Safety, Anxiety and Natalizumab Continuation in JC Virus-Seropositive MS Patients.

Safety, anxiety and natalizumab continuation in JC virus-seropositive MS patients.

Mult Scler. 2013 Jul 4;
van Rossum JA, Vennegoor A, Balk L, Uitdehaag BM, Polman CH, Killestein J

The use of natalizumab in multiple sclerosis has been restricted by the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). JC virus carriership, duration of natalizumab treatment and past immunosuppression are known risk factors. This has allowed for calculated risk assessment for individual patients to be implemented. Not much data are available about the effect of JCV carriership on patient willingness to continue natalizumab. Here, we evaluated the impact of JCV seropositivity on safety feelings, anxiety and treatment continuation for patients treated with natalizumab, using a visual analog scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a decisional conflict scale. Seropositivity led to an elevated anxiety level for PML (p = 0.004). However, so far only 3% of patients have discontinued natalizumab because of JCV positivity in our cohort. HubMed – depression

 

A functional study of two dsRNA binding protein genes in Laodelphax striatellus.

Pest Manag Sci. 2013 Apr 5;
Lu DH, Wu M, Pu J, Feng A, Zhang Q, Han ZJ

One of the key limiting factors for using RNA interference technology to develop new pest control practices is the toxicological effectiveness. In order to explore potential methods to improve the efficiency of RNAi in insects, we cloned two dsRNA binding proteins from Laodelphax striatellus and investigated their functions.In this study, the genes homologous to the dsRNA binding proteins TRBP and STAU in L. striatellus were first cloned and designated as LsTRBP and LsSTAU. Using the chitinase gene Chi, which has been confirmed to have lethal effects when knocked down by RNAi, as a reporter, the functions of these two dsRNA binding proteins were then investigated by using dsRNA feeding. The results showed that feeding with dsChi alone caused significant lethal effects, with a mortality four-fold higher than that of the control, whereas feeding with dsTRBP or dsSTAU alone did not yield any significant lethal effects. When dsChi was fed in the mixture 1:1 with dsSTAU, it also resulted in high mortality, which was a little lower than feeding with dsChi alone, but not statistically significant. However, when fed in the 1:1 mixture with dsTRBP, the lethal effect of dsChi was completely eliminated. Further analysis of gene expression found that single dsRNA depressed only its own target gene. When treated in 1:1 mixture, dsSTAU or dsChi did not change significantly the depression of the other dsRNA, but dsTRAB counteracted almost all the effect of dsChi.These results indicate that the loss of LsTRBP can significantly inhibit dsChi-mediated genetic interference. These findings not only suggest that the LsTRBP gene in L. striatellus plays an important role in regulating RNAi but also imply that the metabolic regulation of dsRNAs with respect to genetic interference in L. striatellus is similar to that in higher animal species. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry. HubMed – depression

 

Burden and related factors in caregivers of young adults presenting bipolar and unipolar mood disorder.

Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2013 Jul 3;
Silva GD, Jansen K, Barbosa LP, Branco JD, Pinheiro RT, Magalhães PV, Kapczinski F, Silva RA

Caregiver burden has been associated with caregivers’ mental disorders and need for support and information. However, the lack of quantitative studies and formal interventions aiming to lower burden levels in this population reflect the current negligence regarding this important issue.To identify burden levels and associated factors in caregivers of young adults with bipolar and unipolar mood disorder.This is a cross-sectional study nested within a population-based cross-sectional study with young adults. Caregiver burden was assessed through the Burden Interview. Information about caregiver mental disorders (Axis I) and alcohol abuse were obtained through the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Cut-Down, Annoyed, Guilty and Eye-Opener (CAGE) questionnaire, respectively.Caregiver burden was associated to caregiver’s mood and anxiety disorders, suicide risk and being the caregiver of young adults with depression disorder and bipolar disorder. Also, burden was higher among caregivers of bipolar individuals. When excluding the control group from the analysis, only mood and anxiety disorders remained associated to caregiver burden.Caregivers are affected by the young adult’s disorder even before a diagnosis has been given, with serious impairments in their lives. Thus, this is a subject in need of designing relevant strategies aiming to provide them with care. HubMed – depression

 

Psychosocial and psychological interventions reduce the risk of postnatal depression compared with standard care.

Evid Based Nurs. 2013 Jul 4;
O’Hara MW

HubMed – depression

 


 

The most beautiful voice in the world calling for prayer at Madina (depression treatment) – If You feel depressed listen to this . Azan is recited in a loud voice by the Muezzin facing the direction of the Ka’ba in the following words, which are sai…