Association of FAAH p.Pro129Thr and COMT p.Ala72Ser with schizophrenia and comorbid substance use through next-generation sequencing: an exploratory analysis

Objective: Individuals with schizophrenia and substance use disorders have a poor prognosis and increased psychiatric symptoms. The present study aimed to explore the association of 106 genes in individuals with schizophrenia and comorbid substance use through a next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis and different in silico algorithms. Methods: We included 105 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and a family history of schizophrenia, of whom 49 (46.67%) presented comorbid substance use. Using NGS, we sequenced 106 genes previously associated with schizophrenia. Logistic regression models were used to assess differences in allele frequencies, and a generalized gene-set analysis was performed at the gene level. Functional annotations were performed using different algorithms and databases. Results: We identified a total of 3,109 variants, of which 25 were associated with schizophrenia and comorbid substance use and were located in regulatory and coding regions. We found low-frequency variants in COMT p.Ala72Ser, independently of p.Val158Met, that were associated with substance use. The endocannabinoid functional variant FAAH p.Pro129Thr was also associated with substance use. Conclusions: Genetic variants of genes related to dopaminergic and cannabinoid neurotransmitter systems were associated with comorbid substance use in schizophrenia. Nevertheless, more studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings.

Estudio preliminar de un enjuague bucal de solución salina como muestra diagnóstica para SARS-CoV-2 / Preliminary study of a saline mouthwash as a diagnostic sample for SARS-CoV-2

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de un enjuague bucal con solución salina (EBSS) como muestra diagnóstica para la detección de SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes ambulatorios. Material y métodos: Este fue un estudio prospectivo realizado en el Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad "Dr. Juan Graham Casasús", se seleccionaron 34 muestras aleatorias pareadas EBSS/MNF (enjuague bucal con solución salina/muestra (clínica) de la nasofaringe) que se recolectaron durante la visita al centro de evaluación ambulatoria de dicho hospital. Las muestras se analizaron mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcripción inversa en tiempo real (RT-PCR) y se calculó la concordancia entre EBSS y MNF, la sensibilidad y especificidad del EBSS. Resultados: De las 34 muestras pareadas EBSS/MNF, 14 fueron positivas para SARS- CoV-2; 4 muestras de EBSS y 10 muestras de MNF. Los resultados concordantemente positivos en las muestras pareadas EBSS/MNF fueron 3 y las medias de CT de cada gen (RdRp, N, E) no mostraron diferencia significativa entre las muestras. Se observaron 8 discordancias entre los dos tipos de muestras (7 individuos dieron positivo por MNF y 1 por EBSS). La concordancia observada entre EBSS y MNF fue aceptable (coeficiente kappa 0.31). La sensibilidad de EBSS fue de 30% con una especificidad del 95.8%. Conclusiones: La sensibilidad de EBSS no es comparable con la sensibilidad de MNF para la detección de SARS-CoV-2, pero nuestros datos sugieren al EBSS como una herramienta no invasiva, permite la autocolección y no requiere personal de salud capacitado para su muestreo: asimismo, esta muestra podría ser alternativa ante la escasez de hisopos y medios de transporte viral. Además, el EBSS puede tener beneficio para poblaciones remotas, vulnerables o facilitar las pruebas a un gran número de individuos.

Abstract Objective: To assess the usefulness of a saline mouth rinse (SMR) as a diagnostic tool for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in outpatients. Method: This was a prospective study carried out at the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad "Dr. Juan Graham Casasús", 34 SMR/SNP (saline mouth rinse/sample (clinical) of nasopharyngeal) randomized paired samples were selected and collected in the outpatient clinic. The samples were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the concordance between SMRs and SNP samples and the sensitivity and specificity of SMR were calculated. Results: Out of the 34 SMR/SNP paired samples, 14 samples were positive for SARS- CoV-2; 4 SMR samples and 10 SNP samples. We found 3 positive concordant results in the SMRs/SNP paired samples, the mean CT for each gene (RdRp, N, E) did not show a significant difference between the samples. Eight discrepancies were observed between the two types of samples (7 individuals were positive by SNP and 1 for SMR). The concordance observed between SMR and SNP was acceptable (kappa coefficient 0.31). The sensitivity of EBSS was 30% with a specificity of 95.8%. Conclusions: The SMR sensitivity is not comparable with SNP sensitivity for SARS- CoV-2 detection, but our data suggest SMR as a non-invasive tool that allows self- collection, and it does not require health trained personnel for its collection. Also, this sample could be an alternative to the lack of swabs and/or viral transportation media. Additionally, SMR may be of benefit in remote and vulnerable populations, and/or to facilitate the screening of SARS-CoV-2 in a large number of individuals.

Analysis of formulations of probiotics accessible to the population of Tabasco, México / Análisis de formulaciones de probióticos accesibles a la población de Tabasco, México

Abstract Objective: To analyze the composition of formulations of probiotics sold in establishments in the State of Tabasco or that can be purchased online. Materials and methods: A descriptive study in which formulations of probiotics sold in 21 establishments in the city of Villahermosa were identified and compared with 30 probiotic supplements sold online. Product information was organized in a database and analyzed according to the dosage form, probiotic genera, species/subspecies contained and their classification as probiotics or synbiotics and as drugs or supplements. Results: Thirty-one local products and 30 online products formulated with probiotics in 6 different dosage forms were analyzed. Only five local products and no online products are certified by COFEPRIS as drugs. Forty-eight percent of the formulations are monostrain and the rest are multistrain. Seventy-two percent of the formulations are probiotics and the rest are synbiotics. Among the 61 products analyzed, 46 species belonging to 13 different genera were identified, and 39% were common to local and online products. Many of products contain species of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera. The genus Bacillus was the only genus that was never combined with other genera in the formulations analyzed in this study. Conclusions: The population of the state of Tabasco can find at least 31 formulations of probiotics in local establishments. The variety increases if we consider the dietary supplements available for sale online. Multistrain supplements are particularly abundant in online retailers. The products certified by COFEPRIS ensure that the benefits of the formulation are supported by clinical trials in humans and are manufactured following good manufacturing practices.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar la composición de formulaciones de probióticos que se venden en establecimientos del Estado de Tabasco o que se pueden comprar en línea. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo en el que se identificaron formulaciones de probióticos comercializados en 21 establecimientos de la ciudad de Villahermosa y se compararon con 30 suplementos probióticos comercializados en línea. La información del producto se organizó en una base de datos y se analizó de acuerdo con la forma de dosificación, los géneros y especies / subespecies de probióticos presentes y su clasificación como probióticos o simbióticos y como medicamentos o suplementos. Resultados: Se analizaron 31 productos locales y 30 productos de venta en línea formulados con probióticos en 6 formas de dosificación diferentes. Solo cinco productos locales y ningún producto en línea están certificados por COFEPRIS como medicamentos. El 48% de las formulaciones son monocepa y el resto son multicepa. El 72% de las formulaciones son probióticos y el resto son simbióticos. Entre los 61 productos analizados, se identificaron 46 especies pertenecientes a 13 géneros diferentes y el 39% fueron comunes a productos locales y de venta en línea. Muchos de los productos contienen especies de los géneros Lactobacillus y Bifidobacterium. El género Bacillus fue el único que nunca se combinó con otros géneros en las formulaciones analizadas en este estudio. Conclusiones: La población del estado de Tabasco puede encontrar al menos 31 formulaciones de probióticos en establecimientos locales. La variedad aumenta si tenemos en cuenta los suplementos dietéticos disponibles de venta en línea. Los suplementos multicepa son particularmente abundantes en los productos en línea. Los productos certificados por COFEPRIS aseguran que los beneficios de la formulación están respaldados por ensayos clínicos en humanos y se fabrican siguiendo buenas prácticas de fabricación.

Exploratory analysis of polygenic risk scores for psychiatric disorders: Applied to dual diagnosis

Background Concurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) is high in individuals with psychiatric illnesses; more importantly, individuals with both disorders (dual diagnosis) have more severe symptoms. Psychiatric disorders have been proposed to share a genetic susceptibility with SUDs. To explore this shared genetic susceptibility, we analyzed whether any of the polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for psychiatric disorders could be associated to dual diagnosis in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) or bipolar disorder (BD). Methods We included 192 individuals of Mexican ancestry: 72 with SCZ, 53 with BD, and 67 unrelated controls without psychiatric disorders. We derived calculations of PRS for autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder, BD, major depression, and SCZ using summary genome-wide association statistics previously published. Results We found that dual diagnosis had a shared genetic susceptibility with major depressive disorder (MDD) and SCZ; furthermore, in individuals with BD, dual diagnosis could be predicted by PRS for MDD. Conclusions Our results reinforce the notion that individuals with dual diagnosis have a higher genetic susceptibility to develop both disorders. However, analyses of larger sample sizes are required to further clarify how to predict risks through PRS within different populations.

Prolotherapy for knee osteoarthritis using hypertonic dextrose vs other interventional treatments: systematic review of clinical trials

Abstract Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prolotherapy with hypertonic dextrose in patients with knee osteoarthritis. A systematic search was performed in electronic databases including PUBMED, SCIELO, DIALNET and Google Scholar. Main body: We searched for randomized clinical trials that evaluated therapeutic interventions in patients with knee osteoarthritis. These trials compared the effect of intra-articular and / or extra-articular infiltrations of hypertonic dextrose vs the effect of intra-articular and / or extra-articular infiltrations of other substances or some interventional procedure application, via assessing pain, physical function and secondary effects and / or adverse reactions. Ten randomized clinical trials were included in this systematic review, the total sample size comprised 328 patients treated with hypertonic dextrose (prolotherapy) vs 348 controls treated with other infiltrations such as local anesthetics, hyaluronic acid, ozone, platelet-rich plasma or interventional procedures like radiofrequency. Conclusions: In terms of pain reduction and function improvement, prolotherapy with hypertonic dextrose was more effective than infiltrations with local anesthetics, as effective as infiltrations with hyaluronic acid, ozone or radiofrequency and less effective than PRP and erythropoietin, with beneficial effect in the short, medium and long term. In addition, no side effects or serious adverse reactions were reported in patients treated with hypertonic dextrose. Although HDP seems to be a promising interventional treatment for knee OA, more studies with better methodological quality and low risk of bias are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of this intervention.

Uso de tecnologías de la información en el rendimiento académico basados en una población mexicana de estudiantes de Medicina / Use of information technologies in the academic performance based on a Mexican population of medical students

Introducción: en la actualidad, las tecnologías de la información han modificado la relación entre los diferentes factores que inciden en el rendimiento académico. Dentro de las herramientas virtuales disponibles, los Grupos de Google fueron seleccionados para su aplicación, bajo la hipótesis que su uso permite mejorar el aprovechamiento de los estudiantes durante el curso y a su vez mejorar sus calificaciones. Objetivo: comparar las calificaciones obtenidas en dos grupos de estudiantes de Medicina que cursaron la asignatura de genética. Métodos: un grupo que utilizó las herramientas virtuales de los Grupos de Google y el otro grupo en el cual no se utilizó estas herramientas. Resultados: al comparar las calificaciones en ambos grupos, el resultado confirmó nuestra hipótesis, pues se observó mayor rendimiento académico en los estudiantes que utilizaron las herramientas virtuales de los Grupos de Google. Conclusiones: el uso de las tecnologías conlleva a un cambio en la dimensión gnoseológica de la actividad educativa, cambio que aún adolece de una base metodológica acabada. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio sugieren que el uso de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación en la enseñanza de las Ciencias Médicas, como las herramientas virtuales de los Grupos de Google, aumenta el rendimiento académico en estos estudiantes(AU)

Introduction: Today, information technologies have changed the relationship between the different factors that influence academic performance. Within the available virtual tools, the Google Groups were chosen for their application, under the hypothesis that their use allows to improve the students' use during the course and, in turn, improve their marks. Objective: To compare the marks obtained in two groups of medical students who studied the subject of genetics. Methods: A group that used the virtual tools of Google Groups and the other group, in which these tools were not used. Results: When comparing the marks obtained by both groups, the result confirmed our hypothesis, as it was observed greater academic performance in the students who used the virtual tools of the Google Groups. Conclusions: The use of technologies leads to a change in the gnoseological dimension of educational activity, a change that still suffers from a finished methodological basis. The results obtained in this study suggest that the use of information and communication technologies in the teaching of medical sciences, as the virtual tools of the Google Groups, increases the academic performance in these students(AU)

Evaluación psicológica de la agresividad impulsiva/predeterminada y factores asociados: Un estudio transversal en usuarios de los servicios de salud en Tabasco, México / Psychological evaluation of impulsive/premeditated aggression and associated factors: a cross-sectional study in users of health services in Tabasco, Mexico

Resumen: INTRODUCCIÓN: La conducta suicida es un problema de salud pública. Se sugiere que la personalidad impulsiva o predeterminada participa en los actos de agresividad como el suicidio. OBJETIVO: En este estudio se identificaron diferencias sociodemográficas, de intento de suicidio y la presencia de depresión entre individuos con característica de agresividad impulsiva o predeterminada. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de tipo transversal que incluyó a 200 residentes de Villahermosa, Tab., México, usuarios de los servicios de salud en ese Estado. La agresividad predeterminada o impulsiva se caracterizó usando la Escala de Agresión Impulsiva/Predeterminada (IPAS). Las características sociodemográficas, de intento de suicidio y de depresión fueron divididas de acuerdo al tipo de agresividad. Subsecuentemente fueron comparadas las características entre los dos grupos. RESULTADOS: Los resultados psicológicos revelaron que la agresividad impulsiva está presente en 62.71 % de la población. Estar desempleado y ser mujer fueron asociadas con la agresividad predeterminada. De igual forma, la mayor proporción de personas con depresión se observó en el grupo de personas predeterminadas (x2 = 18.29, gl = 1, p = 0.001). La proporción de personas con por lo menos un intento de suicidio a lo largo de la vida es similar en las impulsivas y las predeterminadas (6.06% y 6.30%, respectivamente). DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIÓN: El presente estudio no muestra relación entre la personalidad y la proporción del intento de suicidio en los usuarios de los servicios de salud en Tabasco. Sin embargo, el estado de ánimo podría estar asociado con la toma de decisiones.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Suicidal behaviour is a public health problem. It has been suggested that impulsive or premeditated personality interferes with aggressive acts such as suicide. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we identified the socio-demographic differences when attempting suicide, as well as the concomitant depression among individuals characterized by impulsive or premeditated aggression. METHODS: We performed a transversal study that included 200 residents of Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico, who regularly use the city's General Health Services. The premeditated or impulsive aggression was evaluated using the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression scale (IPAS). The sample was divided in two groups: impulsive and premeditator individuals. Suicidal attempt, presence of depression and socio-demographic characteristics were evaluated after wards and compared between groups. RESULTS: The psychological evaluation revealed that impulsive aggression is present in 62.71% of the population. We observed that being unemployed and/or being a woman were characteristics associated with premeditated aggression. The premeditators group had the higher proportion of concomitant depression (x2 = 18.29, gl = 1, p = 0.001). The proportion of people that had attempted suicide at least once during their lives was similar in both groups (impulsive = 6.06%, premeditators = 6.30%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study does not show any association between the personality (impulsive or premeditative) and the frequency of suicide attempts in the Tabascan General Health Services users. Nevertheless, the frame of mind (depression) could be associated with taking decisions when attempting suicide.

Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic activity of Carica papaya leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The extraction of plant constituents is essential to isolate biologically active compounds, aimed to understand their role on the treatment of diabetes. This study was designed to explore the preliminary phytochemical and physicochemical analysis of Carica papaya L., Caricaceae, leaf, and further evaluation of its hypoglycemic effect on diabetic rats. C. papaya leaves were extracted using chloroform, n-hexane or ethanol. For each extract a phytochemical screening was performed. The tests were conducted in triplicate and the qualitative and quantitative determination of the various metabolites was done using analytical standards proposed by Mexican Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The chloroform extract, containing steroids and quinones as major components, was chosen to study C. papaya biological effects. The chloroform extract was evaporated to dryness, and doses 0, 31, 62, 125 mg/kg were orally administered in 300 µl polyethylene glycol to diabetic rats; and 0 and 62 mg/kg to non-diabetic rats. After a 20-day treatment with the chloroform extract, the animals were sacrificed and blood was obtained for biochemical studies. The main effect observed was a decrease in serum glucose, triglycerides and transaminases in diabetic rats after the administration of C. papaya chloroform extract. These results confirm the potential beneficial action of C. papaya to treat the symptoms of diabetic patients.