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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nursing professionals in the state of São Paulo
- M. C. V. R. De Oliveira, E. Ribeiro dos Santos, E. C. Araujo
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 67 / Issue S1 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 27 August 2024, p. S519
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Introduction
This is a descriptive cross-sectional clinical study with professionals from the Nursing Team (Nursing Assistant, Nursing Technician and Nurse).
ObjectivesTo assess the psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on nursing staff professionals.
MethodsA descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study will be applied to a structured interview aimed at collecting sociodemographic and occupational data, Mental Health Scales evaluating professional exhaustion - Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and Beck’s Anxiety Rating Scale to assess the state of anxiety.
ResultsAbout 13,587 nursing professionals were interviewed, including nurses, technicians and nursing assistants. They were evidenced through the behavior indexes related to insomnia, the desire to cry and appetite variation may be related to the long working hours, the fear of contamination and the consequent absence from work, as well as the fear of getting sick may be related to the fact that the professional stops being a caregiver and starts to be cared for.
Conclusionsthe study denotes the importance and need for interventions to promote and prevent mental well-being in health professionals exposed to COVID-19, these need to be implemented immediately, for nursing professionals, as they are on the front line, demanding attention Special. In this sense, the Nursing Council of the State of São Paulo created and implemented some bills such as the Obligation of Rest Rooms in Health Units, the Cuidando de Quem Cuida Program and the Yellow September Campaign in Allusion to actions for Nursing professionals for the prevention and promotion in mental health category.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
The biology of mental pain: a systematic review to map the different expressions, definitions, hypotheses, experimental paradigms, investigation methods and candidate biomarkers of mental pain in human subjects
- E. K. Duranté, A. Ribeiro, L. Gaspard-Boulinc, C. Lemogne, I. Boutron, A. Chevance
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 67 / Issue S1 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 27 August 2024, pp. S270-S271
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Introduction
Mental pain is a transdiagnostic symptom, predictive of suicide and reported as a critical outcome by patients. A previous systematic review of epidemiological and clinical research has shown a lack of consensual definition of mental pain in clinical research and high heterogeneity across the different measurement instruments of mental pain. Up today there is no systematic review synthetizing all published biological investigations on mental pain.
ObjectivesThis study aims to map the field of biological investigations of mental pain in human to identify what and how biomarkers are investigated with a meta-research approach, by providing a critical appraisal of the terms and definitions of mental pain, the studies’ hypotheses, the experimental paradigms used to induce or mimic mental pain and the measurement instruments used to measure mental pain.
MethodsWe conducted a systematic review (compliant with PRISMA guidelines) of all primary research reporting to investigate candidate biomarkers of mental pain in human subjects as stated by the authors. We searched from inception to June 23rd, 2022, the 3 databases MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE. We extracted the study characteristics (e.g., year of publication, population, etc.), the terms used for meaning mental pain, the definition of mental pain, the method to induce mental pain and its rational, the hypotheses and aims, the measurement instruments of mental pain, the candidate biomarkers, and their method of investigation. We performed descriptive statistics of the sample’s characteristics and the extracted data, a qualitative analysis of the definitions, hypothesis, aims and experimental paradigms, and a data visualization linking candidate biomarkers, experimental paradigms, and their investigation methods.
ResultsThe search retrieved 5685 papers of which we included 72 primary research publications constituting 78 distinct research studies. Only 37.5% of studies reported a definition of mental pain. 11.5% of studies did not show a measurement instrument of mental pain. The Cyberball (a social exclusion paradigm) was the most frequently used paradigm in experimental studies (62.7%). The cingulate cortex was the most frequently investigated biomarker category (15.3% of all candidate biomarkers), with fMRI as the most frequent investigation method (53.7% of all investigation methods).
ConclusionsThe field of biological investigations on mental pain shows a marked heterogeneity of definitions, terms, hypotheses, experimental paradigms, and measurement instruments, with an over-representation of the construct of social pain and the Cyberball. These could compromise the comparison and combination of studies results in evidence synthesis and their translation into clinical practice.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Clinical and Psychosocial Impact of Psychoeducational Groups for Psychosis
- F. B. F. Leitão, C. Cunha, J. Loureiro, A. Guedes, M. J. Ribeiro, C. Loureiro, J. Meira, P. Oliveira, J. R. Silva, P. M. Ferreira, A. M. Moreira
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 67 / Issue S1 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 27 August 2024, pp. S717-S718
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Introduction
Individuals with mental health disorders often lack access to appropriate care, including psychosocial rehabilitation programs, which are considered essential for their recovery. In 2019, as part of the intervention by the Community and Mental Health Service, at Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, we initiated a psychoeducational group for patients with psychotic spectrum disorders, with the purpose of providing our patients with comprehensive information about their condition and effective management strategies. Our 8-week program consisted of 16 sessions, including icebreaker activities, discussion of certain themes, sharing of experiences and practice of stress management techniques.
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess and quantify the impact of our 2023 program.
MethodsOut of a total of 20 patients interviewed for our program in 2023, 16 began the program and 12 completed it. The program’s evaluation was based on several assessment tools, including a sociodemographic questionnaire, a knowledge assessment questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire (ITAC), the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL), and the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). We also created a health agenda to organize an individual plan of care.
ResultsOur findings indicated an improvement in insight and attitudes towards treatment by 8.6%, an enhancement in treatment adherence by 5%, and an increase in knowledge by 11.9%. In terms of quality of life, we observed a slight improvement in the psychological domain by 0.6% and in the social domain by 1.2%. Regarding the impact on psychotic symptomatology, there was an average decrease in 4 points in the negative subscale and in 3 points in the general psychopathology subscale, whereas the positive subscale remained unchanged. None of the patients required hospitalization during this period.
ConclusionsOur study revealed some improvement in nearly all the evaluated parameters. There was an improvement of the therapeutic relationship, which we believe has contributed to lower scores in the negative symptoms and general psychopathology subscale. As for the study limitations, we acknowledge that we will need to expand our sample through additional programs in the next years, to include it in early intervention psychosis programs and to re-evaluate our patients’ outcomes after a more extended follow-up period, particularly if they continue to participate in our monthly mutual support group. Additionally, we must consider potential study biases, including the subjectivity of PANSS evaluations and the influence of other confounding factors, such as changes in treatment regimens during the program.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Exploratory study of a meditation intervention program on Portuguese breast cancer survivors
- A. Torres, C. Ribeiro, S. R. Costa
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 67 / Issue S1 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 27 August 2024, p. S645
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Introduction
Cancer patients, namely breast cancer survivors, are highly vulnerable to psychological morbidity. Noninvasive interventions are incentivized to promote the mental health and quality of life of cancer survivors. Recent studies provided evidence supporting the use of meditation as a promising adjuvant tool for improving the mental health and quality of life of cancer survivors.
ObjectivesThe present study aims to carry out a clinical trial to evaluate the effects of an online group of meditation program of Kundalini Yoga on breast cancer women, through a longitudinal and randomized research design, in the following variables: psychological morbidity, self-compassion, spirituality, and quality of life.
MethodsThis study had the participation of 35 participants distributed randomly for 3 equivalent groups (N=11 EG, N=13 ACG, N=11 PCG), with the diagnosis of breast cancer, aged between 34 and 78 years.
The sample of women with breast cancer was randomly selected from a breast cancer support association.
The protocol was applied online individually on pre-test, post-test, and 1-month follow-up moments, in 3 comparison groups: 1) the Experimental Group(EG), who practiced yoga Kundalini meditation; 2) the Active Control Group(ACG) that practiced relaxation; 3) the waiting list Passive Control Group(PCG). Intervention sessions were carried out for the EG and the ACG, in an online format, lasting about 30 minutes, weekly, for 8 weeks. Statistical analyses were considered at a 0.05 significance level. All analyses were performed with IBM SPSS, version 27.
ResultsThe results showed that the group that did yoga kundalini meditation (EG) had benefits, unlike the control groups, in the variables of emotional functioning, global spiritual well-being, and personal well-being. There were statistically significant differences in the overall self-compassion score when comparing the 3-time points in all groups. The sub-scale of self-kindness and transcendental well-being shows an increase significantly between the 3 moments in the active control group. The passive control group performed significantly worse over time in the self-kindness.
ConclusionsBased on preliminary results, the Experimental Group (EG) exhibited improvements in Self-Compassion, Spirituality, and Emotional Functioning (as evaluated by the QLQ C-30) following eight consecutive weeks of online Kundalini Yoga Meditation practice. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting meditation’s potential to enhance life quality and spiritual well-being in individuals with breast cancer. These preliminary findings suggest that further research in this promising field is warranted.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Do attachment styles influence the sexual function of an individual?
- J. C. Rodrigues, T. P. Soares, L. M. Ribeiro
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 67 / Issue S1 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 27 August 2024, pp. S767-S768
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Introduction
Attachment theory, first proposed by John Bowlby and later extended by Mary Ainsworth and others, outlines how experiences of early childhood attachment with caregivers can affect one’s emotional and interpersonal relationships throughout adulthood. Typically, attachment styles are categorised into four main types: secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant and disorganised. Conversely, it is recognised that various biological, psychological, relational, social and iatrogenic factors elements can impact an individual’s sexual function.
ObjectivesOur aim with this research was to present the most current literature on whether there is a correlation between attachment styles and sexual function.
MethodsWe conducted a non-systematic review on the topic using PubMed and PsycInfo.
ResultsThere is evidence indicating a link between attachment styles and sexual function.
People with secure attachment styles tend to experience more positive and fulfilling sexual relationships. Such individuals typically have a more positive self-image, they feel at ease with emotional intimacy, and are therefore able to openly communicate their needs and desires. They exhibit a healthy balance between seeking closeness and maintaining independence.
Individuals with anxious attachment styles may experience heightened levels of sexual anxiety and insecurity. Concerns regarding rejection or abandonment within sexual relationships may impact their sexual function and satisfaction. These individuals usually have a negative self-image and may be more prone to seek reassurance and validation through sexual activities.
People with avoidant attachment styles may encounter obstacles in developing emotional intimacy and closeness, which can negatively affect their sexual relationships. Such individuals might experience commitment anxiety and prioritise physical aspects of sexual activity over emotional bonding, ultimately decreasing sexual satisfaction for both them and their partners.
Disorganised attachment styles are linked with challenges in regulating their emotions and behaviours in intimate situations, which can have a negative impact on sexual function and satisfaction.
ConclusionsWhile the literature proposes attachment styles may impact sexual function, it is important to acknowledge other factors that contribute to sexual function. In addition to biological and iatrogenic factors, individual personality, relationship dynamics, past experiences, and cultural influences all have a significant role in shaping one’s sexual behaviour and satisfaction. All of these should be addressed in order to alleviate sexual difficulties.
Moreover, attachment styles may develop and change over time through positive relationships and therapeutic interventions, potentially leading to changes in one’s sexual functioning and relationship dynamics.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Forest cover and environment type shape functional diversity of insectivorous birds within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
- Enzo C Manzoli, Lucas P Gaspar, Marcos A Melo, Bruno FCB Adorno, Milton C Ribeiro, Augusto J Piratelli
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- Environmental Conservation / Volume 51 / Issue 2 / June 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 26 March 2024, pp. 95-103
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Tropical insectivorous birds comprise a diverse group that has a distinct response to habitat degradation. However, knowledge on birds’ ecological functions and their large-scale functional responses to human impacts across various habitats is scarce. We sampled 22 1-km-radius buffer landscapes within the Cantareira-Mantiqueira region (south-east Brazil), including native forests, pastures and marshes, to assess how landscape and habitat characteristics might affect insectivorous birds within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We studied whether bird species and functional diversity might respond to habitat turnover and nestedness and to native forest cover using generalized linear mixed models. We found negative effects of increased native forest cover on functional diversity indices. Bird communities in pastures show more nestedness, whereas marsh areas exhibit higher turnover. Forest areas receive a balanced contribution from both nestedness and turnover. These results are attributable to the predominantly secondary growth and early successional stages of the native forest fragments in the region, emphasizing the connection between landscape characteristics, habitat types and bird functional diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.
P135: Electroencephalography-Based Neuro-emotional Responses during interactive scenario therapy in the person with dementia – case study
- Marlene C. Neves Rosa, Sr., Dara Pincegher, Emanuel Silva, Susana L. Lopes, Natalia Martins Martins, Filipa Ribeiro, Mariline Ferreira, Duarte Fernandes, Mariana Moreira, Rui Martins, Rui Pedro Jesus, Sr., Alice Gabriel, Rafael Pinheiro
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- Journal:
- International Psychogeriatrics / Volume 35 / Issue S1 / December 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 February 2024, p. 136
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Background:
Immersive technologies have the potential to control cognitive and behavioural symptoms in people with dementia. A safe environment can be designed through a specific interactive scenario, according to the preferences and experiences of each user.
Objective:Mapping neuro-emotional responses during the interactive scenario therapy experience in a case study, with dementia, using electroencephalography (EEG).
Methods:A participant, 78 years old and diagnosed with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (female; Mini Mental State Examination score of 17 points; frontal assessment battery score of 8 points), underwent EEG analysis (EMOTIV EPOC X) using a protocol with interactive scenarios tailored to the participant's needs and preferences, the scenarios were designed from reminiscence strategies. The protocol included a stimulus that alternated between motor and cognitive activities (3 minutes), and breath-centered relaxation (1 minute). The scenarios used in this study were: setting up a living room; composing a cake recipe; shopping in the market to make a cake; looking for objects in the park; organizing a birthday party. These variables are provided, on a scale of 0 to 100, after processing by the algorithms of the EmotivPRO v3.0 software.
Results:The values found in the EEG analysis will be described without stimulus and with stimulus respectively. Thus, engagement (68.57 to 71.86); arousal (57.86 to 49.86), focus (61.57 to 57.00), interest (54.86 to 49.57), relaxation (33.86 to 30.86), and stress (53.71 to 43.00). The EEG data showed an increase in engagement when the patient was stimulated (68.57 to 71.86). Relaxation also increased (30.86 to 33.86) when the stimulus was removed. The stress level, as analysed by the EEG, was also higher in the period without stimulus and reduced in the period with the stimulus (53.71 to 43).
Conclusion:During a stimulus period in interactive therapy, there was an increase in engagement, which was related to an increasing focus during the stimulus. Lower values were observed compared to the period without stimulus, indicating a period of recovery after a period of concentration/arousal. Therefore, therapy with an interactive and familiar scenario, using a circuit of stimulus-breathing exercises, promotes a positive and adequate neuro-emotional response in a person with dementia.
Water use efficiency and yield responses of Cenchrus purpureus genotypes under irrigation
- R. E. P. Ribeiro, A. C. L. Mello, M. V. Cunha, M. V. F. Santos, S. B. M. Costa, J. J. Coelho, R. O. Carvalho, V. J. Silva
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- The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 161 / Issue 4 / August 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 September 2023, pp. 572-580
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In tropical regions, water stress is one of the main causes of the reduction in forage productivity, and irrigation strategies can mitigate the problem, especially for highly productive species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation, genotype and plant size on productive responses and water use efficiency (WUE) of elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus [Schumach.] Morrone), in the rainy and dry season. The experimental design was randomized in blocks, arranged in split plots, the main plots were established based on the use of irrigation and the subplots were the tall-sized genotypes (IRI 381 and Elephant B) and dwarfs (Taiwan A-146 2.37 and Mott). The genotypes were evaluated for two years and harvested every 60 days. Water use efficiency, total forage accumulation per year and harvest, forage accumulation rate and forage density were evaluated. There was a significant difference between the genotypes in terms of total forage accumulated (P < 0.05). The most productive genotype was IRI 381, which showed the greatest total forage accumulation (42 168 kg of DM/ha in two years) in the irrigated plots. During the rainy seasons, IRI 381 stood out in terms of forage accumulated (24 667 kg of DM/ha). Irrigation favoured increases in forage accumulation around 60%, in both years of evaluation. Irrigation and plant size influenced the productivity and WUE of elephant grass harvested in 60-day intervals. Tall genotypes and Taiwan A-146 2.37 (dwarf size) stood out in most of the productive traits analysed, while Mott was highlighted by its forage density.
Herbicide resistance in Bromus spp.: a global review
- Victor H. V. Ribeiro, Judit Barroso, Caio A. C. G. Brunharo, Carol Mallory-Smith
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- Weed Science / Volume 71 / Issue 5 / September 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 31 July 2023, pp. 422-437
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This review summarizes what is currently known about herbicide resistance in Bromus spp. worldwide. Additional information on the biology and genetics of Bromus spp. is provided to further the understanding of resistance evolution and dispersal of the different species. Cases of herbicide resistance have been confirmed in Bromus catharticus Vahl., Bromus commutatus Schrad. (syn.: Bromus racemosus L.), Bromus diandrus Roth, Bromus japonicus Thunb. (syn.: Bromus arvensis L.), Bromus madritensis L., Bromus rigidus Roth (syn.: Bromus diandrus Roth ssp. diandrus), Bromus rubens L., Bromus secalinus L., Bromus sterilis L., and Bromus tectorum L. in 11 countries. Bromus spp. populations have evolved cross- and multiple resistance to six herbicide sites of action: acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, acetolactate synthase, photosystem II, very-long-chain fatty-acid, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitors. Resistance mechanisms varied from target-site to non–target site or a combination of both. Bromus spp. are generally highly self-pollinated, but outcrossing can occur at low levels in some species. Bromus spp. have different ploidy levels, ranging from diploid (2n = 2x = 14) to duodecaploid (2n = 12x = 84). Herbicide resistance in Bromus spp. is a global issue, and the spread of herbicide-resistance alleles primarily occurs via seed-mediated gene flow. However, the transfer of herbicide-resistance alleles via pollen-mediated gene flow is possible.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and dementia – is there a link?
- C. Pinheiro Ramos, M. Magalhães, C. Baptista, R. Ribeiro, A. Gamito
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S239-S240
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Introduction
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive deficits and/or behavioral disturbances. The symptoms begin before 12 years and must cause an impact in different contexts. It is now recognized that in 40–60% of cases, ADHD symptoms persist into adulthood and old age, representing nearly 4% of adults and seniors.
Executive and memory deficits have been described in other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, and older adults with these disorders are observed, later in life, with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.
MCI is conceptualized as a prodromal stage of a neurodegenerative process, for which the pathological processes are not yet known. The term “MCI” is currently used to designate subjective complaints and performance below expected levels, in any cognitive domain.
There is, therefore, an overlap between ADHD and MCI in older adults, related to cognitive and behavioral symptoms. This overlap makes both syndromes difficult to distinguish, particularly in older patients.
ObjectivesTo highlight the importance of understanding the key processes of ADHD and MCI and how these entities may be related to each other.
MethodsNon-systematic review of the literature using Pubmed database. Papers were selected according to their relevance.
ResultsSleep disturbances are present in about 70% of adults with ADHD, and 59% of those with MCI. Depression and anxiety, respectively, are observed in about 44% and 35% of adults with ADHD, and 27% and 14% of those with MCI.
In the literature, the relationship between ADHD and MCI/Dementia remains unclear, although there are some hypotheses: (a) ADHD and MCI represent two points along a single pathophysiological continuum; (b) ADHD increases the risk for MCI and dementia (through an unrelated mediator); (c) ADHD and MCI manifest highly similar neurobehavioral symptoms through fundamentally distinct mechanisms (are unrelated). However, these three hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, i.e. ADHD may share common antecedent causal factors with MCI/Dementia and also increase the risk of MCI/Dementia through an unrelated mediator.
Neuroimaging evidence tends to support the hypothesis that neurobehavioral symptoms in ADHD and MCI manifest via distinct processes within the brain, with frontostriatal, frontal-temporo-parietal, and fronto-cerebellar abnormal networks in ADHD and progressive neurodegeneration in MCI.
ConclusionsWhether or not ADHD is a phase of a neurodegenerative process, the current criteria for the diagnosis of MCI or Dementia may not be appropriate or valid in individuals with a premorbid history of ADHD.
The criteria for the diagnosis of MCI/Dementia in adults with a previous diagnosis of ADHD should therefore be revised to rely more on functional outcomes.
Future neurobiological and epidemiological studies are needed, to explore the relationship between MCI/Dementia and ADHD, in older adults.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Looking though the Past, Present and Future of TMS-EEG
- S. N. Martins, C. Romano, B. Ribeiro
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S925
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Introduction
Psychiatry has been diagnosing its pathologies through the evaluation of the symptoms reported by patients, relying on a few complementary exams to exclude organic causes. Studies about transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) are bringing, from a clinical point of view, crucial information to characterize the different pathophysiological biomarkers of the psychiatric diseases, leading not only to the evolution of diagnosis, but also to an improved, more individualized treatment.
ObjectivesCharacterizing the state of the art of TMS-EEG and its use in psychiatric diagnosis and treatments of different diseases.
MethodsWe undertook a narrative literature review by performing a search on PubMed for English-written articles from the last 10 years. The query used was “TMS-EEG”; “TMS-EEG” AND “Schizophrenia” OR “Major Depressive Disorder” OR “Bipolar Disorder”.
ResultsTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe and reliable method of non-invasive brain stimulation that allows for the local activation of cortical areas through electromagnetic induction. When combining this method with electroencephalography (EEG), it enables the underlying mechanisms of brain diseases.
TMS is a powerful therapeutic technic in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The literature refers to an enhanced N45 and N100 amplitude, which indicates a baseline cortical inhibition that can indicate a depressed state, which can be used as a clinical biomarker to evaluate TMS treatments.
In Schizophrenia (SCZ), TMS-EEG reveals a decreased cortical inhibition and excitation. Indices of inhibition and excitation reductions were also related to cognitive deficits.
The current studies regarding Bipolar Disorder (BD) are not so consistent, revealing that there are shared neural pathways with MDD and SCZ. This is a pathology often misdiagnosed with MDD, so biomarkers would help to diagnose BD earlier and improve its prognostic.
ConclusionsTMS-EEG can be used to provide more accurate neural targets, leading to more powerful and personalized interventions in psychiatric disorders, as well as more accurate diagnoses.
As for future studies, it would be relevant to assess not only TMS treatment effects, but also pharmacological results in these different pathologies.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Cerebellar dysfunction and autism spectrum disorders – what do we know?
- C. Pinheiro Ramos, M. Alves, J. Marta, R. Ribeiro, A. Gamito
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S239
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Introduction
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by impairments in social cognition and repetitive behaviors with onset in early infancy. Deficits in emotion recognition, social perception, and communication have been identified as core symptoms of ASD.
Comorbid disorders are frequent, namely psychiatric illness, epilepsy, sleep disruption, and hyperactivity.
Immune profile changes during early life may contribute to pathogenesis of ASD. Other risk factors include advanced parental age, fetal environment, fertility treatments, medications, and nutritional and toxic factors.
Several brain regions are involved in the pathophysiology of ASD but the cerebellum is the structure most consistently found altered. An increased risk of ASD is associated with cerebellar damage.
ObjectivesTo highlight the importance of understanding the key processes of cerebellar development and how altered cerebellar function leads to social and cognitive impairments, and consequently ASD.
MethodsNon-systematic review of the literature using Pubmed database. Papers were selected according to their relevance.
ResultsFrom imaging studies, we can understand that cerebellum is not just about motor function. Different tasks like adding working memory, emotional and social processing, and language seem to be part of core functions of the cerebellar circuit.
Adults with lesions in the cerebellum can develop cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS), with core symptoms of impaired executive function, difficulties in spatial cognition, blunted affect, or inappropriate behavior. Some children who have tumor resection surgery for medulloblastomas also exhibit symptoms of CCAS, and some experience posterior fossa syndrome (PFS).
The linguistic, cognitive, and behavioral deficits in CCAS and PFS may contribute to explaining how cerebellar alterations are related to ASD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by an earlier onset and broader spectrum of these symptoms.
ConclusionsThe literature has suggested an important role for cerebellar dysfunction in etiology of ASD, under certain premises: (a) cerebellar expansion temporarily coincides with onset of ASD; (b) cerebellum is prone to lesions during this period; (3) cerebellar lesions contribute to dysfunctional social and language abilities.
Disturbances in cerebellar development lead to alterations in higher cognitive functions, due to changes in Purkinje cells. These dysfunctional neurons, once integrated into a brain circuit that controls complex tasks, lead to these functions becoming aberrant.
It is therefore fair to say that cerebellum is important for development of the so-called “cognitive and social brain” since it is itself part of this network. So, the cerebellum certainly plays a relevant role in pathophysiology of ASD.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Physical and psychoeducation combined group intervention: a quasi-experimental study with Portuguese cancer survivors
- A. Torres, A. Ribeiro, C. Matos, J. Costa, A. F. Oliveira, I. M. Santos, S. R. Costa
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S69-S70
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Introduction
Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and the risk of death from cancer has decreased continuously since 1991, therefore, This translates into an increasing number of cancer survivors (CS) worldwide.
During the survivorship seasons, CS face several short-term, long-term, persistent, and late-emerging health and psychosocial problems, including cancer-related pain, fatigue, menopausal symptoms, anxiety, depression, distress associated with the risk of cancer recurrence, chronic uncertainty, social disruption, alterations of sleep, sexual and cognitive dysfunctions.
Since 2002 that some researchers and clinicians argued that it is important to de-velop and implement rehabilitation programs for cancer patients that integrate both psychosocial and physical rehabilitation.
ObjectivesWith the scarcity of studies on the effectiveness of combined interventions in this population, despite the strong recommendation to perform and study it, and aiming to contribute to a greater knowledge on the theme, the present work aims to build, implement, and evaluate a combined intervention program, which integrates psychoeducational intervention with physical exercise to cancer survivors and relatives, through the following indicators: psychopathological symptoms (anxiety and depression), self-concept, coping strategies, personal growth and QoL.
MethodsA non-probabilistic convenience sample of 70 cancer survivors was assigned to: control (without intervention: n=32), combined intervention (n=21) and psychoedu-cation intervention (n=17) groups. Both intervention groups were 9 consecutive weeks duration. The combined intervention group benefited from 2 weekly exercise sessions additionally. It was administered before and after intervention the following questionnaires: demographic; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); Clinical Self-concept Inventory (ICAC); Cancer Coping Questionnaire (CCQ); sub-scale of Personal Growth of the Psychological Well-being Scale (EBEP) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref).
ResultsIt was observed a statistically significant reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms from the beginning to the end of the intervention, as well as a significative improvement of overall and all do-mains of self-concept and personal growth. It was not observed a significative difference on quality of life.
ConclusionsThe findings of this study contribute to support of the beneficial effect of combined intervention on psychological functioning of cancer survivors. Positive effects of the psychological program were observed but not into the same extent as in the combined intervention.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Cell segmentation in images without structural fluorescent labels
- Daniel Zyss, Susana A. Ribeiro, Mary J. C. Ludlam, Thomas Walter, Amin Fehri
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- Journal:
- Biological Imaging / Volume 3 / 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 17 July 2023, e16
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High-content screening (HCS) provides an excellent tool to understand the mechanism of action of drugs on disease-relevant model systems. Careful selection of fluorescent labels (FLs) is crucial for successful HCS assay development. HCS assays typically comprise (a) FLs containing biological information of interest, and (b) additional structural FLs enabling instance segmentation for downstream analysis. However, the limited number of available fluorescence microscopy imaging channels restricts the degree to which these FLs can be experimentally multiplexed. In this article, we present a segmentation workflow that overcomes the dependency on structural FLs for image segmentation, typically freeing two fluorescence microscopy channels for biologically relevant FLs. It consists in extracting structural information encoded within readouts that are primarily biological, by fine-tuning pre-trained state-of-the-art generalist cell segmentation models for different combinations of individual FLs, and aggregating the respective segmentation results together. Using annotated datasets that we provide, we confirm our methodology offers improvements in performance and robustness across several segmentation aggregation strategies and image acquisition methods, over different cell lines and various FLs. It thus enables the biological information content of HCS assays to be maximized without compromising the robustness and accuracy of computational single-cell profiling.
Exposure to ultra-processed foods during pregnancy and ultrasound fetal growth parameters
- Bárbara Hatzlhoffer Lourenço, Marcia C. Castro, Priscila de Morais Sato, Paulo Augusto Ribeiro Neves, Edwin Vivanco, Daniel Leal Lima, Marly Augusto Cardoso, for the MINA-Brazil Study Group
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- Journal:
- British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 130 / Issue 12 / 28 December 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 May 2023, pp. 2136-2145
- Print publication:
- 28 December 2023
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Periconceptional maternal ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption impairs embryonic growth. Impacts of exposure to UPF on distinct components of fetal growth in late pregnancy are unknown. We investigated the influence of frequency of UPF consumption during pregnancy on fetal head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL). This study included 417 live-born singleton pregnancies prospectively followed-up since the antenatal period in the MINA-Brazil Study, with an available ultrasound scan at >24 gestational weeks. Frequency of food groups consumption in the previous month was categorised as no/monthly, weekly or daily. Ultrasound scans were conducted at 27·8 (sd: 1·7) gestational weeks. HC, AC and FL z-scores were calculated for gestational age using the INTERGROWTH-21st Project standards. Simultaneous-quantile regression models were fitted at the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles of the distribution of each ultrasound parameter according to UPF consumption, with adjustment for potential confounders. Participants were aged on average 24·7 (sd: 6·5) years, 44·8 % were primiparous, and 26·9 % and 24·9 %, respectively, had weekly and daily UPF consumption. Compared with no/monthly intake, daily UPF consumption impaired HC across its distribution, with significant effect sizes varying from –0·24 to –0·40 z-score. Weekly UPF consumption decreased HC at the 90th percentile by –0·39 z-score (95 % CI: –0·78, –0·01) and FL at the 50th percentile by –0·32 z-score (95 % CI: –0·60, –0·04). No association was noted with AC. Frequency of UPF consumption was negatively associated with skeletal components of fetal growth in late pregnancy. Infant body composition may benefit from healthy food practices since pregnancy.
Maternal protein restriction during the lactation period disrupts the ontogenetic development of behavioral traits in male Wistar rat offspring
- Juliana de Oliveira-Silva, Patrícia C. Lisboa, Bruna Lotufo-Denucci, Mabel Fraga, Egberto G. de Moura, Fernanda C. Nunes, Anderson Ribeiro-Carvalho, Cláudio C. Filgueiras, Yael Abreu-Villaça, Alex C. Manhães
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- Journal:
- Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease / Volume 14 / Issue 3 / June 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 26 April 2023, pp. 341-352
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Neonatal undernutrition in rats results in short- and long-term behavioral and hormonal alterations in the offspring. It is not clear, however, whether these effects are present since the original insult or if they develop at some specific age later in life. Here, we assessed the ontogenetic profile of behavioral parameters associated with anxiety, exploration and memory/learning of Wistar rat offspring that were subjected to protein malnutrition during lactation. Dams and respective litters were separated into two groups: (1) protein-restricted (PR), which received a hypoproteic chow (8% protein) from birth to weaning [postnatal day (PN) 21]; (2) control (C), which received normoproteic chow. Offspring’s behaviors, corticosterone, catecholamines, T3 and T4 levels were assessed at PN21 (weaning), PN45 (adolescence), PN90 (young adulthood) or PN180 (adulthood). PR offspring showed an age-independent reduction in the levels of anxiety-like behaviors in the Elevated Plus Maze and better memory performance in the Radial Arm Water Maze. PR offspring showed peak exploratory activity in the Open Field earlier in life, at PN45, than C, which showed theirs at PN90. Corticosterone was reduced in PR offspring, particularly at young adulthood, while catecholamines were increased at weaning and adulthood. The current study shows that considerable age-dependent variations in the expression of the observed behaviors and hormonal levels exist from weaning to adulthood in rats, and that protein restriction during lactation has complex variable-dependent effects on the ontogenesis of the assessed parameters.
Lifetime caffeine and adolescent nicotine exposure in mice: effects on anxiety-like behavior and reward
- Ana Carolina Dutra-Tavares, Anderson Ribeiro-Carvalho, Fernanda Nunes, Ulisses Cesar Araújo, Vitor Bruno, Tania Marcourakis, Claudio C. Filgueiras, Alex C. Manhães, Yael Abreu-Villaça
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- Journal:
- Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease / Volume 14 / Issue 3 / June 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 April 2023, pp. 362-370
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Caffeine consumption occurs throughout life, while nicotine use typically begins during adolescence, the period when caffeine-nicotine epidemiological association begins in earnest. Despite that, few studies in animal models parallel the pattern of coexposure that occurs in humans. Therefore, the neurobehavioral consequences of the association between these drugs remain unclear. Here, we exposed Swiss mice to lifetime caffeine. Caffeine solutions of 0.1 g/L (CAF0.1), 0.3 g/L (CAF0.3), or water (CTRL) were used as the sole liquid source, being offered to progenitors until weaning and, after that, directly to the offspring until the last day of adolescent behavioral evaluation. The open field test was used to evaluate acute effects of nicotine, of lifetime caffeine and of their interaction on locomotion and anxiety-like behavior, while the conditioned place preference test was used to assess the impact of caffeine on nicotine (0.5 mg/Kg, i.p.) reward. Frontal cerebral cortex dopamine content, dopamine turnover, and norepinephrine levels, as well as hippocampal serotonin 1A receptor expression were assessed. CAF0.3 mice exhibited an increase in anxiety-like behavior when compared to CAF0.1 and CTRL ones, but nicotine coexposure mitigated the anxiogenic-like caffeine-induced effect. Distinctively, caffeine had no effect on locomotion and failed to interfere with both nicotine-induced hyperactivity and place preference. There were no significant effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic markers. In conclusion, although caffeine did not affect nicotine reward, considering the strong association between anxiety disorders and tobacco consumption, caffeine-induced anxiety-like behavior advises limiting its consumption during development, including adolescence, as caffeine could be a risk factor to nicotine use.
Landscape heterogeneity: concepts, quantification, challenges and future perspectives
- Vinicius Tonetti, João Carlos Pena, Marina DA Scarpelli, Larissa SM Sugai, Fábio M Barros, Paula R Anunciação, Paloma M Santos, André LB Tavares, Milton C Ribeiro
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- Journal:
- Environmental Conservation / Volume 50 / Issue 2 / June 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 27 March 2023, pp. 83-92
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The intrinsic complexity, variety of concepts and numerous ways to quantify landscape heterogeneity (LH) may hamper a better understanding of how its components relate to ecological phenomena. Our study is the first to synthesize understanding of this concept and to provide the state of the art on the subject based on a comprehensive systematic literature review of 661 articles published between 1982 and 2019. Definitions, terminologies and measurements of LH were diverse and conflicting. Most articles (534 out of 661) did not provide any definition for LH, and we found great variation among the studies that did. According to our review, only 10 studies measured the effects of different land-cover types on biotic or abiotic processes (functional LH). The remaining 651 studies measured physical attributes of the landscape without mentioning that different land-cover types may impact biotic and abiotic processes differently (structural LH). The metrics most frequently used to represent LH were the Shannon diversity index and proportion of land-cover type. Most metrics used as proxies of LH also coincided with those used to represent non-heterogeneity metrics, such as fragmentation and connectivity. We identify knowledge gaps, indicate future perspectives and propose guidelines that should be addressed when researching LH.
Evaluation of gamma-aminobutyric acid content in Portuguese cheeses with protected designation of origin status
- Rodrigo J. M. Sousa, Susana C. Ribeiro, José A. B. Baptista, Célia C. G. Silva
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- Journal:
- Journal of Dairy Research / Volume 90 / Issue 1 / February 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 17 February 2023, pp. 88-91
- Print publication:
- February 2023
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Health-conscious consumers are increasingly paying attention to healthy diets and focusing on natural bioactive compounds in foods and their effects on mental health. This opens new opportunities for the study of artisanal cheeses as biofunctional foods. In the work described in this Research Communication, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content of seven different Portuguese cheeses produced from unpasteurized cow, sheep, and goat milk and granted with protected designation of origin (PDO) status was analysed. The PDO cheeses made from cow milk analysed in this study were São Jorge (3, 4, 7, 12 and 24 months of maturation) and Pico cheeses. PDO cheeses made from sheep milk were Serra da Estrela, Serpa, Nisa and Azeitão. Cheeses made from sheep and goat milk included Beira Baixa yellow cheese. The GABA content in the Azorean PDO cheeses (made from cow milk) ranged from 1.23 to 2.64 g/kg of cheese. Higher variations in GABA content were observed in cheeses made from sheep and goat milk (0.73–2.31 g/kg). This study provides information on the GABA content in different Portuguese PDO cheeses and shows that hard or semi-hard ripened cheeses are a suitable matrix for GABA production by lactic acid bacteria.
Checklist of parasites associated with ʻreptiles’ in Northeast Brazil
- G. M. C. Lacerda, J. de A. Santana, J. A. de Araujo Filho, S. C Ribeiro
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- Journal:
- Journal of Helminthology / Volume 97 / 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 13 January 2023, e3
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Reptiles, as well as other vertebrate groups, harbour a significant diversity of parasitic organisms, from nematodes and other helminths to viruses and bacteria. The Northeast is one of the richest regions in Brazil in terms of the reptile diversity, number of species and endemism. Parasites are diverse organisms and knowledge about the parasitic fauna of vertebrates is an important factor in understanding the ecological relationships between hosts and the environment. Studies on the parasitic fauna of reptiles in South America have increased in the past few years. The present review is a compilation of 122 studies published from 1924 to 2021. We present information on 101 species of reptiles from five groups (amphisbaenians, crocodile, testudines, snakes and lizards) and 183 parasitic taxa belonging to four phyla: Nematoda; Arthropoda; Platyhelminthes; and Acanthocephala. Nematodes were the most frequently recorded species. Lizards and snakes had more records of parasitism and higher levels of parasite richness and diversity. Ceará was the state with most studies and recorded cases of parasite–host association. The Caatinga and Atlantic Forest were the most investigated environments. The objective of this review was to contribute knowledge on the parasitic biodiversity in reptiles from Northeast Brazil, which may help identify gaps in our knowledge and guide future studies.