PTSD Coach as an early mobile intervention to improve cancer-related anxiety and psychosocial oncology uptake in patients newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer: pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: This pilot study aimed to provide supportive evidence for the feasibility of conducting a full-scale intervention trial with patients newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC). This included assessing the acceptability and potential usefulness of the PTSD Coach mobile app as an early self-management intervention that gives information about anxiety symptoms, offers self-assessment of symptoms with feedback, tools to self-manage anxiety, and connects to support.

Methods: A three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted.

Task-based EEG and fMRI paradigms in a multimodal clinical diagnostic framework for disorders of consciousness.

Disorders of consciousness (DoC) are generally diagnosed by clinical assessment, which is a predominantly motor-driven process and accounts for up to 40 % of non-communication being misdiagnosed as unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) (previously known as prolonged/persistent vegetative state). Given the consequences of misdiagnosis, a more reliable and objective multimodal protocol to diagnosing DoC is needed, but has not been produced due to concerns regarding their interpretation and reliability. Of the techniques commonly used to detect consciousness in DoC, task-based paradigms (active paradigms) produce the most unequivocal result when findings are positive.

Antiviral and Antibacterial 3D-Printed Products Functionalised with Poly(hexamethylene biguanide).

Infection prevention and public health are a vital concern worldwide, especially during pandemics such as COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. Frequent manual disinfection and use of chemical spray coatings at public facilities are the typical measures taken to protect people from coronaviruses and other pathogens. However, limitations of human resources and coating durability, as well as the safety of disinfectants used are the major concerns in society during a pandemic.

Neuropsychiatric events associated with montelukast in patients with asthma: a systematic review.

Background: The United States Food and Drug Administration issued a black box warning on the mental health adverse effects of montelukast in 2020. Age-related effects on the risk of developing specific neuropsychiatric events in montelukast users remain largely unknown.

Objective: To describe the risk of neuropsychiatric events associated with montelukast in adults and children with asthma.

A novel approach in predicting virtual garment fitting sizes with psychographic characteristics and 3D body measurements using artificial neural network and visualizing fitted bodies using generative adversarial network.

Advances in technology have brought accessibility to garment product fitting procedures with a virtual fitting environment and, in due course, improved the supply chain socially, economically, and environmentally. 3D body measurements, garment sizes, and ease allowance are the necessary factors to ensure end-user satisfaction in the apparel industry. However, designers find it challenging to recognize customers' motivations and emotions towards their preferred fit and define ease allowances in the virtual environment.

Meta-analysis of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 metabolic activity on antidepressant response from 13 clinical studies using genotype imputation.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes including CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 are important for antidepressant metabolism and polymorphisms of these genes have been determined to predict metabolite levels. Nonetheless, more evidence is needed to understand the impact of genetic variations on antidepressant response. In this study, individual clinical and genetic data from 13 studies of European and East Asian ancestry populations were collected.

Loneliness in Breast Cancer Patients with Early Life Adversity: An Investigation of the Effects of Childhood Trauma and Self-Regulation.

Childhood trauma may be prevalent in the general population, and the psychosocial treatment of patients with cancer may require consideration of the effects of such early adversity on the healing and recovery process. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of childhood trauma in 133 women diagnosed with breast cancer (mean age 51, SD = 9) who had experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect. We examined their experience of loneliness and its associations with the severity of childhood trauma, ambivalence about emotional expression, and changes in self-concept during the cancer experience.

WITHDRAWN: Pathway Linking Emotional Suppression to Depression and Anxiety in Cancer Patients undergoing Chemotherapy: The Mediating Role of Ego-strength.

Unlabelled: This article has been withdrawn from the journal “Current Aging Science”, after noticing that it is already published in another journal, “Journal of Mental Health and Aging (2022) Volume 6, Issue 1”. The corresponding author is requested for an explanation of this violation. However, this paper still appears on the website of the journal "Journal of Mental Health and Aging" even after the author’s confirmation that they have withdrawn it from that journal.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Trials of New Antidiabetic Drug Classes.

Type 2 diabetes is among the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide and the prevention of associated cardiovascular complications is an important treatment goal. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are second-line options after metformin, while cardiovascular outcome trials have been conducted to establish the cardiovascular safety of these antidiabetic drug classes. SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to have the best overall mortality, renal and cardiovascular outcomes.

Blood lead level and risk of hypertension in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016.

Lead is a heavy metal without a biological role. High level of lead exposure is known to be associated with hypertension, but the risk at low levels of exposure is uncertain. In this study, data from US NHANES 1999-2016 were analyzed.

Development of a psychoeducational intervention for people affected by pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of any malignancy, placing a substantial burden on patients and families with high unmet informational and supportive care needs. Nevertheless, access to psychosocial and palliative care services for the individuals affected is limited. There is a need for standardized approaches to facilitate adjustment and to improve knowledge about the disease and its anticipated impact.

Characterizing death acceptance among patients with cancer.

Objective: Death acceptance may indicate positive adaptation in cancer patients. Little is known about what characterizes patients with different levels of death acceptance or its impact on psychological distress. We aimed to broaden the understanding of death acceptance by exploring associated demographic, medical, and psychological characteristics.

Mentalization in CALM psychotherapy sessions: Helping patients engage with alternative perspectives at the end of life.

Objective: To identify how therapists invite patients with advanced cancer to engage with alternative perspectives about their illness trajectory and their end of life.

Methods: Sequences of talk in which a therapist introduced a patient to alternative perspectives, were transcribed and analysed using the method of conversation analysis.

Results: The analysis identifies one subtle way a patient is invited to consider an alternative perspective relating to their disease progression.

Traumatic stress in patients with acute leukemia: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: Acute leukemia (AL) is associated with an immediate threat to life, an unpredictable clinical course, and substantial physical suffering. Traumatic stress symptoms that may meet criteria for acute stress disorder (ASD) may be common and disabling in this context, but have received little clinical attention. We investigated the incidence over time and risk factors for traumatic stress symptoms and ASD in the 3 months following diagnosis or relapse of AL.

Death-Related Anxiety in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Validation of the German Version of the Death and Dying Distress Scale.

Context: Distress and anxiety about issues related to death and dying is commonly experienced in patients with advanced disease and a limited life expectancy.

Objectives: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the German version of the Death and Dying Distress Scale (DADDS-G) in advanced cancer patients.

Methods: We recruited advanced patients with mixed tumor entities (Union for International Cancer Control [UICC] Stage III/IV) treated in two German University Medical Centers during their outpatient treatment.

The meaning of self-reported death anxiety in advanced cancer.

Background: Death anxiety is important but understudied in palliative care. New self-report measurements have been developed, but their interpretation and clinical utility may not be evident.

Aim: To inform our understanding of death anxiety in patients with advanced cancer by exploring the relationship between this self-reported symptom and its clinical presentation.

Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM): randomised feasibility trial in patients with advanced cancer.

Background: Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM) is a brief individual psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer. In an intervention-only phase 2a trial, CALM showed promising results, leading to the present 2b pilot, which introduces procedures for randomisation and improved rigour in preparation for a phase 3 randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Aims: To test trial methodology and assess feasibility of a confirmatory RCT.

Depression and hopelessness in patients with acute leukemia: the psychological impact of an acute and life-threatening disorder.

Objective: Acute leukemia (AL) is a life-threatening cancer associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in older adults. Given that there has been little research on the psychological impact of such malignancies with acute onset, we assessed the prevalence and correlates of depression and hopelessness in patients with AL.

Methods: Three hundred forty-one participants were recruited within 1 month of diagnosis or relapse and completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, and other psychosocial measures.

Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: We have developed a novel and brief semi-structured psychotherapeutic intervention for patients with advanced or metastatic cancer, called Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully. We describe here the methodology of a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of this treatment to alleviate distress and promote well-being in this population.

Methods/design: The study is an unblinded randomized controlled trial with 2 conditions (intervention plus usual care versus usual care alone) and assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Efficacy of a brief manualized intervention Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) adapted to German cancer care settings: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although psycho-oncological interventions have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and enhance quality of life, a substantial number of patients with advanced cancer do not receive psycho-oncological interventions tailored to their individual situation. Given the lack of reliable data on the efficacy of psycho-oncological interventions in palliative care settings, we aim to examine the efficacy of a brief, manualized individual psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer: Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM). CALM aims to reduce depression and death anxiety, to strengthen communication with health care providers, and to enhance hope and meaning in life.

Modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment System including constipation and sleep: validation in outpatients with cancer.

Context: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) measures the severity of nine symptoms. Constipation and sleep disturbance are common in patients with cancer, but are not currently included in the ESAS.

Objectives: To validate the numerical rating scale (NRS) versions of ESAS and its revised version (ESAS-r), with the additional symptoms of constipation and sleep (CS), and to assess patient preference for either version.

Initial validation of the Death and Dying Distress Scale for the assessment of death anxiety in patients with advanced cancer.

Context: The experience of death anxiety in patients with advanced cancer has been understudied partly because of the lack of a tailored measure for this population. The Death and Dying Distress Scale (DADDS) was constructed to address this gap. Although an initial version of this instrument has shown promising psychometric properties, validation of the finalized version is needed.