Characterizing the clinical profile of mania without major depressive episodes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of factors associated with unipolar mania.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic concept of unipolar mania (UM), i.e. the lifetime occurrence of mania without major depressive episodes, remains a topic of debate despite the evidence accumulated in the last few years. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies testing factors associated with UM as compared to bipolar disorder with a manic-depressive course (md-BD). METHODS: Studies indexed up to July 2022 in main electronic databases were searched. Random-effects meta-analyses of the association between UM and relevant correlates yielded odds ratio (OR) or standardized mean difference (SMD), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Based on data from 21 studies, factors positively or negatively associated with UM, as compared to md-BD, were: male gender (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.11-1.94); age at onset (SMD -0.25; 95% CI -0.46 to -0.04); number of hospitalizations (SMD 0.53; 95% CI 0.21-0.84); family history of depression (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.36-0.85); suicide attempts (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.19-0.34); comorbid anxiety disorders (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.26-0.49); psychotic features (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.55-3.00); hyperthymic temperament (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.17-3.40). The quality of evidence for the association with previous suicide attempts was high, moderate for anxiety disorders and psychotic features, and low or very low for other correlates. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the heterogeneous quality of evidence, this work supports the hypothesis that UM might represent a distinctive diagnostic construct, with peculiar clinical correlates. Additional research is needed to better differentiate UM in the context of affective disorders, favouring personalized care approaches.

Performing real time neuropsychological testing during awake craniotomy: are dexmedetomidine or propofol the same? A preliminary report.

PURPOSE: In awake surgery, the patient is sedated, but is also required to be sufficiently alert and collaborative during extensive neurocognitive testing. In the present preliminary report of a retrospective single-center study, a continuous series of 168 patients who underwent awake surgery for brain tumor located near eloquent areas, was investigated to observe the effect of dexmedetomidine (n = 58) compared with propofol (n = 110) on vigilance and collaboration required to perform extensive intra-operatory Real Time Neuropsychological Testing (RTNT). METHODS: We assigned a score to each patient, by using a scale that combines vigilance and collaboration in a 5 levels score (the higher score denoting higher level). RESULTS: The median interquartile range was significantly lower (range 3-5) for the dexmedetomidine group compared to the propofol one (range 4-5, p = .044). Patients with intra-operative seizures (p = .014) and/or electrocorticographic slow/epileptiform activity (p = .042), and patients in the propofol group who showed increased heart rate (p = .032) were those who obtained the lower scores (lower vigilance and collaboration level). CONCLUSION: The study shows that the effect of dexmedetomidine or propofol -based conscious sedation on ability to perform Real Time Neuropsychological Testing during awake surgery for supratentorial tumor resection is different. Although both permit high mean levels of vigilance and collaboration, the patient who received dexmedetomidine was more likely to show lower vigilance and collaboration during RTNT.

The role of BDNF in major depressive disorder, related clinical features, and antidepressant treatment: Insight from meta-analyses.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has received considerable attention as a potential biomarker of major depressive disorder (MDD) and antidepressant response. We conducted an overview of meta-analyses investigating the relationship of BDNF with MDD, related clinical features, and antidepressant treatment. Based on a systematic screening on main electronic databases, 11 systematic reviews with meta-analyses were included. Available evidence suggests that people with MDD have peripheral and central BDNF levels lower than non-depressed individuals. A negative correlation between blood BDNF and symptom severity emerged, while no association with suicidality was detected. Moreover, an increase in blood BDNF levels after antidepressant treatment, proportional to symptom improvement, was reported. BDNF levels seem to be increased in both treatment responders and remitters, remaining stable in non-responders. Conversely, no variations of BDNF concentrations after non-pharmacological interventions (electroconvulsive therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and physical activity) were found. The findings of this overview appear consistent with the neurotrophic hypothesis of depression, suggesting that BDNF may play a role in both MDD pathophysiology and pharmacological treatment response.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine versus Propofol on Intraoperative Seizure Onset During Awake Craniotomy: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) compared with propofol on intraoperative seizures (IOSs) detected using electrocorticography during awake craniotomy for resection of brain tumors is unknown. This investigation aimed to compare IOS rate in patients receiving DEX versus propofol as sedative agent. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, awake craniotomies performed from January 2014 to December 2019 were analyzed. All IOSs detected by electrocorticography along with vital signs were recorded. RESULTS: Of 168 adults enrolled in the study, 58 were administered DEX and 110 were administered propofol. IOSs occurred more frequently in the DEX group (22%) versus the propofol group (11%) (P = 0.046). A higher incidence of bradycardia was also observed in the DEX group (P < 0.001). Higher incidence of hypertension and a higher mean heart rate were recorded in the propofol group (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively). No serious adverse events requiring active drug administration were noted in either group. At univariate regression analysis, DEX demonstrated a tendency to favor IOS onset but without statistical significance (odds ratio = 2.36, P = 0.051). Patients in both groups had a similar epilepsy outcome at the 1-year postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: IOSs detected with electrocorticography during awake craniotomy occurred more frequently in patients receiving DEX than propofol. However, patients receiving DEX were not shown to be at a statistically significant greater risk for IOS onset. DEX is a valid alternative to propofol during awake craniotomy in patients affected by tumor-related epilepsy.

Analysis of the pushing phase in Paralympic cross-country sit-skiers - Class LW10.

Paralympic Cross-Country sit-skiers use adaptive equipment, with a resulting gesture similar to double poling techniques adopted by able-bodied skiers. Despite the similarity, a specific attention on the gesture performed by sit-skiers is needed. The paper focuses on the sledge kinematic and on inertia effect of upper body motion which is translated in a propulsive effect in the early stage of the pushing cycle. In particular a group of 7 elite sit skiers of class LW10 were recorded with a video-based markerless motion capture technique during 1 km sprint Paralympic race. A biomechanical model, consisting of 7 anatomical points and 4 technical ones, is used to track the kinematics from video-images, then body segments, joints of interest and relative angles are evaluated. In this paper we focus on the biomechanics of the poling cycle, in particular prior to the onset of pole plant. The aim was to evaluate the contribution of the upper body to the early stage of the propulsive action. To this porpoise body inertial forces for each athlete are calculated using kinematic data, then normalized with respect to the athlete's body mass. The results show that in LW10 sit-skiers an important sledge propulsion, prior to the onset of pole plant, is provided by the inertial effect, due to the upper body region (arms and forearms) motion.

Muscle perfusion and oxygen consumption by near-infrared spectroscopy in septic-shock and non-septic-shock patients.

OBJECTIVE: To measure muscle blood flow (Qtis) and oxygen consumption (VO(2)tis) in septic and non-septic critically ill patients by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). SETTING: Surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Four patients with septic shock, eight post-surgical critically ill patients and ten healthy volunteers. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Oxyhaemoglobin (HbO(2)) and deoxyhaemoglobin (HbH) variations after venous occlusion were measured by NIRS in the brachioradialis muscle. We calculated Qtis by the rate of HbO(2) and HbH increase in the first 30 s of venous occlusion divided by haemoglobin blood concentration. VO(2)tis was calculated by subtraction of the arterial HbH from the initial increase of HbH after venous occlusion extrapolated to 1 min. Tissue oxygenation index [TOI = HbO(2)/(HbO(2)+HbH)] was also measured before venous occlusion. Two measurements in patients with septic shock, and one measurement in non-septic-shock patients and healthy subjects, were obtained. Of the measurements, 35% were repeated because of low-quality NIRS signal. VO(2)tis and Qtis were two times larger ( P<0.05) in patients with septic shock than in patients without and in healthy subjects. The TOI was very similar among the three groups. CONCLUSION: In septic-shock patients the increase in VO(2)tis was associated with an equivalent increase in Qtis. Therefore, tissue O(2) supply does not seem to be a limiting factor for muscle O(2) consumption. NIRS combined with venous occlusion allows a rapid, non-invasive and simultaneous assessment of regional perfusion and oxygen consumption. In case of microcirculatory shunt occurrence, the TOI should be cautiously used to assess tissue oxygenation state.