Non-binary gender, vulnerable populations and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Data from the COVID-19 MEntal health inTernational for the general population (COMET-G) study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant mental health challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations, including non-binary gender individuals. The COMET international study aimed to investigate specific risk factors for clinical depression or distress during the pandemic, also in these special populations.

Methods: Chi-square tests were used for initial screening to select only those variables which would show an initial significance.

Somatic multicomorbidity and disability in patients with psychiatric disorders in comparison to the general population: a quasi-epidemiological investigation in 54,826 subjects from 40 countries (COMET-G study).

Background: The prevalence of medical illnesses is high among patients with psychiatric disorders. The current study aimed to investigate multi-comorbidity in patients with psychiatric disorders in comparison to the general population. Secondary aims were to investigate factors associated with metabolic syndrome and treatment appropriateness of mental disorders.

BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphisms as a predictor for clinical presentation in schizophrenia - recent findings.

Schizophrenia is a highly heritable, severe psychiatric disorder that involves dysfunctions in thinking, emotions, and behavior, with a profound impact on a person's ability to function normally in their daily life. Research efforts continue to focus on elucidating possible genetic underlying mechanisms of the disorder. Although the genetic loci identified to date to be significantly associated with schizophrenia risk do not represent disease-causing factors, each one of them could be seen as a possible incremental contributor.

Cortisol and cytokines in schizophrenia: A scoping review.

Background: With a complex etiology and chronic, disabling evolution, schizophrenia continues to represent a challenge for patients, clinicians, and researchers alike. Recent emphasis in research on finding practical blood-based biomarkers for diagnosis improvement, disease development prediction, and therapeutic response monitoring in schizophrenia, led to studies aiming at elucidating a connection between stress and inflammation markers.

Methods: We set here to explore recent literature aiming to understand the connection between cytokines and cortisol level changes in individuals with schizophrenia and their potential relevance as markers of clinical improvement under treatment.

Is befriending a valuable intervention in schizophrenia? A scoping review.

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental disorder that involves disruptions in cognitive processes, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. Psychotherapeutic and social integration practices have increasingly been added to the pharmacological treatment in an effort to improve the level of functioning and the quality of life of individuals affected by this condition. Befriending, defined as a one-on-one companionship provided by a volunteer who aims to act as an emotionally supportive liaison, is hypothesized to be an effective such intervention, offering support for building and maintaining social relationships in the community.

Possible predictors of Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy in the psychiatric population - A scoping review.

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic brought vaccination to the front of the series of measures implemented to address the chain-reaction outbreaks that continue to cause loss and suffering. In spite of its proven efficacy, a considerable percentage of the population remains hesitant or right-out opposed. A need for informing public health strategies not only in regards to the current pandemic but for future similar developments remains of utmost importance for researchers and clinicians alike, especially when it comes to vulnerable categories of population.

Findings, limitations and new directions in tACS studies in schizophrenia research: A scoping review.

Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder with significant consequences for the individual who is diagnosed and their family, resulting in notable system-level costs associated with the current methods of treatment. With a complex etiology, this syndrome continues to evade our thorough understanding and invites cautious analysis into how the newest research findings may translate into meaningful interventions. Recent explorations of non-invasive interventions in psychiatry suggest that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a safe and potentially promising add-on to the current SZ treatment.

The effect of two antidiarrhoeal drugs on the psychosocial adjustment to illness in chronic functional diarrhoea.

Background: Chronic functional diarrhea is an embarrassing symptom, causing the impairment of the quality of life.

Aim: We looked for the effect of two antidiarrheal drugs, diosmectite and loperamide on the psychosocial adjustment to illness, a predictor for the health-related quality of life, in chronic functional diarrhea.

Methods: Prospective controlled randomized trial including 50 consecutive patients with chronic functional diarrhea.