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Although edible insects (EI) have been consumed for ages in many countries around the world, in most European countries, this is not a traditional practice. Still, it has been encouraged as a sustainable source of animal protein besides other nutrients. The Food and Agricultural Organization and the United Nations, recommend consuming EI as a way to contribute to the sustainable development goals. Hence, this research investigated how participants from Portugal and Romania perceive EI, and how these can be useful as a source of nutrients and other benefits for human health, as well as possible risks. For that, it was undertaken a questionnaire survey, with data collected online in the two countries. For the analysis of data, basis statistics and chi-square tests were used. Results showed significant differences between Portuguese and Romanian participants in six out of ten questions, namely regarding safety (p < 0.001), use in traditional medicine (p < 0.001), possible infection with parasites (p = 0.021), of pesticides (p = 0.031), their usage as therapeutics (p = 0.001) and being potential sources of allergens (p < 0.001) and aflatoxins (p < 0.001). Also, differences were tested for other sociodemographic variables. The results showed significant differences according to age for only three questions, gender for only two questions, and Education for most of the questions, i.e., six out of the ten. These results highlighted the greater influence of variables like country of origin and education in the perception of the effects of EI in human health.

New theories on psychological and emotional disorders reveal a bio-psychosocial causality as being determinant in the occurrence and development of such disorders. Therefore, therapeutic methods can no longer be limited to separate interventions, only through medication, psychotherapy or social support. This paper assesses the degree of association between two of the personality dimensions, Agreeability and Emotional Stability (as measured by DECAS; Sava, 2008), before and after combined therapy consisting of psychotherapy and an antidepressant (Escitalopram), within a sample of patients (N=32) suffering from generalised anxiety disorder occurring in comorbidity with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. The results obtained indicate the fact that the association of Agreeability and Emotional Stability in the pre-treatment stage is moderate (r = .43), but it becomes stronger following combined intervention (r = .53). Due to the fact that the two dimensions represent determinants with regard to human and social relationships, as well as an individual's emotional stability, the positive change in the association contributes to the improvement of social, interpersonal and family relationships and of these patients' emotional stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study we have analyzed the psychopathology of the suicidal act by capturing the role of suicidal risk factors. We developed an complex observational epidemiological study descriptive of the extent to which aims suicidal rate within the studied and reference chosen population and analytically by capturing the role of suicidal risk factors. We sought possible factors that were correlated with suicide (demographic criteria): area of origin, age, schooling, professional status, and clinical data. Compared with the figures provided by the literature of speciality, the number of suicidants reported to the studied population was small. It seems that male gender, young age, unmarried status, rural areas act as risk factors for committing suicide, caccording to the speciality literature [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity appears to be the result of a complex interaction between genetic, environmental, neuro-endocrinology, psychosocial and behavioral factors. Obese patients can develop over time psychological co-morbidities, materialized in psychiatric disorders, most commonly occurring mood and affective disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Material and methods: A group of 42 obese patients, aged between 27 and 65 years, from a family medicine practice, 19 men (mean age 55.14 +/- 8.50 y.o.), 23 women (mean age 55.12 +/- 8 50 y.o.) were studied. Patients attended a supervised combined program, consisting of lifestyle changes (low-calories diet intake and physical training) and psychotherapy (motivational interview, cognitive-behavioral therapy). After 12 months of monitoring patients were divided into two equal sub-groups. For another 6 months, only 21 of 42 patients (50%) continued psychotherapy added to lifestyle changes. Body weight of each patient was monthly determined for the first 3 months, then regularly every 3 months. According to WHO guidelines weight target was 15% loss of initial weight after 12 months. Student t-test for unpaired equal data was used to assess the target weight achievement after 12 months. For subsequent comparing data between the two sub-groups we used Mann Whitney test for unpaired data and Student's t test with Welch correction. Results: All patients achieved their therapeutic target weight after 12 months of combined program (p = 0.0440). The 21 patients following psychotherapy for all 18 months continued losing weight or maintaining their weight target. The others failed in maintaining their therapeutic target facing relapses (p = 0.0162). Conclusions: Psychotherapy added to lifestyle changes play an important role in obesity treatment. Achieving and maintaining optimal body weight depends on long term psychotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obsessive - compulsive personality disorder includes a thinking pattern characterized by rigidity, meticulosity and perfectionism. The cognitive - behavioural psychotherapeutic intervention aims at altering the central beliefs and the dysfunctional cognitive schemas present in this disorder. Also, in case of a comorbidity of Axis II, the treatment of a disorder within Axis I, produces direct effects upon the dimensions of one's personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obsessive - compulsive personality disorder includes a thinking pattern characterized by rigidity, meticulosity and perfectionism. The cognitive - behavioural psychotherapeutic intervention aims at altering the central beliefs and the dysfunctional cognitive schemas present in this disorder. Also, in case of a comorbidity of Axis II, the treatment of a disorder within Axis I, produces direct effects upon the dimensions of one's personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]