cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.17082681.v1
title: HIV/AIDS stigma and psychological well-being after 40 years of HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis

description: <b>Background</b>: In June 2021, 40 years have passed since the first cases of HIV infection were detected. Nonetheless, people living with HIV (PLWH) still suffer from intense HIV-related distress and trauma, which is nowadays mostly linked to the still-existing stigmatization of PLWH. <b>Objectives</b>: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the association between HIV/AIDS stigma and psychological well-being among PLWH. We also explored whether this association varies as a function of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as study publication year and stigma measurement. <b>Method</b>: A structured literature search was performed on Web of Science, Scopus, PsyARTICLES, MedLine, ProQuest, and Google Scholar databases. The inclusion criteria were quantitative, peer-reviewed articles published in English between 1996 and 2020. <b>Results</b>: After selection, 64 articles were accepted for further analysis (<i>N</i> = 25,294 participants). The random-effects pooled estimate revealed an overall negative and medium-strength association between stigma and well-being (r = −.31, 95% CI [−.35; −.26]). The participants’ age modified this effect with a stronger association for older PLWH. Other sociodemographic and clinical variables as well as publication year and stigma measurement did not explain the variation in association between stigma and well-being across studies. <b>Conclusions</b>: The present meta-analysis and systematic review not only showed an expected negative relationship between stigma and well-being but also revealed a substantial heterogeneity between studies that suggests a strong role of context of a given study. This finding calls for more advanced theoretical and analytical models to identify protective and vulnerability factors to effectively address them in clinical practice and interventions. In this meta-analysis, the relationship between HIV/AIDS stigma and well-being of people living with HIV was investigated. In this meta-analysis, the relationship between HIV/AIDS stigma and well-being of people living with HIV was investigated.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.17317449
title: Inflammation-related microRNAs are involved in stressful life events exposure and in trauma-focused psychotherapy in treatment-resistant depressed patients

description: <b>Background</b>: About 30% of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients are classified as resistant to treatment (treatment-resistant depression, TRD). Among the factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes, stressful life events play a relevant role, and trauma-focused psychotherapy has been successfully proposed for the treatment of patients with a history of such events. Stressful experiences are related to enhanced inflammation and, recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential mediators of the association between these experiences and psychiatric disorders. To date, no study has explored the effects of stressful life events on miRNAs in MDD patients. <b>Objective</b>: The objective of the present study was to assess possible miRNA blood expression alterations in TRD patients induced by the exposure to stressful life events and to investigate the effects of trauma-focused psychotherapy on the expression profiles of the same miRNAs, as well as their possible predictivity in relation to therapy outcome. <b>Method</b>: The basal levels (T0) of seven candidate miRNAs (miR-15a/miR-29a/miR-125b/miR-126/miR-146a/miR-195/let-7f) were measured in the whole blood of 41 TRD patients. A subgroup of patients (<i>n</i> = 21) underwent trauma-focused psychotherapy; for all of them, miRNA levels were also longitudinally assessed (T4: after 4 weeks of treatment; T8: end of treatment; T12: follow-up visit), contextually to clinical evaluations. <b>Results</b>: miR-146a levels negatively correlated with recent stressful life event scores (<i>p</i> = .001), whereas the levels of miR-15a, miR-29a, miR-126, miR-195, and let-7f changed during the psychotherapy (best <i>p</i> = 1.98*10<sup>−9</sup>). miR-29a was also identified as a response predictor, with lower baseline levels predicting non-response (<i>p</i> = .019) or worse improvement in mood symptoms (<i>p</i> = .032). <b>Conclusions</b>: The study results could contribute to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms and to identify novel biomarkers of stressful experiences and response to targeted treatments. The peripheral levels of microRNAs implicated in inflammation are correlated to recent stressful life events in treatment-resistant depressed patients and modified by trauma-focused psychotherapy; some of them could represent predictive biomarkers of response to psychotherapy. The peripheral levels of microRNAs implicated in inflammation are correlated to recent stressful life events in treatment-resistant depressed patients and modified by trauma-focused psychotherapy; some of them could represent predictive biomarkers of response to psychotherapy.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.17317449.v1
title: Inflammation-related microRNAs are involved in stressful life events exposure and in trauma-focused psychotherapy in treatment-resistant depressed patients

description: <b>Background</b>: About 30% of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients are classified as resistant to treatment (treatment-resistant depression, TRD). Among the factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes, stressful life events play a relevant role, and trauma-focused psychotherapy has been successfully proposed for the treatment of patients with a history of such events. Stressful experiences are related to enhanced inflammation and, recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential mediators of the association between these experiences and psychiatric disorders. To date, no study has explored the effects of stressful life events on miRNAs in MDD patients. <b>Objective</b>: The objective of the present study was to assess possible miRNA blood expression alterations in TRD patients induced by the exposure to stressful life events and to investigate the effects of trauma-focused psychotherapy on the expression profiles of the same miRNAs, as well as their possible predictivity in relation to therapy outcome. <b>Method</b>: The basal levels (T0) of seven candidate miRNAs (miR-15a/miR-29a/miR-125b/miR-126/miR-146a/miR-195/let-7f) were measured in the whole blood of 41 TRD patients. A subgroup of patients (<i>n</i> = 21) underwent trauma-focused psychotherapy; for all of them, miRNA levels were also longitudinally assessed (T4: after 4 weeks of treatment; T8: end of treatment; T12: follow-up visit), contextually to clinical evaluations. <b>Results</b>: miR-146a levels negatively correlated with recent stressful life event scores (<i>p</i> = .001), whereas the levels of miR-15a, miR-29a, miR-126, miR-195, and let-7f changed during the psychotherapy (best <i>p</i> = 1.98*10<sup>−9</sup>). miR-29a was also identified as a response predictor, with lower baseline levels predicting non-response (<i>p</i> = .019) or worse improvement in mood symptoms (<i>p</i> = .032). <b>Conclusions</b>: The study results could contribute to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms and to identify novel biomarkers of stressful experiences and response to targeted treatments. The peripheral levels of microRNAs implicated in inflammation are correlated to recent stressful life events in treatment-resistant depressed patients and modified by trauma-focused psychotherapy; some of them could represent predictive biomarkers of response to psychotherapy. The peripheral levels of microRNAs implicated in inflammation are correlated to recent stressful life events in treatment-resistant depressed patients and modified by trauma-focused psychotherapy; some of them could represent predictive biomarkers of response to psychotherapy.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.15121972.v1
title: A meta-analysis of dropout from evidence-based psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and young people

description: <b>Background</b>: Despite the established evidence base of psychological interventions in treating PTSD in children and young people, concern that these trauma-focused treatments may ‘retraumatise’ patients or exacerbate symptoms and cause dropout has been identified as a barrier to their implementation. Dropout from treatment is indicative of its relative acceptability in this population. <b>Objective</b>: Estimate the prevalence of dropout in children and young people receiving a psychological therapy for PTSD as part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). <b>Methods</b>: A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify RCTs of evidence-based treatment of PTSD in children and young people. Proportion meta-analyses estimated the prevalence of dropout. Odds ratios compared the relative likelihood of dropout between different treatments and controls. Subgroup analysis assessed the impact of potential moderating variables. <b>Results</b>: Forty RCTs were identified. Dropout from all treatment or active control arms was estimated to be 11.7%, 95% CI [9.0, 14.6]. Dropout from evidence-based treatment (TFCBTs and EMDR) was 11.2%, 95% CI [8.2, 14.6]. Dropout from non-trauma focused treatments or controls was 12.8%, 95% CI [7.6, 19.1]. There was no significant difference in the odds of dropout when comparing different modalities. Group rather than individual delivery, and lay versus professional delivery, were associated with less dropout. <b>Conclusions</b>: Evidence-based treatments for children and young people with PTSD do not result in higher prevalence of dropout than non-trauma focused treatment or waiting list conditions. Trauma-focused therapies appear to be well tolerated in children and young people. Dropout from RCTs is not more likely for trauma-focused treatments than for non-trauma-focused arms or control conditions.Trauma-focused treatments for PTSD are acceptable to most youth. Dropout from RCTs is not more likely for trauma-focused treatments than for non-trauma-focused arms or control conditions. Trauma-focused treatments for PTSD are acceptable to most youth.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.17130026
title: Mental health in adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway between 2015 and 2017: a nationwide, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional prevalence study

description: <b>Background</b>: The number of forcibly displaced people globally has never been higher, with refugees from Syria constituting the largest displaced population worldwide. Many studies have documented elevated levels of mental health problems in refugee populations, though prevalence estimates of common mental disorders vary considerably between studies, explained both by methodological and contextual factors. <b>Objective</b>: Using questionnaire-based screening checklists to approximate the prevalence of and investigate risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression among adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway and to compare estimates with a sister-study in Sweden. <b>Method</b>: Cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample from the National Population Register in Norway of adult refugees from Syria who were granted residency rights in Norway between 2015 and 2017 (<i>N</i><sub>sample</sub> = 9,990; <i>n</i><sub>respondents</sub> = 902). Above-threshold scores on the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25) defined caseness for PTSD (HTQ&gt;2.06); anxiety (HSCL<sub>anxitey</sub>&gt;1.75); and depression (HSCL<sub>depression</sub>&gt;1.80). <b>Results</b>: Weighted, checklist-positive prevalence estimates for PTSD, anxiety and depression were 29.7% (25.4%-34.4%), 30.1% (25.7%-34.9%), and 45.2% (40.6%-49.8%), respectively. Cumulative exposure to potentially traumatic experiences before or during flight was a clear risk factor for all outcomes, and female gender was a risk factor for anxiety and depression, though only in adjusted analyses. The choice of HTQ cut-off to define PTSD caseness (2.5 vs. 2.06) had a notable effect on prevalence estimates. <b>Conclusion</b>: In line with prior evidence, the present study suggests adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway have higher rates of anxiety and depression and markedly higher rates of PTSD compared to general, non-refugee populations, and that this is clearly linked to past traumatic experiences. Prevalence estimates were highly consistent with estimates from the sister-study in Sweden, which used almost identical methodology. Findings underline the importance of screening for and intervening on mental health problems in newly arrived refugees. Nationwide, questionnaire survey of anxiety, depression and PTSD in adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway estimated checklist-positive prevalence rates of: 29.7% (PTSD); 30.1% (anxiety); and 45.2% (depression). Nationwide, questionnaire survey of anxiety, depression and PTSD in adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway estimated checklist-positive prevalence rates of: 29.7% (PTSD); 30.1% (anxiety); and 45.2% (depression).
DOI: 10.15156/bio/sh0950987.09fu
title: SH0950987.09FU

description: UNITE provides a unified way for delimiting, identifying, communicating, and working with DNA-based Species Hypotheses (SH). All fungal ITS sequences in the international nucleotide sequence databases are clustered to approximately the species level by applying a set of dynamic distance values (<0.5 - 3.0%). All species hypotheses are given a unique, stable name in the form of a DOI, and their taxonomic and ecological annotations are verified through distributed, web-based third-party annotation efforts. SHs are connected to a taxon name and its classification as far as possible (phylum, class, order, etc.) by taking into account identifications for all sequences in the SH. An automatically or manually designated sequence is chosen to represent each such SH. These sequences are released (https://unite.ut.ee/repository.php) for use by the scientific community in, for example, local sequence similarity searches and next-generation sequencing analysis pipelines. The system and the data are updated automatically as the number of public fungal ITS sequences grows.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.16676673.v3
title: Psychometric properties and validity of the German version of the Post-Traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5)

description: <b>Background</b>: The availability of psychometrically sound instruments for the assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is indispensable for clinical and scientific work with individuals suffering from trauma-related distress. <b>Objective</b>: The aim of the present study was to translate the Post-Traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5) into German and to evaluate its psychometric properties as well as convergent, discriminant, and factorial validity. <b>Method</b>: The authorized German translation of the PDS-5 was completed by 270 patients admitted to specialized outpatient trauma clinics. Of these, 57.8% completed the PDS for a second time (mean time between assessments was 12.0 days). In order to examine convergent and discriminant validity of the PDS-5, the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 as well as Patient Health Questionnaire subscales assessing depression (PHQ-9), somatization (PHQ-15), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) were applied. <b>Results</b>: The PDS-5 total score showed excellenst internal consistency (α = .91) and re-test reliability (rho = .84). Convergent validity was supported by a strong correlation with the total score of the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5; rho = .91). Correlations with Patient Health Questionnaire subscales of depression (rho = .81), anxiety (rho = .72), and somatization (rho = .65) were significantly lower (all <i>p</i> &lt; .001) indicating discriminant validity of the PDS-5. Confirmative Factor Analysis did not result in a clear preference for one of the tested models. Defining a diagnostic cut-off value of ≥36 based on ROC analysis resulted in high sensitivity (.92) and specificity (.96) compared to a probable PTSD diagnosis according to the PCL-5. <b>Conclusions</b>: In summary, our results indicate that the German PDS-5 translation provides valid and reliable information concerning both PTSD severity and diagnosis. The Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5) is one of the most frequently applied self-rating scales for assessing PTSD severity.This study indicates that the German PDS-5 version provides valid and reliable information concerning both PTSD severity and diagnosis. The Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5) is one of the most frequently applied self-rating scales for assessing PTSD severity. This study indicates that the German PDS-5 version provides valid and reliable information concerning both PTSD severity and diagnosis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.16676673
title: Psychometric properties and validity of the German version of the Post-Traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5)

description: <b>Background</b>: The availability of psychometrically sound instruments for the assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is indispensable for clinical and scientific work with individuals suffering from trauma-related distress. <b>Objective</b>: The aim of the present study was to translate the Post-Traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5) into German and to evaluate its psychometric properties as well as convergent, discriminant, and factorial validity. <b>Method</b>: The authorized German translation of the PDS-5 was completed by 270 patients admitted to specialized outpatient trauma clinics. Of these, 57.8% completed the PDS for a second time (mean time between assessments was 12.0 days). In order to examine convergent and discriminant validity of the PDS-5, the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 as well as Patient Health Questionnaire subscales assessing depression (PHQ-9), somatization (PHQ-15), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) were applied. <b>Results</b>: The PDS-5 total score showed excellenst internal consistency (α = .91) and re-test reliability (rho = .84). Convergent validity was supported by a strong correlation with the total score of the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5; rho = .91). Correlations with Patient Health Questionnaire subscales of depression (rho = .81), anxiety (rho = .72), and somatization (rho = .65) were significantly lower (all <i>p</i> &lt; .001) indicating discriminant validity of the PDS-5. Confirmative Factor Analysis did not result in a clear preference for one of the tested models. Defining a diagnostic cut-off value of ≥36 based on ROC analysis resulted in high sensitivity (.92) and specificity (.96) compared to a probable PTSD diagnosis according to the PCL-5. <b>Conclusions</b>: In summary, our results indicate that the German PDS-5 translation provides valid and reliable information concerning both PTSD severity and diagnosis. The Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5) is one of the most frequently applied self-rating scales for assessing PTSD severity.This study indicates that the German PDS-5 version provides valid and reliable information concerning both PTSD severity and diagnosis. The Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 (PDS-5) is one of the most frequently applied self-rating scales for assessing PTSD severity. This study indicates that the German PDS-5 version provides valid and reliable information concerning both PTSD severity and diagnosis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.13627594.v1
title: Stabilizing group treatment for childhood-abuse related PTSD: a randomized controlled trial

description: <b>Background</b>: Patients with PTSD related to childhood-abuse often experience additional problems such as emotional dysregulation and interpersonal difficulties. Psychotherapy focused on stabilization of symptoms, emotion-regulation, and skills training has been suggested as a treatment for this patient population, either as preparation for further treatment or as a stand-alone intervention. <b>Objective</b>: The present study tests the efficacy of treatment using a group-protocol for stabilizing treatment delivered adjunct with conventional individual therapy. <b>Methods</b>: In a delayed-treatment design with switching replication, a clinically representative sample of 89 patients with PTSD and histories of childhood abuse were randomly assigned to either 20-week stabilizing group treatment or a corresponding waiting-period, both adjunct with conventional individual therapy. After the waiting-period, patients in the control condition were offered group treatment. The primary outcome was psychosocial functioning, measured with interview – assessed Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), while secondary outcome was self-reported PTSD symptoms. These were measured before treatment, after treatment and at 6 months follow up. The trial was preregistered at Clinical Trials (NCT02450617). <b>Results</b>: We found large within-group effect sizes in both conditions on GAF and moderate effects on PTSD symptoms. Linear mixed-models did not indicate significant differences in treatment trajectories between conditions. <b>Conclusion</b>: Stabilizing group treatment focused on emotional-regulation and skills-training does not improve outcomes beyond individual-treatment alone, and should not be recommended as first-line treatment for this patient-group Stabilizing group treatment focused on emotional-regulation and skills-training does not improve outcomes beyond individual-treatment alone for patients with PTSD after childhood abuse.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.15121972
title: A meta-analysis of dropout from evidence-based psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and young people

description: <b>Background</b>: Despite the established evidence base of psychological interventions in treating PTSD in children and young people, concern that these trauma-focused treatments may ‘retraumatise’ patients or exacerbate symptoms and cause dropout has been identified as a barrier to their implementation. Dropout from treatment is indicative of its relative acceptability in this population. <b>Objective</b>: Estimate the prevalence of dropout in children and young people receiving a psychological therapy for PTSD as part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). <b>Methods</b>: A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify RCTs of evidence-based treatment of PTSD in children and young people. Proportion meta-analyses estimated the prevalence of dropout. Odds ratios compared the relative likelihood of dropout between different treatments and controls. Subgroup analysis assessed the impact of potential moderating variables. <b>Results</b>: Forty RCTs were identified. Dropout from all treatment or active control arms was estimated to be 11.7%, 95% CI [9.0, 14.6]. Dropout from evidence-based treatment (TFCBTs and EMDR) was 11.2%, 95% CI [8.2, 14.6]. Dropout from non-trauma focused treatments or controls was 12.8%, 95% CI [7.6, 19.1]. There was no significant difference in the odds of dropout when comparing different modalities. Group rather than individual delivery, and lay versus professional delivery, were associated with less dropout. <b>Conclusions</b>: Evidence-based treatments for children and young people with PTSD do not result in higher prevalence of dropout than non-trauma focused treatment or waiting list conditions. Trauma-focused therapies appear to be well tolerated in children and young people. Dropout from RCTs is not more likely for trauma-focused treatments than for non-trauma-focused arms or control conditions.Trauma-focused treatments for PTSD are acceptable to most youth. Dropout from RCTs is not more likely for trauma-focused treatments than for non-trauma-focused arms or control conditions. Trauma-focused treatments for PTSD are acceptable to most youth.