The methodology of human diseases risk prediction tools

Disease risk prediction tools are used for population screening and to guide clinical care. They identify which individuals have particularly elevated risk of disease. The development of a new risk prediction tool involves several methodological components including: selection of a general modelling framework and specific functional form for the new tool, making decisions about the inclusion of risk factors, dealing with missing data in those risk factors, and performing validation checks of a new tool's performance. There have been many methodological developments of relevance to these issues in recent years. Developments of importance for disease detection in humans were reviewed and their uptake in risk prediction tool development illustrated. This review leads to guidance on appropriate methodology for future risk prediction development activities

Sobre feitiços e ritos: enfermidade e cura nas reduções jesuítico-guaranis (século 17) On spells and rites: illness and cures in the Jesuitic-Guarani mission settlements (17th century)

Este artigo tem como objetivo principal apresentar as altera- ções nas práticas mágico-terapêuticas empregadas pelos Guarani, em decorrência do projeto jesuítico de civilização e de conversão que previa a concentração dos indígenas em reduções e a normatização de suas manifestações rituais e religiosas.<br>This article has the main objective to introduce the alterations in the Guarani.s magic- therapeutic practices, resulting of Jesuit.s converting and civilization project, which demanded the concentration of the Indians in mission settlements and the regulation of ritual and devotional expressions

Depression in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Mediating Role of Cognitive-Behavioral Factors

Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for depressive disorders but little is known about the potential cognitive and behavioral mechanisms of risk that could shape treatment. This study evaluated the degree to which cognitive-behavioral constructs associated with depression and its treatment—dysfunctional attitudes and cognitive-behavioral avoidance—accounted for variance in depressive symptoms and disorder in adults with ADHD. 77 adults clinically diagnosed with ADHD completed self-report questionnaires, diagnostic interviews, and clinician-administered symptom rating scales. Statistical mediation analysis was employed and indirect effects assessed using bootstrap analysis and bias-corrected confidence intervals. Controlling for recent negative life events, dysfunctional attitudes and cognitive-behavioral avoidance fully accounted for the variance between ADHD symptoms and depressive symptoms. Each independent variable partially mediated the other in accounting for depression symptoms suggesting overlapping and unique variance. Cognitive-behavioral avoidance, however, was more strongly related to meeting diagnostic criteria for a depressive disorder than were dysfunctional attitudes. Processes that are targeted in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for depression were associated with symptoms in adults with ADHD. Current CBT approaches for ADHD incorporate active coping skills and cognitive restructuring and such approaches could be further tailored to address the ADHD-depression comorbidity