Development of alpha-tocopherol acetate nanoparticles: influence of preparative processes

We studied different methods of preparing alpha-tocopherol acetate (ATA) nanoparticles, which are to be used in targeting the lungs as aerosols in order to prevent cigarette smoke toxicity. Poly-(lactide) nanoparticles were prepared using nanoprecipitation and solvent evaporation techniques, which produced, respectively, too small and too large nanoparticles to be aerosolized. The emulsification-diffusion method produced 2 months stable nanoparticles with a size between (500-700 nm). Increasing ATA concentration (1-7 mg/mL) induced a decrease in the association rate (97-93%) and in the adsorbed ATA rate (7-4.5%), which was associated with variations of Zeta potentials (-27.5 to -24.3 mV) and decrease in polymeric wall thickness and density.

Efficacy of Combined Treatments, Psychological and Pharmacological, for Depression in Adults

According to the state of the art, combined treatments for depression are more efficacious than a unique approach. However, studies on the efficacy of different psychological treatments are scarce. We will present the results of an on-going research, carried out with the main purpose of analysing the efficacy of two psychological empirically validated treatments for depression, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonnal Therapy (IPT), combined with psychopharmacological approach. A sample of 30 adult females will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) CBT and pharmacological treatment; 2) IPT and pharmacological treatment; and 3) only pharmacological treatment. A multimodal assessment matrix will be used to evaluate depression, suicidal ideation and intention, and individual, social, and environmental factors commonly related to the onset of major depression, namely hopelessness and pessimism, cognitive processing, interpersonal relations, life events, before, at the end of treatments, and at follow-up. We expect that both combined approaches will be more efficacious in the reduction of depressive symptoms, including suicidal behaviours, compared to the pharmacological approach. We also expect to understand the sensitivity to change of the assessed psychological processes underlying each form of psychotherapy.

Psychosocial Factors Related to Suicidal Attempts in Adults

In the south of Portugal, suicide rates are more prevalent compared to other regions. We will present the results of an on-going research, carried out with the main purpose of analysing different risk factors associated to suicidal attemps in a sample of 60 adults, both males and females, recurring to emergency room in a general hospital. A multimodal assessment matrix will be used to evaluate depression, suicidal ideation and intention, and individual, social, and environmental factors commonly related to the onset of major depression, namely hopelessness and pessimism, cognitive processing, interpersonal relations, life events. We expect to find a positive correlation between hopelessness and the indicators of suicidal attempts and also a mediator effect, of cognitive processes, on the relationship between hopelessness and pessimism with depression and, consequently, suicidal intention.

Psychiatric Inpatient Readmission in a General Hospital: Preliminary Report of a Two Years Observational Study

Introduction:

Studying inpatient clinical population's features allows a better understanding of readmissions. Factors associated with higher levels of readmission may give clues concerning better treatment planning and follow-up.

Objectives:

To detect psychosocial and clinic factors associated with readmissions in an inpatient general psychiatric population.

Method:

107 patients consecutively admitted to an inpatient unit were characterized in terms of psychosocial, clinical, treatment and discharge plan features. Readmission was defined as the number of previous admittances in the last two years.

Results:

Patients characteristics: Average age 44 (SD: 16); 58% female; 10 (SD:5) years of education; average disease duration of 128 (SD:115) months. Main diagnosis: 30,8% schizophrenia; 14% bipolar I disorder; 13,1% major depression; 11,2% recurrent major depression; 5,6% cluster B personality; 3,8% bipolar II disorder and 2,9% schizoaffective disorder. From more to less frequent diagnosis implicated in readmissions were schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, recurrent major depression, bipolar I, bipolar II and major depression episode. Readmissions were not associated with inpatient treatment or disease duration, nor toxics or axis II diagnosis. Nonetheless, beginning a depot antipsychotic medication was related to an increase in previous admissions.

Conclusion:

These are preliminary results of a small sample, but they point towards the usefulness of a systematic evaluation of inpatient populations, mainly in what concerns complex clinical situations like major pathology readmissions.

Metabolic Syndrome in Bipolar Illness: Patient Concepts and Screening Effectivity

Introduction:

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is constituted by a set of specific metabolic alterations being postulated that the main dysfunction is insulin resistance. Estimates point to higher prevalence of MS in bipolar patients, between 30 to 35%. Cost-effective screening methods, not recurring to blood test, have been researched.

Objectives:

Analyse knowledge and importance given to MS in bipolar patients. Test the viability of MS screening without blood tests.

Methodology:

Observational, cross-sectional study. Random sample of 15 adult bipolar patients, in euthymic phase. Semi-structured interview, YMRS, HAMD were applied. MS diagnosis investigated according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. MS screening was defined positive if blood pressure ≥ 130/85 or anti-hypertensive medication and abdominal perimeter > 90 in males or > 80 in females. A questionnaire about knowledge, attitudes and concerns on MS was applied.

Main results:

14 patients completed the investigation protocol. Five (36%) met IDF criteria for metabolic syndrome. Screening sensitivity was 80% and specificity 78%. Twelve patients (80%) were overweigh or obese. Mean IMC in patients that met IDF criteria for MS was 30 while in the other group mean IMC was 26. Only 3 (20%) have ever heard about MS, but the majority of the patients were concerned, in decreasing order, about weight gain, blood pressure cholesterol and hyperglycemia control.

Conclusions:

Although limited by small sample size, this study strengthens the idea that MS screening can be effective in clinical practice, it also indicates the need to educate BP patients about MS and to prevent overweight.

Testicular angiogenic activity in response to food restriction in rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different levels of food restriction on testicular angiogenic activity, microvascularization, tissue growth, and regression, using the rabbit as a study model. The rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus) were randomly assigned to a control group (A, n=5), fed ad libitum, and to groups B (n=5) and C (n=5), with two different levels of food restriction. Food restriction was responsible for a 21.2% decrease in body weight in group B and 34.7% in group C. Testis explants were cultured for 24 h and conditioned media were tested for their ability to stimulate mitogenesis of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). There was an increase in testicular microvascular area and mitogenesis of BAEC in group C rabbits. Despite no change in testicular DNA concentration among groups, food restriction decreased both RNA and protein compared with control. No treatment differences in the percentage of seminiferous tubules filled with all stages of spermatogenesis (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids) and spermatozoa, as well as the area occupied by seminiferous tubules, were observed. Nevertheless, serum testosterone was markedly less in group C compared with groups A and B. These results suggest that angiogenesis may play a role in overcoming testicular nutritional impairment in rabbits subjected to food restriction.