SSRIs: Applications in inflammatory lung disease and implications for COVID-19.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have anti-inflammatory properties that may have clinical utility in treating severe pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19. SSRIs exert anti-inflammatory effects at three mechanistic levels: (a) inhibition of proinflammatory transcription factor activity, including NF-κB and STAT3; (b) downregulation of lung tissue damage and proinflammatory cell recruitment via inhibition of cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1β; and (c) direct suppression inflammatory cells, including T cells, macrophages, and platelets. These pathways are implicated in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

Fluoxetine as an anti-inflammatory therapy in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Hyperinflammatory response caused by infections such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) increases organ failure, intensive care unit admission, and mortality. Cytokine storm in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) drives this pattern of poor clinical outcomes and is dependent upon the activity of the transcription factor complex nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB) and its downstream target gene interleukin 6 (IL6) which interacts with IL6 receptor (IL6R) and the IL6 signal transduction protein (IL6ST or gp130) to regulate intracellular inflammatory pathways. In this study, we compare transcriptomic signatures from a variety of drug-treated or genetically suppressed (i.

Oxytocin's anti-inflammatory and proimmune functions in COVID-19: a transcriptomic signature-based approach.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a worldwide pandemic, infecting over 16 million people worldwide with a significant mortality rate. However, there is no current Food and Drug Administration-approved drug that treats coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Damage to T lymphocytes along with the cytokine storm are important factors that lead to exacerbation of clinical cases.

The Effect of Antidepressants on Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), depressive symptoms are common and may influence recovery. We performed a meta-analysis to estimate the benefit of antidepressants following TBI and compare the estimated effects between antidepressants and placebo.

Participants: Multiple databases were searched to find prospective pharmacological treatment studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults following TBI.

Assessment of the relationship of spiritual well-being to depression and quality of life for persons with spinal cord injury.

Objective: This study sought to describe the association between spiritual well-being, demographic characteristics, quality of life (QOL) and depressive symptoms following spinal cord injury (SCI). We hypothesized QOL and depressed mood would both be explained by extent of spiritual well-being, and meaning-focused (M&P) spirituality would have a stronger impact than faith-focused spirituality.

Methods: 210 individuals with SCI were screened as part of a randomized control trial of venlafaxine XR for major depressive disorder (MDD).

Cigarette Smokers are Less Likely to Have Undetectable Viral Loads: Results From Four HIV Clinics.

Background: The prevalence of smoking among HIV-infected individuals is 2-3 times that of the general population, increasing the risk of smoking-related morbidity and mortality. We examined characteristics associated with smoking behavior among a large cohort of HIV-infected individuals in care in the United States.

Methods: A convenience sample of 2952 HIV-infected patients in the Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) was assessed during routine clinic visits and was included.

Disclosing the potential impact of placebo controls in antidepressant trials.

Background: Although placebo-control clinical trials that withhold effective treatments can be permissible, how best to inform participants of the placebo design has received little attention.

Aims: To determine the effect of disclosing quantitative outcome estimates of individual treatment . entering placebo-control randomised control trial (RCT) on willingness to enrol in such an RCT.

Venlafaxine extended-release for depression following spinal cord injury: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Depression is prevalent and associated with negative outcomes in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Antidepressants are used routinely to treat depression, yet no placebo-controlled trials have been published in this population to our knowledge.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release (XR) for major depressive disorder (MDD) or dysthymic disorder in persons with chronic SCI.

Efficacy of venlafaxine XR for the treatment of pain in patients with spinal cord injury and major depression: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objectives: To (1) determine the efficacy of venlafaxine XR for the treatment of pain (secondary aim) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the efficacy of venlafaxine XR for major depressive disorder (MDD) (primary aim); and (2) test the hypothesis that venlafaxine XR would be effective for both neuropathic and nociceptive pain.

Design: Multisite, double-blind, randomized (1:1) controlled trial with subjects block randomized and stratified by site, lifetime history of substance abuse, and prior history of MDD.

Setting: Six Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in university-based medical schools.

Rapid follow-up for patients after psychiatric crisis.

Patients in psychiatric crisis often lack connection to community resources and present to emergency departments (EDs) for care. A transitional psychiatry clinic (TPC) bridged patients after ED visit. These retrospective chart review data of 390 patients were analyzed by ANOVA, logistic regression and survival analysis.

Post-traumatic growth following spinal cord injury.

Context/objective: Examine the relationship of post-traumatic psychological growth (PTG), depression, and personal and injury characteristics in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Community.

Characterization of opioid overdose and response in a high-risk community corrections sample: a preliminary study.

Opiate overdose is an increasingly common cause of death, yet could be easily treated with available opioid antagonists. Opiate use is very common in criminal justice populations, and individuals recently released from prisons or jails are an especially vulnerable group for both overdose and death, particularly in the immediate postrelease period. Participants (N = 478) were individuals under community corrections supervision who were surveyed about their opioid use, overdose history, medical history, and demographics.

Factors associated with rapid failure in a Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities (TASC) program.

Objective: Identify factors associated with early treatment failure in a Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities (TASC) program, a case management criminal justice diversion program for individuals under community corrections supervision.

Methods: Demographics, medication history, substance dependence, and criminal history variables for 21,419 individuals were used as predictor variables for successful treatment outcome in a Cox Proportional Hazards Survival analysis which was used to assess the relationship between predictor variables and the length of time before treatment failure.

Results: Early treatment failure was associated with a number of factors linked to social stability, including: being divorced separated or widowed, being less educated, being without insurance or on government insurance, and being unemployed.

HIV-risk characteristics in community corrections.

Objective: Individuals in the criminal justice system engage in behaviors that put them at high risk for HIV. This study sought to identify characteristics of individuals who are under community corrections supervision (eg, probation) and at risk for HIV.

Methods: Approximately 25,000 individuals under community corrections supervision were assessed for HIV risk, and 5059 participants were deemed high-risk or no-risk.