Browsing by Author "Lečić-Toševski, Dušica (6602315043)"

To determine the relationship between alterations in the activity of the enzymes participating in antioxidative defense system and neurological soft signs (NSS) in schizophrenic patients with the first episode psychosis (S FE , n = 19), patients in relapse (S R , n = 46), and healthy controls (HC, n = 20). NSS intensity and enzymatic plasma activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were compared between S FE , S R and HC subjects and a follow-up correlation analyses between the enzyme activities and NSS intensity was performed. NSS intensity was increased four times in schizophrenic patients compared with healthy controls. Activities of SOD and CAT were 40% decreased in S FE and these reductions were ameliorated by antipsychotic treatment. GPX activity was 20% decreased in both patient groups compared with controls. A negative correlation between NSS intensity and GPX activity was specifically found in the S FE patients. The data in this report argue that a reduction of GPX activity might be one of the causes for the emergence of NSS at the onset of schizophrenia, and provide the evidence that antipsychotic therapy can attenuate activity reductions of SOD and CAT, but not the activity reduction of GPX and the intensity of NSS. © 2018

To determine the relationship between alterations in the activity of the enzymes participating in antioxidative defense system and neurological soft signs (NSS) in schizophrenic patients with the first episode psychosis (S FE , n = 19), patients in relapse (S R , n = 46), and healthy controls (HC, n = 20). NSS intensity and enzymatic plasma activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were compared between S FE , S R and HC subjects and a follow-up correlation analyses between the enzyme activities and NSS intensity was performed. NSS intensity was increased four times in schizophrenic patients compared with healthy controls. Activities of SOD and CAT were 40% decreased in S FE and these reductions were ameliorated by antipsychotic treatment. GPX activity was 20% decreased in both patient groups compared with controls. A negative correlation between NSS intensity and GPX activity was specifically found in the S FE patients. The data in this report argue that a reduction of GPX activity might be one of the causes for the emergence of NSS at the onset of schizophrenia, and provide the evidence that antipsychotic therapy can attenuate activity reductions of SOD and CAT, but not the activity reduction of GPX and the intensity of NSS. © 2018

Background: Burnout syndrome (BS) and stress-related disorders are frequent among medical specialists, but it has been suggested that some health workers are more prone to the BS than others. This study assessed the intensity of the BS among 3 groups of physicians: psychiatrists, general practitioners and surgeons and examined correlation both between the intensity of BS and physicians' personality dimensions as well as between the level of BS and stress coping strategies. Subjects and methods: The sample consisted of 160 physicians (70 general practitioners, 50 psychiatrists, 40 surgeons). The assessment was carried out by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, The Temperament and Character Inventory and Manual for the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Results: Dimension of emotional exhaustion was the most prominent in general practitioners (F=5.546, df1=2, df2=156, p<0.01), while dimension of depersonalization was highest in surgeons (F=15.314, df1=2, df2=156, p<0.01), as well as lack of personal accomplishment (F=16.079, df1=2, df2=156, p<0.01). We found that the Harm Avoidance has lead to development of BS while Self-directedness and Cooperativeness were prominent in physicians with low level of BS. The escape-avoidance was in correlation with high depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment while self-control was prominent in physicians with lower BS. Conclusion: The BS affects personal well-being and professional performance. It is important to identify individuals with a tendency towards its development, in order to undertake preventive measures such as stress management and improvement of the stress coping strategies. © Medicinska naklada.

Background: Stigma refers to the undesirable characteristics linked to mental illness and the adverse cognitive and behavioral consequences. Stigma causes a spiral of alienation and discrimination, leading to social isolation that diminishes chances for recovery. There is a great need for antistigma programs in order to decrease stigma related to persons with mental health problems. The antistigma program was initiated in schools of Serbia with the aim to address and decrease discrimination of adolescents with mental disorders. Subjects and methods: Sixty-three students from high schools voluntarily participated in the program. The effect of the program on the attitudes of students was evaluated by the Opinion about Mental Illness Questionnaire given to adolescents prior to its implementation and six months afterwards. Results: Social discrimination and the tendency towards social restriction were reduced, while, at the same time, social awareness of mental health-related problems was increased among young people six months after program implementation. The results obtained clearly indicate positive changes in adolescents ' attitudes and demonstrate a need for further educational activities regarding stigma and mental disorders. Conclusion: Stigma and discrimination reduction programs for adolescents are aimed at achieving a change of their attitudes toward the mental health problems of their peers and themselves through organized education. Our program demonstrates the necessity for youth participation in mental health services and system, and antistigma actions are seen as important aspects. © Medicinska naklada.

Background/Aim. Recent studies have shown a significant relation of the post-traumatic stress disorder and impairment of quality of life. The research on the relations of other stressrelated disorders and quality of life is scarce. The aim of this research was to determine which symptoms within the stressrelated disorders (depressive, anxious and somatization) have the strongest effect on the quality of life decrease. Methods. The study group comprised 80 subjects who have developed a certain stress-related disorder. The diagnosis was made based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria. Manchester Short Assessment Quality of Life Scale (MANSA) and Symptom Check List-90 Revised (SCL-90-R) were administered. Results. The presence of all three types of symptoms (depressive, anxious or somatization) was in negative correlation with the quality of life, contributing to the variation of quality of life with 40%. Depressive symptoms had the greatest impact on the quality of life impairment. Conclusion. When it comes to stress-related disorders, the quality of life is mostly impaired by depressive symptoms. Target therapeutic interventions aimed at depressive symptoms might have a significant effect on the quality of life improvement in the person who developed stress-related disorders. © 2017, Institut za Vojnomedicinske Naucne Informacije/Documentaciju. All Rights Reserved.

Introduction DiGeorge syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by deletion of chromosome 22. The main features are congenital heart disease, absence or hypoplasia of thymus (with consecutive immunodeficiency and infections), hypoparathyroidism with consecutive hypocalcaemia, gastrointestinal problems, Delayed psychomotor development, abnormalities of head and face, tendency to develop seizures and psychiatric disorders. Syndrome can be detected prenatally, or during early development, which is of great importance for preventive and therapeutic measures. Death rate is high during the first year of life, mostly because of congenital heart disease. With prompt diagnosis and treatment most of the children can survive to adulthood, but they are children with special needs requiring continual care and supervision (because of metal retardation, seizures, neurological and psychiatric disorders). Case Outline A seven-year-old boy underwent surgical correction of congenital heart disease soon after the birth. Since the age of four years he developed seizures, partially controlled by antiepileptic therapy. Entering the seventh year of age he displayed severe auto and heteroaggressive behaviour. His condition has improved by the introduction of intensive psychiatric and defectological treatment, and daily counselling with his mother the child improved in the sense of calming down, better social communication and acquiring some self-help specific skills. Conclusion Symptoms of DiGeorge syndrome can be detected soon after the birth, especially that concerning congenital hearth disease. A prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention can save the child's life. Because of many other symptoms, many diagnostic procedures focused on this syndrome are to be performed, followed by long lasting stimulative treatment and treatment of seizures and psychiatric disorders.

Objective This study was set out to examine the impact of atypical antipsychotic drugs: aripiprazole, clozapine, ziprasidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, sertindole and amisulpride on the activity of antioxidant defence enzymes in human erythrocytes in vitro. Methods Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), catalase (CAT), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were determined after drugs incubation with blood of 15 apparently healthy non-smoking male volunteers (ages 23-39) for 1 h at 37 °C. Results A statistically significant increase in SOD1 activity was found in samples incubated with aripiprazole (p < 0.01) and quetiapine (p < 0.05) compared with incubated control. SOD1 activity profile following native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that aripiprazole and quetiapine protect enzyme activity from inhibition with hydrogen peroxide. Our results showed that sertindole decreases activity of CAT comparing with control non-treated erythrocytes. Moreover, in sertindole treated erythrocytes, negative correlation between SOD1 and glutathione peroxidase activities was found. Increased amount of hydrogen peroxide in such situation may leave erythrocytes and transform their role in circulation from anti-oxidative to pro-oxidative. Conclusions Our results indicate that mechanism through sertindole could express its in vivo toxic effects and point toward possible (neuro)protective effects of aripiprazole and quetiapine. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective This study was set out to examine the impact of atypical antipsychotic drugs: aripiprazole, clozapine, ziprasidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, sertindole and amisulpride on the activity of antioxidant defence enzymes in human erythrocytes in vitro. Methods Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), catalase (CAT), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were determined after drugs incubation with blood of 15 apparently healthy non-smoking male volunteers (ages 23-39) for 1 h at 37 °C. Results A statistically significant increase in SOD1 activity was found in samples incubated with aripiprazole (p < 0.01) and quetiapine (p < 0.05) compared with incubated control. SOD1 activity profile following native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that aripiprazole and quetiapine protect enzyme activity from inhibition with hydrogen peroxide. Our results showed that sertindole decreases activity of CAT comparing with control non-treated erythrocytes. Moreover, in sertindole treated erythrocytes, negative correlation between SOD1 and glutathione peroxidase activities was found. Increased amount of hydrogen peroxide in such situation may leave erythrocytes and transform their role in circulation from anti-oxidative to pro-oxidative. Conclusions Our results indicate that mechanism through sertindole could express its in vivo toxic effects and point toward possible (neuro)protective effects of aripiprazole and quetiapine. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Introduction Alcoholism could represent an important factor of crime and different forms of abuse of family members (physical and emotional) exist in many alcohol-addict cases, as well as characteristics of immoral behaviour. Objective The objective of our study was to determine the predominating forms in moral judgment of alcohol addicts, and to examine whether there was any statistically significant difference in moral judgment between alcohol addicted persons and non-alcoholics from general population. Methods The sample consisted of 62 subjects, divided into a study (alcoholics) and a control group (non-alcoholics from general population). The following instruments were used: social-demographic data, AUDIT, MMPI-201, cybernetic battery of IQ tests (KOG-3) and the TMR moral reasoning test. Results Mature forms of moral judgment prevailed in both group of subjects, alcohol addicted persons and non-alcoholics. Regarding mature forms of moral judgment (driven by emotions and cognitive) non-alcoholics from the general population had higher scores, but the difference was not statistically significant. Regarding socially adapted and egocentric orientation alcohol addicted persons had higher scores. However, only regarding intuitive-irrational orientation there was a statistically significant difference in the level of moral judgment (p<0.05) between alcoholics and non-alcoholics, in favour of the alcoholics. Conclusion Moral judgment is not a category differing alcohol addicted persons from those who are not. Nevertheless, the potential destructivity of alcoholism is reflected in lower scores regarding mature orientations in moral judgment.

The scope of gender related differences observed in mentally ill persons provides a major source of inference about the role of gonadal steroids in brain function and behavior. Reported gender dimorphism in psychiatry includes the following: prevalence of certain mental disorders specific to female gender, phenomenology and treatment characteristics, i.e. response to the applied psychopharmacotherapy. Structural and functional relationship between the hormonal system and central nervous system is closely correlated with vulnerability to various psychopathological disturbances in biologically different stages in women. It has been observed, for instance, that the association of gonadal steroid activity with serotonin is relevant to mood change in premenstrual and postpartum mood disturbances. Gender related hormonal fluctuations may cause or be correlated with the development of several gender-related psychopathological disturbances. The aim of this article is to review the literature concerning genderrelated specificities of psychopharmacological treatment of some of the most important mental disorders in women, such as affective disorder in menopause, premenstrual syndrome and postpartum mood disorders.

Pathological gambling was classified under impulse control disorders within the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) (WHO 1992), but the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DSM-V), (APA 2013), has recognized pathological gambling as a first disorder within a new diagnostic category of behavioral addictions - Gambling disorder. Pathological gambling is a disorder in progression, and we hope that our experience in the treatment of pathological gambling in the Daily Hospital for Addictions at The Institute of Mental Health, through the original "Integrative - systemic model" would be of use to colleagues, dealing with this pathology. This model of treatment of pathological gambling is based on multi-systemic approach and it primarily represents an integration of family and cognitive-behavioral therapy, with traces of psychodynamic, existential and pharmacotherapy. The model is based on the book "Pathological gambling - with self-help manual" by Dr Mladenovic and Dr Lazetic, and has been designed in the form of a program that lasts 10 weeks in the intensive phase, and then continues for two years in the form of "extended treatment" ("After care"). The intensive phase is divided into three segments: educational, insight with initial changes and analysis of the achieved changes with the definition of plans and areas that need to be addressed in the extended treatment. "Extended treatment" lasts for two years in the form of group therapy, during which there is a second order change of the identified patient, but also of other family members. Pathological gambling has been treated in the form of systemic-family therapy for more than 10 years at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), in Belgrade. For second year in a row the treatment is carried out by the modern "Integrative-systemic model". If abstinence from gambling witihin the period of one year after completion of the intensive phase of treatment is taken as the main criterion of the effectiveness of our model, at this time it exceeds 90%. Given the relatively short period of application, it is necessary to continue to monitor and evaluate the model after 5 years. © Medicinska naklada.

[No abstract available]