BDNF val66met genotype is not associated with psychological distress: A cross-sectional study in Indonesian Pharmacy young adults

The number of mental disorders has been increasing but has yet to receive sufficient attention. In particular, healthcare students and professionals tend to have high stress burden. Finding the root cause of psychological distress is important to formulate a method for early detection and prevention. The association of brain-derived neurotrophic factor val66met polymorphism to neuropsychiatric disorders has been widely studied. To study the interplay between brain-derived neurotrophic factor val66met polymorphism and sociodemographic factors in the pathogenesis of psychological distress among Indonesian Pharmacy students. Level of psychological distress and sociodemographic profiling was collected by using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and sociodemographic questionnaires, respectively. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-amplified refractory mutation system. Pearson’s chi square and binomial logistic tests were used to evaluate the correlation. This study recruited 148 participants. The psychological distress levels of the participants were well (27.03%), mild (37.16%), moderate (25.00%), and severe (10.81%). Genotypic distributions were AA (25.67%), GA (50.68%), and GG (23.65%). No statistical significance between genotype and psychological distress was found in the study (P = .076). The sociodemographic factors also showed non significance, except for the source of tuition fee among women students (P = .049). Psychological distress is not affected by genotypic and sociodemographic factors. Further confirmatory research with larger and broader populations is required.     

Pro B-type natriuretic peptide plasma value: A new criterion for the prediction of short- and long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background

To determine the prognostic value of pro B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) to predict mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Logistic EuroSCORE (LES) overestimates observed mortality after TAVI. A new risk score specific to TAVI is needed to accurately assess mortality and outcome.

Methods

Eighty-five patients were included. Indications for TAVI were nonoperable or surgically high-risk patients (LES > 20%). Pro-BNP was measured 24 h before the procedure. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate clinical factors. The predictive accuracy of these Cox models was determined by using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

Pro-BNP levels (log-transformed) were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors at 30 days (3.36 ± 0.43 vs. 3.81 ± 0.43, p < 0.004) and at the end of follow-up (3.34 ± 0.42 vs. 3.63 ± 0.48, p < 0.011). Multivariate analysis revealed that only increased log pro-BNP levels were associated with higher mortality rate at short [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence intervals (CI)] = 5.35 (1.74–16.5), p = 0.003] and long-term follow-ups [HR = 11 (CI: 1.51–81.3), p = 0.018]. LES was not associated with increased mortality at either time point [HR = 1.03 (CI: 0.95–1.10), p = 0.483 and HR = 1.03 (CI: 0.98–1.07), p = 0.230, respectively]. At 30, 90, 180, and 365 days, the c-index was 0.72 for log pro-BNP and 0.63 for LES (p = 0.044).

Conclusion

Pre-procedure log transform of plasma pro-BNP levels are an independent and strong predictor of short- and long-term outcomes after TAVI and are more discriminatory than LES.     

Pre-treatment prediction of response to peginterferon plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C genotype 3

AIM: To evaluate pre-treatment factors associated with sustained virological response(SVR) in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype 3 treated with peginterferon and ribavirin(RBV). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed treatment naive, mono-infected HCV genotype 3 patients treated with peginterferon and RBV. Exclusion criteria included presence of other liver disease, alcohol consumption and African American or Asian ethnicity. The variables collected and compared between patients who achieved an SVR and patients who did not were as follows: gender, age, fibrosis stage, diabetes, body mass index,steatosis, INFL3 polymorphism, pre-treatment HCVRNA, type of peginterferon, RBV dose and adherence. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients treated between June, 2004 and March, 2013 were included. Mean treatment duration was 25.1(± 1.8) wk. Overall, 58%(62/107) of the patients achieved an SVR and 42%(45/107) did not. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, pre-treatment HCV-RNA ≥ 600000 UI/m L(OR = 0.375, 95%CI: 0.153-0.919, P = 0.032) and advanced fibrosis(OR = 0.278, 95%CI: 0.113-0.684,P = 0.005) were significantly associated with low SVR rates. In patients with pre-treatment HCV-RNA ≥600000 UI/m L and advanced fibrosis, the probability of achieving an SVR was 29%(95%CI: 13.1-45.2).In patients with pre-treatment HCV-RNA 600000UI/m L and mild to moderate fibrosis, the probability of achieving an SVR was 81%(95%CI: 68.8-93.4).CONCLUSION: In patients with HCV genotype 3infections the presence of advance fibrosis and high pre-treatment viral load might be associated with poor response to peginterferon plus RBV. These patients could benefit the most from new direct antiviral agentsbased regimes.     

Which criteria should be used for starting pharmacologic therapy for management of gestational diabetes in pregnancy? Evidence from randomized controlled trials

Introduction: There is inconclusive evidence to support any specific criteria for starting pharmacologic therapy after diet in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to analyze the most used criteria for starting pharmacologic treatment for patients with GDM.

Material and methods: Electronic databases were searched from their inception to September 2017. We included all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of GDM managed initially by diet and exercise reporting criteria for starting pharmacologic therapy. RCTs in women with pregestational diabetes were excluded. Data regarding glucose values used for starting pharmacologic therapy were extracted and carefully reviewed.

Results: We included 15 RCTs (4307 women) in the meta-analysis. For fasting glucose target, 8/14 (57%) used a value lower or equal to 90?mg/dL and the remainder used values <99?mg/dL. Of the 10 RCTs targeting 2-h postprandial values, the majority (9/10, 90%) used 120?mg/dL. The majority of RCTs (13/15, 87%) recommended pharmacologic therapy if either 1 or 2 values per 1- or 2-week period were higher than the target values: 7/13 (54%) used 1 value and 6/13 (46%) used 2 values higher than target values. One RCT (7%) used >50% of the values higher than the target values and another one (7%) used >30%.

Conclusion: The majority of RCTs (87%) used very tight criteria of either 1 or 2 values over the target values in the 1 or 2-week period for starting pharmacologic treatment for patients with GDM; more than 50% used 2 values.

• Key Message

• Pharmacologic therapy should be considered in women with gestational diabetes when, despite an adequate diet and exercise, 1 or 2 blood glucose values are over the target values of 90mg/dL fasting or 120mg/dL 2-hour postprandial over 1 or 2 weeks.

     

Complete Genome Analysis of a Rabbit Rotavirus Causing Gastroenteritis in a Human Infant

Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are responsible for causing infantile diarrhea both in humans and animals. The molecular characteristics of lapine RVA strains are only studied to a limited extent and so far G3P[14] and G3P[22] were found to be the most common G/P-genotypes. During the 2012-2013 rotavirus season in Belgium, a G3P[14] RVA strain was isolated from stool collected from a two-year-old boy. We investigated whether RVA/Human-wt/BEL/BE5028/2012/G3P[14] is completely of lapine origin or the result of reassortment event(s). Phylogenetic analyses of all gene segments revealed the following genotype constellation: G3-P[14]-I2-R2-C2-M3-A9-N2-T6-E5-H3 and indicated that BE5028 probably represents a rabbit to human interspecies transmission able to cause disease in a human child. Interestingly, BE5028 showed a close evolutionary relationship to RVA/Human-wt/BEL/B4106/2000/G3P[14], another lapine-like strain isolated in a Belgian child in 2000. The phylogenetic analysis of the NSP3 segment suggests the introduction of a bovine(-like) NSP3 into the lapine RVA population in the past 12 years. Sequence analysis of NSP5 revealed a head-to-tail partial duplication, combined with two short insertions and a deletion, indicative of the continuous circulation of this RVA lineage within the rabbit population.     

Metabolic acuity score: effect on major complications after bariatric surgery

BackgroundCo-morbid conditions in obese patients contribute to the incidence and severity of major complications after bariatric surgery and significantly increase the cost of the procedure. Previous publications have validated the patient factors that increase the risk of mortality; however, it is currently a rare event. The development of a metabolic acuity score (MAS) to augment the body mass index might allow for accurate preoperative assessment and optimal treatment of patients. The present study has proposed a MAS for decreasing major complications.MethodsProspectively collected outcomes of 2416 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 1821) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (n = 595) in a community hospital were evaluated for the incidence of major complications, readmissions, and reoperations. Beginning in August of 2006, 1072 patients were divided into MAS groups of 1–4 according to age, body mass index, weight, history of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, immobility, heart disease, and psychological classification. The acuity groups were compared with each other and with 1344 patients who underwent treatment before the MAS was implemented.ResultsA significant decrease occurred in the readmission rates within 30 days after the MAS was put into practice (8.5% before MAS versus 1.7% after MAS, P <.001) for the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients. The postoperative infection rates were lower after implementing the MAS (3.5% before MAS, .7% after MAS, P <.001). After adjusting for random and fixed effects of covariates, the implementation of the MAS significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative internal hernias, infections, deep vein thrombosis, readmissions, and reoperations.ConclusionRecognition of specific patient acuity characteristics through the implementation of MAS and aggressive preoperative and perioperative management led to lower major complication rates and decreased the incidence of readmissions and reoperations after bariatric surgery.     

If you build it, they will come: statewide practitioner interest in contingency management for youths

Addressing the science-service gap, we examined in this study the amenability of a large heterogeneous sample of community-based therapists in the state mental health and substance abuse treatment sectors to learn about an evidence-based practice (EBP) for adolescent substance abuse (i.e., contingency management [CM]) when such learning was supported administratively and logistically. Leadership in most (44 of 50) public sector agencies supported practitioner recruitment, and 432 of 543 eligible practitioners subsequently attended a 1-day workshop in CM. Workshop attendance was predicted by organizational factors but not by practitioner demographic characteristics, professional background, attitudes toward EBPs, or service sector. Moreover, the primary reason for workshop attendance was to improve services for adolescent clients; the primary barriers to attendance, for those who did not attend, were practical in nature and not due to theoretical incompatibility. The findings demonstrate a considerable amount of interest practitioners showed in both the substance abuse and mental health sectors in learning about an EBP.     

Central nervous system infections caused by varicella-zoster virus

We carried out a clinical and epidemiological study of adult patients with varicella-zoster virus central nervous system infection diagnosed by PCR in cerebrospinal fluid. Twenty-six patients were included. Twelve (46.2 %) patients were diagnosed with meningitis and fourteen (53.8 %) with meningoencephalitis. Twelve (46.2 %) had cranial nerves involvement (mainly the facial (VII) and vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerves), six (23.1 %) had cerebellar involvement, fourteen (53.8 %) had rash, and four (15.4 %) developed Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Three (11.5 %) patients had sequelae. Length of stay was significantly lower in patients diagnosed with meningitis and treatment with acyclovir was more frequent in patients diagnosed with meningoencephalitis. We believe routine detection of varicella-zoster virus, regardless of the presence of rash, is important because the patient may benefit from a different clinical management.     

Assessment of neutralization of Micrurus venoms with a blend of anti-Micrurus tener and anti-ScNtx antibodies

BackgroundMicrurus venoms contain two main groups of toxic protein components: short-chain α-neurotoxins (SNtx) and phospholipases type A₂ (PLA₂). In North America, generally, the Micrurus venoms have low abundance of SNtx compared to that of PLA₂s; however, both are highly toxic to mammals, and consequently both can play a major role in the envenomation processes. Concerning the commercial horse-derived antivenoms against Micrurus from the North America region, they contain a relatively large amount of antibodies against PLA₂s, and a low content of antibodies against short chain α-neurotoxins. This is mainly due to the lower relative abundance of SNtxs, and also to its poor immunogenicity due to their size and nature. Hence, Micrurus antivenoms made in North America usually present low neutralizing capacity towards Micrurus venoms whose lethality depend largely on short chain α-neurotoxins, such as South American Micrurus species.MethodsHorses were hyperimmunized with either the venom of M. tener (PLA₂-predominant) or a recombinant short-chain consensus α-neurotoxin (ScNtx). Then, the combination of the two monospecific horse antibodies (anti-M. tener and anti-ScNtx) was used to test their efficacy against eleven Micrurus venoms.ResultsThe blend of anti-M. tener and anti-ScNtx antibodies had a better capacity to neutralize the lethality of diverse species from North, Central and South American Micrurus venoms. The antibodies combination neutralized both the ScNtx and ten out of eleven Micrurus venom tested, and particularly, it neutralized the venoms of M. distans and M. laticollaris that were neither neutralized by monospecific anti-M. tener nor anti-ScNtx.ConclusionsThese results provide a proof-of-principle for using recombinant immunogens to enrich poor or even non-neutralizing antisera against elapid venoms containing short chain α-neurotoxins to develop antivenoms with higher effectiveness and broader neutralizing capacity.