The impact of sleep, physical activity and sedentary behaviour on symptoms of depression and anxiety before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of South African participants.

During lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals have experienced poor sleep quality and sleep regularity, changes in lifestyle behaviours, and heightened depression and anxiety. However, the inter-relationship and relative strength of those behaviours on mental health outcomes is still unknown. We collected data between 12 May and 15 June 2020 from 1048 South African adults (age: 32.76 ± 14.43 years; n = 767 female; n = 473 students) using an online questionnaire. Using structural equation modelling, we investigated how insomnia symptoms, sleep regularity, exercise intensity/frequency and sitting/screen-use (sedentary screen-use) interacted to predict depressive and anxiety-related symptoms before and during lockdown. We also controlled for the effects of sex and student status. Irrespective of lockdown, (a) more severe symptoms of insomnia and greater sedentary screen-use predicted greater symptoms of depression and anxiety and (b) the effects of sedentary screen-use on mental health outcomes were mediated by insomnia. The effects of physical activity on mental health outcomes, however, were only significant during lockdown. Low physical activity predicted greater insomnia symptom severity, which in turn predicted increased depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Overall, relationships between the study variables and mental health outcomes were amplified during lockdown. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity and reducing sedentary screen-use to promote better sleep and mental health.

The impact of a fast bowling spell on physiological, perceptual and performance responses in non-elite cricketers.

Background: The demands placed on fast bowlers may elicit unique responses that contribute towards increased injury risk and comprised performance capabilities. Despite this, very few investigations have attempted to quantify these demands and their impact on performance in cricketers. Objective: This investigation attempted to quantify the effects of a fast bowling protocol on the musculoskeletal, physiological and perceptual responses of fast bowlers; as well as ball speed and accuracy. Methods: Eight young adult bowlers (20 ± 2 years) participated in a 10-over bowling protocol that had been separated by intermittent fielding drills into three bowling spells respectively (4-, 3- and 3- overs). Selected responses were collected throughout the protocol. Results: Functional strength was measured and showed no change. Heart rate responses increased significantly (p<0.05) at the start of the bowling protocol. Local ratings of perceived exertion increased significantly (p<0.05) as a function of exercise duration, while low to moderate intensities of perceived discomfort were noted in the anterior and posterior shoulder areas, upper portion of the lower limb musculature, as well as in the middle and lower back regions. Performance responses experienced no significant change. Conclusion: There was no significant change in ball release speed and accuracy across the bowling protocol. Lower limb muscle power remained consistent and heart rates reached a steady state after the first over. In comparison, local ratings of perceived effort and body discomfort increased over time, which could mean that those unchanged measures do not accurately reflect fatigue or that perceptions are a more effective indicator of impending fatigue.

[Neuropsychiatric symptoms in preventive antimalarial treatment with mefloquine: apropos of 2 cases]. / Manifestations neuropsychiatriques sous prophylaxie antipaludique par méfloquine: à propos de deux observations.

Two observations of severe neuropsychiatric reactions occurring during chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine are reported. The first case regards a 43 years old woman who developed a severe depression with visual and auditive hallucinations and a paranoid delusion. She was treated by clomipramine and risperidone. The second case concerns a 55 years old man who developed an acute psychosis with confusion. He was treated with halopridol during a short time. He presented twice an acute psychosis during a chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine. Several cases of neuropsychiatric side effects with mefloquine chemoprophylaxis or treatment have been described. Authors estimate that one of 250 therapeutic users has severe neuropsychiatric reactions, compared with one of 10,000 to 15,000 in the prophylaxis users. Disorders could last from 15 minutes to several weeks. Women and patients with personal or familial antecedents of psychiatric disorders are more frequently concerned. Alcohol and the association with other antimalarial drugs (like quinine) are two other risk factors. Therefore, some advices may be suggested regarding the use of mefloquine for malaria prophylaxis and treatment.

Serum level monitoring and therapeutic effect of haloperidol in schizophrenic patients.

Haloperidol serum concentrations were determined after IM or oral treatment in 15 schizophrenic patients. No correlation was found between drug levels and therapeutic effect. However, a good relationship was found between the half-life calculated after the first IM injection and the BPRS decrease after 3 weeks. Therefore a serum level study to the first day may forecast the therapeutic response.

[Anatomo-clinical and neurochemical aspects of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease]. / A propos des aspects anatomo-cliniques et neuro-chimiques de la maladie de Pelizaeus-Merzbacher.

The classification of the diffuse cerebral sclerosis has been possible because of the new advances in biochemical and histochemical studies of myelin and of neuropathological findings. The enzymatic disturbances in metachromatic leucodystrophy and in Krabbe's disease were determined. That allowed the definition of new diagnostic methods, safe and no traumatic. About the sudanophilic leucodystrophy, it is, even now, more doubtful: in this paper, we compared the data of own two observations of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher's disease with the 52 cases from the literature.

[Relations between the levels of neuroleptics and the doses, the therapeutic effects and the side effects]. / Relation des taux des neuroleptiques avec les doses, les actions thérapeutiques et les effets secondaires.

The mass fragmentography and the gas-liquid chromatography are available actually for quantitation of very low levels of neuroleptics. The Radio-immunological assay is full of promise. Their plasma levels are not correlated with their dosage in a man to another, but, for some of them, there is lineary relation for one person. A correlation between their levels and their clinical efficacy is not certainly demonstrated for thioridazine and non transformed chlorpromazine; it could be possible for his sulphoxide metabolite and for butaperazine. The sides-effects are relatively correlated with their levels in the begining of the therepautic. The antiparkinsonian drugs, the antidepressants and the lithium could influenced them.