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Reed RG, Hillmann AR, Nation M, Braksator S, Sigler K. Remote dried blood spot collection for inflammatory markers in older adults is feasible, reliable, and valid. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 120:545-553. [PMID: 38971206 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Dried blood spots (DBS) provide a minimally invasive method to assess inflammatory markers and can be collected remotely at-home or in-person in the lab. However, there is a lack of methodological information comparing these different collection methods and in older adults. We investigated the feasibility (including adherence, yield, quality, and participant preferences) and measurement properties (reliability, validity) of remotely collected DBS inflammatory markers in older adults. Participants (N = 167, mean age = 72, range: 60-96 years) collected their own DBS (finger prick on filter paper) during three remote interviews over ∼ 6 months. Within 4-5 days on average of their last remote interview, a subset of 41 participants also attended an in-person lab visit that included a researcher-collected DBS sample, venous blood draw, and survey to assess participant preferences of DBS collection. DBS and venous blood were assayed for CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α. Adherence: 98% of expected DBS samples (493 out of 501) were completed and mailed back to the lab. Yield: 97% of DBS samples were sufficient for all assays. Quality: On average, 0.80 fewer optimal spots (60uL of blood that filled the entire circle) were obtained remotely vs. in-person (p = 0.013), but the number of useable or better spots (at least 30-40uL of blood) did not differ (p = 0.89). Preference: A slight majority of participants (54%) preferred in-person DBS collection. Reliability: DBS test-retest reliabilities were good: CRP (ICC = 0.74), IL-6 (ICC = 0.76), and TNF-α (ICC = 0.70). Validity: Inflammatory levels from DBS correlated strongly with levels from venous blood (r = 0.60-0.99) and correlated as expected with sociodemographic and physical health and function variables. Older adults can remotely collect their own DBS to acquire reliable and valid inflammatory data. Remote DBS collection is highly feasible and may allow for inflammatory markers to be assessed in larger, more representative samples than are possible with lab- or clinic-based research designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G Reed
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Abby R Hillmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Maegan Nation
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Shay Braksator
- Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kirby Sigler
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Fischer S, Naegeli K, Cardone D, Filippini C, Merla A, Hanusch KU, Ehlert U. Emerging effects of temperature on human cognition, affect, and behaviour. Biol Psychol 2024; 189:108791. [PMID: 38599369 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Human body core temperature is tightly regulated within approximately 37 °C. Global near surface temperature has increased by over 1.2 °C between 1850 and 2020. In light of the challenge this poses to human thermoregulation, the present perspective article sought to provide an overview on the effects of varying ambient and body temperature on cognitive, affective, and behavioural domains of functioning. To this end, an overview of observational and experimental studies in healthy individuals and individuals with mental disorders was provided. Within body core temperature at approximately 37 °C, relatively lower ambient and skin temperatures appear to evoke a need for social connection, whereas comparably higher temperatures appear to facilitate notions of other as closer and more sociable. Above-average ambient temperatures are associated with increased conflicts as well as incident psychotic and depressive symptoms, mental disorders, and suicide. With mild hypo- and hyperthermia, paradoxical effects are observed: whereas the acute states are generally characterised by impairments in cognitive performance, anxiety, and irritability, individuals with depression experience longer-term symptom improvements with treatments deliberately inducing these states for brief amounts of time. When taken together, it has thus become clear that temperature is inexorably associated with human cognition, affect, and (potentially) behaviour. Given the projected increase in global warming, further research into the affective and behavioural sequelae of heat and the mechanisms translating it into mental health outcomes is urgently warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Kathrin Naegeli
- University of Zurich, Department of Geography, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Cardone
- University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Department of Engineering and Geology, Chieti, Italy
| | - Chiara Filippini
- University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Department of Engineering and Geology, Chieti, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Merla
- University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Department of Engineering and Geology, Chieti, Italy
| | - Kay-Uwe Hanusch
- Bern University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland
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Lorenz TI, Schreuders E, Stuldreher IV, Thammasan N, Brouwer AM, Giletta M. The Interplay of Peer Victimization and Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity on Acute Inflammatory Stress Responses in Adolescence. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:757-771. [PMID: 38008787 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01156-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the extent to which adolescent peer victimization predicted acute inflammatory responses to stress, and whether both resting parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity and PNS stress reactivity moderated this association. 83 adolescents (Mage = 14.89, SDage = 0.52, 48% female) reported their history of peer victimization and were exposed to a standardized social stress task before and after which dried blood spot samples were collected to assay inflammatory markers. Inflammatory responses to the stress task were assessed with a latent inflammatory change factor using the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). PNS functioning, indexed by high-frequency heart rate variability, was measured at rest and during the stressor. Contrary to hypotheses, analyses revealed no direct relation between peer victimization and acute inflammatory responses, and resting PNS activity did not moderate this association. However, peer victimization predicted stronger inflammatory responses among adolescents with weaker PNS reactivity to the stress task (b = 0.63, p = .02). This association was not observed among adolescents with stronger PNS reactivity, for whom a negative but non-significant trend was found. Weaker PNS reactivity may thus indicate victimized adolescents' vulnerability for acute inflammatory responses, whereas stronger PNS reactivity may indicate adolescents' resilience to a social stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara I Lorenz
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
| | - Elisabeth Schreuders
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Ivo V Stuldreher
- The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Soesterberg, The Netherlands
| | - Nattapong Thammasan
- OnePlanet Research Center, Imec- The Netherlands, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie Brouwer
- The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Soesterberg, The Netherlands
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Matteo Giletta
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
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Verscheure E, Stierum R, Schlünssen V, Lund Würtz AM, Vanneste D, Kogevinas M, Harding BN, Broberg K, Zienolddiny-Narui S, Erdem JS, Das MK, Makris KC, Konstantinou C, Andrianou X, Dekkers S, Morris L, Pronk A, Godderis L, Ghosh M. Characterization of the internal working-life exposome using minimally and non-invasive sampling methods - a narrative review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117001. [PMID: 37683788 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
During recent years, we are moving away from the 'one exposure, one disease'-approach in occupational settings and towards a more comprehensive approach, taking into account the totality of exposures during a life course by using an exposome approach. Taking an exposome approach however is accompanied by many challenges, one of which, for example, relates to the collection of biological samples. Methods used for sample collection in occupational exposome studies should ideally be minimally invasive, while at the same time sensitive, and enable meaningful repeated sampling in a large population and over a longer time period. This might be hampered in specific situations e.g., people working in remote areas, during pandemics or with flexible work hours. In these situations, using self-sampling techniques might offer a solution. Therefore, our aim was to identify existing self-sampling techniques and to evaluate the applicability of these techniques in an occupational exposome context by conducting a literature review. We here present an overview of current self-sampling methodologies used to characterize the internal exposome. In addition, the use of different biological matrices was evaluated and subdivided based on their level of invasiveness and applicability in an occupational exposome context. In conclusion, this review and the overview of self-sampling techniques presented herein can serve as a guide in the design of future (occupational) exposome studies while circumventing sample collection challenges associated with exposome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Verscheure
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rob Stierum
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Research unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Mette Lund Würtz
- Department of Public Health, Research unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dorian Vanneste
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manolis Kogevinas
- Environment and Health over the Lifecourse Program, ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Barbara N Harding
- Environment and Health over the Lifecourse Program, ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Mrinal K Das
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Konstantinos C Makris
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Corina Konstantinou
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Xanthi Andrianou
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Susan Dekkers
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Anjoeka Pronk
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Idewe, External Service for Prevention and Protection at work, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Yu YL, Juster RP. Spousal Synchrony in Allostatic Load Among Older Couples in the Health and Retirement Study. Psychosom Med 2023; 85:716-726. [PMID: 37409786 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using national data from the Health and Retirement Study, this study examined interpartner associations of allostatic load (AL) among 2338 different-sex couples ( N = 4676 individuals) over a 4-year period among older American couples from a dyadic approach. METHODS AL was indexed by immune (C-reactive protein), metabolic (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and glycosylated hemoglobin), renal (cystatin C), cardiovascular (systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rate), and anthropometric (waist and body mass index) parameters using the traditional count-based formulation. Actor-partner interdependence models were used to assess interpartner concordance in AL. RESULTS Higher partners' baseline AL was significantly associated with higher own AL both at baseline and 4 years later. In addition, partners' baseline AL was significantly associated with own AL 4 years later only in women but not men. Lastly, we did not observe any significant moderating effect of relationship quality on interpartner AL concordance. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that older couples' physiological responses to environmental stress are not only linked concurrently, but the associations persist after 4 years, alluding to long-term impacts of couples' psychosocial context and physiology on each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Liang Yu
- From the Department of Sociology and Criminology (Yu), Howard University, Washington, DC; Department of Psychiatry and Addiction (Juster), University of Montreal; and Center on Sex*Gender, Allostasis, and Resilience, Research Center of the Montreal (Juster), Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada
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Tripathy HK, Kiran V, Zakkula A, A B V, Bestha RM, Dittakavi S, Mullangi R. Validated LC-MS/MS method for the determination of copanlisib in mouse dried blood spots. Biomed Chromatogr 2023; 37:e5548. [PMID: 36385469 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.5548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Copanlisib is a dual PI3K-δ inhibitor, used in follicular lymphoma treatment. In this research, we report a validated LC-MS/MS method for quantifying copanlisib from a mouse dried blood spot (DBS). We validated the method in line with the guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration. The liquid-liquid extraction technique was used to extract copanlisib from the DBS discs. We used an Atlantis dC18 column and isocratic mobile phase for the chromatographic separation of copanlisib and the internal standard (idelalisib). The flow was 0.90 ml/min. Under the optimized chromatographic conditions, the retentions of copanlisib and the internal standard were 0.98 and 0.93 min, respectively. Each injection total run time was 2.50 min. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were m/z 481.31 → 128.00 and 416.10 → 176.10 for copanlisib and the internal standard (IS) idelalisib, respectively. We have used a broad calibration range (1.01-4,797 ng/ml) with a determination coefficient (r2 ) of 0.997. All of the evaluated parameters met the acceptance criteria. Hematocrit did not influence the DBS copanlisib concentrations. We have used the validated method to derive the intravenous pharmacokinetic parameters by quantifying copanlisib in mouse plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vinay Kiran
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Laxai Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, India
| | - Ashok Zakkula
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Laxai Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, India
| | - Vinod A B
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Laxai Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, India
| | - Rama Murthy Bestha
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Laxai Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sreekanth Dittakavi
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Laxai Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, India
| | - Ramesh Mullangi
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Laxai Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad, India
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7
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Barendse MEA, Lara GA, Guyer AE, Swartz JR, Taylor SL, Shirtcliff EA, Lamb ST, Miller C, Ng J, Yu G, Tully LM. Sex and pubertal influences on the neurodevelopmental underpinnings of schizophrenia: A case for longitudinal research on adolescents. Schizophr Res 2023; 252:231-241. [PMID: 36682313 PMCID: PMC10725041 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Sex is a significant source of heterogeneity in schizophrenia, with more negative symptoms in males and more affective symptoms and internalizing comorbidity in females. In this narrative review, we argue that there are likely sex differences in the pathophysiological mechanisms of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SZ) that originate during puberty and relate to the sex-specific impacts of pubertal maturation on brain development. Pubertal maturation might also trigger underlying (genetic or other) vulnerabilities in at-risk individuals, influencing brain development trajectories that contribute to the emergence of SZ. This review is the first to integrate links between pubertal development and neural development with cognitive neuroscience research in SZ to form and evaluate these hypotheses, with a focus on the frontal-striatal and frontal-limbic networks and their hypothesized contribution to negative and mood symptoms respectively. To test these hypotheses, longitudinal research with human adolescents is needed that examines the role of sex and pubertal development using large cohorts or high risk samples. We provide recommendations for such studies, which will integrate the fields of psychiatry, developmental cognitive neuroscience, and developmental endocrinology towards a more nuanced understanding of the role of pubertal factors in the hypothesized sex-specific pathophysiological mechanisms of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E A Barendse
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - G A Lara
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - A E Guyer
- Department of Human Ecology, UC Davis, CA, USA; Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - J R Swartz
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - S L Taylor
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - E A Shirtcliff
- Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - S T Lamb
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - C Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - J Ng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - G Yu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - L M Tully
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA.
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Ingle RG, Zeng S, Jiang H, Fang WJ. Current development of bioanalytical sample preparation techniques in pharmaceuticals. J Pharm Anal 2022; 12:517-529. [PMID: 36105159 PMCID: PMC9463481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sample preparation is considered as the bottleneck step in bioanalysis because each biological matrix has its own unique challenges and complexity. Competent sample preparation to extract the desired analytes and remove redundant components is a crucial step in each bioanalytical approach. The matrix effect is a key hurdle in bioanalytical sample preparation, which has gained extensive consideration. Novel sample preparation techniques have advantages over classical techniques in terms of accuracy, automation, ease of sample preparation, storage, and shipment and have become increasingly popular over the past decade. Our objective is to provide a broad outline of current developments in various bioanalytical sample preparation techniques in chromatographic and spectroscopic examinations. In addition, how these techniques have gained considerable attention over the past decade in bioanalytical research is mentioned with preferred examples. Modern trends in bioanalytical sample preparation techniques, including sorbent-based microextraction techniques, are primarily emphasized. Bioanalytical sampling techniques are described with suitable applications in pharmaceuticals. The pros and cons of each bioanalytical sampling techniques are described. Relevant biological matrices are outlined.
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Optimized and Validated DBS/MAE/LC–MS Method for Rapid Determination of Date-Rape Drugs and Cocaine in Human Blood Samples—A New Tool in Forensic Analysis. SEPARATIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/separations8120249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to develop a new method for the determination of selected substances from the date-rape drugs group: ketamine, benzodiazepines and cocaine. The method is based on the dried blood spot method which seems to be a suitable tool in the analysis of tested substances. The extraction process based on microwave-assisted extraction was optimized to enable optimal conditions for the isolation of a wide range of analytes from blood samples collected on DBS cards. The extraction with ethyl acetate with a buffer of pH = 9 carried out at a temperature of 50 °C for 15 min ensured high extraction efficiency of the tested analytes. The optimized method was validated. Limits of detection (LOD = 4.38–21.1 ng/mL) and quantification (LOQ = 14.6–70.4 ng/mL), inter- and intra-day precision (CV = 1.37–13.4% and 3.39–14.8%, respectively), recovery (RE = 93.0–112.4%) and matrix effect (ME = 98.4–101.6%) were determined. The validation results indicate the possibility of using the proposed method in the analysis of real blood samples collected from victims of sexual assault.
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Gardini ES, Chen GG, Fiacco S, Mernone L, Willi J, Turecki G, Ehlert U. Differential ESR1 Promoter Methylation in the Peripheral Blood-Findings from the Women 40+ Healthy Aging Study. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3654. [PMID: 32455834 PMCID: PMC7279168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Estrogen receptor α (ERα) contributes to maintaining biological processes preserving health during aging. DNA methylation changes of ERα gene (ESR1) were established as playing a direct role in the regulation of ERα levels. In this study, we hypothesized decreased DNA methylation of ESR1 associated with postmenopause, lower estradiol (E2) levels, and increased age among healthy middle-aged and older women. Methods We assessed DNA methylation of ESR1 promoter region from dried blood spots (DBSs) and E2 from saliva samples in 130 healthy women aged 40-73 years. Results We found that postmenopause and lower E2 levels were associated with lower DNA methylation of a distal regulatory region, but not with DNA methylation of proximal promoters. Conclusion Our results indicate that decreased methylation of ESR1 cytosine-phosphate-guanine island (CpGI) shore may be associated with conditions of lower E2 in older healthy women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena S. Gardini
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland; (E.S.G.); (S.F.); (L.M.); (J.W.)
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gary G. Chen
- Douglas Hospital Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; (G.G.C.); (G.T.)
| | - Serena Fiacco
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland; (E.S.G.); (S.F.); (L.M.); (J.W.)
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laura Mernone
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland; (E.S.G.); (S.F.); (L.M.); (J.W.)
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jasmine Willi
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland; (E.S.G.); (S.F.); (L.M.); (J.W.)
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Douglas Hospital Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; (G.G.C.); (G.T.)
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland; (E.S.G.); (S.F.); (L.M.); (J.W.)
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
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Lacker TJ, Walther A, Fiacco S, Ehlert U. The Relation Between Steroid Secretion Patterns and the Androgen Receptor Gene Polymorphism on Physical Health and Psychological Well-Being-Longitudinal Findings From the Men's Health 40+ Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:43. [PMID: 32116617 PMCID: PMC7033643 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Research is increasingly focusing on promoting healthy aging and the related extension of the health span by targeting crucial biological processes responsible for age-related conditions. While age-related gradual changes in steroid hormones such as testosterone, estradiol, or cortisol are well described in men, their interactions among each other or with genetic markers have not been sufficiently investigated with regard to physical health or psychological well-being. More specifically, the examination of age-related alterations in hormone interactions and the androgen receptor polymorphism, which modulates androgen action on target cells, in relation to physical health and psychological well-being represents a promising avenue for research on healthy aging in men. A total of 97 healthy aging men provided complete data on psychometric health measures as well as hormonal and genetic parameters at baseline and a 4-year follow-up assessment. Fasting saliva samples were taken at 8:00 am under standardized laboratory conditions, while the androgen receptor gene polymorphism was analyzed from dried blood spots. Longitudinal analyses revealed that psychological well-being and physical health remained stable over time. Analyses indicated that E2 moderated the course of psychological well-being, while the androgen receptor gene polymorphism moderated the course of physical health. Further, T was a strong predictor of physical health. These results suggest that the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis might be important for the maintenance of psychological well-being in men, while physical health depends more on interindividual differences in the androgen receptor gene and T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Jonas Lacker
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Walther
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Biopsychology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Serena Fiacco
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Gardini ES, Fiacco S, Mernone L, Ehlert U. Sleep and Methylation of Estrogen Receptor Genes, ESR1 and GPER, in Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Women: Findings from the Women 40+ Healthy Aging Study. Nat Sci Sleep 2020; 12:525-536. [PMID: 32801978 PMCID: PMC7394583 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s256102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Sleep problems in middle-aged and older women are very common and have been associated with menopause-related changes in estrogen levels. However, not all women experience sleep problems as they enter perimenopause, and epigenetic mechanisms might contribute to the differences in sleep quality within this population. In this study, we hypothesized that increased methylation of two estrogen receptor (ER) genes (ESR1 and GPER) would be associated with increased sleep problems in healthy pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women, either directly or indirectly through the experience of vasomotor symptoms (VMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS In 130 healthy women aged 40-73 years, we assessed DNA methylation from dried blood spots (DBS). Women rated their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and VMS using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). RESULTS Higher percentage methylation of ESR1 was associated with increased sleep problems, mediated by VMS, even after controlling for age, menopausal status, body mass index, estradiol levels, depressive symptoms, and caffeine consumption. There was no significant association between GPER methylation and either sleep problems or VMS. CONCLUSION The study findings support an association between increased ESR1 methylation and sleep problems through increased VMS among healthy women aged 40-73 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena S Gardini
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Serena Fiacco
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laura Mernone
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program (URPP) Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Fiacco S, Gardini ES, Mernone L, Schick L, Ehlert U. DNA Methylation in Healthy Older Adults With a History of Childhood Adversity-Findings From the Women 40+ Healthy Aging Study. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:777. [PMID: 31708823 PMCID: PMC6819958 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Adversity in early development seems to increase the risk of stress-related somatic disorders later in life. Physiologically, functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes is often discussed as long-term mediators of risk. In particular, DNA methylation in the glucocorticoid receptor gene promoter (NR3C1) has been associated with type and strength of early life adversity and subsequent effects on HPA axis signaling in humans. Animal studies, moreover, suggest changes in DNA methylation in the estrogen receptor gene (ERα) upon early life adversity. We investigated the association of type and severity of childhood adversity with methylation in NR3C1 and ERα and additionally considered associations between methylation and steroid hormone secretion. Methods: The percentage of methylation within the NR3C1 promoter and the ERα shore was investigated using dried blood spot samples of 103 healthy women aged 40-73 years. Childhood adversity was examined with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Linear regression analyses were performed with methylation as dependent variable and the experience of emotional abuse and neglect, physical abuse and neglect, and sexual abuse (compared to non-experience) as independent variables. All analyses were controlled for age, BMI, annual household income, and smoking status and were adjusted for multiple testing. Results: Overall, over 70% of the sample reported having experienced any kind of abuse or neglect of at least low intensity. There were no significant associations between childhood adversity and methylation in the NR3C1 promoter (all p > .10). Participants reporting emotional abuse showed significantly higher methylation in the ERα shore than those who did not (p = .001). Additionally, higher levels of adversity were associated with higher levels of ERα shore methylation (p = .001). Conclusion: In healthy women, early life adversity does not seem to result in NR3C1 promoter hypermethylation in midlife and older age. This is the first study in humans to suggest that childhood adversity might, however, epigenetically modify the ERα shore. Further studies are needed to gain a better understanding of why some individuals remain healthy and others develop psychopathologies in the face of childhood adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Fiacco
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,URPP Dynamics of Healthy Aging Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Silvia Gardini
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,URPP Dynamics of Healthy Aging Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laura Mernone
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,URPP Dynamics of Healthy Aging Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lea Schick
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,URPP Dynamics of Healthy Aging Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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