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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a threat to public health and psychological functioning, with early studies documenting higher rates of psychopathology within the United States and globally. Hope and optimism promote adjustment and are associated with positive physical and mental health outcomes. Thus, individual differences in hope and optimism may also foster resilience during a global health crisis., Aims: The current study examined how hope and optimism influenced longitudinal health-focused distress and wellbeing during the pandemic., Methods: Data were collected from 788 American adults across three periods during Spring-Summer 2020 using MTurk. Latent growth curve modeling examined whether hope and optimism predicted COVID stress, health anxiety, and wellbeing trajectories., Results: COVID stress and health anxiety decreased after the onset of the pandemic, whereas wellbeing was stable. Individually, hope and optimism predicted lower initial COVID stress and health anxiety, along with greater initial wellbeing. When examining the combined influence of hope and optimism, optimism was more strongly related to health-focused distress, though both were strong predictors of wellbeing., Conclusions: These findings indicate that Americans were resilient and positive expectancies, particularly optimism, predicted better initial adjustment to the early phases of the pandemic. Thus, positive expectancies appear to be protective during a global health crisis., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Simple Summary: This work aims to analyze flocks' management practices and sheep breeders' perceptions of the impact of climate change to enhance the resilience of the sheep production systems in the Tunisian semi-arid region. The results revealed three main sheep production systems: the agro-pastoral rain-fed system (AGPRF), the agro-pastoral irrigated system (AGPI), and the agro-sylvo-pastoral system (AGSP). Each production system is characterized by specific management and productive parameters that are used by farmers to build resilience actions. However, farmers' climate change perceptions are mostly the same across the three sheep production systems: a decrease in precipitation and an increase in temperatures and extreme events, which negatively influence feedstuff availability and costs. Global climate change inflicts unambiguous risks on agricultural systems and food security. Small ruminants are known for their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. This paper aims to characterize sheep production systems in a vulnerable agricultural zone and the breeders' perceptions of climate change to apprehend challenges that they are confronting, and formulate resilience actions. The data analysis is based on 94 semi-structured surveys of sheep farmers carried out in the Tunisian semi-arid region. The PCA analysis results revealed three main sheep production systems. The agro-pastoral rain-fed system (AGPRF) is dominant (55%), with large farms and common pastures integrating cereals and fodder. The agro-pastoral irrigated system (AGPI: 20%) is characterized by small-area and forage irrigation (1.8 ha) and a smaller number of ewes but a greater use of animal feed supplementation. The agro-sylvo-pastoral system (AGSP: 25%) is a system where grazing is based on common lands and using tree sub-products, while the agricultural area is exclusively used to cultivate cereal crops. Sheep breeders' climate perceptions are summarized as unpredictable climate events, a decrease in precipitation, and an increase in temperature. Resilience actions principally consist of reducing flocks' numbers, using alternative local feed, fodder, and water resources, and building more shelters and planting more trees in the grazing areas. Nevertheless, cost-effectiveness should be considered in such vulnerable zones to insure the sheep production systems' sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rising prevalence of mental health issues in children, adolescents, and young adults has become an escalating public health issue, impacting approximately 10%-20% of young people on a global scale. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) can act as powerful mental health promotion tools to reach wide-ranging audiences that might otherwise be challenging to access. This increased access would enable prevention of mental disorders and promotion of widespread well-being by enhancing self-efficacy, thereby supporting the achievement of tangible objectives. Objective: We aimed to conduct a comprehensive synthesis of all randomized controlled trials and controlled trials involving children, adolescents, and young adults, encompassing both clinical and nonclinical populations, to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital PPIs in this age group. Methods: After a literature search in 9 electronic databases until January 12, 2023, and gray literature until April 2023, we carried out a systematic review of 35 articles, of which 18 (51%) provided data for the meta-analysis. We included randomized controlled trials and controlled trials mainly based on web-based, digital, or smartphone-based interventions using a positive psychology framework as the main component. Studies included participants with a mean age of <35 years. Outcomes of PPIs were classified into indicators of well-being (compassion, life satisfaction, optimism, happiness, resilience, emotion regulation and emotion awareness, hope, mindfulness, purpose, quality of life, gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, motivation, and kindness) and ill-being (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and burnout). PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were used for the selection of studies and data extraction. Quality assessment was performed following the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines. Results: For well-being outcomes, meta-analytic results showed that PPIs augmented the feeling of purpose, gratitude, and hope (Hedges g=0.555), compassion (Hedges g=0.447), positive coping behaviors (Hedges g=0.421), body image--related outcomes (Hedges g=0.238), and positive mindset predisposition (Hedges g=0.304). For ill-being outcomes, PPIs reduced cognitive biases (Hedges g=--0.637), negative emotions and mood (Hedges g=--0.369), and stress levels (Hedges g=--0.342). Of note, larger effect sizes were found when a waiting list control group was considered versus a digital control group. A funnel plot showed no publication bias. Meta-regression analyses showed that PPIs tended to show a larger effect size on well-being outcomes in studies including young adults, whereas no specific effect was found for ill-being outcomes. Conclusions: Revised evidence suggests that PPIs benefit young people's well-being and mitigate ill-being symptoms. Digital platforms offer a unique way to address their mental health challenges, although not without limitations. Future research should explore how they work for the needs of the young population and further examine what specific PPIs or combination of interventions is most beneficial with respect to other digital control groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of mental illness increased in children, adolescents, and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time, access to treatment facilities has been restricted, resulting in a need for the quick implementation of remote or online interventions. Objective: This study aimed to give an overview of randomized controlled studies examining remote or online interventions for mental health in children, adolescents, and young adults and to explore the overall effectiveness of these interventions regarding different symptoms. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines using PubMed, PsycInfo, Psyndex, Embase, and Google Scholar. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model to calculate overall effect sizes for interventions using standardized mean differences (SMDs) for postintervention scores. Results: We identified 17 articles with 8732 participants in the final sample, and 13 were included in the quantitative analysis. The studies examined different digital interventions for several outcomes, showing better outcomes than the control in some studies. Meta-analyses revealed significant medium overall effects for anxiety (SMD=0.44, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.67) and social functioning (SMD=0.42, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.17) and a large significant effect for depression (SMD=1.31, 95% CI 0.34 to 2.95). In contrast, no significant overall treatment effects for well-being, psychological distress, disordered eating, and COVID-19-related symptoms were found. Conclusions: The qualitative and quantitative analyses of the included studies show promising results regarding the effectiveness of online interventions, especially for symptoms of anxiety and depression and for training of social functioning. However, the effectiveness needs to be further investigated for other groups of symptoms in the future. All in all, more research with high-quality studies is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winemaking is one of the main Portuguese industries and has significantly grown in recent years, thus increasing the quantity of obtained residues. These wastes have a complex chemical composition and structure, and, for this reason, their treatment and valorisation are simultaneously a challenge and an opportunity. After an overview of the wine industry and its wastes, this article intends to review the different solid winemaking wastes, highlighting their chemical composition and structural characteristics, as well as their main potential applications. These wastes, such as grape stalks, can be directly applied as a source of bioenergy in the form of pellets or subjected to chemical/biological processing, resulting in valuable food additives, materials, or chemicals. Grape seeds provide food grade oil with potential biomedical applications. Grape skins are a promising source of biologically active substances. The sugar fraction of grape pomace can be biologically converted to a wide variety of bioproducts, like bioethanol, biogas, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and bacterial cellulose. The integration of the different processes into a biorefinery is also discussed, considering the characteristics of the Portuguese wine industry and pointing out solutions to valorise their wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this research was to evaluate the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as the level of life contentment and coping mechanisms employed by college students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 588 students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Higher School of Medicine, Kraljevo, University of Kragujevac, Central Serbia, participated in an online cross-sectional survey in the period September–October 2022. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was used to measure the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The Coping Questionnaire—a shorter version (Brief Cope Inventories) assesses the coping strategies a person uses in stressful situations, and the 5-item Life Satisfaction Scale is used to examine the level of life satisfaction. Results: The symptoms of depression were reported by 34.9%, of anxiety by 47.1% and of stress by 44.2%. The type of faculty (p = 0.001), and place of residence (p = 0.036) correlated with depression, gender with anxiety (p = 0.001) and stress (p = 0.015). In terms of coping mechanisms, the most frequently mentioned strategies, based on average scores, were acceptance (5.76), positive interpretation (5.55), humor (5.46). Conclusion: The adverse impact of COVID-19 was a risk factor for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. A negative correlation exists between the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the overall life satisfaction of university students. Offering the necessary assistance through psychological interventions and effective coping techniques is crucial in ensuring the optimal mental health of university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Mental illness affects one in eight people in the world according to the WHO. It is a leading cause of morbidity and a major public health problem. Stigma harms the quality of life of people with mental illness. This study aimed at validating the Arabic version of the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) and the Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS) in a sample of Tunisian students and determining socio-demographic and clinical factors correlated with stigma. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,501 Tunisian students who filled in the MAKS, the RIBS, and a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire. The validation of the questionnaires in Arabic was carried out using the validity criteria: face and content validity, reliability, and construct validity. Next, the associations between stigma and sample characteristics have been studied using multivariate linear regression. Results: Face and content validity of the measures MAKS and RIBS were satisfactory, with adequate internal consistency. There were significant positive correlations between the items and scales, and test--retest reliability was excellent. The internal validity showed that the items were well-aligned with the intended factors, and the external validity revealed a significant positive relationship between the MAKS and RIBS. Besides, gender, the field of study, psychiatric history, and contact with someone with a mental illness were all contributing factors to mental illness stigma. Additionally, men performed better than women in terms of behavior toward people with mental illness, while women had a greater level of knowledge about mental health. Conclusion: The Arabic versions of the MAKS and RIBS have appropriate psychometric properties, making them effective tools for evaluating mental illness stigma. With multiple factors contributing to this issue, these instruments can help focus anti-stigma efforts and promote a more inclusive society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been increased interest in the discovery of new natural herbal remedies for treating diabetes and inflammatory diseases. In this context, this work analyzed the antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia vulgaris and Trigonella foenum-graecum herbs, which have been studied less from this point of view. Therefore, extracts were prepared and processed using membrane technologies, micro- and ultrafiltration, to concentrate the biologically active principles. The polyphenol and flavone contents in the extracts were analyzed. The qualitative analysis of the polyphenolic compounds was performed via HPLC, identifying chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid and rutin in A. absinthium; chlorogenic acid, luteolin and rutin in A. vulgaris; and genistin in T. foenum-graecum. The antidiabetic activity of the extracts was analyzed by testing their ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and the anti-inflammatory activity was analyzed by testing their ability to inhibit hyaluronidase and lipoxygenase. Thus, the concentrated extracts of T. foenum-graecum showed high inhibitory activity on a-amylase—IC50 = 3.22 ± 0.3 μg/mL—(compared with acarbose—IC50 = 3.5 ± 0.18 μg/mL) and high inhibitory activity on LOX—IC50 = 19.69 ± 0.52 μg/mL (compared with all standards used). The concentrated extract of A. vulgaris showed increased α-amylase inhibition activity—IC50 = 8.57 ± 2.31 μg/mL—compared to acarbose IC50 = 3.5 ± 0.18 μg/mL. The concentrated extract of A. absinthium showed pronounced LOX inhibition activity—IC50 = 19.71 ± 0.79 μg/mL—compared to ibuprofen—IC50 = 20.19 ± 1.25 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed attitudes toward patient-centred care, empathy, assertiveness, and subjective perception of communication skills and technical knowledge among Portuguese undergraduate students in healthcare. These students may develop rehabilitation activities with patients in their person-oriented or technique-oriented professions. Portuguese nursing and allied health students from two public higher education schools completed questionnaires in the first and third academic years: Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale, Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy, Scale for Interpersonal Behaviour, and a subjective perception of technical knowledge and communication skills. A total of 183 students completed the surveys. In the first year, students showed moderate to high scores on patient-centredness attitudes, empathy, and assertiveness and perceived themselves as having good communication skills. Students from person-oriented programmes significantly improved their Total and shared patient-centred attitudes in the third year compared with students attending technique-oriented professions. Significant differences in empathy were found between groups in the third year. Distress associated with assertive behaviours increased significantly across time in students from technique-oriented programmes compared with their peers in person-oriented programmes. The results suggest that the health profession's orientation and the programmes' specific curriculum might have a role in how some dimensions evolved in the two groups of students. The increasing assertiveness-related discomfort highlighted the importance of assessing and monitoring students' emotional wellbeing during their initial interactions with patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this quasi-experimental design, we tested the hypothesis that a quality of life (QOL) positive education course delivered online during COVID-19 would promote undergraduate students' mental health by improving self-compassion. A total of 104 students (69 enrolled in the QOL course and 35 in control courses) completed a questionnaire assessing mental health and self-compassion before and after completion of their courses. Two-way mixed ANCOVAs were used to analyse the effects of the positive education course on mental health and self-compassion over time. Compared to control students, QOL students' mental health and self-compassion significantly increased from baseline to endpoint. A simple mediation analysis confirmed the mediating role of self-compassion between the positive education course and enhanced mental health. This study adds to the emerging literature vis-à-vis positive education and its effects on student mental health through self-compassion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease and the leading cause of mortality among women worldwide. Antineoplastic chemotherapy is one of its primary treatments, typically based on the class of drugs known as taxanes. Despite their proven therapeutic efficacy, these drugs can induce severe toxicities, leading to dose limitations or even treatment discontinuation. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical–epidemiological profile, risk factors, and toxicities of taxane-based chemotherapy treatment in women with breast cancer in the Amazon region. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study conducted with 300 women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing taxane treatment. Most patients were in the 40–49 age range, of brown ethnicity, and had completed elementary school. The majority of patients had risk factors such as alcoholism and a sedentary lifestyles. Most women had their first pregnancy between the ages of 18 and 21, breastfed their children, had menarche between the ages of 12 and 13, and were pre-menopausal and with a family history of cancer. The most frequent histological type was non-special invasive carcinoma and the Luminal B subtype. Most participants in this study showed taxane toxicity, with neurotoxicity being the most frequent. These findings reveal the importance of early detection, comprehensive risk factors, and effective management of treatment toxicities to improve patient outcomes in breast cancer care in the Amazon region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latinos have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Little is known about the lasting effects on mental health, particularly among mothers of young children, who historically report high levels of depression and anxiety. We examined if anxiety and depression symptoms worsened for mothers of Mexican descent across the pandemic and identified the role of sociocultural risk and protective factors on these changes. Mothers of Mexican descent (n = 141) with young children (ages 0–7) were administered surveys on mental health symptoms (anxiety and depression), stress-related sociocultural factors (perceived discrimination) before (pre-pandemic), within 3 months (early pandemic), and 18 months after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order (late pandemic). Another sociocultural factor, acculturative stress, was only measured pre-pandemic while during the later phase of the pandemic mothers reported their levels of loneliness, optimism, and coping styles. Repeated measures (RM) ANOVA demonstrated that depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as perceived discrimination increased from pre to early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and slightly lowered in late-COVID but did not return to pre-COVID levels. Two-way RM ANOVA showed that acculturative stress and perceived discrimination predicted worse mental health trajectories across the pandemic while moderations revealed that optimism buffered against, and avoidant coping increased the adverse effects of sociocultural factors on mental health. The effects of the COVID pandemic on mental health are lingering in mothers of young children; however, optimism may be a protective factor. The results also highlight the damaging effects of external factors, such as discrimination, on maternal mental health during times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There are elevated mental health concerns in paramedic students, but estimates vary between studies and countries, and no review has established the overall prevalence. This systematic review addressed this by estimating the global prevalence of common mental health disorders, namely anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in paramedic students internationally., Methods: A systematic search of six databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and medRxiv, was conducted to identify studies relating to mental health among paramedicine students. The search encompassed studies from inception until February 2023. To be considered for inclusion in the review, the studies had to report prevalence data on at least one symptom of anxiety, depression, or PTSD in paramedicine students, using quantitative validated scales. The quality of the studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist, which is a specific methodological tool for assessing prevalence studies. Subgroup analyses were not conducted due to insufficient data., Results: 1638 articles were identified from the searches, and 193 full texts were screened, resulting in 13 papers for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The total number of participants was 1064 from 10 countries. The pooled prevalence of moderate PTSD was 17.9% (95% CI 14.8-21.6%), anxiety was 56.4% (95% CI 35,9-75%), and depression was at 34.7% (95% CI 23.4-48.1%)., Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis has found that paramedicine students globally exhibit a high prevalence of moderate PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The prevalence of these mental health conditions surpasses those among paramedic providers and the general population, as indicated by previous reviews. Further research is therefore warranted to determine appropriate support and interventions for this group., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Clinical High Risk for Psychosis has evolved in recent years as a conceptual and clinical entity, representing a shift in focus from the syndromal psychosis state to a recognition of the pre-psychotic state as a period of potential preventive intervention. Much existing evidence has been generated from well-resourced countries, with a more limited body of literature available from Africa and other Majority World countries. Against a backdrop of prevailing systemic challenges, it is necessary to appraise the state of knowledge on Clinical High Risk for Psychosis in Africa. In this perspective article, we cover epidemiology, risk factors, predictors of psychosis conversion, as well as an overview of sociocultural factors, notably stigma, and the barriers to mental health services in African settings. We discuss existing and promising assessment approaches and reflect on preventive and early intervention strategies. We conclude with recommendations including the need for more clinical, longitudinal, and collaborative research anchored in an integrative transdisciplinary approach. We highlight the need for more culturally valid assessment tools and strategies to improve access to and utilization of services while also reducing stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even before the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, researchers had raised concerns about the mental health of youth worldwide. One response has been the development of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) designed to enhance well‐being. This study, conducted at a Thai university, investigated the impact of an online positive psychology course containing several PPIs on student well‐being as measured by the EPOCH Measure of Adolescent Well‐Being, the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Subjective Happiness Scale. The scores of the students in the positive psychology course (n = 84) increased in all areas measured, with statistically significant increases in the Perseverance, Optimism, and Happiness subscales of the EPOCH. Meanwhile, the scores of the control group (n = 105) decreased in all but two areas, with statistically significant decreases in the SWLS and Optimism. These findings suggest that teaching PPIs online can positively impact students' well‐being. Practitioner Points: University students are suffering high rates of mental distress, and COVID‐19 restrictions exacerbated these negative psychological impacts, especially in Asia.Students who took an experiential online positive psychology class saw increases in many areas of well‐being, while students in a control group saw decreases in various areas of well‐being.Experiential positive psychology courses may bolster resilience and raise well‐being, even when studying online in challenging times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in behavior, lifestyle, and nutritional patterns have influenced many potential risk variables globally. In recent decades, food allergies (FAs) have been elevated to a severe public health issue both in developed countries and developing countries (third-world countries). This study aims to evaluate the effects caused by certain factors such as lifestyle and dietary habits on food allergies, review the association of lifestyle and dietary habit status with FAs, and outline why more people are allergic to food sources as a result of lifestyle changes and dietary habits. We searched electronic international databases including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using combinations of keywords. Utilizing Excel, the relevant studies were included and the irrelevant studies were excluded, and Mendeley was used for referencing and also to remove duplicates. The framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley was used for this scoping review. The papers published in the databases from 2016 to 2020 were extracted. A total of eight studies were extracted, and this scoping review was carried out according to the risk factors. In our review, we found that some lifestyle choices (Caesarean section and antibiotics) and dietary habits (n-3 PUFA, fast food, duration of dietary intervention, and vitamin D), were important contributing factors for FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Positive and negative changes in outlook represent psychological changes that are the results of the cognitive processing of stressful and traumatic events by an individual. The objectives of the study were (1) to determine the level of occurrence and types of positive and negative changes in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic among adults in Slovakia and (2) to study the role of personality factors such as hope (dispositional and perceived) and life orientation (optimism and pessimism) in the prediction of positive and negative changes in adults during the fourth pandemic wave. Methods: A Short Form of the Changes in Outlook Questionnaire (CiOQ-S), the Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS), the Perceived Hope Scale (PHS), and the Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) were administered. The research sample consisted of 102 participants, whose ages ranged from 20 to 65 years (Mage = 38.90, SD = 14.28). The research design was quantitative, exploratory, and confirmatory. Results: In total, 95% of participants reported positive changes related to COVID- 19. Concurrently, up to 70% of these participants also reported negative changes from the impact of the pandemic. Only 25% of participants reported positive changes without noticing any negative perception of the consequences of the pandemic. Overall, 68% of participants reported negative changes related to COVID-19. Only 29% of participants reported negative changes without noticing any positive perception of the consequences of the pandemic. In total, up to 86% of participants agreed with experienced psychological changes (positive or negative) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The high prevalence of positive changes along with the relatively high prevalence of negative changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic outline the question of whether reported positive changes represent real or illusory growth. Optimism and pessimism were found to be significant independent predictors of positive changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hope was identified as a significant independent predictor of negative changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus pandemic is considered the worst-hit that the world had witnessed in the current century. The impact of the pandemic, especially during the lockdown, was not only diverse but also worldwide. The African continent, including the Maghreb, was no exception. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of anxiety and eating behaviors and their correlations in three Maghrebian countries following the official outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic. It is a cross-sectional study of 754 participants from Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. It took place between 30 April and 2 July 2020. The survey showed that eating disorders represented 45.9% of the sample while 26.8% (202 participants) matched the anxiety criteria. Statistical significant factors for eating disorders were gender (p = 0.002; OR = 1.760), underweight (p = 0.021; OR = 0.306), anxiety (p = 0.001; OR = 0.470), bulimia (p = 0.000; OR = 0.794) and body dissatisfaction (p = 0.000; OR = 0.920). This rise goes along with other surveys in different parts of the world. These results can be explained by multiple reasons such as the 'food insecurity' mechanism, the excessive feeling of boredom and loneliness resulting from social distancing and the overwhelming overthinking about the onset of a serious economic crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mental health problems of university students in Hong Kong and related sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors under the pandemic. A total of 978 undergraduate students (mean age  =  20.69  ±  1.61) completed an online questionnaire measuring sociodemographic factors, psychological morbidity, positive well-being, COVID-19 related stress and self-efficacy, and positive psychosocial attributes. Psychosocial risk factors included psychological morbidity, COVID-19 related stress, and difficulties encountered under the pandemic, whereas protective factors comprised pandemic related self-efficacy, positive psychological attributes, positive environmental factors, need satisfaction and positive perception toward service. Results showed that psychological morbidity in the participants was widespread, and it was related to sociodemographic factors, particularly family financial difficulties. While pandemic related stress positively predicted psychological morbidity and negatively predicted well-being indicators, COVID-19 self-efficacy showed an opposite effect. Besides, positive psychological attributes (resilience, emotional competence, and positive beliefs related to adversity) and environmental factors (healthy family functioning, peer support, and supportive community atmosphere) negatively predicted psychological morbidity and positively predicted well-being. Furthermore, need satisfaction and positive perception toward service were negatively associated with psychological morbidity and positively associated with well-being, while perceived difficulties showed an opposite effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Savoring, that is the ability to create and increase positive emotions, represents a promising approach to enhance subjective well-being (SWB) in emerging adults. This controlled study aims to investigate the preliminary effects of a self-help e-savoring intervention on increasing savoring beliefs and strategies and SWB in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Forty-nine emerging adult participants were recruited using the snowball sampling method. The experimental group (n = 23) completed six online exercises (two exercises per week for three weeks) while the control group (n = 26) did not receive the intervention. Both groups filled out online questionnaires before and after the intervention. User experience and perceived usefulness of the intervention were assessed for the experimental group. Results: A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant increase for the experimental group in savoring beliefs (especially toward the present and the future) and in positive emotions compared to the control group. The perspicuity, attractiveness, and efficiency of the online platform were very positively evaluated, and most participants rated the intervention as useful. Conclusions: The results of this preliminary study together with the high level of adherence and the appreciation for the intervention indicate the potential of promoting online savoring and positive emotions in emerging adults. Future research could evaluate its long-term effects and verify its results with other age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advances in treatment and optimization of chemotherapy protocols have greatly improved survival in cancer patients. Unfortunately, treatment can cause a reduction in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) leading to cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). We conducted a scoping review of published literature in order to identify and summarize the reported prevalence of cardiotoxicity evaluated by noninvasive imaging procedures in a wide-ranging of patients referred to cancer treatment as chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Methods: Different databases were checked (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) to identify studies published from January 2000 to June 2021. Articles were included if they reported data on LVEF evaluation in oncological patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiotherapy, measured by echocardiography and/or nuclear or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging test, providing criteria of CTRCD evaluation such as the specific threshold for LVEF decrease. Results: From 963 citations identified, 46 articles, comprising 6841 patients, met the criteria for the inclusion in the scoping review. The summary prevalence of CTRCD as assessed by imaging procedures in the studies reviewed was 17% (95% confidence interval, 14-20). Conclusions: The results of our scoping review endorse the recommendations regarding imaging modalities to ensure identification of cardiotoxicity in patients undergoing cancer therapies. However, to improve patient management, more homogeneous CTRCD evaluation studies are required, reporting a detailed clinical assessment of the patient before, during and after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is evidence for the effects of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) in the Western world, we know little about their effects on Arab cultures. This review aimed to assess the effects of PPIs on well‐being and mental health across Arab countries. Systematic searches of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi‐experimental studies investigating PPIs in Arabia were conducted in six English and Arabic databases from the inception of positive psychology in 1998 to 28 February 2022. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tools. The protocol was published in the BMJ Open. Forty‐four studies from 10 Arab countries (n = 3598 participants) were included. Of these, 12 were RCTs and 32 were quasi‐experimental. The studies mainly focused on adults (73%) and healthy populations (86%). PPIs included mindfulness, positive thinking, strengths, hope, optimism, self‐compassion, positive traits, and multiple PPIs. Nearly all studies (91%) mentioned cultural adaptation; however, little detail was given. This is the first review in Arabia. PPIs appear to be effective for promoting well‐being and reducing mental health issues. However, there were some risks of bias concerns. Future research should include younger and clinical populations, using larger samples and providing more details about adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on college education. College students have faced great difficulties in terms of learning and living during the lockdown period, which has brought many negative psychological effects. To explore the psychological states of college students learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and the reasons for these states, this study used CiteSpace to analyze 105 articles on WoS about college students' learning psychology, and the results of this analysis were combined with an interpretation of the literature to summarize the research hotspots, development trends, learning psychology types, and reasons in this field. The main findings were as follows: (1) During the COVID-19 pandemic, the psychological state of learning college students mainly included academic burnout, learning anxiety, and learning pressure. (2) Academic burnout was affected by perceived usefulness and self-control and was manifested as not accepting online teaching and truancy. (3) Learning anxiety was affected by emotional support factors and was manifested as loneliness, anxiety about lockdown management, and fear of infection. (4) Learning pressure was affected by perceived ease-of-use, environmental support, and self-efficacy and was manifested by difficulties completing online learning tasks, academic performance, and future career uncertainty. Given the above findings, this study proposes corresponding teaching improvement measures from the perspective of the sustainability of the teaching methods of teachers and students' continuous learning, providing teaching references for schools and teachers, and psychological support for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Burnout syndrome may affect the safety of frontline healthcare care workers (HCW) and patients. We aimed to measure the prevalence of burnout among HCW in care facilities in Tunisia during the Covid-19 pandemic and to identify its associated factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among HCW practicing during the covid-19 pandemic in health care facilities in the governorate of Monastir. Data collection was carried out using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire composed by three sections: epidemiological and clinical characteristics, professional conditions and the Maslach Burn out Inventory (MBI-HSS). Results: This study included 371 HCW. The prevalence of burnout was 77.9% (CI 95%: 73.6% - 82.1%). The severe level was found in 71 participants (19.1%), the moderate level in 115 (31%) and the low level in 103 (27.8%). The distribution of the levels of the burnout dimensions among the participants was as follows: high emotional exhaustion (EE) (57.4%), high depersonalization (DP) (39.4%) and low personal accomplishment (22.6%). The main determinants of burnout among healthcare professionals during COVID 19 pandemic were: working more than 6 hours per day (OR = 1.19; CI95% [1.06; 1.34]), physician function (OR = 1.17; CI 95% [1.05; 1.31]), feeling a negative impact of work on family life (OR = 1.40; 95% CI [1.13; 1.73]), and high personal estimation of COVID 19 exposure (OR = 1.15; CI95% [1.02; 1.29]). Conclusion: During the COVID19 pandemic, the prevalence of burnout among health professionals was high. It was related to hard implication in COVID 19 management. Interventions like adjusting working hours, reducing workload, and providing psychological support should be taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: While patients with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators of aggressive behaviour, prior research has shown increased rates of aggressive behaviours in these patients that appear very early in the course of illness. We aimed to assess aggression in antipsychotic‐naive first‐episode schizophrenia patients, their healthy siblings, and controls; and to investigate correlates of aggression in the patients group. Methods: Patients (N = 55), siblings (N = 55) and healthy controls (N = 71) were evaluated on Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), Life History of Aggression (LHA), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Levenson Self‐Report Psychopathy Scale. Age, gender and substance use were regarded as covariates, and differences between the three groups were evaluated using analysis of covariance. Hierarchical regression was performed to determine which variables were associated with aggression level in the patients group. Results: The Tukey multiple comparison test showed that both patients (p <.001) and siblings (p =.023) scored higher on the LHA Aggression than controls. Siblings scored higher than controls (p =.010) for the Anger subscale of the AQ. Patients scored significantly higher than controls in the three impulsiveness dimensions; whereas siblings scored higher than controls in the motor (p =.023) and non‐planning (p =.004) dimensions. Multivariate analyses showed that, after controlling for confounders, only attentional impulsiveness (β =.446, p =.0244) and psychopathy traits (β =.359, p =.010) helped predict AQ total scores among patients. Conclusion: Aggression and some of its risk factors including impulsiveness are likely to be trait variables that might provide important vulnerability markers for people at heightened risk of developing psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests that optimism has a positive impact on health status. Attentional bias modification (ABM) may be beneficial for enhancing optimism, but its effective application requires a detailed investigation of the association between attentional bias and optimism. This study aimed to determine the association between attentional bias and optimism based on different task types. Eighty-four participants completed the attentional bias measures using the dot-probe task (DPT), emotional visual search task (EVST) paradigms, and psychological assessments. Optimism was assessed using the Life Orientation Test-Revised with subscales for optimism and pessimism. Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression analysis were applied to investigate the association between optimism and attentional bias. Neither the attentional bias derived from DPT nor EVST was significantly correlated with optimism total score or subscales. Regression analysis also showed no association between attentional bias and optimism (DPT, β = 0.12; EVST, β = 0.09), optimism subscales (DPT, β = 0.09; EVST, β = 0.17), or pessimism subscales (DPT, β = −0.10; EVST, β = 0.02). Our findings showed no evidence that attentional biases derived from either the DPT or EVST measures are associated with optimism or pessimism. Further studies are needed to effectively adapt the ABM to enhance optimism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of temperament traits on bipolar disorder (BD) has been investigated. Both temperament traits and BD are partially genetically determined and seem to be influenced by variations in the CACNA1C gene. These variations presented a significant interactive effect with biological sex, although studies that evaluate this relationship are scarce. Here, we assessed the mediation effect of temperament traits on the relationship between two polymorphisms in the CACNA1C gene (rs1006737 and rs4765913) and BD according to sex. This is a cross-sectional study consisting of 878 Caucasian individuals (508 women and 370 men), aged 18–35, enrolled in a population-based study in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. BD diagnosis was evaluated using the clinical interview MINI 5.0, and temperament traits were assessed via the application of the Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS). Mediation models were tested using the modeling tool PROCESS (version 3.3) for SPSS. Bootstrapping-enhanced mediation analyses in women indicated that traits anger (39%) and caution (27%) mediated the association between the rs4765913 SNP and BD, while traits volition (29%), anger (35%), and caution (29%) mediated the association between the AA haplotype (rs1006737–rs4765913) and the BD. No effect was encountered for cisgender men. Our model revealed that paths from CACNA1C SNPs to BD are mediated by specific temperament traits in women, reinforcing the definition of temperament traits as endophenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish canning industries generally use different oils to ensure the juicing stage of canned sardines. In this context, we tested the use of grape seed oil (GSO) which could provide several health benefits to consumers. This study compared its effects on the quality of canned sardine to that of olive oil (OO). Total polyphenols, flavonoids and non flavonoids of the tested GSO were significantly higher than those of the OO. Also, The GSO was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), namely linoleic acid (65.36% of total fatty acids). The use of GSO in the sardine sardines canning process increased significantly fat, protein and ash contents after 90 days of conservation. The fatty acid profile was dominated by PUFA for all the tested samples. Docosahexaenoic acid was the most abundant unsaturated fatty acid, followed by linoleic acid in GSO samples (20.86 ± 0.06% compared to 1.46 ± 0.05% in fresh sardine) and oleic acid in OO samples. Both atherogenic and thrombogenic indices decreased after the canning process in OO and GSO to less than 1. Thus GSO seems to improve the lipid nutritional quality in fresh sardine. In addition, the values for thiobarbituric acid and Total volatile base nitrogen did not exceed critical limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was piloted to assess the fusion of nanoparticles (LCCaNP) from leaf extract of Lavatera critica (LC) and calcium chloride and to observe their impact on the safety of fresh‐sliced fruits and extend their shelf life. LCCaNP were synthesized by mixing calcium chloride and LC leaf extract, followed by the addition of sodium hydroxide. The quality of the produced LCCaNP was proven by conducting different physical and chemical tests. Fresh apples, strawberries, and guavas were independently immersed in diverse concentrated LCCaNP and 2% calcium chloride solution for 5 min. These treated sliced fruits were stuffed in polypropylene plastic bags and stored at 5°C. The total soluble solid content (TSS), pH, firmness, and weight reduction rate, 2,2‐diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and sensory analysis were conducted for the total storage period of 25 days in a 5‐day interval. LCCaNP and calcium chloride were proficient to preserve the fruits for up to 20 days. Our findings showed that LCCaNP‐treated fresh‐sliced fruits had an improved and enhanced shelf‐life than control (nontreated) samples. In conclusion, the leaf of LC is an eventual source for the making of calcium oxide nanoparticles and could serve as an improved food conservation with proficiency to extend the fruit's shelf life for up to 20 days. Novelty impact statement: For the first time had produced the natural LCCaNP from a natural plant of LC and evaluated its impact on the safety of fresh‐sliced fruits. The natural nanosized LCCaNP is successfully produced by using the natural Ayurvedic plant of LC. LCCaNP acted as a better food preservative and had the capability to extend the shelf life of apples, strawberries, and guavas for up to 20 days without causing any side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A quantitative synthesis of online psychotherapies' effectiveness in managing COVID-19 related distress is lacking. This study aimed to estimate online psychological interventions' effectiveness and associated factors on COVID-19 related psychological distress. Methods: Multi-databases including PubMed, EBSCO, ProQuest, and Cochrane were searched repeatedly till the end of June 2022. Hand-picking was also utilized for relevant papers. Depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of sleep were evaluated as outcomes. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane tool. Data analyses were conducted through Review Manager (version 5.4.1). Results: A total of 13 studies involving 1,897 participants were included for meta-analysis. Results showed that online psychotherapy significantly reduced the levels of depression [standard mean difference, SMD = -0.45, 95% CI (-0.69, -0.20)], anxiety [SMD = -0.67, 95% CI (-0.99, -0.36)], and stress [SMD = -0.73, 95% CI (-1.11, -0.34)], but not quality of sleep [SMD = -0.53, 95% CI (-1.23, 0.17)]. In addition, guided therapies were more effective than self-help ones on reducing levels of anxiety (X2 = 5.58, p = 0.02, and I2 = 82.1%), and ≤ 2 weeks' daily interventions were more effective on treating depression than 2-month weekly interventions (X2 = 7.97, p = 0.005, I2 = 87.5%). Conclusion: Online psychological interventions effectively reduced COVID-19 related depression, anxiety, and stress levels, and the effectiveness was influenced by settings like guidance and duration and frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia species play a vital role in traditional and contemporary medicine. Among them, Artemisia abrotanum, Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia annua, Artemisia dracunculus, and Artemisia vulgaris are the most popular. The chemical composition and bioactivity of these species have been extensively studied. Studies on these species have confirmed their traditional applications and documented new pharmacological directions and their valuable and potential applications in cosmetology. Artemisia ssp. primarily contain sesquiterpenoid lactones, coumarins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Essential oils obtained from these species are of great biological importance. Extracts from Artemisia ssp. have been scientifically proven to exhibit, among others, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant, cytotoxic, and digestion-stimulating activities. In addition, their application in cosmetic products is currently the subject of several studies. Essential oils or extracts from different parts of Artemisia ssp. have been characterized by antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. Products with Artemisia extracts, essential oils, or individual compounds can be used on skin, hair, and nails. Artemisia products are also used as ingredients in skincare cosmetics, such as creams, shampoos, essences, serums, masks, lotions, and tonics. This review focuses especially on elucidating the importance of the most popular/important species of the Artemisia genus in the cosmetic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the survivorship of glioblastoma (GBM) patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We hypothesize that this would be lower than published figures for high-income countries due to cancer health disparities. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the median overall survival (OS) of GBM in LMICs and determine factors affecting OS. A systematic review of 12 electronic databases was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to identify studies of newly diagnosed adult GBM patients done in countries classified as LMIC by the World Bank (WB) from inception to December 2020. Random effects meta-analysis of collected median overall survival data was done. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were done to determine if WB income classification (WBIC), start year of recruitment (pre- or post-popularization of the standard Stupp protocol), and treatment modality affected OS. The 24 articles (n = 2,552) that met the inclusion criteria were from 8 low-middle income and upper-middle income countries, with 0 articles from low-income countries. Random effects analysis of 24 studies showed a pooled median OS of 14.17 months (95% CI 12.90–15.43, I2 = 79). Subgroup analysis showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the pooled median OS of studies predating Stupp protocol (12.54 mo, 95% CI 11.13–13.96, I2 = 80%; n = 1027) and studies postdating Stupp protocol (15.64 mo, 95% CI 13.58–17.69, I2 = 77; n = 1412). Subgroup analysis of WBIC and treatment modalities did not show significant differences. Published data on the survivorship of GBM patients in LMICs is sparse, highlighting the need for good quality pragmatic studies from LMICs. The limited evidence suggests improving survivorship after introduction of the Stupp protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression is essential for an efficient immune response and for the regulation of cancer development and progression. This study analyzed the expression and genetic variation in IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 genes and the possible associations with colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). We examined IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA expression and three gene variants: IL-1β (rs1143627), IL-10 (rs1800872) and IL-6 (rs1800795), in 198 CRC, 65 CRLM patients and 230 controls. Carriers of the C/T genotype of IL-1β (rs1143627) have an increased risk of developing CRC and CRLM. T/T genotype carriers have a higher risk of CRLM incidence. For IL-10 (rs1800872), patients harboring the C/A genotype have a lower risk of CRC and CRLM occurrence. For IL-6 (rs1800795), the C/C genotype heightens the risk of CRLM development. Overall survival analysis showed that carriers of the C/T genotype of IL-1β (rs1143627) have a worse overall survival in CRC patients. It can be concluded that interleukin genetic variants can be used as biomarkers to detect and predict clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for CRC and CRLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the mediating role of the academic self-efficacy of high school students in Tibetan and Qiang areas of China on the relationship between their mental health and learning engagement, as well as their gender and grade-specific differences in mental health, learning engagement, and academic self-efficacy. The authors drew 600 valid samples in Tibetan and Qiang areas of China, built a measurement model and a structure model, established a structural equation model comprising the mental health scale, the learning engagement scale, and the academic self-efficacy scale, and conducted an independent sample t-tests and a one-way analysis of variance. The questionnaires took the form of the 5-point Likert scale. This research shows that the mental health of high school students in Tibetan and Qiang areas of China has a significant positive impact on their learning engagement and academic self-efficacy and that their academic self-efficacy has a significant positive impact on their learning engagement. Academic self-efficacy produces an overwhelming mediating effect on the ways mental health influences learning engagement. High school students, male and female, in Tibetan and Qiang areas of China show no marked gender-specific differences in mental health, learning engagement, and academic self-efficacy, while junior high school students show marked grade-specific differences in mental health, and senior high school students show marked grade-specific differences in learning engagement and academic self-efficacy. This article concludes that improving the academic self-efficacy of high school students in Tibetan and Qiang areas of China can boost their learning engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a growing global health concern that, usually occurs in adults which accounts for about 90% of population. The diabetic in type II diabetes mellitus begins with insulin resistance. This type of diabetes typically exists in citizens over the age of forty, however, it is now being diagnosed more frequently in young adults and children who are overweight. The aim of this study was to assess the 130 subjects, divided into 30 subjects as control and 100 subjects as diabetics group. For each analysis were done: blood sugar, glycated haemoglobin, blood urea, blood creatinine, lipids profile (T.Cholesetrol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL and VLDL) and CRP. The findings revealed significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) along with all parameter's concentration of diabetes in comparison with the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measures put in place to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 infection, such as quarantine, self-isolation, and lockdown, were supportive but have significantly affected the mental wellbeing of individuals. The primary goal of this study was to review the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. An intensive literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, PsyciatryOnline, PubMed, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Articles published between January 2020 and June 2022 were retrieved and appraised. Reviews and retrospective studies were excluded. One hundred and twenty-two (122) relevant articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were finally selected. A high prevalence of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorders was reported. Alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, stigmatization, and suicidal tendencies have all been identified as direct consequences of lockdown. The eminent risk factors for mental health disorders identified during COVID-19 include fear of infection, history of mental illness, poor financial status, female gender, and alcohol drinking. The protective factors for mental health include higher income levels, public awareness, psychological counseling, social and government support. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a number of mental disorders in addition to economic hardship. This strongly suggests the need to monitor the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Drug-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) is uncommon and represents 0.1 to 2% of all AP cases. Chemotherapy-induced AP is very rare. Docetaxel monotherapy-induced AP has been reported only once in the literature. Herein we report the second case of docetaxel-related AP and the first case of necrotic AP induced by this agent. Case report: We describe the case of a severe docetaxel-induced AP classified as stage E Balthazar in a 55-year-old female treated with adjuvant docetaxel for localized breast cancer. Symptoms occurred five hours following the first infusion of docetaxel. Management and outcome: The patient was hospitalized for 15 days for appropriate management. According to the CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version 5.0 this was a grade 4 toxicity and chemotherapy was withdrawn thereafter. Drug rechallenge was not possible because of the severity of the presentation. Discussion: Medical oncologists should be aware that docetaxel may induce severe pancreatitis. Therefore, they should prompt testing of serum lipase when patients consult for unusual abdominal pain following chemotherapy infusion. Recognizing this entity is paramount to allow early and appropriate management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]