Low Blood Zinc,Iron, and Other Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Behavior Problems in Preschoolers

Previous research supports the link among malnutrition, cognitive dysfunction, and behavioral outcomes; however, less research has focused on micronutrient deficiencies. This study investigates whether micronutrient deficiencies, specifically blood zinc and iron levels, will be associated with increased behavior problem scores, including internalizing and externalizing behaviors. 1314 Children (55% boys and 45% girls) from the Jintan Preschool Cohort in China participated in this study. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for zinc and iron when the children were 3–5 years old. Behavior problems were measured with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which was completed by the parents when children were in their last months of preschool (mean age 5.6 years). General linear multivariate modeling was used, with adjustment for important sociodemographic variables. The results indicate that low zinc levels alone (p = 0.024) and combined low zinc and iron levels (p = 0.022) are significantly associated with increased reports of total behavior problems. We did not find an association between low iron and behavior problems. With regards to sociodemographics, living in the suburbs is associated with increased internalizing problems, while higher mother’s education and being female were associated with decreased externalizing problems. This study suggests that micronutrient deficiencies and sociodemographic facts are associated with behavior problems in preschoolers.     

Factors Affecting Hospital Employees' Knowledge Sharing Intention and Behavior,and Innovation Behavior

Objectives

To investigate the factors affecting employees'' knowledge sharing intention, knowledge sharing behavior, and innovation behavior of the four top-ranked university hospitals in South Korea.

Methods

Data were collected from employees at three university hospitals in Seoul, Korea and one university hospital in Gyeonggi-Do, Korea through self-administered questionnaires. The survey was conducted from May 29, 2013 to July 17, 2013. A total of 779 questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS version 18.0 and AMOS version 18.0.

Results

Factors affecting hospital employees'' knowledge sharing intention, knowledge sharing behavior, and innovation behavior are reciprocity, behavioral control, and trust.

Conclusion

It is important to select employees who have a propensity for innovation and continuously educate them about knowledge management based on trust.     

Consumer Knowledge,Attitudes and Salt-Related Behavior in the Middle-East: The Case of Lebanon

Sodium intake is high in Lebanon, a country of the Middle East region where rates of cardiovascular diseases are amongst the highest in the world. This study examines salt-related knowledge, attitude and self-reported behaviors amongst adult Lebanese consumers and investigates the association of socio-demographic factors, knowledge and attitudes with salt-related behaviors. Using a multicomponent questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted in nine supermarkets in Beirut, based on systematic random sampling (n = 442). Factors associated with salt-related behaviors were examined by multivariate regression analysis. Specific knowledge and attitude gaps were documented with only 22.6% of participants identifying processed foods as the main source of salt, 55.6% discerning the relationship between salt and sodium, 32.4% recognizing the daily limit of salt intake and 44.7% reporting being concerned about the amount of salt in their diet. The majority of participants reported behavioral practices that increase salt intake with only 38.3% checking for salt label content, 43.7% reporting that their food purchases are influenced by salt content and 38.6% trying to buy low-salt foods. Knowledge, attitudes and older age were found to significantly predict salt-related behaviors. Findings offer valuable insight on salt-related knowledge, attitude and behaviors in a sample of Lebanese consumers and provide key information that could spur the development of evidence-based salt-reduction interventions specific to the Middle East.     

Suicidal Ideation and its Correlates among Juvenile Delinquents in South Korea

Objectives

This study investigated suicidal ideation and its correlates among juvenile delinquents in South Korea.

Methods

Suicidal ideation, psychological health status, and health-related behaviors were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire in 1682 juvenile offenders aged between 15 and 18 years in 2012.

Results

The prevalence of suicidal ideation in juvenile delinquents was 15.2%. Girls were more likely to report suicidal thoughts than boys (30.3% vs. 12.7%). Suicidal ideation was more common among adolescents who were not living with their family prior to entering detention centers (22.6% vs. 13.2%) than their counterparts. The likelihood of suicidal ideation was significantly associated with problem drinking [odds ratio (OR) = 1.84], psychedelic drug use (OR = 2.04), feeling unhappy (OR = 3.05), feeling sad or depressed (OR = 13.37) after controlling for sociodemographic factors, other health behaviors and perceptions.

Conclusion

The present study provides evidence for an association between suicidal ideation and psychological health and health risk behaviors among juvenile delinquents. It also highlights the importance of mental health and behavioral interventions for this population to prevent suicidality.     

Development of an evidence-based,gay-specific cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for methamphetamine-abusing gay and bisexual men

This study compared outcomes in methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviors from a modified gay-specific, cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) combined with a low-cost contingency management (CM; [GCBT + CM]) intervention to prior findings from clinical trials of the original GCBT. Effect sizes for primary outcomes were compared using meta analysis. Comparisons of effect sizes at end of treatment showed the modified GCBT + CM produced significantly fewer consecutive weeks of methamphetamine abstinence (− 0.44, CI: − 0.79, − 0.09) and fewer male sexual partners (− 0.36, CI: − 0.71, − 0.02) than the first trial of GCBT, and more days of methamphetamine use (0.35, CI: 0.02, 0.68) than the second trial of GCBT. At 26-week follow-up, the modified GCBT + CM produced greater effects in reducing the number of male sexual partners (− 0.54, CI: − 0.89, − 0.19; − 0.51, CI: − 0.84, − 0.18). The original GCBT produced more and mostly short-term beneficial drug use outcomes, though sexual behavior changes consistently favored the modified GCBT + CM. On balance, most benefits are retained with the modified GCBT + CM intervention.     

袋鼠式护理对促进新生儿的生长发育的研究

目的探讨袋鼠式护理对新生儿体格发育、神经行为及营养状况的影响。方法选取2012年1月至2013年12月从外院转入本院自然分娩的400例足月新生儿为研究对象,根据随机数字表将新生儿分为观察组及对照组各200例,对照组新生儿出生后实施常规性护理,观察组患儿在对照组的基础上实施袋鼠式护理,并在住院期间及患儿出院后每天进行2次半小时袋鼠式护理。两组新生儿分别于干预前、干预后3 d、干预后15 d及干预后30 d采用神经行为功能(NBNA)量表评定两组神经功能。同时于出生后42 d测量两组新生儿头围、体重及身长,并记录两组新生儿营养不良发生情况。结果两组新生儿干预前NBNA各项评分无统计学差异(P>0.05),观察组干预后3 d、15 d、30 d NBNA各项评分显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组新生儿头围增长、体重增长及身长增长显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组生长迟缓、低体重、消瘦、贫血患儿比例显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论袋鼠式护理能促进新生儿神经行为及体格发育,能有效减少婴幼儿营养不良疾病的发生率,促进新生儿健康成长。     

单胎足月新生儿行为神经测评影响因素分析

目的测定和评估足月新生儿行为神经能力并探讨其影响因素,为早期发现新生儿大脑发育异常和早期干预提供科学依据。方法采用新生儿20项行为神经评分测定(neonatal behavior neurological assessment,NBNA)量表对2010年12月至2013年5月在甘肃省民乐县妇幼保健院分娩的单胎足月新生儿3 035例,在出生后3 d进行行为神经能力测定和评估,分析新生儿行为神经测评评分的影响因素。结果 NBNA异常率(评分≤35分)足月单胎新生儿为19.67%,足月低出生体重儿为75.53%。多因素Logistic回归分析发现,低出生体重(OR=17.39,95%CI:10.36~29.20)和较大孕周(OR=1.12,95%CI:1.02~1.23)可增加NBNA异常风险,而母亲具有大学以上文化程度使风险降低(OR=0.41,95%CI:0.21~0.81)。结论低出生体重是引起单胎足月新生儿NBNA异常的重要因素,而母亲文化程度高将减少NBNA异常率。     

Randomized controlled trial of MICBT for co-existing alcohol misuse and depression: Outcomes to 36-months

Integrated psychological treatment addressing co-existing alcohol misuse and depression has not been compared with single-focused treatment. This trial evaluates changes over 36 months following randomization of 284 outpatients to one of four motivational interviewing and cognitive–behavior therapy (MICBT) based interventions: (1) brief integrated intervention (BI); or BI plus 9 further sessions with (2) an integrated-, (3) alcohol-, or (4) depression-focus. Outcome measures included changes in alcohol consumption, depression (BDI-II: Beck Depression Inventory) and functioning (GAF: Global Assessment of Functioning), with average improvements from baseline of 21.8 drinks per week, 12.6 BDI-II units and 8.2 GAF units. Longer interventions tended to be more effective in reducing depression and improving functioning in the long-term, and in improving alcohol consumption in the short-term. Integrated treatment was at least as good as single-focused MICBT. Alcohol-focused treatment was as effective as depression-focused treatment at reducing depression and more effective in reducing alcohol misuse. The best approach seems to be an initial focus on both conditions followed by additional integrated- or alcohol-focused sessions.     

Effects of MDMA and Intranasal Oxytocin on Social and Emotional Processing

MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ‘ecstasy'') is used recreationally, reportedly because it increases feelings of empathy, sociability, and interpersonal closeness. One line of evidence suggests that MDMA produces these effects by releasing oxytocin, a peptide involved in social bonding. In the current study, we investigated the acute effects of MDMA and oxytocin on social and emotional processing in healthy human volunteers. MDMA users (N=65) participated in a 4-session, within-between-subjects study in which they received oral MDMA (0.75, 1.5 mg/kg), intranasal oxytocin (20 or 40 IU), or placebo under double-blind conditions. The primary outcomes included measures of emotion recognition and sociability (desire to be with others). Cardiovascular and subjective effects were also assessed. As expected, MDMA dose-dependently increased heart rate and blood pressure and feelings of euphoria (eg, ‘High'' and ‘Like Drug''). On measures of social function, MDMA impaired recognition of angry and fearful facial expressions, and the larger dose (1.5 mg/kg) increased desire to be with others, compared with placebo. Oxytocin produced small but significant increases in feelings of sociability and enhanced recognition of sad facial expressions. Additionally, responses to oxytocin were related to responses to MDMA with subjects on two subjective measures of sociability. Thus, MDMA increased euphoria and feelings of sociability, perhaps by reducing sensitivity to subtle signs of negative emotions in others. The present findings provide only limited support for the idea that oxytocin produces the prosocial effects of MDMA.