bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of direct-acting antiviral drugs on portal circulation hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients infected with HCV
Authors: Hassnine Alshymaa A. , Soliman Wail , Elsayed Amr M. , Higazi Mahmoud M. , Saied Mery , Abdelraheem Ehab M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundLiver cirrhosis (LC) is the most common cause of portal hypertension. In chronic hepatitis C patients who are treated with direct-acting antiviral therapy (DAAS), the progression of cirrhosis can be reversed with treatment. Portal hypertension is also expected to improve with a virological response.AimTo evaluate the effect of direct-acting antiviral therapy on portal circulation hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients infected with HCV.MethodsThis study included 78 consecutive patients with chronic HCV-related liver disease. They were treated by a sofosbuvir-based regimen in combination with daclatasavir. All patients were subjected to routine investigations (complete blood count, liver and renal function tests),hepatitis B surface antigen, α feto protein,PCR of HCV RNA, imaging (abdominal ultrasound and colored Doppler and duplex examination for the assessment portal hypertension) before starting treatment and after 1 year.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in Doppler parameters such as portal vein (PV) diameter, PV velocity, PV cross-sectional area, portal congestive index, splenic vein diameter, and spleen span; the decrease in portal pressure occur in about 55% of the patients; several factors are associated with non-response as a history of bilharziasis, patients from a rural area, presence of splenomegaly and varices, low HB level, low platelet count, and high level of fibrosis.ConclusionSustained virological response to direct-acting antiviral therapy is associated with a reduction in portal pressure in patients with liver cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension.
Risk and resilience in trajectories of post-traumatic stress symptoms among first responders after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake: 7-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Saito Taku , van der Does Florentine H. S. , Nagamine Masanori , van der Wee Nic J. , Shigemura Jun , Yamamoto Taisuke , Takahashi Yoshitomo , Koga Minori , Toda Hiroyuki , Yoshino Aihide , Vermetten Eric , Giltay Erik J. 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundFirst responders to disasters are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trajectories of post-traumatic stress symptom severity differ among individuals, even if they are exposed to similar events. These trajectories have not yet been reported in non-Western first responders.AimsWe aimed to explore post-traumatic stress symptom severity trajectories and their risk factors in first responders to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) – a historically large earthquake that resulted in a tsunami and a nuclear disaster.MethodA total of 55 632 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) personnel dispatched to the GEJE were enrolled in this 7-year longitudinal cohort study. PTSD symptom severity was measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Trajectories were identified using latent growth mixture models (LGMM). Nine potential risk factors for the symptom severity trajectories were analysed using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsFive symptom severity trajectories were identified: ‘resilient’ (54.8%), ‘recovery’ (24.6%), ‘incomplete recovery’ (10.7%), ‘late-onset’ (5.7%), and ‘chronic’ (4.3%). The main risk factors for the four non-resilient trajectories were older age, personal disaster experiences and working conditions. These working conditions included duties involving body recovery or radiation exposure risk, longer deployment length, later or no post-deployment leave and longer post-deployment overtime.ConclusionsThe majority of first responders to GEJE were resilient and developed few or no PTSD symptoms. A substantial minority experienced late-onset and chronic symptom severity trajectories. The identified risk factors can inform policies for prevention, early detection and intervention in individuals at risk of developing symptomatic trajectories.
The right to die: Perspectives of mental health professionals in malta
Authors: Ellul G.J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionIn their professional work, mental health professionals are continually working with individuals in distress, who may express a wish to end their lives.ObjectivesTo understand the perspectives of mental health professionals towards a person’s right to die.MethodsA mixed-method technique was used: Stage 1 involved a validated online questionnaire sent to all professionals working within the public mental health services in Malta. Stage 2 consisted of a multidisciplinary discussion between six professionals asked to hypothetically manage a terminally ill patient requesting physician-assisted suicide. Thematic analysis was subsequently applied.ResultsThe majority of mental health professionals disagreed with allowing a person to commit suicide, even in situations of crippling debt, overwhelming despair and family dishonour. Terminal illness elicited a varied response (Figure 1)Older professionals and spiritual beliefs negatively impacted acceptability of suicide (Figure 2).The discussion revealed that professionals would assess individuals requesting to end their lives, with the aim of treating any mental illness and determining mental capacity. Figure 3 highlights factors explored during the assessment. Greatest emphasis is ultimately placed on individual autonomy.ConclusionsMental health professionals consider autonomy and self-determination as imperative in evaluating a person’s right to die. Professionals agreed that, after a comprehensive psychiatric assessment and within a regulatory legal framework, they would not impede a person with terminal illness to request physician-assisted suicide, provided that one is acting autonomously. The majority would however conscientiously object to actively assisting the terminal patient in ending one’s life, since this is deemed contradictory to their professional vow of non-maleficence.
COVID-19 in forensic psychiatry settings: The unique vulnerability of patients in secure services
Authors: Basrak N. , Mulcrone N. , Sharifuddin S. , Ghumman Z. , Bechan N. , Mohamed E. , Murray M. , Rajendran H. , Gunnigle S. , Nolan M. , Quane T. , Terao M. , Hoare T. , Kirrane K. , Kennedy H. , Davoren M. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionSecure forensic mental health services treat patient with high rates of treatment resistant psychoses, typically schizophrenia. These groups have high rates of obesity and medical co-morbidities. Population based studies have identified high risk groups in the event of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including those with long term medical conditions.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the vulnerability to serious adverse outcome in the event of COVID-19 infection in a forensic psychiatric patient population.MethodsAll patients of a complete National Forensic Mental Health Service (n=141) were rated for risk of adverse outcome in the event of SARS-CoV-2 infection, using two structured tools, the COVID-AGE tool and the COVID-Risk tool.ResultsEighty-two patients (58.2%) met criteria for obesity, 32 had type II diabetes and 28 were hypertensive. Mean chronological age was 45.5 years (SD 11.4, median 44.1), while mean COVID-AGE was 59.1 years (SD 19.4, median 58.0), mean difference 13.6 years (SD 15.6) paired t=10.9, df=140, p=0.000. Three patients (2.1%) were chronologically over 70 years compared to 40 (28.4%) with a COVID-AGE over 70 (X2=6.99, df=1, p=0.008, Fishers exact test p=0.027).ConclusionsThese risk assessments may identify the extent of increased risk among a uniquely medically vulnerable patient group. Patients in secure forensic psychiatric services represent a high-risk group for adverse outcomes in the event of SARS-COV-2 infection. Population based cocooning and self-isolating guidance based on chronological age may not be sufficient. There is an urgent need for better physical health research and treatment in this group.
The characteristics of patients requiring readmission to an Australian forensic psychiatric intensive care unit
Authors: Jones T. , Harris E. , Roberts M. , Mawren D. , Lee S. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPsychiatric intensive care units (or PICU’s) emerged to manage high acuity patients outside the justice system. Studies have sought to better understand characteristics of those admitted to forensic or civilian PICU’s. Few, in contrast, have explored the frequency and contributors to readmission. The following study was conducted on Apsley unit, a Forensic PICU based in Melbourne, Australia, and seeks to understand the differences which would allow early identification of patients likely to require readmission and the provision of targeted interventions.ObjectivesExamine rates of and contributors to forensic PICU readmission over a 6-month period.MethodsA retrospective audit was conducted to collect clinical, problem behaviour (and strategies to manage), forensic history and demographic information for consecutively admitted patients to an 8-bed forensic PICU between March-September 2019.ResultsData analysis is ongoing. Interim analysis found that 96 patients were admitted during the 6-month study period: 74 (77.1%) had a single admission; 22 (22.9%) required readmission. Almost all were admitted from prison (96.9%), most had a psychosis diagnosis (80.2%) and substance abuse history (96.9%), and many had a personality disorder (24.0%) and history of adolescent antisocial behaviour (46.5%). Patients requiring readmission were significantly more likely to have been previously under compulsory mental health treatment (95.5% vs 75.3%, p=.039) and have a Positive Behaviour Support Plan developed during admission (85.7% vs 54.8%, p=.010).ConclusionsInterim analysis highlighted the multicomplexity for forensic PICU patients alongside the occurrence of problem behaviour during admission and history of compulsory treatment as indicators of increased risk for re-admission.
Investigation of the role of polymorphic variants FTO gene in schizophrenia patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Pozhidaev I. , Paderina D. , Boiko A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionMedication is primary tactics in schizophrenia treatment. First and second generation antipsychotics (FGA and SGA respectively) affect on core symptoms. Unfortunately, it causes side effects. Metabolic syndrome one of them and includes large number of affections like body mass index changes, lipidemias, hypertension and others.ObjectivesTo study the role of polymorphic variants FTO gene in metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients.MethodsWe were investigated 480 patients. Main criteria for inclusion in study was using antipsychotics, verified diagnosis of schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome. Mean age was 42,1±1,4 years. The metabolic syndrome was assessment based on clinical data. Standard phenol-chloroform protocol for DNA isolation was used. Genotyping was carried out on six SNP’s of FTO gene with real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was carried out with R 3.6.2 with basic functions and SNPassoc package.ResultsThe distribution of genotypes for variants rs7185735 and rs9939609 was not in according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (a p-value less than 0.05) and excluded from further analysis. Patients with schizophrenia were divided into two groups: patients with metabolic syndrome and patients without it. We did not identify any statistically significant associations between genotypes and alleles of FTO gene and metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsWe did not find any associations of alleles and genotypes of FTO gene with metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients from Siberia region. Metabolic syndrome needs more further studies with larger number of samples and different populations. Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interests. Supported by Grant of RSF 19-75-10012.
Children with intellectual disabilities: Support in inclusive practice
Authors: Afanasyeva Y. , Bratkova M. , Sidneva Y. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe inclusion process allows children with special educational needs to be included in a normative environment. A large group consists of children with intellectual disabilities and behavioral disorders, hey need medical and pedagogical rehabilitation due to their low learning ability, neurotic disorders, and mental distortion.ObjectivesStudy of psychophysical characteristics of children with intellectual disability and behavioral disorders.Methods140 children with intellectual disabilities who have impairments in the neuro-psychological sphere (2017-2020 г.г.). Methods: medical and pedagogical, observation, examination, assessment.ResultsVariants of the child’s psychophysical development: Option 1. (75%): children with a predominance of violations in behavior, emotional and volitional sphere. There is aggressiveness, inconsistency and impulsiveness of actions, lack of distance with an adult, and difficulties in complying with accepted norms and rules. Option 2 (25%): children with the following manifestations: timidity, tearfulness, distrust, fears, lack of initiative. All children have difficulty sleeping, eating disorders, and frequent psychosomatic illnesses.ConclusionsChildren with intellectual disabilities in an inclusive practice need comprehensive assistance, taking into account different variants of their psychophysical characteristics. The studied children were found to have neurotic and neurosis-like disorders, as well as pathological personality development. All children have: low performance, lability of the nervous system, lack of voluntary regulation, impaired activity, learning difficulties. There are behavioral and mental disorders that require medical, psychological and pedagogical rehabilitation.
Burden of the family caregivers of the person with mental illness in portugal: A cross sectional study
Authors: Laranjeira C. , Querido A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe provision of mental health care should be promoted at the community level, in order to facilitate their recovery process. Thus, the people who care for these individuals go through a situational transition, as they have to play the role of Family Caregivers (FC).Objectivesa) to characterize the FC burden of the person with Mental Illness; and b) to correlate FC overload with the variables age, gender, cohabitation, degree of kinship and level of education.MethodsA cross-sectional correlational study was conducted. The sample consisted of FC who went to consultations and to the inpatient psychiatric unit of a portuguese hospital. Data were collected through a questionnaire which included sociodemographic data, the Lawton-Brody Index and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI).ResultsOf the 119 FC, 66.4% were female, with an average age of 53.8 years. 73.1% of FC cohabited with the person they care for, in which the majority was cared for by their child or spouse, 45.2% and 36.1%, respectively. It should also be noted that 71.4% felt the need for more support from health professionals. As for autonomy, 52% of the individuals cared for by FC were moderately dependent. It was verified that about 45% of the FC had an intense overload. Female gender has greater overload and that there are no significant differences between the level of education and cohabitation.ConclusionsConsidering the results, it is understood the importance of valuing FC, as a target and care partners, in order to reduce the burden, they feel when caring for people with MI.
Brazilian version of the postpartum depression screening scale-24
Authors: Barros M. , Aguiar M. , Macedo A. , Pereira A.T. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe PDSS-24 is a Portuguese short version of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (Beck and Gable, 2002). Items were selected on the basis of exploratory factor analysis (those with loadings >.60). The PDSS-24 proved to be superior to the 35-items PDSS in reliability, validity and screening ability (Pereira et al. 2013).ObjectivesTo analyze the psychometric properties (construct validity using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, discriminant validity and reliability) of the Brazilian preliminary version of PDSS-24MethodsAfter confirming the items semantic equivalence and slightly adapt two adjectives from European to Brazilian Portuguese, 350 pregnant women (Mean age: 30.01±5.452; Mean gestation weeks=25.17±6.55), with uncomplicated pregnancies, completed the PDSS-24 and the Brazilian recently validated versions of Profile of Mood States-25 (PoMS; Barros et al. 2021). SPSS and AMOS software were used.ResultsAfter some errors were correlated the multidimensional second-order model of PDSS-24 presented an aceptable fit (χ2=3.448; RMSEA=.099; CFI=.817, TLI=.886, GFI=.886). The PDSS Cronbach’s alpha for the total was α=.90. Cronbach alpha was .90 for the total and >.75 for the dimensions. Appling the Portuguese validated cut-off score for Major Depression/DSM-5 (>42) to this sample 224 (64.0%) participants presented clinical relevant depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThe Brazilian PDSS-24 has acceptable validity and reliability. The percentage of women with high depressive symptomatology is three times higher than the figures reported in Portuguese Studies. This can be partly explained by the fact that data collection was done during the COVID19 pandemic. It is important to determine the PDSS cut-offs to screen for perinatal depression in Brazil.
Prevalence of adhd in the adult population in the Czech Republic and frequency of medication
Authors: Vňuková M. , Ptáček R. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder often diagnosed between the ages of 7 and 10. The estimated prevalence of ADHD in adults is usually 2-5%, which means that in up to half of people this diagnosis persists into adulthood.ObjectivesThe aim of this sub-study was to determine whether there are significant differences in ADHD symptomatology between individuals who have taken or are taking prescription drugs and those who have never taken them.MethodsData collection was performed by STEM / MARK in January 2019 through the European National Panel. Respondents completed a demographic questionnaire focusing on the history of ADHD and a standardized ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) questionnaire for the symptomatology of ADHD in adulthood.ResultsOf the 1,518 respondents, 3% reported being diagnosed with ADHD / hyperkinetic disorder during their lifetime. According to the ASRS assessment, 119 respondents were classified as suspected ADHD. Overall, men scored higher symptoms of ADHD. The results also show that the group that states that taking medication has a statistically significantly higher average score in ASRS than unmedicated individuals. 6 individuals are taking medication to this day.ConclusionsThe data collected confirm our main hypothesis that ADHD symptomatology has an impact on the daily functioning of individuals in adulthood. Unlike peers with reduced or no ADHD symptoms, these people are far more likely to have time management issues, need to plan their day carefully, and yet often experience problems such as late arrivals due to a lack of anticipation.Conflict of interestFinancial support was provided by grants : GA ČR – 18 -112 47 S, Progres Q06 1LF
Relationship between emotional exhaustion and empathy in medical students from monteria - colombia
Authors: Gonzalez E.P. Ruiz , Otalvaro A.M. Romero , Crespi M.C. , Argel M.N. Muñoz , Carvajal J.D. Velez 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionEmpathy is considered one of the most relevant characteristics in the interaction between the doctor and the patient, highlighting the need to enhance it from the professional training stage. However, some studies have established that high levels of empathy could generate emotional exhaustion (Boujut, Sultan, Woemer & Zenasni, 2012). However, if a certain type of empathy can lead to burnout, it must also be considered that an optimal empathic posture can, on the contrary, relieve stress and exhaustion.ObjectivesEstablish the relationship between the level of emotional exhaustion and empathy in medical students.MethodsA cross-sectional study of correlational scope was conducted in 182 (n = 90) medical students. The cognitive and affective empathy test (López, et al., 2008) and the adaptation of the MBI instrument for the Colombian population (Barbato, Córdoba, González, Martínez & Tamayo, 2011) were used to assess emotional exhaustionResultsStatistically significant correlations of positive magnitude were evidenced between the variables emotional exhaustion and cognitive empathy (Table 1)ConclusionsIt was possible to conclude that the higher levels of cognitive empathy (adoption of perspective) in medical students, also resulted in greater emotional exhaustion, revealing an inappropriate consequence of empathy, where professionals can excessively adopt the patient’s feelings, generating wear. It is essential to promote optimal levels of empathy, which are beneficial for both the patient and the doctor.
Resentment and forgiveness with victims of forced displacement in three cities of colombia
Authors: Gonzalez E.P. Ruiz , Guzman M.J. Arcos , Argel M.N. Muñoz , Urzola A. Uribe , Otalvaro A.M. Romero 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe armed conflict in Colombia manifests and lasts as barbarism in the contemporary world (Zuleta, 2006). Against this background, it is possible to identify among the victims the prevalence of pathologies associated with traumatic events such as forced displacement (Andrade, 2008). Studies indicate a harmony between resentment and other psychosocial effects (Arcos, Muñoz, Uribe, Villamil, Ramos, 2018).ObjectivesThe results of the study are presented, which has aimed to analyze the relationship between resentment and forgiveness with victims of forced displacement in three cities of Colombian.MethodsA correlational study has been carried out with a sample of 40 (n = 40) subjects of which 52.5% are men and 47.5% women, the mean age is 57.52 (σ = 13.591), all with a history of forced displacement; to the data collection has been used the CAPER instrument of Rosales, Rivera and Garcia (2017) (α = .592).ResultsThere is evidence of a positive bilateral correlation between the variables studied (r = .000; p = .681), the greater the personal restoration, the greater the feeling of guilt.ConclusionsIt is important that the intervention processes designed for the victims of forced displacement focused on forgiveness include in their content elements associated with resentment.
Yoga exercises can reduce prenatal maternal stress
Authors: Kiselev S. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPrenatal maternal stress is an important phenomenon. Evidence on this topic suggests that women who experience high stress during pregnancy are more likely to deliver preterm infants.ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of Yoga exercises training on stress reduction during pregnancy.MethodsIn the current study we included 20 women who participated in the Yoga exercises training during pregnancy. The control group included 20 women who were in the reading control condition during pregnancy. Women were eligible to participate if they were experiencing elevated levels of perceived stress or pregnancy-specific anxiety (PSA), as indicated by responses to the Perceived Stress Scale and the PSA scale on a screening questionnaire. Women enrolled between 12 and 26 weeks gestation were randomly assigned to either the Yoga exercises training or to the reading control condition. Effects of training were analyzed by means of an ANOVA with repeated measurements.ResultsANOVA has revealed (p<.05) that women in the Yoga exercises training experienced larger decreases from pre- to postintervention in pregnancy-specific anxiety and pregnancy-related anxiety than participants in the reading control condition.ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that Yoga exercises training during pregnancy can effectively reduce pregnancy-related anxiety. However, it is necessary to do further research on the impact of Yoga exercises on stress reduction during pregnancy.