Article
Immunology
Chiu-Bin Hsiao, Harneet Bedi, Raquel Gomez, Ayesha Khan, Taylor Meciszewski, Ravikumar Aalinkeel, Ting Chean Khoo, Anna Sharikova, Alexander Khmaladze, Supriya D. Mahajan
Summary: The widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has led to accelerated aging of the HIV-infected population, causing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in microglial cells, which may partially explain the occurrence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ndonwi Elvis Ngwa, Nasheeta Peer, Tandi E. Matsha, Anniza de Villiers, Eugene Sobngwi, Andre P. Kengne
Summary: The leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with cardio-metabolic diseases (CMD) in HIV-infected adults in South Africa, with increasing LTL being related to decreasing blood pressure, increasing cholesterol levels, and higher waist-to-height ratio.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Vasiliki Bountziouka, Christopher P. Nelson, Veryan Codd, Qingning Wang, Crispin Musicha, Elias Allara, Stephen Kaptoge, Emanuele Di Angelantonio, Adam S. Butterworth, John R. Thompson, Elizabeth M. Curtis, Angela M. Wood, John N. Danesh, Nicholas C. Harvey, Cyrus Cooper, Nilesh J. Samani
Summary: This study utilized cross-sectional data from the UK Biobank and found an association between leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and the risk of frailty, independent of age and other risk factors. This suggests that LTL may be an additional biological determinant of frailty.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Izchel Figarola-Centurion, Martha Escoto-Delgadillo, Gracia Viviana Gonzalez-Enriquez, Juan Ernesto Gutierrez-Sevilla, Eduardo Vazquez-Valls, Blanca Miriam Torres-Mendoza
Summary: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is a significant concern, affecting 40% of the population. Recent research has shown that the viral protein Tat is responsible for neuronal alteration, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Activation of SIRTs has been found to promote neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenli Ni, Kathrin Wolf, Susanne Breitner, Siqi Zhang, Nikolaos Nikolaou, Cavin K. Ward-Caviness, Melanie Waldenberger, Christian Gieger, Annette Peters, Alexandra Schneider
Summary: This study investigated the short-term effects of air temperature on leukocyte telomere length in adult population-based studies. The findings showed that higher air temperature was associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length between individuals.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Andrea L. Millan, Sofia I. Trobo, Alejandro de Dios, Martina Cerrato Garcia, Maria S. Perez, Gloria E. Cerrone, Gustavo D. Frechtel, Ariel P. Lopez
Summary: The study aimed to investigate telomere length in MODY patients and found that both MODY2 and MODY3 types exhibit telomere shortening, which is related to HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels. These findings suggest similar mechanisms underlying telomere attrition in MODY patients.
DIABETES-METABOLISM RESEARCH AND REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Kristen A. McLaurin, Michael Harris, Victor Madormo, Steven B. Harrod, Charles F. Mactutus, Rosemarie M. Booze
Summary: This review critically examines the evidence for dopaminergic alterations following chronic exposure to HIV-1 viral proteins, concluding that long-term exposure leads to decreased dopamine function despite the use of combination antiretroviral therapy. It highlights the importance of focusing on strategies to rectify decreases in dopamine function for effective treatment of HIV-1-associated apathy/depression and neurocognitive impairments.
Article
Cell Biology
Ilona Saraieva, Athanase Benetos, Carlos Labat, Anders Franco-Cereceda, Magnus Back, Simon Toupance
Summary: Short telomeres in aortic valves may play a role in the development of AS, while the calcification process appears to further decrease TL in the calcified areas of the valves.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Tong Zhang, Yanan Sun, Jing Wei, Guoqiang Zhao, Wenqi Hao, Zhihai Lv, Xiaohang Chen, Yanan Liu, Fengxiang Wei
Summary: This study found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shorter telomere length and higher levels of oxidative stress. Shortened telomere length and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity are risk factors for ASD development, while reduced oxidative damage and antioxidant enzyme activity are protective factors. The study also suggests that oxidative damage occurs in children with ASD, and timely supplementation of antioxidants may be a potential treatment for early intervention.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chia-Ling Kuo, Ben Kirk, Meiruo Xiang, Luke C. C. Pilling, George A. A. Kuchel, Richard Kremer, Gustavo Duque
Summary: This study examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in older participants. It found that low or extremely low vitamin D levels were associated with shorter LTL, as well as high vitamin D levels. However, these associations may be influenced by unmeasured confounders.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Miriam Retuerto, Ana Lledo, Beatriz Fernandez-Varas, Rosa Guerrero-Lopez, Alicia Usategui, Antonio Lalueza, Rocio Garcia-Garcia, Esther Mancebo, Estela Paz-Artal, Leandro Sastre, Rosario Perona, Jose L. Pablos
Summary: This study analyzed leukocyte telomere length in patients with severe COVID-19 and found that shorter telomere length is associated with COVID-19 hospitalization, but not with hospital clinical outcomes or persistent post-COVID-19 manifestations.
Article
Neurosciences
Jacqueline Samantha Womersley, Georgina Spies, Gerard Tromp, Soraya Seedat, Sian Megan Joanna Hemmings
Summary: This study investigates the impact of HIV and childhood trauma on cognitive function. Findings indicate that HIV-infected participants had shorter telomeres and a greater decline in cognitive scores, but telomere length did not predict cognitive decline in the context of CT and HIV.
JOURNAL OF NEUROVIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ndonwi Elvis Ngwa, Tandi E. Matsha, Carl Lombard, Naomi Levitt, Eugene Sobngwi, Andre-Pascal Kengne, Nasheeta Peer
Summary: Studies have found a possible association between leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) in the black South African population, particularly with a strong correlation with HDL-C and LDL-C.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Clara Van Ommen, Anthony Y. Y. Hsieh, Arianne R. Albert, Elana Kimmel, Helene C. F. Cote, Evelyn C. Maan, Jerilynn Prior, Neora Pick, Melanie C. M. Murray
Summary: This study aimed to understand factors associated with ovarian aging in women with HIV. It found that women with HIV had shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and lower anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels compared to HIV-negative women. This suggests that HIV may initially have a detrimental effect on ovarian reserve and that the association between shorter LTL and lower AMH levels is more important for women aged 35 years or older.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melanie Deist, Sharain Suliman, Martin Kidd, Donald Franklin, Mariana Cherner, Robert K. Heaton, Georgina Spies, Soraya Seedat
Summary: Reliable and valid neurocognitive (NC) test batteries are crucial in early detection of HIV-associated NC impairment. The HNRC Battery has shown cultural validity in international neuroHIV studies, but no norms are available for South Africa. Data from 500 HIV-uninfected participants were collected to develop demographically corrected South African norms, which resulted in a lower impairment rate compared to using US norms. These findings highlight the importance of localized norms in interpreting NC performance.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Lucy Hiscox, Sidney Bray, Abigail Fraser, Richard Meiser-Stedman, Soraya Seedat, Sarah L. Halligan
Summary: Higher levels of PTSD symptoms are present among trauma-exposed females compared to males in adulthood. However, little is known about the emergence of this sex difference during development. This study found that sex differences in PTSD symptoms become apparent during adolescence, with females showing more significant symptom reduction at the age of 13.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Olatunde Olayinka Ayinde, Olawoye Fadahunsi, Lola Kola, Lucas O. Malla, Solomon Nyame, Roselyne A. Okoth, Alex Cohen, John Appiah-Poku, Caleb J. Othieno, Soraya Seedat, Oye Gureje
Summary: In this study conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, it was found that individuals who received care from traditional and faith healers had similar experiences of suffering and disability in various aspects of their lives. The primary attribution of illness was supernatural, even though biological causation was also acknowledged. Prayer and rituals played a significant role in both traditional and religious healing settings. The use of both traditional and conventional medical services was common, and harmful treatment practices were sometimes employed by traditional healers. Despite cultural and linguistic differences, there were common core beliefs and practices among the three cultural groups. These findings suggest that a collaborative approach designed for one cultural group could be applicable with adaptations to other cultural groups.
TRANSCULTURAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Eamonn Kennedy, Emily L. Dennis, Hannah M. Lindsey, Terri deRoon-Cassini, Stefan Du Plessis, Negar Fani, Milissa L. Kaufman, Nastassja Koen, Christine L. Larson, Sarah Laskowitz, Lauren A. M. Lebois, Rajendra A. Morey, Mary R. Newsome, Cori Palermo, Nicholas J. Pastorek, Abigail Powers, Randall Scheibel, Soraya Seedat, Antonia Seligowski, Dan J. Stein, Jennifer Stevens, Delin Sun, Paul Thompson, Maya Troyanskaya, Sanne J. H. van Rooij, Amanda A. Watts, Carissa W. Tomas, Wright Williams, Frank G. Hillary, Mary Jo Pugh, Elisabeth A. Wilde, David F. Tate
Summary: This study uses a multisite mega analysis to derive quantitative recommendations for equating scores across measures of PTSD severity. The results suggest that harmonization and covariate adjustments can significantly improve inference of scores across different instruments.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marco Solmi, Trevor Thompson, Andres Estrade, Agorastos Agorastos, Joaquim Radua, Samuele Cortese, Elena Dragioti, Friedrich Leisch, Davy Vancampfort, Lau Caspar Thygesen, Harald Aschauer, Monika Schloegelhofer, Elena Aschauer, Andres Schneeberger, Christian G. Huber, Gregor Hasler, Philippe Conus, Kim Q. Do Cuenod, Roland von Kaenel, Gonzalo Arrondo, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Philip Gorwood, Pierre-Michel Llorca, Marie-Odile Krebs, Elisabetta Scanferla, Taishiro Kishimoto, Golam Rabbani, Karolina Skonieczna-Zydecka, Paolo Brambilla, Angela Favaro, Akihiro Takamiya, Leonardo Zoccante, Marco Colizzi, Julie Bourgin, Karol Kaminski, Maryam Moghadasin, Soraya Seedat, Evan Matthews, John Wells, Emilia Vassilopoulou, Ary Gadelha, Kuan-Pin Su, Jun Soo Kwon, Minah Kim, Tae Young Lee, Oleg Papsuev, Denisa Mankova, Andrea Boscutti, Cristiano Gerunda, Diego Saccon, Elena Righi, Francesco Monaco, Giovanni Croatto, Guido Cereda, Jacopo Demurtas, Natascia Brondino, Nicola Veronese, Paolo Enrico, Pierluigi Politi, Valentina Ciappolino, Andrea Pfennig, Andreas Bechdolf, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Kai G. Kahl, Katharina Domschke, Michael Bauer, Nikolaos Koutsouleris, Sibylle Winter, Stefan Borgwardt, Istvan Bitter, Judit Balazs, Pal Czobor, Zsolt Unoka, Dimitris Mavridis, Konstantinos Tsamakis, Vasilios P. Bozikas, Chavit Tunvirachaisakul, Michael Maes, Teerayuth Rungnirundorn, Thitiporn Supasitthumrong, Ariful Haque, Andre R. Brunoni, Carlos Gustavo Costardi, Felipe Barreto Schuch, Guilherme Polanczyk, Jhoanne Merlyn Luiz, Lais Fonseca, Luana V. Aparicio, Samira S. Valvassori, Merete Nordentoft, Per Vendsborg, Sofie Have Hoffmann, Jihed Sehli, Norman Sartorius, Sabina Heuss, Daniel Guinart, Jane Hamilton, John Kane, Jose Rubio, Michael Sand, Ai Koyanagi, Aleix Solanes, Alvaro Andreu-Bernabeu, Antonia San Jose Caceres, Celso Arango, Covadonga M. Diaz-Caneja, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Eduard Vieta, Javier Gonzalez-Penas, Lydia Fortea, Mara Parellada, Miquel A. Fullana, Norma Verdolini, Eva Andrlikova, Karolina Janku, Mark John Millan, Mihaela Honciuc, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska, Igor Loniewski, Jerzy Samochowiec, Lukasz Kiszkiel, Maria Marlicz, Pawel Sowa, Wojciech Marlicz, Georgina Spies, Brendon Stubbs, Joseph Firth, Sarah Sullivan, Asli Enez Darcin, Hatice Aksu, Nesrin Dilbaz, Onur Noyan, Momoko Kitazawa, Shunya Kurokawa, Yuki Tazawa, Alejandro Anselmi, Cecilia Cracco, Ana Ines Machado, Natalia Estrade, Diego De Leo, Jackie Curtis, Michael Berk, Philip Ward, Scott Teasdale, Simon Rosenbaum, Wolfgang Marx, Adrian Vasile Horodnic, Liviu Oprea, Ovidiu Alexinschi, Petru Ifteni, Serban Turliuc, Tudor Ciuhodaru, Alexandra Bolos, Valentin Matei, Dorien H. Nieman, Iris Sommer, Jim van Os, Therese van Amelsvoort, Ching-Fang Sun, Ta-wei Guu, Can Jiao, Jieting Zhang, Jialin Fan, Liye Zou, Xin Yu, Xinli Chi, Philippe de Timary, Ruud van Winkel, Bernardo Ng, Edilberto Pena, Ramon Arellano, Raquel Roman, Thelma Sanchez, Larisa Movina, Pedro Morgado, Sofia Brissos, Oleg Aizberg, Anna Mosina, Damir Krinitski, James Mugisha, Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani, Farshad Sheybani, Masoud Sadeghi, Samira Hadi, Serge Brand, Antonia Errazuriz, Nicolas Crossley, Dragana Ignjatovic Ristic, Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo, Dimitris Efthymiou, Praveenlal Kuttichira, Roy Abraham Kallivayalil, Afzal Javed, Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, Bawo James, Omonefe Joy Seb-Akahomen, Jess Fiedorowicz, Andre F. Carvalho, Jeff Daskalakis, Lakshmi N. Yatham, Lin Yang, Tarek Okasha, Aicha Dahdouh, Bjoern Gerdle, Jari Tiihonen, Jae Il Shin, Jinhee Lee, Ahmed Mhalla, Lotfi Gaha, Takoua Brahim, Kuanysh Altynbekov, Nikolay Negay, Saltanat Nurmagambetova, Yasser Abu Jamei, Mark Weiser, Christoph U. Correll
Summary: The COH-FIT survey is a valid instrument to measure global mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study confirmed the validity of COH-FIT items and the internal reliability of the co-primary outcome, the P-score. The survey has been translated into 30 languages and measures various mental health symptoms and factors.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Georgina Spies, Melanie Deist, Sharain Suliman, Soraya Seedat
Summary: This study developed and validated an abbreviated version of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center International Neurobehavioral Battery in a sample of people with HIV in South Africa. The abbreviated battery showed good sensitivity and excellent specificity compared to the full version, with a significant reduction in administration time. It can be a practical option in resource-limited settings for identifying HIV-related neurocognitive impairment.
Review
Psychiatry
Lucy V. Hiscox, Tamsin H. Sharp, Miranda Olff, Soraya Seedat, Sarah L. Halligan
Summary: Women have a higher risk of developing PTSD than men after a traumatic experience. Recent research has found evidence of sex-based differences in genetic and epigenetic factors, brain structure and function, neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses, as well as the role of sleep on emotional memory processing. Sex differences have also been observed in recovery and PTSD treatment, and there is emerging evidence of sex-differentiated risk for medical and psychiatric comorbidities in PTSD.
CURRENT PSYCHIATRY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Davy Vancampfort, Erik De Soir, Ruud van Winkel, Quinette Abegail Louw, Grace McKeon, Simon Rosenbaum, Soraya Seedat, Carlos Pelayo Ramos-Sanchez
Summary: The aim of this study in firefighters is to investigate the relationships between physical activity, sedentary levels, PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, and well-being. The study also compares these factors between firefighters who meet the recommended level of physical activity and those who do not, as well as between those with and without PTSD. The results suggest that physical inactivity and sedentary behavior may contribute to psychological distress and PTSD in firefighters.
JOURNAL OF WORKPLACE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patricia C. Swart, Morne Du Plessis, Carlien Rust, Jacqueline S. Womersley, Leigh L. van den Heuvel, Soraya Seedat, Sian M. J. Hemmings
Summary: This study aimed to identify genetic loci associated with gene expression changes in a South African PTSD cohort. While several known cis-eQTLs were observed, no eQTLs that significantly influenced gene expression in a PTSD-dependent manner were identified. This exploratory study provides insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with PTSD in a non-European, admixed sample population.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Allegra Moodley, Jacqueline S. Womersley, Patricia C. Swart, Leigh L. van den Heuvel, Stefanie Malan-Muller, Soraya Seedat, Sian M. J. Hemmings
Summary: This study used network analysis to investigate the associations between inflammation, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and metabolic syndrome. The results showed the relationships between inflammation and symptoms as well as metabolic syndrome, providing evidence for the role of inflammation in trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Alberta Susanna Johanna Van der Watt, Martin Kidd, Annerine Roos, Elmien Lesch, Soraya Seedat
Summary: Non-marital romantic relationship dissolutions (RRDs) are common among youths and may result in severe distress and suicidality. Studies suggest that RRDs are associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), similar to other traumatic events.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Debra Kaminer, Candice Simmons, Soraya Seedat, Stephanie Skavenski, Laura Murray, Martin Kidd, Judith A. A. Cohen
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of an abbreviated eight-session version of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in South African adolescents. The results showed significant improvements in PTSD and depression symptoms in the TF-CBT group compared to the control group at post-treatment and three-month follow-up. This suggests that the abbreviated TF-CBT has potential efficacy in LMIC settings for adolescents with multiple trauma exposure.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Natalia E. Fares-Otero, Jiaqing O, Georgina Spies, Jacqueline S. Womersley, Carolina Gonzalez, Goerkem Ayas, Tilahun Belete Mossie, Julia Carranza-Neira, Jose-Manuel Estrada-Lorenzo, Eduard Vieta, Inga Schalinski, Ulrich Schnyder, Soraya Seedat
Summary: This article presents a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between child maltreatment exposure in early life and resilience in adulthood. By searching relevant studies and conducting meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses, the researchers aim to understand the relationship between child maltreatment and resilience, as well as the potential moderators and mediators. This study is important in informing prevention and interventions to improve the health and outcomes of adults with a history of child maltreatment.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Gondah Lekpeh, Muneeb Salie, Leigh L. van den Heuvel, Soraya Seedat
Summary: This study describes the neurological and/or neuropsychiatric manifestations in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and compares patients with and without such symptoms in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes. The results suggest that while COVID-19 patients with neurological and/or neuropsychiatric manifestations may have less respiratory symptoms, they still have similar mortality rates as patients without such symptoms.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
