Generalized pustular psoriasis: immunological mechanisms, genetics, and emerging therapeutics.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare human autoinflammatory disorder with life-threatening systemic effects. Keratinocyte-derived interleukin (IL)-36 signaling has been identified as a key mediator of immune response in the skin of affected individuals. Recognition of various mutations along the IL-36 axis and the downstream nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) signaling have established GPP as genetically, immunologically, and histopathologically distinct and amenable to immunomodulation, which is epitomized by the recent success of IL-36 antagonism.

Folate and vitamin B12 supplementation in patients with schizophrenia and low serum folate level: A 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effects of folate and vitamin B12 on psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia and low serum folate levels.

Methods: Fifty-five schizophrenia patients with serum folate levels lower than 6 mg/L were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to supplementation with 5 mg of folate and 500 μg of vitamin B12 per day (the folate group, n = 36) or placebo (the placebo group, n = 19) for 24 weeks. We evaluated patients' symptomatology with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and cognitive functions with Cogstate.

Plasma neurofilament light chain levels are associated with delirium tremens in patients with alcohol use disorder.

Delirium tremens (DT) is the most severe and life-threatening manifestation of alcohol withdrawal. Prompt identification and treatment are crucial in the clinical management of DT, but laboratory markers in this context are still lacking. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has been proposed as a novel blood marker of neuroaxonal pathology.

Plasma leptin levels are lower in females, but not males, with ketamine use disorder.

Ketamine has emerged as a prominent substance of misuse. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived polypeptide hormone, has been implicated in the development of addiction. Sex-specific changes in leptin levels have been demonstrated following acute ketamine administration; the persistence of long-term ketamine use on leptin levels is uncertain.

Association of circulating monocyte number and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio with cardiovascular disease in patients with bipolar disorder.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of excessive and premature mortality in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Despite immune cells participating considerably in the pathogenesis of CVD, limited data are available regarding leukocyte phenotypes in patients with BD and CVD. This study aimed to evaluate associations between circulating leukocyte subset and CVD among patients with BD.

Beading plot: a novel graphics for ranking interventions in network evidence.

Background: Network meta-analysis is developed to compare all available treatments; therefore it enriches evidence for clinical decision-making, offering insights into treatment effectiveness and safety when faced with multiple options. However, the complexity and numerous treatment comparisons in network meta-analysis can challenge healthcare providers and patients. The purpose of this study aimed to introduce a graphic design to present complex rankings of multiple interventions comprehensively.

The N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation to prevent depression recurrence in patients with late-life depression: A 52-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Reports on the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) for the treatment of late-life depression (LLD) are mixed, and most studies focus on the modification of depressive symptoms rather than depression prevention. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs in preventing depressive recurrence in patients with late-life depression. In addition, we investigated the effects of n-3 PUFAs on changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms and inflammatory markers in LLD.

Psychometric validation of the Chinese Version of the stimulant relapse risk scale (SRRS) in patients with methamphetamine use disorder.

Background: Evaluating the risk of relapse is a pivotal step in the treatment of patients with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). The 30-item Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS) was originally developed in Japan to meet the demand. This study examined the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Chinese version of the SRRS for patients with MUD.

Assessment of resting cerebral perfusion between methamphetamine-associated psychosis and schizophrenia through arterial spin labeling MRI.

Objective: The clinical manifestations of methamphetamine (METH)-associated psychosis (MAP) and acute paranoid schizophrenia (SCZ) are similar. This study aims to assess regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in individuals who use METH and in those with SCZ using the MRI arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 68 participants and divided them into four groups: MAP (N = 15), SCZ (N = 13), METH users with no psychosis (MNP; N = 22), and normal healthy controls (CRL; N = 18).

Antipsychotic medications and severe sepsis in schizophrenia: A nested case-control study.

Background: Sepsis constitutes a condition that involves life-threatening organ dysfunction induced by severe infection. This nested case-control study investigated risk factors for severe sepsis and whether antipsychotic use is associated with severe sepsis risk in patients with schizophrenia, a topic that has not been comprehensively explored in previous studies.

Methods: We selected 39,432 patients with schizophrenia aged between 15 and 65 years from Taiwan's Psychiatric Inpatient Medical Claims database for the period 2000-2012.

Cluster analysis exploring the impact of childhood neglect on cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder.

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental disorder related to neurocognitive deficits. Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with worse cognitive performance. Different compositions of childhood trauma in BD and their impacts on cognition are rarely reported.

Cluster analysis dissecting cognitive deficits in older adults with major depressive disorder and the association with neurofilament light chain.

Background: Cognitive impairment is a growing problem with increasing burden in global aging. Older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) have higher risk of dementia. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has been proven as a potential biomarker in neurodegenerative disease, including dementia.

Patients with first-episode psychosis in northern Taiwan: neurocognitive performance and niacin response profile in comparison with schizophrenia patients of different familial loadings and relationship with clinical features.

Background: Examining patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) provides opportunities to better understand the mechanism underlying these illnesses. By incorporating quantitative measures in FEP patients, we aimed to (1) determine the baseline distribution of clinical features; (2) examine the impairment magnitude of the quantitative measures by comparing with external controls and then the counterparts of schizophrenia patients of different familial loadings; and (3) evaluate whether these quantitative measures were associated with the baseline clinical features.

Methods: Patients with FEP were recruited from one medical center, two regional psychiatric centers, and two private clinics in northern Taiwan with clinical features rated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale.

Efficacy of neuromodulation on the treatment of fibromyalgia: A network meta-analysis.

Objective: Several types of neuromodulation have been investigated for the treatment of fibromyalgia, but they show varied efficacy on pain, functioning, comorbid depression and comorbid anxiety. Whether some types of neuromodulation or some factors are associated with a better response also awaits clarification.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of neuromodulation in patients with fibromyalgia.

GxE interaction effects of single nucleotide polymorphism and adverse childhood experiences on methamphetamine use disorder.

Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a worldwide health concern. The hypothalamic orexin system regulates stress response and addictive behaviors. The genetic variation in the hypocretin receptor 2 (HCRTR2), rs2653349, is associated with substance use disorder.

Cognitive protection and brain entropy changes from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplement in late-life depression: A 52-week randomized controlled trial.

Background: Late-life depression (LLD) is associated with risk of dementia, yet intervention of LLD provides an opportunity to attenuate subsequent cognitive decline. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplement is a potential intervention due to their beneficial effect in depressive symptoms and cognitive function. To explore the underlying neural mechanism, we used resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) before and after omega-3 PUFAs supplement in older adults with LLD.

Higher orexin-A levels are associated with treatment response to clozapine in patients with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Clozapine is the primary antipsychotic (APD) for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). However, only 40% of patients with TRS respond to clozapine, constituting a subgroup of clozapine-resistant patients. Recently, the neuropeptide orexin-A was shown to be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.