The Synergistic Impact of Excessive Alcohol Drinking and Cigarette Smoking upon Prospective Memory

The independent use of excessive amounts of alcohol or persistent cigarette smoking have been found to have a deleterious impact upon Prospective Memory (PM: remembering future intentions and activities), although to date, the effect of their concurrent use upon PM is yet to be explored. The present study investigated the impact of the concurrent use of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and smoking cigarettes (a “Polydrug” group) in comparison to the combined effect of the single use of these substances upon PM. The study adopted a single factorial independent groups design. The Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (CAMPROMPT) is a test of both time-based and event-based PM and was used here to measure PM. The CAMPROMPT was administered to 125 adults; an excessive alcohol user group (n = 40), a group of smokers who drink very little alcohol (n = 20), a combined user group (the “Polydrug” group) who drink excessively and smoke cigarettes (n = 40) and a non-drinker/low alcohol consumption control group (n = 25). The main findings revealed that the Polydrug users recalled significantly fewer time-based PM tasks than both excessive alcohol users p < 0.001 and smokers p = 0.013. Polydrug users (mean = 11.47) also remembered significantly fewer event-based PM tasks than excessive alcohol users p < 0.001 and smokers p = 0.013. With regards to the main aim of the study, the polydrug users exhibited significantly greater impaired time-based PM than the combined effect of single excessive alcohol users and cigarette smokers p = 0.033. However, no difference was observed between polydrug users and the combined effect of single excessive alcohol users and cigarette smokers in event-based PM p = 0.757. These results provide evidence that concurrent (polydrug) use of these two substances has a synergistic effect in terms of deficits upon time-based PM. The observation that combined excessive drinking and cigarette smoking leads to a greater impairment in time-based PM may be of paramount importance, given the key role PM plays in everyday independent living

Perceptions in Living Kidney Donation: What ProtagonistsThink and Feel

Abstract Background Although donor perceptions of donation have been evaluated in several programs, evaluation of associated recipients has not been as frequent. Purpose Our aim was to evaluate and compare after transplantation, donor and recipient perceptions of donation. Methods After transplantation 35 recipients and 45 donors completed a sociodemographic and a donation perception questionnaire. We applied the Fisher test to descriptive (absolute and relative frequency) data. Results 57.8% of donors were female and 62.9% of recipients male. 53.3% of donors were siblings, 44.5% parents, and 2.2% a daughter. Most recipients (71.9%) thought that the donation was the donors' initiative and 21.9% that it was suggested by medical team. 96.4% responded that it was the donor's wish that determined their decision; 51.4% had serious or some doubts about accepting the option, but for 48.6% it was an easy decision. Among the donors, 88.9% decided by themselves and 8.9% were asked for donation. For 91.1%, their wish was the main reason of the decision, but 8.9% felt a moral obligation; 77.8% thought it was an easy decision, and 17.8% hesitated a little 84.4% were not worried about their future health. Conclusions Altruistic motivations were predominant in both groups. Most recipients thought that the motivation for donation was self-determined, a finding that agreed with donor perceptions. Perceptions about the quality of and changes in emotional relationship were the same in both groups. Donors and recipients referred to the donation process as positive, but there were some negative emotions and perceptions

Amantadine toxic effect and acute psychosis – a case report

Introduction and purpose: The pandemic of COVID-19 has induced patients to use different ways to struggle with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Amantadine has become more popular as a supportive drug in the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. This report presents a case of a young, previously healthy woman hospitalized in the Toxicology and Cardiology Department because of acute psychosis induced by amantadine intoxication. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Several medications, including psychostimulants, antibiotics, antivirals, and antiparkinsonians can cause acute psychosis. Amantadine has primarily dopaminergic with some anticholinergic properties and is used predominantly as an adjuvant agent in the management of Parkinson's disease treatment. Psychomotor agitation, insomnia, excessive verbosity, delusions, and behavioral disturbances are typical toxic effects of amantadine primarily affecting the central nervous system presented by the patient described in this case report. Conclusions: Our case illustrates the adverse effects of amantadine on the central nervous system when given at the recommended dose to young, healthy women. Despite being rare, this induced psychosis may become more common, especially while becoming more popular as a supportive drug in COVID-19 treatment. While prescribing amantadine clinicians should be aware of the rapid onset of its psychotic complications

Pathological Delta Oscillations in Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder: A Case Report

Background: Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) is characterized by spontaneous recurrence of visual hallucinations or disturbances after previous consumption of hallucinogens, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). The underlying physiological mechanisms are unknown and there is no standardized treatment strategy available. Case Presentation: A 33-year-old male patient presented with persistent visual distortions (halos around objects, intensified colors, positive after images, and trails following moving objects) that developed after repeated use of hallucinogenic drugs at the age of 18. Symptoms developed gradually and worsened several months later, resulting in various pharmacological and psychosocial treatment attempts that remained unsuccessful, however. At presentation, 32-channel electroencephalography (EEG) showed increased delta activity over the occipital brain regions, reminiscent of occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity (OIRDA) usually seen in children. Two sessions of cathodal (inhibitory) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over 30 min attenuated visual hallucinations and occipital delta activity by approximately 60%. The response persisted for over four weeks. Conclusion: Pathological delta activity over occipital brain regions may play an important role in the development and perpetuation of HPPD and can be attenuated by non-invasive brain stimulation

Depression, PTSD and alexithymia in victims of intimate partner violence: a case-control study

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) regards millions of women worldwide and can lead to serious psychopathological consequences. Objective We aimed to evaluate differences between a group of abused women and controls, and potential predictors of depression and PTSD in the IPV group. Methods We recruited 57 women who experienced IPV and 57 age-matched controls from the general population. After collecting socio-demographic characteristics, we administered the following scales: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Revised-Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2). Results Our results showed differences between women who experienced IPV and controls in the socio-economic status, employment and educational levels, childhood abuse and early terminations of pregnancy. Notably, the rates of depression, PTSD, and alexithymia were significantly different between the two groups. Linear regression models revealed that sexual coercion was an independent positive predictor of depressive symptoms, while alexithymia played a role in the development of PTSD in the group of abused women. Discussion Given the prevalence of depression and PTSD in victims of IPV, it is important to always investigate for IPV in women seeking for help in mental health services. Alexithymia in victims of IPV deserves to be further investigated by researchers

Depression and anxiety in living kidney donation: evaluation of donors and recipients.

Transplant Proc. 2011 Jan-Feb;43(1):131-6. Depression and anxiety in living kidney donation: evaluation of donors and recipients. Lopes A, Frade IC, Teixeira L, Oliveira C, Almeida M, Dias L, Henriques AC. SourceLyaison-Psychiatry and Health Psychology Unit, Oporto Hospital Centre, Oporto, Portugal. [email protected] Abstract BACKGROUND: Psychosocial status of donors before and after living kidney donor transplantation has been an important concern. Investigations of psychosocial issues in related recipients are not frequent. AIM: The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare psychopathologic dimensions in donors and recipients before and after transplantation. METHODS: Thirty-five recipients and 45 donors completed a psychosocial evaluation before and after transplantation. We applied Pearson chi-square, McNemar, Fisher, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney tests as well as linear and logistic regression statistical methods. RESULTS: Before transplantation 100% of the recipients presented total anxiety, compared with 64.4% of donors, with higher anxiety levels in all dimensions (P < .001). Also, 38.7% of recipients and 16.3% of donors had moderate/serious depression (P = .029). Men showed higher levels of cognitive anxiety before transplantation (odds ratio [OR] = 4.3; P = .008). After versus before transplantation central nervous system and cognitive anxiety had diminished in recipients (P = .031; P = .035, respectively); there were higher levels of cognitive anxiety than among the donors (P = .007). Depression showed no significant changes in recipients or donors; the differences were no longer significant. There were less severely depressed recipients but an increase among severely depressed donors. Male recipients and donors showed greater cognitive anxiety (P = .02; P = .04, respectively) at both times. Female recipients presented with more severe depression (P = .036). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety is an important symptom. Surgery had a positive impact to lower anxiety in recipients. Most protagonists displayed little or no depression; it was more prevalent among recipients. Donors and recipients maintained some psychopathologic symptoms after surgery. We defined vulnerable groups among these cohorts. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

A Study of Physical and Psychological Domains of Quality of Life in Kidney Transplantation Patients in Kerman City, Iran

Background and Objectives: Renal transplantation as a treatment of choice in most of the patients with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) improves physical domain of quality of life, but because of the effects of immunosuppressive drags, ongoing medical care may be required, and this problem influence on psychological, economic, and social status, and therefore quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate physical and psychological domains of quality of life in kidney transplantation patients in Kerman City. Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, quality of life of 105 kidney transplantation patients in Kerman city was assessed using SF36 questionnaire. The data were analyzed by Statistical Tests, such as independent t-test, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and ANOVA. Significance level was considered to be p&amp;amp;lt;0.05. Results: The mean score of quality of life in kidney transplantations patients was 60.95±18.01, physical domain score was 59.77±14.78, and psychological domain score was 62.58±10.22. The maximum score was related to role limitation due to physical problems (72.25) and minimum score was related to general health (58.25). Analysis of the psychological domain scores according to demographic variables showed no significant difference, but in the physical domain, this difference was significant in terms of age and marital status (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that kidney transplantation patients have relatively favorable quality of life, and psychological domain scores of quality of life were higher than those of physical domain

Investigation to develop a process for production of oxide fibers by melt draw technique Final report

Process for production of oxide fibers by melt draw techniqu

Abradable compressor and turbine seals, volume 2

The applications and advantages of abradable coatings as gas path seals in a general aviation turbofan engine were investigated. Abradable materials were evaluated for the high pressure radial compressor and the axial high and low pressure turbine shrouds

Female Renal Donors: Impact of Donation on Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life

Introduction: Donating one’s kidney can be a complicated psychological experience. This study was designed to evaluate and compare anxiety, depression and quality of life of married female renal donors during the pre and post donation phase. Methods: In this prospective longitudinal observational study, 39 consecutive female renal donors were assessed using PHQ-9, HAM-A and the WHO QoL-Bref Questionnaire 2 weeks before and 3 months after kidney donation. Results: The mean age of female kidney donors was 41.74 ± 8.85. After donation, prevalence of depression increased from 43.59 % (n = 17) to 53.84 % (n = 21), (t(38) = -2.089, p = 0.04) while prevalence of anxiety in donors increased from 58.97 (n = 23) to 69.23 % (n = 27) and the difference was found to be statistically significant (t(38) = 2.47, p = 0.01). Kidney transplantation resulted in a significant decrease in overall perception score of WHOQOL-Bref Questionnaire. (t(38) = 3.504, p = 0.001), overall perception score of health (t(38) = 3.504, p = 0.001), physical domain (t(38) = 4.180, p = 0.000) and psychological domain (t(38) = 2.469, p = 0.018) after donation. There were no significant changes in the social relationship (t(38) = -0.80, p = 0.936) and environmental health domain scores (t(38) = 0.991, p = 0.328). On multiple regression analysis, presence of pre-transplant depression was independently associated with overall score of WHOQOL-Bref Questionnaire (β = -0.14, p = 0.002), perception of health (β = -0.08, p = 0.001), physical health (β = -1.91, p = 0.08) and psychological health (β = -2.57, p = 0.02). Pre-transplant anxiety was negatively related to overall perception of health (β = -0.08, p = 0.01), physical health (β = -2.05, p = 0.01) and psychological health (β = -1.94, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Significant reduction in quality of life, perception of health, physical health and psychological domain of female renal donors was observed after donation