bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coping strategies and resilience among patients with hypertension in Ghana
Authors: Boima Vincent , Yorke Ernest , Ganu Vincent , Gyaban-Mensah Anna , Ekem-Ferguson George , Kretchy Irene Akwo , Mate-Kole Charles Christopher
Published: January 2023

Background

Hypertension is associated with high morbidity and mortality and this has been linked to poor treatment and control rates. To optimize drug treatment, patient-centered strategies such as coping, resilience, and adherence to medication may improve control rates and decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension. This study, therefore, assessed coping skills and resilience among patients with hypertension in Ghana.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. 224 consented patients with a diagnosis of hypertension were consecutively selected from the outpatient clinic. Questionnaires comprising socio-demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, Adult Resilience Measure, and the Africultural Coping Systems Inventory were administered. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16.1 and significance level was set at p-value of ≤ 0.05.

Results

The mean age of participants was 62.03 ± 11.40 years and the majority were female (63%). The overall coping strategy mean score was 43.13 ± 13.57. For resilience, median relational and personal resilience (PR) scores were 32 (IQR-7) and 39 (IQR-9), respectively. Increased systolic BP significantly increases the overall coping strategy score. Collective coping strategy and systolic BP significantly increased coping scores (95%CI = 0.05–3.69 vs. 95%CI = 0.58–5.31). Overall coping strategy significantly increased personal and relational resilience (RR) domain scores by 0.004 (95%CI = 0.002–0.01) and 0.005 (95%CI = 0.003–0.006) units, respectively. This study demonstrated that Cognitive and emotional debriefing coping strategy was mostly used by patients with hypertension.

Conclusion

Coping strategies had a positive and significant correlation with personal and RR, specifically collective and cognitive debriefing had a significant positive association with resilience among study participants. There is a need to actively put in measures that can improve the coping strategies and resilience among patients with hypertension to adjust to the long-term nature of the illness and treatment as this will promote better treatment outcomes.
Effectiveness of online expressive writing in reducing psychological distress among the asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Fangcang Hospitals: A quasi-experiment study
Authors: Zheng Xican , Qu Jingrui , Xie Jun , Yue Wei , Liang Xuejun , Shi Zhen , Bai Jing , Sun Zhiyan , Cheng Fangna , Li Xiaoxia , Liu Chunxia
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study aimed to assess the applicability and effectiveness of an online format of expressive writing (EW) in reducing psychological distress among the asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Fangcang Hospitals with a quasi-experiment.

Method

Altogether 244 patients were assigned to the EW group(n=122) and the control group(n=122). Besides the routine psychological intervention (broadcast relaxation training at a fixed time) in Fangcang hospitals, The EW group was engaged in 8-day theme-based adaption EW intervention, whereas the control group received no interventions. All the participants were tested with the Brief Profile of Mood States (BPOMS) and Inpatient Mental Health Preliminary Screening Scale(IMHPS) before and after the intervention. After the intervention, the writing quality and intervention satisfaction of the EW group were evaluated by a self-designed writing quality questionnaire and EW satisfaction questionnaire.

Results

The results indicated that the EW significantly improved in the BPOMS test, whereas the control group showed no significant change. The IMHPS score in the control group was statistically deteriorated than that before intervention, whereas the EW group showed no significant change. The writing quality was highly correlated with the score change of BPMOS. The overall satisfaction of patients with EW was 81.13%.

Conclusion

EW can reduce psychological distress among the asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Fangcang Hospitals. The higher the quality of writing, the greater the improvement of mood states. As a new form of psychological intervention in Fangcang hospitals with high patient satisfaction, EW has a value of popularization and application.
Validation of the cross-cultural dementia screening test in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Delgado-Álvarez Alfonso , Delgado-Alonso Cristina , Goudsmit Miriam , García-Ramos Rocío , Gil-Moreno María José , Valles-Salgado María , Díez-Cirarda María , Zamarrón-Cassinello María Dolores , Matías-Guiu Jorge , Matias-Guiu Jordi A.
Published: January 2023

Objective

The Cross-Cultural Dementia (CCD) is a new screening tool to evaluate cognitive impairment based on a cross-cultural perspective to reduce the bias of education, and language and cultural differences. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic properties of the CCD in Spaniards for the assessment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease in mild cognitive impairment (AD-MCI) and mild dementia stages (AD-D) and patients with mild cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD-MCI).

Methods

Sixty participants with AD (50% MCI) and thirty with PD-MCI were enrolled. Each clinical group was compared against a healthy control group (HC) with the same number of participants and no significant differences in age, education, and sex. A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and CCD were completed. Intergroup comparisons, ROC curves, and cut-off scores were calculated for the study of diagnostic properties.

Results

Intergroup differences were found in accordance with the cognitive profile of each clinical condition. Memory measures (Objects test) were especially relevant for the classification between AD and HC. Memory and executive function scores (Sun-Moon and Dots tests) were useful in the case of PD-MCI and HC. Furthermore, CCD described differences in executive functions and speed scores comparing AD-MCI and PD-MCI. Correlations between standardized neuropsychological tests and CCD measures supported the convergent validity of the test.

Conclusion

CCD showed good discrimination properties and cut-off scores for dementia and extended its application to a sample of prodromal stages of AD and PD with mild cognitive impairment.
Intervention and evaluation of the life design counseling: A case study
Authors: Wang Danqi , Liu Xiping
Published: January 2023

This article aims to explore the effectiveness of Life Design Counseling (LDC) for a high school student before choosing the subject. To evaluate LDC outcomes, the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale-China Form was used before and after the intervention. Two measures were used to evaluate the process of LDC: the Innovative Moments Coding System (IMCS) and Future Career Autobiography (FCA). The results show that the LDC approach produced a significant change in career adaptability. In addition, the findings demonstrate a significant narrative movement or change with the evaluation of the process. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
A study of the factors influencing HIV-preventive intentions among “hookup” application users
Authors: Li Mengyu , Li Ning
Published: January 2023

“Hooking up” refers to the act of experiencing sexual intimacy with strangers without committing to a romantic relationship. Social media provide more convenient conditions for hooking up; however, it also poses a greater risk for HIV infection. Therefore, it is necessary to study the factors influencing the HIV-preventive intentions of those who engage in online dating to devise effective strategies for preventing the spread of HIV. This study consisted of a questionnaire that was distributed to 520 users of the Hello Group application. The survey results revealed that structural equation modeling is a useful framework for understanding the risk of HIV transmission in casual hookup encounters. In addition, combining the health belief model with the theory of planned behavior can provide recommendations for enhancing HIV-preventive intentions among users of dating applications. The results showed that mindfulness, the Chinese cultural context, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy were the main predictors of users' HIV-preventive intentions when using online dating applications. Among the perceived HIV risks, only perceived barriers had a negative effect on users' HIV-preventive intentions. In addition, attitude, subjective norms, and behavior control served as mediating variables between independent variables and HIV-preventive intentions; however, the mediating effect of attitude on perceived benefits and intentions was not significant. According to our study, some users misunderstand the risks and make incorrect assessments of the cultural risks of hooking up. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the research on the psychological tendencies of users and risk intervention when studying the concept of hooking up.
A short-form of team mindset scale: Using psychometric properties of the items
Authors: Kim Mirim , Han Soo Jeoung , Kim JiYoon
Published: January 2023

As the importance of a team function in educational and industrial settings has been emphasized, practical knowledge of team mindsets can be useful. Previous studies extended the mindset concept of individuals to the team context and developed a 48-item team mindset scale (TMS). However, the original TMS had an issue regarding the length of the survey when using it with many other scales. Therefore, the present study tested the psychometric properties of 48 items under a variety of perspectives to suggest a shorter version of TMS measuring the perception of the team mindset and having the desirable characteristics. We examined the construct validity of the TMS with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with target rotation in Study 1 and tested item-level psychometric properties of the TMS in Study 2 based on classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT). Based on the result, we suggested the short-form of TMS, an 8-item TMS with adequate psychometric characteristics.
Look for the meaning of rural school work: Qualitative study on identity of comprehensive teachers in rural primary schools in China
Authors: Lian Yang , Xiaojun He , Cuiling Wu
Published: January 2023

In the working environment of rural schools, whether and how does the identity of new comprehensive teachers change before and after service? Research on this problem is beneficial to optimize pre-service training and provide effective support for in-service training. In this study, phenomenological interviews were conducted to understand the formation and change of their identities in the three stages of pre-service, working and current teaching of four new teachers with 3-year teaching experience in the minority areas of western China. The results show that in the working environment of rural schools, three comprehensive teachers in primary schools have gradually changed from being excellent subject teachers to caring teachers. Another determined to become a caring teacher before her career, she retained her own identity in her work and focused more on the healthy growth of her students. The results show that the working environment of rural schools has a significant impact on the identity of first-term teachers of primary schools. Pre-service training should be integrated into local culture to promote the integration of pre-service and in-service and realize its sustainable development.
Dual career support among world-class athletes in Sweden: Performance, education, and employment
Authors: Nyberg Claes , Wagnsson Stefan , Gustafsson Henrik , Stråhlman Owe
Published: January 2023

In order to help talented athletes to combine sport and education, different forms of Dual Career Support (DCS) have been developed in many countries. The effectiveness of these support systems have been debated. Most studies have investigated young athletes in the beginning of their careers, less is known about athletes who reached the highest levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the extent to which former Swedish world-class athletes have attended dual career sport programs at upper secondary school. A retrospective design was used with 274 former world-class athletes who answered a questionnaire. In order to investigate whether there was a relationship between attending a dual career sport school and athletic characteristics, as well as post career educational and employment outcomes, a series of Chi-square tests were conducted. The main results show that more than half of the athletes did not take part in any DCS. These results indicate that DCS in Sweden is not a decisive factor for success in sports as intended. Half of all participants, regardless of whether they studied at DCS, have studied at university, and all participants had a job at the time of data collection. The majority also consider that their financial situation has improved after their sports career.
Situating language register across the ages, languages, modalities, and cultural aspects: Evidence from complementary methods
Authors: Pescuma Valentina N. , Serova Dina , Lukassek Julia , Sauermann Antje , Schäfer Roland , Adli Aria , Bildhauer Felix , Egg Markus , Hülk Kristina , Ito Aine , Jannedy Stefanie , Kordoni Valia , Kuehnast Milena , Kutscher Silvia , Lange Robert , Lehmann Nico , Liu Mingya , Lütke Beate , Maquate Katja , Mooshammer Christine , Mortezapour Vahid , Müller Stefan , Norde Muriel , Pankratz Elizabeth , Patarroyo Angela G. , Pleşca Ana-Maria , Ronderos Camilo R. , Rotter Stephanie , Sauerland Uli , Schnelle Gohar , Schulte Britta , Schüppenhauer Gediminas , Sell Bianca Maria , Solt Stephanie , Terada Megumi , Tsiapou Dimitra , Verhoeven Elisabeth , Weirich Melanie , Wiese Heike , Zaruba Kathy , Zeige Lars Erik , Lüdeling Anke , Knoeferle Pia
Published: January 2023

In the present review paper by members of the collaborative research center “Register: Language Users' Knowledge of Situational-Functional Variation” (CRC 1412), we assess the pervasiveness of register phenomena across different time periods, languages, modalities, and cultures. We define “register” as recurring variation in language use depending on the function of language and on the social situation. Informed by rich data, we aim to better understand and model the knowledge involved in situation- and function-based use of language register. In order to achieve this goal, we are using complementary methods and measures. In the review, we start by clarifying the concept of “register”, by reviewing the state of the art, and by setting out our methods and modeling goals. Against this background, we discuss three key challenges, two at the methodological level and one at the theoretical level: (1) To better uncover registers in text and spoken corpora, we propose changes to established analytical approaches. (2) To tease apart between-subject variability from the linguistic variability at issue (intra-individual situation-based register variability), we use within-subject designs and the modeling of individuals' social, language, and educational background. (3) We highlight a gap in cognitive modeling, viz. modeling the mental representations of register (processing), and present our first attempts at filling this gap. We argue that the targeted use of multiple complementary methods and measures supports investigating the pervasiveness of register phenomena and yields comprehensive insights into the cross-methodological robustness of register-related language variability. These comprehensive insights in turn provide a solid foundation for associated cognitive modeling.
Positive leadership action framework: Simply doing good and doing well
Authors: Redín Dulce M. , Meyer Marcel , Rego Arménio
Published: January 2023

This article presents the Positive Leadership Action Framework (PLAF) to structure Positive Leadership (PL). The novelty of the PLAF is that it incorporates the connections of PL to positive outcomes (financial and economic performance and social well-being) and organizational virtuousness. Also, it acknowledges its conditional nature on the virtues to achieve flourishing within the organization and society at large. We argue that the leader’s actions function as the engine for positive change within the organization, bridging the gap between individual virtues and organizational virtuousness and creating a feedback loop among both. To develop a positive organization, a leader needs to create positive assumptions among (and about) coworkers, positively impact the personal and professional development of employees, and balance positive formal and informal conditions at work. To do so, it is a sine qua non condition that the positive leader fosters his/her personal development by exercising the virtues and developing practical wisdom. In this way, the positive leader automatically provides followers with a vision of the final end towards the common good and achieves to set his/her organization on a pathway towards excellence.
Profiling prefrontal cortex protein expression in rats exhibiting an incubation of cocaine craving following short-access self-administration procedures
Authors: Huerta Sanchez Laura L. , Sankaran Mathangi , Li Taylor L. , Doan Hoa , Chiu Alvin , Shulman Eleanora , Shab Gabriella , Kippin Tod E. , Szumlinski Karen K.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Incubation of drug-craving refers to a time-dependent increase in drug cue-elicited craving that occurs during protracted withdrawal. Historically, rat models of incubated cocaine craving employed extended-access (typically 6 h/day) intravenous drug self-administration (IV-SA) procedures, although incubated cocaine craving is reported to occur following shorter-access IV-SA paradigms. The notoriously low-throughput of extended-access IV-SA prompted us to determine whether two different short-access IV-SA procedures akin to those in the literature result in qualitatively similar changes in glutamate receptor expression and the activation of downstream signaling molecules within prefrontal cortex (PFC) subregions as those reported previously by our group under 6h-access conditions.

Methods

For this, adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to intravenously self-administer cocaine for 2 h/day for 10 consecutive days (2-h model) or for 6 h on day 1 and 2 h/day for the remaining 9 days of training (Mixed model). A sham control group was also included that did not self-administer cocaine.

Results

On withdrawal day 3 or 30, rats were subjected to a 2-h test of cue-reinforced responding in the absence of cocaine and a time-dependent increase in drug-seeking was observed under both IV-SA procedures. Immunoblotting of brain tissue collected immediately following the cue test session indicated elevated phospho-Akt1, phospho-CaMKII and Homer2a/b expression within the prelimbic subregion of the PFC of cocaine-incubated rats. However, we failed to detect incubation-related changes in Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor or ionotropic glutamate receptor subunit expression in either subregion.

Discussion

These results highlight further a role for Akt1-related signaling within the prelimbic cortex in driving incubated cocaine craving, and provide novel evidence supporting a potential role also for CaMKII-dependent signaling through glutamate receptors in this behavioral phenomenon.
Clinical differences between men and women in a Swedish treatment-seeking population with gambling disorder
Authors: Miller Louise , Mide Mikael , Arvidson Elin , Söderpalm Gordh Anna
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to explore clinical differences in Swedish treatment-seeking men and women with gambling disorder (GD). As the prevalence of GD is increasing among women, even though men are still highly overrepresented, the characteristic differences between men and women seeking treatment become increasingly important.

Method

A sample of 204 patients with GD (26.5% women and 73.5% men) at an outpatient clinic were diagnosed using the SCI-GD, screened for comorbid diagnoses using the MINI, and further completed a range of self-report questionnaires measuring demographics, GD, alcohol and other drug problems, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and pathways into gambling problems.

Results

Several characteristics differed between treatment-seeking men and women in our sample. Examples of differences between genders included age, onset age, living situation, duration, alcohol and drug problems, comorbidity, and pathways leading to gambling problems.

Discussion

The most evident difference was that women, in addition to GD, showed more symptoms of anxiety and depression than men, while men had a higher degree of substance use problems compared to women. The differences in clinical features between men and women are important to consider in treatment planning and possibly for future gender-based interventions.
Correlations between cortical gyrification and schizophrenia symptoms with and without comorbid hostility symptoms
Authors: Ferracuti Stefano , Del Casale Antonio , Romano Andrea , Gualtieri Ida , Lucignani Martina , Napolitano Antonio , Modesti Martina Nicole , Buscajoni Andrea , Zoppi Teodolinda , Kotzalidis Georgios D. , Manelfi Lorenza , de Pisa Eleonora , Girardi Paolo , Mandarelli Gabriele , Parmigiani Giovanna , Rossi-Espagnet Maria Camilla , Pompili Maurizio , Bozzao Alessandro
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Interest in identifying the clinical implications of the neuropathophysiological background of schizophrenia is rising, including changes in cortical gyrification that may be due to neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Inpatients with schizophrenia can show abnormal gyrification of cortical regions correlated with the symptom severity.

Methods

Our study included 36 patients that suffered an acute episode of schizophrenia and have undergone structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to calculate the local gyrification index (LGI).

Results

In the whole sample, the severity of symptoms significantly correlated with higher LGI in different cortical areas, including bilateral frontal, cingulate, parietal, temporal cortices, and right occipital cortex. Among these areas, patients with low hostility symptoms (LHS) compared to patients with high hostility symptoms (HHS) showed significantly lower LGI related to the severity of symptoms in bilateral frontal and temporal lobes.

Discussion

The severity of psychopathology correlated with higher LGI in large portions of the cerebral cortex, possibly expressing abnormal neural development in schizophrenia. These findings could pave the way for further studies and future tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Effectiveness of vortioxetine for major depressive disorder in real-world clinical practice: US cohort results from the global RELIEVE study
Authors: Mattingly Gregory , Brunner Elizabeth , Chrones Lambros , Lawrence Debra F. , Simonsen Kenneth , Ren Hongye
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Effective treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) involves addressing both depressive and functional symptoms, increasing patients’ overall sense of well-being and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

RELIEVE was an international observational, prospective study in patients ≥18 years with a current diagnosis of a major depressive episode (MDE) initiating vortioxetine in routine clinical practice; outcomes for the cohort of participants from the United States are presented here. Functioning was assessed at weeks 12 and 24 versus baseline using the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Secondary effectiveness analyses assessed changes from baseline to weeks 12 and 24 in functioning, depression severity, cognitive symptoms, sexual function, and QoL.

Results

244 participants had an average of 8.2 previous MDEs; mean duration of their current MDE at baseline was 93.5 weeks. Vortioxetine was used as second- or later-line treatment for 80.5% of participants. Least-squares mean (SE) SDS total score significantly decreased from baseline by 7.19 (0.52) points at week 12 and 8.19 (0.56) points at week 24 (p < 0.0001 for both). Significant improvements were also reflected across SDS subscores, depression severity, cognitive function, sexual function, and QoL. Healthcare resource utilization and productivity parameters also improved. Adverse events were observed in 21.8% of patients, with nausea being the most common (7.3%).

Conclusion

This real-world study demonstrated improvements in functioning, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function in patients with MDD treated with vortioxetine in routine clinical practice in the cohort of patients enrolled in the United States. Outcomes were consistent with the efficacy and safety profile of vortioxetine in randomized controlled trials.
Behavioral, cortical and autonomic effects of single-dose escitalopram on the induction and regulation of fear and disgust: Comparison with single-session psychological emotion regulation with reappraisal
Authors: Sklivanioti Greenfield Myrto , Wang Yanlu , Msghina Mussie
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Adaptive and successful emotion regulation, the ability to flexibly exert voluntary control over emotional experience and the ensuing behavior, is vital for optimal daily functioning and good mental health. In clinical settings, pharmacological and psychological interventions are widely employed to modify pathological emotion processing and ameliorate its deleterious consequences.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the acute effects of single-dose escitalopram on the induction and regulation of fear and disgust in healthy subjects. Furthermore, we compared these pharmacological effects with psychological emotion regulation that utilized a cognitive strategy with reappraisal. Emotion induction and regulation tasks were performed before and 4 h after ingestion of placebo or 10 mg escitalopram in a randomized, double-blind design. The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) was used as a source of images, with threat-related pictures selected for fear and disease and contamination-related pictures for disgust. Behavioral data, electrodermal activity (EDA), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recordings were collected.

Results

Escitalopram significantly reduced emotion intensity for both fear and disgust during emotion induction, albeit with differing electrodermal and hemodynamic activity patterns for the two negative emotions. At rest, i.e., in the absence of emotive stimuli, escitalopram increased sympathetic activity during the fear but not during the disgust experiments. For both fear and disgust, emotion regulation with reappraisal was more effective in reducing emotion intensity compared to pharmacological intervention with escitalopram or placebo.

Discussion

We concluded that emotion regulation with reappraisal and acute administration of escitalopram, but not placebo, reduce emotion intensity for both fear and disgust, with cognitive regulation being significantly more efficient compared to pharmacological regulation under the conditions of this study. Results from the fNIRS and EDA recordings support the concept of differential mechanisms of emotion regulation that could be emotion-specific.
Effects of college students’ mindfulness on depression symptoms during the epidemic prevention and control period: The mediating effect of psychological resilience
Authors: Jiang Yanfei , Yi Zhiyu , Yao Youjuan , Hu Yanbing , Li Feilin , Ma Huizhen
Published: January 2023

Depression symptoms significantly impact college students’ mental health, particularly during the “closed management” period during the spread of COVID-19. Exploring the mechanism that affects college students’ depression symptoms can help alleviate the impact of closed management policies on individual mental health and improve their mental health level. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the normalization of epidemic prevention and control in China and the implementation of the dynamic zero-COVID policy. This study used the Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire—Short Form, Psychological Resilience Scale, and Beck Depression Scale to investigate the mindfulness, psychological resilience, and depression symptoms of 1,062 students under closed management conditions at Northwest Normal University. The mindfulness, psychological resilience, and depression status of students in closed management were investigated using an online questionnaire survey. Eight hundred and ten college students (Mage = 20.43, SD = 1.67, range = 17-30) were selected to test the model using the structural equation model and bootstrap method. The results showed that the gender differences in mindfulness and psychological resilience were not significant. Gender differences in depression symptoms were significant, and depression symptoms in men were significantly higher than in women. Grade differences in resilience, mindfulness, and depression levels were not significant. Thus, psychological resilience is negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Psychological resilience plays a mediating role between mindfulness and depressive symptoms. This study provides reference and inspiration for improving college students’ mental health under epidemic prevention and control circumstances.
COVID-19 pandemic and mental healthcare: Impact on health insurance with guaranteed universal access in Chile
Authors: Toro-Devia Olga , Leyton Gonzalo
Published: January 2023

Background

Universal health coverage (UHC) is a goal of the member states of the United Nations. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, inequalities in access to care, and financing gaps set a problematic scenario for universal mental health coverage. In Latin America, depression and anxiety disorders have increased by more than 30%. Chile implemented a reform for UHC in 2005 generating a mandatory guaranteed plan for health insurance (GES) that covers schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. We assume that the pandemic increased cases of mental illness in GES of public and private insurance.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the effects of the pandemic on the use of the GES mental health plan of public and private insurance.

Methods

A descriptive analysis of secondary data from public and private insurance on the use and expenditure of the GES plan in mental illness between 2005 and 2020 was carried out. An aggregate analysis of the use of psychiatric consultations without a guaranteed plan and sick leave was performed.

Results

Between 2005 and 2020, 18.5% of GES cases corresponded to four mental health illnesses (1,682,021 cases). Public insurance covered 80% of cases. In the pandemic, cases of mental illness fell by 10.5% in public insurance and 28.7% in private ones, reducing spending by 33 and 6.2%, respectively. Psychiatric consultations without using the GES plan doubled in 2020 in private insurance, and medical discharges due to mental illness also increased. Leave due to mental illness increased by 20% in both types of insurance.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the demand for mental healthcare increased during the pandemic, but public and private health insurance reduced admissions to the GES universal plan for schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. A universal guaranteed plan in an individual contribution system can have essential weaknesses for people when the principles of social security are not complied with, especially concerning the solidarity of the health insurance system.
Association of schistosome infection with adiposity in Tanzania
Authors: Pham Khanh , PrayGod George , Faurholt-Jepsen Daniel , Olsen Mette F. , Kavishe Bazil , Kitilya Brenda , Corstjens Paul L. A. M. , de Dood Claudia J. , Friis Henrik , Filteau Suzanne , Downs Jennifer A. , Peck Robert N.
Published: January 2023

Background

Observational studies in humans have reported a link between schistosome infection and lower adiposity, but this may be explained by socioeconomic and demographic factors, intensity of infection, or common co-infections such as HIV.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study that investigated the relationship between schistosome infection and adiposity in a large, well-described cohort of Tanzanian adults living with and without HIV. Cross-sectional data were collected among adults living in Mwanza, Tanzania who were enrolled in the Chronic Infections, Co-morbidities and Diabetes in Africa (CICADA) cohort study. Schistosome circulating anodic antigen, secreted by both Schistosoma mansoni and haematobium which are endemic to Tanzania, was quantified from stored samples. Schistosome infection diagnosed by serum circulating anodic antigen levels. The primary outcome was fat mass measured by bioimpedance analysis. Secondary outcomes included fat-free mass, waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and body mass index.

Results

The study enrolled 1,947 adults, of whom 1,923 (98.8%) had serum available for schistosome testing. Of these, 873 (45.4%) had a serum circulating anodic antigen ≥30 pg/mL, indicating schistosome infection. Compared to uninfected individuals, those with schistosome infections had −1.1 kg [95% CI −1.9 to −0.3] lower fat mass after adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, tobacco use, education level, and socioeconomic status. Infected participants also had lower waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and body mass index. Fat-free mass was not different between the two groups. Neither being HIV-infected, nor receiving antiretroviral therapy, modified associations between schistosome infection and adiposity. These associations were also not affected by Schistosoma worm burden.

Conclusions

Schistosome infection was associated with lower fat mass and less central adiposity without a difference in muscle mass, irrespective of confounders, HIV status, or the intensity of schistosome infection. Future studies should adjust for socioeconomic and demographic factors that are associated with schistosome infection and adiposity. Identifying mechanistic pathways by which schistosome infection reduces adiposity while preserving muscle mass could yield new strategies for obesity control and cardiovascular disease prevention.
Trends in prevalence, health disparities, and early detection of dementia: A 10-year nationally representative serial cross-sectional and cohort study
Authors: Lu Kevin , Xiong Xiaomo , Li Minghui , Yuan Jing , Luo Ye , Friedman Daniela B.
Published: January 2023

Objective

To identify trends in the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, and to determine risk factors associated with the early detection of dementia among U.S. middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

We used 10-year nationally representative longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (2006–2016). Adults aged 55 years or older were included to examine the trend. To identify the associated factors, adults aged 55 years or older in 2006 who developed MCI or dementia in subsequent waves until the 2016 wave were included. Early and late detection of dementia were identified using the Langa-Weir classification of cognitive function. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with the early detection of dementia.

Results

The sample size for the analysis of the prevalence of MCI and dementia ranged from 14,935 to 16,115 in the six survey years, and 3,729 individuals were identified to determine associated factors of the early detection of dementia. Among them, participants aged 65 years or older accounted for 77.9%, and male participants accounted for 37.2%. The 10-year prevalence of MCI and dementia was 14.5 and 6.6%, respectively. We also found decreasing prevalence trends in MCI (from 14.9 to 13.6%) and dementia (from 7.4 to 6.0%) overall in the past decade. Using logistic regression controlling for the year, non-Hispanic black (MCI: OR = 2.83, P < 0.001; dementia: OR = 2.53, P < 0.001) and Hispanic (MCI: OR = 2.52, P < 0.001; dementia: OR = 2.62, P < 0.001) had a higher prevalence of both MCI and dementia than non-Hispanic white participants. In addition, men had a lower prevalence of MCI (OR = 0.94, P = 0.035) and dementia (OR = 0.84, P < 0.001) compared to women. Associated factors of the early detection of dementia include age, gender, race, educational attainment, stroke, arthritis diseases, heart problems, and pensions.

Conclusion

This study found a decreasing trend in the prevalence of MCI and dementia in the past decade and associated racial/ethnic and gender disparities among U.S. middle-aged and older adults. Healthcare policies and strategies may be needed to address health disparities in the prevalence and take the associated factors of the early detection of dementia into account in clinical settings.
Unraveling the central and bridge psychological symptoms of people living with HIV: A network analysis
Authors: Wen Huan , Zhu Zheng , Hu Tiantian , Li Cheng , Jiang Tao , Li Ling , Zhang Lin , Fu Yanfen , Han Shuyu , Wu Bei , Hu Yan
Published: January 2023

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) experience multiple psychological symptoms. Few studies have provided information on central and bridge psychological symptoms among PLWH. This information has implications for improving the efficiency and efficacy of psychological interventions. Our study aimed to identify the central and bridge psychological symptoms of PLWH and to explore the interconnectedness among symptoms and clusters.

Methods

Our study used data from the HIV-related Symptoms Monitoring Survey, a multisite, cross-sectional study conducted during 2017–2021. We used R to visualize the network of 16 symptoms and analyzed the centrality and predictability indices of the network. We further analyzed the bridge symptoms among the three symptom clusters.

Results

A total of 3,985 participants were included in the analysis. The results suggested that sadness had the highest strength (rS = 9.69) and predictability (70.7%) compared to other symptoms. Based on the values of bridge strength, feeling unsafe (rbs = 0.94), uncontrollable worry (rbs = 0.82), and self-abasement (rbs = 0.81) were identified as bridge symptoms. We also found a strong correlation between sadness and self-abasement (r = 0.753) and self-loathing and self-blame (r = 0.744).

Conclusion

We found that sadness was the central psychological symptom of PLWH, indicating that sadness was the center of the psychological symptom network from a mechanistic perspective and could be a target for intervention. Deactivating bridge symptoms, including “feeling unsafe,” “self-abasement,” and “uncontrollable worry,” could be more effective in preventing symptom activation from spreading (e.g., one symptom activating another).
First cross-border outbreak of foodborne botulism in the European Union associated with the consumption of commercial dried roach (Rutilus rutilus)
Authors: Hendrickx David , Varela Martínez Carmen , Contzen Matthias , Wagner-Wiening Christiane , Janke Karl-Heinz , Hernando Jiménez Pablo , Massing Susanne , Pichler Jeanette , Tichaczek-Dischinger Petra , Burckhardt Florian , Stark Klaus , Katz Katharina , Jurke Annette , Thole Sebastian , Carbó Rosa , del Pobil Ferré Mariam Pascual , Nieto Milagros , Zamora María Jesús , Sisó Ana , Pallares García Pilar , Valdezate Sylvia , Schaade Lars , Worbs Sylvia , Dorner Brigitte Gertrud , Frank Christina , Dorner Martin Bernhard
Published: January 2023

Botulism outbreaks due to commercial products are extremely rare in the European Union. Here we report on the first international outbreak of foodborne botulism caused by commercial salt-cured, dried roach (Rutilus rutilus). Between November and December 2016, an outbreak of six foodborne botulism type E cases from five unrelated households was documented in Germany and Spain. The outbreak involved persons of Russian and Kazakh backgrounds, all consumed unheated salt-cured, dried roach—a snack particularly favored in Easter-European countries. The implicated food batches had been distributed by an international wholesaler and were recalled from Europe-wide outlets of a supermarket chain and other independent retailers. Of interest, and very unlike to other foodborne disease outbreaks which usually involves a single strain or virus variant, different Clostridium botulinum strains and toxin variants could be identified even from a single patient's sample. Foodborne botulism is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease and almost exclusively involves home-made or artisan products and thus, outbreaks are limited to individual or few cases. As a consequence, international outbreaks are the absolute exception and this is the first one within the European Union. Additional cases were likely prevented by a broad product recall, underscoring the importance of timely public health action. Challenges and difficulties on the diagnostic and epidemiological level encountered in the outbreak are highlighted.
Team-based learning vs. lecture-based learning in nursing: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhang Qin , Tang Xiumei , Zhao Yanjie , Wang Zhoufeng
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Our study aims to identify, appraise, and summarize randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the effectiveness of team-based learning (TBL) versus lecture-based learning (LBL) in nursing students.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Ovid, Embase, Cochrane, CBM, VIP, CNKI, and Wan Fang databases from inception to 22nd July 2022 to enroll RCTs that compared TBL versus LBL. The studies reporting the performance of nursing students receiving TBL pedagogy compared to those receiving traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) were to be analyzed. Scores of academic or nursing abilities were considered the primary outcome, and the results of nursing competencies, students' engagement with, behaviors, attitudes toward, experience, satisfaction, or perceptions of TBL were considered the secondary outcome. This systematic review was conducted following the guidelines of the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement.

Results

A total of 1,009 participants in 10 RCTs were enrolled in this study. Of the 10 RCTs, eight studies investigated undergraduate students, one involved vocational college students, and one enrolled secondary school students. The most reported outcomes were class engagement survey toward TBL (n = 8); students' ability (n = 5), academic knowledge or performance (n = 4); students' experience (n = 4), satisfaction or perceptions of TBL (n = 4).

Conclusion

This review suggested that the TBL was an effective pedagogy in improving academic performance and general ability in nursing students. High-quality trials are needed, and standardized outcomes should be used.
Sleep quality and its associated factors among patients with tuberculosis: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Xiangmin , Lan Huizhen , Bai Xinyu , Li Qian , Wen Yan , Feng Mei , Tang Xiangdong
Published: January 2023

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) patients commonly suffer from sleep issues owing to various adverse drug reactions (ADRs), disease symptoms, and the contagious nature of their disease. These sleep issues negatively affect the treatment outcome and quality of life. However, the prevalence of sleep disturbance and its associated factors among TB patients have rarely been reported.

Methods

A total of 497 inpatients with TB from three hospitals in China were enrolled in this cross-sectional study to investigate their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Clinical data, including demographic information, TB-related stigma, perceived stress, and nutrition- and immunity-related indicators, were also collected to explore the factors associated with sleep disturbance among the recruited patients.

Results

Approximately 70% of the recruited patients reported a sleep disturbance to varying degrees, presenting poorer global and subjective sleep qualities, longer sleep latency, shorter sleep duration, lower sleep efficiency, more frequent sleep disturbances, greater use of sleeping medication, and more severe daytime dysfunction. Furthermore, the body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin levels, albumin levels, and T lymphocyte count of the patients in the poor sleep quality group were significantly lower than those in the good sleep quality group (p < 0.05). Increasing age, higher income, drug resistance, higher stigma or stress perception, lower albumin levels, and lower CD4 levels were significantly associated with sleep disturbance among TB patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Three-quarters of the participants were found to suffer from a probable sleep disturbance. And sleep problems are linked to biological traits that interact with psychological, cultural, and social factors in complex ways. It is therefore important to pay attention to the sleep quality of TB patients, especially those with the identified risk factors. Besides, taking care of these risk factors may prove to be an effective sleep management strategy.
A machine-learning approach to estimating public intentions to become a living kidney donor in England: Evidence from repeated cross-sectional survey data
Authors: Boadu Paul , McLaughlin Leah , Al-Haboubi Mustafa , Bostock Jennifer , Noyes Jane , O'Neill Stephen , Mays Nicholas
Published: January 2023

Background

Living kidney organ donors offer a cost-effective alternative to deceased organ donation. They enable patients with life-threatening conditions to receive grafts that would otherwise not be available, thereby creating space for other patients waiting for organs and contributing to reducing overall waiting times for organs. There is an emerging consensus that an increase in living donation could contribute even more than deceased donation to reducing inequalities in organ donation between different population sub-groups in England. Increasing living donation is thus a priority for National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in the United Kingdom.

Methods

Using the random forest model, a machine learning (ML) approach, this study analyzed eight waves of repeated cross-sectional survey data collected from 2017 to 2021 (n = 14,278) as part of the organ donation attitudinal tracker survey commissioned by NHSBT in England to identify and help predict key factors that inform public intentions to become living donors.

Results

Overall, around 58.8% of the population would consider donating their kidney to a family member (50.5%), a friend (28%) or an unknown person (13.2%). The ML algorithm identified important factors that influence intentions to become a living kidney donor. They include, in reducing order of importance, support for organ donation, awareness of organ donation publicity campaigns, gender, age, occupation, religion, number of children in the household, and ethnic origin. Support for organ donation, awareness of public campaigns, and being younger were all positively associated with predicted propensity for living donation. The variable importance scores show that ethnic origin and religion were less important than the other variables in predicting living donor intention.

Conclusion

Factors influencing intentions to become a living donor are complex and highly individual in nature. Machine learning methods that allow for complex interactions between characteristics can be helpful in explaining these decisions. This work has identified important factors and subgroups that have higher propensity for living donation. Interventions should target both potential live donors and recipients. Research is needed to explore the extent to which these preferences are malleable to better understand what works and in which contexts to increase live organ donation.