bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resting state fMRI connectivity of amygdala and hippocampus in women with breast cancer prior to chemotherapy
Authors: D’Imperio A. , Sicuso C. , Fiorelli M. , Mainero C.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Cognitive complaints and psychological distress are common in oncologic patients, in particular many studies have focused on women with breast cancer.Patients presenting the phenomenon of “chemofog” show changes after chemotherapy with regard to memory and emotional regulaiton.

Objectives

To explore brain connectivity prior to chemotherapy that nevertheless,is understudied.

Methods

We used fMRI to investigate the resting state connectivity in 24 patients before chemotherapy and 15 controls.Patients were assessed with self-administered questionnaires,such as the Patient’s Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory (PAOFI) that quantifies the decrease in perceived functioning in memory, language and problem solving (Image 1).We used a preliminary structural analysis in order to choose which neuropsychological test was affected in correlation with a significant anatomical volume alteration,as showed in the p-value table.Therefore, patients were ranked and divided into two group of “Impaired vs Preserved”, measured using the median of the questionnaire results.Higher scores indicate a poor cognitive self-perceived performance.

Results

Connectivity was altered in amygdala and hippocampus, in the subgroup of patients with higher subjective cognitive complaints i.e with a high PAOFI Memory score.More specifically, we found an association between memory impairment and the increase of the resting state connectivity of both right structures, as opposed to a reduction in left amygdala (Image 3).

Conclusions

These findings may suggest a potential effect on brain functional connectivity of the psychological awareness and stress of cancer itself. We found connectivity alterations for both amygdala and hippocampus, two structures belonging to the limbic system, that is involved in the interplay between cognition and emotions, such as anxiety and fear.
Classification of first-episode schizophrenia patients, individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis, and healthy controls using structural mri, eeg, and machine learning
Authors: Tomyshev A. , Lutsyak N. , Belyaev M. , Kaleda V. , Lebedeva I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Machine learning has increasingly been applied to classification of psychosis spectrum in neuroimaging research. However, a number of multimodal studies using MRI and electroencephalography (EEG) is quite limited.

Objectives

To assess the power of multimodal structural MRI (sMRI) and EEG data to provide pairwise discrimination between first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients, individuals at ultra-high-risk of psychosis (UHR), and healthy controls (HC) using machine learning algorithms.

Methods

46 FES male patients, 39 UHR individuals, and 54 matched HC underwent sMRI (3T Philips scanner) and electroencephalography. T1-weighted images were processed via FreeSurfer to obtain cortical and subcortical measures. L2 regularized logistic regression was used to evaluate the efficacy of diagnostic prediction.

Results

The accuracies of pairwise discriminations were: 87% for FES vs HC (specificity 83%, sensitivity 91%); 77% for FES vs UHR (specificity 76%, sensitivity 79%); 75% for UHR vs HC (specificity 77%, sensitivity 73%).

Conclusions

Current findings suggest that the patterns of anatomical and functional variability have potential as biomarkers for discrimination between schizophrenia, UHR, and healthy subjects. Furthermore, results show that the selection and multimodality of feature types are important. Specifically, adding EEG data to morphometric measures improved accuracy rates in FES vs HC and FES vs UHR contrasts, whereas standalone EEG data provided higher accuracy compared with morphometric or multimodal data in UHR vs HC discrimination. Expectedly, predictive power for the UHR was smaller than for the FES due to its intermediate anatomical features, located between those observed in healthy controls and those found in patients. The work was supported by RFBR grant 20-013-00748
Human umbilical cord blood infusions in management of autism spectrum disorder: Narrative review
Authors: Adnan M. , Motiwala F. , Mansuri Z. , Reddy A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

According to CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network surveillance in 2016, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was prevalent in 1 in 54 children in 11 states of the US.

Objectives

This systematic review provides an overview of Umbilical Cord Blood Infusion (UCB) to decrease symptoms severity in children with (ASD).

Methods

Systematic literature search was conducted using “Autism” OR “Autism spectrum disorder” AND “Autologous Umbilical Cord Blood Infusion (AUCBI)” OR “umbilical cord blood” OR “Allogeneic Cord Blood” in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO. Three studies were qualified on AUCBI.

Results

We found 3 studies on UCBI The UCB Infusion phase-I/ open-label trial showed significant improvement in cognitive and behavior scales, especially in the social domain in the first six months, and was more significant in children with higher baseline nonverbal intelligence quotients. Other study/phase II trial failed to show any effects of UCBI on social communication, vocabulary, and other autism symptoms. On subgroup analysis, the improvement in Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) in children without intellectual disability (ID) with the allogenic (not autologous) UCBI was observed. Another randomized, blinded crossover trial failed to show any difference between improvements in CGI baseline severity scores in placebo vs. cord blood infusion groups.

Conclusions

The data provides evidence to support the efficacy and safety of autologous UCBI in symptom severity reductions and improved clinical outcomes without intellectual disability. However, the evidence is inadequate and future large scale clinical are required.
Psychotherapies for neurocognitive disorder due to alzheimer’s disease- the current level of evidence
Authors: Vasile D. , Vasiliu O. , Vasiliu D.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Psychosocial interventions for Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) may increase patients quality of life and overall functioning, while it decreases caregivers burden. Therefore psychotherapies represent an important component of the case management, beside pharmacological approaches.

Objectives

To review the current psychotherapeutic options available for patients diagnosed with AD, that may be added to their ongoing pharmacological treatment.

Methods

A literature review was conducted through main electronic databases, and papers published between January 2000 and August 2020 were included in the analysis.

Results

Cognitive stimulation therapy is based on general cognitive abilities training, with an accent over the social interaction, and it has been associated with significant improvement when compared to wait list or standard care. Reminiscence therapy, usually administered in a group format, focuses on past experinces, triggered by photos, newspaper fragments, music tunes etc., and according to a meta-analysis it may increase communicational, cognitive, and affective abilities. Validation therapy is based on a very empathic communication and tries to acknowledge patients perspective over the world, but the data to support its efficacy is limited for AD. Multisensorial stimulation is based on the assumption that stimuli deprivation is involved in the onset of anxiety, restlessness, insomnia etc, and may lead to short-term non-cognitive symptoms. Music therapy, art therapy, and animal-assisted therapy are also indicated, but more trials are needed to confirm their efficacy.

Conclusions

A large number of psychotherapeutic interventions are explored for AD patients, but most of them have low levels of evidence.
Sexual well-being in old age
Authors: Humboldt S. Von , Leal I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Older adults who engage in sexual activities may benefit from increasing psychological and physical well-being, which may contribute to reduce a number of physical and mental health problems.

Objectives

To analyze sexual well-being (SWB) in older adults’ perspective and to examine the potential explanatory mechanisms of a SWB overall model, in an older cross-national sample.

Methods

Measures were completed, using a variety of appropriate methods, including demographics and interviews. Complete data were available for 326 older adults aged between 65-102 years. Data were subjected to content analysis. Representation of the associations and latent constructs were analyzed by a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA).

Results

The most prevalent response of the interviewed participants for SWB was “touching and caring” (18.0%). A three-dimension model formed by “care and well-being”, “attractiveness, intimacy and touching”, and “sexual intercourse and pleasure” was presented as a best-fit solution for English older adults. SWB for Portuguese older adults were explained by a three-factor model: “health and desire”, “care, eroticism and affection” and “penetration sex”.

Conclusions

The outcomes presented in this paper emphasized the need to explore the diversity of indicators of SWB among older adults and the cultural differences of a SWB model for older adults.
Does spirituality and religiousness influence verbal functions in stroke patients?
Authors: Giannouli V. , Giannoulis K.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Patients after stroke may experience different cognitive and emotional changes based on the levels of their spirituality and religiousness.

Objectives

This preliminary study aims to explore whether self-reports in two questionnaires measuring the personal experience of spirituality and religiousness can influence cognition and more specifically performance on neuropsychological tests examining verbal functions.

Methods

Fifteen male stroke patients participated voluntarily one year after their hospitalization. The mean age of the patients was 75.58 years (SD = 7.50, range 61-90), level of education 15.47 years (SD = 3.82). In addition to that, fifteen controls with similar demographics, free of physical and mental diseases, were also examined. Depressive symptoms of the participants were assessed with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, the Systems of Belief Inventory (SBI-15R) and a number of standardized tests examining verbal functions such as word list learning (number of words on immediate and delayed recall), story learning (number of words on immediate and delayed recall).

Results

showed a statistically significant difference between the control group and the stroke group in performance regarding verbal functions, with the first group showing higher scores. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the levels of spirituality and religiousness.

Conclusions

Although spirituality and religiousness may be related with quality of life, cognitive functions such as verbal functions are not influenced one year post-stroke.
The repercussions of burnout among health care professionals in medical oncology in tunisia
Authors: Daldoul A. , Khechin W. , Krir W. , Ezzairi F. , Kefi H. , Zaied S. , Ahmed S. Ben
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Freudenberger was the first to define burnout as a feeling of helplessness and guilt, as well as boredom and disinterest.

Objectives

Our study aimed to analyze functional complaints and the behavior of healthcare professionals in this area associated with this syndrome.

Methods

This was a cross sectional study including health care professionals in medical oncology working in public hospitals in Tunisia. It was carried out from 15 January 2019 to 15 June 2019. Health professionals were asked to answer the Maslach –Burnout Inventory Test.

Results

The average age was 34 years ± 6.7. Burn-out was found in 15 of the participants, (21%). In our population, a high emotional exhaustion score was significantly associated with its repercussions: Sadness, Blockage, sleep disturbances, unexplained pain, Epigastralgia / fatigue, Addictive behavior ; avoidance behavior, repercussions on the relationship with those around them, desire for a transfer, regret for choosing a profession, suicidal thoughts, absenteeism and smoking. A high depersonalization score was significantly associated with several functional and behavior complaints, in particular: irritability, anger, feeling of indifference, guilt, unexplained pain, decreased performance, suicidal thoughts. A low personal achievement score was significantly associated with psychotropic drug use. Global burn-out was significantly associated with feeling of blockage, guilt, unexplained pain, epigastralgia and fatigue, addictive behaviors and avoidance behaviors as well as suicidal thoughts, absenteeism and consumption of psychotropic drugs.

Conclusions

Through its impact on professionals, burnout in medical oncology represents a major threat to the quality of care and the survival of institutions.
Pain perception in schizophrenia: A neglected phenomenon with a great impact
Authors: Faouel N. , Mohamed B. Ben , Bejar M. , Zaafrane F. , Gaha L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

A decrease in pain sensitivity has been observed in patients with schizophrenia since the beginning of the twentieth century. This hypothesis further emerged during the last decades due to many clinical findings.

Objectives

To study pain responsiveness in patients with schizophrenia and explore its physiopathological mechanism through a review of the literature.

Methods

We searched the Medline database with no time restrictions, and we hand searched the references of all retrieved reviews. After removing duplicates, we selected Full-text articles in both French and English languages. Keywords: “schizophrenia”, “pain”, “pain threshold”, “nociceptors”, “opioid receptors”, “opioid peptides”

Results

We have collected 399 references, we finally included 50 Articles only. Many case reports with heterogeneous types of pain concluded that despite the high prevalence of somatic comorbidities in patients with schizophrenia, there was no significant difference in pain complaints between patients with schizophrenia and controls. There was a positive correlation between the decrease in pain sensitivity and schizophrenia. Experimental studies supported a decrease in pain perception and a high pain threshold in those patients. The neurobiological hypothesis suggested the lack of pain transmission by the dysfunctional glutamatergic system and the involvement of the opioid system. these findings have been reported in patients even before starting treatment. The psychopathology theory pointed to the impact of psychotic defenses such as denial and cleavage in the phenomenon of pain insensitivity.

Conclusions

The meticulous research of pain symptoms should be systematic in patients with schizophrenia and the hypoalgesia should be considered when dealing with somatic conditions in this specific population.
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and personality disorders
Authors: Ezquerra B.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Epilepsy and its psychiatric comorbidities have been studied frequently over the course of the last years. However, few studies have aimed to establish the relationship between psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and personality disorders.

Objectives

The aim of the current study is to discuss the relationship between different personality disorders and PNES in comparison to patients diagnosed of epilepsy but no PNES.

Methods

A case of a 48 year old female patient who attends an intensive following unit at a psychiatric day hospital is presented. The patient was diagnosed with epilepsy at 25 years old. In the last 10 years she has grown completely dependent on her family, presenting at least one epileptic seizure or PNES during the day. She attends the psychiatric unit after neurologists diagnose highly frequent PNES with interference in her day to day routine. During her follow-up at the psychiatric unit different personality disorders are considered. Furthermore, PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo databases were searched, using a pre-established strategy in order to identify recent related studies. Afterwards, studies were selected in a systematized manner.

Results

According to different studies up to 75% of patients with PNES have a comorbid personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder seems to be the most frequently simultaneous axis II diagnosis.

Conclusions

Psychiatric disorders are more frequent in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures than patients with only epileptic seizures
Monoamine oxidase a gene polymorphism associated with hostility in male population of 45-64 in Russia/Siberia
Authors: Gafarov V. , Gromova E. , Panov D. , Gagulin I. , Gafarova A. , Maximov V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The presence of low-activity alleles of the MAOA gene increases the risk of hostility.

Objectives

To study the association of hostility with high and low-active variants of the MAOA gene in an open population of men 45-64 years.

Methods

Under the WHO International Program MONICA-psychosocial and HAPIEE a representative sample of men aged 45–64 years (n = 781 men, average age was 56.48 ± 0.2 years) examined in 2003-2005. All respondents independently completed a questionnaire on hostility. From the surveyed sample using the random number method 156 men were selected who were genotyped for MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism.

Results

It was found the level of hostility in the population of men was 60.3%. In persons with low-active alleles of the MAOA-L gene (allele 2 and 3) a high level of hostility was more common - 50.9%. The results of building a logistic regression model showed that the presence of low-active alleles (2; 3) of the MAOA gene increases the likelihood of hostility OR = 2,103 (95% CI 1,137-3,889, p = 0.018).

Conclusions

Our findings allow us to conclude that the low-active allele of the MAOA-L gene is associated with hostility.
Relationship between guilt and shame and depressive symptoms in normal population and patients with personality disorders
Authors: Khokhlova O. , Vinogradova M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Shame and guilt are often discussed in their association with depression. However, there is a need in deeper understanding of relationship between these emotions and depressive symptoms in personality disorders, where affective patterns do not reach the level of clinical depression.

Objectives

To examine the differences in shame and guilt levels in normal subjects and patients with personality disorders and their association with depressive symptoms.

Methods

In total, 28 patients (M=36.07, SD=11.87) diagnosed with personality disorders and 76 (M=29.67, SD=8.87) healthy individuals were recruited to take part in this study. Patients and healthy controls had equivalent educational level. Participants were given two standardized tests: Beck Depression Inventory and Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA) – 3.

Results

There were significant differences in levels of guilt between patients with personality disorders (M=64.79, SD=6.78) and healthy individuals (M = 59.92, SD = 11.86), t (102) = 2.603, p = .011. Patients also demonstrated higher levels of shame (M=47.86, SD=9.70) than the participants without diagnoses (M = 43.38, SD = 14.96), however, these differences were not significant t (102) = 1.47, p > .05. It was found that depressive symptoms in normal population but not in patients significantly correlated with levels of guilt (r(76) = .124, p <.01) and shame (r(76)=.188, p<.01).

Conclusions

It might be assumed that shame and guilt play different roles in emotional sphere of healthy individuals and patients with personality disorders, being associated with depressive symptoms in norm and unrelated to depressive symptoms in personality disorders.
The relationship between risk, the dark triad traits, and empathy
Authors: Kornilova T. , Pavlova E. , Krasavtseva Y.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Empathy is generally viewed as a “positive” trait, while the Dark Triad traits are regarded as a “negative” side of a Dark personality. The perception of Risk is less univocal, as it plays a role in both courage and questionable behavior.

Objectives

We posed the following research questions: 1. Is risk linked to empathy and the Dark Triad traits? 2. Which traits help distinguish between participants with contrasting latent profiles (determined cumulatively for the specified personality variables)?

Methods

Participants (n=250) completed three questionnaires: the Dirty Dozen, Personality Factors of Decision-making and the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy (QCAE). Correlation and Latent profile analysis (LPA) were performed.

Results

Risk was linked to Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and decentration (positively) and to emotion contagion and affective empathy (negatively). Rationality was positively correlated with cognitive empathy. Machiavellianism correlated negatively with rationality and online simulation (a cognitive empathy subscale). Empathy subscales were linked to psychopathy (negatively) and to narcissism (positively). LPA established two latent profiles: the smallest BIC value was obtained for the model with two profiles (log-likelihood: -3204.013, df=77, BIC=-6833; VEE). Analysis of means revealed that Class 1 was characterized by significantly higher Dark Triad values and higher Risk, whereas Class 2 was characterized by lower Dark Triad traits, lower Risk, and higher Rationality (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Latent profile analysis

Conclusions

The Dark Triad traits and Risk are the more discriminative variables, while Empathy subscales do not help distinguish between the two classes of participants. The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project 19-29-07069.
Early findings from periscope (Pan-European response to the impacts of COVID-19 and future pandemics and epidemics)
Authors: Osika W. , Dalman C. , Niemi M. , Flodin P. , Sörberg Wallin A. , Asper M. , Hollander A.-C. , Pöllänen E. , Simonsson O. , Sörman K.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Body

The H2020/PERISCOPE project, including 32 partners from European universities & agencies, began 1st November 2020 and will last 36 months. The overarching objectives of PERISCOPE are to map and analyse the unintended impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak; develop solutions and guidance for policymakers and health authorities on how to mitigate the impact of the outbreak; enhance Europe’s preparedness for future similar events; and reflect on the future multi-level governance in the health as well as other domains affected by the outbreak. During this session we will report about early lessons learnt from the mapping and assessments of the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health at national and subnational level in the EU with respect to individuals, communities and societies. Further, we will comment on their comparability. The aim is to explore differences between countries regarding the occurrence of mental ill health, and especially the impact on vulnerable groups, and how this is related to exposure to SARS-CoV-2, differences in policies over time, and effects on the economy. We will reflect on the short- and long-term consequences on mental health and health inequalities, report on the ongoing development of holistic policy guidelines for health authorities & other authorities, and from the analysis of multilevel governance, at local, regional and national level, memberstate – EU-level, and EU - global governance level. PERISCOPE will continue collecting data and updating a common data ”Atlas”, which would lead the consortium to engage in modelling and experiments to provide “continuous nowcasting” of the outbreak.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Personality risk factors in assessing the reliability of the performance of operating personnel
Authors: Zlokazova T. , Kachina A. , Kuznetsova A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The development of complex human-machine systems has led to greater demands on operators’ skills, and has increased the importance of human error (Pribytkova et al, 2012; Vondráčková et al, 2017; Jian Ai Yeow, 2014). For this reason performance reliability, defined as operators’ capacity to conduct essential work processes in a high-quality and timely manner (Bodrov, Orlov, 1998) has become a topical subject.

Objectives

This study concerns an investigation of subjective predictors of operators’ reliability, namely personality risk factors (supported by the RFBR #19-013-00799).

Methods

Subjects: 67 operators and 69 engineers at a hydro-power station. Personality traits were assessed using Sobchik’s verbatim Russian translation of the MMPI (Sobchik, 1990). Performance reliability was assessed using simple and complex sensorimotor reaction tests as standard procedures for the pre-shift assessment of operators.

Results

In the operators’ group significant correlations (Spearman’s test) were found between the level of quality of complex sensorimotor reactions and the level of such personal traits as impulsiveness and individualism: a higher manifestation of these traits was associated with a higher level of mistakes in conducting the pre-shift psychophysiological test (p<0,05). With the engineers there was a significant link between the higher speed of simple sensorimotor reactions and higher optimism scores.

Conclusions

The results suggest that a tendency to behave spontaneously, and orientation to one’s own needs, could be risk factors in terms of operator reliability. They also reveal the specifics of reliability predictors in different professions at the power plant.
Specifics of professional deformations of personality in military personnel
Authors: Boyarinov D. , Novikova Y. , Gubaidulina L. , Kachina A. , Barabanshchikova V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Work experience develops not only professional skills, but also affects people’s personal characteristics. A long period of intensive work usually promotes the development of professional deformations. Prolonged exposure in stressful conditions is a risk factor for developing professional deformations. Military service is intense and stressful. Armed forces personnel work is related to unquestioning execution of orders and extreme working conditions (Kozlova, 2013). These risk factors may cause professional deformations of personality. The study was supported by the RFBR #19-013-00799 А.

Objectives

Influence of working activity on professional deformations development in military personnel.

Methods

The research involved 708 participants, the sample consisted only of men. Average age 20.3 years (min – 18, max – 32). They fulfilled 2 standardized questionnaires: Managerial stress survey — MSS (Leonova, 2007), The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (ed. Kapustina, 2001).

Results

Based on the findings the following outcome can be seen: the high scores of the Acute stress (M=45,7; SD=5,2), medium level of Chronic stress (M=43,6; SD=6,5), and Professional deformations (M=43,4; SD=7,1). In particular it turned out that burnout syndrome (M=46,1; SD=6,9), neurotic reactions (M=45,4; SD=7,0) and behavioral risk factors (M=46,7; SD=8,7) are high.

Conclusions

In that way, we can assume that Professional deformations aren’t developed by military personnel in our research. That point of view confirms on Acute and Chronic stress level. Despite the fact that there are some behavioral risk factors. That can cause a reduction of work efficiency and a decline in the health level of military personnel.
Poetic representations of post-traumatic stress disorder in cinema - example of ivan’s childhood by andriei tarkovsky
Authors: Szejko N.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Cinema constitutes an artistic presentation of the spectrum of human emotions and offers a number of examples of artistic vision of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cinema of the Russian director, Andriei Tarkovsky, alludes to the complexity of human psycho through poetic narration and cinematography. Particularly, Tarkovsky makes reference to such topics as trauma, depression, melancholy, and madness.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to analyze Tarkovsky’s film “Ivan’s Childhood” from the perspective of psychiatry and psychology with the special attention to the topic of PTSD.

Methods

We identified elements of trauma and PTSD in line with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Furthermore, we analyzed manifestations of trauma in “Ivan’s Childhood” according to the trauma complex in Jungian perspective.

Results

The main protagonist of the movie, Ivan, is treated as an archetype of a person exposed to trauma. The traumatic circumstance is the war in which he lost his loved ones. “Ivan’s Childhood” is a poetic presentation of this boy’s struggling to overcome his fears and his personal fight for dignity. Tarkovsky accomplishes it through a series of poetic images in which the director demonstrates flashbacks from Ivan’s life. Based on comparisons to Jung’s model of generic complexes, it is possible to define Ivan’s trauma complex as a set of psychological processes that are archaic and typical, i.e., “archetypal.”

Conclusions

“Ivan’s Childhood” is a moving portrait of a destroyed childhood and subsequent trauma as well as coping mechanisms such as rebellion, alienation, and transference.
Tokophobia or post-traumatic stress disorder ? about a tunisian case
Authors: Cherif E. , Meddouri L.S. , Hajri A. , Maamri A. , Zalila H.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Pregnancy and delivery are considered to be an important transition stage in a woman’s life. Although this experience is emotionally rich, it varies from one person to another and each woman goes through it in her own way.

Objectives

discuss the psychiatric outcomes after a childbirth with somatic complications.

Methods

case report

Results

Mrs X is a 32 years old woman, she has no particular history of illness until she gave birth to her son. He is now three and a half years old and he is an outpatient at the child and teen psychiatry department in a Tunisian hospital. After her delivery, Mrs X had several physical and psychological complications. She was hospitalized in the cardiology department for cardiomyopathy of Meadows for three weeks among it one week in the medical reanimation ward because she needed respiratory assistance. Furthermore, she suffered of left femoral head’s necrosis for which she was operated, and a total hip prosthesis replacement was done. Psychologically, Mrs X. presented a postpartum depression which resolved in its own after 9 months. Ever Since the childbirth, the patient presents symptoms concording with post-traumatic stress disorder and symptoms that may be linked to a specific phobia (fear of birthchild or tokophobia).

Conclusions

In addition to the usual health care provided to women during pregnancy and after childbirth, looking for mental health disturbances and eventually referring them for psychiatric assessment is important specially for women who have experienced traumatic events during the pregnancy or the delivery

Conflict of interest

No significant relationships.
The influence of concentration of micro-rna hsa-mir-370-3p and CYP2D6*4 on equilibrium concentration of mirtazapine in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Zastrozhin M. , Skryabin V. , Sychev D. , Bryun E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Mirtazapine is commonly prescribed to patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder.Some proportion of these patients do not show adequate response to treatment regimen containing mirtazapine, whereas many of them experience dose-dependent adverse drug reactions.

Objectives

The objective of our study was to investigate the influence of 1846G>A polymorphism of the CYP2D6 gene on the concentration/dose indicator of mirtazapine, using findings on enzymatic activity of CYP2D6 and on CYP2D6 expression level obtained by measuring the hsa-miR-370-3p plasma levels in patients suffering from recurrent depressive disorder.

Methods

Our study included 192 patients with major depressive disorder. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the international psychometric scales. For genotyping and estimation of the microRNA plasma levels we performed the real-time polymerase chain reaction. The activity of CYP2D6 was assessed with HPLC-MS/MS method by the content of the endogenous substrate of given isoenzyme and its metabolite in urine. Therapeutic drug monitoring has been performed using HPLC-MS/MS.

Results

We didn’t reveal a statistical significance for concentration/dose indicator of mirtazapine in patients with different genotypes: (GG) 0.229 [0.158; 0.468] and (GA) 0.290 [0.174; 0.526], p = 0.196). We revealed the relationship between the CYP2D6 enzymatic activity and the hsa-miR-370-3p plasma concentration: rs = -0.32, p < 0.001. At the same time, correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the mirtazapine concentration and the hsa-miR-370-3p plasma concentration: rs = 0.31, p<0.001.

Conclusions

Thus, the effect of genetic polymorphism of the CYP2D6 gene on the efficacy and safety profiles of mirtazapine was demonstrated in a group of 192 patients with recurrent depressive disorder.

Conflict of interest

Authors do not have any conflict of interests.
Clozapine point of care testing in acute psychiatry: A precision approach to treatment resistant psychosis
Authors: Boland X. , Dratcu L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Clozapine, the antipsychotic of choice for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, has a narrow therapeutic range and high interpatient variability in the dose-response relationship. Serum clozapine levels are essential both for therapeutic dosing and to monitor adherence. Use of venepuncture and prolonged result turnaround times with standard laboratory based methods for drug monitoring together contribute to the suboptimal use of clozapine.

Objectives

A novel portable point-of-care (POC) device has been developed to measure whole blood clozapine concentrations using an automated homogenous immunoassay. It is as accurate and reliable as standard laboratory methods but only requires a drop of blood obtained by finger prick and can produce a result in minutes. We pioneered clozapine POC testing in the acute inpatient setting during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We report on the use of POC clozapine testing in the management of 4 acutely psychotic patients with treatment resistant schizophrenia.

Results

POC testing offered a more practical, less invasive and quicker alternative to conventional methods for monitoring of clozapine levels. Near immediate availability of clozapine levels expedited clinical decisions and helped ensure safe clozapine prescribing to severely unwell patients in a time of crisis. By facilitating patients’ early safe discharge from hospital, clozapine point of care testing also reduced length of hospitalisation.

Conclusions

Point of care monitoring of other psychotropic medications in addition to clozapine brings about the prospect of personalised precision medicine for patients with severe mental illness, both in the acute setting and in the community.
Professional stress-related disorders in first-line responders- how far are we from real prevention strategies?
Authors: Vasiliu O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, first-line responders (FLR) are exposed to multiple stress factors, ranging from lack of adequate protective equipment to worries about family health due to work-related exposure to the new coronavirus. Therefore, FLR became themselves a vulnerable population that need prevention strategies for professional stress-related disorders (PSRD).

Objectives

To explore the literature in order to find evidence-based prevention strategies for PSRD in FLR, strategies resulted from other epidemiological crisis situations (MERS-CoV, H1N1, SARS-CoV) that may be applied in the current pandemic.

Methods

A literature review was performed through the main electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE) using the search paradigm “professional stress-related disorders” AND “first line responders” AND “prevention”. All papers published between January 2000 and June 2020 were included.

Results

Reported prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in FLR involved in epidemiological crises was between 10% and 33%. Evidence-based recommendations for PSRD prevention are lacking, and only general advices have been detected. These suggestions were clustered on institutional level (e.g., involving of medical personnel in administrative decisions, encouraging personal initiatives, longer pauses between shifts) and individual level (e.g., training of coping abilities, relaxation techniques, and peer-focused group support). Several guidelines for prevention of mental disorders in workplace exist, but they are not focused on FLR.

Conclusions

The need to elaborate guidelines for prevention of PSRD in FLR can not be overemphasized, especially in the pandemic period, in order to avoid the onset of stress-related complications, and to preserve a good quality of the medical activity.
The clinical relevance of childhood manic symptoms
Authors: Frangou S.
Published: February 2022

Background

The Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, a US population-based sample of 10 year-olds, offers a unique opportunity to examine the neural correlates of manic-like symptoms presenting in children about to enter adolescence.

Methods

The study will avail of the rich dataset of over 11,000 children aged 9-10 years at enrolment using data from the baseline and 2-year follow-up assessment. The analyses aim to track the evolution of manic-like symptoms between the two follow-up waves and test their sensitivity of their association with brain correlates.

Results

Data analyses are ongoing and will focus on changes in manic-like symptoms, focusing on youth with remitting, persistent and emerging symptoms and examine their associations with brain structure and resting-state functional connectivity.

Conclusions

The results will inform about the early trajectory of manic-like symptoms and offer new insights into their brain-related correlates.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Prediction of drop-out and functional impairment in recent-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Mucci A. , Bucci P. , Winter Van Rossum I. , Arango C. , Baandrup L. , Glenthøj B. , Dazzan P. , Demjaha A. , Mcguire P. , Díaz-Caneja C. Martínez , Leucht S. , Rodriguez-Jimenez R. , Kahn R. , Galderisi S.
Published: February 2022

Persistent negative symptoms are associated with worse outcome in both first-episode and chronic subjects with schizophrenia. The identification of these symptoms in recent-onset subjects is still controversial as retrospective data are often unavailable. The prospective assessment of persistence of negative symptoms might represent a valid alternative but the length of the persistence is still to be established. The present study investigated the prevalence of negative symptoms of moderate severity, unconfounded by depression and extrapyramidal symptoms at baseline in a large cohort of patients in the early stage of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, recruited to the OPTiMiSE trial. Persistent unconfounded negative symptoms were assessed at 4, 10 and 22 weeks of treatment. Symptomatic remission, attrition rate and psychosocial functioning was evaluated in subjects with short-term (4 weeks) persistent negative symptoms (PNS) and in those with negative symptoms that did not persist at follow-up and/or were confounded at baseline (N-PNS). Negative symptoms of moderate severity were observed in 59% of subjects at baseline and were associated to worse global functioning. PNS were observed in 7.9% of the cohort, unconfounded at both baseline and end of 4-week treatment. PNS subjects showed lower remission and higher attrition rates at the end of all treatment phases. Fifty-six percent of subjects completing phase 3 (clozapine treatment) had PNS, and 60% of them were non-remitters at the end of this phase. The presence of short-term PNS during the first phases of psychosis was associated with poor clinical outcome and resistance to antipsychotic treatment, including clozapine.

Disclosure

Prof Mucci has been a consultant and/or advisor to or has received honoraria from Gedeon Richter Bulgaria, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Pfizer and Pierre Fabre.
Sociodemographic and psychological parameters of adult’s commitment to exercise
Authors: Zartaloudi A. , Christopoulos D. , Kelesi M. , Govina O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Motivation is an important indicator of predicting an adult’s commitment to exercise so it is important to explore the reasons that may lead a person to participate in physical activity programs.

Objectives

To investigate the socio-demographic and psychological parameters that motivate adults to participate in exercise programs and athletic activities.

Methods

245 adults, being engaged in physical activity programs were given a questionnaire to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, possible previous problems with body weight, type of exercise, frequency and main reason for their participation in exercise programs, as well as the somatometric characteristics of the participants.

Results

It is noteworthy that participants’ motive for exercise was pleasure (for 46.1% of the participants), championship (for 20.8% of the participants), health reasons (for 18.4% of the participants), weight loss (for 7.8% of the participants) and improvement of physical appearance (for 6.9% of the participants). A greater percentage of male compared to female participants were engaged to exercise due to championship reasons, while more women than men exercised to a statistically significant extent in order to improve their appearance and for health reasons.

Conclusions

Understanding the main factors that make individuals being engaged to physical activity may help health professionals to implement educational and counseling intervention programs regarding the positive effects of exercise on individuals’ mental and emotional health. Physical activity contributes to the improvement of their quality of life, which may be the most important issue for mental and public health.
Understanding stress in patients with multiple sclerosis: The joint predictive role of disease characteristics and emotion regulation processes
Authors: Carvalho T. , Sousa-Mendes A. , Gomes C. , Guedes C.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. This condition is enhanced by stress. In turn, stress symptoms are a risk factor for the onset and progression of MS. However, knowledge about predictors of stress in patients with MS is scarce.

Objectives

This preliminary study aimed to verify whether the number of relapses, fatigue, physical disability (MS characteristics), experiential avoidance and self-judgment (emotion regulation processes) predict stress symptoms in patients diagnosed with MS.

Methods

A convenience sample of 101 patients diagnosed with MS and without other neurological diseases participated in this study. Participants completed the Depression Scale of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, Analog Fatigue Scale, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-12, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Self-Judgment Subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale.

Results

All predictors initially hypothesized and years of education have significant correlations with stress symptoms. Simple linear regression analyses showed that the variables significantly predicted stress symptoms and were, therefore, included in the multiple linear regression model. This model explained 51.8% of the variance of the stress symptoms and showed that years of education, the number of relapses, fatigue, and experiential avoidance significantly predicted those symptoms.

Conclusions

The promotion of mental health mental in patients with MS must develop functional skills to deal with stress induced by years of education (possibly responsible for the degree of awareness about MS and its consequences), recurrence of relapses and fatigue, and should minimize emotion regulation strategies focused on experiential avoidance.
The role of peer-led mental health training in undergraduate medical education - a way forward?
Authors: Cole G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Mental health is no doubt a topical conversation at medical school. We noted that whilst many students appreciated the power in talking openly about challenges faced, it was a topic many found hard to approach. In response, we have implemented a peer-led training programme at Bristol Medical School. The aim of the programme is to improve confidence and enable students to recognise and respond to their own, a peer or patient’s distress in a more proactive, supportive and overall effective way. It utilised peer-led, discussion based workshops during the first few months of medical school to achieve this.

Objectives

To evaluate the role of peer-led mental health training in undergraduate medical education.

Methods

The program was piloted in November 2019. T-tests compared 142 participating students’ baseline self-reported understanding and confidence and follow up, as measured on a likert scale (1-5). Qualitative feedback was also welcomed.

Results

Students showed a significant improvement in their self-reported understanding (24%, P<0.05), confidence when supporting a peer (18%, P<0.05) and confidence if faced with a more acute situation (21%, P<0.05). Students expressed particular admiration for the fact that the session was peer led ‘as it emphasised the importance of mental health in…society’.

Conclusions

This programme may be beneficial in creating a stronger community of doctors who are equipped with the confidence and ability to better care for themselves, their colleagues, and patients. Further evaluation is required to determine whether this reduces rate or severity of mental illness in participants or the broader student population.
Psychological well-being of students living in russia and azerbaijan, depending on their native language
Authors: Zinchenko Y. , Shaigerova L. , Dolgikh A. , Almazova O. , Shilko R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Since the post-Soviet space is distinguished by a wide ethnolinguistic diversity with Russian language being the basis of identity for a significant part of the population, the role of ethnolinguistic identity in psychological well-being needs deep analysis.

Objectives

The study explores the relationship between mental well-being and belonging to different ethnolinguistic categories in Russia and Azerbaijan.

Methods

The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (Tennant et al., 2007) was used as a measuring tool. The study involved 90 students, 45 participants from multilingual regions of Russia and 45 Russian-speaking students from Azerbaijan. Both samples included three categories of subjects: indicating Russian (1); one or more regional languages in the Russian sample or Azerbaijani in the sample from Baku (2); two native languages - Russian and one of regional languages or Russian and Azerbaijani (3) - as their native language.

Results

No significant differences were observed in the level of psychological well-being in both Russian (KW = 0.594; p = 0.743) and Azerbaijanian students (KW = 1.535; p = 0.464). However, the level of psychological well-being in Russian students from multilingual regions, who indicate the regional language as their native language, is significantly higher than in Azerbaijani students, whose native language is Russian (U = 55,000; p = 0.045).

Conclusions

The sociocultural context is reflected in mental well-being of the individual, depending on his native language and ethnocultural identity. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 17-29-09167.