Retinal organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells: From studying retinal dystrophies to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have provided new methods to study neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to their wide application in neuronal disorders, hiPSCs technology can also encompass specific conditions, such as inherited retinal dystrophies. The possibility of evaluating alterations related to retinal disorders in 3D organoids increases the truthfulness of in vitro models. Moreover, both Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) have been described as causing early retinal alterations, generating beta-amyloid protein accumulation, or affecting dopaminergic amacrine cells. This review addresses recent advances and future perspectives obtained from in vitro modeling of retinal diseases, focusing on retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Additionally, we depicted the possibility of evaluating changes related to AD and PD in retinal organoids obtained from potential patients long before the onset of the disease, constituting a valuable tool in early diagnosis. With this, we pointed out prospects in the study of retinal dystrophies and early diagnosis of AD and PD.

[Religion and psychiatric disorders in patients admitted to a university general hospital]. / Religião e transtornos mentais em pacientes internados em um hospital geral universitário.

In order to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a Brazilian general hospital and their association with religious denomination and religiosity, 253 inpatients were interviewed. A socio-demographic questionnaire and an instrument for diagnosis of mental disorders (MINI-Plus) were applied. Distribution of religious denominations was: Catholic 63.2% (n=177), Evangelical Protestant 20.4% (n=57), Spiritist 4.3% (n=12), traditional Protestant 2.3% (n=8), and "no religion" 7.5% (n=21). Degree of religiosity was: very religious 43.2% (n=116), religious 46.9% (n=129), hardly religious 9.8% (n=27), and not at all religious 1.1% (n=3). Evangelical (Pentecostal) religious affiliation and frequent attendance at worship services were associated with fewer alcohol problems. Membership in an Evangelical (Pentecostal) church may thus have an inhibitory effect on alcohol dependence or abuse. Intensity of religiosity was moderately associated with overall prevalence of disorders, especially bipolar disorder. It is reasonable to conclude that extreme situations (very intense versus very limited religious participation) are related to this finding, associating both an exacerbated pursuit of religion and alienation from it with altered mental states.

Religião e transtornos mentais em pacientes internados em um hospital geral universitário / Religion and psychiatric disorders in patients admitted to a university general hospital

A fim de determinar a prevalência de transtornos mentais em uma amostra de pacientes de um hospital geral e sua relação com a denominação religiosa e religiosidade, foram investigados 253 pacientes internados no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas por intermédio de um questionário sócio-demográfico e um instrumento para diagnóstico psiquiátrico (MINI-Plus). A maioria dos pacientes era católica (63,2 por cento; n = 177); seguidos dos evangélicos pentecostais (20,4 por cento; n = 57); dos "sem-religião" (7,5 por cento; n = 21); espíritas (4,3 por cento; n = 12) e protestantes históricos (2,3 por cento; n = 8). Consideraram-se muito religiosos 43,2 por cento (n = 116), religiosos 46,9 por cento (n = 129), pouco religiosos 9,8 por cento (n = 27), não religiosos 1,1 por cento (n = 3). A filiação religiosa evangélica e maior freqüência a cultos relacionaram-se à menor freqüência de problemas com álcool. É possível que a filiação religiosa evangélica exerça uma ação inibidora na ocorrência de transtornos relacionados ao álcool. Indivíduos muito religiosos ou pouco/nada religiosos apresentaram maior prevalência de transtorno bipolar. A dimensão intensidade da religiosidade revelou-se modestamente associada à prevalência geral dos transtornos, especialmente ao transtorno bipolar. É razoável que situações extremas (de muito ou reduzido envolvimento) relacionem-se a tal achado, relacionando tanto a busca exacerbada ou o afastamento da religiosidade com estados mentais alterados.

In order to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a Brazilian general hospital and their association with religious denomination and religiosity, 253 inpatients were interviewed. A socio-demographic questionnaire and an instrument for diagnosis of mental disorders (MINI-Plus) were applied. Distribution of religious denominations was: Catholic 63.2 percent (n = 177), Evangelical Protestant 20.4 percent (n = 57), Spiritist 4.3 percent (n = 12), traditional Protestant 2.3 percent (n = 8), and "no religion" 7.5 percent (n = 21). Degree of religiosity was: very religious 43.2 percent (n = 116), religious 46.9 percent (n = 129), hardly religious 9.8 percent (n = 27), and not at all religious 1.1 percent (n = 3). Evangelical (Pentecostal) religious affiliation and frequent attendance at worship services were associated with fewer alcohol problems. Membership in an Evangelical (Pentecostal) church may thus have an inhibitory effect on alcohol dependence or abuse. Intensity of religiosity was moderately associated with overall prevalence of disorders, especially bipolar disorder. It is reasonable to conclude that extreme situations (very intense versus very limited religious participation) are related to this finding, associating both an exacerbated pursuit of religion and alienation from it with altered mental states.

Suicide risk among inpatients at a university general hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the proportion of inpatients at a university general hospital who are at risk of committing suicide. METHOD: A random sample of 253 patients (57% males) aged 18 years old or older, admitted to surgical and clinical wards, was assessed using the the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, which has a section that evaluates the risk for suicide. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were 58 (23%) patients with a risk for suicide, 13 (5% of total) of whom presented a high risk. The prevalence of suicide risk was greater in young adult patients, those with no matrimonial relationship and those diagnosed with major depression (univariate analysis, Chi-squared test; p = 0.01, 0.03 and 0.0001, respectively). The multivariate analysis revealed that the risk for suicide in individuals younger than 30 years old was two fold higher than in those individuals between the ages of 30 and 59 years (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.22-0.93; p = 0.03) and four fold greater than in those who were 60 years old or older (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.1-0.64; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: When young adults are admitted to general hospitals they should receive special attention due to their suicidal potential.

Suicide risk among inpatients at a university general hospital

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the proportion of inpatients at a university general hospital who are at risk of committing suicide. METHOD: A random sample of 253 patients (57 percent males) aged 18 years old or older, admitted to surgical and clinical wards, was assessed using the the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, which has a section that evaluates the risk for suicide. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were 58 (23 percent) patients with a risk for suicide, 13 (5 percent of total) of whom presented a high risk. The prevalence of suicide risk was greater in young adult patients, those with no matrimonial relationship and those diagnosed with major depression (univariate analysis, Chi-squared test; p = 0.01, 0.03 and 0.0001, respectively). The multivariate analysis revealed that the risk for suicide in individuals younger than 30 years old was two fold higher than in those individuals between the ages of 30 and 59 years (OR = 0.45, 95 percent CI = 0.22-0.93; p = 0.03) and four fold greater than in those who were 60 years old or older (OR = 0.25, 95 percent CI = 0.1-0.64; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: When young adults are admitted to general hospitals they should receive special attention due to their suicidal potential.

OBJETIVO: Estimar a proporção de pacientes internados em um hospital geral universitário que têm risco de suicídio. MÉTODO: Uma amostra aleatória de 253 pacientes (57 por cento do sexo masculino) com 18 anos ou mais, internados em enfermarias clínicas e cirúrgicas, foi avaliada por meio do Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, o qual possui uma seção que avalia risco de suicídio. Foram realizadas analises uni e multivariadas. RESULTADOS: Cinqüenta e oito (23 por cento) pacientes tinham risco de suicídio, 13 dos quais (5 por cento do total) risco elevado. A prevalência de risco de suicídio foi maior em adultos jovens, nos que não tinham vínculo matrimonial e nos que tiveram um diagnóstico de depressão maior (análise univariada, teste do Qui-quadrado; p = 0,01; 0,03 e 0,0001, respectivamente). A análise multivariada revelou que o risco para o grupo de indivíduos abaixo dos 30 anos de idade era duas vezes maior do que o de indivíduos entre 30 e 59 anos (RC = 0,45, IC 95 por cento = 0,22-0,93; p = 0,03) e quatro vezes maior do que o de indivíduos de 60 anos ou mais (RC = 0,25, IC 95 por cento = 0,1-0,64; p = 0,004). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes adultos jovens internados devem receber especial atenção devido à maior freqüência de risco suicida.