bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balance and gait in progressive supranuclear palsy: a narrative review of objective metrics and exercise interventions
Authors: Dale Marian L. , Silva-Batista Carla , de Almeida Filipe Oliveira , Horak Fay B.
Published: June 2023

Background

The use of objective gait and balance metrics is rapidly expanding for evaluation of atypical parkinsonism, and these measures add to clinical observations. Evidence for rehabilitation interventions to improve objective measures of balance and gait in atypical parkinsonism is needed.

Aim

Our aim is to review, with a narrative approach, current evidence on objective metrics for gait and balance and exercise interventions in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Methods

Literature searches were conducted in four computerized databases from the earliest record up to April 2023: PubMed, ISI’s Web of Knowledge, Cochrane’s Library, and Embase. Data were extracted for study type (cross-sectional, longitudinal, and rehabilitation interventions), study design (e.g., experimental design and case series), sample characteristics, and gait and balance measurements.

Results

Eighteen gait and balance (16 cross-sectional and 4 longitudinal) and 14 rehabilitation intervention studies were included. Cross-sectional studies showed that people with PSP have impairments in gait initiation and steady-state gait using wearable sensors, and in static and dynamic balance assessed by posturography when compared to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and healthy controls. Two longitudinal studies observed that wearable sensors can serve as objective measures of PSP progression, using relevant variables of change in turn velocity, stride length variability, toe off angle, cadence, and cycle duration. Rehabilitation studies investigated the effect of different interventions (e.g., balance training, body-weight supported treadmill gait, sensorimotor training, and cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation) on gait, clinical balance, and static and dynamic balance assessed by posturography measurements. No rehabilitation study in PSP used wearable sensors to evaluate gait and balance impairments. Although clinical balance was assessed in 6 rehabilitation studies, 3 of these studies used a quasi-experimental design, 2 used a case series, only 1 study used an experimental design, and sample sizes were relatively small.

Conclusion

Wearable sensors to quantify balance and gait impairments are emerging as a means of documenting progression of PSP. Robust evidence for improving balance and gait in PSP was not found for rehabilitation studies. Future powered, prospective and robust clinical trials are needed to investigate the effects of rehabilitation interventions on objective gait and balance outcomes in people with PSP.
Disrupted topological organization of white matter structural networks in high myopia patients revealed by diffusion kurtosis imaging and tractography
Authors: Wang Huihui , Wen Hongwei , Li Jing , Chen Qian , Li Shanshan , Wang Zhenchang
Published: June 2023

Introduction

High myopia (HM) is a public health issue that can lead to severe visual impairment. Previous studies have exhibited widespread white matter (WM) integrity damage in HM patients. However, how these WM damages are topologically related, and the network-level structural disruptions underlying HM has not been fully defined. We aimed to assess the alterations of brain WM structural networks in HM patients using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and tractography in the present study.

Methods

Individual whole-brain and ROI-level WM networks were constructed using DKI tractography in 30 HM patients and 33 healthy controls. Graph theory analysis was then applied to explore the altered global and regional network topological properties. Pearson correlations between regional properties and disease duration in the HM group were also assessed.

Results

For global topology, although both groups showed a small-world network organization, HM patients exhibited significant decreased local efficiency and clustering coefficient compared with controls. For regional topology, HM patients and controls showed highly similar hub distributions, except for three additional hub regions in HM patients including left insula, anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri (ACG), and median cingulate and paracingulate gyri (DCG). In addition, HM patients showed significantly altered nodal betweenness centrality (BC) mainly in the bilateral inferior occipital gyrus (IOG), left superior occipital gyrus (SOG), caudate nucleus, rolandic operculum and right putamen, pallidum, and gyrus rectus compared with controls. Intriguingly, the nodal BC of left IOG was negatively correlated with disease duration in HM patients.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that HM exhibited alterations in WM structural networks as indicated by decreased local specialization. This study may advance the current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying HM.
A two-branch trade-off neural network for balanced scoring sleep stages on multiple cohorts
Authors: Zhang Di , Sun Jinbo , She Yichong , Cui Yapeng , Zeng Xiao , Lu Liming , Tang Chunzhi , Xu Nenggui , Chen Badong , Qin Wei
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Automatic sleep staging is a classification process with severe class imbalance and suffers from instability of scoring stage N1. Decreased accuracy in classifying stage N1 significantly impacts the staging of individuals with sleep disorders. We aim to achieve automatic sleep staging with expert-level performance in both N1 stage and overall scoring.

Methods

A neural network model combines an attention-based convolutional neural network and a classifier with two branches is developed. A transitive training strategy is employed to balance universal feature learning and contextual referencing. Parameter optimization and benchmark comparisons are conducted using a large-scale dataset, followed by evaluation on seven datasets in five cohorts.

Results

The proposed model achieves an accuracy of 88.16%, Cohen’s kappa of 0.836, and MF1 score of 0.818 on the SHHS1 test set, also with comparable performance to human scorers in scoring stage N1. Incorporating multiple cohort data improves its performance. Notably, the model maintains high performance when applied to unseen datasets and patients with neurological or psychiatric disorders.

Discussion

The proposed algorithm demonstrates strong performance and generalizablility, and its direct transferability is noteworthy among similar studies on automated sleep staging. It is publicly available, which is conducive to expanding access to sleep-related analysis, especially those associated with neurological or psychiatric disorders.
The neural substrates responsible for food odor processing: an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis
Authors: Oka Nodoka , Iwai Koichiro , Sakai Hiroyuki
Published: June 2023

In many species including humans, food odors appear to play a distinct role when compared with other odors. Despite their functional distinction, the neural substrates responsible for food odor processing remain unclear in humans. This study aimed to identify brain regions involved in food odor processing using activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis. We selected olfactory neuroimaging studies conducted with sufficient methodological validity using pleasant odors. We then divided the studies into food and non-food odor conditions. Finally, we performed an ALE meta-analysis for each category and compared the ALE maps of the two categories to identify the neural substrates responsible for food odor processing after minimizing the confounding factor of odor pleasantness. The resultant ALE maps revealed that early olfactory areas are more extensively activated by food than non-food odors. Subsequent contrast analysis identified a cluster in the left putamen as the most likely neural substrate underlying food odor processing. In conclusion, food odor processing is characterized by the functional network involved in olfactory sensorimotor transformation for approaching behaviors to edible odors, such as active sniffing.
Moving CNS axon growth and regeneration research into human model systems
Authors: Lear Bo P. , Moore Darcie L.
Published: June 2023

Axon regeneration is limited in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) due to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Rodent studies have shown that developmental age can drive differences in intrinsic axon growth ability, such that embryonic rodent CNS neurons extend long axons while postnatal and adult CNS neurons do not. In recent decades, scientists have identified several intrinsic developmental regulators in rodents that modulate growth. However, whether this developmentally programmed decline in CNS axon growth is conserved in humans is not yet known. Until recently, there have been limited human neuronal model systems, and even fewer age-specific human models. Human in vitro models range from pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons to directly reprogrammed (transdifferentiated) neurons derived from human somatic cells. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each system, and how studying axon growth in human neurons can provide species-specific knowledge in the field of CNS axon regeneration with the goal of bridging basic science studies to clinical trials. Additionally, with the increased availability and quality of ‘omics datasets of human cortical tissue across development and lifespan, scientists can mine these datasets for developmentally regulated pathways and genes. As there has been little research performed in human neurons to study modulators of axon growth, here we provide a summary of approaches to begin to shift the field of CNS axon growth and regeneration into human model systems to uncover novel drivers of axon growth.
Prenatal alcohol exposure alters mRNA expression for stress peptides, glucocorticoid receptor function and immune factors in acutely stressed neonatal brain
Authors: Ruffaner-Hanson Chaselyn D. , Fernandez-Oropeza Annette K. , Sun Melody S. , Caldwell Kevin K. , Allan Andrea M. , Savage Daniel D. , Valenzuela C. Fernando , Noor Shahani , Milligan Erin D.
Published: June 2023

Background

The amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus are critical stress regulatory areas that undergo functional maturation for stress responding initially established during gestational and early postnatal brain development. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a consequence of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), results in cognitive, mood and behavioral disorders. Prenatal alcohol exposure negatively impacts components of the brain stress response system, including stress-associated brain neuropeptides and glucocorticoid receptors in the amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus. While PAE generates a unique brain cytokine expression pattern, little is known about the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and related proinflammatory signaling factors, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines in PAE brain stress-responsive regions. We hypothesized that PAE sensitizes the early brain stress response system resulting in dysregulated neuroendocrine and neuroimmune activation.

Methods

A single, 4-h exposure of maternal separation stress in male and female postnatal day 10 (PND10) C57Bl/6 offspring was utilized. Offspring were from either prenatal control exposure (saccharin) or a limited access (4 h) drinking-in-the-dark model of PAE. Immediately after stress on PND10, the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus were collected, and mRNA expression was analyzed for stress-associated factors (CRH and AVP), glucocorticoid receptor signaling regulators (GAS5, FKBP51 and FKBP52), astrocyte and microglial activation, and factors associated with TLR4 activation including proinflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β), along with additional pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Select protein expression analysis of CRH, FKBP and factors associated with the TLR4 signaling cascade from male and female amygdala was conducted.

Results

The female amygdala revealed increased mRNA expression in stress-associated factors, glucocorticoid receptor signaling regulators and all of the factors critical in the TLR4 activation cascade, while the hypothalamus revealed blunted mRNA expression of all of these factors in PAE following stress. Conversely, far fewer mRNA changes were observed in males, notably in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, but not the amygdala. Statistically significant increases in CRH protein, and a strong trend in increased IL-1β were observed in male offspring with PAE independent of stressor exposure.

Conclusion

Prenatal alcohol exposure creates stress-related factors and TLR-4 neuroimmune pathway sensitization observed predominantly in females, that is unmasked in early postnatal life by a stress challenge.
A brief overview of targeted radionuclide therapy trials in 2022
Authors: Healy Aidan , Ho Elaine , Kuo Phillip , Zukotynski Katherine
Published: June 2023

There is a growing use of radionuclide therapy for the medical care of oncology patients, where radioactive pharmaceuticals are used to target and treat various cancer types. This paper provides a brief overview illustrating the spectrum of ongoing and recently completed radionuclide therapy clinical trials in oncology. The trials selected highlight the potential of radionuclide therapies to provide a promising treatment option across a spectrum of cancer patients, while also discussing the importance of patient selection and monitoring, as well as potential side effects and safety concerns. Ultimately, the results of these trials will be crucial in determining the future use of radionuclide therapies in cancer treatment.
Vitamin D deficiency and risk of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: updated meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Al-Maweri Sadeq Ali , Al-Qadhi Gamilah , Halboub Esam , Alaizari Nader , Almeslet Asma , Ali Kamran , Osman Safa A. Azim
Published: June 2023

Background

Growing evidence suggests a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and RAS. Hence, the present meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis sought to investigate the potential association between low serum vitamin D levels and RAS.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched on December 1st, 2022 to retrieve all relevant studies. The grey literature was also searched via ProQuest. All case-control studies on the association between vitamin D and RAS were considered. The quality appraisal of the included studies was done using Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RevMan 5.0 and trial sequential analysis (TSA) programs were used for analyses.

Results

A total of 14 case-control studies with 1468 subjects (721 RAS patients and 747 controls) were included. The pooled data revealed a significant association between low serum levels of vitamin D and the risk of RAS (mean difference = – 8.73, 95% CI: – 12.02 to – 5.44, I2 = 94%, P < 0.00001). Additionally, TSA findings indicated that the current studies surpassed the required information size, confirming that the differences were reliable.

Conclusion

The available evidence suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may have a role in the pathogenesis of RAS. Therefore, evaluation of vitamin D should be considered in RAS patients. Additionally, the results support the possibility of using vitamin D supplements in the management of RAS patients with inadequate serum levels of vitamin D. Future interventional studies are required to evaluate the benefits of vitamin D replacement in prevention and treatment of RAS.
The effects of vitamin D on all-cause mortality in different diseases: an evidence-map and umbrella review of 116 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cao Mingyu , He Chunrong , Gong Matthew , Wu Song , He Jinshen
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To conduct a solid evidence by synthesizing meta-analyses and updated RCTs about the effects of vitamin D on all-cause mortality in different health conditions.

Methods

Data sources: Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar from inception until 25th April, 2022. Study selection: English-language, meta-analyses and updated RCTs assessing the relationships between vitamin D and all-cause mortality. Data synthesis: Information of study characteristics, mortality, supplementation were extracted, estimating with fixed-effects model. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, and funnel plot was used to assess risk of bias. Main outcomes: All-cause mortality, cancer mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality.

Results

In total of 27 meta-analyses and 19 updated RCTs were selected, with a total of 116 RCTs and 149, 865 participants. Evidence confirms that vitamin D reduces respiratory cancer mortality (RR, 0.56 [95%CI, 0.33 to 0.96]). All-cause mortality is decreased in patients with COVID-19 (RR, 0.54[95%CI, 0.33 to 0.88]) and liver diseases (RR, 0.64 [95%CI, 0.50 to 0.81]), especially in liver cirrhosis (RR, 0.63 [95%CI, 0.50 to 0.81]). As for other health conditions, such as the general health, chronic kidney disease, critical illness, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, sepsis, type 2 diabetes, no significant association was found between vitamin D and all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

Vitamin D may reduce respiratory cancer mortality in respiratory cancer patients and all-cause mortality in COVID-19 and liver disorders' patients. No benefits showed in all-cause mortality after vitamin D intervention among other health conditions. The hypothesis of reduced mortality with vitamin D still requires exploration.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=252921, identifier: CRD42021252921.
Associations of lifestyle with mental health and well-being in Chinese adults: a nationwide study
Authors: Wang Xue , Wu Yibo , Shi Xinji , Chen Yu , Xu Yahong , Xu Hongbo , Ma Yanan , Zang Shuang
Published: June 2023

Background

A healthy lifestyle is beneficial to individuals’ health. However, little is known about the associations of lifestyle factors with mental health and well-being. This study examined the associations of lifestyle factors with mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, loneliness, perceived pressure, and self-rated health status) and well-being in Chinese adults.

Methods

A nationally representative survey was conducted in China from 20 June 2022 to 31 August 2022. Data from the survey were analyzed using multiple linear regression to determine the associations of lifestyle with mental health and well-being in Chinese adults. Standardized regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple linear regression.

Results

The survey included 28,138 Chinese adults. Multiple linear regression results showed that there were significant negative associations of lifestyle scores with scores of depression (β = −0.93, 95% CI: −0.98, −0.88), anxiety (β = −0.71, 95% CI: −0.76, −0.67), loneliness (β = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.24, −0.21), and perceived pressure (β = −0.19, 95% CI: −0.22, −0.16). Moreover, there were significant positive associations of lifestyle with self-rated health status (β = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.79, 2.20) and well-being (β = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.02).

Conclusion

This study provides insight into the associations of lifestyle factors with mental health and well-being and highlights the importance of improving and maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors for favorable mental health and well-being.
Dietary biomarkers and food records indicate compliance to study diets in the ADIRA (Anti-inflammatory Diet In Rheumatoid Arthritis) trial
Authors: Wadell Anna Turesson , Bärebring Linnea , Hulander Erik , Gjertsson Inger , Landberg Rikard , Lindqvist Helen , Winkvist Anna
Published: June 2023

Background

In the ADIRA (Anti-inflammatory Diet In Rheumatoid arthritis) trial, compliance to the study diets has previously been described primarily with a score based on reported intake of trial foods from telephone interviews. The aim of this study was to evaluate compliance using objective dietary biomarkers for whole grain, fruit and vegetables, margarine and oil, seafood and overall fat quality, as well as reported intake from food records of key components of the study diets.

Methods

Fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomized to begin with the intervention diet (rich in whole grain, fruit and vegetables, margarine/oil and seafood) or the control diet (rich in meat and high-fat dairy) for 10 weeks, followed by a ~ 4 months wash-out period, and then switched diet. Compliance was evaluated using plasma alkylresorcinols (AR) as biomarkers for intake of whole grain wheat and rye, serum carotenoids for fruit and vegetables, plasma linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6) and -α-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3) for margarine and cooking oil, plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3), −docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 22:6, n-3) and -docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-3) for seafood, and plasma fatty acid pattern for the overall dietary fat quality. Reported intake of whole grain, fruit, berries and vegetables, seafood, red meat, and fat quality was extracted from 3-d food records.

Results

Plasma AR C21:0 and C23:0, LA, EPA, and DHA were higher while total serum carotenoids were lower after the intervention diet period compared to the control diet period (AR and carotenoids: p = <0.05, fatty acids: p = <0.001). Reported intake of whole grain, fruit, berries and vegetables, and seafood was higher and reported intake of red meat was lower during the intervention diet period compared to the control diet period (p = <0.001). Plasma- and reported fatty acid pattern differed as intended between the diet periods.

Conclusion

This study indicates that the participants in the ADIRA trial were compliant to the study diets regarding intake of whole grain, cooking fat, seafood, and red meat, and the intended overall dietary fat quality. Compliance to instructions on fruit- and vegetable intake remains uncertain.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02941055?term=NCT02941055&draw=2&rank=1, NCT02941055.
Noise-robustness test for ultrasound breast nodule neural network models as medical devices
Authors: Jiang Jiaxin , Jiang Xiaoya , Xu Lei , Zhang Yan , Zheng Yuwen , Kong Dexing
Published: June 2023

Background

Deep learning technology has been widely applied to medical image analysis. But due to the limitations of its own imaging principle, ultrasound image has the disadvantages of low resolution and high Speckle Noise density, which not only hinder the diagnosis of patients’ conditions but also affect the extraction of ultrasound image features by computer technology.

Objective

In this study, we investigate the robustness of deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for classification, segmentation, and target detection of breast ultrasound image through random Salt & Pepper Noise and Gaussian Noise.

Methods

We trained and validated 9 CNN architectures in 8617 breast ultrasound images, but tested the models with noisy test set. Then, we trained and validated 9 CNN architectures with different levels of noise in these breast ultrasound images, and tested the models with noisy test set. Diseases of each breast ultrasound image in our dataset were annotated and voted by three sonographers based on their malignancy suspiciousness. we use evaluation indexes to evaluate the robustness of the neural network algorithm respectively.

Results

There is a moderate to high impact (The accuracy of the model decreased by about 5%-40%) on model accuracy when Salt and Pepper Noise, Speckle Noise, or Gaussian Noise is introduced to the images respectively. Consequently, DenseNet, UNet++ and Yolov5 were selected as the most robust model based on the selected index. When any two of these three kinds of noise are introduced into the image at the same time, the accuracy of the model will be greatly affected.

Conclusions

Our experimental results reveal new insights: The variation trend of accuracy with the noise level in Each network used for classification tasks and object detection tasks has some unique characteristics. This finding provides us with a method to reveal the black-box architecture of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems. On the other hand, the purpose of this study is to explore the impact of adding noise directly to the image on the performance of neural networks, which is different from the existing articles on robustness in the field of medical image processing. Consequently, it provides a new way to evaluate the robustness of CAD systems in the future.
Effect of traditional Chinese medicine on postoperative depression of breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yan , Liu Suying , Zhang Ying , Zhu Guanghui , Wang Heping , Xu Bowen , Xie Yi , Yang Shuhan
Published: June 2023

Background: Depression is one of the common complications in patients with postoperative breast cancer (BC). Conventional therapies for postoperative depression of BC always have modest treatment outcomes and undesirable side effects. Clinical practice and many studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a good effect on postoperative depression of BC. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the clinical effect of TCM as an add-on treatment for postoperative depression of BC.

Methods: A systematic and thorough search was conducted on eight online electronic databases up to 20 July 2022. The control group received conventional therapies, and intervention groups received what control groups received plus TCM treatment. Review Manager 5.4.1 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Nine RCTs involved 789 participants who met the inclusion standards. The results showed the intervention group was better at decreasing the score of the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) (mean difference, MD = −4.21, 95% CI −5.54 to −2.88) and the self-rating depression scale (SDS) (MD = −12.03, 95% CI −15.94 to −8.13), improving clinical efficacy (RR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.14–1.37), increasing the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (MD = 0.27, 95% CI 0.20–0.34), dopamine (DA) (MD = 26.28, 95% CI 24.18–28.77), and norepinephrine (NE) (MD = 11.05, 95% CI 8.07–14.04), and influencing the immune index, including the levels of CD3+ (MD = 15.18, 95% CI 13.61–16.75), CD4+ (MD = 8.37, 95% CI 6.00–10.74), and CD4+/CD8+ (MD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.27–0.39). The level of CD8+ (MD = −4.04, 95% CI −11.98 to 3.99) had no obvious difference between the two groups.

Conclusion: The meta‐analysis stated that a therapeutic regimen involving TCM could better improve the depression status in postoperative BC.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance phosphate uptake and alter bacterial communities in maize rhizosphere soil
Authors: Lu Yufan , Yan Yixiu , Qin Jie , Ou Luyan , Yang Xinyu , Liu Fang , Xu Yunjian
Published: June 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can symbiose with many plants and improve nutrient uptake for their host plant. Rhizosphere microorganisms have been pointed to play important roles in helping AMF to mobilize soil insoluble nutrients, especially phosphorus. Whether the change in phosphate transport under AMF colonization will affect rhizosphere microorganisms is still unknown. Here, we evaluated the links of interactions among AMF and the rhizosphere bacterial community of maize (Zea mays L.) by using a maize mycorrhizal defective mutant. Loss of mycorrhizal symbiosis function reduced the phosphorus concentration, biomass, and shoot length of maize colonized by AMF. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon high-throughput sequencing, we found that the mutant material shifted the bacterial community in the rhizosphere under AMF colonization. Further functional prediction based on amplicon sequencing indicated that rhizosphere bacteria involved in sulfur reduction were recruited by the AMF colonized mutant but reduced in the AMF- colonized wild type. These bacteria harbored much abundance of sulfur metabolism-related genes and negatively correlated with biomass and phosphorus concentrations of maize. Collectively, this study shows that AMF symbiosis recruited rhizosphere bacterial communities to improve soil phosphate mobilization, which may also play a potential role in regulating sulfur uptake. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving crop adaptation to nutrient deficiency through soil microbial management practices.
The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development
Authors: Tarsha Mary S. , Narvaez Darcia
Published: June 2023

Prosociality, orientation to attuned, empathic relationships, is built from the ground up, through supportive care in early life that fosters healthy neurobiological structures that shape behavior. Numerous social and environmental factors within early life have been identified as critical variables influencing child physiological and psychological outcomes indicating a growing need to synthesize which factors are the most influential. To address this gap, we examined the influence of early life experiences according to the evolved developmental niche or evolved nest and its influence on child neurobiological and sociomoral outcomes, specifically, the oxytocinergic system and prosociality, respectively. To-date, this is the first review to utilize the evolved nest framework as an investigatory lens to probe connections between early life experience and child neurobiological and sociomoral outcomes. The evolved nest is comprised of characteristics over 30 million years old and is organized to meet a child’s basic needs as they mature. Converging evidence indicates that humanity’s evolved nest meets the needs of a rapidly developing brain, optimizing normal development. The evolved nest for young children includes soothing perinatal experiences, breastfeeding, positive touch, responsive care, multiple allomothers, self-directed play, social embeddedness, and nature immersion. We examined what is known about the effects of each evolved nest component on oxytocinergic functioning, a critical neurobiological building block for pro-sociomorality. We also examined the effects of the evolved nest on prosociality generally. We reviewed empirical studies from human and animal research, meta-analyses and theoretical articles. The review suggests that evolved nest components influence oxytocinergic functioning in parents and children and help form the foundations for prosociality. Future research and policy should consider the importance of the first years of life in programming the neuroendocrine system that undergirds wellbeing and prosociality. Complex, interaction effects among evolved nest components as well as among physiological and sociomoral processes need to be studied. The most sensible framework for examining what builds and enhances prosociality may be the millions-year-old evolved nest.
The role of catastrophizing and basic psychological needs satisfaction on health-related quality of life and pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Ionescu Daniela , Iacob Claudia Iuliana , Brehar Felix Mircea , Avram Eugen
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is one of the most common conditions associated with functional disability, affecting patients’ quality of life (QOL). Disability can be affected by cognitive factors, such as pain catastrophizing. Similarly, unfulfilled basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness) are associated with biases in pain perception and QOL. Using the fear-avoidance model and the self-determination theory, this study investigates: (1) the separate contribution of pain-related variables and basic psychological needs satisfaction in predicting QOL in patients proposed for LDH surgery; (2) pre- and post-surgical differences in pain catastrophizing and basic psychological needs satisfaction.

Methods

First, we used hierarchical regression on 193 patients (Mage = 46.10, SDage = 11.40) to identify predictors of QOL. Second, we performed paired t-tests on 55 patients to investigate pre- and post-surgical differences in pain catastrophizing and basic psychological needs satisfaction.

Results

Hierarchical regression showed that the model predicts 27% of the variance in QOL; medium pain level, age, pain catastrophizing, and basic psychological needs satisfaction were significant predictors. Also, pain catastrophizing significantly decreased after surgery [t (54) = 6.07, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.81], but basic psychological needs satisfaction did not modify significantly.

Discussion

This research confirms the importance of pain perception and pain catastrophizing for LDH patients’ QOL and broadens the applicability of the self-determination theory for spinal patients.
Mental health at different stages of cancer survival: a natural language processing study of Reddit posts
Authors: Podina Ioana R. , Bucur Ana-Maria , Todea Diana , Fodor Liviu , Luca Andreea , Dinu Liviu P. , Boian Rareș F.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to use text-based social media content analysis from cancer-specific subreddits to evaluate depression and anxiety-loaded content. Natural language processing, automatic, and lexicon-based methods were employed to perform sentiment analysis and identify depression and anxiety-loaded content.

Methods

Data was collected from 187 Reddit users who had received a cancer diagnosis, were currently undergoing treatment, or had completed treatment. Participants were split according to survivorship status into short-term, transition, and long-term cancer survivors. A total of 72524 posts were analyzed across the three cancer survivor groups.

Results

The results showed that short-term cancer survivors had significantly more depression-loaded posts and more anxiety-loaded words than long-term survivors, with no significant differences relative to the transition period. The topic analysis showed that long-term survivors, more than other stages of survivorship, have resources to share their experiences with suicidal ideation and mental health issues while providing support to their survivor community.

Discussion

The results indicate that Reddit texts seem to be an indicator of when the stressor is active and mental health issues are triggered. This sets the stage for Reddit to become a platform for screening and first-hand intervention delivery. Special attention should be dedicated to short-term survivors.
From economic difficulties to psychological maladjustment in Italian women during the Covid-19 pandemic: does marital dissatisfaction moderate or mediate this association?
Authors: Camisasca Elena , Covelli Venusia , Cafagna Dario , Manzoni Gian Mauro , Cantoia Manuela , Bavagnoli Alessandra , Crescenzo Pietro , Marsicovetere Vincenzo , Pesce Mario , Visco Marina Angela
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The empirical study about the negative impact of economic difficulties due to Covid- 19 on the psychological well-being of Italian women by considering perceived stress and marital satisfaction is an area worthy of investigation. The study explored these variables by hypothesizing that marital satisfaction (DAS) could moderate or mediate the links between economic difficulties, perceived stress (PSS), and psychological maladjustment (PGWBI).

Methods

A total of 320 Italian women completed an online survey about the study’s variables during the lockdown period. Women’s perceptions of economic difficulties due to COVID- 19 restrictions were detected through an ad-hoc specific question. Perceived stress, marital satisfaction and psychological maladjustment were assessed by standardized questionnaires (Perceived Stress Scale 10, Dyadic Satisfaction Scale and Psychological General Well-being Inventory).

Results

39.7% of women who answered the online survey said that the Covid-19 significantly impacted their family income. Results indicated that marital satisfaction did not moderate the associations investigated. Conversely, data showed how economic difficulties (X) predicted lower psychological maladjustment through the mediation of perceived Stress (M1), which, in turn, was associated with higher levels of marital dissatisfaction (M2).

Conclusion

The results of the present study confirm the significant role of marital dissatisfaction in explaining the indirect effects of economic difficulties on psychological maladjustment in women. In particular, they indicated a significant spillover effect which transmitted strains experienced in one domain (economic difficulties) to another (the dissatisfaction of the couple), which in turn affected the psychological maladjustment.
An interdisciplinary multimodal integrative healthcare program for depressive and anxiety disorders
Authors: Wijnen Jaap , Gordon Nicole Louise , van 't Hullenaar Geert , Pont Marc Lucas , Geijselaers Marciano Wilhelmina Henricus , Van Oosterwijck Jessica , de Jong Jeroen
Published: June 2023

Objective

Although multimodal interventions are recommended in patients with severe depressive and/or anxiety disorders, available evidence is scarce. Therefore, the current study evaluates the effectiveness of an outpatient secondary care interdisciplinary multimodal integrative healthcare program, delivered within a transdiagnostic framework, for patients with (comorbid) depressive and/or anxiety disorders.

Methods

Participants were 3,900 patients diagnosed with a depressive and/or anxiety disorder. The primary outcome was Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) measured with the Research and Development-36 (RAND-36). Secondary outcomes included: (1) current psychological and physical symptoms measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and (2) symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress measured with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). The healthcare program consisted of two active treatment phases: main 20-week program and a subsequent continuation-phase intervention (i.e., 12-month relapse prevention program). Mixed linear models were used to examine the effects of the healthcare program on primary/secondary outcomes over four time points: before start 20-week program (T0), halfway 20-week program (T1), end of 20-week program (T2) and end of 12-month relapse prevention program (T3).

Results

Results showed significant improvements from T0 to T2 for the primary variable (i.e., RAND-36) and secondary variables (i.e., BSI/DASS). During the 12-month relapse prevention program, further significant improvements were mainly observed for secondary variables (i.e., BSI/DASS) and to a lesser extent for the primary variable (i.e., RAND-36). At the end of the relapse prevention program (i.e., T3), 63% of patients achieved remission of depressive symptoms (i.e., DASS depression score ≤ 9) and 67% of patients achieved remission of anxiety symptoms (i.e., DASS anxiety score ≤ 7).

Conclusion

An interdisciplinary multimodal integrative healthcare program, delivered within a transdiagnostic framework, seems effective for patients suffering from depressive and/or anxiety disorders with regard to HRQoL and symptoms of psychopathology. As reimbursement and funding for interdisciplinary multimodal interventions in this patient group has been under pressure in recent years, this study could add important evidence by reporting on routinely collected outcome data from a large patient group. Future studies should further investigate the long-term stability of treatment outcomes after interdisciplinary multimodal interventions for patients suffering from depressive and/or anxiety disorders.
Identification and comparison of pandemic-to-symptom networks of South Korea and the United States
Authors: Park Mijeong , Seo Deachul , Kim Ji Geun , Lee Gayeon , McReynolds Larkin S. , Amsel Lawrence , Yang Hyunjung , Kim Young-Hoon , Han Sanghoon , Park Soo Hyun , Hur Juyoen
Published: June 2023

Background

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in a dramatic increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression globally. Although the impact on the mental health of young adults was especially strong, its underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

Materials and methods

Using a network approach, the present study investigated the putative pathways between pandemic-related factors and anxiety and depressive symptoms among young adults in South Korea and the U.S. Network analyses were conducted on cross-country data collected during the COVID-19 lockdown period (n = 1,036). Our model included depression symptoms (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), and COVID-19-related factors (e.g., COVID-19-related traumatic stress, pandemic concerns, access to medical/mental health services).

Results

The overall structure of pandemic-to-symptom networks of South Korea and the U.S. were found to be similar. In both countries, COVID-related stress and negative future anticipation (an anxiety symptom) were identified as bridging nodes between pandemic-related factors and psychological distress. In addition, worry-related symptoms (e.g., excessive worry, uncontrollable worry) were identified as key contributors in maintaining the overall pandemic-to-symptom network in both countries.

Conclusion

The similar network structures and patterns observed in both countries imply that there may exist a stable relationship between the pandemic and internalizing symptoms above and beyond the sociocultural differences. The current findings provide new insights into the common potential pathway between the pandemic and internalizing symptoms in South Korea and in the U.S. and inform policymakers and mental health professionals of potential intervention targets to alleviate internalizing symptoms.
Interpretation of deep non-linear factorization for autism
Authors: Chen Boran , Yin Bo , Ke Hengjin
Published: June 2023

Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder, presents significant challenges for diagnosis and classification. Despite the widespread use of neural networks in autism classification, the interpretability of their models remains a crucial issue. This study aims to address this concern by investigating the interpretability of neural networks in autism classification using the deep symbolic regression and brain network interpretative methods. Specifically, we analyze publicly available autism fMRI data using our previously developed Deep Factor Learning model on a Hibert Basis tensor (HB-DFL) method and extend the interpretative Deep Symbolic Regression method to identify dynamic features from factor matrices, construct brain networks from generated reference tensors, and facilitate the accurate diagnosis of abnormal brain network activity in autism patients by clinicians. Our experimental results show that our interpretative method effectively enhances the interpretability of neural networks and identifies crucial features for autism classification.
Stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness among caregivers of patients with mental disorders in China
Authors: Hao Yuzhu , Wu Qiuxia , Wang Xuyi , Ma Yuejiao , Wang Yunfei , Peng Pu , Wang Xin , Yang Qian , Liu Yueheng , Li Manyun , He Li , Wang Qianjin , Zhou Yanan , Liu Tieqiao , Chen Shubao
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate stigmatizing attitudes toward depression, schizophrenia, and general anxiety disorder (GAD) among caregivers of patients with mental disorders in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 607 caregivers in China, using vignettes that described three mental illnesses. Data on the caregivers’ attitudes and other people’s attitudes toward individuals with mental disorders and their willingness to come in contact with people with mental disorders were collected.

Results

In the three vignettes, caregivers agreed that positive outcomes outnumbered negative outcomes. The top two statements endorsing the stigma were “the person could snap out of the problem” and “people with this problem are dangerous.” In the section for perceived stigma, caregivers in the GAD vignette agreed that most people believed this problem is not a real medical illness, compared to schizophrenia. The rates of the statement endorsing unpredictability were significantly different in the schizophrenia (57.2%) and depression (45.5%) vignette, in comparison to the GAD (45.6%) vignette. For personal stigma, the caregivers tended to avoid people described in the depression vignette more often than in the GAD vignette. The caregivers were most unwilling to let the person described in the vignettes marry into their family, especially in the schizophrenia vignette.

Conclusion

Despite the stigma and desire for social distance associated with schizophrenia, depression, and GAD, caregivers often expect positive outcomes. Actions should be taken to improve caregivers’ knowledge about mental health and reduce the stigma.
Indigenous mental healthcare and human rights abuses in Nigeria: The role of cultural syntonicity and stigmatization
Authors: Ogunwale Adegboyega , Fadipe Babatunde , Bifarin Oladayo
Published: June 2023

Background

Indigenous mental healthcare using traditional non-western methods termed “unorthodox approaches” has been observed in Nigeria historically. This has been largely due to a cultural preference for spiritual or mystical rather than biomedical formulations of mental disorder. Yet, there have been recent concerns about human rights abuses within such treatment settings as well as their tendency to perpetuate stigmatization.

Aim

The aim of this review was to examine the cultural framework for indigenous mental healthcare in Nigeria, the role of stigmatization in its utilization and interrogate the issues of human rights abuses within a public mental health context.

Methods

This is a non-systematic narrative review of published literature on mental disorders, mental health service utilization, cultural issues, stigma, and indigenous mental healthcare. Media and advocacy reports related to human rights abuses in indigenous mental health treatment settings were also examined. International conventions on human rights and torture, national criminal legislation, constitutional provisions on fundamental rights and medical ethics guidelines relevant to patient care within the country were examined in order to highlight provisions regarding human rights abuses within the context of care.

Results

Indigenous mental healthcare in Nigeria is culturally syntonic, has a complex interaction with stigmatization and is associated with incidents of human rights abuses especially torture of different variants. Three systemic responses to indigenous mental healthcare in Nigeria include: orthodox dichotomization, interactive dimensionalization, and collaborative shared care. Conclusions: Indigenous mental healthcare is endemic in Nigeria. Orthodox dichotomization is unlikely to produce a meaningful care response. Interactive dimensionalization provides a realistic psychosocial explanation for the utilization of indigenous mental healthcare. Collaborative shared care involving measured collaboration between orthodox mental health practitioners and indigenous mental health systems offers an effective as well as cost-effective intervention strategy. It reduces harmful effects of indigenous mental healthcare including human rights abuses and offers patients a culturally appropriate response to their problems