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Kyrou A, Grünert E, Wüthrich F, Nadesalingam N, Chapellier V, Nuoffer MG, Pavlidou A, Lefebvre S, Walther S. Test-retest reliability of resting-state cerebral blood flow quantification using pulsed Arterial Spin Labeling (PASL) over 3 weeks vs 8 weeks in healthy controls. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2024; 341:111823. [PMID: 38735229 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2024.111823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Arterial Spin Labeling is a valuable functional imaging tool for both clinical and research purposes. However, little is known about the test-retest reliability of cerebral blood flow measurements over longer periods. In this study, we investigated the reliability of pulsed Arterial Spin Labeling in assessing cerebral blood flow over a 3 (n = 28) vs 8 (n = 19) weeks interscan interval in 47 healthy participants. As a measure of cerebral blood flow reliability, we calculated voxel-wise, whole-brain, and regions of interest intraclass correlation coefficients. The whole-brain mean resting-state cerebral blood flow showed good to excellent reliability over time for both periods (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.85 for the 3-week delay, intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.53 for the 8-week delay). However, the voxel-wise and regions of interest intraclass correlation coefficients fluctuated at 8-week compared to the 3-week interval, especially within cortical areas. These results confirmed previous findings that Arterial Spin Labeling could be used as a reliable method to assess brain perfusion. However, as the reliability seemed to decrease over time, caution is warranted when performing correlations with other variables, especially in clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kyrou
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Elina Grünert
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Wüthrich
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Niluja Nadesalingam
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Victoria Chapellier
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Melanie G Nuoffer
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Lefebvre
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Sebastian Walther
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, Translational Research Center, University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Hatzianestis I, Parinos C, Chourdaki S, Plakidi E, Abualnaja Y, Hoteit I, Churchill J, Papageorgiou D, Papadopoulos VP, Alshehri Y, Pavlidou A. Organic contaminants levels, distribution and risk assessment in Jeddah marine coastal zone sediments. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 199:115926. [PMID: 38128252 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Herein, various organic contaminants were determined in surface sediments collected from the Jeddah coastal zone, Saudi Arabia, to assess their levels, origin and probable toxic effects on marine organisms. High hydrocarbons concentrations, indicative of an enhanced pollutant burden, were recorded in the Jeddah Lagoon (mean value 4100 mg/kg for total aliphatic hydrocarbons (∑AHC) and 5800 μg/kg for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑PAH)), whereas mean values in Mena Jeddah were 258 mg/kg for ∑AHC and 615 μg/kg for ∑PAH. By using molecular diagnostic ratios/indices and applying Positive Matrix Factorization, petroleum related pollution seems to predominate in Jeddah lagoons, whereas carcinogenic contaminants of pyrolytic origin were dominant in Mena Jedda. Additionally, municipal wastewaters were identified as a major source of pollution in Jeddah lagoons. Comparison of the concentrations of individual PAHs and polychlorinated biphenyls with sediment quality guidelines indicates that, despite their high total values, adverse biological effects are unlikely to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Hatzianestis
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio av., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece.
| | - C Parinos
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio av., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - S Chourdaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio av., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - E Plakidi
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio av., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - Y Abualnaja
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Jeddah 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - I Hoteit
- Climate Change Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - J Churchill
- Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - D Papageorgiou
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio av., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - V P Papadopoulos
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio av., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - Y Alshehri
- National Center for Environmental Compliance, Riyadh 13241-3000, Saudi Arabia
| | - A Pavlidou
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio av., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
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Tzempelikou E, Parinos C, Zeri C, Hatzianestis I, Abualnaja Y, Hoteit I, Plakidi E, Chourdaki S, Iliakis S, Papadopoulos VP, Pavlidou A. Pollution status determination using trace metals and organic contaminants of the water column in coastal areas of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba: A baseline assessment. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 194:115379. [PMID: 37567128 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we aim to provide a baseline assessment of the pollution status of the water column in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia (Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba), using trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in seawater samples obtained from 71 sampling stations in June-July 2021. Concerning trace metals, the maximum concentrations for Co, Cu and Ni were detected in Al-Shuqaiq, whereas the highest Pb and Zn concentrations were found in the Jeddah lagoon waters. Elevated concentrations of TPHs and the highest sum of PAHs were recorded in surface waters of Al Lith, Jeddah lagoon and Jeddah Mena. Overall, the concentrations of all trace metals, TPHs and individual PAHs for which environmental standards have been stipulated for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fall well below the threshold values.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tzempelikou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - C Parinos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece.
| | - C Zeri
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - I Hatzianestis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - Y Abualnaja
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, Jeddah 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - I Hoteit
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal, Jeddah 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - E Plakidi
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - S Chourdaki
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - S Iliakis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - V P Papadopoulos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
| | - A Pavlidou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio ave., Mavro Lithari, 19013 Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece
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Pavlidou A, Gorisse G, Banakou D, Walther S. Using virtual reality to assess gesture performance deficits in schizophrenia patients. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1191601. [PMID: 37363173 PMCID: PMC10288366 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1191601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Gesture performance deficits are prevalent in schizophrenia patients and are strongly associated with poor social communication skills and community functioning, affecting their overall quality of life. Currently, video-recording technology is widely used in clinical settings to assess gesture production deficits in schizophrenia patients. Nevertheless, the subjective evaluation of video-recordings can encumber task assessment. The present study will aim to use virtual reality to examine its potential use as an alternative tool to objectively measure gesture performance accuracy in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Methods Gesture performance in the virtual reality setting will be based on the well-established Test of Upper Limb Apraxia. Participants will be immersed in a virtual environment where they will experience themselves being embodied in a collocated virtual body seen from a first-person perspective. Motion trackers will be placed on participants' hands and elbows to track upper body movements in real-time, and to record gesture movement for later analysis. Participants will see a virtual agent sitting across from them, with a virtual table in between. The agent will perform various types of gestures and the participants' task will be to imitate those gestures as accurately as possible. Measurements from the tracking devices will be stored and analyzed to address gesture performance accuracy across groups. Discussion This study aims to provide objective measurements of gesture performance accuracy in schizophrenia patients. If successful, the results will provide new knowledge to the gesture literature and offer the potential for novel therapeutic interventions using virtual reality technologies. Such interventions can improve gesturing and thus advance social communication skills in schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translation Research Centre, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Domna Banakou
- Arts and Humanities Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sebastian Walther
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translation Research Centre, Bern, Switzerland
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Tsinarakis G, Kouloumpis V, Pavlidou A, Arampatzis G. Data for the project management, life cycle inventory, costings and energy production of a ground-mounted photovoltaic farm in Greece. Data Brief 2023; 48:109260. [PMID: 37383769 PMCID: PMC10294036 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Data was collected using standard communication equipment and invoices provided by an established civil construction and renewable energy development and operation company. Data referring to the construction, costings, operation and environmental impacts of a photovoltaic farm were recorded into four distinct Excel files namely: i) Project Management Data, ii) Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), iii) Electricity Generation Data and iv) Operational Cost Data. For the project management, the given quantities of the resources used in each activity could be further combined with the costs from different geographical and time regions to estimate overall project implementation costs for similar projects. The LCI data for the materials and transportation used can set the basis for life cycle assessment modelling of ground-mounted photovoltaic farms of that size and type. The electricity generation data along with meteorological parameters and location coordinates can be further enhanced to predict and manage energy generation and cashflow of expectations installations of this type and size over time. Finally, the data referring to a number of cost categories('maintenance costs', 'operational costs', 'insurance costs' and 'any other costs'), especially combined with the previously mentioned types of data could support a holistic technoeconomic and environmental assessment of comparable commercial photovoltaic installations. In addition, these data can be used for a comparative multi-disciplinary evaluation between photovoltaics and among various renewable electricity generation alternatives and traditional fossil fuel-based options as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Tsinarakis
- Industrial and Digital Innovations Research Group (INDIGO), School of Production Engineering and Management, Technical University of Crete, Technical, University Campus, Akrotiri, Chania, 73100 Crete, Greece
- Department of Financial & Management Engineering, School of Business Studies, University of the Aegean, Kountouriotou 41, 82100 Chios, Greece
| | - Victor Kouloumpis
- Industrial and Digital Innovations Research Group (INDIGO), School of Production Engineering and Management, Technical University of Crete, Technical, University Campus, Akrotiri, Chania, 73100 Crete, Greece
| | | | - George Arampatzis
- Industrial and Digital Innovations Research Group (INDIGO), School of Production Engineering and Management, Technical University of Crete, Technical, University Campus, Akrotiri, Chania, 73100 Crete, Greece
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Maderthaner L, Pavlidou A, Lefebvre S, Nadesalingam N, Chapellier V, von Känel S, Kyrou A, Alexaki D, Wüthrich F, Weiss F, Baumann-Gama D, Wiest R, Strik W, Kircher T, Walther S. Neural Correlates of Formal Thought Disorder Dimensions in Psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:S104-S114. [PMID: 36946525 PMCID: PMC10031743 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Formal thought disorder (FTD) is a core symptom of psychosis, but its neural correlates remain poorly understood. This study tested whether four FTD dimensions differ in their association with brain perfusion and brain structure. STUDY DESIGN This cross-sectional study investigated 110 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Thought and Language Disorder scale (TALD) was utilized, which comprises four subscales: Objective Positive (OP), Objective Negative (ON), Subjective Positive (SP), and Subjective Negative (SN). Resting-state cerebral blood flow (rsCBF), cortical thickness (CortTh), gray matter volume (GMV), and diffusion MRI tractography were tested for associations with TALD subscales controlling for age, medication, total intracranial volume, and for variance of the 3 other TALD subscales. STUDY RESULTS Following Bonferroni correction, the FTD dimensions presented distinct neural correlates. OP scores were associated with increased rsCBF and increased GMV in the right cerebellum lingual gyrus. Higher SP scores were linked to increased GMV in bilateral prefrontal cortex. In contrast, ON was associated with increased GMV in the right premotor cortex. At more liberal statistical thresholds, higher SP was associated with increased CortTh in the right inferior frontal gyrus, whereas SN scores were linked to decreased GMV in the right prefrontal lobe, the left inferior temporal gyrus, and the left supplementary motor area. Unadjusted analyses mostly corroborated these findings. CONCLUSION These findings stress the heterogeneity in FTD, suggesting distinct neural patterns for specific FTD experiences. In sum, FTD in psychosis may require distinct treatment strategies and further mechanistic investigations on single-item levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Maderthaner
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Lefebvre
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Niluja Nadesalingam
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Victoria Chapellier
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sofie von Känel
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Kyrou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Danai Alexaki
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Wüthrich
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Weiss
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Baumann-Gama
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Wiest
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Werner Strik
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
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Povinec PP, Papadopoulos VP, Krokos G, Abualnaja Y, Pavlidou A, Kontuľ I, Kaizer J, Cherkinsky A, Molnár A, Molnár M, Palcsu L, Al Ghamdi AS, Anber HA, Al Othman AS, Hoteit I. Tritium and radiocarbon in the water column of the Red Sea. J Environ Radioact 2023; 256:107051. [PMID: 36327526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.107051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite being the busiest transient sea in the world due to the Suez Canal, radionuclide distribution studies in seawater and sediment of the Red Sea remain rare. A sampling expedition in the Red Sea was conducted from June 9 to July 6, 2021, visiting a transect of several deep sampling stations located along the central axis of the basin from the Gulf of Aqaba to the southern Red Sea (near Farasan Island, Saudi Arabia). The collected seawater profile samples were analyzed for tritium, radiocarbon and oxygen-18. The observed tritium levels in surface waters of the Red Sea peaked at 0.3-0.4 TU, similar to the values observed in the western Arabian Sea (decay corrected). The values observed at waters below 150 m were around 0.2 TU, however, at depths of 450 and 750 m, tritium minima (<0.2 TU) were observed, which could be associated with a partial return flow of bottom waters from the southern to the northern Red Sea. At two stations at the depth of about 550 m, deep Δ14C minima were observed as well (-4‰ and -10‰), documenting ongoing transport of carbon in the water column, important for sink of anthropogenic carbon.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P Povinec
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84248, Slovakia.
| | - V P Papadopoulos
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece
| | - G Krokos
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece; Earth Sciences and Engineering Department, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Y Abualnaja
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University for Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - A Pavlidou
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece
| | - I Kontuľ
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84248, Slovakia
| | - J Kaizer
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, 84248, Slovakia
| | - A Cherkinsky
- Center for Applied Isotope Studies, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602-4702, USA
| | - A Molnár
- Isotoptech Zrt., H-4026, Debrecen, Hungary; University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Physics, H-4026, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - M Molnár
- University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Physics, H-4026, Debrecen, Hungary; INTERACT Centre, Institute for Nuclear Research, H-4026, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - L Palcsu
- Institute for Nuclear Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - A S Al Ghamdi
- National Center for Environmental Compliance, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - H A Anber
- National Center for Environmental Compliance, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - A S Al Othman
- National Center for Environmental Compliance, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - I Hoteit
- Earth Sciences and Engineering Department, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
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Pavlidou A, Chapellier V, Maderthaner L, von Känel S, Walther S. Using dynamic point light display stimuli to assess gesture deficits in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res Cogn 2022; 28:100240. [PMID: 35242609 PMCID: PMC8866720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Gesture deficits are ubiquitous in schizophrenia patients contributing to poor social communication and functional outcome. Given the dynamic nature of social communications, the current study aimed to explore the underlying socio-cognitive processes associated with point-light-displays (PLDs) of communicative gestures in the absence of any other confounding visual characteristics, and compare them to other well-established stimuli of gestures such as pictures by examining their association with symptom severity and motor-cognitive modalities. Methods We included 39-stable schizophrenia outpatients and 27-age-gender matched controls and assessed gesture processing using two tasks. The first task used static stimuli of pictures of a person performing a gesture. The limbs executing the gesture were missing and participants' task was to choose the correct gesture from three-options provided. The second task included videos of dynamic PLDs interacting with each other. One PLD performed communicative gestures, while the other PLD imitated/followed these performed gestures. Participants had to indicate, which of the two PLDs was imitating/following the other. Additionally, we evaluated symptom severity, as well as, motor and cognitive parameters. Results Patients underperformed in both gesture tasks compared to controls. Task performance for static stimuli was associated with blunted affect, motor coordination and sequencing domains, while PLD performance was associated with expressive gestures and sensory integration processes. Discussion Gesture representations of static and dynamic stimuli are associated with distinct processes contributing to poor social communication in schizophrenia, requiring novel therapeutic interventions. Such stimuli can easily be applied remotely for screening socio-cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- Corresponding author at: Psychiatric Services University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Systems Neuroscience of Psychopathology, Translational Research Center, Bollingerstr. 111, CH-3000 Bern 60, Switzerland.
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Nadesalingam N, Chapellier V, Lefebvre S, Pavlidou A, Stegmayer K, Alexaki D, Gama DB, Maderthaner L, von Känel S, Wüthrich F, Walther S. Motor abnormalities are associated with poor social and functional outcomes in schizophrenia. Compr Psychiatry 2022; 115:152307. [PMID: 35303585 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 50% of patients with schizophrenia are suffering from motor abnormalities, which may contribute to decreased quality of life, impaired work capacity, and a reduced life expectancy by 10-20 years. However, the effect of motor abnormalities on social and global functioning, as well as, functional capacity is not clear. We hypothesized, that the presence of motor abnormalities is associated with poorer functional outcomes in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS We collected data on 5 different motor abnormalities in 156 patients suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders: parkinsonism, catatonia, dyskinesia, neurological soft signs and psychomotor slowing (PS). Additionally, we used three different scales to evaluate the functional outcomes in these patients: the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) which use clinicians' judgment; and one using a performance-based measure of functional capacity, the brief version of the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA-B). RESULTS Our analysis demonstrated that patients with catatonia (all F > 4.5; p < 0.035) and parkinsonism (all F > 4.9; p < 0.027) scored lower on GAF and SOFAS compared to patients without catatonia and parkinsonism. In contrast, no significant difference on functional outcomes between patients with dyskinesia versus without dyskinesia exist in our study. Furthermore, there are statistically significant negative correlations for parkinsonism and PS with GAF, SOFAS and UPSA-B (all tau are at least -0.152, p-value <0.036). We also found significant negative correlations between catatonia and both GAF & SOFAS (all tau are at least -0.203, p-value<0.001) and between NES and SOFAS (tau = -0.137, p-value = 0.033). CONCLUSION Here, we showed that four of the most common motor abnormalities observed in schizophrenia were associated with at least one of the patients' functional outcomes. The stronger the motor impairment was the worse the global and social functioning. Future studies need to test, whether amelioration of motor abnormalities is linked to improved community functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niluja Nadesalingam
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Victoria Chapellier
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Lefebvre
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Stegmayer
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Danai Alexaki
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Baumann Gama
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lydia Maderthaner
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sofie von Känel
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Wüthrich
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
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10
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Chapellier V, Pavlidou A, Maderthaner L, von Känel S, Walther S. The Impact of Poor Nonverbal Social Perception on Functional Capacity in Schizophrenia. Front Psychol 2022; 13:804093. [PMID: 35282219 PMCID: PMC8904900 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.804093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nonverbal social perception is the ability to interpret the intentions and dispositions of others by evaluating cues such as facial expressions, body movements, and emotional prosody. Nonverbal social perception plays a key role in social cognition and is fundamental for successful social interactions. Patients with schizophrenia have severe impairments in nonverbal social perception leading to social isolation and withdrawal. Collectively, these aforementioned deficits affect patients’ quality of life. Here, we compare nonverbal social perception in patients with schizophrenia and controls and examine how nonverbal social perception relates to daily functioning. Methods We compared nonverbal social perception in 41 stable outpatients with schizophrenia and 30 healthy controls using the Mini Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (Mini-PONS). The participants evaluated 64 video clips showing a female actor demonstrating various nonverbal social cues. Participants were asked to choose one of two options that best described the observed scenario. We correlated clinical ratings (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Brief Negative Syndrome Scale), Self-report of Negative Symptoms, and functional assessments (functional capacity and functional outcome) with Mini-PONS scores. Results Patients performed significantly poorer in the Mini-PONS compared to controls, suggesting deficits in nonverbal social perception. These deficits were not associated with either positive symptoms or negative symptoms (including self-report). However, impaired nonverbal social perception correlated with distinctive domains of BNSS (mainly avolition and blunted affect), as well as functional capacity and functional outcome in patients. Conclusion We demonstrate that nonverbal social perception is impaired in stable outpatients with schizophrenia. Nonverbal social perception is directly related to specific negative symptom domains, functional capacity and functional outcome. These findings underline the importance of nonverbal social perception for patients’ everyday life and call for novel therapeutic approaches to alleviate nonverbal social perception deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Chapellier
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lydia Maderthaner
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sofie von Känel
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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11
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Pavlidou A, Lange J, Ferrè ER. Human movements do not look the same in a tilted world: Gravitational constraints influence the perception of biological motion. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:800-805. [PMID: 34978119 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether gravitational constraints influence the interaction of visual, proprioceptive and vestibular cues for Biological Motion Perception (BMP). Participants were asked to distinguish between plausible and random point-light movements, while passively placed in either an upright or a tilted body orientation. Manipulating the body orientation with respect to gravity leads to different gravitational signals transmitted by the visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular systems. Participants were overall faster in distinguishing plausible point-light movements than random movements. Critically, response times for biologically plausible point-light movements - but not for random movements - were significantly prolonged in the tilted body orientation. Our results suggest that BMP depends not only on the spatial-temporal cues embedded in point-light movements but also rely on the congruency between current gravitational signals detected by the sensory systems and our previous knowledge of terrestrial gravity. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: As humankind is preparing for a new space age, understanding how gravity influences behaviour and cognition has never been more pressing. All living organisms have evolved to survive in a terrestrial gravitational field. Although we cannot consciously feel gravity, it has an impact in our life: it affects how we move and interact with the external environment. The sensory signals from the vestibular system are continuously combined with visual and proprioceptive cues to help us in maintaining a stable representation of the world. Here we placed participants in a tilted body orientation and were able to determine that a conflict between prior gravitational knowledge and what was actively sensed about gravity affected human Biological Movement Perception. Humans suffer changes in perception under non-terrestrial gravity conditions that may potentially compromise performance during space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- Department of Human Perception, Cognition, and Action, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Lange
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Elisa Raffaella Ferrè
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, London, UK
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12
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Chapellier V, Pavlidou A, Mueller DR, Walther S. Brain Stimulation and Group Therapy to Improve Gesture and Social Skills in Schizophrenia-The Study Protocol of a Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Three-Arm, Double-Blind Trial. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:909703. [PMID: 35873264 PMCID: PMC9301234 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.909703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED An important component of nonverbal communication is gesture performance, which is strongly impaired in 2/3 of patients with schizophrenia. Gesture deficits in schizophrenia are linked to poor social functioning and reduced quality of life. Therefore, interventions that can help alleviate these deficits in schizophrenia are crucial. Here, we describe an ongoing randomized, double-blind 3-arm, sham-controlled trial that combines two interventions to reduce gesture deficits in schizophrenia patients. The combined interventions are continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) and social cognitive remediation therapy (SCRT). We will randomize 72 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in three different groups of 24 patients. The first group will receive real cTBS and real SCRT, the second group will receive sham cTBS and real SCRT, and finally the third group will receive sham SCRT. Here, the sham treatments are, as per definition, inactive interventions that mimic as closely as possible the real treatments (similar to placebo). In addition, 24 age- and gender-matched controls with no interventions will be added for comparison. Measures of nonverbal communication, social cognition, and multimodal brain imaging will be applied at baseline and after intervention. The main research aim of this project will be to test whether the combination of cTBS and SCRT improves gesture performance and social functioning in schizophrenia patients more than standalone cTBS, SCRT or sham psychotherapy. We hypothesize that the patient group receiving the combined interventions will be superior in improving gesture performance. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04106427].
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Chapellier
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel R Mueller
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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13
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Pavlidou A, Viher PV, Bachofner H, Weiss F, Stegmayer K, Shankman SA, Mittal VA, Walther S. Hand gesture performance is impaired in major depressive disorder: A matter of working memory performance? J Affect Disord 2021; 292:81-88. [PMID: 34107424 PMCID: PMC8797922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.05.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individuals with depression exhibit numerous interpersonal deficits. As effective use of gestures is critical for social communication, it is possible that depressed individuals' interpersonal deficits may be due to deficits in gesture performance. The present study thus compared gesture performance of depressed patients and controls and examined whether these deficits relate to cognitive and other domains of dysfunction. METHODS Gesture performance was evaluated in 30 depressed patients and 30 controls using the Test of Upper Limb Apraxia (TULIA). Clinical rating scales were assessed to determine if gesture deficits were associated with motor, cognitive or functional outcomes. RESULTS Compared to controls, depressed patients exhibited impaired gesture performance with 2/3 of the patients demonstrating gesture deficits. Within depressed patients, gesture performance was highly correlated with working memory abilities. In contrast, no association between gesture performance and gestural knowledge, psychomotor retardation, depression severity, or frontal dysfunction was observed in patients. LIMITATIONS This is a cross-sectional study and a larger size would have allowed for confident detection of more subtle, but potentially relevant effects. CONCLUSION Gesture performance is impaired in depressed patients, and appears to be related to poor working memory abilities, suggesting a disruption in the retrieval of gestural cues indicative of a distinct clinical phenomenon that might be related to social functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Petra V Viher
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hanta Bachofner
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Weiss
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Stegmayer
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stewart A Shankman
- Northwestern University, Department of Psychology, Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Northwestern University, Department of Psychology, Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern University, Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Policy Research, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci), Evanston, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sebastian Walther
- University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translation Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
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14
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Michel K, Gysin-Maillart A, Breit S, Walther S, Pavlidou A. Psychopharmacological treatment is not associated with reduced suicide ideation and reattempts in an observational follow-up study of suicide attempters. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 140:180-186. [PMID: 34118635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.05.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disorders of mental health are major risk factors for suicidal behavior and require adequate treatment. However, the effect of psychotropic medication on suicidal behavior is unclear. METHODS The 120 participants in a randomized clinical trial of a brief therapy for suicide attempters (Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program, ASSIP) reported on repeated suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, depression, and medication in the treatment as usual (TAU), at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months follow-up. The RCT had no influence on medication prescribed. Drugs prescribed were categorized as any psychotropic, antidepressants plus lithium, and antipsychotics. To assess the effect of long-term medication we identified participants with periods of continuous use of psychotropics and antidepressants plus lithium over twelve months or more, and medication-free participants for the same drug categories during the same time period. RESULTS Reattempts and suicide ideation decreased in all drug categories. When comparing participants on medication fulfilling the definition of long-term use with participants without medication, reattempts and suicidal ideation were higher in the psychotropics and the antidepressants/lithium groups. These drug categories were associated with higher depression scores in comparison to no-medication. The survival analysis revealed a higher risk of reattempts in the long-term antidepressants/lithium group in comparison to no-medication. Treatment with the brief psychological therapy ASSIP, added to medication, was associated with a lower risk of reattempts. LIMITATIONS The study relied on the patients' reports on treatment as usual in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Blood levels of the psychotropic compounds were not assessed. CONCLUSIONS In this observational study of the TAU condition in a clinical trial of a brief psychological therapy for patients who had recently attempted suicide, psychotropic drug use over twelve months or more was not associated with reduced suicide ideation and reattempts. Depression scores suggest that patients on psychotropic medication had more psychiatric pathology. This may be a confounding factor for the effect of medication on suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Michel
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Anja Gysin-Maillart
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland; University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sigrid Breit
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
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15
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Pavlidou A, Walther S. Using Virtual Reality as a Tool in the Rehabilitation of Movement Abnormalities in Schizophrenia. Front Psychol 2021; 11:607312. [PMID: 33488466 PMCID: PMC7817610 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.607312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Movement abnormalities are prevalent across all stages of schizophrenia contributing to poor social functioning and reduced quality of life. To date, treatments are scarce, often involving pharmacological agents, but none have been shown to improve movement abnormalities effectively. Virtual reality (VR) is a tool used to simulate virtual environments where behavioral performance can be quantified safely across different tasks while exerting control over stimulus delivery, feedback and measurement in real time. Sensory information is transmitted via a head mounted display allowing users to directly interact with virtual objects and bodies using gestures and body movements in the real world to perform different actions, permitting a sense of immersion in the simulated virtual environment. Although, VR has been widely used for successful motor rehabilitation in a variety of different neurological domains, none have been exploited for motor rehabilitation in schizophrenia. The objectives of this article are to review movement abnormalities specific to schizophrenia, and how VR can be utilized to restore and improve motor functioning in patients with schizophrenia. Constructing VR-mediated motor-cognitive interventions that can help in retaining and transferring the learned outcomes to real life are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland
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16
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Wüthrich F, Pavlidou A, Stegmayer K, Eisenhardt S, Moor J, Schäppi L, Vanbellingen T, Bohlhalter S, Walther S. Nonverbal communication remains untouched: No beneficial effect of symptomatic improvement on poor gesture performance in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2020; 223:258-264. [PMID: 32883557 PMCID: PMC7952214 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestures are an important part of communication. Patients with schizophrenia present gesture deficits that tend to deteriorate in the course of the disease and hamper functional outcome. This gesture deficit has been associated with motor abnormalities, cognitive impairment, and psychotic symptoms. Unaffected, first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients share some subclinical motor and cognitive abnormalities. We aimed to investigate, whether gesture performance changes with symptomatic improvement in patients, and to test the longitudinal performance in unaffected, first-degree relatives. METHODS In this study, we measured gesture performance using a validated test in 33 patients, 29 first-degree relatives and 38 healthy controls. Measurements were completed shortly after admission and before discharge in patients. Performance was rated blindly by experts using video recordings of the gesture task. Additionally, we evaluated cognitive function and psychotic symptoms at both visits. RESULTS Gesture performance was poorer in relatives compared to controls and poorer in patients compared to both relatives and controls. Patients showed an improvement in psychopathology but a significant decrease in gesture performance at follow-up, while performance in the other groups remained stable. Proportional change of gesture performance correlated with change of cognitive function in patients, whereas there were no correlations with change of cognitive function in the other groups. CONCLUSION While symptom severity was reduced, the gesture deficit further deteriorated in schizophrenia. The finding argues for distinct processes contributing to poor nonverbal communication skills in patients, requiring novel alternative treatment efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Wüthrich
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Stegmayer
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Eisenhardt
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jeanne Moor
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland,Department of General Internal Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lea Schäppi
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tim Vanbellingen
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Switzerland,Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Center, Kantonsspital Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Bohlhalter
- Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Center, Kantonsspital Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
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17
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Lefebvre S, Pavlidou A, Walther S. What is the potential of neurostimulation in the treatment of motor symptoms in schizophrenia? Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:697-706. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1775586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Lefebvre
- Translational Research Centre, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Translational Research Centre, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Centre, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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18
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Pavlidou A, Gallagher M, Lopez C, Ferrè ER. Let's share our perspectives, but only if our body postures match. Cortex 2019; 119:575-579. [PMID: 30910224 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, LNSC, FR3C, Marseille, France; Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Maria Gallagher
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Elisa R Ferrè
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
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19
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Pavlidou A, Ferrè ER, Lopez C. Vestibular stimulation makes people more egocentric. Cortex 2017; 101:302-305. [PMID: 29329639 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisa Raffaella Ferrè
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
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20
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Lange J, Pavlidou A, Schnitzler A. Lateralized modulation of beta-band power in sensorimotor areas during action observation. Front Integr Neurosci 2015; 9:43. [PMID: 26161072 PMCID: PMC4479727 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2015.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cortical network for action observation includes areas of the visual cortex and non-visual areas, including areas of the motoric system. Parts of this network are known for their contralateral organization during motion execution, i.e., they predominantly control and respond to movements of the contralateral body side. We were interested whether this lateralized organization was also present during action observation. Human participants viewed point-light displays of human actors, where the actor was facing and moving either to the right or to the left, while participants' neuromagnetic activity was recorded using magnetoencephalography (MEG). We found that right and left facing movements elicited different activity in left and right motoric areas. This lateralization effect was found in two distinct spatio-temporal-spectral clusters: An early lateralization effect in medial sensors at 12-16 Hz and ~276-675 ms after stimulus onset, and a second cluster in more lateral sensors at 22-28 Hz and ~1275-1775 ms. Our results demonstrate that in addition to the known somatotopic organization of parts of the human motoric system, these areas also show a lateralization effect during action observation. Thus, our results indicate that the hemispheric organization of one's own body map known for motion execution extends to the visual observation of others' bodily actions and movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Lange
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anastasia Pavlidou
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany ; Department of Medicine, John A. Burns Medical School and The Queens Medical Center, University of Hawaii Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Alfons Schnitzler
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
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21
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Katsiaras N, Simboura N, Tsangaris C, Hatzianestis I, Pavlidou A, Kapsimalis V. Impacts of dredged-material disposal on the coastal soft-bottom macrofauna, Saronikos Gulf, Greece. Sci Total Environ 2015; 508:320-330. [PMID: 25497354 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.11.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Dredged sediments derived by the low course and estuary of the metropolitan river of Athens (Kifissos River) were dumped every day for 21 months to an open-sea site in the Saronikos Gulf. The spoil-ground and surrounding area was monitored prior, during and post to dumping for 24 months, over 6-month intervals. Dumping significantly changed the granulometry of the pre-existing superficial sediments to finer-grained only in the spoil ground and increased the sediment contamination load (aliphatic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals) throughout the study area. Microtox® SPT showed that sediment toxicity levels were high at almost all sampling stations. During dumping, burial of natural soft-bottom habitats degraded severely the communities of the spoil-ground resulting in an almost azoic state, as well as significantly declined the species number and abundance of benthic communities in locations up to 3.2 km away from the spoil-ground, due to dispersion of the spoil and smothering. Benthic indices on the surrounding sites were significantly correlated with hydrocarbon concentrations and sediment toxicity levels. Post to dumping, the macrofauna communities of the spoil-ground were still significantly degraded, but the surrounding areas showed patterns of recovery. However, the high concentrations of aliphatic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and levels of toxicity persisted in the sediments after the ceasing of dumping operations in the study area, implying the ecological hazard imposed on the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Katsiaras
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7km Athens-Sounion Avenue, 19013 Anavyssos, Greece.
| | - N Simboura
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7km Athens-Sounion Avenue, 19013 Anavyssos, Greece
| | - C Tsangaris
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7km Athens-Sounion Avenue, 19013 Anavyssos, Greece
| | - I Hatzianestis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7km Athens-Sounion Avenue, 19013 Anavyssos, Greece
| | - A Pavlidou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7km Athens-Sounion Avenue, 19013 Anavyssos, Greece
| | - V Kapsimalis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7km Athens-Sounion Avenue, 19013 Anavyssos, Greece
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Pavlidou A, Kroupis C, Dimas K. Association of survivin splice variants with prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2014; 5:883-894. [PMID: 25493226 PMCID: PMC4259950 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i5.883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was the overview of current knowledge regarding the use of survivin and its isoforms in prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. An advanced search of Medline was performed using the following search strategy: “(survivin isoforms) OR (survivin transcript variants) AND (breast cancer) AND (neoplasm OR tumor OR cancer OR carcinoma)”. Relevant studies were retrieved and processed thoroughly in order to analyze the related data. Besides wild-type survivin full-length transcript, another six splice variants have been identified. Overexpression of survivin and its isoforms leads to shorter overall and disease-free survival; the transcript variants are correlated with apoptosis and could assist prognosis prediction. It has been proved through numerous studies that inhibiting survivin isoforms might become a promising target of drug therapy of carcinomas. Use of small molecule YM155 could offer new therapy for triple negative breast cancer patients, while, chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil + epirubicin + cyclophosphamide and Tax-Epi could be guided by survivin splice variants measurements. Survivin transcript variants could become prognostic biomarkers and could provide information about clinical management of patients suffering from breast cancer.
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Pavlidou A, Anastasopoulou E, Dassenakis Μ, Hatzianestis I, Paraskevopoulou V, Simboura N, Rousselaki E, Drakopoulou P. Effects of olive oil wastes on river basins and an oligotrophic coastal marine ecosystem: a case study in Greece. Sci Total Environ 2014; 497-498:38-49. [PMID: 25112823 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This work aims to contribute to the knowledge of the impacts of olive oil waste discharge to freshwater and oligotrophic marine environments, since the ecological impact of olive oil wastes in riverine and coastal marine ecosystems, which are the final repositories of the pollutants, is a great environmental problem on a global scale, mostly concerning all the Mediterranean countries with olive oil production. Messinia, in southwestern Greece, is one of the greatest olive oil production areas in Europe. During the last decade around 1.4×10(6)tons of olive oil mill wastewater has been disposed in the rivers of Messinia and finally entered the marine ecosystem of Messiniakos gulf. The pollution from olive oil mill wastewater in the main rivers of Messinia and the oligotrophic coastal zone of Messiniakos gulf and its effects on marine organisms were evaluated, before, during and after the olive oil production period. Elevated amounts of phenols (36.2-178 mg L(-1)) and high concentrations of ammonium (7.29-18.9 mmol L(-1)) and inorganic phosphorus (0.5-7.48 mmol L(-1)) were measured in small streams where the liquid disposals from several olive oil industries were gathered before their discharge in the major rivers of Messinia. The large number of olive oil units has downgraded the riverine and marine ecosystems during the productive period and a period more than five months is needed for the recovery of the ecosystem. Statistical analysis showed that the enrichment of freshwater and the coastal zone of Messiniakos gulf in ammonia, nitrite, phenols, total organic carbon, copper, manganese and nickel was directly correlated with the wastes from olive oil. Toxicity tests using 24h LC50 Palaemonidae shrimp confirm that olive mill wastewater possesses very high toxicity in the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pavlidou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece.
| | - E Anastasopoulou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece
| | - Μ Dassenakis
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Panepistimiopolis, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - I Hatzianestis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece
| | - V Paraskevopoulou
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Panepistimiopolis, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - N Simboura
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece
| | - E Rousselaki
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece
| | - P Drakopoulou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, Anavyssos, 19013, Greece
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Pavlidou A, Vlahos NF. Endometriosis and ovarian cancer: clinical and molecular aspects. MINERVA ENDOCRINOL 2014; 39:155-165. [PMID: 25003226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is one of the most commonly encountered benign problems in gynecology. Even though endometriosis appears to predispose to ovarian cancer the progression from atypical epithelial proliferation (atypical endometriosis and metaplasia), to the formation of well-defined borderline tumors and finally to endometrioid ovarian cancer will take several years. To elaborate on the concept of endometriosis as a precursor of some types of ovarian cancer, we present an overview of the pathophysiological and genetic characteristics, common in those two conditions. Furthermore, we present the genetic mutations found in ovarian cancers and we outline the common genetic alterations of endometriosis and ovarian cancer, focusing on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pavlidou
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Athens Medical School Aretaieion Hospital, Athens, Greece -
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Pavlidou A, Schnitzler A, Lange J. Distinct spatio-temporal profiles of beta-oscillations within visual and sensorimotor areas during action recognition as revealed by MEG. Cortex 2014; 54:106-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2014.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Pavlidou A, Kroupis C, Goutas N, Dalamaga M, Dimas K. Validation of a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method for the quantification of 3 survivin transcripts and evaluation in breast cancer tissues. Clin Breast Cancer 2013; 14:122-31. [PMID: 24325949 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2013.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivin is a novel antiapoptotic gene, which is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family. Recently, 3 splice variants of this gene were cloned and characterized. This study aimed to validate a sensitive and specific method for the detection of survivin variants in breast cancer. METHODS Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed on the cDNA with a reverse primer specific for each splice variant and a pair of common hybridization probes. RESULTS The expression of wild-type survivin was significantly correlated with survivin-2b, survivin-ΔEx3, and the ratio of survivin-ΔEx3 to wild-type survivin (P < .001). The ratio of survivin-2b to wild-type survivin was strongly associated with the ratio of survivin-ΔEx3 to wild-type survivin (P < .001). There was a strong positive association between the grade of the tumor and survivin-2b mRNA, survivin-ΔEx3 mRNA, and the ratio of survivin-ΔEx3 to wild-type survivin mRNA (P < .05). The ratio of survivin-2b to wild-type survivin was significantly associated with the presence of estrogen receptors (P = .05). CONCLUSION Our validated data suggest that survivin isoforms may be related to clinicopathological features and could be used as molecular prognostic tools or as new therapy targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece
| | - Christos Kroupis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece.
| | - Nikolaos Goutas
- Anatomic Pathology Laboratory, Evgenidio Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Haidari, Greece
| | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece
| | - Kleanthi Dimas
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece
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Pavlidou A, Schnitzler A, Lange J. Interactions between visual and motor areas during the recognition of plausible actions as revealed by magnetoencephalography. Hum Brain Mapp 2012; 35:581-92. [PMID: 23117670 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2012] [Revised: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown activation of the mirror neuron system (MNS), comprising the temporal, posterior parietal, and sensorimotor areas when observing plausible actions, but far less is known on how these cortical areas interact during the recognition of a plausible action. Here, we recorded neural activity with magnetoencephalography while subjects viewed point-light displays of biologically plausible and scrambled versions of actions. We were interested in modulations of oscillatory activity and, specifically, in coupling of oscillatory activity between visual and motor areas. Both plausible and scrambled actions elicited modulations of θ (5-7 Hz), α (7-13 Hz), β (13-35 Hz), and γ (55-100 Hz) power within visual and motor areas. When comparing between the two actions, we observed sequential and spatially distinct increases of γ (∼65 Hz), β (∼25 Hz), and α (∼11 Hz) power between 0.5 and 1.3 s in parieto-occipital, sensorimotor, and left temporal areas. In addition, significant clusters of γ (∼65 Hz) and α/β (∼15 Hz) power decrease were observed in right temporal and parieto-occipital areas between 1.3 and 2.0 s. We found β-power in sensorimotor areas to be positively correlated on a trial-by-trial basis with parieto-occipital γ and left temporal α-power for the plausible but not for the scrambled condition. These results provide new insights in the neuronal oscillatory activity of the areas involved in the recognition of plausible action movements and their interaction. The power correlations between specific areas underscore the importance of interactions between visual and motor areas of the MNS during the recognition of a plausible action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Pavlidou
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Pavlidou A, Dalamaga M, Kroupis C, Konstantoudakis G, Belimezi M, Athanasas G, Dimas K. Survivin isoforms and clinicopathological characteristics in colorectal adenocarcinomas using real-time qPCR. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17:1614-21. [PMID: 21472129 PMCID: PMC3070134 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i12.1614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2010] [Revised: 12/01/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate three isoforms of survivin in colorectal adenocarcinomas.
METHODS: We used the LightCycler Technology (Roche), along with a common forward primer and reverse primers specific for the splice variants and two common hybridization probes labeled with fluorescein and LightCycler-Red fluorophore (LC-Red 640). Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on cDNAs from 52 tumor specimens from colorectal cancer patients and 10 unrelated normal colorectal tissues. In the patients group, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9 tumor markers were also measured immunochemically.
RESULTS: Wild type survivin mRNA isoform was expressed in 48% of the 52 tumor samples, survivin-2b in 38% and survivin-ΔΕx3 in 29%, while no expression was found in normal tissues. The mRNA expression of wild type survivin presented a significant correlation with the expression of the ratio of survivin-2b, survivin-ΔΕx3, survivin-2b/wild type survivin and survivin-ΔΕx3/wild type survivin (P < 0.001). The mRNA expression of wild-survivin and survivin-ΔΕx3 was related with tumor size and invasion (P = 0.006 and P < 0.005, respectively). A significant difference was found between survivin-2b and morphologic cancer type. Also, the ratio of survivin-ΔEx3/wild-survivin was significantly associated with prognosis. No association was observed between the three isoforms and grade, metastasis, Dukes stage and gender. The three isoforms were not correlated with CEA and CA19-9.
CONCLUSION: Survivin isoforms may play a role in cell apoptosis and their quantification could provide information about clinical management of patients suffering from colorectal cancer.
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Kabasakalis A, Kyparos A, Tsalis G, Loupos D, Pavlidou A, Kouretas D. Blood Oxidative Stress Markers After Ultramarathon Swimming. J Strength Cond Res 2011; 25:805-11. [DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181d0b109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Pavlidou A, Knop J, Mohamadzadeh M, Rüde E, Gradehandt G. Processing and presentation of protein and parasite-derived antigens by 4F7+ dendritic cells. Adv Exp Med Biol 1995; 378:233-5. [PMID: 8526063 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-1971-3_52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Pavlidou
- Hautklinik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany
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Mohamadzadeh M, Pavlidou A, Enk A, Knop J, Rüde E, Gradehandt G. Freshly isolated mouse 4F7+ splenic dendritic cells process and present exogenous antigens to T cells. Eur J Immunol 1994; 24:3170-4. [PMID: 7805745 DOI: 10.1002/eji.1830241238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The antibody 4F7 was reported to recognize an epitope expressed on dendritic cells (DC) from various tissues. To study the ability of splenic 4F7+ dendritic cells to process antigen for presentation to CD4+ T cells, DC were enriched using a separation procedure avoiding overnight culture which could lead to an altered phenotype. These DC were used as antigen-presenting cells (APC) in stimulation cultures of major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted T cells. It was found that they induce antigen-dependent lymphokine production by T cells and therefore could present exogenous antigens. These processing takes place intracellularly, because fixation abrogates presentation to T cells. Moreover, antigen presentation needs intracellular processing within endo- or lysosomes as chloroquine-treatment prevents T cell activation. Titration of APC numbers revealed that contaminating APC most likely did not account for antigen-specific T cell activation by DC. No evidence was found for release of antigenic peptides or for partial antigen processing possibly done by cell surface located enzymes on DC. In conclusion, these results indicate that freshly enriched DC are able to process antigens similarly to other APC.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mohamadzadeh
- Hautklinik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Mainz, Germany
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Mohamadzadeh M, Jonuleit H, Kolde G, Pavlidou A, Schmitt E, Knop J. Functional and morphological characterization of 4F7+ spleen accessory dendritic cells. Int Immunol 1993; 5:615-24. [PMID: 8347556 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/5.6.615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently we have reported on the production of the mAb 4F7. This recognizes a molecule that is upregulated on dermal and epidermal dendritic cells after application of contact allergen. Furthermore, this antibody detects an antigen on spleen and lymph node dendritic cells. In this study, we characterize 4F7+ spleen dendritic cells and show that the mAb recognizes in situ few labeled cells in the white pulp of the spleen and approximately 1% of spleen single cell suspensions as evidenced by cell enrichment, immunoperoxidase staining and FACS analysis. Immunohistological characterization of the cells with mAbs revealed the expression of class II, class I MHC antigens, 33D1, CD11c, ICAM-1, and CD45 molecules. After enrichment and cultivation for approximately 3 days, these cells showed no adherent properties. The capacity of 4F7+ spleen dendritic cells to activate allogeneic T cells in the primary mixed lymphocyte reaction was similar to freshly isolated Ia+ Langerhans cells. With regard to the induction of a proliferative response of CD4+ naive T cells that were incubated with concanavalin A or anti-CD3 mAb, 4F7+ spleen dendritic cells were two to three times more potent than spleen microphages and B cells. Furthermore, 4F7+ cells efficiently stimulated the antigen dependent proliferation of a T helper cell line. The mAb 4F7 will be useful for the purification of dendritic cells and for functional and molecular biological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mohamadzadeh
- Department of Dermatology, Johannes Gutenberg, Universität, Mainz, Germany
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