Serum iron levels in schizophrenic patients with or without akathisia.

The pathophysiology of akathisia still remains controversial. Iron deficiency was proposed to be an important factor in the development of akathisia. In the present study, it was aimed to compare levels of serum iron and linked variables in chronic akathisic (n=30), and non-akathisic patients (n=30) with schizophrenia and healthy controls (n=30) because of the controversy in the association of iron and akathisia. The Barnes Akathisia Scale for akathisia and Simpson-Angus Rating Scale for extrapyramidal side effects were used. Serum iron and linked variables and hematological profile of the patients and control subjects were determined. Serum iron levels were significantly lower both in akathisic and non-akathisic groups compared to the control group (P<0.001). Moreover, akathisic patients had significantly lower iron levels than non-akathisic patients (P<0.05). Total iron binding capacity was significantly higher in patients with akathisia compared to the control group (P<0.01). Although non-akathisic patients had a mild increase in total iron binding capacity, it was not statistically significant compared to the control group (P>0.05). Ferritin levels were determined to be significantly lower in both groups compared to the control group (P<0.01). In addition, there was a significant difference in ferritin levels between the patients with and without akathisia (P<0.05). In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that an association between akathisia and iron metabolism exists.     

Carbamazepine-induced sperm disorders can be associated with the altered expressions of testicular KCNJ11/miR-let-7a and spermatozoal CFTR/miR-27a

Male infertility is a global health problem, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clearly known. Ion channels and microRNAs (miRNAs), known to function in many vital functions in cells, have been shown to play a significant role in male infertility through changes in their expressions. The study aimed to evaluate the alterations of testicular and/or spermatozoal potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11), Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), miR-let-7a and miR-27a expressions in carbamazepine-related male infertility. Here, we showed that carbamazepine reduced sperm motility, increased abnormal sperm morphology, and impaired hormonal balance as well as increased relative testis weight and decreased relative seminal vesicle weight. On the other hand, downregulated KCNJ11 and upregulated miR-let-7a expressions were determined in testis (p < .05). Also, downregulated KCNJ11 and upregulated CFTR and miR-27a expressions were found in spermatozoa (p < .05). Interestingly, altered testicular KCNJ11 and miR-let-7a expressions were correlated with decreased sperm motility and elevated sperm tail defect. Besides, spermatozoal CFTR and miR-27a expressions positively correlated with sperm tail defects. The results indicated a significant relationship between ion channel and/or miRNA expression alterations and impaired sperm parameters due to carbamazepine usage.     

Assessment of changes in penile sensation by electrophysiological study after radical prostatectomy: A pilot study

Background:To evaluate the changes in penile sensation by electrophysiological tests in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and to demonstrate the role of dorsal penile nerve injury in postoperative erectile dysfunction.Materials and methods:Twenty-six volunteer patients who were eligible for RP were included in the study. Preoperative penile sensory electromyography and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire were done for each patient. Erectile function assessment and electrophysiological evaluation of penile sensation were repeated at postoperative 3rd and 6th months.Results:Postoperative IIEF-5 scores and electromyography values were significantly lower than preoperative findings (p < 0.05). The IIEF-5 scores in the nerve sparing-RP (NS-RP) group were significantly higher than the non-nerve sparing-RP (NNS-RP) group in the postoperative period. Nerve conduction velocity values in the NS-RP group were also higher than the NNS-RP group at the postoperative 3rd and 6th months. However, these changes were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).Conclusions:Patients who underwent RP have decreased penile sensation due to cavernous nerve damage and a possible dorsal penile nerve injury. The decrease of penile sensation may be associated with postoperative erectile dysfunction.     

MAT2A Inhibition Blocks the Growth of MTAP-Deleted Cancer Cells by Reducing PRMT5-Dependent mRNA Splicing and Inducing DNA Damage

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To what extent and why are COPD and Willis-Ekbom disease associated?

Aim

Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED) is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with RLS/WED have poorer quality of sleep and more fatigue and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of RLS/WED in patients with COPD has been reported to vary between 29.1 and 36.8 %. However, during exacerbation, the prevalence can increase up to 54 %. These rates are higher than those seen in general population. We have not enough knowledge regarding the association between RLS and COPD. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of RLS in patients with stable COPD without comorbid conditions. In addition, we also aimed to determine possible related causative factors.

Method

We included 80 COPD patients without comorbid conditions who presented to our outpatient clinic between April 2013 and September 2013 for RLS/WED evaluation. Three cases that have polyneuropathy and one case that refused undergoing electromyography (EMG) examination were excluded from the study. Demographic data, P-A chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests (PFT), biochemical parameters (including hemogram), and dyspnea scales were evaluated for each patient. In addition, the RLS/WED rating scale and Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) were applied. Further, each patient diagnosed with RLS/WED underwent a detailed neurological examination (performed by a neurologist) and an EMG examination to rule out polyneuropathy.

Results

Out of 76 COPD cases included in our study, 26.3 % (n?=?20) were diagnosed with RLS/WED (mean age 60.4?±?7.5 years, 20 males). The cases with RLS/WED had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) than cases without RLS/WED (p?=?0.009). There were no significant differences between cases with and without RLS/WED with respect to PFT, dyspnea scales, and arterial blood gas values. However, ESS was significantly different (p?=?0.016). There were no significant differences in RLS/WED scores and mean hs-CRP levels between COPD stages (p?=?0.424; p?=?0.518, respectively), while ESS was significantly different (p?=?0.016). ESS was significantly higher in stage B COPD than in stages A and D (p?=?0.005, p?=?0.008, respectively). Based on our model, we found that exacerbations and iron binding capacity (UIBC) were predictive factors for RLS/WED (p?<?0.100)

Conclusion

RLS/WED is a common disease in cases with stable COPD. Despite our hypothesis suggesting that the prevalence of RLS/WED in COPD is related with systemic inflammation, we did not find a significant association between hs-CRP and COPD cases with RLS/WED. However, we did find that UIBC is a predictive factor for the development of RLS/WED. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to understand the relationships between UIBC, low BMI, and the development of RLS/WED in COPD.