bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ataque De Nervios as a Marker of Social and Psychiatric Vulnerability: Results From the NLAAS
Authors: Guarnaccia Peter J. , Lewis-Fernandez Roberto , Martinez Pincay Igda , Shrout Patrick , Guo Jing , Torres Maria , Canino Glorisa , Alegria Margarita 
Published: July 2009

Background: This article presents the fi rst epidemiological portrait of ataques de nervios among Latinos in the mainland United States. Much of the previous literature has focused on Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and New York City. Aims: This study examines the social and psychiatric correlates of ataque de nervios in a nationally representative sample of Latinos in the United States. Methods: This study employs data from the Latino sample (N = 2554) of the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). Analyses examined the associations between ataques de nervios and a range of social and migration variables, as well as psychiatric diagnoses and measures of mental health need. Results: Ataques de nervios were reported by 7—15% of the different Latino groups, with Puerto Ricans reporting the highest frequency . Ataques de nervios were more frequent in women, those with disrupted marital status, and those more acculturated to the US. The frequency of those who met criteria for affective, anxiety and substance abuse disorders was higher among those reporting an ataque de nervios. Conclusion: Ataque de nervios can serve as an important indicator of social and psychiatric vulnerability in future epidemiological and clinical studies with Latino populations.
Views and Experiences of Family/whanau Carers of Psychiatric Service Users on Diagnosis and Classification
Authors: Laird Barbara , Smith Barry , Dutu Gaelle , Mellsop Graham 
Published: July 2009

Background: Family ( whanau) and other carers can play a central part in the natural history of psychiatric service users. Diagnoses or the classification of mental disorders play a significant role in communications between clinicians, psychiatric service users, and family. Despite that centrality, the views and experiences of family on the utility of the present classification systems have been little studied. Aims: This study aimed to document the understanding and opinions of families/ whanau on the utility of diagnostic labels as they observed them being applied to their family members. Method: This is a qualitative study. The families of two cultural groups (New Zealand Maori and non-Maori) of psychiatric service users were interviewed using a structured approach. Results: A number of themes on the utility of the diagnostic systems emerged. The single most powerful message being that how the diagnostic labels were communicated, and how they were utilized in the patient management planning, were of paramount importance. There were some cross-cultural differences. From Maori, there was a particular plea for a greater incorporation of culturally syntonic concepts. Conclusion: Family/ whanau had positive views of the contributions current diagnostic practices make to patient care. The study elicited the view that more contextual issues, and not just phenomenology, should be taken into account in the development of diagnostic systems.
Prolonged Grief Disorder, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Bereaved Kosovar Civilian War Survivors: a Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Morina Nexhmedin , Rudari Visar , Bleichhardt Gaby , Prigerson Holly G. 
Published: July 2009

Background: This study aimed at examining diagnostic concordance between Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among bereaved war survivors who had lost relatives due to war-related violence. Method: We investigated the rates of PGD and its association with PTSD and MDD among 60 bereaved people who had lost first-degree relatives due to war-related violence seven years ago and had also experienced other war-related events. Results: The results indicated that 38.3% of the sample fulfilled the criteria for PGD, 55.0% for PTSD, and 38.3% for MDD. Thirty per cent of the participants without PTSD and 21.6% of those without MDD met criteria for PGD. Women were more likely to have PGD than men. The immediate threat to life was significantly associated with an elevated risk for PTSD and MDD, but not PGD. Conclusion: The findings suggest that many cases of PGD would be missed by an exclusive focus on PTSD among bereaved war survivors.
Assessing Mental Health Outcomes of Political Violence and Civil Unrest in Peru
Authors: Tremblay Jacques , Pedersen Duncan , Errazuriz Consuelo 
Published: July 2009

Background: Sustained political violence (SPV) may have long-term effects. Aims: To assess mental and residual effects of exposure to SPV. To validate a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessment tool in Quechua-speaking Peru. Method: Survey of 373 individuals aged 15 and over using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) and a Trauma Questionnaire (TQ), derived from the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Sociodemographics were recorded. Reliability was assessed. Data reduction used factor analysis and modelling multiple regressions. Results: A quarter of the sample had symptoms compatible with PTSD. Questionnaire reliability ranged from 0.81 to 0.89. Factor analysis confirmed high construct validity for TQ and HSCL-25. Modelling showed a strong association of PTSD-related symptoms and expressions of distress with the degree of exposure to SPV, especially among returnees. Conclusions: Long-term consequences of exposure to SPV take the form of PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorders, and culturally formulated expressions of distress. Some implications for clinicians are discussed.
An Evaluation of New Services for Personality-Disordered Offenders: Staff and Service User Perspectives
Authors: Fortune Zoë , Rose Diana , Crawford Mike , Slade Mike , Spence Ruth , Mudd David , Barrett Barbara , Coid Jeremy W. , Tyrer Peter , Moran Paul 
Published: July 2009

Background: Little is known about effective treatment for personality-disordered (PD) offenders. We aimed to obtain the perspective of service users and staff on: (a) the experience of receiving treatment; and (b) the experience of delivering treatment, within new forensic services for PD offenders. Material: Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative interviews with 30 service users and 22 staff. Discussion: Service users perceived that they were making positive changes in the areas of anger management, communication, self-harm, self-esteem and insight into their difficulties. Undertaking the clinical work was extremely stressful for staff. Conclusions: Forensic PD services may be having an important impact on the quality of service users’ lives. Whether treatment is successful in reducing long-term risk to others remains to be seen, and the cost-effectiveness of these services needs to be examined.
Suicide Victims’ Last Contact With the Primary Care Physician: Report From Slovenia
Authors: Mesec Rodi Petra , Roškar Saška , Marušič Andrej 
Published: July 2009

Background: Previous studies have reported that many suicide victims have had contact with their physicians a week or month prior to their suicide. Aims: To assess the date of the last appointment (and complaint) of suicide victims in the Škofja Loka region within Slovenia. Method: We included all suicide victims in the region in the period 1993—2003. Each of the cases was assigned the closest control in terms of age and gender. Medical death certificates served as a source of demographic data information and information about suicide method. From personal medical records we obtained the date of the last appointment (and the complaint) with the primary care physician. The same was done for the control group. The groups were compared for their last appointment with their physician (date and complaint). Results: Thirty out of 77 suicide victims visited their physician in the last month before suicide (14/77 in the last week); only 16/77 controls did so before the index day (3/77 in the last week). In 30% of suicide victims, the reason for the last visit was mental health problems (only 3% in the control group). Conclusion: The results emphasize the important role of primary care physicians in suicide prevention.
The Relationship Between Elderly Suicide Rates and the Internet: a Cross-National Study
Authors: Shah Ajit 
Published: July 2009

Background: Suicide rates generally increase with age. Internet websites and chat rooms have been reported both to promote suicides and to have a positive beneficial effect on suicidal individuals. The role of the internet in elderly suicides has not been studied.Methods: The relationship between elderly suicide rates and the prevalence of internet users was examined in a cross-national study using data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations website.Results: The prevalence of internet users was significantly and positively correlated with suicide rates in both genders in the age bands 65—74 years and 75+ years. On multiple regression analysis the prevalence of internet users was independently associated with suicide rates in both genders in both age bands.Conclusion: Caution should be exercised in the attribution of a causal relationship and the direction of this relationship because of the cross-sectional and ecological study design whereby the findings are subject to ecological fallacy. However, the findings identify and support a need for further research.
Cultural Appropriateness of the Family Assessment Device (FAD) in the Case of Ethnic Armenian Adolescents in Lebanon
Authors: Kazarian Shahe S. 
Published: July 2009

Background: The purpose of this study is to report on the cultural appropriateness of the 60-item Armenian version of the Family Assessment Device (FAD) among ethnic Armenian adolescents in the ethnically and religiously pluralist Lebanon. Method: A total of 558 Armenian adolescents in Grades 10, 11 and 12 completed the Armenian FAD scale and the Self-Family Closeness (SFC) scale in a randomized order. The internal consistencies and intercorrelations of the Armenian FAD domains were examined, as were their correlations with the SFC ratings. Results: The Armenian FAD and its General Functioning subscale showed excellent internal consistencies (α = 0.89 and α = 0.80, respectively), whereas the reliabilities were satisfactory for the family domains of Communication and Role functioning but less than satisfactory for the Affective Responsiveness , Problem Solving, Affective Involvement and Behaviour Control domains. The Armenian FAD scale and its subscales correlated with each other and with SFC ratings ( r = —0.55 for Armenian FAD scale; r = —0.57 for General Functioning), and showed sensitivity to gender differences, females reporting better family functioning than males. Conclusions: Overall, the findings support the cultural appropriateness of the 12-item Armenian FAD General Functioning subscale and its advantage over the 60-item scale. The findings also suggest the need to rethink the items of the four Armenian FAD domains with low internal consistencies for their increased cultural relevance in the case of Armenian adolescents in Lebanon.
Predicting Behavioural Intentions to Those With Mental Illness: the Role of Attitude Specificity and Norms
Authors: Norman Ross M.G. , Sorrentino Richard M. , Windell Deborah , Ye Yang , Szeto Andrew C.H. , Manchanda Rahul 
Published: July 2009

Background: Social psychological research suggests that prediction of behavioural intentions towards those with mental illness could be increased by assessing attitudes towards specific actions or behaviours and by including a measure of perceived normative expectations by others concerning such behaviours. Aims: To investigate whether attitudes towards specific behaviours and perceived normative expectations improve prediction of behavioural intentions towards a person with mental illness. Methods: Two studies were carried out; one with university undergraduates and one with community service club members. Each included assessments of attitudes towards a person described as having a mental illness; attitudes towards specific behaviours reflecting social distance; perceived descriptive and injunctive norms with reference to those behaviours; and behavioural intentions. Results: Attitude towards the specifi c behaviour frequently showed a higher correlation with behavioural intentions than did attitude towards the person. Inclusion of perceived norms also improved prediction of behavioural intention. Conclusions: The prediction of behavioural intentions towards those with mental illness may be improved by increasing the specificity of the attitude measures to the behavioural intentions being predicted and including measures of perceived norms. Furthermore, the effectiveness of efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness may be increased by addressing their impact on perceived norms.
Job Satisfaction and Burnout Among Staff Working in Community-Based Personality Disorder Services
Authors: Crawford Mike J. , Adedeji Toyin , Price Katy , Rutter Deborah 
Published: July 2009

Aims: To examine levels of burnout among staff working in community-based services for people with personality disorder (PD) and to explore factors which add to or lower the risk of burnout among people working in such services. Methods: In-depth interviews with staff working at 11 dedicated community-based personality disorder services in England together with a cross-sectional staff survey using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: Levels of burnout were generally lower than those reported in previous studies among mental health workers and levels of personal accomplishment were higher. Staff reported positive as well as negative experiences of working with people with PD. Strong team-work, clear leadership and opportunities for reflective practice were thought to protect staff from burnout. Conclusions: The low levels of burnout we found may reflect the early stage of the development of these services. However, it is also possible that working with people with PD does not in itself lead to burnout, especially when services are organized to share and contain work-related anxiety.
Subjective and Objective Indicators of Recovery in Severe Mental Illness: a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lloyd Chris , King Robert , Moore Liz 
Published: July 2009

Background: This study aimed to determine whether subjective dimensions of recovery such as empowerment are associated with self-report of more objective indicators such as level of participation in the community and income from employment. A secondary aim was to investigate the extent to which diagnosis or other consumer characteristics mediated any relationship between these variables. Methods: The Community Integration Measure, the Empowerment Scale, the Recovery Assessment Scale, and the Camberwell Assessment of Needs Short Appraisal Schedule were administered to a convenience sample of 161 consumers with severe mental illness. Results: The majority of participants had a primary diagnosis of schizophreniform, anxiety/depression or bipolar affective disorder. The Empowerment Scale was quite strongly correlated with the Recovery Assessment Scale and the Community Integration Measure. Participants with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder had signifi cantly higher recovery and empowerment scores than participants with schizophrenia or depression. Both empowerment and recovery scores were significantly higher for people engaged in paid employment than for those receiving social security benefits. Conclusions: The measurement of subjective dimensions of recovery such as empowerment has validity in evaluation of global recovery for people with severe mental illness. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder is associated with higher scores on subjective and objective indicators of recovery.
Evaluation of a portable hemoglobin photometer in pregnant women in a high altitude area: a pilot study
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyan , Yan Hong , Xing Yuan , Dang Shaonong , Zhuoma Bianba , Wang Duolao 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Anemia is a widespread public health problem associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, especially in pregnant women. This study examined the agreement between a portable hemoglobin photometer and a laboratory analyzer in determining hemoglobin level in pregnant women.

Methods
This study recruited 69 pregnant women in Tibet, China. Capillary blood samples were taken to measure hemoglobin concentration using the hemoglobin photometer and the laboratory analyzer. Limit of agreement, concordance and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to evaluate the agreement. Laboratory measurement was considered as the standard reference method. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to assess the error in screening for anemia.

Results
Mean difference between the two methods was -2.1 g/l. wide 95% limits of agreement were found (-22.6 g/l to 18.4 g/l). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.795, and concordance correlation coefficient was 0.793. Sensitivity and specificity were 94.9% and 76.7% respectively. Positive predictive value was 84.1%, and negative predictive value was 92.0%.

Conclusion
This hemoglobin photometer is not recommended for determining hemoglobin concentration in pregnancy in a high altitude area.
Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Alvarado-Miranda Alberto , Arrieta Oscar , Gamboa-Vignolle Carlos , Saavedra-Perez David , Morales-Barrera Rafael , Bargallo-Rocha Enrique , Zinser-Sierra Juan , Perez-Sanchez Victor , Ramirez-Ugalde Teresa , Lara-Medina Fernando 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Despite broad advances in multimodal treatment of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), 30 to 40% of patients develop loco-regional relapse. The aim of this study was to analyze in a retrospective manner the effectiveness of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRTh) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in patients with LABC.

Methods
One hundred twelve patients with LABC (stage IIB-IIIB) were treated with NCT (5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 (FAC), or doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 (AC) IV in four 21-day courses) followed by CCRTh (60 Gy breast irradiation and weekly mitomycin 5 mg/m2, 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, and dexamethasone 16 mg, or cisplatin 30 mg/m2, gemcitabine 100 mg/m2 and dexamethasone 16 mg), and 6–8 weeks later, surgery and two additional courses of FAC, AC, or paclitaxel 90 mg/m2 weekly for 12 weeks, and in case of estrogen-receptor positive patients, hormonal therapy.

Results
Stages IIB, IIIA and -B were 21.4, 42.9, and 35.7%, respectively. Pathological complete response (pCR) in the breast was 42% (95% CI, 33.2–50.5%) and, 29.5% (95% CI, 21.4–37.5%) if including both the breast and the axillary nodes. Multivariate analysis showed that the main determinant of pCR was negative estrogen-receptor status (HR = 3.8; 95% CI, 1.5–9; p = 0.016). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 76.9% (95% CI, 68.2–84.7%). No relationship between pCR and DFS was found. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the main DFS determinant was clinical stage (IIB and IIIA vs. IIIB, HR = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.02–9.74; p = 0.04). Only one patient had local recurrence. Five-year overall survival was 84.2% (95% CI, 75–93.2%). The toxicity profile was acceptable.

Conclusion
This non-conventional multimodal treatment has good loco-regional control for LABC. Randomized clinical trials of preoperative CCRTh following chemotherapy, in patients with LABC are warranted.
In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of acetylshikonin isolated from Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst (Ruanzicao) cell suspension cultures
Authors: Xiong Wenbi , Luo Gang , Zhou Liming , Zeng Yun , Yang Wenji 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Shikonin derivatives have cytotoxic and antitumor effects. This study aims to investigate the antitumor effects of acetylshikonin isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst.

Methods
The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the in vitro antitumor effects of acetylshikonin on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549, human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7402, human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 and mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell line. C57BL/6 mice with LLC model were used to study the in vivo antitumor effects of acetylshikonin. The expression of bax, bcl-2 and caspase-3 proteins in LLC tissue was determined with immunohistochemical staining.

Results
In A549, Bel-7402, MCF-7 and LLC cell lines, acetylshikonin inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. IC50 (means ± SD) were 5.6 ± 0.86 μg/ml, 6.82 ± 1.5 μg/ml, 3.04 ± 0.44 μg/ml and 2.72 ± 0.38 μg/ml respectively. Acetylshikonin suppressed tumor growth in C57BL/6 mice with LLC. The inhibition rate of acetylshikonin (2 mg/kg) was 42.85%. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that in the acetylshikonin groups the expression of bax and caspase-3 increased, whereas the expression of bcl-2 decreased, suggesting that acetylshikonin induced tumor cell apoptosis through activating the pro-apoptotic bcl-2 family and caspase-3.

Conclusion
Acetylshikonin isolated from Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst cell suspension cultures exhibits specific in vivo and in vitro antitumor effects.