Relationships among autistic traits, depression, anxiety, and maternal-infant bonding in postpartum women.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have found significant relationships between autistic traits and depression/anxiety, the relationships between autistic traits and postpartum depression/anxiety remain unclear. Moreover, few studies have examined the relationships between autistic traits and mother-infant bonding while considering depression or anxiety. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional data analysis design. Participants were 2692 women who completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) at 1 month postpartum. We performed path analysis that included parity, the five AQ subscales (social skills, attention switching, attention to detail, communication, and imagination), both HADS subscales (anxiety and depression), and the two MIBS subscales (lack of affection and anger and rejection). RESULTS: Our path analysis revealed that higher scores for social skills, attention switching, communication, and imagination were associated with higher scores for depression. Higher scores for social skills, attention switching, attention to detail, and communication were associated with higher scores for anxiety. Moreover, difficulties in social skills and imagination were associated with failure of maternal-infant bonding. However, more attention to detail was associated with better maternal-infant bonding. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that maternal autistic traits are related to anxiety and depression to a certain degree, but only slightly related to maternal-infant bonding at 1 month postpartum. To improve autistic women's quality of life and that of their newborns, perinatal mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and maternal-fetal bonding difficulties should be appropriately addressed.

[Detection of Gamma-Ray Irradiation History of Dried Plant-Based Foods via the Analysis of 5,6-Dihydrothymidine].

Irradiation is widely used worldwide to sterilize and kill insects in food, and prevent the germination of agricultural products. However, in Japan, food irradiation is prohibited except to prevent potato sprouting. Herein, 5,6-dihydrothymidine (DHdThd) residue-a damaged nucleoside generated from the thymidine (dThd) residue in DNA contained in food upon irradiation-was used as a detection indicator. Eight dried plant-based food samples were gamma ray-irradiated in the range from 3.2 to 8.3 kGy. Subsequently, DNA was extracted from the irradiated sample and digested into nucleosides by the three enzymes, and the test solution was analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Evidently, in all samples, the concentration ratio of DHdThd to dThd in the test solution (DHdThd/dThd) was dependent on the irradiation dose; moreover, during storage under frozen conditions for at least 890 d post-irradiation, this concentration ratio was equal to that immediately after irradiation. The irradiation histories of the eight types of dried plant-based food samples were correctly detected.

Impact of subcallosal artery origin and A1 asymmetry on surgical outcomes of anterior communicating artery aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Surgical clipping of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms remains challenging due to their complex anatomy. Anatomical risk factors for ACoA aneurysm surgery require further elucidation. The aim of this study is to investigate whether proximity of the midline perforating artery, subcallosal artery (SubCA), and associated anomaly of the ACoA complex affect functional outcomes of ACoA aneurysm surgery. METHODS: A total of 92 patients with both unruptured and ruptured ACoA aneurysms, who underwent surgical clipping, were retrospectively analyzed from a multicenter, observational cohort database. Association of ACoA anatomy with SubCA origin at the aneurysmal neck under microsurgical observation was analyzed in the interhemispheric approach subgroup (n = 56). Then, we evaluated whether anatomical factors associated with SubCA neck origin affected surgical outcomes in the entire cohort (both interhemispheric and pterional approaches, n = 92). RESULTS: In the interhemispheric approach cohort, combination of A1 asymmetry and aneurysmal size ≥ 5.0 mm was stratified to have the highest probability of the SubCA neck origin by a decision tree analysis. Then, among the entire cohort using either interhemispheric or pterional approach, combination of A1 asymmetry and aneurysmal size ≥ 5.0 mm was significantly associated with poor functional outcomes by multivariable logistic regression analysis (OR 6.76; 95% CI 1.19-38.5; p = 0.03) as compared with A1 symmetry group in the acute subarachnoid hemorrhage settings. CONCLUSION: Combination of A1 asymmetry and larger aneurysmal size was significantly associated with SubCA aneurysmal neck origin and poor functional outcomes in ACoA aneurysm surgery. Interhemispheric approach may be proposed to provide a wider and unobstructed view of SubCA for ACoA aneurysms with this high-risk anatomical variant.

Perceived parenting before adolescence and parity have direct and indirect effects via depression and anxiety on maternal-infant bonding in the perinatal period.

AIM: This study was aimed towards detecting how perceived parenting practices before adolescence affect maternal-infant bonding in the perinatal period, considering factors such as depression, anxiety, and parity. METHODS: We used the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) to examine perceived parenting practices. Participants included 1301 pregnant women who completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) at three time points: early pregnancy (approximately 12-15 weeks), late pregnancy (approximately 30-34 weeks) and postpartum (4 weeks after childbirth). We performed a path analysis with factors including parity, PBI subscales (paternal care, paternal overprotection, maternal care and maternal overprotection), HADS and MIBS. RESULTS: Perceived paternal or maternal low care parenting predicted higher HADS and MIBS scores in early pregnancy. Moreover, perceived maternal low care parenting predicted higher HADS scores at postpartum and higher MIBS scores in late pregnancy. Perceived paternal or maternal overprotective parenting predicted higher HADS scores in the pregnancy period. Furthermore, perceived maternal overprotective parenting predicted higher MIBS scores in late pregnancy. Being primipara predicted higher HADS scores at postpartum and higher MIBS scores in early pregnancy and at postpartum. Being multipara predicted higher MIBS scores in late pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that perceived negative parenting before adolescence has indirect effects (via anxiety and depression) and direct effects on maternal-infant bonding in the perinatal period.

[Development of an LC-MS/MS-Based Rapid and Simple Analytical Method for Six Fungicides].

In this study, we developed an LC-MS/MS-based rapid and simple analytical method for six fungicides; imazalil, o-phenylphenol, thiabendazole, fludioxonil, azoxystrobin and pyrimethanil, the latter three were newly approved for use after 2011. For expediting and simplification, we merged the extraction method with that of the pesticide analysis. For purification step, loading of 1 mL of sample extracts to 500 mg Oasis HLB column and elution with 8 mL of acetonitrile gave satisfactory results. The performance of the present method was confirmed for orange, grapefruit, and lemon samples fortified with the six fungicides. The results showed that the average recovery ranged from 89.7 to 100.0%, intra- and inter-assay CV% ranged from 1.5 to 5.0% and from 0.5 to 4.9%, respectively, achieving the target values of the Japanese official guideline for residual pesticide analysis. The limits of quantification of this method were determined to be 1 mg/kg for o-phenylphenol, and 0.2 mg/kg for the other five fungicides. These values were lower than their corresponding regulation values. In addition, we confirmed the usability of the present method for fungicide inspection of commercially available citrus fruits. During 2017-2019, there was no conflict between the food labeling and the fungicides detected and no fungicide with the concentration exceeding maximum residue level was detected.

[Recurrent High-grade Astroblastoma Treated with Stereotactic Radiotherapy:A Case Report].

INTRODUCTION: Astroblastoma is a rare, supratentorial glial tumor, occurring predominantly in children and young adults. However, treatment strategies have not yet been established for this rare disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-year-old boy presented with headache and nausea. CT and MRI revealed a left frontal mass lesion with slight edema and macrocalcifications. Gross tumor resection was performed. Histological examination found neoplastic cells with astroblastic characteristics, and a striking perivascular array of pseudorosettes. The final diagnosis was high-grade astroblastoma. MRI 13 months after surgery suggested local recurrence, and an enlargement was found 3 months later. Stereotactic radiotherapy(SRT)was performed. MRI after SRT showed enhanced cyst formation around the tumor bed, suggesting tumor recurrence. However, 11C-methionine positron emission tomography(PET)revealed radiation necrosis. The last follow-up MRI 15 months after SRT showed no further recurrence. CONCLUSION: Astroblastoma is rare, therefore, no optimal management is known. SRT may be effective to treat recurrent astroblastomas. 11C-methionine PET/CT was useful to differentiate metastatic disease from radiation necrosis.

[Preliminary Experience of a Biplane Flat Panel and Tailor-made Operating Table-equipped Hybrid Operating Room].

A hybrid operating room(Hybrid OR), where operative equipment and flat panel angiography are both available, is becoming common for complex cerebrovascular surgery. However, the current Hybrid OR remains suboptimal as it is not cost-effective and contains uncomfortable operating beds, and a single-plane flat panel. Therefore, we introduced a novel Hybrid OR system, which has a biplane flat panel detector and three mutually exchangeable tailor-made operating beds. In this article, we report our preliminary experience of this novel Hybrid OR, focusing on improved cost-effectiveness by the availability of diagnostic angiography and standard endovascular surgery, optimal selection of three different types of operating beds, and procedural workflow in individual hybrid cerebrovascular surgery.

CD146 is highly expressed in glioma stem cells and acts as a cell cycle regulator.

INTRODUCTION: CD146 is highly expressed in various malignant tumors and contributes to their malignancy phenotype, which involves metastatic and tumorigenic activity. However, studies on the expression and function of CD146 in brain tumors are limited. METHODS: We over-expressed or knocked-down CD146 in both conventionally cultured glioma cells and tumor spheres (TS). The distribution of glioma cells and their stem cells in different cell cycle phases was analyzed by flow cytometry using the stem cell marker CD133 and the glial precursor marker A2B5. CD146 expression was immunohistochemically examined in glioma tissues. RESULTS: The majority of glioma stem cells (GSCs) expressing CD133 were also CD146-positive. CD146 knockdown in GSCs significantly compromised cell growth. Cell cycle analysis revealed that most of the CD146 and CD133 double-positive cells were in the G2/M phase. Ectopic expression of CD146 in parental glioma cells resulted in cell cycle arrest of most differentiated cells in G0/G1 phase. In contrast, ectopic expression of CD146 in GSCs resulted in an increase in the number of CD133-positive cells in the G2/M phase. Furthermore, CD146 knockdown reduced the number of CD133-positive cells in the G2/M phase, which was consistent with effects of cell growth inhibition. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CD146 expression was significantly upregulated in World Health Organization (WHO) Grade III and IV glioma and positively correlated with CD133 expression. CONCLUSIONS: CD146 is mainly expressed in dividing GSCs and may be a potential target for eradicating glioma stem cells.

A case report of psychiatric symptoms following direct-acting antiviral and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C in a patient with innate anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) result in a highly sustained virological response rate and better patient tolerance. However, this therapeutic approach may, on rare occasions, give rise to psychiatric symptoms. We describe a case requiring discontinuation of DAA and ribavirin combination therapy due to psychiatric symptoms in a patient with congenital anxious personality traits. The information summarized here will be helpful to physicians treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with underlying psychiatric problems. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed with chronic HCV infection was prescribed DAA and ribavirin combination therapy. She had a history of mild innate anxiety and development of psychiatric symptoms due to interferon (IFN) therapy 8 years prior, which subsided with discontinuation of the therapy. Similar psychiatric symptoms such as enervation, palpitations, an episode of hyperventilation, and consciousness disturbances with myotonia were observed after the administration of the antiviral agents. No abnormal findings related to her symptoms were observed on laboratory or imaging results. Psychiatrists diagnosed the patient as having a somatization disorder induced by the antiviral agents on the basis of innate anxiety. After the discontinuation of therapy, her symptoms gradually improved. CONCLUSIONS: Although DAAs were not causative factors for psychiatric symptoms in phase 3 studies, a post-marketing study reported psychiatric symptoms such as depression in patients with underlying psychiatric problems. Our case suggests psychiatric symptoms might worsen after DAA and ribavirin administration in patients with underlying psychiatric disorders, and therefore, close monitoring is necessary for these patients, especially if they have a history of psychiatric symptoms after IFN.

[Failed Surgical Clipping of a Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm with Oculomotor Nerve Palsy due to Ventricular Tachycardia:Validity of Endovascular Coiling in the Hybrid Operating Room].

Unruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysms with oculomotor nerve palsy are at high risk of rupture, and early intervention is recommended to prevent aneurysm bleeding and to improve oculomotor function. Both surgical clipping and endovascular coiling are available, and either of them is applied according to the anatomical condition and patient's comorbidity. In this article, we describe a case of an unruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm with oculomotor nerve palsy, which was initially treated with surgical clipping. Owing to ventricular tachycardia during surgery, the craniotomy was discontinued and switched to endovascular coiling. In this operation, use of a hybrid operating room for coiling enabled adequate heparinization and immediate recraniotomy to prevent ischemic and hemorrhagic complications, respectively.

Problems and solutions of polyethylene glycol co-injection method in multiresidue pesticide analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: evaluation of instability phenomenon in type II pyrethroids and its suppression by novel analyte protectants.

Polyethylene glycol 300 is commonly used as a base material for "analyte protection" in multiresidue pesticide analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. However, the disadvantage of the co-injection method using polyethylene glycol 300 is that it causes peak instability in α-cyano pyrethroids (type II pyrethroids) such as fluvalinate. In this study, we confirmed the instability phenomenon in type II pyrethroids and developed novel analyte protectants for acetone/n-hexane mixture solution to suppress the phenomenon. Our findings revealed that among the examined additive compounds, three lipophilic ascorbic acid derivatives, 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid, 6-O-palmitoyl-L-ascorbic acid, and 6-O-stearoyl-L-ascorbic acid, could effectively stabilize the type II pyrethroids in the presence of polyethylene glycol 300. A mixture of the three ascorbic acid derivatives and polyethylene glycol 300 proved to be an effective analyte protectant for multiresidue pesticide analysis. Further, we designed and evaluated a new combination of analyte protectant compounds without using polyethylene glycol or the troublesome hydrophilic compounds. Consequently, we obtained a set of 10 medium- and long-chain saturated fatty acids as an effective analyte protectant suitable for acetone/n-hexane solution that did not cause peak instability in type II pyrethroids. These analyte protectants will be useful in multiresidue pesticide analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in terms of ruggedness and reliable quantitativeness. Graphical abstract Comparison of effectiveness of the addition of lipophilic derivatives of ascorbic acid in controlling the instability phenomenon of fluvalinate with polyethylene glycol 300.

[Enhancement of Pesticide Peak Response in GC-MS in the Presence of Multiple Co-Existing Reference Pesticides].

We carried out a collaborative study in six laboratories to confirm the universality of the enhancing effect of co-existing reference pesticides on the GC-MS peak response to a target pesticide (malathion, procymidone, or flucythrinate). First, we confirmed the response enhancement of the target pesticides with increasing numbers of co-existing reference pesticides in solution. Then, using diluted green soybean matrix, we analyzed the target pesticides with two types of matrix-matched calibration, containing the target pesticides or 166 other pesticides. In both cases, the response-enhancing effect of co-existing pesticides was confirmed in all laboratories. The enhancement was reduced by addition of green soybean matrix to the sample and calibration solutions. Our results show that it is necessary to estimate the peak response-enhancing effect of co-existing pesticides in the calibration solution to obtain accurate results with GC-MS determination. The enhancing effect could be reduced by addition of food matrix to the sample and calibration solutions.

Effect of GWAS-Identified Genetic Variants on Maximum QT Interval in Patients With Schizophrenia Receiving Antipsychotic Agents: A 24-Hour Holter ECG Study.

BACKGROUND: Users of antipsychotics (APs) have a risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Sudden cardiac death in such patients is thought to be largely due to drug-induced QT prolongation. It has been reported that many subjects with drug-induced torsades de pointes (TdP) have risk alleles associated with subclinical congenital long QT syndrome. METHODS: We investigated the effects of the risk alleles associated with long QT on the QT interval in patients receiving APs using 24-hour Holter electrocardiograms to take into account the circadian fluctuation of QT intervals. We investigated 8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified on a GWAS. RESULTS: We found that increased numbers of risk alleles at rs7188697 in NDRG4 and rs11970286 in PLN were the major predictors of an increased maximum QT interval over 24 hours in users of APs. CONCLUSIONS: It could be useful to perform a DNA-based analysis before the initiation of APs to reduce the risk of drug-induced torsades de pointes and SCD.

Evaluation of the matrix-like effect in multiresidue pesticide analysis by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

In multiresidue pesticide analysis using gas chromatography, it has long been recognized that an increase in the number of pesticides present in a standard solution can result in an enhancement of the peak responses of certain pesticides. Despite being widely acknowledged, this phenomenon has been rarely studied and is poorly understood. In this study, the authors have tentatively called this phenomenon the "matrix-like effect" and demonstrated it clearly using gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Five selected pesticides, namely, omethoate, terbufos, malathion, procymidone, and permethrin, and four internal standard candidates, namely, triphenyl phosphate, naphthalene-d8 , phenanthrene-d10 , and fluoranthene-d10 , were used to evaluate the matrix-like effect following the addition of 58, 108, and 166 other pesticides. With the exception of naphthalene-d8 , the responses of all evaluated pesticides and internal standard candidates were dramatically enhanced by the addition of up to 166 coexisting pesticides. The relative response factors of the five pesticides to each internal standard candidate were not constant under the conditions studied, meaning that these internal standard candidates did not adequately compensate for the matrix-like effect, at least for the five evaluated pesticides. The results revealed that the presence of various mixtures of pesticides in standard solutions might act as an unintentional analyte protectant, that is, some sort of troublesome "quasi-matrix."

GIPR Gene Polymorphism and Weight Gain in Patients With Schizophrenia Treated With Olanzapine.

Association between gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor polymorphism, rs10423928, and body mass index in olanzapine-treated schizophrenia was examined. Body mass index change for the A/T+A/A genotypes was significantly higher than that for the T/T genotype. rs10423928 may predict weight gain in schizophrenia.

High prevalence of underweight and undernutrition in Japanese inpatients with schizophrenia.

AIMS: In Europe and North America, schizophrenia patients treated with antipsychotic agents have a higher prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome compared with healthy individuals. In Japan, the prevalence of overweight/obesity in the general population is considerably lower than that in Europe and North America. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity as well as laboratory data in Japanese inpatients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The subjects were 333 inpatients with schizophrenia and 191 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m(2) , standard weight was defined as BMI ≥ 18.5 to <25 kg/m(2) and underweight was defined as BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2) . RESULTS: A significant difference in the prevalence of the three BMI levels was observed between schizophrenia patients and controls (P < 0.001). The prevalence of underweight was significantly higher in schizophrenia patients than that in controls (P < 0.001). The prevalence of hypoproteinemia (P < 0.001) and of hypocholesterolemia (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in schizophrenia patients than in controls. In schizophrenia patients, the prevalence of hypotriglyceridemia was significantly higher in the underweight group than in the standard weight group (P = 0.003) and in the overweight/obesity group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of underweight in Japanese inpatients with schizophrenia may be higher compared with that in the general population. Therefore, the physical health of inpatients should be more carefully taken into account in clinical practice.

Changes in PR and QTc intervals after switching from olanzapine to risperidone in patients with stable schizophrenia.

AIM: We examined the difference between the effects of olanzapine (OLZ) and risperidone (RIS) on PR and QT intervals among patients with stable schizophrenia using a cohort analysis. METHODS: Twenty-one subjects treated with OLZ were enrolled in the study. Following baseline assessments, which included PR and QT intervals, OLZ was switched to RIS for each subject. The same parameters were evaluated following the switch to RIS. RESULTS: All patients who had been treated with OLZ were successfully switched to RIS. In all patients, we observed a significant decrease in PR interval (t = 2.397, P = 0.029) and no change in either QTc or RR interval. In female patients, the QTc interval was significantly decreased (t = 3.495, P = 0.008) following the switch, while in male patients, the QTc interval did not change. No patients showed a PR interval of >200 ms or a QTc interval of >500 ms. CONCLUSION: OLZ treatment has a greater prolonging effect on PR and QT intervals compared with RIS. Careful attention may need to be paid to the cardiac conduction system in addition to QT prolongation during OLZ treatment.

Retrograde thrombectomy of acute common carotid artery occlusion with mobile thrombus: illustrative cases.

BACKGROUND: Acute embolic occlusion of the common carotid artery (CCA) alone is rare. However, once it occurs, recanalization is challenging due to the large volume of the clot, larger diameter of the CCA, and risk of procedure-related distal embolism into the intracranial arteries. OBSERVATIONS: The authors report two cases of acute embolic occlusion of CCA alone, caused by a cardiac embolus trapped at the proximal end of a preexisting atherosclerotic plaque at the cervical carotid bifurcation. In both cases, the CCA was successfully recanalized using retrograde thrombectomy in a hybrid operating room. In case 1, a 78-year-old male with acute right CCA occlusion underwent retrograde thrombectomy, where the cervical carotid bifurcation was exposed and incised, and the entire embolus was retrieved with forceps. Despite successful revascularization, massive bleeding from the CCA just after the retrieval remained a concern. In case 2, a 79-year-old female with acute right CCA occlusion underwent retrograde thrombectomy in the same manner. Because manual retrieval failed, a Fogarty balloon catheter inserted from the arteriotomy successfully retrieved the entire thrombus with minimal blood loss. LESSONS: Retrograde thrombectomy through the arteriotomy of the cervical carotid bifurcation safely and effectively recanalizes acute embolic occlusion of the CCA alone.

Impact of the ABCB1 gene polymorphism on plasma 9-hydroxyrisperidone and active moiety levels in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

9-Hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RIS) is an active metabolite of the antipsychotic drug risperidone (RIS). The total active moiety level, in other words the sum of the RIS and 9-OH-RIS serum levels, may be important for estimating the clinical effects of RIS treatment. However, there have been no consistent results reported regarding the relationship between cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 or adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) variant alleles and 9-OH-RIS or total active moiety plasma levels. Seventy-four Japanese patients treated with RIS were examined in the present study. Steady-state plasma RIS and 9-OH-RIS were measured. The CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*10, ABCB1 3435C>T, and ABCB1 2677G>T/A genotypes were detected. Multiple regression analysis showed that the dose-corrected plasma RIS levels were significantly correlated with the number of CYP2D6 variant alleles and ABCB1 3435C>T genotypes, whereas the 9-OH-RIS and total active moiety levels were significantly correlated with the ABCB1 3435C>T genotypes and with age. On the other hand, the ABCB1 2677G>T/A genotypes did not affect plasma RIS, 9-OH-RIS, or total active moiety levels. The ABCB1 3435C>T genetic polymorphism may predict plasma 9-OH-RIS and total active moiety levels.