bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface CD24 distinguishes between low differentiated and transit‐amplifying cells in the basal layer of human prostate
Authors: Petkova Neli , Hennenlotter Jörg , Sobiesiak Malgorzata , Todenhöfer Tilman , Scharpf Marcus , Stenzl Arnulf , Bühring Hans‐Jörg , Schwentner Christian
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are common abnormalities in elderly men. It is considered that epithelial stem cells are involved in the etiology and development of both diseases. To distinguish aberrant from normal cells, the knowledge about primary epithelial stem/progenitor cells (ES/P) is essential. The aim of this study was to examine the role of surface markers to distinguish between different subsets of prostate basal epithelium.

METHODS

The expression pattern of prostate tissue single cell suspensions was analyzed by flow cytometry using different markers. Sorted cell populations were examined for their clonogenic capacity and the resulted colonies were analyzed with flow cytometry, Western blot, and qPCR for stem cell, basal, and luminal epithelium markers. Additionally, the histological localization of the examined markers was determined using immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Using the combination of CD49f, Trop‐2, and surface CD24, basal cell subsets with distinct differentiation capacities were dissected (CD49f+Trop‐2+CD24− and CD49f+Trop‐2+CD24+). Although cells from the two subsets gave rise to similar basal colonies, qPCR of primary tissue revealed that higher levels of basal marker expression were detected in the CD49f+Trop‐2+CD24− subset. Immunofluorescence analysis showed a prominent expression of CD24 by luminal and basal cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Subsets with distinct differentiation capacities within the basal epithelium (CD49f+Trop‐2+CD24− and CD49f+Trop‐2+CD24+) can be distinguished in human prostate. CD24 is a marker expressed on the basal transit‐amplifying cells (transition cells) and may play a role in the differentiation and migration of ES/P cells to the luminal layer. The knowledge of this mechanism is of relevance for treatment of both diseases. Prostate 73: 1576–1590, 2013 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling and dynamic analysis of the worm‐like part of an innovative robot applicable in colonoscopy
Authors: Naderi N. , Najarian S. , Hosseinali A. , Karevan H.
Published: July 2013

Background

The pathological conditions of the human colon may lead to cancer of the colon, which is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Colonoscopy is the best diagnostic technique that can be used in colon cancer detection. However, many people do not accept this method due to the unpleasant experience, i.e. if it is not performed under sedation. As a result, changing the conventional colonoscopy into a robotic procedure seems beneficial.

Methods

In this work, a semi‐autonomous device capable of propelling itself along the flexible environment has been introduced. This robot is capable of advancing along intestinal turns such as the turn between the transverse and descending colon. Control of the robot's worm‐like part has been investigated via dynamic simulations as well as computer programming.

Results

The simulations resulted in workspace analysis of the robot. A prototype of the robot verified the performance of the computer program.

Conclusion

The real model revealed the applicability of the method in controlling cable‐driven worm‐like mechanisms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decentralized Coordinated Tracking with Mixed Discrete–Continuous Decisions
Authors: Xu Zhe , Fitch Robert , Underwood James , Sukkarieh Salah
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we study the problem of dynamically positioning a team of mobile robots for target tracking. We treat the coordination of mobile robots for target tracking as a joint team optimization to minimize uncertainty in target state estimates over a fixed horizon. The optimization is inherently a function of both the positioning of robots in continuous space and the assignment of robots to targets in discrete space. Thus, the robot team must make decisions over discrete and continuous variables. In contrast to methods that decouple target assignments and robot positioning, our approach avoids the strong assumption that a robot's utility for observing a target is independent of other robots’ observations. We formulate the optimization as a mixed integer nonlinear program and apply integer relaxation to develop an approximate solution in decentralized form. We demonstrate our coordinated multirobot tracking algorithm both in simulation and using a pair of mobile robotic sensor platforms to track moving pedestrians. Our results show that coupling target assignment and robot positioning realizes coordinated behaviors that are not possible with decoupled methods.
A weighted random forests approach to improve predictive performance
Authors: Winham Stacey J. , Freimuth Robert R. , Biernacka Joanna M.
Published: July 2013

Identifying genetic variants associated with complex disease in high‐dimensional data is a challenging problem, and complicated etiologies such as gene–gene interactions are often ignored in analyses. The data‐mining method random forests (RF) can handle high dimensions; however, in high‐dimensional data, RF is not an effective filter for identifying risk factors associated with the disease trait via complex genetic models such as gene–gene interactions without strong marginal components. In this article we propose an extension called weighted random forests (wRF), which incorporates tree‐level weights to emphasize more accurate trees in prediction and calculation of variable importance. We demonstrate through simulation and application to data from a genetic study of addiction that wRF can outperform RF in high‐dimensional data, although the improvements are modest and limited to situations with effect sizes that are larger than what is realistic in genetics of complex disease. Thus, the current implementation of wRF is unlikely to improve detection of relevant predictors in high‐dimensional genetic data, but may be applicable in other situations where larger effect sizes are anticipated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining, 2013
Regular arrays of triangular‐microstructure formed on silicon (111) surface via ultrafast laser irradiation in KOH solution
Authors: Zhao Ji‐Hong , Li Chun‐Hao , Lv Zhen‐Hua , Xu Ying
Published: July 2013

The regular micrometer‐scale triangular arrays were formed using ultrafast femtosecond laser irradiation on (111) surface of silicon wafer immersed in KOH solution (0.1 g/ml). At low laser fluence, the resulting surface is covered by triangular pits microstructures, whereas at high laser fluence, the structures are transformed to multilayer‐triangular stacks‐microstructures. The number of triangular stacks layer increased as the laser fluence increased. The formation of triangle microstructure arrays depends on both silicon surface crystallographic orientation and the concentration of KOH solution. Either for lower KOH solution concentration (0.02 g/ml) or other silicon crystallographic orientation, triangle arrays cannot be obtained. We attribute the formation of triangular microstructure arrays to the laser‐assisted chemical etching process. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical Stretch Upregulates SDF-1α in Skin Tissue and Induces Migration of Circulating Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells into the Expanded Skin
Authors: Zhou Shuang-Bai , Wang Jing , Chiang Cheng-An , Sheng Ling-Ling , Li Qing-Feng
Published: July 2013

Background: Skin and soft tissue expansion is a procedure that stimulates skin regeneration by applying continuous mechanical stretching of normal donor skin for reconstruction purposes. We have reported that topical transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can accelerate mechanical stretch induced skin regeneration. However, it is unclear how circulating MSCs respond to mechanical stretch in skin tissue. Methods: MSCs from luciferase-Tg Lewis rats were transplanted into a rat tissue expansion model and tracked in vivo by luminescence imaging. Expression levels of chemokines including macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine, cutaneous T-cell attracting chemokine, and stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) were elevated in mechanically stretched tissues, as were their related chemokine receptors in MSCs. Chemotactic assays were conducted in vitro and in vivo to assess the impact of chemokine expression on MSC migration. Results: MSC migration was observed in mechanically stretched skin. Mechanical stretching induced temporal upregulation of chemokine expression. Among all the tested chemokines, SDF-1α showed the most significant increase in stretched skin, suggesting a strong connection to migration of MSCs. The in vitro chemotactic assay showed that conditioned medium from mechanically stretched cells induced MSC migration, which could be blocked with the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, as effectively as medium containing 50 ng/ml rat recombinant SDF-1α. Results from in vivo study also showed that MSC migration to mechanically stretched skin was significantly blocked by AMD3100. Moreover, migrating MSCs expressed differentiation markers, suggesting a contribution of MSCs to skin regeneration through differentiation. Conclusion: Mechanical stretching can upregulate SDF-1α in skin and recruit circulating MSCs through the SDF-1α/CXCR4 pathway. Stem Cells  2013;31:2703–2713
Activation of MAPK pathways and downstream transcription factors in 2‐aminobiphenyl‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Chen Lei‐Chin , Chueh Tsung‐Cheng , Tuan Yen‐Fan , Chen Chien‐Cheng , Chien Chih‐Ching , Lee Huey‐Yin , Chen Ssu‐Ching
Published: July 2013

2‐Aminobiphenyls (2‐ABP) induces oxidative DNA damage and leads to apoptosis. The precise signaling pathways of inducing apoptosis in vitro are still unknown. This study provides insight into the relationship between 2‐ABP‐induced apoptosis and the activation of MAPK and downstream transcription factors using pharmacological inhibitors of ERK, p38, and JNK pathways. Results showed that 2‐ABP induced the activation of ERK and JNK but not p38. The ERK/JNK pathways downstream transcription factors, c‐Jun and ATF‐2, were also activated by 2‐ABP. The inhibitory effects of ERK inhibitor, U0126, on 2‐ABP‐induced caspase‐3 activity were not detected. However, JNK inhibitor, SP600125, significantly attenuated the caspase‐3 activity induced by 2‐ABP. The expression of the transcription factors c‐Jun and ATF‐2 were decreased in 2‐ABP treated cells in the presence of ERK/JNK inhibitors, suggesting that the expression of ERK/JNK pathways leads to the downstream activation of c‐Jun and ATF‐2. N‐acetylcysteine, an ROS scavenger, inhibited 2‐ABP‐induced activation of ERK and JNK, the cell death and caspase‐3 activity, which suggested that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in apoptosis through activation of caspase‐3 in a ROS/JNK‐dependent signaling cascade. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 205–211, 2015.
Humic acid induces the endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation at Ser1177 and Thr495 Via Hsp90α and Hsp90β upregulation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Tanaka Masato , Miyajima Miki , Hishioka Naoko , Nishimura Ryo , Kihara Yusuke , Hosokawa Toshiyuki , Kurasaki Masaaki , Tanaka Shunitz , Saito Takeshi
Published: July 2013

Humic acid (HA) has been implicated as a contributory factor for blackfoot disease, which is an endemic peripheral vascular disease. We investigated the effect of HA on the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to evaluate the involvement of eNOS and related factors in peripheral vascular impairment with HA exposure. Treatment of HUVECs with HA induced upregulation of eNOS. This result coincides with those of previous studies. Furthermore this is the first study to report that HA induces upregulation of heat shock protein (Hsp)90α, Hsp90β, eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177, and eNOS phosphorylation at Thr495, as compared to that in the control. In contrast, treatment with BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, inhibited upregulation of these proteins induced by HA. This study demonstrates that HA treatment leads to increases in both Hsp90α and Hsp90β proteins and indicates that Hsp90α leads to eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 and that Hsp90β leads to eNOS phosphorylation at Thr495, respectively. Upregulation of eNOS, Hsp90α, and Hsp90β in HUVECs is regulated by intracellular Ca2+ accumulation induced by HA. These results suggest that upregulation of eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 and eNOS phosphorylation at Thr495 produce NO and superoxide anions, respectively, resulting in generation of peroxynitrite, which causes impairment of vascular endothelial cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 223–231, 2015.
Effect of Ancillary Ligands in Hydrolysis of 1,8‐Naphthalic Anhydride for Synthesis of Metallacycles of Co2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+
Authors: Nath Jayanta K. , Lan Yanhua , Powell Annie K. , Baruah Jubaraj B.
Published: July 2013

Di‐, tetra‐ and hexanuclear metallacycles of Zn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ prepared by ring‐opening reactions of 1,8‐naphthalic anhydride with corresponding metal acetate in the presence of 2,2′‐bipyridine or 1,10‐phenanthroline, namely [Co4(bpy)4(naphDA)4(H2O)4]·12H2O (I), [Co6(phn)6(naphDA)6(H2O)12]·20H2O (II), [Ni6(phn)6(naphDA)6(H2O)12]·20H2O (III), [Zn4(bpy)4(naphDA)4(H2O)4]·2H2O (IV), and [Zn2(phn)2(naphDA)2(H2O)2]·H2O (V) (H2naphDA = 1,8‐naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, phn = 1,10‐phenanthroline) were structurally characterized. In the case of the reaction of nickel(II) acetate with 1,8‐naphthalic anhydride in the presence of bpy a mononuclear complex [Ni(bpy)(naphDA)(H2O)3]·H2O (VI) was observed. Both the Co2+‐metallacycles on heating to 420 °C resulted in the formation of CoO. The magnetic properties of the metallacycles containing Co2+ and Ni2+ ions were investigated. Dominant antiferromagnetic interactions in the tetra‐ and hexanuclear Co2+‐metallacycles were observed. The hexanuclear Ni2+‐metallacycle III with a spin state S = 3 showed intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions. For the metallacycle III, the magnetic susceptibility data above 50 K could be reproduced with the parameters of g = 2.26 and JNi–Ni = +1.2 cm–1 using single J‐model based on Hamiltonian H = –2J (S1·S2 + S2·S3 + S3·S4 + S4·S5 + S5·S6 + S6·S1).
Tuning research competences for Bologna three cycles in medicine: report of a
MEDINE2 European consensus survey
Authors: Marz Richard , Dekker Friedo W. , Van Schravendijk Chris , Flynn Siun O’ , Ross Michael T.
Published: July 2013

Medical curricula, like healthcare systems and medical practice, have a strong
cultural component and vary considerably between countries. Increasing mobility of
medical graduates, and increasing pressure to ensure they are all fit for practice, have
highlighted an urgent need to establish common ground in learning outcomes at all stages
of training. A research-based approach, developed by the Tuning project, was used
previously by the MEDINE Thematic Network to gain consensus on core learning
outcomes/competences for primary medical degrees (www.tuning-medicine.com), but no
consensus was reached for learning outcomes relating to research. As part of MEDINE2, a
focussed Tuning project was undertaken to explore opinions on more detailed core
learning outcomes in research for all three Bologna cycles (Bachelor, Master, and
Doctor). Responses from 417 stakeholders, representing 29 European and 13 non-European
countries, revealed a relatively high degree of consensus. The findings strongly suggest
that these stakeholders think that learning outcomes related both to ‘using research’
and ‘doing research’ should be core components of medical curricula in Europe. The
challenge now, however, is to promote further local and international discussion on
these issues, and to find ways of achieving these competences within the context of
already crowded medical curricula.
Domains for global health education and practice
Authors: Ramai Daryl
Published: July 2013

None
278 – The Effects of Preoperative Psychological Status on the Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Following Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Yu L. , Chen S. , Huang M. , Chen B. , Fang X.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is the most common postoperative complication after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. It is unknown whether the occurrence of PONV is associated with the preoperative psychological status.

Objectives:

To explore the effects of preoperative psychological status on the incidence of PONV following gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

Aims:

To analyze the possible risk factors in order to prevent and treat PONV after gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

Methods:

101 cases patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery were enrolled. Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess the preoperative psychological state. Visual analog scale nausea (NVAS) was used to evaluate the occurrence of PONY within the postoperative 24 hours.

Results:

101 patients completed NVAS and 72 patients completed SAS and SDS. The incidence of PONV was 45.5%. The standard score of SAS (49.14±8.01) in PONV group was significantly higher than that in Non-PONV group (44.54±7.58) t=2.505, P < 0.05. The ratio of preoperative anxiety patients(SAS≥50) in PONV group(57%) was higher than that in Non-PONV group (30%) (χ2=5.513, P < 0.05). It showed that the occurrence of PONV was positively correlated with preoperative anxiety (r=0.277, P < 0.05). There was no difference in the scores of SDS between two groups. No correlation was found between PONV and preoperative depression.

Conclusions:

Higher level of anxiety before surgery may increase the risk of PONV. The patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery should reduce the level of anxiety with appropriate psychological counseling or prophylactic anti-anxiety drugs.
317 – A Survey of Post-schizophrenic Depression and The Impact of Demographic Factors on the Patients in Tabriz
Authors: Rezaei Ghalechi E. , Kazemi R. , Yaghoubi M.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Schizophrenia is one of the important diseases of mental illnesses.

Objectives:

Determining the impact of demographic factors on the depression intensity and the type of schizophrenia on the depression intensity is important in this research.

Aim:

Our goals are determining the rate of post-schizophrenic incident in hospitalized patients.

Methods:

The present study is an analytical prospective one. We selected 187 patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia and completed the demographic questionnaire and Beck depression test and analyzed the data using the statistical software SPSS and the descriptive statistics (frequency-percent) and the deductive statistics (Chi square-variance analysis). P value< 0.05 is assumed meaningful.

Results:

The average age of the patients was 38.3+10.1and %46.6 of them suffered from depression, among whom %50 of the females %71.8 of the males suffered from depressio. Considering P=0.162. The relation between the patient's age and the depression intensity was P=0.07, marital status was P=0.09,the different levels of education was P=0.3,the residence was P=0.5,and the previous record of depression was P=0.5. Tthere was a previous record of depression with P= 0.002 and the relation of schizophrenia among the nearest relatives was P=0.7 the record of depression in the nearest relatives was P=0.4 the age was P=0.065 hospitalization with P=0.42 and suicide with P=0.18 also the relation between the schizophrenia type with the depression intensity was P= 0.346.

Conclusion:

Our study showed that just the relation between the patient's age and the depression intensity, a previous record of depression patients and suicide whose relations with depression intensity were meaningful.
346 – Psychosocial Profile and Academic Achievement in a Selective Sample of Preparatory School Students
Authors: Eid H.F. , Sadek M.N.E. , Arafa M.E.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

School and academic performance are considered highly complex outcome. The pupil's intellectual capacities intervene, and other types of influencing factors can hinder or boost school performance. Aim of the work: To assess psychosocial variables including self-esteem, depression, anxiety symptoms and academic achievement in a selective sample of preparatory school students.

Participants:

This is a school based cross sectional study. The sample consisted of all students in the preparatory stage in a private school of both sexes, age ranged from 12–15 years. The sample was divided according to the academic performance of the student based on the overall grade of each student at the end of the school year into: Insufficient < 60%, Sufficient 60–70%, Good 70–80% and Very good >80%.

Method:

All students were given a questionnaire to assess personal data, family background, past history of medical or psychiatric condition, scholastic achievement and psychometric tools: including Porteus maze, Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, Children Depression Inventory (CDI) and, the Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale.

Results:

The higher the grades of students, the higher the level of anxiety and this was statistically significant. Girls had higher levels of anxiety than boys and this reached a statistically significant difference. There was significant correlation between depression and academic achievement of students. Self-esteem was significantly correlated with academic achievement.

Conclusion:

Depression has a significant role in academic performance of adolescents. Self-esteem of adolescents is highly related to their academic achievement.
348 – Psychiatric Disorders and Comorbid Psychoactive Substance Abuse in Inpatients Admitted for Alcohol Detoxification in Liverpool, UK
Authors: Kundi P.S.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Alcohol abuse and dependence commonly exist with other psychiatric conditions and people who are dependent on alcohol have a higher probability of abusing other psychoactive substances. This can affect the prognosis of psychiatric disorders and also puts services under pressure.

Objective:

The primary aim was to look into the incidence of psychiatric illnesses and comorbid use of other psychoactive substances amongst patients in an inpatient alcohol detoxification centre.

Methodology:

The study was cross-sectional survey. Data was collected from 100 consecutive inpatients admitted for alcohol detoxification in the unit in 2010. Data was collected from clinical records of the patients and we looked at demographics, daily alcohol consumption at the time of admission, incidence of psychiatric problems, use of other psychoactive substances and current episodes and history of delirium tremens and alcohol-related seizures.

Results:

Depression was present in 35% of patients, Psychotic illness was present in 10% patients, 5% of patients were diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and 6% had a diagnosis of Personality Disorders. There was a past history of Deliberate Self- harm in 36% of patients. As far as comorbid psychoactive substance misuse is concerned, 42% admitted using regular Cannabis, 12% were dependent on Opiates and 11% were using Cocaine.

Conclusion:

This study reveals that comorbidity of psychiatric illnesses and other psychoactive substance misuse is high amongst patients dependent on alcohol. There appears to be a clear relationship between these two and further research is needed to investigate if the relationship is just causal or just an association.
349 – Depression among Elderly in Beni Suef City (Upper Egypt)
Authors: Dessoki H. , El Sharbrawy E. , Tahlawy E.
Published: July 2013

Background:

Depression is a common mental health problem among elderly persons, about 10–15% of elderly suffers depressive symptoms.

Objectives:

To find out the prevalence of depression among geriatrics living in geriatric homes versus those in clubs (living in home with their families), to detect the underlying risk factors of depression.

Subjects and methods:

In Beni Suef city there are three geriatric homes where the elderly are completely living away from their families, besides one geriatric club where the elderly people enjoy their daytime (there are two other clubs were inactive and under establishment), all the elderly above 60 years: males and females in geriatric homes and those attending the geriatric club were included (145) during the period (December 2008 – October 2009). Those who can not communicate and answer the questionnaire were excluded. Data collection tools were a pretested questionnaire besides, Geriatric Depression Scale and Life Satisfaction Scale and Facing Daily Stressful Live Events Scale- Arabic version-. Appropriate statistical analysis was applied.

Results:

Depression among elderly living in geriatric homes was higher (89.7%) in comparison to those in geriatric clubs (56.7%) i.e. living with their families (the difference was significant). Chronic medical conditions are not considered as a risk of depression among elderly. So it is recommended to strengthen social relationships and activities besides encouraging visiting geriatric homes either by related families or the civil societies and this is an important key in preventing depression.
383 – Detection of the Commonly used Antipsychotic Drugs from Human Hair and Urine in a Sample of Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Dessoki H. , Raafat O. , Ghaleb S.
Published: July 2013

Objective:

Hair drug testing measures the drug molecules embedded inside the hair shaft, eliminating external contamination as a source of a positive result.

Method:

Four drug groups with 20 schizophrenic patients for each drug (Haloperidol, Trifluoperazine, Clozapine and Risperidon). The 1st visit included clinical assessment (semi-structured interview and diagnosis, and Positive and Negative Schizophrenia Symptom Scale PANSS) and urine & hair samples were taken after the first week of drug administration. The 2nd visit was done and samples were taken after 4th week of drug administration. The 3rd visit was done and samples were taken after 8th week of drug administration.

Results:

The four antipsychotics in this study can be detected earlier in urine than hair (starting from 1st week in the former and 4th week in the later) HPLC test. There were significant differences in the mean scores of PANNS for the four drugs in 1st, 4th, and 8th weeks.

Conclusion:

The advantages of hair analysis over urine analysis include the non-invasiveness, low cost, easier to collect, store, transport, the ability to measure a large number of potentially interacting toxic and biologically essential elements.
385 – When Professionals are Exposed to Client Violence: Is there a Relationship between Trust and Ptsd?
Authors: Enosh G. , Tzafrir S. , Ben Ari A. , Adini R.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Violence against professionals has been long documented as a source of stress and post traumatic stress. Interestingly, whereas the effects of violence directed at medical staff have been studied extensively, the frequency of exposure and effects on other practitioners of the helping professions has been scarcely studied.

Objectives:

To present the scope of the problem, frequency, and the moderating role of trust on the levels of PTSD experienced by the exposed practitioners.

Methods:

A sample of 645 practitioners in social services in Israel. The instrument included the Client Violence Questionnaire, PTSD and related somatic symptoms.

Results:

80% of the practitioners were victimized in at least one form of violence over the last 3 months including verbal abuse, threats, vandalism, and/or physical violence. Positive association was found between each type of abuse and PTSD reactions. Interestingly, trust among team members has shaped the relationships between exposure to violence and PTSD reactions (moderating variable). Higher levels of trust were associated with lesser exposure on the one hand, yet higher levels of trust were also associated with higher correlation between exposure and PTSD.

Conclusions:

Trust in team seems to serve a dual function. On the one hand, it serves as a buffer, reducing the odds for exposure to violence. On the other hand it increases the negative effects of exposure - when such occurs. In other words, trust in team may be associated with higher trust in clients, a factor that reduces the anticipation of violence, and thus increases its negative effect.
391 – Behavioral Problems in Children with Epilepsy, and Parenting Stress and Parenting Styles of their Mothers
Authors: Soltanifar A. , Moharreri F. , Soltanifar A. , Mokhber N. , Ebrahimi A. , Akbarzadeh F.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

There are complicated relations between child's psychiatric problems secondary to epilepsy, maternal stress and parenting style.

Objectives:

The aim of the present research is to study psychological and behavioral characteristics in children with epilepsy, study maternal stress associated with parenting these children, and parenting styles of these mothers.

Method:

Children aged 3 to 7 years old with an established diagnosis of epilepsy for at least 1 year without other neurological disorders or mental retardation and their mothers were selected from child neurology clinics in Mashhad, Iran. Eligible participants were 30 epileptic children. Control group of 30 healthy children from Mashhad kindergartens were matched with epileptic children in terms of age and sex. Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ), Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Parenting Style Questionnaire (PSQ) and a demographic questionnaire were used for data collection.

Results:

Mothers of children with epilepsy had higher levels of parenting stress (in both parent and child domains) compared to the other group (P < 0.001). Parents with epileptic children scored higher on permissive and authoritarian parenting scales. However, the score was lower for authoritative parenting style in comparison with the scores of the control group. In general, these differences did not reach a significant level (P>0.05). Children with epilepsy had significantly higher scores than normal children in terms of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity and hence, the total difficulty score (P< 0.05).

Conclusion:

Educational and psychological programs aimed at enhancing adjustment of parents with their children's epilepsy are greatly needed.
394 – Implication of Genetic Polymorphisms and Changes in Expression Levels of Proteins Regulating Neuronal Plasticity and Apoptosis in Schizophrenia Disorder
Authors: Boyajyan A. , Chavushyan A. , Zakharyan R. , Mkrtchyan G. , Atshemyan S.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Pathologic changes in neuronal plasticity and apoptosis are important factors influencing alterations in synaptic transmission and impaired cognitive function, characteristic features of schizophrenia. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), complexin-2, and annexin A-5 are known as members of regulatory pathways responsible for maintenance of neuronal plasticity and apoptosis.

Objectives:

The study was focused on assessment of possible association of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and expression levels of BDNF, complexin-2, and annexin A-5 with schizophrenia.

Aims:

For this purpose we investigated functional polymorphisms and plasma levels of these proteins in schizophreniaaffected neuroleptic-treated and neuroleptic-free patients and healthy controls.

Methods:

DNA samples were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. Plasma levels of BDNF, complexin-2, and annexin A-5 were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The significance of differences between allele and phenotype frequencies in study groups was determined using Pearson's χ2 test. For evaluation of intergroup differences in the levels of BDNF, complexin-2, and annexin A-5, both parametric and non-parametric statistics were used. The assessment of correlation between the measured parameters within each group was also performed. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results:

In patients with schizophrenia, as compared to controls, the carriers of mutant alleles of the functional polymorphisms of BDNF, complexin-2, and annexin A-5 genes were overrepresented, and the blood levels of these proteins were altered.

Conclusions:

Functional polymorphisms of genes encoding BDNF, complexin-2, and annexin A-5 proteins are associated with schizophrenia resulting in altered expression levels of these proteins upon this disorder.
403 – Relationship between Resilience and Social Support, Coping Style of Children in Middle School
Authors: Weidong J. , Guangyao L. , Hua T. , Ruohong C. , Qian Y.
Published: July 2013

Objective:

To explore the relationship between resilience and social support, coping style of children in two middle schools for providing an evidence for improving childrens’resilience.

Methods:

Six hundred childrens were surveyed with the Connor-Davidson resilience questionnaire(CD-RISC), perceived social support scale(PSSS)and coping style questionnaire (CSQ).

Results:

Resilience had significant difference between male and female children.

The resilience was positively correlated with social support and two factors of coping style: seeking help and solving problem, but negatively correlated with the other factors in coping style questionnaire.

Conclusion:

Children with high score in Connor-Davidson resilience questionnaire are more tend to the positive coping style.

Social support is an important factor of resilience in children.
445 – Effects of Early Iron Deficiency on Catecholaminergic Transporters in Rat Brain
Authors: Mohamed W.
Published: July 2013

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common single nutrient disorder worldwide. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of infantile ID on catecholaminergic membrane transporter densities in the brain. At postnatal day-4 (PND4), all pups were outfostered. Animals were sacrificed at 21, 45 and 75 days of age. We examined individual brain regions specific for DAT; striatum, nucleus accumbens (NA), substanitia nigra (SN), and olfactory tubercle (OT); and others specific for NET; frontal cortex (FC), dentate gyrus (DG), and locus coeruleus (LC). DA transporter ligand binding was performed using [125I]-RTI-55 while NET transporter ligand binding was performed using Nisoxetine HCl [N-Methyl-3H]. Results reveal a significant age effect on DAT levels in NA, OT, and SN respectively but not in the striatum. Specifically, 21-day-old rats had greater DAT levels compared to 45-day-old rats in the NA, OT and SN as well as in the OT compared to 75-day-old rats. There was no main effect for diet and no diet-age interactions. Furthermore, there was a significant age difference on NET levels in the dentate gyrus but not in the frontal cortex or the locus coeruleus. Specifically, NET levels were increased among 45-day-old rats compared to 75-day-old rats. There was no main effect for diet and no diet-age interaction on any of the dependent variables. In summary, early ID in rats alters many monoaminergic-mediated behaviors. Such changes might be irreversible despite the fact that there is a restoration of peripheral and/or central iron.
450 – The Epidemiology of Transsexualism in Iran
Authors: Ahmadzad-Asl M. , Jalali A.H. , Alavi K. , Naserbakht M. , Taban M. , Mohseninia-Omrani K. , Eftekhar M.
Published: July 2013

Aims:

Researchers on Gender Identity Disorder from different countries have reported an increase in the prevalence of GID during the last few decades, as well as changes in the sex ratio of male to female (MTF) and female to male (FTM) GIDs. The aim of this article is to estimate the prevalence and sex ratio of GID in Iran during 2002 to 2009.

Methods:

All psychiatric records of subjects referred to the Tehran Psychiatric Institute from April 2002 to March 2009 with a diagnosis of GID by two independent reviewers, were assessed. Prevalence of GID was calculated based on the ratio of the total number of identified subjects to the total population aged between 15 and 44 years old.

Results:

281 GID subjects with mean age 24.74 at first visit, were studied. The prevalence of MTF and FTM GID was calculated as 1:145,000 and 1:136,000, respectively, and the sex ratio of MTF to FTM GID was 0.96:1. The majority of subjects (229 cases, 81.5%) reported first obvious signs of GID in their childhood and 27 (9.6%) at 14–18 years old. FTM GID subjects showed less obvious childhood signs of GID than MTF GID.

Conclusion:

The sex ratio of GID near 1:1 in Iran may indicate that fewer MTF GID subjects seek help in Iran than other countries. We assume that the exact prevalence would be much higher and active prevalence in future reports would be much higher.
451 – Study of Relationship between Domestic Violence and Health Services Utilization in Married Women in Tehran, 2011–12
Authors: Ahmadzad-Asl M. , Davoudi F. , Mohammad-Sadeghi H. , Khademolreza N. , Zarei N. , Naserbakht M. , Nojomi M. , Rafiefar S. , Rasoulian M.
Published: July 2013

Background review:

Domestic violence against women (DV) in one of health problems that have 9–15% of burden of diseases in middle aged women and would lead to another health problems such as psychiatric disorders and could increase health services utilization and costs.

Aim:

To estimate prevalence of DV in married women in Tehran and its relation to health services utilization.

Methods:

A household survey of 615 married women in 22 city districts of Tehran in 2011 with a cluster sampling method was done. Demographic, knowledge, attitude and experience of DV in last 12 months and during marital life, health services utilization in last 1 and 12 months were collected. Analysis were done by STATA, SPSS and ArcGIS softwares.

Results:

We interviewed 615 married women, mean±SE age 42.6±1.1 years and duration of marriage 21.5±0.7 years. Physical and non-physical DV during marital life were 35.1% and 7.2%; respectively and during last 12 months were 18.9% and 35.6%; respectively. Health service utilization during last 1 and 12 months were 2.6 and 7.15 time per person; respectively. Women with non-physical DV utilized more mental health and non-prescribed medicine use (P< 0.05). Women with physical DV had less physician (GP, Specialist) services use (1.8±0.6 vs. 2.3±0.1, respectively, P = 0.045) but similar rate of all services utilization with women without physical DV.

Conclusions:

DV victims had higher rates of anxiety and depression that would lead to higher health services utilization among them and may produce at least 250 billion Rials annual cost to health system.
456 – New Dimensions in the Evaluation and Treatment of PTSD within the Military
Authors: French L.A.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

War trauma has long been associated with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a term coined in 1980 in the DSM-III to explain the post-war impact on U.S. and coalition veterans who served in Vietnam. New dimensions of war trauma have emerged with the 1991 Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These challenges to the traditional diagnosis are seen as being consequences of the new dynamics associated with these conflicts, notably the heavy reliance on reserve troops and the National Guard; a high proportion of female service personnel; and multiple deployment as well as the introduction of suicide bombers and the use of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).

Objectives/aims:

To articulate the new dimensions of war trauma including the pervasive atmosphere of hyper-vigilance; sexual tension within the military ranks; and the high prevalence of closed head injuries.

Method:

A through analysis of the latest research on war trauma including the proposed DSM-V diagnostic criteria.

Results:

MRI and other medical research indicates certain neurophysiological mechanisms associated particularly with PTSD distinguishing it from other forms of war trauma (adjustment disorders; panic disorders; depression, personality disorders...). Pre-morbid health and social factors are also seen as playing a role in the resilience to, or proneness toward, PTSD. Regarding treatment protocols, the immediate administration of opiates or new grade anti-psychotics seem to have the effect of keeping the trauma in the “acute stress” mode instead of the more difficult to treat, PTSD. Cultural differences are also addressed.
468 – A Qualitative Study of Mentally Ill Iraqi Refugees’ Relatives’ Experiences of their Caring Role and of Receiving Assistance from the Community Mental Health Services
Authors: Rossen C.B. , Buus N. , Stenager E.
Published: July 2013

Ethnic minority groups are relatively more vulnerable to mental illness problems, and the mentally ill people from ethnic minority groups and their families do not use the support offers from the community mental health services to the same degree as ethnic people. Family members from Middle Eastern minority groups have a very central role in caring for a mentally ill relative. The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge about how relatives of Iraqi mentally ill persons experience their role as a relative.

The design of the study was semi-structured qualitative interviews and the sample consisted of seven relatives of Iraqi mental health outpatients.

The relatives’ everyday life was marked by the feeling of isolation caused by 24-hour commitment at home, (self-) stigma, and their own and the families’ psychological and social problems. Their explanation of what could help them and the mentally ill person to get better was to break the isolation, but this was rendered impossible because of their obligation to be the main (and only) caregiver. The help the relatives needed was support for their children, and a trusting continual relationship with a professional who could help them monitor the mentally ill person and help them carry their burden of being an isolated relative.
472 – Rethinking Schizophrenia: Toward a New Concept of Staging
Authors: Cattaneo C.I. , Castignoli G.
Published: July 2013

Our nosology is clearly weak and it slows the process of knowledge. The concept of psychosis and schizophrenia is related to obsolete constructs; this can not seem to grasp the “quid novum” resulted from research about vulnerability and prodromal conditions. The current nosology of schizophrenia tends to give only a categorical framework that flattens any evolutionary perspective on the one hand but on other hand it neglects the autistic nuclearity. The early intervention model proposed a new way of “stage-modelling” of early and prodromal psychotic conditions. This model focuses the attention on a fluid conceptualization of the perspective of illness, where the auroral elements show a weak clinical relevance and even more weak during prodromal or premorbid phases of schizophrenia. In phenomenological psychopathology these early disturbances are better investigated as anomalous self-experiences and could be interpreted as an expression of a late disturbance of the self-pre-reflexive consciousness. Unfortunately, the current diagnostic construct fits only the conditions of overt disease. Is it possible, then, to link the research contributions from phenomenological psychopathology of basic self and neuroscientific evidences in order to define a new model of staging? Is it possible to imagine a non-predetermined disorder that turns to disease “on the road”?
473 – Collaborative Trainee-led Research in Psychiatry in Europe
Authors: Pinto da Costa M. , Giurgiuca A. , Kilic O. , Tomori S. , Banjac V. ,   EFPT Research Group
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Research is one of the most appealing fields for trainees in psychiatry and is an essential competency within curricula. Skills gained through research impact on clinical care and can be developed throughout the training of young psychiatrists. Since mobility is growing at different levels within psychiatry, giving rise to new challenges while requiring the exchange of visions and know-how, international collaborative research becomes crucial and should be promoted since the training.

Objectives:

To share the experience of joint work and collaborative research done through joining professional associations, such as the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) that provide opportunities for participating in research activities and establishing networks with others.

Aims:

The interest for academic background and investigational activities are essential in psychiatry, being therefore crucial to share and promote discussion on the international research projects done in an international meeting point like this.

Methods:

Assess the research projects done through time by the EFPT research group with special focus on the most recent ones.

Results:

Since 2008 the EFPT started a research group with the aim of facilitating trainee-led collaborative studies. Over the years, several international research projects on training-related areas have been conducted and published in international peer-reviewed journals.

Conclusions:

The research projects done will be briefly presented, showing that trainees can have the possibility to participate in all the phases of the projects as national coordinators and share with other colleagues their research competencies, having the possibility at times to rely on supervision by internationally renowned experts.
480 – The Effect on Pregnancy Outcome of Drug (Substance) Abuse during Pregnancy
Authors: Kashanian M. , Baradaran H.R. , Hatami H.
Published: July 2013

Introduction:

Substance abuse during pregnancy is one of the most important problems in maternal and neonatal health. Being familiar with the risk of poor pregnancy outcome in these individuals may help them to reduce that risk.

Objective:

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects on Pregnancy outcome of substance abuse during pregnancy.

Method:

The study was conducted as a historical cohort study between two groups of pregnant women with or without substance abuse. Both groups were Iranian housewives, with the same socio economical status, singleton and without any known medical systemic disorder.

Results:

1268 women were evaluated in total. 317 women were drug abusers and 951 women were not. The woman in both groups had no significant differences according to neonates’ gender, gestational age, pregnancy-induced hypertension, intra uterine fetal death (IUFD), and ruptured membranes. Maternal age (P = 0.000), maternal weight (P = 0.000), neonatal weight (P = 0.000) were found to be lower in drug abusers. History of previous abortion (p = 0.000) and gravidity (P = 0.000) were higher in drug abusers. Also cesarean delivery [(P = 0.049, RR=1.1 (1.02–1.12)], placental abruption [(P = 0.000, RR=2.7 (1.8–4.1)], meconium passage [P = 0.000, RR=2.6 (2.3–2.8)], neonatal weight of less than 2500 gram [P = 0.000, RR=1.9 (1.8–2)], Apgar score of less than 7 in minute 5 [P = 0.001, RR=1.7 (1.5–1.7)], NICU admission [P = 0.000, RR=3.7 (3.5–3.8)] and neonatal death [P = 0.009, RR= 2.1 (1.8–2.5)] were all higher in drug abusers.

Conclusion:

Substance abuse causes poor outcomes in pregnancy, and with control, patients may improve these poor conditions.