Magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrates neuronal loss and altered glutamatergic neurotransmission in Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND: The role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in the default mode network during resting state, and is dysfunctional in ageing and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to study the biochemical and metabolite profile in patients with AD, and compared with cognitive-normal healthy controls (HC) with no cognitive complaints …published_or_final_versio

Sense of Coherence and Gambling: Exploring the Relationship Between Sense of Coherence, Gambling Behaviour and Gambling-Related Harm

Understanding why some people experience problems with gambling whilst others are able to restrict gambling to recreational levels is still largely unexplained. One potential explanation is through salutogenesis, which is a health promotion approach of understanding factors which move people towards health rather than disease. An important aspect of salutogenesis is sense of coherence. Individuals with stronger sense of coherence perceive their environment as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The present study examined the relationship of individuals’ sense of coherence on their gambling behaviour and experience of gambling related harm. This exploratory study utilised an archival dataset (n = 1236) from an online, cross sectional survey of people who had experienced negative consequences from gambling. In general, a stronger sense of coherence was related to lower problem gambling severity. When gambling behaviour was controlled for, sense of coherence was significantly related to the experience of individual gambling harms. A strong sense of coherence can be seen as a protective factor against problematic gambling behaviour, and subsequent gambling related harms. These findings support the value of both primary and tertiary prevention strategies that strengthen sense of coherence as a harm minimisation strategy. The present study demonstrates the potential value of, and provides clear direction for, considering sense of coherence in order to understand gambling-related issues.This study was funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Grant VRGF1-13

Population-attributable risk of suicide conferred by axis I psychiatric diagnoses in a Hong Kong Chinese population

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the population- attributable risk (PAR) of completed suicide among Hong Kong Chinese with axis I psychiatric diagnoses. Methods: With a case-control psychological autopsy method, 150 suicide decedents aged 15-59 were compared for axis I psychiatric diagnoses and psychosocial variables with 150 randomly selected age- and gender-matched persons living in the community. Results: In the presence of other, non-disease-related social risk factors (unemployment and unmanageable debt), past suicide attempt independently accounted for 44% of the PAR of suicide, followed by current major depressive disorder (27%), schizophrenia spectrum disorders (22%), and substance use disorder or pathological gambling (16%). Other diagnoses (such as anxiety and phobic disorders, dysthymia, adjustment disorders, and past major depressive episode) accounted for 24% of PAR. Conclusions: Psychiatric morbidity remains the major risk factor for suicide in Hong Kong despite well-developed psychiatric services. Mental health policy should be refined to target clinical groups at high risk of suicide.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

What does psychological autopsy study tell us about charcoal burning suicide- A new and contagious method in Asia?

Charocal burning suicides in Hong Kong between 2002-2004 in the 15 to 59-year-old age group were investigated using the psychological autopsy method. The psychopathological profiles of charcoal burning suicides (N=53) were compared against "other suicides" (N=57). The two group did not differ significantly in the prevalence of DSM-IV axis I diagnoses with the exception of schizophrenic specturn disorder which was less frequently associated with charcoal burning suicides. Score on "neuroticism" in the NEO-five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) was significantly higher in victims of charcoal burning suicide. There was also a trend toward higher score on "conscientiouness" in the NEO-FFI among charcoal burners than victims of other suicide. © 2009 The American Association of Suicidology.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Prevalence and mechanism of appositional angle closure in acute primary angle closure after iridotomy

Purpose: A prospective observational case series to assess the prevalence of appositional angle closure in darkness among iridotomized Chinese eyes after acute primary angle closure (APAC) with the use of both clinical methods and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Methods: Sixteen Chinese patients who had history of APAC and subsequent successful treatment with laser peripheral iridotomy were examined. Fourteen additional control subjects were studied. Gonioscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopic examination were performed in the dark. Gonioscopic appearance of the angle was assessed, and quantitative measurements of the angle from the ultrasound biomicroscopic images were taken. Results: Of the APAC eyes 55.6% had appositionally closed angle clinically and in 38.9% only Schwalbe's line was visible on gonioscopy. Ultrasound biomicroscopy confirmed structurally different anterior segments between eyes with APAC and the control eyes. In particular, the trabecular-ciliary-process distances were markedly different between the two groups. Conclusion: This study documented a high prevalence of appositional closure in iridotomized eyes after APAC in Chinese patients. The anteriorly positioned ciliary body, as documented in these cases by ultrasound biomicroscopy, is the likely mechanism of the angle crowding in this patient population. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Omnichannel customer behavior: Key drivers of technology acceptance and use and their effects on purchase intention

The advance of the Internet and new technologies over the last decade has transformed the retailing panorama. More and more channels are emerging, causing consumers to change their habits and shopping behavior. An omnichannel strategy is a form of retailing that, by enabling real interaction, allows customers to shop across channels anywhere and at any time, thereby providing them with a unique, complete, and seamless shopping experience that breaks down the barriers between channels. This paper aims to identify the factors that influence omnichannel consumers' behavior through their acceptance of and intention to use new technologies during the shopping process. To this end, an original model was developed to explain omnichannel shopping behavior based on the variables used in the UTAUT2 model and two additional factors: personal innovativeness and perceived security. The model was tested with a sample of 628 Spanish customers of the store Zara who had used at least two channels during their most recent shopping journey. The results indicate that the key determinants of purchase intention in an omnichannel context are, in order of importance: personal innovativeness, effort expectancy, and performance expectancy. The theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. © 2016 Juaneda-Ayensa, Mosquera and Sierra Murillo