Multivariable analysis: Linear regression (using the ENTER model) taking the somatization score as the dependent variable.

Multivariable analysis: Linear regression (using the ENTER model) taking the somatization score as the dependent variable.</p

Items of the PHQ-15 scale in English and factor loadings derived from the Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) in the first subsample and standardized estimates of factor loadings from the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in the second subsample.

Items of the PHQ-15 scale in English and factor loadings derived from the Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) in the first subsample and standardized estimates of factor loadings from the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in the second subsample.</p

Bivariate analysis of categorical variables associated with the somatization score.

Bivariate analysis of categorical variables associated with the somatization score.</p

Correlation matrix of continuous variables.

BackgroundLebanese adults have been crippled for years by several crises, including the lately COVID-19 pandemic. These massive civilian traumas have increased the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this population. Extensive literature pointed to the association between PTSD and somatization; however, the nature of this relationship remains unknown. We sought to contribute further to work in this area by testing the moderating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between COVID-19- related PTSD and somatization. As a secondary objective, we aimed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the somatization measure Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) in terms of factorial validity and internal consistency before its use in the present study.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between September and October 2021. A total of 403 Lebanese adults residing in Lebanon were recruited. Eligible participants received an online link to the survey. The Patient Health Questionnaire-15 was used to assess somatization, PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version for PTSD and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for emotion regulation.ResultsThe results of the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a three-factor solution explaining 48.79% of the common variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis results of the three-factor model obtained in the EFA indicated a good fit with a significant CFI of 0.98, TLI 0.98 and a GFI of .97, a RMSEA of .04 [90% CI .01, .06]. Higher PTSD symptoms were associated with somatization. In addition, we found that one specific ER component, i.e. expressive suppression, significantly moderated the relationship between PTSD from the COVID pandemic and somatization. In particular, the interaction PTSD from the COVID-19 pandemic by expressive suppression was significantly associated with somatization; at low, medium and high levels of expressive suppression, higher PTSD from the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with higher somatization scores. As for our secondary objective, findings revealed that the Arabic version of the PHQ-15 exhibited good psychometric properties. In particular, the scale yielded a three-factor structure, and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.87).ConclusionThe moderating role of expressive suppression on the link between PTSD and somatization presents a novel finding in the field of trauma. Additionally, making a psychometrically sound Arabic version of the PHQ-15 available is a valuable addition to the literature.</div

Conditional effects of the focal predictor (PTSD from COVID-19 pandemic) at values of the moderator (expressive suppression).

Conditional effects of the focal predictor (PTSD from COVID-19 pandemic) at values of the moderator (expressive suppression).</p

Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants (N = 403).

Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants (N = 403).</p

Moderation analyses.

BackgroundLebanese adults have been crippled for years by several crises, including the lately COVID-19 pandemic. These massive civilian traumas have increased the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this population. Extensive literature pointed to the association between PTSD and somatization; however, the nature of this relationship remains unknown. We sought to contribute further to work in this area by testing the moderating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between COVID-19- related PTSD and somatization. As a secondary objective, we aimed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the somatization measure Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) in terms of factorial validity and internal consistency before its use in the present study.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between September and October 2021. A total of 403 Lebanese adults residing in Lebanon were recruited. Eligible participants received an online link to the survey. The Patient Health Questionnaire-15 was used to assess somatization, PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version for PTSD and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for emotion regulation.ResultsThe results of the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a three-factor solution explaining 48.79% of the common variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis results of the three-factor model obtained in the EFA indicated a good fit with a significant CFI of 0.98, TLI 0.98 and a GFI of .97, a RMSEA of .04 [90% CI .01, .06]. Higher PTSD symptoms were associated with somatization. In addition, we found that one specific ER component, i.e. expressive suppression, significantly moderated the relationship between PTSD from the COVID pandemic and somatization. In particular, the interaction PTSD from the COVID-19 pandemic by expressive suppression was significantly associated with somatization; at low, medium and high levels of expressive suppression, higher PTSD from the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with higher somatization scores. As for our secondary objective, findings revealed that the Arabic version of the PHQ-15 exhibited good psychometric properties. In particular, the scale yielded a three-factor structure, and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.87).ConclusionThe moderating role of expressive suppression on the link between PTSD and somatization presents a novel finding in the field of trauma. Additionally, making a psychometrically sound Arabic version of the PHQ-15 available is a valuable addition to the literature.</div

Detection of Chromosomal Breakpoints in Patients with Developmental Delay and Speech Disorders

<div><p>Delineating candidate genes at the chromosomal breakpoint regions in the apparently balanced chromosome rearrangements (ABCR) has been shown to be more effective with the emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. We employed a large-insert (7–11 kb) paired-end tag sequencing technology (DNA-PET) to systematically analyze genome of four patients harbouring cytogenetically defined ABCR with neurodevelopmental symptoms, including developmental delay (DD) and speech disorders. We characterized structural variants (SVs) specific to each individual, including those matching the chromosomal breakpoints. Refinement of these regions by Sanger sequencing resulted in the identification of five disrupted genes in three individuals: guanine nucleotide binding protein, q polypeptide <i>(GNAQ),</i> RNA-binding protein, fox-1 homolog <i>(RBFOX3),</i> unc-5 homolog D (<i>C.elegans) (UNC5D</i>), transmembrane protein 47 (<i>TMEM47</i>), and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (<i>XIAP</i>). Among them, <i>XIAP</i> is the causative gene for the immunodeficiency phenotype seen in the patient. The remaining genes displayed specific expression in the fetal brain and have known biologically relevant functions in brain development, suggesting putative candidate genes for neurodevelopmental phenotypes. This study demonstrates the application of NGS technologies in mapping individual gene disruptions in ABCR as a resource for deciphering candidate genes in human neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).</p></div

Patient CD5 with translocation t(9;17).

<p>A) The pedigree of patient CD5 is indicated. The translocation is transmitted to his two sons (CD21 and CD22). B) Translocation between chromosome 9 and 17 were validated by Sanger sequencing in three translocation carriers. The reference sequence is indicated, showing the fusion of two genes at the genomic level: the first five exons of <i>GNAQ</i> fused to exon 3–14 of <i>RBFOX3</i> and the first two exons of <i>RBFOX3</i> fused to exon 6–7 of <i>GNAQ.</i> C) mRNA expression of <i>GNAQ</i> and <i>RBFOX3</i> showed high expression in fetal brain, adult brain and cerebellum in human tissue panel.</p

List of SVs obtained after filtration of four patients.

a<p>Discordantly mapped PETs (dPETs) which connect the same two genomic regions are clustered together.</p>b<p>dPET clusters which has passed quality filters to remove sequencing artefacts provided the list of predicted SVs.</p>c<p>Approximately 95% of SVs overlapped with SVs found in normal population (see Methods).</p