Blogging the Virtual: New Geographies of Domination and Resistance In and Beyond Russia

Russia’s accelerating authoritarian turn has not ignored the internet, and in recent years, the Russian state has clamped down on internet activities that diverge from the statist line, employing a variety of strategies to dominate online spaces. Nevertheless, oppositional voices flourish on the Russian internet, taking shape in independent blogs and videos. This paper explores three political bloggers through surveillant and resistance assemblages, making sense of this contestation through an interpretation of the Deleuzian virtual that underscores the emancipatory potential of online activities for producing more egalitarian configurations, but also taking stock of the ways that these technologies have increased domination. Encompassing the blurriness between digital and corporeal spaces, the paper contributes by revealing new geographies of contestation against state strategies to dominate the Russian internet. Overlapping with but not corresponding to Russian territorial boundaries, these dynamics highlight shifting spaces of power and resistance in the increasingly illiberal world

efficiencies in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are chronic and debilitating psychiatric disorders. The present study was designed to determine DNA damage in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder to assess the roles of oxidative metabolism and DNA repair mechanisms in this process, to assess the contribution of drugs, and thus to demonstrate the differences between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Thirty schizophrenia and 30 schizoaffective disorder patients, each having at least five years of disease history, aged between 18 and 60 years with no physical or neurological diseases, and 30 healthy volunteers participated in the study. Psychometric scales were applied, and 5 ml of blood was taken from all participants. The DNA damage was measured in lymphocytes by the comet assay method; the total oxidative parameters by ELISA; OGG1 and NEIL1 gene expressions by real-time PCR: and the role of drugs by in vitro assays. The most important finding in this study was that patients with schizophrenia had significantly greater DNA damage than schizoaffective disorder patients and the controls. This study also provides evidence of high oxidative stress statuses and inadequate DNA repair capacities in patients with schizophrenia. Moreover, psychotropic drugs did not induce any DNA damage to the lymphocytes according to in vitro analyses. The use of clozapine and adequate repair processes of the patients were the decisive factors in the prevention of DNA damage. The results of this study provide a reexamination of schizoaffective disorder within the schizophrenia spectrum and indicate that schizoaffective disorder may be considered a different diagnostic category. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

An evaluation of the differences in DNA damage in lymphocytes and repair efficiencies in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are chronic and debilitating psychiatric disorders. The present study was designed to determine DNA damage in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder to assess the roles of oxidative metabolism and DNA repair mechanisms in this process, to assess the contribution of drugs, and thus to demonstrate the differences between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Thirty schizophrenia and 30 schizoaffective disorder patients, each having at least five years of disease history, aged between 18 and 60 years with no physical or neurological diseases, and 30 healthy volunteers participated in the study. Psychometric scales were applied, and 5 ml of blood was taken from all participants. The DNA damage was measured in lymphocytes by the comet assay method; the total oxidative parameters by ELISA; OGG1 and NEIL1 gene expressions by real-time PCR; and the role of drugs by in vitro assays. The most important finding in this study was that patients with schizophrenia had significantly greater DNA damage than schizoaffective disorder patients and the controls. This study also provides evidence of high oxidative stress statuses and inadequate DNA repair capacities in patients with schizophrenia. Moreover, psychotropic drugs did not induce any DNA damage to the lymphocytes according to in vitro analyses. The use of clozapine and adequate repair processes of the patients were the decisive factors in the prevention of DNA damage. The results of this study provide a reexamination of schizoaffective disorder within the schizophrenia spectrum and indicate that schizoaffective disorder may be considered a different diagnostic category

Relationship of Apathy with Depressive Symptom Severity and Cognitive Functions in Geriatric Depression.

INTRODUCTION: Apathy which is known as loss of primary motivation is observed more frequently in elderly depression in comparison with younger adults. It is put forth that apathy is related with depressive symptom severity and cognitive functions, that the existence of apathy may be a predictor of neurocognitive impairment. The objective of this study was to examine the apathy levels in elderly patients with major depression as well as the relationship between depressive symptom severity and cognitive functions. METHODS: The study was carried out with 40 major depressive disorder patients (MDD) aged 60 and above, 40 healthy controls aged 60 and above. Sociodemographic data form, structured psychiatric interview (SCID-I), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were applied to the participants. RESULTS: In our study, HAM-D, HAM-A and MADRS scale scores of MDD group was determined to be higher in comparison with those of the healthy control group. A positive correlation was determined in the MDD groups between the AES scores and depressive symptom severity, whereas a negative correlation was determined between the AES scores and cognitive functions. The SMMSE and MoCA scores of the geriatric MDD group were determined to be lower in comparison with healthy control group. Low performance was observed in the geriatric MDD group especially in the fields of orientation, visual/spatial functions, memory and language. Functionality was found to be lower in MDB group than in the control group, and functionality decreased as the level of apathy increased. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the apathy levels in geriatric depression are higher in comparison with the control group. Cognitive functions are affected adversely in geriatric patients in major depressive disorder, depressive symptom severity, impairment in cognitive functions and functionality are observed to be related with apathy level

Relationship of apathy with depressive symptom severity and cognitive functions in geriatric depression

Introduction: Apathy which is known as loss of primary motivation is observed more frequently in elderly depression in comparison with younger adults. It is put forth that apathy is related with depressive symptom severity and cognitive functions, that the existence of apathy may be a predictor of neurocognitive impairment. The objective of this study was to examine the apathy levels in elderly patients with major depression as well as the relationship between depressive symptom severity and cognitive functions. Methods: The study was carried out with 40 major depressive disorder patients (MDD) aged 60 and above, 40 healthy controls aged 60 and above. Sociodemographic data form, structured psychiatric interview (SCID-I), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were applied to the participants. Results: In our study, HAM-D, HAM-A and MADRS scale scores of MDD group was determined to be higher in comparison with those of the healthy control group. A positive correlation was determined in the MDD groups between the AES scores and depressive symptom severity, whereas a negative correlation was determined between the AES scores and cognitive functions. The SMMSE and MoCA scores of the geriatric MDD group were determined to be lower in comparison with healthy control group. Low performance was observed in the geriatric MDD group especially in the fields of orientation, visual/spatial functions, memory and language. Functionality was found to be lower in MDB group than in the control group, and functionality decreased as the level of apathy increased. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the apathy levels in geriatric depression are higher in comparison with the control group. Cognitive functions are affected adversely in geriatric patients in major depressive disorder, depressive symptom severity, impairment in cognitive functions and functionality are observed to be related with apathy level. © 2018 by Turkish Association of Neuropsychiatry

their first-degree relatives

Objective: In this study it is aimed to compare the theory of mind skills and executive functions in bipolar disorder patients and their first degree relatives with controls, and to demonstrate the relationship between executive functions and theory of mind. Method: 30 patients with euthymic bipolar I disorder, their first degree relatives, and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Sociodemographic data form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Wechsler Adults Intelligence Test were applied to all participants; Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test, Trail Making Test A and B, and Digit Span Test were applied to evaluate the executive functions; Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Hinting Task and Faux Pas Test were applied to evaluate the theory of mind skills. Results: There was not any significant difference between the groups in terms of theory of mind, although total scores were seen from bad to good in bipolar patients, first degree relatives and controls respectively. Patient group had significantly lower performance in Trail Making Test A, and DigitSpan Test inverse number scores. As the severity of disease increased, cognitive functions and the theory of mind were seen to be worsened. The theory of mind was related to executive functions. Discussion: In conclusion, we did not find significant losses in terms of theory of mind in bipolar patients and their first degree relatives. But bipolar patients had a deficiency in attention, psychomotor speed and verbal working memory; and theory of mind was related to executive functions.C1 [Duman, Taclan] Tavas Devlet Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Bolumu, Denizli, Turkey.[Atesci, Figen; Topak, Osman Zulkif; Tumkaya, Selim; Ozdel, Osman] Pamukkale Univ, Tip Fak, Psikiyatri AD, Denizli, Turkey.[Sendur, Ibrahim] Denizli Devlet Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Bolumu, Denizli, Turkey

Adaptation and Reliability of the Structured Clinical Interview for

Objective: In this study, we aimed to adapt the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-ClinicianVersion into Turkish and to demonstrate its reliability.Method: A total of 185 patients, both inpatient and outpatient, from two different university hospitals were included. Training sessions on the features and use of SCID-5/CV were held before the data collection. During the study, in order to test the diagnostic agreement and accuracy, two psychiatrists remained present at the evaluation of each participant; alternatively being interviewer and the observer. Cohen's kappa coefficient for inter-rater reliability was calculated for every diagnostic category.Results: The patient group had a mean age of 37.2 (+/- 13.5) years and 55.7% were female. The education status was as follows: 2.7% were illiterate, 1.7% literate with no primary education, 33% had primary education, 23.8% had secondary education and 38.9% had higher education. The calculated kappa value showed excellent agreement for schizophrenia (kappa=0.93), bipolar disorder (kappa=0.96), major depressive disorder (kappa=0.89), dysthymic disorder (kappa=0.82), alcohol use disorder (kappa=0.96), panic disorder (kappa=0.84), agoraphobia (kappa=0.85), social anxiety disorder (kappa=0.95), generalized anxiety disorder (kappa=0.89), obsessive compulsive disorder (kappa=0.87), posttraumatic stress disorder (kappa=0.89), adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (kappa=1.00), specific phobias (kappa=0.82) and very good agreement with adjustment disorder (kappa=0.78) and somatic symptom disorder (kappa=0.65).Conclusion: Similar to the past SCID versions, kappa values were found to be quite high and all were statistically significant. The Turkish version of SCID-5/CV can be reliably used in both clinical practice and clinical studies.C1 [Elbir, Muge; Alp Topbas, Ozge; Bayad, Serkan; Kocabas, Tugba; Aydemir, Omer] Manisa Celal Bayar Univ, Tip Fak, Psikiyatri Bl, Manisa, Turkey.[Zulkif Topak, Osman; Cetin, Sahabettin; OzdeL, Osman; Atesci, Figen] Pamukkale Univ, Tip Fak, Psikiyatri Bl, Denizli, Turkey

Adaptation and reliability of the structured clinical interview for DSM-5-disorders - clinician version (SCID-5/CV) to the Turkish language

Objective: In this study, we aimed to adapt the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-ClinicianVersion into Turkish and to demonstrate its reliability. Method: A total of 185 patients, both inpatient and outpatient, from two different university hospitals were included. Training sessions on the features and use of SCID-5/CV were held before the data collection. During the study, in order to test the diagnostic agreement and accuracy, two psychiatrists remained present at the evaluation of each participant; alternatively being interviewer and the observer. Cohen's kappa coefficient for inter-rater reliability was calculated for every diagnostic category. Results: The patient group had a mean age of 37.2 (±13.5) years and 55.7% were female. The education status was as follows: 2.7% were illiterate, 1.7% literate with no primary education, 33% had primary education, 23.8% had secondary education and 38.9% had higher education. The calculated kappa value showed excellent agreement for schizophrenia (κ=0.93), bipolar disorder (κ=0.96), major depressive disorder (κ=0.89), dysthymic disorder (κ=0.82), alcohol use disorder (κ=0.96), panic disorder (κ=0.84), agoraphobia (κ=0.85), social anxiety disorder (κ=0.95), generalized anxiety disorder (κ=0.89), obsessive compulsive disorder (κ=0.87), posttraumatic stress disorder (κ=0.89), adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (κ=1.00), specific phobias (κ=0.82) and very good agreement with adjustment disorder (κ=0.78) and somatic symptom disorder (κ=0.65). Conclusion: Similar to the past SCID versions, kappa values were found to be quite high and all were statistically significant. The Turkish version of SCID-5/ CV can be reliably used in both clinical practice and clinical studies. © 2019, Turkish Association of Nervous and Mental Health