Average Episode Duration Research Articles

Spontaneous walking characteristics of patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Background: Walking rehabilitation is the cornerstone of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment. In order to propose a personalised walking rehabilitation program to each patient, it is important to know the PAD-patients walking characteristics. Such data are lacking in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyse the spontaneous walking characteristics of PAD patients. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted between May 2016 and March 2018. Walking characteristics (cadence, stride, number of daily walking episodes, duration of an episode, distance covered during an episode, daily total walking duration and distance, walking speed) were recorded by Withings Pulse O2® activity trackers for one week in patients with asymptomatic or symptomatic PAD. Walking intensity was classified as ambling pace (<2 METs), slow walking (2-3 METs) and active walking (>3 METs). Study protocol has been approved by an independent ethics committee. Results: Eighty-seven patients were included (males 87%, mean age 66 ± 9 years, intermittent claudication 86%, right ankle brachial index (ABI) = 0.80 ± 0.19 and left ABI = 0.79 ± 0.15). The mean recording duration was 8 ± 1.2 days. Most of the steps were shuffling pace (shuffling pace 55.7%, active walking 32.8%, slow walking 11.5%). There was no significant difference between weekdays and weekend days nor for cadence, stride, episode duration, distance covered during an episode, number of daily walking episodes, daily total walking duration and distance. The average duration of active walking episodes was 3 minutes. Duration of active walking was less than 3 minutes in 66% of patients with a mean duration of 1 minute and 55 seconds. Conclusion: Analysis of PAD patients spontaneous walking characteristics with an activity tracker can get the maximum active walking duration achieved by each patient and be useful to offer a personalised walking rehabilitation program.

Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed extract for treatment of sleep/wake fragmentation in diet-induced obese mice.

Dietary supplementation with melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed extract (MSE) has been an integral part of an anti-obesity therapeutic regimen. To examine the relationship between anti-obesity and sleep, we explored the effect of MSE on sleep structure in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Although HFD did not alter the total amount of daily sleep, it significantly reduced the average duration of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and wakefulness episodes and significantly increased the number of these episodes. These findings indicate fragmented NREM sleep due to repeated brief awakenings in the HFD-fed mice. When 1% (w/v) MSE was given to HFD-fed mice, their weight or sleep structure were comparable to those of ND-fed mice, proving that dietary MSE completely hindered HFD-induced weight gain and sleep/wake fragmentation. Our data provide compelling evidence that MSE is a novel and promising dietary supplement that restores obesity-induced sleep architecture changes in mice.

Psychopathological and Organic Features of Atypical Anorexia Nervosa in Developmental Age: A Systematic Review.

This study aimed to comprehensively report the epidemiological and clinical features of atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) in children and adolescents. In May 2024, a systematic review was performed using Medline, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and relevant websites. Following PRISMA guidelines, 234 articles were screened for studies on DSM-5-defined AAN. A standardized checklist-the JBI critical appraisal tool-was adopted in assessing methodology, and 13 retained studies passed the screening and critical appraisal process for the final review. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was utilized to assess the risk of bias in cohort and case-control studies, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of methodological quality. AAN prevalence in young age groups is 2.8%, with a cumulative 2.8% incidence over 8 years. Incidence is 366 per 100,000 person-years, and the average episode duration is 11.6 months, with a 71% remission rate. Diagnostic persistence for AAN is less stable than other restrictive feeding and eating disorders (FEDs). AAN individuals exhibit higher EDE-Q scores, more severe distress, and distinct BMI differences compared to those with anorexia nervosa and controls. The diagnostic transition from the DSM-IV to the DSM-5 shows that AAN patients are predominantly female, slightly older, and with higher weight. This study yields concrete insights into the features of AAN in the developmental age, highlighting demographic variations, clinical presentations, and treatment outcomes. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by AAN individuals is vital for tailoring effective interventions and improving overall care within the FED spectrum.

OFF episode quality of life impact scale (OFFELIA): A new measure of quality of life for off episodes in Parkinson's disease

IntroductionOFF Episodes occur in people with Parkinson's disease when their medication wears off, and motor and/or non-motor symptoms emerge. Existing measures used to assess OFF Episodes focus on the time spent in OFF Episodes through diaries or by identifying symptoms, but they are limited in their ability to capture the severity and functional impact of OFF episodes. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new instrument, called “OFFELIA,” that measures the impact of OFF episodes on the quality of life of individuals with Parkinson's disease. MethodsParticipants completed a cross-sectional questionnaire, “Impact and Communication on OFF Periods,” while enrolled in the online clinical study Fox Insights. The data collected was used to develop OFFELIA. Psychometric testing was performed on 18 candidate items using classical, exploratory factor analysis, and item response theory methods. Results569 individuals with Parkinson's disease completed the questionnaire. All items were retained for the final measure, with 17 items aggregated into two multi-item scales (functioning and psychological well-being) and one item reported separately as it did not function well with the other items (employment). Known group comparisons based on average duration, frequency and unpredictability of OFF episodes indicated that OFFELIA subscales were more sensitive than existing generic and condition-specific measures. ConclusionInitial evidence supports the validity of OFFELIA, a new instrument that assesses the impact of OFF periods on daily life. This instrument can be used in assessing clinical therapeutic strategies targeting OFF episodes in Parkinson's disease.

Иммуномодулирующие эффекты пробиотиков: возможности профилактики острых респираторных инфекций у детей

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) currently represent a major health concern in pediatric populations, accounting for up to 90% of all acute respiratory tract infection cases. While the efficacy of probiotics in treating various diseases is well-established, their potential role as a preventive measure to enhance the body's resistance against ARIs is garnering increased attention. Numerous clinical studies involving children have demonstrated that probiotics can reduce the incidence of ARIs, decrease the average duration of ARI episodes, lower the frequency of antibiotic usage, and decrease the number of school or preschool days missed due to illness. The careful selection of probiotic strains — considering their safety, tolerability, and varied physiological effects — has led to the development of several clinically effective probiotics in the market. This article reviews key data supporting the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum 7315/7316 in clinical practice. KEYWORDS: probiotic, prevention, Lactobacillus plantarum, children, microbiota, immunity. FOR CITATION: Nikolaeva S.V., Pogorelova O.O., Shushakova E.K., Gorelov A.V. Immunomodulatory effects of probiotics: possibilities of acute respiratory infections prevention in children. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2024;7(3):276–280 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618- 8430-2024-7-3-12.

Sleep-disordered breathing in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome cannot be attributed solely to increased body weight

BackgroundSleep disordered breathing is common in obese people. One of the main characteristics of patients with PWS is excess body weight. In this population study we aimed to investigate the differences in sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in overweight and obese children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and obese children. Methods27 children previously diagnosed with PWS and 24 obese peers, matched by age and gender were recruited and underwent a 12-channel overnight polysomnography (PSG) with oxygen saturation, snoring and body position recorded. Patient (caregiver) reported data on sleep abnormalities and data on other chronic, perinatal and bihevioural conditions were also collected. ResultsMean apnea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was higher in the PWS group than in the control obese children (5.37±7.47 and 1.97±5.35, respectively, p<0.001). REM latency was lower in the PWS group compared to obese controls (89.22 ± 49.92 vs 164.62 ± 91.05, p = 0.001). Both the duration of longest apnoeic episodes and the average duration of apnoeic episodes were higher in the PWS group compared to obese controls (21.04 ± 14.78 vs 8.79 ± 5.6, p = 0.002 and 12.15 ± 3.13 vs 8.79 ± 5.5, p = 0.003, respectively). Total awakeness time and the microarousal index were also higher in the PWS group compared to control obese children (56.59 ± 4.14 vs 29.54 ± 30.67, p = 0.002 and 3.45 ± 3.55 vs 2.36 ± 1.49, p = 0.046, respectively). Both average and lowest oxygen saturation rates were lower in children with PWS compared to obese controls (96.16 ± 1.55 vs 97.87 ± 2.11, p = 0.002 and 84.74 ± 5.67 vs 88.87 ± 4.63, p = 0.007). Slow wave sleep time was also significantly lower in the PWS group compared to obese controls (24.20 ± 7.75 vs 30.07 ± 6.93, p = 0.003). Parent/caregiver reported. ConclusionsSDB was more common in children with PWS, suggesting that the etiology of SDB in patients with PWS is multifactorial, likely related to the clinical manifestations of the syndrome and cannot be attributed solely to obesity.

Impact of low-dose Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) on atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the effectiveness of catheter-based ablation, periprocedural complication and recurrences remain a concern. In this context, we aim to appraise the potential impact of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on reducing episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). 22 patients with an established diagnosis of PAF and without structural heart disease were considered. Every patient received 20 drops of GUNA-BDNF administered in the morning. During the 24 months of follow-up, the arrhythmic burden was measured by the average monthly duration of PAF episodes. At the end of the follow-up period (24 months), data from 22 patients, of whom 17 men and five women, were analyzed. The arrhythmic burden, measured in terms of average monthly duration of PAF episodes, was found significantly reduced after the administration of low dose BDNF (9.5 vs. 65.3 minutes per month, P<0.001). A total of 17 out of 22 patients saw their arrhythmic burden eliminated or consistently reduced, furthermore two patients underwent a drastic reduction of the average monthly duration of AF (more than 200 minutes compared to the baseline). Only four patients, despite the administration of BDNF, still experienced an arrhythmic burden of 20 minutes or more. Considering the age groups, the major reduction was observed in people aged 70 or more, who were also the most represented in the sample. These results are coherent with the poor literature currently available. BDNF low dose therapy has shown to have an impacting role in reducing the arrhythmic burden and recurrences of AF, with a particular effectiveness in patients over 70 and without structural heart disease. We should welcome this work, despite it limitations. Further clinical and molecular studies are needed before-considering BDNF low dose as a tool against PAF.

PO-01-119 CATHETER STABILITY ANALYSIS IN ABLATION OF PAROXYSMAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: IMPACT OF A NOVEL FLEXIBLE ELECTRODE TIP

Catheter electrode stability is a key factor of a successful radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesion formation. Current techniques to enhance or monitor catheter stability include the use of steerable introducers, high-frequency jet ventilation, and the incorporation of objective lesion marker placement via Electroanatomic Mapping (EAM) Systems. In addition to automatic lesion marker placement, the EnSite™ AutoMark Module records catheter location during RF energy delivery, providing insight into catheter electrode stability during ablation. To demonstrate improved stability during ablation with a flexible laser cut tip electrode vs. a solid-6-hole electrode tip during de novo PVI ablation for the treatment of PAF and concomitant CTI-lines for the treatment of typical AFL. AutoMark™ ablation data gathered during the TactiFlex AF IDE NCT04356040 (flex tip catheter) and TactiSense IDE NCT03354663 (solid tip catheter) trials was analyzed (FIGURE). Both trials were prospective, non-randomized multicenter clinical studies which enrolled 355 and 150 subjects worldwide, respectively. PVI and CTI lesions from point-by-point ablation style operators with discrete lesions were included. Anatomic region assignment of each RF episode was accomplished using machine learning. Average distance and standard deviations of the ablation electrode movement from the mean positional centroid were calculated for each RF episode. Stability was evaluated as the percent of time during an RF episode where the ablation electrode remained within 2.5mm of the ablation lesion centroid. A total of 10285 flexible tip and 2141 solid tip RF episodes were analyzed from 112 and 21 cases, respectively. The average RF episode duration for the flexible tip and solid tip lesions, was 10.6 ± 4.8 and 17.1 ± 9.8 seconds, respectively. The flexible tip and solid tip catheters remained positionally stable within a 2.5 mm sphere for 85.3% ± 22.7 and 79.9% ± 26.1 of the RF episode duration, respectively, (p <0.001) (FIGURE). In the subset of lesions <10 seconds, the difference in stability was even more pronounced (TABLE). A flexible tip ablation catheter (TactiFlex™ SE) demonstrated greater stability than a solid tip ablation catheter (TactiCath™ SE) during ablation of atrial fibrillation and CTI-dependent atrial flutter. Greater stability during lesion formation may result in more durable lesions and better patient outcomes.Tabled 1Catheter# RF EpisodesRF Episode Duration, sec (SD)Mean (SD)Median [Q1, Q3]p-valueAll RF EpisodesFlexible Tip1028510.6 (4.8)85.3% (22.7)96.9% [79.9, 100]< 0.001Solid Tip214817.1 (9.8)79.9% (26.1)92.6% [66.7, 100]< 0.001RF Episodes < 10 secFlexible Tip43406.4 (2.8)85.0% (24.2)98.7% [80.7, 100]< 0.001Solid Tip5427.3 (2.3)73.6% (32.9)89.8% [51.7, 100]< 0.001Stability of a solid tip (TactiCath™ Contact Force Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled™) versus flexible tip (TactiFlex™ Contact Force Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled™), reported as the percent time the catheter tip remained within a 2.5 mm radius sphere. Open table in a new tab

Staying Informed of Best Evidence to Guide Practice

Staying Informed of Best Evidence to Guide Practice

Long-Term Effects of Increasing Buprenorphine Treatment Seeking, Duration, and Capacity on Opioid Overdose Fatalities: A Model-based Analysis.

Because buprenorphine treatment of opioid use disorder reduces opioid overdose deaths (OODs), expanding access to care is an important policy and clinical care goal. Policymakers must choose within capacity limitations whether to expand the number of people with opioid use disorder who are treated or extend duration for existing patients. This inherent tradeoff could be made less acute with expanded buprenorphine treatment capacity. To inform such decisions, we used a validated simulation model to project the effects of increasing buprenorphine treatment-seeking, average episode duration, and capacity (patients per provider) on OODs in the United States from 2023 to 2033, varying the start time to assess the effects of implementation delays. Results show that increasing treatment duration alone could cost lives in the short term by reducing capacity for new admissions yet save more lives in the long term than accomplished by only increasing treatment seeking. Increasing provider capacity had negligible effects. The most effective 2-policy combination was increasing capacity and duration simultaneously, which would reduce OODs up to 18.6% over a decade. By 2033, the greatest reduction in OODs (≥20%) was achieved when capacity was doubled and average duration reached 2 years, but only if the policy changes started in 2023. Delaying even a year diminishes the benefits. Treatment-seeking increases were equally beneficial whether they began in 2023 or 2025 but of only marginal benefit beyond what capacity and duration achieved. If policymakers only target 2 policies to reduce OODs, they should be to increase capacity and duration, enacted quickly and aggressively.

Sub-synoptic evolution of PM2.5 pollution patterns in the Huaihe River Basin, China

Predominant weather patterns and their evolution along with pollution episodes are identified in the Huaihe River Basin (HRB) in eastern China. Typical PM2.5 pollution episodes in autumn and winter were defined firstly. Surface and upper-air meteorological data (winds, temperature/potential temperature, pressure and humidity) and observed PM2.5 pollution data from 2015 to 2019 were employed. Hourly maps of PM2.5 concentration and meteorological fields were acquired and inspected manually. Four predominant weather patterns were identified, two characterized by low-pressure and two by high-pressure systems. Usually, low-pressure patterns are associated with weak winds or horizontal wind shear at surface, favoring the accumulation of pollutants; high-pressure patterns induce strong persistent northerlies at surface, transporting pollutants from the north at first and removing them later. However, strong low-pressure patterns (weak high-pressure patterns) may also lead to the removal (accumulation) of pollutants. In the upper air, low-pressure (high-pressure) patterns often correspond to warm (cold) advection. Four routines of synoptic evolution in the HRB were concluded according to the appearance order of different pressure patterns, namely low-high (Routine-1), low-high-low-high (Routine-2), high-low-high (Routine-3) and a consistent high or low (Routine-4). These routines account for 39%, 33%, 17% and 11% of total episodes, respectively. Lows and weak highs (strong highs) often appeared in the formation (clean-up) stages of pollution episodes. Four, three and no more than two pressure patterns appear in Routine-2, Routine-3 and Routine-1/Routine-4, corresponding to average duration of pollution episodes about 7, 6 and 4 days. This may imply that frequent changes of synoptic conditions can extend the pollution episodes.

Need for Treatment, A Less Restrictive Alternative to Hospitalization, and Treatment Provision: The Utility of Community Treatment Orders.

Provision of involuntary care is an abridgment of civil rights and a source of controversy. Its circumstances require continued monitoring. This study asks 4 questions: Whether, in an era, focused on allowing patients with capacity to refuse community-treatment-order (CTO)-assignments, CTO use decreased. And whether CTOs fulfilled 3 statute mandates: Were CTO-assigned patients in greater need of treatment than other psychiatric inpatients? Was CTO assignment a less-restrictive alternative to psychiatric hospitalization? and Did CTO assignment provide needed treatment at internationally recommended levels with consequences for patient outcomes? All 214 388 Victoria, Australia mental health admissions between 2000- 2017 were reviewed. Two cohort samples were drawn and followed through 2019-ie, all 7826 hospitalized patients who were first placed on CTOs from 2010 to 2017 and 13 896 hospitalized patients without CTO placement. Logistic Regression was used to specify determinants of CTO assignment from the psychiatric inpatient population. OLS Regression with propensity score control to evaluate study questions. In the 2010-2017 decade, initial CTO assignments decreased by 3.5%, and initial hospitalizations increased by 5.9% compared to the 2000-2009 period. At hospital admission and discharge, based on Health of the Nations Score ratings, the CTO-cohort's need for treatment exceeded that of non-CTO patients. CTO patients had 3.75 fewer days in average inpatient episode duration than other inpatients, when adjusted for CTO-assignment determinants, the ratio of patients to community case managers, and patient housing status. CTO patients needing rehospitalization spent 112.68 more days in the community than re-hospitalized non-CTO patients. Patient to case-manager ratios falling above recommended levels and the patient marginal housing status contributed to longer hospital stays and reduced community tenure. Victoria relied less on CTOs as an LRA, consequently, experiencing increased initial hospitalizations. CTO patients were in greater need of treatment than non-CTO patients, yet, with required oversite had shorter hospitalizations and more time out of hospital prior to rehospitalization than the less severely ill non-CTO group. Patient LRA outcomes were adversely affected by higher than recommended community patient to case-manager ratios limiting needed treatment provision to hospital.

Динамика эпизодов низкой облачности и ограниченной видимости на аэродромах Российской Федерации в период 2001–2020 гг.

The results of a survey of aviation stakeholders on the significance of the impact of climate change on aviation are briefly presented. It has been found that pilots, air traffic controllers, airline operators, etc. are most interested in information related to climatic changes in the regime of low ceiling and visibility at aerodromes. Based on METAR data for 2001–2020, the variations in the number and duration of episodes with low visibility (≤350 and ≤800 m) and low ceiling ≤60 m at 49 international aerodromes of the Russian Federation are investigated. It was found that about 20% of the aerodromes during the period under study showed an increase in the number of episodes with low ceiling, almost the same number of aerodromes showed an improvement in the situation with low visibility. The change in the average and maximum duration of such episodes for each aerodrome is analyzed. Keywords: aviation, climatic change, fog, ceiling, visibility, aerodrome observations

Striatal mechanism of the restless legs syndrome.

Brain iron deficiency has been reported to be associated with the restless legs syndrome (RLS). However, 30%-50% of RLS patients do not respond to iron therapy, indicating that mechanisms other than brain iron deficiency may also participate in this disease. The striatum is known to be involved in the modulation of motor activity. We speculated that dysfunction of the striatum may induce RLS. Two groups, wild-type (WT) and iron-deficient (ID) rats were used. Each group was divided into two subgroups, control and N-methyl-d-aspartate striatal-lesioned. After baseline recording, striatal-lesioned wild-type (WT-STL) and striatal-lesioned iron-deficient (ID-STL) rats were given pramipexole and thioperamide injections. Iron-deficient and ID-STL rats were then given a standard rodent diet for 4 weeks, and their sleep and motor activity were recorded. WT-STL rats showed periodic leg movements (PLM) in wake, an increase in PLM in slow wave sleep (SWS), a decrease in rapid-eye-movement sleep, and a decrease in the daily average duration of episodes in SWS. The sleep-wake pattern and motor activity did not differ between ID and ID-STL rats. Thioperamide or pramipexole injection decreased PLM in sleep and in wake in WT-STL rats and ID-STL rats. Unlike ID rats, whose motor hyperactivity can be reversed by iron replacement, PLM in wake and in sleep in ID-STL rats were not fully corrected by iron treatment. Lesions of the striatum generate RLS-like activity in rats. Dysfunction of the striatum may be responsible for failure to respond to iron treatment in some human RLS patients.

Effectiveness of De-Escalation in Reducing Aggression and Coercion in Acute Psychiatric Units. A Cluster Randomized Study.

ObjectiveMost guidelines for the management of aggressive behavior in acute psychiatric patients describe the use of de-escalation as the first-choice method, but the evidence for its effectiveness is inconsistent. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of verbal and non-verbal de-escalation on the incidence and severity of aggression and the use of physical restraints in acute psychiatric wards.MethodsA multi-center cluster randomized study was conducted in the acute wards of all psychiatric hospitals in Slovenia. The research was carried out in two phases, a baseline period of five consecutive months and an intervention period of the same five consecutive months in the following year. The intervention was implemented after the baseline period and included training in verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques for the staff teams on experimental wards.ResultsIn the baseline study period, there were no significant differences in the incidence of aggressive behavior and physical restraints between the experimental and control groups. The incidence rates of aggressive events, severe aggressive events, and physical restraints per 100 treatment days decreased significantly after the intervention. Compared to the control group, the incidence rate of aggressive events was 73% lower in the experimental group (IRR = 0.268, 95% CI [0.221; 0.342]), while the rate of severe events was 86% lower (IRR = 0.142, 95% CI [0.107; 0.189]). During the intervention period, the incidence rate of physical restraints due to aggression in the experimental group decreased to 30% of the rate in the control group (IRR = 0.304, 95% CI [0.238; 0.386]). No reduction in the incidence of restraint used for reasons unrelated to aggression was observed. After the intervention, a statistically significant decrease in the severity of aggressive incidents (p < 0.001) was observed, while the average duration of restraint episodes did not decrease.ConclusionDe-escalation training is effective in reducing the incidence and severity of aggression and the use of physical restraints in acute psychiatric units.Clinical Trial Registration[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05166278].

Reducing seclusion use in an Australian child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit

BackgroundIn inpatient psychiatric units, seclusion (isolation in a locked room) is recommended only as a last resort for serious aggression or agitation. In response to an increase in seclusion during 2015, an 8-bed child and adolescent inpatient unit implemented a suite of multidisciplinary interventions. This study examines changes in seclusion rates following intervention implementation and assesses whether specific patient factors were associated with seclusion rates before and after interventions. MethodMulti-modal interventions, comprised of patient treatment plans, intake and handover meetings, staff supervision and debriefing sessions, were implemented from January 2016. We compared quarterly seclusion rates (episodes per 1000 patient days) across a thirteen-year period, from July 2008 to June 2021. Change in seclusion rates following intervention was evaluated using a segmented regression analysis. We examined whether patient factors were associated with seclusion rates, and whether the duration of seclusion episodes differed before and after interventions. ResultsThere was a 100% reduction in seclusion rates in the 6 months following intervention implementation, from 28.4 episodes per 1000 patient days in July–September 2015, to 4.7 episodes in January–March 2016, reaching 0.0 episodes by April–June 2016. This reduction was maintained until April–June 2021. Most patients with seclusion events before and after intervention implementation had a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis and a minority of patients accounted for most seclusion events. There was a 65% reduction in the average duration of seclusion episodes following interventions, however this was not statistically significant. LimitationsDue to a crisis in staff morale, interventions were implemented simultaneously, preventing an understanding of whether a single intervention accounted for change. While not addressed in the current study, assessing perceptions of staff, children and parents following intervention implementation may have elucidated barriers and facilitators to change. ConclusionsMultidisciplinary, patient-centered interventions may be effective for long-term reduction of seclusion rates in inpatient psychiatric units. These findings highlight patient factors associated with seclusion reduction which should be considered when implementing interventions.

A unique medium chain triglyceride-containing micronutrient complex: Effects on migraine symptoms compared to quality of lif

Purpose: Migraine headaches and associated symptoms are prevalent medical issues. Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)/nootropic-based compounds have demonstrated benefits in multiple domains. This study assessed the potential relief provided from a unique, high-concentration MCT/nootropic component blend on migraine frequency, duration, secondary symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) during a 60-day clinical investigation. Methods: Forty (n=40) chronic migraine sufferers [migraineurs] were prospectively randomized to participate in the double-blinded study. Both intervention (n=30) and control (n=10) participants were required to maintain lifestyle patterns for the trial duration. Migraine surveys used electronic response forms to allow subjects increased ease and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. The intervention subjects experienced reduction in migraine episodes by 53%, from 11.6 to 5.4 per month, after 60 days of supplement use. The average episode duration decreased from 260 minutes to 158 minutes, a 39% improvement. Time lost due to severe migraine effect was reduced from an average of more than five days per month to just over two per month, a decrease of 55%. A combined measure of secondary symptoms, which aggregate to illustrate migraine intensity, also decreased according to subject rating by an average of 37%. Self-assessed QOL scales improved by 43% in the intervention cohort. The control subjects showed no significant changes in any measures. Conclusion: Consumption of a unique, nootropic brain complex significantly improved migraine symptoms, including episode frequency, duration, severity, and lost days due to dysfunction. The formulation also beneficially impacted secondary effects and self-reported QOL.

Course and outcome of bipolar I disorder among Indian patients: A retrospective life-chart study.

Indian studies on the course and outcome of bipolar disorder (BD) are scarce and their methodologies vary. Nevertheless, differences from Western ones have been noted. A systematic random sample of 200 patients with BD attending a general hospital psychiatric unit was chosen. They were assessed using the clinician and self-rated versions of the National Institute of Mental Health-Retrospective Life Charts, the lifetime version of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, the Medication Adherence Questionnaire, the Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale, and the Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale. The mean age of onset of BD was 26 years. About 11%-13% of the illness was spent in acute episodes, mostly in depression (60%). Episode frequency was 0.4-0.6 annually. The first episode was more likely to be manic, and manic episodes outnumbered depressive episodes. The average duration of episodes was 3 months. Depressive episodes were longer and the time spent in depression was greater than mania. Psychotic symptoms (48%), a mania-depression-interval pattern (61%), and recurrent mania (19%) were common while rapid cycling and seasonal patterns were uncommon. Comorbidity (40%), functional impairment (77%), and lifetime nonadherence (58%) were high, whereas lifetime suicide attempts (16%) were low. Stressful life events were very common prior to episodes (80%), particularly early in the illness. This study suggests differences between Indian and Western patients in the demographic profile and the course and outcome of BD. A more benign presentation in the current study including Indian studies is indicated by their later age of presentation and illness onset, higher rates of marriage, education, and employment, a mania predominant course, lower rates of rapid cycling, comorbidity, and suicidal attempts. Factors associated with better outcomes such as longer time to recurrence, Manic Depressive pattern of illness, and low rates of hospitalizations also appear to be commoner in our study and also in other Indian studies.

Evaluation of reticulorumen temperature boluses for the diagnosis of subclinical cases of bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most important and costly health issue of the feedlot industry worldwide. Remote monitoring of reticulorumen temperature has been suggested as a potential tool to improve the diagnostic accuracy of BRD. The present study aimed to evaluate 1) the difference and degree of reticulorumen hyperthermia episodes between healthy and subclinical BRD feedlot steers, and 2) determine the correlation between reticulorumen hyperthermia and lung pathology, performance, and carcass traits. Mixed-breed feedlot steers (n = 148) with a mean arrival weight of 321 ± 3.34 kg were administered a reticulorumen bolus at feedlot entry and monitored for visual and audible signs of BRD until slaughter when lungs were examined and scored for lesions indicative of BRD. Post-slaughter animals with no record of BRD treatment were assigned to one of three case definitions. Healthy steers had no visual or audible signs of BRD (i.e., CIS=1), and total lung consolidation score < 5% or pleurisy score < 3 at slaughter. Subclinical BRD cases had a CIS of 1, and a lung consolidation score ≥ 5% or a pleurisy score of 3 at slaughter. Mild CIS cases had at least one CIS of 2, and a lung consolidation score < 5% and a pleurisy score < 3 at slaughter. Subclinical BRD and mild CIS cases had longer total duration of reticulorumen hyperthermia, more episodes and longer average episode duration above 40.0 °C compared to healthy steers (P < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between lung consolidation and total duration (r = 0.27, P < 0.001), episode duration (r = 0.29, P < 0.001), and number of episodes (r = 0.20, P < 0.05). Pleurisy score was also found to be moderately and positively correlated with total duration (r = 0.23, P < 0.01), episode duration (r = 0.37, P < 0.001), and number of episodes (r = 0.26, P < 0.01). Moderate negative correlations were found between reticulorumen hyperthermia and carcass traits including hot standard carcass weight (HSCW) (-0.22 ≤ r ≤ -0.23, P < 0.05) and P8-fat depth (-0.18 ≤ r ≤ -0.32, P < 0.05). Subclinical BRD reduced carcass weight by 22 kg and average daily gain (ADG) by 0.44 kg/day compared to healthy steers (P < 0.05), but mild CIS cases had no effect on performance (P > 0.05). The reticulorumen bolus technology appears promising for detection of subclinical BRD cases in feedlot cattle as defined by lung pathology at slaughter.

The course of bipolar disorder in pregnant versus non-pregnant women

Background and rationaleAlthough it has been suggested that pregnancy may influence the course of bipolar disorder (BD), studies show contradictory results. Until now, no studies included a finegrained validated method to report mood symptoms on a daily basis, such as the lifechart method (LCM). The aim of the present study is to investigate the course of BD during pregnancy by comparing LCM scores of pregnant and non-pregnant women.MethodsStudy design: Comparison of LCM scores of two prospective observational BD cohort studies, a cohort of pregnant women (n = 34) and a cohort of non-pregnant women of childbearing age (n = 52). Main study parameters are: (1) proportions of symptomatic and non-symptomatic days; (2) symptom severity, frequency, and duration of episodes; (3) state sequences, longitudinal variation of symptom severity scores.ResultsNo differences in clinical course variables (symptomatic days, average severity scores, frequency, and duration of episodes in BD were found between pregnant and non-pregnant women. With a combination of State Sequence Analysis (SSA) and cluster analysis on the sequences of daily mood scores three comparable clusters were found in both samples: euthymic, moderately ill and severely ill. The distribution differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women were significant, with a majority of the pregnant women (68%) belonging to the moderately ill cluster and a majority of the non-pregnant women (46%) to the euthymic cluster. In pregnant women the average daily variation in mood symptoms as assessed with Shannon’s entropy was less than in non-pregnant women (respectively 0.43 versus 0.56).ConclusionsAlthough the use of daily mood scores revealed no difference in overall course of BD in pregnant versus non-pregnant women, more pregnant than non-pregnant women belonged to the moderately ill cluster, and during pregnancy the variation in mood state was less than in non-pregnant women. Further research is necessary to clarify these findings.