Gender-related romantic attachment and serum oxytocin level difference in adult patients with obsessive compulsive disorder

Background Given the scarcity of data on gender-related romantic attachment changes and the potential role of oxytocin (OT) in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive illness (OCD), the current study aimed to assess gender-related differences in romantic attachment characteristics and their relationship to serum oxytocin in a set of forty OCD cases compared with a similar group of healthy controls .Simultaneously examining the gender differences in serum oxytocin levels in OCD patients, the diagnosis of OCD patients was determined using DSM-5 criteria, and the severity of OCD was determined using the Y-BOCS rating scale. All of the patients were drug-free and not depressed. The romantic attachment was assessed using the “Experiences in Close Relationship” Questionnaire. Standard ELISA kits were used to assess plasma OT levels. Results Regarding romantic attachments, patients with obsessive compulsive disorder scored higher on the anxiety and avoidance domains than controls with no significant gender difference. Serum oxytocin was higher in patients with OCD than in healthy controls, indicating a possible underlying pathophysiology of the illness. Also, there was a significant gender difference, with female patients having higher serum oxytocin and symptoms severity being negatively associated. Conclusions Taken together, these findings propose that OT may play a role in OCD pathophysiology with gender specificity. Also, OCD associated with insecure romantic attachment.

Pandemic-Related Stress Symptoms Among Norwegian Parents of Adolescents in Grades 6 to 8

We investigated pandemic-related stress symptoms during the first COVID-19 lockdown period in spring 2020 among parents of adolescents that were 11 to 13 years old in the study period. We also investigated whether parental stress symptoms were associated with family situation and family activities during lockdown. Altogether 147 couples reported about their own trauma-related stress symptoms following the outbreak of the pandemic. Among the respondents, 9.5% of the mothers and 10.2% of the fathers had scores over cutoff on the screener (IES-6) measuring stress symptoms, a non-significant gender difference. Scores on the screener were not associated with family contamination or lockdown consequences. Family activities during lockdown did not impact the pandemic stress symptom levels. Whereas, the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic pose a stressor to most people, it is unlikely to be a criterion A event for other than directly affected families.

INTOLERANCE OF UNCERTAINTY AND FEAR OF COVID-19 IN EARLY ADULTS IN KOLKATA

The present research has been done to study Intolerance of Uncertainty and Fear of COVID-19 in Early Adults in Kolkata. In this study 25 males and 25 females of the age range, 18 years to 25 years residing in Kolkata has been selected and their data has been collected through online forms. The tools used in this study are Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale- Short Form and Fear of COVID-19 scale. The data has been analyzed through SPSS and Pearsons Product Moment Correlation and the Independent Sample t-test has been done for data analysis. The findings are suggestive of the absence of a significant relationship between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Fear of COVID-19 and the presence of a significant gender difference in the case of Intolerance of Uncertainty.

Expectation and Evaluation of Spouse’s Filial Piety and Marital Satisfaction in China

The present study examined the effect of expectation and evaluation of spouse’s filial piety on marital satisfaction among young Chinese couples. We administered scales assessing gender role attitude, marital satisfaction, and expectation and evaluation of spouse’s filial piety on 422 married participants and explored the relationships among these variables. The results showed the following: (1) gender role attitude mediated the relationship between participants’ gender and evaluation of their spouse’s filial piety. There was no significant gender difference in the evaluation of spouse’s filial piety; however, men were more likely to have a traditional gender role attitude, and a traditional gender role attitude leads to lower evaluation of spouse’s filial piety. Furthermore, it was found that the wife’s sibling condition influenced the participants’ expectation and evaluation of spouse’s filial piety as compared to the husband’s; (2) the evaluation of spouse’s filial piety was significantly positively correlated with marital satisfaction; and (3) women’s expectations of their husband’s filial piety moderated this relationship. The positive effects of the evaluation of spouse’s filial piety on marital satisfaction were significantly stronger when they had high expectations in this regard.

Empathy and Perceived Stress among College Students

In the present study, the researchers have attempted to assess the relationship between empathy and perceived stress among college students of Karnataka and West Bengal in India. The data was collected using the Basic Empathy Scale for Adults (BES-A) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) from a sample of 214 college students, in which 107 were boys and 107 were girls. The study found that there was no significant relationship between their cognitive empathy and perceived stress but a significant relationship between their affective empathy and perceived stress was found and the correlation was found to be positive. The study also found that there was a significant gender difference in empathy among college students and girls had a higher empathy than boys whereas in case of perceived stress, no significant gender difference was found although the girls showed higher perceived stress levels than boys but the difference in their perceived stress levels was minimal. The implications of nurturing empathy and reducing perceived stress among the college students are discussed.

Empathy and Perceived Stress among College Students

In the present study, the researchers have attempted to assess the relationship between empathy and perceived stress among college students of Karnataka and West Bengal in India. The data was collected using the Basic Empathy Scale for Adults (BES-A) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) from a sample of 214 college students, in which 107 were boys and 107 were girls. The study found that there was no significant relationship between their cognitive empathy and perceived stress but a significant relationship between their affective empathy and perceived stress was found and the correlation was found to be positive. The study also found that there was a significant gender difference in empathy among college students and girls had a higher empathy than boys, whereas in case of perceived stress, no significant gender difference was found; although the girls showed higher perceived stress levels than boys but the difference in their perceived stress levels was minimal. The implications of nurturing empathy and reducing perceived stress among the college students are discussed.

A 2D Photographic and 3D Digital Dental Model Analysis of Golden Percentage in Maxillary Anterior Teeth

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the existence of golden percentage in natural maxillary anterior teeth with the aid of 3D digital dental models and 2D photographs. And to propose regional values of golden percentage for restoration of maxillary anterior teeth. For this purpose, one hundred and ninety dentate subjects with sound maxillary anterior teeth were selected. Standardized frontal images were captured with DSLR, and the apparent width of maxillary anterior teeth was measured utilizing a software on a personal laptop computer. Once the dimensions were recorded, the calculations were made according to the golden percentage theory (GPT). The data were analyzed by independent and paired T -test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 . The golden percentage values were not found in this study. The values obtained were 16%, 15%, 20%, 20%, 15%, and 16% moving from the right canine to the left canine teeth. There was no significant gender difference in the golden percentage values. Thus, golden percentage should not be used solely for the correction of anterior teeth or for determining dental attractiveness. Emphasis should be given to a range of dental proportion on regional basis.

An Evidence-Based Framework for Reducing Occupational Stress and Burnout in Pakistani Universities

The aim of the study was to design a framework for university administrations to provide guideline for the effective management of the issues of occupational stress and burnout among university teachers in Pakistan. A total of 320 university teachers participated in the study. Of the respondents, 144 (45%) were female, and 176 (55%) were male. The questionnaire was especially constructed for the study and it comprised six subscales. The results showed that there was no significant gender difference between the scores of the respondents except on one scale. The results show that university teachers are not satisfied with the efforts made by university administrations to deal with problems of occupational stress and burnout. In the light of the results, a framework has been designed for university administrations in Pakistan. Keywords: Burnout, Framework, Pakistan, Occupational stress, University teachers, University administration

Tooth occlusion pattern of the hausas in Zaria, Nigeria

The study was carried out to deduce the tooth occlusion pattern among the Hausas in Zaria, Nigeria. A total of 384 subjects made up of 184 males and 200 females within the ages of 20-49 years participated in this study. Data was collected by means of questionnaire. Results revealed that mild overbite type is the commonest (male = 33.6%, female = 32.6%) which was followed by edge to edge bite (male = 13.3%, female = 10.4%). The incidence of the severe overbite was observed more in males (3.4%) than females (2.1%). The incidence of negative overbite was observed more in females (2.9%) than males (1.8%). The results showed no significant gender difference (p≥0.05) in the tooth occlusion pattern. The tooth occlusion pattern of the Hausas in Zaria, Nigeria is such that some occlusion types are relatively more common in females than the male counterparts and vice versa. The mild overbite type of occlusion is the commonest among the Hausas in Zaria, Nigeria. The negative overbite is the least common tooth occlusion pattern among the Hausas in Zaria, Nigeria. Key words: Nigeria; Occlusion; Pattern; Tooth; Zaria

Prevalence and Pattern of Pneumonia among Children Admitted into University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: A Two Year Review

Introduction: Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children, it accounts for 17.0% of under- five deaths in Nigeria yearly. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of pneumonia among children in Port Harcourt. Materials and Methods: A 2year retrospective descriptive study was done; the admission and discharge records at the children emergency ward (CHEW) and folders of patients admitted for pneumonia were used to retrieve information. Results: A total of 2169 children were admitted into CHEW from 2017- 2018, this comprised of 1089 (50.2%) males and 1080 (49.8%) females. Of the 2169 children, 286 (13.2%) of them had pneumonia. More males (16.9%) compared to females (9.4%) had pneumonia, with a significant gender difference. (ꭓ2 = 26.29, p = < 0.001) Males were twice more likely to have pneumonia compared to the females (OR = 1.95, CI= 1.51-2.54). The highest prevalence of Pneumonia (27.1%) was amongst children < 1 year old (P = <0.001). Thirteen (4.6%) of those that had pneumonia died. Mortality was highest (9.2%) among those who presented late (> 5 days after onset of symptoms.) (ꭓ2 =10.73, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Childhood pneumonia is still a burden among children in Port Harcourt. Early presentation to the hospital may reduce the mortality.