Neuroendocrinology and Mental Health Consequences of War-Related Trauma: An Illustrative Review

We are currently experiencing the greatest refugee crisis since World War II (United Nations High Commission for Refugees, 2016). It is important to understand how war-related trauma impacts psychological and physiological health. The purpose of our review was to synthesize existing research that examines physiological indicators of stress (particularly cortisol) and the mental health consequences of war-related trauma. Cortisol is a physiological by-product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA-axis) and has been widely used to measure stress reactions. The psychological variables of interest were Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), responses to reminder cues, coping strategies, and different types of trauma (e.g., concentration camps; war; rape) across development. All articles included in the review were found using the PsycINFO database. Articles were included if it was a published, peer-reviewed empirical article that included cortisol measurements (saliva or blood) in relation to psychological variables among war-related trauma participants (including refugees, but excluding veterans). Overall, results demonstrated decreases in cortisol levels in response to reminder cues and among participants with PTSD. Negative coping strategies were also associated with lower cortisol levels. More longitudinal research is needed on the physiological impact of trauma so that prevention and intervention programs intended to support these individuals are strengthened

Fall-related injuries in elderly cancer patients treated with neurotoxic chemotherapy: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundFall-related injuries are a well-described cause of morbidity and mortality in the community-dwelling elderly population, but have not been well described in patients with cancer. Cancer treatment with chemotherapy can result in many unwanted side effects, including peripheral neuropathy if the drugs are potentially neurotoxic. Peripheral neuropathy and other side effects of chemotherapy may lead to an increased risk of fall-related injuries.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using the records of 65,311 patients with breast, colon, lung, or prostate cancer treated with chemotherapy in the SEER-Medicare database from 1994 to 2007. The primary outcome was any fall-related injury defined as a traumatic fracture, dislocation, or head injury within 12 months of the first dose of chemotherapy. The sample population was divided into 3 cohorts based on whether they most frequently received a neurotoxic doublet, single agent, or a non-neurotoxic chemotherapy. Cox proportional-hazards analyses were adjusted for baseline characteristics to determine the risk of fall-related injuries among the 3 cohorts.ResultsThe rate of fall-related injuries for patients receiving a doublet of neurotoxic chemotherapy (9.15 per 1000 person-months) was significantly higher than for those receiving a single neurotoxic agent (7.76 per 1000 person-months) or a non-neurotoxic agent (5.19 per 1000 person-months). Based on the Cox proportional-hazards model risk of fall-related injuries was highest for the cohort receiving a neurotoxic doublet after the model was adjusted for baseline characteristics.ConclusionsAmong elderly patients with cancer, use of neurotoxic chemotherapy is associated with an increased risk of fall-related injuries

Kaempferia galanga L.Zingiberaceae

Alpinia sessilis J. Koenig; Kaempferia humilis Salisb.; Kaempferia latifolia Donn ex Hornem.; Kaempferia plantaginifolia Salisb.; Kaempferia procumbens Noronha; Kaempferia rotunda Blanco (POWO 2019

Effects of Interracial Contact on University Students\u27 Perceptions of Inclusion

Research from higher education and social psychology has recognized feelings of belonging and perceptions of inclusion as important factors within the university student experience. Yet little research has examined the extent to which interracial contact may correspond with belonging and inclusion in the university setting. In the present study, I conduct secondary analyses of a 2016 campus climate survey of undergraduate students to examine the associations between interracial contact and three indicators of belonging and inclusion (e.g., feeling a sense of belonging, perceiving the campus to be welcoming, perceived university commitment to inclusion) among undergraduate students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and among racial and ethnic minority students (ALANA students) regarded as international students and as U.S. residents. Results indicate, overall, White students tend to report greater feelings of belonging and perceptions of inclusions compared to their ALANA peers. Greater interracial contact was generally associated with greater feelings of belonging and greater perceived institutional commitment to inclusion, yet these effects tended to be stronger among ALANA students than among White students. Black students tended to report lower feelings of belonging in comparison to other ALANA students; at the same time, no significant interactions were observed between interracial contact and racial/ethnic status among ALANA students from Asian, Black, Latino/a, or multiracial backgrounds. In addition, international ALANA students tended to report lower levels of belonging as compared to ALANA students regarded as U.S. residents. However, there were no significant interaction effects of interracial contact and international ALANA status in predicting students’ feelings of belonging and inclusion perceptions. The present study highlights how students’ racial/ethnic status can shape belonging and inclusion perceptions on the university campus, and how associations between interracial contact and key indicators of inclusion may vary among students whose racial and ethnic groups occupy different status positions in U.S. society