Evaluation of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Efficiency in Major Depressive Disorder Patients: A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study

Mehmet Fatih Erbay,Esra Porgalı Zayman,Lale Gö,nenir Erbay,Sü,heyla Ü,nal 대한신경정신의학회 2019 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.16 No.10

Objective Previous studies have shown that there is a correlation between lipid levels and depressive mood, and that lipids could be useful biomarkers for depression. We conducted this study to clarify the association between lipid levels and depressive mood in adolescents, especially in community samples. Methods We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) that was conducted from 2013 to 2016. A total of 2,454 adolescents aged 12–18 years (1,273 boys, 1,181 girls) participated in the Survey. We conducted a cross-sectional study using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for age, household income, daily energy intake, daily fat intake, and daily cholesterol intake, to assess the association between depressive mood and serum lipid levels. Results Depressive mood was found in 8.7% of those included in the study. Borderline (110–129 mg/dL) and high (≥130 mg/dL) levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly associated with depressive mood [Borderline level: odds ratio (OR)=5.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56–19.81, p=0.01; High level: OR=5.73, 95% CI 1.06–31.08, p=0.04]. However, this association was not found in girls. Conclusion Our findings indicate that depressive mood in boys is associated with higher LDL-C levels. Further investigation regarding this relationship and the underlying biological mechanisms is needed.

The Role of Insular Cortex in Response to Group Therapy in Vaginismus Patients: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study

Erbay Mehmet Fatih,Zayman Esra Porgalı 대한신경정신의학회 2020 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.17 No.6

Objective Disgust has been propounded as a potential etiological factor in certain sexual dysfunctions such as vaginismus. Studies reports that insular cortex is activated as a response to disgust. The present study aimed to investigate the predictive role of metabolites in insular cortex in response to group therapy among vaginismus patients.Methods Study sample consisted of 51 vaginismus patients attended an ambulatory group therapy, of whom 26 benefited from 8-week group therapy and 25 were unresponsive to group therapy. All of the patients underwent H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS), and insular cortex N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), Creatinine (Cr), Glutamine (Gln), Glutathione (GSH), Choline (Cho), Myo-inositol (mIns), Glutamate (Glu) and Lactate (Lac) concentrations were compared between the groups.Results Comparing insular cortex metabolite concentrations between the groups, Cho was statistically significantly higher (p=0.005) but mIns was significantly lower (p=0.001) in the unresponsive to group therapy group.Conclusion MR spectroscopy findings of the present study indicated significant metabolic changes such as increased Cho/Cr ratio and decreased mIns/Cr ratio in the insular cortex of vaginismus patients who were unresponsive to group therapy. Our results support the studies suggesting that disgust is an important emotion in vaginismus patients and also that insula plays a role in the neurobiology of disgust.

Molecular logic gates: the past, present and future

Erbas-Cakmak, Sundus,Kolemen, Safacan,Sedgwick, Adam C.,Gunnlaugsson, Thorfinnur,James, Tony D.,Yoon, Juyoung,Akkaya, Engin U. Royal Society of Chemistry, etc 2018 Chemical Society reviews Vol.47 No.7

<P>The field of molecular logic gates originated 25 years ago, when A. P. de Silva published a seminal article in <I>Nature</I>. Stimulated by this ground breaking research, scientists were inspired to join the race to simulate the workings of the fundamental components of integrated circuits using molecules. The rules of this game of mimicry were flexible, and have evolved and morphed over the years. This tutorial review takes a look back on and provides an overview of the birth and growth of the field of molecular logics. Spinning-off from chemosensor research, molecular logic gates quickly proved themselves to be more than intellectual exercises and are now poised for many potential practical applications. The ultimate goal of this vein of research became clearer only recently - to “boldly go where no silicon-based logic gate has gone before” and seek out a new deeper understanding of life inside tissues and cells.</P>

Methodology for glutathione S-transferase purification and localization in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis performed on the pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Tomas Erban,Jitka Stara 한국응용곤충학회 2014 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.17 No.3

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are one of the major detoxification enzymes involved in insecticide resistance. In this study, optimized methodology for GSTs purification and localization in two-dimensional gel electrophoresisis shown on the pollen beetle. Specifically, the GST proteins were purified using GSTrap 4B column, andthe protein profile of the supernatant before purification was compared with the unbound fraction postpurificationvia two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-E). The identity of these localized protein spots wasconfirmed by MS analysis and further analyzed by NanoLC-ESI-QUAD-TOF-MS/MS protein identification. Resultsindicate that 2 out of 5 protein spots were GSTswith region for class Delta and Epsilon subfamilies similar to otherinsects; however, the remaining 3 spots did not show any match in the current NCBInr. Both Delta and Epsilonclass GSTs are specifically involved in insecticide resistance and their relatively high abundance in the 2D-Emap suggests that these enzymes could play a role in the resistance of Meligethes aeneus to the most commonlyused pyrethroids. The approach applied in this study for the specific localization of GSTs in 2D-E can be used forsimilar analyses in other organisms.

Does Psychodrama Affect Perceived Stress, Anxiety-Depression Scores and Saliva Cortisol in Patients with Depression?

Lale Gönenir Erbay,İsmail Reyhani,Süheyla Ünal,Cemal Özcan,Tuba Özgöçer,Cihat Uçar,Sedat Yıldız 대한신경정신의학회 2018 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.15 No.11

Objective Little is known about the effects of psychodrama group therapy on the level of stress, anxiety and depression of the group members, and the biological markers of stress. The aim of this study test cortisol level as a biological reflection of some mental characteristics gained by the psychodrama method in coping with stress. Methods Depressive patients aged between 18 and 65 years, who diagnosed with depression according to DSM-5, without psychiatric comorbidity, who do not use drugs and were available for psychodrama were enrolled into the study. These patients were evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. In order to observe the circadian rhythm of cortisol, samples were collected from the participants before lunch, before dinner and before going to sleep on the day before psychodrama and on the 0, 15th, and 30th minutes after awakening in the morning of the psychodrama day; as well as just before and after the psychodrama session. Saliva cortisol level just before the initial session of psychodrama group therapy was compared with the saliva cortisol level just after the last psychodrama session at the end of 16 weeks. Results Statistically significant difference was determined between the scores of perceived stress scale, STAI-1, STAI-2, beck depression inventory and salivary cortisol level before and after psychodrama session. There was significant decrease in both the scale scores and salivary cortisol after vs. before psychodrama. Conclusion This results is important as it shows the biological aspect of clinical improvement. Further studies would provide us with better understanding of the effects of psychodrama group psychotherapy on depressive mood and biological projections by means of short-term and long-term follow-up studies.

Neurosteroid Levels in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Lale Gonenir Erbay,Sukru Kartalci 대한신경정신의학회 2015 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.12 No.4

ObjectiveaaChanges in serum neurosteroid levels have been reported in stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression, but not in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We thus investigated such changes in patients with OCD. MethodsaaWe compared the serum levels of progesterone, pregnanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), cortisol and testosterone in 30 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls. ResultsaaWhen male and female patients were evaluated together, DHEA and cortisol levels were significantly higher in patients with OCD than the control group. When the genders were evaluated separately, DHEA and cortisol levels were higher in female patients than the female controls. The increase in DHEA levels in female patients is likely an effect of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In contrast, cortisol levels in male patients were higher than the control group, while testosterone levels were lower. The increased cortisol and decreased testosterone levels in male patients likely involves the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. ConclusionaaThese findings suggest that neurosteroid levels in patients with OCD should be investigated together with the HPA and HPG axes in future studies.

Imipenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa : Risk Factors for Nosocomial Infections

Pinar Onguru,Ayse Erbay,Hurrem Bodur,Gulseren Baran,Esragul Akinci,Neriman Balaban,Mustafa Aydin Cevik 대한의학회 2008 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.23 No.6

The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for nosocomial infections of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA). A prospective case-control study was performed at a tertiary care hospital in Ankara from January to December 2004. The patients with nosocomial P. aeruginosa infection were included in the study. The features of the patients with IRPA infections were compared to those with imipenem-sensitive P. aeruginosa (ISPA) infections. Only the first isolation of P. aeruginosa was considered. Nosocomial infections were defined according to Center for Disease Control (CDC) criteria. IRPA was isolated from 75 (44.1%) patients, and ISPA was isolated from 95 (55.9%) patients during the study period. IRPA were most frequently isolated from endotracheal aspirate (19%) cultures (p= 0.048), whereas ISPA were most frequently isolated from urine (28%) cultures (p= 0.023). In multivariate analysis, a longer duration of hospital stay until P. aeruginosa isolation (odds ratio [OR], 1.027; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.054, p=0.034), arterial catheter administration (OR, 2.508; 95% CI, 1.062-5.920, p=0.036), vancomycin (OR, 2.882; 95% CI, 1.130-7.349, p=0.027), piperacillin-tazobactam (OR, 6.425; 95% CI, 2.187-18.875, p=0.001), and imipenem (OR, 3.580; 95% CI, 1.252- 10.245, p=0.017) treatment within the 14 days before isolation of IRPA were independently associated with imipenem resistance. It was concluded that treatment with imipenem, vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam were major risk factors for IRPA infections in hospitalized patients. The nosocomial occurrence of IRPA was also strongly related to the duration of hospital stay, arterial catheter administration.

Cocoa Production Output Response to Smallholder Price Speculation: Case Study of Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria

Coulibaly Kigbajah Salifou,Cao Erbao,Amadou Maiga Ousseini,T. Metuge Mekongcho 한국국제경제학회 2019 International Economic Journal Vol.33 No.2

The paper attempts to analyze the variation in cocoa output response to international price fluctuations in two major cocoa producing countries: Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria. The study employs a Nerlovian price expectation technique as in Ogundari (2015), and a Panel VAR model to empirically estimate changes in cocoa output using time series and an unbalanced panel dataset covering a period from 1967 to 2009. The findings indicate and in accordance with economic theory of demand and supply, that cocoa output is an inverse function of the expected prices of competing agricultural commodities like green coffee. When there is an expected price increase of cocoa, cocoa output rises. Simultaneously, if the anticipated price of coffee rises, through a cocoa–coffee substitution mechanism, smallholder farmers shift their focus to coffee production leading to a fall in cocoa output. A Granger causality test was utilized to investigate causality between cocoa output, and cocoa and coffee prices. In the case of Cote d’Ivoire, while there is only a correlation between cocoa output and price, in the case of Nigeria there was none. In addition, the study shows no unidirectional or bidirectional causality between the intervening variables and cocoa output.

Does Psychodrama Affect Perceived Stress, Anxiety-Depression Scores and Saliva Cortisol in Patients with Depression?

Lale Gö,nenir Erbay,İ,smail Reyhani,Sü,heyla Ü,nal,Cemal Ö,zcan,Tuba Ö,zgö,ç,er,Cihat Uç,ar,Sedat Yıldız 대한신경정신의학회 2018 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.15 No.10

Objective: Little is known about the effects of psychodrama group therapy on the level of stress, anxiety and depression of the group members, and the biological markers of stress. The aim of this study test cortisol level as a biological reflection of some mental characteristics gained by the psychodrama method in coping with stress. Methods: Depressive patients aged between 18 and 65 years, who diagnosed with depression according to DSM-5, without psychiatric comorbidity, who do not use drugs and were available for psychodrama were enrolled into the study. These patients were evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. In order to observe the circadian rhythm of cortisol, samples were collected from the participants before lunch, before dinner and before going to sleep on the day before psychodrama and on the 0, 15th, and 30th minutes after awakening in the morning of the psychodrama day; as well as just before and after the psychodrama session. Saliva cortisol level just before the initial session of psychodrama group therapy was compared with the saliva cortisol level just after the last psychodrama session at the end of 16 weeks. Results: Statistically significant difference was determined between the scores of perceived stress scale, STAI-1, STAI-2, beck depression inventory and salivary cortisol level before and after psychodrama session. There was significant decrease in both the scale scores and salivary cortisol after vs. before psychodrama. Conclusion: This results is important as it shows the biological aspect of clinical improvement. Further studies would provide us with better understanding of the effects of psychodrama group psychotherapy on depressive mood and biological projections by means of short-term and long-term follow-up studies.

The Restorative Effect of Gallic Acid on the Experimental Sciatic Nerve Damage Model

Gurkan, Gokhan,Erdogan, Mumin Alper,Yigitturk, Gurkan,Erbas, Oytun The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2021 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.64 No.6

Objective : Peripheral nerve injuries occur mostly as a result of mechanical trauma. Due to the microvascular deterioration in peripheral nerve damage, it becomes challenging to remove free oxygen radicals. Gallic acid is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects and a free radical scavenger. The purpose of the study is to show that gallic acid contributes to the restorative effect in mechanical nerve damage, considering its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods : Thirty male Sprague Dawley albino mature rats were included in the study. Ten of them constituted the control group, 10 out of 20 rats for which sciatic nerve damage was caused, constituted the saline group, and 10 formed the gallic acid group. Post-treatment motor functions, histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical parameters of the rats were evaluated. Results : Compared to the surgery+saline group, lower compound muscle action potential (CMAP) latency, higher CMAP amplitude, and higher inclined plane test values were found in the surgery+gallic acid group. Similarly, a higher nerve growth factor (NGF) percentage, a higher number of axons, and a lower percentage of fibrosis scores were observed in the surgery+gallic acid group. Finally, lower tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and higher heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) values were determined in the surgery+gallic acid group. Conclusion : Gallic acid positively affects peripheral nerve injury healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It has been thought that gallic acid can be used as a supportive treatment in peripheral nerve damage.