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Background and Objectives: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized by unpredictable skin and mucosal angioedema attacks. We aimed to find the frequency of sexual-activity-triggered attacks (STAs) and understand how the sexual life of HAE with C1-inhibitor deficiency (HAE-C1INH) patients is affected. Materials and Methods: Adult HAE-C1INH patients were included in this cross-sectional study, which started in March 2020. Demographic information, marriage properties, gender-specific sexual life characteristics, and the HAE-specific histories of the patients were collected. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Turkish version of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS) were applied to all participants. Results: Among 42 symptomatic HAE patients, 33 (78.57%) had genital attacks and 17 (42.5%) had STAs. Ten (58.8%) had genital pain, tenderness, or swelling, and five (29.4%) had isolated abdominal and groin pain. Eight (47.1%) patients with STAs experienced a HAE attack during their first time engaging in sexual intercourse. Anxiety/depression scales, NSSS scores, and distribution of other HAE attack localizations were similar in patients with and without STAs, and no gender differences were observed. Compared to the patients without STAs, the ratio of patients who stated that their sexual lives were negatively affected and that they lost their sexual desire was higher in patients with STAs. Conclusions: Genital or abdominal attacks triggered by sexual activity may be more common than thought. Sexual activity should also be questioned for evaluating attack triggers. There is a possibility of triggering an attack with the first and ongoing sexual intercourse, and patients should be informed to keep their attack treatment medications ready in advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The term psychotic experiences (PEs) encompass subclinical hallucinatory and delusional experiences. There are limited number of studies on PEs clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. We aimed to investigate the association between PEs and patterns of cannabis use, cognitive functions, schizotypy and childhood traumas. Methods: Participants were recruited from specialized units using the snowball method. All of the participants were regular cannabis users. Participants with PEs and without PEs were compared by looking into socio-demographic and clinical correlates. Significant variables at univariate comparisons were included in binary multivariate logistic regression analysis with PEs as the dependent variable. Results: Forty participants were recruited (20 with PEs, 20 without PEs). Adolescence onset of cannabis use (χ2 = 8.120; p < 0.05), positive schizotypy (t = 3.762; p < 0.01), Trail Making Test A (TMT A) Scores (u = 98.5; p < 0.01) and emotional neglect (u = 128; p = 0.05) were significantly associated with PEs. The binary regression model included a significant contribution of positive schizotypy (OR = 1.16, CI 1.025–1.330) and TMT A Score (OR = 1.22, CI 1.03–1.44). Conclusions: Results showed a novel positive association of PEs with adolescent-onset cannabis use, TMT A Scores, positive schizotypy and emotional neglect. PEs were predicted independently by positive schizotypy and TMT A Scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Post-Rebel Electoral Parties (PREP) dataset offers an important new tool to study the transformation of rebel groups into political parties. It provides longitudinal data on the electoral participation and performance in national elections of political parties formed by armed opposition groups after civil war. Post-rebel electoral parties sit at the center of overlapping research agendas that address how best to build durable peace, and how to build resilient political systems and capable states after devastating conflict. A better understanding of how and why these parties participate and perform in elections over time is critical to any assessment of liberal peacebuilding. These parties – their strategic choices, organizational development, and impact on the political systems in which they participate – are also relevant to the broader study of comparative democratization, political parties, and party systems. Our dataset follows these parties forward through up to three decades of participation in postwar electoral politics. The current version of the data consists of 78 distinct parties derived from 56 conflict actors. The data cover 322 legislative election years and 216 executive elections in 39 countries over 30 years (1990–2021). This article describes the data and articulates the need for and motivation behind the dataset. We then illustrate the relevance of the data by testing the impact of rebel participation on the long-term peace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1990, multilateral organizations have invested in the idea that multiparty political systems are an essential part of building durable peace, and that former insurgents must be converted to political actors. To what extent does this foster longer term democracy and stability? In this paper, we focus on the role of electoral inclusion for post-rebel parties in the creation of stable party systems as one feature that supports both democratization and durable peace. We find that political integration of former insurgents in electoral politics not only serves the short-term purpose of bringing such groups "inside the tent" and smoothing the transition from war to peace. It also lays a foundation for the creation of stable party systems. We test our propositions with an original dataset and offer explanatory analysis of small set of parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object: The aim of this study, is to present the process and results of OSCE in Psychiatric Association of Turkey Board Exam-PATBE. Methods: Six stationed OSCE, in which Standardized Patient-SP took role on five stations, were used as an exam method. These stations were planned for assessing the skills of taking history, psychiatric examination, differential diagnosis, making treatment plans and informing the patient. On the sixth station, the examinees are asked to write a forensic psychiatric report. Phases of OSCE were: preparing the blueprint, preparing the SPs' scenario for each station, preparing the examinee's instructions, preparing the observer's instructions and the evaluation guide, SP education, training of observers, pilot implementation, implementation and evaluation of results. The examinees are expected to achieve at least 30% success in each station and 50% success in all stations. Results: 116 examinees participated the exam between 2006-2016 and 91.4% succeeded in the OSCE exam. In feedback forms, examinees stated that the exam is moderately difficult; yet, the content of the exam is in line with the scope of their specialty training and is suitable for evaluating an expert. Discussion: Positive feedbacks from the examinees indicated the efficiency of the exam. The preparation, implementation and evaluation of results of OSCE require considerable time and manpower. OSCE can be used as a valuable test method for psychiatric board certification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregabalin, a gamma-amino butyric acid analogue, is a new generation antiepileptic. In our country, it is allowed to be used at a dose range of150-600 mg/day in neuropathic pain, generalised anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia and as concomittant therapy in adult patients with partial epilepsy. However, in the last years, case reports suggest that pregabalin has a potential for abuse and dependence. A 34-year-old, married male, who applied to our outpatient unit, firstly in july 2013. He had a history of alcohol and poly substance (cannabis and extacy) dependence. After four years of abstinence for alcohol, cannabis and extacy; three years ago, he started to take pregabalin with the suggestion of one of his relatives. He realized that his generalised anxiety, that has been prevalent since his childhood, decreased with pregabalin; thus he increased the dosage. At the date of applying to our unit, his maximum dose of pregabalin was 15.600 mg/day but in overall it was about 1.780 mg/day. He said he felt euphoria with more energy, less need of sleep, lower level of anxiety, grandiosity, and visual hallucinations on high doses of pregabalin; but on the other hand, when he tried to discontinue pregabalin, he felt "deep down"with the feelings of pessimism, aggression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, anergy, anorexia, palpitation, tremor, sweating, vomitting. In psychiatric examination; hypersomnia, anorexia, anergy, depressive mood, anhedonia, anxiety was found out. At the differential diagnosis, according to DSM-IV-TR, Other Substance (Pregabalin) Dependence; Other Substance-Related (Pregabalin) Mood Disorder, With Onset During Withdrawal and Generalised Anxiety Disorder were thought. His Beck Depression score was 43 and Beck Anxiety score was 48. A schedule to reduce pregabalin dose by 150 mg/day was given to the patient. Quetiapine 50 mg/day and bupropion 150 mg/day (gradually going up to 300 mg/day) were added on paroxetine 20 mg/day that was prescribed by another psychiatrist. He was evaluated twice a month and he reported that he discontinued pregabalin without the feeling of "deep down". The last Beck Depression score was 16 and Beck Anxiety score was 15. Pregabalin is an promising agent in psychiatric disorders. But it should be used carefully in patients with a history of dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]