bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differentiated white blood cell count measures as a predictor of weight in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Cross Benjamin , Cahill Matthew 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo explore the relationship between weight, BMI and differentiated white cell count in patients with anorexia nervosa that have commenced refeeding protocols.Hypotheses:
1. Weight and BMI will be positively correlated with differentiated white blood cell measures.2. Regression analyses will indicate that differentiated white blood cell measures can predict weight and BMI.BackgroundAnorexia nervosa is a serious mental illness with the highest psychiatric mortality rate. It is characterised by an extreme overvaluation of body image and a preoccupation with weight loss that is achieved through calorie restriction, purging or laxative abuse. The eventual malnutrition that is as a result of self-starvation causes significant negative physical sequelae. One such consequence is the detrimental effect that starvation has on the immune system, leading to bone marrow suppression and cytopenias. In obesity, weight loss has been shown to cause reductions in differentiated white blood cell counts, which are often reduced in anorexia. No studies to date have explored whether weight is related to white blood cell count in anorexia, despite being a common finding in patients.MethodAll subjects were inpatients or ex-inpatients on an eating disorder unit in the Wirral, NW England. Subjects were assessed according to an inclusion criterion. 12 consecutive weekly weights, BMIs and differentiated white blood cell measures were collected for analysis in SPSS. Correlational and regression analyses were then performed to examine the relationship between variables.Result302 data points from 26 individuals were used in the final analysis. Weight and BMI both moderately positively correlated with white cell count, r = 0.364 p < 0.001 N = 302 and r = 0.521 p < 0.001 N = 302, respectively. Weight and BMI also moderately positively correlated with all differentiated measures of white blood cell count. Linear regression revealed a significant regression equation between weight, BMI and white blood cell count: (F (1,301) = 22.482, p < 0.001) R2 = 0.69 and (F (1,301) = 112.244 p < 0.001) R2 = 0.272, respectively.ConclusionWe have demonstrated that there is a moderately positive relationship between weight, BMI and differentiated white blood cell measures. Furthermore, in line with our hypotheses, differentiated white blood cell measures have some power to predict weight and BMI. This further implicates the effect that starvation and anorexia nervosa have on the immune system. It also highlights the possibility that it might be possible to use immunological markers in order to deduce whether weights have been falsified by those with anorexia nervosa.
Anxiety levels among health care workers within Irish mental health services during COVID-19: a survey
Authors: Elimam Ibrahim , McCarthy Mary , Cooney Roisin , Dumitrescu Alin 
Published: June 2021

AimsThe aim of this survey was to assess any fluctuations in anxiety levels experienced by mental health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the association between these changes and variables of information dissemination, risk management, and managerial support.MethodA survey was created to assess variables of information dissemination, risk management, and managerial support. The GAD-7 was employed as measure for anxiety during and pre the pandemic The survey was conducted online via an anonymised questionnaire and disseminated by management through the heads of various disciplines within the mental health work force, using the local email portal in the Cork region. It was made available for research participation for a period of one month(JULY).Following this stage, the reported data were analysed utilizing paired samples t-test, Pearson's correlations, and a hierarchical regression. Demographic variables were controlled for during analysis.Result102 mental health healthcare workers participated in the survey (81.2% Female, 18.8% Male). The mean GAD-7 total scores for Pre-COVID-19 doubled in the during COVID-19 condition. The largest effect can be seen on the GAD-7 facet of “feeling afraid as if something awful might happen” with pre-COVID-19 GAD-7 mean scores more than quadrupling during COVID-19 conditions.Managerial support had a moderate negative relationship with GAD-7 scores during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information dissemination total scores also had a moderate positive correlation with managerial support total scores and perceived risk/safety total scores. There was no correlation found between the GAD-7 total scores during COVID-19 pandemic and Information dissemination total scores nor Risk/safety total scores. Childcare was a concern for 64% of staff that it was applicable to; 45% of these staff considered altering work hours; 17% reported issues from management regarding these requests.ConclusionMental health workers have seen a dramatic increase in anxiety since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the context of expecting something bad to happen. Managerial support appears to be a protective factor for increased anxiety levels in this population. Childcare has been a predominant concern and altering working hours to accommodate this has been problematic for almost 1 in 5 mental health workers. Staff satisfaction with information dissemination positively affects perceived managerial support and perceived risk management.This study is limited by the utilization of a novel self-created measure for examining variables specific to the COVID-19 pandemic and to the employment of a retrospective measure to obtain baseline anxiety scores of staff members before the pandemic.
What can be found in the spam folder? a self-study from junior researchers in psychiatry
Authors: Shankar Nikhil Gauri , Selvakumar Jashan , Loo Jiann Lin , Ohn May Honey , Chua Sze Hung , Dhandapani Asha , Simiyon Manjula , Raja Jawad 
Published: June 2021

AimsThriving on the pressure of “publish or perish” experienced by academicians, the industry of predatory publishers with dubious quality has mushroomed and gained their notoriety. The battle of uncovering predatory publishers, including Beall's list, has proven to be tough given the huge monetary gain generated by the predatory publishers. It may be difficult for an inexperienced junior researcher to identify those predatory publishers’ soliciting emails, which may disguise as a reputable journal's article-commissioning process. To date, there is a limited systematic approach to identify such emails. Hence, this research is aimed to describe the common features of soliciting emails from publishers which appeared to be predatory.MethodThis self-study involved reviewing the content of emails in the spam folder of authors, a team of junior researchers in psychiatry, for a month. Emails included in this study were soliciting emails relevant to publications and the following were reviewed: types of solicitation, sentences used, strategies used, and information available in the public domain of their webpages. Informative types of emails were excluded.ResultThe solicitation could include: 1) request for a manuscript to be published a journal article, 2) request for a thesis to be published as a book, 3) request to write for a book chapter, 4) invitation to be an editorial member or a reviewer with the offer of free publishing, 5) invitation to be a speaker for a conference, and 6) proofreading services. The publisher may cite a published article of the author from another journal, which was the source where they identified the author's email. Common strategies used for solicitation included: 1) promising a fast-tracked and guaranteed publication, 2) using compliments that appeared to be inappropriate, 3) repetitive emails, and 4) using argumentum ad passiones to induce guilt. The common features of the webpages of those publishers included: 1) open access publishing as the only option, 2) extensive list of indexing services excluding well-established indexing agencies, and 3) the publisher has a huge collection of journals in different disciplines.ConclusionIt is hoped that these findings will help junior researchers in psychiatry to stay vigilant to avoid falling into the trap of predatory publishers, which may result in financial loss and loss of work to plagiarism. Total eradication of those predatory soliciting emails is unlikely despite the advancement of spam filtering technology, which necessitates a more united effort from different stakeholders to come out with a probable solution.
“Prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in a sample of patients attending Sligo/Leitrim mental health services with a diagnosis of eating disorder”
Authors: Graffeo Ignazio , Harron Mary , O'Mahony Edmond 
Published: June 2021

AimsThe main aim of this study is to investigate its presence in a sample of patients already diagnosed with a canonical eating disorder and also to understand eventual overlaps with other clinical disorders in order to optimize treatment and follow-up. The ORTO-15 questionnaire, developed by an Italian team of researchers in 2005, was used to achieve the above aims: it is a tool comprehensive of 15 questions that assesses eating habits perceived as healthy. Really interesting and fascinating is to comprehend if people with a diagnosis of eating disorder present orthorectic behaviour and how this emerging reality fits in the Irish society with its peculiarities and uniqueness.MethodEvery patient was asked to complete a demographic grid (elaborated by the researchers, which includes information regarding: age, gender, race, weight, height, hours of weekly exercise, years of education, employment situation, medical illnesses, smoking habits, type of diet, average weekly alcohol intake) and the Orto-15 questionnaireResultThe Point Prevalence obtained is 17.9%.ConclusionThe results obtained from this study give a clear indication of the profile of the orthorexic patient, considered that the sample was obtained from a population of people with a diagnosis of Eating Disorder:
Caucasian woman in her 30sExercising 5 hours per weekSecondary educationUnemployedNon-smokerDiagnosis of Anorexia NervosaNo other comorbid psychiatric illnessesStandard pattern of eatingMinimal or absent alcohol consumptionNormal range BMIAccording to previous Italian studies (Ramacciotti et al. 2011), the expected rates of Orthorexia Nervosa in the general population are between 6.9% and 57.6%, with a peak of 81.8% in specific populations, fact that places our examined sample in the lower side of the prevalence previously considered. It is very difficult to comprehend and explain the reasons behind this fact and probably this is due to an overshadowing of symptoms with the major eating disorders. It is also significant the absence of correlation found between OCD and ON and also the fact that ON is more linked to Bulimia Nervosa in our sample rather then Anorexia Nervosa.
Evaluating participant experience in Balint online sessions held during the COVID-19 pandemic – lessons learnt and moving forward
Authors: Handa Nikhita , Garbutt Romy , Chudley Sylvia 
Published: June 2021

AimsFrom the outset of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the lockdown that subsequently ensued, a challenge was posed to reshape previously face-to-face meetings in all walks of life. One area that rose to this, with quick introduction of online sessions, was the Balint Group. We aimed to take a snapshot of the effect virtual Balint sessions have had and analyse the themes that members of virtual Balint groups have been identifying about their online group experience at this particularly challenging time for healthcare workers. We hope this will inform both leaders and participants of future online groups of the benefits and pitfalls found by these members reflecting on their first experiences of virtual Balint.MethodSeven members of virtual Balint groups across the UK were randomly selected for interview from a pool of volunteers facilitated by the UK Balint Society after the first 6 months of their first virtual Balint experience. Interviews were conducted by two academic foundation doctors who were not members of the Balint groups. Qualitative thematic analysis was then conducted on these interview transcripts. Going forward, as Balint groups continue online, the researchers plan to interview further group members and leaders to look for change and development in the primary themes identified.ResultKey positive themes identified when discussing virtual Balint were ease of access, increased anonymity, attention to facial expressions and interaction with participants from different parts of the country. The most common drawback themes were a lack of socialising and different group dynamic as well as the expected technical and environmental challenges. Interestingly all participants reported that ‘silence’ and ‘sitting/stepping back’ were still used in their online sessions. Core theme analysis indicates the virtual Balint descriptions draw out sentiments of safe, open and structured sessions. In these early sessions a frequent theme was the increased role of the leader.ConclusionAll participants interviewed so far have felt their online experiences have had many positive aspects. They highlight areas they feel virtual Balint could develop to better replicate the original sessions. The fact some interviewees would prefer to maintain online Balint groups even when ‘in person’ options resume makes it likely this will not be a transient rise in virtual Balint and that the style may be here to stay. Based on this, the role for feedback and constant evaluation and improvement will be central to virtual Balint evolution.
Reducing fatigue-related symptoms in Long COVID-19: finding an intervention that works
Authors: Heald Adrian , Riste Lisa , Walther Andreas , Stedman Mike , Mukherjee Annice , Perrin Ray 
Published: June 2021

AimsIn the early days of the first global wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential for a post-viral syndrome to manifest following COVID-19 infection was highlighted.It was pointed out that an early intervention applying management techniques used in patients with CFS/ME appeared to help reduce the fatigue related symptoms of Long COVID.Here we present an analysis of a consecutive case series of the first twenty patients’ data collected. Our aim was to evaluate the potential of this mode of treatment for Long COVID.MethodFace to face treatment sessions with the practitioners occurred once a week, involving effleurage and other manual articulatory techniques.The individuals being treated also undertook a daily self-massage along with gentle mobility exercises and alternating warm and cool gel packs on the upper spine, to encourage a reduction of spinal inflammation and further aid lymph drainage of the brain and spine.Symptom severity was recorded using the self-reported 54-item Profile of Fatigue Related States (PFRS).ResultThe mean age of the men was 41.8 years with a range of 29.1-53.1 years with the corresponding mean age for women being 39.3 years with a range of 28.3-50.4 years.The average time interval between onset of Coronavirus symptoms and start of treatment for Long COVID was just over 20 weeks. The average number of treatment sessions was similar at 9.7 in men and 9.4 in women.The change in Profile of Fatigue Related States (PFRS) score was similar in men with a significant decrease (-45%) as in women (-52%) (F 4.8, p < 0.001).None of the individuals had any prior diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.All were new attendees to the clinic at the time of initial assessment.ConclusionOur findings indicate that this intervention based on massage and mobility exercises significantly reduced fatigue related to Long COVID.It may be that early intervention and supportive treatments at the end of the acute phase of COVID-19 can help overcome acute phase symptoms and prevent them becoming chronic/enduring.
Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers in different regions of the world
Authors: Islam Mahfuja , George Philip , Sankaran Sindhu , Hui Janet Leu Su , Kit Tzun 
Published: June 2021

AimsThe global health system is facing a serious challenge after the recent outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus infection which was first identified in Wuhan, China in November 2019 and declared as a pandemic in March 2020 by WHO. There is a wide consensus that this pandemic has negative psychosocial consequences as well as unforeseeable provision of mental health care services and just not on physical health alone. The aim of this research study is to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and to identify the sociodemographic variables with the main attributable factors associated with the psychological distress among healthcare workers and suggestions on how to reduce the impact on the mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in different regions of the world.MethodWe performed a cross-sectional study from September-November 2020. We used a self-administered survey tool which was distributed electronically to healthcare workers across the globe. The data were stored on an online database with password protected devices where survey responses were restricted to investigators exclusively.Data collected were: 1) Socio-demographic data (age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, religion, role in the healthcare, region of practice); 2) Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) questionnaire which contains 22 standardized items. This is a subjective assessment to score the degree of psychological well-being by focusing on 6 domains: depression; anxiety; positive-well-being; self-control; vitality and general health; 3) Subjective assessment from respondents of the main attributable factors causing psychological distress and suggested methods to help reduce the impact on mental health on health care workers.ResultMajority out of the 217 respondents were from a younger age group; females and married/domestic partnership, mainly from Western Pacific Region, South East Asian and the African Region. More than half the respondents were moderate-severely psychologically distressed and the three main attributable factors causing psychological distress were: fear of family/friends contracting COVID-19 followed by lack of PPE and discomfort caused by wearing PPE for long hours. Respondents suggested that the distress would be reduced if: more resources were provided in hospital; protocols and guidelines were implemented and counselling facilities with recreational activities were available to frontline workers.ConclusionThis study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of healthcare workers and more support or strategies need to come in place to protect frontline workers at the time of crises.
A decade of community-based participatory research: from a tentative start to a fruitful approach in the field of mental health: a scoping review
Authors: Janmohamed Aoife M. 
Published: June 2021

AimsThis scoping review aimed to identify and analyse studies utilising Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) to design and/or disseminate a mental health (MH) intervention with underserved communities around the globe. This was with the intention of updating the knowledge base on this area, and identifying both areas of promise in this field as well as any gaps for future work to fill.MethodThis scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Scoping Review Manual and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Three databases, Scopus, PubMed and Sage Journals, were searched to identify relevant studies, using the three terms ‘CBPR’, ‘underserved’ and ‘mental health’, and words to the equivalent.ResultThe search identified 607 English-language sources published between 1st January 2010 and 30th June 2020. Following duplicate removal, screening and bibliography scanning, 34 highly relevant studies remained. The studies were varied in their chosen context, MH gap, how they gave meaning to the participatory approach, how they defined their successes, and what strengths and challenges were encountered in CBPR's application to this field. Briefly, all bar one of the studies were focused on underserved communities within high-income countries (HICs); many focused solely on women and youth groups; and finally, the use of technology and talking therapies were noted to achieve particular success.ConclusionCBPR is commonly used to engage the underserved through long-term partnership building and equitable stakeholder involvement, shifting the dialogue from research on to research with communities. This unique, needs-oriented approach harbours mutual ownership of the research, empowering historically disenfranchised individuals to become actively involved in reducing identified health disparities. In the field of MH, this is of great importance and need in many underserved communities due to issues of access, heightened by a distrust in mainstream services as well as by the stigma attached to MH conditions.As compared to studies in this field ten years ago, CBPR has become much more established, with this review noting a remarkable increase in MH projects utilising this approach. Furthermore, the addition of new technologies to this field was shown to offer significant promise in overcoming access barriers, hoping to ultimately narrow identified MH gaps. Nonetheless, further work on the prevailing gender and HIC biases, and for a review including relevant Spanish-language studies, are still required in order to form a more global overview of this field.