Global cross-cultural validation of a brief measure for identifying potential suicide risk in 42 countries

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the P4 suicide screener in a multinational sample. The primary goal was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale and investigate its convergent validity by analyzing its correlation with depression, anxiety, and substance use.

STUDY DESIGN

The study design is a cross-sectional self-report study conducted across 42 countries.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, self-report study was conducted in 42 countries, with a total of 82,243 participants included in the final data set.

RESULTS

The study provides an overview of suicide ideation rates across 42 countries and confirms the structural validity of the P4 screener. The findings indicated that sexual and gender minority individuals exhibited higher rates of suicidal ideation. The P4 screener showed adequate reliability, convergence, and discriminant validity, and a cutoff score of 1 is recommended to identify individuals at risk of suicidal behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

The study supports the reliability and validity of the P4 suicide screener across 42 diverse countries, highlighting the importance of using a cross-cultural suicide risk assessment to standardize the identification of high-risk individuals and tailoring culturally sensitive suicide prevention strategies.

Sources of occupational stress amongst dentistry academics

BACKGROUND

Dentistry professionals may experience significantly higher occupational stress than other health professionals and dentistry academics may have specific work content and context sources of stress.

AIMS

The aim of this study is to identify common sources of occupational stress, and how these are associated with wellbeing, in dentistry academics.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey with staff in Dentistry departments in Australia and New Zealand. Assessment included 23 items from five general domains of occupational stress from the NIOSH-Generic Job Stress Questionnaire, a 23-item list of sources of stress and the 22-item Psychological General Well-Being Index. Analyses used descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

A total of 107 respondents (average age 50 ± 11.7 years, 56.8% men) completed the survey. Leading sources of occupational stress were job future, time pressure at work, work overload, and administration demands. A multiple linear regression model significantly predicted wellbeing, F(8,77) = 13.141, p = .000, adj.R²  = .53, but there were no significant associations for any of the specific sources of stress.

CONCLUSION

The combination of time pressure, workload and responsibility, job dissatisfaction, low social support, and uncertain job future was inversely associated with wellbeing amongst these dentistry academics. Future studies should consider the development and evaluation of interventions to address these concerns.

Deep-sea predator niche segregation revealed by combined cetacean biologging and eDNA analysis of cephalopod prey

Fundamental insight on predator-prey dynamics in the deep sea is hampered by a lack of combined data on hunting behavior and prey spectra. Deep-sea niche segregation may evolve when predators target specific prey communities, but this hypothesis remains untested. We combined environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding with biologging to assess cephalopod community composition in the deep-sea foraging habitat of two top predator cetaceans. Risso's dolphin and Cuvier's beaked whale selectively targeted distinct epi/meso- and bathypelagic foraging zones, holding eDNA of 39 cephalopod taxa, including 22 known prey. Contrary to expectation, extensive taxonomic overlap in prey spectra between foraging zones indicated that predator niche segregation was not driven by prey community composition alone. Instead, intraspecific prey spectrum differences may drive differentiation for hunting fewer, more calorific, mature cephalopods in deeper waters. The novel combination of methods presented here holds great promise to disclose elusive deep-sea predator-prey systems, aiding in their protection.

An exploratory study of perfectionism, professional factors and psychological well-being of dentistry academics

BACKGROUND

Well-being might be lower among dentistry professionals than other health professionals, and differ by personal, professional and sociodemographic factors. Few studies have considered dentistry academics who have different work roles and functions than clinicians. This exploratory study focused on well-being among dentistry academics and aimed to explore associations with perfectionism, professional factors and sociodemographics.

METHOD

An online survey was carried out with academic staff in Dentistry and Oral Health departments of nine Universities in Australia and New Zealand. Well-being was assessed using the 22-item Psychological General Well-Being Index, with a maximum score of 110 indicating good well-being. Perfectionism was assessed using the 8-item Short Almost Perfect Scale, with a maximum score of 56 and a higher score indicating perfectionism. Twenty items were used to assess professional and 7 items assessed sociodemographic factors. Associations were explored using correlation and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

There was no significant bivariate association between perfectionism and well-being. Multiple linear regression indicated a significant association between hours of undergraduate teaching and psychological well-being, after adjustment for age, gender, income and overall health.

CONCLUSION

This exploratory study showed poor well-being among dentistry academics, particularly in those teaching undergraduate students for more than 6 h/week.

Treatment preferences for deep caries lesions among Australian dentists

BACKGROUND

There is a global disparity in managing deep caries lesions and evidence-based strategies are not always followed. The aim of this study was to gain insight into current practices of Australian dentists for deep caries management and to determine their procedural and materials choices.

METHODS

An online questionnaire was sent to 1988 randomly selected practitioners across Australia asking their choice of treatment in a tooth showing symptoms of reversible pulpitis and deep caries. A total of 255 (12.6%) practitioners responded.

RESULTS

About 85% of respondents chose selective caries removal to selective removal (SR) while 15% chose non-selective removal to hard dentine. Respondents whose preferred approach was SR had greater odds in believing that incomplete caries removal alone would not have any effect on pulp vitality (OR = 5.20) and had greater odds of thinking that peripheral seal was more important than other factors (OR = 3.50). They also had lesser odds of believing that placing a liner would reduce postoperative sensitivity (OR = 0.269) and lesser odds of thinking that removal of all bacteria or carious dentine was important when placing a restoration (OR = 0.196).

CONCLUSION

Most Australian dentists reported practising evidence-based carious tissue removal strategies and accepted the concept of selectively leaving carious dentine under a sealed restoration.

Corono-Radicular Grooves in a Large Sample of Human Maxillary Incisors

Corono-radicular grooves (CRGs) are developmental anomalies on maxillary incisor teeth that have both anthropological and clinical significance. Their reported prevalence varies from around 2% in modern Caucasoid populations to 18% in Chinese, although methods of classification have differed between studies. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of occureence and configuration of these grooves in a large sample of Caucasoid extracted permanent maxillary incisors collected in South Australia during the early 1900s (The Ramsey Smith Collection). A total of 1481 permanent maxillary incisors was examined using a dissecting microscope and classified according to tooth type and side. CRGs were scored according to their location, length, and depth. They were observed in 78 teeth (5.3%), with three teeth displaying two grooves. No significant difference in frequency occurred between central (4.7%) and lateral (5.7%) incisors, nor between right and left sides. Most of the CRGs (51.8%) were located in the mid-palatal region of tooth crowns, originating from the cingukum and terminating on the root surface less than 5.0 mm from the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). All CRGs were less than 1.0 mm in depth. A higher proportion of CRGs was observed on the distal surface of lateral incisors (28.6%) than central incisors (9.4%). The frequency of occurrence of CRGs recorded in this study was higher than that of some previous reports, although the possibility of sampling bias in collections of exracted teeth needs to be taken into account. The relatively high frequency of CRGs on the distal surface of maxillary lateral incisors has important clinical implications, as plaque accumulation and loss of gingival attachment in this region may lead to severe localized periodontal involvement.  

Intra- and Inter-population Variability in Mamelon Expression on Incisor Teeth

Although rounded protubernaces referred to as mamelons are observes commonly on the crowns of newly-emerged human incisor teeth, there have been very few systematic studies of their expression. The main aims of this study were to describe the nature and extent of variation of mamelon expression on permanent incisors within and between two different human populations, and to quantify the contributions of genetic and environmental influences to observed variability. Mamelon expression was scored according to a 12-grade system described by Fitzgerald et al (1983) using dental models of 104 indigenous Australians, as well as 287 singletons and 175 pairs of twins of European descent. Over 90% of all incisors displayed mamelons, akthough the pattern of expression differed significantly between maxillary and mandibular arches, tooth types and ethnic groups. There were no significant differences in expression between sexes of antimeric teeth. A three-mamelon form was most common on maxillary and mandibular central incisors in both ethnic groups, but different expressions were observed on lateral incisors. Percentage concordances for monozygotic twin pairs were higher generally than those for dizygotic twin pairs, indicating that genetic factors play a role in determining the mamelon expression. 

The transmandibular implant: a 5- and 15-year single-center study

PURPOSE

Fifty-eight patients (average age, 60 years) with gross mandibular atrophy had transmandibular implants inserted between 1984 and 1988. This study reports on their progress at 5 and 15 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In both 1991 and 2000, 50 cases were reviewed, with the other 8 lost to follow-up. Detailed surveys, using exactly the same format, were conducted to determine the outcome of transmandibular implant treatment. The records were reviewed and surviving patients with transmandibular implants were examined.

RESULTS

An overall success rate of 80% in 1991 had fallen to 56% by 2000, with a total of 22 implants being removed.

CONCLUSION

Factors involved in failure were age and medical infirmity of the patients, gross mandibular atrophy, and the use of several surgeons, in particular, trainees. This survey shows that the TMI has a progressive long-term failure rate and that extreme care needs to be taken in both patient selection and implant placement.

A study comparing centralized CD-ROM and decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a decentralized intranet access in each medical department as opposed to centralized unique MEDLINE access in the medical library.

DESIGN

A two-phase questionnaire to evaluate MEDLINE use was given to junior and senior physicians at Rouen University Hospital (RUH). Phase I (August-October 1996) corresponded to a time period when centralized access was the only means of access available and phase II (August-October 1997) to a time period following the introduction of decentralized intranet access.

RESULTS

A total of 168 physicians filled out at least one phase of the questionnaire, among whom 123 (73%) filled out both phases. Use of MEDLINE significantly increased in 1997 (average of 10.2+/-1.1 searches in three months) versus 1996 (average of 4.9+/-0.7 searches in three months, P<0.0001). The aim of searches changed, becoming significantly more care oriented in phase II (P<0.0001). The number of searches performed by the physicians alone increased (P<0.0001) and searches performed by the librarian decreased (P<0.0001) in phase II. The method of searches also changed, as searches by author (P< 0.0001), by journal (P = 0.0042), and by free word (P = 0.0027) increased in phase II. Knowledge of the following concepts of MEDLINE significantly increased: explosion (P<0.0001), scope note (P<0.0001), Abridged Index Medicus (AIM) journals (P<0.0001), Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) qualifier (P<0.0001), and focus (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

A decentralized intranet access to MEDLINE increased the number of searches and knowledge of this bibliographic database. MEDLINE intranet access modified the purpose and the methods of searching.

Prevalence of pervasive developmental disorder in a sample of psychiatrically hospitalized children and adolescents

Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) is underrecognized because of lack of awareness of the wide range of severity and differing manifestations of the disorder. A survey of psychiatrically hospitalized children and adolescents was conducted. 3.2% of the sample of boys was found to have PDD. Underappreciation of the presence of PDD characterized the patients. Family members experienced a wide array of psychiatric symptoms and showed evidence for the presence of familial Tourette syndrome.

The effect of etching on a number of glass ionomer cements

In view of the continuing interest in the use of glass ionomer cements as a dentine substitute or base under composite resins, further investigations were carried out on the effects of the length of time of etching of the surface of the cement prior to the placement of the resin. A number of cements are available on the Australian market which are advocated for use in this technique. Each of them was subjected to etching for periods of 15, 30, 45, or 60 seconds and then stored in water for one week. Examination under a dissecting microscope and a scanning electron microscope revealed some variation in results between the different cements. It would appear that not all those materials presently marketed for this purpose are entirely suitable. Whilst 15 seconds is the preferred time for most cements, some require times up to 60 seconds to achieve the best result. Also, some of the cements showed signs of cracking, expansion and distortion after they had been stored in water for one week to allow for maturation before being prepared for viewing under the SEM. It is suggested that this group of cements is not suitable for the 'sandwich' technique.