Relationship between childhood trauma and social adaptation in a sample of young people attending an early intervention service for psychosis.

Introduction: Childhood trauma has been associated with an increased risk of psychosis, a greater severity of psychopathological symptoms, and a worse functional prognosis in patients with psychotic disorders. The current study aims to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, psychopathology and social adaptation in a sample of young people with first episode psychosis (FEP) or at-risk mental states (ARMS).

Material And Methods: The sample included 114 young people (18-35 years old, 81 FEP and 33 ARMS) who were attending an Early Intervention Service for Psychosis.

Effects of raloxifene on cognition in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia: a 24-week double-blind, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled trial.

We assessed the utility of raloxifene (60 mg/day) as an adjuvant treatment for cognitive symptoms in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia in a 24-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients were recruited from the inpatient and outpatient services of Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, and Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí. Seventy eight postmenopausal women with schizophrenia were randomized to either adjunctive raloxifene or placebo.

A biomimetic cerium-based biosensor for the direct visual detection of phosphate under physiological conditions.

An indicator displacement assay (IDA) was used to probe phosphate ions in an aqueous medium at neutral pH using a dinuclear cerium based complex [Ce2(HXTA)]3+. The homoleptic complex can be used to detect phosphate ions with nanomolar affinity either spectrophotometrically or with the naked-eye. To our knowledge, this is the first dinuclear cerium biomimetic IDA detection system with the highest affinity known to date for selective, naked-eye based phosphate recognition under physiological conditions (pH = 5-7) and even in pure water and complex samples such as sea water.

«La Chimie en Couleurs»: Socially Relevant & Original Research in Chemistry in High Schools Using Modest Resources.

Teaching chemistry at high school level has the potential of playing a major role for the development of our society, in particular, to form future leaders in chemistry who will address social challenges such as the need for better healthcare, improved agricultural techniques and more efficient use of energy resources. In general, high school chemistry teaching programs tend to illustrate the great historic discoveries and glorious past of chemical research. It is hoped that this historical perspective will help to provide students with the basic understanding necessary for the development of the chemistry of tomorrow.

Comparison of GnRH agonist versus luteal estradiol GnRH antagonist protocol using transdermal testosterone in poor responders.

Objective: Transdermal testosterone has been used in different doses and in different stimulation protocols in poor responders. The aim of the present study is to compare the luteal estradiol/GnRH antagonists protocol versus long GnRH agonists in poor responder patients according to the Bologna criteria, in which transdermal testosterone has been used prior to the stimulation with gonadotropins.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, a total of 141 poor responder patients according to the Bologna criteria were recruited.

Accuracy and completeness of records of adverse events through interface terminology.

Objective: To determine what adverse events, including pressure ulcers, infection of the surgical site and aspiration pneumonia, nurses record in clinical histories, in terms of diagnostic accuracy and completeness, through ATIC.

Method: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study of 64 medical-surgical and semi-critical units of two university hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, during 2015. The diagnostic accuracy was assessed by means of the correspondence between the event declared in the Minimum Basic Data Set and the problem documented by the nurse.

Sex differences in the relationship between prolactin levels and impaired processing speed in early psychosis.

Introduction: Hyperprolactinaemia is commonly observed in people with psychotic disorders due to D2 receptor blockade by antipsychotic drugs, although it may also exist in drug-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis. Recent studies suggest that hyperprolactinaemia may have a negative impact on cognitive function in people with early psychosis. We aimed to explore whether there are sex differences in the association between prolactin levels and cognitive performance in early psychosis patients.

Pharmacogenetic study of the effects of raloxifene on negative symptoms of postmenopausal women with schizophrenia: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Several double-blind clinical trials have reported improvement in positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia with raloxifene, a selective receptor estrogen modulator. However, there are some inconsistencies in replicating findings between studies of different countries. The failure to replicate these findings may result from genetic factors that could explain some of the variability in the treatment response.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis measures and cognitive abilities in early psychosis: Are there sex differences?

Introduction: Measures of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity such as increased diurnal cortisol levels or a blunted cortisol awakening response (CAR) have been associated with cognitive impairments in people with psychotic disorders. We aimed to explore whether there are sex differences in the relationship between HPA axis measures and cognition in early psychosis (EP).

Methods: 60 EP outpatients and 50 healthy subjects (HS) were assessed with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery.

Increased circulating cell-derived microparticle count is associated with recurrent implantation failure after IVF and embryo transfer.

Cell-derived microparticles (cMPs) are small membrane vesicles that are released from many different cell types in response to cellular activation or apoptosis. Elevated cMP counts have been found in almost all thrombotic diseases and pregnancy wastage, such as recurrent spontaneous abortion and in a number of conditions associated with inflammation, cellular activation and angiogenesis. cMP count was investigated in patients experiencing unexplained recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

Sex differences in the effect of childhood trauma on the clinical expression of early psychosis.

Childhood trauma, a risk factor of psychosis, is associated the clinical expression of the illness (greater severity of psychotic symptoms; poorer cognitive performance). We aimed to explore whether there are sex differences in this relationship. We studied 79 individuals with a psychotic disorder (PD) with <3years of illness and 59 healthy subjects (HS).

Age, independent from ovarian reserve status, is the main prognostic factor in natural cycle in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To analyze natural cycle IVF (NC-IVF) results according to patient age, ovarian reserve status following the Bologna criteria, cause of infertility, and modification of the cycle with the use of GnRH antagonist.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary-care university hospital.

Free thyroxine levels are associated with cognitive changes in individuals with a first episode of psychosis: A prospective 1-year follow-up study.

The results of previous cross-sectional studies suggest that free thyroxine (FT4) levels are associated with cognitive abilities (particularly attention/vigilance) during the early stages of psychosis. We aimed to explore whether hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid hormones predict cognitive changes in a 1-year longitudinal study following first episodes of psychosis (FEP). We studied 36 FEP patients and a control group of 50 healthy subjects (HS).

Raloxifene as an Adjunctive Treatment for Postmenopausal Women With Schizophrenia: A 24-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Unlabelled: The potential therapeutic utility of estrogens in schizophrenia is increasingly being recognized. Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, appears to act similarly to estrogens on dopamine and serotonin brain systems. One previous trial by our team found that raloxifene was useful to improve negative, positive, and general psychopathological symptoms, without having the negative side effects of estrogens.

Higher levels of procoagulant microparticles in women with recurrent miscarriage are not associated with antiphospholipid antibodies.

Study Question: Are the levels of circulating cell-derived microparticles (cMPs) in patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM) associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)?

Summary Answer: cMPs in women with RM are not associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs).

What Is Known Already: Previous studies have focused on cMP levels in RM patients. Most studies have shown higher levels of cMPs in RM patients whereas others have reported lower levels.

Clinical correlates of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions in at-risk mental states and psychotic disorders at early stages.

We studied the clinical correlates of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions in 109 individuals with early psychosis (31 At-Risk Mental States [ARMS], 78 psychotic disorders with <3 years of illness) and 59 healthy subjects. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms were assessed by the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory - Revised. We also assessed the severity of psychotic symptoms, depressive symptoms and functioning.

Free thyroxine levels are associated with cognitive abilities in subjects with early psychosis.

Introduction: Subjects with a psychotic disorder show mild to moderate cognitive impairment, which is an important determinant of functional outcome. The underlying biological process of cognitive impairment in psychosis is unclear. We aimed to explore whether hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis hormones or thyroid autoimmunity modulate cognitive functioning in subjects with early psychosis.

MED20 mutation associated with infantile basal ganglia degeneration and brain atrophy.

Unlabelled: Infantile movement disorders are rare and genetically heterogeneous. We set out to identify the disease-causing mutation in siblings with a novel recessive neurodegenerative movement disorder. Genetic linkage analysis and whole-exome sequencing were performed in the original family.

An individual patient data meta-analysis on factors associated with adverse drug events in surgical and non-surgical inpatients.

Aim: The incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs) in surgical and non-surgical patients may differ. This individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA) identifies patient characteristics and types of medication most associated with patients experiencing ADEs and suggests target areas for reducing harm and implementing focused interventions.

Methods: Authors of eligible studies on preventable ADEs (pADEs) were approached for collaboration.

Increased prolactin levels are associated with impaired processing speed in subjects with early psychosis.

Hyperprolactinaemia, a common side effect of some antipsychotic drugs, is also present in drug-naïve psychotic patients and subjects at risk for psychosis. Recent studies in non-psychiatric populations suggest that increased prolactin may have negative effects on cognition. The aim of our study was to explore whether high plasma prolactin levels are associated with poorer cognitive functioning in subjects with early psychoses.

Basic nursing care: retrospective evaluation of communication and psychosocial interventions documented by nurses in the acute care setting.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of psychosocial aspects of basic nursing care, as e-charted by nurses, when using an interface terminology.

Methods: An observational, multicentre study was conducted in acute wards. The main outcome measure was the frequency of use of the psychosocial interventions in the electronic nursing care plans, analysed over a 12 month retrospective review.

Zinc-selective inhibition of the promiscuous bacterial amide-hydrolase DapE: implications of metal heterogeneity for evolution and antibiotic drug design.

The development of resistance to virtually all current antibiotics makes the discovery of new antimicrobial compounds with novel protein targets an urgent challenge. The dapE-encoded N-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) is an essential metallo-enzyme for growth and proliferation in many bacteria, acting in the desuccinylation of N-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelic acid (SDAP) in a late stage of the anabolic pathway towards both lysine and a crucial building block of the peptidoglycan cell wall. L-Captopril, which has been shown to exhibit very promising inhibitory activity in vitro against DapE and has attractive drug-like properties, nevertheless does not target DapE in bacteria effectively.

Assisted reproductive technologies are associated with cardiovascular remodeling in utero that persists postnatally.

Background: Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have been shown to be associated with general vascular dysfunction in late childhood. However, it is unknown whether cardiac remodeling is also present and if these changes already manifest in prenatal life. Our aim was to assess fetal and infant (6 months of age) cardiovascular function in ART pregnancies.

Reversible biofunctionalization of surfaces with a switchable mutant of avidin.

Label-free biosensors detect binding of prey molecules (″analytes″) to immobile bait molecules on the sensing surface. Numerous methods are available for immobilization of bait molecules. A convenient option is binding of biotinylated bait molecules to streptavidin-functionalized surfaces, or to biotinylated surfaces via biotin-avidin-biotin bridges.