9 results
Childhood trauma moderates schizotypy-related brain morphology: analyses of 1182 healthy individuals from the ENIGMA schizotypy working group
- Yann Quidé, Oliver J. Watkeys, Emiliana Tonini, Dominik Grotegerd, Udo Dannlowski, Igor Nenadić, Tilo Kircher, Axel Krug, Tim Hahn, Susanne Meinert, Janik Goltermann, Marius Gruber, Frederike Stein, Katharina Brosch, Adrian Wroblewski, Florian Thomas-Odenthal, Paula Usemann, Benjamin Straube, Nina Alexander, Elisabeth J. Leehr, Jochen Bauer, Nils R. Winter, Lukas Fisch, Katharina Dohm, Wulf Rössler, Lukasz Smigielski, Pamela DeRosse, Ashley Moyett, Josselin Houenou, Marion Leboyer, James Gilleen, Sophia I. Thomopoulos, Paul M. Thompson, André Aleman, Gemma Modinos, Melissa J. Green
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- Journal:
- Psychological Medicine / Volume 54 / Issue 6 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 20 October 2023, pp. 1215-1227
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Background
Schizotypy represents an index of psychosis-proneness in the general population, often associated with childhood trauma exposure. Both schizotypy and childhood trauma are linked to structural brain alterations, and it is possible that trauma exposure moderates the extent of brain morphological differences associated with schizotypy.
MethodsWe addressed this question using data from a total of 1182 healthy adults (age range: 18–65 years old, 647 females/535 males), pooled from nine sites worldwide, contributing to the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Schizotypy working group. All participants completed both the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire Brief version (SPQ-B), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and underwent a 3D T1-weighted brain MRI scan from which regional indices of subcortical gray matter volume and cortical thickness were determined.
ResultsA series of multiple linear regressions revealed that differences in cortical thickness in four regions-of-interest were significantly associated with interactions between schizotypy and trauma; subsequent moderation analyses indicated that increasing levels of schizotypy were associated with thicker left caudal anterior cingulate gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus and insula, and thinner left caudal middle frontal gyrus, in people exposed to higher (but not low or average) levels of childhood trauma. This was found in the context of morphological changes directly associated with increasing levels of schizotypy or increasing levels of childhood trauma exposure.
ConclusionsThese results suggest that alterations in brain regions critical for higher cognitive and integrative processes that are associated with schizotypy may be enhanced in individuals exposed to high levels of trauma.
Effects of the level of experience of horses and their riders on Cortisol release, heart rate and heart-rate variability during a jumping course
- N Ille, M von Lewinski, R Erber, M Wulf, J Aurich, E Möstl, C Aurich
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- Journal:
- Animal Welfare / Volume 22 / Issue 4 / November 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 January 2023, pp. 457-465
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Equestrian sports require the co-operation of two species, horses and humans, but it is unknown to what extent stress responses in the rider affect the horse. In this study, the stress response of experienced and less-experienced horses and riders at showjumping was analysed. Sixteen sport horses were divided into two groups (n = 8 each) by experience and were ridden by highly experienced professionals (n = 8) and less-experienced riders (n = 8). Riders jumped a course of obstacles with an experienced and a less-experienced horse and horses took part with an experienced and less-experienced rider. Salivary cortisol, heart rate and heart-rate variability (HRV) variables, standard deviation of RR interval (SDRR) and root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD) were analysed. Cortisol and heart rate increased and HRV decreased in all riders and horses. In less-experienced riders, cortisol release was higher on a less-experienced versus an experienced horse but the horses’ cortisol release was not affected by experience of their riders. Heart rate did not differ between groups of horses and was not affected by experience of the rider but was higher in less-experienced versus experienced riders. The HRV decreased in horses and riders and SDRR was lower in less-experienced versus experienced riders. Thus, lower experience of riders appears not to affect physiological stress parameters in their horses during a showjumping course.
Epidemiology of Traumatic Injuries in the Northeast Region of Haiti: A Cross-sectional Study
- Adam R. Aluisio, Annelies De Wulf, Ambert Louis, Christina Bloem
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 30 / Issue 6 / December 2015
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 09 November 2015, pp. 599-605
- Print publication:
- December 2015
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Introduction
More than 90% of traumatic morbidity and mortality occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and lacks contemporary statistics on the epidemiology of traumatic injuries. This study aimed to characterize the burden of traumatic injuries among emergency department patients in the Northeast region of Haiti.
MethodsData were collected from the emergency departments of all public hospitals in the Northeast region of Haiti, which included the Fort Liberté, Ouanaminthe, and Trou du Nord sites. All patients presenting for emergent care of traumatic injuries were included. Data were obtained via review of emergency department registries and patient records from October 1, 2013 through November 30, 2013. Data on demographics, mechanisms of trauma, and anatomical regions of injury were gathered using a standardized tool and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Temporal analysis of injury frequency was explored using regression modeling.
ResultsData from 383 patient encounters were accrued. Ouanaminthe Hospital treated the majority of emergent injuries (59.3%), followed by Fort Liberté (30.3%) and Trou du Nord (10.4%). The median age in years was 23 with 23.1% of patients being less than 15 years of age. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) and interpersonal violence accounted for 65.8% and 30.1% of all traumatic mechanisms, respectively. Extremity trauma was the most frequently observed anatomical region of injury (38.9%), followed by head and neck (30.3%) and facial (19.1%) injuries. Trauma due to RTA resulted in a single injury (83.8%) to either an extremity or the head and neck regions most frequently. A minority of patients had medical record documentation (37.9%). Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and mental status were documented in 19.3%, 4.1%, and 0.0% of records, respectively. There were 6.3 injuries/day during the data collection period with no correlation between the frequency of emergent trauma cases and day of the week (R^2=0.01).
ConclusionsTraumatic injuries are a common emergent presentation in the Northeast region of Haiti with characteristics similar to other LMIC. Documentation and associated data to adequately characterize the burden of disease in this region are lacking. Road traffic accidents are the predominate mechanism of injury, suggesting that interventions addressing prevention and treatment of this common occurrence may provide public health benefits in this setting.
,Aluisio AR ,De Wulf A ,Louis A .Bloem C Epidemiology of Traumatic Injuries in the Northeast Region of Haiti: A Cross-sectional Study . Prehosp Disaster Med.2015 ;30 (6 ):599 –605 .
Emergency Care Capabilities in North East Haiti: A Cross-sectional Observational Study
- Annelies De Wulf, Adam R. Aluisio, Dana Muhlfelder, Christina Bloem
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 30 / Issue 6 / December 2015
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 October 2015, pp. 553-559
- Print publication:
- December 2015
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Introduction
The North East Department is a resource-limited region of Haiti. Health care is provided by hospitals and community clinics, with no formal Emergency Medical System and undefined emergency services. As a paucity of information exists on available emergency services in the North East Department of Haiti, the objective of this study was to assess systematically the existing emergency care resources in the region.
MethodsThis cross-sectional observational study was carried out at all Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP)-affiliated hospitals in the North East Department and all clinics within the Fort Liberté district. A modified version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tool for Situational Analysis to Assess Emergency and Essential Surgical Care and Generic Essential Emergency Equipment Lists were completed for each facility.
ResultsThree MSPP hospitals and five clinics were assessed. Among hospitals, all had a designated emergency ward with 24 hour staffing by a medical doctor. All hospitals had electricity with backup generators and access to running water; however, none had potable water. All hospitals had x-ray and ultrasound capabilities. No computed tomography scanners existed in the region. Invasive airway equipment and associated medications were not present consistently in the hospitals’ emergency care areas, but they were available in the operating rooms. Pulse oximetry was unavailable uniformly. One hospital had intermittently functioning defibrillation equipment, and two hospitals had epinephrine. Basic supplies for managing obstetrical and traumatic emergencies were available at all hospitals. Surgical services were accessible at two hospitals. No critical care services were available in the region. Clinics varied widely in terms of equipment availability. They uniformly had limited emergency medical equipment. The clinics also had inconsistent access to basic assessment tools (sphygmomanometers 20% and stethoscopes 60%). A protocol for transferring patients requiring a higher level of care was present in most (80%) clinics and one of the hospitals. However, no facility had a written protocol for transferring patients to other facilities. One hospital reported intermittent access to an ambulance for transfers.
ConclusionsDeficits in the supply of emergency equipment and limited protocols for inter-facility transfers exist in North East Department of Haiti. These essential areas represent appropriate targets for interventions aimed at improving access to emergency care within the North East region of Haiti.
,De Wulf A ,Aluisio AR ,Muhlfelder D .Bloem C Emergency Care Capabilities in North East Haiti: A Cross-sectional Observational Study . Prehosp Disaster Med.2015 ;30 (6 ):553 –559 .
Prehospital Characteristics in the North East Department of Haiti: A Cross-sectional Study from a Low-income Setting Without Prehospital Systems
- Adam R. Aluisio, Robert Gore, Isnelle Decome, Annelies De Wulf, Christina Bloem
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 29 / Issue 3 / June 2014
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 12 May 2014, pp. 230-236
- Print publication:
- June 2014
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Introduction
Although prehospital care is recognized as key in health systems development, it has been largely neglected in Haiti. The North East Department is one of the poorest areas of Haiti, and is a region where no data on out-of-hospital health care exists. This research assessed prehospital characteristics in the North East Department with the aim of providing baseline data to inform prehospital systems development.
MethodsIn this observational study, data were collected from patients presenting at the Fort Liberté Hospital, the public regional referral health center in the North East Department. Data were accrued from April 2, 2012 through June 5, 2012. All patients accessing acute care at the hospital were eligible for enrollment. After obtaining consent, data on demographics, health needs, and prehospital information were gathered via a standardized questionnaire administered by hospital staff trained in study protocols.
ResultsData were collected from 441 patient visits. The median age was 24 years, with 62% of the population being female. Medical complaints comprised 75% of visits, with fever and gastrointestinal complaints being the most common reasons for presentation. Traumatic injuries accounted for 25% of encounters, with an equal distribution of blunt and penetrating events. Extremity injuries were the most common traumatic subclassification. The majority of patients (67.2%) were transported by motorcycle taxi and paid transport fees. Trauma patients were more likely to be transported without charge (OR = 9.10; 95% CI, 2.19-37.76; P < .001). Medical patients were most commonly brought from home (78.5%) and trauma patients from a road/street setting (42.9%). Median time to presentation was 240 minutes (IQR = 120-500) and 65 minutes (IQR = 30-150) for medical and trauma complaints, respectively (P < .001). Eleven percent of patients reported receiving care prior to arrival. As compared with medical patients, trauma victims were less likely to have received prehospital care.
ConclusionsAssessing prehospital care in this low-income setting that lacks surveillance systems was feasible and required minimal resources. Motorcycle taxi drivers function as the primary emergency transport mechanism and may represent an access point for prehospital interventions in the North East Department of Haiti. Out-of-hospital care is nearly nonexistent in the region and its development has the potential to yield public health benefits.
. ,Aluisio AR ,Gore R ,Decome I ,De Wulf A .Bloem C Prehospital Characteristics in the North East Department of Haiti: A Cross-sectional Study from a Low-income Setting Without Prehospital Systems . Prehosp Disaster Med.2014 ;29 (3 ):1 -7
Prevalence of mental disorders in the Zurich Cohort Study: a twenty year prospective study
- Jules Angst, Alex Gamma, Martin Neuenschwander, Vladeta Ajdacic-Gross, Dominique Eich, Wulf Rössler, Kathleen R. Merikangas
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- Journal:
- Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale / Volume 14 / Issue 2 / June 2005
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 11 October 2011, pp. 68-76
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Background — In order to minimise retrospective recall in developing estimates of the prevalence of mental dis-orders in the general population, we conducted a prospective study of a cohort of youth from Zurich, Switzerland. Method — A 20 year prospective study of a community-based cohort aged 19-20 from Zurich Switzerland. The sample was enriched by subjects scoring high on the Symptom Checklist 90 R (Derogatis, 1977). A semi-structured diagnostic interview was administered by clinically experienced psychologists and psychiatrists. The six interviews from 1979 to 1999 assessed diagnoses and sub-threshold manifestations of major diagnostic categories (with the exception of schizophrenia) for the past twelve months, depending on the current DSM versions (DSM-IH, DSM-HI R, DSM-IV). Additional information on symptoms and treatment were collected for the years between the interviews. The reported prevalence rates are weighted for stratified sampling and cumulate the one-year rates of the six interviews. Results — The cumulative weighted prevalence rates for any psychiatric disorder were 48.6% excluding, and 57.7% including tobacco dependence. In addition 29.2% and 21.8%, respectively manifested sub-diagnostic syndromes. Overall there were no significant gender differences. The corresponding treatment prevalence rates were 22.4% and 31.1%, respectively for the diagnostic subjects and 6.9% and 6.1 %, respectively for the sub-diagnostic groups. The total treatment prevalence rate was 37.2% of the population (males 30.0%, females 44.1%). Conclusions — Our findings reveal that psychiatric disorders are quite common in the general population. When the spectra of mental disorders are considered, nearly three quarters of the general population will have manifested at least one of the mental disorders across their lifetime. Limitations — The data are based on a relatively small sample; a single age cohort, and the study was conducted in Zurich, Switzerland. These study features may diminish the generalisability of the findings.
Declaration of Interest: this work was supported by Grant 3200-050881.97/1 of the Swiss National Science Foundation, and Research Scientist Development Awards (MH 46376 and DA00293) from the US National Institutes of Health (Dr. Merikangas).
Highly Resistant Gram-Negative Microorganisms Incidence Density and Occurrence of Nosocomial Transmission (TRIANGLe Study)
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- I. Willemsen, S. Elberts, C. Verhulst, M. Rijnsburger, M. Filius, P. Savelkoul, J. Kluytmans, TRIANGLe Study Group, E. Lommerse, L. Spanjaard, B. Vlaminckx, A. Vos, M. Wulf, M. Vos, R. Wintermans, G. Andriesse, J. van Zeijl, E. van der Vorm, A. Buiting, P. Sturm, H. Blok, A. Troelstra, A. Kaiser, C. Vandenbroucke-Grauls
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- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 32 / Issue 4 / April 2011
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 January 2015, pp. 333-341
- Print publication:
- April 2011
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Objectives.
The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence density and the occurrence of horizontal spread of highly resistant gram-negative rods (HR-GNRs) in Dutch hospitals. The factors that influence these outcome measures were also investigated.
Methods.All patients with HR-GNRs, as determined by sample testing, who were hospitalized in 1 of 18 hospitals during a 6-month period (April through October 2007) were included in this study. For all available isolates, the species was identified, susceptibility was determined (including the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases [ESBLs]), and molecular typing was performed. On the basis of a combination of species identification, molecular typing, and epidemiological data, the occurrence of nosocomial transmission was determined.
Results.The mean incidence density of patients with HR-GNRs was 55 per 100,000 patient-days (cumulative incidence, 39 per 10,000 patients admitted). A facility being a university hospital was a statistically significant (P = .03) independent determinant of a higher incidence of patients with HR-GNRs. The majority of HR-GNR isolates were ESBL producers. The adjusted transmission index—the ratio between secondary and primary cases—in the participating hospitals ranged from 0.0 to 0.2. The overall adjusted transmission index of HR-GNRs was 0.07. No determinants for a higher transmission index were identified.
Discussion.The nosocomial transmission rate of HR-GNRs was relatively low in all hospitals where well-established transmission-based precautions were used. The incidence density of patients with HR-GNRs was higher in university hospitals, probably due to the patient population and the complexity of the care provided.
Contributors
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- By Farook Al-Azzawi, Wita Angrianni, Sanjay Asthana, Stephan Bandelow, Kathryn J. Bryan, Cynthia M. Carlsson, Jenna C. Carroll, Gemma Casadesus, Monique M. Cherrier, Laura H. Coker, María M. Corrada, Vita Priantina Dewi, Roberta Diaz Brinton, Mark A. Espeland, Mirjam I. Geerlings, Robert B. Gibbs, Carey E. Gleason, Victor W. Henderson, Patricia E. Hogan, Eef Hogervorst, Claudia H. Kawas, Anna Khaylis, Philip Kreager, Linda Kushandy, Donald Lehmann, Jin Li, Mary E. McAsey, Pauline M. Maki, Ralph N. Martins, Scott D. Moffat, Majon Muller, Theresia Ninuk, Annlia Paganini-Hill, George Perry, Christian J. Pike, Bevin N. Powers, Tri Budi W. Rahardjo, Natalie L. Rasgon, Susan M. Resnick, Emily R. Rosario, Sabarinah, Tony Sadjimim, Barbara B. Sherwin, Sally A. Shumaker, Mark A. Smith, Robert G. Struble, Chris Talbot, Wulf H. Utian, Giuseppe Verdile, Robert B. Wallace, Whitney Wharton, Katherine E. Williams, Oliver T. Wolf, Tonita E. Wroolie, Amina Yesufu, Yudarini, Liqin Zhao
- Edited by Eef Hogervorst, Loughborough University, Victor W. Henderson, Stanford University, California, Robert B. Gibbs, University of Pittsburgh, Roberta Diaz Brinton, University of Southern California
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- Book:
- Hormones, Cognition and Dementia
- Published online:
- 06 July 2010
- Print publication:
- 24 September 2009, pp vii-x
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Growth analysis of dry matter accumulation and N uptake of forage maize cultivars affected by N supply
- J. M. GREEF, H. OTT, R. WULFES, F. TAUBE
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- Journal:
- The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 132 / Issue 1 / February 1999
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 February 1999, pp. 31-43
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The productivity of eight forage maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) in response to N was investigated in a 3-year field experiment located in Northern Germany. Nitrogen fertilizer applications were zero, 50 and 150 kg N/ha given each year shortly after sowing. Each cultivar was grown on the same plot, beginning in 1993, following the ploughing up of a 2-year old grass sward, to which slurry had been added. Plants were sampled regularly for dry matter (DM) production and N uptake. A non-linear regression equation was used to compare the data. Growth analysis and N uptake characteristics (maximum crop growth rate, duration of maximum crop growth rate, period until maximum crop growth rate, maximum N uptake rate, duration of maximum N uptake rate, period until maximum N uptake rate) which derived from the function were used to compare the cultivars.
The cultivars DM yield and N uptake were highest in 1993 and declined in the next two years partly due to a decrease in soil N mineralization following the ploughing of the grass sward and partly due to the drier weather conditions during the summers of 1994 and 1995. Duration of the maximum crop growth rate was greater during the cool year of 1993. In contrast, maximum crop growth rate was at its highest in the dry vegetation period of 1995. A significant N×cultivar interaction for growth analysis characteristics (P<0·05) was found in 1995. Cultivars with a high maximum crop growth rate (above the average value of the eight cultivars tested) and a short duration of maximum crop growth rate (below the average) accumulated more DM than those genotypes which showed an inverse relationship.
Increasing N yield was determined by increased maximum N uptake rather than by a greater duration of maximum N uptake. A significant N×genotype interaction for N uptake parameters (P<0·05) was found in 1994 and 1995. With some exceptions, cultivars with a high maximum N uptake rate (above average) accumulated more N per unit area compared to those genotypes which had low uptake rates. The exceptions had a longer duration of uptake, which could not, however, compensate for the lower rate. Maximum N uptake rate occurred earlier and duration of maximum N uptake rate increased compared to the start and duration of maximum crop growth rate. Especially in 1995, the amount of N taken up before the day of maximum crop growth rate accounted for 71% of total N uptake. The N uptake rate and the amount of accumulated N until the day of maximum crop growth rate were highly correlated with DM yield.
This result indicates the availability of genotypic variability in crop growth and N uptake rate to assist the improvement of DM yield by selection.