bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between thermal balance of the brain, inflammation and response to therapy in patients with schizophrenia.
Authors: Kaleda V. , Zozulya S. , Klyushnik T. , Tikhonov D. , Simonov A. , Shevelev O. , Petrova M. , Mengistu E. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionDisruption of cerebral thermal homeostasis accompanies various CNS diseases. Presumably, (neuro)inflammation and the changes of temperature heterogeneity of the cerebral cortex may be interrelated links in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.Objectivesto study the association between the brain thermal balance indicators, inflammatory markers and clinical features of the disease in patients with schizophrenia during therapy.Methods37 patients aged 16 to 46 years with schizophrenia (F20, ICD-10) were examined. Clinical examination included psychometric assessment using PANSS, HDRS, and YMRS scales. Cortical temperature was determined by microwave radiometry. Temperature heterogeneity was assessed by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between temperature indicators in 9 symmetrical areas of the cerebral cortex. The activity of the proteolytic system of inflammation (ratio of leukocyte elastase (LE) and α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI) activity) and the level of autoantibodies to S100B and MBP antigens were determined in patients’ blood.ResultsLow temperature heterogeneity is related to an increase in the activity of the proteolytic system of inflammation and a good response to therapy in most patients. High temperature heterogeneity is associated with insufficient activity of the proteolytic system of inflammation and the development of autoimmune reactions, which is accompanied by a more severe course of the pathological process and, in most cases, treatment resistance.ConclusionsThe association between the features of the thermal balance of the brain and inflammatory markers confirms the hypothesis of their role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Temperature heterogeneity of the brain can serve as a criterion for predicting of therapeutic response in patients with schizophrenia.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Being mindful of our insomnia can get us to sleep? - Mindfulness aproach to sleep disorders
Authors: Cohen R. B. , Pereira I. M. , Marguilho M. G. , Sousa M. C. , Ferreira B. V. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionSleep disorders (e.g., insomnia) are extremely prevalent in our population and are intimately associated with distress and productivity impairment. It is estimated that between 40 to 60% of people suffering from a sleep disorder have an underlying psychiatric diagnosis.Mindfulness, which is described as the quality or state of being self-conscious or aware of something, has shown to be a potential helpful therapy in insomnia.ObjectivesTherefore, and due to the lack of new and effective treatment approaches, we did a non-systematic review of the positive impact of mindfulness in quality of sleep.MethodsBibliographic research through PubMed, Web of Science and Springer Link.Results
The mindfulness tools that may be linked to its therapeutic effects include the awareness state and conscious posture to respond when perceiving insomnia symptoms, as well as the modulation of sleep-related arousal courses. These can be primary when directly related to the inability to sleep, or secondary if considering the relationship with thoughts about sleep (such as the tendency to create bias in the attention and perception of sleep related thoughts).
Formerly, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MTPC) was designed for the treatment of chronic depression and has shown to be efficacious. It was hypothesized that interoceptive dysfunction in the insula, commonly observed in anxiety and depression, may respond to MTPC by the gained interoceptive awareness, which provides advantage to adapt to life challenges and ongoing adjustments.ConclusionsBased on the currently available literature, mindfulness-based strategies may be a valuable treatment option in sleep disorders, especially for patients with concomitant mental illness. Therefore, it is necessary further research to standardize in terms of type of approach, duration, and outcome measures since it seems promising as an intervention for insomnia.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
The impact of the OPRM1, OPRK1, DCC genes polymorphisms on the motivation for non-suicidal self-injury in young adults: a pilot study
Authors: Kibitov A. A. , Mazo G. E. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) – the deliberate, self-directed damage of body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially or culturally sanctioned – is a highly prevalent phenomenon in adolescents and young adults. Motivation for the NSSI is known to be heterogenous in different patients. However, biological and especially genetic markers associated with different motivation for the NSSI have not been studied to date. One of the possible candidates are mu- (OPRM1) and kappa-opioid receptor (OPRK1) genes, since opioid system is known to be involved in the NSSI. Another perspective candidate is the DCC gene, encoding the netrin 1 receptor, which plays vital part in the formation of the prefrontal cortex.ObjectivesWe conducted a pilot cross-sectional study to test the impact of the rs1779971 OPRM1, rs6473797 OPRK1 and rs8084280 DCC gene polymorphisms on the characteristics and motivations for the NSSI in young adults.Methods28 patients of European ancestry with NSSI (89,3%; n=25) women, median age (Q1-Q3) – 23 (21,25-25) years) were included in the pilot sample. The majority of the sample had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (78,6%; n=20). Characteristics and motivation for the NSSI were measured by the Inventory of Statements about Self-Injury (ISAS). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to control for adverse childhood experiences, a potent environmental factor, associated with NSSI. Genotyping was performed using RT-PCR. The genetic effect was evaluated using the dominant model. For statistical analysis multiple linear regression with the presence of minor alleles, different types of childhood trauma, diagnosis, age and sex as factors and ISAS scores as dependent variables were used.ResultsMultiple linear regression showed that minor C allele of rs6473796 OPRK1 gene polymorphism was associated with an increase of the “Affect regulation” (B=2,23; CI95% [0,39–4,06]; p=0,022), “Anti-dissociation” (B=3,31; CI95% [0,18–6,44]; p=0,039) subscales of ISAS scores. Moreover, the minor T allele of the rs8082480 DCC gene polymorphism was associated with a decrease of the “Affect regulation” subscale score (B=-1,74; CI95% [-3,30 – -0,18]; p=0,032).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study on the genetic markers of motivations for NSSI. Our pilot results showed that, controlling for diagnosis, age, sex and childhood trauma, OPRK1 and DCC gene polymorphisms may be associated with the heterogeneity of motivations for NSSI. However, these results require confirmation on the larger samples.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Relieving pandemic-related psychological distress: Key protective factors against mental health impairment
Authors: Alonzo D. , Popescu M. , Zubaroglu P. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionDespite studies pointing to the important role of relational and community factors in influencing mental health during times of crises such as the current pandemic, little research has examined protective factors at the relational/community level that serve protective factors against mental health impairment in response to the current pandemic.ObjectivesThis study aims to address this gap and examines protective factors against adverse mental health consequences related to the pandemic at the relational and community levels among individuals residing in high-risk marginalized low-resourced settings in Guatemala at one and a half years post onset of the pandemicMethodsTelephone surveys were administered to 100 participants to assess sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial functioning, and protective factors (interpersonal support, psychoeducation, community resources, and adaptive coping) against psychological distress. (anxiety, depression, stress, burnout). Multiple linear regressions were used to examine predictors of mental health impairment.ResultsOur findings demonstrate that only psychoeducation serves a protective factor against psychological distress.Interpersonal support was found to predict increased levels of anxiety and depression and adaptive coping was found to predict increased levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout. No significant relationship between community resources and any type of mental health impairment was found.ConclusionsPublic mental health efforts should capitalize on the effectiveness of psychoeducation to promote strategies for managing symptoms of psychological distress as well as providing information regarding resources and services. In the context of complex emergencies that have an immediate effect on already scarce resources at a personal, community, and institutional levels, psychoeducation has the advantage of a low-cost intervention, easily transferable between communities, providing immediate support as well as sustainability over time.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Do psychiatric decision units make a difference? An analysis from a liaison psychiatry service in Greater London
Authors: Walters P. , Tan J. H. , Premalatha L. , Adejumo J. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionCAU (Clinical assessment unit) was developed at Croydon University Hospital (CUH) in conjunction with the South
London and Maudsley (SLaM) mental health trust in response to the Covid19 pandemic to relieve pressure on services in A&E (Accident and Emergency) and to support the already existing need to provide a more clinically appropriate space for patients presenting to A&E with acute mental health concerns. The clinical model for the unit was developed with input from service users, SLaM, CUH and CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group); and was fully established in October 2021 within a month of conception. CAU is located within close proximity to A&E which is convenient and incurs no transfer cost. Similar units have been developed internationally to address similar concerns (Goldsmith et al 2021, Wiley online library 2021 12849)ObjectivesTo evaluate the financial and clinical impact of the clinical assessment unit after one year in operationMethodsThis is a cross sectional study, data was collected from EPJs Reports (SLaM’s patient data reporting system), excel spread sheet collecting data based on referrals to the service over the one-year period from 8/9/2021 – 5/10/2022. This included a trial period from September 2021 – October 2021 where the service was running at half capacity.CAU is open to capacitous adults aged 18-65 presenting to A&E. Exclusion criteria: individuals conveyed by the police, those under MHA, on-going physical health concerns, diagnosis of learning disability with no primary mental health need, diagnosis of dementia and homelessnessResults3,322 patients were referred to the Liaison service and of those 402 or 12% of those patients to A&E were transferred to CAUThe 402 service users over the period of one year spent a total of 11, 351 hours in CAUThe main diagnosis of patient admitted to CAU fell into the diagnostic categories F30-39 43.5 %, and F60-69 27%.The majority of patients were admitted awaiting informal admission and 1/3 of plans for discharge destination were made on CAU. 10 % of patient were discharged on a least restrictive outcome, which has cost benefits for acute mental health trust. This one-year period showed cost saving of £462,112 for 24 hours stay in ED with support staff.Image:Image 2:ConclusionsCAU offers the opportunity to engage and re-assess service users to allow consideration of least restrictive options for on-going care. CAU has financial benefits in way of saving cost on time spent in ED awaiting review and cost for agency staff to provide 1:1 support.The success of CAU has led to collaboration in the developpment of other acute services in London including that of the Recovery Space which offers community support for service users following discharge from hospital after an acute mental health crisis. Service user feedback has been positive and reflects the importance of the service and its suitability for its target group.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Suicide in Schizophrenia: A literature review
Authors: Huete Naval M. , Galerón Guzmán R. , Herrero Pellón E. , Albarracín Marcos P. , Serván Rendoluna B. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionMore than 90 percent of patients who attempt suicide have a psychiatric disorder. The diagnosis of schizophrenia is associated with a decrease in life expectancy of about 10 years, with suicide being the most important related factor. Literature suggests that the risk of suicide death in this population has been found to be 10 to 20 times higher than that in the general populationObjectivesTo present a case report of a patient with a first psychotic episode and suicide attempt focusing on clinical features and risk factors.MethodsPresentation of a clinical case supported by a non-systematic review of literature containing the key-words “suicide”, “Suicidal ideation”, “psychosis” and “schizophrenia”.ResultsThis is a case report of a male 28-year-old patient, with no known psychiatric history, admitted to our inpatient service after a suicide attempt by precipitation. In a first evaluation, the patient presented psychotic symptoms consisting of paranoid delusions, auditory hallucinations, tendency to social isolation and the appearance of self-harming ideation in the days prior to the episode. After initiation of antipsychotic medication, a significant improvement in positive symptoms was observed. The patient has since had no delusions or hallucinations and is living independently at home.Contemporary research studies indicate that the lifetime rate of completed suicide in individuals with schizophrenia is between 4% and 13%. Several specific risk factors have been described in the schizophrenia population, such as early stage of the illness, lack of adherence to treatment, recurrent relapses, comorbid depression and the paranoid subtype. The antipsychotic treatments with the most scientific evidence are clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine. Within psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy appears to be the most effective.Conclusions-It is important to know the risk factors that are associated with an increased risk of suicide in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.-An early intervention and specific treatment can improve prognosis of this population.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Mental Health problems and psychotherapy in female victims of human trafficking
Authors: Ali F. S. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionHuman trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. This may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage or the extraction of organs.Research into the mental health impact of trafficking has consistently found high rates of mental health problems, most commonly depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).While there is some evidence that these factors can contribute the diagnosis of PTSD, exposure to trauma is the most important feature in the development of PTSD.Other Mental Health Problems in victims ofTrafficking:1.Dissociative disorders2.Substance-related disorders3.Complex traumaObjectivesAlthough mental health problems among victims of trafficking have been shown to be high, recovery without treatment is rare, particularly in those who have developed PTSD.Where there is comorbidity, recovery often does not occur even when rehabilitation has been attempted. This is unsurprising given the multiplicity of trauma that victims of trafficking have experienced, which often includes trauma prior to the trafficking situation.MethodsEvidence-Based Therapeutic Treatment Options for PTSD:Some evidence suggests that selective serotonin reuptakeinhibitors can effectively complement the psychotherapeutictreatment of PTSD as well as other anxiety and mooddisorders.Cognitive-behavioral therapyExposure therapyEye movement desensitization and reprocessingNarrative Exposure Therapy (NET)ResultsIn the absence of research pertaining to the mental health treatment of victims of human trafficking, mental health professionals working with this population must educate themselves on the evidence based research related to the treatment of common diagnoses and similarly marginalized populations to ensure proper provision of the best mental health care possible.ConclusionsAmong the most devastating mental health consequences for victims of any crime can be the destruction of basic life assumptions; that one is safe from harm, one is a good and decent person, and the world is meaningful and just. For victims of human trafficking, mental health problems can be compounded by the misconceptions about and limited understanding of the issue of human trafficking.Additionally, lack of social support and stigmatization by friends, family, and social institutions can exacerbate victims mental health conditions.Psychologically process the trauma they have experienced. However, until these studies are conducted and their results made available, mental health practitioners can base treatment options for this population on existing research findings and interventions found to be successful with other similarly victimized populations.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Impact of menopause on the mental health of women in the basic health center of Réjiche, Tunisia
Authors: Zaouali F. , Ben Slama A. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionMenopause is a special period for women which can have both physical and psychological consequences.ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to assess the impact of menopause on women’s quality of life.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on menopausal women consulting at the basic health center in réjiche over a period from 12 september to 12 october 2022. The impact of menopause on the mental health of women was assessed by the menopause rating scale (MRS).ResultsA total of 83 women were incluted in our study. The mean age was 61.89±11.03 years. The median age of menopause was 45 years (50-43). The majority of women (90.4%) were married and five women (6%) lived alone. Twenty-six women were professionally active and more than half were sedentary (54.2%). The comorbidities were dominated by arterial hypertension (50.6%). The mean BMI was 30.6±4.75 Kg/m². All the women had a variable psychological impact (from minor to very strong). The median score of the psychological scale was 10 (13-7): median scores for depressed mood, anxiety and physical and intellectual fatigue equal to 3 (4-1), each and median score for irritability equal to 2 (4-1). Physical and mental fatigue was the most common psychological symptom in 88% of cases followed by irritability in 86.7% of patients. Depressive and anxious symptoms were noted in 85.5% and 84.3% of cases, respectively. Psychological impact was severe in 33.7% of patients (strong or very strong symptoms).ConclusionsFocusing on a small sample of menopausal patients, our study revealed a high prevalence of psychological distress during menopause which requires early adequate assessment and treatment.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Postpartum Delirium: A Psychosis Born in the 18th Century
Authors: Martins J. R. , Vaz R. , Costa A. L. , Brás J. , Sousa R. , Abreu J. , Almeida E. , Andrade R. , Castro N. , Casanova T. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionPregnancy and childbirth are moments of great vulnerability in a woman’s life, which can predispose her to the development of psychopathology, ranging from transient depressive symptoms (“baby blues”) to psychotic symptoms. Postpartum delirium is the psychiatric syndrome that some authors refer to as puerperal psychosis par excellence. It was first described in the 18th century and were thought to be associated with painful delivery, then became rare after the introduction of effective analgesia.ObjectivesThe objective of this work is to contribute to a better understanding of this condition, through a literature review.MethodsBibliographic research using Pubmed® and the keywords: postpartum delirium.ResultsClinical presentation of postpartum delirium includes: constantly varying degrees of consciousness; perplexity; hallucinations or pseudo-hallucinations of one or more organs of sense; delusions or delusive-type thoughts; great motoric unrest and considerable motoric and verbal abandon; and acute aggressive discharges can also occur. It is thought to be due to organic complications, such as infectious disease, abnormal loss of blood, thrombosis, neurological disease, obstetric disease, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal changes. An article from 1975 mentions how difficult was to treat postpartum delirium despite the development of psychopharmaceutical therapy. The patients remained psychotic for long periods and had many relapses. They mention a comparative study that found that the symptomatic treatment of this syndrome with a combination of perfenazine and lithium carbonate produced relatively favorable results. For that reason, at that time, it was the medication of choice. Nowadays the psychopharmacological treatment of puerperal psychosis, in general, still consists of the combination of lithium and an antipsychotic, such as haloperidol, and possibly a benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam.ConclusionsPostpartum delirium is rarely mentioned in the literature and just a few cases have been described. It is considered a rare postpartum psychotic condition but would perhaps be less rare if its existence were recognized. On this note, it is important for clinical practice to research on the psychoses of pregnancy and not just the most common.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Peritraumatic distress associated with domestic violence
Authors: Jbir R. , Aribi L. , Mseddi N. , Chaari I. , Charfeddine F. , Ellouze S. , Aloulou J. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe violence against women massively committed by their spouses is a scourge that transcends countries, ethnicities, cultures, classes social and age groups.This violence is traumatic and represents a serious attack on the physical integrity and mental health of the women who are victimsObjectivesTo study the prevalence and predictors of peritraumatic distress among women victims of domestic violenceMethodsWe contacted 122 women who consulted at the psychiatric emergency of ‘Hedi Chaker hospital’,Sfax examined in the context of medical expertise on the period between May 2021 until January 2022A questionnaire regarding the violence was asked to responders .It included demographic and violence exposure questions and a scale applied during violence ‘Peritraumatic distress inventory’ResultsThe average age of women assaulted in our study was 35.6 ± 9.94 years (min=18,max=64).78.7% (n=96) of ladies were of urban origin.The majority of them(44,3%) had secondary level education.The half of the population (51.6%) had an average socio-economic level. (86.1%) had children.98.7%were victim of verbal violence,94.7% of physical violence, 97.3% of psychological violence and 54.7 %of sexual violence.72.1% of women (N=88) developed peritraumatic distress related to the assault with a risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.Women who were threatened by their spouses were more in distress than others (0,04).Physically abused women using a knife developed more peritraumatic distress (p=0,02).ConclusionsDomestic violence is a global public health problem, that calls for urgent actions.Peritraumatic distress linked to violence may lead to psychotraumatic disordersthat are the source for traumatized victims of great suffering mental health and a possible vital risk (suicide, risky behavior).Disclosure of InterestNone Declared