Abstract:Objective: Clozapine is the treatment of choice in refractory schizophrenia, but a substantial proportion of patients experience inadequate response or tolerate the drug poorly. Melperone has been suggested as a possible alternative in such patients. This case series examines the efficacy of melperone in refractory schizophrenia. Method: All patients prescribed melperone at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust were identified using a pharmacy database. The main outcome was to determine the proportion of patients discharged on melperone. Results: Three of 21 patients were discharged on melperone. The primary reason for discontinuation was lack of efficacy. Conclusion: Melperone may be an option in a very few patients with refractory schizophrenia, but it should not be considered as an alternative to clozapine.

The paper describes the drug-using behaviour among young people (12-19 y.) within two age groups in Slovakia. The study aims to describe the prevalence of two different forms of drug-use (experimentation and use within the last 30 days) of legal and illegal substances: alcohol, nicotine (cigarettes), marijuana, and other illegal drugs. A descriptive analysis was applied to two age and gender groups. The research sample was made up of 2489 pupils in primary and secondary schools (various types) from different regions within Slovakia. One set was made up of 39.1% (N = 974) boys and 61.3% (N = 1515) girls aged 12-19 years which was divided into two age groups: group “14” (14 to 15 years, N = 923) and group “16” (16 and older, N = 1566). The SAHA method was used for data collection (Social and Health Assessment, Weissberg et al., 1991; a Slovak version by Rojková, 2017). Gender differences were tested statistically, and some differences were identified. The results are discussed in the context of European and national surveys that are available and a decrease in experimentation with marijuana and smoking was found.

Introduction: Food allergy is a chronic disease that requires a great deal of effort. It can result not only in a reduced quality of life, but also increased feelings of anxiety and stress. This study examines the association between health-related quality of life (HRQL) and trait anxiety levels in adults with food allergy. Methods: The research sample consisted of 167 adults with food allergy aged 19-69 years, arithmetic average (M) age 37. The STAI X2 questionnaire was used to measure trait anxiety. The food allergy quality of life questionnaire for adult population (FAQLQ-AF) was used to measure the health-related quality of life -and this achieved high reliability values. Results: A moderate, positive relationship was demonstrated between anxiety and the FAQLQ-AF. Simple linear regression analysis demonstrated that trait anxiety level is a predictor of HRQL level, and an increase in anxiety level decreases HRQL. Factors such as tetanus syndrome, comorbidities, prescribed medications and recommended over-the-counter medications are associated with trait anxiety levels. Related illnesses and symptom clusters are related to HRQL levels. Conclusions: Adults with food allergy who are more anxious are more likely to experience a poorer quality of life. Early intervention, prevention and optimization of treatment management should be a necessary part of the psychological care of patients with food allergy.

Preparation for the profession of a nurse requires, in addition to knowledge, the development of specific skills; many of them are primarily connected to cognitive abilities. In the context of effective education, one of the key facts is to recognise the intelligence structure of nursing students. The aim of the research was to analyse the intelligence structure in nursing students, to compare scores in individual areas of intelligence with the norm, to identify problematic areas of intelligence, and to suggest possibilities for intervention in education. The research sample consisted of 266 women aged 19 to 43 years old (average age = 20.10 years) - current students of the study field of nursing at the bachelor's degree. Data collection was carried out in the years 2014 - 2019. To measure the structure of intelligence, a standardized IST-70 questionnaire was used, focusing on two meta constructs - reasoning and memory. Subtests of numerical, verbal, and figural intelligence were analysed within the meta construct of reasoning. The value of the gross score of the total intelligence level of the examined group (M = 84.95; SD = 19.87) is comparable (t = -1.58; sig. = 0.114) with the population norm (M = 87; SD = 25). The research sample of nursing students scored statistically significantly higher in the meta construct of memory (t = 7.84; sig. = 0.000) and significantly lower in the meta construct of reasoning (t = -3.876, sig. = 0.000). The most significant deficits were present in figural and numerical intelligence. In view of the results achieved, we recommend introducing interventions in the area of training future nurses, which should be aimed at compensating for deficits in figural and numerical intelligence.

The study deals with the examination of the psychometric properties of the newly developed measuring instrument, the questionnaire of Risk behavior and the intimate relationships of adolescents. Content validity has been verified by exploratory factor analysis that has created factors such as promiscuous behavior, alcoholism, sexually transmitted disease and unprotected sex as part of risky sexual behavior. Factor analysis has highlighted the existence of protective factors of intimacy -social support, emotionality, confidential communication, mutual sharing of free time, and risk factors -impaired communication, aggression, jealousy and infidelity. Questionnaire reliability is provided by Cronbach's alpha computation.