DSM-5 pathological personality domains as vulnerability factors in predicting COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms

Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, individuals worldwide have shown different anxiety-related reactions. Several vulnerability factors may play a role in individuals’ psychological reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such factors include pathological personality traits which have been shown to contribute to the development of anxiety-related conditions. Consequently, the present study investigated the relationships between DSM-5 pathological personality domains and COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms. Using an online data portal, the relationships between DSM-5 pathological personality domains and COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms among a mixed university student and community sample (N = 612) were studied. The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between all DSM-5 pathological personality domains and COVID-19-related anxiety. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that DSM-5 pathological personality domains explained 21% of COVID-19-related anxiety variance. Based on standardized coefficients, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) negative affect domain had the main role in COVID-19-related anxiety. The findings suggest that pathological personality domains can be predictors in the symptoms of anxiety in a viral outbreak. The novel findings add to the literature on individual differences in domains of personality in response to pandemic situations. Implications for future clinical applications and research investigations are discussed

Neck disorder influenced by occupational reward type: Results from effort-reward imbalance model based on IPWS

Effort-Reward Imbalance model is known as one of the survey method of occupational stress and also as an effective element on health condition according to its parameters. Due to types of rewards generally, and reward subscales in this model specifically, each one can have a distinctive effect on health perception, current study is aimed at determination of the most effective reward subscale for managing work-related neck disorder in industries. All of workers who participated in IPWS study (N = 1126), were entered in the statistical analysis stage. After completing personal and organizational information, they responded to Van Vegchel et al. Effort-Reward Imbalance and also Dutch questionnaires for their musculoskeletal disorders. Chi-square and t-test comparisons were performed and the final regression model was presented with a significance level of 0.05. The mean (Standard deviation) age of workers and musculoskeletal disorders prevalence in neck were 33.21 (7.63) years and 34 percent respectively. Also in workers with neck pain, odds ratio between effort and monetary reward, between effort and respect reward, and between effort and security reward in their jobs were 1.35, 2.07 and 1.32 respectively. After elimination of confounders in final regression model, significant correlation was remained only between effort and job respect reward. According to high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in neck and also large amount of effort-reward imbalance in Iranian workers, implementing interventions are recommended. Based on results of present study, it is suggested that main intervention must be focused on respect and esteem reward in jobs. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

The Relationship of Green Space and Mental Health

Background & Aim: With increase of living in towns, level of stress will also increase. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between green space and mental health. Methods: This cross-relational study was carried out in Tehran in 2011. The sample consisted of two groups of 30 men. One group was resident in green space but the second group was resident in apartments for a period of at least ten years. Also, they were matched for age, educational status, and other criteria considered in this research. We studied mental health by using SCL-90-R questionnaire. For data analysis, one-way ANOVA was used. Results: The results indicated that there is a significant difference at P≤0.05 between green space and apartment residents in paranoia and neuroticism. But there was no significant difference between two groups in other mental health components. Conclusion: Living in green environments for a long period promotes mental health. So, results of this study highlighted the importance of living in green environment for improving of mental health components

Effects of Inhalation Flow Rate on Particle Deposition and Flow Structure in a Model of Tracheobronchial Airway.

Due to the prevalence of respiratory diseases, effective drug delivery to the lungs is important for researchers. The main objective of current study is investigating the transfer and deposition of micron-sized particles (1-10 ?m) as well as airflow structure at different respiratory flow rates (i.e. 30, 60, and 90 L/min) in a realistic airway model according to the CT images of a 48-year-old healthy female. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used for simulation of particle transport and deposition in an airway model that includes mouth-Throat zone, trachea region, and bronchial airways up to the fourth generation and the results were compared with available data in the literature. To investigate airflow structure, velocity contours with streamlines at different regions are obtained. Deposition fraction (DF) is used to present the results of particle deposition pattern. The results show that mouth-Throat region and trachea filters out largest inhaled aerosols, which lead to highest particle deposition fractions for these regions. In addition, increasing the inhalation flow rate, increases turbulence level and particles inertia which result in higher deposition fractions

Psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health among Iranians

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its consequences may impact individuals’ mental health. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the psychological status of individuals during the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran following the government’s social distancing plan. Methods: Data from 1,524 people were collected using a cross-sectional web-based survey via social media. Demographic variables and psychological status were evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire, Stress Response Inventory, and Brunel Mood Scale. Results: Individuals reported that their mental health functioning decreased during the pandemic. Four factors were associated with increased stress: (1) fear of getting sick; (2) indefinite quarantine duration; (3) impaired daily activities; and (4) reduced social communication. One-third of the participants reported physical symptoms (32.7%), 47% anxiety, 72% social dysfunction, and 28.3% depression. Approximately half of the participants (52.2%) reported mental health disorder symptoms. Detrimental mental health characteristics were higher among females, younger people, and single people. Conclusions: Health policies should be implemented to help reduce the psychological burden during and after the Iranian government’s Social Distancing Plan, especially among females, single people, and younger people

Effect of laryngeal jet on dry powder inhaler aerosol deposition: A numerical simulation.

Although pulmonary drug delivery has been deeply investigated, the effect of the laryngeal jet on particle deposition during drug delivery with dry powder inhalers (DPI) has not been evaluated profoundly. In this study, the flow structure and particle deposition pattern of a DPI in two airway models, one with mouth-throat region including the larynx and the other one without it, are numerically investigated. The results revealed that the laryngeal jet has a considerable effect on particle deposition. The presence of laryngeal jet leads to 4-fold and 2-fold higher deposition efficiencies for inlet flow rates of 30 and 90 L/min, respectively

Mechanical Characterisation and Numerical Modelling of TPMS-Based Gyroid and Diamond Ti6Al4V Scaffolds for Bone Implants: An Integrated Approach for Translational Consideration

Additive manufacturing has been used to develop a variety of scaffold designs for clinical and industrial applications. Mechanical properties (i.e., compression, tension, bending, and torsion response) of these scaffolds are significantly important for load-bearing orthopaedic implants. In this study, we designed and additively manufactured porous metallic biomaterials based on two different types of triply periodic minimal surface structures (i.e., gyroid and diamond) that mimic the mechanical properties of bone, such as porosity, stiffness, and strength. Physical and mechanical properties, including compressive, tensile, bending, and torsional stiffness and strength of the developed scaffolds, were then characterised experimentally and numerically using finite element method. Sheet thickness was constant at 300 μm, and the unit cell size was varied to generate different pore sizes and porosities. Gyroid scaffolds had a pore size in the range of 600–1200 μm and a porosity in the range of 54–72%, respectively. Corresponding values for the diamond were 900–1500 μm and 56–70%. Both structure types were validated experimentally, and a wide range of mechanical properties (including stiffness and yield strength) were predicted using the finite element method. The stiffness and strength of both structures are comparable to that of cortical bone, hence reducing the risks of scaffold failure. The results demonstrate that the developed scaffolds mimic the physical and mechanical properties of cortical bone and can be suitable for bone replacement and orthopaedic implants. However, an optimal design should be chosen based on specific performance requirements. © 2022 by the authors.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]