OBJECTIVES:Antidepressant treatment alters brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, but it is not well established whether BDNF can be used as a marker to prove the efficacy of antidepressant treatment. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aim at assessing the influence of antidepressant treatment on BDNF level and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score, thereby to establish the rationale of utilizing BDNF as a predictive biomarker and HDRS score as an indicator for antidepressant treatment efficacy.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane databases using the key words “BDNF” and “Depression” and “Antidepressants.” On the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, studies were filtered and finally 6 randomized controlled trials were shortlisted.RESULTS:Comparison of serum BDNF level before and after antidepressant treatment was performed and the result showed that antidepressant treatment does not significantly affect the BDNF levels (confidence interval [CI]: −0.483 to 0.959; standard mean difference [SMD]: 0.238, P = 0.518). Egger's regression test (P = 0.455) and heterogeneity test (I2 = 88.909%) were done. Similarly, comparison of HDRS scores before and after antidepressant treatment indicated improvement in HDRS score suggesting positive outcome (CI: 1.719 to 3.707; SMD: 2.713, P < 0.001). Egger's regression test (P = 0.1417) and heterogeneity test (I2 = 89.843%) were performed. Publication bias was observed by funnel plot.CONCLUSION:Changes in BDNF levels do not occur uniformly for all the antidepressants. Hence, to use BDNF as a biomarker, it needs to be seen whether the same is true for all antidepressants.

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Global warming and environmental destruction have become major issues in the last few decades. Use of more and more economical friendly materials in construction is important. Presently in India, steel slag production is about 12 million tonnes per annum, due to limited modes of practices of utilization, steel slags are dumped in yards of each production and engage large area. To overcome these problems steel slag can be used in construction. This paper deals with the study of axial compressive behaviour of Composite column with partial replacement of fine aggregate by steel slag in concrete-filled steel tubular column with different cross-sections. Partial replacement of fine aggregate in Concrete filled steel tubular column will reduce the damage to the ecological balance due to excessive sand lifting from river beds, affecting the ground level. Tests are carried out on the specimens with varying cross-sections and hollow tubular members under axial compression.

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