Pancreatic Carcinosarcoma: A Case Report Highlighting CT Characteristics

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Steven Mszyco, Leslie Teng, Joseph Annunziata, Matthew S. Hartman
Primary pancreatic carcinosarcoma is a rare and malignant neoplasm arising within the pancreas. With fewer than a dozen cases ever reported, the recognition and treatment of this rare phenomenon can be difficult. We describe the case of an 85-year-old man who presented with vague RUQ and epigastric abdominal pain and was found to have a pancreatic mass on ultrasound and computed tomography. The patient underwent open pancreaticoduodenectomy and was found to have pancreatic carcinosarcoma on microscopic evaluation. While specific radiologic diagnosis of this entity is not possible, bringing the possibility of primary pancreatic carcinosarcoma to the ordering clinician′s attention has the potential to hasten treatment and improve patient outcomes. We review the current literature on this rare type of neoplasia, considering histopathological and clinical features. This case highlights the importance of radiologist awareness of this rare neoplasm and to consider carcinosarcoma in the differential when presented with a mixed solid and cystic pancreatic mass.



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Is That a Human? Categorization (Dis)Fluency Drives Evaluations of Agents Ambiguous on Human-Likeness.

Author: Carr, Evan W.; Hofree, Galit; Sheldon, Kayla; Saygin, Ayse P.; Winkielman, Piotr

DOI: 10.1037/xhp0000304

Publication Date: POST AUTHOR CORRECTIONS, 26 January 2017

http://ift.tt/2kwsZeb

Histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of bone regeneration using nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and human freeze-dried bone graft

Abstract

Purpose

Bone regeneration is an important concern in periodontal treatment and implant dentistry. Different biomaterials and surgical techniques have been used for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and human freeze-dried bone graft (FDBG) in regeneration of rabbit calvarium bony defects by histologic and histomorphometric evaluation.

Methods

In this experimental study, three similar defects, measuring 8 mm in diameter, were created in the calvaria of 16 white New Zealand rabbits. Two defects were filled with FDBG and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite silica gel, while the other one remained unfilled to be considered as control. All the defects were covered with collagen membranes. During the healing period, two animals perished; so 14 rabbits were divided into two groups: half of them were euthanized after 6 weeks of healing and the other half after 12 weeks. The specimens were subjected to histologic and histomorphometric examinations for assessment of the following variables: percentage of bone formation and residual graft material, inflammation scores, patterns of bone formation and type of newly formed bone.

Results

The percentages of new bone formation after 6 weeks were 14.22 ± 7.85, 21.57 ± 6.91, and 20.54 ± 10.07% in FDBG, NanoBone, and control defects. These values were 27.54 ± 20.19, 23.86 ± 6.27, and 26.48 ± 14.18% in 12-week specimens, respectively. No significant differences were found in the amount of bone formation between the groups. With regard to inflammation, the control and NanoBone groups showed significantly less inflammation compared to FDBG at the 6-week healing phase (P = 0.04); this difference was not significant in the 12-week specimens.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this experimental study, both NanoBone and FDBG exhibited a similar effect on bone formation.

http://ift.tt/2jojqw4

Physical activity after a hip fracture: effect of a multicomponent home-based rehabilitation program − a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Katri Turunen, Anu Salpakoski, Johanna Edgren, Timo Törmäkangas, Marja Arkela, Mauri Kallinen, Maija Pesola, Sirpa Hartikainen, Riku Nikander, Sarianna Sipilä
ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of a yearlong multicomponent rehabilitation program on the level of physical activity (PA) and the maintenance of the level of PA over one year follow-up among older people recovering from a recent hip fracture.DesignSecondary analysis of a randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial.SettingHome-based rehabilitation; measurements in university laboratory.ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling people aged 60+ recovering from a hip fracture. Participants were randomly assigned into an intervention (n=40) or control (n=41) group on average 42±23 days after discharge from hospital.MeasurementsThe outcome was the level of PA, which was assessed with the questionnaire (a modified Grimby scale) at baseline, and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after baseline. Three PA categories were defined: inactivity, light PA and moderate to heavy PA. Physical function was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB) at baseline. The effects of the intervention were analyzed with generalized estimation equations.InterventionA yearlong intervention included evaluation and modification of environmental hazards, guidance for safe walking, non-pharmacological pain management, a progressive home exercise program, PA counseling and Standard Care.ResultsIn the intervention group, a significant increase was observed in the level of PA after the intervention (interaction p=0.005) and after one-year follow-up (0.021) compared to the standard care only. The benefit was particularly evident among the participants with a baseline SPPB score seven or above (interaction p<0.001).ConclusionThe 12-month individualized multicomponent rehabilitation program increased PA among older hip fracture patients. The increase was found to be maintained at the one-year follow-up.



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Establishing the Minimal Clinical Important Difference and Minimal Detectable Change for the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Cynthia J. Wright, Shelley W. Linens, M. Spencer Cain
ObjectiveThe objective was to establish the minimal detectable change (MDC) and minimal clinically important different (MCID) for the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) in a population with chronic ankle instability (CAI).DesignExperimental cohort.SettingLaboratory.ParticipantsA convenience sample of fifty participants with CAI participated (12 males, 38 females, monthly giving-way=5.84±12.54). CAI inclusion criteria included a history of an ankle sprain, recurrent episodes of giving way, and a CAIT score ≤ 25.InterventionsParticipants completed an injury history and demographic data then the CAIT. Participants then either participated in 4 weeks of wobble board balance training, resistance tubing strength training, or no intervention. After 4 weeks, participants re-completed the CAIT and recorded their global rating of change (GRC).Main Outcome MeasuresDependent variables were pre- and post-intervention score on the CAIT, and post-intervention GRC. MDC with 95% confidence was calculated. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) identified the optimal CAIT cut-point (MCID) between improved and unimproved individuals based on their GRC. Area under the curve (AUC) was used to identify a significant ROC curve (alpha = 0.05).ResultsThe average CAIT score pre-intervention was 16.8±5.6, and post-intervention was 20.0±5.2. Thirty-one participants (62%) rated themselves as improved on the GRC, whereas 19 (38%) were not improved. The ROC was significant (AUC = 0.797, p=0.001), indicating that CAIT change score significantly predicted clinical status. The MDC was 3.08, the MCID was ≥3 points.ConclusionsThe CAIT has a MDC and MCID of ≥3 points. When CAIT scores are utilized to assess patient change over time, these scores should be used as a minimum threshold to indicate detectable and clinically meaningful improvement.



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Predictive validity of a screening instrument for the risk of non-return-to-work in patients with internal diseases

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Marco Streibelt, Matthias Bethge, Thomas Gross, Klaus Herrmann, Ferman Ustaoglu, Christoph Reichel
ObjectivesA screening instrument (SIMBO, 0-100 points) to predict return-to-work (RTW) problems was developed in a pilot study. We tested the predictive validity of the SIMBO in patients with internal diseases.DesignA prospective multicenter study was conducted. Data were obtained from questionnaires at admission and 3 months after rehabilitation.Setting12 inpatient rehabilitation centers.ParticipantsPatients aged 18 to 65 years with internal diagnoses were included.InterventionsMultimodal rehabilitation programs.Main Outcome MeasureThe primary outcome was occurrence of a critical RTW event during the follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values were calculated for each disease group using the cut-off score of 27 points.Results1,366 patients with neoplasms (n=203), endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (n=355), diseases of the circulatory (n=470), respiratory (n=255) and digestive systems (n=83) were included. Between 9.9% and 40.6% of the patients reported critical RTW events during the 3-month follow-up. The AUC was between .849 (.754-.923) and .903 (.846-.959). Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 65.6% to 92.9% and 80.4% to 89.9%, respectively. The positive predictive values were between 40.4% and 77.8%.ConclusionThe risk score SIMBO predicts short-term RTW problems after rehabilitation in patients with internal diseases. The cut-off of 27 points was confirmed as a reasonable threshold.



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Sex Differences in Mental Rotation Tasks: Not Just in the Mental Rotation Process!

Author: Boone, Alexander P.; Hegarty, Mary

DOI: 10.1037/xlm0000370

Publication Date: POST AUTHOR CORRECTIONS, 26 January 2017

http://ift.tt/2kcfkeR

Factors Influencing the Food Purchases of Early Care and Education Providers

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s): Jennifer J. Otten, Tad Hirsch, Catherine Lim
BackgroundWith the majority of US children enrolled in some form of early care and education, the settings for early care and education represent a valuable opportunity to positively impact young children's diets and their interactions with food. Little evidence exists on how early care and education providers make food purchasing and service decisions for this population of young children.ObjectiveOur aim was to explore the factors that influence early care and education providers' food purchasing and service decisions.DesignA qualitative design consisting of individual, in-person, and semi-structured interviews with providers and on-site observations was used.Participants/settingSixteen early care and education providers—selected across a variety of characteristics that might affect food selection (eg, size of site, participation in reimbursement programs, presence of staff assigned to foodservice) using maximum variation purposive sampling—based in the Puget Sound region, Washington, were interviewed from June to September 2014.Main outcome measureProvider perspectives on food purchasing and service decisions.Statistical analyses performedInductive analysis of transcribed interviews using TAMS Analyzer software (GPL version 2, 2012) to identify themes.ResultsTen main influencers emerged from the data. These were grouped into four categories based on an ecological framework: macro-level environments (ie, regulations; suppliers and vendors, including stores); physical environment and settings (ie, organizational mission, budget, and structure; the facility itself); social environments (ie, professional networks; peers; the site-specific parent and child community); and individual factors at both a provider and child-level (ie, providers' skills, behaviors, motivations, attitudes, knowledge, and values; child food preferences; and, child allergies). A model was then developed to identify potential pathways of intervention and underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to improve early care and education nutrition.ConclusionsThis study suggests that a more system-based understanding and approach—one that accounts for an array of influencers and their interactions—is necessary to take advantage of opportunities and address barriers to improving early care and education-based nutrition.



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Response of spontaneous plants from an ex-mining site of Elba island (Tuscany, Italy) to metal(loid) contamination

Abstract

The release of large amounts of toxic metals in the neighboring sites of abandoned mine areas represents an important environmental risk for the ecosystem, because it adversely affects soil, water, and plant growth. The aim of the present study was to investigate the metal(loid) (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) contents of native Mediterranean plants grown on the ex-mining area of Elba island (Italy), with the prospective of its recovery by further phytoremediation technology. Soil samples were collected and characterized for metal(loid) content in total and potentially available (EDTA-extractable) fractions. Arsenic was particularly high, being 338 and 2.1 mg kg⁻¹ as total and available fractions, respectively. Predominant native species, namely Dittrichia viscosa L. Greuter, Cistus salviifolius L., Lavandula stoechas L., and Bituminaria bituminosa L., were analyzed for metal content in the different plant organs. D. viscosa exhibited the highest metal(loid) content in the leaves and the singular behavior of translocating arsenic to the leaves (transfer factor about 2.06 and mean bioconcentration factor about 12.48). To assess the healthy status of D. viscosa plants, the leaves were investigated further. The activities of the main antioxidant enzymes and the levels of secondary metabolites linked to oxidative stress in plants from the ex-mining area were not significantly different from those of control plants, except for a lower content of carotenoids, indicating that native plants were adapted to grow in these polluted soils. These results indicate that D. viscosa can be suitable for the revegetation of highly metal-contaminated areas.

http://ift.tt/2kc4wNB

Solar-assisted photodegradation of isoproturon over easily recoverable titania catalysts

Abstract

An easily recoverable homemade TiO₂ catalyst (GICA-1) has been evaluated during the overall photodegradation process, understood as photocatalytic efficiency and catalyst recovery step, in the solar light-assisted photodegradation of isoproturon and its reuse in two consecutive cycles. The global feasibility has been compared to the commercial TiO₂ P25. The homemade GICA-1 catalyst presented better sedimentation efficiency than TiO₂ P25 at all studied pHs, which could be explained by its higher average hydrodynamic particle size (3 μm) and other physicochemical surface properties. The evaluation of the overall process (isoproturon photo-oxidation + catalyst recovery) revealed GICA-1 homemade titania catalyst strengths: total removal of isoproturon in less than 60 min, easy recovery by sedimentation, and reusability in two consecutive cycles, without any loss of photocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, considering the whole photocatalytic cycle (good performance in photodegradation plus catalyst recovery step), the homemade GICA-1 photocatalyst resulted in more affordability than commercial TiO₂ P25.

Graphical abstract

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A comprehensive performance evaluation of heterogeneous Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 /peroxymonosulfate system for sulfamethoxazole degradation

Abstract

In this study, a Bi₂Fe₄O₉ catalyst with nanoplate morphology was fabricated using a facile hydrothermal method. It was used as a catalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for aqueous sulfamethoxazole (SMX) removal. A comprehensive performance evaluation of the Bi₂Fe₄O₉/PMS system was conducted by investigating the effects of pH, PMS dosage, catalyst loading, SMX concentration, temperature, and halides (Cl⁻ and Br⁻) on the degradation of SMX. The Bi₂Fe₄O₉/PMS system demonstrated a remarkable catalytic activity with >95% SMX removal within 30 min (conditions: pH 3.8, [Bi₂Fe₄O₉] = 0.1 g L⁻¹, [SMX]:[PMS] mol ratio =1:20). It was found that both Cl⁻ and Br⁻ can lead to the formation of PMS–induced reactive halide species (i.e. HClO, HBrO, and Br₂) which can also react with SMX forming halogenated SMX byproducts. Based on the detected degradation byproducts, the major SMX degradation pathway in the Bi₂Fe₄O₉/PMS system is proposed. The SMX degradation by Bi₂Fe₄O₉/PMS system in the wastewater secondary effluent (SE) was also investigated. The results showed that SMX degradation rate in the SE was relatively slower than in the deionized water due to (i) reactive radical scavenging by water matrix species found in SE (e.g.: dissolved organic matters (DOCs), etc.), and (ii) partial deactivation of the catalyst by DOCs. Nevertheless, the selectivity of the SO₄^•− towards SMX degradation was evidenced from the rapid SMX degradation despite the high background DOCs in the SE. At least four times the dosage of PMS is required for SMX degradation in the SE to achieve a similar SMX removal efficiency to that of the deionized water matrix.

http://ift.tt/2jGBYbY

Histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of bone regeneration using nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and human freeze-dried bone graft

Abstract

Purpose

Bone regeneration is an important concern in periodontal treatment and implant dentistry. Different biomaterials and surgical techniques have been used for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and human freeze-dried bone graft (FDBG) in regeneration of rabbit calvarium bony defects by histologic and histomorphometric evaluation.

Methods

In this experimental study, three similar defects, measuring 8 mm in diameter, were created in the calvaria of 16 white New Zealand rabbits. Two defects were filled with FDBG and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite silica gel, while the other one remained unfilled to be considered as control. All the defects were covered with collagen membranes. During the healing period, two animals perished; so 14 rabbits were divided into two groups: half of them were euthanized after 6 weeks of healing and the other half after 12 weeks. The specimens were subjected to histologic and histomorphometric examinations for assessment of the following variables: percentage of bone formation and residual graft material, inflammation scores, patterns of bone formation and type of newly formed bone.

Results

The percentages of new bone formation after 6 weeks were 14.22 ± 7.85, 21.57 ± 6.91, and 20.54 ± 10.07% in FDBG, NanoBone, and control defects. These values were 27.54 ± 20.19, 23.86 ± 6.27, and 26.48 ± 14.18% in 12-week specimens, respectively. No significant differences were found in the amount of bone formation between the groups. With regard to inflammation, the control and NanoBone groups showed significantly less inflammation compared to FDBG at the 6-week healing phase (P = 0.04); this difference was not significant in the 12-week specimens.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this experimental study, both NanoBone and FDBG exhibited a similar effect on bone formation.

http://ift.tt/2jojqw4

Fiber Encapsulation Additive Manufacturing: Technology and Applications Update

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing , Vol. 0, No. 0.


http://ift.tt/2kDbsAo

Surgical treatment of thyroid follicular neoplasms: results of a retrospective analysis of a large clinical series

Abstract

The most appropriate surgical management of "follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm" lesions (FN), considering their low definitive malignancy rate and the limited predictive power of preoperative clinic-diagnostic factors, is still controversial. On behalf of the Italian Association of Endocrine Surgery Units (U.E.C. CLUB), we collected and analyzed the experience of 26 endocrine centers by computerized questionnaire. 1379 patients, surgically treated after a FN diagnosis from January 2012 and December 2103, were evaluated. Histological features, surgical complications, and medium-term outcomes were reported. Total thyroidectomy (TT) was performed in 1055/1379 patients (76.5 %), while hemithyroidectomy (HT) was carried out in 324/1379 cases (23.5 %). Malignancy rate was higher in TT than in HT groups (36.4 vs. 26.2 %), whereas the rates of transient and definitive hypoparathyroidism following TT were higher than after HT. Consensual thyroiditis (16.8 vs. 9.9 %) and patient age (50.9 vs. 47.9 %) also differed between groups. A cytological FN diagnosis was associated to a not negligible malignancy rate (469/1379 patients; 34 %), that was higher in TT than in HT groups. However, a lower morbidity rate was observed in HT, which should be considered the standard of care in solitary lesions in absence of specific risk factors. Malignancy could not be preoperatively assessed and clinical decision-making is still controversial. Further efforts should be spent to more accurately preoperatively classify FN thyroid nodules.

http://ift.tt/2jyMBjw

Low vitamin D status is associated with advanced liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Several studies explored the association between vitamin D status and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with contradictory results. We aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D status, inflammatory cytokines and liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Two hundred nineteen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients and 166 age- and gender- matched healthy controls were recruited for this study. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by radioimmunoassay. Serum interleukin-8 and transforming growth factor-β1 were measured using ELISA. Serum 25(OH)D was only marginally decreased in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Interestingly, serum 25(OH)D was markedly reduced in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with advanced liver fibrosis compared to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with indeterminate liver fibrosis and no advanced fibrosis. Logistic regression analysis showed that there was an inverse association between serum 25(OH)D and severity of liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Further analysis showed that serum interleukin-8 was elevated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients, the highest interleukin-8 in patients with advanced fibrosis. An inverse correlation between serum 25(OH)D and interleukin-8 was observed in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with and without liver fibrosis. Although serum transforming growth factor-β1 was slightly elevated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients, serum transforming growth factor-β1 was reduced in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with advanced fibrosis. Unexpectedly, a positive correlation between serum 25(OH)D and transforming growth factor-β1 was observed in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with advanced fibrosis. In conclusion, low vitamin D status is associated with advanced liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Interleukin-8 may be an important mediator for hepatic fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with low vitamin D status.

http://ift.tt/2jGU7GP

Effectiveness of technologies in the treatment of post-stroke anomia: A systematic review

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:Journal of Communication Disorders
Author(s): Monica Lavoie, Joël Macoir, Nathalie Bier
BackgroundTechnologies are becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of language disorders and offer numerous possibilities, but little is known about their effectiveness and limitations.AimThe aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of treatments delivered by technology in the management of post-stroke anomia.MethodsAs a guideline for conducting this review, we used the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions. We conducted a systematic search of publications in PubMed, PsycInfo and Current Contents. We also consulted Google Scholar. Without any limitations as to publication date, we selected studies designed to assess the effectiveness of an intervention delivered by a technology, namely computer or smart tablet, to specifically improve anomia in post-stroke participants. The main outcomes studied were improvement in naming skills and generalisation to untreated items and daily communication.ResultsWe examined 23 studies in this review. To date, computers constitute the most popular technology by far; only a few studies explored the effectiveness of smart tablets. In some studies, technology was used as a therapy tool in a clinical setting, in the presence of the clinician, while in others, therapy with technology was self-administeredat home, without the clinician. All studies confirmed the effectiveness of therapy provided by technology to improve naming of trained items. However, generalisation to untrained items is unclear and assessment of generalisation to daily communication is rare.DiscussionThe results of this systematic review confirm that technology is an efficient approach in the management of post-stroke anomia. In future studies, ecological tasks aimed at evaluating therapy's effectiveness with word retrieval in real-life situations should be added since the ultimate goal of improving anomia is to increase the ability toretrieve words more easily in everyday life.



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An automated hand hygiene compliance system is associated with improved monitoring of hand hygiene

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control
Author(s): Saungi McCalla, Maggie Reilly, Rowena Thomas, Dawn McSpedon-Rai
BackgroundConsistent hand hygiene is key to reducing health care-associated infections (HAIs) and assessing compliance with hand hygiene protocols is vital for hospital infection control staff. A new automated hand hygiene compliance system (HHCS) was trialed as an alternative to human observers in an intensive care unit and an intensive care stepdown unit at a hospital facility in the northeastern United States.MethodsUsing a retrospective cohort design, researchers investigated whether implementation of the HHCS resulted in improved hand hygiene compliance and a reduction in common HAI rates. Pearson χ² tests were used to assess changes in compliance, and incidence rate ratios were used to test for significant differences in infection rates.ResultsDuring the study period, the HHCS collected many more hand hygiene events compared with human observers (632,404 vs 480) and ensured that the hospital met its compliance goals (95%+). Although decreases in multidrug-resistant organisms, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates were observed, they represented nonsignificant differences.Discussion and conclusionsHuman hand hygiene observers may not report accurate measures of compliance. The HHCS is a promising new tool for fine-grained assessment of hand hygiene compliance. Further study is needed to examine the association between the HHCS and HAI rate reduction.



http://ift.tt/2kcPkAk

Common and differential brain abnormalities in gambling disorder subtypes based on risk attitude

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 69
Author(s): Hideaki Takeuchi, Kosuke Tsurumi, Takuro Murao, Ariyoshi Takemura, Ryosaku Kawada, Shin-ichi Urayama, Toshihiko Aso, Gen-ichi Sugihara, Jun Miyata, Toshiya Murai, Hidehiko Takahashi
Studying brain abnormalities in behavioral addiction including GD enables us to exclude possible confounding effects of exposure to neurotoxic substances, which should provide important insight that can lead to a better understanding of addiction per se. There have been a few brain structural magnetic resonance imaging studies for GD, although the results have been inconsistent. On the other hand, GD was suggested to be a heterogeneous disorder in terms of risk attitude. We aimed to examine the heterogeneity of GD by combining a behavioral economics task and voxel-based morphometry. Thirty-six male GD patients and 36 healthy male control subjects underwent a task for estimation of loss aversion, which can assess risk attitude in real-life decision-making. The GD patients were divided into two groups based on their level of loss aversion, low and high. While both groups showed common gray matter volume reduction in the left supramarginal gyrus and bilateral posterior cerebellum, high loss-aversion GD showed pronounced reduction in the left posterior cerebellum and additional reduction in the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortex. Our study suggests that the heterogeneity of GD is underpinned at the brain structural level. This result might be useful for understanding neurobiological mechanisms and for the establishment of precise treatment strategies for GD.



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Do romantic partners influence each other's heavy episodic drinking? Support for the partner influence hypothesis in a three-year longitudinal study

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 69
Author(s): Sara J. Bartel, Simon B. Sherry, Danielle S. Molnar, Aislin R. Mushquash, Kenneth E. Leonard, Gordon L. Flett, Sherry H. Stewart
BackgroundApproximately one in five adults engage in heavy episodic drinking (HED), a behavior with serious health and social consequences. Environmental, intrapersonal, and interpersonal factors contribute to and perpetuate HED. Prior research supports the partner influence hypothesis where partners influence each other's HED.ObjectivesWe examined the partner influence hypothesis longitudinally over three years in heterosexual couples in serious romantic relationships, while exploring possible sex differences in the magnitude of partner influence.MethodsOne-hundred-and-seventy-nine heterosexual couples in serious relationships (38.5% married at baseline) completed a measure of HED at baseline and again three years later.ResultsUsing actor-partner interdependence modelling, results showed actor effects for both men and women, with HED remaining stable for each partner from baseline to follow-up. Significant partner effects were found for both men and women, who both positively influenced their partners' HED over the three-year follow-up.ConclusionsThe partner influence hypothesis was supported. Results indicated partner influences on HED occur over the longer term and apply to partners in varying stages of serious romantic relationships (e.g., cohabiting, engaged, married). Women were found to influence their partners' HED just as much as men influence their partners' HED. Findings suggest HED should be assessed and treated as a couples' issue rather than simply as an individual risky behavior.



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Distress tolerance dimensions and smoking behavior among Mexican daily smokers: A preliminary investigation

Publication date: June 2017
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 69
Author(s): Brooke Y. Kauffman, Lorra Garey, Jafar Bakhshaie, Rubén Rodríguez, Samuel Jurado Cárdenas, Patricia Edith Campos Coy, Michael J. Zvolensk
IntroductionDistress intolerance has been implicated in various aspects of smoking maintenance and quit behavior, although past work has been conducted almost exclusively among European American samples.MethodThe present study sought to extend past work by exploring distinct subdimensions of distress tolerance (Tolerance, Appraisal, Regulation, and Absorption) among a sample of 113 (53.1% female; Mage=22.81, SD=2.13) adult daily smokers from Mexico City, Mexico in regard to multiple indices of problematic smoking.ResultsResults indicated that the Appraisal dimension of distress intolerance was associated with smoking more cigarettes per day, a greater number of (lifetime) failed quit attempts, and an increased likelihood of early smoking relapse. These findings remained significant after controlling for negative affectivity, gender, alcohol usage as well as the variance accounted for by other distress tolerance dimensions.ConclusionsSuch results provide novel preliminary empirical evidence that lesser perceived ability to tolerate distress because it is appraised as 'unacceptable' may be a particularly important element of the construct in terms of better understanding multiple public health relevant indicators of smoking for Mexican smokers. Overall, the present findings uniquely contribute to a growing body of research related to distress intolerance and its implications for explicating the nature of the maintenance of smoking behavior among a highly understudied segment of the smoking population (Mexican smokers).



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