3,406 research outputs found
Risk factors for vulnerable youth in urban townships in South Africa: the potential contribution of reactive attachment disorder
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a psychiatric disorder developing in early or middle childhood as a consequence of significant failures in the caregiving environment. RAD results in children failing to relate socially, either by exhibiting markedly inhibited behaviour or by indiscriminate social behaviour and is associated with significant socio-behavioural problems in the longer term. This study examined RAD in South Africa, a setting with high environmental risks.
We recruited a sub-sample of 40 10-year-old children from a cohort enrolled during pregnancy for whom early attachment status was known. Children were purposefully selected to represent the four attachment categories using the data available on the strange situation procedure (SSP) at 18 months. The Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST) assessed current attachment and RAD was diagnosed using a standardised assessment package. A high proportion of the children (5/40% or 12.5%) fulfilled diagnostic criteria for RAD; all were boys and were displaying the disinhibited type. SSP classification at 18 months was not significantly associated with RAD symptoms at age of 10 years, while current MCAST classifications were. This suggests that children in this sample are at much higher risk of RAD than in high-income populations, and despite a fairly typical attachment distribution in this population at 18 months, RAD was evidenced in later childhood and associated with current attachment disorganisation.
The strengths of this research include its longitudinal nature and use of diagnostic assessments. Given increasing evidence that RAD is relatively stable over time and introduces longer term socio-behavioural risks; the high rate of RAD in this sample (12.5%) highlights potential developmental threats to children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our results should be interpreted with caution given sample size and risk of selection bias. Further research is needed to confirm these findings
Electron-Phonon Dynamics in an Ensemble of Nearly Isolated Nanoparticles
We investigate the electron population dynamics in an ensemble of nearly
isolated insulating nanoparticles, each nanoparticle modeled as an electronic
two-level system coupled to a single vibrational mode. We find that at short
times the ensemble-averaged excited-state population oscillates but has a
decaying envelope. At long times, the oscillations become purely sinusoidal
about a ``plateau'' population, with a frequency determined by the
electron-phonon interaction strength, and with an envelope that decays
algebraically as t^-{1/2} We use this theory to predict electron-phonon
dynamics in an ensemble of Y_2 O_3 nanoparticles.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure
Association between cognitive performance and cortical glucose metabolism in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease
Background: Neuronal and synaptic function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is measured in vivo by glucose metabolism using positron emission tomography (PET). Objective: We hypothesized that neuronal activation as measured by PET is a more sensitive index of neuronal dysfunction than activity during rest. We investigated if the correlations between dementia severity as measured with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and glucose metabolism are an artifact of brain atrophy. Method: Glucose metabolism was measured using {[}F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose PET during rest and activation due to audiovisual stimulation in 13 mild to moderate AD patients (MMSE score >= 17). PET data were corrected for brain atrophy. Results: In the rest condition, glucose metabolism was correlated with the MMSE score primarily within the posterior cingulate and parietal lobes. For the activation condition, additional correlations were within the primary and association audiovisual areas. Most local maxima remained significant after correcting for brain atrophy. Conclusion: PET activity measured during audiovisual stimulation was more sensitive to functional alterations in glucose metabolism in AD patients compared to the resting PET. The association between glucose metabolism and MMSE score was not dependent on brain atrophy. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel
Benchmark Calculations of Electron Impact Electronic Excitation of the Hydrogen Molecule
We present benchmark integrated and differential cross-sections for electron
collisions with H using two different theoretical approaches, namely, the
R-matrix and molecular convergent close-coupling (MCCC). This is similar to
comparative studies conducted on electron-atom collisions for H, He and Mg.
Electron impact excitation to the , , $B \
^1\Sigma_u^+c \ ^3\Pi_uEF \ ^1\Sigma_g^+C \ ^1\Pi_ue \
^3\Sigma_u^+h \ ^3\Sigma_g^+B' \ ^1\Sigma_u^+d \ ^3\Pi_ub \ ^3\Sigma_u^+$ state. Good agreement is found for all
transitions presented. Where available, we compare with existing experimental
and recommended data.Comment: 21 pages, 25 figure
Which doctors and with what problems contact a specialist service for doctors? A cross sectional investigation
Background:
In the United Kingdom, specialist treatment and intervention services for doctors are underdeveloped. The MedNet programme, created in 1997 and funded by the London Deanery, aims to fill this gap by providing a self-referral, face-to-face, psychotherapeutic assessment service for doctors in London and South-East England. MedNet was designed to be a low-threshold service, targeting doctors without formal psychiatric problems. The aim of this study was to delineate the characteristics of doctors utilising the service, to describe their psychological morbidity, and to determine if early intervention is achieved.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study including all consecutive self-referred doctors (n = 121, 50% male) presenting in 2002–2004 was conducted. Measures included standardised and bespoke questionnaires both self-report and clinician completed. The multi-dimensional evaluation included: demographics, CORE (CORE-OM, CORE-Workplace and CORE-A) an instrument designed to evaluate the psychological difficulties of patients referred to outpatient services, Brief Symptom Inventory to quantify caseness and formal psychiatric illness, and Maslach Burnout Inventory.
Results:
The most prevalent presenting problems included depression, anxiety, interpersonal, self-esteem and work-related issues. However, only 9% of the cohort were identified as severely distressed psychiatrically using this measure. In approximately 50% of the sample, problems first presented in the preceding year. About 25% were on sick leave at the time of consultation, while 50% took little or no leave in the prior 12 months. A total of 42% were considered to be at some risk of suicide, with more than 25% considered to have a moderate to severe risk. There were no significant gender differences in type of morbidity, severity or days off sick.
Conclusion:
Doctors displayed high levels of distress as reflected in the significant proportion of those who were at some risk of suicide; however, low rates of severe psychiatric illness were detected. These findings suggest that MedNet clients represent both ends of the spectrum of severity, enabling early clinical engagement for a significant proportion of cases that is of importance both in terms of personal health and protecting patient care, and providing a timely intervention for those who are at risk, a group for whom rapid intervention services are in need and an area that requires further investigation in the UK
Mapping randomized controlled trials of treatments for eczema - The GREAT database (The Global Resource of Eczema Trials: a collection of key data on randomized controlled trials of treatments for eczema from 2000 to 2010)
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Massive duplication of effort occurs when researchers all over the world undertake extensive searches for randomized controlled trials when preparing systematic reviews, when developing evidence-based guidelines and when applying for research funding for eczema treatments. Such duplication wastes valuable resources.</p> <p>Searching for randomized controlled trials of eczema is a laborious task involving scrutiny of thousands of individual references from diverse electronic databases in order to obtain a few papers of interest. Clinicians and patients who wish to find out more about a particular treatment are at risk of missing the relevant evidence if they are not trained in electronic bibliographic searching. Systematic reviews cannot be relied upon to comprehensively inform current optimal eczema treatments due to incomplete coverage and because many may be out of date.</p> <p>An international, publically available and comprehensive resource which brings together all randomized controlled trials on eczema treatment using a highly sensitive search has the potential to release more filtered knowledge about patient care to those who need it most and to significantly shorten the duration and costs of many clinical eczema research and guideline projects.</p> <p>Description</p> <p>The Global Resource of EczemA Trials brings together information on all randomized controlled trials of eczema treatments published from the beginning of 2000 up to the end of 2010 and will be updated every month.</p> <p>We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in <it>The Cochrane Library </it>and the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, AMED and CINHAL databases. We included 268 RCTs (24<sup>th </sup>March 2011) covering over 70 different treatment interventions.</p> <p>The structure of the Global Resource of Eczema Trials allows the user as much, or as little, specificity when retrieving information on trials as they wish, in an easy to use format. For each trial, the database gives the citation for the published report and also provides enough information to enable a user to decide whether the trial is worth further scrutiny.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Global Resource of Eczema Trials has been created to facilitate knowledge mobilization into healthcare and to reduce wastage of research time through unnecessary duplication. The collective time saved by research groups around the world can now be used to make strides in optimising the treatment of eczema, in order to further benefit people with eczema. The database can be accessed free of charge at <url>http://www.greatdatabase.org.uk</url></p
Modeling the Cost-Effectiveness of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) System: Meningitis in Burkina Faso
Background: Effective surveillance for infectious diseases is an essential component of public health. There are few studies estimating the cost-effectiveness of starting or improving disease surveillance. We present a cost-effectiveness analysis the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy in Africa. Methodology/Principal Findings: To assess the impact of the IDSR in Africa, we used pre- and post- IDSR meningococcal meningitis surveillance data from Burkina Faso (1996–2002 and 2003–2007). IDSR implementation was correlated with a median reduction of 2 weeks to peak of outbreaks (25 th percentile 1 week; 75 th percentile 4 weeks). IDSR was also correlated with a reduction of 43 meningitis cases per 100,000 (25 th –40: 75 th-129). Assuming the correlations between reductions in time to peak of outbreaks and cases are related, the cost-effectiveness of IDSR was 30; 75 th- cost saving), and 140: 75 th – cost saving). Conclusions/Significance: We cannot absolutely claim that the measured differences were due to IDSR. We believe, however, that it is reasonable to claim that IDSR can improve the cost-effectiveness of public health surveillance
The contribution of work and non-work stressors to common mental disorders in the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey
Evidence for an effect of work stressors on common mental disorders (CMD) has increased over the past decade. However, studies have not considered whether the effects of work stressors on CMD remain after taking co-occurring non-work stressors into account.
Method. Data were from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, a national population survey of participants
>= 16 years living in private households in England. This paper analyses data from employed working age
participants (N=3383: 1804 males; 1579 females). ICD-10 diagnoses for depressive episode, generalized anxiety
disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, panic or mixed anxiety and depression in the
past week were derived using a structured diagnostic interview. Questionnaires assessed self-reported work stressors
and non-work stressors.
Results. The effects of work stressors on CMD were not explained by co-existing non-work stressors. We found
independent effects of work and non-work stressors on CMD. Job stress, whether conceptualized as job strain or
effort–reward imbalance, together with lower levels of social support at work, recent stressful life events, domestic
violence, caring responsibilities, lower levels of non-work social support, debt and poor housing quality were all
independently associated with CMD. Social support at home and debt did not influence the effect of work stressors
on CMD.
Conclusions. Non-work stressors do not appear to make people more susceptible to work stressors ; both contribute
to CMD. Tackling workplace stress is likely to benefit employee psychological health even if the employee’s home life
is stressful but interventions incorporating non-work stressors may also be effective
Tidal Stabilization of Rigidly Rotating, Fully Relativistic Neutron Stars
It is shown analytically that an external tidal gravitational field increases
the secular stability of a fully general relativistic, rigidly rotating neutron
star that is near marginal stability, protecting it against gravitational
collapse. This stabilization is shown to result from the simple fact that the
energy required to raise a tide on such a star, divided by the
square of the tide's quadrupole moment , is a decreasing function of the
star's radius , (where, as changes, the
star's structure is changed in accord with the star's fundamental mode of
radial oscillation). If were positive, the tidal
coupling would destabilize the star. As an application, a rigidly rotating,
marginally secularly stable neutron star in an inspiraling binary system will
be protected against secular collapse, and against dynamical collapse, by tidal
interaction with its companion. The ``local-asymptotic-rest-frame'' tools used
in the analysis are somewhat unusual and may be powerful in other studies of
neutron stars and black holes interacting with an external environment. As a
byproduct of the analysis, in an appendix the influence of tidal interactions
on mass-energy conservation is elucidated.Comment: Revtex, 10 pages, 2 figures; accepted for publication in Physical
Review D. Revisions: Appendix rewritten to clarify how, in Newtonian
gravitation theory, ambiguity in localization of energy makes interaction
energy ambiguous but leaves work done on star by tidal gravity unambiguous.
New footnote 1 and Refs. [11] and [19
Allergic Rhinitis and its Associated Co-Morbidities at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania; A Prospective Review of 190 Cases.
Allergic rhinitis is one of the commonest atopic diseases which contribute to significant morbidity world wide while its epidemiology in Tanzania remains sparse. There was paucity of information regarding allergic rhinitis in our setting; therefore it was important to conduct this study to describe our experience on allergic rhinitis, associated co-morbidities and treatment outcome in patients attending Bugando Medical Centre. This was descriptive cross-sectional study involving all patients with a clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis at Bugando Medical Centre over a three-month period between June 2011 and August 2011. Data was collected using a pre-tested coded questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS statistical computer software version 17.0. A total of 190 patients were studied giving the prevalence of allergic rhinitis 14.7%. The median age of the patients was 8.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1. Adenoid hypertrophy, tonsillitis, hypertrophy of inferior turbinate, nasal polyps, otitis media and sinusitis were the most common co-morbidities affecting 92.6% of cases and were the major reason for attending hospital services. Sleep disturbance was common in children with adenoids hypertrophy (χ2 = 28.691, P = 0.000). Allergic conjunctivitis was found in 51.9%. The most common identified triggers were dust, strong perfume odors and cold weather (P < 0.05). Strong perfume odors affect female than males (χ2 = 4.583, P = 0.032). In this study family history of allergic rhinitis was not a significant risk factor (P =0.423). The majority of patients (68.8%) were treated surgically for allergic rhinitis co morbidities. Post operative complication and mortality rates were 2.9% and 1.6% respectively. The overall median duration of hospital stay of in-patients was 3 days (2 - 28 days). Most patients (98.4%) had satisfactory results at discharge. The study shows that allergic rhinitis is common in our settings representing 14.7% of all otorhinolaryngology and commonly affecting children and adolescent. Sufferers seek medical services due to co-morbidities of which combination of surgical and medical treatment was needed. High index of suspicions in diagnosing allergic rhinitis and early treatment is recommended
- …