Cortical thickness as predictor of response to exercise in people with Parkinson's disease

We previously showed that dual‐task cost (DTC) on gait speed in people with Parkinson''s disease (PD) improved after 6 weeks of the Agility Boot Camp with Cognitive Challenge (ABC‐C) exercise program. Since deficits in dual‐task gait speed are associated with freezing of gait and gray matter atrophy, here we performed preplanned secondary analyses to answer two questions: (a) Do people with PD who are freezers present similar improvements compared to nonfreezers in DTC on gait speed with ABC‐C? (b) Can cortical thickness at baseline predict responsiveness to the ABC‐C? The DTC from 39 freezers and 43 nonfreezers who completed 6 weeks of ABC‐C were analyzed. A subset of 51 participants (21 freezers and 30 nonfreezers) with high quality imaging data were used to characterize relationships between baseline cortical thickness and delta (Δ) DTC on gait speed following ABC‐C. Freezers showed larger ΔDTC on gait speed than nonfreezers with ABC‐C program (p < .05). Cortical thickness in visual and fronto‐parietal areas predicted ΔDTC on gait speed in freezers, whereas sensorimotor‐lateral thickness predicted ΔDTC on gait speed in nonfreezers (p < .05). When matched for motor severity, visual cortical thickness was a common predictor of response to exercise in all individuals, presenting the largest effect size. In conclusion, freezers improved gait automaticity even more than nonfreezers from cognitively challenging exercise. DTC on gait speed improvement was associated with larger baseline cortical thickness from different brain areas, depending on freezing status, but visual cortex thickness showed the most robust relationship with exercise‐induced improvements in DTC.     

The associations between sleep situations and mental health among Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal study

ObjectiveFew studies are conducted to explore the longitudinal relationships between sleep situations and mental health among adolecents. This study aimed to explore the sleep situations (ie, sleep habits and sleep problems) among Chinese adolescents and the longitudinal associations between sleep situations and mental disorder symptoms (ie, depressive and anxiety symptoms).MethodsThis longitudinal study included 1957 high school students from ten schools in Guangzhou in January 2019, with 1836 students contributing valid data at a one-year follow-up (retention rate: 93.9%). Data of depressive and anxiety symptoms, sleep habits, and sleep problems were collected using a self-reported questionnaire.ResultsThe current study found that over half of the adolescents did not reach the recommended 8-h sleep-time on weekdays (63.3%). Short sleep duration, especially on weekdays, was significantly associated with subsequent depressive (AOR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.80–0.92) and anxiety symptoms (AOR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.77–0.96). In addition, longer weekday-weekend catch-up sleep and more sleep problems were risk factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms.ConclusionsThe health effects of insufficient sleep and suboptimal sleep quality on adolescents should not be neglected. Our longitudinal research showed that adolescents would demonstrate severer depressive and anxiety symptoms if lacking of a healthy sleeping practice. A regular sleep schedule and close attention to adolescents’ mental disorders are highly recommended.     

Prevalence of Psychiatric Diagnoses and Challenging Behaviors in a Community-Based Population of Adults With Intellectual Disability

Previous research has suggested substantial variation in prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and also differential patterns of associations between psychiatric disorders and challenging behaviors in people with ID. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of specific psychiatric disorders and challenging behaviors and the relationship between them in a community-based sample of individuals with ID. A community-based sample of 159 adults primarily with mild and moderate ID was surveyed for the presence of psychiatric disorders and challenging behaviors using the Behavior Problem Inventory and the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule (PAS-ADD). Individuals who met threshold on the PAS-ADD were subsequently evaluated using the Mini PAS-ADD Interview. Screening for psychiatric disorders using the PAS-ADD indicated a prevalence rate of 10%. There was a large discrepancy between the overall rate of challenging behaviors (45%) and the rate of psychiatric disorders identified by the Mini PAS-ADD Interview (6%). However, the rate of more severe behavior problems (8%) was closer to the rate of psychiatric disorders (6%). Thirty-one percent of people with severe challenging behaviors also were rated as having psychiatric disorders and odd ratio analysis indicates that individuals with severe challenging behaviors are substantially more likely to present with a psychiatric disorder. However, the relationship between different topographies of challenging behaviors and discrete diagnostic categories of psychiatric disorders appears to be unclear. This study reports a low prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a community-based population. The presence of severe challenging behaviors appears to have some association with psychiatric disorders but does not appear specific to discrete diagnostic categories. Clinicians and researchers need to debate the validity of considering challenging behaviors atypical manifestations of psychiatric disorders.     

困难腹腔镜胰十二指肠切除术精准评估及对策

腹腔镜胰十二指肠切除术技术要求较高,困难胰十二指肠切除术可分为肿瘤切除困难和消化道重建困难两类。应结合术前影像学和术中探查,充分评估病人全身情况、肿瘤大小、肿瘤位置、肿瘤与血管关系、区域粘连、血管变异、胰腺质地、胰管和胆管直径等因素,制定个体化的切除策略,灵活运用多种手术入路,以安全、根治为核心,结合术中自身经验和技术特点制定手术策略。     

Evaluation of a parenting program for children with behavioural problems: Signposts in Singapore

Abstract

Background The Signposts for Building Better Behaviour program, developed by the Parenting Research Centre, Victoria, Australia, was conducted at a public hospital facility in Singapore.

Method More than 1,000 parents completed the program, and filled in questionnaires about their child's behaviours.

Results Parents rated themselves in the questionnaires as being significantly less hassled, stressed, depressed, and anxious after attending the program. They were more confident and satisfied with managing their child, and rated their children's behaviours as having improved. Effect sizes ranged from 0.12 to 0.59. The findings were maintained 3 months after completion of the program.

Conclusions The study provides evidence of the cross-cultural applicability of the principles underlying the Signposts program. As there are long-term repercussions when children's behaviour problems are not dealt with appropriately, such behaviour management programs should be made more available to parents and caregivers.     

同伴冲突情境下学龄儿童的情绪表达

目的考察同伴冲突情境下学龄儿童情绪表达策略的特点及发展规律。方法从两所普通小学抽取三四五年级共886名被试,采用故事情境法进行考察。结果①同伴冲突情境下,学龄儿童夸大策略的使用显著高于其他3种策略(t≥3.17,P0.01),弱化策略使用最少(t≤-7.91,P0.001);②学龄儿童情绪表达策略总分的年级主效应显著(F=3.72,P0.05),性别主效应显著(F=5.80,P0.05);③在轻微冲突情境中,更多使用夸大策略(F=2.94,P=0.06);在模糊伤害情境中,更多使用平静化策略,且女生使用次数显著多于男生(F=3.46,P0.05);在故意伤害情境中,更多地使用弱化策略,男生使用次数多于女生(F=3.95,P0.05)。结论同伴冲突情境具有情境特异性,在该情境下,学龄儿童不同情绪表达策略存在性别、年级和冲突情境类型差异。