Risk Of Disorders Research Articles

Genetically predicted fatty liver disease and risk of psychiatric disorders: A mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) constitute the primary forms of chronic liver disease, and their incidence is progressively increasing with changes in lifestyle habits. Earlier studies have documented a correlation between the occurrence and development of prevalent mental disorders and fatty liver. AIM To investigate the correlation between fatty liver and mental disorders, thus necessitating the implementation of a mendelian randomization (MR) study to elucidate this association. METHODS Data on NAFLD and ArLD were retrieved from the genome-wide association studies catalog, while information on mental disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, multiple personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia was acquired from the psychiatric genomics consortium. A two-sample MR method was applied to investigate mediators in significant associations. RESULTS After excluding weak instrumental variables, a causal relationship was identified between fatty liver disease and the occurrence and development of some psychiatric disorders. Specifically, the findings indicated that ArLD was associated with a significantly elevated risk of developing ADHD (OR: 5.81, 95%CI: 5.59-6.03, P < 0.01), bipolar disorder (OR: 5.73, 95%CI: 5.42-6.05, P = 0.03), OCD (OR: 6.42, 95%CI: 5.60-7.36, P < 0.01), and PTSD (OR: 5.66, 95%CI: 5.33-6.01, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, NAFLD significantly increased the risk of developing bipolar disorder (OR: 55.08, 95%CI: 3.59-845.51, P < 0.01), OCD (OR: 61.50, 95%CI: 6.69-565.45, P < 0.01), and PTSD (OR: 52.09, 95%CI: 4.24-639.32, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Associations were found between genetic predisposition to fatty liver disease and an increased risk of a broad range of psychiatric disorders, namely bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD, highlighting the significance of preventive measures against psychiatric disorders in patients with fatty liver disease.

The Intergenerational Transfer of Mental Disorders: A Population-Based Multigenerational Linkage Study: Le transfert intergénérationnel des troubles mentaux : une étude sur les liens multigénérationnels basée sur la population.

The aetiology of mental disorders involves genetic and environmental factors, both reflected in family health history. We examined the intergenerational transmission of multiple mental disorders from parents and grandparents using population-based, objectively measured family histories. This population-based retrospective cohort study used administrative healthcare databases in Manitoba, Canada and included adults living in Manitoba from 1977 to 2020 with linkages to at least one parent and one grandparent. Index date was when individuals turned 18 or 1 April 1977, whichever occurred later. Mental disorder diagnoses (mood and anxiety, substance use and psychotic disorders) were identified in individuals, parents and grandparents from hospitalization and outpatient records. Cox proportional hazards regression models included sociodemographic characteristics, individual's comorbidity and mental disorder history in a grandparent, mother and father. Of 109,359 individuals with no mental disorder prior to index date, 47.1% were female, 36.3% had a mental disorder during follow-up, and 90.9% had a parent or grandparent with a history of a mental disorder prior to the index date. Both paternal and maternal history of a mental disorder increased the risk of the disorder in individuals. Psychotic disorders had the strongest association with parental history and were mostly influenced by paternal (hazards ratio [HR] 3.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.99 to 4.64) compared to maternal history (HR 2.23, 95% CI, 1.89 to 2.64). Grandparent history was independently associated with the risk of all mental disorders but had the strongest influence on substance use disorders (HR 1.42, 95% CI, 1.34 to 1.50). Parental history of mental disorders was associated with an increased risk of all mental disorders. Grandparent history of mental disorders was associated with a small risk increase of the disorders above and beyond parental history influence. This three-generation study further highlights the need for family-based interventional programs in families affected by mental disorders. The Intergenerational Transfer of Mental Illnesses.

Lithium Exposure and Risk of Major Neurocognitive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Published studies on the association between lithium use and the decreased risk of major neurocognitive disorders (MNCDs) have shown disparities in their conclusions. We aimed to provide updated evidence of this association. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library from inception until August 31, 2023. All the observational studies evaluating the association between lithium use and MNCD risk were eligible for inclusion. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% prediction intervals were computed using random-effects models. Eight studies with 377,060 subjects were included in the analysis. In the general population on the association between lithium use versus nonuse and dementia, the OR was 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77-1.24). Further analysis also demonstrated that lithium use was not associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.31-1.65). When the analysis was restricted to individuals with bipolar disorder to reduce the confounding by clinical indication, lithium exposure was also not associated with a decreased risk of MNCD (OR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.71-1.15). The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis do not support a significant association between lithium use and the risk of MNCD.

Comparison of multi-task ergonomic assessment methods for risk of upper extremity and low back musculoskeletal disorders

Work-related musculoskeletal disorder of upper extremity multi-task assessment methods (Revised Strain Index [RSI], Distal Upper Extremity Tool [DUET]) and manual handling multi-task assessment methods (Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation [RNLE], Lifting Fatigue Failure Tool [LiFFT]) were compared. RSI and DUET showed a strong correlation (rs = 0.933, p < 0.001) where increasing risk factor exposure resulted in increasing outputs for both methods. RSI and DUET demonstrated fair agreement (κ = 0.299) in how the two methods classified outputs into risk categories (high, moderate or low) when assessing the same tasks. The RNLE and LiFFT showed a strong correlation (rs = 0.903, p = 0.001) where increasing risk factor exposure resulted in increasing outputs, and moderate agreement (κ = 0.574) in classifying the outputs into risk categories (high, moderate or low) when assessing the same tasks. The multi-task assessment methods provide consistent output magnitude rankings in terms of increasing exposure, however some differences exist between how different methods classify the outputs into risk categories.

Improving alcohol and substance use screening in school-age children: translation, adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the CRAFFT tool for Lumasaaba, Uganda

BackgroundChildren at risk of substance use disorders (SUD) should be detected using brief structured tools for early intervention. This study sought to translate and adapt the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Family/Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) tool to determine its diagnostic accuracy, and the optimum cut-point to identify substance use disorders (SUD) risk in Ugandan children aged 6 to 13 years.MethodsThis was a sequential mixed-methods study conducted in two phases. In the first qualitative phase, in Kampala and Mbale, the clinician-administered CRAFFT tool version 2.1 was translated into the local Lumasaaba dialect and culturally adapted through focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews, in collaboration with the tool’s authors. Expert reviews and translations by bilingual experts provided insights on linguistic comprehensibility and cultural appropriateness, while pilot testing with the target population evaluated the tool’s preliminary effectiveness. In the second phase, the CRAFFT tool, adapted to Lumasaaba, was quantitatively validated against the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) for diagnosing SUD in Mbale district, through a survey. Participants, chosen randomly from schools stratified according to ownership, location, and school size, were assessed for the tool’s reliability and validity, including comparisons to the MINI KID as the Gold Standard for diagnosing SUD. Data were analyzed using STATA-15. Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and criterion validity of the CRAFFT with the MINI-KID.ResultsOf the 470 children enrolled, 2.1% (n = 10) had missing data on key variables, leaving 460 for analysis. The median age and interquartile range (IQR) was 11 (9–12) years and 56.6% were girls. A total of 116 (25.2%) children had consumed alcohol in the last twelve-month period and 7 (1.5%) had used other substances. The mean CRAFFT score for all the children (n = 460) was 0.32 (SD 0.95). The prevalence of any alcohol use disorder (2 or more positive answers on the MINI KID) in the last 12 months was 7.2% (n = 32). The Lumasaaba version of the CRAFFT tool demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.86) and inter-item correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.84 (p < 0.001). At a cut-off score of 1.00, the CRAFFT had optimal sensitivity (91%) and specificity (92%) (Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.91; 95% CI 0.86–0.97) to screen for SUD. A total of 62 (13.5%) had CRAFFT scores of > 1.ConclusionThe Lumasaaba version of the CRAFFT tool has sufficient sensitivity and specificity to identify school-age children at risk of SUD.

Serum vitamin D concentrations and sleep disorders: insights from NHANES 2011-2016 and Mendelian Randomization analysis.

This investigation seeks to examine the association between serum vitamin D concentrations and the prevalence of sleep disorders, additionally elucidating the causal relationship via Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis. This research employed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2016, focusing on adults aged 20-50years reporting sleep disorders. The research encompassed 4913 American adults. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models and cubic spline analyses were utilized to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D concentrations and the incidence of sleep disorders. Additionally, a two-sample Mendelian Randomization analysis was performed to evaluate the potential causal link between serum vitamin D concentrations and the risk of sleep disorders. Within the 2011-2016 NHANES cohort of the U.S. population, a notable inverse association was detected between serum vitamin D concentrations and sleep disorders (β = - 3.81, 95% CI: - 6.10 to - 1.52, p = 0.003). After multivariate adjustments, a higher incidence of sleep disorders was associated with lower vitamin D Concentrations (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10-2.10, trend p = 0.014). Restricted cubic spline regression analysis indicated a linear association between serum vitamin D concentrations and sleep disorders(non-linearity p > 0.05). Lastly, the two-sample MR analysis yielded evidence supporting a potential causal connection between serum vitamin D concentrations and sleep disorders, with each unit increase in genetically predicted serum vitamin D reducing the odds ratio to 0.78 (95% CI 0.61-0.99, p = 0.044). These results imply that lower vitamin D concentrations in the population might correlate with a heightened risk of sleep disorders, suggesting the importance of considering vitamin D supplementation when treating sleep disorders.

Is the Tendon-to-Groove Ratio Associated with Elevated Risk for LHB Tendon Disorders?—A New Approach of Preoperative MR-Graphic Analysis for Targeted Diagnosis of Tendinopathy of the Long Head of Biceps

Background: Pathologies of the long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon are a common cause of anterior shoulder pain. While the influence of the anatomical morphology of the intertubercular groove (ITG) on the development of LHB tendon instability has been investigated with ambiguous results, the relationship of the LHB to ITG anatomy has not yet been considered in this context. The objective of this study was to reliably extract the tendon-to-groove ratio from MRI scans of symptomatic patients and examine its potential influence on the occurrence of certain causes for LHB-associated symptoms. Methods: In this retrospective study, preoperative MRI scans of 35 patients (mean age of 46 ± 14 years) presenting with anterior shoulder pain and clinical indications of LHB tendinopathy were analyzed in transversal planes. Long and short diameters of the LHB tendon and ITG were measured, cross-sectional areas of the LHB tendon and ITG were calculated from these measurements, and the ratio of cross-sectional areas (LHB/ITG) was introduced. All measurements were repeated independently by three investigators and inter-rater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Thereafter, tendon-to-groove ratios were compared in patients with and without intraoperative signs of LHB tendon instability. Results: All patients exhibited intraoperative signs of LHB tendinitis, with additional findings including pulley lesions and SLAP lesions. Analysis revealed variations in the dimensions of the LHB tendon and ITG cross sections, with the tendon-to-groove ratio decreasing from 37% at the pulley to 31% at the deepest point of the sulcus. Very good inter-rater reliability was observed for all measurements. The tendon-to-groove ratio did not significantly differ (p &gt; 0.05) in patients with or without pulley lesions or SLAP lesions. Conclusions: Our study introduced the novel parameter of the tendon-to-groove ratio of cross-sectional areas as a reproducible parameter for the description of local anatomy in the field of targeted diagnosis of LHB tendon disorders. While our findings do not yet support the predictive value of the tendon-to-groove ratio, they underscore the importance of further research with larger cohorts and control groups to validate these observations.

Up for the tackle? The pelvic floor and rugby. A review

AbstractThe pelvic floor and its associated disorders are a unique and often overlooked aspect of women's rugby. This review discusses relevant biopsychosocial considerations specific to the pelvic floor and rugby. Pelvic floor disorders can present at any time across the female lifespan but are more prevalent during pregnancy and postpartum. This is due to the substantial physiological and anatomical changes experienced during pregnancy and vaginal childbirth. Consequently, pelvic floor disorders can impact a player's ability to perform, maintain engagement with, or return to, rugby due to symptoms. Players need to be informed, supported, and guided through focused pelvic floor muscle training to condition the muscles and ‘ready’ them for the varied demands of rugby. Health and fitness professionals should understand the risk of pelvic floor disorders across the female lifespan and screen players for symptoms when supporting them to maintain or return to rugby. Rugby players who are symptomatic of pelvic floor disorders should be signposted to specialist services and/or resources to manage their symptoms. Once engaging in rugby training, ongoing evaluation of player load tolerance and implementation of individualized strategies to support managing rugby‐related loads to the pelvic floor should be considered. Finally, surveillance and research focusing specifically on rugby players and pelvic floor function are needed.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Obesity, Metabolic Parameters and Clinical Values in the South Korean Adult Population

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on obesity, metabolic parameters, and clinical values in the South Korean population. Data from the seventh and eighth National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed, comprising 3560 participants in 2018 (pre-COVID-19) and 3309 participants in 2021 (post-COVID-19). The study focused on adults aged 19 years and older who were overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). The results showed a significant increase in waist circumference (approximately 2 cm), BMI (approximately 0.11 kg/m2), systolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (1.76 mg/dL higher), and glycated hemoglobin (0.14% higher) in the post-COVID-19 group compared to the pre-COVID-19 group. Additionally, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia increased by 4% after the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings suggest an increased risk of obesity, abdominal obesity, and metabolic disorders, such as blood sugar disorders, in the post-COVID-19 period. Urine analysis revealed abnormal findings, including occult blood, urobilinogen, hematuria, proteinuria, ketone urea, glycosuria, and bacteriuria. The study highlights the negative impact of lifestyle changes, such as reduced physical activity and social gatherings, on physical vital signs and clinical values during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of air pollution and climate change on mental health outcomes: an umbrella review of global evidence.

The impact of air pollution and climate change on mental health has recently raised strong concerns. However, a comprehensive overview analyzing the existing evidence while addressing relevant biases is lacking. This umbrella review systematically searched the PubMed/Medline, Scopus and PsycINFO databases (up to June 26, 2023) for any systematic review with meta-analysis investigating the association of air pollution or climate change with mental health outcomes. We used the R metaumbrella package to calculate and stratify the credibility of the evidence according to criteria (i.e., convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, or weak) that address several biases, complemented by sensitivity analyses. We included 32 systematic reviews with meta-analysis that examined 284 individual studies and 237 associations of exposures to air pollution or climate change hazards and mental health outcomes. Most associations (n=195, 82.3%) involved air pollution, while the rest (n=42, 17.7%) regarded climate change hazards (mostly focusing on temperature: n=35, 14.8%). Mental health outcomes in most associations (n=185, 78.1%) involved mental disorders, followed by suicidal behavior (n=29, 12.4%), access to mental health care services (n=9, 3.7%), mental disorders-related symptomatology (n=8, 3.3%), and multiple categories together (n=6, 2.5%). Twelve associations (5.0%) achieved convincing (class I) or highly suggestive (class II) evidence. Regarding exposures to air pollution, there was convincing (class I) evidence for the association between long-term exposure to solvents and a higher incidence of dementia or cognitive impairment (odds ratio, OR=1.139), and highly suggestive (class II) evidence for the association between long-term exposure to some pollutants and higher risk for cognitive disorders (higher incidence of dementia with high vs. low levels of carbon monoxide, CO: OR=1.587; higher incidence of vascular dementia per 1 μg/m3 increase of nitrogen oxides, NOx: hazard ratio, HR=1.004). There was also highly suggestive (class II) evidence for the association between exposure to airborne particulate matter with diameter ≤10μm (PM10) during the second trimester of pregnancy and the incidence of post-partum depression (OR=1.023 per 1 μg/m3 increase); and for the association between short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2) and schizophrenia relapse (risk ratio, RR=1.005 and 1.004 per 1 μg/m3 increase, respectively 5 and 7 days after exposure). Regarding climate change hazards, there was highly suggestive (class II) evidence for the association between short-term exposure to increased temperature and suicide- or mental disorders-related mortality (RR=1.024), suicidal behavior (RR=1.012), and hospital access (i.e., hospitalization or emergency department visits) due to suicidal behavior or mental disorders (RR=1.011) or mental disorders only (RR=1.009) (RR values per 1°C increase). There was also highly suggestive (class II) evidence for the association between short-term exposure to increased apparent temperature (i.e., the temperature equivalent perceived by humans) and suicidal behavior (RR=1.01 per 1°C increase). Finally, there was highly suggestive (class II) evidence for the association between the temporal proximity of cyclone exposure and severity of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (r=0.275). Although most of the above associations were small in magnitude, they extend to the entire world population, and are therefore likely to have a substantial impact. This umbrella review classifies and quantifies for the first time the global negative impacts that air pollution and climate change can exert on mental health, identifying evidence-based targets that can inform future research and population health actions.

Pregnancy in Transmasculine, Non-binary, and Gender Expansive Patients

Abstract Purpose of Review Transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive (TNGE) patients may choose to become pregnant and will require pregnancy-related care. To date, there has been limited research on pregnancy in this community. This review article aims to collate and summarize the most recent literature and make recommendations for providing pregnancy care to TNGE patients. Recent Findings TNGE patients can successfully undergo fertility preservation before or after starting their gender transition and may be able to continue gender-affirming hormone therapy with testosterone (GAHT-T) during the process. GAHT-T is potentially teratogenic and should be discontinued in pregnancy; however, GAHT-T does not appear to affect birth outcomes in TNGE patients. Clinicians should be aware that pregnancy can have profound physical and psychosocial impacts on TNGE patients, and patients frequently identify a lack of knowledgeable providers and welcoming care settings as barriers to care. Postpartum TNGE patients may be at increased risk of postpartum mood disorders. They may also choose to chest feed and require extra support and accommodations to be successful in this endeavor. Summary TNGE patients should be provided the same standard pregnancy-related care as their cisgender counterparts. Special consideration should be given to fertility preservation, contraception, postpartum mood disorders, and lactation/chest feeding as TNGE patients have unique needs within these areas. Much of the available research in this population is retrospective and qualitative with small sample sizes. Future research should focus on larger-scale quantitative studies to help develop evidenced-based, community-informed guidelines for care.

Mendelian randomization analyses reveal causal relationships between brain functional networks and risk of psychiatric disorders

Mendelian randomization analyses reveal causal relationships between brain functional networks and risk of psychiatric disorders

The contribution of cannabis use to the increased psychosis risk among minority ethnic groups in Europe.

We examined whether cannabis use contributes to the increased risk of psychotic disorder for non-western minorities in Europe. We used data from the EU-GEI study (collected at sites in Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands) on 825 first-episode patients and 1026 controls. We estimated the odds ratio (OR) of psychotic disorder for several groups of migrants compared with the local reference population, without and with adjustment for measures of cannabis use. The OR of psychotic disorder for non-western minorities, adjusted for age, sex, and recruitment area, was 1.80 (95% CI 1.39-2.33). Further adjustment of this OR for frequency of cannabis use had a minimal effect: OR = 1.81 (95% CI 1.38-2.37). The same applied to adjustment for frequency of use of high-potency cannabis. Likewise, adjustments of ORs for most sub-groups of non-western countries had a minimal effect. There were two exceptions. For the Black Caribbean group in London, after adjustment for frequency of use of high-potency cannabis the OR decreased from 2.45 (95% CI 1.25-4.79) to 1.61 (95% CI 0.74-3.51). Similarly, the OR for Surinamese and Dutch Antillean individuals in Amsterdam decreased after adjustment for daily use: from 2.57 (95% CI 1.07-6.15) to 1.67 (95% CI 0.62-4.53). The contribution of cannabis use to the excess risk of psychotic disorder for non-western minorities was small. However, some evidence of an effect was found for people of Black Caribbean heritage in London and for those of Surinamese and Dutch Antillean heritage in Amsterdam.

The Comparison of Lifestyles, Mental Risks, and Physical Indices among Individuals with Ultra-High Risk of Psychosis, Patients with Schizophrenia, and the General Public

(1) Background: Early interventions may effectively reduce the risk of mental disorders in individuals with ultra-high risk. Specifying the health needs of individuals with ultra-high risk is crucial before the implementation of successful early intervention. This study aimed to explore the differences in lifestyles, mental risks, and physical indices among individuals with ultra-high risk, patients with schizophrenia, and healthy subjects. (2) Methods: A cross-section design applying seven questionnaires with physical examinations for 144 participants aged 13–45 years old was conducted in this study. The questionnaires included one about personal data, four on mental risks, and two for lifestyles. (3) Results: The individuals with ultra-high risk scored similarly in many dimensions as the patients with schizophrenia, but they displayed lower positive symptoms, lower negative symptoms, lower prodromal symptoms, higher interpersonal deficits, lower nutrition intake, and higher levels of exercise than the patients with schizophrenia. Female individuals with ultra-high risk had lower self-esteem, higher positive symptoms, lower nutrition intake, and higher exercise levels than male ones. (4) Conclusions: The study pinpointed specific health needs with interpersonal deficits, nutrition intake, and physical activity for the individuals with ultra-high risk. Future interventions targeted on improving social function, dietary pattern, and exercise will be beneficial.

A comprehensive Mendelian randomization study highlights the relationship between psychiatric disorders and non-tumor gastrointestinal diseases

ObjectivePrevious observational studies revealed the potential correlation between psychiatric disorders (PDs) and non-tumor gastrointestinal diseases (NTGDs). However, their causation remains unclear.MethodsWe explored the causal relationship between PDs and NTGDs through bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics and bidirectional two-sample MR study were used to assess the causality between PDs and NTGDs. Multiple sensitivity analyses were used to identify the robustness of our results.ResultsWe found that major depression was causally associated with increased risk of gastric ulcer (OR: 1.812, 95% CI: 1.320–2.487, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and irritable bowel syndrome (OR: 1.645, 95% CI: 1.291–2.097, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Meanwhile, genetically predicted gastroesophageal reflux disease contributed to the increased risk of anxiety disorders (OR: 1.425, 95% CI: 1.295–1.568, p &amp;lt; 0.001), and ulcerative colitis was related to increased risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (OR: 1.042, 95% CI: 1.008–1.078, p = 0.0157).ConclusionOur study provided MR evidence to support the close causality and identify the specific direction between eight PDs and eight common NTGDs. Experimental studies to further examine the causality, underlying mechanism, and therapeutic potential of PDs and NTGDs are required.

The role of SKA2 on affective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide behavior: systematic review and in silico analysis.

Genes involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may be a robust biomarker of psychiatric disorders. Genetic polymorphisms of the SKA2 gene are associated with several behavioral disorders. In this study, we embarked on a systematic search of all possible reports of genetic association with SKA2 and affective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide behavior; the functional consequences of nsSNPs were explored through computational tools with an in silico analysis. Eight eligible articles were included. Our study identified that SKA2 did not show association with risk of Major Depression Disorder. Epigenetic variation at SKA2 mediates vulnerability to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Studies provide strong preliminary evidence that alterations at the SKA2 gene covary with types of suicide behavior, including suicidal ideation, attempts, and completions. Results from in silico analysis predicted that I22S, I22G, I78T, A15L, D18R, R25L, N42I, Y21S, K14I, K14L, and L60R were the most structurally and functionally significant nsSNPs in SKA2. Amino acid conservation analysis revealed that the amino acids were highly conserved and some dissimilarities of mutant type amino acids from wild-type amino acids such as charge, size, and hydrophobicity were observed. In the future, SKA2 gene have the potential to be evaluated as prognostic biomarkers for diagnosis and research.

Epigenetic mechanisms linking early-life adversities and mental health.

Early-life adversities, whether prenatal or postnatal exposure, have been linked to adverse mental health outcomes later in life increasing the risk of several psychiatric disorders. Research on its neurobiological consequences demonstrated an association between exposure to adversities and persistent alterations in the structure, function, and connectivity of the brain. Consistent evidence supports the idea that regulation of gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms are involved in embedding the impact of early-life experiences in the genome and mediate between social environments and later behavioral phenotypes. In addition, studies from rodent models and humans suggest that these experiences and the acquired risk factors can be transmitted through epigenetic mechanisms to offspring and the following generations potentially contributing to a cycle of disease or disease risk. However, one of the important aspects of epigenetic mechanisms, unlike genetic sequences that are fixed and unchangeable, is that although the epigenetic markings are long-lasting, they are nevertheless potentially reversible. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the mental health consequences derived from early-life exposure to malnutrition, maltreatment and poverty, adversities with huge and pervasive impact on mental health. We also discuss the evidence about transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals and experimental data suggesting that suitable social and pharmacological interventions could reverse adverse epigenetic modifications induced by early-life negative social experiences. In this regard, these studies must be accompanied by efforts to determine the causes that promote these adversities and that result in health inequity in the population.

Neurological or Psychiatric Disorders After Dengue Fever

This cohort study investigates the association between dengue fever and risk of neurological and psychiatric disorders among adults in Taiwan.

Contributing factors to endothelial dysfunction in individuals with spinal cord injuries

Background: Patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are at a greater risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) than able-bodied individuals due to high risks of endothelial dysfunction. Summary: For instance, patients with SCIs lose autonomic control of the heart and vasculature, which results in severe fluctuations in blood pressure. These oscillations between hypotension and hypertension have been shown to damage blood vessel endothelial cells and may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the loss of skeletal muscle control results in skeletal muscle atrophy and inward remodeling of the conduit arteries. It has been shown that blood vessels in the legs are chronically exposed to high shear, while the aorta experiences chronically low shear. These alterations to shear forces may adversely impact endothelial vasodilatory capacity and promote inflammatory signaling and leukocyte adherence. Additionally, microvascular endothelial vasodilatory capacity is impaired in patients with an SCI, and this may precede changes in conduit artery endothelial function. Finally, due to immobility and a loss of skeletal muscle mass, patients with SCIs have a higher risk of metabolic disorders, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Key Messages: Collectively, these factors may impair endothelium-dependent vasodilatory capacity, promote leukocyte adhesion and infiltration, promote the peroxidation of lipids, and ultimately support the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, future interventions to prevent CVDs in patients with SCIs should focus on the management of endothelial health to prevent endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

Relation between body appreciation, eating disorder risk, emotional distress, and BMI among a group of Egyptian subjects

BackgroundBody image appreciation is an important psychological aspect for all individuals of all ages which affects their psychological, personal, and social well-being. ObjectivesExamining the relationship between disordered eating tendencies, body appreciation, body mass index (BMI), and emotional distress among individuals who follow and seek psychological services from the non-profit entitative Egyptian eating disorders initiative EEDI and an online therapy platform. MethodsA cross-sectional study including 301 healthy participants with no past medical or psychiatric history was conducted. Participants completed an online survey including demographic data, BMI, and three measures: The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaires. ResultsParticipants with disordered eating tendencies — according to EAT-26 — had lower BAS scores (p < 0.001) and higher DASS depression, anxiety, and stress scores (p < 0.001). EAT-26 was negatively correlated with age (p = 0.003) and BAS (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, it was positively correlated with the three DASS scales (p < 0.001). BAS was negatively correlated with body mass index and the three DASS scales (p < 0.001). ConclusionBody appreciation decreases with increased disordered eating tendencies and BMI. Depression, anxiety, and stress are associated with a decrease in body appreciation.