bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initiative for ethical media reporting about mental health
Authors: Racetovic G. , Latinovic M. , Cerkez G. , Stjepanovic Z.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

As a part of continuous destigmatization of mental illness and paople with mental disorders significant importance has media reporting, especially in modern times.

Objectives

Media reports about mental health (MH) are still an issue of a great discussion concerning their content especially in ethical matters. Many initiatives in different countries resulted in various changes in attitudes and influenced on this topic. But the image of mental illness as well as psychiatry in general are still burdened with the shadow of stigma.

Methods

To show development of one of initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) supported by policy makers through the creation and broad distribution of recommendations for ethical media reporting about mental disorders.

Results

In 2019 Task Force appointed by both entities’ ministries of health in BH developed an publication with recommendation for ethical reporting about mental health topics with special highlights on specific mental disorders (schizophrenia, depression, suicide, addictions, etc.). It was widely distributed to media and health institutions in the country and was officially adopted as the recommendation of the national Regulatory Agency for Media. Trough five rounds of educational workshops in 2019 and 2021 more than 150 media and mental health professionals were introduced with the publication as well as practical implementation of this recommendations (as is exercises of giving statement).

Conclusions

In BH is developed very useful tool for more quality media reporting about MH topics as one of important ways for reducing the stigma and discrimination of people with mental disorders as well as promotion of good mental health

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
In vitro fertilization and a patient in compulsory psychiatric treatment in the community
Authors: Pirtovsek Savs A. , Derganc M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

INTRODUCTION: According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to start a family. Under the Slovenian Infertility Treatment Act, everyone has the right to infertility treatment. A case of a patient in compulsory psychiatric treatment who participated in the process of IVF is presented.

Objectives

CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old male with paranoid schizophrenia has already been hospitalized thirteen times. He often discontinued therapy, abused drugs and repeatedly exhibited violent behaviour. He already had a child from a past relationship he didn’t care of.

Methods

During the compulsory psychiatric treatment ordered by the court his mental status improved because his treatment with antipsychotics was supervised. He was in a relationship with a thirty-year-old partner. After unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant, they expressed a desire to conceive with biomedical assistance. Their application was considered and approved by the IVF Commission.

Results

The procedure was successful but in the 13th week of pregnancy, the patient’s partner changed her mind due to his aggression. Because she was pregnant for more than 10 weeks, she had to submit a request for artificial termination to the Commission for abortion. Her request was granted and the pregnancy was terminated.

Conclusions

CONCLUSION: We live in time of endless possibilities. Despite of violent acts in the past and severe form of mental illness, the couple was granted IVF procedure. Everyone has the right to start a family; however, the question that has to be raised is the extent and reasonableness of involvement of medical profession and/or health care system.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients with the syndrome of mild cognitive impairment, amnestic type (cluster analysis)
Authors: Simonov A. , Klyushnik T. , Androsova L. , Mikhaylova N. , Kolykhalov I.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The creation of mathematical models for determining the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment based on immune markers of blood is important for differential diagnosis of AD, assessment of the clinical state of patients at different stages of the disease, and optimization of therapy.

Objectives

To assess the risk of AD in patients with amnestic type of mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) with the use of such markers of inflammation as enzymatic activity of leukocyte elastase (LE) and the functional activity of α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI).

Methods

The object of mathematical analysis on the basis of cluster analysis and logistic regression was the database, including the results of the above immunological parameters (enzyme activity of LE and functional activity of α1-PI.) in plasma of 78 patients with aMCI receiving outpatient treatment in the clinic of FSBSI “Mental Health Research Centre”. Among the examined patients there were 25 men and 53 women aged 44 to 89 years (69.1 ± 9.95).

Results

Clustering by k-means and classification by logistic regression indicate the risk of developing AD in patients with aMCI depending on the activity of LE and α1-PI in blood plasma. The total coincidence of objects included in the clusters and in the AD risk group was 94%.

Conclusions

The high coincidence of the two different methods of grouping confirms the previously stated position on the possibility of identifying patients with a high risk of AD among patients with aMCI in the activity of LE and α1-PI in the blood of patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The role of inflammation and cortisol in the relationship between social cognition abilities and later emotional or behavioural problems: evidence from a UK birth cohort
Authors: Ji D. , Papachristou S. , Francesconi M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Deficits in social cognition have been associated with the onset of emotional and behavioural problems, but the biological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear.

Objectives

This study examined whether diurnal cortisol patterns, systemic inflammation, or both, explained the association between social cognition difficulties and subsequent emotional and behavioural symptoms.

Methods

The sample consisted of 714 individuals from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) with valid data on cortisol measures (age 15 years) and emotional or behavioural problems (age 17 years). Social cognition abilities were measured at 8, 11, and 14 years old. Inflammation was measured using serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6, age 9 years) and C-reactive protein (CRP, age 9 and 16 years). Bayesian structural equation modelling was used to investigate the mediating effect of cortisol or inflammation on the association between social cognitive difficulties and emotional or behavioural problems.

Results

Children with social cognition difficulties were associated with later emotional and behavioural problems. Flattened diurnal cortisol slope was associated with the hyperactivity/inattention problem two years later. Mediation analyses revealed that lower morning cortisol significantly mediated the associations between social communication difficulties at 8 years with hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems in adolescence, with the adjustment of inflammation and all covariates. Systemic inflammation was not related to social cognitive difficulties or future emotional and behavioural problems.

Conclusions

The finding suggests that social cognition is related to cortisol activities longitudinally. It also expands the evidence that adolescents with behavioural problems are characterised by hypoactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
When Parents have a Severe Mental Illness : Can we Prevent Family Separation and Adverse Effects after Childbirth?
Authors: Sutter-Dallay A.-L.
Published: September 2022

This presentation will review the current state of knowledge about severe maternal perinatal mental illness. Severe disorders are associated with a higher prevalence of somatic difficulties during pregnancy, poorer quality of pregnancy follow-up and potential impairment of infant care. These children are therefore very vulnerable and require specific care. We will present how graduated care coordinated and above all integrated between psychiatry, obstetrics, neonatal pediatrics and child protection services allows for early and effective preventive interventions, both for the child’s development and maternal mental health. The concept of shared parenting will be particularly developed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Mental health professionals’ attitudes towards patients with borderline personality disorder: The role of disgust
Authors: Papathanasiou C. , Stylianidis S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Mental health professionals’ derogatory attitudes towards patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may negatively affect treatment outcomes.

Objectives

We aimed to identify a) negative attitudes exhibited by mental health professionals towards BPD patients and b) the effects of disgust propensity and disgust sensitivity on theses negative attitudes.

Methods

Mental health professionals (N = 136) completed questionnaires on attitudes towards BPD patients, disgust propensity/sensitivity, and sociodemographic variables.

Results

Significant differences in negative attitudes toward BPD patients based on gender, marital status, occupational subgroup, educational level, psychotherapy training, level of exposure to BPD patients, and political ideology were found. Results suggested BPD patients are viewed by mental health professionals as ineffective, incomprehensible, dangerous, unworthy, immoral, undesirable to be with, and dissimilar to the mental health professionals. Moreover, disgust propensity and the pathogen component of disgust sensitivity were associated with stronger negative attitudes towards BPD patients.

Conclusions

The findings emphasize the importance of mental health professionals’ awareness of the emotion of disgust as a relevant factor to their negative attitudes towards BPD patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Combining international survey datasets to identify indicators of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A machine learning approach to improve generalization
Authors: Adamson M. , Zhao E. , Xia D. , Colicino E. , Monaro M. , Hitching R. , Harris O. , Greenhalgh M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The magnitude and exceptional opportunity to research the psychological distress of shelter in place resulted in a publication frenzy on a smorgasbord of research studies of variable scientific robustness. Confinement, fear of contagion, social isolation, financial hardship, etc. equated to stratospheric stress levels. The decline in protective factors as a function of quarantine anecdotally reflected historic rates of anxiety and depression.

Objectives

In this study, we combined 12 variegate datasets and developed an algorithm to build a model to identify key predictors of pandemic-related stress with high accuracy and generalizability.

Methods

This study reports on existing published data. We first describe the International (Adamson et al., 2020) and then the Italian dataset (Flesia et al., 2020). The time-frame (first wave of lockdown), method (survey), measurement tool (Perceived Stress Scale), and outcome measures were extremely similar to enable consolidation of datasets (see Figure1). The Flesia et al., (2020) data set was integrated into the Adamson et al., (2020) dataset as the first step towards data validation construction of the ML predictive model.

Results

We aim to demonstrate the strength of combining cross-cultural datasets, and the applicability of ML algorithms to facilitate the process and generate a predictive model that identifies and validates key predictors of pandemic-related stress and accommodates for interaction with demographic, cultural, and other mitigating factors while concurrently having high generalizability.

Conclusions

We believe our model provides clinicians, researchers, and decision-makers with evidence to investigate the moderators and mediators of stress, and introduce novel interventions to mitigate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Depression and health-related quality of life in critical COVID-19 survivors
Authors: Silva J. , Martins S. , Ferreira A.R. , Fernandes J. , Vieira T. , Fontes L. , Reis N. , Braga A. , Coimbra I. , Paiva J.A. , Fernandes L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Long-term neuropsychiatric consequences of critical illness are well known. Therefore, it is expected that critical COVID-19 patients might also present several psychiatric symptoms such as depression, with inevitable negative effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), commonly used as an indicator of illness and treatment impact.

Objectives

To identify depressive symptoms in critical COVID-19 survivors and to examine its association with HRQoL domains.

Methods

This preliminary study involved critical COVID-19 patients admitted into the Intensive Care Medicine Department (ICMD) of a University Hospital, between October and December of 2020. Patients with an ICMD length of stay (LoS)≤24h, terminal illness, major auditory loss, or inability to communicate at the follow-up time were excluded. From 1-2 months after discharge, all participants were evaluated by telephone at follow-up appointment, with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (depression) and EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level EQ-5D-5L (HRQoL). This study is part of the longitudinal MAPA project.

Results

Eighty-three patients were included with a median age of 63 years (range: 31-86) and the majority were male (63%). The most reported problems on EQ-5D-5L domains were usual activities (82%) and mobility (76%). About 27% presented depressive symptoms, and with more problems of self-care (68%vs41%; p=0.029), pain/discomfort (86%vs49%; p=0.002), and anxiety/depression (96%vs54%; p<0.001).

Conclusions

These preliminary results are in line in previous studies in critical COVID-19 survivors, with depression being associated with worse HRQoL. Bearing this in mind, follow-up approaches with an early screening and treatment of these psychiatric symptoms will be fundamental to optimize the recovery of these patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The connection of dysfunctional breathing with Self-Government styles in the Russian population during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Koniukhovskaia J. , Pervichko E. , Mitina O. , Stepanova O. , Petrenko V. , Shishkova I. , Dorokhov E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Dysfunctional breathing is experienced as “difficulty in inhaling” and is similar to the symptoms of COVID-19 (Gavriatopoulou et al., 2020), which justifies the relevance of studying this phenomenon in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives

To identifiy a relationship between self-management styles and the severity of dysfunctional breathing in the uninfected COVID-19 population of Russia.

Methods

The author used the socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen Questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985) and J. Kuhl’s and A. Fuhrman’s Self-Government Test (Kool, Furman, 1998; Kul, Kvirin, Kool, 2020). The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia (38.3 ±11.4y.o.).

Results

The components are Self-regulation (r = -0.454, p = 0.000) and Self-Control (r =-0.197, p=0.000). There is also a component of Will Development (r=-0,297, p = 0,000) and Sensitivity to oneself (r=-0,480, p=0,000). It is important to note that dysfunctional breathing has a strong positive correlation with the component of life stress experiencing (=0.335, p=0.000). At the same time, the components of Self-regulation and Self-sensitivity have large correlation coefficients, which indicates their greater role.

Conclusions

People with low self-regulation and self-control, as well as with less expressed will and sensitivity to themselves, are more likely to have dysfunctional breathing and a more pronounced experience of life stress in a pandemic. The described components can be used as “targets” for individualized psychotherapy of dysfunctional breathing in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Disclosure

The study was carried out with the support of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.
Emotional state of healthcare workers in hospital red-zone during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kryzhanovskiy S. , Samushia M. , Berishvili T. , Shmirev V. , Amosova N.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on the mental state of not only quarantined citizens and patients, but also health workers.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess of the mental health of doctors involved in work in the “red zone” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

77 respondents were interviewed using the HADS questionnaires and the Maslach burnout test. For statistical data processing Microsoft Office Excel 2016, IBM SPSS were used.

Results

An increase on the depression scales was noted in 7%, anxiety in 23%, and anxiety and depression together 27%. According to the Maslach questionnaire, 32 (41.5%) doctors noted a reaction of the type of “emotional devastation”. 10 (12.9%) doctors noted a reaction “reduction of professional achievements”. Three doctors (3.8%) had a dehumanization reaction in the form of dull emotions to colleagues and patients.

Conclusions

Work in the “red zone” has a significant negative impact on the mental health of doctors and medical personnel

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Impact of COVID19 Lockdown in Eating Disorders: A Multicenter Collaborative International Study
Authors: Etxandi M. , Baenas I. , Munguía L. , Granero R. , Mestre-Bach G. , Sánchez I. , Jimenez-Murcia S. , Fernandez-Aranda F.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

COVID19 lockdown is having a significant impact on mental health, patients with eating disorders (ED) are particularly vulnerable.

Objectives

1) To explore changes in eating and other psychological features due to confinement in patients with ED from various European and Asian countries; and 2) to assess differences related to diagnostic subtypes, age and geography.

Methods

The sample comprised 829 participants, diagnosed with an ED according to DSM-5 criteria from specialized ED units in Europe and Asia. Participants were assessed using the COVID19 Isolation Scale (CIES).

Results

On one hand, patients with Binge Eating Disorder experienced the highest impact on weight and ED symptoms due to confinement. Together with subjects diagnosed with Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OFSED), they also experienced a deterioration in general psychological state. On the other hand, there was less symptomatic impact on people with Bulimia Nervosa or Anorexia Nervosa and asian and younger individuals appeared to be more resilient in this situation.

Conclusions

The impact of COVID varied by cultural context and individual variation in age and form of illness. Services may need to target preventive measures and adapting therapeutic approaches for the most vulnerable patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The role of Theory of Mind and Empathy levels in Anxiety Disorders Symptomatology
Authors: Santarelli G. , Innocenti M. , Faggi V. , Miglietta V. , Colpizzi I. , Galassi F. , Castellini G. , Ricca V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Theory of Mind (ToM) is defined as the ability to understand mental states of other people. Recent studies explored its role in various psychopathological disorders, but evidence lacks on the relationship existing between specific psychopathological domains and ToM.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the relationship between psychopathology of Anxiety Disorders (AD) and Theory of Mind.

Methods

We enrolled 35 patients admitted to the Psychiatric Unit of Careggi Hospital in Florence with diagnosis of AD. We administered them: Zung Anxiety Scale (ZSAS), Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), and Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RMET). Pearson’s correlation was used to assess relationships between variables.

Results

A significant positive correlation was detected between RMET scores and ZSAS total scores (r=0.385, p=0.022), MCQ-30 Negative Beliefs about Uncontrollability and Danger subscale (MCQ-30-Neg, r=0.407, p=0.015), and MCQ-30 Cognitive Self-Consciousness subscale (MCQ-30-CSC, r=0.349, p=0.040).Correlations between the variables in the study and Reading the mind in the eyes total scores are shown.
RMET total scorerpMCQ-30-Neg0.4070.015MCQ-30-CSC0.3490.040MCQ-30 Positive beliefs about Worry0.0730.667MCQ-30 Lack of Cognitive Confidence-0.2450.155MCQ-30 Need to Control Thoughts0.3110.069ZSAS total scores0.3850.022

Conclusions

Such preliminary data suggest a relationship between Theory of Mind and AD psychopathology. In particular, some dimensions of AD psychopathology seem to predict higher Theory of Mind levels.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Histamine intolerance and anxiety disorders: pilot cross-sectional study of histamine intolerance prevalence in cohort of patients with anxiety disorders
Authors: Nosková E. , Vochosková K. , Knop V. , Stopková P. , Kopeček M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Histamine intolerance (HI) is a disorder associated with an impairment of ability to metabolize ingested histamine. The incidence of HI in general population is 1-3%. Clinical manifestation of HI contains nonspecific predominantly gastrointestinal, but also extraintestinal symptoms. HI could be primary with genetic predisposition, or secondary with lower activity of diaminooxidase (DAO) without positive genetic screening.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HI by patients with anxiety disorders. HI can imitate anxiety symptoms, therefore we predict higher prevalence HI in patients with anxiety disorders than in general population.

Methods

It is observational cross-sectional study on cohort of anxious patients for detecting the prevalence of HI. Patients were screened by scale for histamine intolerance questionnaire. Patients with positive questionnaire were examined for serum DAO and genetically examined.

Results

113 patients fulfilled the HI questionnaire. From this cohort 35.4% (40 subjects) were positive at screening. Biomarkers of HI were screened only in case of positivity in this questionnaire.
Table No. 1: Results of our study from cohort with positive screening, 35.4 % (40 subjects).Genetic predispositionpositivity in risk allelenegativity in risk allelealtogetherSerum level of DAOpositive screening (DAO<10 U/ml)5 (4.4%)primary-genetically determined HI5 (4.4%)secondary HI10negative screening (DAO≥10 U/ml)14 (12.4%)16 (14.2%)30altogether1921

Conclusions

This pilot study shows that the prevalence of HI could be higher in group of patients with anxiety disorders than in general population. For further confirmation other studies with control group and larger cohort should be done.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Differences in the effects of anxiolytics bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine and fabomotizole in patients with anxiety disorders in dependence on their individually-typological features
Authors: Dorofeeva O. , Metlina M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Personalized approach in drug therapy is an essential line of modern psychiatry. Experimental and clinical studies of anxiolytics have shown differences in drug effects in dependence on genetically determined reactions to stress and personal features.

Objectives

To evaluate of the therapeutic effects and effectiveness of bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine and fabomotizole in dependence on individually-typological features of patients with anxiety disorders.

Methods

45 patients (mean age 33,3±9,7 years) with generalized anxiety disorder (n=22) and panic disorders with agoraphobia (n=23) participated in this open-label study. 13 patients treated with typical anxiolytics bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine at dose 2 mg daily and 32 patients treated with atypical fabomotizole at dose 30 mg daily. The duration of treatment was 14 days. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Psychiatric Symptoms Severity Evaluation Questionnaire and CGI-E were administered.

Results

Asthenic features (high pessimism, anxiety, individualism) were revealed in 26 patients and stenic features (high impulsivity, rigidity and optimism) were revealed in 19 patients. Patients with asthenic features had tranquilo-activating effect of bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine, whereas patients with stenic features had tranquilo-sedative effect. The tranquilo-activating effect of fabomotizole was revealed in patients with stenic features. High efficacy of bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine was observed in patients with asthenic personality traits (χ 2 = 7,8), whereas in fabomotizole-in patients with stenic individual typological features (χ 2 = 9,1).

Conclusions

Patients with stenic and asthenic features had differences in therapeutic effects and the effectiveness of anxiolytics. Personality features determine the sensitivity of patients with anxiety disorders to psychotropic drugs.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Postnatal PTSD: Risks and Consequences
Authors: El-Hage W.
Published: September 2022

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in 4% of all pregnancies during the postnatal period. This prevalence can increase in high-risk groups reaching a mean prevalence of 18%. Some risk factors are significantly associated with the development or exacerbation of postnatal PTSD, including prenatal depression and anxiety, pre-pregnancy history of psychiatric disorders, history of sexual trauma, intimate partner violence, emergency childbirth, distressing events during childbirth and psychosocial attributes. Maternal postnatal PTSD is highly associated with the difficulties in mother-infant bond and the postpartum depression. Evidence shows significant links between psychological, traumatic and birth-related risk factors as well as the perceived social support and PTSD following childbirth. The City Birth Trauma Scale can be recommended as a universal instrument for diagnosis of postnatal PTSD.

Disclosure

Wissam El-Hage reports personal fees from Air Liquide, EISAI, Janssen, Lundbeck, Otsuka, UCB and Chugai.
OCD and ASD Diagnosis: a case review
Authors: Huerga García L. , Hernández Padrón E. , Casanova Gracia N. , Torres Nieves N. , Gómez Pérez P.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

It’s well known the challenge of differential diagnosis between Obssesive compulsive disorder and autism since their symptoms (intrusive, recurrent thoughts and repetitive behaviours) often overlap.

Objectives

We report a case of a 14 years old boy diagnosed of ASD who was hospitalized for the first time due to difficult management of repetitive behaviours that made him incapable of doing basic activities without help. To interrupt them led to anxiety, aggressive responses and to insistence on sameness behaviours. Only with this information and with the literature research we made, anyone could tell the problem was probably an ASD symptom. However, during his evolution it was difficult to know whether this behaviour was due to ASD or OCD: after adjusting the medication, and when he started trusting his therapists, he told us about a theory he believed so he could explain the uncomfortable ideas that crossed his mind more than often, so he used those behaviours as an anxiety-reduction technique. This new situation was the fuel to make the present review.

Methods

To report a case.

Results

The results are included in the “conclusions” section.

Conclusions

Although there is an ongoing debate concerning the nature of the symptoms in ASD versus those observed in OCD, there are commonly used criteria to differentiate them according to the articles we reviewed:

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Psychogenic epidemic - mass hysteria phenomena in Portugal
Authors: Costa A. , Jesus S. , Almeida M. , Alcafache J.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Mass hysteria also called mass psychogenic illness (MPI), defined as a social phenomenon, consists of collective anxiety due to a perceived threat and can culminate in a cascade of symptoms suggestive of organic disease without an identifiable cause. Its history dates back to the 14th century and impacts people from all cultures and regions of the world. Before the 20thcentury, MPI emerged across Europe, often in socially isolated convents, in highly stressful environments.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to explore the available literature on mass hysteria phenomena in Portugal, historical origins, applications and eventual position in modern psychiatric semiology.

Methods

Non-systematic review of literature published in Medline/Pubmed. Search terms included: mass hysteria, nocebo, groupthink, emotional contagion.

Results

In Portugal two great phenomena of mass hysteria were described. In 1917, the “sun miracle” occurred, where thousands of individuals reported having seen the sun rotating in the sky and changing its size and colours. Years later, more than 300 students from 14 schools described the same symptoms: dizziness, dyspnea and rash, without an identifiable cause. In common these young people had “sugar strawberries”. In May 2006, the young people in the television series were infected with a vírus, and clinical picture was similar to that presented by young people in real life. For the first time, a fictional illness on television triggered an illness in real life.

Conclusions

More studies should be carried out on these phenomena as their early recognition can have a tremendous impact on the ease of identification, diagnosis and treatment.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Understanding the surface segregation of solute atoms in Sn-Bi–based solder from first principles
Authors: Sun Lu , Chen Li , Li Guoping , Tong Zhenfeng
Published: September 2022

Low-temperature Sn-Bi solder has wide application in the field of electronic packaging due to its low melting point and good wettability. The formation of Bi-rich phase and intermetallic compound is the major concern for the reliability of Sn-Bi solder joints. We employed first-principles calculations to understand the segregation of Bi and the third elements to the surface of Sn. The effects of alloying elements on inhibiting the Bi surface segregation were described. Our calculations show that the Bi surface segregation could be effectively alleviated by the addition of Ag, Ga, Ni, and In, along with the reduction of further possible formation of intermetallic compounds in the Sn-Bi–based solders. The results could be interpreted by the enhanced bond orders between Bi and its neighboring Sn, alloying elements.
Search for the singlet vector-like lepton through the pair production in the Wν

τ
channel at the ILC
Authors: Li Haitao , Chao Jinjin , Zhang Guoqing
Published: September 2022

We study the pair production of the vector-like lepton singlet

decaying into

at the International Linear Collider (ILC) with the center-of-mass

in a simplified model. Considering the polarized degrees of electron and photon beams

,

, we implement a detailed detector simulation of the signal and backgrounds. For comparison, we investigate the search at leptonic channel and hadronic channel of the W boson, respectively. We find that the ILC can exclude (discover) the region

 [180 GeV, 240 GeV] with an integrated luminosity of 

([0.305, 1.102]

) in the hadronic channel, and can exclude (discover) the region

 [180 GeV, 240 GeV] with an integrated luminosity of [1.83, 19.4]

([11.7, 117.8]

) in the leptonic channel. If these two results are combined, we find that the ILC can exclude (discover) the region

 [180 GeV, 240 GeV] with lower integrated luminosity.
Predictive Gestational Diabetes Biomarkers With Sustained Alterations Throughout Pregnancy
Authors: Heath Hannah , Luevano Jennifer , Johnson Catherine M , Phelan Suzanne , La Frano Michael R
Published: September 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) results in an increased risk of pre- and postpartum health complications for both mother and child. Metabolomics analysis can potentially identify predictive biomarkers and provide insight into metabolic alterations associated with GDM pathogenesis and progression, but few metabolomics studies investigate alterations observed across the first and third trimester. We hypothesize that metabolites altered in first-trimester GDM that remain altered in late pregnancy may best inform interventions. Metabolomic studies comparing plasma and serum metabolite alterations in GDM vs non-GDM pregnancies were retrieved by searching PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL Plus databases. The present scoping review summarizes the metabolites found to be consistently altered throughout the course of GDM and proposes mechanisms that explain how these metabolic perturbations relate to GDM development and progression. Metabolites involved in fatty acid metabolism, reductive carboxylation, branched-chain amino acid metabolism, cell membrane lipid metabolism, purine degradation, and the gut microbiome were found to be altered throughout GDM pregnancies, with many of these pathways showing mechanistic links to insulin resistance, inflammation, and impaired cell signaling. Future studies are required to investigate if normalization of these perturbed pathways can be the targets of interventions.
A new species of Bythinella Moquin-Tandon, 1856 (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Bythinellidae) from south-western France
Authors: Bichain Jean-Michel , Bertrand Alain
Published: September 2022

The spring-snail genus Bythinella is a diverse group of minute operculate gastropods, usually restricted to springs and widely distributed in Europe. Species are primarily delineated based on shell characters such as size or overall shape. Nevertheless, studies based on molecular and morphological approaches show that these characters can be highly variable and do not necessarily have taxonomic significance. In this paper we formally describe and name, according to the requirements of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a species identified by previously published phylogenetic analyses and by a barcoding gap approach based on the mitochondrial COI gene. The molecular results suggest this species is a micro-endemic species currently recognized only from south-western France at its type locality. We also highlight that the barcode approach considerably reduces the number of valid species in this region, and that a strictly shell-based taxonomy probably overestimates the species richness of the genus Bythinella.
Differences in the length of postoperative care of endoscopic endonasal surgery in simple and complex surgical procedure groups
Authors: Sutikno Budi , Fauzi Fuad , Ardani Diar Mia , Mailasari Anna
Published: September 2022

Background: The rapid development of endoscopic endonasal surgery has made the procedure widely used in nasal and sinus surgery. Endoscopic endonasal surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, but the possibility of postoperative damage to the sinonasal mucosa cannot be ruled out. The aim of this study was to analyze the difference in the length of postoperative care between complex and simple endoscopic endonasal surgeries which can be used as a reference in planning postoperative care.  

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional observational study. The participants were divided into two groups, i.e., simple, and complex surgical procedures groups. The simple procedure group consisted of middle meatal anstrostomy, frontal sinusotomy, sphenoidectomy, uncinectomy, endoscopic septoplasty, and endoscopic turbinoplasty. The complex procedure group included pansinus surgery and or at least total ethmoidectomy. The length of postoperative care between the two groups were measured and analyzed using the Chi-square test.  

Results: The median length of care in the complex procedure group was significantly longer than that in the simple procedure group (p = 0.028), 12 weeks and 9 weeks, respectively. The number of postoperative outpatient visits was significantly less in the simple procedure group compared with the complex procedure group (Median 4 vs. 5; p=0.015). There was a significant correlation between length of care and the endonasal endoscopic surgical procedure group (p = 0.023).  

Conclusions: The complex endoscopic endonasal surgery group required a longer length of care and more postoperative outpatient visit than the simple procedure group.
A training curriculum for retrieving, structuring, and aggregating information derived from the biomedical literature and large-scale data repositories.
Authors: Rinchai Darawan , Chaussabel Damien
Published: September 2022

Background: Biomedical research over the past two decades has become data and information rich. This trend has been in large part driven by the development of systems-scale molecular profiling capabilities and by the increasingly large volume of publications contributed by the biomedical research community. It has therefore become important for early career researchers to learn to leverage this wealth of information in their own research.

Methods: Here we describe in detail a training curriculum focusing on the development of foundational skills necessary to retrieve, structure, and aggregate information available from vast stores of publicly available information. It is provided along with supporting material and an illustrative use case. The stepwise workflow encompasses; 1) Selecting a candidate gene; 2) Retrieving background information about the gene; 3) Profiling its literature; 4) Identifying in the literature instances where its transcript abundance changes in blood of patients; 5) Retrieving transcriptional profiling data from public blood transcriptome and reference datasets; and 6) Drafting a manuscript, submitting it for peer-review, and publication.

Results: This resource may be leveraged by instructors who wish to organize hands-on workshops. It can also be used by independent trainees as a self-study toolkit. The workflow presented as proof-of-concept was designed to establish a resource for assessing a candidate gene’s potential utility as a blood transcriptional biomarker. Trainees will learn to retrieve literature and public transcriptional profiling data associated with a specific gene of interest. They will also learn to extract, structure, and aggregate this information to support downstream interpretation efforts as well as the preparation of a manuscript.

Conclusions: This resource should support early career researchers in their efforts to acquire skills that will permit them to leverage the vast amounts of publicly available large-scale profiling data.
Facilitating bias in cost-effectiveness analysis: CHEERS 2022 and the creation of assumption-driven imaginary value claims in health technology assessment
Authors: Langley Paul
Published: September 2022

The current standards for health technology cost-effectiveness assessment rest on the creation of lifetime assumption-driven modeled simulations for imaginary pricing and consequent patient access recommendations. A recent BMJ paper reports a detailed assessment of 8,192 cost-effectiveness analyses, concluding that industry-sponsored modeled claims were more likely to publish incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) below a USD 50,000 threshold than non-industry sponsored studies, supporting the claim that the product was cost-effective. This is unsurprising; indeed, the opposite can occur with a modeled claim deliberately resulting in ICER is excess of USD 50,000. This methodology is well entrenched with the recently published Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) 2022 guidance for creating imaginary cost-effectiveness modeled claims ensuring the opportunity for deliberately manipulated cost-effectiveness claims. This overlooks limitations imposed by fundamental measurement, rendering assumption-driven simulations redundant analytical exercises. Manipulation of ICERs and claims for cost-effectiveness are mathematically impossible; including cost-utility thresholds, because the preference or utilities supporting creation of quality-of-life years (QALYs) are ordinal scores. Nevertheless, with the promotion of CHEERS 2022, the belief in imaginary modeled value claims is both facilitated and reinforced. With CHEERS 2022, there is a concerted effort, largely in self-interest, to perpetuate the current belief system. This is a self-defeating strategy. Rather than admitting to the deficiencies of assumption-driven simulated imaginary claims, leaders are maintaining that health system decision makers can ignore standards of normal science and fundamental measurement in value claims for pharmaceutical products. This disregard of standards that are commonplace in the sciences and mainstream social sciences perpetuates the opportunity for self-serving modeled claims; where models are a marketing vehicle leading to sponsored systematic bias in formulary submissions. This supports the need for a NEW START paradigm for health technology assessment, focusing on evaluable single-attribute value claims, meeting the required standards for normal science and fundamental measurement.
Characterization of a novel variant in the HR1 domain of MFN2 in a patient with ataxia, optic atrophy and sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Sharma Govinda , Zaman Mashiat , Sabouny Rasha , Joel Matthew , Martens Kristina , Martino Davide , de Koning A.P. Jason , Pfeffer Gerald , Shutt Timothy E.
Published: September 2022

Background: Pathogenic variants in MFN2 cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 2A (CMT2A) and are the leading cause of the axonal subtypes of CMT. CMT2A is characterized by predominantly distal motor weakness and muscle atrophy, with highly variable severity and onset age. Notably, some MFN2 variants can also lead to other phenotypes such as optic atrophy, hearing loss and lipodystrophy. Despite the clear link between MFN2 and CMT2A, our mechanistic understanding of how dysfunction of the MFN2 protein causes human disease pathologies remains incomplete. This lack of understanding is due in part to the multiple cellular roles of MFN2. Though initially characterized for its role in mediating mitochondrial fusion, MFN2 also plays important roles in mediating interactions between mitochondria and other organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets. Additionally, MFN2 is also important for mitochondrial transport, mitochondrial autophagy, and has even been implicated in lipid transfer. Though over 100 pathogenic MFN2 variants have been described to date, only a few have been characterized functionally, and even then, often only for one or two functions.

Method: Several MFN2-mediated functions were characterized in fibroblast cells from a patient presenting with cerebellar ataxia, deafness, blindness, and diffuse cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, who harbours a novel homozygous MFN2 variant, D414V, which is found in a region of the HR1 domain of MFN2 where few pathogenic variants occur.

Results: We found evidence for impairment of several MFN2-mediated functions. Consistent with reduced mitochondrial fusion, patient fibroblasts exhibited more fragmented mitochondrial networks and had reduced mtDNA copy number. Additionally, patient fibroblasts had reduced oxygen consumption, fewer mitochondrial-ER contacts, and altered lipid droplets that displayed an unusual perinuclear distribution.

Conclusion: Overall, this work characterizes D414V as a novel variant in MFN2 and expands the phenotypic presentation of MFN2 variants to include cerebellar ataxia.
The state of the art in beyond 5G distributed massive multiple-input multiple-output communication system solutions
Authors: Meyer E. , Kruglov D. , Krivic M. , Tanveer M. , Argaez-Ramirez R. , Zhang Y. , Briseno Ojeda A. , Smirnova K. , Alekseev K. , Safari Mugisho M. , Cimbili B. , Farid N. , Dang Y. , Shahid M. , Ensan M. , Banar J. , Bao H. , Matters-Kammerer M. , Gustavsson U. , Demuynck F. , Zwick T. , Acar M. , Fager C. , van der Heijden M. , Ivashina M. , Caratelli D. , Hasselblad M. , Ulusoy C. , Smolders A.B. , Eriksson K. , Johannson M. , Maaskant R. , Quay R. , Floriot D. , Bao M. , Bronckers L.A. , Fridén J. , van Beurden M.C. , de Hon B.P. , Kolitsidas C. , Blanco D. , Willems F.M.J. , Eriksson T. , Filippi A. , Ponzini F. , Johannsen U.
Published: September 2022

Beyond fifth generation (5G) communication systems aim towards data rates in the tera bits per second range, with improved and flexible coverage options, introducing many new technological challenges in the fields of network architecture, signal processing, and radio frequency front-ends. One option is to move towards cell-free, or distributed massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) network architectures and highly integrated front-end solutions. This paper presents an outlook on beyond 5G distributed massive MIMO communication systems, the signal processing, characterisation and simulation challenges, and an overview of the state of the art in millimetre wave antennas and electronics.
Use of 3d printing technology in the treatment of microtia and other outer ear deformities
Authors: Rezmer Jakub , Wasilewska Inga , Świątek Łukasz
Published: September 2022

Introduction:
Microtia and other outer ear deformations may cause a lot of psychical, social, and mental stress for a patient. In order to surgically treat it, we need a very experienced plastic surgeon specializing in such operations. With the use of 3D printing technology, such as fused deposition modeling or a sacrificial layer process there are a lot of possibilities starting from creating aids for plastic surgeons to printing ear prosthesis from live cells.
Objective:
The study's objective was to research, review and compare data available on PubMed about the use of 3D printing in the treatment of microtia and other ear deformations.
A brief description of the state of knowledge:
With the current state of knowledge, with the 3D printing technology, we can quickly create highly individualized and helpful training aids for plastic surgeons that would help them during operations. There is also a possibility of developing a personalized splint that would help correct the ears better than conventional methods. What’s more, we can also print prosthetics, not only with the use of conventional materials used in 3D printing but also with live chondrocytes and adipocytes that were able to chondro and adipogenesis, respectively. 
Conclusions:
There are a couple of ways we can use 3D printing in the treatment of outer ear deformities. The most promising is printing with live cells, but we need more research to develop better methods and techniques to use in the future prosthetics.
The Persistence of Healthy Behaviors in Food Purchasing
Authors: Hinnosaar Marit
Published: September 2022

Healthy food subsidies made some food purchases temporarily healthier, but the effect was not always persistent.
On the Design of Public Debate in Social Networks
Authors: Grabisch Michel , Mandel Antoine , Rusinowska Agnieszka
Published: September 2022

How to Avoid Polarization in Social Networks

In order to facilitate social interactions and the design of deliberative and efficient institutions, a social planner should ensure that diverse opinions can be sustained and debated and ensuring social cohesion. Grabisch et al. provide a theory of the efficient design of public debate. They develop a model of the coevolution of opinions and social relations that allow them to frame this problem in a formal setting. This model of opinion dynamics accounts for the persistence of heterogeneous opinions in society (“strong diversity”) and the dynamic interactions between opinions and social connections. The social planner faces a trade-off between fostering the convergence of opinions in society and increasing the risk of polarization and instability. To resolve this trade-off, the social planner must account for both structural and behavioral characteristics: how fragile is the social network and to what extent individuals tolerate disagreement with their peers.