Introduction: Allostatic load (AL) index proposes indicators for the functioning of the main potentially stress-affected systems. Sex differences in stress response and stress-related diseases susceptibility have been...Introduction: Allostatic load (AL) index proposes indicators for the functioning of the main potentially stress-affected systems. Sex differences in stress response and stress-related diseases susceptibility have been described for the general population. In this observational study we describe the effects of sex and age on AL variables, in a cohort of patients with general anxiety disorders and neuroticism treated with alprazolam during 12 weeks, before and after treatment. Methods: Patients with general (DSM IV) anxiety disorders with >6 in Hamilton scale, AL (>1 Crimmins and Seeman AL modified criteria) and neuroticism >18 (NEO-FFI inventory), were included. All patients completed psychiatric assessment, AL index determination before (−1 week) and after 12 weeks of treatment with alprazolam (0.25 - 1 mg/t.i.d). Allostatic load parameters comprised cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory variables. Univariate analysis (two-way ANOVA), Student’s t-test (related variables) and Pearson correlations were determined. Results: Fifty-four patients, 35 females (48.6 ± 11.7 years) and 19 males (44.2 ± 12.8 years) with general anxiety disorder were included;28 patients with Conclusions: In this preliminary analysis we described sex and age differences in psychiatry aspects and AL indexes in patients with general anxiety disorders in the short-term treatment with alprazolam. These considerations remark the need of pondering sex and age differences during the use of drugs for protracted periods.展开更多
Mindfulness, conceptualized as a dispositional trait that differs across individuals, may potentially influence disordered eating behaviors. Previous research has independently identified insecure attachment style and...Mindfulness, conceptualized as a dispositional trait that differs across individuals, may potentially influence disordered eating behaviors. Previous research has independently identified insecure attachment style and neurotic personality traits as correlates of disordered eating behavior. Thus this current study will investigate whether neurotic personality traits, insecure attachment style and mindfulness predict disordered eating behavior controlling for gender differences. Participants (N = 126) completed the Adult Attachment Scale [1], the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire – Revised 18 [2], The Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale – Revised [3] and the International Personality Item Pool [4]. The results of this cross-sectional study indicated that neurotic personality traits, insecure attachment style and mindfulness were related to disordered eating behaviors. The variance in disordered eating behaviors that was accounted for by neurotic personality traits and insecure attachment style was significantly reduced with the introduction of mindfulness. The results provides preliminary support for the inclusion of mindfulness training in disordered eating behavior interventions for individuals exhibiting an insecure attachment style and neurotic personality traits. Limitations and implications for further research are discussed.展开更多
Neurotic angioedema may be secondary to ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. From a case of neurotic angioedema in a hypertensive man under ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor, we expose the clinic...Neurotic angioedema may be secondary to ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. From a case of neurotic angioedema in a hypertensive man under ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor, we expose the clinical characteristics typical of the edema and its evolution. A 73-year-old man has consulted for edema of the face and redness of the palmar surface of the hand not pruriginous for 2 days. He has already had conventional anti-edematous treatments but no changes. In the absence of a technical platform, no paraclinical examination was carried out. The cessation of ACE inhibitor and the administration of tranexamic acid were made immediately. Signs regressed within 24 hours. Neurotic angioedema is a diagnostic problem in countries where biological examination is still limited and if practitioners are unaware of the possibility of its occurrence during IEC treatment. While the patient’s prognosis depends on the precocity of management.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the diversity of experiences of sadness emotion and physiological responses among female college students with high neuroticism (HN) and low neuroticism (LN) during the late luteal phase (LLP)...Objective:To investigate the diversity of experiences of sadness emotion and physiological responses among female college students with high neuroticism (HN) and low neuroticism (LN) during the late luteal phase (LLP) and early follicular phase (EFP).Methods:Forty-two participants were classified as the HN group and 41 as the LN group based on their neuroticism score (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale for Chinese).Participants watched sadness-inducing experimental films during the LLP and EFP.Results:The HN group showed similar sadness intensities in both phases.The LN group showed higher sadness intensity in the LLP than the EFP.The LN group's sadness scale assessments were lower than the HN group in both phases.The blood volume pulse in the HN group fell in both the LLP and EFP (both P <.001).The root mean square standard deviation of NN intervals rose in the EFP in the HN group before and after watching experimental films (P =.027),but fell in the LN group (P >.05).Between-group comparisons showed heart rate was significantly lower in the HN group than the LN group during EFP (P =.009),but there were no statistically significant differences in subjective experience and physiological data during LLP.The HN group had stronger sadness feelings and greater sadness arousal than the LN group during EFP.There were significant associations between menstrual cycle-related changes in sadness ratings and changes in physiological outcomes.Conclusion:Women with HN have less fluctuation in sadness than those with LN during the menstrual cycle,but experience strong sadness feelings in the LLP.Women with HN show stronger physiological responses in the EFP than those with LN,and have the highest responses in the LLP.展开更多
Norman Mailer has made a profound analysisof the mad logic of the Vietnam war in his Armiesof the Night, a novel of new journalism whichconcludes the schizophrenic environment of Ameri-can society is at the root of th...Norman Mailer has made a profound analysisof the mad logic of the Vietnam war in his Armiesof the Night, a novel of new journalism whichconcludes the schizophrenic environment of Ameri-can society is at the root of this lunatic war: "He (Norman Mailer) came at last to the saddest conclusion ... that the centre of America might be insane. The country had been living with a controlled, even fiercely controlled, schizophrenia which had been deepening with the years. Perhaps the point had now been passed." (AN. 188)Traditional Christianity as a unifying force inlife has been able for many years to keep somekind of sanity. But it may now be on the decline.展开更多
As if neurosis has become an epidemic disease,so many of the protagonists in American novelsof the 60s are mentally ill in one way or another:Herzog, with his wide-ranging disordered thoughts,is described psychologica...As if neurosis has become an epidemic disease,so many of the protagonists in American novelsof the 60s are mentally ill in one way or another:Herzog, with his wide-ranging disordered thoughts,is described psychologically as depressive andoccasionally paraniod. Yossarian, the absurdhero of Catch-22, is a manci depressive" withfear of conspired death as his main symptom.Oedina in The Crying of Lot 49 sincerely wishes shewere mentally ill after her long mysterious questafter an underground delivery system which mayeither be a real discovery or a paranoid fantasy.With numerous and murderous crimes on record,Howard Campell, a Nazi propagandist in MotherNight, is on the edge of madness and despair.展开更多
The aim of our minireview is to provide a brief overview of the diagnosis,clinical aspects,treatment options,management,and current literature available regarding herpes simplex keratitis(HSK).This type of corneal vir...The aim of our minireview is to provide a brief overview of the diagnosis,clinical aspects,treatment options,management,and current literature available regarding herpes simplex keratitis(HSK).This type of corneal viral infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus(HSV),which can affect several tissues,including the cornea.One significant aspect of HSK is its potential to cause recurrent episodes of inflammation and damage to the cornea.After the initial infection,the HSV can establish a latent infection in the trigeminal ganglion,a nerve cluster near the eye.The virus may remain dormant for extended periods.Periodic reactivation of the virus can occur,leading to recurrent episodes of HSK.Factors triggering reactivation include stress,illness,immunosuppression,or trauma.Recurrent episodes can manifest in different clinical patterns,ranging from mild epithelial involvement to more severe stromal or endothelial disease.The severity and frequency of recurrences vary among individuals.Severe cases of HSK,especially those involving the stroma and leading to scarring,can result in vision impairment or even blindness in extreme cases.The cornea's clarity is crucial for good vision,and scarring can compromise this,potentially leading to visual impairment.The management of HSK involves not only treating acute episodes but also implementing long-term strategies to prevent recurrences and attempt repairs of corneal nerve endings via neurotization.Antiviral medications,such as oral Acyclovir or topical Ganciclovir,may be prescribed for prophylaxis.The immune response to the virus can contribute to corneal damage.Inflammation,caused by the body's attempt to control the infection,may inadvertently harm the corneal tissues.Clinicians should be informed about triggers and advised on measures to minimize the risk of reactivation.In summary,the recurrent nature of HSK underscores the importance of both acute and long-term management strategies to preserve corneal health and maintain optimal visual function.展开更多
文摘Introduction: Allostatic load (AL) index proposes indicators for the functioning of the main potentially stress-affected systems. Sex differences in stress response and stress-related diseases susceptibility have been described for the general population. In this observational study we describe the effects of sex and age on AL variables, in a cohort of patients with general anxiety disorders and neuroticism treated with alprazolam during 12 weeks, before and after treatment. Methods: Patients with general (DSM IV) anxiety disorders with >6 in Hamilton scale, AL (>1 Crimmins and Seeman AL modified criteria) and neuroticism >18 (NEO-FFI inventory), were included. All patients completed psychiatric assessment, AL index determination before (−1 week) and after 12 weeks of treatment with alprazolam (0.25 - 1 mg/t.i.d). Allostatic load parameters comprised cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory variables. Univariate analysis (two-way ANOVA), Student’s t-test (related variables) and Pearson correlations were determined. Results: Fifty-four patients, 35 females (48.6 ± 11.7 years) and 19 males (44.2 ± 12.8 years) with general anxiety disorder were included;28 patients with Conclusions: In this preliminary analysis we described sex and age differences in psychiatry aspects and AL indexes in patients with general anxiety disorders in the short-term treatment with alprazolam. These considerations remark the need of pondering sex and age differences during the use of drugs for protracted periods.
文摘Mindfulness, conceptualized as a dispositional trait that differs across individuals, may potentially influence disordered eating behaviors. Previous research has independently identified insecure attachment style and neurotic personality traits as correlates of disordered eating behavior. Thus this current study will investigate whether neurotic personality traits, insecure attachment style and mindfulness predict disordered eating behavior controlling for gender differences. Participants (N = 126) completed the Adult Attachment Scale [1], the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire – Revised 18 [2], The Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale – Revised [3] and the International Personality Item Pool [4]. The results of this cross-sectional study indicated that neurotic personality traits, insecure attachment style and mindfulness were related to disordered eating behaviors. The variance in disordered eating behaviors that was accounted for by neurotic personality traits and insecure attachment style was significantly reduced with the introduction of mindfulness. The results provides preliminary support for the inclusion of mindfulness training in disordered eating behavior interventions for individuals exhibiting an insecure attachment style and neurotic personality traits. Limitations and implications for further research are discussed.
文摘Neurotic angioedema may be secondary to ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. From a case of neurotic angioedema in a hypertensive man under ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor, we expose the clinical characteristics typical of the edema and its evolution. A 73-year-old man has consulted for edema of the face and redness of the palmar surface of the hand not pruriginous for 2 days. He has already had conventional anti-edematous treatments but no changes. In the absence of a technical platform, no paraclinical examination was carried out. The cessation of ACE inhibitor and the administration of tranexamic acid were made immediately. Signs regressed within 24 hours. Neurotic angioedema is a diagnostic problem in countries where biological examination is still limited and if practitioners are unaware of the possibility of its occurrence during IEC treatment. While the patient’s prognosis depends on the precocity of management.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81373771)the National Key Basic Research Development Program(973 Program:2011CB505101).
文摘Objective:To investigate the diversity of experiences of sadness emotion and physiological responses among female college students with high neuroticism (HN) and low neuroticism (LN) during the late luteal phase (LLP) and early follicular phase (EFP).Methods:Forty-two participants were classified as the HN group and 41 as the LN group based on their neuroticism score (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale for Chinese).Participants watched sadness-inducing experimental films during the LLP and EFP.Results:The HN group showed similar sadness intensities in both phases.The LN group showed higher sadness intensity in the LLP than the EFP.The LN group's sadness scale assessments were lower than the HN group in both phases.The blood volume pulse in the HN group fell in both the LLP and EFP (both P <.001).The root mean square standard deviation of NN intervals rose in the EFP in the HN group before and after watching experimental films (P =.027),but fell in the LN group (P >.05).Between-group comparisons showed heart rate was significantly lower in the HN group than the LN group during EFP (P =.009),but there were no statistically significant differences in subjective experience and physiological data during LLP.The HN group had stronger sadness feelings and greater sadness arousal than the LN group during EFP.There were significant associations between menstrual cycle-related changes in sadness ratings and changes in physiological outcomes.Conclusion:Women with HN have less fluctuation in sadness than those with LN during the menstrual cycle,but experience strong sadness feelings in the LLP.Women with HN show stronger physiological responses in the EFP than those with LN,and have the highest responses in the LLP.
文摘Norman Mailer has made a profound analysisof the mad logic of the Vietnam war in his Armiesof the Night, a novel of new journalism whichconcludes the schizophrenic environment of Ameri-can society is at the root of this lunatic war: "He (Norman Mailer) came at last to the saddest conclusion ... that the centre of America might be insane. The country had been living with a controlled, even fiercely controlled, schizophrenia which had been deepening with the years. Perhaps the point had now been passed." (AN. 188)Traditional Christianity as a unifying force inlife has been able for many years to keep somekind of sanity. But it may now be on the decline.
文摘As if neurosis has become an epidemic disease,so many of the protagonists in American novelsof the 60s are mentally ill in one way or another:Herzog, with his wide-ranging disordered thoughts,is described psychologically as depressive andoccasionally paraniod. Yossarian, the absurdhero of Catch-22, is a manci depressive" withfear of conspired death as his main symptom.Oedina in The Crying of Lot 49 sincerely wishes shewere mentally ill after her long mysterious questafter an underground delivery system which mayeither be a real discovery or a paranoid fantasy.With numerous and murderous crimes on record,Howard Campell, a Nazi propagandist in MotherNight, is on the edge of madness and despair.
文摘The aim of our minireview is to provide a brief overview of the diagnosis,clinical aspects,treatment options,management,and current literature available regarding herpes simplex keratitis(HSK).This type of corneal viral infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus(HSV),which can affect several tissues,including the cornea.One significant aspect of HSK is its potential to cause recurrent episodes of inflammation and damage to the cornea.After the initial infection,the HSV can establish a latent infection in the trigeminal ganglion,a nerve cluster near the eye.The virus may remain dormant for extended periods.Periodic reactivation of the virus can occur,leading to recurrent episodes of HSK.Factors triggering reactivation include stress,illness,immunosuppression,or trauma.Recurrent episodes can manifest in different clinical patterns,ranging from mild epithelial involvement to more severe stromal or endothelial disease.The severity and frequency of recurrences vary among individuals.Severe cases of HSK,especially those involving the stroma and leading to scarring,can result in vision impairment or even blindness in extreme cases.The cornea's clarity is crucial for good vision,and scarring can compromise this,potentially leading to visual impairment.The management of HSK involves not only treating acute episodes but also implementing long-term strategies to prevent recurrences and attempt repairs of corneal nerve endings via neurotization.Antiviral medications,such as oral Acyclovir or topical Ganciclovir,may be prescribed for prophylaxis.The immune response to the virus can contribute to corneal damage.Inflammation,caused by the body's attempt to control the infection,may inadvertently harm the corneal tissues.Clinicians should be informed about triggers and advised on measures to minimize the risk of reactivation.In summary,the recurrent nature of HSK underscores the importance of both acute and long-term management strategies to preserve corneal health and maintain optimal visual function.
