Injectable mineralized Sr-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles-loaded ɛ-polylysine-hyaluronic acid composite hydrogels for bone regeneration

In this study, multifunctional injectable mineralized antibacterial nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared by a homogenous distribution of high content of (up to 60 wt%) Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite (Sr-HAp) nanoparticles into covalently cross-linked ɛ-polylysine (ɛ-PL) and hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel network. The developed bone-targeted nanocomposite hydrogels were to synergistically combine the functional properties of bioactive Sr-HAp nanoparticles and antibacterial ɛ-PL-HA hydrogels for bone tissue regeneration. Viscoelasticity, injectability, structural parameters, degradation, antibacterial activity, and in vitro biocompatibility of the fabricated nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized. Physical performances of the ɛ-PL-HA hydrogels can be tailored by altering the mass ratio of Sr-HAp. The nanocomposite hydrogels revealed good stability against enzymatic degradation, which increased from 5 to 19 weeks with increasing the mass ratio of Sr-HAp from 40 % to 60 %. The loading of the Sr-HAp at relatively high mass ratios did not suppress the fast-acting and long-term antibacterial activity of the ɛ-PL-HA hydrogels against S. aureus and E. coli. The cell studies confirmed the cytocompatibility and pre-collagen I synthesis-promoting activity of the fabricated nanocomposite hydrogels

A European research agenda for somatic symptom disorders, bodily distress disorders, and functional disorders: Results of an estimate-talk-estimate delphi expert study

Background: Somatic Symptom Disorders (SSD), Bodily Distress Disorders (BDD) and functional disorders (FD) are associated with high medical and societal costs and pose a substantial challenge to the population and health policy of Europe. To meet this challenge, a specific research agenda is needed as one of the cornerstones of sustainable mental health research and health policy for SSD, BDD, and FD in Europe. Aim: To identify the main challenges and research priorities concerning SSD, BDD, and FD from a European perspective. Methods: Delphi study conducted from July 2016 until October 2017 in 3 rounds with 3 workshop meetings and 3 online surveys, involving 75 experts and 21 European countries. EURONET-SOMA and the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM) hosted the meetings. Results: Eight research priorities were identified: (1) Assessment of diagnostic profiles relevant to course and treatment outcome. (2) Development and evaluation of new, effective interventions. (3) Validation studies on questionnaires or semi-structured interviews that assess chronic medical conditions in this context. (4) Research into patients preferences for diagnosis and treatment. (5) Development of new methodologic designs to identify and explore mediators and moderators of clinical course and treatment outcomes (6). Translational research exploring how psychological and somatic symptoms develop from somatic conditions and biological and behavioral pathogenic factors. (7) Development of new, effective interventions to personalize treatment. (8) Implementation studies of treatment interventions in different settings, such as primary care, occupational care, general hospital and specialty mental health settings. The general public and policymakers will benefit from the development of new, effective, personalized interventions for SSD, BDD, and FD, that will be enhanced by translational research, as well as from the outcomes of research into patient involvement, GP-patient communication, consultation-liaison models and implementation. Conclusion: Funding for this research agenda, targeting these challenges in coordinated research networks such as EURONET-SOMA and EAPM, and systematically allocating resources by policymakers to this critical area in mental and physical well-being is urgently needed to improve efficacy and impact for diagnosis and treatment of SSD, BDD, and FD across Europe

Posttraumatic stress disorder checklist military version in latvian language

IntroductionThe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL) is a 17-item self-report measure of the 17 DSM-IV symptoms of PTSD. The PCL has a variety of purposes, including screening individuals for PTSD, diagnosing PTSD, monitoring symptom change during and after treatment. There are three versions of the PCL: PCL-C (civilian), PCL-M (military) and PCL-S (specific). PCL-M asks about symptoms in response to “stressful military experiences” and used for active service members and veterans. The PCL-M can be completed by participants of a research study in approximately 5–10 minutes. Interpretation of the PCL-M should be completed by a clinician. There is no valid PCL-M Latvian language version.AimsThe goal of the study is to assess the evaluative and discriminative properties of the Latvian language version of the PCL-M in PTSD risk group patients (PTSD-RGP).MethodsTotally 30 participants (males, Europeans, of average age 26.2, PTSD-RGP - Latvian Contingent of International Operations) were examined. Standart validation protocol was applied for PCL-M Latvian language version's reliability and validity testing: reliability consequence, construct validity, test-retest, Cronbach alpha criterion.ResultsCronbach alpha criterion was more than 0,70 (means reliable response sets), the reliability-consequence scale is from 0.6 to 0.9 (means precise definition). Test-retest by Spearman showed r ≥ 0.75 (means reliable stability).ConclusionsIt was concluded that the PLC-M Latvian language version has sufficiently acceptable evaluative and discriminatory properties and is therefore a valid instrument for PTSD measurements in clinical and research studies in Latvian military active service members and veterans.</jats:sec

[Advances of selenium supplementation in posttraumatic stress disorder risk group patients].

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex of symptoms developed in a patient after traumatic event. The basis of PTSD pathophysiology is hyper activation of neurones under stress factors influence, so-called excitotoxicity, followed by oxidative stress (OS) because of an accumulation of free radicals. Lipid peroxidation can lead to neurons damage. Neurons are especially susceptible to OS, changing signal transduction and information processing mechanisms. Clinically excitotoxicity preforms as different acute and/or chronic stress reactions and can cause PTSD. Selenium (Se) is involved on different stages of transport and metabolism of Glutamate. Research aim: to access PTSD incidence, OS parameters and their adjustment advances using organic Se in PTSD risk group patients. PTSD symptomatic severity (in PCL-M points) reduced for 5.85% to baseline, Prevalence Rate reduced for 46.03% to baseline in Se group patients. We can conclude that: 1) there is a statistically reliable correlations between the incidence of PTSD and OS parameters, between PTSD symptomatic severity and OS parameters; 2) the use of Se during the mission can reduce the OS parameters, minimize the incidence of PTSD and reduce the PTSD symptomatic severity.publishersversionPeer reviewe