Abstract Neuropsychiatric or behavioral symptoms of dementia encompass a series of disorders, such as anxiety, depression, apathy, psychosis, and agitation, all commonly present in individuals living with dementia. While they are not required for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), they are ubiquitously present in all stages of the disease, contributing to negative clinical outcomes, including cognitive decline, functional disability, and caregiver burden. Neuropsychiatric symptoms have been conceptualized not only as risk factors but as clinical markers of decline along the AD spectrum. The concept of “mild behavioral impairment”, the behavioral correlate of mild cognitive impairment, has been proposed within this framework. The first steps in the management of behavioral symptoms in AD involve defining the target and investigating potential causes and/or aggravating factors. Once these factors are addressed, non-pharmacological approaches are preferred as first-line interventions. Following the optimization of anticholinesterase treatments, specific pharmacological approaches (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics) can be considered weighing potential side effects.

Resumo Sintomas neuropsiquiátricos ou comportamentais de demência envolvem uma série de condições, como ansiedade, depressão, apatia, psicose e agitação, frequentemente observadas em indivíduos com demência. Embora esses sintomas não sejam necessários para o diagnóstico da doença de Alzheimer, estão presentes em todas as fases ou estágios da doença, contribuindo negativamente para o declínio cognitivo, comprometimento funcional e sobrecarga do cuidador. Os sintomas neuropsiquiátricos têm sido conceituados não apenas como fatores de risco, mas também como marcadores clínicos de progressão da doença de Alzheimer. O construto “comprometimento comportamental leve”, correlato comportamental do comprometimento cognitive leve, tem sido proposto nesse contexto. Os primeiros passos na abordagem dos sintomas comportamentais da doença de Alzheimer envolvem definir os alvos-terapêuticos e investigar potenciais causas ou fatores agravantes. Após intervir nesses fatores, abordagens não farmacológicas constituem a primeira linha de intervenção. Depois da otimização do tratamento anticolinesterásico, terapias farmacológicas específicas (por exemplo, antidepressivos, antipsicóticos) podem ser consideradas, levando-se em conta potencias efeitos colaterais.

ABSTRACT Salt stress affects the development of several crops, being one of the limiting factors for irrigated agriculture in the semiarid region, where nitrogen and potassium fertilization can be an alternative for agricultural production. This study aimed to evaluate the viability of using water with different salinities associated with varying amounts of nitrogen and potassium fertilization in the production of seedlings of the guava cultivar Paluma in an experiment conducted in experimental areas of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region (UFERSA), campus of Caraúbas. The research was carried out from February to June 2021. The study was set up in a randomized block design and analyzed in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme with four replicates, and two plants per plot. Treatments were established by combining different levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (ECw): 0.3, 1.1, 1.9, 2.7, and 3.5 dS m-1, with Combinations (C) of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K2O) levels of recommended fertilization: C1 = 70% N + 50% K2O, C2 = 100% N + 75% K2O, C3 = 130% N + 100% K2O, and C4 = 160% N + 125% K2O. Irrigation with electrical conductivity levels up to 2.1 dS m-1 favored seedling growth for the guava cv. Paluma. Fertilization combinations C1 and C2 promoted the greatest increases in growth and biomass for guava seedlings cv. Paluma 125 days after sowing. Fertilizer combinations did not mitigate the harmful effects of salt stress from irrigation water on the production of young guava cv. Paluma.

RESUMO O estresse salino afeta o desenvolvimento de diversas culturas, sendo um dos fatores limitantes para a agricultura irrigada no semiárido, onde a adubação nitrogenada e potássica pode ser uma alternativa para a produção agrícola da região. Com esse trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade do uso de água com diferentes salinidades associada a diferentes adubações nitrogenadas e potássicas na produção de mudas da goiabeira cultivar Paluma. O experimento foi conduzido em áreas experimentais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido (UFERSA), Campus Caraúbas. A pesquisa foi realizada no período de fevereiro a junho de 2021. O estudo foi montado em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e duas plantas por parcela. Foi utilizado um esquema fatorial 5 × 4, que combinou cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CEa): 0,3, 1,1, 1,9, 2,7 e 3,5 dS m-1, com combinações (C) de nitrogênio (N) e níveis de potássio (K2O) de adubação recomendada: C1 = 70% N + 50% K2O, C2 = 100% N + 75% K2O, C3= 130% N + 100% K2O e C4= 160% N + 125% K2O. Irrigação com níveis de condutividade elétrica até 2,1 dS m-1 favoreceu o crescimento das mudas da goiabeira cv. Paluma. As adubações C1 e C2 promoveram os maiores incrementos de crescimento e fitomassa para a goiabeira cv. Paluma aos 125 dias após a semeadura. As combinações de adubação não mitigaram os efeitos nocivos do estresse salino da água de irrigação sobre a produção de mudas de goiabeira cv. Paluma.

Abstract The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to quickly mobilize toward emergency remote teaching and learning (ERTL) practices. Teachers’ digital competences were essential in this context. This study aims to identify the ERTL practices adopted in Portugal and how they were perceived by teachers of students aged 3 to 18. Data were gathered through a questionnaire administered online during April and May 2020 to 329 teachers. ERTL was perceived as an opportunity to develop their own and their students’ digital competences. Teachers expressed a moderately positive view of the process and reported an experience of work overload. The pedagogical practices implemented by teachers during this period were diverse and differed according to gender, self-assessment of digital competence, and level of education taught. Results point to the importance of continued teacher training to achieve quality distance education.

Resumen Los retos planteados por la pandemia de COVID-19 han obligado a una rápida movilización de las escuelas hacia las prácticas de enseñanza y aprendizaje remoto de emergencia (EARE) y las competencias digitales de los profesores han sido esenciales en este contexto. El presente estudio tiene por objetivo identificar las prácticas de EARE adoptadas en Portugal y la manera en que éstas fueron percibidas por profesores de alumnos de entre 3 y 18 años de edad. Se recopilaron datos a través de un cuestionario aplicado en línea en abril y mayo de 2020 a 329 profesores. La EARE se percibió como una oportunidad para el desarrollo de las competencias digitales tanto de los propios profesores como de sus alumnos. Los profesores valoraron el proceso de manera moderadamente positiva y manifestaron una experiencia de sobrecarga de trabajo. Las prácticas pedagógicas aplicadas por los profesores durante este periodo fueron variadas y diferían según el sexo, la autoevaluación de la competencia digital y el nivel educativo impartido. Los resultados señalan la importancia de la formación docente continua para lograr una educación a distancia de calidad.

Abstract Objectives BDNF has been implicated in the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially its neuropsychiatric symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the profile of blood BDNF levels in patients with SLE. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for papers that compared BDNF levels in SLE patients and healthy controls (HCs). The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the included publications, and statistical analyses were carried out using R 4.0.4. Results The final analysis included eight studies totaling 323 healthy controls and 658 SLE patients. Meta-analysis did not show statistically significant differences in blood BDNF concentrations in SLE patients compared to HCs (SMD 0.08, 95% CI [− 1.15; 1.32], P value = 0.89). After removing outliers, there was no significant change in the results: SMD -0.3868 (95% CI [− 1.17; 0.39], P value = 0.33. Univariate meta-regression analysis revealed that sample size, number of males, NOS score, and mean age of the SLE participants accounted for the heterogeneity of the studies (R2 were 26.89%, 16.53%, 18.8%, and 49.96%, respectively). Conclusion In conclusion, our meta-analysis found no significant association between blood BDNF levels and SLE. The potential role and relevance of BDNF in SLE need to be further examined in higher quality studies.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that genetic variations of cannabinoid receptors contribute to the pathophysiology of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Methods: In this genetic association case-control study, cannabinoid receptor polymorphisms CNR1 rs12720071 and CNR2 rs2229579 were tested for association with neurocognitive performance in 69 patients with schizophrenia and 45 healthy controls. Neurocognition was assessed by the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Results: We found a consistent association between CNR1 rs12720071 polymorphism and the cognitive performance of patients in several cognitive domains. Patients with C/C polymorphism presented significantly worse performance in motor speed, verbal fluency, attention/processing speed and reasoning/problem solving. Conclusion: Although limited, our data support the hypothesis that CNR1 variations may be associated with the pathogenesis of cognitive deficits of schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT Despite substantial progress toward its control, Chagas disease continues to be a major public health problem in Latin America and has become a global health concern. The disease affects approximately 6 million people, of whom 20-40% will develop cardiomyopathy over the years after the initial Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Chagas cardiomyopathy is the most serious and frequent manifestation of Chagas disease. Clinical manifestations vary widely according to the severity of myocardial dysfunction, ranging from asymptomatic to severe forms, including dilated cardiomyopathy with heart failure, arrhythmias, thromboembolism events, and sudden death. Chagas disease is a risk factor for stroke regardless of the severity of cardiomyopathy, which is a leading cause of chronic disability. Classically, stroke etiology in patients with Chagas disease is thought to be cardioembolic and related to apical aneurysm, mural thrombus, and atrial arrhythmias. Although most strokes are thromboembolic, other etiologies have been observed. Small vessel disease, atherosclerosis, and cryptogenic diseases have been reported in patients with Chagas disease and stroke. The potential mechanisms involved in non-embolic strokes include the presence of associated risk factors, pro-inflammatory and prothrombotic disease states, and endothelial dysfunction. However, the contribution of each mechanism to stroke in Chagas disease remains unclear. The review aims to provide an overview of stroke in Chagas disease, highlighting the main pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation, approaches for prevention, and unanswered questions regarding treatment strategies.

Objective: Sepsis survivors present a wide range of sequelae; few studies have evaluated psychiatric disorders after sepsis. The objective of this study was to define the prevalence of and risk factors for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in sepsis survivors. Method: Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms in severe sepsis and septic shock survivors 24 h and 1 year after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge were assessed using the Beck Anxiety/Depression Inventories and the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version. Differences in psychiatric symptoms over time and the influence of variables on these symptoms were calculated with marginal models. Results: A total of 33 patients were enrolled in the study. The frequencies of anxiety, depression and PTSD 24 h after ICU discharge were 67%, 49%, and 46%, respectively and, among patients re-evaluated 1 year after ICU discharge, the frequencies were 38%, 50%, and 31%, respectively. Factors associated with PTSD included serum S100B level, age, and Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) score. Factors associated with depression included patient age and cumulative dose of dobutamine. IQCODE score and cumulative dose of haloperidol in the ICU were associated with anxiety after ICU discharge. Conclusion: Patients who survive sepsis have high levels of psychiatric symptoms. Sepsis and associated treatment-related exposures may have a role in increasing the risk of subsequent depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

RESUMEN. Objetivo/contexto: la corrupción política es uno de los principales desafíos para la calidad y la consolidación de la democracia en Brasil, un diagnóstico recurrente con la secuencia de escándalos políticos. A partir de lo anterior, el artículo tiene como propósito analizar las percepciones sociales sobre la corrupción política en el contexto brasileño reciente, con base en una encuesta web aplicada en 2017. Metodología: el estudio se basa en dos enfoques analíticos complementarios. El primero es el examen de cómo los encuestados evalúan las prácticas de corrupción política en Brasil en un intento de buscar similitudes y/o convergencias entre las esferas municipales, estatales y federales, y entre diferentes poderes. El segundo es el intento de capturar cómo los ciudadanos perciben las acciones de los organismos de control, en términos de su compromiso con la lucha contra la corrupción política. Conclusiones: los resultados muestran que casi todos los encuestados (95,67%) perciben la corrupción como una práctica común en Brasil. Factores como el ingreso y la educación interfieren directamente con la percepción de prácticas corruptas, es decir, cuanto mayor sea el ingreso y la educación, mayor será la opinión de que la corrupción política es alta. La Policía Federal y el Ministerio Público son vistos como las agencias más eficientes para controlar y combatir la corrupción. Originalidad: el estudio destaca por el paralelismo entre los dos enfoques analíticos resaltados anteriormente, lo que contribuye a la comprensión no solo de las percepciones sociales sobre la corrupción política, sino también del desempeño de las agencias de control.

ABSTRACT. Objective/context: Political corruption is one of the main challenges for the quality and consolidation of democracy in Brazil, a recurring diagnosis after a sequence of political scandals. Based on this context, the article aims to study social perceptions about political corruption in the recent Brazilian context using the results of a web survey applied in 2017. Methodology: The study is anchored in two complementary analytical focuses. The first is the examination of how respondents evaluate political corruption practices in Brazil, in an attempt to seek similarities and/or convergences between the municipal, state and federal spheres and also between different powers. The second tries to capture how citizens perceive the actions by control bodies in terms of their commitment to fighting political corruption. Conclusions: The results show that almost all respondents (95.67%) perceive corruption as a common practice in Brazil. Factors such as income and education directly interfere with the perception of corrupt practices, i.e., the higher the income and education, the greater the opinion that political corruption is high. The Federal Police and the Public Prosecution Service are seen as the most efficient agencies in controlling and fighting corruption. Originality: This research stands out for the parallel between the two analytical focuses highlighted above, thus contributing to the understanding not only of social perceptions about political corruption but also about the role of control bodies.

RESUMO. Objetivo/contexto: a corrupção política é um dos principais desafios para a qualidade e a consolidação da democracia no Brasil, diagnóstico reiterado de forma recorrente com a sequência de escândalos políticos. Com base nesse contexto, o artigo tem como objetivo analisar as percepções sociais sobre a corrupção política no contexto brasileiro recente, a partir de um websurvey aplicado em 2017. Metodologia: o estudo está ancorado em dois focos analíticos complementares. O primeiro está no exame de como os respondentes avaliam as práticas de corrupção política no Brasil, na tentativa de buscar similaridades e/ou convergências entre as esferas municipal, estadual e federal, e entre os diferentes poderes. O segundo tenta captar como os cidadãos percebem a atuação dos órgãos de controle, no que se refere ao empenho no combate à corrupção política. Conclusões: os resultados mostram que a quase totalidade dos respondentes (95,67%) percebe a corrupção como prática comum no Brasil. Fatores como renda e escolaridade interferem diretamente na percepção das práticas corruptas, ou seja, quanto maior a renda e a escolaridade, maior a opinião de que a corrupção política é elevada. A Polícia Federal e o Ministério Público são vistos como os órgãos mais eficientes no controle e combate à corrupção. Originalidade: o estudo destaca-se pelo paralelo realizado entre os dois focos analíticos acima destacados, contribuindo para a compreensão não apenas das percepções sociais sobre a corrupção política, mas também sobre a atuação dos órgãos de controle.

RESUMO A relação entre transtornos depressivos em idosos e demência, particularmente a doença de Alzheimer (DA), é altamente complexa. Embora a natureza desse relacionamento ainda seja motivo de debate, o diagnóstico e o tratamento diferenciais continuam sendo um grande desafio clínico. Revisamos descobertas recentes sobre o dilema de transtornos depressivos em idosos e DA. Existe um contínuo biológico entre os transtornos depressivos em idosos – ou pelo menos um subgrupo deles – e a DA. Enquanto indivíduos idosos com depressão e pacientes com DA exibem níveis circulantes mais altos de moléculas pró-inflamatórias e menor BDNF do que os controles correspondentes, os níveis de Aβ42 no LCR podem discriminar a DA de distúrbios depressivos em idosos. O papel do tratamento antidepressivo como estratégia para minimizar o risco de DA ainda precisa ser estabelecido.

ABSTRACT The relationship between depressive disorders in the elderly and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is highly complex. While the nature of this relationship is still a matter of debate, differential diagnosis and treatment remain a great clinical challenge. We review recent findings on the conundrum of depressive disorders in the elderly and AD. There is a biological continuum between depressive disorders in the elderly – or at least a subgroup of them – and AD. While elderly subjects with depression and patients with AD exhibit higher circulating levels of pro-inflammatory molecules and lower BDNF than matched controls, CSF levels of Aβ42 can discriminate AD from depressive disorders in the elderly. The role of antidepressant treatment as a strategy to minimize the risk of AD remains to be established.

Abstract This work presents a modeling procedure for a tall photocatalytic fluidized bed photoreactor used for the photocatalytic oxidation of n-hexane on the anatase TiO2 surface. The modeling strategy split the reactor into two parts: a lower dense phase, with high solids concentration behaving as a bubbling bed treated as a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR); and an upper lean phase of low solids concentration behaving as a plug-flow reactor (PFR). The Langmuir-type kinetic parameters were obtained for the flow rate of 1.67 × 10-4 m3 s-1 and catalyst mass of 0.1 kg. The model revealed a good adjustment with experimental data when predicting conversion results for the same experimental conditions, but deviations grew as flow rates and catalyst loads departed from those values in which the model was obtained.

RESUMO Estudos investigaram o papel da intervenção nutricional, focada no consumo de alimentos “gatilhos” ou na alteração de peso, na melhora da migrânea. Porém, mudanças na qualidade da dieta ainda não foram abordadas. Objetivo Investigar se intervenção nutricional focada na qualidade da dieta e peso saudável pode melhorar parâmetros clínicos em mulheres com migrânea. Métodos Estudo de intervenção, não controlado e não randomizado. As mulheres receberam plano alimentar individualizado e orientações nutricionais, conforme o diagnóstico nutricional. Dados antropométricos, clínicos e alimentares foram medidos uma vez por mês durante três meses. Recordatório alimentar de 24 horas forneceu informações sobre o consumo alimentar. Qualidade da dieta foi avaliada pelo Índice Brasileiro de Alimentação Saudável (IQD-R). Os questionários Migraine Disability Test (MIDAS) e Headache Impact Test, versão 6 (HIT-6) avaliaram a incapacidade gerada pela enxaqueca e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI) investigou sintomas depressivos. Resultados Cinquenta e duas mulheres com 44,0 ± 13,0 anos participaram da amostra. Características antropométricas e consumo de energia, macronutrientes e fibras não se alteraram depois da intervenção. No entanto, os escores do IQD-R melhoraram após 60 e 90 dias de intervenção. Os escores do BDI e do HIT-6 diminuíram após 60 e 90 dias, respectivamente. A mudança no escore do IQD-R correlacionou de maneira negativa com a gravidade da enxaqueca avaliada pelo HIT-6 ao final da intervenção. Conclusões O manejo da qualidade da dieta pode ser estratégia para melhorar a gravidade da migrânea, independente do estado nutricional e da mudança de peso dos pacientes.

ABSTRACT Although some studies have investigated the role of nutritional intervention on migraine, they had focused on triggers or on weight change and, to the best of our knowledge, none studied diet quality. Objective To investigate whether nutritional intervention focused on improving diet quality and healthy weight can promote improvement in clinical parameters of women with migraine. Methods Non-controlled and non-randomized intervention study conducted for 90 days. Women received an individualized diet meal plan and nutritional orientation according to their nutritional diagnosis. Anthropometric, clinical and nutritional data were measured once a month. Diet energy content and macronutrients were evaluated using 24-hour dietary recall. Diet quality was assessed through the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index–Revised (BHEI-R). The Migraine Disability Assessment and Headache Impact Test version 6 were used to assess the severity of migraine, and the Beck Depression Inventory evaluated depressive symptoms. Results Fifty-two women aged 44.0 ± 13.0 years were enrolled. Anthropometric characteristics, energy, macronutrients and fiber intake did not change after intervention. However, the BHEI-R scores improved after 60 and 90 days of intervention. Concurrent to this, the Beck Depression Inventory scores and Headache Impact Test scores decreased after 60 and 90 days, respectively. The change in the BHEI-R score was negatively correlated with the migraine severity as assessed by the Headache Impact Test at the end of the intervention. Conclusions We concluded that the management of diet quality may be a good strategy for improving migraine severity, regardless of the nutritional status and weight change.

Resumo Este trabalho tem por objetivo criticar a sociologia e a política de Negri e Hardt. Do ponto de vista sociológico, o exame dos movimentos de captura do comum por mecanismos rentistas do capitalismo tardio sugere ser infundada a aposta dos autores no potencial emancipatório da dinâmica de êxodo supostamente instaurada pela produção comum. Do ponto de vista político, trata-se de interrogar a projeção utópica da multidão como sujeito político revolucionário a quem caberia a tarefa de realizar a democracia absoluta. A fantasia anarquista de Negri e Hardt não apenas repete o purismo de seus predecessores clássicos, como também se mostra inconsciente de que sua materialização redundaria numa espécie de anarcocapitalismo, não no socialismo democrático imaginado pelos autores.

Abstract Negri and Hardt’s success among the new political activism calls for a critical assessment of their sociology and politics. From a sociological perspective, we shall argue that a critical evaluation of the capture of the commons by late capitalism’s financial mechanisms suggests that the authors’ belief in an emancipatory potential of multitude’s cooperative production is flawed. From a political standpoint, we will examine the assumptions and effects of the utopic projection of the multitude as a revolutionary political subject whose task consists in realizing the “absolute democracy”. The authors’ anarchic fantasy reenacts classic and naive anarchist idea of purity, remaining blind to the fact that its actual realization would pave the way for anarcho-capitalism, rather than the democratic socialism they dreamed of.

Resumo Um volume crescente de evidências indica que o lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) está associado ao aumento do risco de comprometimento cognitivo e demência. No entanto, até o presente momento nenhum estudo foi conduzido a fim de resumir e avaliar quantitativamente a consistência dos dados. Objetivo: Avaliar quantitativamente a relação entre o LES e anticorpos anticorpos antifosfolípides (aPL) com disfunção cognitiva e demência. Métodos: Toda literatura relevante foi recuperada das bases de dados Pubmed, Scopus e PsycINFO. A meta-análise foi realizada utilizando as estimativas de efeito e os intervalos de confiança de 95% (ICs) para calcular as estimativas de risco combinadas. A heterogeneidade entre os estudos também foi examinada. Resultados: A meta-análise incluiu 11 estudos originais com um total de 81.668 pacientes com demência e 407 pacientes com disfunção cognitiva. Houve associações significativas (modelos de efeitos fixos) entre LES e demência (3 estudos, RR=1,50; IC 95%=1,37-1,64), LES e disfunção cognitiva (4 estudos; OR=2,97; IC 95%=1,72-5,15), e aPL e disfunção cognitiva (5 estudos, OR=1,97; IC 95%=1,55-2,52). Além disso, combinamos os resultados da disfunção cognitiva e demência, uma vez que ambos representaram déficit cognitivo. Houve associações significativas entre aPL e comprometimento cognitivo (6 estudos, OR=2,03, IC 95%=1,62-2,55), e LES e comprometimento cognitivo (7 estudos, OR=1,83; IC 95%=1,42-2,35). Uma heterogeneidade moderada (I2=45,7%) foi encontrada na associação entre LES e comprometimento cognitivo, heterogeneidade baixa (I2=21,8%) na associação entre LES e demência e heterogeneidade quase zero para as outras três principais análises. Conclusão: Tanto o LES como aPL estão associados a déficit cognitivo.

Abstract A growing body of evidence indicates that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. However, to date, no studies have been conducted to quantitatively summarize and evaluate the consistency of data. Objective: To quantitatively evaluate the relationship of SLE and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) with cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Methods: All relevant literature was retrieved from Pubmed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases. The meta-analysis was performed using effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to calculate pooled risk estimates. The heterogeneity among studies was also examined. Results: The meta-analysis included 11 original studies involving a total of 81,668 patients with dementia and 407 patients with cognitive dysfunction. There were significant associations on fixed-effect models between SLE and dementia (3 studies; RR=1.50; 95% CI=1.37-1.64), SLE and cognitive dysfunction (4 studies; OR=2.97; 95% CI=1.72-5.15), and aPL and cognitive dysfunction (5 studies, OR=1.97; 95% CI=1.55-2.52). We also combined cognitive dysfunction and dementia outcomes as they both represented cognitive impairment. There were significant associations between aPL and cognitive impairment (6 studies; OR=2.03; 95% CI=1.62-2.55), and SLE and cognitive impairment (7 studies; OR=1.83; 95% CI=1.42-2.35). Moderate heterogeneity (I2=45.7%) was found in the association between SLE and cognitive impairment, low heterogeneity (I2=21.8%) in the association between SLE and dementia, and near zero heterogeneity for the other three main analyses. Conclusion: Both SLE and aPL are associated with cognitive impairment.

Objective: A consistent body of research has confirmed that patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, the soluble IL-2 receptor, and C-reactive protein, compared to controls; however, there is limited information on IL-17A in MDD. Moreover, information about IL-17A in older populations, i.e., patients with late-life depression (LLD), is conspicuously missing from the literature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of IL-17A in LLD. Methods: A convenience sample of 129 individuals, 74 with LLD and 55 non-depressed controls, were enrolled in this study. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare plasma IL-17A levels between LLD and controls subjects, and Spearman’s rank order correlation was used to investigate correlation of these levels with clinical, neuropsychological, and cognitive assessments. Results: Plasma IL-17A levels were not statistically different between LLD patients and controls (p = 0.94). Among all subjects (LLD + control), plasma IL-17A did not correlate significantly with depressive symptoms (rho = -0.009, p = 0.92) but a significant correlation was observed with cognitive assessments (rho = 0.22, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Our findings do not support an association between plasma IL-17A levels and LLD. Nevertheless, IL-17A may be associated with cognitive impairment in LLD patients. If this finding is confirmed in future longitudinal studies, modulation of the T-helper 17 cell (Th17) immune response may be a treatment target for cognitive impairment in this population.