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Investigating the Uniform Information Density hypothesis with complex nominal compounds
- John C. B. Gamboa, Leigh B. Fernandez, Shanley E. M. Allen
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- Applied Psycholinguistics , First View
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- 12 April 2024, pp. 1-46
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The Uniform Information Density (UID) hypothesis proposes that speakers communicate by transmitting information close to a constant rate. When choosing between two syntactic variants, it claims that speakers prefer the variant distributing information most evenly, avoiding signal peaks and troughs. If speakers prefer transmitting information uniformly, then comprehenders should also prefer a uniform signal, experiencing difficulty whenever confronted with informational peaks. However, the literature investigating this hypothesis has focused mostly on production, with only a few studies considering comprehension. In this study, we investigate comprehension in two eye-tracking experiments. Participants read sentences of two different lengths, reflecting different degrees of density, containing either a dense structure (a nominal compound, NC) or a structure that spreads the information through more words (a noun followed by a prepositional phrase, PP). Favoring the UID hypothesis, participants gazed longer at text segments following the critical structure when it was an NC than when it was a PP. They also regressed more in sentences containing longer structures. However, the pattern of results was not as clear as expected, potentially reflecting participants’ experience with the denser structure or task differences between production and comprehension. These aspects should be taken into account in future research investigating the UID hypothesis for comprehension.
The ability of the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce the transmission of
- A.S. Fernández, M. Larsen, P. Nansen, E. Henningsen, J. Grønvold, J. Wolstrup, S.A. Henriksen, H. Bjørn
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- Journal of Helminthology / Volume 73 / Issue 2 / February 1999
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 11 April 2024, pp. 115-122
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The ability of two isolates of the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce the numbers of gastrointestinal nematode larvae on herbage was tested in three plot studies. Artificially prepared cow pats containing Ostertagia ostertagi eggs, with and without fungal spores, were deposited on pasture plots two or three times during the grazing season in 1995, 1996 and 1997. The herbage around each pat was sampled fortnightly over a period of 2 months and the number of infective larvae was recorded. At the end of the sampling period, the remainder of the faecal pats was collected to determine the wet weight, dry weight, and content of organic matter. The infective larvae remaining in the pats were extracted. Faecal cultures showed that both fungal isolates significantly reduced the number of infective larvae. Significantly fewer larvae were recovered from herbage surrounding fungus-treated pats compared with control pats in all three experiments, reflecting the ability of the fungus to destroy free-living larval stages in the faecal pat environment. After 8 weeks on pasture there were no differences between control and fungus-treated pats with respect to wet weight, dry weight, and organic matter content. This indicates that the degradation of faeces was not negatively affected by the presence of the fungus.
Influence of Silica Content on the Surface Charge Characteristics of Allophanic Clays
- A. Gonzales-Batista, J. M. Hernandez-Moreno, E. Fernandez-Caldas, A. J. Herbillon
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- Clays and Clay Minerals / Volume 30 / Issue 2 / April 1982
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 April 2024, pp. 103-110
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The surface and charge characteristics of 6 allophanic clays originating from a climatosequence of Andisols have been studied by titration, ion retention, surface area, and reactivity measurements. Several properties of these clays, such as the pH of zero charge, the magnitude of the surface area, and the reactivity of structural hydroxyl groups, appear to be governed by their chemical composition, especially by their silica content. A similar relationship between the above properties and silica content also exists for synthetic aluminosilicate gels (often quoted in the literature as possible models of allophanes), despite their different structure to the natural clays. An explanation is that as desilication proceeds, octahedral polymeric units of aluminum progressively individualize in both the synthetic and natural samples. The surface areas of the aUophanic clays, based on the slope of the titration curve at pH 7, are closely related to the amounts of structural hydroxyl that can react with fluoride at about the same pH. The permanent negative charges are always very low, even for silica-rich, allophane-bearing samples. It is therefore suggested that all of these clays should be virtually free of tetrahedral aluminum.
Inequality on the frontline: A multi-country study on gender differences in mental health among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Diana Czepiel, Clare McCormack, Andréa T.C. da Silva, Dominika Seblova, Maria F. Moro, Alexandra Restrepo-Henao, Adriana M. Martínez, Oyeyemi Afolabi, Lubna Alnasser, Rubén Alvarado, Hiroki Asaoka, Olatunde Ayinde, Arin Balalian, Dinarte Ballester, Josleen A.l. Barathie, Armando Basagoitia, Djordje Basic, María S. Burrone, Mauro G. Carta, Sol Durand-Arias, Mehmet Eskin, Eduardo Fernández-Jiménez, Marcela I. F. Frey, Oye Gureje, Anna Isahakyan, Rodrigo Jaldo, Elie G. Karam, Dorra Khattech, Jutta Lindert, Gonzalo Martínez-Alés, Franco Mascayano, Roberto Mediavilla, Javier A. Narvaez Gonzalez, Aimee Nasser-Karam, Daisuke Nishi, Olusegun Olaopa, Uta Ouali, Victor Puac-Polanco, Dorian E. Ramírez, Jorge Ramírez, Eliut Rivera-Segarra, Bart P.F. Rutten, Julian Santaella-Tenorio, Jaime C. Sapag, Jana Šeblová, María T. S. Soto, Maria Tavares-Cavalcanti, Linda Valeri, Marit Sijbrandij, Ezra S. Susser, Hans W. Hoek, Els van der Ven
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- Journal:
- Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health / Volume 11 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 04 March 2024, e34
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Healthcare workers (HCWs) were at increased risk for mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, with prior data suggesting women may be particularly vulnerable. Our global mental health study aimed to examine factors associated with gender differences in psychological distress and depressive symptoms among HCWs during COVID-19. Across 22 countries in South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, 32,410 HCWs participated in the COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS (HEROES) study between March 2020 and February 2021. They completed the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and questions about pandemic-relevant exposures. Consistently across countries, women reported elevated mental health problems compared to men. Women also reported increased COVID-19-relevant stressors, including insufficient personal protective equipment and less support from colleagues, while men reported increased contact with COVID-19 patients. At the country level, HCWs in countries with higher gender inequality reported less mental health problems. Higher COVID-19 mortality rates were associated with increased psychological distress merely among women. Our findings suggest that among HCWs, women may have been disproportionately exposed to COVID-19-relevant stressors at the individual and country level. This highlights the importance of considering gender in emergency response efforts to safeguard women’s well-being and ensure healthcare system preparedness during future public health crises.
WIC staff and healthcare professional perceptions of an EHR intervention to facilitate referrals to and improve communication and coordination with WIC: A qualitative study
- Abigail McCall, Ashley E. Strahley, Katy W. Martin-Fernandez, Kristina H. Lewis, Angelina Pack, Beatriz Ospino-Sanchez, Ivy Greene, Gabriela de la Vega, Alysha J. Taxter, Sally G. Eagleton, Kimberly G. Montez
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- Journal:
- Journal of Clinical and Translational Science / Volume 8 / Issue 1 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 26 February 2024, e47
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Objectives:
Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has numerous benefits, yet many eligible children remain unenrolled. This qualitative study sought to explore perceptions of a novel electronic health record (EHR) intervention to facilitate referrals to WIC and improve communication/coordination between WIC staff and healthcare professionals.
Methods:WIC staff in three counties were provided EHR access and recruited to participate. An automated, EHR-embedded WIC participation screening and referral tool was implemented within 8 healthcare clinics; healthcare professionals within these clinics were eligible to participate. The interview guide was developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to elicit perceptions of this novel EHR-based intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results:Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight WIC staff, seven pediatricians, four medical assistants, and one registered nurse. Most participants self-identified as female (95%) and White (55%). We identified four primary themes: (1) healthcare professionals had a positive view of WIC but communication and coordination between WIC and healthcare professionals was limited prior to WIC having EHR access; (2) healthcare professionals favored WIC screening using the EHR but workflow challenges existed; (3) EHR connections between WIC and the healthcare system can streamline referrals to and enrollment in WIC; and (4) WIC staff and healthcare professionals recommended that WIC have EHR access.
Conclusions:A novel EHR-based intervention has potential to facilitate healthcare referrals to WIC and improve communication/coordination between WIC and healthcare systems.
Formation of Nontronite from Oxidative Dissolution of Pyrite Disseminated in Precambrian Felsic Metavolcanics of the Southern Iberian Massif (Spain)
- J. C. Fernández-Caliani, E. Crespo, M. Rodas, J. F. Barrenechea, F. J. Luque
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- Clays and Clay Minerals / Volume 52 / Issue 1 / February 2004
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 January 2024, pp. 106-114
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This paper describes a rare occurrence of nontronite associated with sulfide-bearing felsic metavolcanics, providing evidence of colloidal deposition in open spaces as result of a low-temperature water-rock interaction. Microbotryoidal masses of green nontronite with impurities of kaolinite, illite, barite, amorphous silica and iron oxyhydroxides are found as vein and cavity fillings in deeply kaolinized rhyolites and rhyolitic tuffs of Precambrian age, at Oliva de Merida in SW Spain. Clay mineral characterization has been carried out by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, analytical electron microscopy and stable isotope (oxygen and hydrogen) analysis. Nontronite was formed under low-temperature alteration conditions, from a continuous sequence of reactions and aqueous solution compositions, involving two basic processes that acted in concert: oxidative dissolution of pyrite and hydrolysis of K-feldspar. After acidity neutralization, dissolved silica released by incongruent dissolution of K-feldspar reacted with ferric sulfate derived from pyrite oxidation to form nontronite under oxidizing conditions, in the presence of relatively warm meteoric water.
5 Cognitive Rehabilitation Using Teleneuropsychology. A Cohort Study in South America
- Carlos Martinez Canyazo, Rodrigo S Fernandez, Maria B Helou, Micaela Arruabarrena, Nicolas Corvalan, Agostina Carello, Paula Harris, Monica Feldman, Ismael Luis Calandri, Maria E Martin, Ricardo F Allegri, Lucia Crivelli
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, p. 209
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Objective:
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the continuity of cognitive rehabilitation (CR) worldwide. However, the use of teleneuropsychology (TNP) to provide CR has contributed significantly to the continuity of treatment. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of CR via the TNP on cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and memory strategies in a cohort of patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Participants and Methods:A sample of 60 patients (60% female; age: 72.4±6.96) with MCI according to Petersen criteria was randomly divided into two groups: 30 cases (treatment group) and 30 controls (waiting list group). Subjects were matched for age, sex, and MMSE or MoCA.
The treatment group received ten weekly CR sessions of 45 minutes weekly. Pre-treatment (week 0) and post-treatment (week 10) measures were assessed for both groups. Different Linear Mixed Models were estimated to test treatment effect (CR vs. Controls) on each outcome of interest over Time (Pre/Post), controlling for Diagnosis, Age, Sex, and MMSE/MoCA performance.
Results:A significant Group (Control/Treatment) x Time (pre/post) interaction revealed that the treatment group at 10 weeks had better scores in cognitive variables: memory (RAVLT learning trials p=0.030; RAVLT delayed recall p=0.029), phonological fluency(p=0.001), activities of daily living (FAQ p=0.001), satisfaction with memory performance (MMQ Satisfaction p=0.004) and use of memory strategies (MMQ Strategy p=0.00), and a significant reduction of affective symptomatology: depression (GDS p=0.00), neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPIQ p=0.045), Forgetfulness (EDO-10 p=0.00), Stress (DAS Stress p=0.00).
Conclusions:This is the first study to test CR using teleNP in South America. Our results suggest that CR through teleNP is an effective intervention to improve performance on cognitive variables and reduce neuropsychiatric symptomatology compared to patients with MCI. These results have great significance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in South America, where teleNP is proving to be a valuable tool.
56 Dunning-Kruger Effect and Anxiety in a Mexican population
- Natalia L. Acosta, Krissy E. Smith, Tara L. Victor, David H. Hardy, Alberto L. Fernandez, Raymundo Cervantes, Ana Paula P. Quiñones, Carolina G. Castañeda, Jill Razani, Isabel D.C. Muñoz, Daniel W. Lopez-Hernandez
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 841-842
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Objective:
The Dunning-Krueger effect is a cognitive bias where individuals tend to overestimate their abilities in areas where they are less competent. The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item confrontation naming task. Hardy and Wright (2018) conditionally validated a measure of perceived mental workload called the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Researchers reported that workload ratings on the NASA-TLX increased with increased task demands on a cognitive task. Anxiety is known as an emotion that can make an individual more susceptible to develop a mental health condition. We examine if the Dunning-Krueger effect occurs in a Mexican population with and without current symptoms of anxiety and possible factors driving individuals to overestimate their abilities on the CNT. We predicted the abnormal symptoms of anxiety (ASA) group would report better CNT performance, report higher perceived workloads on the CNT, and underperform on the CNT compared to the normal symptoms of anxiety (NSA) group. We also predicted the low-performance group would report better CNT performance, report higher perceived workloads on the CNT, and underperform on the CNT compared to the high-performance group.
Participants and Methods:The sample consisted of 192 Mexican participants with NSA (79 low-performance & 113 high-performance) and 74 Mexican participants with ASA (44 low-performance & 30 high-performance). Participants completed the CNT, NASA-TLX, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in Spanish. The NASA-TLX was used to evaluate perceived workloads after the completion of the CNT. Meanwhile, the HADS was used to create our anxiety groups. Finally, CNT raw scores were converted into T-scores, which then were averaged to create the following two groups: low-performance (CNT T-Score <50) and high-performance (CNT T-Score 50+). A series of 2x2 ANCOVAs, controlling for gender were used to evaluate CNT performance and perceived workloads.
Results:We found a significant interaction where the low-performance ASA and the high-performance NSA groups demonstrated better CNT performance and reported higher perceived workloads (i.e., performance, temporal demand) on the CNT compared to their respective counterparts (i.e., low-performance NSA & high-performance ASA groups), p's<.05, ηp's2=.02. We found a main effect where the high-performance group outperformed the low-performance group on the CNT and reported lower perceived workloads on the CNT, p's<.05, ηp's2 =.04-.46.
Conclusions:The Dunning-Krueger effect did not occur in our sample. Participants that demonstrated better CNT performance also reported higher perceived workloads regardless of their current symptoms of anxiety. A possible explanation can be our sample's cultural norms of what would be considered as abnormal symptoms of anxiety, is a normal part of life, decreasing the possibilities to experience self-efficacy distoritions. Future studies should investigate whether the Dunning-Kruger effect may be influencing other aspects of cognitive functioning subjectively in Mexicans residing in Mexico and the United States with and without current symptoms of anxiety.
8 The Dunning-Kruger Effect on a Latinx Population
- Carolina Garza Castaneda, Matthew J. Wright, Raymundo Cervantes, Tara L. Victor, Krissy E. Smith, Chelsea McElwee, Adriana Cuello, Alberto L. Fernandez, Isabel D. C. Munoz, David J. Hardy, Daniel W. Lopez-Hernandez
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 423-424
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Objective:
Individuals tend to overestimate their abilities in areas where they are less competent. This cognitive bias is known as the Dunning-Krueger effect. Research shows that Dunning-Krueger effect occurs in persons with traumatic brain injury and healthy comparison participants. It was suggested by Walker and colleagues (2017) that the deficits in cognitive awareness may be due to brain injury. Confrontational naming tasks (e.g., Boston Naming Test) are used to evaluate language abilities. The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item confrontational naming task developed to be administered in multiple languages. Hardy and Wright (2018) conditionally validated a measure of perceived mental workload called the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). They found that workload ratings on the NASA-TLX increased with increased task demands on a cognitive task. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the Dunning-Kruger effect occurs in a Latinx population and possible factors driving individuals to overestimate their abilities on the CNT. We predicted the low-performance group would report better CNT performance, but underperform on the CNT compared to the high-performance group.
Participants and Methods:The sample consisted of 129 Latinx participants with a mean age of 21.07 (SD = 4.57). Participants were neurologically and psychologically healthy. Our sample was divided into two groups: the low-performance group and the high-performance group. Participants completed the CNT and the NASA-TLX in English. The NASA-TLX examines perceived workload (e.g., performance) and it was used in the present study to evaluate possible factors driving individuals to overestimate their abilities on the CNT. Participants completed the NASA-TLX after completing the CNT. Moreover, the CNT raw scores were averaged to create the following two groups: low-performance (CNT raw score <17) and high-performance (CNT raw score 18+). A series of ANCOVA's, controlling for gender and years of education completed were used to evaluate CNT performance and CNT perceived workloads.
Results:We found the low-performance group reported better performance on the CNT compared to the high-performance, p = .021, np2 = .04. However, the high-performance group outperformed the low-performance group on the CNT, p = .000, np2 = .53. Additionally, results revealed the low-performance group reported higher temporal demand and effort levels on the CNT compared to the high-performance group, p's < .05, nps2 = .05.
Conclusions:As we predicted, the low-performance group overestimated their CNT performance compared to the high-performance group. The current data suggest that the Dunning-Kruger effect occurs in healthy Latinx participants. We also found that temporal demand and effort may be influencing awareness in the low-performance group CNT performance compared to the high-performance group. The present study suggests subjective features on what may be influencing confrontational naming task performance in low-performance individuals more than highperformance individuals on the CNT. Current literature shows that bilingual speakers underperformed on confrontational naming tasks compared to monolingual speakers. Future studies should investigate if the Dunning-Kruger effects Latinx English monolingual speakers compared to Spanish-English bilingual speakers on the CNT.
42 Lexical Retrieval and Acculturation in Generation Z Mexicans
- Yvette D Jesus, Krissy E Smith, Krithika Sivaramakrishnan, Reymundo Cervantes, Tara L Victor, Brittany Heuchert, Dorthy Schmidt, Diana Palacios, Chelsea McElwee, David J Hardy, Enrique Lopez, Alberto L Fernandez, Daniel W Lopez Hernandez
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, p. 453
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Objective:
The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item lexical retrieval task that was developed to be administered in multiple languages. Research shows that self-identifying Mexicans residing in Mexico outperform self-identifying Mexicans that reside in the United States on the CNT. Studies indicate that the process of acculturation can influence cognitive performance. Previous studies demonstrated that Generation Z individuals (i.e., people born between 1997 and 2012) have underperformed on the CNT compared to Generation Y individuals (i.e., people born between 1981 and 1996). To our knowledge, no study has examined the influence of acculturation on Generation Z Mexicans’ CNT performance. We expected Mexicans residing in Mexico (MRM) to outperform Mexicans residing in the United States on the CNT and to report higher acculturation traits. We also predicted that acculturation would correlate with CNT performance.
Participants and Methods:The present study sample consisted of 285 Generation Z psychologically and neurologically healthy Mexicans with a mean age of 20.32 (SD = 1.60). Participants were divided into three groups: MRM, Mexicans residing in the United States, and Mexican-Americans residing in the United States (MARUS). All participants completed the CNT and acculturation measure in Spanish. Acculturation traits were measured by the Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale (AMAS). ANCOVAs were used to evaluate differences in the CNT and AMAS (i.e., Spanish language, Latino competency, Latino identity). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between acculturation on CNT performance.
Results:MRM outperformed the Mexicans residing in the United States and MARUS on the CNT, p = .000, np2 = .49. The MRM group reported better Spanish language abilities compared to Mexicans residing in the United States and the MARUS groups, p = .000, np2 = .10. Additionally, MRM reported better Latino competency than the MARUS group, p = .000, np2 = .08. Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed that the MARUS’s Spanish language abilities impacted CNT performance, p = .000, r = .48. In addition, we found that Latino competency correlated with CNT performance, p’s < .05, r’s = .20-.47, in both the MRM and Mexicans residing in the United States groups. Latino identity did not significantly correlate with CNT performance in any group.
Conclusions:Results confirmed that MRM individuals perform better on the CNT than Mexicans residing in the United States and MARUS. Additionally, we found that several acculturation traits correlated with Mexican groups’ CNT performance. Our research indicates that while all Generation Z individuals of Mexican heritage feel strongly connected to their Latino identity regardless of where they live, MARUS feel less competent in Spanish and Latinx culture than MRM and Mexicans residing in the United States. Future work should further explore these differences for better insight into how acculturative factors influence lexical retrieval performance. Future work with bigger sample sizes can additionally examine CNT performance and acculturation in Generation Z first-generation and non-first-generation Mexicans (e.g., second-generation, third-generation) residing in the United States.
22 Cordoba Naming Test Performance and Acculturation in a Geriatric Population
- Isabel C.D. Muñoz, Krissy E. Smith, Santiago I. Espinoza, Diana M. R. Maqueda, Adriana C. Cuello, Ana Paula Pena, Carolina Garza, Raymundo Cervantes, Jill Razani, Tara L. Victor, David J. Hardy, Alberto L. Fernandez, Natalia Lozano Acosta, Daniel W. Lopez-Hernandez
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- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 335-336
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Objective:
A commonly used confrontation naming task used in the United States is The Boston Naming Test (BNT). Performance differences has been found in Caucasian and ethnic minorities on the BNT. The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item confrontation naming task developed in Argentina. Past research has shown acculturation levels can influence cognitive performance. Furthermore, one study evaluated geriatric gender differences on CNT performance in Spanish. Researchers reported that older male participants outperformed female participants on the CNT. To our knowledge, researchers have not evaluated ethnic differences on the CNT using a geriatric sample. The purpose of the present study was to examined CNT performance and acculturation in a Latinx and Caucasian geriatric sample. It was predicted the Caucasian group would outperform the Latinx group on the CNT. Moreover, the Caucasian group would report higher acculturation levels on the Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale (AMAS) compared to the Latinx group.
Participants and Methods:The sample consisted of 9 Latinx and 11 Caucasian participants with a mean age of 66.80 (SD =6.10), with an average of 14.30 (SD = 2.00) years of education. All participants were neurologically and psychologically healthy and completed the CNT and the AMAS in English. Acculturation was measured via the AMAS English subscales (i.e., English Language, United States. Identity, United States, Competency). A series of ANCOVAs, controlling for years of education completed and gender, was used to evaluate CNT performance and acculturation.
Results:The ethnic groups were not well demographically matched (i.e., years of education and gender).We found that the Caucasian group outperformed the Latinx group on CNT performance p = .012, ηp 2 = .34. Furthermore, the Caucasian group reported higher acculturation levels (i.e., English Language, United States, Identity, United States, Competency) compared to the Latinx group p’s < .05, ηps2 = .42-.64.
Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate CNT performance between ethnic groups with a geriatric sample. As expected the Caucasian group outperformed the Latinx group on the CNT. Also, as expected the Caucasian group reported higher English acculturation levels compared to the Latinx group. Our findings are consistent with past studies showing ethnic differences on confrontational naming performance (i.e., The Boston Naming Test), favoring Caucasians. A possible explanation for group differences could have been linguistic factors (e.g., speaking multiple languages) in our Latinx group. Therefore, since our Latinx group reported lower levels of English Language, United States identity, and United States competency the Latinx group assimilation towards United States culture might of influence their CNT performance. Future studies with different ethnic groups (e.g., African-Americans) and a larger sample size should examine if ethnic differences continue to cross-validate in a geriatric sample.
30 Analyzing Spanish Speakers Cordoba Naming Test Performance
- Raymundo Cervantes, Isabel D.C. Munoz, Estefania J. Aguirre, Natalia Lozano Acosta, Mariam Gomez, Adriana C. Cuello, Krissy E. Smith, Diana I. Palacios Mata, Krithika Sivaramakrishnan, Yvette De Jesus, Santiago I. Espinoza, Diana M. R. Maqueda, David J. Hardy, Tara L. Victor, Alberto L. Fernandez, Daniel W. Lopez-Hernandez
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- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 443-444
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Objective:
A 30-item confrontation naming test was developed in Argentina for Spanish speakers, The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT). The Boston Naming Test is an established confrontation naming task in the United States. Researchers have used the Boston Naming Test to identify individuals with different clinical pathologies (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease). The current literature on how Spanish speakers across various countries perform on confrontational naming tasks is limited. To our knowledge, one study investigated CNT performance across three Spanish-speaking countries (i.e., Argentina, Mexico, and Guatemala). Investigators found that the Guatemalan group underperformed on the CNT compared to the Argentine and Mexican groups. The purpose of this study was to extend the current literature and investigate CNT performance across five Spanish-speaking countries (i.e., Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, United States). We predicted that the Argentine group would outperform the other Spanish-speaking countries.
Participants and Methods:The present study sample consisted of 502 neurologically and psychologically healthy participants with a mean age of 29.06 (SD = 13.41) with 14.75 years of education completed (SD = 3.01). Participants were divided into five different groups based on their country of birth and current country residency (i.e., United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, & Colombia). All participants consented to voluntary participation and completed the CNT and a comprehensive background questionnaire in Spanish. The CNT consisted of 30 black and white line drawings, ranging from easy to hard in difficulty. An ANCOVA, controlling for gender, education, and age, was used to evaluate CNT performance between the five Spanish-speaking country groups. Meanwhile, a Bonferroni post-hoc test was utilized to evaluate the significant differences between Spanish-speaking groups. We used a threshold of p < .05 for statistical significance.
Results:Results revealed significant group differences between the five Spanish speaking groups on the CNT, p = .000, np2 = .48. Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed that the United States group significantly underperformed on the CNT compared to all the Spanish-speaking groups. Next, we found the Guatemalan group underperformed on the CNT compared to the Argentinian, Mexican, and Colombian groups. Additionally, we found the Argentinian group outperformed the Mexican, Guatemalan, and United States groups on the CNT. No significant differences were found between the Argentinian group and Colombian group or the Mexican group and Colombian group on the CNT.
Conclusions:As predicted, the Argentinian group outperformed all the Spanish-speaking groups on the CNT except the Colombian group. Additionally, we found that the United States group underperformed on the CNT compared to all the Spanish-speaking groups. A possible explanation is that Spanish is not the official language in the United States compared to the rest of the Spanish-speaking groups. Meanwhile, a possible reason why the Argentinian and Colombian groups demonstrated better CNT performances might have been that it was less culturally sensitive than the United States, Mexican, and Guatemalan groups. Further analysis is needed with bigger sample sizes across other Spanish-speaking countries (e.g., Costa Rica, Chile) to evaluate what variables, if any, are influencing CNT performance.
39 Perceived Workload and Language Order Effects on the Cordoba Naming Test in Spanish-English Bilinguals
- Krissy E. Smith, Isabel D. C. Munoz, Raymundo Cervantes, Andrea R. Preciado, Tara L. Victor, Natalia Garcia, Paula V. Bracho, Enrique Lopez, Alberto L. Fernandez, Yvette De Jesus, Daniel W. Lopez-Hernandez
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- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 451-452
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Objective:
The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item confrontation naming task. The administration of the CNT can be administered in multiple languages. Hardy and Wright (2018) conditionally validated a measure of perceived mental workload called the National Aeronautic Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). They found that workload ratings on the NASA-TLX increased with increased demands on a cognitive task. Researchers found interactions in a study examining language proficiency and language (i.e., in which the test was administered) on several tasks of the Golden Stroop Test. Their results revealed that unbalanced bilinguals’ best-spoken language showed significantly better results compared to balanced bilinguals’ where language use did not matter. To our knowledge, no study has examined the order effects of Spanish-English bilingual speakers’ CNT performance and perceived workloads when completed in Spanish first compared to English second and vice-versa. We predicted that persons that completed the CNT in English first would demonstrate better performances and report lower perceived workloads on the CNT compared to completing the CNT in Spanish second. In addition, we predicted that persons that completed the CNT in Spanish first would demonstrate worse performance and higher perceived workloads on the CNT compared to completing the CNT in English second.
Participants and Methods:The sample consisted of 62 Spanish-English healthy and neurologically bilingual speakers with a mean age of 19.94 (SD= 3.36). Thirty-seven participants completed the CNT in English first and then in Spanish (English-to-Spanish) and 25 participants completed the CNT in Spanish first and then in English (Spanish-to-English). The NASA-TLX was used to evaluate CNT perceived workloads. All the participants completed the NASA-TLX in English and Spanish after completing the CNT in the language given, respectfully. A series of paired-samples T-Tests were completed to evaluate groups CNT performance and perceived workload.
Results:We found that the English-to-Spanish group performed better on the CNT in English first than completing it in Spanish second, p = .000. We also found that the English-to-Spanish group reported better performance and less mentally demanding on the CNT when it was completed in English first compared to completing it in Spanish second, p’s < .05. Regarding the Spanish-to-English group, we found participants performed worse when they completed the CNT in Spanish first compared to completing the CNT in English second, p = .000. Finally, the Spanish-to-English group reported worse performance completing the CNT in Spanish first, more temporal demanding, and more frustrating compared to completing the CNT in English second, p’s < .05.
Conclusions:As expected, when participants completed the CNT in English, regardless of the order, they performed better and reported lower perceived workloads compared to completing the CNT in Spanish. Our data suggests that language order effect influenced participants CNT performance possibly due to not knowing specific items in Spanish compared to in English. Future studies using larger sample sizes should evaluate language order effects on the CNT in Spanish-English balanced bilingual speakers compared to unbalanced bilingual speakers.
Ten new insights in climate science 2023
- Mercedes Bustamante, Joyashree Roy, Daniel Ospina, Ploy Achakulwisut, Anubha Aggarwal, Ana Bastos, Wendy Broadgate, Josep G. Canadell, Edward R. Carr, Deliang Chen, Helen A. Cleugh, Kristie L. Ebi, Clea Edwards, Carol Farbotko, Marcos Fernández-Martínez, Thomas L. Frölicher, Sabine Fuss, Oliver Geden, Nicolas Gruber, Luke J. Harrington, Judith Hauck, Zeke Hausfather, Sophie Hebden, Aniek Hebinck, Saleemul Huq, Matthias Huss, M. Laurice P. Jamero, Sirkku Juhola, Nilushi Kumarasinghe, Shuaib Lwasa, Bishawjit Mallick, Maria Martin, Steven McGreevy, Paula Mirazo, Aditi Mukherji, Greg Muttitt, Gregory F. Nemet, David Obura, Chukwumerije Okereke, Tom Oliver, Ben Orlove, Nadia S. Ouedraogo, Prabir K. Patra, Mark Pelling, Laura M. Pereira, Åsa Persson, Julia Pongratz, Anjal Prakash, Anja Rammig, Colin Raymond, Aaron Redman, Cristobal Reveco, Johan Rockström, Regina Rodrigues, David R. Rounce, E. Lisa F. Schipper, Peter Schlosser, Odirilwe Selomane, Gregor Semieniuk, Yunne-Jai Shin, Tasneem A. Siddiqui, Vartika Singh, Giles B. Sioen, Youba Sokona, Detlef Stammer, Norman J. Steinert, Sunhee Suk, Rowan Sutton, Lisa Thalheimer, Vikki Thompson, Gregory Trencher, Kees van der Geest, Saskia E. Werners, Thea Wübbelmann, Nico Wunderling, Jiabo Yin, Kirsten Zickfeld, Jakob Zscheischler
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- Journal:
- Global Sustainability / Volume 7 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 December 2023, e19
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Non-technical summary
We identify a set of essential recent advances in climate change research with high policy relevance, across natural and social sciences: (1) looming inevitability and implications of overshooting the 1.5°C warming limit, (2) urgent need for a rapid and managed fossil fuel phase-out, (3) challenges for scaling carbon dioxide removal, (4) uncertainties regarding the future contribution of natural carbon sinks, (5) intertwinedness of the crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, (6) compound events, (7) mountain glacier loss, (8) human immobility in the face of climate risks, (9) adaptation justice, and (10) just transitions in food systems.
Technical summaryThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Reports provides the scientific foundation for international climate negotiations and constitutes an unmatched resource for researchers. However, the assessment cycles take multiple years. As a contribution to cross- and interdisciplinary understanding of climate change across diverse research communities, we have streamlined an annual process to identify and synthesize significant research advances. We collected input from experts on various fields using an online questionnaire and prioritized a set of 10 key research insights with high policy relevance. This year, we focus on: (1) the looming overshoot of the 1.5°C warming limit, (2) the urgency of fossil fuel phase-out, (3) challenges to scale-up carbon dioxide removal, (4) uncertainties regarding future natural carbon sinks, (5) the need for joint governance of biodiversity loss and climate change, (6) advances in understanding compound events, (7) accelerated mountain glacier loss, (8) human immobility amidst climate risks, (9) adaptation justice, and (10) just transitions in food systems. We present a succinct account of these insights, reflect on their policy implications, and offer an integrated set of policy-relevant messages. This science synthesis and science communication effort is also the basis for a policy report contributing to elevate climate science every year in time for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Social media summaryWe highlight recent and policy-relevant advances in climate change research – with input from more than 200 experts.
Cross-language semantic and orthographic parafoveal processing by bilingual L1 German–L2 English readers
- Leigh B. Fernandez, Christoph Scheepers, Shanley E. M. Allen
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- Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , First View
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 31 August 2023, pp. 1-15
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In a recent study, Fernandez et al. (2021) investigated parafoveal processing in L1 English and L1 German–L2 English readers using the gaze contingent boundary paradigm (Rayner, 1975). Unexpectedly, L2 readers derived an interference from a non-cognate translation parafoveal mask (arrow vs. pfeil), but derived a benefit from a German orthographic parafoveal mask (arrow vs. pfexk) when reading in English. The authors argued that bilingual readers incurred a switching cost from the complete German word, and derived a benefit by keeping both lexicons active from the partial German word. In this registered report, we further test this finding with L1 German–L2 English participants using improved items, but with the sentences presented in German. We were able to replicate the non-cognate translation interference but not the orthographic facilitation. Follow up comparisons showed that all parafoveal masks evoked similar inhibition, suggesting that bilingual readers do not process non-cognate semantic or orthographic information parafoveally.
Resting energy metabolism and sweet taste preference during the menstrual cycle in healthy women
- Lorena Malo-Vintimilla, Carolina Aguirre, Angie Vergara, Rodrigo Fernández-Verdejo, Jose E. Galgani
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- Journal:
- British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 131 / Issue 3 / 14 February 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 29 August 2023, pp. 384-390
- Print publication:
- 14 February 2024
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Differences in blood concentration of sex hormones in the follicular (FP) and luteal (LP) phases may influence energy metabolism in women. We compared fasting energy metabolism and sweet taste preference on a representative day of the FP and LP in twenty healthy women (25·3 (sd 5·1) years, BMI: 22·2 (sd 2·2) kg/m2) with regular self-reported menses and without the use of hormonal contraceptives. From the self-reported duration of the three prior menstrual cycles, the predicted FP and LP visits were scheduled for days 5–12 and 20–25 after menses, respectively. The order of the FP and LP visits was randomly assigned. On each visit, RMR and RQ by indirect calorimetry, sweet taste preference by the Monell two-series forced-choice tracking procedure, serum fibroblast growth factor 21 by a commercial ELISA (FGF21, a liver-derived protein with action in energy balance, fuel oxidation and sugar preference) and dietary food intake by a 24-h dietary recall were determined. Serum progesterone and oestradiol concentrations displayed the expected differences between phases. RMR was lower in the FP v. LP (5042 (sd 460) v. 5197 (sd 490) kJ/d, respectively; P = 0·04; Cohen effect size, drm = 0·33), while RQ showed borderline significant higher values (0·84 (sd 0·05) v. 0·81 (sd 0·05), respectively; P = 0·07; drm = 0·62). Also, in the FP v. LP, sweet taste preference was lower (12 (sd 8) v. 16 (sd 9) %; P = 0·04; drm = 0·47) concomitant with higher serum FGF21 concentration (294 (sd 164) v. 197 (sd 104) pg/ml; P < 0·01; drm = 0·66). The menstrual cycle is associated with changes in energy expenditure, sweet taste preference and oxidative fuel partitioning.
Night-time/daytime Protein S100B serum levels in paranoid schizophrenic patients
- E. Diaz-Mesa, A. Morera-Fumero, L. Torres-Tejera, A. Crisostomo-Siverio, P. Abreu-Gonzalez, R. Zuñiga-Costa, S. Yelmo-Cruz, R. Cejas-Mendez, C. Rodriguez-Jimenez, L. Fernandez-Lopez, M. Henry-Benitez
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S445-S446
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Introduction
S100B is a calcium-binding astrocyte-specific cytokine, that is considered a biomarker of neurodegeneration; which may be involved in the imbalance of the inflammatory response observed in several brain disorders, including major depression and schizophrenia. Two meta-analyses have reported higher serum levels of S100B in patients with schizophrenia respect to healthy controls.
Different studies have described circadian and seasonal variations of biological variables, such as melatonin or cortisol. It has been reported that there is not circadian rhythm of S100B blood levels in healthy subjects. However, it is not known whether there are circadian oscillations in S100B blood concentrations in patients with schizophrenia.
ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to describe S100B serum levels in patients with schizophrenia and to analyse whether they follow a circadian rhythm.
MethodsOur sample consists in 47 patients in acute phase and stabilized status. Blood samples were collected at 12:00 and 00:00 hours by venipuncture. Serum levels of Protein S100B were measured three times: at admission, discharge and three months after discharge. Protein S100B was measured by means of ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) techniques.
Results12:00 24:00 P ADMISSION 132,95±199,27 85,85±121,44 0,004 DISCHARGE 73,65±71,744 75,80±123,628 0,070 CONTROL 43,49±34,60 40,14±23,08 0,47 P global P Admission Vs. Discharge P Admission Vs. Control P Discharge Vs. Control 0,97 There is a significance difference between 12:00 and 24:00 at admission for the Protein S100B.However, these difference did not occur at discharge and at three months after discharge.It can be interpreted as there is a circadian rhythm of Protein S100B when the patient has got a psychotic outbreak and disappears at discharge and when is psychopathologically stable.
ConclusionsWith respect to our results we can hypothesize that schizophrenic patients in acute relapse present circadian S100B rhythm that is not present when the patients are clinically stable.Furthermore, the decrease of serum protein S100B levels at discharge is indicative of a reduction of the cerebral inflammation, thus it can be a biomarker of cerebral inflammation and this reduction can be the effect of the treatment. Finally, its circadianity could be a guide of this process and clinical improvement.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITY IN A SAMPLE OF PATIENTS WITH COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL MINORITY DISEASE
- R. De la Mata, C. Manso-Bazús, S. Pujol, L. Torrent, L. Urraca, D. Vázquez-Tarrio, M. Esteve, E. Fernández, M. Pàmias
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S743
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Introduction
About the term cognitive-behavioral minority disease or rare disease are a group of diseases that affect between 6-8% of the populatio. It is estimated that there are more than 7000 in the world, the majority with a genetic basis and affect various organs and systems, they also present psychiactric comorbidities and cause a physical or mental disability. Given its definition, it is difficult to see a large number of these patients in our usual clinical activity, so their management can be complicated.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity and the prevalence of psyhcopharmacological treatment in children and adolescents whe present a minority disease.
MethodsThis is a descriptive, controlled, retrospective cross-sectional study of a sample obtained by non-probabilistic sampling, which is representative of the study population.
The statistical analysis was made using the statistical program SPSS V22 (2013).
ResultsWith a sample of 114 patients, of which 26,6% presented fragile X syndrome, secondly 25,3% presented Prader-Willi Syndrome and 48,1% other chromosomal abnormalities.
By subgroups (male:female): in Prader-Willi syndrome 6:14 (30%:70%), in Fragile X syndrome 12:9 (57,14%: 42,86%) and in other diseases 25:13 (75,69%: 34,21%).
ConclusionsThe creation of clinical expert units makes the possibility to increase knowledge of diseases whose prevalence in the population, thanks to technological advances, is increasing and where scientific knowledge is still limited.
These units are also important, in order to be able to offer personalized intensive treatments in order to reduce polypharmacy. There is not a great difference between the minority diagnosis and polypharmacy, although there is less polypharmacy than expected, which may be the result of the success of the most intensive and personal psychotherapeutic intervention in the unit.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone circadian variations in paranoid schizophrenic psychosis between acute and stable phases. A comparative study.
- A. Marcos-Rodrigo, A. L. Morera-Fumero, P. Abreu-Gonzalez, E. Diaz-Mesa, L. Fernandez-Lopez, J. J. Tascon-Cervera
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S186
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Introduction
Day-night changes in several molecules are studied as biomarkers of circadian rhytms (Morera-Fumero, A. L. et al. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2017; 75 207-212). Circadian rhythmicity of the pituitary-thyroid axis has been proven in healthy individuals, with a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) peak in serum around midnight and peaks during day hours (Bellastella, G. et al. Life 2021; 11(5), 426). A recent meta-analysis has reported differences in serum TSH levels between first-episode psychosis and multiple-episode schizophrenia (Misiak, B. et al. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2021; 111, 110402). However, studies assessing quantitative circadian variations on TSH serum in schizophrenic patients are scant.
ObjectivesComparing serum TSH levels at two different times of the day (12:00 and 24:00 hours) and the differences between the acute (hospital admission) and recovered phase (hospital discharge) of the disease.
MethodsFourteen male patients (age 26,8±9,3 years) with the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia psychosis according to the DSM-IV partake in the study. Patients were admitted to the University Hospital of the Canary Islands psychiatric room because of acute relapse. Blood samples were taken in the first 24 h of admission and at 24 h. before discharge. All patients gave written consent to participate in the research study. Serum TSH was determined by ELISA methods. Paired sample t-tests were performed between TSH serum levels at admission and discharge at 12:00 and 24:00 hours. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM® SPSS® Statistics 25 software for MAC (IBM Corporation 1989, 2017).
ResultsThere were statistical differences between the 12:00 h and the 24:00 h of the TSH serum levels at admission (12:00: 145,856±156,961vs. 00:00: 192,006± 122,757, p = 0.04); TSH discharge, (12:00: 134,483±72,882vs 00:00: 244,214±148,697, p = 0.002). There were no statistical differences between the 12:00 TSH levels at admission and discharge (145,856±156,961 vs. 134,483± 72,882, p = 0.66). The 24:00 h comparison of TSH levels neither elicited significant results (admission: 192,006±122,757 vs. discharge: 244,214± 148,697, p = 0.15).
ConclusionsSchizophrenic patients undergo TSH serum changes in a circadian pattern during the acute and stable phases of the disease; nevertheless, they experience smaller deviations during the acute phase. Higher levels of TSH were observed around midnight, as it happens in healthy individuals, with higher peaks during the stable phase compared to the acute one.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy: valproic acid-induced adverse reaction
- E. Gómez, L. Gallardo, R. Fernández, E. Talaya, L. Al Chaal, E. Rybak
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S1053-S1054
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Introduction
Hyperammonemic encephalopathy is an unusual but fatal consequence of patients being treated with valproic acid (VPA). The most relevant clinical features in cases of valproic acid-induced hyperammonemia include confusion, lethargy, vomiting, and increased seizure frequency and may progress to stupor, coma, and lead to death in isolated cases. The causes are not fully elucidated, but studies suggest alterations in liver and kidney function with abnormalities in the urea cycle causing increased ammonium levels.
ObjectivesClinical review and treatment approach for VPA-induced hyperammonemia encephalopathy.
MethodsClinical case and literature review.
ResultsA 23 - years - old male, admitted to the psychiatric unit for a psychotic episode in the context of drug use and associated affective symptoms. Treatment with antipsychotic (Risperidone 6mg per day) and mood stabilizer (valproic acid up to 1000/mg per day) was prescribed. After ten days of treatment, the patient started with low level of awareness and abnormal behaviour. Neurological examination showed marked somnolence, dysarthric language, unstable gait and behavioral alterations. In the physical examination the constants are stable with discrete tachycardia. Laboratory tests revealed hyperammonemia (609μg/dL), with normal liver function and serum concentration of total valproic acid was therapeutic (69mg/L). Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed no significant anomalies. Doctors initiated treatment with daily cleansing enema and VPA was suspended immediatly. After forty-eight hours the patient’s mental status gradually improved back to baseline and the ammonium levels were normalized in medical tests.
ConclusionsValproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy is an unusual but serious complication. It is often underdiagnosed, with an unclearly incidence. The consequences of undertreatment can be potentially deadly. Clinical suspicion should be established in all patients with decreased level of consciousness in patients receiving VPA. Hyperammonemia can be asymptomatic in half of the cases and can occur in people with normal therapeutic doses and normal serum valproate levels. The mechanism of VPA-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy is unclear. At present, it is thought to be primarily due to propionic acid, a metabolite of VPA, which inhibits an enzyme necessary for the elimination of ammonia in the urea cycle. In addition, VPA can raise plasma ammonia levels through interaction with carnitine, leading to increased renal excretion of carnitine. In terms of treatment, the main recommendations agree that discontinuation of valproate is the most effective therapy, followed by administration of lactulose to reduce ammonium levels. Carnitine supplementation may be useful in the following cases: for seizure disorders in children at risk of developing carnitine deficiency, in VPA poisoning and in VPA-induced hepatotoxicity.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared