Affect Regulation-Related Emergent Brain Network Properties Differentiate Depressed Bipolar Disorder From Major Depression and Track Risk for Bipolar Disorder

BACKGROUND

Individuals with or at risk for bipolar disorder (BD) often present initially for the treatment of depressive symptoms. Unfortunately, pharmacological treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) can be iatrogenic, precipitating mania that may not have otherwise occurred. Current diagnostic procedures rely solely on self-reported/observable symptoms, and thus alternative data sources, such as brain network properties, are needed to supplement current self-report/observation-based indices of risk for mania.

METHODS

Brain connectivity during affect maintenance/regulation was examined in a large (N = 249), medication-free sample of currently depressed patients with BD (n = 50) and MDD (n = 116) and healthy control subjects (n = 83). BD risk was categorized in a subset of patients with MDD. We used graph theory to identify emergent network properties that differentiated between patients with BD and MDD and between patients with MDD at high and low risk for BD.

RESULTS

BD and MDD differed in the extent to which the rostral anterior cingulate cortex was embedded in the local network, amount of influence the hippocampus exerted over global network communication, and clarity of orbitofrontal cortex communication. Patients with MDD at high risk for BD showed a pattern of local network clustering around the right amygdala that was similar to the pattern observed in healthy control subjects, whereas patients with MDD at low risk for BD deviated from this pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

BD and MDD differed in emergent network mechanisms subserving affect regulation, and amygdala properties tracked BD risk in patients with MDD. If replicated, our findings may be combined with other markers to assess the presence of BD and/or BD risk in individuals presenting with depressive symptoms to prevent the use of iatrogenic treatments.

Lithium increases cortical and subcortical volumes in subjects with bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a highly variable and burdensome disease for patients and caregivers. A BD diagnosis almost triples the likelihood of developing dementia as the disease progresses. Neurocognitive reserve appears to be one of the most important influences on lifelong functional outcomes and quality of life in BD. Though several prior studies have assessed the effects of lithium on regional gray and white matter volumes in this population, representative cohorts are typically middle-aged, have a more severe pathology, and are not as commonly assessed in the depressive phase (which represents the majority of most patients' lifespans outside of remission). Here we have shown that positive adaptations with lithium can be observed throughout the brain after only six weeks of monotherapy at low-therapeutic serum levels. Importantly, these results remove some confounders seen in prior studies (patients were treatment free at time of enrollment and mostly treatment naïve). This cohort also includes underrepresented demographics in the literature (young adult patients, mostly bipolar II, and exclusively in the depressed phase). These findings bolster the extensive body of evidence in support of long-term lithium therapy in BD, furthering the possibility of its expanded use to wider demographics.

Predicting the emergence of full-threshold bipolar I, bipolar II and psychotic disorders in young people presenting to early intervention mental health services

BACKGROUND

Predictors of new-onset bipolar disorder (BD) or psychotic disorder (PD) have been proposed on the basis of retrospective or prospective studies of 'at-risk' cohorts. Few studies have compared concurrently or longitudinally factors associated with the onset of BD or PDs in youth presenting to early intervention services. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of the onset of full-threshold (FT) BD or PD in this population.

METHOD

Multi-state Markov modelling was used to assess the relationships between baseline characteristics and the likelihood of the onset of FT BD or PD in youth (aged 12-30) presenting to mental health services.

RESULTS

Of 2330 individuals assessed longitudinally, 4.3% (n = 100) met criteria for new-onset FT BD and 2.2% (n = 51) met criteria for a new-onset FT PD. The emergence of FT BD was associated with older age, lower social and occupational functioning, mania-like experiences (MLE), suicide attempts, reduced incidence of physical illness, childhood-onset depression, and childhood-onset anxiety. The emergence of a PD was associated with older age, male sex, psychosis-like experiences (PLE), suicide attempts, stimulant use, and childhood-onset depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying risk factors for the onset of either BD or PDs in young people presenting to early intervention services is assisted not only by the increased focus on MLE and PLE, but also by recognising the predictive significance of poorer social function, childhood-onset anxiety and mood disorders, and suicide attempts prior to the time of entry to services. Secondary prevention may be enhanced by greater attention to those risk factors that are modifiable or shared by both illness trajectories.

Pediatric and adolescent mood disorders: An analysis of factors that influence inpatient presentation in the United States

Background

Mental health is an essential aspect of health and wellbeing that the general population often overlooks. This study aims to utilize a nationwide sample [Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Kid's Inpatient Database (KID)] to analyze the factors affecting inpatient mood disorder admissions in the United States.

Methods

A total of 295,472 cases ages 1-20 were identified to meet the criteria (Appendix A) for the selected mood disorders from the HCUP KID 2016 dataset. We conducted descriptive statistics of the individual diagnosis. We evaluated the relationships with variables such as age (grouped), sex, region, disposition, household income, race, rural-urban demographics, and mean charges. We also conducted association tests for the variables of interest.

Results

An average of six days LOS was observed for mood disorders compared to four days LOS for other pediatric inpatient admissions nationwide. The highest prevalence rate (per 100,000) of single (5050), recurrent (2284) episode MDD and bipolar disorder (2445) was observed among no charge (uninsured) populations. The native American population had the highest rate prevalence of single episode MDD (3274) and highest extreme and significant loss of function at presentation. The highest manic episode presentation rate was observed among Black (12) and Native American (9) populations. Manic episodes and bipolar disorder were higher among young adults (47 and 4554); teenagers (13-17) showed a higher presentation rate for all other mood disorders.

Conclusion

No charge (uninsured), teenagers (13-17), females, native Americans, and south and midwest regions showed a higher rate of mood disorder presentations among the population. Understanding these variances could play a vital role in highlighting the need for new innovative care approaches. Comprehensive mental health programs in collaboration with educational and community organizations and other stakeholders could be vital to addressing mood and mental health among these populations. This approach tackles several social influencers such as stigma and support to ensure effectiveness and sustainability.conclusion.

Premorbid characteristics of patients with DSM-IV psychotic disorders

INTRODUCTION

Psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (PNOS) is considered part of the psychosis spectrum, together with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and psychotic bipolar spectrum disorders (PBD). The atypical clinical presentations of PNOS conditions may lead to uncertainty regarding treatment choices and expected outcomes. PNOS is understudied, and little is known about patients' premorbid characteristics including premorbid adjustment, prevalence of early cannabis use and childhood trauma. Knowledge about early illness phases can increase our understanding of this diagnostic group.

METHODS

We included 1099 participants from the Norwegian TOP-study; 688 with narrow SSD diagnoses (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder), 274 with PBD (psychotic bipolar 1 and bipolar NOS) and 137 with PNOS diagnosed with the SCID-I for DSM-IV. Participants were assessed with the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) divided into the areas of premorbid academic and social functioning. We obtained information on age at first exposure to cannabis and use of cannabis before the age of 16. The participants also provided information regarding early traumatic experiences using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).

RESULTS

Participants with PNOS and SSD had poorer premorbid academic functioning than those with PBD (F_{2, 1029} = 7.81, p < 0.001, _pη² = 0.015). Premorbid social adjustment was significantly worse in the SSD group compared to the PBD group (F_{2, 1024} = 3.10, p = 0.045, _pη² = 0.006), with PNOS in the middle position. Significantly more of the participants with PNOS (17.5%) and SSD (11.5%) used cannabis before the age of 16 compared with PBD (5.3%, Wald χ² = 6.86, p = 0.03). There were no significant differences between the three groups regarding mean CTQ scores or in the proportion of participants who had experienced at least one type of childhood adversity.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with PNOS appear as more similar to participants with SSD than to those with PBD regarding early premorbid adjustment and early cannabis use. The results indicate that many conditions classified as PNOS have functional impairments and problematic substance use from an early age. The prevalence of childhood adversities are high in all three groups.

Significant reduction of long non-coding RNAs expression in bipolar disorder

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recently emerged as critical modulators of oxidative stress pathway. Likewise, rising evidence currently highlights dysfunction of oxidative stress pathways in bipolar disorder (BD) patients.In the current study, we evaluated the expression levels of H19, SCAL1 (LUCAT1), RMST, MEG3 and MT1DP lncRNAs in the PBMC from 50 patients with BD and 50 control subjects (male/female ratio in each group: 70%/30%). Expression levels of SCAL1, RMST and MEG3 but not H19 and MT1DP were considerably decreased in BD patients compared with healthy individuals. Such significant decrease in the expression of MEG3, RMST and SCAL1 was only reported in male BD patients compared with male controls. Substantial pairwise correlations were observed between expression levels of these lncRNAs in BD subjects. The area under curve values for RMST, MEG3 and SCAL1 were 0.70, 0.63 and 0.61 respectively. On the basis of this finding, RMST had the best efficiency in the discrimination of disease status between BD patients and controls. Taken together, the current results suggest a role for MEG3, RMST and SCAL1 lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of BD. In addition, peripheral expression levels of these lncRNAs might serve as potential peripheral markers for BD.

Genetic polymorphisms influencing response to lithium in early-onset Bipolar disorder from south India

OBJECTIVES

Early-onset Bipolar disorder (EOBD), has a more malignant course with high recurrence risk and there is a need for population-specific pharmaco-genomic study.

METHODS

This study is a prospective and retrospective observational study. Both newly diagnosed patients and those on follow-up with a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder with onset before 18 years of age and on lithium prophylaxis as part of treatment-as-usual were recruited for the study. Response to treatment was assessed at the end of two years follow up using ALDA scale. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with treatment response based on previous studies were chosen for analysis.

RESULTS

Of 162 who had EOBD, sixty-four fulfilled inclusion criteria and fifty-seven completed the study. TT and TG genotypes of rs75222709 on AL157359.3 gene were found to be significantly different between non-responders(N = 43) and healthy controls (N = 220). The frequency of the GA genotype of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs17204573 of the RORA (Retinoic Acid related orphan receptor alpha) gene was significantly lower among subjects (27.3%, N = 54) as compared to controls (42.9%, OR:0.5, CI: 0.26-0.96, p value 0.035). However, the significance of both disappeared after Bonferroni correction. Among clinical factors female gender was significantly associated with lithium non-response.

CONCLUSION

Although conducting pharmaco-genomic studies with large sample size is a challenge for low and middle-income countries, future studies can help improve the long-term outcome of youth with EOBD.

Validating MARK2 Gene Polymorphism as a Predictor of Response to Lithium Treatment in Bipolar Patients

Background

Lithium is a therapeutic option for the treatment of the acute phase of the bipolar disorder and long-term management of this disorder. However, it is estimated that 10 to 60% of patients do not properly response to this medication.

Methods

To investigate the role of MARK2 gene in response to lithium, we genotyped the MARK2 rs10792421 polymorphism in Iranian bipolar patients using amplification Refractory Mutation System-PCR.

Results

Results of this study showed a significant association of this polymorphism with response to lithium. The A allele was more frequent in the responder than the non-responder group and also in the semi- responder group compared to the non-responder group in the codominant model of analysis. AA and AG genotypes were more frequent in both the responder and semi-responder groups compared to the non-responder group in dominant model of analysis.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of the current study, the rs10792421 variant of MARK2 gene could be considered as a potential biomarker for predicting the treatment outcome of bipolar disorder type 1 in Iranian population.

Fatigue and cognitive impairment in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

COVID-19 is associated with clinically significant symptoms despite resolution of the acute infection (i.e., post-COVID-19 syndrome). Fatigue and cognitive impairment are amongst the most common and debilitating symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the proportion of individuals experiencing fatigue and cognitive impairment 12 or more weeks following COVID-19 diagnosis, and to characterize the inflammatory correlates and functional consequences of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic searches were conducted without language restrictions from database inception to June 8, 2021 on PubMed/MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science, Google/Google Scholar, and select reference lists.

STUDY SELECTION

Primary research articles which evaluated individuals at least 12 weeks after confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and specifically reported on fatigue, cognitive impairment, inflammatory parameters, and/or functional outcomes were selected.

DATA EXTRACTION & SYNTHESIS

Two reviewers independently extracted published summary data and assessed methodological quality and risk of bias. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted to pool Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformed proportions using the random-effects restricted maximum-likelihood model.

MAIN OUTCOMES & MEASURES

The co-primary outcomes were the proportions of individuals reporting fatigue and cognitive impairment, respectively, 12 or more weeks following COVID-19 infection. The secondary outcomes were inflammatory correlates and functional consequences associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 10,979 studies, and 81 studies were selected for inclusion. The fatigue meta-analysis comprised 68 studies, the cognitive impairment meta-analysis comprised 43 studies, and 48 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. Meta-analysis revealed that the proportion of individuals experiencing fatigue 12 or more weeks following COVID-19 diagnosis was 0.32 (95% CI, 0.27, 0.37; p < 0.001; n = 25,268; I² = 99.1%). The proportion of individuals exhibiting cognitive impairment was 0.22 (95% CI, 0.17, 0.28; p < 0.001; n = 13,232; I² = 98.0). Moreover, narrative synthesis revealed elevations in proinflammatory markers and considerable functional impairment in a subset of individuals.

CONCLUSIONS & RELEVANCE

A significant proportion of individuals experience persistent fatigue and/or cognitive impairment following resolution of acute COVID-19. The frequency and debilitating nature of the foregoing symptoms provides the impetus to characterize the underlying neurobiological substrates and how to best treat these phenomena.

STUDY REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42021256965).

Effectiveness of Family-Focused Nurse-led Intervention on Functional Improvement of Patients with Bipolar Disorder at a Tertiary Hospital in South India: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) is a chronic, episodic illness that can create problems and disruptions in the social, occupational, and family functioning of a client. Families are frequently most affected by their bipolar member and have a sense of helplessness to fix bipolar symptoms. The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Family-focused Nursing Interventions (FFNI) on functional improvement in the sample of symptomatic bipolar affective disorder clients.

METHOD

In this experimental study, 149 patients with BPAD were interviewed along with family members through the consecutive sampling technique from the inpatient ward. Varying block randomization was used to allocate the patients to the control and experimental groups. After obtaining ethical clearance, the study was registered under the Clinical trail registry India (CTRI). Baseline sociodemographic and clinical variables, and the functional levels, were assessed using Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation-Range of Impaired Functioning Tool and Functional Assessment Short Test. The control group (74) received routine treatment; the experimental group (75) received routine treatment along with FFNI in seven sessions, and posttest was conducted at discharge, one-month, and at two-month follow-up at OPD. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20 (IBM Corp. Released 2011. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 20.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation used. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as a statistically significant result.

RESULTS

At the end of the study, 149 clients completed the treatment and follow-up. Both the groups were comparable at baseline in demography as well as clinical variables. There was significant improvement in the functional level after FFNI. The total score of LIFE-RIFT and the Functional Assessment Short Test score were significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group with P = 0.001.

CONCLUSION

The current study concluded that adjuvant to routine treatment FFNI will improve the functional ability of the client along with routine psychiatric treatment for BPAD.

Frailty and severe mental illness: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

OBJECTIVE

Emerging evidence suggests that people with severe mental illness (SMI) have an increased risk of frailty. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the prevalence and correlates of frailty, as well as the efficacy of frailty interventions, in this population.

METHODS

We searched databases from inception to 21 September 2021 for studies that assessed or intervened for frailty in relation to an SMI diagnosis. A narrative synthesis explored the characteristics and adverse health outcomes associated with frailty and the efficacy of interventions. The prevalence of frailty was investigated, and its relationship with age was analysed by a meta-regression.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies involving 2499 patients, primarily older adults, were included in the narrative synthesis. Frailty was associated with higher rates of physical comorbidity, cognitive deficits, falls and mortality among those with SMI. The efficacy of a yoga intervention was investigated in one study, without sustained reductions in frailty. The prevalence of frailty varied between 10.2 and 89.7% and was high in comparison to the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of frailty was high in those with SMI and ranged widely due to heterogeneity of study populations. Assessing frailty enables the identification of patients who could benefit from interventions and assists in treatment-related decision making. Further research is required to develop appropriate frailty interventions for this population.

Frequency analysis of symptomatic worsening following ketamine infusions for treatment resistant depression in a real-world sample: Results from the canadian rapid treatment center of excellence

Antidepressants are associated with symptomatic worsening in a subgroup of patients. Replicated evidence has demonstrated rapid and robust antidepressant effects with intravenous (IV) ketamine in treatment resistant depression (TRD); however, the risk of ketamine worsening depressive symptoms in a subgroup of patients remains unknown. Herein we report a retrospective analysis on the rates of symptomatic worsening during an acute course of IV ketamine in individuals with unipolar (n = 142) and bipolar (n = 22) TRD. Adults (N = 164; mean age = 45.97) with TRD underwent four sub-anesthetic infusions (0.5-0.75 mg/kg over 40 min) of IV ketamine over two weeks, and were assessed with the Quick Inventory for Depression Symptomatology-Self Report-16 (QIDS-SR₁₆) at baseline and after each infusion. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients experiencing clinically significant worsening of depressive symptoms (≥20% increase on the QIDS-SR₁₆) at each time point relative to baseline. Secondary analyses explored trends in the results. The frequency of clinically significant worsening fluctuated between 1.83% to 5.49%, with no identifiable trend across time. Zero individuals with bipolar TRD reported symptomatic worsening. Limitations include the single-centered, uncontrolled, retrospective nature of this study. Rates of symptomatic worsening associated with IV ketamine therapy for TRD appear to be very low and similar to conventional antidepressants.

Maternal lithium use and the risk of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: a Swedish population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Lithium is prescribed during pregnancy, but there is limited information about pregnancy and neonatal outcomes following in utero exposure. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the associations between lithium use and adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study examined associations between maternal lithium use and major adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes via inverse probability weighted propensity score regression models.

RESULTS

Of 854,017 women included in this study, 434 (0.05%) used lithium during pregnancy. Among pre-specified primary outcomes, lithium use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (8.7% vs 3.0%; adjusted relative risk [aRR] 2.64 95% CI 1.82, 3.82) and birth of a large for gestational age infant (9.0% vs 3.5%; aRR 2.64 95% CI 1.91, 3.66), but not preeclampsia nor birth of a small for gestational age infant. Among secondary outcomes, lithium use was associated with an increased risk of cardiac malformations (2.1% vs 0.8%; aRR 3.17 95% CI 1.64, 6.13). In an analysis restricted to pregnant women with a diagnosed psychiatric illness (n=9552), associations remained between lithium and spontaneous preterm birth, birth of a large for gestational age infant, and cardiovascular malformations; and a positive association with neonatal hypoglycaemia was also found. These associations were also apparent in a further analysis comparing women who continued lithium treatment during pregnancy to those who discontinued prior to pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Lithium use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth and other adverse neonatal outcomes. These potential risks must be balanced against the important benefit of treatment and should be used to guide shared decision-making.

Postpartum anhedonia: Emergent patterns in bipolar and unipolar depression

The objective of this study was to identify differences in the longitudinal course anhedonia symptoms during postpartum in women diagnosed with unipolar or bipolar disorder. Female participants diagnosed with either bipolar (n = 104) or unipolar (n = 136) depression at week 20 during pregnancy were evaluated prospectively at weeks 2, 12, 26, and 52 postpartum using clinical interviews. A semi-parametric, group-based mixture model was applied to separate distinct longitudinal patterns of symptoms of anhedonia. Across time, among those who reported anhedonia, twice as many women had the diagnoses of bipolar depression relative to unipolar depression (65.03% versus 39.47%, respectively). Moreover, the rate and stability of anhedonia was higher in women with bipolar relative to unipolar depression. Across groups, anhedonia was associated with significantly higher depressive symptom severity. Anhedonia is a more stable and frequent symptom in women with postpartum bipolar relative to unipolar depressive disorder.

Investigating the association between temperature and hospital admissions for major psychiatric diseases: A study in Greece

Evidence has emerged regarding the role of seasonality and several meteorological parameters on bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. We investigated the relationship between ambient and apparent temperature and hospital admissions of major psychiatric diseases in a psychiatric clinic of a General Hospital situated in Northern Greece during 2013-19. Temperature data was provided by the National Observatory of Athens and diagnosis for psychotic, schizophrenic, manic and bipolar and unipolar depression were retrieved from medical records. A total of 783 admissions were recorded. Poisson regression models adjusted for time trends were applied to analyze the impact of temperature on monthly admissions. A summer peak was observed for the bipolar disorder, irrespectively of substance/alcohol use status. Seasonality emerged also for psychotic and schizophrenic patients with a through in winter. An increase of 1 °C in either ambient or apparent temperature was associated with an increase 1-2% in the monthly admissions in most outcomes under investigation. Alcohol and drug abuse did not modify this effect. Although our results indicate effects of temperature on psychiatric admissions, they are not consistent across subgroups populations and need to be replicated by other methodologically superior studies.

Advancing health through research: A scoping review of and model for adjunctive psychosocial interventions to improve outcomes for perinatal women with bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

We aimed to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) which evaluated the efficacy of adjunctive psychosocial interventions to improve outcomes during the perinatal period for women with bipolar disorder (BD).

METHODS

We scanned the literature to identify RCTs evaluating the efficacy of adjunctive psychosocial therapies or interventions provided during the perinatal period to women with BD. We searched from 1946 to July 2020 using Embase, Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus. We then searched for future, current, and recently completed RCTs described on www.ClinicalTrials.gov.

RESULTS

This scoping review (1946 - July 2020) revealed no published RCTs for this population. The findings expose an important gap in research and knowledge, as well as a health disparity.

CONCLUSION

We heuristically tied a mechanistic stress reduction model to relevant findings. The initial hypotheses are informed by effective stress reducing psychosocial interventions for: a) people with BD outside the perinatal period and b) perinatal women with major depressive disorder (MDD may improve the health of perinatal women with BD). We hypothesize that the perinatal trajectory of health for women with BD will improve by adding psychosocial interventions or therapies to treatment as usual. We propose maternal stress reduction as a potential mediator/mechanism.

LIMITATIONS

Findings reported are limited to the methods of a scoping review. Reproductive status tends to be a missing variable; we highlight the need for its inclusion. Interdisciplinary, collaborative research to improve the treatment outcome for perinatal women with BD is warranted and ripe for advancement.

The rapid anti-suicidal ideation effect of ketamine: A systematic review

In many countries suicide rates have been trending upwards for close to twenty years-presenting a public health crisis. Most suicide attempts and deaths are associated with psychiatric illness, usually a depressive disorder. Subanesthetic ketamine is the only FDA-approved antidepressant that works in hours not weeks-thus potentially transforming treatment of suicidal patients. We reviewed all randomized controlled trials of the effect of ketamine on suicidal ideation to determine if ketamine rapidly reduces suicidal ideation [SI] in depressed patients and how long the benefit persists after one dose and if the route of administration or dose affects the outcome. A systematic review was conducted as per PRISMA [preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses] criteria. PubMed search inclusive of "ketamine" and "suicide" yielded 358 results. Papers (N = 354) were then read by at least two authors, identifying 12 meeting eligibility requirements and eleven RCTs examining whether ketamine treatment ameliorated SI. Four of five RCTs examined racemic ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) given intravenously and found an advantage for ketamine over control for rapid reduction in SI in acutely depressed patients. Two studies examined intranasal esketamine in depressed suicidal patients and found no advantage over saline. One study examined outcome six weeks after a single intravenous dose of ketamine and found benefit for SI sustained relative to 24 h post-dose. Further research is warranted into: optimal dosing strategy, including number and frequency; and long-term efficacy and safety. Ultimately, it remains to be shown that ketamine's benefit for SI translates into prevention of suicidal behavior.

Bipolar circumcision: A new technique for an old procedure with quantified cosmetic outcome

BACKGROUND

Circumcision using bipolar diathermy is well established and used widely. It seems to be superior in terms of post operative complications. The cosmetic outcome of the procedure has never been quantitatively described though.

AIMS

To describe a modification to performing circumcision with bipolar that involves applying four clamps to the foreskin as it is being amputated with the bipolar so that a consistent length of the mucosal cuff can be obtained with a single almost bloodless cut.

METHODS

Prospective case series of all patients circumcised using the 4 clamps traction and bipolar cut technique. The cosmetic outcome was assessed in terms of the length of the mucosal cuff in absolute numbers and in proportion to the penile and glanular length.

RESULTS

Seventy four patients were recruited with a median age of 3.5 months. No complications were encountered. The average length of the penis was 40 ± 13 mm and the glans 12 ± 3.6 mm. The average length of the mucosal cuff was 8.4 ± 2.9 mm, and the proportion to total penile length was 21.1% ± 4.7% and to glans length 72% ± 24.1%.

CONCLUSION

The four clamp traction method with bipolar circumcision is safe and has a satisfactory cosmetic outcome.

Risk factors for perioperative complications in transurethral prostate resection in patients at a Colombian institution

OBJECTIVE

Determining the complications rate and the risk factors associated with early operative and postoperative complications with a bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate at a complex care institution in Colombia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mixed cohort study was conducted involving 340 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia who were taken to bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate between 2012 and 2019. Data based on the baseline and perioperative characteristics were collected, and the rate of complications determined up to 30 postoperative days.

RESULTS

A total of 67 patients (19.45%) presented perioperative complications of which 17 (25.37%) were previously hospitalized. According to the Clavien Dindo classification, 14.79% were grade I - II: secondary hematuria was the most reported complication and was present in 18 patients (5.22%), followed by complicated urinary tract infections in 16 (4.64%) and dysfunction of the ureterovesical catheter in 6 (1.76%). The risk factors found were surgery during hospitalization (RR:2.23, 95% CI: 1.14 - 4.39), INR (RR: 7.59, IC95%:4.63 - 12.44), duration in days of cysto/irrigation (RR:1.32, CI95%: 1.22 - 1.42) and urethral catheter use (RR: 1.04, CI95%: 1.02 - 1.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the complication rate after bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate was less than 20%. The most frequent complications were grade Iand II according to the Clavien Dindo classification. The risk factors that were found are modifiable, which could reduce postoperative morbidity.

An Innovative Approach of Treating Acne Scars Using Bipolar Rotational Stamping and Monopolar Criss-cross Technique with Insulated Microneedling Radiofrequency in Asians

Introduction

Microneedling radiofrequency (MNRF) using insulated microneedles offers a great advantage to overcome the limitations of fractional lasers such as achieving greater depth, long downtime, and high risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a novel multiple depth bipolar rotational stamping and monopolar criss-cross method (Wosyet vital technique) with MNRF using insulated needles for the improvement of facial acne scars in Asians.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-two patients (20 females, 12 males, average age 30.3 years) with facial atrophic acne scars were treated with insulated MNRF by applying Wosyet vital technique. Most of the patients started noticing improvement in 4-6 weeks after the first session. All patients underwent four sessions at 1-month interval. Outcome assessments included subjective and physician evaluation of acne scars, pores, smoothness, tightness, and overall appearance. Objective assessment was determined by Goodman and Baron's quantitative and qualitative analysis of the acne scars.

Results

All subjects noticed at least 30%-90% (mean--62.50%) improvement in acne scars, whereas unbiased physicians graded 40%-80% (mean--58.44%) at a 6-month follow-up visit. The mean Goodman and Baron's score decreased significantly from pre- to posttreatment. All patients reported 30%-90% (mean--61.88%) improvement in facial contour and skin tightening. Many patients observe improvement in the open pores as well.

Conclusion

The possible explanation of improvement in the global appearance of skin and acne scars is the application of both monopolar and bipolar RF in the dermis through insulated microneedles. We did not find PIH after this technique in Asian patients despite of more aggressive treatment parameters and several treatment sessions.

Statistical Analysis Used

The results were analyzed using chi-square test, Wilcoxon sign rank test, Pearson's correlation test, Spearman's correlation test, and paired t test.

Bipolar hemiarthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty in femoral neck fracture patients: results from Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register

INTRODUCTION

Elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures (FNF) are usually operated with arthroplasty but with various combinations of implants and approaches. Thus, the optimal treatment is still controversial. We aimed to compare the results between the cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients operated for FNF regarding revision rate at 1 year postoperatively.

METHODS

The data were derived from the Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register. We included patients operated with cemented bipolar HA and compared them to the most frequently used cemented THA with 28-mm head during 2011-2016. For survival analysis, we used both revision for all reasons and for dislocations as an endpoint. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the influence of covariates (age groups, gender, surgical approaches and arthroplasty groups).

RESULTS

There were 1177 bipolar HA and 514 THA included in our study. 26 (2.2%) revisions had occurred among the bipolar HAs as compared to 25 (4.9%) among the THAs 1 year after surgery. The main reason for revision was dislocation. The unadjusted cumulative revision rate for any reason at 1 year after surgery was 2.4% for the bipolar HA group and 5.1% for the THA group (p = 0.0054). Cox regression analysis showed that the use of bipolar HA, anterolateral approach and younger age groups had lower risk of revision for all reasons.

CONCLUSION

Bipolar HA and anterolateral approach had a significantly lower overall 1-year risk of revision in femoral neck fracture patients as compared to THA with 28-mm femoral heads.

DNA methylation signature as a biomarker of major neuropsychiatric disorders

DNA methylation is a broadly-investigated epigenetic modification that has been considered as a heritable and reversible change. Previous findings have indicated that DNA methylation regulates gene expression in the central nervous system (CNS). Also, disturbance of DNA methylation patterns has been associated with destructive consequences that lead to human brain diseases such as neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs). In this review, we comprehensively discuss the mechanism and function of DNA methylation and its most recent associations with the pathology of NPDs-including major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SZ), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), and attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We also discuss how heterogeneous findings demand further investigations. Finally, based on the recent studies we conclude that DNA methylation status may have implications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics as a potential epigenetic biomarker of NPDs.