Meta-analysis of Paternal Age and Schizophrenia Risk in Male Versus Female Offspring

Introduction: Advanced paternal age (APA) is a reported risk factor for schizophrenia in the offspring. We performed a meta-analysis of this association, considering the effect of gender and study design. Methods: We identified articles by searching Pub Med, PsychInfo, ISI, and EMBASE, and the reference lists of identified studies. Previously unpublished data from the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort (NFBC 1966) study were also included. Results: There were 6 cohort studies and 6 case–control studies that met the inclusion criteria. In both study designs, there was a significant increase in risk of schizophrenia in the offspring of older fathers (≥30) compared to a reference paternal age of 25–29, with no gender differences. The relative risk (RR) in the oldest fathers (≥50) was 1.66 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.46–1.89, P < 0.01]. A significant increase in risk was also found for younger fathers (<25) in males (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14, P = 0.01) but not females (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.97–1.14, P = 0.28). The population attributable risk percentage (PAR%) was 10% for paternal age ≥30 and 5% for paternal age <25. Discussion: Both APA (≥30) and younger paternal age (<25) increase the risk of schizophrenia; younger paternal age may be associated with an increased risk in males but not females. This risk factor increases the risk of schizophrenia as much as any single candidate gene of risk. The mechanism of these associations is not known and may differ for older and younger fathers.     

Targeted mesenchymal stem cell and vascular endothelial growth factor strategies for repair of nerve defects with nerve tissue implanted autogenous vein graft conduits

Peripheral nerve gaps exceeding 1 cm require a bridging repair strategy. Clinical feasibility of autogenous nerve grafting is limited by donor site comorbidity. In this study we investigated neuroregenerative efficacy of autogenous vein grafts implanted with tissue fragments from distal nerve in combination with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in repair of rat peripheral nerve defects. Six‐groups of Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 8 each) were evaluated in the autogenous setting using a 1.6 cm long peroneal nerve defect: Empty vein graft (group 1), Nerve graft (group 2), Vein graft and nerve fragments (group 3), Vein graft and nerve fragments and blank microspheres (group 4), Vein graft and nerve fragments and VEGF microspheres (group 5), Vein graft and nerve fragments and MSCs (group 6). Nerve fragments were derived from distal segment. Walking track analysis, electrophysiology and nerve histomorphometry were performed for assessment. Peroneal function indices (PFI), electrophysiology (amplitude) and axon count results for group 2 were ?9.12 ± 3.07, 12.81 ± 2.46 mV, and 1697.88 ± 166.18, whereas the results for group 5 were ?9.35 ± 2.55, 12.68 ± 1.78, and 1566 ± 131.44, respectively. The assessment results did not reveal statistical difference between groups 2 and 5 (P > 0.05). The best outcomes were seen in group 2 and 5 followed by group 6. Compared to other groups, poorest outcomes were seen in group 1 (P ≤ 0.05). PFI, electrophysiology (amplitude) and axon count results for group 1 were ?208.82 ± 110.69, 0.86 ± 0.52, and 444.50 ± 274.03, respectively. Vein conduits implanted with distal nerve‐derived nerve fragments improved axonal regeneration. VEGF was superior to MSCs in facilitating nerve regeneration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:578–585, 2016.     

Targeting the mature consumer market.

The aging population in the USA makes skill in marketing to the mature consumer increasingly important. The biophysical and psychosocial aging process create a need for specific strategies to address the changes brought on by age. This study attempts to ascertain the degree to which the health service providers recognize some of the needs of the elderly market and the degree to which marketing programs are addressing these needs. A comparison with other industries is also provided. The results indicate that 4 out of 16 strategies directed at the mature market have been used by more than 80% of health care respondents. In addition, there are significant differences between the health care industry and other industries for five of the strategies. All but two of the strategies are thought to be important by more than half of the survey respondents.     

Is Acrylate Co-monomer (Glubran-2) Useful in the Prevention of Prolonged Air Leaks After Pulmonary Lobectomy?

Many synthetic materials are being used in order to reduce the frequency of prolonged air leak (PAL) in thoracic surgical practice. This study presents our experience with the topical application of acrylate co-monomer (Glubran-2) as a synthetic tissue adhesive in an attempt to decrease troublesome postoperative air leaks in patients undergoing resection for non-small cell lung carcinoma. Of the 112 patients who had undergone resection for lung carcinoma, 69 patients having lobectomy or bilobectomy were included in this study. The application group (group A) consisted of 33 patients where a synthetic tissue adhesive (Glubran-2) was used and compared with the control group (group C, n = 36) retrospectively. There was no difference between the groups regarding demographic details and operative variables. Both groups were compared in view to PAL, chest tube duration, in-hospital stay and hospital costs. There was no significant difference between group A (n = 11, 33 %) and group C (n = 6, 17 %) for the development of PAL (P = 0.11). Hospital stay was 16.1 ± 6.7 days in group A and 15.3 ± 5.8 days in group C (P = 0.66). The surgical cost was significantly higher in group A (€806 ± 127) than the group C (€624 ± 94) (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding overall hospital costs (P = 0.41). In this study, the use of Glubran-2 following lung resection for non-small cell lung carcinoma did not decrease the incidence of PAL. Neither did it have a favorable effect concerning in-hospital stay nor did it decrease overall hospital costs while increasing surgical costs as expected.     

Use of antipsychotic medication and suicidality—the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

In addition to psychoses, antipsychotic drugs are nowadays also prescribed for other psychiatric disturbances, such as mood disorders. We wanted to find out whether there is any association between the use of antipsychotic drugs and suicidality in cases of psychotic and non‐psychotic disorders. Our sample was the population‐based Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort. Information on the use of prescribed drugs was collected in 1997 from the nationwide medication register and with a postal questionnaire (N = 8218). The presence of suicidal ideation was assessed cross‐sectionally using the Symptom Check List‐25 questionnaire. We studied associations between suicidal ideation, adjusted for symptoms of depression and anxiety, and antipsychotic medication in different diagnostic groups (schizophrenia, other psychosis and no psychosis). Individuals receiving antipsychotic medication (n = 70, 0.9%) had in general more suicidal ideation regardless of diagnostic group, although the associations diminished when taking other symptoms into account. There were no statistically significant differences between those taking typical and atypical antipsychotics. In the non‐psychotic group, higher antipsychotic doses were associated with more suicidal ideation even when adjusted for symptoms of depression and anxiety (p < 0.05). In the cases of schizophrenia or other forms of psychosis, no such associations were observed. Our results suggest that one should take suicidal ideation into account when prescribing antipsychotic medication, especially for off‐label use. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Schizophrenia and sudden cardiac death: a review

Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder, which is often associated with severe loss of functioning and shortened life expectancy. Suicides and accidents are well-known causes of the excess mortality, but patients with schizophrenia have also been reported to be three times as likely to experience sudden unexpected death as individuals from the general population. This review is aimed to offer an update of the prevalence and mechanisms for sudden cardiac death in schizophrenia. The PubMed database was searched from 1966 up to May 2007 with key words schizophrenia AND " sudden cardiac death" OR "autonomic dysfunction" OR "torsades de pointes". Part of the high death rates may be explained by long-lasting negative health habits, disease- and treatment-related metabolic disorders, and consequent increased frequencies of cardiovascular diseases. The antipsychotic medications may also increase the risk as some antipsychotics may cause prolongation of QT-time, serious ventricular arrhythmias and predispose to sudden death. Autonomic dysfunction seen as low heart rate variability and decreased baroreflex sensitivity may also contribute via malignant arrhythmias. Due to the complex interaction of various risk factors for sudden death, the patients need a comprehensive follow-up of their physical health. In addition, more studies on the role and prevalence of autonomic dysfunction in psychotic patients are needed.     

Alterations in opioid system of the rat brain after cat odor exposure

The effect of cat odor exposure was studied on morphine-induced increase of exploratory behavior and on the expression of opioid genes in forebrain structures of male Wistar rats. Treatment with morphine (1 mg/kg) induced a significant increase in exploratory behavior in an unfamiliar environment in rats. Previous exposure of animals to cat odor completely abolished this stimulating action of mu-opioid receptor agonist on exploratory activity. Cat odor exposure induced a significant increase in the expression of pro-opio-melanocortin (POMC) and mu-opioid receptor (MOR) genes in the brain structures related to anxiety and motivation. This study clearly demonstrates that cat odor exposure increases the activity of opioid system in rat forebrain structures.     

Peat-derived hard carbon electrodes with superior capacity for sodium-ion batteries

Herein we demonstrate how peat, abundant and cheap biomass, can be successfully used as a precursor to synthesize peat-derived hard carbons (PDCs), applicable as electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIB). The PDCs were obtained by pre-pyrolysing peat at 300–800 °C, removing impurities with base–acid solution treatment and thereafter post-pyrolysing the materials at temperatures (T) from 1000 to 1500 °C. By modification of pre- and post-pyrolysis temperatures we obtained hard carbons with low surface areas, optimal carbonization degree and high electrochemical Na⁺ storage capacity in SIB half-cells. The best results were obtained when pre-pyrolysing peat at 450 °C, washing out the impurities with KOH and HCl solutions and then post-pyrolysing the obtained carbon-rich material at 1400 °C. All hard carbons were electrochemically characterized in half-cells (vs. Na/Na⁺) and capacities as high as 350 mA h g⁻¹ at 1.5 V and 250 mA h g⁻¹ in the plateau region (E < 0.2 V) were achieved at charging current density of 25 mA g⁻¹ with an initial coulombic efficiency of 80%.

A synthesis method has been developed to turn peat, cheap biomass into hard carbons that demonstrate high capacity and excellent sodium storage capability as anode material in sodium-ion batteries.