Objectives: COVID-19-related news is important for adherence to public health measures. We examined predictors of interest and avoidance of COVID-19 news in Lithuania. Study design: This is an online survey. Methods: An online survey was conducted between October and December 2020 targeting the general population in Lithuania. Participants rated their interest and avoidance of news about the COVID-19 pandemic, with possible answers ranging from 'completely agree' to 'completely disagree'. The participants were also evaluated for symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) and COVID-19 fear (COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire). Results: In total, 1036 participants (83% women) completed the survey. The results indicated that 37% of participants were losing interest in COVID-19 news, 32% had started avoiding COVID-19 news and 26% had stopped following news about COVID-19. In the multivariate regression analyses, younger age, greater post-traumatic stress symptoms, less fear of COVID-19 and less frequent use of healthcare professionals for COVID-19 information were independent predictors of decreasing/diminished interest and avoidance of COVID-19 news (all P-values <0.005). More frequent use of friends/relatives for COVID-19 information was associated with increasing avoidance and diminished interest in news about COVID-19, while more frequent use of internet news portals for COVID-19 information predicted decreasing/diminished interest in news about COVID-19, independently from other factors considered in this study. Conclusions: Decreasing/diminished interest and avoidance of news about COVID-19 are common and are associated with younger age, greater post-traumatic stress symptoms, less fear of COVID-19 and less frequent use of healthcare professionals for COVID-19 information. (C) 2021 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thyroid hormone (TH) metabolism can have prognostic significance in brain tumors. We studied the association of common variations in three deiodinase gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with circulating TH concentrations and prognosis of brain tumor patients. Patients admitted for glioma and meningioma surgery between January, 2010 and September, 2011 were evaluated for functional status (Barthel Index or BI) and circulating free tri-iodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations. Ten common SNPs in the DIO1 gene; five SNPs in the DIO2 gene; and one SNP in the DIO3 gene were genotyped. Follow-up continued until November, 2017. In glioblastoma patients, the DIO1 SNP rs2235544 CC genotype was associated with significantly lower risk of death at 2 years when compared to AA + CA genotypes after adjusting for patient gender, age, pre-operative functional status, adjuvant therapy, and extent of resection (HR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13–0.84, p = 0.019). The TT genotype vs. CC + TC genotypes of the DI02 SNP rs12885300 was associated with increased mortality risk after adjusting for patient gender, age, pre-operative functional status, adjuvant therapy, extent of resection, and FT3/FT4 (HR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.20–8.16, p < 0.019). The C-allele of the DI01 SNP rs2235544 was related to increased circulating free T3/ free T4 ratio in glioma and meningioma patients, indicating greater T4 to T3 conversion. SNPs of DIO1 gene (rs2235544) and DIO2 gene (rs12885300) have independent prognostic significance in glioblastoma patients. The C-allele of the DIO1 (rs2235544) is associated with greater T4 to T3 conversion.

Neuropsychobiology 2017;76:47–50 Abstracts of Award-Winning Posters,s of Award-Winning Posters, 17th International Forum on Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Madrid, December 14–16, 2017 Published online: May 8, 2018 © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel E-Mail karger@karger.com www.karger.com/nps DOI: 10.1159/000488020

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) can be important prognostic indicators of brain tumor patients. We investigated the association of circulating IL-6 and hsCRP concentrations with discharge outcomes and survival of glioma and meningioma patients. One-hundred and sixty-three (115 women; median age 57 years) patients admitted for meningioma (n = 94), high-grade glioma (n = 48) and low-grade glioma (n = 21) surgery were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Serum samples were collected within 24 h of admission. Discharge outcome was evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (unfavorable outcome = score from 1 to 3). Follow-up continued until November, 2016. Elevated IL-6 (≥ 2 pg/ml) and hsCRP (≥ 1 mg/l) concentrations were present in 25 and 35% of brain tumor patients, respectively. Elevated IL-6 concentrations were associated with unfavorable outcome at hospital discharge, adjusting for brain tumor histological diagnosis, patient age and gender (OR 2.39, 95% CI 0.97–5.91, p = 0.05). Elevated hsCRP concentrations were not associated with discharge outcome (p = 0.13). In multivariate Cox regression analyses adjusted for patient age, gender, extent of tumor resection and adjuvant treatment, elevated IL-6 concentration was associated with greater mortality risk in high-grade glioma patients (OR 2.623; 95% CI 1.129–5.597; p = 0.01), while elevated hsCRP concentration was associated with greater mortality risk in meningioma patients (OR 3.650; 95% CI 1.038–12.831; p = 0.04). Elevated IL-6 concentration is associated with greater unfavorable outcome risk in brain tumor patients and with greater mortality in high-grade glioma patients, while elevated hsCRP concentration is associated with greater mortality in meningioma patients.

Increased N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration predicts poor prognosis of non-CNS cancer patients. We evaluated the association of NT-proBNP concentration with disease severity, discharge outcomes and prognosis of patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor. From January, 2010 until September, 2011 two-hundred and forty-five patients (age 55.05 ± 14.62 years) admitted for brain tumor surgery were evaluated for NT-proBNP serum concentration. Outcome at hospital discharge was evaluated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Most common diagnoses were meningioma (37%) and high-grade glioma (20%). Greater NT-proBNP concentration was associated with lower Barthel index (rho = −0.305, p = 0.001) and Mini Mental State Examination scores (rho = −0.314, p = 0.001) and with greater Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale Depression score (rho = 0.240, p = 0.026). Greater admission NT-proBNP concentration was associated with lower discharge GOS score after adjusting for patient age, gender and histological brain tumor diagnosis (β = −0.253, p < 0.001). Greater NT-proBNP concentration was also associated with greater 5-year mortality risk (HR = 1.845; 95%CI [1.166–2.920], p = 0.009) controlling for patient age, gender, history of cardiovascular disease, histological diagnosis and adjuvant therapy. In sum, greater pre-operative NT-proBNP concentration is associated with worse health status, unfavorable discharge outcome and shorter survival of brain tumor patients.

Neuropsychobiology 2017;76:47–50 Abstracts of Award-Winning Posters,s of Award-Winning Posters, 17th International Forum on Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Madrid, December 14–16, 2017 Published online: May 8, 2018 © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel E-Mail karger@karger.com www.karger.com/nps DOI: 10.1159/000488020

Objective: Fatigue and reduced exercise capacity are common concomitants of coronary artery disease (CAD). They are known to be associated with the deterioration in mental health, including emotional and cognitive status. However, the precise nature of the inter-relationship is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue and exercise capacity on the one hand and changes in cognitive functioning on the other, to generate new heuristics for clinical management and outcome prediction of CAD. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 827 in-patients (58 ± 9 years, 75% men) with CAD. Patients were evaluated for demographic, cardiac characteristics, and exercise capacity. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 was used to assess fatigue, the Mini Mental State Examination for global cognitive function, the Digit Span Test, Digit Symbol Test, and Trail Making Test for executive aspects of cognitive functioning, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for anxiety and depression symptom severity. Results: Using multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for possible confounders such as anxiety and depression, mental fatigue was associated with several executive aspects of cognitive function including short-term memory (Digit Symbol Test pairs recalled correctly [β = –0.127, p < 0.005]), psychomotor performance (time to complete the Digit Symbol Test [β = 0.089, p < 0.03]), and cognitive processing speed (Trail Making Test A [β = 0.081, p < 0.05]). Conclusion: In rehabilitating CAD patients, certain aspects of executive functioning were independently associated with mental fatigue. These findings suggest that the subjective experience of mental fatigue, rather than reduced exercise capacity, is significantly associated with cognitive function.

Objective To determine whether biomarkers of health such as serum levels of free triiodothyronine (fT3), total triiodothyronine (TT3), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) impact the cognitive functioning of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Method About 278 patients were evaluated for socio-demographic and clinical risk factors as well as fT3, TT3, NT-proBNP, and hsCRP serum levels. Cognitive functioning measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination, Digit Span Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and Trail Making Test A (TMTA). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results Lower fT3 concentrations were associated with longer completion time of the DSST and TMTA. Elevated levels of NT-proBNP were also associated with inferior performance on TMTA independently of socio-demographic characteristics, clinical risk factors, and depression symptoms. Conclusions Lower fT3 concentrations and higher levels of NT-proBNP were associated with worse cognitive functioning in CAD patients.

BACKGROUND:Low tri-iodothyronine syndrome is associated with worse prognosis of severely ill patients. We investigated the association of thyroid hormone levels with discharge outcomes and 5-year mortality in primary brain tumor patients.METHODS:From January, 2010 until September, 2011, 230 patients (70% women) before brain tumor surgery were evaluated for cognitive (Mini mental State Examination; MMSE) and functional (Barthel index; BI) status, and thyroid function profile. The Low triiodothyronine syndrome was defined as triiodothyronine concentration below the reference range. Unfavorable discharge outcomes were Glasgow outcome scale score of ≤3. Follow-up continued until November, 2015.RESULTS:Seventy-four percent of patients had Low triiodothyronine syndrome. Lower total tri-iodothyronine concentrations were associated with lower MMSE (p=.013) and BI (p=.023) scores independent of age, gender and histological diagnosis. Preoperative Low tri-iodothyronine syndrome increased risk for unfavorable discharge outcomes adjusting for age, gender and histological diagnosis (OR=2.944, 95%CI [1.314-6.597], p=.009). In all patients, lower tri-iodothyronine concentrations were associated with greater mortality risk (p≤.038) adjusting for age, gender, extent of resection, adjuvant treatment and histological diagnosis. The Low tri-iodothyronine syndrome was associated with greater 5-year mortality for glioma patients (HR=2.197; 95%CI [1.160-4.163], p=.016) and with shorter survival (249 [260] vs. 352 [399] days; p=.029) of high grade glioma patients independent of age, gender, extent of resection and adjuvant treatment.CONCLUSIONS:The Low tri-iodothyronine syndrome is common in brain tumor patients and is associated with poor functional and cognitive status, and with worse discharge outcomes. The Low tri-iodothyronine syndrome is associated with shorter survival of glioma patients.

Suicidal ideation (SI) is an important complication in cancer patients that should be promptly recognized and adequately managed. We investigated the prevalence rate and correlates of pre-operative SI in brain tumor (BT) patients admitted for elective BT surgery.

Low free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are associated with greater impairment in cardiac mechanics compared with patients with AMI who have normal values of thyroid hormones. The objectives are to investigate left ventricular (LV) function and mechanics during a 6-month follow-up after myocardial infarction and to evaluate their prognostic implication using two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with low fT3 levels. The study design is prospective cohort study. One hundred forty patients with first-onset AMI were grouped according to serum fT3 levels: low fT3 group (fT3 < 3.2 pmol/L; n = 44) and control group (fT3 > 3.2 pmol/L; n = 96). Low levels of fT3 were associated with greater LV diameters and LV end-diastolic volume, and decreased systolic LV function. Systolic apical and basal rotation, peak systolic global longitudinal strain and strain rate, and LV twist and torsion were significantly decreased in the low fT3 group. The prognostic implication for predicting low fT3 levels was evaluated using ROC analysis. LV end-diastolic diameter index is the most sensitive (94.12 %), but has low specificity (37.93 %; area = 0.659, p = 0.01). By contrast, LV end-systolic volume is the most specific (94.03 %), but has low sensitivity (26.32 %; area = 0.594, p = 0.04). Low fT3 levels are significantly associated with worse LV mechanics. Low fT3 levels are important for prediction of LV structure, function, rotation, and deformation parameters during the late post-myocardial infarction period.

The association between current beta-1-selective beta-blocker use and cognitive function was evaluated in 722 patients with coronary artery disease without dementia. Beta-1-selective beta-blocker use was associated with worse incidental learning independently of sociodemographic characteristics, clinical coronary artery disease severity, and depression/anxiety.

Altered thyroid function and increased rates of N-terminal pro-B-Type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) are highly prevalent in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with heart failure, and are associated with unfavorable prognosis. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship and prognostic impact of thyroid hormones, inflammatory biomarkers, and NT-pro-BNP on long-term outcomes in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Background: The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) reflects prenatal estrogen and testosterone exposure, and is established in utero. Sex steroids are implicated in development and progression of primary brain tumors.Aims: To investigate whether there is a link between 2D:4D ratio and primary brain tumors, and age at presentation.Methods: Digital images of the right and left palms of 85 primary brain tumor patients (age 56.96 +/- 13.68 years; 71% women) and 106 (age 54.31 +/- 13.68 years; 68% women) gender and age matched controls were obtained. The most common brain tumor diagnoses were meningioma (41%), glioblastoma (20%) and pituitary adenoma (16%). Right and left 2D:4D ratios, and right minus left 2D:4D ((Dr-l) were compared between patients and controls, and were correlated with age.Results: Right and left 2D:4D ratios were significantly lower in primary brain tumor patients relative to controls (t = -4.28, p < 0.001 and t = -3.69, p < 0.001, respectively). The Dr-l was not different between brain tumor patients and controls (p = 0.27). In meningioma and glioma patients, age at presentation correlated negatively with left 2D:4D ratio (rho = -0.42, p = 0.01 and rho = -0.36, p = 0.02, respectively) and positively with Dr-l (rho = 0.45, p = 0.009 and rho = 0.65, p = 0.04, respectively).Conclusions: Right and left hand 2D:4D ratios are lower in primary brain tumor patients relative to healthy individuals suggesting greater prenatal testosterone and lower prenatal estrogen exposure in brain tumor patients. Greater age at presentation is associated with greater Dr-l and with lower left 2D:4D ratio of meningioma and glioma patients. Due to small sample size our results should be considered preliminary and interpreted with caution. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.