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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.
Methods
The sample included 54,826 subjects (64.73% females; 34.15% males; 1.11% nonbinary gender) from 40 countries (COMET-G study). The analysis was based on the registration of previous history that could serve as a fair approximation for the lifetime prevalence of various medical conditions.
Results
About 24.5% reported a history of somatic and 26.14% of mental disorders. Mental disorders were by far the most prevalent group of medical conditions. Comorbidity of any somatic with any mental disorder was reported by 8.21%. One-third to almost two-thirds of somatic patients were also suffering from a mental disorder depending on the severity and multicomorbidity. Bipolar and psychotic patients and to a lesser extent depressives, manifested an earlier (15–20 years) manifestation of somatic multicomorbidity, severe disability, and probably earlier death. The overwhelming majority of patients with mental disorders were not receiving treatment or were being treated in a way that was not recommended. Antipsychotics and antidepressants were not related to the development of metabolic syndrome.
Conclusions
The finding that one-third to almost two-thirds of somatic patients also suffered from a mental disorder strongly suggests that psychiatry is the field with the most trans-specialty and interdisciplinary value and application points to the importance of teaching psychiatry and mental health in medical schools and also to the need for more technocratically oriented training of psychiatric residents.
Prevention of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major public health interestand one of the concerns of any emergency physician.
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a herbal supplement in preventing the occurrence of PTSD in high-risk patients.
Methods
: It is a randomized, double-blind, prospective, interventional study including patients exposed to a traumatic event meeting DSM-V Criterion A and having a Peri-traumatic Distress Inventory score and/or Peri-traumatic Dissociative Experience Questionnaire (PDEQ) and/or immediate stress score (L.Crocq score) higher than the thresholds between day 1 and day 3. A total of two hundred patients were included and they were randomly assigned into two groups: Aleozen group and placebo group. Patients included in the aleozen group received Aleozen® for 10 days while patients in the placebo group received a Placebo. A CAPS-5 assessment was performed for all patients at different moments. The main objective was to assess the efficacy of Aleozen® after day 90 of exposure to traumatic events according to PTSD. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the safety of Aleozen® at 10 and 30 days after its administration and to assess PTSD in the involved population after one year.
Results
No statistical differences were noted between the two groups in terms of baseline characteristics, including age, sex, and ISS score. After day 90 of follow-up, and according to the CAPS-5 scale, 85 patients (42.5%) had PTSD. Concerning the primary endpoint, less PTSD was observed in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (38.8% versus 61.2%, respectively; p<0.001). No adverse events were noted during the study
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest the potential preventive effects of an herbal supplement on PTSD for traumatic patients in the emergency department. Further confirmatory studies are required
The current SARS cov 2 virus disease pandemic presents a threatening physical danger as well as its impact on mental health. It seems important to screen any patient who has experienced covid 19 for its psychological impact.
Objectives
Therefore the aim of our study was to highlight the impact of COVID-19 infection on mental health by screening them for depression
Methods
This is a cross-sectional, single-center study, conducted at the Sahloul Emergency Department, over a period of 5 months (January to May 2021). Patients are collected from a database of ouremergencydepartment COVID-19 unit.We included patients whose age is greater than or equal to 18 years old; who has been infected with SARS-COV-2 according to the results of the PCR test. All patients lost to follow-up, refusing to participate in this study, having a psychiatric illness or having taken a psychotropic medication before randomization or non-cooperating (unable to respond to the evaluation test) were excluded.A telephone follow-up was done after 30 days from admission to calculate the HAMILTON score after a positif HAD D scale.
Results
200 patients were included. For the 20 patients (10%) with depressive symptomatology (doubtful and certain) according to the HAD D scale, their responses to the Hamilton scale were analysed in order to determine the severity of the depressive symptomatology. Note that 30% of patients had mild to moderate signs of depression and 70% had severe depression.The majority of patients in whom the presence of depressive symptoms was noted had an average age of 40 years; those who presented with severe depression had an average age of 51.3 years with a female majority of 72%. No difference was noted in relation to pathological history, half had been hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19(57%). Patients with severe depression symptom resolution lasted an average of 14 days.
Conclusions
According to the results of this study, interventions may be carried out to minimize the pandemic’s negative psychological consequences.
The actual pandemic of COVID 19 is a very unusual yet real situation we are facing. It has affected people in both physical and psychological way. In fact,in such particular circumstances, so many people experience stress, anxiety and depression.Objective
Objectives
The goal of our study is to emphasize theanxiety among patients who were tested positive with COVID 19 , using the HAD scale.
Methods
It is a retrospective study single-centerstudyPatients are collected from a database of the Sahloul emergency COVID unit. We include patients whose age is greater than or equal to 18 years old who has been infected with SARS-COV-2 according to the results of the PCR test. All patients lost to follow-up, refusing to participate in this study, having a psychiatric illness or having taken a psychotropic medication before randomization or non-cooperating (unable to respond to the evaluation test) were excluded. At 30 days follow up, anxiety was evaluated by HAD scale.
Results
200 patients were included in this study.In our study, 98 patients had symptoms of anxiety (49%) after one month of their consultation in the emergency room; i.e. 39% have a doubtful symptomatology of anxiety and 10% have a certain symptomatology. Half (51%) of the patients had no signs of anxiety depression. The average age of the patients in whom the presence of definite anxiety symptoms was noted was 56.2 years; 63.7% of these patients were female. No difference was noted in relation to the pathological history. Patients in whom the symptoms of anxiety were certain presented a persistence of clinical signs for 10.7 days in average as opposed to 7.1 days in patients without anxious symptoms (p<0.001).
Conclusions
Anxiety is so common among COVID 19 patients and it has a huge influence on the evolution of their health state . This is why all health workers have to fight against COVID and its effects on both physical and mental health . Highlighting the fact that a psychological assistance is highly recommended in the management ofCOVID19 patients in order to improve their prognosis
Alteration of GABergic neurotransmission is accused to be sharing in the cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Exploring the relation between the neuronal expression of GABergic genes and cognitive impairment in living patients through modeling of schizophrenia is an important step to know more about the core of the pathophysiology of this disorder
Objectives
Altered genetic expression of GAD 67 may have an important role in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
Methods
. Reprogramming of human fibroblasts into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSc) then neuronal differentiation was performed in 20 patients presenting with schizophrenia and 20 matched controls. Real time Polymerase chain reaction was done for measurement of genetic expression of GAD 65, GAD 67 and GABA beta 2. The Digit Symbol task, block design, block design task and similarities tasks from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale., Trail A and Trail B making tests in addition to Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF) were applied to measure cognitive functions .
Results
There were lower means of GAD65, GAD67 and GABA beta2genetic expression in the patients group with significant statistical difference between the 2 groups. The down regulation of GAD 67 in patients presenting with schizophrenia is positively correlated with impairment in executive functions.
Conclusions
GAD 67 gene expression had the most significant correlations with the cognitive assessment in both patients and controls. The presence of those statistically significant correlations in both groups points to the possible role of GAD 67 gene functioning in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
ASPD has a prevalence of 2-3% in the general population but rates in prison have been reported as 50% to 75%. ASPD is associated with significant psychiatric and medical comorbidity, high offending rates, poor psychosocial adaptation and premature death. Outcomes are poor. There is little consensus regarding the most effective intervention for the condition.
Aims and objectives
To conduct systematic literature reviews to identify randomised controlled trials for either pharmacological or psychological interventions for ASPD.
Methods
Systematic literature reviews (Cochrane reviews).
Results
For the review on psychological interventions only 11 studies could be included with a total of 411 participants, but only five reported data separately for the subgroup of ASPD. Nine of the studies looked at participants with substance misuse problems who also suffered from ASPD. Only three types of interventions were effective (contingency management, CBT and a specific programme for those convicted for driving whilst intoxicated). These interventions showed positive results for substance misuse related outcomes but not for any others behaviours or symptoms. For the pharmacological review 10 studies were identified, anticonvulsants were the most commonly used drugs with some evidence of effectiveness on aggression, however, study quality was poor.
Conclusions
Despite the considerable personal and societal consequences of ASPD, very little research is carried out with regards to interventions in this patient group and subsequently the evidence base to support any interventions is extremely limited.
Among the 10 categories of personality disorders (PDs), interventions for antisocial and borderline personality disorder are best studied. However, the remaining PDs also pose major problems in everyday health care settings. People affected often additionally present with Axis-I disorders such as substance-related, mood or anxiety disorders, and are among those most difficult to treat. Cluster A PDs (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal) are of particular significance as some authors argue that they may be part of a continuum of mental disorders and be considered as sub-syndrome of schizophrenia
Methods
In the context of Cochrane Collaboration reviews for Cluster A, B and C PDs, exhaustive literature searches were completed to identify the current RCT evidence for PD treatments. Retrievals were assessed and evaluated by two reviewers independently and trials for Cluster A PD were identified.
Results
Only very few (under five) RCTs specifically for Cluster A PDs were identified. Some studies reported on mixed PD samples but it was not always possible to extract data specifically for Cluster A disorders. Participants mostly also suffered from Axis-I disorders. Reported outcomes also focus on Axis-I disorder outcomes or general measures such as overall functioning rather than specific PD symptoms.
Conclusions
The current evidence for psychpathological treatment of Cluster A PD is sparse and does not allow for distinct treatment recommendations. Symptom-driven treatment regimes as suggested by several guidelines are not supported by current evidence.
The consumption of n-3 PUFAs is low, particularly the long chain (>18 carbon atoms) fatty acids that are most commonly found in fish oils. These dietary fatty acids have been shown to have a great effect on the health and immune status of different species including humans, rats and poultry. The current paper reviews studies on the effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on B- and T-cell subpopulations in peripheral blood, spleen, and thymus of poultry.
The generation of white light from CdS nanoparticles (NPs) illuminated by UV-LED is presented. The synthesis of CdS nanoparticles from the reaction of CdCl2 and the sulfur dissolved in oleylamine in 1:2 mole ratio was used in the preparation of CdS nanocrystalline. The PMMA film doped with CdS nanoparticles was prepared. The generation of white light was found from illumination of the CdS/polymer composite film by UV-LED of power 5 mW at λ = 385 nm. The white light generation mechanism was explaining depending on mixing colors from the illuminated CdS nanoparticles. The surface levels formed in the CdS optical energy band due to nanostructure was estimated from Poisson equation designed for this state. The chromaticity coordinates of the generated white light was measured by the help of photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and the correlated color temperature was found to be about 4000 K.
On examination of a house mouse (Mus musculus) trapped in Rifa village (Assiut Governorate), a Trypanosoma cruzi-like trypanosome was encountered which differed from the cruzi-like trypanosomes of local bats. It appeared to be a hitherto unknown species for which the name Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) assiutis sp.nov. is suggested.
Cassia acutifolia Del., known in the Sudan as ‘Senna Makka’ and in commerce as ‘Alexandrian Senna’ (Tothill, 1948), is indigenous to the Sudan and grows wild in the Northern and Central Provinces. It is used locally as a laxative and itsactive ingredient senoside is extracted for pharmaceutical purposes in England, U.S.A. and Germany. The Sudan has been exporting pods and leaves of Senna for many years and the crop has been steadily growing in economic importance. The exported produce is obtained from wild or cultivated Senna plants. Recently a breeding programme has been initiated to provide improved varieties that can both meet the growers’ need for high yield and satisfy the market's demand for uniform high quality produce. Before a proper plant breeding programme can be established, the mode of reproduction must be known since crop breeding procedures are largely determined by the reproductive system. This paper reports on studies made to determine the breeding system in Alexandrian Senna.
An experiment was carried out over a 3-year period at two locations in the central rainlands of Sudan under rainfed conditions at one site and under supplementary irrigation at the other to study the effects of cultivars and cultural practices on growth and grain yield of sunflower. Four cultivars, namely, Manohurian, Peredovik, Hungarian-A and Hungarian-B and four intra-row spacings of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm (in rows 60 cm apart) were tested with three sowing dates starting on 15 July and following at 15-day intervals. Manchurian outyielded the other three varieties under supplementary irrigation whereas under rainfed conditions the reverse was true. This was attributed to the relative earliness in flowering of the varieties and their moisture requirements. Manchurian was the tallest with the thickest stem and a larger head at both locations compared with the other three varieties. Under rainfed conditions, the early sowing date of 15 July gave a significantly higher grain yield than the other two sowing dates, with the last sowing date of 15 August giving significantly least. This is attributed to decreasing moisture availability with delayed sowings. But under supplementary irrigation the effect of sowing date was less marked. Contrasting effects of sowing dates on plant height and stem circumference were obtained under the two systems of production. Under rainfed conditions there was a decrease in plant height and stem circumference with delayed sowing, whereas under supplementary irrigation the reverse was true. A contrasting response of plant height to spacing was also obtained; wider intra-row spacing was associated with taller plants under rainfed conditions and shorter plants under supplementary irrigation. Wider spacing was associated with thicker stems and larger heads at both locations. On the evidence obtained, 45 cm intra-row spacing is recommended for rainfed planting and 30 cm intra-row spacing for irrigated production of sunflower.
An experiment was conducted over a 2-year period at two sites in the central rainlands of Sudan under rainfed conditions at one location and under supplementary irrigation at the other to investigate the effects of cultivars and spacing on yield and yield components of sunflower. Row spacing had no significant effect on grain yield under either system of production. Under rainfed conditions, the late maturing cultivar Manchurian performed better under wider row spacing than Hungarian-A which is a medium late maturing variety. Size and number of seeds weie significantly affected by row width. It is argued that the choice of a row spacing for sunflower production on a commercial scale in dry regions should be evaluated in association with machine efficiency which is affected by plant height, stem circumference, head diameter and lodging, all of which were significantly affected by row width. Also the number of plants established per unit area of land differed between systems of farming.
Field experiments were made under irrigated semi-arid conditions to determine the effects of sowing date and nitrogen application on the growth and yield of wheat and nitrogen-uptake by wheat plants. Early sowing was found to be favourable to high grain production because the post-anthesis period coincided with relatively lower temperatures. Late sowing was unfavourable to grain yields since the period between anthesis and leaf senescence was curtailed by the onset of relatively higher temperature. The benefits from nitrogen were greater with early sowing because of higher nitrogen-uptake during early vegetative growth as a consequence of which, nitrogen was readily available to the plants. This resulted in better leaf expansion, and higher leaf-area indices and leaf-area duration. With late sowing nitrogen-uptake was much lower during early vegetative growth and this resulted in decreased leaf expansion, reduced leaf-area indices and leaf-area duration and therefore diminished response in grain yield to nitrogen application.
Two experiments were run over a 3-year period in the central rainlands of Sudan under two systems of production, rainfed and irrigated, to assess the effects of system of production, inoculation and nitrogen fertilizers on plant and nodule development and grain yield of soya beans. Nodulated plants could fix more than 80 kg N/ha under irrigation whereas under rainfed conditions nodulation was neither effective nor efficient. Soya bean was responsive to nitrogen fertilizers under both systems of production giving significant increments in grain yields. Non-nodulating plants with added nitrogen fertilizers produced more total dry matter than nodulating plants during the vegetative phase until flowering time. At 2 weeks after flowering total dry-matter production for both types was equal and from then on to maturity nodulating plants outyielded non-nodulating ones in total dry-matter production. In 1979 and 1980 yield of irrigated nodulating soya-bean grain was 0·53 and 1·54 t/ha higher than rainfed yields whereas the difference in grain yields of the non-nodulating soya beans was 0·21 t/ha and zero during the same two seasons, respectively. There was a contrasting inverse relation between the number of nodules and dry weights under the two systems of production. Fewer and heavier nodules were produced under irrigation whereas under rainfed conditions nodulation was profuse and nodules were light. On the evidence available 1–4 g/m length of the granular form of soil implant inoculant (Nitragin), i.e. 16·6·66.4 kg/ha, is to be recommended for irrigated soya-bean production in Sudan.
A trial of open-pollinated (OP) cultivars and hybrids of different origins was conducted in 1986–1988 at two sites in the central clay plains of Sudan, rainfed at one site and under supplementary irrigation at the other. Throughout this study, the patterns of growth of the OP cultivars differed greatly from those of the hybrids, despite differences amongst cultivars within each group. Differences in seed yield between OP cultivars and hybrids under irrigation were not significant; but, under rainfed conditions, the hybrids gave higher yields than the OP cultivars. Partitioning efficiency (PE; reproductive mass: total biomass) increased more rapidly during flowering and seed filling in the hybrids than in the OP cultivars; differences in PE between the two groups were significant. The higher leaf area index, leaf area duration and crop growth rate of the OP cultivars were compensated to some extent by the higher PE and leaf efficiency values of the hybrids, resulting in similar seed yields of all cultivars under irrigation. Overall, irrigation increased seed yield by 0·6–1·9 t/ha and increased oil content by 8–15%.
The area of groundnuts in the Sudan has greatly increased in the last few years, as a result of introducing the crop in the Kenana Scheme (15000 ha) and the Rahad Scheme (50000 ha), as well as the intensification of the Sudan Gezira Rotation (225000 ha).
A three-year study of the effects of sowing date, nitrogen application and seed rate on wheat showed that sowing in mid-October gave consistently greater grain yields than sowing in mid-September or mid-November because grains were larger and more numerous per head. Nitrogen increased yields but the effect decreased with later sowing. Nitrogen probably increased grain yield by increasing the number of ears, but this effect diminished with higher levels of nitrogen. Grain yield was only slightly influenced by seed rate, and the interaction of seed rate with sowing date or nitrogen was unimportant.
The fertility of the Sudanese population (North) is close to natural. The high observed fertility rate in Sudan is found to be a function of the high proportion married and ineffective family planning procedures. The main inhibitor is prolonged lactational amenorrhoea. The high level of fertility exists in spite of a low level of fecundability. The duration of separation between spouses, due to temporary or seasonal migration of husbands, and the pathological causes of high primary sterility, which contribute to the low fecundability, need further investigation.
In the absence of reliable fertility statistics in the Sudan, estimates are based on census or sample survey data. Methods of analysis are applied which are suitable to the kind and quality of the collected information. This paper uses data provided by the World Fertility Survey of the Sudan. The number of children ever born tabulated by the duration of marriage is used to derive an estimate of the age pattern of fertility. The level of natural fertility is found to be low. However, the calculated crude birth rate is high and consistent with rates calculated by other methods using different data.