Sex differences in the association of overweight with cognitive performance in individuals with first-episode psychosis.

Cognitive deficits and overweight are prominent challenges in the treatment of psychosis, which have a direct impact on patients' quality of life. We aim to determine whether there is an association of overweight with cognitive performance and whether there are sex differences in this association. We included 170 individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) (mean age 23.

High blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in early psychosis are associated with inflammatory markers.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6265C > T, Val66Met, affects BDNF secretion and has been related to inflammatory processes. Both the rs6265 and BDNF protein levels have been widely investigated in neuropsychiatric disorders with conflicting results. In the present study we examined BDNF mRNA expression in blood considering the SNP rs6265 and its relationship with inflammatory markers in the early stages of psychosis.

Maladaptive personality traits in patients with recent-onset psychosis: A case-control study using the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5).

Background: The relationship between maladaptive personality traits and psychotic disorders in the early stages of disease has not been thoroughly investigated, even though it is essential for developing prevention and early intervention strategies.

Methods: The five domains and the 25 facets of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) were compared between 102 patients with recent-onset psychosis (ROP) and 116 community subjects (C) with a general linear model including age and sex in the analyses. In addition, multiple linear regression models were used to identify which factors associated with the PID-5 domains in ROP, and correlation analyses were used to explore the relationship between personality traits.

Risk factors for metabolic syndrome in individuals with recent-onset psychosis at disease onset and after 1-year follow-up.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of parameters encompassing the most dangerous heart attack risk factors, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It is highly prevalent in recent-onset psychosis (ROP) patients. In this pilot study, we evaluated MetS parameters (fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-c), fasting triglycerides, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure), clinical symptoms, pharmacological treatment, lifestyle, and inflammatory markers in 69 patients with ROP and 61 healthy controls (HCs).

Challenges in Establishing a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Convalescent Plasma Donation Program in a Multicultural Environment.

Context.—: In the face of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic response, it was worthwhile to test the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) transfusion.

Objective.