| 1. |
- Broushaki, Farnaz, et al.
(author)
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Early Neolithic genomes from the eastern Fertile Crescent.
- 2016
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 353:6298
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We sequenced Early Neolithic genomes from the Zagros region of Iran (eastern Fertile Crescent), where some of the earliest evidence for farming is found, and identify a previously uncharacterized population that is neither ancestral to the first European farmers nor has contributed substantially to the ancestry of modern Europeans. These people are estimated to have separated from Early Neolithic farmers in Anatolia some 46,000 to 77,000 years ago and show affinities to modern-day Pakistani and Afghan populations, but particularly to Iranian Zoroastrians. We conclude that multiple, genetically differentiated hunter-gatherer populations adopted farming in southwestern Asia, that components of pre-Neolithic population structure were preserved as farming spread into neighboring regions, and that the Zagros region was the cradle of eastward expansion.
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| 2. |
- Fountoulakis, Konstantinos N., et al.
(author)
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Gender, age at onset, and duration of being ill as predictors for the long-term course and outcome of schizophrenia : an international multicenter study
- 2022
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In: CNS Spectrums. - : CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS. - 1092-8529 .- 2165-6509. ; 27:6, s. 716-723
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The aim of the current study was to explore the effect of gender, age at onset, and duration on the long-term course of schizophrenia. Methods Twenty-nine centers from 25 countries representing all continents participated in the study that included 2358 patients aged 37.21 +/- 11.87 years with a DSM-IV or DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia; the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale as well as relevant clinicodemographic data were gathered. Analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were used, and the methodology corrected for the presence of potentially confounding effects. Results There was a 3-year later age at onset for females (P < .001) and lower rates of negative symptoms (P < .01) and higher depression/anxiety measures (P < .05) at some stages. The age at onset manifested a distribution with a single peak for both genders with a tendency of patients with younger onset having slower advancement through illness stages (P = .001). No significant effects were found concerning duration of illness. Discussion Our results confirmed a later onset and a possibly more benign course and outcome in females. Age at onset manifested a single peak in both genders, and surprisingly, earlier onset was related to a slower progression of the illness. No effect of duration has been detected. These results are partially in accord with the literature, but they also differ as a consequence of the different starting point of our methodology (a novel staging model), which in our opinion precluded the impact of confounding effects. Future research should focus on the therapeutic policy and implications of these results in more representative samples.
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| 3. |
- Fountoulakis, Konstantinos N., et al.
(author)
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Staging of Schizophrenia With the Use of PANSS : An International Multi-Center Study
- 2019
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In: International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Oxford University Press. - 1461-1457 .- 1469-5111. ; 22:11, s. 681-697
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IntroductionA specific clinically relevant staging model for schizophrenia has not yet been developed. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure of the PANSS and develop such a staging method.MethodsTwenty-nine centers from 25 countries contributed 2358 patients aged 37.21 ± 11.87 years with schizophrenia. Analysis of covariance, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Discriminant Function Analysis, and inspection of resultant plots were performed.ResultsExploratory Factor Analysis returned 5 factors explaining 59% of the variance (positive, negative, excitement/hostility, depression/anxiety, and neurocognition). The staging model included 4 main stages with substages that were predominantly characterized by a single domain of symptoms (stage 1: positive; stages 2a and 2b: excitement/hostility; stage 3a and 3b: depression/anxiety; stage 4a and 4b: neurocognition). There were no differences between sexes. The Discriminant Function Analysis developed an algorithm that correctly classified >85% of patients.DiscussionThis study elaborates a 5-factor solution and a clinical staging method for patients with schizophrenia. It is the largest study to address these issues among patients who are more likely to remain affiliated with mental health services for prolonged periods of time.
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| 4. |
- Popa, Tina, et al.
(author)
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Procedural Justice in a Tribunal Context : An Exploration and Extension of the Concept from a Human-Centred Design Perspective
- 2022
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In: University of New South Wales Law Journal. - : University of New South Wales Press. - 0313-0096 .- 1839-2881. ; 45:4, s. 1657-1692
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Procedural justice (‘PJ’) recognises that court and tribunal users’ perceptions of the fairness of a legal process can impact upon their ability to accept and ‘live with’ a decision. This study offers a novel exploration of PJ through a human-centred design lens, using a full-journey perspective of users within a Victorian civil tribunal setting. Our study confirmed that existing PJ factors are relevant both in the case management of disputes and during hearings. Importantly though, this study identified additional factors that influence tribunal users’ satisfaction with the fairness of the process. Specifically, our study found balanced empathy, balanced power distance, holistic touchpoint alignment, and enhanced readiness are additional factors which contribute to PJ. This study reinforces the relevance of PJ in the tribunal context and expands the theoretical PJ construct. The findings have significant implications for a variety of legal contexts and contribute to an emerging domain labelled ‘legal design’.
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| 5. |
- Wannan, Cassandra M.J., et al.
(author)
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Plasma neurofilament light protein is differentially associated with age in individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder compared to controls
- 2024
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In: Psychiatry Research. - 0165-1781. ; 339
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Accelerated brain ageing has been observed in multiple psychiatric disorders. This study examined whether relationships between age and plasma neurofilament light (NfL) protein differed in individuals with psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder (n = 42), bipolar affective disorder (n = 121), treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS, n = 82)) compared to two healthy control (HC) groups (n = 1,926 and n = 59). Compared to two independent HC samples, individuals with TRS demonstrated a stronger positive relationship between age and NfL levels. Individuals with BPAD had a stronger negative relationship between age and NfL levels compared to the large normative HC cohort, but not locally-acquired HCs. These findings show that plasma NfL levels are differentially associated with age in individuals with TRS and BPAD compared to healthy individuals.
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