Qualitative analysis of the cognitive triad in a sample of the general population in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper explored cognitive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in those selfreporting depressive symptoms during a period of realistic health, economic and social threat. Negative cognitions are a key therapy target for evidence-based psychological interventions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample from the general population between December 2020 and February 2021. Adult respondents (n = 555) completed open text-box questions which provided prompts of the cognitive triad: "I am…/I am not…"; "Other people are…/Other people are not…"; "The world is…". These qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Thematic responses were compared between people who self-reported moderate depressive symptoms (n = 223) and those who did not (n = 332). Fourteen independent themes were identified. Those self-reporting depressive symptoms described significantly fewer positive cognitions across all three aspects of the cognitive triad, X2 = 60.40 p < 0.01;  X2 = 10.51 p < 0.05; X2 = 12.22 p < 0.01. Those self-reporting depressive symptoms also reported more self-referent negative cognitions. These data highlighted that an absence of positive cognitions differentiated the two groups more greatly than negative cognitions. These data have implications for the cognitive targets in psychological therapies in realistic high-stress situations. This paper explored cognitive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in those selfreporting depressive symptoms during a period of realistic health, economic and social threat. Negative cognitions are a key therapy target for evidence-based psychological interventions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample from the general population between December 2020 and February 2021. Adult respondents (n = 555) completed open text-box questions which provided prompts of the cognitive triad: "I am…/I am not…"; "Other people are…/Other people are not…"; "The world is…". These qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Thematic responses were compared between people who self-reported moderate depressive symptoms (n = 223) and those who did not (n = 332). Fourteen independent themes were identified. Those self-reporting depressive symptoms described significantly fewer positive cognitions across all three aspects of the cognitive triad, X2 = 60.40 p < 0.01;  X2 = 10.51 p < 0.05; X2 = 12.22 p < 0.01. Those self-reporting depressive symptoms also reported more self-referent negative cognitions. These data highlighted that an absence of positive cognitions differentiated the two groups more greatly than negative cognitions. These data have implications for the cognitive targets in psychological therapies in realistic high-stress situations.

Periodontal results of different therapeutic approaches (open vs. closed technique) and timing evaluation (< 2 year vs. > 2 year) of palatal impacted canines: a systematic review

Background

This review evaluates, as a primary outcome, which surgical technique (open vs. closed) and which type of material used for the auxiliaries (elastic vs. metallic) were preferable in terms of periodontal results during the treatment of palatal-impacted canines. The timing of the evaluation of the results was also assessed as a secondary outcome.

Methods

An electronic search of the literature up to March 2021 was performed on Pubmed, MEDLINE (via Pubmed), EMBASE (via Ovid), Cochrane Reviews and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (RCTs) (CENTRAL). The risk of bias evaluation was performed using version 2 of the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2) for RCTs and the ACROBAT NRSI tool of Cochrane for non-RCTs.

Results

11 articles met the inclusion criteria. Only one RCT was assessed as having a low risk of bias and all the non-RCTs were assessed as having a serious risk of bias. This review revealed better periodontal results for the closed technique and metallic auxiliaries. In addition, it revealed that the timing of the evaluation of the results affects the periodontal results with better results obtained 2 years after the end of treatment.

Conclusion

In the treatment of a palatal-impacted canine, the closed technique and metallic auxiliaries should be preferred in terms of better periodontal results. The timing of the evaluation of the results affects the periodontal results.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01937-x.

Role of Immune Cells in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is one of the major complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and is currently the most common cause of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) worldwide. Traditionally, DKD is considered a disease which has nothing to do with the immune system, and the pathogenesis is mainly characterized to be metabolic disturbance. Recent growing evidence indicates immunologic and inflammatory mechanisms in the development and progression of DKD. This overview of macrophages, dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, neutrophils and mast cells is closely involved in the pathologic process of DKD, with more emphasis on the leucocyte accumulation and related molecular mechanisms. Moreover, the potential contributions of these immune cells to renal injury will also be discussed. Specifically, these findings help to identify new potential therapeutic targets of DKD. Future preclinical and clinical studies might translate these exciting findings into clinical applications.

Chronic postsurgical pain: current evidence for prevention and management

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is an unwanted adverse event in any operation. It leads to functional limitations and psychological trauma for patients, and leaves the operative team with feelings of failure and humiliation. Therefore, it is crucial that preventive strategies for CPSP are considered in high-risk operations. Various techniques have been implemented to reduce the risk with variable success. Identifying the risk factors for each patient and applying a timely preventive strategy may help patients avoid the distress of chronic pain. The preventive strategies include modification of the surgical technique, good pain control throughout the perioperative period, and preoperative psychological intervention focusing on the psychosocial and cognitive risk factors. Appropriate management of CPSP patients is also necessary to reduce their suffering. CPSP usually has a neuropathic pain component; therefore, the current recommendations are based on data on chronic neuropathic pain. Hence, voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonists, antidepressants, topical lidocaine and topical capsaicin are the main pharmacological treatments. Paracetamol, NSAIDs and weak opioids can be used according to symptom severity, but strong opioids should be used with great caution and are not recommended. Other drugs that may be helpful are ketamine, clonidine, and intravenous lidocaine infusion. For patients with failed pharmacological treatment, consideration should be given to pain interventions; examples include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, botulinum toxin injections, pulsed radiofrequency, nerve blocks, nerve ablation, neuromodulation and surgical management. Physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications are also useful for relieving the pain and distress experienced by CPSP patients.