The role of GSK-3 in mood disorders: Preliminary data from an experimental study

Introduction

The identification of potential biomarkers is crucial to improve the management and treatment of mood disorders. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a multifunctional enzyme with an important role in the etiology of mood disorders. Recent findings suggested GSK-3 as a putative biomarker in mood disorders.

Objectives

The aims of the study are: - to evaluate GSK3 as potential biomarker for differential diagnosis (MDD and BD); - to analyze the regulation of GSK3 by psychopharmacological treatments.

Methods

Patients included fulfill the following criteria: (a) principal diagnosis of MDD or BD (DSM-5); (b) age ≥ 18 years; (c) drug-free for at least 4 weeks before the inclusion. For each patient included a healthy control is enrolled, matched by gender and age. All included subjects at the study entry point (t0) are assessed through: - semistructured clinical interview and clinical rating scales (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale; Young Mania Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression) - blood draw, to measure GSK-3 levels Patients with MDD or BD are assessed again after 1 week (T1) and after 2 month (T2) of specific pharmacological treatment.

Results

So far, we enrolled 16 patients and 16 healthy controls. The enrollment is still ongoing.

Conclusions

We expect to find GSK-3 levels differently expressed between healthy controls, patients with DDM and patients with BD. This finding would be crucial as it could contribute to the improvement of differential diagnosis. Moreover, we expect to observe a change in GSK-3 levels after psychopharmacological treatments.

Life cycle assessment of roads: Exploring research trends and harmonization challenges

The transparency, heterogeneity and hypotheses considered in the calculation of the environmental impacts of roads are still barriers to the identification of low-carbon solutions. To overcome this problem, this study presents an analysis of 94 papers obtained in a systematic literature review of the Scopus, Science Direct, Mendeley, Springer Link, and Web of Science databases. From a total of 417 road case studies, only 18% were found to be fully transparent, reproducible, and likely to present reliable results. The road design parameters of the speed limit were provided in 11% of the cases, and the average annual daily traffic data were provided in 42%. Limited data were found for the dimensions of road elements such as the number (77%) and width of lanes (33%), shoulders (15%), footpaths (5%), berms (1%) and foreslope (4%). The source of the life cycle inventory was presented in 57% of the case studies, impact assessment method was indicated in 22%, and the software utilized was listed in 50%. A lack of information was noted in the description of the types of materials employed in road projects. In addition, the large heterogeneity in the definitions of the functional unit, system boundary and in the reference study period of repair, replacement, rehabilitation or end-of-life for both flexible and rigid pavement does not support the identification of the most environmentally friendly solutions. Based on the results of the analysis, several recommendations for design parameters and life cycle assessment aspects are proposed to support a harmonized calculation of the environmental impacts of road projects.

The bone marrow microenvironment at single-cell resolution

The bone marrow microenvironment has a key role in regulating haematopoiesis, but its molecular complexity and response to stress are incompletely understood. Here we map the transcriptional landscape of mouse bone marrow vascular, perivascular and osteoblast cell populations at single-cell resolution, both at homeostasis and under conditions of stress-induced haematopoiesis. This analysis revealed previously unappreciated levels of cellular heterogeneity within the bone marrow niche and resolved cellular sources of pro-haematopoietic growth factors, chemokines and membrane-bound ligands. Our studies demonstrate a considerable transcriptional remodelling of niche elements under stress conditions, including an adipocytic skewing of perivascular cells. Among the stress-induced changes, we observed that vascular Notch delta-like ligands (encoded by Dll1 and Dll4) were downregulated. In the absence of vascular Dll4, haematopoietic stem cells prematurely induced a myeloid transcriptional program. These findings refine our understanding of the cellular architecture of the bone marrow niche, reveal a dynamic and heterogeneous molecular landscape that is highly sensitive to stress and illustrate the utility of single-cell transcriptomic data in evaluating the regulation of haematopoiesis by discrete niche populations.

A novel NFIA-NFκB feed-forward loop contributes to glioblastoma cell survival

Background

The nuclear factor I-A (NFIA) transcription factor promotes glioma growth and inhibits apoptosis in glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Here we report that the NFIA pro-survival effect in GBM is mediated in part via a novel NFIA-nuclear factor-kappaB (NFκB) p65 feed-forward loop.

Methods

We examined effects of gain- and loss-of-function manipulations of NFIA and NFκB p65 on each other's transcription, cell growth, apoptosis and sensitivity to chemotherapy in patient-derived GBM cells and established GBM cell lines.

Results

NFIA enhanced apoptosis evasion by activating NFκB p65 and its downstream anti-apoptotic factors tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (cIAPs). Induction of NFκB by NFIA was required to protect cells from apoptosis, and inhibition of NFκB effectively reversed the NFIA anti-apoptotic effect. Conversely, NFIA knockdown decreased expression of NFκB and anti-apoptotic genes TRAF1 and cIAPs, and increased baseline apoptosis. NFIA positively regulated NFκB transcription and NFκB protein level. Interestingly, NFκB also activated the NFIA promoter and increased NFIA level, and knockdown of NFIA was sufficient to attenuate the NFκB pro-survival effect, suggesting a reciprocal regulation between NFIA and NFκB in governing GBM cell survival. Supporting this, NFIA and NFκB expression levels were highly correlated in human GBM and patient-derived GBM cells.

Conclusions

These data define a previously unknown NFIA-NFκB feed-forward regulation that may contribute to GBM cell survival.

Genetic deletion of fibroblast growth factor 14 recapitulates phenotypic alterations underlying cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia

Cognitive processing is highly dependent on the functional integrity of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) interneurons in the brain. These cells regulate excitability and synaptic plasticity of principal neurons balancing the excitatory/inhibitory tone of cortical networks. Reduced function of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and disruption of GABAergic synapses in the cortical circuitry result in desynchronized network activity associated with cognitive impairment across many psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. However, the mechanisms underlying these complex phenotypes are still poorly understood. Here we show that in animal models, genetic deletion of fibroblast growth factor 14 (Fgf14), a regulator of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission, leads to loss of PV interneurons in the CA1 hippocampal region, a critical area for cognitive function. Strikingly, this cellular phenotype associates with decreased expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) and vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) and also coincides with disrupted CA1 inhibitory circuitry, reduced in vivo gamma frequency oscillations and impaired working memory. Bioinformatics analysis of schizophrenia transcriptomics revealed functional co-clustering of FGF14 and genes enriched within the GABAergic pathway along with correlatively decreased expression of FGF14, PVALB, GAD67 and VGAT in the disease context. These results indicate that Fgf14(-/-) mice recapitulate salient molecular, cellular, functional and behavioral features associated with human cognitive impairment, and FGF14 loss of function might be associated with the biology of complex brain disorders such as schizophrenia.

Surgical treatment of burns sequelae. our experience in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pristina, Kosovo

Burn injuries are very frequent in Kosovo, leading to long-lasting physical, functional, aesthetic, psychological and social consequences directly proportional to the time of healing; the longer it takes for the burn wound to heal, the more serious are the sequelae. The objectives of the present study are to review the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of burn patients presenting with post-burn sequelae and treated at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pristina, Kosovo, from January 2005 until December 2011. This study included 188 patients with burns sequelae. The following variables were considered: age, sex, anatomical location, pathological types, and surgical procedure. There were 82 men (43.6%) and 106 women (56.4%), ranging in age from 0 to 67 years (mean age 33.5 years), most of the patients were children (139 = 73.9%). Burn contractures were observed in 135 (71.8%) patients, hypertrophic scars in 32 (17%), keloids in 10 (5.3%), alopecia in 6 (3.2%), syndactyly in 12 (6.4%), ectropion in 4 (2.1%) and ear deformity in 1 (0.53%) cases. To correct the deformities the most common choice was the Z-plasty technique, used in 31.4% of cases, followed by Z-plasty+full thickness skin grafts in 21.8%, full thickness skin grafts in 18.1%, tissue expansion in 8%, Z-plasty+local flaps in 4.8%, flaps (local, fascio-cutaneous, radial forearm) in 6.9% and direct closure in 6.4%. Timely wound closure and the development of an individual programme for surgical treatment of burns sequelae are crucial for optimal outcomes in patients with burns.

[Membranous glomerulonephritis: better therapy with autoantibody monitoring?]

Membranous nephropathy is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Binding of circulating autoantibodies to the glomerular filtration barrier leads to the development of this autoimmune disease. The clinical symptoms range from small proteinuria to severe nephrotic syndrome with enormous oedema, not controllable hyperlipidaemia and increased disposition for infection. One third of patients reach complete or partial remission of proteinuria under symptomatic treatment, which includes ACE-inhibitors and AT-I-blockers, loop diuretics and statins. Untreated the disease leads to loss of renal function over 5-10 years in 20-30% of patients. A risk score based on proteinuria and renal function is used to guide the decision when to start with an immunosuppressive therapy. A better adapted diagnostic and therapy of membranous nephropathy may be possible through measurement of circulating autoantibodies directed against a podocytic phospholipase-A(2) receptor.

Electrical Burn Injuries. An Eight-year Review

Electrical injuries are very aggressive pathological lesions with heavy functional and aesthetic consequences. The primary cause of their gravity is the progressive tissue necrosis that occurs with the continuous extension of wound necrosis, even leading to loss of the entire injured extremity. The goal of this study is to analyse the role of the inefficiency of the electric energy system in the incidence of electrical injuries in Kosovo during the period December 2000 to 2007 suffered by a total number of 182 patients treated in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pristina, Kosovo. Electrical injuries accounted overall for 17.25% of all patients admitted with burns; 35.72% of the burns were due to high voltage and 64.28% to low voltage; among the patients with contact burns the amputation rate was 28.58%, and four patients (7.14%) died. These results suggest that the aggravation of the electric energy system led to an increase in the number of patients with electrical injuries.