Effectiveness of mindful self-compassion therapy on psychopathology symptoms, psychological distress and life expectancy in infertile women treated with in vitro fertilization: a two-arm double-blind parallel randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Infertility is a prominent problem affecting millions of couples worldwide. Recently, there has been a hightened emphasis on elucidating the subtle linkages between infertility treatment leveraging assisted reproductive technology and the complex realm of psychological challenges, as well as efforts in implementation of psychological interventions.The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program seeks to improve self-compassion, compassion for others, mindfulness, and life satisfaction while reducing depression, anxiety, and stress. In the current study, an MSC intervention was performed on infertile women (IW) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) to assess the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing psychological distress and psychopathological symptoms and enhancing life expectancy. METHODS: Fifty-seven IW undergoing IVF were randomly allocated to two groups: MSC (n = 29) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 28). Participants in MSC met once a week for two hours for eight weeks and attended a half-day meditation retreat. The Synder's Hope questionnaire and the Revised 90-Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) were used as the primary outcome measures. Data were obtained before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and two months post-intervention. Repeated measures of ANCOVA and paired t-tests in all assessment points were used to compare the MSC and the TAU groups in outcomes. RESULTS: In the MSC group, hopelessness, anger-hostility, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity difficulties, and depression were significantly reduced compared with the TAU group, and those improvements persisted at the two-month follow-up. Reliable change index revealed that the MSC group's gains were both clinically significant and durable. CONCLUSIONS: MSC can facilitate higher life satisfaction and mental well-being for IW undergoing IVF by reducing psychological distress, psychopathological symptoms, and hopelessness. These encouraging findings call for more research into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies in addressing psychological problems among IW undergoing IVF.

Exploring Deviation from Time Perspective in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Comparative Analysis in the Clinical Context.

Objective: A growing body of research stresses the effect of time perspective (TP) on the genesis and maintenance of psychological disorders. However, the variations in the TP configuration of individuals with different disorders have not yet been completely investigated. We aimed to compare the differences in TP among patients with three common psychiatric disorders. Method : We recruited 30 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 30 with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and 30 with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants completed Zimbardo's Time Perspective Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). The one-way MANOVA was utilized for the comparison of TP dimensions among the three disordered groups. Results: The results showed that TP was significantly affected in all three clinical groups. The effect of the disorder on time perspective was significant for Past Negative (PN) (F (2, 84) = 11.86, P < 0.01), Past Positive (PP) (F (2, 84) = 6.66, P < 0.01), Present Fatalistic (PF) (F (2, 84) = 7.08, P < 0.01) and Future (F) (F (2, 84) = 26.40, P < 0.01), but not for Present Hedonistic (PH). The findings revealed that the MDD group scored the highest on PN, with the GAD group scoring higher than the OCD group. The GAD and OCD groups reported higher PP than the MDD group. In addition, the MDD group scored higher than both the GAD and OCD groups on PF. Finally, the GAD patients reported higher scores than both the MDD and OCD patients on the F dimension, while the OCD patients scored higher than the MDD patients. Conclusion: Individuals with MDD tend to obtain higher scores in PN and PF time perspective, whereas those with GAD and OCD showed higher PP and F scores. These findings demonstrate the significance of examining TP in clinical patients and prompt further research into the association between TP and the disorders being studied. Perspectives on therapy are also explored.

Targeted drug delivery in pulmonary therapy based on adhesion and transmission of nanocarriers designed with a metal-organic framework.

With the recent increase in lung diseases, especially with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the design of a highly efficient and optimal targeted drug delivery system for the lungs is crucial in inhaler-based delivery systems. This study aimed to design a magnetic field-assisted targeted drug delivery system to the lungs using three types of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanoliposomes. The optimization of the system was based on three main parameters: the surface density of the nanocarriers' (NCs) adherence to each of the lung branches, the amount of drug transferred to each branch, and the toxicity based on the rate of nanocarrier delivery to the branches. The study investigated the effect of increasing the diameter of the drug carriers and the amount of drug loaded onto the NCs in improving drug delivery to targeted areas of the lung. Results showed that the presence of a magnetic field significantly increased the adhesion of NCs to the targeted branches. The application of a magnetic field and the type of drug carrier had a significant effect on drug delivery downstream of the lung and reduced drug toxicity. The study found that Fe3O4@UiO-66 (iron-oxide nanoparticle attached to the surface of UiO-66, a type of MOF) and Fe3O4@PAA/AuNCs/ZIF-8 carriers, (iron-oxide nanoparticle attached to a hybrid structure composed of three different materials: poly (acrylic acid) (PAA), gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)), had the greatest drug delivery rate in diameters above 200 nm and less than 200 nm, respectively.

Body appreciation around the world: Measurement invariance of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age.

The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a widely used measure of a core facet of the positive body image construct. However, extant research concerning measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across a large number of nations remains limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset - with data collected between 2020 and 2022 - to assess measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated that full scalar invariance was upheld across all nations, languages, gender identities, and age groups, suggesting that the unidimensional BAS-2 model has widespread applicability. There were large differences across nations and languages in latent body appreciation, while differences across gender identities and age groups were negligible-to-small. Additionally, greater body appreciation was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, being single (versus being married or in a committed relationship), and greater rurality (versus urbanicity). Across a subset of nations where nation-level data were available, greater body appreciation was also significantly associated with greater cultural distance from the United States and greater relative income inequality. These findings suggest that the BAS-2 likely captures a near-universal conceptualisation of the body appreciation construct, which should facilitate further cross-cultural research.

Interoceptive awareness in a Norwegian population: psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) 2.

BACKGROUND: Interoception plays a vital role in human cognition and emotion and is an increasingly important part of clinical studies of mind-body approaches and mental health. Interoceptive awareness (IA) encompasses numerous mind-body components and can be assessed by employing a self-report measure such as the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), which has been adapted and validated across several countries and is used in experimental and clinical settings. In this study, the MAIA-2, which was developed due to the psychometric shortages of MAIA, was thoroughly translated, and its psychometric features were examined in a sample of 306 Norwegian-speaking participants (81% females, ages 16 through 66 plus). METHODS: The participants completed the MAIA-2 Norwegian version (MAIA-2-N) and the COOP/WONCA Functional Assessment Charts measuring psychological, physical, and overall health. The following psychometric qualities of the MAIA-2 were investigated: factor structure, internal consistency, and the moderating role of gender. RESULTS: Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed that an 8-factor model of MAIA-2-N provided the best fit. Also, a bifactor model revealed a proper fit. Good internal consistency and a moderating role of gender, age, and education on the relationships between certain MAIA-2-N factors and health were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The MAIA-2-N is an adequate measure of IA in Norwegian-speaking individuals. The factor-structure corresponds with the original MAIA-2 and it shows good internal consistency. Some moderating effects of gender were observed, particularly related to the relationship between IA and physical and psychological state, with the physical state/fitness more closely linked to IA in males and psychological state in females.

Pathways from childhood trauma to suicidal ideation: mediating through difficulties in emotion regulation and depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Suicidal ideation is a clinical exigency heightening the risk of suicide at different levels of suicidal behavior. This study sought to explore crucial correlates of this phenomenon with a structural equation modeling approach. Accordingly, the mediating role of depressive symptoms and difficulties in emotion regulation between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation were explored. METHOD: The sample consisted of 372 university students (57.3% females, M = 20.75, SD = 2.25) who completed self-report measures examining experiences of childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, difficulties in emotion regulation, and suicidal ideation. Structural equation modeling was employed, and mediation analysis was conducted. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the measurement model of each construct before evaluating the conceptual mediated model. RESULTS: Findings indicate that depressive symptoms with difficulties in emotion regulation had the strongest association (r = 0.60, P = 0.001), then depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (r = 0.58, P = 0.001), suicidal ideation with difficulties in emotion regulation (r = 0.45, P = 0.001) then suicidal ideation with childhood trauma (r = 0.39, P = 0.001), difficulties in emotion regulation with childhood trauma (r = 0.36 P = 0.001) and finally depressive symptoms and childhood trauma (r = 0.35, P = 0.001). Regarding indirect paths, difficulties in emotion regulation and depression function together (in a sequential path) to mediate the association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation ( χ2(68) = 216.86, P < 0.01, CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.93, RMSE = 0.077, CI [0.066 to 0.089], SRMR = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, and difficulties in emotion regulation are linked to suicidal ideation, highlighting the necessity of recognizing and addressing suicidal ideation as well as the factors that contribute to suicidal ideation. Emotion regulation interventions can be effective in reducing the negative effects of childhood trauma and lowering the risk of suicide. These interventions can help in reducing depressive symptoms and improve overall mental well-being, leading to a lower risk of suicide.

A rapid review for developing a co-design framework for a pediatric surgical communication application.

BACKGROUND: The exponential growth in the use of mobile health (mHealth) applications in patient care has highlighted the importance of understanding end-users' needs for successful interventions, achievable through the process of co-design. This review aims to summarize previously published uses of co-design in mHealth applications. It will inform the development of a local mHealth tool in pediatric surgery. METHODS: The rapid review was conducted following Cochrane Rapid Review guidelines. We searched four databases from inception until August 2021 for collaborative design in mHealth apps. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts using Rayyan, with a third reviewer resolving any conflicts. Studies were excluded if they were non-empirical or in other languages than English. RESULTS: Out of 984 records screened, 175 were included for full-text screening, and 27 met all eligibility criteria. The purpose of the studies related to care support, communication, self-management or information management. All interventions involved their target audience in the co-design process, and 85% included healthcare professionals for expert opinion. Stakeholder participation was solicited via interviews, surveys, focus groups, design sessions, and prototype evaluation. To initiate the process, 15 studies included needs identification, 8 did background research, and 7 performed literature reviews. CONCLUSION: Co-design has a positive impact on mHealth development, research processes and outcomes. Its success relies on a clearly identified framework of terminology, activities involved, and evaluation techniques. The findings of this review will be integrated into a novel co-design framework, which will be used to inform the development of a pediatric surgery mHealth application. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This review uses manuscripts that are rated level III-V.

Escitalopram and progressive muscle relaxation training are both effective for the treatment of hot flashes in patients with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Available treatments for hot flashes in patients with breast cancer are not always tolerable or effective for all patients. METHODS: Patients diagnosed to have primary breast cancer were randomly allocated to receive 10 mg of escitalopram, placebo, or progressive muscle relaxation therapy. Patients were asked to report the frequency and duration of hot flashes during day and night, at baseline and after ten weeks of treatment, and completed the menopause rating scale. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive escitalopram (n = 26), PMRT (n = 28), and placebo (n = 28). PMRT and escitalopram could effectively decrease number and duration of diurnal and nocturnal HFs in patients with breast cancer, with a better effect observed from escitalopram. They could both decrease the total score of MRS. CONCLUSION: Both escitalopram ad PMRT can reveal nocturnal and diurnal HFs in terms of frequency and duration in patients with breast cancer.

Exploring the roles of artificial intelligence in surgical education: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Technology-enhanced teaching and learning, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, has started to evolve in surgical education. Hence, the purpose of this scoping review is to explore the current and future roles of AI in surgical education. METHODS: Nine bibliographic databases were searched from January 2010 to January 2021. Full-text articles were included if they focused on AI in surgical education. RESULTS: Out of 14,008 unique sources of evidence, 93 were included. Out of 93, 84 were conducted in the simulation setting, and 89 targeted technical skills. Fifty-six studies focused on skills assessment/classification, and 36 used multiple AI techniques. Also, increasing sample size, having balanced data, and using AI to provide feedback were major future directions mentioned by authors. CONCLUSIONS: AI can help optimize the education of trainees and our results can help educators and researchers identify areas that need further investigation.

Investigating cognitive control and cognitive emotion regulation in Iranian depressed women with suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared cognitive control (working memory, interference control, perseveration) and cognitive emotion regulation among Iranian women with depression who had attempted suicide, had only suicidal ideation, and healthy controls. METHOD: Participants (N = 75) completed a clinical interview, cognitive control tasks, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. RESULTS: Those with suicidal ideation or previous attempts had poorer cognitive control and cognitive emotion regulation than controls. Furthermore, those who had attempted suicide had poorer cognitive control and reported greater use of self-blame, rumination, and catastrophizing, and less use of acceptance, than those with suicidal ideation only. There was an indirect effect of cognitive control deficits on suicidality through cognitive emotion regulation (self-blame, acceptance, rumination, catastrophizing). CONCLUSIONS: Exploring these cognitive deficits and difficulties can assist in further understanding the risk factors for suicidality and improve targeted interventions. This is of particular relevance in Iran where the need for policies and interventions targeting the prevention of suicide has been identified.

Morphological and physicochemical evaluation of the propranolol HCl-Eudragit® RS100 electrosprayed nanoformulations.

The aim of this study was to fabricate propranolol hydrochloride (Prop. HCl) (as a water-soluble drug):Eudragit® RS100 (Eud) nanobeads and nanofibres applying the electrospraying method as an economical and one-step technique. Different ratios of Prop. HCl:Eud (i.e. 1:5 and 1:10) at total solution concentrations of 10-20% W/V were investigated. The FE-SEM studies revealed that morphology and size of the samples were highly affected by the solution concentration; so that, the nanobeads (a mean diameter of 82.9 nm) were formed in low concentration and at the highest concentration of the solution, nanofibres (a mean diameter of 232.3 nm) were resulted. Besides the morphological changes, the size of processed nanoformulations was increased with an increment of the solution concentrations. X-ray diffraction results as well as DSC thermograms clearly indicated that the drug crystallinity decreased in the electrosprayed samples. Furthermore, in vitro dissolution test showed that the electrosprayed samples had relatively slower release patterns toward the pure drug and physical mixtures, where the samples with the drug:polymer ratio of 1:10 indicated a faster release rate toward 1:5 ratio; nevertheless, the concentration of the injected formulations did not remarkably impressed the release behaviours. The current study established the suitability of electrospraying method in the fabrication of the water-soluble drugs nanobeads/nanofibres; however, in vivo effectiveness of the prepared nanoformulations should be meticulously considered.