In patients with schizophrenia, metabolic syndrome is associated with cognitive impairments. We carried out a second analysis of data from a longitudinal trial to examine the relationship between weight gain and cognitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) over the first 6-month antipsychotic treatment. Baseline and 6-month endpoint measurements were taken for both cognitive function and body weight. Linear and logistic regression analyses were applied to investigate the bidirectional relationship between weight gain and cognitive function. Clinically relevant weight gain (CRW) was defined as an increase in body weight ex-ceeding 7%. The final analysis included 337 participants. Lower baseline scores in processing speed (OR=0.837, p=0.007), working memory and attention (OR=0.889, p=0.043), and executive function (OR=0.863, p=0.006) domains were significantly associated with CRW at the 6-month endpoint. After adjusting for confounders, CRW was found to be associated with improvement in the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (p=0.036). The findings suggest that patients with lower baseline cognitive performance experienced more substantial weight gain. Conversely, weight gain was correlated with cognitive improvements, particularly in the domain of visual learning and memory. This suggested a potential bidirectional relationship between weight gain and cog-nitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.

Background: Older adults with bipolar disorder (OABD) are individuals aged 50 years and older with bipolar disorder (BD). People with BD may have fewer coping strategies or resilience. A long course of the disease, such as in OABD, could impact the development of resilience strategies, but this remains under-researched in OABD. Therefore, this study aims to assess resilience levels within the OABD and explore associated factors, hypothesizing that resilience could improve psychosocial functioning, wellbeing and quality of life of OABD patients. Methods: This study sampled 33 OABD patients from the OABD cohort at the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit of Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. This was an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Demographic and clinical variables as well as psychosocial functioning, resilience and cognitive reserve were analyzed. Resilience was measured using the CD-RISC-10. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The average CD-RISC-10 score was 25.67 points (SD 7.87). Resilience negatively correlated with the total number of episodes (p = 0.034), depressive episodes (p = 0.001), and the FAST (p < 0.001). Participants with normal resilience had a lower FAST (p = 0.046), a higher CRASH (p = 0.026), and more EOBD (p = 0.037) compared to those with low resilience. Conclusions: OABD individuals may exhibit lower resilience levels which correlate with more psychiatric episodes, particularly the number of depressions and worse psychosocial functioning and cognitive reserve. Better understanding and characterization of resilience could aid in early identification of patients requiring additional support to foster resilience and enhance OABD management.

Based on non-invasive neuroimaging techniques and graph theory-based network analyses, many researchers have tried to use small-world network model to elucidate sex differences in the brain. This manuscript aims to compile the related research findings from the past few years and summarize the sex differences in human brain networks from the perspective of small-world properties. We reviewed published reports examining altered small-world properties in both the functional and structural brain networks between males and females. Based on four patterns of altered small-world properties proposed--randomization, regularization, stronger small-worldization and weaker small-worldization, we found that current results point to a significant trend toward more regularization in females and more randomization in males in the functional brain networks. As for particular topological properties, the most consistent findings include a significant shift toward higher global efficiency in males and higher local efficiency in females in the functional network studies. On the other hand, there seems to be no consensus to date on the sex differences in small-world properties of the structural brain networks. Nevertheless, we noticed that the sample sizes in many published studies are limited, and future studies with larger samples are warranted to obtain more reliable results. We anticipate that the conclusions in this manuscript will contribute to a deeper understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying the sex differences in the brain.

HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a chronic progressive neurological disorder and shares many radiological and clinical features with other more prevalent myelopathies. Here, we quantified spinal cord and brain volumes in adults with HAM/TSP in comparison with healthy volunteers (HVs) and participants diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Clinical disability and MRI were assessed in 24 HVs, 43 HAM/TSP, and 46 MS participants. Spinal cord cross-sectional area (SCCSA) and brain tissue volumes were measured and compared. HAM/TSP participants had significantly lower SCCSA at C2-3 (54.0±8 mm2), C4-5 (57.8±8 mm2), and T4-9 (22.7±4 mm2) and significantly elevated brain white matter hyperintensity (WMH) fraction (0.004±0.008) was compared to HVs (C2-3: 69.4±8 mm2, C4-5: 75.1±9 mm2, T4-9: 34.1±4 mm2; all p &lt; 0.0001; and WMH: 0.0004±0.0007; p &lt; 0.001). In HAM/TSP, SCCSA at all levels but not WMH showed the significant correlation with clinical disability scores. Brain white matter hyperintensities in HAM/TSP, therefore, may not be related to clinical disability. SCCSA and WMH in our limited MS cohort were higher than the HAM/TSP cohort (67.6±8 mm2, 72.7±9 mm2, 33.4±5 mm2; p &lt; 0.0001). Principal component analysis suggested that SCCSA and WMH may be used to differentiated HAM/TSP from MS. Understanding these differences may help establish early diagnostic criteria for HAM/TSP patients.

Lyme disease, the leading vector-borne ailment in the U.S., annually affects an estimated 476,000 individuals, predominantly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Despite its increasing incidence, the evaluation of risk within U.S. cities, including natural public lands, remains inadequate. This study focuses on blacklegged tick occurrences and Borrelia burgdorferi infection prevalence in 24 Staten Island parks, aiming to assess Lyme disease exposure risk. Monthly acarological risk index (ARI) calculations from 2019 to 2022 revealed elevated values (0.16-0.53) in specific parks, notably Wolfe’s Pond Park, High Rock Park, Clay Pit Pond Park, Clove Lake Park, and Fair View Park. June (0.36) and November (0.21) consistently exhibited heightened ARIs, aligning with peak tick collection months. Despite stable yearly infection rates at 28.97%, tick densities varied significantly between parks and years. Identifying a high transmission risk in specific parks in Staten Island, a highly urbanized part of New York City, emphasizes the continuous necessity for Lyme disease risk management, even within the greenspaces of large cities.

Background: Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) have a variable decline in cognitive function, while loneliness was associated with cognitive impairment and increased dementia risk. In the present study, we examined the associations of loneliness with functional and cognitive status in patients with minor (mild cognitive impairment) and major NCDs (dementia). Methods: We diagnosed mild NCD (n=42) and major NCD (n=164) through DSM-5 criteria on 206 participants aged>65 years using the UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3) to evaluate loneliness, the activities of daily living (ADL) and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scales to measure functional status, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to assess cognitive functions. Results: In a multivariate regression model, the effect of loneliness on cognitive functions was negative in major (=-1.05-p<.0001) and minor NCD (=-0.06-p<.01). In the fully-adjusted multivariate regression model (sex-age-education-multimorbidity-depressive symptoms-antidementia drug treatment), the effect of loneliness remained negative for major NCD and became positive for minor NCD (=0.09-p<.001). The effect of loneliness on IADL (=-0.26-p<.0001) and ADL (=-0.24-p<.001) showed a negative effect for major NCD across the different models, while for minor NCD, the effect was positive (IADL:=0.26-p<.0001-ADL:=0.05-p=0.01). Minor NCD displayed different levels of MMSE (=6.68-p<.001), but not ADL or IADL, compared to major NCD for the same levels of loneliness. MANOVA pill’s test suggested a statistically significant and different interactive effect of loneliness on functional and cognitive variables between minor and major NCDs. Conclusions: We confirmed the relationships between loneliness and cognitive and functional status in major NCD, observing a novel trend in minor NCD.

This communication explores the transition from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to a more holistic model, named Complex Therapy, developed by Tullio Scrimali for explaining and treating mental disorders. The Author delves into the limitations of traditional CBT and introduces an innovative framework that integrates multiple therapeutic modalities. While CBT is based on the study and modification of behaviour and cognition, Complex Therapy includes, in its focus, the theory of human relationships, the attachment theory, neuroscience, applied neuroscience, complex systems theory and ecology.Complex Therapy addresses the multifaceted nature of mental health issues by combining evidence-based techniques with personalized care strategies. The goal is to enhance patient outcomes through a tailored, comprehensive treatment plan that adapts to the evolving needs of individuals facing mental health challenges.Two innovative and original items which Scrimali has developed, which are a device for Applied Neuroscience MindLAB Set and a new botanical drug, NegEnt, are presented and discussed.The topic also describes, an original and integrated protocol, named Negative Entropy, the author has developed for treating a challenging disorder, such as schizophrenia, he renamed Entropy of Mind.

In the contemporary accelerated pace of life, emphasizing the importance of sleep quality is essential for enhancing overall well-being and health. This study investigates the link between poor sleep quality and key factors affecting wellness, such as mental health and eating disorders. Through a cross-sectional analysis involving 407 participants, utilizing established measures including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short (EDE-QS), and the single-item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), data was collected and analyzed using SPSS v28 and R-Statistics. The findings reveal a significant correlation (p&lt;0.05) between DASS-21, EDE-QS, and SQS, indicating that individuals experiencing poor sleep quality exhibit higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Furthermore, multinomial logistic regression analysis highlights low sleep quality as a risk factor for both mental health (OR: 1.071, 95% CI: 1.042, 1.102, p&lt;0.05, low vs. high sleep quality), and eating disorders (OR: 1.047, 95% CI: 1.004, 1.092, p&lt;0.05, low vs. high sleep quality). Overall, these results underscore the critical role of sleep quality in mental health and suggest insomnia as a predictive factor for both poor mental well-being and disordered eating habits. Further research through randomized controlled trials is warranted to validate the findings of this cross-sectional study.

Background: Educating college students about the importance of good sleep habits could lead to the adoption of healthier sleep routines, including sufficient sleep duration and sleep quality. The current pre-post study examines the impact of completing a sleep education program called “Sleep 101” on (1) sleep hygiene practices, (2) sleep quality, and (3) weekday and weekend sleep behaviors among college students. “Sleep 101” is an interactive online course developed to educate college students about the importance of sleep by addressing basic sleep physiology, the impact of sleep on mood, academic and physical performance, the interactions between sleep and various substances, and common sleep disorders. Methods: 338 college students were recruited from a midsized public university in the US and invited to participate in “Sleep 101”, of which 25 participants completed the baseline and post-intervention questionnaire. The Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) was utilized to evaluate sleep hygiene practices, while standard questions were employed to assess weekday and weekend sleep behaviors and overall sleep quality. Results: Those who completed the study demonstrated a significant increase in weekday sleep duration and were less likely to engage in negative prior bedtime activities. In addition, 40% of those who completed baseline and post-intervention assessments noticed improvements in their sleep quality. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a brief online program is beneficial in improving sleep behaviors among college and could be a scalable approach to addressing current sleep issues and preventing future sleep problems in college students.

Researchers are dedicated to providing effective solutions for serious problems such as mental health. This field of study ranges from understanding the impact of mental health ailments on individuals to identifying trends in mental health diseases based on various data points. Unfortunately, the journey from diagnosis to receiving a proper mental health regimen is costly and inaccessible to many. This necessitates the introduction of an affordable alternative that enables individuals with internet access to connect to a platform to determine whether they require the services of a mental health professional. Additionally, such a platform can assist mental health professionals in quickly identifying patients with mental health conditions. Our proposed solution leverages hidden trends in data obtained from 700 mental health patients at The local mental hospital in Pakistan. We have used this data to train a machine learning classifier capable of distinguishing between Psychotic and Neurotic disorders. Psychotic disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by a loss of touch with reality whereas neurotic disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive worry, anxiety, or stress that does not involve a loss of touch with reality. Our model achieved an overall accuracy score of 73%, indicating successful prediction of the correct diagnosis in 73 out of 100 pipeline tests. While these results may not seem significant, an increase in data points would surely allow for further improvements in these results and the overall solution we propose.

Background and Objectives. To examine trends in the links between induced abortion and subsequent mental health problems for U.S. women approaching completed fertility. Materials and Methods. Panel data on a nationally-representative cohort of 3,842 ever-pregnant women assessed at mean ages of 15, 22, 28 and 37 years from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) were examined for pregnancy outcome-related mental health disorders, with extensive adjustment for confounders including sociodemographic dif-ferences, mental health history, and unwanted pregnancies. Outcomes were defined using pub-lished diagnostic criteria or validated index for depression, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide ideation (affective problems); alcohol abuse, drug abuse, opioid abuse, and cannabis abuse (substance abuse problems); and summary counts of affective problems, substance abuse problems and total disorders. Results were adjusted for abortion under-reporting using cross-wave analysis. Results. The relative risk of mental health disorder with exposure to induced abortion followed an inverted “V” pattern as women aged to midlife, increasing from Wave III (age 22; IRR 1.41) to Wave IV (age 28; IRR 1.67), then dropping sharply by Wave V (age 37; IRR 1.20). The population at-tributable fraction of mental health disorder due to abortion dropped from 18.1% at Wave IV to 8.0% at Wave V. Unlike previous Waves, at Wave V mental health risk was more strongly reduced by exposure to childbirth (IRR 0.70, 95% CI .63, .78, p < .001). Reduced relative metrics at Wave V were not due to reduced prevalence of mental health disorders for ever-aborting women, which increased from Wave IV to Wave V by 1.7%, but increased much more, by 20.5%, for never-aborting women. Conclusion. At midlife approaching completed fertility, differential negative psychological out-comes for ever-aborting U.S. women remained elevated but reduced from younger ages.

Mobile health technologies enable continuous, quantitative assessment of mobility and gait in real-world environments, facilitating early diagnosis of gait disorders, disease progression monitoring, and prediction of adverse events like falls. Traditionally, mobile gait assessment predominantly relied on body-fixed sensors positioned at the feet or lower trunk. Here, we investigate the potential of an algorithm utilizing an ear-worn motion sensor for spatiotemporal segmentation of gait patterns. We collected 3D acceleration profiles from the ear-worn sensor during varied walking speeds in 53 healthy adults. Temporal convolutional networks were trained to detect stepping sequences and predict spatial relations between steps. The resulting algorithm, mEar, accurately detects initial and final ground contacts (F1 score of 99% and 91%, respectively). It enables determination of temporal and spatial gait cycle characteristics (among others stride time and stride length) with good to excellent validity at a precision sufficient to monitor clinically relevant changes in walking speed, stride-to-stride variability, and side asymmetry. This study highlights the ear as a viable site for monitoring gait and proposes its potential integration with in-ear vital sign monitoring. Such integration offers a practical approach to comprehensive health monitoring and telemedical applications, by integrating multiple sensors in a single anatomical location.

Human Activity Recognition (HAR) technology enables continuous behavior monitoring, particularly valuable in healthcare. This study investigates the viability of using an ear-worn motion sensor for classifying daily activities, including lying, sitting/standing, walking, ascending stairs, descending stairs, and running. Fifty healthy participants (between 20 and 47 years old) engaged in these activities while under monitoring. Various machine learning algorithms, ranging from interpretable shallow models to state-of-the-art deep learning approaches designed for HAR, were employed for classification. Results demonstrate the ear sensor's efficacy, with deep learning models achieving 98% accuracy rate of classification. The obtained classification models are agnostic regarding which ear the sensor is worn and robust against moderate variations in sensor orientation (e.g., due to differences in auricle anatomy), meaning no initial calibration of the sensor orientation is required. The study underscores the ear's efficacy as a suitable site for monitoring human daily activity and suggests its potential for combining HAR with in-ear vital signs monitoring. This approach offers a practical method for comprehensive health monitoring by integrating sensors in a single anatomical location. This integration facilitates individualized health assessments, with potential applications in tele-monitoring, personalized health insights, and optimizing athletic training regimes.

Mental Disorders are an important public health problem. The main of this study was to analyze the prevalence of Mental Disorders and Environmental Quality. Data on the Prevalence of Mental Disorders, Gross Domestic Product, and Median Years of Schooling from 178 countries were used. A positive association was observed and was independent of Gross Domestic Product and Median Years of Schooling.

Background: Diagnostic accuracy of Parkinson’s disease (PD), a synucleinopathy, based on diagnostic criteria is suboptimal. A biomarker for synucleinopathies is pivotal both from a clinical and from a research aspect. CSF a-synuclein has been extensively studied over the past two decades as a candidate biomarker of synucleinopathies. Herein we present data on studies focusing on total, phosphorylated and oligomeric CSF a-synuclein in PD. Methods: Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for studies with &gt;10 PD patients and control subjects, with data (mean, SD) on total, phosphorylated or oligomeric a-synuclein. Cohen’s d, as a measure of effect size, was calculated for all a-synuclein forms. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed in an effort to explain between-study heterogeneity. Results: Thirty studies on total, six studies on oligomeric and one study on phosphorylated a-synuclein were included. Total a-synuclein was decreased and oligomeric a-synuclein increased in PD patients vs. controls. Effect size was medium for total and high for oligomeric a-synuclein. A-syn forms provided suboptimal combined sensitivity/specificity for the differentiation of PD from controls. There was significant between-study heterogeneity. PD cohort characteristics (sex, age, disease duration, UPDRS, H&amp;Y) and study characteristics (study design, healthy vs. neurological controls, control for CSF blood contamination, method of a-syn measurement) could not account for between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was limited. Conclusions: CSF a-synuclein levels lack sufficient accuracy to be used as biomarkers for PD. Standardization of (pre)analytical variables may improve the discriminatory power of a-synuclein forms in the future.

Limited understanding exists regarding the intricate dynamics between the levels of social inhi-bition exhibited by both wives and husbands concerning their perceived family support and de-pressive symptoms, particularly within couples who are parents of children diagnosed with au-tism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study used the actor-partner, interdependence mediation model to analyze data collected from 397 pairs of Chinese parents with children diagnosed with ASD. The findings of the study revealed significant indirect actor effects, indicating that the levels of social inhibition exhibited by both wives and husbands were associated with their own de-pressive symptoms through their respective perceptions of family support. In general, the study did not find significant partner effects, except for some indirect effect (IE) of wives on their hus-bands' depressive symptoms through the wives' perceived social support. This observation sug-gests that cultural norms and role expectations within the family context may influence these dy-namics. These results underscore the potential importance of interventions aimed at addressing social inhibition and enhancing perceived family support to alleviate depressive symptoms in this population. Additionally, interventions targeting fathers should emphasize the importance of their involvement in parenting and collaboration with their partners in caring for children with ASD. Such collaborative efforts may contribute to improved outcomes for both parents and chil-dren within families affected by ASD.

More than 20 years after the discovery of the first anelloviruses (AVs), they still remain a mysterious group of viruses. To date, there is no clear understanding of their impact on the host organism, although information is emerging about their participation in various pathologies. However, it is well known that AVs are an important component of the human virome. In the current study we assessed the abundance of AVs in viromes from four nasal and pharyngeal samples from children with respiratory symptoms using a metagenomic approach. It is worth noting that three patients had known respiratory viruses and one did not have any. Regarding AVs, they were detected in all samples, namely Torque teno mini virus (TTMV). The greatest abundance and diversity of AVs (Torque teno virus (TTV), TTMV and Torque teno midi virus (TTMDV)) were shown in a diseased patient with an absence of respiratory viruses, which may indicate the potential involvement of AVs in the maintenance of respiratory symptoms. An activated immune system to combat the main pathogens, against the background of which the number of AVs decreases, is discussed as a possible reason for the reduced diversity of anellome in other patients. We also compared the results of the metagenomic approach and qPCR for major respiratory viruses, which were in agreement. In addition, metagenomic sequencing made it possible to obtain additional data on viral genomes in order to establish their taxonomic identification and characterize individual viral profiles in patients from the Siberian part of Russia.

Objective: Mechanical bowel preparation is essential for the visualisation of the colon during colonoscopy, and previous studies have identified changes in gut microbiota composition after bowel preparation and colonoscopy. Considering the gut microbiota is increasingly implicated in mood, we aimed to explore the potential impact of this intervention on mood and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Methods: We conducted a pre-post intervention study, with timepoints of one week before and one month after bowel preparation and colonoscopy, in community-dwelling adults referred for colonoscopy. Our primary outcome was change in average Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression sub-scores using generalised estimating equations. We also examined changes in average anxiety, stress, and quality of life scores, and faecal microbiota composition and potential function using 16S rRNA sequencing. We further explored associations between changes in depressive symptoms and the gut microbiota and conducted post-hoc analyses to explore potential effect modifiers. Key Results: 59 participants were included in the analyses. Depressive symptoms decreased one-month post-procedure compared to baseline (adjusted β=−0.64; 95%CI: −1.18, −0.11). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) appeared to moderate this relationship (1.78; 0.292, 3.26); depressive symptoms increased in those with, and decreased in those without, IBS. Changes in gut microbiome composition included reduced alpha diversity, modest effects on beta-diversity, and increases in genera associated with potential health benefits, one-month post-procedure compared to baseline. Increases in the CLR-transformed abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-009 were associated with improvements in depressive symptoms. Conclusions: There is preliminary evidence of a potential mental health effect of bowel preparation and colonoscopy, which may be associated with changes to the gut microbiota. There may also be a differential mental health impact of this procedure for those with and without IBS. Considering the limitations of our study, further research is required to confirm these findings and their clinical relevance.

In the brain, astrocytes regulate shape and functions of the synaptic and vascular compartments through a variety of released factors and membrane-bound proteins. An imbalanced astrocyte activity can therefore have drastic negative impacts on brain development, leading to the onset of severe pathologies. Clinical and pre-clinical studies show alterations in astrocyte cell number, morphology, molecular makeup and astrocyte-dependent processes in different affected brain regions in neurodevelopmental (ND) and neuropsychiatric (NP) disorders. Astrocytes proliferate, differentiate and mature during the critical period of early postnatal brain development, a time window of elevated glia-dependent regulation of a proper balance between synapse formation/elimination, which is pivotal in refining synaptic connectivity. Therefore, any intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors altering these processes during the critical period may result in an aberrant synaptic remodelling and onset of mental disorders. The peculiar bridging position of astrocytes between synaptic and vascular compartments further allows them to “compute” the brain state and consequently secrete factors in the bloodstream, which may serve as diagnostic biomarkers of distinct healthy or disease conditions.Here, we collect recent advancements regarding astrogenesis and astrocyte-mediated regulation of neuronal network remodelling during early postnatal critical periods of brain development, focusing on synapse elimination. We then propose alternative hypotheses for an involvement of aberrancies in these processes in the onset of ND and NP disorders. In light of the well-known differential prevalence of certain brain disorders between males and females, we also discuss putative sex-dependent influences on these neurodevelopmental events.From a translational perspective, understanding age- and sex-dependent astrocyte-specific molecular and functional changes may help to identify biomarkers of distinct cellular (dys)functions in health and disease, favouring the development of diagnostic tools or the selection of tailored treatment options for male/female patients.

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) are highly prevalent and can lead to chronic behavioral and cognitive deficits, often associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress have been implicated in mTBI-mediated axonal injury and pathogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms and contributing factors are not completely understood. In this study, utilizing a murine model of repetitive mTBI (r-mTBI) involving five closed-skull concussions in young adult C57BL/6J mice, we observed a significant elevation of Na+/H+ exchanger protein (NHE1) expression in GFAP+ reactive astrocytes, IBA1+ microglia, and OLIG2+ oligodendrocytes across various brain regions (including the cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, and hippocampus). This elevation was accompanied by astrogliosis, microgliosis and the accumulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Concurrently, r-mTBI mice displayed impaired motor learning and spatial memory deficits. However, post-r-mTBI administration of a potent NHE1 inhibitor, HOE642, attenuated locomotor and cognitive functional deficits as well as gliosis, oxidative stress, axonal damage, and white matter damage. These findings underscore the role of NHE1 upregulation in r-mTBI-induced oxidative stress, axonal damage, and gliosis, suggesting NHE1 as a promising therapeutic target to alleviate mTBI-induced injuries and restore neurological function.

The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to evaluate the risk of inmates with mental disorder of being placed into disciplinary confinement (DC) and its effect on mental health. A systematic search of studies was performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models. Heterogeneity among study point estimates was assessed with Q statistics and quantified with I2 index. Publication bias was assessed with Egger’s test. Quality assessment was based on the GRADE Checklist for observational studies. Guidelines from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were followed throughout. First, a meta-analysis of 5 articles including 27,455 inmates showed than incarcerated individuals with a mental disorder were 1.23 times (OR=1.23, CI=1.10; 1.38) more likely to be placed in DC than incarcerated individuals without a mental disorder. Particularly, having a severe mental disorder (OR=1.31, p&lt;0.001), a personality disorder (OR=1.66, p&lt;0.001) and having previously received mental health services (OR=1.16, p=0.024) increased the risk of being placed in DC. Secondly, a systematic review of 5 articles including 171,300 inmates showed more psychological distress, psychiatric symptoms (self-harm, thought disorders, obsessive-compulsive symptoms), need for mental health services and hospitalizations in DC than the general correctional population. Considering the increased risk of placement in DC for incarcerated persons with a mental disorder and its deleterious effect on mental state, it is essential that correction officials create new safe interventions to manage these inmates and offer them proper mental health care to limit its use.

Early childhood may be a stressful period for families with a significant impact on parents’ mental health and the child’s healthy development. The goal of the SKKIPPI cohort study was to assess the occurrence and determinants of psychosocial stress and mental health disorders in parents as well as in their offspring in early childhood in three German regions. Based on random samples from three residents' registration offices, parents with infants up to 12 months of age at the time of sampling, were invited to participate in the study. A screening online questionnaire was newly developed, available in four languages, to assess common psy-chosocial stressors and mental health problems of parents with small children. The study enrolled 4,984 mothers and 962 fathers. The most common potential psychosocial stressors at baseline were professional problems (mothers 22%, fathers 33%), lack of social sup-port (20%, 14%), and severe, negative experiences in childhood (22%, 16%). Obses-sive-compulsive thoughts (21%, 16%), depressive (9%, 9%) and anxiety symptoms (11%, 7%) were the most frequently reported mental health problems by both parents. Regulatory prob-lems of the child were reported by between 1.5% and 5.1% of parents. The SKKIPPI study showed that a substantial proportion of parents are burdened by psychoso-cial problems and suffer from mental health problems in the first years after birth. Early pre-ventive and low-threshold support measures should be available in the health and social care system. The newly developed questionnaire can be used to screen in the relevant populations in order to avoid disturbances in the mother-child attachment.

Corticosterone, an end product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is a crucial stress hormone. Dysregulated HPA axis and corticosterone release play pivotal roles in the onset and persistence of symptoms of stress-related psychiatric disorders such as anxiety. The intake of nutrients, probiotics, and prebiotic supplements decreases blood corticosterone levels. The dipeptide L-carnosine is composed of beta-alanine and L-histidine and is commercially available as a nutritional supplement for recovery from fatigue. L-carnosine is involved in stress-induced corticosterone responses and anxiety behaviors in rodents. Here, we assessed the effect of L-carnosine in CD157 knockout (KO) mice, a murine model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The uptake of L-carnosine suppressed the increase in plasma corticosterone levels in response to acute stress and attenuated anxiety-like behaviors in CD157 KO mice. These results suggest that L-carnosine supplementation may relieve anxiety by suppressing excessive stress responses in individuals with ASD.

The reasons for the circular sense of human color perception generated by two sorts of color opponent neurons and three cone types are not well understood. Here we use geometrical analysis to examine the hypothesis that opponency, the recursive nature of color perception, and trichromacy arise as the most efficient ways of distinguishing spectrally different points on a plane using a minimum of color classes and receptor types.

Background/Objectives: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSA) in children disrupts standard breathing patterns and sleep architecture, potentially leading to severe consequences. Early identification and intervention for OSA are crucial to prevent these issues. This study explored the relationships between waiting times for polysomnography (PSG), clinical history, age at the time of PSG, and PSG outcomes in children; Methods: Two hundred and fourteen children were prospectively enrolled. Data were extracted from medical records on the age at referral for PSG and at the time of its execution, the waiting time for PSG, diagnosis (primary snoring, mild, moderate, and severe OSA), history of snoring and apnoea, medications taken, surgical interventions, passive smoke exposure, and allergies. The records also included the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ); Results: The mean age at referral for PSG was 5.2 (2.8) years, the waiting time for PSG was 5.2 (5.0) months, and the age at the time of PSG was 5.6 (2.8) years. Children with a shorter history of OSA (≤12 months) underwent PSG at an earlier age (4.9 (2.7) years) compared to those with a more extended history (6.0 (2.7) years; p=0.006). A younger age at referral for PSG was associated with a lower PSQ score (r=0.167; p=0.015), a shorter history of apnoea (r=0.216; p=0.003) and snoring (r=0.187; p=0.023), but also with greater OSA severity, expressed as oxygen desaturation index (r=-0.152; p=0.026). In the correlation analysis, the waiting time for PSG, adjusted for age at referral, was longer in children with a prolonged history of apnoea (r=0.195; p=0.023) and snoring (r=0.259; p=0.002) but with a lower PSQ score (r=-0.172; p=0.045); Conclusions: Some children receive delayed treatment, increasing the risk of long-term complications. In evaluating children with suspected OSA, the duration of symptoms and the PSQ score at referral emerge as crucial factors that should be considered to optimise prioritisation for PSG access.

(1) Background: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) represents unexplained and sudden deaths during the sleep of infants under one year of age, despite thorough investigation. Screening for prolonged QTc or Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) should be conducted on all newborns to reduce the incidence of SIDS. Neonatal electrocardiogram (ECG) could identify congenital heart defects (CHD) early, especially those not detected at birth. Infants with prolonged QT intervals typically undergo genetic analysis for Long QT Syndrome; (2) Methods: The study involved infants aged 20-40 days, born clinically healthy, with initial ECG screening. Infants with prenatal diagnoses or signs/symptoms of CHD identified immediately after birth, as well as those who underwent ECG or echocardiogram for other clinical or historical indications, were excluded from the study. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0; (3) Results: Of the 42,200 infants involved, 2,245 were enrolled, with 39.9% being males. Subsequently, 164 children (37.8% males) with prolonged QT intervals underwent further diagnostic investigations. Genetic mutations were identified in 11 out of 18 tested children. The most common mutations were LQT1 (54.5%), LQT2 (36.4%), and LQT3 (1 patient). Medications used included propranolol (39.8%), nadolol (22.2%), inderal (11.1%), metoprolol (11.1%), and no treatment (16.7%). The most common abnormalities were focal right bundle branch block (54.5%), left axis deviation (9.2%), and nonspecific ventricular repolarization abnormalities (7.1%). Multiple anomalies were found in 0.47% of children with focal right bundle branch block. Structural abnormalities were associated with specific features in 267 patients (11.9%), primarily isolated patent foramen ovale (PFO) at 61.4%; (4) Conclusions: The screening has proven effective in early diagnosing Long QT Syndrome and other cardiac rhythm anomalies, with additional benefits in detecting mutations and/or QTc prolongations in family members. Identifying other ECG abnormalities and congenital heart malformations further enhances the benefits of the screening.

The Samenta study was conducted in 2009 in the Greater Paris area to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among the homeless. A cross-sectional survey was performed with a three-stage random sample of homeless people (n = 859), including users of day services, emergency shelters, hot meal distribution, long-term rehabilitation centres and social hotels. Information was collected by a lay interviewer, using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and completed by a psychologist through an open clinical interview. In the end, a psychiatrist assessed the psychiatric diagnosis according to the ICD10. One third of the homeless in the Paris area had at least one severe psychiatric disorder: psychotic disorders (13%), anxiety disorders (12%) or severe mood disorders (7%). One in five was alcohol dependent and 18% were drug users. Homeless women had significantly higher prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression and men were more likely to suffer from psychotic disorders. Homeless people of French origin were at higher risk of SPD, as well as people who experienced various adverse life events before the age of 18 (running away, sexual violence, parental disputes, and/or addictions) and those who experienced homelessness for the first time before the age of 26. The prevalence rates of main psychiatric disorders within the homeless population of our study are consistent with those reported in other Western cities. Our results advocate for an improvement in detection, housing and care of psychiatric homeless.

: Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial mediator of neuronal plasticity. Here, we investigated the effects of controlled normobaric hypoxia (NH) combined with physical inactivity on BDNF blood levels and executive functions. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adults (25.8±3.3 years, 15 female) were analyzed in a randomized, controlled cross-over study. Each intervention began with a 30 min resting phase under normoxia (NOR), followed by a 90 min continuation of NOR or NH (peripheral oxygen saturation [SpO₂] 85-80%). Serum and plasma samples were collected every 15 min. Heart rate and SpO₂ were continuously measured. Before and after each exposure, cognitive tests were performed and after 24 h another follow-up blood sample was taken. Results: NH decreased SpO₂ (p<.001, η_p²=.747) and increased heart rate (p=.006, η_p²=.116) significantly. The 30-min resting phase under NOR led to a significant BDNF reduction in serum (p <.001, η_p²=.581) and plasma (p <.001, η_p²=.362). Continuation of NOR further significantly reduced BDNF after another 45 min (p=.018) in serum and after 30 min (p=.040) and 90 min (p=.005) in plasma. There was no significant BDNF decline under NH. 24 h Follow-up examination showed a significant decline of serum BDNF, both after NH and NOR. Conclusion: Our results show that NH has the potential to counteract physical inactivity-induced BDNF decline. Therefore, our study emphasizes the need for a physically active lifestyle and its positive effects on BDNF. This study also demonstrates the need for a standardized protocol for future studies to determine BDNF in serum and plasma.

Background/ObjectivesMental health and substance use disorders (MHD, SUD) affect cardiac allograft and VAD recipients and impact their quality of life and compliance. Limited research on MHDs and SUDs in transplant and MCS candidates and recipients. This study compares the incidence of MHDs and SUDs in transplant list, VAD, and post-transplant patients with that in heart failure patients. MethodsStudy cohorts were derived from the TriNetX using ICD-10 codes. Differences in incidence were examined using the log-rank test. Adults with mental health disorders before the window of time were excluded. Propensity score matching was performed using TriNetX to balance demographic and medical comorbidities. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. All comparisons were made between propensity-matched cohorts. ResultsTransplant waitlist patients showed a statistically significant increase in the incidence of anxiety, panic disorder, adjustment disorder, depression, mood disorder, alcohol use disorder, and eating disorder. Post-transplant patients showed a statistically significant increase in the incidence of depression and opioid use compared to the heart failure population. VAD patients showed a statistically significant increase in the incidence of depression and a statistically significant decrease in panic disorder and anxiety. ConclusionsThe results pave the pathway for further investigations on prevention and coping strategies because deterioration of mental health will significantly impact compliance with medications as well as patient survival and quality of life. The use of opioids for pain management in the early postoperative period should be further investigated to assess its impact on long-term substance use and addiction. .

In schizophrenia, cognition is closely linked to social competence and influences long-term prognosis. Thus, treatment should target cognitive improvement to enhance the patients’ societal adaptation. This study evaluated the effects of computer-assisted cognitive remediation therapy (CR) using RehaCom® on cognition in patients with schizophrenia. Thirty patients were randomized, with 15 assigned to the CR group and treatment usual care (TAU) and 15 to the TAU alone groups. Over 12 weeks, patients received CR twice weekly, including two computer sessions and one verbal session. Outcomes measured were cognition using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale, intrinsic motivation using the Quality of Life Scale and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, psychiatric symptoms using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, negative symptoms using Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, and functional level using modified Global Assessment of Functioning scale for Functioning. The CR + TAU group demonstrated considerable improvements in cognition, intrinsic motivation, negative symptoms, and functional level compared to the TAU-alone group. These findings indicate that the CR using RehaCom® enhances cognition and other outcomes in schizophrenia.

Aims and Background: People living with mental disorders experience a disproportionately higher burden of tobacco-related disease than the general population. Long-term substitution with less harmful nicotine products could reduce the tobacco-related harm among this population. This study investigated the views and preferences of people with mental health disorders about different nicotine products and their use as long-term substitutes for cigarettes. Methods: Semi-structured focus group discussion followed by a brief questionnaire. The discussion transcripts were analysed for content and themes and quantitative data summarised with descriptive statistics. Results: Twenty-nine participants took part in four focus groups. Vaping devices were the most acceptable nicotine products discussed, however preferences for nicotine products were idiosyncratic and varied along aesthetic, pragmatic, sensory and symbolic dimensions. The concept of tobacco harm reduction was unfamiliar to participants, however they generally agreed with the logic of replacing cigarettes with less harmful nicotine products. Barriers to activating tobacco harm reduction included the symbolism of smoking and quitting; the importance placed on health; the consumer appeal of alternatives; and cost implications. Discussion and Conclusion: Engaging this population in tobacco harm reduction options will require communication that challenges black and white thinking (a conceptual framework in which smoking cigarettes or quitting all nicotine are the only legitimate options) as in practice this serves to support the continuance of smoking. Consumers should be encouraged to trial a range of nicotine products to find the most acceptable alternative to smoking that reduces health harms. Providing incentives to switch to nicotine products could help overcome barriers to using less harmful nicotine products among mental health consumers.

Background/Objectives: The aim of the project is a longitudinal assessment of body image and mental health in scoliosis females pre-, postoperatively and in a follow-up, and implementation (one group-CBT scoliosis sample, CBTSS) or not (second group-control scoliosis sample, CSS) of CBT interventions. A healthy female sample (HFS) was also selected for comparative purposes. Methods. 36 in total AIS patients participated in the 1st and 2nd study phases, whereas 23 were eligible in the follow-up. Regarding HFS, 18 participants were included in the study. The CBT intervention took place pre- and postoperatively, during the patients' stay in hospital. Participants completed the Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ), Body Esteem Scale (BES) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-25 (SDQ-25). Body image was also assessed using a virtual reality-based application “Avatar Scoliosis 3D”. Results: The difference between the desired and objective, actual body shape is significant preoperatively both in the CBTSS and CSS at p

Chronic joint inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have in common an upsurge of inflammation, and oxidative stress, resulting in progressive histological alterations and disabling symptoms. Currently used conventional medication (ranging from pain-killers to biological agents) is potent, but frequently associated with serious, even life-threatening side effects. Used for millennia in traditional herbalism, medicinal plants are a promising alternative, with lower rate of adverse events and an efficiency frequently comparable with that of conventional drugs. Nevertheless, their mechanism of action is in many cases elusive and/or uncertain. Even many of them have been proved effective in studies done in vitro or on animal models, there is a scarcity of human clinical evidence. The purpose of this review is to summarise the available scientific information on these joint-friendly medicinal plants, which have been already tested in human studies: Arnica montana, Boswelliaspp., Curcuma spp., Equisetum arvense, Harpagophytumprocumbens, Salix spp., Sesamumindicum, Symphytumofficinalis, Zingiberofficinalis, Panaxnotoginseng, Whitaniasomnifera.

Avatar therapy (AT) is a novel virtual reality-based psychotherapy that has been developed to treat auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) in treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients. Various psychotherapeutic components, such as emotions and sense of presence, could contribute to clinical outcomes. However, the interplay between sense of presence, emotions and clinical response has seldom been investigated. This study aimed to explore the relations between sense of presence, emotions, and clinical outcomes in AT. To conduct this investigation, data from previous and ongoing AT trials were used. Sense of presence and emotions were assessed using standardized questionnaires. AVH were evaluated using the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales. While sense of presence was positively associated with positive emotions such as control and serenity, no significant associations were found for negative emotions. Moreover, a higher level of sense of presence was associated with a bigger decrease in AVH. Overall, positive emotions seem to be associated with sense of presence in AT. Sense of presence also seems to be involved in the therapeutic outcome, thereby suggesting that this could be an important component related to clinical response. More studies are needed to confirm these trends, which could be generalized to other virtual reality-based psychotherapies.

(1) Background: Youths with multiple risks and severe disadvantages experience poorer health and educational outcomes than less disadvantaged peers. To address problems with coping and self-regulation in this group, mental skills training (MST) approaches more commonly used in sport are an emerging intervention approach. (2) Methods and Results: This narrative review synthesizes literature to explain the need for MST, how it works, and evidence to support it works by focusing on two well evaluated programmes: LifeMatters and My Strengths Training for Life™. (3) Conclusions: To support positive youth development, MST is a strengths-based, flexible and adaptable approach to help fill the shortage of available evidence-based programs for those youths facing multiple disadvantages. The findings of this review may facilitate policy makers, commissioners, program planners, and researchers in the uptake of MST or similar psychoeducational approaches in future.

(1) Background The SKT is a short cognitive performance test designed to assess impairments in memory and cognitive abilities such as attention and speed of information processing. In 2019, new regression-based norms for the English version of the SKT were calculated applying data from older cognitively healthy adults living in the US, Ireland and Australia (the norming sample) The study has two aims: to establish valid cut-offs for distinguishing between no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia (1), and to cross-validate the new norms for detecting MCI and dementia (2) in a community sample of older adults with clinical diagnoses; (2)Methods: The validation sample included 142 older adults (mean age=87.7, SD=3.55) from the Sydney Memory and Aging Study (MAS Study). Participants were classified as having normal cognition, MCI, or dementia through a consensus diagnosis as well as by the SKT; (3)Results: The sensitivity of the SKT for the differentiation of cognitive impairment (MCI or dementia) from normal cognition was 80.6%. The convergence between the SKT and the consensus diagnoses was 60.1% for all three diagnostic groups. The correlation between the SKT and the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III), a well validated measure of cognitive ability in older adults, was r = 0.3;. (4) Conclusions: In sum, it can be stated that the SKT is a valid tool for detecting early stages of cognitive impairment, performing very well in discriminating between no cognitive impairment and cognitive impairment (MCI or dementia).

In China, preschool teachers have a significant influence on the development of young children aged 3-6. It is imperative to understand their mental health and the factors associated with it to inform policies, optimize their mental well-being, and support their job performance. This study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to anxiety symptoms among preschool teachers. A sample of 393 Chinese preschool teachers (279 females, 114 males) aged 21-56 completed online questionnaires collecting their socio-demographic and work-related information and assessing anxiety symptoms, interpersonal difficulties, personality traits, perceived stress, resilience, and inner strength. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses identified significant predictors of anxiety symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms among the studied cohort was found to be 12.2%. Statistically significant factors positively correlated with anxiety symptoms included objective work-related stress (B=0.149, p<.001), interpersonal difficulties (B=0.921, p<.001), perceived stress (B=0.108, p=.001), and neuroticism (B=0.071, p=.002). The findings highlight the urgent need for measures to reduce work-related stress and anxiety. However, when negative mental health predictors were included, the effect of positive psychological factors became nullified. Positive mental health might have a moderating role in such a negative mental health outcome as anxiety. Therefore, further research is required to understand the impact of positive mental health factors more clearly.

Introduction: Substance-induced psychotic disorder (SIPD) is a mental health condition linked to the use of a psychotropic substance whose pathogenesis has not been totally clarified. The present retrospective observational study has the objective to identify differences in clinical features and peripheral biomarkers in SIPD patients according to the main substance of abuse.Methods: A total sample of 218 patients was divided in 3 groups according to the type of consumed substance: alcohol, cannabis and psychostimulants. The 3 groups were compared for continuous variables by one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and for qualitative variables by χ² tests. After removing alcohol-induced psychotic disorder group, the same analyses were repeated. Statistically significant variables from these latter analyses were included in a binary logistic regression model to confirm their reliability as predictors for cannabis- or psychostimulants-induced psychotic disorders. Results: Psychotic cannabis abusers were younger (p<0.01) and had an earlier age at onset (p<0.01). On the contrary, alcohol consumers resulted to have a longer duration of illness (p<0.01), more previous hospitalizations (p=0.04), more frequent medical comorbidity (p<0.01), higher mean Modified Sad Person Scale scores (p<0.01). Finally, psychostimulant abusers had more frequently a lifetime history of poly-substance use disorders (p<0.01). Binary logistic regression revealed that higher mean Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores (p<0.01) higher sodium (p=0.012) and haemoglobin(p=0.040) plasma levels were predictors of cannabis misuse in SIPD patients.Conclusions: Different clinical factors and biochemical parameters con be associated to SIPD according to the main substance of abuse, thus requiring a specific management by clinicians.

This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to explore whether depression and anxiety could be reduced by psychiatric home healthcare supporters offering brief cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp) at home using a workbook for patients with schizophrenia. Eighteen patients with schizophrenia treated in a psychiatric home nursing service were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received CBTp in addition to usual care (CBTp + TAU group; n=8) and the other received only usual care (TAU group; n=8); 2 patients were excluded due to hospitalization or withdrawal of consent. Eight weekly CBTp sessions were conducted; anxiety/depression, quality of life, self-esteem, and overall functioning were assessed at baseline, week 9, and week 13. There was no significant difference in the primary evaluation; however, a significant improvement (p=0.014) was observed in the secondary evaluation of quality of life. The effect size was 0.95 for primary evaluation and 1.33 for the secondary evaluation, indicating a large effect. This study showed that nurses and occupational therapists can provide CBTp in psychiatric home care for patients with schizophrenia to potentially alleviate anxiety and depression compared to standard psychiatric home care alone. Therefore, larger RCTs with larger sample sizes are recommended.

The spectrum, intensity and overlap of symptoms between FGIDs and other gastrointestinal disorders characterize patients with FIGDs, who are incredibly different in their backgrounds. An additional challenge with regard to the diagnosis and treatment's applicability is the ongoing expansion of the risk factors believed to be connected to these disorders. Many cytokines and inflammatory cells have been found causing the continuous existence of low-inflammation, which is thought to be a basic pathophysiological process. The idea of the gut-brain axis has been created to offer a basic framework for the complex interactions that occur between the nervous system and intestinal functions, including the involvement of the gut bacteria. In this review paper, we intend to promote a hypothesis that FGIDs, should be seen through the perspective of the network of the neuroendocrine, immunological, metabolic and microbiome pathways. Hypothesis arises from an increased understanding of chronic inflammation as a systemic disorder, being omnipresent in chronic health conditions. Better understanding of inflammation role in the pathogenesis of FGIDs can be achieved by clustering markers of inflammation with data indicating symptoms, comorbidities, and psycho-social factors. Finding subclasses among related entities of FGIDs, may reduce patient heterogeneity and help clarify pathophysiology for better treatment.

Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSI), prevalent in patients with non-psychotic mental disorders (NPMD), is associated with numerous adverse outcomes. Despite active research into the clinical and psychological aspects of NSSI, the underlying biological mechanisms remain obscure. Early adverse experiences are believed to induce long-lasting changes in neuroendocrine mechanisms of stress control playing a key role in NSSI development. The aim of the study was to evaluate parameters potentially predicting development of NSSI in female patients with NPMD. Eighty female patients over 18 years with NPMD and suicidal ideation (40 with and 40 without NSSI) and 48 age matching women without evidence of mental illness (healthy controls) were enrolled. Diagnostic interviews and self-report measures were used to assess childhood maltreatment, presence, frequency, and characteristics of suicidal and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, the Beck Depression Inventory scale to assess severity of depression. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis markers, hormones, and neurotrophic factors were measured in blood serum. The likelihood of developing NSSI in patients with NPMD was associated with early adverse family history and elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone levels. Dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as a result of early chronic stress experiences may represent critical biological mechanism promoting the development of NSSI behaviors in patients with NPMD.

Abstract: Background: In contrast to conventional definitions, the contemporary conceptualization of adulthood emphasizes psychological characteristics over sociodemographic milestones. Concurrently, there is a growing proposition that individuals' perceptions of adulthood exert a substantial influence on the mental well-being of adolescents and adults. However, empirical examination of this hypothesis has been notably limited to date. Method: This study applied some adulthood markers, and multiple mental health indices (including Well-being, Optimism, Alexithymia, Satisfaction with life, Goldberg's index of mental health, Dark triad, and dimensional personality disorders) to a community sample comprising 1772 individuals in Spain, spanning ages from 16 to 93 years. Results: The findings support the overarching hypothesis, as perceptions of adulthood exhibit significant associations with almost all measured mental health indices, especially with those conforming a factor of Negative emotions. These associations persist even after accounting for age and socioeconomic status, and in alignment with the psychological paradigm of adulthood, they demonstrate stability across different age cohorts. Conclusions: The study establishes that such perceptions of adulthood represent a modifiable factor contributing to positive mental health. The implications of these findings for the formulation of public policies aimed at promoting mental health in the context of adulthood are deliberated, as well as a number of future studies.

Background: Over the past few years there has been immense evolution in various areas particularly in the areas of digital technologies wherein the pace of change is very high. Industrial areas such as operations and supply chain management together with advanced technologies such as machine learning, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, as well as the Internet of Things, create completely different forms of operational models for various industries. In the area of healthcare too, these emerging computational sophistication is introduced to revolutionise the approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat diverse diseases and illnesses. Objective: The objective of this study is to provide an extensive review of the contemporary approaches utilizing data to cope with significant mental disorders. From over 60 relevant scholarly articles published between 2011 and 2023, it discusses how tools such as predictive modelling, social media analysis, data from smartphones, and chatbots help with issues such as early detection, telemonitoring, provision of psychological support, and individualised prevention. Method: An initial literature review to analyse over 60 research articles, which include empirical studies that were conducted between 2011 and 2023. The research assessed implemented novel digital approaches to mental health interventions including big data analytics for predicting condition status, machine learning for examining social media content, behaviour monitoring through smartphone sensors, and using conversational agents or chatbots. The following is an overview of general conclusions from experimental and descriptive secondary research studies published in professional outlets concerning possible advantages and disadvantages of data science applied to important concerns in mental health. Results: Research reveals that integrating subtle e-health tools in tandem with typical treatment approaches holds the potential to expand mental health services to more or less integrate them into clients’ day-to-day lives, and practically individualize effective treatments accordingly. Technological solutions for instance allow remote risk assessment, symptom monitoring and determination of treatment compliance. New lines of virtualized paradigm solve social challenges that interfere with the conventional provision and consumption of care. However, questions of privacy and the long-term effects as well as clinical adoption are yet to be solved in a analytically distinct manner.

Background: The accurate diagnosis of regional lymph node metastasis is critical for guiding treatment decisions in head and neck cancer patients. Despite advances in imaging techniques, detecting nodal metastasis remains challenging, leading to potential undertreatment or overtreatment. This systematic review aims to identify molecular markers associated with occult metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Methods: The present research was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Prospero registration nr. CRD42024522985. Results: Through a comprehensive literature search and review process, 634 articles were considered, 103 of them were finally included. Conclusions: Several promising markers were identified, including miR-205, DSG3, pan-CK AE1/AE3, HPV-16, Activin-A, Cyclin D1, and NPL that demonstrated effectiveness across multiple studies. Future research should focus on exploring combination scoring systems to improve diagnostic precision and optimize treatment selection in HNSCC patients.

This review aims to explore the intricate relationship between epigenetic mechanisms, stress, and affective disorders, focusing on how early life experiences and coping mechanisms contribute to susceptibility to mood disorders. Epigenetic factors play a crucial role in regulating gene expression without altering the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sequence, and recent research has revealed associations between epigenetic changes and maladaptive responses to stress or psychiatric disorders. A scoping review of 33 studies employing the PRISMA-S (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – Statement) guidelines investigates the role of stress-induced epigenetic mechanisms and coping strategies in affective disorders' occurrence, development, and progression. The analysis encompasses various stress factors, including childhood trauma, work-related stress, and dietary deficiencies, alongside epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation and altered gene expression. Findings indicate that specific stress-related genes frequently exhibit epigenetic changes associated with affective disorders. Moreover, the review examines coping mechanisms in patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, revealing mixed associations between coping strategies and symptom severity. While active coping is correlated with better outcomes, emotion-focused coping may exacerbate depressive or manic episodes. Overall, this review underscores the complex interplay between genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, coping mechanisms, and affective disorders. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing targeted interventions and personalized treatment strategies for individuals with mood disorders. However, further research is needed to elucidate specific genomic loci involved in affective disorders and the clinical implications of coping strategies in therapeutic settings.

Recent legalization and normalization of euthanasia through the government program of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) is impacting Canada's population dynamics and is now the fifth leading cause of death. Ongoing proposals suggest expanding MAiD eligibility to mental illness. A knowledge gap exists to determine to what degree this expansion of MAiD may exacerbate the existing challenges associated with an aging population and declining birth rates. It may also complicate meeting national population targets of 100 million by 2100 set by the Century Initiative. To fill these knowledge gaps, this study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the prevalence of mental illness in Canada. The results show that if MAiD is expanded to mental disorders under the high MAiD scenario by mid-century it will impact about 12.3% of the population. The low MAiD scenario projects an increase from 45,786 to 227,024 additional deaths/year. The likely scenario shows MAiD growing from 214,499 to approximately 896,312 by mid-century. Thus, if MAiD is expanded to mental illness under the likely scenario, more than half a million additional immigrants will be needed per year. These results emphasize the importance of integrating immigration policies with MAiD practices to ensure demographic stability and achieve long-term population objectives.

Background: The increasing prevalence of severe obesity among children and adolescents poses a significant challenge for pediatricians and general practitioners. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between biochemical results, anthropometry, blood pressure measurements and bioimpedance analysis (BIA)-derived parameters, to identify potential cardiometabolic complications associated with severe obesity. Methods: The study included 347 children (162 boys, 185 girls) aged 0-19 years, meeting criteria for severe obesity based on BMI thresholds for different age groups. Patients were recruited in four pediatric endocrinology centers in Poland (Zabrze, Cracow, Rzeszow, Szczecin). Each participant underwent anthropometric measurements, pubertal stage assessment, blood pressure measurement, biochemical and hormonal tests and BIA. Results: BMI showed significant associations with fat mass percentage (FM%) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), but not waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The relationship between BMI and FM% was stronger in girls and prepubertal children. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) Z-score showed a strong positive correlation with BMI in pubertal children. Negative correlation between HDL and triglycerides was observed only in boys. Prepubertal children exhibited more significant correlations despite a smaller sample size and shorter duration of obesity. Conclusions: Considering multiple parameters beyond BMI alone provides a better understanding of cardiometabolic risks associated with severe obesity in children. MetS Z-score was not a reliable indicator of increased cardiometabolic risk in younger children. Early-onset severe obesity was associated with a higher risk of metabolic complications. Early intervention is crucial to mitigate metabolic complications in this population.

Depressive disorder in childhood and adolescence is a highly prevalent mood disorder that tends to recur throughout life. Untreated mood disorders can adversely impact a patient's quality of life and cause socioeconomic loss. Thus, an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is crucial. However, until now, diagnoses and treatments are conducted according to clinical symptoms. Objective and biological validation are lacking. This may result in a poor outcome for patients with depressive disorder. Research has been conducted to identify the biomarkers that are related to depressive disorder. Cumulative evidence has revealed that certain immunologic biomarkers in-cluding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cytokines, gastrointestinal biomarkers, hormones, oxidative stress, and certain hypothalamus-pituitary axis biomarkers are associated with depressive disorder. This article reviews the biomarkers related to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric depressive disorders. To date, clinical biomarker tests are not yet available for diagnosis or for the prediction of treatment prognosis. However, cytokines such as Interleukin-2, interfer-on-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and BDNF have shown significant results in previous studies of pediatric depressive disorder. These biomarkers have the potential to be used for diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and group screening for those at high risk.

Context: The global escalation of conflict, violence, and human rights violations sets a pressing backdrop for examining the resilience of forcibly displaced youth (FDY) in Canada. This study aims to unpack the multifaceted challenges and resilience mechanisms of FDY, focusing on their health, well-being, and integration into host communities. It seeks to identify current models of resilience, understand the factors within each model, and highlight gaps and limitations. Methodology: Using a university librarian-supported structured search strategy, this exploratory rapid review searched literature from Ovid Medline and Open Source databases, published in English between January 2019 and January 2024, that fit specific inclusion criteria. The eligible articles (N=12 out of 4,096) were charted and analyzed by two student researchers with the PI. Charted data were analyzed thematically. Results: The selected studies captured diverse geographical perspectives, resilience models (such as Ungar's ecological perspective and Masten's resilience developmental models), as well as protective and promotive frameworks. Key findings indicate the complexity of resilience influenced by individual, familial, societal, and cultural factors. Each model offers insights into the dynamic interplay of these influences on FDY's resilience. However, these models often fall short of addressing the nuances of cultural specificity, the impact of trauma, and the intersectionality of FDY's identities. Conclusion: Recognizing the diverse and evolving nature of FDY's coping mechanisms, this study advocates for a culturally appropriate approach to resilience that integrates an intersectionality framework of individual attributes and culturally sensitive models.

Healthcare professionals constantly face situations that reflect ecosystems’ degradation. These can negatively affect their mental health. Research suggests that hope and resilience can play an important role in this scenario, since they are related to/predict mental health in highly heterogeneous samples (considering geography, age, profession, health, etc.). In this context, the aims of the present study are: to characterize and explore the relationship between hope, resilient coping and mental health of Portuguese healthcare professionals. Using Google Forms, 276 healthcare professionals answered to the GHQ-28, the (adult) Trait Hope Scale, and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (cross-sectional study). The minimum and maximum possible scores were reached, with the exception of the maximum score of GHQ-28-Total. Regarding Hope, 19.6% scored below the midpoint (M=43.46, SD=11.97); 29.3% revealed low resilience (M=14.93, SD=4.05); and the average of 4 of the 5 Mental Health scores (exception: Severe Depression) indicates the probability of a psychiatric case. Hope correlated with Social Dysfunction and GHQ-28-Total; resilient coping proved to be a (weak) predictor of 4 of the 5 GHQ-28 indicators (exception: Severe depression). The results support the need to promote the sample's mental health, hope and resilient coping. They also suggest that stimulating resilient coping may contribute to improving healthcare professionals’ mental health.

Background and Aims: Obesity is a pervasive health issue in children. It affects multiple systems in the body including the gastrointestinal tract. Research on obesity-related gastrointestinal diseases has focused mostly on hepatobiliary disorders. However, non-hepatic gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, and functional abdominal pain, though common and debilitating, have not been highlighted in the context of obesity. These entities can downgrade the already compromised lifestyle of obese children. Some of these disorders are more difficult to treat in these children compared to their peers with normal body mass index. Method: We reviewed the available literature on the association between obesity and these three common gastrointestinal disorders. Results: - There appears to be a strong correlation between childhood obesity and constipation and gastroesophageal reflux, and a probable correlation with functional abdominal pain. Conclusion: We suggest that given the available literature, weight management should be an integral part of the management of gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, and functional abdominal pain in obese children. This gains relevance especially because of the recent availability of medications for the treatment of obesity in children.

Frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol, be it episodic or sustained misuse, ranks among the top causes of mortality globally. This comprehensive analysis seeks to elucidate how alcohol misuse precipitates death, with a particular focus on associated cardiac anomalies. Notably, the phenomenon of "Holiday Heart Syndrome," linked to binge drinking, is recognized for inducing potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Moreover, persistent alcohol consumption is implicated in the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a condition that underlies heart failure and arrhythmic disturbances of the heart. Additionally, individuals undergoing withdrawal from alcohol frequently exhibit disruptions in normal heart rhythm, posing a risk of death. This review further delves into additional alcohol-related mortality factors, including the heightened likelihood of hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), and the connection between excessive alcohol use and Takotsubo syndrome.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme that contains a heme group, found mostly in neutrophils and in small amounts in monocytes and plays a major role in their anti-microbial activity. However, excessive levels of MPO have been linked to various disorders and identified as a major cause of tissue destruction. Inhibiting its activity can reduce the severity and extent of tissue damage. Over activity of MPO during chronic inflammation has been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis by inducing a hyper-mutagenic environment through oxidant interaction with DNA, causing DNA modification. Vascular endothelium is one of the most important targets of MPO and high levels have been associated with increased rates of cardiomyopathy, ischemic stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation. Therefore, it may be considered a therapeutic target in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. MPO also participates in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. For example, an increase in MPO levels has been observed in the brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's, Multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's diseases. In Alzheimer's disease, active MPO is mostly found in the location of beta amyloids and microglia. Therefore, targeting MPO may be a potential treatment and prevention strategy for neurological disorders. This review will discuss MPO's physiological and pathological role in cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders.

Background: Preserving health and physical fitness is critical to ensure independent living across the lifespan. Lower levels of physical fitness are associated with age-related cognitive decline and a higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thus, this study investigates the influence of a six-month dance intervention on selected measures of physical fitness in older adults with MCI. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial 55 patients with MCI were randomized into a sportive dance training (IG; n=26; Age: 70.7 +/- 5.6 years; 62% female) or an inactive control group (CG; n=24; Age: 69.1 +/- 6.8 years; 46% female).The dance group received two 90-minute dance training sessions per week over a duration of six-months, which focused on learning dance movement patterns. During the training sessions, heartrate was measured to control exercise intensity. Physical fitness was assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), lower limb functional fitness via sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength and heart rate variability (HRV). Results: We observed that the dance intervention preserved the cardiorespiratory fitness as measured by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during CPET, which decreased in the CG. Furthermore, participants in the IG demonstrated increases in leg and handgrip strength although not statistically significant. HRV displayed a nonsignificant decrease following the intervention. Conclusion: The results of this randomized controlled trial suggest that sportive dance training can preserve physical fitness in older adults with MCI. Although improvements in the other parameters were statistically non-significant, likely due to the small sample size, stabilizing muscular fitness and preventing age-related decline in older adults with MCI is important for maintaining functional independence.

Jabulile Ndlovu1 and Kebogile Mokwena1, 2 1 Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa 2 Research Chair in Substance abuse and population Mental Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract An estimated 6% of the world population has serious mental illness, with one in four families having a member with some form of psychiatric disorder, who are mostly cared for by their relatives within a family setting. Although caregiving in a home setting is reported to be associated with significant mental distress, the burden of such distress is rarely measured. The purpose of this study was to quantify the burden of care among family caregivers of relatives with serious mental disorders, as well as to explore possible association between the caregiver burden of care and a range of caregiver and Mental Health Care User (MHCU) variables in a rural district in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) scale was used to collect data from 357 caregivers, and STATA 14 was used to analyze data. The ages of the sample ranged from 18 to 65, with a mean of 50.29, and the majority (86%) were female and unemployed (83%). The ZBI scores ranged from 8 to 85, with a mean of 41.59. The majority (91%) tested positive for caregiver burden of care, which ranged from mild to severe. Using the Pearson Chi-square test of association (p=0.05), variables that were significantly associated with the burden of care were clinically related (caregiver self-reported depression, MHCU diagnosis, recent relapse of the MHCU), socio-economic (caregiver family monthly income, MHCU disability grant status and MHCU employment status) and socio-demographic (MHCU gender and MHCU level of education). The prevalence of burden of care is high and severe, and scarcity of resources in families and communities contribute to the high burden of care in these rural communities.

Mental disorders impact a significant portion of the global population, presenting substantial challenges to healthcare systems due to high hospitalization costs and resource demands. This narrative review explores the economic implications of mental health disorders, focusing on hospitalization costs, the effectiveness of interventions, and the outcomes of recent research. Materials and Methods: A narrative review was conducted, sourcing articles from PubMed and Google Scholar published between 2014 and 2024. The search terms included combinations related to mental illness, costs, hospital care, and mental healthcare interventions. A total of 1,110 articles were initially identified, with 37 studies meeting the inclusion criteria after rigorous screening by two independent researchers. These studies included quantitative and qualitative data covering a range of outcomes such as hospital admission rates, consumer satisfaction, and quality of life. The findings of the present review reveal that mental disorders significantly increase hospitalization costs due to frequent admissions, extended stays, and the need for specialized treatments. Additionally, physical comorbidities in individuals with mental disorders lead to higher healthcare costs and resource use. Integrated care models, early intervention, and preventive strategies show promise in reducing these costs and improving patient outcomes. Conclusions: Our review emphasizes the critical need for integrated healthcare strategies that address both mental and physical health to reduce hospitalization costs and improve outcomes. Effective management of mental health disorders requires comprehensive approaches, including complex outpatient services and preventive care. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies to provide clearer insights into the economic impact of mental health conditions and guide effective healthcare strategies.

Background: This study attempted to construct musculoskeletal JEM using KWCS data and use it to evaluate the burden of these disorders in Korean workers. Methods: This study was conducted using data from the second to the sixth KWCS, and a total of 210,500 people were included. The jobs of the subjects were reclassified based on the unit groups of the 7th Korean Standard Classification of Occupation (KSCO). The intensity of exposure to work-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders was classified into ‘high’, ‘moderate’, and ‘low’ for the body segments involving the ‘upper extremities and neck’, ‘lower back’, and ‘lower extremities’. Results: The time of exposure was longest in the standing posture and repetitive hand and arm movements. An analysis of the intensity of exposure by body segments revealed that the highest intensity of exposure was to the upper extremities. For the upper extremities and neck, and the lower back, there was a exposure-response relationship in the association between intensity of exposure and musculoskeletal symptoms. However, for the lower extremities, there was a exposure-response relationship only at high exposure. Conclusion: In this study, a JEM for work-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders was constructed for the first time in Korea. The intensity of exposure to musculoskeletal risk factors was estimated for each occupation. The JEM constructed in this study is expected to have high applicability for assessing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for each job with respect to the upper extremities and neck, and lower back.

Abstract: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid and worldwide devel-opment and investigation of multiple vaccines. While most side effects of these vaccines are mild and transient, potentially severe adverse events may occur and involve the endocrine system. This narrative review aims to explore the current knowledge on potential endocrine adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination, with thyroid disorders being the most common. Data about pi-tuitary, adrenal, diabetes, and gonadal events will also be reviewed. This review also provides a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of endocrine disorders associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. A PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase database (Elsevier), and Google Scholar research were performed. Case reports case series, original studies, and reviews written in English and published online up to 31 August 2023 were selected and reviewed. Data on endocrine adverse events of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is accumulating. However, their causal relationship with COVID-19 vaccines is not strong enough to make a definite conclusion, and further studies are needed to clarify the pathogenesis mechanisms of endocrine disorders linked to COVID-19 vac-cines.

There are few longitudinal studies on the association between dietary vitamin C and sleep disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary vitamin C intake and various types of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and insomnia, as well as recommended dietary intakes. A total of 68,221 participants from the UK Biobank were enrolled in the study. Dietary vitamin C intake was calculated by a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. We used Cox regression model to assess the association between dietary vitamin C and sleep disorders and restricted cubic spline models to explore potential nonlinear relationships. Stratified analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed to further test the results. The results showed that vitamin C intake at the Q4 level (132.88-191.51 mg/d) was significantly protective against sleep disorders with an HR (95% CI) of 0.78 (0.65-0.94), and against sleep apnea with an HR (95% CI) of 0.75 (0.62-0.92). The protective effect remained significant in stratified analyses of men and age ≤60 years, and the results were robust in sensitivity analyses. Adequate dietary vitamin C intake may have a protective effect in preventing sleep disorders.

The aim of the current study has been to assess externalizing problems from a gender perspective in the juvenile population. This objective has been evaluated though the Child and Adolescent Assessment System questionnaire (SENA), to measure the dimension of externalized problems. A total of 128 Spanish students took part in the survey, comprising 58 (45.3%) male and 67 (52.3%) female, aged between 12 and 16 years old (M= 13,7; Sd= 1,14). The sample was taken from three High- Schools (state and private-subsidized) in Madrid, Spain. The research for this study was conducted through a descriptive, inferential, quantitative, ex post facto design. The data analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0. The result revealed an increase in externalized problems: Attention (M= 2.65, Sd=.88), Anger Control (M= 2.27, Sd=.85) and Hyperactivity- Impulsivity (M= 2.26, Sd=.68). In addition, female students score highly in Attention Problems (F= 4.124; Sig.: .004), Hyperactivity-Impulsivity (F: 6.18; Sig.: <.001), and Anger Control (F: 2.3; Sig.: .062). This study highlights the impact and increase on students externalized mental health problems currently. It is essential to have a protective environment and promote the development of emotional intelligence, encouraging the mental health in young people. This article is part of the findings of the research project “Therapeutic Innovation Classroom for the accompaniment of teenager with Serious Mental Disorder” (Reference: 2021V/EU-UNED/02).

Purpose: Arab Americans are one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. The mental health of Arab Americans and opinions on mental health, however, remain understudied despite higher rates of mental illness and lower rates of treatment. Unique cultural conceptualizations of mental illness may generate stigma, contributing to disparities in treatment. This study aimed to assess the attitudes and perspectives of Arab Americans regarding mental illness in order to address barriers to treatment. Methods:Using an anonymous bilingual Qualtrics survey, we assessed Arab and non-Arab participants (n = 294; ages 18+) on their conceptualizations of the causes of mental illness and on their stigma towards mental illness and mental health treatments. Comparisons were performed between Arabs and non-Arabs, as well as among Arabs. Results:Compared to non-Arabs, Arabs reported higher average mental illness stigma and were more likely to rate psychiatric medications as addictive and unhelpful. Among Arabs, being Christian, male, and older (>29 years old) were each associated with higher stigma. Arabs were less likely than non-Arabs to believe in a biological explanation for mental illness. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate higher levels of stigma towards mental illness among Arab Americans, especially Christian, male, and older Arabs, potentially related to a weaker belief in a biomedical model for mental illness. These are among the first findings describing mental illness stigma and beliefs about mental health in an Arab American community and may inform future interventions providing culturally competent care to Arab Americans.

Improper sitting positions are known as the primary reason for back pain and the emergence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among individuals who spend prolonged time working with computer screens, keyboards, and mice. At the same time, it is well understood that automated technological tools can play an important role in the process of unhealthy habit alteration, so plenty of research efforts are focused on research and technology development (RTD) activities that aim to provide support to the prevention of back pain or the development of MSD. Here, we report on creating a new resource in support of RTD activities aiming at the automated detection of improper sitting positions. It consists of multimodal multisensory recordings of 100 persons made with a video recorder, camera, and wrist-attached sensors that capture physiological signals (PPG, EDA, Skin temperature), as well as motion sensors (three-axis accelerometer). Our multimodal multisensory dataset (MMD-MSD) opens new opportunities for modeling the body stance (sitting posture and movements), physiological state (stress level, attention, emotional arousal, valence), and performance (success rate on the Stroop test) of people working with a computer. Finally, we demonstrate two use cases: improper neck posture detection from pictures and cognitive load detection from physiological signals.

Chromothripsis is a mutational mechanism leading to complex and relatively clustered chromosomal rearrangements resulting in diverse phenotypic outcomes depending on the involved genomic landscapes. It may occur both in the germ and the somatic cells resulting in congenital and developmental disorders and cancer, respectively. Asymptomatic individuals may be carriers of chromotriptic rearrangements and experience recurrent reproductive failures when two or more chromosomes are involved. Several mechanisms are postulated to underly chromothripsis. The most attractive hypothesis involves chromosome pulverization in micronuclei followed by incorrect reassembly of fragments through DNA repair to explain the clustered nature of the observed complex rearrangements. Moreover, exogenous or endogenous DNA damage induction and dicentric bridge formation may be involved. Chromosome instability is commonly observed in the cells of patients with DNA-repair disorders, such as ataxia telangiectasia, Nijmegen breakage syndrome and Bloom syndrome. In addition, germline variations of TP53 have been associated with chromothripsis in Sonic-Hedgehog medulloblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia. In the present review, we focus on the underlying mechanisms of chromothripsis and the involvement of defective DNA-repair genes resulting in chromosome instability and chromothripsis-like rearrangements.

Neurofibromatosis type1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the NF1gene. Although congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) has frequently been associated with NF1, the underlying molecular mechanism of CPT in these NF1 patients is yet ill-understood. The aim of the present study was to detect NF1 mutations from genomic DNA and to harbor variants associated with CPT in NF1 patients. Whole-exome sequencing was first carried out with samples from two patients with CPT in one NF1 family, and a novel mutation c.2324A>G (p.E775G) in NF1 gene was identified. Additionally, a missense variant c.455C>T (p.P152L) in BCOR gene completely co-segregated with the CPT phenotype within this family. Subsequently, NF1 and NF2 genes in four other unrelated patients with both NF1 and CPT were screened using targeted sequencing. Four mutations in NF1 gene, including two known mutations (c.2288T>C/p.L763P, c.574 C>T/p.R192*) and two novel mutations (c.768delT/p.F256Lfs*25, c.2229_2230delTG/ p.V744Qfs*23) were detected. Further study confirmed that CPT was present in NF1 families, and NF1 mutations were closely associated with these complex phenotypes. Moreover, the data from the current study indicated that male gender might be a susceptibility factor for CPT in NF1. Therefore, we speculated that BCOR variants might be related to CPT phenotype among male NF1 patients.

In the realm of digital transformation, effective leadership and motivation are pivotal for organisations navigating the complexities of today’s systems. This study explores the intersection of intrinsic motivation and mental well-being among mature students—an analogy that sheds light on strategies applicable to organisational contexts. In developed nations like the UK, mental health for mature students is increasingly recognised as a crucial component of their educational journey. Mature students, who typically enrol in higher education after an educational gap and upon turning 21, often face specific challenges that can impact their mental well-being while pursuing academic goals. The primary objective of our study was to assess the relationship between intrinsic motivation and the mental well-being of mature students. Our research revealed a significant positive correlation between these two variables. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results supported a one-factor solution for the sample data from mature students. Additionally, we found that intrinsic motivation is a significant predictor of the mental well-being of mature students. Recognising and addressing the unique difficulties individuals encounter and providing appropriate support can enhance their well-being and contribute to the overall success of the higher education community.

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs) play crucial roles in signal transduction, cell differentiation, and transcriptional regulation. Many disrupted genes associated with mental disorders are identified as IDPs, and emerging evidence suggests the functional role of IDPs in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, few studies comprehensively explore the functional association between protein disorder properties and different mental diseases. To address this gap, we collected disrupted gene sets for seven mental diseases (MDD, SCZ, BP, ID, AD, ADHD, ASD) and a control gene set from normal brains using DisGeNET and GeneCards databases. The state-of-the-art predictor IUPred2A was then utilized to calculate the disorder properties , followed by a thorough comparison between the disordered proteins in mental diseases and healthy controls. Functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction networks were conducted to investigate the IDPs’ functional roles in psychiatric diseases. Additionally, we demonstrated the role of IDPs in protein binding formations through a case study of alpha-synuclein using protein docking. Our findings reveal that differentially expressed proteins in mental disorders, especially in ASD and ADHD, exhibit more IDPs than those in healthy controls. IDPs in psychiatric disorders are significantly enriched in neurodevelopmental pathways and play an important role in in gene expression regulation. Our results indicate distinct functional patterns of disorder proteins among mental diseases and healthy controls. When comparing the IDPs between ASD and ADHD, we observed that IDPs in ADHD are more likely linked to the synaptic signaling and regulation, while IDPs in ASD are more tendentiously related to diverse and complex biological processes. Our work offers valuable insights into the important functions of IDPs in psychiatric disorders, enhancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in psychiatric disorders.

Instagram has grown in popularity among youth and is currently the second-favorite social network in the world. One of the social media that is widely used nowadays is Instagram. According to Enterprise (2012:02), Instagram is a community shared among one member with other members from all over the world. This study examines the impact of Instagram on the physical and mental well-being of Indian youth. With the rapid proliferation of social media platforms in India, Instagram has emerged as a prominent influence on the lives and perceptions of young individuals.Through a systematic synthesis of existing literature, this review paper critically evaluates the effects of Instagram use on various dimensions of youth well-being, considering both the opportunities and challenges posed by this popular social media platform. The review explores the nuanced relationship between Instagram and youth health outcomes. Specifically, it examines the influence of Instagram on body image perceptions, self-esteem, social comparison, and mental health. The review considers the cultural context and nuances that shape the impact of Instagram within the Indian socio-cultural landscape.

Parental labour migration, either one or both parents, has been associated with various challenges among left-behind children (LBC). However, there is a limited understanding of the LBC’s own views and experiences of social and mental wellbeing and how the new daily life circumstances they encounter following their parents’ migration impact them. This study aimed to understand the influence of parental migration and its aftermath on the social and mental wellbeing of children and adolescents (referred to as LBC) in two rural districts in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative design, data were collected through individual in-depth interviews with LBC (n=24) aged 14 to 18 years, recruited using the snowball sampling technique. Data were thematically analysed, guided by a qualitative data analysis framework. The findings showed that parental migration negatively impacted the social wellbeing of LBC. This impact was reflected in negative labelling from friends and changes in familial roles which influenced their social interactions and activities with peers. Parental migration also caused challenges to the mental wellbeing of LBC. These manifested in the LBC experiencing fractured emotional bonds, leading to negative emotions, including stress, anxiety, sadness, depression, frustration, loss of motivation, and self-imposed isolation, which were associated with their parents’ migration and abrupt disruptions in parent-child communication. The transition to new life situations with caregivers after parental migration and the dynamics within the caregivers’ households were additional factors that detrimentally affected their mental well-being. Unmet basic needs and educational needs due to financial hardships faced by mothers and caregivers, further exacerbated mental health challenges for the children. The findings indicate the importance and improvement of policies and interventions in Indonesia (e.g., counselling services, non-cash food assistance, family hope program, direct cash assistance) that cover and address the diverse needs of mothers or caregivers and the LBC.

Exosomes, natural nanovesicles that contain a cargo of biologically active molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, are released from cells to the extracellular environment. They then act as autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine mediators of communication between cells by delivering their cargo into recipient cells and causing downstream effects. Exosomes are greatly enriched in miRNAs, which are small non-coding RNAs that act as cytoplasmic posttranscriptional repression agents, modulating the translation of mRNAs into proteins, as well as nuclear transcriptional gene activators. Neuronal exosomal miRNAs have important physiologic functions in the Central Nervous System (CNS), including cell-to-cell communication, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis, as well as modulating stress and inflammatory responses. Stress-induced changes of exosomal functions include effects on neurogenesis and neuroinflammation, which can lead to the appearance of various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's and Huntington’s's diseases. The current knowledge regarding the roles of exosomes in the pathophysiology of common mental disorders is discussed in this review.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) refer to a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint, causing pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and related muscles. The diagnosis of TMDs typically involved clinical assessment through operator-based physical examination, self-reported questionnaire and imaging studies. To objectivize the measurement of TMD, this study aims at investigating on the feasibility to use machine-learning algorithms fed with data gathered from low-cost and portable instruments to discriminate the presence of TMD in adult subjects. Through this aim, the experimental protocol involved fifty participants, equally distributed between TMD and healthy subjects, acting as control group. The diagnosis of TMD has been performed by a skilled operator through the typical clinical scale. Participants underwent to a baropodometric analysis by using a pressure matrix and the evaluation of the cervical mobility through inertial sensors. Nine machine-learning algorithms belonging to support vector machine, k-nearest neighbours and decision tree were compared. The k-nearest neighbours based on cosine distance was found as the best performing, achieving performance of 0.94, 0.94 and 0.08 for the accuracy, F1-score and G-index, respectively. These findings open the possibility to use such methodology to support the diagnosis of TMDs in clinical environments.

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases. Epilepsy poses a significant burden on the quality of life of affected individuals and their families. The aim of this study was to determine the psychiatric disorders in epileptic patients. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2017 with a simple random sampling method on patients with epilepsy who admitted to the neurology department. Results: Among the 150 examined patients, 88 (58.7%) were female and 63(42%) had epilepsy more than 10 years. The most common psychiatric disorder among epileptic patients was depression (68 patients = 45.3%) and anxiety (65 patients = 43.3%) patients. Conclusion: Most of patients had more than 10 years history of epilepsy. Also, Anxiety and depression were the most common symptoms in epileptic patients. It need to more study to determine the psychiatric disorders in epileptic patients.

Neural membranes are composed of phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol and proteins. In re-sponse to cell stimulation or injury, metabolism of lipids generates various lipid mediators, which perform many cellular functions. Thus, phospholipids release arachidonic acid or docosahex-aenoic acid from the sn-2 position of glycerol moiety by the action of phospholipases A2. Ara-chidonic acid is a precursor for prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxane, and lipoxins. Among these mediators, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxane produce neuroinflammation. In contrast, lipoxins produce anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving effects. Prostaglandins, leukotri-enes, and thromboxane are also involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and blood clotting, and blood vessel permeability. In contrast, DHA-derived lipid mediators are called as specialized pro-resolving lipid metabolites (SPMs). They include resolvins, protectins, and maresins. These mediators regulate immune function by producing anti-inflammatory, pro-resolving, and cell pro-tective effects. Sphingolipid derived-metabolites are ceramide, ceramide1-phosphate, sphingosine, and sphingosine 1 phosphate. They regulate many cellular processes including enzyme activities, cell migration and adhesion, inflammation, and immunity. Cholesterol is metabolized into hy-droxycholesterols and 7-ketocholesterol, which not only disrupts membrane fluidity, but also promotes inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. These processes lead to cellular damage.

Probiotics have been used to ameliorate gastrointestinal symptoms since ancient times. Over the past 40 years, probiotics have been shown to exert major effects on the immune system, both in vivo and in vitro. This interaction is clearly linked to gut microbes, their polysaccharide antigens, and key metabolites produced by these bacteria. At least four metabolic pathways have been implicated in mechanistic studies of probiotics, based on carefully studied animal models. Microbial-immune system crosstalk has been linked to short chain fatty acid production and signaling, tryptophan metabolism and the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptors, nucleoside signaling in the gut, and activation of the intestinal histamine-2 receptor. Several randomized controlled trials have now shown that microbial modification by probiotics may improve gastrointestinal symptoms and multi-organ inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis. Future work will need to carefully assess safety issues, selection of optimal strains and combinations, and attempts to prolong the duration of colonization of beneficial microbes.

Neuropsin is a brain-expressed extracellular matrix serine protease that governs synaptic plasticity through activity-induced proteolytic cleavage of synaptic proteins. Its substrates comprise several molecules central to structural synaptic plasticity, and studies in rodents have documented its role in cognition and the behavioral and neurobiological response to stress. Intriguingly, differential usage of KLK8 (neuropsin gene) splice forms in the fetal and adult brain has only been reported in humans, suggesting that neuropsin may serve a specialized role in human neurodevelopment. Through systematic interrogation of large-scale genetic data, we review KLK8 regulation in the context of mental health and provide a summary of clinical and preclinical evidence supporting a role for neuropsin in the pathogenesis of mental illness.

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 virus has rapidly spread worldwide, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a pandemic and advocate for the widespread use of face masks to mitigate transmission. In this review, we delve into the potential impact of prolonged face mask use on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) health, an area that has garnered limited attention amidst COVID-19 research. Research has revealed that improper mask fit, and constant readjustment can lead to TMJ abnormalities. Similarly, there is a demonstrated correlation between continuous mask usage and increased incidence of headaches, temporomandibular pain, and diminished quality of life. Many studies have highlighted discomfort in the preauricular area, headaches, TMJ noises, headache, jaw pain, and muscle fatigue, as well as dermatological disorders that have been attributed to prolonged mask wear and its impact on TMJ. Our study catalyzes future research endeavors, urging a deeper exploration of the implications of long-term mask wear, not only in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic but also among occupational groups regularly exposed to extended mask use. By unraveling the complexities of TMJ health in the face of evolving preventive measures, we aim to enhance our understanding and safeguard the well-being of mask-wearers worldwide.

Noninvasive brain stimulation technique can be used for modulation of motor behaviors such as reaction time (RT). The main aim of this study was to investigate whether RT during a sequential visual isometric pinch task (SVIPT) can be affected by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) over three different stimulation sites such as dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), primary motor cortex (M1) or posterior parietal cortex (PPC). We also aimed to assess if stimulation of these cortical sites affect the transfer of learning during SVIPT. A total of 48 right-handed healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of the four a-tDCS groups: 1) left M1, 2) left DLPFC, 3) left PPC and 4) sham. A-tDCS was applied concurrent with SVIPT in which the participants were precisely controlled their forces to reach seven different target forces from 10 to 40% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) presenting on a computer screen with right dominant hand. Four test blocks were randomly performed at baseline and 15 min after the intervention including sequence and random blocks with either hand. Our results showed significant differences between a-tDCS groups on ratio RT in the sequence blocks of both the right trained (P = .041) and left untrained hands (P = .023) for target forces of 15% and 30 % of MVC, respectively. In sequence blocks, M1 showed significant elongation in ratio RT for the target force of 15% and 30 % MVC compared to PPC and Sham groups in the right hand. In sequence blocks with left hand, this negative effect were found between M1-DLPFC and M1-Sham groups. In random blocks, no significant differences were found among four groups at each target forces for the left hand while there were significant differences for 15% (P =. 04) and 40% MVC (P =. 035) in the right hand. Our findings suggest that three different stimulation sites (DLPFC, M1 or PPC) were differentially affected by a single session of a-tDCS at some target forces during SVIPT. The effects of a-tDCS on ratio RT were transferred in the left untrained hand for sequence blocks but not random blocks. Further research is needed to understand fundamental aspects of these main areas of the brain on temporal processing in a precision control task such as SVIPT.

(1) Background: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders often experience psychological distress, which can affect the quality of childcare they provide. It is crucial to screen for psychiatric symptoms among these parents. The Core Symptom Index (CSI) is a widely used tool for assessing general symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, with demonstrated validity and reliability across various populations. However, there is limited research on the validity and reliability of the CSI in the general Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the CSI among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). (2) Methods: A total of 794 Chinese parents raising children with autism participated in this study. All completed the CSI, along with the social inhibition subscale of the Interpersonal Problems Inventory and the Couple Satisfaction Index. Factorial validity was assessed using CFA to determine how well the bifactor three-factor model fits the data. Various structural models were compared using model fit indices. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined by exploring correlations with the social inhibition subscale and the Couple Satisfaction Index. Invariance testing of the CSI was conducted across multiple groups based on gender, age, and education using CFA. The reliability of the CSI was evaluated using McDonald’s omega coefficients. (3) Results: The bifactor model emerged as the best-fitting model for the data, suggesting that the total score of the CSI adequately represents overall psychiatric symptoms. The CSI exhibited significant correlations with the social inhibition subscale (r = 0.41, p &lt; 0.01) and smaller correlation coefficients with the Couple Satisfaction Index (r = -0.16, p &lt; 0.05), indicating both convergent and discriminant validity. Invariant tests supported scalar invariance levels based on gender and age but only partial invariance for education. The Chinese version of the CSI demonstrated high consistency, with McDonald's omega coefficients ranging between 0.86 and 0.95. (4) Conclusions: The bifactor model of the Chinese version of the CSI is validated, making it a suitable tool for measuring depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Further research on other Chinese populations is encouraged.

The intricate interplay between driver cognitive dysfunction, mental workload (MWL), and heart rate variability (HRV) provides a captivating avenue for investigation within the domain of transportation safety studies. This article presents a comprehensive review and examines cognitive hindrance stemming from mental workload and heart rate variability. It scrutinizes the mental workload experienced by drivers by leveraging data gleaned from prior studies that employed heart rate monitoring systems and eye tracking technology, thereby illuminating the correlation between cognitive impairment, mental workload, and physiological indicators such as heart rate and ocular movements. The investigation is grounded in the premise that the mental workload of drivers can be assessed through physiological cues, such as heart rate and eye movements. The study discovered that heart rate variability (HRV) and infrared (IR) measurements played a crucial role in evaluating fatigue and workload for skilled drivers. However, the study overlooked potential factors contributing to cognitive impairment in drivers and could benefit from incorporating alternative indicators of cognitive workload for deeper insights. Furthermore, investigated driving simulators demonstrated that an eco-safe driving Human-Machine Interface (HMI) significantly promoted safe driving behaviors without imposing excessive mental and visual workload on drivers. Recommendations were made for future studies to consider additional indicators of cognitive workload, such as subjective assessments or task performance metrics, for a more comprehensive understanding.

Context: Mental and menstrual health, two emerging aspects of health critical to the female population, are bidirectionally linked. But there is limited empirical evidence that establishes the association between these entities. This essay aims to draw the attention of researchers to this healthcare niche. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review was carried out on literatures sourced from medical databases (e.g. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science), and gray sources—popular and reputable institutional and journalistic websites that publishes mental or menstrual health research. The key words used for the search are “Menstruation, menstrual hygiene, menstrual disorders, premenstrual syndrome, period poverty, menarche, menopause, mental health, mental disorder, mental illness, depression, anxiety, phobia, mania, mood, and affect”. The initial search generated 368 results. But after the duplicates were removed, the exclusion criteria (publication before 2000) was applied, and manual review of abstract (for relevance) was done, 21 publications from the databases and 5 from gray sources were included in this essay. Results: Associations were found between menstrual cycle irregularities and disorders; and mental disorders such as premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, major depressive disorder, major anxiety disorder, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, sleep disorder, substance use/abuse, and suicidal ideation and attempts.Few positive associations between mental and menstrual health were recorded, and several research and treatment gaps were identified. Conclusion: Research into the links between mental and menstrual health should not remain a fringe area of scientific curiosity, as it shows tremendous promise in improving healthcare offered to women/girls globally.

Since January, the disease caused by the Sars Cov-2 virus has spread and following pandemic. In a few months, the virus is seriously affecting the health systems of the various countries of the world and placing people in difficult psychological conditions. Few scientific resources on mental health have been published but still no one has proposed an action plan to cope the future psychological problems.This manuscript provides a plan to easily frame the priorities of mental health area related to COVID-19 to be taken into consideration which should be disseminated and that should be known by all health professionals and also by the major administrators of public health.

This survey of research literature is an overview of the current state of science addressing DSM-5 diagnostic criteria as it relates to identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in young children. Selected sources are of high quality and have been published since 2020 in peer-reviewed journals relevant to children’s health. The narrative is organized from the earliest to the most recent publications and is divided into sections around categories and themes that highlight the main arguments, findings, and controversies identified by researchers. There are indications in the literature that while ASD can be identified and differentiated from other developmental disorders in young children, doing so requires that clinicians who have relied on the DSM-5 should also use multiple measures, including other formalized screening tools as assessments that gather observational input from parents and caregivers, as well as findings from physical examinations, laboratory investigations, and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI). This high level of corroboration points to an emerging diagnosis paradigm through which transdiagnostic approaches to early diagnosis and intervention may exist.

In vertebrates, oligodendrocytes (OLs) are glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) responsible for the formation of the myelin sheath that surrounds the axons of neurons. The myelin sheath plays a crucial role in the transmission of neuronal information by promoting the rapid saltatory conduction of action potentials and providing neurons with structural and metabolic support. Saltatory conduction, first described in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), is now generally recognized as a universal evolutionary innovation to respond quickly to the environment: myelin helps us think and act fast. However, the function of myelin in the CNS, particularly in the brain, is not necessarily to act quickly, but rather to act correctly. In this respect, myelin should primarily play a role in synchronizing the different neuronal networks, a synchrony that occurs in the form of oscillations (or rhythms) relevant for specific information processing. Interestingly, myelin has been directly involved in different types of cognitive processes relying on brain oscillations, and myelin plasticity is currently considered to be part of the fundamental mechanisms for memory formation and maintenance. However, despite ample evidence showing the involvement of myelin in cognition and neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by cognitive impairments, the link between myelin, brain oscillations, cognition and disease is not yet fully understood. In this review, we aim to highlight what is known and what remains to be explored to understand the role of myelin in high order brain processes.

Peripheral tissue metabolism of steroids (intracrinology) is now accepted as a key way in which tissues, such as the endometrium, can utilize inactive steroids present in the blood to respond to local physiological demands and ‘fine-tune’ the activation or inhibition of steroid hormone receptor-dependent processes. Expression of enzymes that play a critical role in activation and inactivation of bioactive oestrogens (E1, E2) and androgens (A4, T, DHT), as well as expression of steroid hormone receptors, has been detected in endometrial tissues and cells recovered during the menstrual cycle. There is robust evidence that increased expression of aromatase is important for creating a local microenvironment that can support a pregnancy. Measurement of intra-tissue concentrations of steroids using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry has been important in advancing our understanding of a role for androgens in the endometrium acting both as active ligands for the androgen receptor and as substrates for oestrogen biosynthesis. The emergence of intracrinology, associated with disordered expression of key enzymes such as aromatase, in the aetiology of common women’s health disorders such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer has prompted renewed interest in development of drugs targeting these pathways opening up new opportunities for targeted therapies and precision medicine.

Poverty has long been associated intricately with neurological disorders. Majority of the previous studies designed to describe the effects of poverty on neurological ailments have mostly linked the association of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and nutritional deficiency disorders with poverty. Authors herein try to delve deeper into this issue. The association of begging with neuropsychiatric disorders is robust. The burden of probable autosomal dominant neurological ailments is very common among beggars; followed by neurological disorders with social stigma like abnormal movements, facial dysmorphism and gait unsteadiness. Dearth of support from family members in autosomal dominant neurological disorders (as family members are likely to be suffering from similar neurodegenerative disorder ) and poor perception about neurological diseases, misconceptions, myths and low educational attainment at large in the society can be implicated as the often overlooked but important factors underneath this association of begging and neurological disorders.

The article discusses early diagnosis and intervention for developmental delays in children, emphasizing the role of specialized services and personnel in supporting recovery and development. It presents findings from a pilot project initiated in Bucharest, aiming to assess the incidence of developmental delays in children aged 1-3 years in selected kindergartens, including ASD. The study involved children, parents, and specialists, utilizing systematic behavior observation (SBO) and semi-structured interviews. Results indicate that out of 613 evaluated children, 81 received specialized control recommendations, with 4 cases showing potential risk of ASD. Additionally, 8 children were diagnosed with autism. The incidence of autism in children aged 1-3 years was 1 in 51. Although exploratory, these findings suggest a model of good practice for future early diagnosis campaigns nationally. Conclusively, the study underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for developmental delays, advocating for a responsive community and emphasizing the significance of national-level efforts to address these issues effectively.

Background: India has one-fifth of the world's population and the number of people suffering from mental illness is assumed to be huge considering the contribution of mental disorders to the overall burden of the disease being 13.9 %. Objectives of Study: To estimate prevalence and patterns of mental illnesses to assess the current mental health services and systems in the Madhya Pradesh. Material and Methods: Multi-stage, stratified, random cluster sampling technique, with random selection based on probability proportionate to size at each stage. A total of 3240 individuals aged 18 years and above were interviewed. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed. A set of 10 instruments including Mini International Neuro-psychiatric Interview were utilized. Results: The overall weighted prevalence for any mental illness was 16.7% lifetime and 13.9% current. Treatment-gap for all mental health problems is as high as 91% in the state along with huge socioeconomic impact of mental illness. Conclusions: This huge burden of mental, behavioural and substance use disorders, in Madhya Pradesh, calls for immediate attention of political leaders, policy makers, health professionals, opinion-makers and society at large. It is hoped that the data from the study will inform mental health policy and legislation and help shape mental health care delivery systems in the country.

: Suicide is a serious public health problem, with a global mortality rate of 1.4% of all deaths worldwide, and the leading cause of unnatural death in Spain. The use of clinical simulation has proven to be a beneficial tool in the training of nursing students. Such experiences allow them to develop cognitive and affective skills that are fundamental for the detection of warning signs and use of interventions in cases of people who want to take their own lives. Working in a mental health environment can be difficult for nursing students; therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of nursing students on the approach, management and intervention of suicidal crisis through clinical mental health simulation. Methods: qualitative descriptive phenomenological study through focus groups and reflective narratives in a sample of 45 students. A thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS-ti. Results: After the analysis, three themes were obtained: (a) management and handling of emotions (b) identification of suicide motives (c) intervention in suicidal crisis. Discussion: Clinical simulation in mental health allows students to exercise clinical judgment reasoning, detect warning signs for a better treatment approach, and provide tools for effective intervention and management of patient care. The results of this study indicate that nursing students face challenges in approaching mental health clinical simulation due to lack of prior exposure.

Exosome-based therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for addressing diverse disorders, indicating the need for further exploration of the potential therapeutic effects of the exosome cargos. This study introduces "enhanced exosomes," a novel type of exosomes developed through a novel cell culture system. These specific exosomes may become potent therapeutic agents for treating ovarian disorders. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the protein and miRNA cargo compositions of enhanced exosomes and naïve exosomes. Our findings revealed distinct cargo compositions in enhanced exosomes, featuring upregulated proteins such as EFEMP1, HTRA1, PAM, RSU1, and SDF4, suggesting their potential for treating ovarian disorders. MicroRNA profiling revealed that miR-1-3p, miR-103a-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-1271-5p, miR-133a-3p, miR-184, miR-203a-3p, and miR-206 are key players in regulating ovarian cancer and chemosensitivity by affecting cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, and cell development. We examined polycystic ovary syndrome and premature ovarian insufficiency and identified altered expression of various miRNAs, such as miR-106a-5p, miR-130b-5p, and miR-130b-3p, for diagnostic insights. This study highlights the potential of enhanced exosomes as new therapeutic agents for women's reproductive health, offering a detailed understanding of the impact of their cargo on ovarian disorders.

Background: The enduring psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to affect individuals long after the immediate health concerns have subsided. This research aims to identify specific groups within the Romanian population who are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges that can interfere with everyday life and may lead to more serious mental health disorders. Methods: Conducted as a cross-sectional survey, this study evaluated the prevalence and intensity of psychological distress using the DASS-21 questionnaire. An online survey distributed via Google Forms also gathered socio-demographic data and COVID-19-specific information. Statistical analyses included the Shapiro-Wilk test, Fisher's exact test, and Z-tests with Bonferroni correction. Quantitative independent variables that lacked a normal distribution were compared between groups using either the Mann-Whitney U test or the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: Analysis of 521 questionnaires, filled out by a predominantly middle-aged cohort of 320 women and 201 men, revealed that 63.72% of participants worked outside the healthcare field. Those unemployed or retired reported significantly higher anxiety levels than individuals in other sectors. Moreover, living alone, experiencing the loss of close relatives (6.14%) or friends (33.59%), and undergoing hospitalization or reinfection due to COVID-19 were linked to significantly elevated distress scores. Conclusion. By identifying the segments of the population most vulnerable to psychological distress, as evidenced by higher scores among the unemployed, retirees, individuals living alone, and those directly affected by COVID-19 through personal health or loss, targeted initiatives for psychological screening and therapy can be established. Such measures are essential for enhancing the post-pandemic mental well-being of Romanians, addressing the specific needs uncovered in this study.

Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a Saúde Mental Positiva (SPM) e a sua relação com características sociodemográficas, literacia em saúde mental e escala de vulnerabilidade psicológica (PVS) em estudantes universitários portugueses com idades compreendidas entre os 17 e os 62 anos. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo-correlacional. Uma pesquisa online foi realizada para avaliar variáveis ​​demográficas, e vários questionários foram aplicados para avaliar saúde mental positiva, vulnerabilidade psicológica e alfabetização em saúde mental. Os dados foram coletados de 1º de novembro de 2019 a 1º de setembro de 2020. No geral, 3.405 alunos participaram do estudo. Os resultados mostram que 67,8% dos alunos revelaram um alto nível de PMH, 31,6% apresentaram um nível médio de PMH e 0,6% apresentaram um nível baixo de PMH. Os estudantes do sexo masculino relataram maior satisfação pessoal (t (3170) = -2,39, p=0,017) e autonomia (t (3170) = -3,33, p=0,001), no PMH em relação ao sexo feminino. Alunos sem bolsa pontuaram mais alto (t (3.127) = -2,04, p=0,42) no PMH do que alunos com bolsa. Estudantes que não foram deslocados de casa relataram maior (t (3170) = -1,99, p=0,047) Autocontrole em PMH do que aqueles deslocados de sua casa. Estudantes universitários com resultados de PMH mais altos têm resultados de PVS mais baixos e resultados de Alfabetização mais altos. Os achados deste estudo contribuirão para identificar as necessidades de intervenção dos alunos na PMH. Estudantes universitários com resultados de PMH mais altos têm resultados de PVS mais baixos e resultados de Alfabetização mais altos. Os achados deste estudo contribuirão para identificar as necessidades de intervenção dos alunos na PMH. Estudantes universitários com resultados de PMH mais altos têm resultados de PVS mais baixos e resultados de Alfabetização mais altos. Os achados deste estudo contribuirão para identificar as necessidades de intervenção dos alunos na PMH.

The objective of this study was to analyze the mental workload using EEG and eye tracking data and classify it using machine learning algorithms. The machine learning model was developed based on the simultaneous recording of eye tracking and EEG measurements during the experimental process. The experiments involved 15 university students, consisting of 7 women and 8 men. Throughout the experiments, the researchers utilized the n-back memory task and the NASA-Task Load Index (TLX) subjective rating scale to assess various levels of mental workload. The findings revealed that as the task difficulty increased, there was an increase in the diameter of both the right and left pupils, the number of fixations, the number and duration of saccades, and the number and duration of blinks. Conversely, variables related to fixation duration decreased. The EEG results indicated that theta power in the prefrontal, frontal, and front central regions increased with task difficulty. Additionally, alpha power increased in the frontal regions but decreased in the temporal, parietal, and occipital regions as the task became more challenging. Furthermore, low beta power significantly decreased in almost all brain regions as the task difficulty increased. In terms of the four-class classification problem, the mental workload level can be predicted with an accuracy rate of 76.59% using 34 selected features. This study has made a significant contribution to the literature by presenting a four-class mental workload estimation model that utilizes different machine learning algorithms.

Monte Carlo techniques have been extensively used for planning laser-based clinical procedures such as photobiomodulation. However, the effect of several biological tissue characteristics, including morphological structure and physiological parameters, has not been carefully addressed in many applications. Specifically, many questions remain concerning the effect of skin phototype and body mass index on the efficacy of photobiomodulation for extraoral therapies. To address these questions, a Monte Carlo simulation model was developed to analyze the effects of body mass index-dependent skin structure and Fitzpatrick skin type, specifically tailored for the morphological characteristics of cheek tissue. The model describes the settings of a typical oral photobiomodulation treatment protocol for pain relief, namely the use of 660 nm and 808 nm laser wavelengths and a therapeutic dose of 2.0 J/cm² on the masseter muscle. The simulations were used to train a machine learning predictive model aimed at accelerating the treatment planning stage and assessing the importance of patient-specific parameters. A multiple regression approach was adopted to predict muscle dose and treatment time for the effective delivered dose.

While many studies have described the association between cognitive decline and eating habits, little attention has been paid to its association with cheese intake. In this cross-sectional study of 1,035 community-dwelling women aged ≥ 65, we investigated the association between intake/type of cheese and cognitive function. The anthropometry, functional ability, and the frequency of food intake, including cheese, were assessed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and a score of 20–26 was defined as mild cognitive decline (MCD). We found that MMSE score was significantly different between the presence of cheese intake (cheese intake: 28.3±1.9; non-cheese intake: 27.8±2.2) and between the type of cheese consumed (Camembert cheese: 28.7±1.3; others: 28.3±1.9). After adjusting for confounders, multiple logistic regression revealed four significant independent variables for MCD: Camembert cheese intake (odds ratio [OR] = 0.448, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.214–0.936), age (OR = 1.114, 95% CI = 1.059–1.171), usual walking speed (OR = 0.2620, 95% CI = 0.109–0.621), and repetitive saliva swallowing test scores (OR = 0.865, 95% CI = 0.750–0.995). Our results, while based on cross-sectional data from Japanese community-dwelling older women, demonstrated that Camembert cheese intake is significantly associated with MCD.

Background/Objectives: Parental internalizing issues, particularly maternal mental health, can significantly influence adolescents' mental health by altering parenting behaviors and roles. This study aims to explore how parental rejection, a dimension of both maternal and paternal behavior, moderates the relationship between parental depression, anxiety, and stress with adolescents' mental health and quality of life. We hypothesized that parental rejection would have a significant moderating effect on these relationships; Methods: This cross-sectional, non-interventional study involved 206 parents (138 mothers) of adolescents aged 12-18 years from the general population. Participants were recruited online via convenience sampling and completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire, the KIDSCREEN-27 to evaluate adolescents' quality of life, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to assess adolescents' mental health; Results: Parental rejection was found to moderate the relationship between maternal anxiety and adolescents' quality of life, as well as between maternal anxiety and adolescents' mental health problems. Paternal rejection moderated the relationship between paternal stress and adolescents' mental health. However, parental rejection did not moderate the relationship between parental depression and adolescents' quality of life or mental health; Conclusions: These findings emphasize the significant role of maternal rejection in the association between maternal mental health, particularly anxiety, and adolescents' mental health outcomes. Paternal rejection also showed some moderating effects, though to a lesser extent. These results underscore the importance of considering both maternal and paternal influences in adolescent mental health and quality of life. Further research is necessary to fully understand the gender-specific dynamics of these relationships.

Knowing professionals’ attitudes is the basis for the development of skills for dealing with drug dependence. These attitudes may affect patients’ clinical safety and the cost-benefit ratio of the interventions. The goal of this study was to assess emergency and mental health nurses’ attitudes and perceptions towards alcoholics. A multicenter prospective descriptive study was conducted in six hospitals with 167 emergency and mental health nurses. Nurses classified alcoholics as sick individuals, although there was a tendency to feel comfortable working with them. Results indicated that these professionals had a rejecting attitude towards moderate alcohol consumption. We found a significant association between the attitude of the nurse and gender, with the degree of rejection towards the alcoholic being higher in men than in women and with less punitive attitudes in professionals from 0 to 11 years of professional experience.

The Action Control Theory (ACT) is an enactive theory of perception and mental imagery with six components: Schemata, Objects, Actions, Affect, Goals and Others’ Behavior. The evidence support-ing these six connected processes is reviewed in light of research on mental imagery vividness. The six processes and their interconnections receive empirical support from a wide range of studies. All six domains of perception and mental imagery are influenced by individual differences in vividness. Real-world applications of ACT show interesting potential to improve human well-being in both healthy people and patients. Mental imagery can be applied in creative ways to make new collective goals and actions for change that are necessary to maximize the future prospects of the planet.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) represent a continuum of lifelong impairments resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol, with significant global impact. The “spectrum” of disorders includes a continuum of physical, cognitive, behavioral, and developmental impairments, which can have profound and lasting effects on individuals throughout their lives impacting their health, social interactions, psychological well-being and every aspect of their lives. This narrative paper explores the intricate relationship between oxidative stress and epigenetics in FASD pathogenesis and its therapeutic implications. Oxidative stress, induced by alcohol metabolism, disrupts cellular components, particularly in the vulnerable fetal brain, leading to aberrant development. Furthermore, oxidative stress is implicated in epigenetic changes, including alterations in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA expression, which influence gene regulation in FASD patients. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation contribute to epigenetic changes associated with FASD. Understanding these mechanisms holds promise for targeted therapeutic interventions. This includes antioxidant supplementation and lifestyle modifications to mitigate FASD-related impairments. While preclinical studies show promise, further clinical trials are needed to validate these interventions' efficacy in improving clinical outcomes for individuals affected by FASD. This comprehensive understanding of the role of oxidative stress on epigenetics in FASD underscores the importance of multidisciplinary approaches for diagnosis, management, and prevention strategies. Continued research in this field is crucial for advancing our knowledge and developing effective interventions to address this significant public health concern.

Background: Bleeding disorders can be divided into three categories: congenital coagulation disorders (CCDs), antiplatelet induced bleeding disorders (APBDs) and anticoagulant induced bleeding disorders (ACBDs). Implant placement can be challenging in this kind of patients. The aim of this study is to provide evidence on implant surgery in patient with bleeding disorders and to generate some practical recommendations for clinicians. Material &amp; Methods: Pubmed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were screened. The latest search was performed in July 2022. Case Reports, Case Series, Cohort Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Case Control Studies, Reviews, Consensus Reports, Surveys and Animal Studies were included in the analysis. Results: Seventeen articles on CCDs were found, fourteen on APBDs, twenty-six on ACBDs. Most of these articles were case report or case series. Patients with CCDs can be treated after the infusion of the missing coagulation factor. Patients with APBDs can be treated without withdrawing the therapy. Patients with ACBDs should be treated depending on the anti-coagulative medication. Conclusion: Despite the low level of evidence, dental implants can be safely placed in patients with bleeding disorders. However, careful preoperative evaluation and the adoption of local and post-operative bleeding control measures are mandatory.

Type2 diabetes(T2D) is a pervasive modern disease, classified as a metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and life-long threatening cardiovascular morbidities. Subclinical inflammation stands as the primary pathogenetic factor propelling T2D progression, correlated with heightened levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Immune cells serve as the prominent sources of cytokine production, and under diabetic conditions, they tend toward a proinflammatory phenotype, fostering chronic inflammation. This review zeroes in on the disrupted homeostasis characteristic of diabetic conditions, encompassing cytokines, hormones, and their interplay with altered immune function, all contributing to the onset of diabetic cardiovascular complications.

The article describes how atherosclerosis and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) may affect each other. The features of this comorbid pathogenesis at various levels (vascular, cellular and molecular) are considered. A bidirectional influence of these conditions is described: the presence of cardiovascular diseases affects different individual susceptibility to viral infection. In turn, SARS-CoV-2 can have a negative effect on the endothelium and cardiomyocytes, causing blood clotting, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and thus exacerbating the development of atherosclerosis. In addition to the established entry into cells via ACE2 принимая во внимание его влияние на, other mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 entry are currently under investigation, for example, through CD147. Pathogenesis of comorbidity can be determined by the influence of the virus on various links which are meaningful for atherogenesis: generation of oxidized forms of LDL, launch of a cytokine storm, damage to the endothelial glycocalyx, and mitochondrial injury. The transformation of a stable plaque into an unstable one plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis complications and can be triggered by COVID-19. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on large vessels such as aorta is more complex than previously thought considering its impact on vasa vasorum. Current information on the mutual influence of the medicines used in the treatment of atherosclerosis and acute COVID-19 is briefly summarized