Associations of Cognitive Expectancies With Auditory Hallucinations and Hallucinatory-Like Experiences in Patients With Schizophrenia.

Background: Various neurocognitive models explore perceptual distortions and hallucinations in schizophrenia and the general population. A variant of predictive coding account suggests that strong priors, like cognitive expectancy, may influence perception. This study examines if stronger cognitive expectancies result in more auditory false percepts in clinical and healthy control groups, investigates group differences, and explores the association between false percepts and hallucinations.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of human serum albumin-based PEGylated nanoparticles for BDNF and NT3 codelivery.

The utilization of neurotrophins in medicine shows significant potential for addressing neurodegenerative conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the therapeutic use of neurotrophins has been restricted due to their short half-life. Here, we aimed to synthesize PEGylated nanoparticles based on electrostatic-driven interactions between human serum albumin (HSA), a carrier for adsorption; neurotrophin-3 (NT3); and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

A systematic review of performance-based assessment studies on cognitive biases in schizophrenia spectrum psychoses and clinical high-risk states: A summary of 40 years of research.

Cognitive models of psychosis have stimulated empirical studies on cognitive biases involved in schizophrenia spectrum psychoses and their symptoms. This systematic review aimed to summarize the studies on the role of cognitive biases as assessed in different performance-based tasks in schizophrenia spectrum psychoses and clinical high-risk states. We focused on five cognitive biases linked to psychosis, i.

Mechanisms of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Adsorption on Macroion Layers: Molecular Dynamics Modeling and Kinetic Measurements.

Molecular dynamic modeling and various experimental techniques, including multi-angle dynamic light scattering (MADLS), streaming potential, optical waveguide light spectroscopy (OWLS), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), were applied to determine the basic physicochemical parameters of fibroblast growth factor 21 in electrolyte solutions. The protein size and shape, cross-section area, dependence of the nominal charge on pH, and isoelectric point of 5.3 were acquired.

BDNF-loaded PDADMAC-heparin multilayers: a novel approach for neuroblastoma cell study.

Biomaterial science has contributed tremendously to developing nanoscale materials for delivering biologically active compounds, enhancing protein stability, and enabling its therapeutic use. This paper presents a process of formation of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) prepared by sequential adsorption of positively charged polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) and negatively charged heparin sodium salt (HP), from low polyelectrolyte concentration, on a solid substrate. PEM was further applied as a platform for the adsorption of a brain-derived growth factor (BDNF), which is a protein capable of regulating neuronal cell development.

The Impact of Serum Protein Adsorption on PEGylated NT3-BDNF Nanoparticles-Distribution, Protein Release, and Cytotoxicity in a Human Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cell Model.

The adsorption of biomolecules on nanoparticles' surface ultimately depends on the intermolecular forces, which dictate the mutual interaction transforming their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Therefore, a better understanding of the adsorption of serum proteins and their impact on nanoparticle physicochemical properties is of utmost importance for developing nanoparticle-based therapies. We investigated the interactions between potentially therapeutic proteins, neurotrophin 3 (NT3), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), in a cell-free system and a retinal pigmented epithelium cell line (ARPE-19).

Neural Correlates of Aberrant Salience and Source Monitoring in Schizophrenia and At-Risk Mental States-A Systematic Review of fMRI Studies.

Cognitive biases are an important factor contributing to the development and symptom severity of psychosis. Despite the fact that various cognitive biases are contributing to psychosis, they are rarely investigated together. In the current systematic review, we aimed at investigating specific and shared functional neural correlates of two important cognitive biases: aberrant salience and source monitoring.

The role of the electrokinetic charge of neurotrophis-based nanocarriers: protein distribution, toxicity, and oxidative stress in in vitro setting.

Background: The rational chemical design of nanoparticles can be readily controlled and optimized by quantitatively studying protein adsorption at variously charged polymer carriers, determining their fate in biological fluids. We manufactured brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) -based electrostatic nanocomplexes with a different type of dendrimer core (anionic or cationic), encapsulated or not in polyethylene glycol (PEG), and studied their physicochemical properties and behavior in a biological setting. We investigated whether the electrokinetic charge of dendrimer core influences BDNF loading and desorption from the nanoparticle and serves as a determinant of nanoparticles' behavior in in vitro setting, influencing mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation, and general nanoparticles' cellular toxicity.

Novel design of (PEG-ylated)PAMAM-based nanoparticles for sustained delivery of BDNF to neurotoxin-injured differentiated neuroblastoma cells.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for the development and function of human neurons, therefore it is a promising target for neurodegenerative disorders treatment. Here, we studied BDNF-based electrostatic complex with dendrimer nanoparticles encapsulated in polyethylene glycol (PEG) in neurotoxin-treated, differentiated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, a model of neurodegenerative mechanisms. PEG layer was adsorbed at dendrimer-protein core nanoparticles to decrease their cellular uptake and to reduce BDNF-other proteins interactions for a prolonged time.

Electrostatic complex of neurotrophin 4 with dendrimer nanoparticles: controlled release of protein in vitro and in vivo.

NT4 has been regarded as a promising therapeutic protein for treatment of damaged retinal pigment epithelium cells. Here, we studied physicochemical parameters of an NT4-polyamidoamine (PAMAM) electrostatic complex, which can provide a sustained concentration of protein in intraocular space over an extended period after delivery. Adsorption/desorption of NT4 molecules to/from positively charged PAMAM dendrimers were precisely determined to control the concentration of bounded/unbounded protein molecules, diffusion coefficient, and size of a protein-laden dendrimer structure.

Albumin adsorption at solid substrates: A quest for a unified approach.

Adsorption of human serum albumin (HSA), recombinant HSA (rHSA) and the albumin dimer (dHSA) at solid/electrolyte interfaces is reviewed with the emphasis put on quantitative analysis of this process. Initially, various physicochemical data characterizing bulk properties of albumin molecules are discussed such as electrophoretic mobility, electrokinetic charge, zeta potential and diffusion coefficient. Adsorption kinetics of HSA, rHSA and dHSA at mica derived from AFM, streaming potential and XPS measurements is analyzed.

Adsorption/Desorption Transition of Recombinant Human Neurotrophin 4: Physicochemical Characterization.

Bulk physicochemical properties of neurotrophin 4 (NT-4) in electrolyte solutions and its adsorption/desorption on/from mica surfaces have been studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS), microelectrophoresis, a solution depletion technique (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA), and AFM imaging. Our study presents a determination of the diffusion coefficient, hydrodynamic diameters, electrophoretic mobility, and isoelectric point of the NT-4 under various ionic strength and pH conditions. The size of the NT-4 homodimer for an ionic strength of 0.

Enzymatic Activity of Candida spp. from Oral Cavity and Urine in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome.

Oral colonization with Candida spp. is not synonymous with a systemic active infection. The aim of the study was to evaluate enzymatic activity of Candida strains isolated from the oral cavity in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and to compare it with the activity determined in urine.

Aspergillus galactomannan detection in comparison to a real-time PCR assay in serum samples from a high-risk group of patients.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a severe infection with a 70% mortality rate. Aspergillus fumigatus is responsible for over 90% of those infections. The diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis is based on clinical sample culture and detection of fungal hyphae in histopathological examination.

Candida spp. and gingivitis in children with nephrotic syndrome or type 1 diabetes.

Background: Diabetes and Nephrotic syndrome (NS) promote plaque-related gingivitis and yeast-like fungal infections. The study assesses the impact of Candida spp. and general disease- or treatment-related factors on plaque-related gingivitis severity in children and adolescents with Nephrotic syndrome /diabetes.

Mechanism of immonoglobulin G adsorption on mica-AFM and electrokinetic studies.

Adsorption of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from aqueous NaCl solutions of the concentration 10(-3)-0.15M on mica was studied. Initially, the kinetics was evaluated at pH 3.

Invasive candidiasis serological diagnosis in solid organ transplant recipients.

Solid organ transplant recipients are at high risk of fungal infections, because of ongoing immunosuppressive treatment. There are three post organ transplant phases: early, intermediate, and late, all of them at risk of Candida infections. Since conventional tests are insufficient, specific secondary diagnostic tests are still being explored.

Human serum albumin monolayers on mica: electrokinetic characteristics.

Adsorption of human serum albumin (HSA) on mica from 0.15 M NaCl solutions and various pH values was studied using in situ streaming potential measurements, AFM imaging, and XPS. The results obtained by the streaming potential were consistent with AFM measurements and theoretical predictions based on the random sequential adsorption model.

Mechanism of HSA adsorption on mica determined by streaming potential, AFM and XPS measurements.

Adsorption of human serum albumin (HSA) on mica at pH 3.5 (0.15M NaCl) was studied using in situ streaming potential measurements, AFM imaging and XPS.

Ionic strength effect in HSA adsorption on mica determined by streaming potential measurements.

Adsorption and desorption of human serum albumin (HSA) from aqueous solutions on mica were studied using AFM and in situ streaming potential measurements. A quantitative interpretation of these experiments was achieved in terms of the theoretical model postulating a 3D adsorption of HSA molecules as discrete particles. These measurements, performed for various ionic strength, allowed one to determine the coverage of HSA as a function of the zeta potential of mica.

Differences in proteolytic activity and gene profiles of fungal strains isolated from the total parenteral nutrition patients.

Fungal infections constitute a serious clinical problem in the group of patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. The majority of species isolated from infections of the total parenteral nutrition patients belong to Candida genus. The most important factors of Candida spp.

[Mycological analysis of clinical materials of patients receiving total parenteral nutrition].

The most frequent etiological factors of fungal infections in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) belong to Candida genus of the yeastlike fungi. In the TPN patients the several infectious complications can develop: venous catheter infection, catheter candidemia (fungemia), fungal endocarditis or fungal ophtalmitis. The capability of hydrolytic (proteolytic, lipolytic) enzymes secretion as well as biofilm formation on artificial surfaces are the most important factors of fungal strains pathogenity.

Algorithm of clinical protocol lowering the risk of systemic Mycosis infections in allografts recipients.

The aim of the study was to describe a diagnostic protocol to lower the risk of a mycotic invasive infection among allotransplant recipients and to suggest the use of preoperative prophylaxis and/or empiric therapy. We chose a group of 268 allograft recipients with transient or constant yeast colonization or confirmed yeast infection. Among 7744 clinical samples, 475 were positive for fungi.

[Relationships between the emotional and cognitive components of alexythymia and PTSD in victims of domestic violence].

Aim: Alexythymia has been reported in various psychiatric disorders, also in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The 20-item Toronto Alexythymia Scale (TAS-20) measures three inter-correlated dimensions ofalexythymia: 1. difficulties in identifying feelings, 2.