Characterization of recovery and neuropsychological consequences of orbitofrontal lesion: A case study

We present a case study of a patient with acquired prefrontal lesion involving mainly ventromedial and orbital structures (VM-PFD). The patient showed behavioral and emotional disturbances one year after the injury. In a follow-up examination seven years later, we evaluated her performance in tasks found theoretically to be sensitive to orbital and medial lesions. In contrast to our hypothesis, her performance was in the normal range. We suggest that a possible explanation for her magnificent recovery may include a high cognitive reserve and the specific characteristics of her injury.     

Dysfunctional Facial Emotional Expression and Comprehension in a Patient with Corticobasal Degeneration

Patients with corticobasal degeneration (CBD) frequently develop orofacial apraxia but little is known about CBD's influence on emotional facial processing. We describe a patient who developed a facial apraxia including an impaired ability to voluntarily generate facial expressions with relative sparing of spontaneous emotional faces. Her ability to interpret the facial expressions of others was also severely impaired. Despite these deficits, the patient had normal affect and normal speech, including expressive and receptive emotional prosody. As patients with corticobasal degeneration are known to manifest both orofacial apraxia and visuospatial dysfunction this patient's expressive and receptive deficits may be independent manifestations of the same underlying disease process. Alternatively, these functions may share a common neuroanatomic substrate that degenerates with CBD.     

Repairing a relationship imperiled by infidelity: combining individual work,Relationship Enhancement® couple therapy and guided visualization to break through an emotional impasse

This article presents an extended case analysis involving the impact of infidelity on an intimate relationship where the emotional connection between the two partners runs very deep but where the involved partner's multiple infidelities and the hurt partner's wounded and defended heart keep them stuck, the couple neither being able to end the relationship nor heal from the emotional trauma to the relationship. The analysis relates the intensive individual work with the involved partner on his personal struggles with ego-driven serial infidelity, the joint work with both partners utilizing the Relationship Enhancement® therapy dialogue process and how the spontaneous introduction of an image and guided visualization helped break the emotional impasse in a manner that permitted the couple to move to a place of genuine healing and reconciliation.     

Twenty-four-week treatment with extended release methylphenidate improves emotional symptoms in adult ADHD

Abstract

Objectives. Treatment investigations with methylphenidate in adults with ADHD focus preferentially on the classical psychopathology: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD-associated emotional symptoms, which are frequently present at least in ADHD subpopulations, were studied rarely. The vast majority of the placebo-controlled trials had observation periods between 4 and 8 weeks. To assess the medium- to long-term effects of extended release methylphenidate (MPH-ER) on emotional symptoms and other psychopathology frequently seen in ADHD patients, we conducted a large-scale, multicenter treatment study. Methods. We performed a randomised, 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in adults with ADHD. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the DSM-IV criteria, which were confirmed by clinical history and a structured psychopathological interview and the use of rating instruments. 363 patients were randomized to MPH-ER or placebo at a ratio of 2:1. The duration of the titration period was 5 weeks followed by a maintainance phase of 19 weeks. The efficacy measures were the observer rated 10-item Emotional Dysregulation Scale (EDS) derived from the Wender-Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (WRAADDS) and a self-report, six-item Emotional Lability Scale (ELS) extracted from the long version of the Conners Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (CAARS:S:L). In addition we used the SCL-90-R for the assessment of ADHD associated and comorbid psychopathology. Results. MPH-ER was statistically superior to placebo in reducing emotional symptoms as assessed by the EDS and the ELS. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and those of problems with self-concept declined until the end of the observation period. The decline was more pronounced in MPH-ER treated individuals. The effects remained robust during the entire maintenance period until week 24. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger and hostility, phobia, paranoid ideations and psychoticism were not improved. Conclusions. MPH-ER appears to be an efficacious treatment for emotional symptoms with ADHD. Also obsessive-compulsive symptoms and problems with self-concept were affected positively.     

Validity Study of the CBCL 6–18 for the Assessment of Emotional Problems in Youth With ASD

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present with emotional problems such as anxiety and depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A recent study of the Child Behavior Checklist 6-18 (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) indicated good sensitivity but relatively low specificity for identifying emotional problems in youth with ASD. The current study examined the extent to which variance in the CBCL’s Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Internalizing Domain, and Total Problems scales was accounted for by symptoms of emotional problems relative to ASD symptoms. Correlation and multiple regression analyses indicated that these scales measured anxiety and depression but a small statistically significant proportion of variance in Total Problems scores was also accounted for by ASD symptoms. Results contribute to the emerging evidence base for the inclusion of the CBCL in assessment protocols for assessing emotional and behavioral problems in youth with ASD.     

History of Eating Disorder in Mothers of Children with Early Onset Eating Disorder or Disturbance

The literature suggests that there is significant familial aggregation of eating disorders. A specific association has also been reported between childhood feeding problems and maternal eating disorder. This study investigates whether subgroups of children with early onset eating disturbance are distinguished by maternal eating disorder history. The mothers of 66 children with either anorexia nervosa (AN), food avoidance emotional disorder (FAED) or selective eating (SE) were interviewed to ascertain eating disorder history. Seventeen per cent of mothers reported a history of eating disorder, compared with 3%–5% reported for community samples. A history of eating disorder was reported by 5.9% of mothers of children with SE, 12.9% of mothers of children with AN and 33.3% of mothers of children with FAED. The findings, based on this small sample, suggest that children with FAED are especially likely to have grown up in a dysfunctional food environment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.     

粪肠球菌主要毒力因子研究进展

粪肠球菌为条件性致病菌,是许多国家医院内感染的主要病原菌,也是一种新的人畜共患病病原体。粪肠球菌感染和致死主要是由其毒力因子引起的,本文概述了粪肠球菌主要毒力因子尤其是溶血素的研究进展,为粪肠球菌致病机制的研究奠定基础。     

应用巴林特小组培训模式提高新护士护患沟通能力

目的 探讨巴林特小组培训模式对新护士护患沟通能力的影响.方法 将34名新护士按学历分层抽样均分为对照组和观察组,分别参加护患沟通能力的传统培训和巴林特小组培训.培训结束3个月后采用护生护患沟通能力量表和情绪智力问卷评价效果.结果 两组护士护患沟通能力总体评定和情绪智力总分,护患沟通各维度,情绪智力问卷中除自我激励和经营人际关系外的其他维度评分比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05,P＜0.01）.结论 巴林特小组培训模式能有效提高新护士的护患沟通能力和情绪智力.     

Emotional Exhaustion and Cognitive Performance in Apparently Healthy Teachers: A Longitudinal Multi‐source Study

We investigate how emotional exhaustion (EE), the core component of burnout, relates to cognitive performance, job performance and health. Cognitive performance was assessed by self‐rated cognitive stress symptoms, self‐rated and peer‐rated cognitive impairments in everyday tasks and a neuropsychological test of learning and memory (LGT‐3); job performance and physical health were gauged by self‐reports. Cross‐sectional linear regression analyses in a sample of 100 teachers confirm that EE is negatively related to cognitive performance as assessed by self‐rating and peer‐rating as well as neuropsychological testing (all p < .05). Longitudinal linear regression analyses confirm similar trends (p < .10) for self‐rated and peer‐rated cognitive performance. Executive control deficits might explain impaired cognitive performance in EE. In longitudinal analyses, EE also significantly predicts physical health. Contrary to our expectations, EE does not affect job performance. When reversed causation is tested, none of the outcome variables at Time 1 predict EE at Time 2. This speaks against cognitive dysfunctioning serving as a vulnerability factor for exhaustion. In sum, results underpin the negative consequences of EE for cognitive performance and health, which are relevant for individuals and organizations alike. In this way, findings might contribute to the understanding of the burnout syndrome. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Understanding the mental health of youth living with perinatal HIV infection: lessons learned and current challenges

Introduction

Across the globe, children born with perinatal HIV infection (PHIV) are reaching adolescence and young adulthood in large numbers. The majority of research has focused on biomedical outcomes yet there is increasing awareness that long-term survivors with PHIV are at high risk for mental health problems, given genetic, biomedical, familial and environmental risk. This article presents a review of the literature on the mental health functioning of perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) adolescents, corresponding risk and protective factors, treatment modalities and critical needs for future interventions and research.

Methods

An extensive review of online databases was conducted. Articles including: (1) PHIV+ youth; (2) age 10 and older; (3) mental health outcomes; and (4) mental health treatment were reviewed. Of 93 articles identified, 38 met inclusion criteria, the vast majority from the United States and Europe.

Results

These studies suggest that PHIV+ youth experience emotional and behavioural problems, including psychiatric disorders, at higher than expected rates, often exceeding those of the general population and other high-risk groups. Yet, the specific role of HIV per se remains unclear, as uninfected youth with HIV exposure or those living in HIV-affected households displayed similar prevalence rates in some studies, higher rates in others and lower rates in still others. Although studies are limited with mixed findings, this review indicates that child-health status, cognitive function, parental health and mental health, stressful life events and neighbourhood disorder have been associated with worse mental health outcomes, while parent–child involvement and communication, and peer, parent and teacher social support have been associated with better function. Few evidence-based interventions exist; CHAMP+, a mental health programme for PHIV+ youth, shows promise across cultures.

Conclusions

This review highlights research limitations that preclude both conclusions and full understanding of aetiology. Conversely, these limitations present opportunities for future research. Many PHIV+ youth experience adequate mental health despite vulnerabilities. However, the focus of research to date highlights the identification of risks rather than positive attributes, which could inform preventive interventions. Development and evaluation of mental health interventions and preventions are urgently needed to optimize mental health, particularly for PHIV+ youth growing up in low-and-middle income countries.