Alvydas Navickas

Quadrichromatic white solid-state lamp with digital feedback

White light with high color rendering indices can be produced by additive color mixing of emissions from several light-emitting diodes (LEDs) having different primary colors. White Versatile Solid-State Lamps (VSSLs) with variable color temperature, constant-chromaticity dimming, and efficiency/color-rendering trade-off can be developed using pulse-width modulation (PWM) driving technique. However, such lamps exhibit chromaticity shifts caused by different temperature and aging coefficients of the optical output for primary LEDs of different colors. To overcome this drawback, we developed a polychromatic white solid-state lamp with an internal digital feedback. The lamp features a quadrichromatic (red-amber-green-blue) design based on commercially available high-power LEDs. The design is optimized to achieve high values of the general color rendering index (69 to 79 points) in the color-temperature range of 2856 to 6504 K. A computer-controlled driving circuit contains a pulse-width modulator and a photodiode-based meter. The software performs periodical measurement of the radiant flux from primary LEDs of each color and adjusts the widths of the driving pulses. These VSSLs with feedback found application in phototherapy of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Relationship of suicide rates to economic variables in Europe: 2000-2011

BACKGROUND It is unclear whether there is a direct link between economic crises and changes in suicide rates. AIMS The Lopez-Ibor Foundation launched an initiative to study the possible impact of the economic crisis on European suicide rates. METHOD Data was gathered and analysed from 29 European countries and included the number of deaths by suicide in men and women, the unemployment rate, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the annual economic growth rate and inflation. RESULTS There was a strong correlation between suicide rates and all economic indices except GPD per capita in men but only a correlation with unemployment in women. However, the increase in suicide rates occurred several months before the economic crisis emerged. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study confirms a general relationship between the economic environment and suicide rates; however, it does not support there being a clear causal relationship between the current economic crisis and an increase in the suicide rate.

Quality of Life, Anxiety Prevalence, Depression Symptomatology and Suicidal Ideation among Acne Patients in Lithuania

We aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression symptomatology and suicidal ideation among patients with acne and the impact of this skin condition on the quality of life in Lithuania.

Translating the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) into Lithuanian

Abstract Viliū nienė R, Evans C, Hilbig J, Pakalniškienė V, Danilevičiū tė V, Laurinaitis E, Navickas A. Translating the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) into Lithuanian. Nord J Psychiatry 2012;Early Online:1–7. Background: There are no standardized tools in Lithuanian feasible for ongoing routine use to measure the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatment. The CORE-OM is a widely used 34-item self-report measure for such purpose. Aims: To explore the reliability, validity and sensitivity of the Lithuanian translation of CORE-OM questionnaire. Methods: A validation study of the CORE-OM was conducted in the psychiatric clinic attached to Vilnius University. A Lithuanian translation of the English original CORE-OM was prepared by a team of translators. Then 39 psychotherapy outpatients and 187 students were asked to complete the Lithuanian version of the CORE-OM; 66 were tested twice to determine test–retest stability. Analysis included both internal and test–retest reliability, acceptability, influence of gender, principal component analysis and criteria for reliable and clinically significant change. Results: Internal and test–retest reliability were good (0.61–0.94), though somewhat lower for the risk domain (α: 0.57–0.79, Spearmans rho 0.25–0.60). Differences between scores of the clinical and non-clinical samples were large and significant (P < 0.001). Some of the Lithuanian criteria for clinically significant change were a bit lower than those of the original UK criteria (e.g. well-being) and others higher (symptoms, functioning, overall score), illustrating the need for local exploration. Conclusions: In spite of small differences in psychometric properties from the original, the Lithuanian version of the CORE-OM was reliable and sensitive in both clinical and non-clinical settings. It has the potential to become a practical, sensitive and reliable tool for psychotherapists in Lithuania. • CORE-OM; outcome measures; psychotherapy; reliability; validation.

The risk factors for depression in Lithuanian breast cancer patients

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world and the most frequent cancer among women. This disease is one of the most stressful events in someones life, what can trigger a depression. In investigations made worldwide tendency was observed, that older, not employed, low educated and single patients are more prone to depression. Lithuania remains a country where depression in cancer patients is under studied. Taking into account that the suicidal rate of the general population of Lithuania is one of the biggest in Europe since 1993, it is very important to investigate the risk factors for depression. Lithuania is a country in which many economic, political, and social changes have occurred during the last two decades. We had a hypothesis that risk factors of depression in Lithuanian breast cancer patients will differ from other European non post‐soviet countries because of economic level and social‐cultural features. The main aims of this study were to evaluate prevalence and risk for depression in Lithuanian women diagnosed with breast cancer, and to identify the influence of social, demographic, psychological, and clinical factors on the depression.

Gender-Based Differences in Anxiety and Depression Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background Among patients with heart disease, depression and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and persistent. Both depression and anxiety play a significant role in cardiovascular disease progression and are acknowledged to be independent risk factors. However, there is very little gender-related analysis concerning cardiovascular diseases and emotional disorders. Objective We aimed to evaluate depression and anxiety levels in patients suffering from myocardial infarction [MI] within the first month after the MI and to assess the association between cardiovascular disease risk factors, demographic indicators and emotional disorders, as well as to determine whether there are gender-based differences or similarities. Methods This survey included demographic questions, clinical characteristics, questions about cardiovascular disease risk factors and the use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]. All statistical tests were two-sided, and p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results It was determined that 71.4% of female and 60.4% of male patients had concomitant anxiety and/or depression symptomatology (p = 0.006). Using men as the reference point, women had an elevated risk of having some type of psychiatric disorder (odds ratio, 2.86, p = 0.007). The HADS-D score was notably higher in women (8.66 ± 3.717) than men (6.87 ± 4.531, p = 0.004). It was determined that male patients who developed depression were on average younger than those without depression (p = 0.005). Conclusions Women demonstrated an elevated risk of having anxiety and/or depression disorder compared to men. Furthermore, depression severity increased with age in men, while anxiety severity decreased. In contrast, depression and anxiety severity was similar for women of all ages after the MI. A higher depression score was associated with diabetes and physical inactivity, whereas a higher anxiety score was associated with smoking in men. Hypercholesterolemia was associated with both higher anxiety and depression scores, and a higher depression score was associated with physical inactivity in women.

Pecularities Of Smoking In Psychiatric And Non-Psychiatric Wards In Lithuania

Santrauka Tyrimo tikslas. Išsiaiškinti rūkymo paplitimo ypatumus įvairiuose Lietuvos gydymo įstaigų stacionaruose. Tyrimo metodas. Buvo atliktas vienmomentis, kiekybinis, anoniminis, anketinis tyrimas psichiatrijos ir nepsichiatrijos stacionaruose Vilniuje, Klaipėdoje ir Šiauliuose. Apklausti 228 asmenys: 113 psichiatrijos (49,6%) ir 115 nepsichiatrijos (50,4%) stacionaruose besigydančių asmenų, tarp jų moterų buvo 116 (50,9%) ir vyrų 112 (49,1%). Respondentų amžius buvo nuo 18 iki 92 (54,5 ± 18,5) metų. Tyrimo rezultatai. Psichiatrijos stacionaruose rūkančių asmenų gydosi 3,5 karto daugiau – 48,7%, nei nepsichiatrijos stacionaruose 13,9% (p = 0,001). Iš visų rūkančių pacientų psichiatrijos ir nepsichiatrijos stacionaruose beveik dvigubai dažniau rūko vyrai, atitinkamai 65,5% ir 62,5%. Net 96,3% rūkančių psichiatrijos ir 75% nepsichiatrijos stacionarų respondentų tęsia rūkymą besigydydami stacionare (p=0,008). Psichikos sutrikimus gydantys pacientai surūkydavo vidutiniškai 5,6 cigaretėmis daugiau, t. y. vidutiniškai po 16,3 cigaretes per dieną lyginant su gydančiais somatinius sutrikimus – 10,7. Net 55,8% psichiatrijos stacionarų respondentų pažymėjo rūkantys vidutinio stiprumo cigaretes, o nepsichiatrijos stacionarų pacientai dažniau rūkė lengvas – 43,8% (p = 0,013). Dažniausiai rūkantys pacientai rūko lauke: psichiatrijos – 46,9%, nepsichiatrijos – 75,0%. Be to psichiatrijos skyrių pacientai rūkė tualetuose ir net palatose. Pagrindiniai du rūkymą palaikantys faktoriai abejose grupėse buvo tie patys: tai raminantis ir gerinantis nuotaiką poveikis, o psichiatrijos stacionaruose gydomi rūkaRŪKYMO YPATUMAI TARP PSICHIATRIJOS IR NEPSICHIATRIJOS STACIONARUOSE GYDOMŲ PACIENTŲ LIETUVOJE

Medical And Social Aspects Of Suicide In Lithuania In The First Half Of The Xxth Century

Main Aim: characterize the epidemiology and prevention measures of suicidal behaviour in Lithuania in the first half of the XX century. Methods and Object. Using an analytical method, this investigation focused on the search for scientific publications relating to suicide, the critical analysis of these publications and subsequent interpretation of the main findings. The main objects of interest were research articles published in Lithuanian scientific journals in the first half of the XX century. Results and Conclusions. As a result of extensive search, nine articles related to the suicide theme were located in Lithuanian scientific journals from the first half of the 20th century: two articles on original scientific suicide research, two articles on practical work, four review and informative articles and one providing theoretical discussion of suicide risk factor. The authors of these articles were scientists of various professions: four psychiatrists, two pathologoanatomists and forensic experts, one doctor of internal medicine, a surgeon and a lawyer. The suicide rate in Lithuania in the first half of the XX century was one of the lowest in Europe, e.g., in 1929: Lithuania - 9/100 000 inhabitants, Austria - 39.9, Germany - 33.2, Hungary - 29.0, Switzerland - 26.1, France - 24.5, Denmark - 24.5, Great Britain - 17.6, Sweden - 15.0, Italy - 9.5. The most popular methods of suicide were poisoning, mostly by acetic acid, (41.0%) and hanging (19.6%), i.e. mechanical means of suicide were less popular. In that period, women were 3 times more represented amongst those attempting suicide and most suicide attempts (56%) were made by persons in the age range 20-29. One of methods of prevention was the restriction of sale of industrial use concentrated acetic acid, allowing only the sale of vinegar solution (no more than 30%). Other of methods - strengthening the character of young people and emphasising the role of schools and churches in playing an important role and establishing suicide prevention offices in every city. The paper presents extensive information about the epidemiological, clinical, social and preventive aspects that were typical not only in Lithuania, but also in Europe at that time. This analysis of scientific publications show that Lithuania was less prone to suicidal behaviour than many other European countries almost one hundred years ago and thus Lithuania cannot be considered a country with a genetic predisposition to suicide, furthermore revealing that the current high rates of observed suicidal behaviour are a phenomina that have developed since that time.

Prevalence of Suicidal Behaviour in Vilnius According to Age and Gender

Nepaisant gerai žinomų ir vangiai mažėjancių aukstų Lietuvos savižudybių rodiklių, iki siol mažai žinoma apie ketinimų ir mėginimų žudytis paplitimą ir jų charakteristiką salyje. Taciau tokios žinios būtinos siekiant sukurti efektyvesne pagalbos bei prevencijos sistemą. Siame epidemiologiniame darbe analizuojami Vilniaus miesto greitosios medicinos pagalbos stoties vienerių metų duomenys apie savižudiską elgesį, pacientus ir antrosios gydymo pakopos vietą. Nagrinėjama ketinimų-mėginimų ir savižudybių paplitimas bei jų tarpusavio santykis pagal lytį ir amžiaus tarpsnius. Dėl savižudisko elgesio 2007 m. Vilniuje registruota 815, t. y. 146,8 greitosios medicinos pagalbos iskvietimų 105 gyventojų, tarp kurių dėl ketinimų bei mėginimų žudytis buvo 734 (132,2 per 105 gyv.), o dėl nusižudymo – 81 (14,6 per 105 gyv.). Straipsnyje pateikta detali savižudybinio elgesio analizė pagal savižudybės formas, lytį ir amžių. Diskutuojama apie galimą savižudybių prevencijos mastą. Isvados: 1. Vilniuje vyrų ir moterų savižudybinis elgesys paplites vienodai. 2. Vilniuje savižudybinio elgesio pikai yra jauname amžiuje: vyrams – 19–34 metų amžiuje, moterims – 10–18 metų amžiuje. 3. Vilniuje savižudybinio elgesio formos pagal amžių skiriasi statistiskai reiksmingai: jaunesniame amžiuje vyrauja ketinimai-mėginimai nusižudyti, o su amžiumi savižudybinis elgesys darosi pavojingesnis, letaliskesnis. 4. Vyriska lytis yra svarbus didesnio savižudisko letaliskumo faktorius. 5. Savižudybių prevencijoje vaikų ir paauglių psichinės sveikatos specialistams turėtų tekti 10,3 proc., suaugusių psichinės sveikatos specialistams 81,5 proc., o gerontologine pagalbą teikiantiems specialistams 8,2 proc. planuojamų resursų dalis. doi:10.5200/sm-hs.2012.029

Hypersexuality – Norm and Pathology

In the scientific and clinical community, there is a high focus on hi-posexuality, hypersexuality remains on the sideline. Studies have found that hypersexuality (compulsive sexual behavior) occurs in 3-6% of the USA population. Sexual addiction is considered as a chronical disorder, the person is looking for repetitive sexual stimulation, in spite of negative consequences. In this article, are described the hypersexuality definition, etiology, prevalence, classification, occurrence form, comorbidity and diagnostic, based on reviewed literature data. Hypersexuality is also evaluated as a symptom and as a separate nosological unit. Article in Lithuanian doi:10.5200/sm-hs.2012.036