DICER1 is an enzyme that generates mature microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally in brain and other tissues and is involved in synaptic maturation and plasticity. Here, through genome-wide differential gene expression survey of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with comorbid depression (PTSD&Dep), we find that blood DICER1 expression is significantly reduced in cases versus controls, and replicate this in two independent cohorts. Our follow-up studies find that lower blood DICER1 expression is significantly associated with increased amygdala activation to fearful stimuli, a neural correlate for PTSD. Additionally, a genetic variant in the 3' un-translated region of DICER1, rs10144436, is significantly associated with DICER1 expression and with PTSD&Dep, and the latter is replicated in an independent cohort. Furthermore, genome-wide differential expression survey of miRNAs in blood in PTSD&Dep reveals miRNAs to be significantly downregulated in cases versus controls. Together, our novel data suggest DICER1 plays a role in molecular mechanisms of PTSD&Dep through the DICER1 and the miRNA regulation pathway.

The results highlight that pain is common in PLWHA at all stages of the disease. The prevalence rates for pain in PLWHA do not appear to have diminished over the 30 years spanning the studies reviewed. The body of work available in the literature thus far, while emphasizing the problem of pain, has not had an impact on its management.

Obesity and metabolic disturbances frequently occur in individuals with psychiatric disorders. This study evaluates a telephonically delivered lifestyle coaching intervention aimed at weight reduction and wellness improvement in psychiatric outpatients. A cohort of 761 participants was prospectively followed up for a period of 12 months. Lifestyle coaching was administered telephonically on a weekly basis for the first 3 months and monthly thereafter. During the study period, there was a significant reduction in weight and waist circumference as well as a significant increase in general health in the completer group. A total of 46% of the participants lost 5% or more of their baseline weight. Significant predictors of attrition at baseline were the presence of metabolic syndrome, younger age, chronic illness, and the diagnosis of a mood disorder. Dropout was significantly less in those participants who received support from a nominated caregiver. Telephonic lifestyle coaching is feasible in this population.

Abstract It may be useful to consider the application of Huang & Bargh's (H&B's) theory of unconscious motivational processes to psychopathology. In disorders of compulsivity and impulsivity, an unconscious habit system may play a key role in explaining ego-dystonic or self-destructive behaviour. H&B's theory may provide some insights into understanding conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and drug addiction; however, additional work is needed to address the neurocircuitry and neurochemistry mediating their abnormal underlying motivational processes.

The epidemiological data are in line with animal studies and suggest that PUFA may decrease SCD1 activity in humans, with possible reduction in body fat.

Larger brain volumes may reflect underlying developmental neuropathology in adults with OCD who also have experience of childhood trauma.

Clinical Trials NCT00300313.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the effects of risperidone compared to treatment with other antipsychotics (first‐generation and other second‐generation antipsychotics) used in people with severe mental illness and co‐occurring substance misuse.

Self-reported Improvement with Voice Therapy via Translation for Muscle Tension Dysphonia: A Pilot Study Purpose: Voice therapy is essential to caring for millions of Americans with vocal problems. However, for immigrants who are non-English speakers (NES), native-language therapists may not be available. Treatment is often provided via translator, but little data support the efficacy of this modality. We hypothesized that voice therapy would improve subject self-ratings of voice impairment, both with and without translation. Materials/Methods: We surveyed both NES and English-speakers (ES) before and two months after receiving voice therapy at our institution for functional dysphonia. NES received therapy via translation. The survey instrument was the 30-item Voice Handicap Index (VHI). NES subjects were provided with a professionally translated version of the VHI in their native language. Results: Change scores were calculated for the 20 subjects (12 NES and 7 ES) who completed both pre- and post-treatment surveys, and were normalized to a maximal score of 120 to account for incomplete questionnaires. ES improved from a baseline mean of 49.1 to 30.5 (p=0.015), and NES from 56.9 to 47.3 (p=0.065). The mean for the entire group improved from 54.0 to 41.1 (p=0.002). No significant between-group difference was found. Conclusion: Overall, this mixed population showed improvement in the VHI with voice therapy. Analyzed individually, English-speakers had significant improvement, while non-English speakers did not. Further studies of voice therapy via translation are warranted.

Our finding of a lower preconception folic acid use in women with both short and long interpregnancy intervals might help identifying those with higher risk of folate deficiency and preventing unwanted pregnancy outcomes.

The present study offers a new approach to assess brain activation during dynamic cycling exercise, and suggests that specific brain areas could be involved in the sensations generating the rating of perceived exertion.

Purpose: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the major contributor of cardiovascular (CVD) mortality. Improved survival is a potential cause of the decline in AMI mortality. The purpose was to explore trends in survival after an incident AMI in Norway during 2001-2009. Methods: "Cardiovascular disease in Norway" (CVDNOR) is a research project including hospitalizations with a CVD diagnosis during 1994-2009 in Norway. Hospitalizations for incident AMIs (defined as absence of previous AMI hospitalizations during the past 7 years) were extracted. Information on date and cause of death was obtained from the Cause of Death Register. Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed for all cause and CVD mortality according to three time periods and P values from log rank tests for trend are given (Figure). The relationship between year of AMI and survival was explored by Cox proportional hazards regression. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for one year change (trend analysis) adjusted for sex, age, education level and marital status. Results: During 2001-2009, 110 729 incident AMI hospitalizations (38.8% women) were identified. Mean age (SD) was 72.3 (13.7) years. 17 792 (16.2%) patients died within 28 days. 13 930 were CVD deaths. 30 009 (27.1%) patients died within the first year. 21 019 were CVD deaths. Overall, 28-day mortality decreased by 31% (HR=0.69; 95% CI 0.65-0.73) for all cause and by 44% (HR=0.56; 95% CI 0.53-0.59) for CVD mortality. One-year mortality decreased by 24% (HR=0.76; 95% CI 0.72-0.78) for all cause and by 35% (HR=0.65; 95% CI 0.62-0.68) for CVD mortality. 28 days and one year survival after AMI Conclusions: During 2001-2009, 28-day and one-year mortality after an incident AMI declined substantially in Norway. CVD mortality (28-day and one-year) declined more than all-cause mortality.