This study investigates the correlation between REM sleep patterns, as measured by the Apple Watch, and depressive symptoms in an undiagnosed population. Employing the Apple Watch for data collection, REM sleep duration and frequency were monitored over a specified period. Concurrently, participants’ depressive symptoms were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. The analysis, primarily using Spearman’s correlation, revealed noteworthy findings. A significant correlation was observed between an increased REM sleep proportion and higher depressive symptom scores, with a correlation coefficient of 0.702, suggesting a robust relationship. These results highlight the potential of using wearable technology, such as the Apple Watch, in early detection and intervention for depressive symptoms, suggesting that alterations in REM sleep could serve as preliminary indicators of depressive tendencies. This approach offers a non-invasive and accessible means to monitor and potentially preempt the progression of depressive disorders. This study’s implications extend to the broader context of mental health, emphasizing the importance of sleep assessment in routine health evaluations, particularly for individuals exhibiting early signs of depressive symptoms.

Girdin is a protein involved in neuronal migration and hippocampal development. It is encoded by the coiled-coil domain-containing 88A ( CCDC88A ) gene, located on the short arm of chromosome 2 (2p). The CCDC88A gene is modulated by the intergenic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the rs1437396, situated 9.5 kb downstream from its transcription stop site. As recent genome-wide research has associated the T allele of the SNP with increased risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), we wanted to validate this finding in an independent cohort and to test further for an association with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD). The study included 226 AUD patients (AUD group), 53 patients with comorbid MDD, and 391 controls selected randomly. The participants were genotyped for the rs1437396 polymorphism using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. The association between the rs1437396 polymorphism and increased risk of AUD and AUD+MDD was tested with logistic regression. Our results show significantly higher frequency of the T risk allele in the AUD group (p=0.027) and even higher in the AUD+MDD group (p=0.016). In conclusion, this is the first study that has validated the association between the rs1437396 polymorphism of the CCDC88A gene and AUD with or without MDD. Studies on larger samples of patients are needed to further investigate the mechanism of this association.

There is an increased stigma in Romania regarding schizophrenia patients, who are thought to be violent and dangerous. However, there is little research on this topic that analyzes the exact risk of aggressive behavior, especially considering the high prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse, conditions also associated with a potential risk of violent behavior. The objectives of this study were to compare aggressivity levels between patients with schizophrenia admitted to an emergency hospital and healthy individuals and to find possible risk factors. This case-control study, matched for age and gender included 50 patients hospitalized for schizophrenia and 50 healthy participants from an emergency psychiatric facility in Romania. We collected demographic data and screened for major mental disorders using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Aggressivity levels were measured with the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). The CAGE questionnaire and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) were used to screen for alcohol and substance use disorder. The results highlighted a 3.93 times increase in aggressivity in the schizophrenia group, with the involvement of specific violent domains. Younger men with alcohol abuse had a higher risk of violent acts. Schizophrenia patients appear to present an increased risk of violence, but this must be carefully assessed and confounders considered. Public health programs are needed to increase treatment compliance and decrease alcohol and other psychoactive substances consumption.

Purpose: This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on the safety and efficacy of anti-inflammatory dietary supplements used during pregnancy, assessing maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2016–June 2026), following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The protocol was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (10.17605/osf.io/4kmv9). Eligible studies included human clinical trials and observational studies evaluating anti-inflammatory dietary supplements in pregnant women. Results: Eighty unique studies (96 publications) from 28 countries were included, of which 63 (78.8%) were randomized clinical trials. Thirteen supplement categories were identified. Vitamin D (n = 23) and omega-3 fatty acids (n = 17) accounted for nearly half of all studies; probiotics (n = 11) formed the third-largest category. For these three supplements, most studies reported changes in inflammatory and glycemic markers, primarily in gestational diabetes mellitus and high-risk populations, but adverse events were collected in a minority of studies, so tolerability is documented rather than established. Evidence for zinc, magnesium, and alpha-lipoic acid was limited. Curcumin, chlorella, vitamin E, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, and ginger were each supported by only one or two studies. Supplementation was initiated in the first trimester in 19 studies (23.8%), and neonatal safety outcomes were reported infrequently. Conclusions: Evidence on anti-inflammatory dietary supplements in pregnancy is concentrated in a few compounds, in a small number of countries, and in biochemical outcomes measured in selected populations. Tolerability was evaluated in only a small number of studies, which limits its use as an indicator of safety. The map highlights the scarcity of controlled studies with prespecified harm outcomes, of first-trimester initiation, and of infant follow-up beyond the first months of life.