta Region of Turkey and to assess the probable relationship between T. gondii and bipolar disorder. Methods: Fourty-eight patients with bipolar disorder and 50 healthy controls were included in the study. Sociodemographic data, possible risk factors for T. gondii infection and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Serum anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibody levels were measured by using chemiluminescence immunoassay method (Roche Cobas e601 analyzer, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Results: Anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity rates were determined as 18.8% and 20% in the patient group and the control group, respectively. No statistically significant relationship was observed between T. gondii IgG seropositivity and bipolar disorder (p=0.876). In the study population, advanced age, low education level, living in a rural region and consumption of unwashed raw vegetable or fruit were found to be the significant risk factors for T. gondii infection (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our preliminary findings do not support the hypothesis that T. gondii infection is related to bipolar disorder. However, further studies would require larger sample sizes to confirm our results.

Investigation of quality of life in obese adolescents: the effect of psychiatric symptoms of obese adolescent and/or mother on quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the obese adolescents' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) based on both adolescent-reported and maternal-reported questionnaires to clarify adolescent-related psychiatric factors, maternal psychiatric factors, and body mass index (BMI) percentile variables that independently affect the quality of life (QoL). METHODS: A total of 190 adolescents (120 females and 70 males) were included in the study. The impact of clinical and psychiatric factors on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory-Child Version (PedsQL-C) scores was analyzed using hierarchical linear regression methods. RESULTS: The final models showed that only the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Child Version major depressive disorder scores negatively predicted the physical, psychosocial, and total health scores of the PedsQL-C. The psychosocial scores of the PedsQL-P were negatively predicted by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire emotional, and Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised-Short Form (CPRS-R-S) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) index scores. The PedsQL-P total scores were negatively predicted by the CPRS-R-S ADHD index scores. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that the adolescents' psychiatric symptoms and BMI percentile played a significant role in the PedsQL subscale functioning of obese adolescents compared to maternal psychiatric symptoms.

Investigation of the psychiatric factors that determine the fear of COVID-19 in healthcare workers and hospital staff in a university hospital in Turkey.

To examine the association of health and hospital workers' fears of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, depression, and sociodemographic variables during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 527 participants (237 men/289 women) were included, 222 of the participants were doctors, 99 nurses, 22 assistant health personnel, and 182 hospital personnel without health education. Participants filled in the sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, and Fear of COVID-19 Inventory. In linear regression analysis, independent predictors of the fear of COVID-19 were determined as Beck Anxiety Inventory (p < 0.001), Beck Depression Inventory (p = 0.001), and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 Physical subscale (p = 0.001). The fear of COVID-19 is associated with the physical subscale of anxiety, depression, and anxiety sensitivity.

Serum tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis levels are elevated in schizophrenia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess serum Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) concentrations to determine whether changes in patients with schizophrenia could have etiopathogenetic importance. Since very little research has addressed the connection between the inflammatory marker TWEAK and schizophrenia, we wanted to examine alterations of TWEAK and investigate the possible correlation between clinical symptomatology and serum concentrations. Methods: A total of 45 schizophrenia patients and 40 healthy controls were included in this study. The Positive Symptom Assessment scale and the Negative Symptom Assessment scale were administered to determine symptom severity. Venous blood samples were collected and serum TWEAK levels were measured. Results: Serum TWEAK levels were significantly higher in the schizophrenia group than the control group, independently of potential confounders, including sex, age, body mass index and smoking status. Conclusion: The results indicate that TWEAK is elevated in schizophrenia patients, which could deepen our understanding of the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Comparison of Serum VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Controls.

The aim of this study was to determine whether serum VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α levels differed between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients and healthy controls. A total of 40 children with ASD and 40 healthy controls aged 4-12 years were included. Serum levels of VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Serum IGF-1 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. Serum HIF-1α levels were borderline significantly lower in the ASD group. There was no statistically significant difference in serum VEGF levels between the two groups. IGF-1 and HIF-1α may play a potential role in the etiopathogenesis of ASD.

Serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of this research was to assess whether or not changes in the concentrations of serum zonulin and claudin-5 in patients with schizophrenia could have etiopathogenetic importance. In previous studies, the data regarding the relationship between intestinal and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and the etiology of schizophrenia have been limited. In this study, we assumed that there may be a difference in serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in patients with schizophrenia, which may affect the severity of the disease. Fifty schizophrenia patients and 50 healthy controls were included in this study. The patients were administered the Positive Symptoms Assessment Scale (SAPS) and Negative Symptoms Assessment Scale (SANS) to determine the severity of symptoms. Venous blood samples were collected, and the serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels were measured. The mean serum zonulin levels were significantly increased in patients with schizophrenia when compared to the control group. Serum claudin-5 levels were decreased in the schizophrenia patients when compared to the controls. The present study indicates that zonulin is increased and claudin-5 is decreased in patients with schizophrenia. These findings extend the existing knowledge on the dysregulation of intestinal permeability, especially zonulin, and BBB, especially claudin-5, and show that both proteins may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Serum tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis levels are elevated in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess serum Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) concentrations to determine whether changes in patients with schizophrenia could have etiopathogenetic importance. Since very little research has addressed the connection between the inflammatory marker TWEAK and schizophrenia, we wanted to examine alterations of TWEAK and investigate the possible correlation between clinical symptomatology and serum concentrations. METHODS: A total of 45 schizophrenia patients and 40 healthy controls were included in this study. The Positive Symptom Assessment scale and the Negative Symptom Assessment scale were administered to determine symptom severity. Venous blood samples were collected and serum TWEAK levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum TWEAK levels were significantly higher in the schizophrenia group than the control group, independently of potential confounders, including sex, age, body mass index and smoking status. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that TWEAK is elevated in schizophrenia patients, which could deepen our understanding of the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls by controlling the parameters such as age, sex and body mass index (BMI) percentile which are known to affect these parameters. METHOD: A total of 80 treatment-naive children and adolescents with ADHD and 40 healthy volunteer controls aged 8-12 years were enrolled in this study. The severities of ADHD symptoms were assessed via parent- and teacher-rated questionnaires. The severity of anxiety and depression symptoms of the children were assessed by the self-report inventories. Serum levels of zonulin and claudin-5 were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) revealed a significant main effect of groups in the serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels, an effect that was independent of age, sex and BMI percentile. Significant differences were found between the study groups in terms of serum log-claudin-5 levels. However, there was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of serum zonulin levels. CONCLUSION: These findings provide additional evidence for dysregulation of the blood-brain barrier, especially abnormalities in claudin-5 function, which may be involved in the aetiology of ADHD.Key pointsADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Although ADHD is quite common, its aetiology has yet to be fully explained.In recent years, studies on the relationship between intestinal and blood-brain brain barrier permeability and psychiatric disorders have increased.In our study, serum claudin-5 levels were higher in the ADHD group compared to the control group, while serum zonulin levels did not differ between the groups.

Serum galectin-3 levels are decreased in schizophrenia

Objective: To determine whether changes in serum galectin-3 (gal-3) concentrations in schizophrenia patients have etiopathogenetic importance. Since very little research has assessed the connection between galectins and schizophrenia, we wanted to examine alterations in the inflammatory marker gal-3 in schizophrenia and investigate possible correlations between clinical symptomatology and serum concentrations. Methods: Forty-eight schizophrenia patients and 44 healthy controls were included in this study. The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) were administered to determine symptom severity. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum gal-3 levels were measured. Results: Mean serum gal-3 levels were significantly lower in schizophrenia patients, and there were no significant differences in age or sex with the control group. There was also a significant positive correlation between serum gal-3 concentrations and negative schizophrenia symptoms according to the SANS. Conclusion: The results indicate that gal-3 is decreased in schizophrenia patients, which could contribute to inflammation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

The Relationship between Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratios, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, Aggression, and Intelligence Levels in Boys with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Observations of sex differences have led some scientists to doubt whether the neuroendocrine system is involved in attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) etiology. One of the interesting study subjects in this context is prenatal steroid hormone exposure. The aim of the present study was to replicate and extend previous work by addressing two research questions: 1) Are second-tofourth digit (2D:4D) ratios lower in ADHD than in controls? 2) Is there a correlation between 2D:4D ratios and symptoms of ADHD, aggression and intelligence scores in boys with ADHD? METHODS: The study included 100 treatment-naive male children diagnosed with ADHD and 55 healthy male children. We measured the ratios of 2D:4D and administered a Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised to assess IQ scores, as well as behavioral rating scales, in children with ADHD and comparison individuals. RESULTS: We observed lower 2D:4D ratios in the right hand in ADHD in comparison to the control group. The left-hand ratios of 2D:4D, however, did not differ between ADHD and control groups. There were negative correlations between the left-hand 2D:4D ratios and the hyperactivity scores. However, no significant correlation was detected between right-hand 2D:4D ratios and the psychological questionnaire scores. CONCLUSION: These results provide further evidence that fetal androgen exposure may contribute to the pathophysiology of ADHD, at least in boys.

Empathy, Alexithymia, and Theory of Mind in Borderline Personality Disorder.

The purpose of this research was to determine the differences in empathy, alexithymia features, and theory of mind between healthy controls and patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Thirty-five patients with BPD and 35 healthy controls were included in the study. To measure the clinical variables, the Empathy Quotient (EQ), Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11 (BIS-11), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were applied. We found that the BPD group had significantly worse total RMET and neutral RMET scores than the control group. There were no differences in the EQ scores between the BPD and control groups. The patients with BPD were more alexithymic than the controls, and alexithymia and depression scores predicted BPD status. Patients with BPD who have difficulty identifying their own emotions tend to display deficits in perceptions of facial emotions, which, in turn, may lead to misperceptions of social signals and thus contribute to excessive emotional intensity and tension in social situations. The study results reveal that alexithymia and depression are important variables in predicting BPD traits.

Autistic Traits in Men With Substance Use Disorder.

There has been no study in the literature evaluating autistic traits (ATs) in men with substance use disorders (SUDs). Therefore, we performed the current study to evaluate whether there is a relation between the ATs among men with SUDs and normal controls. A total of 142 men with SUDs and 109 age and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the current study. Present attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms of the participants were evaluated using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. The autism spectrum quotient (AQ) was used to evaluate ATs. The current study found that higher AQ imagination and lower AQ attention to detail scores predicted SUDs after controlling for AQ subscales and present ADHD symptoms. This study shows that ATs may be engaged in the development of SUDs. To explore the connection between ATs and SUDs, more research is needed.

Serum Galectin-3 Levels in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with underlying pathogenesis and etiological factors not fully understood. We assumed that galectin-3, which is also linked with inflammatory responses, may play an important role in the ethiopathogenesis of ADHD. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether serum galectin-3 levels are related to ADHD in childhood. METHODS: The current study consisted of 35 treatment-naive children with ADHD and 35 control subjects. The severities of ADHD and conduct disorder symptoms were assessed via parent- and teacher-rated questionnaires. The severity of anxiety and depression symptoms of the children were determined by the self-report scale. Venous blood samples were collected and serum galectin-3 levels were measured. RESULTS: The ADHD group had significantly higher serum Galectin-3 levels than the control group. To control confounding factors, including age, sex, and BMI percentile, one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test was also performed. Analyses revealed a significantly higher serum log- Galectin-3 levels in children with ADHD compared to controls. No association was found between the mean serum galectin-3 levels and sociodemographic characteristics and clinical test scores, except the oppositional defiant behavior scores. CONCLUSION: Our research supports the hypothesis that serum levels of galectin-3 might be related to ADHD.

Serum galectin-3 levels are decreased in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether changes in serum galectin-3 (gal-3) concentrations in schizophrenia patients have etiopathogenetic importance. Since very little research has assessed the connection between galectins and schizophrenia, we wanted to examine alterations in the inflammatory marker gal-3 in schizophrenia and investigate possible correlations between clinical symptomatology and serum concentrations. METHODS: Forty-eight schizophrenia patients and 44 healthy controls were included in this study. The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) were administered to determine symptom severity. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum gal-3 levels were measured. RESULTS: Mean serum gal-3 levels were significantly lower in schizophrenia patients, and there were no significant differences in age or sex with the control group. There was also a significant positive correlation between serum gal-3 concentrations and negative schizophrenia symptoms according to the SANS. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that gal-3 is decreased in schizophrenia patients, which could contribute to inflammation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in patients with bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: The etiology in bipolar disorder has not been fully understanding. There are limited data regarding the relationship between the permeability of intestinal and blood-brain barrier (BBB), and bipolar disorder etiology. Zonulin is regarded as a non-invasive biomarker for intestinal permeability. Claudin-5 is an important part of BBB permeability. In this study, we assumed that there may be a deterioration in serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in patients with bipolar disorder and this may affect the severity of the disease. METHODS: Forty-one bipolar disorder patients (21 patients in remission and 20 patients with manic episodes) and 41 healthy controls were included in this study. The patients were administered Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to determine the severity of manic and depressive symptoms, respectively. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels were measured. RESULTS: The mean serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in patients were significantly higher than healthy controls. There is no difference zonulin and claudin-5 levels between patients with manic episodes and patients in remission. LIMITATION: This study's small sample size limits the generalization of these outcomes to a larger population. Also, a major limitation of our study is lack of evaluations of gut microbiota in patients with bipolar disorder and controls. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the current research indicates that zonulin and claudin-5 are increased in patients with bipolar disorder and this finding may contribute to the role of intestinal permeability or BBB in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder.