Subcutaneous methotrexate in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a critical appraisal

Summary

Aim

Warren et al¹ set out to assess the effect of an intensified dosing schedule of subcutaneous methotrexate in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Setting and design

This is a prospective, double-blind, randomised (3:1), placebo-controlled study, conducted across 16 centres in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the UK.

Study exposure

Methotrexate-naïve adults with a diagnosis of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis for at least 6 months before baseline were randomly assigned to receive weekly subcutaneous injections of either methotrexate at a starting dose of 17.5 mg, or placebo for 16 weeks (first phase).Dose escalation to 22.5 mg/week was implemented after 8 weeks if patients did not achieve PASI 50. Treatment was combined with folic acid 5 mg/week. The first phase of the study was followed by an open-label period from 16-52 weeks (second phase), in which both groups received weekly methotrexate injections. At week 24, dose escalation to 22.5 mg/week was possible in patients not achieving PASI 50.

Outcomes

Psoriasis severity was measured using the PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). The authors also used two other psoriasis severity measures and two quality of life measures, looked at safety indices and performed a sub-study analysing paired skin biopsies at baseline and week 16 (histopathology, immunohistochemistry and expression of interleukin (IL)17A, interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α).

Primary outcome measures

The primary outcome was the proportion of patients reaching PASI 75 at week 16.

Results

120 patients were included in this trial, most of whom were middle-aged white men with longstanding psoriasis and a mean BMI of 30.1 kg/m². PASI 75 was achieved in 41% of patients receiving methotrexate vs. 10% of patients receiving placebo (RR 3.93, 95% CI 1.31–11.81; p=0.0026) at week 16. Subcutaneous methotrexate was generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse events related to this treatment over the 52-week study.

Conclusions

Warren et al conclude that the 52-week risk-benefit profile of subcutaneous methotrexate is favourable in patients with psoriasis.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Oral retinoids and depression

Abstract

We are concerned about the content and possible misinterpretation of a research letter by Le Moigne et al. published on 19 June 2017 in the British Journal of Dermatology online.[1]

We share the concern expressed by the authors about possible psychiatric effects of oral retinoids. However, case reports rank low in the hierarchy of evidence, as a result of their inherent limitations, including publication bias and a lack of control groups.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Improved artefact removal from EEG using Canonical Correlation Analysis and spectral slope

Publication date: 15 March 2018
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Volume 298
Author(s): Azin S. Janani, Tyler S. Grummett, Trent W. Lewis, Sean P. Fitzgibbon, Emma M. Whitham, Dylan DelosAngeles, Hanieh Bakhshayesh, John O. Willoughby, Kenneth J. Pope
BackgroundContamination of scalp measurement by tonic muscle artefacts, even in resting positions, is an unavoidable issue in EEG recording. These artefacts add significant energy to the recorded signals, particularly at high frequencies. To enable reliable interpretation of subcortical brain activity, it is necessary to detect and discard this contamination.New methodWe introduce a new automatic muscle-removal approach based on the traditional Blind Source Separation-Canonical Correlation Analysis (BSS-CCA) method and the spectral slope of its components. We show that CCA-based muscle-removal methods can discriminate between signals with high correlation coefficients (brain, mains artefact) and signals with low correlation coefficients (white noise, muscle). We also show that typical BSS-CCA components are not purely from one source, but are mixtures from multiple sources, limiting the performance of BSS-CCA in artefact removal. We demonstrate, using our paralysis dataset, improved performance using BSS-CCA followed by spectral-slope rejection.ResultThis muscle removal approach can reduce high-frequency muscle contamination of EEG, especially at peripheral channels, while preserving steady-state brain responses in cognitive tasks.Comparison with existing methodsThis approach is automatic and can be applied on any sample of data easily. The results show its performance is comparable with the ICA method in removing muscle contamination and has significantly lower computational complexity.ConclusionWe identify limitations of the traditional BSS-CCA approach to artefact removal in EEG, propose and test an extension based on spectral slope that makes it automatic and improves its performance, and results in performance comparable to competitors such as ICA-based artefact removal.



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Carvacrol prevents impairments in motor and neurochemical parameters in a model of progressive parkinsonism induced by reserpine

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Brain Research Bulletin, Volume 139
Author(s): Lívia Cristina R.F. Lins, Marina F. Souza, José Marcos M. Bispo, Auderlan M. Gois, Thaís Cristina S. Melo, Rayr Antonio S. Andrade, Lucindo J. Quintans-Junior, Alessandra M. Ribeiro, Regina H. Silva, José R. Santos, Murilo Marchioro
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compact (SNpc), with consequent depletion of dopamine in the striatum, which gives rise to the characteristic motor symptoms of PD. Although its etiology is unknown, several studies have suggested that oxidative stress plays a critical function in the pathophysiology of PD, and antioxidant agents could be helpful to slown down the dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Carvacrol (CA) is a phenolic monoterpene found in essential oils of many aromatic plants that presents antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to assess the effect of CA in a reserpine (RES)-induced rat model of PD. Male Wistar rats received 15 s.c. injections of 0.1 mg/kg RES or vehicle, every other day, concomitantly to daily i.p. injections of CA (12.5 or 25 mg/kg) or vehicle. Across the treatment, the animals were submitted to behavioral evaluation in the catalepsy test (performed daily), open field test (7th day) and assessment of vacuous chewing movements (12th, 20th and 30th days). Upon completion of behavioral tests, rats were perfused and their brains underwent tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemical analysis. Our results showed that CA (12.5 e 25 mg/kg) prevented the increase in catalepsy behavior and number of vacuous chewing movements, but failed to revert the decreased open-field locomotor activity induced by RES. In addition, CA in both doses prevented the decrease in TH immunostaining induced by RES in the SNpc and dorsal striatum. Taken together, our results suggest that CA shows a protective effect in a rat model of PD, preventing motor and neurochemical impairments induced by RES. Thus, the use of CA as a promising new strategy for the prevention and/or treatment of PD may be considered.



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A novel image processing workflow for the in vivo quantification of skin microvasculature using dynamic optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Background

Currently, imaging technologies that can accurately assess or provide surrogate markers of the human cutaneous microvessel network are limited. Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) allows the detection of blood flow in vivo and visualization of the skin microvasculature. However, image processing is necessary to correct images, filter artifacts, and exclude irrelevant signals. The objective of this study was to develop a novel image processing workflow to enhance the technical capabilities of D-OCT.

Materials and methods

Single-center, vehicle-controlled study including healthy volunteers aged 18-50 years. A capsaicin solution was applied topically on the subject's forearm to induce local inflammation. Measurements of capsaicin-induced increase in dermal blood flow, within the region of interest, were performed by laser Doppler imaging (LDI) (reference method) and D-OCT.

Results

Sixteen subjects were enrolled. A good correlation was shown between D-OCT and LDI, using the image processing workflow. Therefore, D-OCT offers an easy-to-use alternative to LDI, with good repeatability, new robust morphological features (dermal-epidermal junction localization), and quantification of the distribution of vessel size and changes in this distribution induced by capsaicin. The visualization of the vessel network was improved through bloc filtering and artifact removal. Moreover, the assessment of vessel size distribution allows a fine analysis of the vascular patterns.

Conclusion

The newly developed image processing workflow enhances the technical capabilities of D-OCT for the accurate detection and characterization of microcirculation in the skin. A direct clinical application of this image processing workflow is the quantification of the effect of topical treatment on skin vascularization.

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Socio-economic patterning in early mortality of patients aged 0–49 years diagnosed with primary bone cancer in Great Britain, 1985–2008

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 53
Author(s): Karen Blakey, Richard G. Feltbower, Peter W. James, Gillian Libby, Charles Stiller, Paul Norman, Craig Gerrand, Richard J.Q. McNally
BackgroundStudies have shown marked improvements in survival between 1981 and 2000 for Ewing sarcoma patients but not for osteosarcoma. This study aimed to explore socio-economic patterning in early mortality rates for both tumours.ProcedureThe study analysed all 2432 osteosarcoma and 1619 Ewing sarcoma cases, aged 0–49 years, diagnosed in Great Britain 1985–2008 and followed to 31/12/2009. Logistic regression models were used to calculate risk of dying within three months, six months, one year, three years and five years after diagnosis. Associations with Townsend deprivation score and its components were examined at small-area level. Urban/rural status was studied at larger regional level.ResultsFor osteosarcoma, after age adjustment, mortality at three months, six months and one year was associated with higher area unemployment, OR = 1.05 (95% CI 1.00, 1.10), OR = 1.04 (95% CI 1.01, 1.08) and OR = 1.04 (95% CI 1.02, 1.06) respectively per 1% increase in unemployment. Mortality at six months was associated with greater household non-car ownership, OR = 1.02 (95% CI 1.00, 1.03). For Ewing sarcoma, there were no significant associations between mortality and overall Townsend score, nor its components for any time period. For both tumours increasing mortality was associated with less urban and more remote rural areas.ConclusionsThis study found that for osteosarcoma, early mortality was associated with residence at diagnosis in areas of higher unemployment, suggesting risk of early death may be socio-economically determined. For both tumours, distance from urban centres may lead to greater risk of early death.



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The impact of rectal cancer tumor height on recurrence rates and metastatic location: A competing risk analysis of a national database

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 53
Author(s): Knut M. Augestad, Deborah S. Keller, Paul M. Bakaki, Johnie Rose, Siran M. Koroukian, Tom Øresland, Conor P. Delaney
BackgroundThe impact of rectal cancer tumor height on local recurrence and metastatic spread is unknown. The objective was to evaluate the impact of rectal cancer tumor height from the anal verge on metastatic spread and local recurrence patterns.MethodsThe Norwegian nationwide surgical quality registry was reviewed for curative rectal cancer resections from 1/1/1996-12/15/2006. Cancers were stratified into five height groups: 0–3 cm, >3–5 cm, >5–9 cm, >9–12 cm, 12 cm–HI. Competing risk and proportional hazards models assessed the relationship between tumor height and patterns of metastasis and survival.Results6859 patients were analyzed. After median follow-up of 52 months (IQR 20–96), 26.7% (n = 1835) experienced recurrence. With tumors >12 cm, the risk of liver metastases increased (crude HR 1.49, p = 0.03), while lung metastases decreased (crude HR 0.66, p = 0.03), and risk of death decreased (crude HR 0.81, p = 0.001) The cumulative incidence of pelvic recurrence were highest for the low tumors (p = 0.01). Median time to liver metastases was 14months (IQR 7–24), lung metastases 25months (IQR 13–39), pelvic recurrence 19months (IQR10-32), (p < 0.0001). Time to metastases in liver and lungs were significantly associated with tumor height (p < 0.001)ConclusionThere are distinct differences in metastatic recurrence patterns and time to recurrence from different anatomic areas of the rectum. In crude analyses, tumor height impacted metastatic spread to the liver and lungs. However, when adjusting for treatment variables, the hazard of metastatic spread to the liver and lungs are limited. Nevertheless, time to metastases in liver and lungs is significantly impacted by tumor height. Venous drainage of the rectal cancer may be a significant contributor of rectal cancer metastatic spread, but further research is warranted.

Graphical abstract

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Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in Denmark 1996–2012: A national prospective study of 219 patients

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 53
Author(s): Gitte Bjørn Hvilsom, Stefano Christian Londero, Christoffer Holst Hahn, Sten Schytte, Henrik Baymler Pedersen, Peer Christiansen, Katalin Kiss, Stine Rosenkilde Larsen, Marie Louise Jespersen, Giedrius Lelkaitis, Christian Godballe
BackgroundAnaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the least common but most malignant thyroid cancer. We aimed to examine the characteristics as well as evaluate the incidence, prognostic factors, and if introduction of a fast track cancer program might influence survival in a cohort of ATC patients.MethodsA cohort study based on prospective data from the national Danish thyroid cancer database DATHYRCA and the national Danish Pathology Register including 219 patients diagnosed from 1996 to 2012, whom were followed until death or through September 2014.ResultsWe found the median age in the 7th decade, the majority of patients being women presenting with a growing mass at the neck, diagnosed with stage T4b disease. At diagnosis, 56% of the patients had lymph node metastasis and 38% distant metastasis.We observed one- and five-year survival of 20.7% and 11.0%, respectively.Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed age (above 73.6 years), respiratory impairment, T4b stage, and distant metastasis at diagnosis to be significant prognostic factors. Further, introduction of a national fast track cancer program increased survival nearly two-fold.ConclusionAs new information, our study adds "respiratory impairment at diagnosis" and "introduction of a national fast track cancer program" to the list of already established prognostic indicators for ATC.



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Population risk factors for late-stage presentation of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 53
Author(s): Tessa S. Stewart, Jennifer Moodley, Fiona M. Walter
BackgroundCervical cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with many women only seeking professional help when they are experiencing symptoms, implying late-stage malignancy and higher mortality rates. This ecological study assesses population-level exposures of SSA women to the numerous risk factors for HPV infection and cervical cancer, against late-stage presentation of cervical cancer.Materials and methodA literature review revealed the relevant risk factors in SSA. Open-access databases were mined for variables closely representing each risk factor. A proxy for late-stage presentation was used (ratio of incidence-to-mortality, IMR), and gathered from IARC's GLOBOCAN 2012 database. Variables showing significant correlation to the IMR were used in stepwise multiple regression to quantify their effect on the IMR.ResultsCountries with high cervical cancer mortality rates relative to their incidence have an IMR nearer one, suggesting a larger proportion of late-stage presentation. Western Africa had the lowest median IMR (1.463), followed by Eastern Africa (IMR = 1.595) and Central Africa (IMR = 1.675), whereas Southern Africa had the highest median IMR (1.761). Variables selected for the final model explain 65.2% of changes seen in the IMR. Significant predictors of IMR were GDP (coefficient = 2.189 × 10⁻⁶, p = 0.064), HIV infection (−1.936 × 10⁻³, p = 0.095), not using a condom (−1.347 × 10⁻³, p = 0.013), high parity (−1.744 × 10⁻², p = 0.008), and no formal education (−1.311 × 10⁻³, p < 0.001).ConclusionUsing an IMR enables identification of factors predicting late-stage cervical cancer in SSA including: GDP, HIV infection, not using a condom, high parity and no formal education.



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A new approach to estimate time-to-cure from cancer registries data

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 53
Author(s): Olayidé Boussari, Gaëlle Romain, Laurent Remontet, Nadine Bossard, Morgane Mounier, Anne-Marie Bouvier, Christine Binquet, Marc Colonna, Valérie Jooste
BackgroundCure models have been adapted to net survival context to provide important indicators from population-based cancer data, such as the cure fraction and the time-to-cure. However existing methods for computing time-to-cure suffer from some limitations.MethodsCure models in net survival framework were briefly overviewed and a new definition of time-to-cure was introduced as the time TTC at which P(t), the estimated covariate-specific probability of being cured at a given time t after diagnosis, reaches 0.95. We applied flexible parametric cure models to data of four cancer sites provided by the French network of cancer registries (FRANCIM). Then estimates of the time-to-cure by TTC and by two existing methods were derived and compared. Cure fractions and probabilities P(t) were also computed.ResultsDepending on the age group, TTC ranged from to 8 to 10 years for colorectal and pancreatic cancer and was nearly 12 years for breast cancer. In thyroid cancer patients under 55 years at diagnosis, TTC was strikingly 0: the probability of being cured was >0.95 just after diagnosis. This is an interesting result regarding the health insurance premiums of these patients. The estimated values of time-to-cure from the three approaches were close for colorectal cancer only.ConclusionsWe propose a new approach, based on estimated covariate-specific probability of being cured, to estimate time-to-cure. Compared to two existing methods, the new approach seems to be more intuitive and natural and less sensitive to the survival time distribution.

Graphical abstract

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Events Diary

Publication date: Available online 4 February 2018
Source:Materials Today





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Piezoelectric scaffold squeezes cells into action

Publication date: Available online 4 February 2018
Source:Materials Today
Author(s): Cordelia Sealy




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Events Diary

Publication date: Available online 4 February 2018
Source:Materials Today





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Roles of the anterior basolateral amygdalar nucleus during exposure to a live predator and to a predator-associated context

Publication date: 16 April 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 342
Author(s): Ricardo Passoni Bindi, Marcus Vinicius C. Baldo, Newton Sabino Canteras
The basolateral amygdala complex, which includes the lateral, basolateral and basomedial nuclei, has been implicated in innate and contextual fear responses to predator threats. In the basolateral complex, the lateral and posterior basomedial nuclei are able to process predator odor information, and they project to the predator-responsive hypothalamic circuit; lesions in these amygdalar sites reduce innate responses and practically abolish contextual fear responses to predatory threats. In contrast to the lateral and posterior basomedial nuclei, the basolateral nucleus does not receive direct information from predator olfactory cues and has no direct link to the predator-responsive hypothalamic circuit. No attempt has previously been made to determine the specific role of the basolateral nucleus in fear responses to predatory threats, and we currently addressed this question by making bilateral N-methyl-D-aspartate lesions in the anterior basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLAa), which is often regarded as being contiguous with the lateral amygdalar nucleus, and tested both innate and contextual fear in response to cat exposure. Accordingly, BLAa lesions decreased both innate and contextual fear responses to predator exposure. Considering the targets of the BLAa, the nucleus accumbens appears to be a potential candidate to influence innate defensive responses to predator threats. The present findings also suggest that the BLAa has a role in fear memory of predator threat. The BLAa is likely involved in memory consolidation, which could potentially engage BLAa projection targets, opening interesting possibilities in the investigation of how these targets could be involved in the consolidation of predator-related fear memory.



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Sex differences in rat decision-making: The confounding role of extraneous feeder sampling between trials

Publication date: 16 April 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 342
Author(s): Clifford H. Donovan, Scott A. Wong, Sienna H. Randolph, Rachel A. Stark, Robbin L. Gibb, Aaron J. Gruber
Although male and female rats appear to perform differently in some tasks, a clear picture of sex differences in decision-making has yet to develop. This is in part due to significant variability arising from differences in strains and tasks. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of sex on specific response elements in a reinforcement learning task so as to help identify potential explanations for this variability. We found that the primary difference between sexes was the propensity to approach feeders out of the task context. This extraneous feeder sampling affects choice on subsequent trials in both sexes by promoting a lose-shift response away from the last feeder sampled. Female rats, however, were more likely to engage in this extraneous feeder sampling, and therefore exhibited a greater rate of this effect. Once trials following extraneous sampling were removed, there were no significant sex differences in any of the tested measures. These data suggest that feeder approach outside of the task context, which is often not recorded, could produce a confound in sex-based differences of reinforcement sensitivity in some tasks.



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Reversible inactivation of interpeduncular nucleus impairs memory consolidation and retrieval but not learning in rats: A behavioral and molecular study

Publication date: 16 April 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 342
Author(s): Leila Khatami, Fariba Khodagholi, Fereshteh Motamedi
The Interpedundular nucleus (IPN) is a small midbrain structure located deeply between the two cerebral peduncles. The strategic placement of this nucleus makes it a possible relay between structures involved in the modulation of hippocampal theta rhythm activity. In this study we aimed to investigate how reversible inactivation of IPN could affect the acquisition, consolidation and retrieval phases of memory in passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) tasks. To support our data, molecular studies were performed in order to detect possible changes in the expression of proteins related to learning and memory in the hippocampus. To address this issue rats' IPN was reversibly inactivated by microinjection of lidocaine hydrochloride (4%). After the behavioral studies, the phosphorylation of CREB and P70, and c-fos expression levels in the hippocampus were determined using western blotting and immunohistochemistry respectively. Our results in the PA and MWM tasks showed that IPN reversible inactivation could impair immediate post training consolidation and retrieval while it had no effect on the acquisition phase. In addition, there was a deficit in the retention of the MWM working memory. Our data showed the ratio of pCREB/CREB, pP70/P70 and c-fos expression in the hippocampus significantly decreased after IPN reversible inactivation. Collectively, the results show that behaviorally defined changes could be due to what happens molecularly in the hippocampus after IPN reversible inactivation. It is concluded that IPN not only makes part of a network involved in the modulation of hippocampal theta rhythm activity, but also is actively engaged in hippocampal memory formation.



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Differential requirement of de novo Arc protein synthesis in the insular cortex and the amygdala for safe and aversive taste long-term memory formation

Publication date: 16 April 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 342
Author(s): Kioko Guzmán-Ramos, Archana Venkataraman, Jean-Pascal Morin, Daniel Osorio-Gómez, Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
Several immediate early genes products are known to be involved in the facilitation of structural and functional modifications at distinct synapses activated through experience. The IEG-encoded protein Arc (activity regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein) has been widely implicated in long-term memory formation and stabilization. In this study, we sought to evaluate a possible role for de novo Arc protein synthesis in the insular cortex (IC) and in the amygdala (AMY) during long-term taste memory formation. We found that acute inhibition of Arc protein synthesis through the infusion of antisense oligonucleotides administered in the IC before a novel taste presentation, affected consolidation of a safe taste memory trace (ST) but spared consolidation of conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Conversely, blocking Arc synthesis within the AMY impaired CTA consolidation but had no effect on ST long-term memory formation. Our results suggest that Arc-dependent plasticity during taste learning is required within distinct structures of the medial temporal lobe, depending on the emotional valence of the memory trace.



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Review: Limb regeneration in humans: dream or reality?

Publication date: Available online 3 February 2018
Source:Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger
Author(s): Lorenzo Alibardi
Appendage regeneration occurs by a sequence of events resembling those that take place during development in the embryo. This requires embryonic conditions such as hydration and hyaluronate content where Wnt and other signaling pathways, together with non- coding RNAs, can be re-expressed. These conditions among vertebrates are fully met only in amputated limbs of amphibians, likely because they are neotenic and maintain larval characteristics, including immaturity of their immune system and permanence of numerous stem cells. Although some key genes orchestrating limb regeneration are also present in amniotes, including humans, these genes are not expressed after injury. In amniotes a key problem for regeneration derives from the efficient immune system, largely deficient in anamniotes. As a consequence, wounds and appendage loss tend to scar instead of regenerating. Efforts of regenerative medicine in the attempt to induce the regrowth of limbs in humans must produce outgrowths with high hydration and hyaluronate content in order to create the immune-suppressed conditions similar to those present during development. The induced blastema must be manipulated for long periods of time in order to maintain the same regions present during limb development, an apical epidermal ridge and a polarizing region that forms gradients of expression of Wnt, Shh, FGF, BMP and Hox-genes. Pharmacological treatments to direct the regenerating limb into normal growth without risk of inducing abnormal or tumorigenic growth must be monitored during the course of the regeneration process − a medical treatment lasting years to fully regain the size of the lost appendage.



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Vitamin D deficiency in childhood: old lessons and current challenges

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


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Influence of primitive Biłgoraj horses on the glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus)-dominated understory in a mixed coniferous forest

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Acta Oecologica, Volume 87
Author(s): Daniel Klich
Changes in the understory dominated by glossy buckthorn Frangula alnus via the influence of primitive horses were analyzed in a 28-year-old enclosure in the village of Szklarnia at the Biłgoraj Horse-Breeding Centre near Janów Lubelski (eastern Poland). The analysis was conducted in 20 circular plots (30 m²) defined in adjacent, similar forest stands (enclosed and control). Disturbance by the horses, mainly through trampling, caused numerous paths to form within the glossy buckthorn-dominated understory and led to a decrease in density of stems of lower height classes (30–80 and 81–130 cm, respectively). An increase in species diversity at the expense of glossy buckthorn density was also observed. The horses' trampling caused an increase in Padus avium density and the encroachment of other woody plant species that were less shade-tolerant and grew well in soils rich in nutrients. An increase in the density of woody plants over 180 cm above ground was observed within the enclosure, which was probably the result of the horses' excretion of feces. The results presented here provide new insight into the ecological role that horses play in forest-meadow landscape mosaics, which, via altering the development of vegetation, may contribute to an increase in biodiversity within forest habitats.



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Bilirubin in the Liver–Gut Signaling Axis

Publication date: Available online 3 February 2018
Source:Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism
Author(s): Abdul-Rizaq Hamoud, Lauren Weaver, David E. Stec, Terry D. Hinds
Bilirubin is a component of the heme catabolic pathway that is essential for liver function and has been shown to reduce hepatic fat accumulation. High plasma bilirubin levels are reflective of liver disease due to an injurious effect on hepatocytes. In healthy liver, bilirubin is conjugated and excreted to the intestine and converted by microbes to urobilinoids, which are reduced to the predominant pigment in feces, stercobilin, or reabsorbed. The function of urobilinoids in the gut or their physiological relevance of reabsorption is not well understood. In this review, we discuss the relationship of hepatic bilirubin signaling to the intestinal microbiota and its regulation of the liver–gut axis, as well as its capacity to mediate these processes.



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Maternal Exercise Improves the Metabolic Health of Adult Offspring

Publication date: Available online 3 February 2018
Source:Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism
Author(s): Johan E. Harris, Lisa A. Baer, Kristin I. Stanford
The intrauterine environment can modulate the course of development and confer an enduring effect on offspring health. The effects of maternal diet to impair offspring metabolic health are well established, but the effects of maternal exercise on offspring metabolic health have been less defined. Because physical exercise is a treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), maternal exercise is an appealing intervention to positively influence the intrauterine environment and improve the metabolic health of offspring. Recent research has provided insights into the effects of maternal exercise on the metabolic health of adult offspring, which is the focus of this review.



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Editorial Board and Contents

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 29, Issue 2





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ATP Citrate Lyase: A New Player Linking Skeletal Muscle Metabolism and Epigenetics

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2018
Source:Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism
Author(s): Haisen Li, Vittorio Sartorelli
Intermediates generated in several metabolic processes are used to regulate transcription through covalent histone and DNA modifications. In Cell Reports, Das et al. show that acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) generated by ATP citrate lyase (ACL) is utilized to acetylate histone H3 at MyoD regulatory regions, resulting in increased MyoD expression and improved muscle regeneration after injury.



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The Common and Distinct Features of Brown and Beige Adipocytes

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2018
Source:Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism
Author(s): Kenji Ikeda, Pema Maretich, Shingo Kajimura
Two types of thermogenic fat cells, brown adipocytes and beige adipocytes, play a key role in the regulation of systemic energy homeostasis in mammals. Both brown fat and beige fat possess thermogenic properties in addition to common morphological and biochemical characteristics, including multilocular lipid droplets and cristae-dense mitochondria. Recent studies also identify features that are distinct between the two types of thermogenic fat cells, such as their developmental regulation and function. Of particular interest is the role of beige fat in the regulation of glucose homeostasis via uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-independent mechanisms. A better understanding of the underlying causes of these characteristics of brown and beige fat will allow us to specifically manipulate these cells to improve systemic energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis.



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Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Improving Postpartum Maternal Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Evidence suggests that poor postpartum sleep quality is a risk factor for the development of postpartum depression. As such, non-pharmacological interventions have been developed to help improve sleep in the postpartum period. The primary aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to determine if non-pharmacological interventions improved maternal sleep and to compare the effectiveness of different intervention types. Secondary aims included examining effects on maternal mood and infant sleep.

http://ift.tt/2E19nIH

Surgical treatment of axillary bromhidrosis by combining suction-curettage with subdermal undermining through a miniature incision

The suction-curettage technique has been widely applied in the treatment of axillary bromhidrosis. However, it can only moderately eradicate the malodor. From 2011 to 2013, we performed the suction-curettage procedure alone in 91 patients with primary axillary bromhidrosis (group A). From 2014 to 2016, we refined the suction-curettage technique by performing wide subdermal scissors undermining through a miniature incision in 80 patients (group B). Through a miniature incision at the inferior pole of the central axillary crease, the entire subcutaneous tissues containing apocrine glands were initially dissected with scissors within the axillary area and then the undermined apocrine glands were removed by suction-curettage.

http://ift.tt/2GO66ye

Quality of life improvement after chest wall masculinization in female-to-male transgender patients: a prospective study using the BREAST-Q and body uneasiness test

Background: Chest reconstruction in many female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals is an essential element of treatment for their gender dysphoria. In existing literature, there are very few longitudinal studies utilizing validated survey tools to evaluate patient reported outcomes surrounding this surgery. The purpose of our study is to prospectively evaluate patient reported satisfaction, improvement in body image, and quality of life following FTM chest wall reconstruction. Methods: Our study was a prospective analysis of FTM patients who underwent chest reconstruction by a single surgeon (C.A.) between April 2015 and June 2016.

http://ift.tt/2s76PqN

Coverage of the dorsal surface of a digit based on a pedicled free-style perforator flap concept

Reconstruction of the finger and thumb dorsum has been considered difficult due to the need for a thin and flexible flap, and the surrounding tissue is sometimes insufficient for a local flap. The purpose of this report is to describe our concept for finger and thumb dorsum reconstruction with free-style perforator flaps and our clinical experience with transfer of various perforator flaps.

http://ift.tt/2FFElGD

Mutual inhibition of lateral inhibition: a network motif for an elementary computation in the brain

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 49
Author(s): Minoru Koyama, Avinash Pujala
A series of classical studies in non-human primates has revealed the neuronal activity patterns underlying decision-making. However, the circuit mechanisms for such patterns remain largely unknown. Recent detailed circuit analyses in simpler neural systems have started to reveal the connectivity patterns underlying analogous processes. Here we review a few of these systems that share a particular connectivity pattern, namely mutual inhibition of lateral inhibition. Close examination of these systems suggests that this recurring connectivity pattern ('network motif') is a building block to enforce particular dynamics, which can be used not only for simple behavioral choice but also for more complex choices and other brain functions. Thus, a network motif provides an elementary computation that is not specific to a particular brain function and serves as an elementary building block in the brain.



http://ift.tt/2s5GjhB

A disinhibitory circuit motif and flexible information routing in the brain

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 49
Author(s): Xiao-Jing Wang, Guangyu Robert Yang
In the mammalian neocortex, an area typically receives inputs from, and projects to, dozens of other areas. Mechanisms are needed to flexibly route information to the right place at the right time, which we term 'pathway gating'. For instance, a region in your brain that receives signals from both visual and auditory pathways may want to 'gate in' the visual pathway while 'gating out' the auditory pathway when you try to read a book surrounded by people in a noisy café. In this review, we marshall experimental and computational evidence in support of a circuit mechanism for flexible pathway gating realized by a disinhibitory motif. Moreover, recent work shows an increasing preponderance of this disinhibitory motif from sensory areas to association areas of the mammalian cortex. Pathway input gating is briefly compared with alternative or complementary gating mechanisms. Predictions and open questions for future research on this puzzle about the complex brain system will be discussed.



http://ift.tt/2GLoZS9

The promise and perils of causal circuit manipulations

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 49
Author(s): Steffen BE Wolff, Bence P Ölveczky
The development of increasingly sophisticated methods for recording and manipulating neural activity is revolutionizing neuroscience. By probing how activity patterns in different types of neurons and circuits contribute to behavior, these tools can help inform mechanistic models of brain function and explain the roles of distinct circuit elements. However, in systems where functions are distributed over large networks, interpreting causality experiments can be challenging. Here we review common assumptions underlying circuit manipulations in behaving animals and discuss the strengths and limitations of different approaches.



http://ift.tt/2GLoVBT

Orbitofrontal Damage Reduces Auditory Sensory Response in Humans

Publication date: Available online 3 February 2018
Source:Cortex
Author(s): Julia W.Y. Kam, Anne-Kristin Solbakk, Ingrid Funderud, Tor Endestad, Torstein R. Meling, Robert T. Knight




http://ift.tt/2E1EMP0

Distribution and transfer of potentially toxic metal(loid)s in Juncus effusus from the indigenous zinc smelting area, northwest region of Guizhou Province, China

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 152
Author(s): Yishu Peng, Jun Chen, Huairui Wei, Shibin Li, Tao Jin, Ruidong Yang
We collected samples (i.e., the aerial parts and roots of Juncus effusus and their growth media) in the indigenous zinc smelting area in the northwest region of Guizhou Province, China, and we measured and analyzed potentially toxic metal(loid)s (arsenic, As; cadmium, Cd; chromium, Cr; copper, Cu; mercury, Hg; lead, Pb and zinc, Zn) in these samples. The results include the following: First, there is a high concentration of one or more potentially toxic metal(loid)s in the slag and surrounding soil in the research area. This situation might be caused by metal(loid) damage or contamination due to the circumstances. Additionally, Juncus effusus in the indigenous zinc smelting area are contaminated by some potentially toxic metal(loid)s; since they are used for Chinese medical materials, it is especially significant that their As, Cd and Pb concentrations are greater than their limited standard values. Finally, both the bioconcentration factors and transfer factors for most potentially toxic metal(loid)s in Juncus effusus are less than 1 in the study area. Therefore, we suggest that Juncus effusus could be used for phytostabilization or as a pioneer plant for phytoremediation of potentially toxic metal(loid)s because it has a tolerance and exclusion mechanism for these metal(loid)s in the research district.



http://ift.tt/2FIFbCC

Maize straw decorated with sulfide for tylosin removal from the water

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 152
Author(s): Xuetao Guo, Yongyuan Yin, Chen Yang, Zhi Dang
MS-ZnS and MS-ZnS:Mn complexes were synthesized via a simple method. The results showed that sulfide was successfully loaded on the maize straw. The results of fitting the experimental data showed that the sorption conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the TYL sorption on MS fit the Henry model well, but the Freundlich model was more suited to MS-ZnS and MS-ZnS:Mn. In addition, the kf values of MS-ZnS (206.0(mg/kg)/(mg/L)ⁿ) and MS-ZnS:Mn (382.5(mg/kg)/(mg/L)ⁿ) were significantly greater than that of MS (72.2(mg/kg)/(mg/L)ⁿ), indicating that ZnS and ZnS:Mn could improve the sorption capacity of TYL on MS. The pH, ionic strength and temperature influence the sorption process, and the sorption ability of TYL on MS-ZnS and MS-ZnS:Mn showed little change when the solution pH was > 5; the amount of TYL sorption on the adsorbents gradually decreased with the increasing concentration of KNO3. Electrostatic interactions, H bonding and hydrophobic interactions are involved in the sorption of TYL on MS, MS-ZnS and MS-ZnS:Mn, and compared with MS, the main mechanism is surface complexation. This research can provide technical support for the utilization of biomass and the restoration of water polluted by antibiotics.

Graphical abstract

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Premenstrual appetite and emotional responses to foods among women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Publication date: 1 June 2018
Source:Appetite, Volume 125
Author(s): Ju-Yu Yen, Tai-Ling Liu, I-Ju Chen, Su-Yin Chen, Chih-Hung Ko
The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in late-luteal appetite for highly sweet (HS) and highly salty and fatty (HSF) foods in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). After initial assessment in a psychiatric interview, the premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST) was used to identify women with moderate-to-severe premenstrual symptoms. Sixty-seven women with PMDD and 74 healthy controls were evaluated in the early-follicular and late-luteal (pre-menstrual) phases of the menstrual cycle. Because the PSST is designed to assess symptoms only in the late-luteal phase, an 11-point Likert scale was used to rate PMDD symptoms once a week in the evaluation mentioned previously and the following two menstrual cycles. Participants were shown pictures of 15 highly sweet (HS) and 15 highly salty and fatty (HSF) foods, desire to eat each food was rated on an eleven-point Likert scale (0, "none at all"; 10, "extreme desire"), and sweet-food craving was rated using the food craving-state questionnaire. Emotional responses to the foods were measured with a four-point Likert scale we previously validated. Depression, irritability, and impulsivity were measured with standard psychiatric instruments. Women with PMDD, but not control women, had late-luteal phase elevations in desire to eat HS food, sweet-food craving and emotional responses to HS foods. Desire to eat for HSF foods did not differ significantly across the menstrual cycle between groups. There were significant correlations between emotional responses to and desire to eat HS foods. Moreover, late-luteal phase irritability and impulsivity scores were associated with desire to eat HS foods. These data suggest that targeted assessment of increased late-luteal appetites for HS foods may facilitate clinical interventions in women with PMDD.



http://ift.tt/2nFQ9Bt

Pre- and postprandial variation in implicit attention to food images reflects appetite and sensory-specific satiety

Publication date: 1 June 2018
Source:Appetite, Volume 125
Author(s): Graeme R. Davidson, Timo Giesbrecht, Anna M. Thomas, Tim C. Kirkham
Implicit attentional processes are biased toward food-related stimuli, with the extent of that bias reflecting relative motivation to eat. These interactions have typically been investigated by comparisons between fasted and sated individuals. In this study, temporal changes in implicit attention to food were assessed in relation to natural, spontaneous changes in appetite occurring before and after an anticipated midday meal. Non-fasted adults performed an emotional blink of attention (EBA) task at intervals, before and after consuming preferred, pre-selected sandwiches to satiety. Participants were required to detect targets within a rapid visual stream, presented after task-irrelevant food (preferred or non-preferred sandwiches, or desserts) or non-food distractor images. All categories of food distractor preferentially captured attention even when appetite levels were low, but became more distracting as appetite increased preprandially, reducing task accuracy maximally as hunger peaked before lunch. Postprandially, attentional capture was markedly reduced for images of the specific sandwich type consumed and, to a lesser extent, for images of other sandwich types that had not been eaten. Attentional capture by images of desserts was unaffected by satiation. These findings support an important role of selective visual attention in the guidance of motivated behaviour. Naturalistic, meal-related changes in appetite are accompanied by changes in implicit attention to visual food stimuli that are easily detected using the EBA paradigm. Preprandial enhancement of attention capture by food cues likely reflects increases in the incentive motivational value of all food stimuli, perhaps providing an implicit index of wanting. Postprandial EBA responses confirm that satiation on a particular food results in relative inattention to that food, supporting an important attentional component in the operation of sensory-specific satiety.



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A multidimensional approach to understanding the potential risk factors and covariates of adult picky eating

Publication date: 1 June 2018
Source:Appetite, Volume 125
Author(s): Jordan M. Ellis, Rebecca R. Schenk, Amy T. Galloway, Hana F. Zickgraf, Rose Mary Webb, Denise M. Martz
ObjectiveAdult picky eating (PE) has received increased attention in the eating behavior literature due to its important association with adult avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). The current study tested a model of potential risk factors of adult PE behavior, including perceived early parental feeding practices. An exploratory model was also utilized to understand associations with different aspects of adult PE behaviors.MethodsA sample of 1339 US adults recruited through Amazon's MTurk completed an online survey that included the recently developed Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ), retrospective reports of parental feeding practices, and other measures of eating behavior and demographic variables. A structural equation modeling procedure tested a series of regression models that included BMI and disordered eating behaviors as covariates.ResultsSEM modeling indicated that retrospective reports of greater parental pressure to eat, higher disgust sensitivity, lower PE age of onset, and experiencing an aversive food event were associated with general adult PE behavior. Results also indicated parental encouragement of healthy eating may be a protective factor, and that men endorsed higher levels of adult PE. Exploratory analyses indicated that cross-sectional predictors and covariates were differentially related to specific aspects of PE as measured by the APEQ subscales.ConclusionsEarly experiences, including parental approaches to feeding, appear to be potential risk factors of PE behavior in adults. A nuanced understanding of adult PE is important for the prevention and treatment of severe PE behaviors, related psychosocial impairment, and ARFID.



http://ift.tt/2E17e3H

Ultrasensitive microfluidic paper-based electrochemical/visual biosensor based on spherical-like cerium dioxide catalyst for miR-21 detection

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Xiaolu Sun, He Wang, Yannan Jian, Feifei Lan, Lina Zhang, Haiyun Liu, Shenguang Ge, Jinghua Yu
In this work, an electrochemical biosensor based on Au nanorods (NRs) modified microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) were constructed for sensitive detection of microRNA (miRNA) by using cerium dioxide - Au@glucose oxidase (CeO2-Au@GOx) as an electrochemical probe for signal amplification. Au NRs were synthesized by in-situ growth method in μPADs surface to enhance the conductivity and modified hairpin probe through Au-S bonds. The construction of "the signal transducer layer" was carried out by GOx catalyzing glucose to produce H2O2, which was further electrocatalyzed by CeO2. After the biosensor was constructed, an obvious electrochemical signal was observed from the reduction of H2O2. In order to make the detection more convincing, the visual detection was performed based on the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine by H2O2 with the help of Exonuclease I. The electrochemical biosensor provided a wide linear range of 1.0fM to 1000fM with a relatively low detection limit of 0.434fM by the electrochemical measurement. Linear range of 10fM to 1000fM with a relatively low detection limit of 7.382fM was obtained by visual detection. The results indicated the proposed platform has potential utility for detection of miRNA.



http://ift.tt/2DWvpMv

Homogeneous and label-free electrochemiluminescence aptasensor based on the difference of electrostatic interaction and exonuclease-assisted target recycling amplification

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Jiancong Ni, Weiqiang Yang, Qingxiang Wang, Fang Luo, Longhua Guo, Bin Qiu, Zhenyu Lin, Huanghao Yang
The difference of electrostatic interaction between free Ru(phen)3²⁺ and Ru(phen)3²⁺ embedded in double strand DNA (dsDNA) to the negatively charged indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode has been applied to develop a homogeneous and label-free electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor for the first time. Ochratoxin A (OTA) has been chosen as the model target. The OTA aptamer is first hybridized with its complementary single strand DNA (ssDNA) to form dsDNA and then interacted with Ru(phen)3²⁺ via the grooves binding mode to form dsDNA-Ru(phen)3²⁺ complex, which remains negatively charged feature as well as low diffusion capacity to the negatively charged ITO electrode surface owing to the electrostatic repulsion. Meanwhile, the intercalated Ru(phen)3²⁺ in the grooves of dsDNA works as an ECL signal reporter instead of the labor-intensive labeling steps and can generate much more ECL signal than that from the labeling probe. In the presence of target, the aptamer prefers to form an aptamer-target complex in lieu of dsDNA, which induces the releasing of Ru(phen)3²⁺ from the dsDNA-Ru(phen)3²⁺ complex into the solution. With the assistance of RecJf exonuclease (a ssDNA specific exonuclease), the released ssDNA and the aptamer in the target-complex were digested into mononucleotides. In the meantime, the target can be also liberated from OTA-aptamer complex and induce target cycling and large amount of free Ru(phen)3²⁺ present in the solution. Since Ru(phen)3²⁺ contains positive charges, which can diffuses easily to the ITO electrode surface because of electrostatic attraction, causing an obviously enhanced ECL signal detected. Under the optimal conditions, the enhanced ECL of the system has a linear relationship with the OTA concentration in the range of 0.01–1.0 ng/mL with a detection limit of 2 pg/mL. This innovative system not only expands the immobilization-free sensors in the electrochemiluminescent fields, but also can be developed for the detection of different targets easily with the same strategy by changing the aptamer used.



http://ift.tt/2EGHg2k

Simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid by a novel electrochemical sensor based on N2/Ar RF plasma assisted graphene nanosheets/graphene nanoribbons

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Lavanya Jothi, Sudarsan Neogi, Saravana kumar Jaganathan, Gomathi Nageswaran
A novel nitrogen/argon (N2/Ar) radio frequency (RF) plasma functionalized graphene nanosheet/graphene nanoribbon (GS/GNR) hybrid material (N2/Ar/GS/GNR) was developed for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). Various nitrogen mites introduced into GS/GNR hybrid structure was evidenced by a detailed microscopic, spectroscopic and surface area analysis. Owing to the unique structure and properties originating from the enhanced surface area, nitrogen functional groups and defects introduced on both the basal and edges, N2/Ar/GS/GNR/GCE showed high electrocatalytic activity for the electrochemical oxidations of AA, DA, and UA with the respective lowest detection limits of 5.3, 2.5 and 5.7 nM and peak-to-peak separation potential (ΔEP) (vs Ag/AgCl) in DPV of 220, 152 and 372 mV for AA/DA, DA/UA and AA/UA respectively. Moreover, the selectivity, stability, repeatability and excellent performance in real time application of the fabricated N2/Ar/GS/GNR/GCE electrode suggests that it can be considered as a potential electrode material for simultaneous detection of AA, DA, and UA.



http://ift.tt/2E0lOEC

Autonomous DNA nanomachine based on cascade amplification of strand displacement and DNA walker for detection of multiple DNAs

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Kun Wang, Meng-Qi He, Fu-Heng Zhai, Jin Wang, Rong-Huan He, Yong-Liang Yu
DNA can be modified to function as a scaffold for the construction of a DNA nanomachine, which can then be used in analytical applications if the DNA nanomachine can be triggered by the presence of a diagnostic DNA or some other analyte. We herein propose a novel and powerful DNA nanomachine that can detect DNA via combining the tandem strand displacement reactions and a DNA walker. Three different DNA sensing platforms are described, where the whole DNA machine was constructed on a gold electrode (GE). This cascade multiple amplification strategy exhibited an excellent sensitivity. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical sensor could achieve a detection limit of 36 fM with a linear range from 50 to 500 fM. In particular, the electrochemical sensor could easily distinguish the base mutations. More interestingly, the DNA nanomachine could be used to construct analog AND and OR logic gates. We demonstrate that electrochemical signals generated from the different input combinations can be used to distinguish multiple target DNAs. The practical applicability of the present biosensor is demonstrated by the detection of target DNA in human serum with satisfactory results, which holds great potential for a future application in clinical diagnosis.

Graphical abstract

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Fabrication of sensitive bioelectrode based on atomically thin CVD grown graphene for cancer biomarker detection

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Vijay K. Singh, Saurabh Kumar, Sumit Kumar Pandey, Saurabh Srivastava, Monu Mishra, Govind Gupta, B.D. Malhotra, R.S. Tiwari, Anchal Srivastava
Motivation behind the present work is to fabricate a cost effective and scalable biosensing platform for an easy and reliable detection of cancer biomarker Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Here, we report the sensitive and selective detection of CEA using graphene based bio-sensing platform. Large sized (~ 2.5 × 1.0cm²), uniform, continuous, single and few layers graphene films have been grown on copper (Cu) substrate employing chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique using hexane as a liquid precursor. Functional group has been created over Graphene/Cu substrate through π-π stacking of 1- pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester (PBSE). Further, to make the sensor specific to CEA, antibody of CEA (anti-CEA) has been covalently immobilized onto PBSE/Graphene/Cu electrode. Selective and sensitive detection of CEA is achieved by anti-CEA/PBSE/Graphene/Cu electrode through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Under optimal condition, the fabricated sensor shows linear response in the physiological range 1.0–25.0ngmL⁻¹ (normal value ~ 5.0ngmL⁻¹), revealing sensitivity 563.4Ωng⁻¹mLcm⁻² with a correlation coefficient of 0.996 and limit of detection (LOD) 0.23ngmL⁻¹. In this way, one step electrode fabrication with high specific surface area provides a light weight, low cost, reliable and scalable novel biosensing platform for sensitive and selective detection of CEA. We believe that this bioelectrode equipped with specific recognition elements could be utilized for detection of other biomolecules too.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2E1qtpK

Caco-2 cell-based electrochemical biosensor for evaluating the antioxidant capacity of Asp-Leu-Glu-Glu isolated from dry-cured Xuanwei ham

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Lujuan Xing, Qingfeng Ge, Donglei Jiang, Xiaoge Gao, Rui Liu, Songmin Cao, Xinbo Zhuang, Guanghong Zhou, Wangang Zhang
A cell-based electrochemical biosensor was developed to determine the antioxidant activity of Asp-Leu-Glu-Glu (DLEE) isolated from dry-cured Chinese Xuanwei ham. A platinized gold electrode (Pt NPs/GE) covered with silver nanowires (Ag NWs) was fabricated to detect H2O2 using redox signaling via cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimal condition, the detection limit of the modified electrode was 0.12μM with a linear relationship from 0.2 to 2μM, which showed relatively outstanding catalytic effects towards the reduction of H2O2. Furthermore, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell can be used to indirectly assess changes in intercellular oxidative stress by detecting variations in electrochemical signals. A 3D cell culture of alginate/graphene oxide (NaAlg/GO) was used to encapsulate and immobilize Caco-2 cells. Based on ROS generation and electrochemical results, we found that DLEE could effectively reduce oxidative stress level in Caco-2 cells under external stimulation. DLEE showed high antioxidant activity with a relative antioxidant capacity (RAC) rate of 88.17% at 1.5mg/mL. Finally, an efficient electrochemical biosensor was established using the active 3D Caco-2 cell platform. This system is sensitive and simple to operate with the property to evaluate the antioxidant activity of peptides by the detection of H2O2 in cell membrane. In summary, this work describes a new method for assessing antioxidant capacity of peptide DLEE using cell-based electrochemical signaling with a rapid screening pattern.



http://ift.tt/2E2OQn1

Novel tungsten phosphide embedded nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes: A portable and renewable monitoring platform for anticancer drug in whole blood

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Haifeng Zhou, Guoxia Ran, Jean-Francois Masson, Chan Wang, Yuan Zhao, Qijun Song
Biosensors based on converting the concentration of analytes in complex samples into single electrochemical signals are attractive candidates as low cost, high-throughput, portable and renewable sensor platforms. Here, we describe a simple but practical analytical device for sensing an anticancer drug in whole blood, using the detection of methotrexate (MTX) as a model system. In this biosensor, a novel carbon-based composite, tungsten phosphide embedded nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (WP/N-CNT), was fixed to the electrode surface that supported redox cycling. The electronic transmission channel in nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNT) and the synergistic effect of uniform distribution tungsten phosphide (WP) ensured that the electrode materials have outstanding electrical conductivity and catalytic performance. Meanwhile, the surface electronic structure also endows its surprisingly reproducible performance. To demonstrate portable operation for MTX sensing, screen printing electrodes (SPE) was modified with WP/N-CNT. The sensor exhibited low detection limits (45 nM), wide detection range (0.01–540 μM), good selectivity and long-term stability for the determination of MTX. In addition, the technique was successfully applied for the determination of MTX in whole blood.



http://ift.tt/2EDqYrd

An electrochemical biosensor for microRNA-196a detection based on cyclic enzymatic signal amplification and template-free DNA extension reaction with the adsorption of methylene blue

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Jing Guo, Changjing Yuan, Qi Yan, Qiuyue Duan, Xiaolu Li, Gang Yi
A simple and sensitive electrochemical biosensor was developed for microRNA-196a detection, which is of important diagnostic significance for pancreatic cancer. It was based on cyclic enzymatic signal amplification (CESA) and template-free DNA extension reaction. In the presence of microRNA-196a, duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) catalyzed the digestion of the 3′-PO4 terminated capture probe (CP), resulting in the target recycling amplification. Meanwhile, the 3′-OH terminal of CP was exposed. Then, template-free DNA extension reaction was triggered by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), producing amounts of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). After ssDNA absorbed numerous methylene blue (MB), an ultrasensitive electrochemical readout was obtained. Based on this dual amplification mechanism, the proposed biosensor exhibited a high sensitivity for detection of microRNA-196a down to 15 aM with a linear range from 0.05 fM to 50 pM. This biosensor displayed high specificity, which could discriminate target microRNAs from one base mismatched microRNAs. It also showed good reproducibility and stability. Furthermore, it was successfully applied to the determination of microRNA-196a in plasma samples. In conclusion, with the excellent analytical performance, this biosensor might have the potential for application in clinical diagnostics of pancreatic cancer.



http://ift.tt/2E2oSQn

Simultaneous surface and depth neural activity recording with graphene transistor-based dual-modality probes

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Mingde Du, Xianchen Xu, Long Yang, Yichuan Guo, Shouliang Guan, Jidong Shi, Jinfen Wang, Ying Fang
Subdural surface and penetrating depth probes are widely applied to record neural activities from the cortical surface and intracortical locations of the brain, respectively. Simultaneous surface and depth neural activity recording is essential to understand the linkage between the two modalities. Here, we develop flexible dual-modality neural probes based on graphene transistors. The neural probes exhibit stable electrical performance even under 90° bending because of the excellent mechanical properties of graphene, and thus allow multi-site recording from the subdural surface of rat cortex. In addition, finite element analysis was carried out to investigate the mechanical interactions between probe and cortex tissue during intracortical implantation. Based on the simulation results, a sharp tip angle of π/6 was chosen to facilitate tissue penetration of the neural probes. Accordingly, the graphene transistor-based dual-modality neural probes have been successfully applied for simultaneous surface and depth recording of epileptiform activity of rat brain in vivo. Our results show that graphene transistor-based dual-modality neural probes can serve as a facile and versatile tool to study tempo-spatial patterns of neural activities.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2EDcJT6

Label-free electrochemical biosensors based on 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine responsive isoporous silica-micelle membrane

Publication date: 15 May 2018
Source:Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 105
Author(s): Qinqin Sun, Fei Yan, Bin Su
3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) has been frequently used as an indicator in G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme (G4zyme)-based chemical and biochemical analysis, and its oxidation products are usually monitored by electrochemical or optical methods to quantify G4zyme formation-related analytes. Herein we report a simple electrochemical approach based on isoporous silica-micelle membrane (iSMM) to measure TMB, instead of its oxidation products, in G4zyme-based detection of specific analytes. The iSMM was grown on the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode, which was composed of highly ordered, vertically oriented silica nanochannels and cylindrical micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium. The iSMM-ITO electrode was selectively responsive to neutral TMB but not its oxidation products, thanks to the sieving and pre-concentration capacity of micellar structures in terms of molecular charge and lipophilicity. In other words, only TMB could be extracted and enriched into micelles and subsequently oxidized at the underlying ITO electrode surface (namely the micelle/ITO interface), generating an amplified anodic current. Since the depletion of TMB was catalyzed by G4zymes formed in the presence of specific analyte, the decrease of this anodic current enabled the quantitative detection of this analyte. The current variation relative to its initial value ((j0−j)/j0), termed as the current attenuation ratio, showed the obvious dependence on the analyte concentration. As proof-of-concept experiments, four substances, i.e., potassium cation (K⁺), adenosine triphosphate, thrombin and nucleic acid, were detected in aqueous media and the analysis of K⁺ in pre-treated human serum was also performed.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2E2oxx5

Emotion lies in the eye of the listener: Emotional arousal to novel sounds is reflected in the sympathetic contribution to the pupil dilation response and the P3

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Biological Psychology, Volume 133
Author(s): Andreas Widmann, Erich Schröger, Nicole Wetzel
Novel sounds in the auditory oddball paradigm elicit a biphasic dilation of the pupil (PDR) and P3a as well as novelty P3 event-related potentials (ERPs). The biphasic PDR has been hypothesized to reflect the relaxation of the iris sphincter muscle due to parasympathetic inhibition and the constriction of the iris dilator muscle due to sympathetic activation. We measured the PDR and the P3 to neutral and to emotionally arousing negative novels in dark and moderate lighting conditions. By means of principal component analysis (PCA) of the PDR data we extracted two components: the early one was absent in darkness and, thus, presumably reflects parasympathetic inhibition, whereas the late component occurred in darkness and light and presumably reflects sympathetic activation. Importantly, only this sympathetic late component was enhanced for emotionally arousing (as compared to neutral) sounds supporting the hypothesis that emotional arousal specifically activates the sympathetic nervous system. In the ERPs we observed P3a and novelty P3 in response to novel sounds. Both components were enhanced for emotionally arousing (as compared to neutral) novels. Our results demonstrate that sympathetic and parasympathetic contributions to the PDR can be separated and link emotional arousal to sympathetic nervous system activation.



http://ift.tt/2EeRE3K

Exercise reduces depression and inflammation but intensity matters

Publication date: Available online 3 February 2018
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Emily M. Paolucci, Dessi Loukov, Dawn M.E. Bowdish, Jennifer J. Heisz
BackgroundExercise may help to mitigate symptoms of depression by reducing inflammation; however, little is known about the influence of exercise intensity on depressed mood.MethodsIn the present study, sixty-one university students were assigned to six weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIT), moderate continuous training (MCT), or no exercise (CON) during their academic term. We measured changes in depression, anxiety and perceived stress along with pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and C-reactive protein (CRP).ResultsDepression increased for CON, demonstrating how quickly mental health can decline for students during their academic term. In contrast, MCT decreased depression and pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α levels. Although HIT decreased depressive symptoms, it also increased perceived stress, TNF-α and IL-6 relative to MCT. This may be due to the higher level of physical stress evoked by the more strenuous exercise protocol.ConclusionsTaken together, the results suggest that moderate-intensity exercise may be an optimal intensity of exercise for the promotion of mental health by decreasing TNF-α. This is critical for informing the use of exercise as medicine for mental health.



http://ift.tt/2FKY47X

Developmental pathways between peer victimization, psychological functioning, disordered eating behavior, and body mass index: A review and theoretical model

Publication date: March–April 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 39
Author(s): Kirsty S. Lee, Tracy Vaillancourt
Peer victimization, a high body mass index (BMI), and disordered eating behavior are all considered to be major health concerns afflicting today's youth. We bring together evidence from epidemiological, longitudinal, and meta-analytic research to propose a theoretical model of how peer victimization relates to psychopathology, which in turn, leads to misguided attempts to alter physical appearance through disordered eating behavior, and highlight how the pathway may vary as a function of BMI and gender. Specifically, we argue that, as a result of being victimized by peers: (1) overweight adolescents will be at high risk of psychological dysfunction and disordered eating behavior (particularly binge eating), and the effect will be stronger in girls; (2) average weight adolescents will be at high risk of psychological dysfunction and disordered eating behavior (particularly binge eating and bulimic symptoms), and the effect will be stronger in girls; and (3) underweight adolescents will be at high risk of psychological dysfunction and disordered eating behavior (particularly to increase muscle mass), and the effect will be stronger in boys. The identification and testing of comprehensive theoretical models may be beneficial for the targeting of interventions for children and adolescents affected by repeated aggressive behavior.



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Hostile attribution bias and aggression in children and adolescents: A systematic literature review on the influence of aggression subtype and gender

Publication date: March–April 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 39
Author(s): A. Martinelli, K. Ackermann, A. Bernhard, C.M. Freitag, C. Schwenck
Hostile attributions of intention have been discussed in relation to the development and maintenance of aggressive behavior in children for over thirty years. In this time, factors such as subtypes in the function (reactive versus proactive) and form (relational versus physical) of aggression as well moderators of aggression, such as gender, have been studied in increasing detail in relation to attributions of intention. The present article reviews the literature on hostile attributions and aggressive behavior in children and adolescents under consideration of aggression subtypes and the influence of gender. Results of 27 empirical research articles show that hostile attribution biases (1) are more consistently related to reactive rather than proactive aggression, (2) show evidence for separate pathways between relational and physical aggression and the respective attribution bias, and (3) are associated with aggression in both genders, with no clear gender differences in association strength. Implications for cognitive training to reduce attribution bias in treatment of childhood aggression and an outlook on further research domains are discussed.



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Social responsibility on the Internet: Addressing the challenge of cyberbullying

Publication date: March–April 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 39
Author(s): Raphael Cohen-Almagor
This article discusses the phenomena of cyberbullying especially among young people. The discussion, based on an interdisciplinary study in the fields of brain studies, child development, psychology, social policy, victimization and Internet studies, probes the troubling phenomenon of cyberbullying which may result in suicide. It is argued that adolescents are more vulnerable than adults because they lack maturity with respect to capacities such as thrill seeking, impulse control, peer pressure, reward sensitivity, cognitive processing, rational decision-making and long-term planning. The article suggests remedies to counter online social ills and argues for responsible cooperation between parents, schools, governments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and social networking sites.



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Psychological interventions for anger and aggression in people with intellectual disabilities in forensic services

Publication date: March–April 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 39
Author(s): Claire Browne, Ian C. Smith
This systemic review investigates the current evidence for the effectiveness of anger and/or aggression interventions for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in receipt of forensic mental health services. Due to the prevalence within this population of difficulties with anger and aggression, and the associated substantial individual and societal consequences, the provision of psychological interventions has become increasingly common. However, no critical synthesis of the empirical evidence relating to their effectiveness has previously been conducted. Sixteen peer-reviewed controlled trials or case series designs published between 2001 and 2016 met the inclusion criteria. The results highlight an emerging evidence base for the use of CBT in improving anger regulation, and for a range of psychological therapies in reducing aggressive behaviour. However, consistent methodological shortcomings limit the generalisability of findings and currently preclude firm conclusions on effectiveness. Recommendations are made for future research to address these shortcomings, including clearly-defined adaptations, adequately powered sample sizes, carefully designed baselines and follow-up periods. Despite the current status of evidence, the review provides an accessible and objective foundation to inform decision-making by service commissioners and clinicians providing anger and aggression interventions to people with ID.



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Who benefits most from therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy in clinical practice? Predictors of symptom change and dropout

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Volume 54
Author(s): M. Edmonds, H.D. Hadjistavropoulos, L.H. Schneider, B.F. Dear, N. Titov
Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) is effective for treating anxiety and depression, but not for all patients. Predictors of dropout and outcomes from ICBT remain unclear and the literature could benefit from study of response to ICBT among larger community samples using advanced statistical techniques. In this study, we sought to identify predictors of dropout and symptom change in a large community sample (n = 1201) who received therapist-assisted transdiagnostic ICBT targeting anxiety and/or depression. Logistic regression was used to assess dropout, and showed that those who fully completed ICBT lessons (n = 880) were older and endorsed lower psychological distress at intake than those who only partially completed ICBT lessons (n = 321). During the course of therapy, patients responded to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 at six time points. Autoregressive latent trajectory models were fitted to this data to assess the ability of demographic variables, program engagement, psychological and medical service usage, and psychological distress to explain individual variance in initial symptom levels and symptom change over time. Higher symptom scores at pre-treatment were predictive of greater symptom improvement. Symptom improvement was greater in those who were off work on disability and those without higher post-secondary education. Clinical implications are discussed.



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Resolving the vulnerability paradox in the cross-national prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Volume 54
Author(s): Richard J. McNally
Socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals are at heightened risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following exposure to trauma. Yet a study of cross-national lifetime prevalence rates of PTSD revealed that countries scoring high on an index reflecting cultural and socioeconomic disadvantage exhibited lower rates of PTSD in response to trauma, evincing what the authors called "a vulnerability paradox in the cross-national prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder" Dückers, Alisic, & Brewin (2016a, p. 300). Drawing on classic studies in sociology and political science concerning the ecological fallacy, the author suggests ways to resolve the striking paradox discovered by Dückers et al.



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Cognitive deficits in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder: A meta-analysis

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Stéphane Potvin, Julie Pelletier, Stéphanie Grot, Catherine Hébert, Alastair Barr, Tania Lecomte
BackgroundMethamphetamine has long been considered as a neurotoxic substance causing cognitive deficits. Recently, however, the magnitude and the clinical significance of the cognitive effects associated with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) have been debated. To help clarify this controversy, we performed a meta-analysis of the cognitive deficits associated with MUD.MethodsA literature search yielded 44 studies that assessed cognitive dysfunction in 1592 subjects with MUD and 1820 healthy controls. Effect size estimates were calculated using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, for the following 12 cognitive domains: attention, executive functions, impulsivity/reward processing, social cognition, speed of processing, verbal fluency/language, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, visuo-spatial abilities and working memory.ResultsFindings revealed moderate impairment across most cognitive domains, including attention, executive functions, language/verbal fluency, verbal learning and memory, visual memory and working memory. Deficits in impulsivity/reward processing and social cognition were more prominent, whereas visual learning and visuo-spatial abilities were relatively spared cognitive domains. A publication bias was observed.DiscussionThese results show that MUD is associated with broad cognitive deficits that are in the same range as those associated with alcohol and cocaine use disorder, as recently shown by way of meta-analysis. The prominent effects of MUD on social cognition and impulsivity/reward processing are based on a small number of studies, and as such, these results will need to be replicated. The functional consequences (social and occupational) of the cognitive deficits of methamphetamine will also need to be determined.



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Resilience as a moderating factor between stress and alcohol-related consequences in the Army National Guard

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Jessica Kelley Morgan, Janice Brown, Robert M. Bray
Due to the current prolonged conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, members of the United States National Guard and Reserve have shifted from a historically support-based role to an integral segment of combat efforts. Clinical and epidemiological research studies conducted on both civilian and military populations have documented high rates of comorbidity of stress disorders and substance use disorders. It is widely understood that excessive alcohol use is an issue among military personnel. The aim of this paper is to describe risk factors for alcohol-related serious consequences in a study of Army National Guard service members, as well as the role of resilience in protecting against these risks. Members of the National Guard (N=320) participated in the survey. We conducted a multiple regression to predict alcohol-related serious consequences and a simple moderation analysis was performed. After controlling for race, education, and deployment history, several variables emerged as significant predictors of alcohol-related consequences. Higher stressors, lower resilience, younger age, being unmarried and not living as married, being male, and identifying as non-Hispanic were associated with higher levels of serious alcohol-related consequences. Results revealed that resilience significantly moderated the relationship between stress and alcohol-related consequences. This study furthers our understanding of the alcohol-stress relationship by contextualizing it in terms of behaviors related to alcohol, as opposed to measuring consumption only. Most importantly, our work extends prior research in its examination of resilience as a moderator of the relationship between stress and serious alcohol-related consequences.



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Influence of military sexual assault and other military stressors on substance use disorder and PTS symptomology in female military veterans

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Matthew M. Yalch, Claire L. Hebenstreit, Shira Maguen
Servicewomen exposed to traumatic stressors over the course of their military service are at increased risk of developing symptoms of substance use disorder (SUD) and posttraumatic stress (PTS). They are also at risk for exposure to military sexual assault (MSA), which is also associated with SUD and PTS symptomology. Research is unclear about the incremental contributions of different forms of traumatic stressors on co-occurring SUD and PTS symptomology. In this study we examined the independent and combined effects of MSA and other military stressors on SUD and PTS symptomology in a sample of female veterans (N=407). Results indicate that MSA and other military stressors exhibit incremental effects on SUD and PTS symptomology. Results further suggest that women exposed to both MSA and other military stressors are at increased risk for developing co-occurring SUD and PTSD. These findings extend previous research on comorbid SUD and PTSD, highlighting the cumulative effects of traumatic stressors on posttraumatic psychopathology, and have implications for future research and clinical practice with female veterans.



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The relative strength of attitudes versus perceived drinking norms as predictors of alcohol use

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Angelo M. DiBello, Mary Beth Miller, Clayton Neighbors, Allecia Reid, Kate B. Carey
Social cognitive factors such as perceived norms and personal attitudes toward alcohol consumption are reliable predictors of alcohol use and related problems. The current study aimed to evaluate the relative importance of one's attitude toward alcohol use as a unique and important predictor of drinking related outcomes when directly compared to perceived descriptive and injunctive norms. Participants were mandated students (n=568; 28% female) who violated a campus alcohol policy and received a Brief Motivational Intervention. Analyses included the use of linear regression for prospective predictions to evaluate the relative importance of predictors which included perceived descriptive norms and injunctive norms, and attitudes toward moderate and heavy alcohol use. Overall, the results indicate that one's attitude toward heavy alcohol use is a stronger predictor of drinks per week, binge frequency, as well as alcohol related problems when directly compared to norms. Thus, the findings of the current study provide a compelling rationale for incorporating attitudes in the development and refinement of intervention strategies.



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Resistance to peer influence moderates the relationship between perceived (but not actual) peer norms and binge drinking in a college student social network

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Graham T. DiGuiseppi, Matthew K. Meisel, Sara G. Balestrieri, Miles Q. Ott, Melissa J. Cox, Melissa A. Clark, Nancy P. Barnett
IntroductionAdolescent and young adult binge drinking is strongly associated with perceived social norms and the drinking behavior that occurs within peer networks. The extent to which an individual is influenced by the behavior of others may depend upon that individual's resistance to peer influence (RPI).MethodsStudents in their first semester of college (N=1323; 54.7% female, 57% White, 15.1% Hispanic) reported on their own binge drinking, and the perceived binge drinking of up to 10 important peers in the first-year class. Using network autocorrelation models, we investigated cross-sectional relationships between participant's binge drinking frequency and the perceived and actual binge drinking frequency of important peers. We then tested the moderating role of RPI, expecting that greater RPI would weaken the relationship between perceived and actual peer binge drinking on participant binge drinking.ResultsPerceived and actual peer binge drinking were statistically significant predictors of participant binge drinking frequency in the past month, after controlling for covariates. RPI significantly moderated the association between perceptions of peer binge drinking and participant's own binge drinking; this association was weaker among participants with higher RPI compared to those with lower RPI. RPI did not interact with the actual binge drinking behavior of network peers.ConclusionsRPI may function to protect individuals from the effect of their perceptions about the binge drinking of peers, but not from the effect of the actual binge drinking of peers.



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Exposure to workplace smoking bans and continuity of daily smoking patterns on workdays and weekends

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Michael S. Dunbar, Saul Shiffman, Siddharth Chandra
IntroductionIndividuals may compensate for workplace smoking bans by smoking more before or after work, or escaping bans to smoke, but no studies have conducted a detailed, quantitative analysis of such compensatory behaviors using real-time data.Methods124 daily smokers documented smoking occasions over 3weeks using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), and provided information on real-world exposure to smoking restrictions and type of workplace smoking policy (full, partial, or no bans). Mixed modeling and generalized estimating equations assessed effects of time of day, weekday (vs weekend), and workplace policy on mean cigarettes per hour (CPH) and reports of changing location to smoke.ResultsIndividuals were most likely to change locations to smoke during business hours, regardless of work policy, and frequency of EMA reports of restrictions at work was associated with increased likelihood of changing locations to smoke (OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.05–1.16; p<0.0001). Workplace smoking policy, time block, and weekday/weekend interacted to predict CPH (p<0.01), such that individuals with partial work bans –but not those with full bans - smoked more at night (9pm – bed) on weekdays compared to weekends.ConclusionsThere was little evidence that full bans interfered with subjects' smoking during business hours across weekdays and weekends. Smokers largely compensate for exposure to workplace smoking bans by escaping restrictions during business hours. Better understanding the effects of smoking bans on smoking behavior may help to improve their effectiveness and yield insights into determinants of smoking in more restrictive environments.



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Bidirectional associations of e-cigarette, conventional cigarette and waterpipe experimentation among adolescents: A cross-lagged model

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Melinda Pénzes, Kristie L. Foley, Valentin Nădășan, Edit Paulik, Zoltán Ábrám, Róbert Urbán
PurposeWith an increasingly diverse tobacco product market, it is imperative to understand the trajectories of product experimentation in order to design effective prevention programs. This study aims to explore the bidirectional associations of conventional cigarette, e-cigarette and waterpipe experimentation in a large adolescent sample.MethodsLongitudinal assessment of conventional cigarette, e-cigarette and waterpipe use initiation was conducted in a school-based cohort of 1369 9th graders (mean age=14.88 SD=0.48 at baseline) during fall 2014 and reassessed 6-months later using online self-reported questionnaires. Autoregressive cross-lagged analysis within structural equation modeling framework was performed to simultaneously estimate the initiation of these products over a six-month period, controlling for age, gender, and participation in an intervention program to reduce conventional cigarette initiation.ResultsTobacco product lifetime use was prevalent at baseline in the sample: conventional cigarettes (48.4%), e-cigarettes (35.8%), and waterpipe (20.8%). At six-month follow-up, trying conventional cigarettes predicted trying e-cigarette (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.78, CI95%: 2.66–5.37) and trying waterpipe (AOR=2.82, CI95%: 2.00–3.97). Trying e-cigarette predicted trying conventional cigarette (AOR=3.57, CI95%: 1.96–6.49) and trying waterpipe (AOR=1.51, CI95%: 1.07–2.14). Although trying waterpipe predicted trying e-cigarette at follow-up (AOR=2.10, CI95%: 1.30–3.40), its use did not predict trying conventional cigarette (AOR=0.55, CI95%: 0.24–1.30).ConclusionsThe high rates of poly-tobacco use and the bidirectionality of tobacco product experimentation demands comprehensive tobacco control and prevention programs that address the increasingly diverse tobacco product market targeting adolescents.



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Effects of six weeks of electronic cigarette use on smoking rate, CO, cigarette dependence, and motivation to quit smoking: A pilot study

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Damaris J. Rohsenow, Jennifer W. Tidey, Rosemarie A. Martin, Suzanne M. Colby, Thomas Eissenberg
ObjectivesSwitching from combustible tobacco cigarettes to electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) may or may not help smokers to reduce cigarette consumption and toxicant exposure. This pilot study investigated the effects of asking smokers to switch to e-cigs for 6weeks on smoking, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, dependence, and motivation to quit smoking.MethodsNon-treatment seeking daily smokers (n=18) were given free e-cigs and instructed to use them instead of smoking cigarettes for 6weeks. Smokers were assessed at baseline, weekly for 6weeks, and at 8 and 10weeks for cigarettes/day, e-cig use, CO, cigarette dependence, and Contemplation Ladder.ResultsAll participants completed 6weeks; 17 completed 10weeks. At Week 6, cigarettes/day were reduced by two-thirds and CO by 45% from baseline (p's<.001), with reductions maintained at Week 10 (p's<.005). Cigarette dependence scores were a third lower at Weeks 6 (p<.002) and 10 (p<.001) than at baseline. Contemplation Ladder scores were higher at Weeks 6 and 10 (p's<.001) than at baseline. All these statistical effect sizes were large. At Week 6, number of reasons not to use e-cigs increased (p<.011).ConclusionsResults show preliminary evidence for beneficial effects of short-term switching to e-cigs by non-treatment seeking smokers in terms of reduced smoke toxicant exposure and cigarette dependence, and increased motivation to quit, all maintained at least 4weeks after free e-cigs were no longer provided.



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In pursuit of a self-sustaining college alcohol intervention: Deploying gamified PNF in the real world

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 80
Author(s): Andrew M. Earle, Joseph W. LaBrie, Sarah C. Boyle, Daniel Smith
Our recent work (Boyle, Earle, LaBrie, & Smith, 2017) showed that the efficacy of personalized normative feedback-based (PNF) college alcohol interventions can be improved through the addition of gamified elements including points, chance, competition, and personal avatars. However, participants in that study were compensated with subject pool credit. In the current study, we piloted an upgraded, smartphone-based version of the game, which was designed to be truly self-sustaining (i.e., engaging enough that students play voluntarily without the presence of external motivators). First-year students were invited to play the game weekly for six rounds, with participants submitting and voting on their own questions each week and receiving a novel type of feedback in addition to standard descriptive PNF: opposite peers' judgments of participants' self-reported drinking behavior, or reflective norms. With no play-based incentives, 222 first-year college students voluntarily played the game, CampusGANDR. ANCOVA models revealed that, relative to participants randomized to receive feedback on control topics during the three intervention rounds, those who received both descriptive and reflective feedback on peer alcohol use had significantly reduced normative perceptions and reduced alcohol use two months post intervention. This was especially true among heavy drinkers. The results suggest that our gamified "GANDR" approach shows promise as a self-sustaining intervention and, further, that high-risk drinkers may benefit disproportionately from this methodology. Thus, self-sustaining interventions represent an encouraging avenue for future research and development and may hold the potential to impact risky college drinking on a large scale.



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