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J Affect Disord 2021 Jun 12;293:36-42. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

University of Houston, Department of Psychology, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Evaluating measurement bias is vital to ensure equivalent assessment across diverse groups. One approach for evaluating test bias, differential item functioning (DIF), assesses item-level bias across specified groups by comparing item-level responses between groups that have the same overall score. Previous DIF studies of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) have only assessed bias across age, sex, and disease duration in monolingual samples. Read More

Am J Orthopsychiatry 2021 Jun 24. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Department of Sociology.

In this article, we tested if female adopted Chinese youth's sense of exclusion predicted their behavioral adjustment and mental disorder diagnoses concurrently (Study 1) and longitudinally 5 years later (Study 2). In Study 1, 224 adoptees ( = 13.6 years, = 2. Read More

Neurochem Res 2021 Jun 24. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment On Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong, Chongqing, 400016, China.

Nucleoprotein (P40) is one of the most important proteins of Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1), but which proteins it would bind to in the pathogenesis of BoDV-1-infected hosts is unknown. We used lentivirus LV5-P40 overexpressing P40 to infect primary hippocampal neurons and characterized the interactome of P40 with co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) followed by mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. These interacting protein partners revealed the pathogenesis of BoDV-1-infected hosts. Read More

Curr Drug Targets 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common types of neurological disorder prevailing worldwide and is rapidly increasing in the elderly population across the globe. The cause of PD is still unknown, but a number of genetic as well as environmental factors contributing to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease have been identified. The hallmark of PD includes dopamine deficiency (neurotransmitter imbalance) due to the gradual loss of dopaminergic nerves in the substantia nigra in the midbrain. Read More

Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2021 Jun 24:13591045211028159. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

24472McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA.

This study investigated whether an intensive group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy program with family involvement for children with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder could help reduce parental distress by addressing the larger family system. This study also examined associations between parental distress and parent-reported child outcomes of treatment. Two hundred ninety-nine children and adolescents, ages 6-19, who were patients in the intensive treatment program and their caregivers participated in this intervention-based study. Read More

J Int AIDS Soc 2021 Jun;24 Suppl 2:e25746

Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Introduction: Mental health disorders may negatively impact HIV outcomes, such as viral suppression (VS) and antiretroviral (ART) adherence among people with HIV (PWH) with hazardous alcohol use. This study evaluates the longitudinal association between depression, anxiety symptoms, VS and complete ART adherence among ART clients with hazardous alcohol use in Vietnam; and examines alcohol dependence as a modifier in this association.

Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of a trial for hazardous drinking ART clients in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. Read More

Cardiol J 2021 Jun 24. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

University Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) are now increasingly recognized. Both conditions predominantly affect females; however, the exact pathophysiology remains unclear. Large multi-center databases can help elucidate the underlying mechanism and optimize treatments to improve outcomes by allowing us to compare features and outcomes of patients with TTS and patients with SCAD. Read More

Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2020 Oct.-Dec.;18(72):333-339

Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Background Medical students' psychological response to societal lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been studied much. Objective To assess levels of anxiety and depression among medical students during initial stages of COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal and relate their distress to relevant variables. Method A cross-sectional study with online questionnaire was conducted among medical students at different colleges in Nepal. Read More

Psychol Med 2021 Jun 24:1-10. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Patients with psychiatric disorders often experience cognitive dysfunction, but the precise relationship between cognitive deficits and psychopathology remains unclear. We investigated the relationships between domains of cognitive functioning and psychopathology in a transdiagnostic sample using a data-driven approach.

Methods: Cross-sectional network analyses were conducted to investigate the relationships between domains of psychopathology and cognitive functioning and detect clusters in the network. Read More

World J Biol Psychiatry 2021 Jun 24:1-15. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Department of Pharmacology, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, India.

Objectives: Previous studies have been established that persons who experienced a stroke are soon likely to develop several anxiety disorders. In which one of the major anxiety disorders is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Yet, the likelihood of PTSD in conjunction with cerebral stroke has not been well described. Read More

J Int AIDS Soc 2021 Jun;24 Suppl 2:e25705

KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya.

Introduction: Common mental disorders (CMDs) particularly depression and anxiety, are highly comorbid with HIV also in young people living with HIV (YLWH). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where most YLWH reside, there are limited summary data on CMDs among these youths, yet there are previous systematic reviews summarizing data on CMDs among adults living with HIV. We conducted a systematic literature review on the prevalence and correlates of CMDs among YLWH, aged 10 to 24 years, from SSA. Read More

Phytother Res 2021 Jun 24. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

The effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on mood disorders have already been established. More recently, its anti-neoplastic effects have provoked a great attention. Read More

Transgend Health 2021 Jun 2;6(3):132-138. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Department of Psychology, Gallaudet University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

This first U.S.-based, descriptive study of transgender Deaf adults looks to contribute to the gap in research regarding those who lie at the intersection of Deaf and transgender identities. Read More

Glob Adv Health Med 2021 7;10:21649561211020707. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess sleep disturbances in patients subjected to home quarantine due to suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study used a mixed methods design study as a research methodology.

Methods: A semi-structured interview and the scale for Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used to achieve the aim of the study. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2021 May;13(5):3160-3170

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, USA.

Depression and anxiety are emotional disorders that commonly affect patients with esophageal cancer. As a result of its high morbidity, mortality, and complication rates, this population is at particularly high risk for developing or exacerbating affective disorders; even when compared to patients with other forms of cancer. Many of the medical conditions and social behaviors that predispose patients to this disease are also independently associated with affective disorders, and likely compound their effects. Read More

Front Psychol 2021 7;12:577702. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Outpatient Clinic of Anxiety Disorders and Personality Disorders, Psychiatrist Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Brønderslev, Denmark.

Mentalization concerns the human ability to understand the actions of others (and oneself) in terms of intentional mental states. Theoretically, the notion has been described the poles of automatic, non-verbal implicit mentalization as opposed to conscious and verbal explicit mentalization. In this article, we challenge this standard distinction by examining examples from psychotherapy. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2021 7;12:617397. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing mental health burden. We examined the factors associated with mental health symptoms in Chinese general adults in Hong Kong. We conducted a dual-frame (landline and mobile) survey on Chinese adults aged 18 years or older in April 2020. Read More

Nat Sci Sleep 2021 16;13:791-802. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Division of Pulmonology, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Introduction: Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder (CRSWD) is an often-misdiagnosed group of sleep disturbances with limited data concerning diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms in the general population. Therefore, reported prevalence varies in the literature due to different case definitions, methodological, and environmental factors.

Objectives: The purpose of our cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of CRSWD in the general population of Cyprus and to suggest clinical parameters for the assessment of atypical sleep schedules. Read More

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021 14;17:1907-1915. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.

Background: During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), occupational differences were recognized with respect to psychological issues, but there are no reports regarding the insomnia and anxiety comorbidities and their related factors among the general public and medical staff. Our study aimed to compare the prevalence of anxiety and anxiety with insomnia, as well as the relationship between different psychological symptoms between the two groups.

Methods: A total of 605 medical staff and 1091 public respondents were assessed through an online questionnaire survey, including the 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the somatization subscale of Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Read More

Neuropsychopharmacology 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.

Deficits in social cognition and functioning are common in major depressive disorder (MDD). Still, no study into the pathophysiology of MDD has examined the social cognition-related neural pathways through which familial risk for MDD leads to depression and interpersonal impairments. Using resting-state fMRI, we applied a graph theoretical analysis to quantify the influence of nodes within the fronto-temporo-parietal cortical social cognition network in 108 generation 2 and generation 3 offspring at high and low-risk for MDD, defined by the presence or absence, respectively, of moderate to severe MDD in generation 1. Read More

Anat Cell Biol 2021 Jun;54(2):143-151

Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Agmatine, the primary decarboxylation product of L-arginine, generated from arginine decarboxylase. Since the discovery of agmatine in the mammalian brain in the 1990s, an increasing number of agmatine-mediated effects have been discovered, demonstrating the benefits of agmatine on ischemic strokes, traumatic brain injury and numerous psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Agmatine also has cellular protective effects and contributes to cell proliferation and differentiation in the central nervous system (CNS). Read More

BMJ Open 2021 Jun 23;11(6):e045474. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital; INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Finland

Introduction: Childhood anxiety is common, causes significant functional impairment and may lead to psychosocial problems by adulthood. Although cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective for treating anxiety, its availability is limited by the lack of trained CBT therapists and easily accessible local services. To address the challenges in both recognition and treatment, this study combines systematic anxiety screening in the general population with a randomised controlled trial (RCT) on internet-assisted CBT (ICBT) with telephone coaching. Read More

BMJ Support Palliat Care 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Wolverhampton Diabetes Centre, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK.

This case presentation describes a 65-year-old woman with metastatic malignant insulinoma who experienced frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia causing significant distress and burden to her quality of life. The report describes how medical management was altered and how the patient was supported in order to alleviate these burdens. In particular, the report highlights the first documented use of flash glucose monitoring in insulinoma, which was beneficial in reducing the discomfort of lancet use and anxiety associated with hypoglycaemic episodes. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2021 Jul 24;96:107795. Epub 2021 May 24.

Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China. Electronic address:

The occurrence and progress of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is closely related to the inflammatory response; however, inflammation contributes to behavioral abnormalities and sleep disorders. Dexmedetomidine has anti-inflammatory effects against various diseases. Whether dexmedetomidine improves MHE and the underlying mechanism is yet unclear. Read More

Chem Biol Interact 2021 Jun 20:109564. Epub 2021 Jun 20.

Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Farmacologia Bioquímica (LaFarBio), Grupo de Pesquisa em Neurobiotecnologia (GPN), Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, CEP 96010-900, RS, Brazil. Electronic address:

Suppressive effect of bis (3-amino-2-pyridine) diselenide (BAPD) on psychiatric disorders - atopic dermatitis (AD) comorbidity in mice was investigated. To sensitize the animals, 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was applied to their dorsal skin on days 1-3. Mice were challenged with DNCB on their ears and dorsal skin on days 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, and 29. Read More

Neuromodulation 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.

Objectives: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a relatively novel noninvasive neurostimulation method that is believed to mimic the effects of invasive cervical VNS. It has recently been suggested that the effectiveness of taVNS can be enhanced by combining it with controlled slow breathing. Slow breathing modulates the activity of the vagus nerve and is used in behavioral medicine to decrease psychophysiological arousal. Read More

Psychooncology 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Division of Oncology, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, The University of Leeds, UK.

Objective: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer commonly experience elevated psychological distress and need appropriate detection and management of the psychosocial impact of their illness and treatment. This paper describes the multinational validation of the Distress Thermometer (DT) for AYAs recently diagnosed with cancer and the relationship between distress and patient concerns on the AYA-Needs Assessment (AYA-NA).

Methods: AYA patients (N=288; 15-29 years, M =21. Read More

Matern Child Health J 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR, USA.

Introduction: Implicit bias can lead medical professionals in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) to disregard mothers who are Black and economically disadvantaged as they advocate for their infants' health. Disregard can weaken underlying communication principles within the Family-Centered Care (FCC) model of pediatric health in NICUs and increase maternal distress. This study is the first to address communication disregard by examining mothers' perceived power and efficacy of voice with NICU doctors and nurses. Read More

Exp Brain Res 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, 07070, Turkey.

Experiencing stressful events during early life has been considered as a risk factor for development of functional gastrointestinal disorders in adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the sex-related differences in stress-induced gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility in rats exposed to neonatal maternal separation (MS). Newborn pups were removed from mothers for 180 min from postnatal day-1 to day-14. Read More