A Selective Nuclear Factor-κB Inhibitor, JSH-23, Exhibits Antidepressant-like Effects and Reduces Brain Inflammation in Rats.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that nuclear factor (NF)-κB is involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders.

Objectives And Methods: We conducted two experimental protocols in rats to investigate the effects of a selective NF-κB inhibitor (JSH-23) on (i) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and (ii) on behavioral phenotypes in rat models of depression (sucrose consumption test and forced swim test) and mania (amphetamine-induced hyperactivity test). Additionally, we tested the effects of JSH-23 on levels of inflammatory components (interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2, nuclear phospho-p65, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in the brain.

The Role of FKBPs in Complex Disorders: Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Stress is a common denominator of complex disorders and the FK-506 binding protein (FKBP)51 plays a central role in stress. Hence, it is not surprising that multiple studies imply the involvement of the FKBP51 protein and/or its coding gene, , in complex disorders. This review summarizes such reports concentrating on three disorder clusters-neuropsychiatric, cancer, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Dapagliflozin sacubitril-valsartan for heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

Background And Aim: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with an increased risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and cardiovascular death (CVD). Both dapagliflozin and sacubitril-valsartan have recently shown convincing reductions in the combined risk of CVD and HF hospitalizations in patients with HF and mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) or HFpEF. We aimed to investigate the cost-per-outcome implications of dapagliflozin vs sacubitril-valsartan in the treatment of HFmrEF or HFpEF patients.

Chronic Treatment with Oil Exerts Antimanic Properties and Reduces Brain Inflammation in Rats.

(NS) is a native herb consumed habitually in several countries worldwide, possessing manifold therapeutic properties. Among them, anti-inflammatory features have been reported, presumably relating to mechanisms involved in the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway, among others. Given the observed association between neuroimmune factors and mental illness, the primary aim of the present study was to examine the effects of chronic NS use on manic-like behavior in rats, as well as analyze levels of brain inflammatory mediators following NS intake.

Adherence to liraglutide among individuals with overweight and obesity: Patient characteristics and clinical measures.

Aim: To identify the sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory determinants relating to patient adherence to liraglutide treatment among individuals with overweight or obesity.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed patients with overweight or obesity who were treated with liraglutide between 2019 and 2022. Over a 6-month follow-up period, measurements of body mass index, sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory data, and prescription records for liraglutide were collected.

Vaccinating without complete willingness against COVID-19: Personal and social aspects of Israeli nursing students and faculty members.

Soon after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, it became clear that vaccination will be the most useful tool to combat the disease. Despite the apparent safety and efficacy of the developed anti-COVID-19 vaccines, relatively high percentages of the population worldwide refused to get vaccinated, including many health workers and health students. The present cross-sectional study examined the motives, attitudes, and personal characteristics of those who did not get vaccinated against COVID-19 or vaccinated without complete willingness among nursing students and nursing faculty members in Israel (n = 472).

Dapagliflozin versus empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin have demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, their comparative monetary value for improving outcomes in CKD patients is unestablished. We examined the cost-per-outcome implications of utilizing dapagliflozin as compared to empagliflozin for prevention of renal and cardiovascular events in CKD patients.

Ondansetron Use During Pregnancy: Birth Defects and Obstetric Outcomes.

Ondansetron is a widely administered medication for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Further examination of its teratogenic capacity is necessary. This study examines the association between ondansetron treatment during pregnancy and birth defects and adverse obstetric outcomes.

Montelukast induces beneficial behavioral outcomes and reduces inflammation in male and female rats.

Background: Accumulative data links inflammation and immune dysregulation to the pathophysiology of mental disorders; little is known regarding leukotrienes' (LTs) involvement in this process. Circumstantial evidence suggests that treatment with leukotriene modifying agents (LTMAs) such as montelukast (MTK) may induce adverse neuropsychiatric events. Further methodic evaluation is warranted.

Effects of Dexamethasone and Pentoxifylline on Mania-like and Depression-like Behaviors in Rats.

Several studies support the notion that inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology and treatment approaches of psychiatric illnesses, particularly mood disorders. Congruently, classic anti-inflammatory drugs were found efficacious in randomized clinical trials of patients with mood disorders. Moreover, accumulating data indicate that psychotropic drugs exhibit some anti-inflammatory effects.

Staff attitudes and perceptions towards the use of coercive measures in psychiatric patients.

The failure of efforts to significantly reduce the use of physical coercive measures (PCMs) in psychiatric hospitals remains a global concern. There is a gap in the understanding of staff's characteristics that may affect their attitudes and perceptions towards PCMs. This study used a cross-sectional design to examine the attitudes and perceptions of staff working at a mental health centre in Israel regarding the use of PCMs and to explore whether staff attitudes differed depending on their professional and demographic background.

Low-Dose Aspirin Augments the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Low-Dose Lithium in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Rats.

Mounting evidence suggests that immune-system dysfunction and inflammation play a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood-disorders in general and of bipolar disorder in particular. The current study examined the effects of chronic low-dose aspirin and low-dose lithium (Li) treatment on plasma and brain interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. Rats were fed regular or Li-containing food (0.

The Association Between Pain and In-Hospital Complications and Duration of Stay After Colorectal Surgery.

Background: Pain is a subjective and multidimensional experience often inadequately managed following surgery. Postoperative pain has been shown to correlate with hospital length of stay (HLOS) and hospital complications. Given advancements in preemptive pain management approaches, reevaluation is necessary.

A New NF-κB Inhibitor, MEDS-23, Reduces the Severity of Adverse Post-Ischemic Stroke Outcomes in Rats.

Aim: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is known to play an important role in the inflammatory process which takes place after ischemic stroke. The major objective of the present study was to examine the effects of MEDS-23, a potent inhibitor of NF-κB, on clinical outcomes and brain inflammatory markers in post-ischemic stroke rats.

Main Methods: Initially, a Toxicity Experiment was performed to determine the appropriate dose of MEDS-23 for use in animals, as MEDS-23 was analyzed in vivo for the first time.

Safety and Efficacy of Combined Low-Dose Lithium and Low-Dose Aspirin: A Pharmacological and Behavioral Proof-of-Concept Study in Rats.

Despite established efficacy in bipolar disorder patients, lithium (Li) therapy has serious side effects, particularly chronic kidney disease. We examined the safety and behavioral effects of combined chronic low-dose aspirin plus low-dose Li in rats to explore the toxicity and therapeutic potential of this treatment. Rats were fed regular or Li-containing food (0.

Normobaric oxygen treatment for mild-to-moderate depression: a randomized, double-blind, proof-of-concept trial.

Oxygen enriched air may increase oxygen pressure in brain tissue and have biochemical effects even in subjects without lung disease. Consistently, several studies demonstrated that normobaric oxygen treatment has clinical benefits in some neurological conditions. This study examined the efficacy of normobaric oxygen treatment in subjects with depression.

Anti-TNF-α Compounds as a Treatment for Depression.

Millions of people around the world suffer from psychiatric illnesses, causing unbearable burden and immense distress to patients and their families. Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation may contribute to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as major depression and bipolar disorder. Copious studies have consistently shown that patients with mood disorders have increased levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 does not reduce mortality in post-ischemic stroke rats.

Background: Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. The currently available non-invasive therapeutic options are not sufficiently efficacious. Post-ischemic brain is characterized by a prominent inflammatory response.

Induction of Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury in Rats Based on Rotational Acceleration.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is the predominant mechanism of injury in a large percentage of TBI patients requiring hospitalization. DAI involves widespread axonal damage from shaking, rotation or blast injury, leading to rapid axonal stretch injury and secondary axonal changes that are associated with a long-lasting impact on functional recovery.

The Barriers to Neonatal Hepatitis B Vaccination in Israel: A Prospective Study.

Background: Opposition to neonatal Hepatitis B vaccination is a growing trend in Israel.

Objectives: To assess the sociodemographic factors and attitudes associated with non-vaccination of term singleton newborns.

Methods: This prospective, pair-matched, controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary university-affiliated hospital.

The Association Between Psychotropic Drug Use and Fertility Problems Among Male Subjects.

Mental disorders affect a high percentage of the general population and are associated with a significant burden. One major component of treatment for mental illnesses is pharmacotherapy. Various psychotropic medications are used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and these are often associated with a plethora of side effects.

Different roles of cAMP/PKA and PKC signaling in regulating progesterone and PGE levels in immortalized rat granulosa cell cultures.

Follicular cells from various species secrete steroids and prostaglandins, which are crucial for reproduction, in response to gonadotropins. Here, we examined prostaglandin E (PGE) secretion from immortalized rat granulosa cells derived from preovulaotry follicles expressing the rat follicle stimulating hormone receptor (denoted as FSHR cells) that produce progesterone in response to gonadotropins. The cells were stimulated with a) pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG; a rat FSH receptor agonist), b) activators of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway (forskolin and a cell permeable cAMP analog Dibutyryl-cAMP (DB-cAMP)) and c) protein kinase C (PKC) (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate; TPA), alone and in combination for 24 h.