The value of serum survivin level in early diagnosis of cancer.

Objective: Survivin is one of the apoptosis inhibitor proteins, and it plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis and cancer progression. This study was conducted to investigate the serum level of survivin to determine its diagnostic value in cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples were taken from cancer patients (n = 67) prior to surgery or chemo/radiotherapy and age-matched healthy volunteers (n = 23).

Serum N-Desmethylcitalopram Concentrations are Associated with the Clinical Response to Citalopram of Patients with Major Depression.

Objective: Citalopram (CITA) is a widely used and well-tolerated selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible influences of serum concentrations of CITA and its major metabolite n-desmethylcitalopram (NDCITA) on the efficacy and tolerability of CITA in patients with major depressive disorder.

Methods: The study included 46 outpatients with major depressive disorder who received CITA.

ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to major depression, but not with a clinical response to citalopram in a Turkish population.

Background: The ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1 (ABCB1) gene, which encodes the p-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier, is investigated for patients' susceptibility to major depressive disorder (MDD) and their therapeutic response to antidepressants. However, there is an inconsistency between the studies of different ethnic groups. The current study aimed to determine the potential correlations of the ABCB1 gene C3435T polymorphism with the susceptibility to MDD and the therapeutic response to citalopram in a Turkish population.

Are trauma and dissociation related to treatment resistance in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Objective: Previous research has indicated a relation between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), childhood traumatic experiences and higher levels of dissociation that appears to relate to negative treatment outcome for OCD. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether childhood trauma and dissociation are related to severity of OCD in adulthood. We also intend to examine the association between treatment resistance, dissociation, and each form of trauma.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a progressive, degenerative, and fatal disease of the central nervous system. It is caused by abnormal accumulation of prion proteins and is characterized mainly by progressive dementia, myoclonus, and cerebellar, pyramidal, and extrapyramidal findings. Psychiatric symptoms may also accompany CJD and are often the first signs of the disease.