The accurate assessment of suicide risk in psychiatric, especially affective disorder diagnosed patients, remains a crucial clinical need. In this study, we applied temperament and character inventory (TCI), Barratt impulsiveness scale 11 (BIS-11), PEBL simple reaction time (SRT) test, continuous performance task (CPT), and Iowa gambling task (IGT) to seek for variables linked with attempted suicide in bipolar affective disorder group (n = 60; attempters n = 17). The main findings were: strong correlations between self-report tool scores and objective parameters in CPT; the difference between attempters and non-attempters was found in the number of correctly responded trials in IGT; only one parameter differed between attempters and non-attempters in BPI diagnosis; and no significant differences between suicide attempters and non-attempters in TCI, BIS-11, and SRT were found. These justify the conclusion that impulsivity itself is not a strong predictor, and used as a single variable might not be sufficient to indicate the high suicide risk group among bipolar patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a major and widespread global health challenge. It affects over 800 million people worldwide, which is approximately 13% of the world’s population. Over the past 20 years, it has consistently ranked among the leading causes of death. As a result of its typically painless and asymptomatic presentation in the early stages of the disease, CKD is frequently diagnosed late, when the patient is already suffering from serious complications. In recent years, studies have identified novel biomarkers associated with the pathophysiology of CKD, including chronic inflammation, tubular injury, and CKD-related outcomes such as bone and mineral metabolism disorders, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality. Identifying and using these emerging biomarkers—like kidney injury molecule, N-acetyl–D-glucosaminidase, ficolins, the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich–containing family, pyrin domain–containing-3) inflammasome, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2, galectin-3, growth differentiation factor-15, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, sclerostin, the Dick-kopf proteins, and indexes such as the systemic inflammation response index—may lead to a significant advancement in early diagnosis, risk stratification, and personalized treatment strategies for CKD patients. Despite their potential, the routine clinical use of these novel biomarkers remains limited due to challenges such as high costs and the lack of standardized testing methods. There is still considerable room for advancement in both the diagnosis and management of CKD. Hopefully, increasingly more new biomarkers will become usable in clinical practice, ultimately improving care quality and outcomes for patients with CKD.

Background/Objectives: An increasing number of studies are exploring how stress influences the development of various psychiatric and physical disorders. Psychological coping strategies and defense mechanisms play a vital role in managing stress. However, the biological mechanisms involved in coping with stress have not been thoroughly researched. This study focuses on the relationships between plasma levels of tPA-BDNF pathway proteins and their correlations with coping strategies and defense mechanisms. Methods: The study involved 48 healthy young adults. All participants completed the self-reported Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE). BDNF, proBDNF, t-plasminogen activator/tPA, total serpin E1/PAI-1, serpin F2/alpha 2-antiplasmin, and MMP-9 plasma concentrations were determined using ELISA. Results: We detected higher BDNF and lower MMP-9 levels in females. We found differences in the DSQ-40 humor subdimension and in the COPE focus on and venting of emotions category between women and men. We found correlations between studied protein plasma concentrations. Positive correlations of total serpin E1/PAI-1 with denial and mental disengagement and negative correlations with some active coping categories were found. Correlations of DSQ-40 scores with BDNF, proBDNF, MMP-9, and total serpin E1/PAI-1 were detected. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that there are functional associations between the proteins we studied and various coping styles, as well as mature, immature, and neurotic defense mechanisms.

Background: Impulsivity assessment may serve as a valuable clinical tool in the stratification of suicide risk. Acting without forethought is a crucial feature in the psychopathology of many psychiatric disturbances and corresponds with suicidal ideations, behaviors, and attempts. Methods: We present data on biological and psychological correlates of impulsivity among young adults (n = 47). Psychological analysis included both the self-description questionnaire—Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11)—and neuropsychological behavioral tests, including the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Simple Response Time task (SRT), and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). mRNA and micro-RNA were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Expression levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) mRNA and its regulatory micro RNAs, mir-1-3p, mir-15a-5p, mir-26a-5p, mir-26b-5p, and mir-195-5p, were analyzed using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. proBDNF and BDNF plasma protein levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Significant correlations between BDNF mRNA and mir-15a-5p as well as proBDNF levels and mir-1-3p were detected. proBDNF protein levels correlated with motor and perseverance, while mir-26b correlated with cognitive complexity subdimensions of the BIS-11 scale. Correlations between BDNF, miRNAs, and the results of neuropsychological tests were also detected. Conclusions: The BDNF pathway shows a clinical potential in searching for biomarkers of impulse-control impairment. BDNF-regulatory micro-RNAs are detectable and related to clinical parameters in the studied population, which needs further research.

Background/Objectives : The incidence of mood disorders in adolescents is increasing. Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed in the early stages of the disease due to the prevalence of depressive symptoms, while manic episodes occur later. Identifying predictors of diagnosis conversion could facilitate timely and appropriate treatment. Our study aimed to find correlations of selected peripheral protein levels with temperament and character traits in adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Methods: A group of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 50) or bipolar disorder (BD, n = 24) was enrolled in the study during the exacerbation of symptoms and followed up over two years. Diagnosis conversion from MDD to BD was monitored. The Temperament and Character Inventory was applied, and BDNF, proBDNF, EGF, MIF, SCF, S100B, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 serum levels were measured. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was conducted. Results: We found different patterns of correlations in MDD (TNF-alpha, IL-8, EGF, S100B with reward-dependence, self-directedness, and empathy) and BD (BDNF and EGF with persistence novelty-seeking and self-transcendence). Significant correlations were found in a group with diagnosis conversion. Conclusions: The findings of our study have the potential to significantly impact our understanding and treatment of mood disorders. Correlations obtained in the subgroup with diagnosis conversion may contribute to the development of prognostic markers in the future. Evaluating temperament and character traits alongside established biomarkers may offer a valuable method for predicting the conversion of mood disorders in adolescents, facilitating early and effective pharmacotherapy.