Correlation between synaptic protein expression and synaptic reorganization in the hippocampal CA3 region in a rat model of post-traumatic epilepsy

Postsynaptic density protein-95 and synaptophysin participate in synaptic reorganization in the forebrain of epilepsy models. However, the time-effect relationship between dynamic synapsin expression in hippocampus and synaptic reorganization in the post-traumatic epilepsy model remains unclear. FeCI2 was injected into the hippocampal CA3 region of the right forebrain in rats to induce post-traumatic epilepsy. Postsynaptic density protein-95 and synaptophysin expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. Epileptiform discharge induced by FeCI2 injection was determined in rat forebrain neurons, revealing decreased postsynaptic density protein-95 expression at 24 hours and lowest levels at 7 days. Synaptophysin expression was markedly reduced at 24 hours, but increased at 7 days. Postsynaptic density protein-95 and synaptophysin expression was consistent with abnormal mossy fiber sprouting and synaptic reorganization following neuronal injury in the hippocampal CA3 region of FeCI2-induced epilepsy models.

Synaptic plasticity effects on FeCl_2-induced post-traumatic epilepsy onset in the rat

Studies have confirmed that iron induces epilepsy onset, and iron ion-induced epilepsy in anima models closely resembles the clinical situation. Models of post-traumatic epilepsy （PTE） were established by intracortical injection of FeCl2 using stereotactic techniques. Electron microscopy revealed neuronal degeneration, with shrinkage of the neuronal soma, hyperplasia of rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomal detachment from the endoplasmic reticulum, and vacuolar degeneration of glial cells in the right frontal lobe of FeCl2-induced PTE rats. With prolonged time injuries became more severe and neuronal apoptosis was observed. Synapses in the hippocampal neuropil significantly increased （primarily type I/excitatory synapses） at day 14 following injury. Type II synapses （inhibitory synapse） were observed in the rat hippocampus at day 30. Cortical neuronal degeneration, apoptosis, glial cell proliferation, and ultrastructural hippocampal changes, in particular changes in type of neuronal synapse, play an important role in PTE onset.

Post-Stroke Epilepsy within a Teaching Hospital in Cotonou, Benin

Seizures occurring after stroke are risk factors for the onset of ensuing epilepsy. However, the incidence of vascular epilepsy is low. The purpose of this study was to study vascular epilepsy features in a teaching university. It was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study, conducted from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2016 in Cotonou Teaching Hospital (CNHU-HKM), Benin. It involved 35 patients brought together through comprehensive sampling. Vascular epilepsy hospital attendance rate was 2%. There were simple partial seizures in 74.28% of cases while cerebral ischemia was recorded in 44.44% of patients. Neurological consultation after stroke occurrence was a protective factor against the occurrence of vascular epilepsy with significant p at 0.001.

A meta-analysis of risk factors for epilepsy after acute ischaemic stroke and the development of a predictive model

Objective:To screen risk factors for epilepsy after acute ischaemic stroke based on meta-analysis and cohort study and to establish a predictive model.Methods:Computer searches of MEDLINE,Embase,Cochrane library,Web of Scinence,PubMed,CNKI,and WanFang Data data were conducted to collect literature on epilepsy after in acute ischemic stroke,from database creation to September 1,2022.The RRs and their 95%confidence intervals(CI)for risk factors for post stroke epilepsy were extracted for each study,and pooled estimates of the RRs and 95%CIs for each study were generated using either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model.Beta coefficients for each risk factor were calculated based on the combined RR and their corresponding 95%CIs.The beta coefficients were multiplied by 10 and rounded.Results:Ten articles were identified for final inclusion in this meta-analysis,with a total of 141948 cases and 3702 cases of post stroke epilepsy.The risk factors included in the final risk prediction model were infarct size(RR 4.67,95%CI 1.41~15.47;P=0.01),stroke recuRRence(RR 2.48,95%CI 2.01~3.05;P<0.00001),stroke etiology(RR 1.70,95%CI 1.34~2.15;P<0.00001),stroke severity(RR 1.70,95%CI 1.34~2.15;P<0.00001),and stroke risk.stroke severity(RR 1.53,95%CI 1.39~1.70;P<0.00001),NIHSS score(RR 2.91,95%CI 1.64~5.61;P=0.0003),early-onset epilepsy(RR 5.62,95%CI 5.08~6.22;P<0.00001),cortical lesions(RR 3.83.95%CI 2.23~6.58;P<0.00001),total anterior circulation infarction(RR 18.94,95%CI 10.38~34.57;P<0.00001),partial anterior circulation infarction(RR 4.39,95%CI 2.29~8.40;P<0.00001),cardiovascular events(RR 1.78,95%CI 1.59~1.99;P<0.00001).Conclusion:Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis,we developed a simple risk prediction model for late epilepsy in baseline ischemic stroke that integrates clinical risk factors,including infarct size,stroke recurrence,stroke etiology,stroke severity,NIHSS score,early onset epilepsy,cortical lesions,stroke subtype,and cardiovascular events.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Defence and Security Forces in Northern Benin (2023)

Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as “actual exposure to death or the threat of death, serious injury or sexual violence”, either directly or indirectly, resulting in a symptomatic procession of repetition, avoidance, neurovegetative hyperactivity and individualized symptoms, with or without negative cognitive and mood changes. It therefore goes without saying that the defence and security forces constitute a high-risk population in need of attention. Objective: To study post-traumatic stress disorder in defence and security forces in the city of Parakou in 2023. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from December 2022 to July 2023. The study population consisted of active military, republican police and firefighters in the city of Parakou in 2023. Non-proportional stratified sampling was used, given the inaccessibility of the source population size for national security reasons. Post-traumatic stress disorder was assessed using the “post-traumatic stress disorder checklist-5 (PCLS-5) scale. Results: A total of 305 subjects participated in the survey. Males dominated 90.2%. The most represented corps was the Republican Police (41.6%), most of whom were non-commissioned officers (46.6%). The majority count between 11 and 20 years of service (48.9%), with 2 to 5 missions completed (67.5%). The calculated prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder was 11.8%, based on the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist-5 (PCL-5). Of the 36 respondents with post-traumatic stress disorder, 20 (55.6%) had experienced an armed attack, 25 (69.4%) had witnessed a violent death, 18 (50.0%) had witnessed the agony of a colleague, 15 (41.7%) had been exposed to a fire or explosion, while 26 (72.2%) had been traumatized by physical and/or verbal aggression. 5 (13.9%) had consulted a specialist psychiatrist, while 6 (16.7%) were on medication and 26 (72.2%) used sport as a means of maintaining physical and mental health. Respectively 22 (61.1%) and 21 (58.3%) had definite symptoms of anxiety and depression. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between post-traumatic stress disorder and the following variables: total number of children ≤ 2 (p = 0.015), comorbidities such as arterial hypertension (p = 0.007), history of hepatitis (p = 0.017), work accidents (p = 0.016), alcohol dependence (p = 0.004), domestic violence (p = 0.004), psychological violence (p = 0.017) and anxiety disorders (p Conclusion: Defence and security personnel can also be prey to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which needs to be systematically taken into account when they are subjected to trauma in the course of their duties. Mental health should be an integral part of the periodic medical check-up objectives for defence and security forces throughout the country.

Effects of Pearl Yangxin Anshen Decoction on HAMD and PTSD-SS Scores, Cytokines and Related Metabolites in Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Objective: This paper aims to observe the Pearl Yangxin Anshen Decoction to influence the score of HAMD and PTSD-SS, the changes of the cytokines and the related metabolic product in patients with PTSD. Methods: From June 2015 to May 2016, in the traditional Chinese medicine clinics of Hainan Province People’s Hospital, there were 50 patients with PTSD, the age were from 30 to 60, they were randomly divided into treatment group (25 cases) and control group (25 cases), then compared the scores of HAMD and PTSD-SS between the two groups, searched the changes of cytokines and the related metabolic product. Results: In the treatment group: before and after treatment the scores of PTSD-SS were 65.64 ± 7.02, 28.32 ± 4.18, and the scores of HAMD were 29.28 ± 1.97, 11.72 ± 2.13;In the control group: before and after treatment the scores of PTSD-SS were 63.24 ± 6.16, 31.40 ± 4.29, the scores of HAMD were 30.24 ± 2.05, 13.08 ± 2.30. After 3 months patients in treatment group the scores of PTSD-SS and HAMD were lower than the control group (t = 2.570, P = 0.013, t = -2.1640, P = 0.035). In the control group: before and after 3 months treatment the IL-2 levels respectively were 79.84 ± 26.46 pg/ml, 56.18 ± 22.67 pg/ml, the IL-6 levels respectively were 110.83 ± 47.65 pg/ml, 59.67 ± 44.68 pg/ml, the IL-8 levels respectively were 73.11 ± 78.51 pg/ml, 55.83 ± 81.94 pg/ml, the NE levels respectively were 420.04 ± 674.75 pg/ml, 185.31 ± 417.91 pg/ml, the MDA levels respectively were 112.35 ± 62.87 ng/ml, 60.42.33 ± 53.64 ng/ml, the NO levels were 126.6 ± 47.4 μmol/L, 78.6 ± 45.7 μmol/L, the VIP levels were 396.6 ± 144.4 pg/ml, 122.4 ± 111.5 pg/ml. In the treatment group: before and after 3 months treatment the IL-2 levels respectively were 86.00 ± 32.29 pg/ml, 53.84 ± 27.01 pg/ml, the IL-6 levels respectively were 108.21 ± 44.60 pg/ml, 42.46 ± 42.16 pg/ml, the IL-8 levels respectively were 81.48 ± 94.19 pg/ml, 54.07 ± 84.15 pg/ml, the NE levels respectively were 392.93 ± 592.84 pg/ml, 243.85 ± 588.45 pg/ml, the MDA levels respectively were 117.58 ± 63.37 ng/ml, 45.91 ± 38.94 ng/ml, the NO levels respectively were 135.9 ± 46.4 μmol/L, 72.6 ± 46.6 μmol/L, the VIP levels respectively were 414.0 ± 140.1 pg/ml, 185.8 ± 105.3 pg/ml. In the two groups as the extension of treatment time, the content of IL-2, IL-8, IL-6, NE, MDA, NO, and VIP were gradually reduced, and the level of reduction of the treatment group patients was higher than the control group, the change of ACTH and SOD levels just the opposite. Conclusion: The Pearl Yangxin Anshen Decoction could improve the symptoms of psychological anxiety, depression and other psychological problems in patients with PTSD, and influence the change of cytokines and related metabolites product.

Correlation Study of Neurotransmitter and Immune Levels in Pre-Hospital Emergency Nurses with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of PTSD in pre-hospital emergency nurses and its related factors, and to compare the differences of neurotransmitter and immune-related factors between pre-hospital emergency nurses who experienced traumatic events and those who did not develop PTSD and healthy people. How: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Self-Rating Scale (PCL-C) tests were performed on pre-hospital emergency nurses in PTSD group, non-PTSD group and healthy control group, and the plasma monoamine neurotransmitters and serum cytokines were determined by double-antibody sandwich ABC-ELISA assay using enzyme-linked adsorption kit provided by Shanghai Xitang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Results: 1) There were statistically significant differences in PCL-C scores between PTSD group, non-PTSD group and healthy group (p α between PTSD group, non-PTSD group and healthy group (p Conclusion: Pre-hospital emergency nurses should have early psychological intervention and guidance to reduce the occurrence of PTSD in emergency and emergency nurses.

Principles and Techniques of Post-Traumatic Rhinoplasty: A Review of the Literature

Post-traumatic rhinoplasty is the surgical treatment of the complex functional and aesthetic sequelae of nasal trauma. Correcting a post-traumatic nose is a challenging task, requiring the surgeon to employ a range of techniques and grafts to adequately address the deformities observed. The results of our research show that restoring pre-traumatic form and function remains complex, although many guidelines have been established to refine and optimize the management of the after-effects of nasal trauma. But it is achievable with the right techniques. The objective of our review is to highlight the various post-traumatic nasal sequelae, describe the fundamental principles in the field of post-traumatic rhinoplasty and provide the surgeon with the various existing surgical techniques and strategies so that he or she can make an appropriate choice for the patient.

Progress of Post-traumatic Epilepsy

Post-traumatic epilepsy(PTE)is a serious complication of traumatic brain injury.It is also the most common type of symptomatic epilepsy.This might be associated with the typical pathological changes of brain injury,including reactive glial hyperplasia,axonal retraction ball,Wallerian degeneration,microglial scar formation,and white matter cystic lesions.The prophylactic use of antiepileptic drugs could effectively reduce the risk of early epileptic seizures in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.In this article,we review the epidemiology,pathophysiology,clinical characteristics,and treatment of PTE based on the latest clinical and laboratory research results.

A Case Report on Sandplay Therapy for a 3-Year-11-Month-Old Child with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This report presents a case study of sandplay therapy for a 3-year-11-month-old child with post-traumatic stress disorder. The child had experienced a distressing traumatic event and exhibited symptoms of anxiety, fear, and traumatic reenactment. Sandplay therapy, as a therapeutic modality, was utilized to provide a safe environment for the child to express and process their inner experiences. The case report provides a detailed account of the child’s presentation, treatment goals, therapeutic strategies, and treatment outcomes. Through sandplay therapy, the child achieved emotional release, resolution of internal conflicts, and a reframing of the traumatic event. Ultimately, a significant reduction in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder was observed, along with improved functioning and psychological well-being.

Post-traumatic stress disorder risk and brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), which regulates neuronal survival, growth differentiation, and synapse formation, is known to be associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). However, the molecular mechanism for those mental disorders remains unknown. Studies have shown that BDNF is associated with PTSD risk and exaggerated startle reaction(a major arousal manifestation of PTSD) in United States military service members who were deployed during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The frequency of the Met/Met in BDNF gene was greater among those with PTSD than those without PTSD. Among individuals who experienced fewer lifetime stressful events, the Met carriers have significantly higher total and startle scores on the PTSD Checklist than the Val/Val carriers. In addition, subjects with PTSD showed higher levels of BDNF in their peripheral blood plasma than the non-probable-PTSD controls. Increased BDNF levels and startle response were observed in both blood plasma and brain hippocampus by inescapable tail shock in rats. In this paper, we reviewed these data to discuss BDNF as a potential biomarker for PTSD risk and its possible roles in the onset of PTSD.

Lumboperitoneal shunts for the treatment of post-traumatic hydrocephalus

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of lumboperitoneal shunt for treatment of post-traumatic hydrocephalus(PTH).Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with lumboperitoneal shunts admitted in Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital from January 2014 to March 2017 was done.Experience with lumboperitoneal shunt placement for PTH was reviewed.The diagnosis of PTH was based on ventricular enlargement with the Evans' index(EI>0.3) before shunt implantation.Patients were evaluated for improvements in Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS), Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS), and EI after shunt placement.Results: Totally, the study included 34 PTH patients with the average age of 49.32 years(range: 9–67 years).The average follow-up period was(3.9±3.5) months.Before lumboperitoneal shunt, the GOS score was(4±1), the GCS score was(8.53±3.38), and the EI score was(0.40±0.08).After shunt implantation, the GOS score was(3±1), the GCS score was(10.29±3.15), and the EI score was(0.34±0.13), respectively(P<0.05).Before lumboperitoneal shunt, 24(70.58%) patients had a GOS score of 4(vegetative state), and 10(29.42%) patients had a GOS score of 3(severe disabled).After lumboperitoneal shunt, 18(52.94%) patients had improvement in GOS(11 patients improve from GOS 4 to GOS 3, 5 patients from GOS 3 to GOS 2 and 2 patients from GOS 3 to GOS 1), 22(64.71%) patients achieved improvement in their GCS(14 patients GCS improvements ≥2 and 8 patients GCS improvement=1), 21(61.76%) patients had EI improvement(18 patients with EI<0.3).There was no complication in this study.Conclusion: Lumboperitoneal shunt placement is safe and effective for PTH, and serious complications are not observed.

Total knee arthroplasty for treatment of post-traumatic arthritis: Systematic review

AIM To review and report functional outcomes, complications,and survivorship associated with total knee arthroplasty(TKA) in the treatment of post-traumatic arthritis(PTA).METHODS We conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS in December 2015 for Englishlanguage clinical research studies, both prospective and retrospective, examining the use of TKA for the treatment of PTA. All relevant articles were accessed in full. The manual search included references of retrieved articles.We extracted data on patients' demographics and clinical outcomes, including preoperative diagnosis and pre- and post-operative functional scores. We summarized the data and reported the results in tables and text.RESULTS Sixteen studies, four prospective and ten retrospective,examined patients who underwent TKA for PTA due to fractures of the proximal tibia, patella, and/or distal femur. Eleven studies utilized the Knee Society Scores criteria to assess functional outcomes. All studies utilizing these criteria reported an improvement in functional and knee scores of patients following TKA. Further, studies reported an increased range of motion(ROM) and reduction of pain following surgery. The most commonly reported complications with TKA included infection, stiffness, wound complications, intraoperative rupture of tendons, and osteolysis/polyethylene wear. The overwhelming majority of these complications occurred within the first two years following surgery. Six studies examined the survivorship of TKA with subsequent revision for any reason as an endpoint. Compared to patients with osteoarthritis, patients with PTA required more revisions, the majority for polyethylene wear.CONCLUSION Although associated with higher complication rates,TKA is an effective treatment for PTA, as it improves ROM, pain and functional outcomes.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after typhoon disaster and its correlation with platelet 5-HT concentrations

Objective:To investigate residents' psychological stress factors and research the correlation between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) and platelet 5-HT concentrations so as to provide scientific bases for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and psychological intervention for people in the disaster area.Methods:A questionnaire survey of 5 500 residents who have accepted psychological help was conducted by the emphatic investigation method.While high performance liquid chromatography were used to detect the platelet serotonin concentration of 100 PTSD patients and 100 healthy people.Results:(1) Of the 5 114 cases,3 167(61.93%) showed positive results in screening for psychological stress symptoms,and 399(7.8%) were tested with apparent PTSD symptoms.Male and female prevalence showed no significant difference(X^2=-0.380,P=0.704).The differences of prevalence between different age groups were statistically significant(X^2=381.89,P=0.000).(2) The differences in the level of platelet 5-HT between PTSD patients and normal control group were statistically significant.Conclusions:The typhoon of Hainan province caused relatively large psychological problems to the disaster victims.Compared with normal control group,the platelet 5-HT levels of PTSD patients in the disaster areas are lower.It may be related to incidents exposure levels,cultural background,religious ideas,social concerns and psychological rescue of the residents who live in the disaster areas of Hainan.

Post-traumatic stress disorder among paramedic and hospital emergency personnel in south-east Iran

BACKGROUND:Paramedic and emergency personnel may encounter directly many events that threat their own wellbeing during their daily work.This study was conducted to examine the prevalence rate of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) among two groups of paramedic and emergency personnel in south-east Iran.METHODS:The study employed a descriptive design and was conducted in four hospital emergency wards and a pre-hospital emergency base supervised by Kerman Medical University.Using Mississippi PTSD,we assessed the prevalence rate in paramedics(n=150) and emergency personnel(n=250).RESULTS:The two groups had different levels of education,marital status,experience of traumatic events,work hours per month,and gender.Most(94%) of paramedic and hospital emergency personnel reported moderate PTSD.The two groups had significant different levels of PTSD in all subscale.CONCLUSION:The study suggests that health care managers should organize systematic and dynamic policies and procedures in dealing with PTSD to assist both groups of personnel.

Effects of therapeutic horseback riding on post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans

Background:Large numbers of post-deployment U.S.veterans are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and/or traumatic brain injury(TBI),leading to an urgent need for effective interventions to reduce symptoms and increase veterans’coping.PTSD includes anxiety,flashbacks,and emotional numbing.The symptoms increase health care costs for stress-related illnesses and can make veterans’civilian life difficult.Methods:We used a randomized wait-list controlled design with repeated measures of U.S.military veterans to address our specific aim to test the efficacy of a 6-week therapeutic horseback riding(THR)program for decreasing PTSD symptoms and increasing coping self-efficacy,emotion regulation,social and emotional loneliness.Fiftyseven participants were recruited and 29 enrolled in the randomized trial.They were randomly assigned to either the horse riding group(n=15)or a wait-list control group(n=14).The wait-list control group experienced a 6-week waiting period,while the horse riding group began THR.The wait-list control group began riding after 6 weeks of participating in the control group.Demographic and health history information was obtained from all the participants.PTSD symptoms were measured using the standardized PTSD Checklist-Military Version(PCL-M).The PCL-M as well as other instruments including,The Coping Self Efficacy Scale(CSES),The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale(DERS)and The Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults-short version(SELSA)were used to access different aspects of individual well-being and the PTSD symptoms.Results:Participants had a statistically significant decrease in PTSD scores after 3 weeks of THR(P≤0.01)as well as a statistically and clinically significant decrease after 6 weeks of THR(P≤0.01).Logistic regression showed that participants had a 66.7%likelihood of having lower PTSD scores at 3 weeks and 87.5%likelihood at 6 weeks.Under the generalized linear model(GLM),our ANOVA findings for the coping self-efficacy,emotion regulation,and social and emotional loneliness did not reach statistical significance.The results for coping self-efficacy and emotion regulation trended in the predicted direction.Results for emotional loneliness were opposite the predicted direction.Logistic regression provided validation that outcome effects were caused by riding longer.Conclusion:The findings suggest that THR may be a clinically effective intervention for alleviating PTSD symptoms in military veterans.

Initial effects of inflammation-related cytokines and signaling pathways on the pathogenesis of post-traumatic osteoarthritis

The main pathological change in post-traumatic osteoarthritis （PTOA） is cartilage degeneration, which is closely related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Inflammation can cause degeneration of articular cartilage. Cartilage degeneration can also stimulate the progression of inflammation. It has been found that inflammatory cytokines can participate in the pathological process of cartilage degeneration through multiple signaling pathways, mainly mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear transcription factor kappa B, and Wnt-p-catenin signal transduction pathways. This review aimed at exploring the relationship between PTOA and inflammation-related cytokines by introducing the role of proinflammatory cytokines in chondrocyte destruction and extracellular matrix degradation.

Animal models for posttraumatic stress disorder: An overview of what is used in research

Posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) is a common anxiety disorder characterised by its persistence of symptoms after a traumatic experience. Although some patients can be cured, many do not benefit enough from the psychological therapies or medication strategies used. Many researchers use animal models to learn more about the disorder and several models are available. The most-used physical stressor models are single-prolonged stress, restraint stress, foot shock, stress-enhanced fear learning, and underwater trauma. Common social stressors are housing instability, social instability, earlylife stress, and social defeat. Psychological models are not as diverse and rely on controlled exposure to the test animal's natural predator. While validation of these models has been resolved with replicated symptoms using analogous stressors, translating new findings to human patients remains essential for their impact on the field. Choosing a model to experiment with can be challenging; this overview of what is possible with individual models may aid in making a decision.

Association of post-traumatic stress disorder and work performance: A survey from an emergency medical service, Karachi, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to explore the association between posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and work performance of emergency medical services personnel in Karachi, Pakistan.METHODS: Emergency medical service personnel were screened for potential PTSD using Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R). Work performance was assessed on the basis of fi ve variables: number of late arrivals to work, number of days absent, number of days sick, adherence to protocol, and patient satisfaction over a period of 3 months. In order to model outcomes like the number of late arrivals to work, days absent and days late, negative binomial regression was applied, whereas logistic regression was applied for adherence to protocol and linear for patient satisfaction scores.RESULTS: Mean scores of PTSD were 24.0±12.2. No association was found between PTSD and work performance measures: number of late arrivals to work(RRadj 0.99; 0.98–1.00), days absent(RRadj 0.98; 0.96–0.99), days sick(RRadj 0.99; 0.98–1.00), adherence to protocol(ORadj 1.01; 0.99–1.04) and patient satisfaction(β 0.001%–0.03%) after adjusting for years of formal schooling, living status, coping mechanism, social support, working hours, years of experience and anxiety or depression.CONCLUSION: No statistically significant association was found between PTSD and work performance amongst EMS personnel in Karachi, Pakistan.

Osteopathy and Emergency: A Model of Osteopathic Treatment Aimed at Managing the Post-Traumatic Stress—Part 1

The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Education (EDUCAM) School of Osteopathy, following the earthquake that occurred in Amatrice-Italy on August 24th 2016, promoted the project “Una mano per la salute” [One hand for health], aimed at giving therapeutic support to the population affected by this cataclysm. A review of the literature in the osteopathic field has been performed to identify a more functional approach to quickly relieve the inhabitants from the shock they suffered, and to identify the techniques with greater effectiveness on the stress axis. The protocol of ten chosen techniques will then be verified later in a pilot study, to check whether and how a protocol of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) might play a clinically relevant role in the management of subjects exposed to extraordinary exogenous stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevention, in addition to the psychological therapy treatments in use today.