Associations between polymorphisms of LSAMP gene and schizophrenia

The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the limbic system-associated membrane protein (LSAMP) gene and schizophrenia. Twenty-two SNPs were analysed in 127 unrelated schizophrenic patients and in 171 healthy controls. The results showed significant allelic and haplotypic associations between LSAMP gene and schizophrenia.     

Citalopram challenge in social anxiety disorder

The aim of the present study was to evaluate neuroendocrine and behavioural responses to a challenge with the selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor citalopram (Cit) in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Cit was given intravenously (20 mg over 30 min) to 18 patients with SAD and 18 matched healthy subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design. Cit challenge resulted in the increased plasma concentrations of cortisol and prolactin relatively to placebo without significant differences between the patients and controls. The patients had higher ratings of anxiety that were not affected by Cit, and more headaches than controls after Cit. Thus, the neuroendocrine sensitivity to 5-HT stimulation with Cit in patients with SAD was not different from the response in controls indicating lack of major alterations in the function of 5-HT receptors. The increased headache in patients may suggest hypersensitivity of some subtypes of 5-HT receptors in SAD.     

Azithromycin vs doxycycline in the treatment of inclusion conjunctivitis

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of azithromycin and doxycycline in the treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis in adults. DESIGN: An open, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Seventy-eight adult patients with incluson conjunctivitis were enrolled in this multicenter clinical study. Patients with chlamydial conjunctivitis as indicated by a positive direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test or cell culture were randomized to receive a single 1-g dose of azithromycin or doxycycline, 100 mg twice daily for 10 days. A conjuctival swab for cell culture was obtained from all patients immediately before the treatment for subsequent confirmation of the presence of chlamydial infection in the central laboratory. Control examinations were performed 10 to 12 days and 4 to 6 weeks after the treatment initiation. Clinical and bacteriological responses to the treatment were evaluated at the last visit. The occurrence and frequency of adverse events were analyzed as well. RESULTS: Of 78 patients enrolled, 51 completed the study and were evaluated for efficacy. The main reasons for withdrawal were lack of confirmation of the presence of chlamydial infection by the central laboratory and failure to attend the follow-up visit. Eradication of C. trachomatis was achieved in 23 of 25 (92%) patients treated with azithromycin and in 25 of 26 (96%) patients treated with doxycycline. Clinical cure was observed in 15 (60%) and 18 (69%) patients treated with azithromycin and doxycycline, respectively. Both drugs were equally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: A single 1-g azithromycin therapy was as effective as standard 10-day treatment with doxycycline (100 mg twice daily) in the treatment of adult inclusion conjunctivitis.     

Prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency in the Croatian Adriatic Coast population

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency among the population of the Croatian Adriatic Coast, part of the Mediterranean basin. METHODS: The fluorescent spot test was used to screen 2,726 randomly selected high school students in the Croatian Adriatic coastal area. Fluorescence readings were performed at the beginning and at 3, 6, 10, and 25 min of incubation. Results were classified into the following three groups: bright fluorescence (BF), weak fluorescence (WF), and no fluorescence (NF). All NF and WF samples at 3 min were quantitatively measured using the spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Twelve persons, 10 boys and 2 girls, were found to be deficient in G-6-PD, rendering a 0.44% prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency. All NF samples at fluorescent spot test were G-6-PD-deficient. WF at 3 min of the incubation period was present in 33 (1.2%) subjects, and only 2 (6%) were true positive. Fluorescence reading at 10 min of incubation omits five (41%) of the G-6-PD deficient samples. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency in the Croatian Adriatic coastal population is 0.44%. Fluorescent spot test for moderate enzyme deficiency is reliable in early fluorescence reading.     

Evaluation of personality traits in panic disorder using Swedish universities Scales of Personality

Personality factors may interact with development and expressions of panic disorder (PD). This study sought to identify differences in personality traits between patients with PD and healthy individuals and explore the relationships between personality domains and various demographic and clinical variables of PD. Personality traits were evaluated in 193 patients and 314 matched healthy subjects using the Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP). All SSP traits, except for detachment and physical trait aggression, were significantly deviated in PD group, as compared to healthy subjects. The SSP factors of neuroticism and aggressiveness, but not extraversion, were significantly higher in PD group than in controls. More pronounced aberrations in personality traits were observed in PD with affective comorbidity. Only few demographic and clinical variables were associated with SSP scores in PD group. These results add to the evidence of maladaptive personality disposition in patients with PD, particularly high neuroticism and manifest somatic trait anxiety. Use of SSP proved to add clinically relevant information on personality traits in patients with PD.     

Gender differences in brain serotonin transporter availability in panic disorder

The role of the serotonin (5-HT) system in the neurobiology and treatment of panic disorder (PD) remains unproven. Previously we detected lower brain 5-HT transporter (SERT) availability in PD, but the findings were preliminary and mainly limited to female patients. The aim of this study was to assess non-displaceable brain SERT binding potential (BP (ND)) in male and female patients with PD. The SERT BP (ND) was measured in groups of patients with PD (five males and six females) and matched healthy control subjects (12 males and 12 females) using positron emission tomography (PET) and [11C]MADAM tracer. SERT BP (ND) were significantly higher in 13 of 20 studied brain regions, including several cortical and raphe areas, but lower in the hippocampus in males with PD as compared with healthy males. No significant differences in SERT BP (ND) were observed between female patients and controls. The results suggest gender-dependent regional differences in brain SERT availability and converge with previous PET findings of reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor binding in similar brain areas in PD. Distinctive functioning of the 5-HT system in males and females may underlie certain gender-dependent differences in expressions of PD.     

Protective effect of urapidil on testicular torsion–detorsion injury in rats

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of urapidil and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on testicular torsion–detorsion injury in rats.

Methods

Thirty-two male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. In the torsion–detorsion (T/D) group, the left testis was twisted at 720° for 3 h. After 3 h of reperfusion, the testis was removed. Urapidil or LMWH was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before detorsion in the treatment groups.

Results

Unilateral testicular torsion–detorsion caused significant increases in the malondialdehyde level and apoptosis and significant decreases in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in ipsilateral testes (p < 0.001). The rats treated with urapidil had a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde level and apoptosis and significant increases in the SOD and GPx activities in ipsilateral testes compared to the T/D group (p < 0.001). Animals treated with LMWH showed non-significant reductions in malondialdehyde levels and apoptosis compared to the T/D group. In addition, no significant difference in the SOD activities (p = 0.52) between the groups was found. The increase in the GPx activities was significant in the LMWH group compared to the T/D group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The administration of urapidil before detorsion prevents ischemia/reperfusion cellular damage in testicular tissue. LMWH was not found to have a beneficial effect on testicular T/D injury in rats.

     

Epizootic features and control measures for lumpy skin disease in south‐east Serbia in 2016

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious disease of cattle caused by virus of the Capripoxvirus genus (LSDV), family Poxviridae. Until 2015, it had not appeared in the Balkans. In June 2016, LSD spread throughout Serbia. This study analyses the first LSD occurrence, epizootic features, applied diagnostic procedures and control measures in five districts in south‐east Serbia (Pcinja, Jablanica, Pirot, Toplica and Nisava). In total, there were 225 LSD outbreaks reported in Serbia, out of which 189 (84%) were located in the study area. The highest number of outbreaks was registered in Pcinja district (169), where LSD was first registered. The median distance and time between the nearest previous outbreak sites were calculated (4.32 km and 9 days). The median altitude of outbreak locations was 992 m with more than 90% above 500 m (p ≤ 0.001). The average herd morbidity rate in the study area was 13.6% and the herd mortality rate was recorded only in Pcinja (0.5%) and Jablanica (1.6%) districts. Samples taken from the cattle suspected to LSD were subjected to real time PCR analysis. Out of 233 samples tested for LSDV 132 (56.7%) were positive. The LSDV genome was identified in skin nodules (85.4%), blood (72.7%) and nasal swabs (62.5%). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the LSDV strain circulating in Serbia fell within the cluster of field LSDV found worldwide. In response to the LSD epizootic, animal trade and movement were prohibited, complete stamping out, disinfection, disinsection and an entire bovine population vaccination using the homologous Neethling live attenuated vaccine (OBP, South Africa) were conducted. A month and a half after the completion of the vaccination campaign, the LSD epizootic was stopped, and no new cases have been reported since.