scholarly journals Possible Interventions for Preventing the Development of Psychopathic Traits among Children and Adolescents?

Author(s):  
Gunnar Bjørnebekk ◽  
Dagfinn Mørkrid Thøgersen

Individuals with the combination of psychopathy and severe conduct disorder often get in a lot of trouble from their early childhood, and can cause great suffering and problems for other people and their immediate environment. Their antisocial behaviour has a tendency to develop into a chronic pattern early in life, and the treatment prognosis in adulthood is poor. A large proportion of serious violent crimes in society can be attributed to this group of perpetrators. Until recently, it has been unclear whether traits of this type can be prevented or changed, so that these individuals and their surroundings can benefit from targeted treatments at an early stage. To reduce serious crime in a society, it is very important to develop effective measures for this particular group. A lack of empathy, indifference to others, and a lack of concern about their own performance appear to be key early signs in children and adolescents with persistent behavioural problems and more serious norm violations who continue into a criminal career upon reaching adulthood. These characteristics have been termed callous−unemotional (CU) traits, and they are considered to be a precursor to psychopathic traits in adulthood. In recent years, several studies have evaluated the degree to which treatments that have been proved effective for children and adolescents with severe behavioural problems also show effectiveness for children and adolescents with CU traits. Interventions specifically tailored to children with CU traits have also been developed with the aim of directly changing the ongoing development of this precursor to psychopathy. In this paper, we will address the extent to which current evidence-based treatment methods developed for children and adolescents with behavioural difficulties are equally effective when a child has CU traits. We will also take a closer look at the effects of interventions designed to change this trait. There will be a discussion regarding what seems relevant for a change in the trait itself, as well as a change in their antisocial behaviour.

Author(s):  
Renuka M. Tenahalli

Shweta Pradara (Leucorrhoea) is the disease which is characterized by vaginal white discharge. Vaginal white discharge this symptom is present in both physiological and pathological condition, when it becomes pathological it disturbs routine life style of the woman. Most of the women in the early stage will not express the symptoms because of hesitation and their busy schedule. If it is not treated it may leads to chronic diseases like PID (Garbhashaya Shotha etc.) Charaka mentioned Amalaki Choorna along with Madhu and Vata Twak Kashaya Yoni Pichu Dharana. This treatment is used in Shweta Pradara shown positive results, hence a study was under taken to assess its clinical efficacy. 30 diagnosed patients of Shweta Pradara were randomly selected, allocated in three groups. Group A and Group B received Amalaki Choorna with Madhu and Vata Twak Kashaya Yoni Pichu Dharana respectively and Group C received Amalaki Choorna with Madhu followed by Vata Twak Kashaya Yoni Pichu Dharana for 15 days. The patients were assessed for the severity of the symptoms subjectively and objectively before and after the treatment and at the end of the follow up. Data from each group were statistically analyzed and were compared. No side effects were noted and it may be considered as an effective alternative medicine in Shweta Pradara (leucorrhea). Amalaki is rich in natural source of vitamin C and contains phosphorus, iron and calcium. Honey contains carbohydrate, vitamin C, phosphorus iron and calcium. All together these help to increase Hb% and immunity. Vata Twak Kashaya contains tannin which helps to maintain normal pH of the vagina.


Author(s):  
Jinsong Zhang ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Huifeng Zhang ◽  
Amanda Wilson ◽  
Lan Shuai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Children with early onset of Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits are at a higher risk for long-term, persistent psychosocial problems. The current study aimed to explore the characteristics of CU in preschool children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the diagnostic significance of CU traits in ADHD. Methods A total of 176 preschool children (89 with ADHD and 87 Typically Developing Children [TDC]) aged 4–5 years old were recruited to the study. The participants were assessed for CU traits, emotional and behavioral problems, and how their executive functioning was associated with ADHD using multiple assessment scales. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the incremental validity of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU), adjusting for possible covariates by child’s sex, conduct problems, and oppositional defiant symptoms. Results The results showed that there was a significant difference of ICU scores between the ADHD and TDC groups (F = 30.12, P < 0.001). In terms of callousness, ADHD + Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) group showed a significant high score, and the ADHD only group scored significantly higher than the TDC group (F = 20.42, P < 0.001). The ICU was negatively associated with the prosocial behaviour subscale (γ = − 0.57, P < 0.01) and showed low to moderate positive correlations with emotional and behavioural problems, as well as executive function (γ = 0.24–0.67, P < 0.05). The ICU scores explained 6% of the incremental validity in ADHD symptoms. The diagnostic value of the ICU for ADHD was medium and acceptable. Conclusions The current study indicated that early identification of CU traits may help clinicians better understand symptoms and behavioural problems in children with ADHD. CU traits therefore could be considered as a useful assessment tool for ADHD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 474 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Ugbode ◽  
Yuhan Hu ◽  
Benjamin Whalley ◽  
Chris Peers ◽  
Marcus Rattray ◽  
...  

Astrocytes play a fundamental role in maintaining the health and function of the central nervous system. Increasing evidence indicates that astrocytes undergo both cellular and molecular changes at an early stage in neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). These changes may reflect a change from a neuroprotective to a neurotoxic phenotype. Given the lack of current disease-modifying therapies for AD, astrocytes have become an interesting and viable target for therapeutic intervention. The astrocyte transport system covers a diverse array of proteins involved in metabolic support, neurotransmission and synaptic architecture. Therefore, specific targeting of individual transporter families has the potential to suppress neurodegeneration, a characteristic hallmark of AD. A small number of the 400 transporter superfamilies are expressed in astrocytes, with evidence highlighting a fraction of these are implicated in AD. Here, we review the current evidence for six astrocytic transporter subfamilies involved in AD, as reported in both animal and human studies. This review confirms that astrocytes are indeed a viable target, highlights the complexities of studying astrocytes and provides future directives to exploit the potential of astrocytes in tackling AD.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 832-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Chan ◽  
Alexander E. Sherman ◽  
Daniel S. Kapp ◽  
Ruxi Zhang ◽  
Kathryn E. Osann ◽  
...  

Purpose Despite a lack of evidence for survival benefit, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has recommendations for referral to gynecologic oncologists for the treatment of endometrial cancer. Therefore, we propose to determine the influence of gynecologic oncologists on the treatment and survival of patients with endometrial cancer. Patients and Methods Data were obtained from Medicare and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) databases from 1988 to 2005. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard methods were used for analyses. Results Of 18,338 women, 21.4% received care from gynecologic oncologists (group A) while 78.6% were treated by others (group B). Women in group A were older (age > 71 years: 49.6% v 44%; P < .001), had more lymph nodes (> 16) removed (22% v 17%; P < .001), presented with more advanced (stages III to IV) cancers (21.9% v 14.6%; P < .001), had higher-grade tumors (P < .001), and were more likely to receive chemotherapy for advanced disease (22.6% v 12.4%; P < .001). In those with stages II to IV disease, the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) of group A was 79% versus 73% in group B (P = .001). Moreover, in advanced-stage (III to IV) disease, group A had 5-year DSS of 72% versus 64% in group B (P < .001). However, no association with DSS was identified in stage I cancers. On multivariable analysis, younger age, early stage, lower grade, and treatment by gynecologic oncologists were independent prognostic factors for improved survival. Conclusion Patients with endometrial cancer treated by gynecologic oncologists were more likely to undergo staging surgery and receive adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced disease. Care provided by gynecologic oncologists improved the survival of those with high-risk cancers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Sedky Adly ◽  
Mahmoud Sedky Adly ◽  
Afnan Sedky Adly

BACKGROUND With the growing stress on hospitals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for home-based solutions has become a necessity to support these overwhelmed hospitals. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to compare two nonpharmacological respiratory treatment methods for home-isolated COVID-19 patients using a newly developed telemanagement health care system. METHODS In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 60 patients with stage 1 pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection were treated. Group A (n=30) received oxygen therapy with bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation, and Group B (n=30) received osteopathic manipulative respiratory and physical therapy techniques. Arterial blood gases of PaO<sub>2</sub> and PaCO<sub>2</sub>, pH, vital signs (ie, temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure), and chest computed tomography scans were used for follow-up and for assessment of the course and duration of recovery. RESULTS Analysis of the results showed a significant difference between the two groups (<i>P</i>&lt;.05), with Group A showing shorter recovery periods than Group B (mean 14.9, SD 1.7 days, and mean 23.9, SD 2.3 days, respectively). Significant differences were also observed between baseline and final readings in all of the outcome measures in both groups (<i>P</i>&lt;.05). Regarding posttreatment satisfaction with our proposed telemanagement health care system, positive responses were given by most of the patients in both groups. CONCLUSIONS It was found that home-based oxygen therapy with BiPAP can be a more effective prophylactic treatment approach than osteopathic manipulative respiratory and physical therapy techniques, as it can impede exacerbation of early-stage COVID-19 pneumonia. Telemanagement health care systems are promising methods to help in the pandemic-related shortage of hospital beds, as they showed reasonable effectiveness and reliability in the monitoring and management of patients with early-stage COVID-19 pneumonia. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04368923; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04368923


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
You-Hui Tu ◽  
Yuan-Yuan Wei ◽  
Da-Wei Zhang ◽  
Chang-Shan Chen ◽  
Xian-Wei Hu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide, but the factors that may affect the SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding time in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients were rarely reported. Methods We retrospectively recruited 40 confirmed common COVID-19 patients and classified them into two groups according to the SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding time (group A (less than 10 days) and group B (10 days or more)). The demographic, laboratory parameters and chest computed tomography (CT) features on admission and the 3 rd day after treatment were analyzed respectively. Results Fourteen patients were in group A and 26 patients in group B, the median SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding time of the two groups was 7 and 16 days respectively. Compared to the group A, the comorbidity, epidemiological risk history, serum glucose and CD4/8 on admission were significantly higher in the group B (P<0.05). On the 3 rd day after treatment, the group B got significantly higher IL-6, IL-2R, TNF-α and CD4/8, and lower platelet and CD8 + T lymphocyte counts than group A (P<0.05). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the higher epidemiological risk history, serum glucose and CD4/8 on admission were significantly associated with a longer SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding time (OR=7.5, 11.41, 9.21 respectively, P<0.05), as well as the higher TNF-α and lower CD8 + T lymphocytes on the 3 rd day after treatment (OR=2.36, 0.98 respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions Our study provides the evidence that the prolonged SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding time might be correlated with the patients’ epidemiological risk history, as well as the serum glucose and CD4/8 on admission, TNF-α and CD8 + T lymphocytes on the 3 rd day after treatment. Our result may help clinicians to distinguish the patients with a prolonged viral shedding time at the early stage.


2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-28
Author(s):  
Andrew D Hanna ◽  
Natalie V Scime

Global rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among children and adolescents are steadily rising. As such, an increasing amount of attention and research has begun to focus on strategies to prevent this chronic and burdensome disease in pediatric populations. The purpose of this article is to briefly review current evidence pertaining to the effectiveness of physical activity versus metformin in improving insulin sensitivity of children at-risk (ie, obese and/or insulin resistant) for developing T2D. Potential barriers to each preventative intervention will also be discussed. Physical activity, both aerobic and resistance, has demonstrated effectiveness in a moderate number of demographically diverse pediatric studies. However, the pediatric population is already alarmingly sedentary with barriers such as lack of motivation, social stigma and discomfort presenting a challenge. A small number of studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of metformin in children and adolescents for improved insulin sensitivity. However, longer and larger studies are required to confirm these findings and elucidate upon the long-term safety and efficacy of this pharmaceutical in pediatric populations. While no head-to-head studies examining physical activity and metformin exist in pediatric populations and more research is needed, current evidence seems to favour the use of physical activity given the larger quantity of studies and generalizability of its beneficial effects. Thus, physical activity should be emphasized in clinical and public health practice when targeting at-risk children and adolescents to prevent a T2D diagnosis.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4020-4020
Author(s):  
Conrad-Amadeus Voltin ◽  
Jasmin Mettler ◽  
Horst Mueller ◽  
Michael Fuchs ◽  
Christian Baues ◽  
...  

Background: Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) measured by FDG-PET/CT is becoming established as an independent risk factor for treatment failure in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Moreover, response to treatment with novel agents including checkpoint inhibitors may be better reflected by a decrease in MTV than by currently used response criteria. Our aim was to evaluate the early response to first-line HL treatment with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab using MTV. Methods: The analysis set included 59 patients with newly diagnosed, early-stage unfavorable HL treated within the prospective, multicenter, open label, randomized, phase II NIVAHL trial of the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG). Patients in NIVAHL were randomized to receive either four double cycles of nivolumab, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (4x Nivo-AVD, group A, n=31) or a sequential therapy starting with 4x nivolumab monotherapy followed by 2xNivo-AVD and 2x AVD (group B, n=28). Early response to treatment was assessed at a 1st interim restaging after either 2x Nivo-AVD or 4x nivolumab. All NIVAHL patients who underwent PET at both initial staging and early response assessment, with images available to the central review panel for quantitative analysis before April 30th 2019, were included. MTV was calculated using a fixed SUV threshold of 4 for both staging and restaging. Results: Patient characteristics of the MTV analysis subset presented here did not differ in any relevant way from the overall NIVAHL trial population. Median age of the 59 patients was 27 years (range 18-57) with a female predominance (61%). All patients presented with stage II disease (IIB 27%) and ≥3 involved areas was the most common risk factor (75%) followed by elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (51%), extranodal disease (17%) and large mediastinal mass (14%). Mean MTV at initial staging was 124 ml (range 4 - 578 ml) and 177 ml (11 - 581 ml) in groups A and B, respectively. In both groups a marked decrease in MTV was observed at the 1st interim restaging (Figure 1): After 2x Nivo-AVD all patients in group A showed a reduction of MTV >80% (mean percentage change in MTV -99.8%). In group B a reduction of MTV >80% was observed in 26/28 patients (93%), while in 2/28 patients an increase <10% was observed (mean percentage change in MTV -91%; Figure 1). The mean residual MTV at interim restaging after 2x Nivo-AVD was 0.4 ml (range 0 - 8) in group A and 11 ml after 4x nivolumab in group B (range 0 - 176). The reduction of MTV was observed irrespective of initial MTV with a similar mean percentage change in patients above and below the median MTV in both groups. When applying the Deauville score, however, the number of patients presenting with a Deauville score ≥4 was higher in the group with an initial MTV above the median MTV than in the group where initial MTV lay below the median value. Using the Lugano criteria and a Deauville score of 4 or higher as cut-off for PET-positivity, early interim complete remission was observed in 81% of patients after 2xNivo-AVD, as compared to 51% after 4x nivolumab monotherapy. Further analyses regarding MTV and response at the 2nd and end-of-treatment restaging as well as survival data are not yet available due to limited follow-up. These data will be available at the time of presentation and shown at the meeting. Conclusions: Marked reductions of MTV demonstrate an excellent early efficacy for both 2x Nivo-AVD and 4x nivolumab as 1st-line therapy for early-stage unfavorable HL. The unexpectedly and previously unreported high MTV reduction with nivolumab monotherapy indicates a relevant potential of anti-PD1 mono- or debulking-therapy in the 1st-line treatment of early-stage unfavorable HL. Early interim response assessment based on MTV may help to identify HL patients treated with anti-PD1 antibodies in whom a significant reduction or even omission of chemotherapy could be considered. MTV appears to have the potential to accurately measure response to immune checkpoint inhibition. However, correlation of early MTV reduction with response at the end of treatment or with survival data is pending. Disclosures Borchmann: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Bröckelmann:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Support, Research Funding; MSD Sharpe & Dohme: Research Funding.


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