Empirically supported affirmative psychological interventions for transgender and non-binary youth and adults: A systematic review.

Research suggests that transgender and non-binary (TGNB) individuals experience lower levels of psychological well-being than the general population. Although practice recommendations and guidelines exist, there is a paucity of studies evaluating the effects of psychological interventions on this group. This systematic review aimed to synthesize and analyze existing empirical affirmative psychological interventions for TGNB individuals to assess their efficacy. Eight databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, LILACS, Cochrane, ProQuest, Google Scholar) were searched from January 2010 to June 2022 to identify relevant studies. Included studies needed to be randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, or uncontrolled pre-post. Twenty-two articles were included, of which eight had TGNB participants only, two had mixed samples with separated outcome data for TGNB participants, and 12 had mixed samples with no disaggregated data. Experimental designs, participant samples, assessed variables, and type of interventions varied widely across studies, thus preventing comparisons. Overall results suggest improvements in psychological distress, depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance-related risk behaviors, coping skills/emotion regulation, stress appraisal, self-esteem, self-acceptance, social support, minority stress, resilience, hope, positive identity, and identity acceptance, although conclusions are limited by moderate-to-high risk of bias. Future research should implement more consistent and rigorous methodological designs to assess and compare intervention efficacy.This work was supported by the Research Group in Clinical and Health Psychology OSAKLINIK (#IT 1450-22) at the University of the Basque Country

A new maturity model for analysing project risk management in the global automotive industry

Project risk maturity models, which encompass change management, continuous improvement and knowledge management issues, can be used to improve risk management in projects. The purpose of this research is to develop and apply a new maturity model for the assessment and on-going management of project risk management capability in the automotive industry. The success of strategic projects is critical for innovation in the automotive industry, and project outcomes directly influence time to market and future revenues for companies operating in this sector. Projects in this industry are generally characterised as high risk. The belief that the use of carefully acquired information put into some kind of rational order can avoid poor decision making and project failure is the foundation of traditional project management and, by extension, of project risk management. Prescriptive guides and methodologies are often too mechanistic and simplistic as regards the risk management process. This research presents a theoretical framework applying the centricity concept to four major project risk management dimensions, namely risk identification, risk assessment, risk allocation and risk appetite. The centricity concept was critical in the development of several of the labels that are an integral part of the maturity model, thereby furthering the understanding of risk management. The research design is based on a multi-project case study analysis in a major German automotive company. The approach is qualitative and inductive, using 12 indepth interviews with major stakeholders in the project management function in the company to provide data for the construction of the initial maturity model. This model is then verified and refined via an online survey and three further follow-up interviews. The findings provide material for the construction of a new maturity model that can be used for the assessment of project risk management capability and as a tool for ongoing monitoring and improvement. The model is structured around the four dimensions of risk management – identification, assessment, allocation and appetite – and has four maturity stages – rudimentary, intermediate, standardised and corporate. The model is based on a detailed analysis of in-depth interview material in a specific industry sector. The model adds to existing risk management maturity models and is unique in being specific to the automotive industry. It can be used by risk and project managers, and can also be adapted to other industry sectors

Global functioning among middle-aged patients with chronic schizophrenia: the role of medication, working memory and verbal comprehension

The chronic phase of schizophrenia is characterized by illness progression and patients encountering difficulties to return to premorbid level of functioning. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of a sample of patients with chronic schizophrenia, as well to assess differences between patients under and over 45 years of age. In a clinical sample of 77 chronic schizophrenia patients, we assessed basic symptoms, cognitive performance, social functioning and quality of life. All participants obtained very high scores in residual symptoms, and no differences in sociodemographic or clinical characteristics between the age groups were found. Younger patients had better cognitive performance and older patients obtained better scores for social functioning and quality of life. Number of psychotropic drugs, verbal learning delayed of SCIP, errors in WCST, Similarities and Digit Symbol Coding of WAIS were the most important variables to predict global functioning of patients over 45 years old. Increasing our understanding of differences in characteristics of the chronic phase of the illness and the profile of functioning at different ages, may help us design intervention strategies to improve adaptation in young and middle-aged patients with chronic schizophrenia

Assessing soil P fractions changes with long-term phosphorus fertilization related to crop yield of soybean and maize

Long-term P Fertiliser application increases soil phosphorus (P) labile fractions, which can be associated with crop P uptake and grain yield and are useful to improve fertilizer recommendations. Research aims were to evaluate in long-term experiments with different P Fertiliser application in a Mollisol and a Vertisol: (a) the changes of soil P fractions and (b) the relationship between soil P fractions with long-term P Fertiliser application, with accumulated apparent P budget, grain P, total P uptake, soybean (Glycine max L.Merr.) and maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. Soil P fractions were measured after 1 and 9 year since the beginning of the long-term experiments. Experiments included an initial Fertiliser application rate of 200 kg P ha−1 and annual P Fertiliser application rate of 36 kg P ha−1. Bray1-P, total, organic, and inorganic P in fine (53 μm) (CF) soil fractions, and in NaHCO3 extract were measured. Initial P Fertiliser application increased inorganic and total P fractions. However, Bray1-P, total P in NaHCO3 extract and in the CF were the fractions that most increased with continuous long-term P Fertiliser application in both sites. In the Mollisol, maize grain yield was unrelated to long-term P Fertiliser application. In the Vertisol, total P in NaHCO3 extract, and total and organic P in the CF were more closely related to soybean grain yield than Bray1-P. We proposed soil P indices of labile inorganic and organic P that showed close relationships with soybean grain yield and may be useful to improve the diagnosis of P soil fertility.Fil: Appelhans, Stefania Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Departamento de Producción Vegetal; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Entre Ríos. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barbagelata, Pedro Aníbal. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Departamento de Producción Vegetal; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Entre Ríos. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Melchiori, Ricardo José Miguel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Entre Ríos. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Gutiérrez Boem, Flavio Hernán. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Ingeniería Agrícola y Uso de la Tierra. Cátedra de Fertilidad y Fertilizantes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales; Argentin

Investigating the impact of financial concerns on symptoms of depression in UK healthcare workers: data from the UK-REACH nationwide cohort study.

Exploration of the association between financial concerns and depression in UK healthcare workers (HCWs) is paramount given the current 'cost of living crisis', ongoing strike action and recruitment/retention problems in the National Health Service. To assess the impact of financial concerns on the risk of depression in HCWs, how these concerns have changed over time and what factors might predict financial concerns. We used longitudinal survey data from a UK-wide cohort of HCWs to determine whether financial concerns at baseline (December 2020 to March 2021) were associated with depression (measured with the Public Health Questionnaire-2) at follow-up (June to October 2022). We used logistic regression to examine the association between financial concerns and depression, and ordinal logistic regression to establish predictors of developing financial concerns. A total of 3521 HCWs were included. Those concerned about their financial situation at baseline had higher odds of developing depressive symptoms at follow-up. Financial concerns increased in 43.8% of HCWs and decreased in 9%. Those in nursing, midwifery and other nursing roles had over twice the odds of developing financial concerns compared with those in medical roles. Financial concerns are increasing in prevalence and predict the later development of depressive symptoms in UK HCWs. Those in nursing, midwifery and other allied nursing roles may have been disproportionately affected. Our results are concerning given the potential effects on sickness absence and staff retention. Policy makers should act to alleviate financial concerns to reduce the impact this may have on a discontent workforce plagued by understaffing

Análisis de impacto de alternativas para la financiación de las energías renovables en España

This article analyzes the economic, social and environmental impact of various financing mechanisms for the regulated costs of renewable energies in the electricity sector (RECORE) in Spain. The scenarios analysed, alternative to the current system, in which the costs are transferred in full to the electricity bill of final consumers, are the following: financing through the General State Budgets (PGE scenario), financing through a tax proportional to final energy consumption (Energy scenario) and financed through a CO2 tax in diffuse sectors (CO2 scenario). The study uses a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and a micro-simulation model that includes detailed information on the 22,000 households included in the Household Budget Survey. The results show that the impact at the macroeconomic level is positive but very small for all the scenarios analyzed and that the changes at the sectoral level or in emissions depend notably on the scenario. All the scenarios favor low-income households since their spending on electricity represents a relatively higher percentage of their income. Although no alternative is better in all the dimensions analyzed, taxes on energy or CO2 favor the energy transition, while the PGE alter native generates more progressive distributional effects.Este trabajo ha sido cofinanciado por Iberdrola, el programa BERC 2018-2021, el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad a través de la distinción María de Maeztu excelencia acreditación MDM-2017- 0714 y el Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España (RTI2018-093352-B-I00

The effect of CYP2D6 variation on antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hyperprolactinemia is a known adverse drug reaction to antipsychotic treatment. Antipsychotic blood levels are influenced by cytochrome P450 enzymes, primarily CYP2D6. Variation in CYP450 genes may affect the risk of antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether CYP2D6 functional genetic variants are associated with antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia. The systematic review identified 16 relevant papers, seven of which were suitable for the meta-analysis (n = 303 participants including 134 extreme metabolisers). Participants were classified into four phenotype groups as poor, intermediate, extensive, and ultra-rapid metabolisers. A random effects meta-analysis was used and Cohen’s d calculated as the effect size for each primary study. We found no significant differences in prolactin levels between CYP2D6 metabolic groups. Current evidence does not support using CYP2D6 genotyping to reduce risk of antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia. However, statistical power is limited. Future studies with larger samples and including a range of prolactin-elevating drugs are needed

The influence of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genetic variation on diabetes mellitus risk in people taking antidepressants and antipsychotics

CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 enzymes are essential in the metabolism of antidepressants and antipsychotics. Genetic variation in these genes may increase risk of adverse drug reactions. Antidepressants and antipsychotics have previously been associated with risk of diabetes. We examined whether individual genetic differences in CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 contribute to these effects. We identified 31,579 individuals taking antidepressants and 2699 taking antipsychotics within UK Biobank. Participants were classified as poor, intermediate, or normal metabolizers of CYP2D6, and as poor, intermediate, normal, rapid, or ultra-rapid metabolizers of CYP2C19. Risk of diabetes mellitus represented by HbA1c level was examined in relation to the metabolic phenotypes. CYP2D6 poor metabolizers taking paroxetine had higher Hb1Ac than normal metabolizers (mean difference: 2.29 mmol/mol; p < 0.001). Among participants with diabetes who were taking venlafaxine, CYP2D6 poor metabolizers had higher HbA1c levels compared to normal metabolizers (mean differences: 10.15 mmol/mol; p < 0.001. Among participants with diabetes who were taking fluoxetine, CYP2D6 intermediate metabolizers and decreased HbA1c, compared to normal metabolizers (mean difference −7.74 mmol/mol; p = 0.017). We did not observe any relationship between CYP2D6 or CYP2C19 metabolic status and HbA1c levels in participants taking antipsychotic medication. Our results indicate that the impact of genetic variation in CYP2D6 differs depending on diabetes status. Although our findings support existing clinical guidelines, further research is essential to inform pharmacogenetic testing for people taking antidepressants and antipsychotics

“Drinkers like me” : a thematic analysis of comments responding to an online article about moderating alcohol consumption

Background: There has been media coverage surrounding the dangers of heavy drinking and benefits of moderation, with TV and radio presenter, Adrian Chiles, documenting his experience of moderating alcohol consumption in an online article for the Guardian. By analysing the comments in response to Chiles’ article, this study aimed to explore (i) posters’ (someone who has posted a comment in response to the article) attitudes or beliefs toward moderating alcohol and (ii) posters’ experiences of moderating or abstaining from alcohol. Method: A secondary qualitative analysis of online comments in response to an article about moderating alcohol consumption. Main outcome measures: Comments (n = 784) in response to a United Kingdom online news article about moderating alcohol consumption were extracted and inductive thematic analysis was used. Results: For aim one, two themes were developed; “general attitudes toward drinking” and “general attitudes toward reducing consumption”. These themes reflect negative perceptions of alcohol and issues around changing attitudes. For aim two, three themes were developed: “moderation vs. abstention”, “reflection on past drinking behaviours”, and “current drinking behaviours”. These themes represent posters’ experiences and implications changing their drinking habits. Conclusion: Our analysis provides a novel insight into perceptions and experiences of moderating or abstaining from alcohol. Alcohol is embedded within United Kingdom culture, creating difficulties for those who choose to moderate or abstain from alcohol. Our analysis highlights the need for public health to focus on shifting the current drinking culture, through clearer drinking guidelines and a wider availability of alcohol-free alternatives