The relationship between parental mentalization and maternal psychopathology: during and after postpartum period

Aims: This review aimed to evaluate the literature that examines factors (maternal age, ethnicity, antenatal depressive symptoms and support) in relation to Postpartum Depressive (PPD) symptomatology in adolescent mothers. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using databases PsychINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Maternity and Infant Care. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 17 studies were identified as suitable for this review. Results: Results showed antenatal depressive (AND) symptoms and support to be associated with PPD symptoms, but not maternal age or ethnicity. Studies highlighted parental competence and conflict as potentially accounting for the relationship between support and PPD symptoms. Contributing factors to this relationship were relationship status, living arrangement, antenatal expectation and socioeconomic status. Due to most studies being part of a larger project, a broad range of other variables were measured often with limited rationale for their inclusion. Conclusion: The current literature indicates AND symptoms and support are related to PPD symptoms. However, there remains a lack of specificity to these relationships. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of the interaction between the relevant factors involved

4β-Hydroxywithanolide E from Physalis peruviana (golden berry) inhibits growth of human lung cancer cells through DNA damage, apoptosis and G2/M arrest

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The crude extract of the fruit bearing plant, <it>Physalis peruviana </it>(golden berry), demonstrated anti-hepatoma and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the cellular mechanism involved in this process is still unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Herein, we isolated the main pure compound, 4β-Hydroxywithanolide (4βHWE) derived from golden berries, and investigated its antiproliferative effect on a human lung cancer cell line (H1299) using survival, cell cycle, and apoptosis analyses. An alkaline comet-nuclear extract (NE) assay was used to evaluate the DNA damage due to the drug.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>It was shown that DNA damage was significantly induced by 1, 5, and 10 μg/mL 4βHWE for 2 h in a dose-dependent manner (<it>p </it>< 0.005). A trypan blue exclusion assay showed that the proliferation of cells was inhibited by 4βHWE in both dose- and time-dependent manners (<it>p </it>< 0.05 and 0.001 for 24 and 48 h, respectively). The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 4βHWE in H1299 cells for 24 and 48 h were 0.6 and 0.71 μg/mL, respectively, suggesting it could be a potential therapeutic agent against lung cancer. In a flow cytometric analysis, 4βHWE produced cell cycle perturbation in the form of sub-G₁accumulation and slight arrest at the G₂/M phase with 1 μg/mL for 12 and 24 h, respectively. Using flow cytometric and annexin V/propidium iodide immunofluorescence double-staining techniques, these phenomena were proven to be apoptosis and complete G₂/M arrest for H1299 cells treated with 5 μg/mL for 24 h.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, we demonstrated that golden berry-derived 4βHWE is a potential DNA-damaging and chemotherapeutic agent against lung cancer.</p

A longitudinal study on radiation induced xerostomia in radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

202103 bcvcVersion of RecordRGC151291-16Publishe

A longitudinal study on parotid and submandibular gland changes assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography in post-radiotherapy nasopharyngeal cancer patients

202103 bcvcVersion of RecordSelf-fundedPublishe

A prospective study on volumetric and dosimetric changes during intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Background and purpose: Significant tumor shrinkage and weight loss may occur during Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aims to evaluate the dosimetric effect of volumetric changes on target volumes and organs at risk (OARs) during IMRT, using reassessment of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and methods: Nineteen loco-regionally advanced NPC patients treated with IMRT were recruited prospectively. Repeat planning CT and MRI were acquired at 30 and 50 Gy intervals. Recontouring of target volumes and OARs was based on the fused CT-MRI images. Hybrid plans with recontouring were generated. The assessment of volumetric and dosimetric changes was performed by comparing the hybrid plans with the original plan. Results: There was volume reduction of target volumes and parotid glands over the course of IMRT. Relative to the original plan, the hybrid plans demonstrated significantly higher dose to most of target volumes with greater dose inhomogeneity, higher maximum doses to the spinal cord and brainstem, and higher median doses to the parotid glands. Conclusions: Replanning with repeat CT and MRI scans at 30 Gy is essential to keep a satisfactory dose to the target volumes and avoid overdosing the OARs. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

A prospective study on volumetric and dosimetric changes during intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Background and purpose: Significant tumor shrinkage and weight loss may occur during Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aims to evaluate the dosimetric effect of volumetric changes on target volumes and organs at risk (OARs) during IMRT, using reassessment of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and methods: Nineteen loco-regionally advanced NPC patients treated with IMRT were recruited prospectively. Repeat planning CT and MRI were acquired at 30 and 50 Gy intervals. Recontouring of target volumes and OARs was based on the fused CT-MRI images. Hybrid plans with recontouring were generated. The assessment of volumetric and dosimetric changes was performed by comparing the hybrid plans with the original plan. Results: There was volume reduction of target volumes and parotid glands over the course of IMRT. Relative to the original plan, the hybrid plans demonstrated significantly higher dose to most of target volumes with greater dose inhomogeneity, higher maximum doses to the spinal cord and brainstem, and higher median doses to the parotid glands. Conclusions: Replanning with repeat CT and MRI scans at 30 Gy is essential to keep a satisfactory dose to the target volumes and avoid overdosing the OARs. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Prevalence of very mild and mild dementia in community-dwelling older Chinese people in Hong Kong

Introduction: In this report, the results of a household survey were used to examine the prevalence of very mild and mild dementia in Chinese older persons in Hong Kong. Methods: The study adopted a two-phase design. At Phase 1, 6100 subjects were screened using the Cantonese version of the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and a short memory inventory. At Phase 2, 2073 subjects were screened positive and 737 were evaluated by psychiatrists. Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and cognitive assessment were used for diagnosis of dementia. Very mild dementia (VMD) was defined as a global CDR of 0.5, with memory and non-memory subscale scores of 0.5 or more. Mild dementia was classified for subjects with a CDR of 1. Results: The overall prevalence of VMD and mild dementia for persons aged 70 years or above was 8.5% (95%CI: 7.4-9.6) and 8.9% (95%CI: 7.8-10.0) respectively. Among subjects with clinical dementia, 84.6% had mild (CDR1) dementia. Logistic regression analyses revealed that older age, lower educational level and significant cerebrovascular risk factors were risk factors for dementia, while regular physical exercise was a protective factor for dementia. Conclusions: A sizable proportion of community-living subjects suffered from milder forms of dementia. They represent a high risk for early intervention to reduce potential physical and psychiatric morbidity. © 2007 International Psychogeriatric Association.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in an epidemiologic sample of community-dwelling elders with milder forms of cognitive impairment in Hong Kong SAR

Background: Depression and cognitive impairment in later-life have great bearings on public health. The two conditions often co-occur and have mutual implications on short-term risk and long-term prognosis. Method: A two-phase epidemiologic survey on the prevalence of dementia in elders aged 60 and over was conducted in Hong Kong in 2005-2006. In the first phase, 6,100 randomly selected community dwelling elders were assessed with Cantonese version of Mini-Mental State Examination (C-MMSE) and Abbreviated Memory Inventory for Chinese (AMIC). Two thousand and seventy-three subjects were screened positive and invited for second phase cognitive and psychiatric assessment. 35.5% of screen-positive subjects participated in Phase 2 assessment conducted by psychiatrists for diagnosis of dementia. Severity of dementia was determined using Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) and a structured bedside cognitive battery were also administered to each subject. Results: 1.7% of subjects with CDR 0.5 and 5.9% of subjects with CDR 1 had clinically significant depressive symptoms (>/= 8 on CSDD). Score on CSDD correlated positively with duration of cognitive symptoms, scores on CIRS and CMMSE in linear regression model. In a logistic regression model, male gender, duration of cognitive symptoms, CIRS and CMMSE was associated with increased risk for clinically significant depressive symptoms. Conclusions: In our sample, milder forms of cognitive impairment were associated with increased risk for depression in the presence of other risk factors such as male gender, higher physical illness burden and longer duration of cognitive symptoms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex