Association between Chronic Misophonia-Induced Stress and Gastrointestinal Pathology in Children-A Hypothesis.

Misophonia is a neurophysiological disorder with behavioral implications, is complex and multifactorial in origin, and is characterized by an atypical and disproportionate emotional response to specific sounds or associated visual stimuli. Triggers include human-generated sounds, mainly sounds related to feeding and breathing processes, and repetitive mechanical sounds. In response to the triggering stimulus, the patient experiences immediate, high-intensity, disproportionate physical and emotional reactions that affect their quality of life and social functioning. The symptoms of misophonia can occur at any age, but onset in childhood or adolescence is most common. Affected children live in a constant state of anxiety, suffer continuous physical and emotional discomfort, and are thus exposed to significant chronic stress. Chronic stress, especially during childhood, has consequences on the main biological systems through the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, including the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we provide arguments for a positive correlation between misophonic pathology and gastrointestinal symptoms, and this hypothesis may be the starting point for further longitudinal studies that could investigate the correlations between these childhood vulnerabilities caused by misophonia and their effect on the gastrointestinal system. Further research to study this hypothesis is essential to ensure correct and timely diagnosis and optimal psychological and pharmacological support.

The Influence of Personality Traits on Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review Based on the NEO-FFI Scale.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant global health concern with profound implications for mothers, families, and societies. This systematic review aims to synthesize current research findings to understand better how personality traits, as assessed by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), contribute to the development and progression of PPD. Conducted in January 2024, this review searched major databases like PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus up to December 2023, focusing on the NEO-FFI's role in evaluating PPD. Following PRISMA guidelines, studies were selected based on strict criteria, including the exclusive use of NEO-FFI for personality assessment and a focus on postpartum women. A total of seven studies were included after a rigorous two-step screening process, and their data were qualitatively synthesized. The review covered a total of 4172 participants, with a prevalence of clinically significant postpartum depression symptoms ranging from 10.6% to 51.7%. Notably, Neuroticism emerged as a significant predictor of PPD, with odds ratios ranging from 1.07 (95% CI: 0.96-1.20) in some studies to as high as 1.87 (95% CI: 1.53-2.27) in others. In contrast, traits like Extraversion and Conscientiousness generally showed protective effects, with lower scores associated with reduced PPD risk. For instance, Extraversion scores correlated negatively with PPD risk (Beta = -0.171) in one study. However, the impact of other traits such as Openness and Agreeableness on PPD risk was less clear, with some studies indicating negligible effects. The review highlights Neuroticism as a consistent and significant predictor of PPD risk, with varying impacts from other personality traits. The findings suggest potential pathways for targeted interventions in maternal mental health care, emphasizing the need for comprehensive personality evaluations in prenatal and postnatal settings.

The Role of Systemic Family Psychotherapy in Glycemic Control for Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

(1) Background: Family factors play an important role in the management of diabetes, establishing a relationship between conflicts and non-adherence to therapy. High values of HbA1c are involved in specific complications of the disease (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, ketoacidosis). This study aimed to determine the role of systemic family psychotherapeutic interventions in increasing the quality of parent-child/adolescent relationships and in optimizing the child's glycemic control. (2) Methods: In this prospective observational study, 64 parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes were evaluated regarding their relationship with their children, using the Child-Parent Relationship Scale-Short Form (CPRS-short form). The children were divided into three groups: one participated for 6 months in systemic family psychotherapy with children and their parents (FT), the second group participated in individual psychotherapy (IT), and the control group (CG) received no intervention. HbA1c values were recorded before and after the interventions. (3) Results: HbA1c means decreased significantly after the family psychotherapy program. The scores on closeness in the family therapy group increased significantly, and the scores on conflict decreased significantly after the intervention, compared with IT and CG. (4) Conclusions: Systemic family psychotherapy produces better results in disease management and in strengthening parent-child relationships.

Involvement of the Expression of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Schizophrenia.

The expression of GPCRs has been associated with schizophrenia, and their expression may induce morphological changes in brain regions responsible for schizophrenia and disease-specific behavioral changes. The articles included in this review were selected using keywords and databases of scientific research websites. The expressions of GPRs have different involvements in schizophrenia, some increase the risk while others provide protection, and they may also be potential targets for new treatments. Proper evaluation of these factors is essential to have a better therapeutic response with a lower rate of chronicity and thus improve the long-term prognosis.

Association between Childhood Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Psychiatric Comorbidities in Adulthood.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and unspecified inflammatory bowel disease, is a chronic, unpredictable and immune-mediated condition of the gastrointestinal tract. In pediatric populations, the diagnosis of a chronic and debilitating pathology significantly reduces quality of life. Children diagnosed with IBD may cope with physical symptoms such as abdominal pain or fatigue, but mental and emotional well-being are also important for preventing and reducing the risk of developing psychiatric conditions. Short stature, growth delay and delayed puberty can contribute to poor body image and low self-esteem. Furthermore, treatment per se can alter psycho-social functioning due to the side effects of medication and surgical procedures such as colostomy. It is essential to acknowledge and treat early signs and symptoms of psychiatric distress in order to prevent the development of serious psychiatric disorders in adult life. The literature underlines the importance of incorporating psychological and mental health services as part of the management of inflammatory bowel disease. Diagnosing mental health problems in pediatric patients with IBD can improve their adherence to treatment and pathology course and, consequently, reduce long-term morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression and Anxiety among Women in the Last Trimester of Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Pregnancy represents a psychologically and emotionally vulnerable period, and research indicates that pregnant women have a higher prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression, debunking the myth that hormonal changes associated with pregnancy protect the mother. In recent years, several researchers have focused on the study of prenatal anxiety/depression-emotional disorders manifested by mood lability and low interest in activities-with a high prevalence. The main objective of this research was to conduct an antenatal screening in a cohort of pregnant women hospitalized for delivery in order to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression. The secondary objective was to identify the risk factors associated with depression and anxiety in women in the third trimester of pregnancy. We carried out a prospective study in which we evaluated 215 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy hospitalized for childbirth at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Târgu-Mureș County Clinical Hospital. The research was carried out between December 2019 and December 2021. The results showed that age and the environment of origin are the strongest predictors of mental health during pregnancy (OR = 0.904, 95%CI: 0.826-0.991; p = 0.029). For women from urban areas, there is an increased probability of falling at a higher level on the dependent variable (moderate depression) (OR = 2.454, 95%CI: 1.086-5.545; p = 0.032). In terms of health behaviors, none of the variables were statistically significant predictors of the outcome variable. The study highlights the importance of monitoring mental health during pregnancy and identifying relevant risk factors to provide appropriate care to pregnant women and the need for interventions to support the mental health of pregnant women. Especially in Romania, where there is no antenatal or postnatal screening for depression or other mental health conditions, these results could be used to encourage the implementation of such screening programs and appropriate interventions.

Benzydamine-An Affordable Over-the-Counter Drug with Psychoactive Properties-From Chemical Structure to Possible Pharmacological Properties.

Benzydamine is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with distinct pharmacological properties from other compounds in the same therapeutic class. The differences are structural and pharmacological in nature; the anti-inflammatory mechanism is not strictly explained by the ability to interfere with the synthesis of prostaglandins. The compound is used strictly in local inflammatory diseases (inflammation in the oral and vaginal mucosa). In addition to the therapeutic indications found in the summary of product characteristics (SPC), the compound is used, in high doses, as a psychotropic substance for oral administration, having similar properties to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). As an over-the-counter (OTC) compound, it is easy to obtain, and the consequences of using it for purposes other than those assumed by the manufacturer raise various concerns. The reasons are related to the pharmacodynamic and pharmaco-toxicological properties, since neither the mechanism of action nor the possible side effects that would result from systemic consumption, in high doses, even occasionally, have been fully elucidated. The present review aims to analyze the pharmacodynamic properties of benzydamine, starting from the chemical structure, by comparison with structurally similar compounds registered in therapy (as an anti-inflammatory or analgesic) or used for recreational purposes.

The Relationship between Psychological Suffering, Value of Maternal Cortisol during Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Initiation.

Background and Objectives: Cortisol, the stress hormone, is an important factor in initiating and maintaining lactation. Maternal suffering during pregnancy is predictive for the initiation and shorter duration of breastfeeding and can also lead to its termination. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the level of salivary cortisol in the third trimester of pregnancy and the initiation of breastfeeding in the postpartum period in a cohort of young pregnant women who wanted to exclusively breastfeed their newborns during hospitalization. Materials and Methods: For the study, full-term pregnant women were recruited between January and May 2022 in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Mureș County Clinical Hospital. Socio-demographic, clinical obstetric and neonatal variables were collected. Breastfeeding efficiency was assessed using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool at 24 and 48 h after birth. The mean value of the LATCH score assessed at 24 and 48 h of age was higher among mothers who had a higher mean value of salivary cortisol measured in the third trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.05). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to detect risk factors for the success of early breastfeeding initiation. Results: A quarter of pregnant women had a salivary cortisol level above normal limits during the third trimester of pregnancy. There is a statistically significant association between maternal smoking, alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the level of anxiety or depression. Conclusions: The most important finding of this study was that increased salivary cortisol in the last trimester of pregnancy was not associated with delayed initiation/absence of breastfeeding.

Statistical Study on the Motivation of Patients in the Pediatric Dentistry.

Our statistical study included 344 participants selected from the patients of the Pedodontics-Orthodontics Discipline of the Tîrgu-Mures University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The patients' age was between 6 and 18 years, with an average of 13.70 and a standard deviation of 4.62. The study participants were informed and agreed to complete two questionnaires of our conception regarding their health status, oral hygiene, and motivation for pedodontics or orthodontic treatment. The results of the two questionnaires were interpreted according to the gender and age of the patients. Data processing was performed with NCSS/PASS Dawson Edition statistical software, using the CHI2 test, considering a p of less than 0.05 as significant for comparative results. Results showed that girls were more motivated than boys in addressing pedodontic services due to dental, periodontal, and articular problems. Children, aged between 11 and 14 years, were less intrinsically motivated to solve oral health problems due to their low frequency. The intrinsic motivation for a more beautiful dentition was very strong, regardless of age and sex. Girls were more intrinsically motivated for orthodontic treatment than boys. There was a linear increase together in the age of those who wanted to improve their smile and facial appearance. Children between 11 and 14 years had the best self-perception of the appearance of their teeth, mouth, smile, and facial harmony. The strongest extrinsic motivation for orthodontic treatment came from parents or another doctor. The most important reason for orthodontics was dental malpositions, the last one was the improvement of masticatory efficiency. The extrinsic motivation from parents for orthodontics decreases linearly with age, along with the increase in motivation from the person with whom the participants relate emotionally and from the group of friends.

Primary MSCs for Personalized Medicine: Ethical Challenges, Isolation and Biocompatibility Evaluation of 3D Electrospun and Printed Scaffolds.

Autologous cell therapy uses patients' own cells to deliver precise and ideal treatment through a personalized medicine approach. Isolation of patients' cells from residual tissue extracted during surgery involves specific planning and lab steps. In the present manuscript, a path from isolation to in vitro research with human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from residual bone tissues is described as performed by a medical unit in collaboration with a research center. Ethical issues have been addressed by formulating appropriate harvesting protocols according to European regulations. Samples were collected from 19 patients; 10 of them were viable and after processing resulted in MSCs. MSCs were further differentiated in osteoblasts to investigate the biocompatibility of several 3D scaffolds produced by electrospinning and 3D printing technologies; traditional orthopedic titanium and nanostructured titanium substrates were also tested. 3D printed scaffolds proved superior compared to other substrates, enabling significantly improved response in osteoblast cells, indicating that their biomimetic structure and properties make them suitable for synthetic tissue engineering. The present research is a proof of concept that describes the process of primary stem cells isolation for in vitro research and opens avenues for the development of personalized cell platforms in the case of patients with orthopedic trauma. The demonstration model has promising perspectives in personalized medicine practices.

Psychological Stress Perceived by Pregnant Women in the Last Trimester of Pregnancy.

Pregnancy is characterized by changes in neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and immune function. For this reason, pregnancy itself is perceived as a psychological "stress test". Research to date has focused on stress exposure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of associated factors on the level of stress experienced by pregnant patients. We conducted a prospective study that included 215 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, hospitalized in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic II in Târgu-Mureș, between December 2019 and December 2021, who were evaluated by the ABS II scale. All patients included in the study filled in a questionnaire that included 76 questions/items, in which all the data necessary for the study were recorded. The results obtained from the study showed that pregnant women in urban areas (53.49%) are more vulnerable than those in rural areas (46.51%), being influenced by social and professional stressors, social determinants playing a critical role in pregnancy and in the newborn. Patients who have had an imminent abortion in their current pregnancy have a significantly higher score of irrationality than those with normal pregnancy, which shows that their emotional state can negatively influence the phenomenon of irrationality. There is a statistically significant association between pregnancy type I (normal pregnancy or imminent pregnancy) and irrationality class (p = 0.0001; RR: 2.150, CI (95%): 1.154−4.007). In the case of women with desired pregnancies, the risk of developing irrationality class IV−V is 4.739 times higher, with the association being statistically significant (p < 0.0001; RR 4.739; CI (95%): 2.144−10.476). The analysis of the obtained results demonstrates the importance of contributing factors and identifies the possibility of stress disorders, occurring in the last trimester of pregnancy, disorders that can have direct effects on maternal and fetal health. We consider it extremely important to carry out evaluations throughout the pregnancy. At the same time, it is necessary to introduce a screening program to provide psychological counseling in the prenatal care of expectant mothers.

Bioresonance, an alternative therapy for mild and moderate depression.

Depression is a negative emotional state that may persist for short or long periods of time with varying severity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the method by which bioresonance therapy can improve the severity of recurrent depressive disorder with moderate and mild episodes experienced by patients. Bioresonance therapy is a method of energy treatment that processes the electromagnetic information of the human body using a sensitive Mora Nova device using electrodes. In addition, this improvement was compared with the one obtained by applying monotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The study included two groups of patients suffering from depression. The first group received bioresonance treatment for five weeks. The second group received either newly introduced or on-going pharmacological treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, as monotherapy, for five weeks. An outcome measurement of severity was performed. Results revealed that, the score improvement on the Hamilton Scale, used for assessing depression and comprising 17 items, showed a mean of 3.1 [standard deviation (SD), 1.28] for the bioresonance group one and a mean of 2.2 (SD, 0.61) for the second group. The difference between the two data series was statistically significant (P<0.0001, Student's t-test). As the bioresonance therapy outcome was higher than the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication outcome, it can be concluded that bioresonance can reduce the severity of the patients facing recurrent depressive disorder with moderate and mild episodes. Furthermore, the reduction in severity for the bioresonance group compared with the antidepressant medication group was statistically significant.

[Delusional Parasitosis associated with diabetes mellitus treated in outpatient care during COVID-19 pandemic - case report].

The presenile dermatozoic delusion, subsequently referred to as Ekbom's syndrome and delusional parasitosis is a rare chronic condition, having an undetermined etiology and rising challenging treatment approaches. The diagnosis of delusional parasitosis can be presumed on the basis of the clinical history, but it is important to thoroughly assess the existence of an underlying systemic disorder or unrecognized skin disorder. A skin examination must be performed to rule out an infestation or a skin disorder. We present a 63-year-old diabetic woman with a high level of resilience towards the psychiatric treatment for whom we successfully offered outpatient psychiatric and dermatological assistance during the pandemic COVID-19. The trigger for a successful treatment scheme in outpatient care in a case of delusional parasitosis was the close and trustful relationship between the patient and the doctor. Different pharmacological treatments were approached and adjusted according to the patient adherence and the objective result (quetiapine XR, duloxetine, risperidone, olanzapine, and lamotrigine along with chronic disease treatment and wound management). Having a mutual agreed objective criteria for the treatment outcome, and creating a throughout examination scheme with frequent medical checks, increased the patient adherence to the treatment.

Bioresonance therapy may treat depression.

The aim of the study was to evaluate if bioresonance therapy can offer quantifiable results in patients with recurrent major depressive disorder and with mild, moderate, or severe depressive episodes by decreasing the level of depression due to the application of bioresonance therapy as independently or complementary treatment. The study included 140 patients suffering from depression, divided into three groups. The first group (40 patients) received solely bioresonance therapy, the second group (40 patients) received pharmacological treatment with antidepressants combined with bioresonance therapy, and the third group (60 patients) received solely pharmacological treatment with antidepressants. The assessment of depression was made using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, with 17 items, at the beginning of the bioresonance treatment and the end of the five weeks of treatment, aiming to decrease the level of depression. The study identified the existence of a statistically significant difference for the treatment methods applied to the analyzed groups (p=0.0001), and we found that the therapy accelerates the healing process in patients with depressive disorders. Improvement was observed for the analyzed groups, with a decrease of the mean values between the initial and final phase of the level of depression, of delta for Hamilton score of 3.1, 3.8 and 2.3, respectively. We concluded that the bioresonance therapy could be useful in the treatment of recurrent major depressive disorder with moderate depressive episodes independently or as a complementary therapy to antidepressants.

Assessment of Psychopathology in Adolescents with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes (IDD) and the Impact on Treatment Management.

Assessing mental health in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) is an issue that is underperformed in clinical practice and outpatient clinics. The evaluation of their thoughts, emotions and behaviors has an important role in understanding the interaction between the individual and the disease, the factors that can influence this interaction, as well as the effective methods of intervention. The aim of this study is to identify psychopathology in adolescents with diabetes and the impact on treatment management. A total of 54 adolescents with IDD and 52 adolescents without diabetes, aged 12-18 years, completed APS-SF (Adolescent Psychopathology Scale-Short Form) for the evaluation of psychopathology and adjustment problems. There were no significant differences between adolescents with diabetes and control group regarding psychopathology. Between adolescents with good treatment adherence (HbA1c < 7.6) and those with low treatment adherence (HbA1c > 7.6), significant differences were found. In addition, results showed higher scores in girls compared with boys with IDD with regard to anxiety (GAD), Major Depression (DEP), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Eating Disturbance (EAT), Suicide (SUI) and Interpersonal Problems (IPP). No significant differences were found regarding the duration of the disease. Strategies such as maladaptive coping, passivity, distorted conception of the self and the surrounding world and using the negative problem-solving strategies of non-involvement and abandonment had positive correlation with poor glycemic control (bad management of the disease). The study highlighted the importance of promoting mental health in insulin-dependent diabetes management.

Medical Knowledge, Religious Beliefs, and Free Will: Attitudes and Opinions of Various Undergraduate Female Respondents Regarding Oral Contraception. A Questionnaire-Based Study.

The decision to use oral contraception varies and is based on several considerations: Personal reasons, the evaluation of the benefit/ risk ratio, and religious beliefs. In this research, a questionnaire was distributed to 422 female students from the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mures, Romania (UMPhST Târgu Mureș, Romania), aged between 19 and 24 years old. The first endpoint of the study was to evaluate the use of hormonal contraception by the sexually active female population. The second endpoint was to assess the degree of awareness of the benefit/risk ratio of oral contraceptive use. The third endpoint was to evaluate the influence of religious beliefs regarding the decision to use this type of pharmaceutical product. Our results show that only a small percentage of students chose to use oral contraceptive pills (OCP). Fortunately, most of the respondents were well-informed and used a particular contraceptive drug based on a healthcare professional's recommendation. Another aspect that emphasizes the choice of contraceptive method is the religious affiliation, which could influence the decision to use OCP. For the students with medical knowledge, the advice of a healthcare professional seems to be quite important, because they are aware of the risks of improper use of OCP. Although religious doctrines affect the decision to use oral contraception, this is not always taken into account, as the use of OCP is a personal decision.