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BackgroundObesity and depression are intertwined diseases often associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), altered in the brain both of subjects with depression and obesity, provides a potential link between depression and thrombosis. Since the relationship among peripheral BDNF, depression and obesity is not well-defined, the aim of the present report has been to address this issue taking advantage of the contribution played by extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived miRNAs.Research ProcessAssociations among circulating BDNF, depression and EV-derived miRNAs related to atherothrombosis have been evaluated in a large Italian cohort of obese individuals (n = 743), characterized by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) score.ResultsBDI-II was negatively associated with BDNF levels without a significant impact of the rs6265 BDNF polymorphism; this association was modified by raised levels of IFN-γ. BDNF levels were linked to an increase of 80 EV-derived miRNAs and a decrease of 59 miRNAs related to atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Network analysis identified at least 18 genes targeted by these miRNAs, 7 of which involved in depression and CV risk. The observation of a possible link among BDNF, depression, and miRNAs related to atherothrombosis and depression in obesity is novel and may lead to a wider use of BDNF as a CV risk biomarker in this specific subject group.

The study aimed to determine whether self-efficacy acts as a moderator between the severity of menopausal symptoms and life satisfaction. The research tools were: The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) The Menopause – Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL), and a standardized questionnaire comprising questions on the participants’ characteristics. 516 women using health care services who had menopausal symptoms took part in the study. Self-efficacy (GSES) (r = −0.176; p 0.05). Self-efficacy moderates the relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and life satisfaction in menopausal women. The moderating function of self-efficacy is that, at its low level, an increase in the severity of menopausal symptoms reduces life satisfaction, while at medium and high levels, an increase in the severity of menopausal symptoms does not reduce life satisfaction.