Scales and Interventions for Resilience among Treatment-Seeking Patients with Depression: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Resilience is an ability of an individual to effectively adjust and thrive in adverse stressful conditions. Resilience has protective and compensatory effects against depression. Evaluating resilience clinically and modifying it among patients with depression hugely impacts their prognosis. We aimed to explore different clinical scales for measuring resilience as well as interventions used with an intent to improve resilience among patients with depression.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted by searching PubMed central, Biomed central, and google scholar, using relevant MeSH keywords. The population of interest were the patients who were clinically diagnosed with Bipolar or Unipolar Depression and the population were not restricted to any country. Clinical scales for evaluation and interventions for resilience among patients with depression were set as an outcome of the study. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), Quasi-experimental studies, observational studies, and narrative reviews were considered relevant research designs for extraction.

Results

A total of 8689 articles were identified and 13 articles were included in the final review, which yielded five scales that have been identified and have been used to evaluate resilience among the patients who are clinically diagnosed with depression and six different interventions for building resilience among patients with depression.

Conclusion

Resilience-building interventions will not only act as a preventive measure against depression but also help in promoting recovery and sustaining remission after a depressive episode. Clinical evaluation of resilience and management will significantly support boosting emotional experience.

Autoimmune regulator (AIRE): Takes a hypoxia-inducing factor 1A (HIF1A) route to regulate FOXP3 expression in PCOS

PROBLEM

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis- ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) pathology due to autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene mutations leads to loss of central tolerance triggering immune attack, a factor causing infertility. One of the targets of autoimmune attack is ovary and its repercussion results in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Although reduced Tregs have been reported in PCOS, a lacunae exists on the status of AIRE gene expression and its role in treg insufficiency via HIF1A-FOXP3 axis in PCOS.

METHOD OF STUDY

This is a case-control cohort study recruiting 40 normal and 40 PCOS volunteers for peripheral blood sample collection and PCOS diagnoses were based on Rotterdam Consensus criteria. AIRE and HIF1A expression status was analysed by qRT PCR and western blot. FACS analyses was conducted on AIRE silenced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after Treg induction.

RESULTS

Our results indicate a reduced AIRE (fold change log2 (RQ) = -2.6, P < .01) and increased HIF1A (fold change log2 (RQ) = 3.6, P < .02) in PBMCs of PCOS subjects compared to age-matched controls. Western blot of AIRE and HIF1A corroborates with qRT PCR data. Our CHIP data demonstrate AIRE mediated HIF1A promoter regulation. Silencing of AIRE in PBMCs contributes to the upregulation of HIF1A transcripts by two-fold (P < .0015) and downregulation in FOXP3 expression by three-fold (P < .0017). FACS analyses revealed that silencing of AIRE reduces Tcell to Treg conversion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our consolidated results derive a new connection among AIRE-HIF1A-FOXP3 with AIRE reduction enabling increased HIF1A resulting in reduced FOXP3 in PBMCs of PCOS patients leading to Treg insufficiency.

Lived Experience of Nurses in COVID-19 Units - A Phenomenological Study from Eastern India

Introduction: Nurses are the frontline workers who had to play multiple functions like in acute care, community, etc. but, it was stated that COVID-19 has caused immense trauma to nurses globally. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological study to explore the lived experience of nurses working in COVID-19 units was conducted among nine senior nursing officers recruited by purposive homogenous sampling and interviewed with an open-ended interview guide by ensuring data saturation. COREQ guideline were adopted for this qualitative study. Results: Qualitative data were analysed using Giorgi's framework, and themes and sub-themes were derived. The major themes that emerged in the present study were "Reactions and preparation", "Feelings and satisfaction in active duty", "Role of a helping hand", "Working experience in PPE", and "Pandemic and socialization". Each theme had further sub-themes to classify the verbatims. Conclusion: Most of the nurses had anxiety and prepared themselves to play with fire, had unrealistic hope, and mixed emotions, kept their family away and intentionally concealed information to reduce family's fear, were satisfied with training and preparation, and had unpleasant experiences with PPE, had to restrict their social activities and felt social stigma. It also concludes with the recommendation that warrants the need to improve their professional quality of life and working conditions by safeguarding nurses' physical and mental health.

Derailed peripheral circadian genes in polycystic ovary syndrome patients alters peripheral conversion of androgens synthesis

STUDY QUESTION

Do circadian genes exhibit an altered profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and do they have a potential role in androgen excess?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Our findings revealed that an impaired circadian clock could hamper the regulation of peripheral steroid metabolism in PCOS women.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

PCOS patients exhibit features of metabolic syndrome. Circadian rhythm disruption is involved in the development of metabolic diseases and subfertility. An association between shift work and the incidence of PCOS in females was recently reported.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This is a retrospective case-referent study in which peripheral blood samples were obtained from 101 control and 101 PCOS subjects. PCOS diagnoses were based on Rotterdam Consensus criteria.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

This study comprised 101 women with PCOS and 101 control volunteers, as well as Swiss albino mice treated with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to induce PCOS development. Gene expression analyses of circadian and steroidogenesis genes in human PBMC and mice ovaries and blood were executed by quantitative real-time PCR.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

We observed aberrant expression of peripheral circadian clock genes in PCOS, with a significant reduction in the core clock genes, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) (P ≤ 0.00001), brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1) (P ≤ 0.00001) and NPAS2 (P ≤ 0.001), and upregulation of their negative feedback loop genes, CRY1 (P ≤ 0.00003), CRY2 (P ≤ 0.00006), PER1 (P ≤ 0.003), PER2 (P ≤ 0.002), DEC1 (P ≤ 0.0001) and DEC2 (P ≤ 0.00005). Transcript levels of an additional feedback loop regulating BMAL1 showed varied expression, with reduced RORA (P ≤ 0.008) and increased NR1D1 (P ≤ 0.02) in PCOS patients in comparison with the control group. We also demonstrated the expression pattern of clock genes in PBMCs of PCOS women at three different time points. PCOS patients also exhibited increased mRNA levels of steroidogenic enzymes like StAR (P ≤ 0.0005), CYP17A1 (P ≤ 0.005), SRD5A1 (P ≤ 0.00006) and SRD5A2 (P ≤ 0.009). Knockdown of CLOCK/BMAL1 in PBMCs resulted in a significant reduction in estradiol production, by reducing CYP19A1 and a significant increase in dihydrotestosterone production, by upregulating SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 in PBMCs. Our data also showed that CYP17A1 as a direct CLOCK-BMAL1 target in PBMCs. Phenotypic classification of PCOS subgroups showed a higher variation in expression of clock genes and steroidogenesis genes with phenotype A of PCOS. In alignment with the above results, altered expression of ovarian core clock genes (Clock, Bmal1 and Per2) was found in DHEA-treated PCOS mice. The expression of peripheral blood core clock genes in DHEA-induced PCOS mice was less robust and showed a loss of periodicity in comparison with that of control mice.

LARGE SCALE DATA

N/A.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

We could not evaluate the circadian oscillation of clock genes and clock-controlled genes over a 24-h period in the peripheral blood of control versus PCOS subjects. Additionally, circadian genes in the ovaries of PCOS women could not be evaluated due to limitations in sample availability, hence we employed the androgen excess mouse model of PCOS for ovarian circadian assessment. Clock genes were assessed in the whole ovary of the androgen excess mouse model of PCOS rather than in granulosa cells, which is another limitation of the present work.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our observations suggest that the biological clock is one of the contributing factors in androgen excess in PCOS, owing to its potential role in modulating peripheral androgen metabolism. Considering the increasing prevalence of PCOS and the rising frequency of delayed circadian rhythms and insufficient sleep among women, our study emphasizes the potential in modulating circadian rhythm as an important strategy in PCOS management, and further research on this aspect is highly warranted.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by the RGCB-DBT Core Funds and a grant (#BT/PR29996/MED/97/472/2020) from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India, to M.L. B.S.J. was supported by a DST/INSPIRE Fellowship/2015/IF150361 and M.B.K. was supported by the Research Fellowship from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) (10.2(5)/2007(ii).E.U.II). The authors declare no competing interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Application Of A Non-Linear Multi-Model Ayurveda Intervention In Elderly COVID-19 Patients- A Retrospective Case Series

Background and Aim

With over 155 million infections, nearly 32 lakh deaths, and an economic toll accounting to trillions, the COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging the world. The mainstream medical system is being handicapped with the challenge of patient management with no proven treatment at one end and the use of vaccine at the other with prevailing ambiguity in developing herd immunity and safety concerns of mass vaccinations amidst pandemic. Though vaccination is the only hope, fool proof evidences are absent on its efficacy. Also, adults of above 65 are of greater risk in terms of complications and death. China has already documented the use of traditional Chinese medicine against the pandemic with national participation rate of 90%. In this regard, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) against COVID-19 is relevant, especially in a country like India where it is widely practised as Ayurveda.

Experimental procedure

The current report is a retrospective case series of 64 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) above the age of 60 years tested positive through Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) through a Non-Linear multi-modal Ayurveda Intervention (NLMAI) for 21 days consulted through online media. The NLMAI is a combination of herbal and herbo-mineral drug interventions, lifestyle modifications, and psychological support done in 2 phases.

Results and conclusions

The management revealed a mean duration of symptoms assessed through survival function of 11 symptoms of COVID-19 as 0.577 days [SE=0.39] with a CI 95% [lower bound=0.500, upper bound 0.653] which was considerably low when compared to global statistics. Moreover, none of the cases advanced to complications or death. The holistic, non-linear, multi-modal approach of Ayurveda may be used to counter the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic through easy symptomatic recovery, co-morbidity managements and deaths.

Successful Pregnancy after Frozen Embryo Transfer after Recurrent Endometrial Collection in a Patient with Mosaic Turner Syndrome

A 36-year-old female with Mosaic Turner Syndrome presented for oocyte donation program. She developed endometrial collection each time she was started on estradiol valerate for endometrial preparation. All causes of the endometrial collection were ruled out and empirical antibiotics given. Finally, the patient developed a satisfactory endometrium of 5.7 mm with no endometrial collection after being given low dose estradiol-estrogel (Transdermal application) and five doses of subcutaneous injections on granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor. The patient conceived after embryo transfer and is in follow-up.

A CORRELATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG ADULT CHILDREN OF MENTALLY ILL PARENT/S IN SELECTED HOSPITAL OF UDUPI DISTRICT

Introduction: Caregivers across the world, who are often unrecognised and under supported, are deeply and personally impacted by the care they provide. The recognition of high levels of caregiver morbidity demands a holistic approach and nurses need to be more responsive to the needs of carers and care-recipients rather than focussing on the patient alone. Aims and Objectives: to determine the psychological wellbeing of adult children with mentally ill parent/s, to assess the level of self-esteem of adult children of their mentally ill parent/s, and to find the relationship between psychological wellbeing and self-esteem.

Study design: descriptive correlational study design.

Methods and materials: study was conducted among 63 adult children of mentally ill parents by using convenient sampling technique. A survey approach was used for the study. Tools used for the study were Demographic Proforma, Psychological wellbeing scale, and Rosenberg's self-esteem scale.

Results: Majority, 35 (55.6%) of the samples were found to be having high psychological wellbeing. 27 (42.9%) of the samples were intermediate psychological wellbeing and only 1 (1.6%) participant was having low psychological wellbeing. Majority (68.3%) of the samples were found to be having normal self-esteem. (30.2%) of the samples were with low self-esteem and only (1.6%) participant was having high self-esteem. There is no significant correlation was found between psychological wellbeing and self-esteem (r = 0.044, p= 0.730).

Assisted reproduction in polycystic ovarian disease: A multicentric trial in India

AIM:

The aim of this study is to compare ovarian response, oocyte, embryo quality, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome incidence, and pregnancy rates in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This was a prospective observational study on PCOS carried out in seven assisted reproduction centers in India between August 2008 and July 2010, as part of trial under the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction. A total of 192 women (77 in the PCOS group and 115 in the non- PCOS group) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection were included. All women had long protocol and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone stimulation.

ANALYSIS:

The mean number of follicles and oocytes was higher in PCOS group compared with non-PCOS, being 27.2 (±8.8) and 13.6 (±5.3); 15.9 (±6.3) and 10.9 (±6.2), respectively. The recovery rates of oocytes and mature oocytes per follicle were less in the PCOS group which was 64% and 61.1%, respectively as opposed to 80.3% and 74.5%, respectively in non-PCOS group. The total numbers of top-quality embryos were less in the PCOS group.

CONCLUSION:

In PCOS women though the number of follicles was more, recovery of mature oocytes, top-quality embryos was less. Pregnancy rates were comparable in both groups.

Submucous fibroids and infertility: Effect of hysteroscopic myomectomy and factors influencing outcome

BACKGROUND

Submucosal myomas are associated with infertility and may be treated by hysteroscopic resection.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze 37 subfertile patients who unnderwent hysteroscopic myomectomy in a tertiary care center with particular regard to their postprocedure reproductive outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The entire patient group (n = 37) underwent the procedure between March 2004 and March 2010. The submucosal myomas were type 0 (n = 27), type 1 (n = 8), and type 2 (n = 2). The mean myoma size was 2.1 cm; mean duration of the procedure was 54 mins and mean follow-up was 26 ± 10 months. 22 patients had one or more associated infertility factors.

RESULTS

The complication rate was 5.4%. 11 patients (29.7%) conceived after the procedure. The pregnancy rate was better when myoma was the exclusive etiology of infertility (40%), when the myoma was completely intracavitary (33.3%), when the lesion was ≥ 30 mm in size (50%), and there were no associated intramural fibroids.

CONCLUSION

Hysteroscopic myomectomy is a safe procedure to enhance fertility especially in cases with unexplained infertility.

Laparoscopic tubal sterilization reversal and fertility outcomes

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the study was two-fold. Firstly it was to assess the suitability for tubal recanalization and factors predicting successful laparoscopic recanalization. Secondly, it was to analyze the fertility outcomes and factors affecting the pregnancy rate following laparoscopic tubal recanalization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A retrospective chart review of prospectively followed-up 29 women at a tertiary care center seeking tubal sterilization reversal between May 2005 and February 2010 were included.

RESULTS:

In 14 (48.3%) women unilateral tubes were suitable and in only 3 women (10.3%) bilateral tubes were suitable. All cases with laparoscopic tubal sterilization were suitable, whereas all cases with fimbriectomy were unsuitable for recanalization. In 6 (20.7%) cases salphingostomy was performed as an alternative procedure to tubal reanastomosis. The overall pregnancy rate was 58.8%. In cases with sterilization by Pomeroy's method, 4 out of 10 (40%) conceived, whereas for laparoscopic tubal ligation cases 6 out of 7 (85.7%) conceived (P=0.32). None of the patients with final tubal length <5 cm conceived (P=0.03). Comparing the age at recanalization, in women ≤30 years, 71.4% conceived, as compared with 50% when age of women was more than 30 years (P=0.37).

CONCLUSIONS:

The important factors determining the success of recanalization are technique of sterilization and the remaining length of the tube after recanalization. The gynecologist must use an effective technique of sterilization to minimize the failure rates, but at the same time, which causes minimal trauma, and aim at preserving the length of the tube so that reversal is more likely to be successful, should the patient's circumstances change.

Role of laparohysteroscopy in women with normal pelvic imaging and failed ovulation stimulation with intrauterine insemination

CONTEXT:

Women with primary infertility and no obvious pelvic pathology on clinical evaluation and imaging are either treated empirically or further investigated by laparoscopy.

AIMS:

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in women who fail to conceive after empirical treatment with ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination was evaluated.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN:

Retrospective study at a private infertility center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A study of patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy between 1^st January 2001 and 31^st December 2008 was performed. Those patients who had no detectable pathology based on history, physical examination, and ultrasound and had treatment for three or more cycles in the form of ovulation induction and IUI were included in the study. Moderate and severe male factor infertility and history of any previous surgery were exclusion criteria.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:

Data were statistically analyzed using Statistics Package for Social Sciences (ver. 16.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago).

RESULTS:

Of the 127 women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, 87.4% (n = 111) of patients had positive findings. Significant pelvic pathology (moderate endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and tubal pathology) was seen in 26.8% of cases.

CONCLUSION:

One in four women had significant pelvic pathology where treatment could possibly improve future fertility. Diagnostic laparoscopy has a role in infertile women with no obvious abnormality before they proceed to more aggressive treatments.

Endometrial carcinoma in a young subfertile woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium is a morbid condition in women under 40 years of age with an incidence of 25%. However, patients with anovulatory polycystic ovarian syndrome are at risk of developing endometrial carcinoma. The disease is often advanced when diagnosed, thereby depriving the woman of the option for fertility sparing conservative approach. In young women with menstrual abnormalities and polycystic ovarian disease and/or infertility, an endometrial evaluation should be performed. Carcinoma endometrium should be kept in mind while evaluating young women with polycystic ovary syndrome for abnormal uterine bleeding. Only strictly selected patients should, therefore, be indicated for long-term progestogen treatment and careful evaluation before and after treatment should be performed.

Endometrial stromal sarcoma mimicking a myoma

Uterine malignancies are not uncommonly misdiagnosed for the more ubiquitous leiomyoma. A case of endometrial stromal sarcoma with ultrasound and color Doppler imaging is described.

Prognostic factors in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis

BACKGROUND

Patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (DPLN) can have variable clinical course. Identification of the predictors of outcome would help to improve the management. We have studied the prognostic significance of clinical, laboratory and histological parameters in patients with DPLN.

METHODS

Twenty nine patients diagnosed to be having DPLN seen between 1987 and 1991 were followed up for over 57 months. Parameters assessed for prognostic significance included serum creatinine, urine protein at the time of biopsy, blood pressure, type of immunosuppression, composite scores and individual components of activity index (AI) and chronicity index (CI). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted and the results were compared using log rank test. Fishers' exact test was used to study the risk factors.

RESULTS

End stage renal failure developed in 7/29 (24.1%) patients; 7/19 (36.8%) who had hypertension and 7/16 (43.8%) who had nephrotic proteinuria developed renal failure, while none who had normal blood pressure or nonnephrotic proteinuria, developed renal failure (p < 0.01). Three patients had high activity index (> 12) and all three developed renal failure. Other parameters such as age, gender, serum creatinine, type of immunosuppression, CI and individual components of AI failed to predict the outcome (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hypertension, nephrotic proteinuria and high AI were predictive of progression to end stage renal failure in patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis.

Treatment of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis: an Indian experience

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppressive therapy has improved the prognosis in lupus nephritis. However, infectious complications may contribute to morbidity. There is also debate on the best form of therapy. We, therefore, compared the results of two different forms of therapy.

METHOD

Twenty-nine patients diagnosed to have diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis were followed up over 54 months. The treatment consisted of azathioprine (1.5 mg/kg/day) or pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2 body surface area monthly) along with prednisolone (2 mg/kg on alternate days).

RESULTS

Seventeen patients received azathioprine (group A) and 12 received cyclophosphamide (group B). The mean (SD) follow up in groups A and B were 54.35 (33.6) and 52 (35.8) months, respectively. Apart from the higher number of males in group B, both groups were comparable for age, presence of hypertension, renal function, 24-hour urinary protein excretion and composite scores for histological activity and chronicity indices (p > 0.05). The renal survival estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method was similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Four patients had renal failure requiring replacement therapy in group A and 3 in group B. Major infective episodes were more common in group B than in group A (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Azathioprine was as effective as pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide in preserving renal functions up to 54 months. Major infective episodes were more common with pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide.

The distally based superficial sural flap for reconstruction of the lower leg and foot

We describe our experience with the use of distally based superficial sural flaps for coverage of defects in the lower leg and foot in 21 patients. In 18 patients the flap was successfully transferred, in 2 cases partial necrosis of the flap occurred and 1 flap failed completely. In 18 cases the flap was used as a fasciocutaneous flap and in 3 cases as a fascial flap only. The advantages of this flap are: easy and quick dissection, hence saving operating time, minimal morbidity of donor site and preservation of major arteries of the leg. Although the flap was described as reliable for covering defects around the ankle joint, we have been able to cover defects of the dorsum of the foot distally and up to the mid-third of the tibia proximally.