No Sex Difference in Mental Fatigue Effect on High-Level Runners' Aerobic Performance.

PURPOSE: Some evidence suggests that sedentary women may be more vulnerable to cognitive task-induced mental fatigue. Mental fatigue, in turn, may worse aerobic exercise performance, presumably via increased perceived effort. However, it remains unclear whether acute mental fatigue induction increases perceived effort and worsens endurance performance in high-level professional athletes and whether such effects are influenced by sex. METHODS: We studied 30 athletes (15 women and 16 men) in a single-blinded, randomized, controlled and crossover protocol. In separate visits, athletes either performed a 45-min cognitive task (Stroop's color-word conflict test) to induce mental fatigue or watched a 45-min documentary as control. Then athletes performed a time-to-exhaustion test on a treadmill. RESULTS: Perceptual measures and cognitive performance indicated that the prolonged cognitive task induced a similar mental fatigue state in women and men. Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to the TEE did not change with mental fatigue in both sexes. Mental fatigue increased perceived effort during the time-to-exhaustion test, anticipated attainment of maximal effort, and shortened time to exhaustion similarly in women and men (mean ± SE, -27.3 ± 20.9 s for women vs -26.7 ± 15.1 s for men; P = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: The prolonged cognitive task provoked mental fatigue, anticipated attainment of maximal perceived effort, and worsened aerobic performance in professional runners with no sex differences. Although we did not contrasted athletes with nonathletes, our results suggest that being an athlete may somehow prevent women from developing greater mental fatigue and suffering more from its underlying effects compared with men.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in elderly with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot study.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, painless and easy-to use-technology. It can be used in depression, schizophrenia and other neurological disorders. There are no studies about longer usage protocols regarding the ideal duration and weekly frequency of tDCS. OBJECTIVE: to study the use of tDCS twice a week for longer periods to improve memory in elderly with MCI. METHODS: a randomized double-blind controlled trial of anodal tDCS on cognition of 58 elderly aged over 60 years was conducted. A current of 2.0 mA was applied for 30 minutes for 10 sessions, twice a week. The anode was placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLFC). Subjects were evaluated before and after 10 sessions by the following tests: CAMCOG, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making, Semantic Verbal Fluency (Animals), Boston naming, Clock Drawing Test, Word list memory (WLMT), Direct and Indirect Digit Order (WAIS-III and WMS-III) and N-back. RESULTS: After 10 sessions of tDCS, significant group-time interactions were found for the CAMCOG - executive functioning (χ2 = 3.961, p = 0.047), CAMCOG - verbal fluency (χ2 = 3.869, p = 0.049), CAMCOG - Memory recall (χ2 = 9.749, p = 0.004), and WMLT - recall (χ2 = 7.254, p = 0.007). A decline in performance on the CAMCOG - constructional praxis (χ2 = 4.371, p = 0.037) was found in the tDCS group after intervention. No significant differences were observed between the tDCS and Sham groups for any other tasks. CONCLUSION: tDCS at 2 mA for 30 min twice a week over 5 consecutive weeks proved superior to placebo (Sham) for improving memory recall, verbal fluency and executive functioning in elderly with MCI.

A ETCC (estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua) é uma tecnologia não-invasiva, indolor e de fácil utilização. Pode ser usada na depressão, esquizofrenia e outros distúrbios neurológicos. Não há orientações ideais sobre o uso de protocolos mais longos quanto à duração e frequência semanal da ETCC. OBJETIVO: estudar o uso de ETCC duas vezes por semana por 5 semanas em idosos com CCL. MÉTODOS: o estudo foi controlado, randomizado, duplo-cego com ETCC anódica em 58 idosos acima de 60 anos. Uma corrente de 2,0 mA foi aplicada por 30 minutos durante 10 sessões consecutivas, 2 vezes por semana. O ânodo foi colocado no córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral esquerdo (LDLFC). Os pacientes foram avaliados antes e após 10 sessões pelos testes: CAMCOG, Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MMSE), Trilhas, Fluência Verbal Semântica - Animais, Boston, Relógio, Memória da Lista de Palavras (WLMT), Dígitos - ordem direta e indireta (WAIS-III e WMS-III) e N-back. RESULTADOS: foram encontradas interações significativas (tempo/grupo) para CAMCOG - funcionamento executivo (χ2 = 3,961, p = 0,047), CAMCOG - fluência verbal (χ2 = 3,869, p = 0,049), CAMCOG - recuperação da memória (χ2 = 9.749, p = 0,004), WMLT - recordação (χ2 = 7,254, p = 0,007). Foi observado um declínio no grupo ETCC após a intervenção para CAMCOG - praxia construtiva (χ2 = 4,371, p = 0,037). Não encontramos diferenças significativas entre os grupos ETCC e placebo para outros testes. CONCLUSÃO: A ETCC de 2 mA por 30 min, 2x por semana, por 5 semanas consecutivas, é superior ao placebo (Sham) na melhoria da recuperação de memória, fluência verbal e funcionamento executivo em idosos com CCL.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in elderly with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot study / Estimulação Transcraniana por Corrente Direta (ETCD) em idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve: um estudo piloto

ABSTRACT. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, painless and easy-to use-technology. It can be used in depression, schizophrenia and other neurological disorders. There are no studies about longer usage protocols regarding the ideal duration and weekly frequency of tDCS. Objective: to study the use of tDCS twice a week for longer periods to improve memory in elderly with MCI. Methods: a randomized double-blind controlled trial of anodal tDCS on cognition of 58 elderly aged over 60 years was conducted. A current of 2.0 mA was applied for 30 minutes for 10 sessions, twice a week. The anode was placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLFC). Subjects were evaluated before and after 10 sessions by the following tests: CAMCOG, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making, Semantic Verbal Fluency (Animals), Boston naming, Clock Drawing Test, Word list memory (WLMT), Direct and Indirect Digit Order (WAIS-III and WMS-III) and N-back. Results: After 10 sessions of tDCS, significant group-time interactions were found for the CAMCOG - executive functioning (χ2 = 3.961, p = 0.047), CAMCOG - verbal fluency (χ2 = 3.869, p = 0.049), CAMCOG - Memory recall (χ2 = 9.749, p = 0.004), and WMLT - recall (χ2 = 7.254, p = 0.007). A decline in performance on the CAMCOG - constructional praxis (χ2 = 4.371, p = 0.037) was found in the tDCS group after intervention. No significant differences were observed between the tDCS and Sham groups for any other tasks. Conclusion: tDCS at 2 mA for 30 min twice a week over 5 consecutive weeks proved superior to placebo (Sham) for improving memory recall, verbal fluency and executive functioning in elderly with MCI.

RESUMO. A ETCC (estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua) é uma tecnologia não-invasiva, indolor e de fácil utilização. Pode ser usada na depressão, esquizofrenia e outros distúrbios neurológicos. Não há orientações ideais sobre o uso de protocolos mais longos quanto à duração e frequência semanal da ETCC. Objetivo: estudar o uso de ETCC duas vezes por semana por 5 semanas em idosos com CCL. Métodos: o estudo foi controlado, randomizado, duplo-cego com ETCC anódica em 58 idosos acima de 60 anos. Uma corrente de 2,0 mA foi aplicada por 30 minutos durante 10 sessões consecutivas, 2 vezes por semana. O ânodo foi colocado no córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral esquerdo (LDLFC). Os pacientes foram avaliados antes e após 10 sessões pelos testes: CAMCOG, Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MMSE), Trilhas, Fluência Verbal Semântica - Animais, Boston, Relógio, Memória da Lista de Palavras (WLMT), Dígitos - ordem direta e indireta (WAIS-III e WMS-III) e N-back. Resultados: foram encontradas interações significativas (tempo/grupo) para CAMCOG - funcionamento executivo (χ2 = 3,961, p = 0,047), CAMCOG - fluência verbal (χ2 = 3,869, p = 0,049), CAMCOG - recuperação da memória (χ2 = 9.749, p = 0,004), WMLT - recordação (χ2 = 7,254, p = 0,007). Foi observado um declínio no grupo ETCC após a intervenção para CAMCOG - praxia construtiva (χ2 = 4,371, p = 0,037). Não encontramos diferenças significativas entre os grupos ETCC e placebo para outros testes. Conclusão: A ETCC de 2 mA por 30 min, 2x por semana, por 5 semanas consecutivas, é superior ao placebo (Sham) na melhoria da recuperação de memória, fluência verbal e funcionamento executivo em idosos com CCL.

Non-invasive brain stimulation for negative symptoms in schizophrenia: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a mental disorder with significant socioeconomic burden. Although current pharmacological treatments are effective for treating positive symptoms, medications have little-to-no effect in the treatment of negative symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) for negative symptoms in schizophrenia in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). METHODS: A systematic review in Medline and Cochrane Library databases was performed up to May 31, 2017. The primary outcome was Hedges' g for continuous scores in a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 and χ2 tests. Publication bias was assessed using Begg's funnel plot. RESULTS: 31 RCTs (n = 1272) were included, most with small-to-modest sample sizes. Both repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) were superior to sham (Hedges' g = 0.19; 95% CI 0.07-0.32; and 0.5; 0.02-0.97, respectively). Only one study evaluated the use of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). The funnel plot and Eggers test showed that the risk of publication bias was low. In relation to heterogeneity, we found an I2 of 0% (p = 0.749) and 51.3% (0.055) for rTMS and tDCS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both rTMS and tDCS were superior to sham stimulation for ameliorating negative symptoms in schizophrenia. We found no considerable heterogeneity or publication bias in our analysis, corroborating the strength of our findings. Not enough studies on other NIBS techniques, such as taVNS, were found for an isolated analysis. Further RCTs with larger sample sizes are needed to clarify the specific impact of NIBS on negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Cognitive impact in children with "benign" childhood focal epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes

Abstract Background Cognitive alterations are associated with benign childhood focal epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS) including aspects of executive functions. Objectives This study presents the performance profile on attention and executive function tests of fifty-eight children (BCECTS, n = 30 and controls, n = 28) aged 8-13 years. Methods The following tools were employed: Vocabulary and Block Design subtests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III, Stroop Test, Modified Card Sorting Test, Controlled Oral Word Association - FAS and Tower of London. Results Children with BCECTS presented average IQ measure, although their performance was statistically worse when compared to the control group. Children with BCECTS showed significantly lower performance compared to the control group in the following variables: total number of recollected words on the oral fluency test, total number of categories, categorization effect and total number of errors in MCST; and execution time for the Stroop Test Card 1. After controlling for the IQ effect, the total number of errors in the MCST did not show any significant difference between the groups. Discussion Children with BCECTS showed lower performance in attention and executive functions when compared to healthy children. The results suggest that the concept of "benign" BCECTS should be reconsidered.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Effects on Athletes' Cognitive Performance: An Exploratory Proof of Concept Trial.

Among the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games' unforgettable moments, one could not overlook performances by Phelps and Bolt, which challenge old premises about the maximum extension of individual supremacism in ultracompetitive modalities and the doping scandals. Different media channels resonated these two trends, with an unseen rise on discussions about traits and practices that may set ultrahigh performance athletes apart from the more ordinary ones. Yet, some key issues remain undebated. This paper aims to add to this debate, with a proof of concept trial, which investigates whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may serve as an aid for professional athletes. Ten professional athletes of three different modalities (judo, N = 4 athletes, swimming, N = 3 athletes, and rhythmic gymnastics, N = 3 athletes) received anodal stimulation (2 mA) for 20 min on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for ten consecutive weekdays. We observed a positive effect of tDCS in their cognitive performance, including a significant improvement in alternated, sustained, and divided attention and in memory scores. We also observed a decrease in Beck Depression Inventory scores (4.50 points) in this non-clinical population. These preliminary results suggest that tDCS sessions may translate into competitive advantages for professional athletes and recommend the deepening of the discussion on its ethical use in sports, which is ultimately tied to the wider debate around the risks and opportunities that neuromodulation brings to the table.

Transtornos mentais comuns em educadores sociais / Common mental disorders in social educators

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar a presença de transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) em Educadores Sociais de albergues e abrigos do município de São Paulo. Métodos A amostra foi composta por 104 orientadores socioeducativos, entre 18 e 60 anos (masculino e feminino), que prestam serviço para a Secretaria Municipal de Assistência e Desenvolvimento Social (SMADS). Utilizou-se um Questionário Sociodemográfico, além do Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Resultados Os dados demonstraram que há maior prevalência de mulheres nessa função, a maioria dos profissionais já passou por situações de risco no trabalho, 68,3% (71 sujeitos) apresentaram índices que caracterizam a presença de TMC, e 40,4% das mulheres apresentam sintomas de TMC, enquanto o índice de TMC nos homens foi de 27,9%. Conclusões Neste cenário, observou-se que o público feminino é mais vulnerável à presença de TMC em relação ao público masculino.

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the presence of common mental disorders (CMDs) in Social Educator of hostels and housings in the city of Sao Paulo. Methods The sample was composed by 104 Guiding Youth between 18 and 60 years (male and female), who worked at the Municipal Assistance and Social Development in São Paulo. We used a demographic data questionnaire in addition to the Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Results The main results demonstrated a higher prevalence of women in this function; most professionals have experienced risk situations at work; 68.3% (71 individuals) presented indices that characterize the presence of CMDs; 40.4% of women presented CMDs symptoms, whereas the CMDs rate in men was 27.9%. Conclusions In this scenario, we can conclude that the female audience is more vulnerable to the presence of CMDs in comparison to the male audience.

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the prefrontal cortex combined with cognitive training for treating schizophrenia: a sham-controlled randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION:: We report a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) protocol over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) combined with cognitive training in schizophrenia. METHOD:: We assessed psychotic symptoms in nine patients using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). All evaluations were scored at baseline, at the end of the intervention protocol, and during a 4-week follow-up. The tDCS protocol consisted of 10 consecutive sessions over 5-day periods. We placed the cathode over the right and the anode over the left DLPFC. For sham stimulation, we turned the device off after 60 seconds. Cognitive training consisted of the administration of N-back and sequence learning tasks. RESULTS:: We performed an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to adjust for the dependent variable PANSS, considering the interaction with baseline severity scores (p = 0.619). Mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no statistical significance between the groups regarding final PANSS scores. CONCLUSION:: The results failed to demonstrate that the concomitant use of tDCS and cognitive training is effective to improve clinical outcomes in patients with schizophrenia. The present findings should be analyzed with care, considering the small sample size. Larger controlled trials on electric/cognitive stimulation should be produced in order to enhance therapeutic strategies in schizophrenia.

To donate or not donate, that is the question: an analysis of the critical factors of blood donation. / Doar ou não doar, eis a questão: uma análise dos fatores críticos da doação de sangue.

Currently, in Brazil, 1.78% of the population area blood donors, a level lower than the ideal one that, according to WHO, should be between 3% and 5% of the population. Following this scenario, the current study has a general goal of identifying and analyzing the main critical factors of the process of blood donation in the city of Belo Horizonte, MG, under the perception of donors, potential donors and non donors. A qualitative research approach was conducted, through twenty-four semi-structured interviews. The results highlight the lack of information in the various stages of the blood donation system. During the stages of donor recruitment and awareness, communication actions convey to society incomplete information about the donation process, discouraging future actions of donation. On the other hand, a lack of appreciation of the donation experience and the construction of social values associated with the donor prevent the multiplication of social behaviors for donation. The results of this study, found from theoretical framework outlined in this study, highlight the causes or critical factors that impede changes in behavior, incremental or radical, proposed by social marketing.

Doar ou não doar, eis a questão: uma análise dos fatores críticos da doação de sangue / To donate or not donate, that is the question: an analysis of the critical factors of blood donation

Resumo Atualmente, no Brasil, 1,78% da população é doadora de sangue, um índice abaixo do ideal que, segundo a OMS, deve figurar entre 3% a 5% da população. Mediante este cenário, o presente estudo tem como objetivo geral identificar e analisar os principais fatores críticos do processo de doação de sangue, a partir de uma investigação na cidade de Belo Horizonte, MG, sob a percepção de doadores, potenciais doadores e não doadores de sangue. Foi realizada uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, por meio de vinte e quatro entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os resultados encontrados evidenciam a ausência de informações nas diversas etapas do sistema de doação de sangue. Nas etapas de captação e conscientização de doadores, as ações de comunicação transmitem à sociedade informações incompletas sobre o processo de doação, desestimulando ações futuras de doação. Por outro lado, a não valorização da experiência de doação e a construção de valor social associadas ao doador impedem a multiplicação de comportamentos sociais para a doação. Os resultados encontrados, no contexto teórico delineado neste estudo, evidenciam as causas, ou fatores críticos de impedimento à mudança de comportamento, incremental ou radical, propostas pelo marketing social.

Abstract Currently, in Brazil, 1.78% of the population area blood donors, a level lower than the ideal one that, according to WHO, should be between 3% and 5% of the population. Following this scenario, the current study has a general goal of identifying and analyzing the main critical factors of the process of blood donation in the city of Belo Horizonte, MG, under the perception of donors, potential donors and non donors. A qualitative research approach was conducted, through twenty-four semi-structured interviews. The results highlight the lack of information in the various stages of the blood donation system. During the stages of donor recruitment and awareness, communication actions convey to society incomplete information about the donation process, discouraging future actions of donation. On the other hand, a lack of appreciation of the donation experience and the construction of social values associated with the donor prevent the multiplication of social behaviors for donation. The results of this study, found from theoretical framework outlined in this study, highlight the causes or critical factors that impede changes in behavior, incremental or radical, proposed by social marketing.

Faux Pas Test in schizophrenic patients / Teste de Faux Pas em pacientes com esquizofrenia

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study is to validate the adult version of “Faux Pas Recognition Test” created by Stone and colleagues (1998) as a reliable instrument assess and discriminate social cognition among schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Methods This is a cross-sectional study with a total of 196 participants (mean age = 26.45; CI (95%) [25.10; 27.83]) 51% male. From those, 44 (22.4%) patients with schizophrenia and 152 (77.6%) healthy controls. The participants answered a short version of the Faux Pas Recognition Test, composed by 10 stories. Results Significant differences were found between both groups regarding their scores on Faux Pas Recognition Test (p = 0.003). Patients with schizophrenia had lower score, compared to healthy controls. Story 14 was the best to distinguish both groups, and Story 16, the worst. Among the questions of Faux Pas stories, the one related to intuition presented the most significant difference between the groups (p = 0.001), followed by the one related to understanding (p = 0.003). Conclusion The Brazilian version of the Faux Pas Recognition Test is a valid test to assess social cognition in schizophrenia and can be an important instrument to be used on the clinical practice.

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo é validar a versão brasileira da versão adulta do Teste de Reconhecimento de Faux pas criado por Stone e colaboradores (1998) como um instrumento confiável para avaliar e discriminar a cognição social entre pessoas com esquizofrenia e controles saudáveis. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo transversal com um total de 196 participantes (idade média = 26,45; IC (95%) [25,10; 27,83]), sendo 51% homens; destes, 44 (22,4%) eram pessoas com esquizofrenia e 152 (77,6%), controles saudáveis. Os participantes responderam a uma versão reduzida do Teste de Reconhecimento de Faux Pas, contendo 10 histórias. Resultados Foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre grupos no Teste de Reconhecimento de Faux Pas (p = 0,003). Pessoas com esquizofrenia obtiveram menor pontuação comparadas com o grupo controle. A história 14 foi a mais eficiente para distinguir os grupos, ao passo que a história 16 foi a pior. Quanto às questões das histórias Faux Pas, aquela referente à intuição foi a que apresentou maior diferença entre grupos (p = 0,001) seguida por compreensão (p = 0,003). Conclusão A versão brasileira do Teste de Reconhecimento de Faux Pas é um instrumento válido para avaliar a cognição social em esquizofrenia e pode ser um instrumento importante a ser usado na prática clínica.

Forensic neuropsychological assessment: a review of its scope

Issues related to the field of mental health and justice require a multifactorial understanding of the possible causes of such issues. Objective To conduct an integrative literature review of controlled studies describing forensic neuropsychological assessment. Methods The articles were compiled and analyzed in two phases: 1) first, we retrieved all papers in PubMed by the keywords “Forensic Neuropsychology” and generated a growth curve for the subject and a cluster-based thematic distribution of publications. 2) We then conducted a curated analysis of all relevant papers indexed in Medline, PubMed and ISI, between 2000 and 2012. Results The evolution of the field during the last 15 years reveals an unstable growth pattern and three main thematic clusters. In terms of our curated analysis, a total of 390 articles were pre-selected, resulting in the selection of 44 fully-relevant studies, which comprise four main categories: cognitive damage in forensic psychiatric patients; imitation of cognitive damage; civil capacity, penal liability and violence risk; and validation of neuropsychological assessment tools. Discussion Two aspects appeared as the most relevant in this study: growth in the use of neuropsychological assessment as a diagnostic tool in the forensic context; and the necessity to enhance conformity in assessments...

Forensic neuropsychological assessment: clinical case of depression and working incapacity / Avaliação neuropsicológica forense: caso clínico de depressão e incapacidade para o trabalho

Issues related to mental health in relation to court matters have increasingly required the participation of the psychologist. We present the use of forensic neuropsychological assessment in a case of retirement reversal. Incapacity was attested due to disability resulting from depression of a 35-year-old attorney, and the case was forwarded from the courts to the Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology Unit at the USP Clinical Hospital. A clinical interview and application of cognitive tests was conducted. Despite the depression, significant cognitive losses that would prevent return to his professional assignments were not detected. The neuropsychological assessment has been shown to be an important tool in the forensic context, as it assists with diagnostic value for clarification of functional aspects in the various psychopathological areas in terms of disabilities or potentialities.

Assuntos relacionados à saúde mental na corte vêm demandando crescente participação de psicólogos. Sob este mote, apresentamos uma aplicação de um assessment neuropsicológico em um caso de reversão de aposentadoria por invalidez. Trata-se do caso de um juiz de 35 anos, que chegou à nossa Unidade de Tratamento Forense Psicológico e Psiquiátrico, no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. Para suprir a demanda, inicialmente conduzimos uma entrevista clínica e, em seguida, aplicamos uma bateria neuropsicológica, a partir da qual foi revelada a inexistência de limitações do desempenho cognitivo, as quais recomendariam a reafirmação do afastamento do profissional. Tal como revelado, o uso adequado do assessment neuropsicológico mostra-se uma importante ferramenta em contexto forense, auxiliando o esclarecimento de aspectos funcionais do diagnóstico, em vários contextos psicopatológicos.

Success in publication by graduate students in psychiatry in Brazil: an empirical evaluation of the relative influence of English proficiency and advisor expertise.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the success of graduate students in psychiatry in an emerging country, in terms of the quantity and quality of their publication productivity (given by the number of papers and impact factors of the journals in which they publish). We investigated to what extent student proficiency in English and the scientific capabilities of academic advisors predict that success. METHODS: Our sample comprised 43 master's and doctoral students in psychiatry (n = 28 and n = 15, respectively) at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, in São Paulo, Brazil. We collected information about their knowledge of English and the ways in which they wrote their articles to be submitted to periodicals published in English. Multiple regression analyses were carried out in order to investigate the influence English proficiency, h-index of supervisors and use of language editing assistance had on the number and impact of student publications. RESULTS: Although 60% of students scored ≥80 (out of 100) on English tests given at admission to the graduate program, 93.09% of the sample used some form of external editing assistance to produce their papers in English. The variables "number of publications" and "impact factor of journals" were significantly related to each other (r = 0.550, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the impact factor of periodicals where students published their articles as first authors correlated significantly not only with student proficiency in English at admission (p = 0.035), but also with the degree of language editing assistance (p = 0.050) and the h-index of the academic advisor (p = 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: Albeit relevant, knowledge of English was not the key factor for the publication success of the graduate students evaluated. Other variables (h-index of the advisor and third-party language editing assistance) appear to be also important predictors of success in publication.

Prevalence of mental disorders and recidivism in young offenders / Prevalência de transtornos mentais e reincidência em menores infratores

Several studies report that incarcerated young offenders show a high rate of psychiatric disorders whereas associations between specific psychiatric disorders and recidivism remain unknown. The Brazilian legal system has created a unique opportunity for the study of this issue when consider young offenders not that guilty in spite of the severity of the crime, settling in three years the maximum period of incarceration. This study aims to determine the rate of psychiatric disorders in a cohort of incarcerated young offenders and evaluate the possible psychiatric connections of primary offenders and recidivism. A group of 898 incarcerated young offenders at Fundação Casa answered psychiatric interviews and was diagnosed according to the criteria of ICD-10. Statistic connections were analyzed using the tests of Pearson and Cramer. The cohort was comprised of 619 primaries and 267 recidivists. 'Psychoactive Substance Use' and 'Disorders of Adult Personality and Behavior' categories were related to recidivism, whereas 'Organic Mental Disorders', 'Mood Disorders', and 'Stress-related Disorders' were related to primary offenders. Discriminating disorders were the most likely to represent reactions to primary incarceration. In relation to associations that might represent predictors of crime, it became highly suggestive that substance abuse is the main cause of incarceration for the entire cohort.(AU)

Diversos estudos revelam que jovens infratores encarcerados apresentam taxas aumentadas de transtornos psiquiátricos, ao passo que associações entre transtornos específicos e reincidência permaneçam desconhecidas. O sistema legal brasileiro criou uma oportunidade exclusiva para o estudo desta questão, conforme considera os menores não imputáveis, a despeito da severidade do crime, fixando em três anos o período máximo de encarceramento. Este estudo pretende determinar a taxa de transtornos psiquiátricos em uma coorte de jovens infratores encarcerados e avaliar possíveis conexões entre transtornos específicos encarceramento primário e reincidência criminosa. Um grupo de 898 internos da Fundação Casa foi submetido a entrevistas psiquiátricas e diagnosticado de acordo com os critérios do CID-10. Conexões estatísticas foram analisadas usando os testes de Pearson e Cramer. A coorte tinha 619 primários e 267 reincidentes. Uso de Substância Psicoativa e Desordens da Personalidade e Comportamento Adulto relacionaram-se com reincidência, ao passo que Doenças Mentais Orgânicas, Transtorno do Humor e Desordens Relacionadas ao Estresse apresentaram relação com encarceramento primário. No que tange aos preditores da criminalidade, reforça-se a noção de que o abuso de drogas é a principal causa de encarceramento na amostra investigada.(AU)