Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes associated with maternal schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and prenatal antipsychotic use: a meta-analysis of 37,214,330 pregnancy deliveries and propensity-score weighted population-based cohort study assessing confounder dependency of risk estimates.

Studies demonstrated increased obstetric and neonatal complications in women with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (SSD), but most inadequately addressed confounders and rarely considered antipsychotic effects. We conducted a meta-analysis and a population-based cohort study evaluating associations of adverse obstetric/neonatal outcomes with SSD and prenatal antipsychotic use. In the meta-analysis, we searched four databases from inception to October-31-2023 and generated pooled risk estimates using random-effect models.

Risk of adverse pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes associated with bipolar disorder and prenatal use of mood stabilizers: A population-based cohort study.

Previous research examining bipolar-disorder (BD) and pregnancy/neonatal outcomes yielded mixed results, were mostly derived from Western countries and rarely delineated effect between disorder and mood-stabilizers. This population-based study identified women age 15-50 years who delivered first/singleton child in 2003-2018 in Hong Kong, utilizing territory-wide medical-record database of public healthcare services. Propensity-score weighted logistic-regression analyses adjusted for confounders were employed to examine risk of adverse pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes associated with BD and mood-stabilizers (lithium, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics).

Psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, cognitive remediation training, and/or social skills training in combination for psychosocial functioning of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: Psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, cognitive remediation training, and social skills training have been found to be effective interventions for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, their efficacy on psychosocial functioning when provided in combination remains unclear, compared with all types of control conditions. It would also be meaningful to explore the differences of efficacy in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and those with longer term of illness.

Use of a positive psychology intervention (PPI) to promote the psychological well-being of children living in poverty: study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Poverty has a detrimental influence on psychological well-being of children. Existing evidence shows that positive psychology interventions are possible to mitigate such impact. Despite criticisms that positive psychology resembles a scientific Pollyannaism that promotes overly positivity, positive psychology is not the scientific Pollyannaism that denies the difficulties and emotions that people may experience.

Meta-analysis of diagnostic properties of the Whooley questions to identify depression in perinatal women.

Background: This study's objective was to assess the diagnostic properties of the Whooley questions in identifying depression among perinatal women according to previously published studies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of the Whooley questions in perinatal women.

Methods: Nine databases were searched in October 2021.

Understanding the needs of people aging with type 1 diabetes: a user-focused research study with prototype diabetes advance directive and setting the stage for future research.

Purpose: People living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) are living longer than ever and facing the new "luxury" of the challenges of aging. While research is slowly expanding and addressing T1D physiology with regards to aging, there is little research addressing specific challenges and barriers to optimal care by those aging with T1D. To address this gap, this study employed human-centered design research to explore the gaps and barriers to care faced by people aging with T1D.

Maintenance Treatment With Antipsychotic Drugs in Schizophrenia: A Cochrane Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Antipsychotic drugs are the mainstay of treatment of schizophrenia, and are known to reduce acute symptoms of the disorder. An original version of the current review, published in 2012, examined whether antipsychotics are effective for relapse prevention, compared to withdrawing these agents for people with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like psychoses, based on evidence from randomized trials. The current report of the update of the review is focused on some newly investigated outcomes: rates of remission and recovery, change in social functioning and in quality of life.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms in college students during the late stage of the COVID-19 outbreak: a network approach.

Mental health problems are common in college students even in the late stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Network analysis is a novel approach to explore interactions of mental disorders at the symptom level. The aim of this study was to elucidate characteristics of depressive and anxiety symptoms network in college students in the late stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Effect of high-endurance exercise intervention on sleep-dependent procedural memory consolidation in individuals with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Little is known about the effects of physical exercise on sleep-dependent consolidation of procedural memory in individuals with schizophrenia. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of physical exercise in improving this cognitive function in schizophrenia.

Methods: A three-arm parallel open-labeled RCT took place in a university hospital.

Mindfulness meditation for Chinese patients with psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mindfulness meditation (MM) and its alignment with the mind-body perspective of health in Chinese cultures indicate its potential to benefit Chinese patients with psychosis. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to address the following questions: (1) Does MM improve clinical, well-being, and third-wave outcomes (i.e.

Adventure-based training to enhance resilience and reduce depressive symptoms among juveniles: A randomized controlled trial.

There is growing concern about mental health problems among juveniles. Evidence shows that adventure-based training can reduce depressive symptoms in school children. However, a rigorous empirical investigation of the effectiveness of such training in enhancing resilience among juveniles has not yet been performed.

Maintenance treatment with antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia.

Background: The symptoms and signs of schizophrenia have been linked to high levels of dopamine in specific areas of the brain (limbic system). Antipsychotic drugs block the transmission of dopamine in the brain and reduce the acute symptoms of the disorder. An original version of the current review, published in 2012, examined whether antipsychotic drugs are also effective for relapse prevention.

The Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Psychoeducation Programme for Emotional Regulation in Individuals with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Emotion dysregulation has emerged as a transdiagnostic factor that potentially exacerbates the risk of early-onset, maintenance, and relapse of psychosis. Mindfulness is described as the awareness that emerges from paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It gently pulls the mind out of the negative emotions induced by the disparity between expectation and reality by focusing on the present moment, instead of worrying about the future or regretting the past.

Objective and subjective cognitive functioning in relation to psychopathology among women with early psychosis.

Background: Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) among early psychosis is under-recognized and under-studied. However, SCI is as important as objective impairment to be understood, since it assesses cognitive difficulties in real-life situations from a personal perspective and is therefore an essence of individualized medicine. This study aims to explore the associations between the objective and subjective measures of cognitive impairments and to identify factors contributing to SCI among people with early psychosis.

Quality of life and functioning in first-episode psychosis Chinese patients with different antipsychotic medications.

Aim: This study compared the quality of life and functioning of 285 first-episode psychosis Chinese patients with different antipsychotic medications in Hong Kong.

Method: Under the Jockey Club Early Psychosis project, a total of 285 patients were recruited from all inpatient and outpatient psychiatric units in Hong Kong between 2009 and 2011. In addition to the medication information, patients were assessed with the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), the Role Functioning Scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12) after stabilization of mental condition.

A Low-Intensity Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Mood Symptoms in People with Early Psychosis: Development and Pilot Evaluation.

Background: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are common in people suffering from early psychosis. Growing evidence shows that mindfulness-based intervention is an effective option in handling depression and anxiety disorders. Current article aims to provide documentation on the development and pilot study, before a RCT of larger scale, evaluating the acceptability and potential effects of a 7-week mindfulness-based intervention programme (MBI-p).

Chinese label for people at risk for psychosis.

Aim: With the movement of early detection and intervention for people at risk for psychosis, there is a growing need for a uniform terminology to describe the condition. A diagnostic label that can adapt into local culture and value may have positive effect in minimizing stigma. This study explored the preference of Chinese label for people at risk of psychosis and its associated stigma in Hong Kong.

Impact of physical activity on functioning of patients with first-episode psychosis--a 6 months prospective longitudinal study.

There has been increasing interest in studying the impact of physical activity on the psychological and physical well-being and functioning in patients with first-episode psychosis. The exploration of factors which contribute to physical activity in psychosis may open up opportunities for improvement of functional outcome. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physical activity level and functioning in psychosis.

Microfluidics and circulating tumor cells.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed from cancerous tumors, enter the circulatory system, and migrate to distant organs to form metastases that ultimately lead to the death of most patients with cancer. Identification and characterization of CTCs provides a means to study, monitor, and potentially interfere with the metastatic process. Isolation of CTCs from blood is challenging because CTCs are rare and possess characteristics that reflect the heterogeneity of cancers.

Early intervention for psychotic disorders: Real-life implementation in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is among the first few cities in Asia to have implemented early intervention for psychosis in 2001. Substantial changes in psychosis service have since taken place. We reviewed available outcome data in Hong Kong, with reference to the philosophy of early intervention in psychosis, discussing experience and lessons learned from the implementation process, and future opportunities and challenges.