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Background and Aims: The notion of basic self‐disturbance has been proposed as a core feature of schizophrenia‐spectrum disorders and as an indicator of future transition to psychosis in high‐risk populations. However, the relation of this notion to many clinical characteristics has not been explored. The aim of this study was: (a) to investigate the distribution of self‐disturbance and other symptoms dimensions in ultra‐high risk (UHR), first‐episode psychosis (FEP) and healthy control groups; and (b) to explore the association of self‐disturbance with a history of self‐harm, suicidal attempt, eating disorder symptomatology, school bullying victimization and sexual or physical abuse. Methods: Patients with UHR status (n = 38) or FEP (n = 26) and healthy controls (n = 33) were assessed with the Examination of Anomalous Self‐Experience (EASE) and the Comprehensive Assessment of at Risk Mental States (CAARMS). The clinical‐historical variables were assessed through medical records. Results: The FEP group scored significantly higher on the EASE than the UHR group, which scored significantly higher than the healthy control group, which had a very low score. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that higher EASE score was significantly associated with a history of self‐harm, disordered eating and bullying victimization (but not with suicide attempts or sexual/physical abuse) after controlling for positive, negative and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: These novel findings suggest that self‐disturbance may be related to a history of school bullying victimization, self‐harm and eating disorder symptomatology in patients with or at‐risk of psychosis. If further confirmed, these findings are potentially relevant to clinical risk assessment and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: While right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is associated with worse prognosis in co‐morbid pulmonary hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (PH‐HFpEF), the mechanisms driving RV dysfunction are unclear. We evaluated the extent and clinical correlates of diffuse RV myocardial fibrosis in PH‐HFpEF, as measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance‐derived extracellular volume (ECV). Methods and results: We prospectively enrolled participants with PH‐HFpEF (n = 14), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; n = 13), and controls (n = 8). All participants underwent high‐resolution cardiovascular magnetic resonance, and case subjects (PH‐HFpEF and PAH) additionally underwent right heart catheterization. T1 mapping was performed using high‐resolution modified look‐locker inversion recovery with a 1 × 1 mm2 in‐plane resolution. RV free wall T1 values were quantified, and ECV was calculated. Participants with PH‐HFpEF were older and carried higher rates of hypertension and obstructive sleep apnoea than those with PAH. While RV ECV was similar between PH‐HFpEF and PAH (33.1 ± 8.0 vs. 34.0 ± 4.5%; P = 0.57), total pulmonary resistance was lower in PH‐HFpEF compared with PAH [PH‐HFpEF: 5.68 WU (4.70, 7.66 WU) vs. PAH: 8.59 WU (8.14, 12.57 WU); P = 0.01]. RV ECV in PH‐HFpEF was associated with worse indices of RV structure (RV end‐diastolic volume: r = 0.67, P = 0.01) and RV function (RV free wall strain: r = 0.59, P = 0.03) but was not associated with RV afterload (total pulmonary resistance: r = 0.08, P = 0.79). Conversely, there was a strong correlation between RV ECV and RV afterload in PAH (r = 0.57, P = 0.04). Conclusions: Diffuse RV fibrosis, as measured by ECV, is present in PH‐HFpEF and is associated with adverse RV structural and functional remodelling but not degree of pulmonary vasculopathy. In PH‐HFpEF, diffuse RV fibrosis may occur out of proportion to the degree of RV afterload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The Inventory of Psychotic‐Like Anomalous Self‐Experiences (IPASE) is a self‐report measure of minimal self‐disturbance. The aim of the current report was to assess the construct validity of the scale by examining its convergent validity with the gold‐standard measure of minimal self‐disturbance, the Examination of Anomalous Self‐Experience (EASE), and its discriminant validity. Method: The sample consisted of 46 participants (21 ultra‐high risk for psychosis patients, 14 first episode psychosis patients, 11 healthy controls). Correlations between the clinical instruments were examined. Results: The IPASE correlated strongly with general psychopathology and positive psychotic symptoms, moderately with negative symptoms, and weakly with manic symptoms. The strongest correlation (r = 0.92) was apparent between IPASE and EASE total scores. Conclusion: These preliminary data indicate construct validity of the IPASE, demonstrating both convergent and discriminant validity. The IPASE may be suitable as a screener measure for minimal self‐disturbance, but should not be used as a replacement to measure the construct of minimal self‐disturbance, which requires considerable psychopathological sophistication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capability of planar rRNA-based oligonucleotide microarrays for single-base-pair discrimination was evaluated using an approach that compares the non-equilibrium dissociation profiles and dissociation temperatures (Tds) of all probe-target duplexes simultaneously. Three sets of 16S rRNA gene specific probes at different levels of specificity were used along with their counter probes for individual sets having either one or two mismatches (MM) to their targets at specific external (next to terminus) and various internal positions. Criteria based on the Td approach and a discrimination index (DI) were proven to be competent in discriminating PM from internal MM duplexes, but not always for external MM duplexes. Maximal DI for separating PM duplexes from ones with two and one internal MM usually occurred at temperatures approximately 5–10°C and 10–15°C, respectively, higher than the Tds of the PM duplexes. Washing buffer type and salt concentration, and MM number and position were shown statistically to affect dissociation profiles, Td, and single-base-pair discriminating capability. The reusability potential of the planar microchip was further demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periorbital oedema (POE), a condition with vision-impairing potential, is an adverse effect of several immunotherapies. As the utilization of immunotherapeutic agents continues to expand in cancer treatment, the number of patients with iatrogenic POE will increase. We thank Narez Hafez, MD, for his significant contributions to the patient's care, including the initiation of topical 2.5% phenylephrine therapy and oncologic treatment. [Extracted from the article]