bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Complex Systems in Sports Injury Rehabilitation: Examples and Implications for Practice
Authors: Yung Kate K. , Ardern Clare L. , Serpiello Fabio R. , Robertson Sam
Published: February 2022

Complex systems are open systems consisting of many components that can interact among themselves and the environment. New forms of behaviours and patterns often emerge as a result. There is a growing recognition that most sporting environments are complex adaptive systems. This acknowledgement extends to sports injury and is reflected in the individual responses of athletes to both injury and rehabilitation protocols. Consequently, practitioners involved in return to sport decision making (RTS) are encouraged to view return to sport decisions through the complex systems lens to improve decision-making in rehabilitation. It is important to clarify the characteristics of this theoretical framework and provide concrete examples to which practitioners can easily relate. This review builds on previous literature by providing an overview of the hallmark features of complex systems and their relevance to RTS research and daily practice. An example of how characteristics of complex systems are exhibited is provided through a case of anterior cruciate ligament injury rehabilitation. Alternative forms of scientific inquiry, such as the use of computational and simulation-based techniques, are also discussed—to move the complex systems approach from the theoretical to the practical level.
Hybrid high-intensity interval training using functional electrical stimulation leg cycling and arm ski ergometer for people with spinal cord injuries: a feasibility study
Authors: Vestergaard M. , Jensen K. , Juul-Kristensen B.
Published: February 2022

Aim

The aim was to assess safety and feasibility of Hybrid High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) using Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) leg cycling and arm ski ergometer in people with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI).

Method

Eight outpatients (mean age 42.8 years; 7 men) with stable SCI paraplegia (mean 14.5 years since injury) participated in hybrid HIIT (90% peak watts; 4 × 4–min intervals), three times a week (over 8 weeks). Primary outcomes were Adverse Events (AE), participant acceptability, shoulder pain, training intensity (% peak watts), and attendance.

Secondary outcomes were effect on peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during FES hybrid poling, mean watts, self-reported leisure time physical activity, quality of life, and fatigue.

Results

No serious AE occurred; acceptability with the training modality was high, while shoulder pain increased by 9% (SD 95.2). During training, 50% of the participants reached > 90% peak watts during the intervals, three with the legs (FES cycle) and one with the arms (Ski-Erg). Overall, mean training intensity (% peak watts) was 92% (SD 18.9) for legs and 82% (SD 10.3) for arms. Proportion of fulfilled training minutes was 82% (range 36–100%); one participant dropped out after 6 weeks due to back pain. Mean VO2peak increased by 17% (SD 17.5). Participants reported increased leisure time physical activity and health-related quality of life, besides reduced fatigue.

Conclusion

Hybrid HIIT was safe for people with SCI paraplegia. The majority of the criteria for feasibility were met with acceptable attendance rate, limited drop out, participants enjoyed training, and increased VO2peak and mean watts. However, the intensity of 90% peak watts was reached by < 60% of the participants despite high RPE ratings during training. The method of measuring and calculating intensity needs to be studied further before a study using this HIIT protocol is undertaken.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04211311, registered 12 December 2019 retrospectively registered
Acute and sub-chronic toxicity assessment and evaluation of the gastro-protective activity of polyherbal formulation “Mystomate4®” against gastric ulcer in experimental laboratory animal
Authors: Awobajo Funmileyi Olubajo , Sofidiya Margaret Oluwatoyin , Asekun Olayinka Taiwo , Familoni Babafemi Oluwole
Published: February 2022

Background

Ulcer remains a health challenge worldwide with antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors as major management therapy. The study investigated the acute, sub-chronic toxicity and gastrointestinal protective activity of a polyherbal formulation (Mystomate4®) used locally in Nigeria.

Methods

Oral LD50and the sub-chronic toxicity test were determined in mice and rats. Mice were grouped into 8 groups of 8 mice each. They were dosed a graded concentration of the formulation (1.28, 2.56; 5.12; 10.24; 20.48; 40.96; 81.92; 163.84 g/kg body weight). The graded dose used was arrived at after an initial pilot study. Thereafter doses were chosen around the dose obtained from the pilot study. Animal were dosed orally and observed for sign of toxicity and number of death recorded after 24 h. The sub-chronic toxicity study was carried out for 3 months in rats at a dose of 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg body weight arrived at by titrating down the LD50value after which some vital tissues were harvested and assessed for toxicity using relevant biomarkers. Anti-ulcer activity was evaluated in rats using ethanol, indomethacin and pylorus ligation induced ulcer models. Data were analysed with Graph Pad Prism version 5.0 using appropriate statistical method and significant level placed atp ≤ 0.05.

Results

The acute toxicity study showed an LD50result of 22,837.21 g/kg. The sub-chronic toxicity study resulted in a significant reduction in body weight due to significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in feed consumption. Biochemical analyses of the blood samples showed a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in creatinine and albumin level in the 2.5 mg/kg female group. ALT was significantly increased in all the treated rats except in 2 mg/kg female rats. Alkaline phosphatase significantly increased in high dosed male (HM) group while blood urea:creatinine ratio was significantly lowered in all the treated groups. There was a significant increase in serum TGL in all rats while LDL was significantly increased and decreased in HM and high dosed female (HF) respectively.

Conclusion

Mystomate4® showed significant protection against ethanol and indomethacin-induced ulcer models but did not modify the gastric parameters in pylorus ligation-induced ulcer model. The polyherbal formulation is nontoxic with promising potentials for treating experimental peptic ulcer.
Major intraoperative bleeding and drastic change in circulatory dynamics in a pregnant patient with metastatic pheochromocytoma: a case report
Authors: Kurosawa Sumire , Yamasaki Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Wakuya , Mori Takashi
Published: February 2022

Background

Metastatic pheochromocytoma in the spine is a very rare complication during pregnancy. We report anesthesia in a pregnant woman for resection of an undiagnosed spinal tumor, accompanied by remarkable hemodynamic changes and massive bleeding.

Case presentation

A 33-year-old woman at 17 weeks of gestation presented with the rapid progress of bilateral lower leg paralysis. A diagnosis of spinal tumor was made, and surgical resection was planned. Although the surgery was suspended because of remarkable hemodynamic changes and massive bleeding, fetal heart rate was stable. Postoperative examination revealed pheochromocytoma in the urinary bladder as a primary lesion with spinal metastasis.

Conclusion

Although spinal pheochromocytoma is extremely rare in pregnant women, it should be suspected when abnormal hypertension is observed with accompanying neurological deficits. Preservation of maternal circulation and uteroplacental blood flow should be the first priority during anesthesia.
Making sense of dislocation correlations
Authors: Hochrainer Thomas , Weger Benedikt , Gupta Satyapriya
Published: February 2022

Since crystal plasticity is the result of moving and interacting dislocations, it seems self-evident that continuum plasticity should in principle be derivable as a statistical continuum theory of dislocations, though in practice we are still far from doing so. One key to any statistical continuum theory of interacting particles is the consideration of spatial correlations. However, because dislocations are extended one-dimensional defects, the classical definition of correlations for point particles is not readily applicable to dislocation systems: the line-like nature of dislocations entails that a scalar pair correlation function does not suffice for characterizing spatial correlations and a hierarchy of two-point tensors is required in general. The extended nature of dislocations as closed curves leads to strong self-correlations along the dislocation line. In the current contribution, we thoroughly introduce the concept of pair correlations for general averaged dislocation systems and illustrate self-correlations as well as the content of low order correlation tensors using a simple model system. We furthermore detail how pair correlation information may be obtained from three-dimensional discrete dislocation simulations and provide a first analysis of correlations from such simulations. We briefly discuss how the pair correlation information may be employed to improve existing continuum dislocation theories and why we think it is important for analyzing discrete dislocation data.
First record of Compsilura concinnata (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera: Tachinidae) attacking Orgyia trigotephras (Boisduval, 1829) in Tunisia
Authors: Hammami Sonia , Yangui Islem , Ezzine Olfa , Bystrowski Cezary , Sikora Katarzyna , Ben Jamâa Mohamed Lahbib
Published: February 2022

Background

The polyphagous tachinid Compsilura concinnata is an endoparasitoid fly recorded as attacking larvae of Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Larvae of Orgyia trigotephras [Lepidoptera: Erebidae] were collected from northern Tunisia and reared in the laboratory.

Results

Adult flies that emerged from these larvae were identified on the basis of morphological description and DNA analysis (PCR) as Compsilura concinnata.

Conclusion

Compsilura concinnata is recorded here for the first time from Orgyia trigotephras in Tunisia. This species could be of great interest as a potential biological control agent of pests in Tunisia and neighboring countries.
Temperature clusters in commercial buildings using k-means and time series clustering
Authors: Wickramasinghe Ashani , Muthukumarana Saman , Loewen Dan , Schaubroeck Matt
Published: February 2022

An efficient building should be able to control its internal temperature in a manner that considers both the building’s energy efficiency and the comfort level of its occupants. Thermostats help to control the temperature within a building by providing real-time data on the temperature inside that space to determine whether it is within the acceptable range of that building’s control system, and proper thermostat placement helps to better control a building’s temperature. More thermostats can provide better control of a building, as well as a better understanding of the building’s temperature distribution. In order to determine the minimum number of thermostats required to accurately measure and control the internal temperature distribution of a building, it is necessary to find the locations that show similar environmental conditions. In this paper, we analyzed high resolution temperature measurements from a commercial building using wireless sensors to assess the performance and health of the building’s HVAC zoning and controls system. Then we conducted two cluster analyses to evaluate the efficiency of the existing zoning structure and to find the optimal number of clusters. K-means and time series clustering were used to identify the temperature clusters per building floor. Based on statistical assessments, we observed that time series clustering showed better results than k-means clustering.
Measurement instruments for fast and frequent data collection during the early phase of COVID-19 in Germany: reflections on the Mannheim Corona Study
Authors: Cornesse Carina , Gonzalez Ocanto Marisabel , Fikel Marina , Friedel Sabine , Krieger Ulrich , Rettig Tobias , Blom Annelies G.
Published: February 2022

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a vast increase in the demand for fast, frequent, and multi-faceted data to study the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives. Existing data collection infrastructures had to be adapted quickly during the early phase of the pandemic to meet this data demand. Our research group contributed to this by conducting the Mannheim Corona Study (MCS), a longitudinal probability-based online survey, in a daily rotating panel design that took place from March 20 through July 10, 2020. The fast-and-frequent panel data collection design of the MCS had numerous consequences for designing its questionnaires and choosing its measurement instruments. This included designing new instruments on the fly in the ever-changing pandemic environment, making efficient use of limited questionnaire space, and deciding on measurement frequencies in a structured manner under uncertain external conditions. In this report, we document the MCS approach to choosing measurement instruments fit for the purpose of fast and frequent data collection during the early phase of COVID-19 in Germany. We particularly highlight three examples of measurement instruments in the MCS and reflect on their measurement properties.
Co-positivity of anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, and anti-smith autoantibodies as serological biomarkers for disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Elsayed Sahar Abdel-Rahman , Kamaly Heba Maher , Esmail Mohamed Ali
Published: February 2022

Background

Evaluation of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is important for modulating the therapeutic plan and decreasing organ damage. Autoantibodies are important serological biomarkers in SLE. We evaluated the effect of co-positivity of anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, and anti-smith, autoantibodies on the SLEDAI score in SLE patients.

Results

Eighty adult SLE patients were included in this study. The correlations of the three autoantibodies with the SLEDAI score in addition to their sensitivity and specificity for the assessment of disease activity were analyzed. There was a highly significant difference between anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, and anti-smith positive and negative groups as regards the SLEDAI score. Increased number of autoantibody positivity was associated with an increased mean rank of SLEDAI, and the three autoantibodies were positively correlated with each other and with the SLEDAI score. Roc curve analysis revealed that anti-smith has the highest sensitivity (90%) followed by anti-dsDNA and anti-nucleosome (85% for each). Moreover, anti-dsDNA had the highest specificity (88%) followed by anti-nucleosome (86%) then anti-smith (84%).

Conclusions

Anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, and anti-smith autoantibodies have a positive correlation with the SLEDAI score, and they may be considered as good serological biomarkers for the assessment of disease activity in SLE patients.
A questionnaire to measure the quality of life in a forensic hospital
Authors: Büsselmann M. , Streb J. , Dudeck M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Quality of life should be an important issue to everyone. In the general population and in various medical disciplines, this topic has been studied extensively. In forensic psychiatry, this topic has received little attention so far.

Objectives

Within this project a questionnaire that measures the quality of life in forensic hospitals was developed.

Methods

As a basis the questionnaire measuring the quality of prison life (MQPL) by Liebling et al. (2011), which was designed only for using in prisons, was used. First, this questionnaire was translated, then adapted to the living conditions in forensic hospitals and supplemented by questions regarding therapeutic support. For the psychometric evaluation of the instrument, a one-time survey was conducted at 13 forensic hospitals in Bavaria. A total of 255 patients took part, 25 of whom were female. In summary, the reliability of the MQPL can be rated as very good.

Results

The factor structure was checked with a confirmatory factor analysis and was confirmed. There are significant differences between the 13 Bavarian forensic hospitals in the subscales admission to a forensic hospital, equal treatment, quality of accommodation and therapeutic services.

Conclusions

The great importance of the quality of life in the penal system is shown by the fact that a good quality of life contributes to reduced psychological distress of inpatients.
Probation of the offender with high functioning autistic traits and comorbidity. A case study
Authors: Riolo A. , Keller R. , Battaglia R. , Albert U.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

When the Criminal Court Judge applies probation, the offender is entrusted to social assistants for the necessary observation, treatment and support. This case study examines the probation of a young man with high-functioning autistic traits, personality disorder and legal/illegal substance abuse. This young man, who arrived only in adulthood to a diagnosis of autistic traits, is aware only that is non-neurotypical. He does not recognize that he needs treatment for personality disorder, alcohol, substance and drug abuse. He faces a sentence of more than three years in prison but the Judge suspends the criminal trial.

Objectives

Clarify the relationship between high functioning autistic traits, comorbidity with personality disorder and drugs/substance abuse, and crimes committed; also describe the orientation of the Judge and what difficulties arise during the probation.

Methods

Examination of the criminal file and medical documents of the offender, known by social and health services.

Results

The offender correlates the crimes and its frailty with autism and not with antisocial behaviours to gain economic benefits from drug dealing.

Conclusions

The deficit in the social communication and lack of empathy for child victimes, for example, limits the effectiveness of probation. The probation, for a young with high-functioning autistic traits and comorbidity, does not seem to give satisfactory results in terms of rehabilitation and social integration, nor does it produce the extinction of crime.
Agression and violent behaviour risk assessment
Authors: Marinho G. , Almeida S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

After discharge from forensic psychiatric hospital, rates of violent reoffending are reported to range from 2% to 8% per year in high income countries. Risk assessment informs decisions around admission to and discharge from secure psychiatric hospital and contributes to treatment and supervision Current approaches to assess violence risk in secure hospitals are resource intensive, limited by accuracy and authorship bias. Forensic Violence Oxford (FoVOx) was developed using all forensic psychiatric patients in Sweden, based on the largest forensic psychiatric sample to date, and has the advantage of using routinely available data, which are less liable to bias than interview-based measures.

Objectives

Literature review on the Forensic Psychiatry and Violence Oxford (FoVOx) tool.

Methods

Pubmed and Google Scholar search

Results

The 12 items within the FoVOx tool are sex, age, previous violent crime, previous serious violent crime, primary discharge diagnosis, drug use disorder at point of hospitalization or discharge, any lifetime drug use disorder, alcohol use disorder at point of hospitalization or discharge, personality disorder at discharge, employment at admission, five or more prior inpatient episodes, and whether current length of stay has exceeded one year.

Conclusions

The FoVOx tool is scalable, quick, free to use and available online. Its use could enable clinicians to provide a reasonably accurate risk assessment in a brief and cost-effective way, and free up time to focus on clinical care and risk management rather than risk assessment.
What can we learn about perpetrators of domestic and familial homicide and their involvement with mental health services from domestic homicide reviews?
Authors: Macinnes P.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The evidence that supports an association between domestic violence and abuse (DVA) perpetration and mental disorders is increasing. Since 2011, authorities in England and Wales have been required to conduct Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) into deaths caused by violence, abuse or neglect of individuals aged 16 or over, by a family member or a current or ex-partner.

Objectives

The aim of the study is to describe the characteristics of perpetrators of domestic homicide in a sample of DHR reports in which the perpetrator was known to mental health services in the 12 months before the offence. This sample will undergo qualitative framework analysis as part of another study conducted by the authors.

Methods

The researchers compiled a list of DHRs available online and randomly sampled 168 reports; in 20 of those reports, the perpetrators were under the care of mental health services in the 12 months prior to the offence. We have applied descriptive statistics to report on the sample characteristics.

Results

The common mental illnesses diagnosed amongst perpetrators were depression (20%), anxiety (15%) and schizophrenia (15%). 25% of the perpetrators didn’t have a psychiatric diagnosis and 70% had a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation. Substance use was prevalent (60%). Half of the homicides involved children.

Conclusions

This report describes the demographic and mental health characteristics of a sample of perpetrators of domestic homicides. Further research is needed into the patterns of mental health service use by DVA perpetrators in order to improve identification and risk management.

Conflict of interest

No significant relationships.
Tidier. e-sport; a recovery oriented intervention in forensic psychiatry
Authors: Sørensen L. , Kennedy H. , Jensen B. , Terkildsen M. , Poulsen R. , Josefsen M. , Lieto A. Di
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Recently video gaming, have attracted considerable attention for its possible beneficial therapeutic effects, the possibility for testing behavior in safe artificial environments and as a tool for professionals and patients to build specific competencies for the everyday life. Also, a substantial amount of research suggests that videogaming might improve the participants social and cognitive skills and emotional regulation. There is little or no evidence that videogaming increases long term aggression or leads to physical aggression. At a medium secure forensic psychiatric in-patient ward, the patients and staff engage in weekly E – Sport sessions (primarily counterstrike) to further the recovery process.

Objectives

To provide a standardized description of how E-sport is organized and used in the recovery process among forensic psychiatric patients.

Methods

The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist and guide is widely used to in health research to describe interventions in clinical trials and other health research contexts. By use of TIDieR we describe a newly developed E-sport intervention, in which staff members and patients in a medium secure forensic psychiatric ward engage in weekly E-Sport sessions (primarily counterstrike) to improve patient–staff relationship.

Results

The E-sport intervention is detailed by use of the 12 TIDieR items and practical experiences and insights will be described.

Conclusions

This standardized and detailed description of how is used in a recovery-oriented process in forensic psychiatry can be used for future studies that wishes to implement the intervention or for research studies replicating the treatment.

Conflict of interest

No significant relationships.
Factors related to the dangerousness of psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Kacem M. , Khouadja S. , Brahim S. , Chaouch A. , Zarrouk L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Mental illness may explain some acting outs, but it does not necessarily lead to a dangerous attitude.

Objectives

Describe the socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of patients considered dangerous and to identify the determinants of psychiatric dangerousness.

Methods

We carried out a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study during six months including patients hospitalized in the psychiatric department at the University Hospital of Mahdia. The data was collected using a 47-item pre-established questionnaire. The assessment of general psychopathology was carried out using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and that of dangerousness using the Historical Clinical Risk-20 scale (HCR-20).

Results

We have collected 143 patients. The average age was 35 years. The majority of patients were single (70.6%). More than half of the population had addictive behaviors (60.1%). Personal psychiatric and criminal histories were present in 81.1% and 11.9% of cases respectively. More than three-quarters of patients (81.8%) were hospitalized without their consent. Hetero-aggressiveness was the main reason for hospitalization (67.8%). The diagnosis was schizophrenia and bipolar disorder type 2 in 21% of cases for each. The evaluation of psychiatric dangerousness by the HCR-20 scale revealed a mean score of 20.6 with an HCR-20 > 20 in 58.7% of cases indicating a high risk of violence. Factors contributing to violent or criminal behavior in psychiatric inpatients were marital status, presence of personal psychiatric history, presence of criminal history and hospitalization modalities.

Conclusions

The results of our study were generally consistent with the data in the literature.
Personality variables among sexual offenders with and without diagnosis of paraphilic disorders
Authors: Oronowicz-Jaśkowiak W. , Lew-Starowicz M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Sexual offenders are classified in terms of the act they have committed, diagnosis of sexual preference disorder (paraphilic disorder), and the potential motives behind the act. The typology that is often used in forensic-sexological practice is the division into preferential and non-preferential perpetrators, i.e. perpetrators showing or not showing a sexual preference disorder.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess whether psychosocial and personality variables significantly differ between the group of preferential and non-preferential sexual offenders.

Methods

The study involved 120 persons, including 60 preferential and 60 non-preferential sexual offenders. The participants were presented with selected, standardized psychological tools to personality traits, self-esteem, life satisfaction, capacity to understand emotions, attachment style.

Results

The study involved 120 persons, including 60 preferential and 60 non-preferential sexual offenders. The participants were presented with selected, standardized psychological tools to personality traits, self-esteem, life satisfaction, capacity to understand emotions, attachment style.

Conclusions

Differences between the both study groups and the male standardization sample suggest worse psychosocial functioning of sexual offenders. A critical analysis of the methodological limitations of this study have been presented.

Conflict of interest

Scientific work was financed from the budget for science in the years 2017-2021, as a research project DI 16/003046 under the programme „Diamond Grant”.
Vexatious litigant vs paranoia querulans: A systematic review
Authors: Pinzón-Espinosa J. , González-Rodríguez A. , Guàrdia A. , Sabaté M. Betriu , Manozzo-Hernandez P. , Pedrero A. Alvarez , Acebillo S. , Labad J. , Vidal D. Palao
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Paranoia querulans is a type of persistent delusional disorder of the persecutory subtype, recognized under ICD-10 and DSM-IV. Being a classically described entity, evidence is lacking from its conceptualization as a nosological entity to diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, controversy still exists regarding its interplay between the judicial and mental health systems.

Objectives

To summarize current evidence and knowledge regarding Paranoia querulans on its conceptualization, ethiopathological explanations, therapeutical management and interface between psychiatry and the law.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken between June and October 2020 in the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases according to PRISMA directive. Key-terms: ((querul* OR vexatious) AND (paranoia OR delusio* OR neuros* OR behavi* OR complai*) OR litig*) AND psychiatry. No language or time restrictions were established.

Results

A total of 1648 studies were initially identified (PubMed: 679; WOS: 945; Scopus: 24; other: 0); after duplicates were removed, n=1381 studies remained. After screening title and abstract, 56 studies were included. Their main content was categorized into: 1. Conceptualization (n=26): Neurosis (n=5), psychosis (n=9), behavioral disorder (n=5); no psychiatric diagnosis (n=7). 2. Descriptive psychopathology (n=8) 3. Etiopathogenesis (n=9): Social or personality basis (n=3), culture (n=4), trauma (n=1), cognitive decline (n=1) 4. Management (n=1) 5. Psychiatry and Law: same object, different objectives (n=12)

Conclusions

There is controversy regarding the nosological entity of querulousness, from psychosis to neurosis or behavioral disorders. Some authors consider this behavior to not be a psychiatric diagnosis. Furthermore, most papers dealt with a social or nurture-based origin. There is a dearth of information regarding treatment.

Conflict of interest

JPE has received CME-related fees from Lundbeck.
The role of GSK-3 in mood disorders: Preliminary data from an experimental study
Authors: Salvo G. Di , Rosso G. , Hoxha E. , Teobaldi E. , Balbo I. , Tempia F. , Maina G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The identification of potential biomarkers is crucial to improve the management and treatment of mood disorders. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a multifunctional enzyme with an important role in the etiology of mood disorders. Recent findings suggested GSK-3 as a putative biomarker in mood disorders.

Objectives

The aims of the study are: - to evaluate GSK3 as potential biomarker for differential diagnosis (MDD and BD); - to analyze the regulation of GSK3 by psychopharmacological treatments.

Methods

Patients included fulfill the following criteria: (a) principal diagnosis of MDD or BD (DSM-5); (b) age ≥ 18 years; (c) drug-free for at least 4 weeks before the inclusion. For each patient included a healthy control is enrolled, matched by gender and age. All included subjects at the study entry point (t0) are assessed through: - semistructured clinical interview and clinical rating scales (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale; Young Mania Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression) - blood draw, to measure GSK-3 levels Patients with MDD or BD are assessed again after 1 week (T1) and after 2 month (T2) of specific pharmacological treatment.

Results

So far, we enrolled 16 patients and 16 healthy controls. The enrollment is still ongoing.

Conclusions

We expect to find GSK-3 levels differently expressed between healthy controls, patients with DDM and patients with BD. This finding would be crucial as it could contribute to the improvement of differential diagnosis. Moreover, we expect to observe a change in GSK-3 levels after psychopharmacological treatments.
Achieving holistic care for the mentally ill: The need for more caregiver support groups in Africa
Authors: Ogunmodede A.J. , Ogunmodede J. , Buhari O. , Adegunloye O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Caregiver support groups provide an avenue for interactions among the caregivers of the mentally ill, where they share their fears, hopes and uncertainties about their ill relatives. They are a means to be “heard” by care providers, a platform for psychoeducation as well as an avenue for participation in clinical decision making and formulation of patients’ care plans. In most parts of Africa, such support groups do not exist and where they do, they are poorly structured and poorly funded.

Objectives

This review was aimed at examining the concept of caregiver support groups for the mentally ill globally as revealed in the currently avaliable body of knowledge, as well as raise awareness for the need for such groups in Africa

Methods

A review of related literature was done using appropriate key words and search engines.

Results

This review revealed the presence of well- structured support groups for the caregivers of the mentally ill in many parts of the world. The advantages of such groups and their contributions to the holistic care of these patients in those regions were also discussed, while suggesting a possible structure for their creation, sustainability and focus in Africa.

Conclusions

The support of caregivers for the mentally ill must be given keen attention by both care providers and policy makers, with prime importance given to the creation and funding of more caregiver support groups in the continent in order to achieve quality and holisitic care for the mentally ill.
The relationship between stigma and help-seeking intentions in college students
Authors: Abassi B. , Fekih-Romdhane F. , Maktouf H. , Moalla I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Few people seek mental health care despite the high prevalence of mental illnesses and their serious consequences. Barriers explaining this lack or absence of help-seeking have been the subject of several studies with stigma being the most prominent barrier.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the relationship between stigma and help-seeking intentions in a sample of Tunisian college students.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey. The “Mental Health Knowledge Schedule”, and the “Reported and Intended Behavior Scale” were administered to a total of 714 college students (62.2% female; mean age =20.9).

Results

More than one-third of students (39.6%) felt that it would be “unlikely” or “very unlikely” to seek the help of a health professional for mental health problems. Pearson product moment correlations indicated that help-seeking intentions significantly and positively correlated with behavior (p<0.001, r=0,103) and knowledge (p<0.001, r=0,163). The multiple hierarchical linear regression analysis found that after controlling for demographic variables (gender, age) and other personal-related variables (marital status, family income, living environment, substance use, personal psychiatric history), help-seeking intentions were significant contributors to behaviors and knowledge.

Conclusions

Given that stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness is a real and perceived barrier to seeking help and treatment, psycho-educational campaigns should be put in place to address the negative perceptions and attitudes of the general population about mental health issues, and should be tailored to the needs of specific groups (including students in different disciplines), taking into account their attitudes, fear and concerns about mental illness.
Evaluation of the effect of mental health training of primary health care workers on attitudes towards mental illness
Authors: Buhari O. , Ogunmodede A.J. , Adegunloye O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) set a target of task shifting as a means of achieving improved mental health services within the community as a means of tackling the unmet needs of mental health care. Primary health care workers (PHCWs) have been identified as essential to achieving this goal.

Objectives

This study was to identify attitudes and beliefs of PHCWs on mental illness, and to assess the effect of a mental health training on these attitudes and beliefs.

Methods

The attitude towards mental illness (ASMI) scale was administered on 91 PHCWs pre- and post- a 4 day training on mental health to assess change in attitude across 6 domains.

Results

Our findings revealed significant positive change in four domains, namely separatism (p = < 0.001), restrictiveness (p = < 0.001), benevolence (p = p =< 0.001) and stigmatization (p = < 0.001). The changes in stereotyping (p = 0.475) and pessimistic prediction (p = 0.056) domains were not clinically significant.

Conclusions

Primary health care workers’ negative attitude and stigmatizing beliefs can be improved upon via regular enlightenment programmes and training. This can be done at regular intervals
Mental health service providers: Barriers in collaboration
Authors: Shchedrinskaya O. , Bebtschuk M. , Snarskaya E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Collaboration between psychiatrists and psychologists (counsellors) is one of the key factors impacting efficiency of services in child and youth mental health. Despite the clear benefits, a teamwork approach is still limited and has some difficulties.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to explore potential barriers in the collaboration between professionals with different backgrounds.

Methods

Anonymous online survey for staff from various mental health clinics across Russia was completed by 142 psychologists and 70 psychiatrists (Σ =212).

Results

77.7% participants reported that collaboration is helpful in adult mental health services; 91.3% see partnership as an essential part of child and youth mental health. 61.6% specialists work together; 44.7% described it as a successful experience. At the same time 58.4% believe that pharmacological treatment should start first, and counselling may be postponed. 49.5% believe that doctors often diminish the importance of counselling. Fears and biases towards psychiatrists were reported by 28.9% of the sample. 25.4% participants reported lack of trust and limited understanding of counselling methods. Top barriers for collaboration that were reported: lack of opportunities on an organizational level (20% doctors and 45% psychologists), unclear professional boundaries and responsibilities (28.5% doctors and 15.4% psychologists), lack of motivation (20% doctors and 7% psychologists), lack of positive experience (11.2% psychologist and 0% doctors). The main reported benefit of collaboration by 39.6% was improved compliance and better treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

In order to make collaboration among mental health professional more efficient, there is a need to address the barriers listed above.
Levels of depressive and anxious symptoms of pregnant women before vs. during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Barros M. , Aguiar M. , Macedo A. , Azevedo J. , Pereira A.T.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The effects on the population’s mental health due to the rapid global spread of COVID-19 are even greater for specific groups such as pregnant women.

Objectives

To compare levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms of pregnant women before vs. during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the role of COVID-19 fear in perinatal psychological disorder.

Methods

200 Brazilian women evaluated during the pandemic in May-June 2020 (Sample-1) with the Brazilian Covid-19 Fear Scale for the Perinatal Period (Barros et al. 2020) and Screening for Perinatal Depression and the Perinatal Anxiety Crawl Scale, both with α> .90. Sample-1 was compared with a sample of 300 Portuguese women; these responded to the same questionnaires, before the pandemic, in 2017 and 2018 (Sample-2).

Results

Sample-1 had significantly higher mean scores of depression (52.73 ± 20.26 vs. 35.87 ± 16.98, t = 10.77, p <.001) and anxiety (36.58 ± 18.23 vs. 18.50 ± 13.71, t = 11.94, p <.001) and correlated significantly (p <.05) and moderate (r.30) with the fear of COVID-19. Hierarchical regression analyzes showed that, even after controlling for the effect of risk factors for PPP (Pereira et al. 2020), fear of COVID-19 is a significant predictor of depressive symptomatology levels (increments of 2-5%) and anxious (10-15%) during the pandemic.

Conclusions

The Sample-1 being from a different country may be a confusing factor, however, the magnitude of differences in PPP levels and the relevant role of fear in COVID-19, alert us to be aware of perinatal mental health.
Development and testing the effectiveness and feasibility of a structured violence risk management intervention to support safety in psychiatric hospitals
Authors: Lantta T.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

This presentation focuses on two major problems in psychiatric hospital care: patient violence and lack of patient engagement. Interventions already exist for managing patient violence. However, the challenge in using these interventions is poor integration to clinical practice and these methods do not entail elements of patient engagement.

Objectives

The aim of the presentation is to give on overview of a project aiming to develop and test new structured intervention for violence risk management. Intervention aims to increase safety in care environments and engagement of patients.

Methods

Intervention Mapping protocol together with staff and patients will be used in the project. Quasi-experimental design is used to test the intervention in 4 month period in two psychiatric hospital units.

Results

By the end of the year 2020, development of the the new violence risk management intervention is nearly finished. The presentation will give an outline of the developed intervention and how staff and patient engagement in the development phases were ensured.

Conclusions

The project described in this presentation is an example how a feasible violence risk management method can be developed together with staff and patients receiving psychiatric care. By ensuring engagement of the target groups, here staff and patients, it is possible to promote real integration of a new working method to psychiatric inpatient care. This project was funded by the Academy of Finland (316206).
Characterization of compulsory hospitalization in the psychiatry department of Faro
Authors: De Carvalho M. Viseu , Tavares F. Gomes , Pinto M. Barbosa , Oliveira M. Mota
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The mental health law is not universal. In Portugal the urgent compulsory regimen is based on the principles of the presence of severe mental anomaly and risk to themselves or others.

Objectives

Characterization of patients admitted in compulsory hospitalization (CH) between 2018 and 2020, in the University Hospital Center of Algarve - Faro Department

Methods

Retrospective study from January/2018 to August/2020. Social, demographic, epidemiological and clinical data were evaluated.

Results

Of 1191 patients who were admitted 36% occurred in CH. There was a predominance in male sex (58%), the average age was 43 years old. For 62% it wasn´t the first hospitalization and 58% had a recent prescription. Admission occurred most frequently because of the presence of psychotic symptoms (figure1) and according to the international classification of disease (ICD10) the most frequent diagnosis was unspecified nonorganic psychosis (figure2). At discharge 59% of the patients remained on compulsory treatment (CT), where the most frequent diagnosis was schizophrenia. Although most of these patients were discharged with oral and long-term injectable antipsychotics, there were higher rates of readmissions when compared to non-CT group, were the most frequent diagnosis was mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use and most of the patients were discharged only with oral therapy.

Conclusions

Patients in compulsory regimen have a severe mental illness with higher rates of readmission. We highlight the use of long-term injectable antipsychotics in terms of compliance. These findings corroborate the need for specialized and multidisciplinary approach in terms of psychosocial rehabilitation in these patients.
Mental well-being in residents of different regions of Russia
Authors: Shilko R. , Shaigerova L. , Almazova O. , Dolgikh A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Some attempts are being made to describe the mental health and well-being of the population in relation with the regional specifics in a particular area of the Russia, however, they are rare and local (limited to one region).

Objectives

The current study aims to identify sociocultural mediation of mental well-being based on its measures in Russia’s regions with different ethno-cultural composition of population.

Methods

The study involved 210 men and 403 women aged 14 to 76 years (M = 26.9; SD = 13.7) from six regions of the Russian Federation: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Udmurtia, Sakha, Sverdlovsk and Kemerovo. The mental well-being of participants was assessed using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (Tennant et al., 2006; Tennant et al., 2007).

Results

The measures of mental well-being were different in the regions: Moscow (M=51.04; SD=8.03), St.-Petersburg (M=50.05; SD=5.78), Udmurtia (M=47.57; SD=9.50), Sakha (M=50.99; SD=8.47), Sverdlovsk (M=54.86; SD=8.43), Kemerovo (M=51.84; SD=7.51). Using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was found that there are significant differences in the assessment of psychological well-being between study participants from different regions (F = 6.692; p <0.001). Residents from the Sverdlovsk evaluate their mental well-being as significantly better than the ones from Moscow (MD=3.821; p=0.012), St.Petersburg (MD=4.812; p=0.023), the Udmurtia (MD=7.284; p <0.001) and the Sakha (MD=3.869; p=0.003).

Conclusions

Residents from Russia’s regions with different ethno-cultural composition of population demonstrate some difference in mental well-being measures that may be caused by sociocultural factors. The reported study was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project number 17-29-02506.
Adverse childhood experiences and suicidal ideation among immigrants in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Errazuriz A. , Avello D. , Morales S. , Pino R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Understanding suicidal ideation and its association with childhood adversity is crucial for preventing suicide. Although the “healthy immigrant effect”, whereby immigrants are healthier than the native-born population, has been well documented across studies, little research has examined the presence of such effect on lifetime suicidal ideation (LSI) and its association to early adversity.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of LSI between the immigrant and native-born population in Chile and explore the association between childhood adversity and suicidal ideation in immigrants.

Methods

Data from two cross-sectional health surveys: the Santiago Immigrant Wellbeing Study (STRING, n=1,091; 2019) and the Chilean National Health Survey (ENS2016, n=3,432) were used. Each study used multistage probability sampling and estimates were weighted to approximate the distribution of demographic variables in each population. Outcomes included LSI measured by WHO-CIDI and an adapted version of the Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was employed.

Results

indicated that immigrants were less likely to report LSI compared with the native-born population. Moreover, male and female immigrants had lower risk of having SI than native-born counterparts. After controlling for socioeconomic status, social support, and health conditions, childhood adversities predicted an increased risk of LSI in immigrants. No gender differences were found in the effects of childhood adversity on suicidal thoughts.

Conclusions

Findings confirm the presence of a healthy immigrant effect in LSI and support a life course perspective, highlighting the importance of assessing early life disadvantages to understand suicidal ideation among immigrants.