Have Norwegians tried psilocybin, and do they accept it as a medicine?

AbstractBackgroundPsilocybin is emerging as a promising therapeutic agent for a wide range of psychiatric conditions, and clinical trials on psilocybin-assisted treatment are forthcoming in Scandinavian countries. However, little is known about attitudes towards this psychedelic compound among the general public in Nordic countries. This might represent a confound, and reduce the validity of research findings or the overall feasibility of conducting high-quality clinical trials.AimsThe main objective of this study is to address the knowledge gap surrounding use and attitudes towards psilocybin in Norway.MethodsWe asked a representative sample of the Norwegian population (N = 1,078) if they have ever tried psilocybin and if they would be willing to do so as part of medical treatment. These questions were part of a larger online survey on a variety personal preferences and attitudes, and the survey was not presented as a study on psilocybin.ResultsOf the 1,078 respondents, 8% reported previous psilocybin use and 51% were willing to try psilocybin in medical treatment.ConclusionsPsilocybin use is more common in Norway than the authors hypothesized, and the general public is relatively open to using psilocybin in a medical context. The latter is interpreted as promising with regards to the feasibility of conducting rigorous clinical trials on potential effects and side effects of psilocybin-assisted treatment in Norway.

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Information Overload, Wellbeing and COVID-19: A Survey in China

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs11050062 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 62

Author(s):

Jialin Fan ◽

Andrew P Smith

Keyword(s):

General Public ◽

Online Survey ◽

Information Overload ◽

Age Distribution ◽

General Information ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Specific Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Wide Range ◽

Negative Coping

(1) Psychology must play an important role in the prevention and management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present study was to examine associations between the perceptions of information overload and wellbeing in China during the initial phase of COVID-19. (2) Methods: The present research involved a cross-sectional online survey, which controlled for established predictors of wellbeing and the perception of general (not COVID-19-specific) information overload. The setting of the research was China, February 2020. A total of 1349 participants completed an online survey, and the results from 1240 members of the general public who stated that they were uninfected are reported here (55.6% female; 49.4% single; age distribution: 17–25 years: 26%; 26–30 years: 24.3%; 31–40 years: 23.9%; 41–50 years: 16.2%; 51 years+: 9.6%; the most frequent occupations were: 21.5% students; 19.5% teachers; 25.9% office workers; 10.8% managers, plus a few in a wide range of jobs). The outcomes were positive wellbeing (positive affect and life satisfaction) and negative wellbeing (stress, negative affect, anxiety and depression). (3) Results: Regressions were carried out, controlling for established predictors of wellbeing (psychological capital, general information overload, positive and negative coping). Spending time getting information about COVID-19 was associated with more positive wellbeing. In contrast, perceptions of COVID-19 information overload and feeling panic due to COVID-19 were associated with more negative wellbeing. (4) Conclusions: These results have implications for the communication of information about COVID-19 to the general public and form the basis for further research on the topic.

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Scribbling the Cat: A Case of the “Miracle” Plant, Moringa oleifera

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants8110510 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 510 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thulani Tshabalala ◽

Bhekumthetho Ncube ◽

Ntakadzeni Edwin Madala ◽

Trevor Tapiwa Nyakudya ◽

Hloniphani Peter Moyo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Moringa Oleifera ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Wide Range ◽

Research Findings ◽

Cultivated Species ◽

New Research ◽

Vegetables And Fruits ◽

Moringa Oleifera Lam

This paper reviews the properties of the most cultivated species of the Moringaceae family, Moringa oleifera Lam. The paper takes a critical look at the positive and the associated negative properties of the plant, with particular emphasis on its chemistry, selected medicinal and nutritional properties, as well as some ecological implications of the plant. The review highlights the importance of glucosinolates (GS) compounds which are relatively unique to the Moringa species family, with glucomoriginin and its acylated derivative being the most abundant. We highlight some new research findings revealing that not all M. oleifera cultivars contain an important flavonoid, rutin. The review also focuses on phenolic acids, tannin, minerals and vitamins, which are in high amounts when compared to most vegetables and fruits. Although there are numerous benefits of using M. oleifera for medicinal purposes, there are reports of contraindications. Nonetheless, we note that there are no major harmful effects of M. oleifera that have been reported by the scientific community. M. oleifera is suspected to be potentially invasive and moderately invasive in some regions of the world because of its ability to grow in a wide range of environmental conditions. However, the plant is currently classified as a low potential invasive species and thus there is a need to constantly monitor the species. Despite the numerous benefits associated with the plant, there is still a paucity of data on clinical trials proving both the positive and negative effects of the plant. We recommend further clinical trials to ascertain the properties associated with the plant, especially regarding long term use.

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Theatre can bring research findings to life for a wide range of audiences

10.3310/alert_43190 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Wide Range ◽

Research Findings

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A Review of Clinical Data Management Systems Used in Clinical Trials

Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials ◽

10.2174/1574887113666180924165230 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 10-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aynaz Nourani ◽

Haleh Ayatollahi ◽

Masoud Solaymani Dodaran

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Data Management ◽

Clinical Data ◽

Data Management System ◽

Management Systems ◽

Management Process ◽

Data Management Systems ◽

Ovid Medline ◽

Research Findings ◽

Accuracy Of Results

Background:A clinical data management system is a software supporting the data management process in clinical trials. In this system, the effective support of clinical data management dimensions leads to the increased accuracy of results and prevention of diversion in clinical trials. The aim of this review article was to investigate the dimensions of data management in clinical data management systems.Methods:This study was conducted in 2017. The used databases included Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, Ovid Medline and PubMed. The search was conducted over a period of 10 years from 2007 to 2017. The initial number of studies was 101 reaching 19 in the final stage. The final studies were described and compared in terms of the year, country and dimensions of the clinical data management process in clinical trials.Results:The research findings indicated that none of the systems completely supported the data management dimensions in clinical trials. Although these systems were developed for supporting the clinical data management process, they were similar to electronic data capture systems in many cases. The most significant dimensions of data management in such systems were data collection or entry, report, validation, and security maintenance.Conclusion:Seemingly, not sufficient attention has been paid to automate all dimensions of the clinical data management process in clinical trials. However, these systems could take positive steps towards changing the manual processes of clinical data management to electronic processes.

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What Is New in the Treatment of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma?

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10030421 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 421

Author(s):

Niccolo’ Bolli ◽

Nicola Sgherza ◽

Paola Curci ◽

Rita Rizzi ◽

Vanda Strafella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

High Risk ◽

Early Treatment ◽

Individual Case ◽

Symptomatic Disease ◽

Plasma Cell Neoplasm ◽

Smoldering Multiple Myeloma ◽

Wide Range ◽

Critical Issues

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), an asymptomatic plasma cell neoplasm, is currently diagnosed according to the updated IMWG criteria, which reflect an intermediate tumor mass between monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and active MM. However, SMM is a heterogeneous entity and individual case may go from an “MGUS-like” behavior to “early MM” with rapid transformation into symptomatic disease. This wide range of clinical outcomes poses challenges for prognostication and management of individual patients. However, initial studies showed a benefit in terms of progression or even survival for early treatment of high-risk SMM patients. While outside of clinical trials the conventional approach to SMM generally remains that of close observation, these studies raised the question of whether early treatment should be offered in high-risk patients, prompting evaluation of several different therapeutic approaches with different goals. While delay of progression to MM with a non-toxic treatment is clearly achievable by early treatment, a convincing survival benefit still needs to be proven by independent studies. Furthermore, if SMM is to be considered less biologically complex than MM, early treatment may offer the chance of cure that is currently not within reach of any active MM treatment. In this paper, we present updated results of completed or ongoing clinical trials in SMM treatment, highlighting areas of uncertainty and critical issues that will need to be addressed in the near future before the “watch and wait” paradigm in SMM is abandoned in favor of early treatment.

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Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of Challenges with Frequent Users of Emergency Department Care in Switzerland: A Qualitative Study

INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing ◽

10.1177/00469580211028173 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 004695802110281

Author(s):

Patrick Bodenmann ◽

Miriam Kasztura ◽

Madison Graells ◽

Elodie Schmutz ◽

Oriane Chastonay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Emergency Services ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Emergency Department Care ◽

Frequent Users ◽

Complex Needs ◽

Wide Range ◽

Ed Overcrowding ◽

Ed Visits

Frequent users of emergency departments (FUED; ≥ 5 ED visits/year) commonly cumulate medical, social, and substance use problems requiring complex and sustained care coordination often unavailable in ED. This study aimed to explore ED healthcare providers’ challenges related to FUED care to gain insight into the support and resources required to address FUED complex needs. An online survey was sent to all general adult emergency services within Switzerland (N = 106). Participants were asked to indicate the extent to which they perceived that FUED represented a problem and to describe the main challenges encountered. In total, 208 physicians and nurses from 75 EDs (70.7%) completed the survey. Among the 208 participants, 134 (64%) reported that FUED represented a challenge and 133 described 1 to 5 challenges encountered. A conventional content analysis yielded 4 main categories of perceived challenges. Negative consequences in the ED secondary to FUED’s presence (eg, ED overcrowding, staff helplessness, and fatigue) was the most frequently reported challenge, followed by challenges related to FUEDs’ characteristics (eg, mental health and social problems) leading to healthcare complexity. The third most frequently encountered challenge was related to the ED inappropriateness and inefficiency to address FUEDs’ needs. Finally, challenges related to the lack of FUED healthcare network were the least often mentioned. ED healthcare providers experience a wide range of challenges related to FUED care. These findings suggest that currently EDs nor their staff are equipped to address FUEDs’ complex needs.

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A Cross-National Study of Dementia Stigma Among the General Public in Israel and Australia

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.3233/jad-210277 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Perla Werner ◽

Sarang Kim

Keyword(s):

General Public ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

National Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Subjective Knowledge ◽

Cultural Aspects ◽

The Impact ◽

Cross National

Background: Despite the increasing amount of research on dementia stigma, there is a dearth of cross-national studies conducted on this subject. This is surprising since the experience of stigma is closely associated to socio-cultural aspects. Objective: The present study intended to expand knowledge about the impact of culture on dementia stigma by comparing the level and correlates of stigmatic beliefs about dementia among the general public in Israel and Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted with two age-matched samples: 447 adults in Israel and 290 adults in Australia. Results: Overall, dementia stigma was moderate in both countries. However, the level of dementia stigma was significantly higher in Australia than in Israel. Lower levels of subjective knowledge and higher levels of ageism were associated with increased levels of stigmatic beliefs in both countries. Gender was a significant correlate of dementia stigma, with male participants reporting higher levels of public stigma than women, although this gender difference was mainly driven by the Australian sample. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that providing knowledge and decreasing ageist attitudes should be key considerations in dementia awareness and stigma reduction campaigns despite the cultural context. In addition, developing gender-specific messages should be considered as a way of improving the effects of such campaigns.

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Towards Reduced CNNs for De-Noising Phase Images Corrupted with Speckle Noise

Photonics ◽

10.3390/photonics8070255 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 255

Author(s):

Marie Tahon ◽

Silvio Montresor ◽

Pascal Picart

Keyword(s):

Phase Error ◽

Speckle Noise ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Benchmark Data ◽

Wide Range ◽

Phase Images ◽

Different Depths ◽

Phase Data ◽

Do So

Digital holography is a very efficient technique for 3D imaging and the characterization of changes at the surfaces of objects. However, during the process of holographic interferometry, the reconstructed phase images suffer from speckle noise. In this paper, de-noising is addressed with phase images corrupted with speckle noise. To do so, DnCNN residual networks with different depths were built and trained with various holographic noisy phase data. The possibility of using a network pre-trained on natural images with Gaussian noise is also investigated. All models are evaluated in terms of phase error with HOLODEEP benchmark data and with three unseen images corresponding to different experimental conditions. The best results are obtained using a network with only four convolutional blocks and trained with a wide range of noisy phase patterns.

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Unequal chances: ex ante fairness and individual control

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-78335-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Leticia Micheli ◽

Nickolas Gagnon

Keyword(s):

Perceived Control ◽

Online Survey ◽

Family Income ◽

Financial Outcomes ◽

Individual Control ◽

Ex Ante ◽

And Gender ◽

Different Sources ◽

Do So

AbstractUnequal financial outcomes often originate from unequal chances. Yet, compared to outcomes, little is known about how individuals perceive unequal distributions of chances. We investigate empirically the role of different sources of unequal chances in shaping inequality perceptions. Importantly, we do so from an ex ante perspective—i.e., before the chances are realized—which has rarely been explored. In an online survey, we asked uninvolved respondents to evaluate ex ante the fairness of unequal allocations of chances. We varied the source of inequality of chances, using a comprehensive range of factors which resemble several real world situations. Respondents also evaluated how much control individuals hold over the distribution of chances. Results show that different sources generate different ex ante perception of fairness. That is, unequal chances based on socioeconomic and biological factors, such as gender, family income and ethnicity, are evaluated to be unfair relative to the same chances based on effort, knowledge, and benevolence. Results also show that, for most individuals, there is a positive correlation between perceived control of a factor and fairness of unequal chances based on that factor. Luck appears to be an exception to this correlation, ranking as high in fairness as effort, knowledge, and benevolence, but similarly low in individual control as ethnicity, family income, and gender.

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Comparison of Psychological Stress Levels and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers, and the General Public During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.583971 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Rongrong Luan ◽

Weidan Pu ◽

Lilei Dai ◽

Rui Yang ◽

Peng Wang

Keyword(s):

Psychological Stress ◽

General Public ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

The Novel ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

Frontline Workers ◽

Occupation Group ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Objective: We aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of the psychological stress experienced by healthcare workers, frontline workers, and the general public and to assess the factors associated with psychological stress in each of these groups.Methods: We conducted an online survey targeting healthcare workers, frontline workers, and the general public. Psychological stress was assessed with the revised impact of event scale (IES-R). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.Results: We surveyed 1,336 participants (64.6% female; mean age, 36.6). The occupation group distribution of respondents was 50.7% healthcare workers, 27.2% frontline workers, and 22.1% general public. The healthcare (23.6 ± 15.8) and frontline (23.6 ± 17.8) workers had higher IES-R scores than the general public (15.3 ± 10.6; p < 0.01). Poor health perception and perception of infection avoidance were associated with psychological stress in the healthcare and frontline workers, but not in the general public.Conclusion: Both healthcare and frontline workers are suffering elevated psychological stress, compared to the general public, and this elevated stress may be related especially to their perceptions of their own health and infection risk. Interventions addressing these factors should be developed to alleviate psychological stress in these populations, and thus reduce their risk of mental illness pathogenesis.

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