bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal and Perinatal Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorders–a Case Control Study of a Serbian Sample
Authors: Mandic-Maravic V. , Pejovic-Milovancevic M. , Mitkovic-Voncina M. , Lecic-Tosevski D. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex psychiatric disorders, with both genetic and environmental factors implicated in their etiology. Recent studies suggest the prenatal and early postnatal genesis of ASD, therefore, understanding the effect of environmental risk factors could be important for prevention and treatment of ASD.AimsThe aim of this study was to determine the association of prenatal factors and perinatal complications with ASD.MethodsOur study included 102 subjects with ASD (80% boys) aged 9.35 ± 5.85, and 107 age and sex matched healthy controls (77% boys). For the diagnosis of ASD, we used the ICD-10 criteria and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). A questionnaire regarding prenatal and perinatal factors/complications was administered to all subjects.ResultsLogistic regression model of having autism vs. being a control subject included gender, age, maternal and paternal age at birth, pregnancy order, smoking in pregnancy, number of medication during pregnancy (mostly tocolytics, antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics), and early postnatal complications (mostly prematurity, low birth weight, hyperbilirubinaemia). The model was significant, explaining about the third of variance, with number of medication during pregnancy and having an early postnatal complication as significant predictors.ConclusionsOur study has shown a significant association of specific prenatal and perinatal factors and ASD, even after controlling for other potential confounding variables. Identifying specific risk factors is important for prevention of ASD. It is also the first step in defining basis of the gene–environment interaction mechanism, which might enable development of an individualised therapeutic approach for this group of disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Comparison of Learning Disabilities in Reading, Math, Spelling and Academic Progress of Children with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity and Normal Children at Elementary Schools
Authors: Nazer M. , Hamid O. 
Published: June 2017

Learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity of important issues should be considered in elementary school students. The aim of this study was comparison learning disorders, reading, spelling, math and achievement among students in elementary school grades in Bandar Abbas. For this purpose, 384 students were randomly selected. Instruments for gathering data were:– k-Math test;– test spelling disorder (Fallahchai test);– reading test (Baezat test);– CSI-4.Factor analysis of variance test was used to analyze of data. The results showed that in the scale of dyslexia, there were more disorders in the children with attention deficit disorder in reading errors, comprehension and reading speed than normal group. In mathematical disorder scale, there were significant difference between the two groups of children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and normal children. Then, the children with attention deficit disorder had higher disorders in operations math, mathematical concepts, mathematical applications, and general score math. The scale of the problem dictates there were significant difference between the two groups of children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and normal children. Then, the children with attention deficit disorder had higher disorders in problem dictates. In academic achievement, the children with attention deficit disorder had lower mean in academic achievement. Finally, the results showed that age, gender, and their interaction had no significant impact on learning disorders, based on attention deficit disorder and normal groups.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Paternal Smoking During Early Developmental Period and Risk of Offspring's Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Kim H.S. , Yang W.S. , Lee C.H. , Bang Y.R. , Yoo J.H. , Kim S.H. , Park J.H. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAlthough prenatal maternal smoking is an established risk factor for offspring's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the studies of association between paternal smoking and childhood ADHD have produced inconsistent results.ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to determine whether paternal smoking during early developmental period is associated with an increased risk of offspring's ADHD.MethodsWe conducted hospital-based case-control study with 107 medically diagnosed ADHD cases and 205 controls (aged 6–12 years). The diagnoses of ADHD were assessed with DSM-IV based semi-structured diagnostic interviews. Paternal smoking behavior was assessed with spouse-report questionnaire. The association between exposure to paternal smoking and ADHD were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The primary outcome of interest was an odds ratio (ORs) reflecting the risk of offspring's ADHD incidence associated with father's smoking during the index pregnancy, up to one year after birth, and current smoking status. Control variables in our regression model were age, sex, financial status, parents’ education levels, low birth weight, and premature birth.ResultsOur final regression model revealed that paternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.03–2.76) and up to one year after birth (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.04–2.77) were significantly related to their offspring's ADHD.ConclusionsThe current results suggest that exposure to paternal smoking during the fetal and newborn period is associated with increased risk of ADHD. This study warrants public health policies to reduce children's exposure to secondhand smoke and their risk of ADHD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Pretreatment Predictors of Early Response Revealed by Quantitative Cerebral Blood Flow in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Hou Z. , Wang Z. , Jiang W. , Yin Y. , Yue Y. , Zhang Y. , Yuan Y. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveThe potential pattern of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in major depressive disorder (MDD) underlies different response to antidepressants medication remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the differences of rCBF between patients with different treatment response.MethodsEighty MDD patients [(44 treatment-responsive depression (RD) and 36 non-responding depression (NRD)] and 42 healthy controls (HC) underwent pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) scans in magnetic resonance imaging and clinical estimates. The exact rCBF values of each groups were obtained via quantification evaluation.ResultsCompared to NRD, the RD patients showed decreased rCBF values in frontal sensorimotor network (i.e. left paracentral lobule, left medial frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus and right middle frontal gyrus), and further receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses demonstrated that the altered rCBF in these four regions exhibited outstanding performance on distinguishing NRD from RD. The NRD also exhibited reduced rCBF in bilateral cerebellum posterior lobe and right middle occipital gyrus and elevated rCBF in right postcentral gyrus and right middle frontal gyrus as compared to HC.ConclusionsThe decreased rCBF in frontal sensorimotor network appeared to be distinct characteristics for NRD, and might be severed as promising neuroimaging markers to differentiate depressed patients with weak early response to antidepressant medication. These findings expand our understanding of neural substrate underlying the antidepressant efficacy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Alexithymia and Coping Strategies: Predictors of Hopelessness?
Authors: Serafini G. , Capobianco L. , Pompili M. , Girardi P. , Amore M. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAlexithymic traits and coping strategies may affect the onset and course of many psychiatric conditions. However, their role in determining hopelessness and suicide risk has been not still elucidated.ObjectivesThe present study analyzed the correlations between alexithymia, coping strategies, and hopelessness.AimsWe aimed to evaluate whether specific coping strategies and alexithymia may predict hopelessness which is widely considered an independent risk factor for suicide.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted on 276 patients (19.9% men, 81.1% women; mean age: 48.1 years, SD: 16.9), of which most with major affective disorders, who were admitted at the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Genoa (Italy). All participants were assessed using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).ResultsAlexythimic subjects significantly differ from non-alexythimic individuals in terms of substance abuse (χ2 = 23.1; P = .027). According to bivariate analyses, we found a significant correlation between hopelessness and suicidal thoughts/wishes (r = .34; P = .01), humor (r = –.24; P = .05), and behavioural disengagement (r = .205; P = .05). Behavioural disengagement is also a positive predictor of hopelessness (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.03–1.52) while humour is a negative predictor of hopelessness (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.73–0.99).ConclusionsBehavioural disengagement needs to be considered a risk factor while humor is a protective factor for suicide. Surprisingly, we found no significant association between alexithymia and hopelessness. Further additional studies are requested to test these exploratory findings in order to more deeply elucidate the role of both alexithymia and coping strategies in suicidal behaviour.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Validation and Test-retest Reliability of Facial Expressions Basic Emotions of Baby Stimulus
Authors: Donadon M. , Martin Santos R. , De Lima Osório F. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionEmotional facial expression paradigms of adults have been very used in the literature; however, studies with baby's emotional faces are very few.ObjectivesTo study the psychometric validity and reliability of a series of basic emotions faces of babies stimuli.MethodsWe used 72 photographs of 12 baby faces (6–12 months), both sex and different ethnic groups, expressing basic emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise and neutral) elicited in the laboratory by pre-task defined. A total of 119 subjects of both sexes (63% women) in different age groups (18–65 years) and ethnicities, were invited to evaluate the facial emotional stimuli presented by the computer program SuperLab. They should choose the emotion represented by the photograph. Furthermore, 31 subjects were randomly selected to perform a test-retest assessment after an interval of 20 days.ResultsIt was observed that 35 stimuli presented hit rate exceeding 70% and 11 between 60% and 50%. The facial emotion of happiness was the most easily recognized, while fear was associated with the lower success rates. Only seven stimuli presented a hit rate lower than 20% (fear). All stimuli, except for one, showed a good reliability test/retest (McNemar test > 0.05).ConclusionThe study offers a series of baby emotional facial stimuli with good validity and reliability for research setting. However, the 30% of stimuli without satisfactory success rate may be problems with stimuli or stimulating task, as it becomes difficult to distinguish the emotion face on the baby.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Assessing Obsessive-compulsive Symptoms: The Portuguese Version of the Padua Inventory
Authors: Galhardo A. , Pinto-Gouveia J. , Cunha M. , Massano-Cardoso I. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSelf-report instruments are useful tools for the assessment of psychopathological symptoms such as obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The Padua Inventory (PI) is a measure that has been widely used in clinical and research settings and studied in several countries.ObjectivesThis study explores the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Portuguese version of the PI.MethodsTranslation and translation-back of the original version were executed. A total of 847 participants (468 women and 379 men) from the general population was recruited through a snowball procedure and completed the PI and other mental health measures. The data set was randomly split in order to conduct principal component analysis (PCA) and confirmatory factor (CFA) analysis in two different samples. Moreover, internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity and test-retest reliability analyses were conducted.ResultsFrom the PCA analysis four factors emerged, comprising clusters of items related to doubting/impaired control over mental activities, contamination/washing/cleaning, checking and worries about losing control over motor behaviors. CFA results revealed that the model presented a poor fit to the data and indicated that the model would benefit from the establishment of correlations between pairs of error terms of items with identical contents. The PI exhibited excellent internal consistency, good test-retest reliability and good convergent and discriminant validity.ConclusionsThe PI Portuguese version showed a similar factor structure to the one presented in other studies and revealed good psychometric properties. Nevertheless, results from the CFA suggest that shortening the PI may be advantageous.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
HIV/AIDS “worried well”–When the “virus” leads to a significant illness, even in its absence
Authors: Marinho M. , Covelo V. , Marques J. , Bragança M. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionManagement of HIV/AIDS “worried well” people is among the most complex and challenging psychiatric problems in HIV care.ObjectivesTo provide an overview of HIV/AIDS “worried well”.MethodsLiterature review based on PubMed/Medline, using the keywords “HIV” and “worried well”.ResultsThe HIV/AIDS “worried well” are those individuals who are intensely worried about being infected with HIV, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Indeed, they will rapidly return with the renewed conviction that the physician has “got it wrong” or “missed something”. So, they tend to over-utilize health care services. Seven HIV/AIDS “worried well” sub-groups have been identified: those with past sex or drug use history; those with relationship problems; the partners/spouse of those at risk; couples in individual or family life transitions; past history of psychological problems; misunderstanding of health education material; and pseudo and factitious AIDS. These patients have several striking consistencies in their presenting phenomenology and background features and usually have psychiatric problems associated. The authors will analyze all these aspects. Currently there are no guidelines to deal with this clinical condition, however cognitive-behavioral therapy along with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has been an effective approach. It is also important to ensure follow-up discussion to these patients, especially where unresolved life issues may cause future vulnerability in absence of intervention.ConclusionsPatients may express their concerns about HIV infection by several ways, directly or indirectly, and psychiatrists need to be aware of this reality, which causes much suffering as well as severe monetary loss.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Levels and Delirium
Authors: Adamis D. , Williams J. , Finn K. , Melvin V. , Meagher D. , McCarthy G. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionStudies of the association between blood BDNF levels and delirium are very few and have yielded mixed results.ObjectivesTo investigate the blood BDNF levels in the occurrence and recovery of delirium.MethodsProspective, longitudinal study. Participants were assessed twice weekly with MoCA, DRS-R98, APACHE-II. BDNF levels of the same were estimated with ELISA method. Delirium has been define as per DRS-98R (cut-off > 16) and recovery of delirium as at least two consequently assessments without delirium prior to discharge.ResultsNo differences in the levels of BDNF between those with delirium and those who never developed it. Excluding those who never developed delirium (n = 140), we analysed the effects of BDNF and the other variables on delirium resolution and recovery. Of the 58 remained with delirium in the subsequently observations (max = 8) some of them continue to be delirious until discharge or death (n = 39) while others recovered (n = 19). BDNF levels and MoCA scores were significantly associated with both delirium cases who became non-delirious (resolution) during the assessments and with overall recovery. BDNF (Wald χ2 = 11.652, df: 1 P = .001), for resolution. For recovery Wald χ2 = 7.155; df: 1, P = .007. No significant association was found for the other variables (APACHE-II, history of dementia, age or gender)ConclusionsBDNF do not have a direct effect in the occurrence of delirium but for those delirious of whom the levels are increased during the hospitalisation they are more likely to recover from delirium.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Inflammation and Neurodegeneration Findings in Early Stage Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Karabulut S. , Akcan U. , Küçükali İ.C. , Tüzün E. , Çakır S. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThere is growing evidence about neuroinflammation in the aetiopathogenesis of bipolar disorder. Early diagnosis and intervention strategies are thought to be excessively important lately.ObjectivesTo check neuroinflammation levels in early stage bipolar disorder and explore the associations with clinical variables.AimsWe aimed to evaluate inflammation and neurodegeneration findings in early stage bipolar disorder.MethodsSerum interleukin 1-receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP), S100B and neuron specific enolase (NSE) levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in a total of 30 patients with bipolar disorder in the early stage and compared with 30 matched healthy controls. The clinical symptoms were rated using Montgomery Asberg Depression Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Clinical Global Impression Scale.ResultsAmong the patients with bipolar disorder, 14 (% 46.6) were in a manic/hypomanic state and 12 (% 40) were in a euthymic state. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher (P = 0.018), TNF-α and S100B levels were significantly lower in the early stage group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). After repeated analysis with only drug-naive patients, the results showed no difference. There was a positive and significant correlation between TNF-α levels and CGI, MADRS scores (all P < 0.05); NSE levels and MADRS scores (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study supported the association of early stage bipolar disorder with inflammation and neurodegeneration. IL-6 may be a potential biomarker. Thus, early diagnosis and intervention may be crucial to prevent progressive neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in early stages of disorder.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Predicting Secondary Mental Health Care Use in Adolescence using Self-, Parent- and Teacher-reported Problem Behavior in a Community-based Record-linkage Study
Authors: Raven D. , Jörg F. , Visser E. , Schoevers R.A. , Oldehinkel A.J. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionIn adolescence, help-seeking is affected by different actors. The influence of each actor on help-seeking is often studied in isolation, or, if multiple informants are included, using only few assessments of adolescents’ mental health.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to determine the extent to which self-, parent- and teacher-reported problem behavior predict secondary care in adolescence and to what extent the informants’ relative importance changes over time.MethodsData from the Dutch community-based cohort study tracking adolescents’ individual lives survey (TRAILS) were linked to administrative records of secondary care from 2000 (age 9) to 2011 (age 21). Internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed using the youth self-report, child behavior checklist and teacher checklist of psychopathology at ages 11, 13 and 16, and the adult self-report at age 19.ResultsThe annual incidence of secondary care fluctuated between 1.3% and 2.4%. In Cox regression analyses that adjusted for sociodemographic covariates and problem behavior, internalizing problems but not externalizing problems predicted secondary care. Secondary care between the ages 11 to 13 years was predicted best by teachers, between the ages 13 to 16 by parents, and between the ages 16 to 21 by adolescents.ConclusionsThe relative importance of informants for predicting secondary care shifts over time, which suggests that each informant is the driving force behind secondary care at a different phase of adolescence. The treatment gap may be reduced by improving problem recognition of teachers in secondary education and by educating young adults about mental health problems.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Basic Symptoms in the Community and their Association with Age
Authors: Schultze-Lutter F. , Michel C. , Schimmelmann B.G. , Ruhrmann S. , Kindler J. , Schmidt S.J. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionLimited clinical relevance of attenuated psychotic symptoms before the turn from early to late adolescence, i.e., age 15/16, was reported.ObjectiveThis emphasizes the potentially important role of neurodevelopmental aspects in the early detection of psychoses.AimsWe examined the age effect on prevalence and clinical relevance of 14 cognitive and perceptive basic symptoms (BS) included in risk criteria of psychosis in a random representative 8–40-year-old community sample (n = 689).MethodsParticipants underwent clinical interviews for BS, psychosocial functioning and current mental disorder on the telephone.ResultsBS were reported by 18% of participants, mainly cognitive BS (15%). Age seemed to affect perceptive and cognitive BS differently, indicating an age threshold for perceptive BS in late adolescence (around age 18) and for cognitive BS in young adulthood (early twenties) – with higher prevalence, but a lesser association with functional deficits and the presence of mental disorder in the below-threshold groups. Thereby, effects of the interaction between age and BS on functioning and mental disorder were commonly stronger than individual effects of age and BS.ConclusionDifferential age effects of perceptual and cognitive BS seem to follow normal brain maturation processes, in which they might occur as infrequent and temporary nonpathological disturbances. Their persistence or occurrence after the conclusion of main brain maturation processes, however, might signify aberrant maturation processes. Thus, BS might provide important insight into the pathogenesis of psychosis and into potential neuroprotective targets.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.