Sex differences in response to intranasal oxytocin as an adjunctive therapy for patients with severe mental illness.

Studies investigating the potential benefits of intranasal oxytocin (INOT) as an add-on treatment for patients with severe mental illness (SMI) have yielded inconsistent results, potentially due to sex differences in response to INOT. This study explored the differential effects of INOT among male and female patients with SMI. A secondary analysis was conducted on a previously studied group of patients who participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the impact of INOT as an add-on treatment for patients with SMI.

Immune response against bacterial infection in organ transplant recipients.

This comprehensive review delves into the intricate dynamics between the immune system and bacterial infections in organ transplant recipients. Its primary objective is to fill existing knowledge gaps while critically assessing the strengths and weaknesses of current research. The paper accentuates the delicate balance that must be struck between preventing graft rejection through immunosuppression and maintaining robust immunity against bacterial threats.

Inpatient's, therapist's and staff's expectations regarding treatment and their effects on placebo response in the psychiatric ward - results from an add-on oxytocin RCT.

Objectives: Patient's and therapist's expectations are considered an important factor influencing placebo response in experimental and therapeutic settings. Nevertheless, the placebo effects of common neurological facilitators that promote treatment efficacy have not been explored. In the present study we examined the estimations of patients, therapists, and staff members, regarding their treatment type and assessed their influence on the facilitating effects of oxytocin.

Long-term efficacy of a continuity-of-care treatment model for patients with severe mental illness who transition from in-patient to out-patient services.

Background: Despite its significance, ensuring continuity of care demands substantial resources, which might not be readily accessible in many public healthcare systems. Studies indicate that continuity of care remains uncertain in numerous healthcare systems.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a continuity-of-care model for patients with severe mental illness (SMI), providing seamless treatment from discharge from a closed ward to subsequent psychiatric, psychological and rehabilitation services.

Oxytocin as a transdiagnostic biomarker of well-being in severe mental illness during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unlabelled: Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) have been found to suffer a greater decline in psychological well-being compared to the general population in times of stress. The present study aimed to examine clinical and endocrine resilience factors of psychological well-being in SMI patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods: After Covid-19 crisis outburst in Israel 112 participants, 69 outpatients, and 43 inpatients and day treatment patients were recruited.

Intranasal oxytocin as an adjunct treatment among patients with severe major depression with and without comorbid borderline personality disorder.

Introduction: Results of studies concerning a possible beneficial effect of Intranasal-Oxytocin (IN-OT) as an add-on treatment for patients with major depression (MDD) have been inconsistent. One possible explanation to account for the difference in the effect of IN-OT is comorbid borderline personality disorder (BPD). This randomized controlled study was aimed to explore the differential effect of IN-OT administration among depressive patients with or without comorbid borderline personality disorder.

Remdesivir, dexamethasone and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors use and mortality outcomes in COVID-19 patients with concomitant troponin elevation.

Background: There are indications that viral myocarditis, demand ischemia, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system pathway activation play essential roles in troponin elevation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Antiviral medications and steroids are used to treat viral myocarditis, but their effect in patients with elevated troponin, possibly from myocarditis, has not been studied.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone, remdesivir, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (ACEI) on mortality in COVID-19 patients with elevated troponin.

The effect of Oxytocin administration on patient-therapist alliance congruence: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The effects of oxytocin (OT) administration on psychotherapeutic processes have thus far been elusive. This study explored the effect of OT administration on patient-therapist congruence of the working alliance.

Method: Inpatients with mental disorders (= 87) participating in a randomized controlled trial received OT (= 44) or placebo (= 43) intranasally twice a day, for four weeks.

[SEASONALITY, HOLIDAYS AND THE DEMAND FOR URGENT PSYCHIATRIC CARE IN ISRAEL].

The demand for urgent psychiatric services provided in emergency departments demonstrates high variability throughout the year. Seasonality and holidays may influence this demand. While these two phenomena are widely documented for mental healthcare, the unique climate and Israeli population, which is mostly Jewish, raises doubts regarding the relevance of prior results.

Hospitalisation outcomes for patients with severe mental illness treated by female vs. male psychiatry residents.

Objective: Recent literature suggests that female physicians provide higher quality of care compared to their male counterparts across a variety of physical medical conditions. We examine whether a similar phenomenon is observed for psychiatry residents treating hospitalised psychiatric patients.

Methods: We analysed 300 hospitalised patient records from Shalvata Mental Healthcare Centre (Hod Hasharon, Israel).

A double-edged hormone: The moderating role of personality and attachment on oxytocin's treatment facilitation effect.

Background: Studies exploring the potential augmenting effect of oxytocin for patients with mental disorders have thus far reported mixed effects. However, oxytocin's effect may differ across patients with different interpersonal characteristics. This study aimed to examine the moderating role of attachment and personality traits on the effect of oxytocin administration on the therapeutic working alliance and symptomatic change, among hospitalized patients with severe mental illness.

Intranasal Oxytocin as Add-On Treatment for Inpatients with Severe Mental Illness: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: In recent years, several studies were conducted to explore the potential augmenting effect of oxytocin for the treatment of individuals with severe mental illness. Nonetheless, studies exploring its effects in routine inpatient settings using high-quality randomized controlled trials are scarce. The current study assessed the effect of oxytocin administration on treatment process and outcome among psychiatric inpatients, while employing a rigorous experimental methodology.

The Impact of a Continuity-of-Care Model From Hospitalization to Outpatient Clinic for Patients With Severe Mental Illness.

The authors sought to assess the impact of a continuity-of-care model on quality-of-care measures among hospitalized patients with severe mental illness in Israel. A "continuity-of-care physician" provided psychiatric care to patients during hospitalization and outpatient care after discharge. In the year after the model's implementation, emergency department visits significantly decreased by 32% and rehospitalization rates of patients discharged within 30 and 90 days decreased by 40% and 29%, respectively.

Buffering effect of in-patient psychiatric care on the link between fear of covid-19 and mental health consequences.

Background& Aimes: Psychiatric admissions during the covid-19 pandemic were limited, overlooking their possible benefit. This study focused on assessing the effect of the fear of covid on the mental health and well-being of inpatients as opposed to outpatients.

Methods: During the first lockdown, forty-four inpatients and day care patients (inpatient group) and 74 outpatients (outpatient group) were recruited after an informed consent procedure.

Case Report: Oxytocin and Its Association With Psychotherapy Process and Outcome.

The potential of Oxytocin (OT) as a facilitator of psychotherapy has been previously acknowledged, nonetheless, randomized controlled trials thus far have not yielded conclusive results. One approach suggested to clarify empirical inconsistencies is to refine the study hypotheses and data collection process by utilizing an in-depth idiographic exploration of the investigated phenomena. In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week.

Attitudes of patients with severe mental illness towards COVID-19 vaccinations: A preliminary report from a public psychiatric hospital.

Background: As patients with severe mental illness are at increased risk for COVID-19 mortality, the issue of willingness to be vaccinated is of extreme importance.

Methods: During February 2021 Shalvata Mental Health hospital provided Covid-19 vaccines to its patients. Fifty one patients suffering from severe mental illness, out of 196 patients hospitalized in closed, open or day wards during that period, signed the informed consent and were assessed for their clinical condition (OQ-45), fear of Covid-19 (FCV-19S) and approach to the vaccine (C19-VHS).

The association between symptom severity and theory of mind impairment in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The aim was to investigate the correlation between ADHD symptom severity and impairments in "theory of mind" (ToM) and empathy, and the improvement in these functions following the administration of methylphenidate (MPH). Fifty children aged 6-12 years with ADHD participated in the study. Symptom severity was assessed using the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire-IV (SNAP-IV).

Lack of association between severity of ADHD symptoms and salivary oxytocin levels.

Impairments in the reactivity of Oxytocin (OT) system were associated with interpersonal difficulties in children with ADHD. The current study aimed to explore the correlation between symptoms severity and salivary OT levels at different time-points in children with ADHD. Symptoms severity was assessed in 50 children with ADHD (28 males, mean age 9.

High-gamma oscillations as neurocorrelates of ADHD: A MEG crossover placebo-controlled study.

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder with a significant and pervasive impact on patients' lives. Identifying neurophysiological correlates of ADHD is important for understanding its underlying mechanisms, as well as for improving clinical accuracy beyond cognitive and emotional factors. The present study focuses on finding a diagnostic stable neural correlate based on evaluating MEG resting state frequency bands.

Correction: The effect of methylphenidate on social cognition and oxytocin in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.