Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in Survivors from Critical Illness including COVID-19 Patients: A Narrative Review

Current achievements in medical science and technological advancements in intensive care medicine have allowed better support of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and have increased survival probability. Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is a relatively new term introduced almost 10 years ago, defined as “new or worsening impairments in physical, cognitive, or mental health status arising after critical illness and persisting beyond acute care hospitalization”. A significant percentage of critically ill patients suffer from PICS for a prolonged period of time, with physical problems being the most common. The exact prevalence of PICS is unknown, and many risk factors have been described well. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors seem to be at especially high risk for developing PICS. The families of ICU survivors can also be affected as a response to the stress suffered during the critical illness of their kin. This separate entity is described as PICS family (PICS-F). A multidisciplinary approach is warranted for the treatment of PICS, involving healthcare professionals, clinicians, and scientists from different areas. Improving outcomes is both challenging and imperative for the critical care community. The review of the relevant literature and the study of the physical, cognitive, and mental sequelae could lead to the prevention and timely management of PICS and the subsequent improvement of the quality of life for ICU survivors.

Effects of Resilience on Impulsivity, Cognition and Depression during Protracted Withdrawal among Chinese Male Methamphetamine Users

Background Methamphetamine (METH) dependence is a complex and dynamic public health problem. Long-term abuse of METH can increase numerous risks of mental and physical problems. Currently, the methods to reduce METH dependence and improve the withdrawal symptoms are limited and ineffective. Resilience is regarded as an individuals’ protective moderator against stress and may play a role in the stress-related mental diseases. Methods One hundred and twelve males with METH dependence were consecutively recruited from Huanglong Compulsory Isolated Detoxification Center between 2019 and 2021. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Self-rating depression scale (SDS), Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11(BIS-11), and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (Rbans) were used to evaluate resilience, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and cognition respectively. Results The results showed that high and medium resilience groups showed lower SDS scores than the low resilience group (p<0.05), with high resilience groups showing lower scores using SAS (p<0.05). The high resilience group demonstrated lower cognitive impulsiveness, non-planning impulsiveness, and BIS-11 scores than the low resilience group (all p <0.05). Additionally, compared with the low resilience group, attention was better in the medium resilience group, while delayed memory was better in the high resilience group (both p<0.05). The total scores of Rbans were also higher in the medium and high resilience groups than low resilience group (both p<0.05). Conclusions This study confirmed a correlation between resilience and impulsivity, cognitive function, and depression. It may suggest a potential role of resilience for individuals during protracted METH withdrawal.

Clinical Trial Evaluating Quality of Life in Patients with Intra-Oral Halitosis

Halitosis is considered to be extremely unattractive in the context of social interactions. The main research objective of this study was to evaluate whether intra-oral halitosis may impact patients’ quality of life (QOL). One hundred generally healthy adult participants complaining about oral malodor and diagnosed with intra-oral halitosis were enrolled in this study. For halitosis diagnosis, a gas chromatography (GC) analysis by the Oral Chroma portable device was used. QOL assessment was based on the Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36). The respondents had the highest scores in the physical functioning (PF), activity limitations caused by emotional problems (RE) and activity limitations caused by physical problems (RP) domains, and the weakest in the general health perception (GH), vitality (VT) and emotional wellbeing (MH) ones. The total volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) level was negatively correlated with SF-36 domains. The SF-36 domains’ scores decreased the higher the level of VSC was. The respondents assessed their QOL to be at its best in physical functioning and activity limitations caused by emotional and physical problems and the worst in general health perception, vitality and emotional wellbeing. The strongest correlation between halitosis and decreased QOL was found in the social functioning (SF), vitality, emotional wellbeing and general health perception domains.

The Grotesque World in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

This article is going to explore the reasons leading the figures grotesque and the way out of such world, with the help of Bakhtin&rsquo;s theory of grotesque realism, via linking the duality of physical part with the grotesque to analyze the three main characters&rsquo; physical characteristics, social relationships and mental world. Singer, Mick and Biff are the distinct characters in Carson McCullers&rsquo;s novel The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Their lives are shot through with frustration and discouragement and the intense privacy of their inner lives gives the reader the impression that they are isolated, lonely beings. They try to build connections with others but eventually they fail. The following are the reasons: Firstly, they cannot identify themselves with the majority due to their physical problems, which further lead to their mental crisis. Secondly, they are alienated from the majority in society while they communicate with the ones who cannot end their isolation, which enforces their alienation. Finally, loneliness grips them so powerfully that they cannot come out of their grotesque dreaming world centering on the truth or idea or purpose they have created for themselves. Therefore the way out is to experience the social reality, to express ideas, share care and love with others. Through the interpretation of this novel, the point of this article is to explain the reasons and the ways out of alienation, the keyword in the grotesque world.

The Effective Management and Outcome of Hand Burns

Burns is a common public health problem and these injuries can be accidental, suicidal or even homicidal in nature. Hands being the most active part of the body, are often involved in burns. Hand burns represent three percent of body surface area, and are involved in more than 80% of all severe burns. Hand burns predominantly affect young adults and therefore have serious social and financial implications. The hand is one of the most frequent sites of burns scar contracture deformity. The deformities and contractures result in lifelong physical problems and affects the normal functioning of the person.

Information technologies of teaching in a secondary school

The conference participants are offered components of the educational and methodological complex in physics, which are obtained not by advanced pedagogical experience, ie by trial and error, but by detailed and complete analysis and calculation of structures and algorithms of the educational process in secondary school and its individual components. It is a guide for students, systematization of educational information, algorithm for solving physical problems, solving standard physical problems on a computer, diagnosing student performance and rating assessment of knowledge.

Effectiveness of Interventions to Enhance the Sense of Coherence in the Life Course

This chapter provides an overview of the effectiveness of programs and interventions that aim to strengthen the sense of coherence (SOC) throughout the life span. The authors report on more than 40 studies investigating the effectiveness of interventions to strengthen the SOC. They structure and summarize findings for young people, employed and unemployed adults, health professionals, people with disabilities, people with psychosomatic and mental health problems, people with physical problems, hospital patients, and older people. Even though most studies are limited to short-term pre-test and post-test study designs, a few studies have investigated the effects of intervention for longer follow-up periods of up to several months and even more than one year.

Insomnia, Fatigue, and Depression: Theoretical and Clinical Implications of a Self-reinforcing Feedback Loop in Cancer

Introduction: Insomnia is emerging as a modifiable major risk factor for mental and physical problems, including cancer, and it may contribute to cancer-related fatigue and depression. Since both fatigue and depression may favor insomnia as well, we may hypothesize a self-reinforcing feedback loop among these factors in cancer. Methods: With the aim of discussing this hypothesis, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase electronic databases were searched for literature published according to the PRISMA method with several combinations of terms such as “insomnia” and “cancer” and “fatigue” and “depression”. On this basis, we conducted a narrative review about theoretical aspects of insomnia in the context of cancer and about its role in cancer-related fatigue and depression. Results: Twenty-one papers were selected according to inclusion/exclusion criteria. Insomnia is frequent in cancer, and it is associated with cancer-related comorbid conditions such as emotional distress, depressive symptoms, and cancer-related fatigue. The hyperactivation of stress and inflammatory systems, which sustain insomnia, may contribute to cancer-related depression and fatigue. A deleterious feedback loop may be created, and it may perpetuate not only insomnia but also these cancer-related comorbid conditions. Conclusion: Although the understanding of the causal relationship between insomnia/ depression/fatigue in individuals with cancer is limited, we may hypothesize that these symptoms can exacerbate and maintain each other. When insomnia is established in cancer, it may lead to a vicious cycle with fatigue and depression and may contribute to adverse cancer outcomes. Interventions targeting insomnia could provide a promising approach not only for insomnia but also for cancer-related symptoms among cancer patients.

KINERJA OPERASIONAL PELABUHAN PERIKANAN DI PERAIRAN TELUK SEMANGKA KABUPATEN TANGGAMUS LAMPUNG

The Semangka Bay in Tanggamus Regency of Lampung Province is a potential area for capture fisheries activities. The fishing port as the primary basis for the capture fisheries sector can increase regional economic growth. The fishing ports in Tanggamus Regency have physical and non-physical problems, so efforts to develop fishing ports are needed. The preparation of these efforts required information about the operational conditions of fishing ports. This study aims to describe the operational conditions of the fishing port in the Tanggamus Regency. The research method is descriptive with two stages. The first assessment of the operational performance of fishing ports. Second, gap assessment of fishing ports. The result showed that the average value of fishing ports operational performance is 26%, and the average gap value is 74%. The operational condition of the fishing ports in the Tanggamus Regency is classified as inferior. Fishing port facilities are the criteria with the lowest performance and the highest gap. Improvements to the fishing ports in Tanggamus Regency are needed through procurement and repair of fishing port facilities by local governments.