IDEST: International Database of Emotional Short Texts

We introduce a database (IDEST) of 250 short stories rated for valence, arousal, and comprehensibility in two languages. The texts, with a narrative structure telling a story in the first person and controlled for length, were originally written in six different languages (Finnish, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish), and rated for arousal, valence, and comprehensibility in the original language. The stories were translated into English, and the same ratings for the English translations were collected via an internet survey tool (N = 573). In addition to the rating data, we also report readability indexes for the original and English texts. The texts have been categorized into different story types based on their emotional arc. The texts score high on comprehensibility and represent a wide range of emotional valence and arousal levels. The comparative analysis of the ratings of the original texts and English translations showed that valence ratings were very similar across languages, whereas correlations between the two pairs of language versions for arousal and comprehensibility were modest. Comprehensibility ratings correlated with only some of the readability indexes. The database is published in osf.io/9tga3, and it is freely available for academic research.</p

Trajectories of psychosocial symptoms and wellbeing in asylum seekers and refugees exposed to traumatic events and resettled in Western Europe, Turkey, and Uganda

Background: Longitudinal studies examining mental health trajectories in refugees and asylum seekers are scarce.Objectives: To investigate trajectories of psychological symptoms and wellbeing in refugees and asylum seekers, and identify factors associated with these trajectories. Method: 912 asylum seekers and refugees from the control arm of three trials in Europe (n = 229), Turkey (n = 320), and Uganda (n = 363) were included. We described trajectories of psychological symptoms and wellbeing, and used trauma exposure, age, marital status, education, and individual trial as predictors. Then, we assessed the bidirectional interactions between wellbeing and psychological symptoms, and the effect of each predictor on each outcome controlling for baseline values.Results: Symptom improvement was identified in all trials, and for wellbeing in 64.7% of participants in Europe and Turkey, versus 31.5% in Uganda. In Europe and Turkey domestic violence predicted increased symptoms at post-intervention (ß = 1.36, 95% CI 0.17-2.56), whilst murder of family members at 6-month follow-up (ß = 1.23, 95% CI 0.27-2.19). Lower wellbeing was predicted by murder of family member (ß = -1.69, 95% CI -3.06 to -0.32), having been kidnapped (ß = -1.67, 95% CI -3.19 to -0.15), close to death (ß = -1.38, 95% CI -2.70 to -0.06), and being in the host country >= 2 years (ß = -1.60, 95% CI -3.05 to -0.14). In Uganda at post-intervention, having been kidnapped predicted increased symptoms (ß = 2.11, 95% CI 0.58-3.65), and lack of shelter (ß = -2.51, 95% CI -4.44 to -0.58) and domestic violence predicted lower wellbeing (ß = -1.36, 95% CI -2.67 to -0.05). Conclusion: Many participants adapt to adversity, but contextual factors play a critical role in determining mental health trajectories.</p

Long-term effectiveness of Self-Help Plus in refugees and asylum seekers resettled in Western Europe: 12-month outcomes of a randomised controlled trial

AimsAs refugees and asylum seekers are at high risk of developing mental disorders, we assessed the effectiveness of Self-Help Plus (SH + ), a psychological intervention developed by the World Health Organization, in reducing the risk of developing any mental disorders at 12-month follow-up in refugees and asylum seekers resettled in Western Europe.MethodsRefugees and asylum seekers with psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12 ⩾ 3) but without a mental disorder according to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) were randomised to either SH + or enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU). The frequency of mental disorders at 12 months was measured with the M.I.N.I., while secondary outcomes included self-identified problems, psychological symptoms and other outcomes.ResultsOf 459 participants randomly assigned to SH + or ETAU, 246 accepted to be interviewed at 12 months. No difference in the frequency of any mental disorders was found (relative risk [RR] = 0.841; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.389–1.819; p-value = 0.659). In the per protocol (PP) population, that is in participants attending at least three group-based sessions, SH + almost halved the frequency of mental disorders at 12 months compared to ETAU, however so few participants and events contributed to this analysis that it yielded a non-significant result (RR = 0.528; 95% CI 0.180–1.544; p-value = 0.230). SH + was associated with improvements at 12 months in psychological distress (p-value = 0.004), depressive symptoms (p-value = 0.011) and wellbeing (p-value = 0.001).ConclusionsThe present study failed to show any long-term preventative effect of SH + in refugees and asylum seekers resettled in Western European countries. Analysis of the PP population and of secondary outcomes provided signals of a potential effect of SH + in the long-term, which would suggest the value of exploring the effects of booster sessions and strategies to increase SH + adherence.</p

C-reactive protein and coronary artery disease [C-Reaktif Protein ve Koroner Arter Hastaligi]

PubMedID: 15355819[No abstract available

Special situations in valvular heart diseases [Kapak hastaliklarinda özel durumlar]

PubMedID: 19581149[No abstract available

Clinical characteristics influence aortic root dimension and blood flow velocity in healthy subjects

PubMedID: 11515984The aim of this study was to determine if aortic root dimension and blood flow velocity correlate with clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of healthy individuals. To assess the aortic root dimension and blood flow velocity in a healthy population, 503 subjects (253 women and 250 men) aged 18 to 66 years (mean, 36.9 ± 11.9 years) who were normotensive, free of clinically apparent heart disease and any drug at the baseline examination were included in the study. M-mode echocardiographic measurements were performed according to the criteria recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography. Aortic blood velocity was obtained by pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography. Correlations between aortic root dimension and blood flow velocity and age, gender, body surface area, waist/hip ratio, and echocardiographic parameters such as left ventricular mass, ejection fraction, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic dimensions were evaluated by using regression analysis and Student's t test. Men had greater aortic root dimension (p < 0.001). There were correlations between aortic root dimensions and age, body surface area, waist/hip ratio, and left ventricular mass in both genders (p < 0.05). No correlation was found with left ventricular dimensions and ejection fraction. Aortic blood flow velocity correlated only with age (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). There was no gender difference in aortic blood flow velocity. This study shows that age, gender, body surface area, and waist/hip ratio should be considered in the evaluation of aortic root dimension. However, only age has an important impact on aortic blood flow velocity in both genders

Clinical characteristics influence left and right ventricular diastolic function in healthy individuals

PubMedID: 11205928The aim of this study was to determine whether clinical characteristics have an influence on left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) diastolic function indices measured by echocardiography in healthy individuals. Five hundred and three volunteers (253 women and 250 men) aged 18-66 years (mean 36.9 ± 11.9) who were normotensive and free of clinically apparent heart disease were included in the study. Mitral and tricuspid peak E wave and A wave velocities, E/A ratio, deceleration time (DT) of the E wave, and left ventricular isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were evaluated as left and right ventricular diastolic function indices. In order to determine the effects of age, gender, body surface area (BSA), waist/hip ratio (WHR), and heart rate (HR) on left and right ventricular diastolic function indices Student's t test and correlation and linear regression analysis were used. IVRT and deceleration time of the mitral E wave (DTm) were significantly longer in men. Mitral and tricuspid A wave velocities, tricuspid E/A ratio, and deceleration time of the tricuspid E wave (DTt) were similar in both genders. Mitral and tricuspid E wave velocities and mitral E/A ratio were greater in women. Mitral E wave velocity and IVRT mostly correlated with WHR. Age was found to be the most important factor affecting mitral A wave velocity, DTm, E/A ratio, and right ventricular diastolic function indices. This study shows that age, heart rate, body surface area, and waist/hip ratio have important correlations with Doppler echocardiographic diastolic indices in normal individuals and should be considered in the evaluation of LV and RV diastolic function

Composite osteo-cutaneous groin flap for the reconstruction of wrist and forearm defects

PubMedID: 6378300Two patients with severe traumatic soft tissue and bone loss at the wrist and involving the ulnar compartment of the forearm have been successfully treated with a compound osteo-cutaneous groin flap. The bone scans of the iliac bone graft showed good vascularity 8 weeks after the operation. © 1984

The Spreader-Splay Graft Combination: A Treatment Approach for the Osseocartilaginous Vault Deformities Following Rhinoplasty

PubMedID: 15058549Deformities following primary rhinoplasty may be located at different anatomical regions related to the primary operation. Osseocartilaginous vault deformities such as open roof deformity, over-resected bony and cartilaginous dorsum, excessive width of the middle vault, inverted-V deformity and middle vault collapse are the most frequent ones. Stair-step deformity combined with middle vault problems is uncommon. Patients with these deformities not only have poor aesthetic results, but also have moderate or severe respiratory problems due to the severity of the deformity. Spreader grafts, onlay grafts and biomaterials can be used to correct these deformities. We preferred to use the spreader-splay graft combination for severe osseocartilaginous vault deformities. In this paper we present 3 cases. Two cases had severe open roof deformity, middle vault collapse and over resection of the osseocartilaginous hump, along with severe respiratory problems. The Spreader-splay graft combination was used, along with lateral osteotomy and medialization of nasal bones to treat these patients. One patient had a very severe stair-step deformity due to over resection of the hump and excessive infracturing of nasal bones along with severe respiratory problems due to collapse of the middle vault. This deformity was corrected with proper outfracturing along the old osteotomy site and the use of spreader-splay graft combination. All patients had good aesthetic and functional outcome after the surgery. In conclusion, the spreader-splay graft combination provides a good anatomical restoration to obtain a better respiratory function and aesthetic outcome on severe osseocartilaginous vault deformities following rhinoplasty