Effects of second-generation antipsychotics on selected markers of one-carbon metabolism and metabolic syndrome components in first-episode schizophrenia patients

Purpose

Alterations in one-carbon metabolism (OCM) have been repeatedly reported in schizophrenia. However, there is a scarcity of studies addressing the effects of antipsychotics on selected OCM markers in schizophrenia and provided results are inconsistent.

Methods

We recruited 39 first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and determined serum profile of total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, vitamin B12, lipoproteins and glucose at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment with second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) including olanzapine and risperidone in monotherapy.

Results

After 12 weeks of treatment, all patients had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and tHcy together with significantly lower levels of folate and vitamin B12. The analysis of differences between SGA revealed the same biochemical alterations in patients treated with olanzapine as in the whole group, while those receiving risperidone had no statistically significant changes in serum folate, vitamin B12 and TG. There was a significantly higher increase in BMI and TC in patients treated with olanzapine in comparison with those treated with risperidone. Patients receiving olanzapine had a higher decrease in vitamin B12 than those assigned to the treatment with risperidone. Changes in folate, vitamin B12, tHcy and TC levels were significant only in males, even after Bonferroni correction. Multiple regression analysis revealed that changes in tHcy levels are associated with gender and baseline metabolic parameters (BMI, glucose, TC, LDL and HDL) but not with selected SGA.

Conclusions

These results indicate that SGA may influence OCM, especially in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) males.     

Magnetic Resonance Microscopy for Assessment of Morphological Changes in Hydrating Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose Matrix Tablets In Situ–Is it Possible to Detect Phenomena Related to Drug Dissolution Within the Hydrated Matrices?

Purpose

So far, the hydrated part of the HPMC matrix has commonly been denoted as a “gel” or “pseudogel” layer. No MRI-based results have been published regarding observation of internal phenomena related to drug dissolution inside swelling polymeric matrices during hydration. The purpose of the study was to detect such phenomena.

Methods

Multiparametric, spatially and temporally resolved T₂ MR relaxometry, in situ, was applied to study formation of the hydration progress in HPMC matrix tablets loaded with L-dopa and ketoprofen using a 11.7 T MRI system. Two spin-echo based pulse sequences were used, one of them specifically designed to study short T₂ signals.

Results

Two components in the T₂ decay envelope were estimated and spatial distributions of their parameters, i.e. amplitudes and T₂ values, were obtained. Based on the data, different region formation patterns (i.e. multilayer structure) were registered depending on drug presence and solubility. Inside the matrix with incorporated sparingly soluble drug a specific layer formation due to drug dissolution was detected, whereas a matrix with very slightly soluble drug does not form distinct external “gel-like” layer.

Conclusions

We have introduced a new paradigm in the characterization of hydrating matrices using ¹H MRI methods. It reflects molecular mobility and concentration of water inside the hydrated matrix. For the first time, drug dissolution related phenomena, i.e. particular front and region formation, were observed by MRI methods.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in bottom sediments of the Port of Gdansk

Combustion processes are considered to be the main source of the dioxin emission in the Baltic region. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its derivatives, pentachlorophenyl laurate (PCPL) and sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP) are known as precursors of dioxins. The research was conducted to obtain the first data on the concentration of PCDD/Fs and PCP in the bottom sediments of the Port of Gdansk. Toxicity (the Microtox® test) as well as several sediment parameters have been examined. In the surface layer of bottom sediments from the Port of Gdansk, all congeners of PCDD/Fs have been detected using GC-MS/MS. The highest concentration was obtained for OCDD (224.0–271.0 pg g^?1 d.w.) and HpCDD (51.0–36.0 pg g^?1 d.w.). The content of ΣPCDDs prevailed over ΣPCDFs. This may indicate that anthropogenic pollution from the land-based thermal sources has the strongest impact on the concentration of dioxins in the port sediments. The concentration of 17 dioxin congeners (WHO-TEQ) did not exceed the probable effect level (PEL) of 21.5 pg TEQ g^?1 d.w. The concentration of PCP ranged from bellow the LOD (< 0.85 ng g^?1 d.w.) to 12.4 ng g^?1 d.w. The positive correlation between toxicity and physico-chemical properties of the analyzed bottom sediments confirms that these parameters are important in terms of environment contamination.     

The first report on Amphipoda from Marian Cove,King George Island,Antarctic

This is a first account on amphipods from Marian Cove in Maxwell Bay, near the King Sejong Station, King George Island, the Antarctic. We have conducted a survey in 14 localities in the shallow sublittoral zone. A total of 22 amphipod species belonging to 12 families were identified. Six of these species were new for the whole Maxwell Bay. Our findings increase the amphipod fauna of Maxwell Bay from 55 to 61 species. The dominant species in the shallow sublittoral zone of Marian Cove were: Cheirimedon femoratus and Gondogeneia antarctica, followed by Bovallia gigantea, Orchomenella cf. ultima, Paradexamine fissicauda, Prostebbingia brevicornis, Pariphimedia integricauda, and Jassa wandeli.     

Change of Mechanical Properties of Repair Mortars after Frost Resistance Rests

The use of repair mortars for concrete structures repair with no or limited resistance to the impact caused by freeze and thaw cycles is often the primary repair failure cause. This is particularly important in Poland. Due to the geographical location of the country, there is a large temperature difference between summer and winter. The number of passes through the threshold temperature of 0 °C throughout the year in the winter season exceeds 100. The article presents a comparison of the frost resistance results of tests of repair mortars. The first method was performed according to the Polish Guidelines (without the use of de-icing salts) and the second method according to PN-EN 1504-3 (with the use of de-icing salts). The results obtained were inconsistent in many areas. In particular, significant differences in the results for the change in compressive strength and the change in bending strength were observed. In the case of the frost resistance testing without the use of de-icing salts, a decrease in compressive strength was usually accompanied by a decrease in bending strength. In the case of frost resistance tests with the use of de-icing salts, an increase in the bending strength of mortars was observed (even by a dozen or so percent) with a decrease in the compressive strength of mortars (even by several dozen percent).     

Chemical composition of polyphenols extracted from strawberry pomace and their effect on physiological properties of diets supplemented with different types of dietary fibre in rats

Purpose

The objective of this study was to establish the composition of polyphenolic preparations obtained from industrial strawberry pomace with two methods of extraction: the water and the water-alcoholic one and then to analyse their effects in the gastrointestinal tract depending on the composition of dietary fibre—cellulose or fructooligosaccharides (FOS).

Methods

Freeze-dried water extract (PTW), containing 5.1 % of ellagic acid, 0.2 % of proanthocyanidins, and soluble carbohydrates as a major part, and water–alcohol extract (PTE), containing 17.1 % of ellagic acid and 10.9 % of proanthocyanidins, were administered, in the equivalent quantity of 0.06 % of ellagic acid, to 4- to 8-week-old rats (8 animals per group), as a component of modified AIN-93 diets containing 5 % of cellulose or FOS.

Results

The addition of strawberry pomace extracts had no effect on either the diet intake or the body weight of experimental rats. Both extracts, similarly to FOS, beneficially reduced the activity of β-glucuronidase in caecal digesta, with the PTW effect being significantly higher than that of PTE (7.59 vs. 9.20 μmol/h/g, P = 0.001). In comparison with PTE, the PTW extract significantly increased the caecal digesta mass (1.45 vs. 1.27 k/kg BW) and the total production of SCFA (86.1 vs. 71.4 μmol/100 g BW). The extract enhanced the physiological effect of FOS by inhibiting the activity of β-glucuronidase, increasing the caecal digesta mass and SCFA production. Such an effect was not recorded in the case of the PTE preparation.

Conclusions

The addition of strawberry pomace extracts affected the activity of certain enzymes of intestinal microflora and its most important products.     

The influence of hospitalizations due to exacerbations or spontaneous pneumothoraxes on the quality of life,mental function and symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with COPD or asthma

Background: Patients with bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently have a low quality of life (QoL) in addition to depression symptoms. The aim of this study was to compare the QoL, depression symptoms, mental function and anxiety in patients with asthma or COPD exacerbations or spontaneous pneumothoraxes (SP) to patients with stable disease. Materials and methods: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of severe (III degree) bronchial asthma or COPD were included in this study. Prospective observations of asthma or COPD exacerbations or SP were performed over a three-year period. QoL was assessed using St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). In addition, the AQ20 questionnaire (AQ20), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were administered. Results: A total of 233 patients (112 with asthma and 121 with COPD; mean age 57.9?±?11.9 years) were included in the study. Patients with COPD or asthma had a low QoL as estimated by the SGRQ (mean?±?SD: 27.5?±?12.9 and 25.1?±?10.2 for asthma and COPD, respectively). Asthma exacerbations, COPD exacerbations or SP requiring hospitalization were associated with lower SGRQ scores over the three-year observation period (41.5?±?11.7, 57.9?±?14.3 and 65.3?±?11.4, respectively). The mean MMSE score significantly decreased after an asthma exacerbation compared to the baseline (29.9?±?2.1 versus 27.2?±?3.1; p?p?p?Conclusion: Low QoL and mental impairment were observed in patients with asthma and COPD. In addition, the QoL significantly decreased following hospitalizations due to exacerbations or SP.     

Cause-specific mortality in individuals with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström macroglobulinaemia, 2000–2016

Data on cause-specific mortality after lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) and Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) are lacking. We identified causes of death amongst 7289 adults diagnosed with incident first primary LPL (n = 3108) or WM (n = 4181) during 2000–2016 in 17 USA population-based cancer registries. Based on 3132 deaths, 16-year cumulative mortality was 23·2% for lymphomas, 8·4% for non-lymphoma cancers and 14·7% for non-cancer causes for patients aged <65 years at diagnosis of LPL/WM, versus 33·4%, 11·2% and 48·7%, respectively, for those aged ≥75 years. Compared with the general population, patients with LPL/WM had a 20% higher risk of death due to non-cancer causes (n = 1341 deaths, standardised mortality ratio [SMR] 1·2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1·1–1·2), most commonly from infectious (n = 188; SMR 1·8, 95% CI 1·6–2·1), respiratory (n = 143; SMR 1·2, 95% CI 1·0–1·4), and digestive (n = 80; SMR 1·8, 95% CI 1·4–2·2) diseases, but no excess mortality from cardiovascular diseases (n = 477, SMR 1·1, 95% CI 1·0–1·1). Risks were highest for non-cancer causes within 1 year of diagnosis (n = 239; SMR_<1year 1·3, 95% CI 1·2–1·5), declining thereafter (n = 522; SMR_≥5years 1·1, 95% CI 1·1–1·2). Myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukaemia deaths were notably increased (n = 46; SMR 4·4, 95% CI 3·2–5·9), whereas solid neoplasm deaths were only elevated among ≥5-year survivors (n = 145; SMR_≥5years 1·3, 95% CI 1·1–1·5). This work identifies new areas for optimising care and reducing mortality for patients with LPL/WM.     

Risks and Benefits of Green Spaces for Children: A Cross-Sectional Study of Associations with Sedentary Behavior,Obesity, Asthma,and Allergy

Background: Green spaces have been associated with both health benefits and risks in children; however, available evidence simultaneously investigating these conflicting influences, especially in association with different types of greenness, is scarce.Objectives: We aimed to simultaneously evaluate health benefits and risks associated with different types of greenness in children, in terms of sedentary behavior (represented by excessive screen time), obesity, current asthma, and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a population-based sample of 3,178 schoolchildren (9–12 years old) in Sabadell, Spain, in 2006. Information on outcomes and covariates was obtained by questionnaire. We measured residential surrounding greenness as the average of satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in buffers of 100 m, 250 m, 500 m, and 1,000 m around each home address. Residential proximity to green spaces was defined as living within 300 m of a forest or a park, as separate variables. We used logistic regression models to estimate associations separately for each exposure–outcome pair, adjusted for relevant covariates.Results: An interquartile range increase in residential surrounding greenness was associated with 11–19% lower relative prevalence of overweight/obesity and excessive screen time, but was not associated with current asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Similarly, residential proximity to forests was associated with 39% and 25% lower relative prevalence of excessive screen time and overweight/obesity, respectively, but was not associated with current asthma. In contrast, living close to parks was associated with a 60% higher relative prevalence of current asthma, but had only weak negative associations with obesity/overweight or excessive screen time.Conclusion: We observed two separable patterns of estimated health benefits and risks associated with different types of greenness.Citation: Dadvand P, Villanueva CM, Font-Ribera L, Martinez D, Basagaña X, Belmonte J, Vrijheid M, Gražulevičienė R, Kogevinas M, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. 2014. Risks and benefits of green spaces for children: a cross-sectional study of associations with sedentary behavior, obesity, asthma, and allergy. Environ Health Perspect 122:1329–1335; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1308038