Construct Validity For the Self-Reported Competency and Sub-Construct associated Characteristics of Romanian Physicians in autism Spectrum Disorder

BACKGROUND: Lack of physicians\u27 knowledge regarding mental health, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could have adverse effects on affected individuals\u27 health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to provide construct validity for a modified questionnaire in order to determine the self-reported competency for underlying sub-constructs in ASD, make inferences on perceived competence in ASD based on a sample of Romanian physicians, and identify physicians\u27 characteristics associated with these sub-domains of competency. METHODS: For this survey, we modified a questionnaire that was used in Pakistan and Turkey, and administered it to a sample of 383 practicing physicians in Romania to assess their perceived competency regarding ASD. Exploratory factor analysis on 12 knowledge questions revealed five sub-domains: stigma, potential causes, children\u27s behavior, misconceptions, and educational needs associated with ASD knowledge. Using General Linear Models, we determined physicians\u27 characteristics that predict the total competency score and various competency sub-scores. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the responding physicians were female and 30% had over 30 years practicing medicine. The majority (73-94%) of physicians have correctly responded to some basic questions regarding knowledge about ASD. We also found that younger physicians were more knowledgeable about potential causes of ASD than older physicians (Adjusted Mean Score (AMS): 2.90 vs. 2.18, P \u3c 0.01), while older physicians knew more about the behavior of children with ASD (AMS: 0.64 vs. 0.37, P = 0.02). We found a significant interaction (P \u3c 0.01) between television as source of ASD knowledge and city where the clinic is located in relation to knowledge of the physicians regarding stigma related to ASD. However, the total score was not associated with the variables associated with sub-domains. CONCLUSION: Using factor analysis, we demonstrated construct validity of five sub-domains related to Romanian physicians\u27 knowledge about ASD that include stigma, potential causes, behavior in ASD children, special education needs, and misconceptions related to ASD. The lack of significant association of the knowledge of physicians on ASD neither with the Psychiatry nor the Pediatric ward rotations at medical school may support the need for improving the curriculum on ASD in Romanian medical schools

ADHD AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

In recent years, currently, we come to grip with „aflutter little child“ which, forth somatic disorders, present also hyperactivity, inattention, and social interaction deficits and communication disorders. At this age group, currently, we find symptoms which did not fit with classical clinical features of Autism (described by Leo Kanner) neither with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). For these reasons appear a lot of differential diagnostic problems between ADHD and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder, expression used by Baron-Cohen for Pervasive Developmental Disorder), disorders with an increase of incidence in the last years. All this generate a lot of questions for nosological enframe: ADHD, TSA, ADHD co-morbid with TSA, or a new disorder? In our paper we make a review of recent epidemiology and aetiology aspects because in the last years there is an important concern for the increase of prevalence and incidence of these two disorders. We wish to emphasize that early identification and intervention allows the elaboration of some targeted therapeutically strategies, psychotherapeutic and pharmacological, adapted to each child, with increased efficiency

Study on the degree of use and knowledge of digital marketing elements in Romanian small and medium enterprises

This paper aims to identify digital marketing elements, to analyze and to study the industry‘s degree of knowledge regarding digital marketing, as well as the degree of use of digital technology in the marketing mix of small and medium enterprises(SME‘s) in Romania. First of all, the basic concepts of digital marketing will be defined and analyzed: e-bussines, e-commerce and e-marketing, and then, in order to identify the degree of knowledge of these elements as well as the degree of use in the promotion process, a statistical research was carried out which had the following objectives: to determine the degree to which SMEs in Romania know the concepts of digital marketing; to identify whether these organizations have developed digital marketing strategies; to identify whether there are people or groups of people who are responsible for digital marketing activities at the organization level

Phytochemical Analysis and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity against Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells of Hippophae rhamnodies L., Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf, and Ocimum basilicum L. Essential Oils

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancer types with current deficient and aggressive treatment options, but various studied alternative therapies are able to efficiently contribute to its management. Essential oils (EOs) contain valuable compounds, with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, which might serve as effective solutions in CRC prophylaxis or treatment. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the phytochemical composition and in vitro biological activity of essential oils derived from Hippophae rhamnoides (Hr_EO), Cymbopogon citratus (Cc_EO), and Ocimum basilicum (Ob_EO) species on HT-29 and Caco-2 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines. The main compounds identified by GC-MS analysis were estragole (Hr_EO, Ob_EO), alpha- and beta-citral (Cc_EO). All tested EOs exerted a dose-dependent cytotoxicity on both cell lines by reducing the cell viability, especially in the case of Cc_EO, where at 75 µg/mL the viability percentages reached the values of 62.69% (Caco-2) and 64.09% (HT-29), respectively. The nuclear morphology evaluation highlighted significant dysmorphologies on both lines after their treatment with EOs at 75 µg/mL

A 12-Month Prospective, Observational Study of Treatment Regimen and Quality of Life Associated With ADHD in Central and Eastern Europe and Eastern Asia

Objectives: This prospective, observational, non-randomized study aimed to describe the relationship between treatment regimen prescribed and the quality of life (QoL) of ADHD patients in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Eastern Asia over 12 months. Methods: 977 Male and female patients aged 6-17 years seeking treatment for symptoms of ADHD were assessed using the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-4 Parent Checklists, and the Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity scale. QoL was assessed using the Child Health and Illness Profile-Child Edition parent report form. Patients were grouped according to whether they were prescribed psycho-and/or pharmacotherapy (treatment) or not (no/'other' treatment). Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between cohorts (treatment vs. no/'other' treatment) in terms of change in QoL, although there was improvement over 12 months, with a greater improvement experienced by patients in the treatment cohort in both study regions (CEE and Eastern Asia). Psychoeducation/counselling and methylphenidate were the predominant ADHD treatments prescribed. Conclusions: Although both treatment and no/'other' treatment cohorts showed improvements in mean QoL over 12 months, the difference was small and not statistically significant. A major limitation was the higher than anticipated number of patients switching treatments, predominantly from the no/'other' treatment cohort. (J. of Att. Dis. 2012; 16(1) 44-59

Study of Treatment Regimen and Quality of Life Associated With ADHD in Central and Eastern Europe and Eastern Asia

Objectives: This prospective, observational, non-randomized study aimed to describe the relationship between treatment regimen prescribed and the quality of life (QoL) of ADHD patients in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Eastern Asia over 12 months. Methods: 977 Male and female patients aged 6-17 years seeking treatment for symptoms of ADHD were assessed using the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-4 Parent Checklists, and the Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity scale. QoL was assessed using the Child Health and Illness Profile-Child Edition parent report form. Patients were grouped according to whether they were prescribed psycho- and/or pharmacotherapy (treatment) or not (no/‘other ’ treatment). Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between cohorts (treatment vs. no/‘other ’ treatment) in terms of change in QoL, although there was improvement over 12 months, with a greater improvement experienced by patients in the treatment cohort in both study regions (CEE and Eastern Asia). Psychoeducation/counselling and methylphenidate were the predominant ADHD treatments prescribed. Conclusions: Although both treatment and no/‘other ’ treatment cohorts showed improvements in mean QoL over 12 months, the difference was small and not statistically significant. A major limitation was the higher than anticipated number of patients switching treatments, predominantly from the no/‘other ’ treatment cohort. (J. of Att. Dis. 2010; XX(X) 1-XX) Keywords attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, quality of life, observational stud