Associations between depression and specific childhood experiences of abuse and neglect: a meta-analysis

Background Research documents a strong relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression. However, only few studies have examined the specific effects of various types of childhood abuse/neglect on depression. This meta-analysis estimated the associations between depression and different types of childhood maltreatment (antipathy, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse) assessed with the same measure, the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA) interview. Method A systematic search in scientific databases included use of CECA interview and strict clinical assessment for major depression as criteria. Our meta-analysis utilized Cohen's d and relied on a random-effects model. Results The literature search yielded 12 primary studies (reduced from 44), with a total of 4372 participants and 34 coefficients. Separate meta-analyses for each type of maltreatment revealed that psychological abuse and neglect were most strongly associated with the outcome of depression. Sexual abuse, although significant, was less strongly related. Furthermore, the effects of specific types of childhood maltreatment differed across adult and adolescent samples. Limitations Our strict criteria for selecting the primary studies resulted in a small numbers of available studies. It restricted the analyses for various potential moderators. Conclusion This meta-analysis addressed the differential effects of type of childhood maltreatment on major depression, partially explaining between-study variance. The findings clearly highlight the potential impact of the more “silent” types of childhood maltreatment (other than physical and sexual abuse) on the development of depression

Why is soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 related to cardiovascular mortality?

Background: Increased plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules are associated with an increased risk of atherothrombosis. The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for these associations are not known. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) concentration and risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among individuals with and without type 2 diabetes. In addition, we assessed potential pathophysiological mechanisms by which sICAM-1 may promote mortality. Materials and methods: Six hundred and thirty-one subjects taken from a general population of the middle-aged and elderly participated in this prospective cohort study. Baseline data collection was performed from 1989 to 1992; subjects were followed until 1 January 2000. Results: Subjects who died had higher levels of sICAM-1 than those who survived (506(164) vs. 477(162) ng m

Self-sufficiency of the European Union in critical raw materials for E-mobility

Widespread adoption of electric vehicles poses challenges due to critical raw material (CRM) requirements. The European Union (EU) is now dependent on other countries for supply of these materials, but wants to increase self-sufficiency for primary extraction to 10 % in 2030. Here we map and quantify Europe’s raw material reserves and resources, revealing promising deposits for most minerals. Our analysis indicates that, assuming a high development scenario, for lithium, nickel and copper the planned extraction in Europe is sufficient to meet at least 10 % of demand for E-mobility in 2030, as the EU’s proposed target dictates. The projected extraction of cobalt, natural graphite and REE, will probably not reach 10 % of the demand in 2030. For REE there is no European production projected. To meet these targets and increase the EU’s self-sufficiency, CRM extraction in Europe needs to increase, in parallel with implementing circular economy efforts to reduce material demand.Horizon 2020(H2020)101058598Industrial Ecolog

Common Genetic Variants of the Human Steroid 21-Hydroxylase Gene (CYP21A2) Are Related to Differences in Circulating Hormone Levels

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA, PD100648 (AP)) Technology Innovation Fund, National Developmental Agency (KTIA-AIK-2012-12-1-0010). AP is the recipient of a “Lendület” grant from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Normierung der Testbatterie COGBAT bei Jugendlichen im Alter von 12 bis 15 Jahren

Das Jugendalter stellt eine wichtige Phase in der Entwicklung der Verarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit, der Aufmerksamkeit, des Gedächtnisses und der exekutiven Funktionen dar. Im Rahmen einer Normierungsstudie der kognitiven Basistestung (COGBAT) für das Jugendalter wurden Testwerte bei n = 269 Jugendlichen im Alter von 12 bis 15 Jahren erhoben und mit den Normen der Altersgruppe der 16- bis 30-Jährigen verglichen. Zusätzlich wurde überprüft, inwiefern sich diese Testergebnisse in der subjektiven Einschätzung zur Leistungsfähigkeit (FLei) und Psychopathologie (SDQ) abbilden lassen. Im Jugendalter zeigte sich ein starker Zuwachs in der kognitiven Flexibilität, der Verarbeitungs- und Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit sowie der Inhibitions- und Planungsfähigkeit. Ein bedeutsamer Geschlechtsunterschied fand sich in der Inhibition, mit stärkeren Leistungen bei Mädchen als bei Jungen. Zwischen den Testergebnissen und den subjektiven Einschätzungen zeigten sich keine Zusammenhänge

From spin liquid to magnetic ordering in the anisotropic kagome Y-Kapellasite Y3Cu9(OH)19Cl8: a single crystal study

Y3Cu9(OH)19Cl8 realizes an original anisotropic kagome model hosting a rich magnetic phase diagram [M. Hering et al, npj Computational Materials 8, 1 (2022)]. We present an improved synthesis of large phase-pure single crystals via an external gradient method. These crystals were investigated in details by susceptibility, specific heat, thermal expansion, neutron scattering and local muSR and NMR techniques. At variance with polycristalline samples, the study of single crystals gives evidence for subtle structural instabilities at 33K and 13K which preserve the global symmetry of the system and thus the magnetic model. At 2.1K the compound shows a magnetic transition to a coplanar (1/3,1/3) long range order as predicted theoretically. However our analysis of the spin wave excitations yields magnetic interactions which locate the compound closer to the phase boundary to a classical jammed spin liquid phase. Enhanced quantum fluctuations at this boundary may be responsible for the strongly reduced ordered moment of the Cu2+, estimated to be 0.075muB from muSR

High Frequency of Copy Number Variations and Sequence Variants at CYP21A2 Locus: Implication for the Genetic Diagnosis of 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

BACKGROUND: The systematic study of the human genome indicates that the inter-individual variability is greater than expected and it is not only related to sequence polymorphisms but also to gene copy number variants (CNVs). Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) is the most common autosomal recessive disorder with a carrier frequency of 1:25 to 1:10. The gene that encodes 21-hydroxylase enzyme, CYP21A2, is considered to be one of the most polymorphic human genes. Copy number variations, such as deletions, which are severe mutations common in 21OHD patients, or gene duplications, which have been reported as rare events, have also been described. The correct characterization of 21OHD alleles is important for disease carrier detection and genetic counselling METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS: CYP21A2 genotyping by sequencing has been performed in a random sample of the Spanish population, where 144 individuals recruited from university students and employees of the hospital were studied. The frequency of CYP21A2 mutated alleles in our sample was 15.3% (77.3% were mild mutations, 9% were severe mutations and 13.6% were novel variants). Gene dosage assessment was also performed when CYP21A2 gene duplication was suspected. This analysis showed that 7% of individuals bore a chromosome with a duplicated CYP21A2 gene, where one of the copies was mutated. CONCLUSIONS: As far as we know, the present study has shown the highest frequency of 21OHD carriers reported by a genotyping analysis. In addition, a high frequency of alleles with CYP21A2 duplications, which could be misinterpreted as 21OHD alleles, was found. Moreover, a high frequency of novel genetic variations with an unknown effect on 21-hydroxylase activity was also found. The high frequency of gene duplications, as well as novel variations, should be considered since they have an important involvement in carrier testing and genetic counseling

Leptin acutely increases hepatic triglyceride secretion in patients with lipodystrophy.

Metreleptin ameliorates hepatic steatosis partially independent of its anorexic action. We previously showed that metreleptin increases hepatic very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (VLDL1-TG) export in rodents and healthy humans requiring intact hepatic autonomic innervation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether metreleptin has anti-steatotic properties in patients with lipodystrophy by increasing VLDL1-TG export. In addition, we present a case of generalized lipodystrophy undergoing metreleptin treatment after liver transplantation, a model for hepatic autonomic denervation. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (EudraCT 2017-003014-22) we assessed the acute effects of a single metreleptin injection in 10 patients (8 females, 2 males; mean age ± SD: 49 ± 14 yrs; 9 familial partial and 1 generalized lipodystrophy) on hepatic VLDL1-TG secretion and hepatocellular lipid content (HCL) measured via an intravenous fat emulsion test and <sup>1</sup> H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. We found that a single injection of metreleptin increased hepatic VLDL1-TG secretion by 75 % (mean difference ± SD: +219 ± 149 mg/h metreleptin vs. placebo; p = 0.001), without significant changes in HCL within 3 h (mean difference ± SD: -8 ± 14 % metreleptin vs. placebo, p = 0.14). Metreleptin therapy in a patient with generalized lipodystrophy following liver transplantation failed to ameliorate hepatic steatosis despite improving glucose and lipid metabolism. Leptin acutely increases hepatic VLDL1-TG secretion in patients with lipodystrophy, likely contributing to metreleptin's body weight-independent anti-steatotic effects. The case report suggests that intact autonomic liver innervation may be required for this action, warranting further research

Pathological Internet use among European adolescents: psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours

Rising global rates of pathological Internet use (PIU) and related psychological impairments have gained considerable attention in recent years. In an effort to acquire evidence-based knowledge of this relationship, the main objective of this study was to investigate the association between PIU, psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours among school-based adolescents in eleven European countries. This cross-sectional study was implemented within the framework of the European Union project: Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe. A representative sample of 11,356 school-based adolescents (M/F: 4,856/6,500; mean age: 14.9) was included in the analyses. PIU was assessed using the Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire. Psychopathology was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Self-destructive behaviours were evaluated by the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory and Paykel Suicide Scale. Results showed that suicidal behaviours (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts), depression, anxiety, conduct problems and hyperactivity/inattention were significant and independent predictors of PIU. The correlation between PIU, conduct problems and hyperactivity/inattention was stronger among females, while the link between PIU and symptoms of depression, anxiety and peer relationship problems was stronger among males. The association between PIU, psychopathology and self-destructive behaviours was stronger in countries with a higher prevalence of PIU and suicide rates. These findings ascertain that psychopathology and suicidal behaviours are strongly related to PIU. This association is significantly influenced by gender and country suggesting socio-cultural influences. At the clinical and public health levels, targeting PIU among adolescents in the early stages could potentially lead to improvements of psychological well-being and a reduction of suicidal behaviours