Although several electrophysiological studies have demonstrated the role of theta band during the execution of different visuospatial attention tasks, this study is the first to directly investigate the role of theta power during the planning, execution and cognitive control of SEM.

Saccadic eye movements (SEMs) represent the first stage of visual sensorimotor integration and are relevant for the visuospatial attention. The current study aims to address this issue by investigating absolute theta power over the frontal cortex during the execution of stimulus- and memory-driven SEMs.

12 healthy volunteers (3 male; mean age: 26.25), performed two tasks involving different conditions in the planning, execution and cognitive control of SEMs while their brain activity pattern is recorded using quantitative electroencephalography.

We found an interaction between SEM condition (memory- vs stimulus-driven) and electrode (F3, F4, Fz), and a main effect of time point and electrode. Our key finding revealed that the stimulus presentation induces different patterns over frontal theta power increase between the left and right hemisphere.

We conclude that right and left frontal regions are an important factor to discriminate between memory- versus stimulus-driven SEMs, and speculate on their role for different levels within the visuospatial attention.

The HCV has been associated with significant impairment of quality of life, irrespective of the degree of liver injury. The association of this disease with psychiatric comorbidities, especially depression, has been well described in the scientific literature. However, despite also significantly affect the quality of life of individuals, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has not been well studied in this population.

Evaluate whether individuals perceive the liver disease as a potentially traumatic experience and investigate the impact of PTSD diagnosis on health-related quality of life in hepatitis C virus-infected subjects.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 127 consecutive hepatitis C-infected outpatients. We investigated Traumatic Experiences and the subject's perception about the disease using the Trauma History Questionnaire. PTSD and others psychiatry diagnoses were assessed trough M.I.N.I. PLUS. Quality of life was assessed by the Short-Form 36.

Approximately 38.6% of the patients perceived the hepatitis C as a traumatic experience, 60.7% had PTSD diagnosis. It were no associate with the disease severity (been eligible for transplant), however there was a significant association with diagnosis of PTSD (p = 0.003). Roughly 22% of the sample showed PTSD diagnosis. PTSD imposed a significant impairment in quality of life of individuals in seven of the eight domains in the bivariate and multivariate analysis. This difference remained significant after adjustment for covariates such as major depressive disorder comorbidity.

The results suggest high prevalence of PTSD diagnosis in VHC infected patients and it impose impairment in their quality of life.

To review the historical evolution of the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), presenting its main features and modified versions.

Two independent reviewers performed a search in PubMed for articles, available since the development of the scale until June 2012, looking for those studies that used the FIS or any of its modified versions as an instrument for data collection. The terms used for the search were “Fatigue Impact Scale.” After individual analysis and consensus procedure, 201 articles were selected for the data basis of this study. Data were extracted using standardized forms with the following information: version of the scale, year and country where the study was conducted, the methodological study's design, language in which the scale was applied, and how many patients responded to any one of the versions.

This review found 4 validated modified versions of FIS and 2 reduced forms, in 27 different countries. The largest concentration was in United States, followed by other English-speaking countries. The FIS was the version most commonly used, followed by the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). Approximately 46,483 individuals have been evaluated with one of the versions of FIS in 29 different pathologies. Most of these studies used a cross-sectional design.

The number of studies using the FIS and its modifications has grown substantially. However, this study evaluates methodological limitations which still hinder the synthesis of the scale's performance through meta-analysis. Still, the FIS has been used in relevant studies that contribute to understand fatigue broadly.

To assess quality of life through self-administered KDQOL-sf (Kidney Disease Quality of Life - short form) by patients on hemodialysis (HD) classified according to age.

We randomly 159 hemodialysis patients and applied the KDQOL-sf between February/10 and March/11. We evaluated the quality of life based on scores below or above 50, on all scales, according to age < 60 years (n = 85) and ≥ 60 years (n = 74).

In patients < 60 years, the scales in which they had poorer quality of life were: physical function 47/85 (55.3%), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) burden 46/85 (54.1%), professional role 57/85 (67.1%) and sexual function 47/85 (55.3%). In patients ≥ 60 years, the scales with poorer quality of life were: physical functioning 47/74 (62.2%), physical function 51/74 (68.9%), general health 38/74 (51.3%), energy / fatigue 45/74 (60.8%), CKD burden 56/74 (75.7%), professional role 49/74 (66.2%) and sexual function 60/74 (81.1%).

While patients younger than 60 years have a quality of life decrease in 4 scales, patients with more than 60 years have worsened in 7 scales, with significant worsening of sexual function. We conclude that the quality of life is more impaired in the elderly undergoing HD.

Most mental disorders begin during adolescence and early adulthood (18–24-years-old), highlighting the importance of understanding the onset and progression of mental disorders among youths. Although progress has been made, namely by creating youth mental health transition services, gaps continue to exist. Locally, our recently constituted young adults unit aimed to minimize discontinuities in care.

To characterize a population of young adult psychiatric outpatients, regarding socio-demographic and clinic variables.

Socio-demographic and clinic characterization of young adult psychiatric outpatients observed during 1st January 2015–30th July 2016.

Two hundred and fifty-five outpatients were observed: 64.3% females and 35.7% males, average age 20.56-years-old (median 20). Most lived in urban areas (59.4%), with their parents (27.8%), were students (80.4%), attending secondary school (36.1%). A total of, 27.5% were referenced by an emergency department, and adjustment disorders (ICD-10 F43.2) were the most frequent diagnosis (21.6%). Regarding suicidal behaviours and self-harm, 9.8% did self-cutting. A vast majority did not have previous psychiatric hospitalizations–only 5.9% outpatients had at least one. In total, 39.8% were medicated with antidepressants (1/3 of which in association with other drugs), and about 38.8% received cognitive-behavioural interventions. About 2/3 of patients (66.3%) remained in care and only about 1/6 (15.7%) were discharged.

Our typical youth psychiatric outpatient was of female gender, student, living with its parents. Adjustment disorders were the most frequent diagnosis, and antidepressants were the main psychopharmacologic option, often combined with other psychotropic drugs. In the future, psychotherapy interventions should be more widely available, namely group psychotherapy.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Evidence has suggested that immune imbalance is involved with bipolar disorder (BD); however, its precise mechanism is poorly understood.

This study investigated whether biochemical changes in the serum from BD patients could modulate the phenotype of macrophages.

Eighteen subjects with BD and healthy individuals (n = 5) were included in this study. The human monocyte cell line U-937 was activated with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and polarization was induced with RPMI-1640 media supplemented with 10% serum from each patient for 24 h. Gene expression of selected M1 and M2 markers was assessed by qPCR.

Macrophages exposed to serum of manic and depressive BD patients displayed an increase of IL-1β (6.40 ± 3.47 and 9.04 ± 5.84 versus 0.23 ± 0.11; P < 0.05) and TNF-α (2.23 ± 0.91 and 2.03 ± 0.45 versus 0.62 ± 0.24; P = 0.002 and P = 0.004, respectively) compared to remitted group. In parallel, U-937 macrophages treated with serum of patients in acute episode displayed a down-regulation of CXCL9 (0.29 ± 0.20 versus 1.86 ± 1.61; P = 0.006) and CXCL10 expression (0.36 ± 0.15 and 0.86 ± 0.24 versus 1.83 ± 0.88; P < 0.000 and P = 0.04) compared to remitters.

Our results are consistent with previous studies showing that changes in peripheral blood markers could modulate M1/M2 polarization in BD. The evidence of macrophages as source of inflammatory cytokines might be helpful to unravel how the mononuclear phagocyte system can be involved in the etiology of BD.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Psychopathology rating scales have been widely used. Studies evaluating the congruence between self and observer-reported ratings show inconsistent results.

Determine whether there was consistency between psychopathology as assessed by patients and clinicians’ assessment in outpatients observed in the Young Adult Unit of our Psychiatry Department (Coimbra Hospital and University Centre-Portugal).

Socio-demographic characterization was undertaken with young adult outpatients observed during nineteen months (1st January 2015–31st July 2016). Brief Symptom Inventory–53 items (BSI-53) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) were applied at the first clinical evaluation. Spearman correlation coefficient between General Severity Index (GSI) of BSI-53 and BPRS total score was calculated.

During the mentioned interval 255 outpatients were observed: 64.3% females and 35.7% males; aged between 17 and 39 years old (average: 20.56; median: 20). Fifty percent were diagnosed with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (ICD-10 F40-48) and 14.1% with mood disorders (ICD-10 F30-39). BPRS and BSI-53 rating scales were administered to 55 patients: 72.5% females and 27.5% males; average age 21.2. A statistical significant correlation was found between BPRS total and GSI score.

Several factors can determine the accuracy of psychopathology self-assessment, including diagnosis and severity of illness. In fact, studies show strong correlation between self and observer assessment of depressive and anxious psychopathology, but no correlation in psychotic psychopathological dimensions. Therefore, the correlation found in this population can be explained by the fact that the majority of patients were diagnosed with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform and mood disorders.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Gender differences in bipolar disorder are becoming apparent, but have been less studied compared with major depression. The presentation, clinical features, course and evolution of bipolar disorder differ between men and women. Research data on these differences will help determine whether gender is important in influencing illness variables.

Determine whether men and women with bipolar disorder have statistical significant differences in socio-demographic and clinical data.

Charts of all patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder admitted in the Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Center over a three-year period (between 2013 and 2015) were reviewed to gather data on socio-demographic, clinical and psychopathological variables to assess differences across genders. Statistical analysis of data with “SPSS21”.

During a three-year period, 189 patients were admitted with bipolar disorder, the majority were female patients, with ages between 21 and 84 years old. The authors will analyse if there is any statistical significant difference between gender in the rate of bipolar I or II diagnoses, age at onset, symptom presentation, delay in diagnoses, number of depressive, or manic episodes, hospitalisations, involuntarily admissions, number of suicide attempts, co-morbidity rates, negative life events, family history and treatment options. Sociodemograpic characteristics will also be analysed.

Gender differences in bipolar disorder is a controversial issue in the literature. The importance of gender on the course and outcome in bipolar disorder has been widely acknowledged. The limited data suggest that the prevalence is similar between sexes but that the course of illness may be different.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Parkinsonian motor signs are the most frequent of the genuine motor abnormalities present in drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia, and are also present in patients with a first-episode of psychosis (FEP).

To study whether there are differences in basal ganglia volumes depending on the presence of Parkinsonism in FEP.

Forty-six patients with a FEP were included in the study. Twenty-three controls were included to normalise patients’ brain volume data. Parkinsonism was assessed with the UKU scale. Brain volumes were obtained with MRI (1.5 Tesla Siemens Avanto). Reconstruction and volumetric segmentation was made with the Freesurfer© software (http://surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/). Patients were divided into two groups, considering the presence/absence of Parkinsonism (UKU total score cutoff point = 4). Patients have been treated with antipsychotics a mean of less than 2 months. There were not significant differences in the total exposure to antipsychotics between both groups. ANCOVAS were performed including gender as covariate.

Patients with Parkinsonism showed a trend towards significance to exhibit reduced volumes in the left caudate and right putamen (Fig. 1).

FEP patients who exhibit Parkinsonian signs tend to show reduced left caudate and right putamen volumes in the early phases of psychotic illness, after correcting by gender.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

It is known that several factors can influence the quality of life such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, the presence of mental illness or substance abuse.

Assess quality of life of outpatients observed in Young Adult Unit of our Psychiatry Department (Coimbra Hospital and University Centre – Portugal) and its relation with substance use.

Socio-demographic characterization of youth psychiatric outpatients observed during between 1st January 2015 and 31st July 2016. Portuguese versions of The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were administered. A Spearman correlation coefficient between ASSIST and WHOQOL-BREF scores was calculated.

A total of 255 outpatients were observed: 64.3% females and 35.7% males; ages between 17 and 39 years old. ASSIST and WHOQOL-BREF were administered in 57 patients. Average ASSIST total score was 16.81 (median: 13.50), with tobacco and alcohol scoring higher. Average WHOQOL-BREF total was 13.74 (median: 13.67), with physical and psychological domains scoring less. We found a significant negative correlation between WHOQOL-BREF physical domain and ASSIST tobacco scores; and between WHOQOL-BREF social domain and ASSIST sedatives score.

Quality of life is influenced by several factors. Studies showed that consumers of psychoactive substances have lower WHOQOL-BREF scores than nonusers. In our sample, we did not find a significant correlation between global quality of life and different substances. This may be due to existence of low consumption of substances in the sample as well as the existence of other factors that might have influenced quality of life.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Portuguese young adults (15–34 years old) were more frequent engaged in substance abuse (1.2%) than the general population, according to the Portuguese substance use annual report (2014). Alcohol was the most frequent substance use on youth adults. Cannabis was the most frequent illicit substance used (23.9% of users were considered dependent), with higher prevalence than previously reported. LSD (0.4%) use was also higher among young adults than in previous studies. Cocaine (0.4%), heroine/opiates (0.4%), ecstasy (0.3%), and hallucinogenic mushrooms (1.1%) had their consumption lowered among young adults.

To characterize a population of young adult psychiatric outpatients, regarding substance use and associated risk.

Socio-demographic characterization of our young adult unit outpatient users between 1st January 2015–31st July 2016. Substance use was assessed with the Portuguese version of Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST).

A total of 255 outpatients were observed during the timeframe; 58 outpatients were assessed with ASSIST: 44 females (75.9%) and 14 males (24.1%), aged between 16–33 years old (average: 20.95; median: 19.50). For tobacco, 3.5% had high risk, 37.9% moderate risk and 58.6% low risk; 22.4% had moderate risk of alcohol, 13.8% moderate risk of cannabis, and 20.7% moderate risk of tranquilizers. For others substances (cocaine, stimulants, inhalants, hallucinogens, and opiates) the risk was low.

In our sample, alcohol and cannabis use had the highest risk, as reported in the National Annual Report; however, we observed a moderate risk for tranquilizers use. In future care planning, youth mental health should address tobacco and alcohol abstinence, and preventive measures regarding anxiolytics should be undertaken, such as banning sale without medical prescription.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Birthweight (BW) has been associated with anthropometry, body composition and physical fitness during growth and development of children. However, less is known about the mediation effect of those variables on the relationship between BW and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in children.

To analyse the mediation effect of anthropometry, body composition and physical fitness on the association between BW and BMR in children.

In total, 499 children (254 boys, 245 girls) aged 7–10 years were included. Anthropometry (weight, height, head, waist and hip circumferences), body composition (skinfolds thickness, body fat percentage), physical fitness (handgrip strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular explosive power, agility, running speed) and BMR were evaluated. The analyses were conducted by: single-mediator analysis (SMA) and multi-mediator analysis (MMA).

The SMA indicates height, head, waist and hip circumferences and handgrip strength as significant mediators of BW on BMR for boys and height, hip circumference and handgrip strength as significant mediators of BW on BMR for girls. In MMA for girls, there were significant indirect effects for height, hip circumference and handgrip strength, with 79.08% of percent mediation. For boys, the head and waist circumferences mediation had a significant indirect effect, with 83.37% of percent mediation.

The anthropometric variables associated with BW were body height, head, hip and waist circumferences for boys and body height and hip circumference for girls. The current study provides new evidence that height and handgrip strength during childhood mediated the relationship between BW and BMR.