Can dissociative symptoms be explained by coping and emotion regulation? A longitudinal investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Dissociative symptoms are prevalent and are associated with considerable impairments. There are ongoing debates regarding how to conceptualize these phenomena. This study examined whether dissociative symptoms could be explained by coping and emotion regulation strategies. METHOD: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial. A total of 115 Hong Kong Chinese adults completed standardized self-report assessments of trauma exposure, dissociative symptoms, coping, and emotion regulation at baseline. They provided data regarding dissociative symptoms again after 2 months. RESULTS: After controlling for baseline dissociative symptoms and trauma exposure, baseline active coping (ß = -.157, p = .035) and dysfunctional coping (ß = .227, p = .005) predicted more subsequent dissociative symptoms at follow-up. Furthermore, baseline dysfunctional coping mediated the relationship between trauma exposure and subsequent dissociative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into the ongoing debate concerning factors that could contribute to dissociation. As dysfunctional coping could particularly predict dissociative symptoms, we call for future studies to evaluate whether coping skills training could effectively prevent and treat dissociative symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A bioinspired surface tension-driven route toward programmed cellular ceramics.

The intriguing biomineralization process in nature endows the mineralized biological materials with intricate microarchitected structures in a facile and orderly way, which provides an inspiration for processing ceramics. Here, we propose a simple and efficient manufacturing process to fabricate cellular ceramics in programmed cell-based 3D configurations, inspired by the biomineralization process of the diatom frustule. Our approach separates the ingredient synthesis from architecture building, enabling the programmable manufacturing of cellular ceramics with various cell sizes, geometries, densities, metastructures, and constituent elements. Our approach exploits surface tension to capture precursor solutions in the architected cellular lattices, allowing us to control the liquid geometry and manufacture cellular ceramics with high precision. We investigate the geometry parameters for the architected lattices assembled by unit cells and unit columns, both theoretically and experimentally, to guide the 3D fluid interface creation in arranged configurations. We manufacture a series of globally cellular and locally compact piezoceramics, obtaining an enhanced piezoelectric constant and a designed piezoelectric anisotropy. This bioinspired, surface tension-assisted approach has the potential to revolutionize the design and processing of multifarious ceramic materials for structural and functional applications in energy, electronics and biomedicine.

Prevalence and validity of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD: A population-based survey of Hong Kong adults.

The present study aimed to report the prevalence of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD) in the general adult Hong Kong population, and examine the validity of the Chinese International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). This descriptive cross-sectional population-based telephone survey included a representative sample of 1070 non-institutionalized permanent Hong Kong residents ages 18-64 years. Participants provided responses to the Chinese version of the ITQ, and measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), depression, anxiety, and stress. Based on the diagnostic algorithm of the ITQ, 5.9% of the sample screened positive for either CPTSD or PTSD, with CPTSD (4.2%) being more common that PTSD (1.7%). Results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated the first-order correlated 6-factor model to be the best fitting solution. Symptom cluster summed scores were all positively and significantly correlated with all criterion variables. This investigation established the prevalence rates of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD using a general adult population sample in Hong Kong. The Chinese ITQ demonstrated sound factorial validity and concurrent validity. Future research can further characterize ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD in subgroups using the Chinese ITQ.

Characterization of three novel stem rot pathogens and their antagonistic endophytic bacteria associated with Cistanche deserticola.

Cistanche deserticola is a precious Chinese medicinal material with extremely high health care and medicinal value. In recent years, the frequent occurrence of stem rot has led to reduced or even no harvests of C. deserticola. The unstandardized use of farm chemicals in the prevention and control processes has resulted in excessive chemical residues, threatening the fragile desert ecological environment. Therefore, it is urgent to explore safe and efficient prevention and control technologies. Biocontrol agents, with the advantages of safety and environment-friendliness, would be an important idea. The isolation, screening and identification of pathogens and antagonistic endophytic bacteria are always the primary basis. In this study, three novel pathogens causing C. deserticola stem rot were isolated, identified and pathogenicity tested, namely Fusarium solani CPF1, F. proliferatum CPF2, and F. oxysporum CPF3. For the first time, the endophytic bacteria in C. deserticola were isolated and identified, of which 37 strains were obtained. Through dual culture assay, evaluation experiment and tissue culture verification, a biocontrol candidate strain Bacillus atrophaeus CE6 with outstanding control effect on the stem rot was screened out. In the tissue culture system, CE6 showed excellent control effect against F. solani and F. oxysporum, with the control efficacies reaching 97.2% and 95.8%, respectively, indicating its great potential for application in the production. This study is of great significance for the biocontrol of plant stem rot and improvement of the yield and quality of C. deserticola.

Hurting myself to cope: Using network analysis to understand the association between perceived stigma and non-suicidal self-injury functions among men who have sex with men in China.

Prior studies have demonstrated that perceived stigma is robustly associated with risky and life-threatening behaviors, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, studies regarding the relationship between perceived stigma and NSSI are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the network structure of perceived stigma and NSSI functions, along with bridge nodes, to elucidate how they co-exist. A sample of 2610 Chinese MSM (mean age = 23.99, age range: 18-68 years) was recruited from an online survey platform. All participants completed a web-based survey with measures of perceived stigma and NSSI functions. Results indicated that 'negative attitudes towards homosexuality' and 'disappointment in gay son' were identified as the most central nodes in the perceived stigma network, whereas 'seeking attention' and 'influencing others to change' ranked highest on centrality in the NSSI network. Two bridge connections were exhibited within the combined perceived stigma and NSSI network model: 'unwelcoming in public' and 'avoiding unpleasant tasks' from perceived stigma and NSSI communities, respectively. This is among the first studies investigating the co-occurrence between perceived stigma and NSSI from the network approach. Our findings provide an empirically-based perspective on the importance of family- and community-based interventions, with potential clinical implications for reducing NSSI among sexual and gender minority groups.

Trauma, Emotional Regulation, and Coping Styles in Individuals with and without Probable Dissociative Disorders in Hong Kong.

Previous studies showed that dissociation and dissociative disorders (DDs) are prevalent and are associated with considerable individual and social consequences. There are ongoing debates regarding whether dissociation is a response to betrayal trauma across cultures and whether dissociation can be explained by maladaptive coping. Additionally, little is known about the clinical features of individuals with DDs in the Chinese context. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between trauma, emotional regulation, coping, and dissociation. We analyzed baseline data from a randomized controlled trial (N = 101). Participants with dissociative symptoms in Hong Kong completed self-report assessments. Structured interviews were also conducted subsequently. Participants with probable DDs reported more traumatic events (p = .009 to .017) and exhibited significantly higher levels of dysfunctional coping (p < .001) compared to those who reported dissociative symptoms but did not have a DD. Dissociative symptoms were more strongly associated with betrayal trauma than with non-betrayal trauma. Among different emotion regulation and coping strategies, dysfunctional coping was the only significant factor associated with dissociative symptoms (ß = .309, p = .003). Dysfunctional coping was a statistically significant mediator that may explain the relationship between betrayal trauma and dissociative symptoms. Although other mediation paths are also possible and further longitudinal studies are required, our findings highlight the strong link between dysfunctional coping and dissociative symptoms and suggest that coping skills training should be incorporated into interventions for betrayal trauma survivors with dissociative symptoms. Additionally, this study provides evidence for the cross-cultural validity of the betrayal trauma theory. Further studies, however, are required.

Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Heteroaromatics with Multiple N Atoms via Substrate Activation: An Entry to 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile Core of a Potent BTK Inhibitor.

The chiral 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine is the key core skeleton of potent Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor Zanubrutinib, and the catalyst-controlled asymmetric hydrogenation of planar multinuclear pyrimidine heteroarenes with multiple N atoms could provide an efficient route toward its synthesis. Owing to the strong aromaticity and poisoning effect toward chiral transition metal catalyst, asymmetric hydrogenation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines with multiple nitrogen atoms is still a challenge for synthesizing the chiral 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidine. Herein, an efficient iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines has been developed using substrate activation strategy, with up to 99% ee. The decagram scale synthesis further demonstrated the potential and promise of this procedure in the synthesis of Zanubrutinib. In addition, a mechanistic study indicated that the hydrogenation starts with 1,2-hydrogenation.

A prospective study of nightmare disorder among Chinese adults in Hong Kong: Persistence and mental health outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies showed that nightmares are prevalent and are associated with negative health outcomes. However, no empirical data is available demonstrating the extent to which nightmare disorder persists over time. Current literature provides a limited understanding of the trajectory and wider mental health outcomes of nightmare disorder. This longitudinal study examined the persistence and mental health outcomes of nightmare disorder. METHODS: A total of 230 Hong Kong Chinese adults completed standardized assessments twice with an interval of about 6 months. RESULTS: Over half (66.7%) of the participants with probable nightmare disorder at baseline remained to meet the DSM-5 criteria for the disorder at follow-up. Participants with probable nightmare disorder at baseline were significantly more likely to screen positive for PTSD (82.1% vs 18.3%) (p < .001) (p < .001), and they reported higher rates of mental health service usage at both timepoints (p = .001 to .003). Baseline nightmare disorder severity was negatively associated with subsequent self-rated mental health (ß = -.151, p = .010) and self-esteem (ß = -.141, p = .009) and it also predicted subsequent PTSD symptoms (ß = .122, p = .012). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides first empirical data showing that nightmare disorder could be persistent over time. Nightmare disorder symptoms are associated not only with PTSD symptoms but also with a broader range of mental health issues. This study points to the public health importance of identifying and managing nightmare disorder symptoms in the community. Additionally, the presence of nightmare disorder symptoms may be a helpful indicator for identifying post-traumatic stress.

The bidirectional relationship between depression and dissociation: A longitudinal investigation.

Depression is a major public health concern. Recent studies suggest that dissociative symptoms are associated with depressive symptoms, and the concept of "dissociative depression" has been proposed. Yet, only cross-sectional evidence is available in the literature. This study examined the bidirectional relationship between dissociative and depressive symptoms through the use of screening tools in a sample of Chinese young adults (N = 340) over four months. Baseline dissociative symptoms predicted depressive symptoms at follow-up (ß = .262, p < .001), but not the other way around (ß = .065, p = .121). Among different dissociative symptom clusters, identity dissociation was the only significant predictor of subsequent depressive symptoms (ß = .177, p < .001). Furthermore, identity dissociation symptoms partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and subsequent depressive symptoms. This preliminary study is the first to test the bidirectional relationship between dissociative and depressive symptoms. The results highlight the importance of taking dissociative symptoms into account when preventing and treating depressive symptoms, especially among childhood trauma survivors.

Childhood adversities and psychotic symptoms among high school students in China: The role of dissociation.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are well-established risk factors for psychotic symptoms. This study replicated the relationship between ACEs and positive symptoms of psychosis in the Asian context and explored the moderating effect of dissociation. We analyzed data from 1439 high school students in China who completed validated measures of ACEs, positive symptoms of psychosis, and dissociative symptoms. The positive relationship between ACEs and psychotic symptoms was confirmed in our sample (r =0.244, p <0.001). Among different ACEs, childhood emotional neglect (ß =0.139, p <0.001) and emotional abuse (ß =0.125, p <0.001) had the strongest relationship with psychotic symptoms. Dissociative symptoms were also found to be a statistically significant moderator. We provide cross-cultural evidence for the relationship between ACEs and psychotic symptoms. Dissociative symptoms may exacerbate such effects. These results highlight the importance of child protection to prevent psychotic symptoms. Individuals with higher levels of dissociation may be at higher risk of developing psychotic symptoms when exposed to adversities. A trauma-informed approach to addressing psychotic symptoms in the community is recommended.

Reliability and Mental Health Correlates of a Single-Item Measure of Self-Rated Mental Health (SRMH) in the Chinese Context.

The use of single-item measures of self-rated mental health (SRMH) has been increasingly valued in epidemiologic research. However, little is known about the reliability and mental health correlates of SRMH in Chinese populations. This study examined the reliability and mental health correlates of SRMH in three Chinese samples. We analyzed data collected from two convenience samples of Chinese adults from Hong Kong and/or Taiwan (Sample 1: N = 205; Sample 2: N = 377), and a random sample of Taiwan psychiatric inpatients (Sample 3: N = 100). Our results showed that the single-item measure of SRMH had moderate to good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation [ICC] = 0.75) in Sample 1 and acceptable reliability between the self-report and interviewer-administered versions (ICC = 0.58) in Sample 3. It had a high positive correlation with self-esteem and a moderately high negative correlation with depression. It also had a consistently negative correlation with borderline personality disorder symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. The SRMH score was also associated with psychiatric service usage. These findings contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the use of a single-item measure of SRMH to assess overall self-perceived mental health in Chinese communities.

COULD FAMILY WELL-BEING MODERATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND SOMATOFORM DISSOCIATION? A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION.

The impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been well documented. One possible consequence of ACEs is dissociation, which is a major feature of post-traumatic psychopathology and is also associated with considerable impairment and health care costs. Although ACEs are known to be associated with both psychoform and somatoform dissociation, much less is known about the mechanisms behind this relationship. Little is known about whether social and interpersonal factors such as family environments would moderate the relationship between ACEs and somatoform dissociation. This paper discusses the importance of having a positive and healthy family environment in trauma recovery. We then report the findings of a preliminary study in which we examined whether the association between ACEs and somatoform dissociation would be moderated by family well-being in a convenience sample of Hong Kong adults (N = 359). The number of ACEs was positively associated with somatoform dissociative symptoms, but this association was moderated by the level of family well-being. The number of ACEs was associated with somatoform dissociation only when the family well-being scores were low. These moderating effects were medium. The findings point to the potential importance of using family education and intervention programs to prevent and treat trauma-related dissociative symptoms, but further investigation is needed.

A Preliminary Longitudinal Analysis of Symptom Management, Post-traumatic Stress, and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adults with Dissociative Symptoms.

People with dissociative symptoms are generally poly-symptomatic and require high levels of healthcare resources. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms are two major disabling comorbid symptoms in people with dissociative symptoms. While the sense of control over symptoms may be associated with PTSD and dissociative symptoms, the interplay among these factors over time remains unexplored. This study examined the predictors of PTSD and depressive symptoms in people with dissociative symptoms. Longitudinal data from 61 participants with dissociative symptoms were analyzed. Participants completed self-report measures of dissociative, depressive, and PTSD symptoms and the sense of control over symptoms two times (T1 & T2) with an interval of over one month. PTSD and depressive symptoms were not transient or time-specific, but they persisted over time in our sample. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that, after controlling for age, treatment usage and baseline symptom severity, T1 symptom management scores (ß = -.264, p = .006) negatively predicted T2 PTSD symptoms, while T1 PTSD symptoms (ß = .268, p = .017) positively predicted T2 depressive symptoms. T1 depressive symptoms (ß = -.087, p = .339) did not predict T2 PTSD symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of improving symptom management skills and treating comorbid PTSD symptoms when working with people with dissociative symptoms.

Association Between Psychotic and Dissociative Symptoms: Further Investigation Using Network Analysis.

The association and overlap between psychotic and dissociative phenomena have been increasingly recognized. Previous studies found that psychotic symptoms are closely associated with post-traumatic and dissociative symptoms and that these trauma-related phenomena may mediate the relationship between trauma and psychotic symptoms. It remained less explored which specific post-traumatic and dissociative symptom clusters are particularly associated with psychotic symptoms. This cross-sectional study used a data-driven approach (network analysis) to explore the associations among different psychotic and post-traumatic/dissociative symptom clusters in an online convenience predominantly female sample (N = 468)(59.2% had ever seen a psychiatrist). Participants completed well-established multidimensional measures that assessed different symptom clusters of psychosis, dissociation, and PTSD. In addition, multiple mediation analysis was conducted to examine which post-traumatic/dissociative symptoms could mediate the relationship between childhood and adulthood trauma and different psychotic symptoms. Our results confirmed previous findings that PTSD and dissociative symptoms are closely associated with psychotic symptoms. More importantly, both data-driven and multiple mediation analysis results indicated that identity dissociation was particularly associated with perceptual anomalies and bizarre experiences, while emotional constriction was particularly associated with negative symptoms. It is important to screen for trauma and dissociation and provide trauma-and dissociation-informed care when working with people at risk of or experiencing psychosis. Further longitudinal studies using more representative samples are needed.

The impact of teaching-research conflict on turnover intention: cross-level interaction effect of justice climate.

Introduction: Research-based on the Job Demands-Resources theory (JD-R theory) has revealed a close relationship between teaching-research conflict and job burnout. However, there needs to be more investigation into the complex relationship between teaching-research conflict and turnover intentions from the perspective of this theory. To address these gaps, this study, grounded in the JD-R theory, explores the relationships among teaching-research conflict, career adaptability, justice climate, job burnout, and turnover intention. Methods: Data collected through an online survey involving 858 Chinese university teachers, and the analysis utilized a Multilevel Structural Equation Model (MSEM) with Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimation. Results: The findings reveal that job burnout mediates the relationship between teaching-research conflict and turnover intention. Career adaptability plays a moderating role in the connection between job burnout and turnover intention. Furthermore, justice climate exhibits a cross-level interaction effect concerning the relationship between teaching-research conflict and turnover intention. Discussion: These findings offer innovative strategies for mitigating and preventing faculty turnover intention.

Synthesis of sEMG Signals for Hand Gestures Using a 1DDCGAN.

The emergence of modern prosthetics controlled by bio-signals has been facilitated by AI and microchip technology innovations. AI algorithms are trained using sEMG produced by muscles during contractions. The data acquisition procedure may result in discomfort and fatigue, particularly for amputees. Furthermore, prosthetic companies restrict sEMG signal exchange, limiting data-driven research and reproducibility. GANs present a viable solution to the aforementioned concerns. GANs can generate high-quality sEMG, which can be utilised for data augmentation, decrease the training time required by prosthetic users, enhance classification accuracy and ensure research reproducibility. This research proposes the utilisation of a one-dimensional deep convolutional GAN (1DDCGAN) to generate the sEMG of hand gestures. This approach involves the incorporation of dynamic time wrapping, fast Fourier transform and wavelets as discriminator inputs. Two datasets were utilised to validate the methodology, where five windows and increments were utilised to extract features to evaluate the synthesised sEMG quality. In addition to the traditional classification and augmentation metrics, two novel metrics-the Mantel test and the classifier two-sample test-were used for evaluation. The 1DDCGAN preserved the inter-feature correlations and generated high-quality signals, which resembled the original data. Additionally, the classification accuracy improved by an average of 1.21-5%.

Metastasis of ovarian cancer to nasal skin and skin on the trunk: a rare case report.

Cutaneous metastases of ovarian cancer are rare and often have poor prognosis. We report a case of a 62-year-old woman with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer, who presented with lung, brain, and multiple skin (nasal and anterior chest wall) metastases approximately six months after the initial diagnosis. In this case, Nijmegen breakage syndrome carrier status caused by RAD50 heterozygous mutation and previous bevacizumab therapy could be the predisposing factor for cutaneous metastases. The patient was treated with local radiotherapy (nasal skin and brain, 30Gy/6f/1.2W) and three courses of chemotherapy with albumin-bound paclitaxel and carboplatin, resulting in drastic remission of the cutaneous metastases. Unfortunately, treatment interruption resulted in rapid tumor progression, followed by death. This case represents an interesting example of cutaneous metastasis of ovarian cancer with rare clinical manifestations, unique genetic mutations, and reasonable response to treatment. Chemoradiotherapy might be an appropriate option for cutaneous metastases of ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, we still hope to find out the best treatment strategy after collecting and reviewing more cases in the future.

Substance abuse among mothers in Taiwan: Investigating its prevalence and testing the trauma model.

Substance abuse is a serious problem in our society. In particular, household or parental substance abuse could lead to adverse childhood experiences for the affected children. However, little is known about the prevalence of substance abuse among parents, especially in Asian societies. Moreover, although the trauma model of addiction has significant implications for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, most evidence comes from Western samples. To address these knowledge gaps, we examined the prevalence of substance abuse in a sample of mothers in Taiwan and tested the trauma model of substance abuse. A total of 867 Taiwanese mothers completed standardized self-report assessments in 2023. The screening results indicated that the 12-month prevalence of drug abuse and alcohol abuse was 12.3% and 7.3%, respectively; 15.5% had either or both drug and alcohol abuse. Most types of trauma exposure were associated with drug abuse severity, while interpersonal stress and dissociative symptoms were associated with alcohol abuse severity, even after controlling for a variety of demographic and health variables as well as general psychopathology (i.e., depressive symptoms). The relatively high prevalence of substance abuse among Taiwanese mothers in our sample is concerning, particularly when compared to the rates reported in other Asian samples. We also provide preliminary cross-cultural evidence supporting the self-medication theory and the trauma model of substance abuse in the Asian context. We discuss the potential importance of addressing trauma and stress to prevent substance abuse and call for follow-up studies.