The Epidemiology and Phenomenology of Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior Among Adolescents: A Critical Review of the Literature

This article critically reviewed the research addressing the epidemiology and phenomenology of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents. Articles were identified through a search of Medline and Psychinfo. Findings indicate a lifetime prevalence of NSSI ranging from 13.0% to 23.2%. Reasons for engaging in NSSI include to regulate emotion and to elicit attention. Correlates of NSSI include a history of sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, alexithymia, hostility, smoking, dissociation, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behaviors. Suggested areas of future research include identifying the psychiatric diagnoses associated with NSSI among adolescents, determining the temporal link between NSSI and suicide attempts, learning more about the course of NSSI, understanding the biological underpinnings of NSSI, and identifying effective treatments for NSSI in adolescents.     

Exploring the neural mechanisms that underlie motor difficulties in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioural disorder of childhood. Motor performance appears to be impaired for an important sub-set of this population.

Objectives: This structured review draws attention to the neurological mechanisms that could potentially explain these difficulties.

Methods: In August 2010, Medline, PsychINFO and Embase databases were searched with keywords related to ADHD, neuroimaging modalities and motor performance.

Results: Four studies were retrieved that examined both motor performance and possible neural substrates. Each study explored different hypotheses and no common conclusion is emerging. The cortical activation dysregulation hypothesis, the cerebellar dysfunction hypothesis and the delayed white matter maturation hypothesis were proposed, applying combinations of motor observations and neuroimaging findings.

Conclusion: Published literature to date is insufficient to confirm specific hypotheses. Additional studies coupling discrete motor evaluations to neuroimaging techniques are needed in children with ADHD to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms of their motor difficulties.     

The top cited articles on glioma stem cells in Web of Science

BACKGROUND: Glioma is the most common intracranial tumor and has a poor patient prognosis. The presence of brain tumor stem cells was gradually being understood and recognized, which might be beneficial for the treatment of glioma. OBJECTIVE: To use bibliometric indexes to track study focuses on glioma stem cell, and to investigate the relationships among geographic origin, impact factors, and highly cited articles indexed in Web of Science. METHODS: A list of citation classics for glioma stem cells was generated by searching the database of Web of Science-Expanded using the terms "glioma stem cell" or "glioma, stem cell’" or "brain tumor stem cell". The top 63 cited research articles which were cited more than 100 times were retrieved by reading the abstract or full text if needed. Each eligible article was reviewed for basic information on subject categories, country of origin, journals, authors, and source of journals. Inclusive criteria: (1) articles in the field of glioma stem cells which was cited more than 100 times; (2) fundamental research on humans or animals, clinical trials and case reports; (3) research article; (4) year of publication: 1899-2012; and (5) citation database: Science Citation Index-Expanded. Exclusive criteria: (1) articles needing to be manually searched or accessed only by telephone; (2) unpublished articles; and (3) reviews, conference proceedings, as well as corrected papers. RESULTS: Of 2 040 articles published, the 63 top-cited articles were published between 1992 and 2010. The number of citations ranged from 100 to 1 754, with a mean of 280 citations per article. These citation classics came from nineteen countries, of which 46 articles came from the United States. Duke University and University of California, San Francisco led the list of classics with seven papers each. The 63 top-cited articles were published in 28 journals, predominantly Cancer Research and Cancer Cell, followed by Cell Stem Cell and Nature. CONCLUSION: Our bibliometric analysis provides a historical perspective on the progress of glioma stem cell research. Articles originating from outstanding institutions of the United States and published in high-impact journals are most likely to be cited.     

How do art therapists act in relation to people who experience borderline personality disorder? A review of the literature

Abstract

The difficulties described by the term borderline personality disorder represent a significant clinical population. The British Association of Art Therapists has prioritised the use of research to improve the effectiveness of art therapy. Defining therapist action in relation to the condition treated is an important part of theory building for such research, but this preparatory stage has arguably been underestimated in many art therapy outcome studies. The present study therefore used a literature review to ask how art therapists act in relation to borderline personality disorder. An international search between 1980 and 2014 revealed 17 relevant studies. Data relevant to the research question were extracted from each paper, grouped thematically and developed into nine propositions that linked therapist action with the condition-specific difficulty they claimed to address. This identified a practice concerned with the process rather than the content of thought. Avoiding interpretation of unconscious symbolism, art was used to enhance joint attention in a teleologically sympathetic process of thinking together with things. This differentiated it from a number of major art therapy models. While propositions were developed, they were not tested in the present study.     

Primary and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: clinical features,pathogenesis and therapy

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially fatal hyperinflammatory syndrome with prolonged high fever, hepatosplenomegaly and characteristic laboratory findings. HLH may be inherited (primary) or may be secondary to any severe infection, malignancy or rheumatologic condition. The last several years have witnessed an explosion in our understanding of HLH. Of the inherited causes for which the underlying genetic cause is known, most involve abnormalities of proteins important in the exocytosis cytolytic pathway, whereby perforin and granzymes are delivered to a target cell to induce apoptosis. The exact mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. However, when a known genetic defect is not present, the diagnosis of HLH is still made on a constellation of clinical features and good clinical judgment. Rapid diagnosis is crucial, as early therapy with immunosuppressive agents and/or proapoptotic chemotherapy can be life-saving. This article examines recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, etiology and treatment of HLH, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.     

How can self-efficacy be increased? Meta-analysis of dietary interventions

Targeting individuals' beliefs that they are able to eat healthily can improve dietary-related behaviours. However, the most effective behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to promote dietary self-efficacy have not been systematically reviewed. This research addressed this gap. Studies testing the effect of interventions on healthy eating and underlying dietary-related self-efficacy, within randomised controlled trials, were systematically reviewed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and PSYCINFO. Two reviewers independently coded intervention content in both intervention and comparison groups. Data pertaining to study quality were also extracted. Random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate an overall effect size on dietary self-efficacy for each study. The associations between 26 BCTs and self-efficacy effects were calculated using meta-regression. In some of the analyses, interventions that incorporated self-monitoring (tracking one's own food-related behaviour), provided feedback on performance, prompted review of behavioural goals, provided contingent rewards (rewarding diet success), or planned for social support/social change increased dietary self-efficacy significantly more than interventions that did not. Stress management was consistently associated with self-efficacy effects across all analyses. There was strong evidence for stress management and weaker evidence for a number of other BCTs. The findings can be used to develop more effective, theory- and evidence-based behavioural interventions.     

Efficiency of molar distalization associated with second and third molar eruption stage

Objective:To evaluate the efficiency of molar distalization associated with the second and third molar eruption stage.Materials and Methods:A systematic computerized database search was conducted using several databases. Adaptations of the terms molar distalization and distalizing appliances were used. The reference lists of all the selected articles were also searched for any potential articles that might have been missed in the electronic search. The data provided in the selected publications were grouped and analyzed in terms of molar distalization with respect to various eruption stages of maxillary second and third molars.Results:Out of the 13 initially identified articles only four fulfilled the final selection criteria. Three of the four studies showed no statistical significance in linear molar distalization based on the eruptive stage of the second and/or third molars, while one study found that the amount of distal movement of the first molars was significantly greater in the group with unerupted second molars. Only one study found that the amount of molar tipping that occurred as a result of distalization was related to the eruption stage of the maxillary molars. Similarly, three of the four studies found that molar distalization time was not significantly affected by eruption of the second or third molars.Conclusion:The effect of maxillary second and third molar eruption stage on molar distalization—both linear and angular distalization—appears to be minimal. This conclusion is only based on low–level of evidence clinical trials. The large variability in the outcomes should be considered clinically.     

The Significance of Keratinized Mucosa on Implant Health: A Systematic Review

Background: Whether a minimal width of keratinized mucosa (KM) is required to maintain peri‐implant tissue health has been a topic of interest. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to investigate the effect of KM on various peri‐implant health‐related parameters. Methods: An electronic search of five databases (from 1965 to October 2012) and a hand search of peer‐reviewed journals for relevant articles were performed. Human cross‐sectional or longitudinal studies with data on the relationship between the amount of KM around dental implants and various peri‐implant parameters, with a follow‐up period of at least 6 months, were included. Results: Eleven studies, seven cross‐sectional and four longitudinal, were included. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated with meta‐analyses for each clinical parameter. The results showed statistically significant differences in plaque index (PI) and modified PI (WMD = ?0.27, 95% CI = ?0.43 to ?0.11), modified gingival index (mGI) (WMD = ?0.48, 95% CI = ?0.70 to ?0.27), mucosal recession (MR) (WMD = ?0.60 mm, 95% CI = ?0.85 to ?0.36 mm), and attachment loss (AL) (WMD = ?0.35 mm, 95% CI = ?0.65 mm to ?0.06 mm), all favoring implants with wide KM. However, comparisons of other parameters (bleeding on probing, modified bleeding index, GI, probing depth, and radiographic bone loss) did not reach statistically significant differences. The result of heterogeneity test showed only one parameter (AL, P value for the χ² test = 0.30 and I² test = 18%) had a low degree of heterogeneity among analyzed studies; meta‐analyses of other parameters presented moderate‐to‐high degree of heterogeneity. Limitations of the present review include limited number of selected studies (n = 11), existence of heterogeneity and publication bias, and only English‐written articles searched. Conclusion: Based on current available evidence, a lack of adequate KM around endosseous dental implants is associated with more plaque accumulation, tissue inflammation, MR, and AL.