Is Burnout a Depressive Condition? A 14-Sample Meta-Analytic and Bifactor Analytic Study

There is no consensus on whether burnout constitutes a depressive condition or an original entity requiring specific medical and legal recognition. In this study, we examined burnout–depression overlap using 14 samples of individuals from various countries and occupational domains ( N = 12,417). Meta-analytically pooled disattenuated correlations indicated (a) that exhaustion—burnout’s core—is more closely associated with depressive symptoms than with the other putative dimensions of burnout (detachment and efficacy) and (b) that the exhaustion–depression association is problematically strong from a discriminant validity standpoint ( r = .80). The overlap of burnout’s core dimension with depression was further illuminated in 14 exploratory structural equation modeling bifactor analyses. Given their consistency across countries, languages, occupations, measures, and methods, our results offer a solid base of evidence in support of the view that burnout problematically overlaps with depression. We conclude by outlining avenues of research that depart from the use of the burnout construct.

Self-mutilation as a clinical manifestation of Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis

Introduction: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare neurological entity, which consists of an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of bile acid biosynthesis due to CYP27A1 variants, with variable systemic and neurological clinical presentation. Psychiatric signs are also observed at early adulthood and includes behavioral and personality changes, depression and psychosis. However, self-mutilation has not been previously described. Case report: We attend to two sisters with a unique clinical presentation. The first patient, 33 years old, presented epilepsy at 17, in addition to cognitive impairment and tendon xanthomas. A severe depressive condition was established at 25. A year ago, she had frequent bites on his lips and tongue. The second patient, 28 years old, had chronic diarrhea and juvenile cataract in childhood. Axial ataxia has been observed since age 18. After 3 years, she presented psychiatric decline marked by visual, auditory hallucinations and persecutory delirium. Four months ago she showed signs of self-mutilation with a sting in the phalanges of his hands. Both patients had elevated plasma cholestanol and 7-dehydro-cholesterol. The genetic test showed a homozygous c.1183 C>T (p.Arg395Cys) variant in the CYP27A1 gene. Conclusion: The reports illustrate the relevance of self-mutilation in CTX, an unprecedented clinical presentation that should be remembered as another differential diagnosis with this phenomenology.

Tryptophan and Membrane Mobility as Conditioners and Brokers of Gut–Brain Axis in Depression

The aim of this brief narrative commentary is to discuss some aspects involved in depression. It is increasingly evident that the phenomenon of mood disorders, despite its unequivocal genetic origin, slips into a multifactorial set of biochemical and molecular events that involve the whole organism. A vast literature has provided evidence that recognizes changes in serotonergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of depression. In addition, an increased arachidonic acid/omega-3 fatty acid ratio, which confers to mammalian cell membranes their fluidity, is associated with the depressive state. The combination of the excessive expression of kinurenine and the increased fluidity of the membrane has never been considered in the meaning of a simultaneous effect in the determinism of the depressive condition. Furthermore, various evidence supports the relationship between intestinal microbiota and depression and confirms alterations in the microbiota in depressive pathology.

Mast Cells, Astrocytes, Arachidonic Acid: Do They Play a Role in Depression?

Evidence support that brain membrane fatty acids play a crucial role in psychopathologies such as depression and anxiety disorders. Although the pathogenesis of depression is not still defined, drugs commonly used to reduce arachidonic turnover in the brain can control mood disorders, such as depression. Both astrocytes and mast cells release arachidonic acid during silent inflammation. Here, we hypothesize that arachidonic acid freed from lipid droplets of mast cells, as well as the one released from activated astrocytes, could contribute to characterize a depressive condition, and the fatty acids profile of mast cells, astrocytes and microglia could also vary, reflecting the pathophysiological depressive state of the subject. Finally, there is evidence that gut microbiota is deeply implicated in mood and behavioral disorders. Human gut microbiota can control nervous system diseases through neuroimmune pathways.

The efficiency of the use of mechanisms of the territorial communities’ cooperation in conditions of the authorities’ decentralization

Cooperation between the territorial communities in Ukraine is nowadays one of the important directions of the local governance reform. The Constitution of Ukraine provides an opportunity to combine the municipal facilities and the funds of budgets for the implementation of joint projects or joint funding (maintenance) of municipal companies, organizations, and institutions, and create the respective managing bodies and services. The opportunity is implemented based on the adoption of the relevant legislation. In 1997, Ukraine ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Governance, which grants a right to local authorities to cooperate with other local authorities while performing its competences to accomplish the tasks that are of the common interest. The paper aims to research the efficiency of the use of the mechanisms of the territorial communities’ cooperation in conditions of the authorities’ decentralization. The paper analyzes the regulations directed at the support of cooperation between the territorial communities in conditions of the authorities’ decentralization. The features of cooperation between the territorial communities are outlined. The statistical information is monitored, and on this basis, the information on the condition of cooperation between the territorial communities in Ukraine in 2015-2019 is grouped and characterized. The conclusions on such cooperation are made. The mechanisms of cooperation between the territorial communities are examined. The advantages and positive effects that the communities can obtain in case of efficient cooperation are determined. The nature of joint projects is defined. The conceptual scheme of a territorial communities’ cooperation project is constructed. The ways to overcome the problems and measures to activate the cooperation between the territorial communities are suggested. The projects of communities’ cooperation as a tool to consolidate resources and accomplish the clearly defined objective are proven to be the ground for optimization of the administrative and territorial structure of the country, overcoming the depressive condition of certain areas, and creation of growth poles.

CONTEMPORARY UKRAINIAN LAUGHTER CULTURE: TRADITIONS AND INNOVATIONS

Nowadays Ukrainian laughter culture acquired principally new characteristics. We witness the outbreak of Ukrainian laughter which is reflected not only in the popularity of entertainment business but also in the influence of laughter culture at the potestary relations. This increases the relevance of discussions about the national authenticity of specific laughter practices. We think that these phenomena and problems deserve a thorough research. That is why the aim of this article is to reveal the semantics of contemporary Ukrainian culture by specifying its invariant elements and singling out the newest discourses. They are studied in the aspect of interaction between potestary and laughter practices. The research is based on some concepts of H. Bergson’s laughter theory and M. Bakhtin’s methodology of analysis of laughter culture, supplemented with the ideas of the contemporary culturological discourse about specific traits of Ukrainian laughter culture. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the work is in the fact that for the first time the invariant practices, peculiar to Ukrainian laughter are singled out in it; the features of its development in modern conditions are analyzed; the criteria of defining truly Ukrainian opposition of laughter culture to ideology are defined. Such contemporary laughter practices as “prikol” are given new interpretations. The phenomenon of Ukrainian laughter is a dynamic cultural fact which combines traditional and innovative practices. In the contemporary cultural space (as opposed to the previous epoch of laughter culture), there exist various laughter discourses, which differ in general cultural level, intellect, and political orientation of the laughter subjects. Based on these two discourses, the interaction of carnivalized politics and politicized laughter culture occur. On the one hand, it testifies to the processes of democratization of the society, but on the other hand it paradoxally, with the help of laughter practices, reflects the depressive condition of social consciousness.

Depression and Consent to Treatment

This chapter examines the law’s approach to decision-making capacity in the context of severe depression, with particular emphasis on decisions in respect of treatment (both treatment for the depressive condition itself and for other conditions that are not directly linked). It draws on the work of Matthew Ratcliffe on experiences of depression to highlight difficulties in applying the legal standard for decision-making capacity in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to people with severe depression. The chapter explains how the law can address the limits of a capacity-based approach to consent to treatment and argues that an appropriate legal framework requires better engagement with the experiences of people living with depression. This framework should be grounded in recovery norms rather than autonomy/capacity norms—even if it recognizes that the two will overlap in many situations.

Evidence of Antidepressive Effects of aWakan-yaku,Hochuekkito, in Depression Model Mice with Learned-Helplessness Behavior

Wakan-yakuis a type of Japanese and Sino traditional, systematized medical care that has been practiced for hundreds of years. This medicinal system includes many antidepressive prescriptions. One of the candidates isHochuekkito, although experimental evidence has not yet been established clearly. To obtain evidence, a depression model of learned-helplessness (LH) mice was used. Based on the score of escape failure, an index of the depression degree, mice with a depressive condition were selected to assessHochuekkito’s effects. This selection was significant and effective in the following two points: evaluation of the drug effect under disease conditions and minimization of the number of animals. Treatment withHochuekkito(1 and 5 g/kg p.o.; estimated galenical amount) for 14 days significantly decreased the depression index, the number of escape failures, and desipramine (10 mg/kg p.o.) suggesting thatHochuekkitohas an antidepressive effect.