Perseverative Thinking in Depression and Anxiety

The current study investigated the impact of worry and brooding as moderators of the tripartite model of depression and anxiety (TMDA). We hypothesized that both types of perseverative thinking would moderate the association between negative affectivity (NA) and both anxiety and depression. Complete data sets for this questionnaire survey were obtained from 537 students. Participants’ ages ranged from 16 to 49 years with a mean age of 21.1 years (SD = 3.6). Overall, results from path analyses supported the assumptions of the TMDA, in that NA was a non-specific predictor for both depression and anxiety whilst lack of positive affectivity (PA) was related to depression only. Unexpectedly, perseverative thinking had an effect on the dependency of negative and positive affectivity. Worry was a significant moderator for the path NA–anxiety. All other hypothesized associations were only marginally significant. Alternative pathways as well as methodological implications regarding similarities and differences of the two types of perseverative thinking are discussed

Modeling circadian and sleep-homeostatic effects on short-term interval timing

Short-term interval timing i.e., perception and action relating to durations in the seconds range, has been suggested to display time-of-day as well as wake dependent fluctuations due to circadian and sleep-homeostatic changes to the rate at which an underlying pacemaker emits pulses; pertinent human data being relatively sparse and lacking in consistency however, the phenomenon remains elusive and its mechanism poorly understood. To better characterize the putative circadian and sleep-homeostatic effects on interval timing and to assess the ability of a pacemaker-based mechanism to account for the data, we measured timing performance in eighteen young healthy male subjects across two epochs of sustained wakefulness of 38.67 h each, conducted prior to (under entrained conditions) and following (under free-running conditions) a 28 h sleep-wake schedule, using the methods of duration estimation and duration production on target intervals of 10 and 40 s. Our findings of opposing oscillatory time courses across both epochs of sustained wakefulness that combine with increasing and, respectively, decreasing, saturating exponential change for the tasks of estimation and production are consistent with the hypothesis that a pacemaker emitting pulses at a rate controlled by the circadian oscillator and increasing with time awake determines human short-term interval timing; the duration-specificity of this pattern is interpreted as reflecting challenges to maintaining stable attention to the task that progressively increase with stimulus magnitude and thereby moderate the effects of pacemaker-rate changes on overt behavior

Cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels in saliva of healthy neonates - Normative data and relation to body mass index, arterial cord blood pH and time of sampling after birth

The measurement of cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in saliva has become a reliable tool for both the scientist and the clinician for studying adrenal cortical function in the adult and the older child. We have now established in parallel normative data for salivary cortisol and 17-OHP levels in healthy neonates. We have asked whether or not there is a circadian rhythm of cortisol and 17-OHP saliva levels in neonates. Furthermore, we have asked whether salivary hormone levels correlated with auxologic and clinical data and time of sampling. Cortisol and 17-OHP levels in saliva samples from 119 healthy neonates (55 girls, 64 boys) were measured using in-house time-resolved fluorescent immunoassays. Saliva samples were obtained using a saliva collecting tube three times a day on the first or second day of life. Gender and gestational age did not influence salivary cortisol and 17-OHP levels. No significant circadian rhythm of salivary hormone levels was detected in this group of newborns. However, body mass index, arterial cord blood pH and time of saliva sampling significantly influenced salivary hormone levels. In conclusion, measurement of cortisol and 17-OHP in saliva is feasible in healthy neonates. The existence of normative data forms the basis for future studies on pathophysiologic states in the newborn period. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

Sociocultural Adjustment and Well-being Among Third Culture Kids and Their Families: Protocol for a Longitudinal Study

Background: Increasing globalization has led to more families with children being relocated each year, highlighting the importance of issues, such as adjustment and psychological well-being, in this population. These children, commonly known as third culture kids, often spend a significant part of their developmental years in countries and cultures foreign to them. Objective: Our longitudinal study aims to examine the roles of cognitive, psychological, sociocultural, and family factors in the longitudinal trajectories of the well-being and sociocultural adjustment of third culture kids and their families over time. Methods: This study adopts both quantitative and qualitative procedures. Data from both procedures will be collected at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up. We aim to recruit 150 to 200 participants between 7 and 17 years old and one of their primary caregivers. After providing informed consent, participants will complete an online survey. Outcome measures include validated questionnaires on well-being and sociocultural adjustment. Predictor measures include validated questionnaires on negative self-thoughts, emotion regulation, resilience, psychological attributes, self-esteem, stress, acculturative stress, cultural intelligence, couple satisfaction, and family functioning. A multiple regression model will be used to analyze quantitative data. In addition, 15 to 20 families who participate in the online survey will be randomly selected to take part in a family interview focusing on questions related to well-being, relocation experiences, cultural issues, and challenges. A concurrent triangulation mixed methods design will be used to analyze and interpret data from both quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: As of March 15, 2022, a total of 138 children and 126 parents have completed the baseline online survey. In addition, 44 children and 48 parents have completed the 1-year follow-up online survey. A total of 8 families have completed the baseline family interview, while 4 families have completed the 1-year follow-up interview. Data analyses, transcription of the interview, and preparation for publication are on-going. Conclusions: Findings from this study would enable us to understand the adjustment processes, and risk and protective factors associated with the well-being and sociocultural adjustment of third culture kids and their families in Switzerland, which could have implications on the development of intervention programs for individuals and families to address acculturation and adjustment issues

Specific Traumatic Events Elevate the Risk of a Suicide Attempt in a 10-year Longitudinal Community Study on Adolescents and Young Adults

Traumatic events (TEs) have been associated with suicide attempts (SAs). However, the empirical status of some TEs is inconclusive. This also concerns community adolescents and young adults, known to be a high-risk group for SAs. We examined associations between (a) a range of prior TEs (physical attack, rape/sexual abuse, serious accident, and witnessing somebody else experiencing a TE) and a subsequent SA, and (b) the number of prior TEs and an SA, and (c) we estimated attributable proportions of SAs, in relation to each TE. Over a 10-year period, the Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology (EDSP) study prospectively assessed community members, aged 14-24 years at baseline. Starting with 3021 subjects, each individual was assessed up to four times. Assessment was based on the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Temporal associations were estimated using the Cox model with time-dependent covariates. Attributable proportions were based on the results of the Cox models. All four TEs elevated the risk for a subsequent SA, adjusting for confounders. Highest risk was found for the combined TE rape/sexual abuse. Results showed that 56-90% of SAs could be attributed to TEs in the exposed group; on the population level, attributable proportions ranged between 6.9% and 23.5%. Different TEs have been shown to elevate the risk of an SA in a young community sample. Our results suggest that both health professionals and health policy decision-makers consider specific TEs and the number of prior TEs as risk factors for SAs

A new and reliable culture system for superficial low-grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Several bladder cancer culture systems have been developed in recent years. However, reports about successful primary cultures of superficial urothelial carcinomas (UC) are sparse. Based on the specific growth requirements of UC described previously, we developed a new and reliable culture system for superficial low-grade UC. Between November 2002 and April 2006, 64 primary cultures of bladder cancer specimens were performed. After incubating the specimens overnight in 0.1% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution, tumour cells could easily be separated from the submucosal tissue. Subsequently, cells were seeded in a low-calcium culture medium supplemented with 1% serum, growth factors, non-essential amino acids and glycine. The malignant origin of the cultured cells was demonstrated by spectral karyotyping. Overall culture success rate leading to a homogenous tumour cell population without fibroblast contamination was 63%. Culture success could be remarkably enhanced by the addition of glycine to the culture medium. Interestingly, 86.4% of pTa tumours were cultured successfully compared to only 50% of the pT1 and 38% of advanced stage tumours, respectively. G1 and G2 tumours grew significantly better than G3 tumours (86, 73 and 41%, respectively). Up to three passages of low-grade UC primary cultures were possible. We describe a new and reliable culture system, which is highly successful for primary culture and passage of low-grade UC of the bladder. Therefore, this culture system can widely be used for functional experiments on early stage bladder cance

Mental disorders and the risk for the subsequent first suicide attempt: results of a community study on adolescents and young adults

Adolescents and young adults represent the high-risk group for first onset of both DSM-IV mental disorders and lifetime suicide attempt (SA). Yet few studies have evaluated the temporal association of prior mental disorders and subsequent first SA in a young community sample. We examined (a) such associations using a broad range of specific DSM-IV mental disorders, (b) the risk of experiencing the outcome due to prior comorbidity, and (c) the proportion of SAs that could be attributed to prior disorders. During a 10-year prospective study, data were gathered from 3021 community subjects, 14-24 years of age at baseline. DSM-IV disorders and SA were assessed with the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Cox models with time-dependent covariates were used to estimate the temporal associations of prior mental disorders with subsequent first SA. Most prior mental disorders showed elevated risk for subsequent first SA. Highest risks were associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dysthymia, and nicotine dependence. Comorbidity elevated the risk for subsequent first SA, and the more disorders a subject had, the higher the risk for first SA. More than 90% of SAs in the exposed group could be attributed to PTSD, and over 30% of SAs in the total sample could be attributed to specific phobia. Several DSM-IV disorders increase the risk for first SA in adolescents and young adults. Several promising early intervention targets were observed, e.g., specific phobia, nicotine dependence, dysthymia, and whether a young person is burdened with comorbid mental disorders

Evolution of protoplanetary disks from their taxonomy in scattered light: Group I vs. Group II

High-resolution imaging reveals a large morphological variety of protoplanetary disks. To date, no constraints on their global evolution have been found from this census. An evolutionary classification of disks was proposed based on their IR spectral energy distribution, with the Group I sources showing a prominent cold component ascribed to an earlier stage of evolution than Group II. Disk evolution can be constrained from the comparison of disks with different properties. A first attempt of disk taxonomy is now possible thanks to the increasing number of high-resolution images of Herbig Ae/Be stars becoming available. Near-IR images of six Group II disks in scattered light were obtained with VLT/NACO in Polarimetric Differential Imaging, which is the most efficient technique to image the light scattered by the disk material close to the stars. We compare the stellar/disk properties of this sample with those of well-studied Group I sources available from the literature. Three Group II disks are detected. The brightness distribution in the disk of HD163296 indicates the presence of a persistent ring-like structure with a possible connection with the CO snowline. A rather compact (less than 100 AU) disk is detected around HD142666 and AK Sco. A taxonomic analysis of 17 Herbig Ae/Be sources reveals that the difference between Group I and Group II is due to the presence or absence of a large disk cavity (larger than 5 AU). There is no evidence supporting the evolution from Group I to Group II. Group II are not evolved version of the Group I. Within the Group II disks, very different geometries (both self-shadowed and compact) exist. HD163296 could be the primordial version of a typical Group I. Other Group II, like AK Sco and HD142666, could be smaller counterpart of Group I unable to open cavities as large as those of Group I.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, published by A&

In vivo investigation of open-pored magnesium scaffolds LAE442 with different coatings in an open wedge defect

The magnesium alloy LAE442 showed promising results as a bone substitute in numerous studies in non-weight bearing bone defects. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo behavior of wedge-shaped open-pored LAE442 scaffolds modified with two different coatings (magnesium fluoride (MgF2, group 1)) or magnesium fluoride/calcium phosphate (MgF2/CaP, group 2)) in a partial weight-bearing rabbit tibia defect model. The implantation of the scaffolds was performed as an open wedge corrective osteotomy in the tibia of 40 rabbits and followed for observation periods of 6, 12, 24, and 36 weeks. Radiological and microcomputed tomographic examinations were performed in vivo. X-ray microscopic, histological, histomorphometric, and SEM/EDS analyses were performed at the end of each time period. µCT measurements and X-ray microscopy showed a slight decrease in volume and density of the scaffolds of both coatings. Histologically, endosteal and periosteal callus formation with good bridging and stabilization of the osteotomy gap and ingrowth of bone into the scaffold was seen. The MgF2 coating favored better bridging of the osteotomy gap and more bone-scaffold contacts, especially at later examination time points. Overall, the scaffolds of both coatings met the requirement to withstand the loads after an open wedge corrective osteotomy of the proximal rabbit tibia. However, in addition to the inhomogeneous degradation behavior of individual scaffolds, an accumulation of gas appeared, so the scaffold material should be revised again regarding size dimension and composition