Article
Oncology
Anandi Krishnan, Sally Thomas
Summary: Advancements in next-generation techniques like RNA-sequencing have allowed for research into the transcriptome of anucleate blood platelets, revealing a rich platelet transcriptomic signature altered in response to disease. These platelet signatures capture information from parent cells and reflect influences of tumors, stroma, and vasculature. Despite potential for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, clinical translation of platelet transcriptomics remains limited.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jakob Hjorth von Stemann, Ole Birger Vesterager Pedersen, Henrik Hjalgrim, Christian Erikstrup, Henrik Ullum, Joseph Dowsett, Lise Wegner Thorner, Margit Anita Horup Larsen, Erik Sorensen, Morten Bagge Hansen, Sisse Rye Ostrowski
Summary: This study is the first to suggest a potential influence of c-aAb on platelets in healthy individuals, beyond their apparent effects on immune competence.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Peter A. A. Norris, Zoya Tawhidi, Ulrich J. Sachs, Christine M. Cserti-Gazdewich, Yulia Lin, Jeannie Callum, Lazaro Gil Gonzalez, Yuexin Shan, Donald R. Branch, Alan H. Lazarus
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of ITP patients' sera to trigger macrophage phagocytosis of normal donor platelets and characterize the contribution of humoral factors. The findings showed that approximately half of the ITP patients' sera significantly triggered phagocytosis and antiplatelet autoantibodies played an important role in this process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinyan Qi, Wei Pan, Ting Peng, Ling Zeng, Xiaoning Li, Zhongping Chen, Zhikuan Yang, Heping Xu
Summary: This retrospective study investigated the changes in circulating immune cells in patients with myopic retinopathy. The study used blood test results and demographic and ocular information from 392 myopic patients and 129 emmetropia controls. Compared to emmetropia, myopic patients had higher percentages of neutrophils and basophils and a higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, while they had lower percentages of monocytes and lymphocytes, and lower counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils. The difference remained after adjusting for age and hypertension/diabetes. Additionally, platelet counts were significantly lower in myopic patients after adjustments. Further subgroup analysis showed that different levels of immune cells were related to different forms of myopic retinopathy, such as peripheral retinal degeneration and choroidal neovascularization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Niels Hansen, Claudia Bartels, Bianca Teegen, Jens Wiltfang, Berend Malchow
Summary: This study provides evidence of an association between GAD65 autoantibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid and catatonia in patients with schizophrenia. Immunotherapy helped stabilize the catatonia symptoms in the patient. Further research is needed to investigate the response to treatment in a larger cohort of patients with GAD65 antibody-associated catatonia and schizophrenia.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Maria Eva Mingot-Castellano, Jose Maria Bastida, Gonzalo Caballero-Navarro, Laura Entrena Urena, Tomas Jose Gonzalez-Lopez, Jose Ramon Gonzalez-Porras, Nora Butta, Mariana Canaro, Reyes Jimenez-Barcenas, Maria Del Carmen Gomez Del Castillo Solano, Blanca Sanchez-Gonzalez, Cristina Pascual-Izquierdo
Summary: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by low platelet counts and bleeding risk. Current treatments have limitations, and therefore a thorough review of novel therapies is necessary. The pathophysiology of ITP is complex, but it also presents an opportunity to uncover new treatment targets.
Article
Neurosciences
Thomas A. Pollak, Angela Vincent, Conrad Iyegbe, Ester Coutinho, Leslie Jacobson, Dan Rujescu, James Stone, Julie Jezequel, Veronique Rogemond, Stephane Jamain, Laurent Groc, Anthony David, Alice Egerton, Rene S. Kahn, Jerome Honnorat, Paola Dazzan, Marion Leboyer, Philip McGuire
Summary: In patients with first-episode psychosis, the presence of NMDAR antibodies does not indicate a need for immunotherapy instead of antipsychotic medications. Further studies are needed to determine the proportion of FEP patients who are NMDAR antibody positive and may benefit from immunotherapy based on coexisting cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory changes or other paraclinical evidence.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Nameer Van Oosterom, Michael Barras, Neil Cottrell, Robert Bird
Summary: Aspirin is commonly used for various indications, but assessing platelet function for aspirin resistance is important. Platelet function tests are not widely used in clinical practice and there is a lack of basic understanding of these tests. Understanding platelet assays to determine aspirin resistance is crucial for clinicians.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Brian Schnoor, Anne-Laure Papa
Summary: Lyophilized platelets, as a potential hemostatic agent, have long-term ambient storage capabilities and high biocompatibility, which make them a promising platform for drug delivery. The interactions between lyophilized platelets and fresh platelets have paradoxical effects on platelet adhesion and aggregation, which could have an impact for clinical applications.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Dongsheng Zhou, Chun Xie, Xingxing Li, Nan Song, Zengwei Kou, Tongtong Zhang, Ti-Fei Yuan
Summary: This study suggests that autoantibodies against NMDARs or GABAARs may only affect a small proportion of patients with schizophrenia, and the rates of these autoantibodies are lower than previously reported. Further studies with psychotic disorders are needed to determine whether NMDAR or GABAAR autoantibodies can be used as biomarkers, providing new avenues for immunomodulatory therapy.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biology
Alexandre de Fatima Cobre, Dile Pontarolo Stremel, Guilhermina Rodrigues Noleto, Mariana Millan Fachi, Monica Surek, Astrid Wiens, Fernanda Stumpf Tonin, Roberto Pontarolo
Summary: This study implemented machine learning models to predict COVID-19 diagnosis and disease severity, showing that the models were able to classify negative and positive samples, as well as severe and non-severe disease, with key predictive factors including blood indicators and physiological measures.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
M. Constanza Baroni Pietto, Paola R. Lev, Ana C. Glembotsky, Cecilia P. Marin Oyarzun, Graciela Gomez, Victoria Collado, Cecilia Pisoni, Ramiro A. Gomez, Matias Grodzielski, Jacqueline Gonzalez, Karina Marino, Paula G. Heller, Nora P. Goette, Rosana F. Marta
Summary: The study found that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with thrombocytopenia have abnormalities in platelet clearance and production, mainly due to apoptosis and desialylation leading to low platelet count. These abnormalities are more frequently observed in patients with thrombocytopenia and active disease.
Article
Hematology
Alessandro Aliotta, Debora Bertaggia Calderara, Maxime G. Zermatten, Lorenzo Alberio
Summary: The study demonstrated contrasting patterns in the intracellular ion concentrations of COAT-activated platelets compared to non-COAT platelets, with the former showing high and prolonged calcium concentration, transient sodium increase, and fast potassium efflux. Inhibition of the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) reduced calcium mobilization and prevented the formation of procoagulant platelets, highlighting the critical and dichotomous role of NCX during platelet activation induced by convulxin-plus-thrombin.
THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Beata Olas
Summary: Despite being rich sources of flavonoids that have the potential to modulate blood platelet activity, citrus fruits have mainly been studied in vitro, with relatively weak evidence regarding their antiplatelet activity and poorly understood mechanisms. Additionally, the concentrations of these flavonoids studied in vitro do not always correspond with their physiological concentrations in vivo, and citrus fruit flavonoids are characterized by low bioavailability. Further detailed studies on the antiplatelet potential of citrus flavonoids, especially in in vivo models, are needed.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Maxim Pilyugin, Magdalena Ratajska, Maciej Stukan, Nicole Concin, Robert Zeillinger, Irmgard Irminger-Finger
Summary: The study found that measuring autoantibody binding to multiple epitopes of BARD1 combined with CA125 can accurately distinguish OC from healthy controls, with better results in all OC stages and menopausal status.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Eugene Merzon, Margaret D. Weiss, Samuele Cortese, Ann Rotem, Tzipporah Schneider, Stephanie G. Craig, Shlomo Vinker, Avivit Golan Cohen, Ilan Green, Shai Ashkenazi, Abraham Weizman, Iris Manor
Summary: Age, male sex, and BMI were significant risk factors for increased COVID-19 severity, while ADHD was associated with more severe symptoms and referral to hospitalization in COVID-19 infection.
JOURNAL OF ATTENTION DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Pavel Golubchik, Gila Schoen, Abraham Weizman
Summary: This study found that mood and proneness to boredom are related to poor attention-span in children with ADHD, and improvement in ADHD levels after methylphenidate treatment correlates with a parallel decrease in mood symptoms related to academic achievement and social functioning.
JOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matan Avrahami, Miriam Peskin, Tyler Moore, Adi Drapisz, Jerome Taylor, Hadar Segal-Gavish, Livia Balan-Moshe, Issac Shachar, Tomer Levy, Abraham Weizman, Ran Barzilay
Summary: The study confirmed that the use of risperidone in preschool-aged children is associated with significant weight gain, with stronger effects seen in females. Additionally, risperidone daily dose was found to be positively correlated with BMI increase.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hamutal Avrahamy, Gal Shoval, Moshe Hoshen, Ran D. Balicer, Shiri Kamhi-Nesher, Gil Zalsman, Abraham Weizman, Amir Krivoy
Summary: This study found that increasing metabolic load is associated with a higher risk of mortality, while adherence to SSRIs partially mitigated the risk of mortality, contrary to the protective effect of statins. Further investigation is warranted on the impact of adherence differences to statins and SSRIs in individuals prescribed both medications.
PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Noa Vardi, Gil Zalsman, Nir Madjar, Abraham Weizman, Gal Shoval
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant implications on the mental health of mothers and their infants, with maternal stress reactions impacting infant development. Recommendations for enhancing perinatal mental health are discussed based on current research, with suggestions for future studies.
CLINICAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danielle Hen-Shoval, Aron Weller, Abraham Weizman, Gal Shoval
Summary: Depression and anxiety disorders are common and growing mental health concerns in adolescents, with antidepressant medication use increasing accordingly. Cannabis use may affect the efficacy of antidepressants, particularly among adolescents, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Taler, Irit Gil-Ad, Iris Brener, Shay Henry Hornfeld, Abraham Weizman
Summary: This study compared the effects of sertraline and citalopram on breast cancer in mice and found that sertraline can inhibit cell proliferation but promotes tumor growth in vivo. Chronic mild stress does not affect tumor growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eugene Merzon, Margaret Weiss, Beth Krone, Shira Cohen, Gili Ilani, Shlomo Vinker, Avivit Cohen-Golan, Ilan Green, Ariel Israel, Tzipporah Schneider, Shai Ashkenazi, Abraham Weizman, Iris Manor
Summary: This study examines the factors associated with diagnosis of long COVID syndrome in children. The findings show that children with long COVID syndrome are more likely to have severe symptoms, require hospitalization, and have recurrent acute infections. They are also more likely to have ADHD, chronic urticaria, and allergic rhinitis. The study suggests that clinicians should be vigilant for the possibility of long COVID syndrome in children with pre-existing ADHD. Further research on morbidity related to long COVID syndrome in children is needed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sheelu Monga, Basem Fares, Rami Yashaev, Dov Melamed, Meygal Kahana, Fuad Fares, Abraham Weizman, Moshe Gavish
Summary: Macrophages are important immune cells responsible for creating an inflammatory immune response. This study found that a natural-based formulation (NBF) can inhibit the inflammatory response of macrophages and attenuate the release of inflammatory markers. NBF may be a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Article
Neurosciences
Yael Yuhas, Shai Ashkenazi, Eva Berent, Abraham Weizman
Summary: Schizophrenia is a chronic neurodevelopmental psychotic disorder that involves the immune system and neuroinflammation. Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, has been found to have immunomodulatory effects in an astroglial model of neuroinflammation. This study suggests that clozapine can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and increase COX2 expression, potentially benefiting patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and neuroinflammatory markers.
Article
Pediatrics
Gherta Brill, Iris Manor, Roberta Bril Paroz, Shai Ashkenazi, Shira Cohen, Avivit Golan-Cohen, Ilan Green, Ariel Israel, Shlomo Vinker, Abraham Weizman, Eugene Merzon
Summary: This study evaluated the association between growth hormone treatment and the risk of COVID-19 infection in children. The results show that children receiving growth hormone treatment have a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 positivity, suggesting that growth hormone may act as a protective factor possibly due to its immunomodulatory activity.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Orit Uziel, Hadar Dickstein, Einat Beery, Yael Lewis, Ron Loewenthal, Eran Uziel, Zipi Shochat, Abraham Weizman, Daniel Stein
Summary: The length of telomeres in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients is shorter and does not recover after inpatient treatment. Patients with the restricting type of AN have longer telomeres compared to those with the binge/purge type. Age is the only factor associated with telomere shortening.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Eugene Merzon, Eli Magen, Shai Ashkenazi, Abraham Weizman, Iris Manor, Beth Krone, Ilan Green, Avivit Golan-Cohen, Shlomo Vinker, Stephen V. Faraone, Ariel Israel
Summary: This study found an association between G6PD deficiency and an increased risk of ADHD diagnosis. Individuals with G6PD deficiency were more likely to seek care from adult neurologists and psychiatrists. Moreover, they had a higher usage of stimulant medications.
Article
Education, Special
Hagit Nagar Shimoni, Yael Leitner, Roni Yoran-Hegesh, Ya'arit Bokek-Cohen, Shahar Gindi, Abraham Weizman
Summary: Clinical observations suggest that girls suspected to have ASD may have better performance in social and emotional tasks than boys, leading to under-diagnosis of girls with ASD. The study found that girls diagnosed with ASD performed better than boys in the Person index of the Social Attribution Task (SAT), indicating that girls with ASD may not have better social understanding than boys, except when prompted to name human traits.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISABILITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Maya Schwartz-Lifshitz, David H. Ben-Dor, Yael Bustan, Gil Zalsman, Doron Gothelf, Abraham Weizman, Ran Barzilay
Summary: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical and demographic characteristics of adolescents admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. The findings showed that adolescents with deliberate self-harm (DSH) were more likely to be female, currently experiencing depressive exacerbation, have concurrent suicidal ideation, and a history of alcohol use. There were no significant clinical differences between adolescents admitted following a suicide attempt and those engaging in non-suicidal self-injury.
ARCHIVES OF SUICIDE RESEARCH
(2022)