Psychotherapy and social support - Integrating research on psychological helping

Psychotherapy interactions and social support conversations have many similarities, as well as some important differences. Researchers studying these two manifestations of psychological helping - often known as formal and informal helping - usually apply a separate set of concepts and methods to each and tend to locate their work in separate bodies of literature. This paper argues that such a division of the field is unnecessary and unproductive. It outlines several ways in which the two bodies of literature might inform each other and argues for conceptual integration of the two fields. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

The origin of clinical organ transplantation revisited

A patient whose illness had begun with edema and hypertension was found to have extreme atrophy of both kidneys. Because of the steady worsening of the condition and the appearance of uremia with other unfavorable diagnostic signs, transplantation of 1 kidney from the patient's identical healthy twin brother was undertaken. Preparations included collection of evidence of monozygosity and experimental transplantation of a skin graft from the twin. During the transfer of the healthy kidney, it was totally ischemic for 82 minutes. Evidence of functional activity in the transplanted kidney was obtained. The hypertension persisted until the patient's diseased kidneys were both removed. The homograft has survived for 11 months, and the marked clinical improvement in the patient has included disappearance of the signs of malignant hypertension

An Alternative Parameterization of R-matrix Theory

An alternative parameterization of R-matrix theory is presented which is mathematically equivalent to the standard approach, but possesses features which simplify the fitting of experimental data. In particular there are no level shifts and no boundary-condition constants which allows the positions and partial widths of an arbitrary number levels to be easily fixed in an analysis. These alternative parameters can be converted to standard R-matrix parameters by a straightforward matrix diagonalization procedure. In addition it is possible to express the collision matrix directly in terms of the alternative parameters.Comment: 8 pages; accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C; expanded Sec. IV, added Sec. VI, added Appendix, corrected typo

Avalanches at rough surfaces

We describe the surface properties of a simple lattice model of a sandpile that includes evolving structural disorder. We present a dynamical scaling hypothesis for generic sandpile automata, and additionally explore the kinetic roughening of the sandpile surface, indicating its relationship with the sandpile evolution. Finally, we comment on the surprisingly good agreement found between this model, and a previous continuum model of sandpile dynamics, from the viewpoint of critical phenomena.Comment: 8 Pages, 7 Figures (in 15 parts); accepted for publication in Physical Review

New broad 8Be nuclear resonances

Energies, total and partial widths, and reduced width amplitudes of 8Be resonances up to an excitation energy of 26 MeV are extracted from a coupled channel analysis of experimental data. The presence of an extremely broad J^pi = 2^+ ``intruder'' resonance is confirmed, while a new 1^+ and very broad 4^+ resonance are discovered. A previously known 22 MeV 2^+ resonance is likely resolved into two resonances. The experimental J^pi T = 3^(+)? resonance at 22 MeV is determined to be 3^-0, and the experimental 1^-? (at 19 MeV) and 4^-? resonances to be isospin 0.Comment: 16 pages, LaTe

Psychological impact of identifying character strengths in people with psychosis

A one group pre-post test design investigated the impact of identifying character strengths using the Values In Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) with individuals with early psychosis (N = 29). Post-test improvements in positive affect and cognitive performance were observed. Neither self-esteem nor self-efficacy improved. The technique appears feasible for use within early intervention services. Adverse consequences should be monitored and additional components considered to enhance benefits

Mutual help groups for mental health problems: A review of effectiveness studies

This paper reviews empirical studies on whether participating in mutual help groups for people with mental health problems leads to improved psychological and social functioning. To be included, studies had to satisfy four sets of criteria, covering: (1) characteristics of the group, (2) target problems, (3) outcome measures, and (4) research design. The 12 studies meeting these criteria provide limited but promising evidence that mutual help groups benefit people with three types of problems: chronic mental illness, depression/anxiety, and bereavement. Seven studies reported positive changes for those attending support groups. The strongest findings come from two randomized trials showing that the outcomes of mutual help groups were equivalent to those of substantially more costly professional interventions. Five of the 12 studies found no differences in mental health outcomes between mutual help group members and non-members; no studies showed evidence of negative effects. There was no indication that mutual help groups were differentially effective for certain types of problems. The studies varied in terms of design quality and reporting of results. More high-quality outcome research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of mutual help groups across the spectrum of mental health problems

The Role of Siglec-F as a Regulator of Alveolar Macrophage Function and Adaptation

2019 dissertation for MRes. Alveolar macrophages are found in a truly unique microenvironment of the lung alveoli, where they are in close contact with the respiratory epithelium. This close contact with the epithelium is essential as it is how these highly inflammatory cells (cells that respond quickly to immune response as dysregulation of homeostasis exacerbates pathology) are regulated to prevent excessive inflammation, which otherwise would damage the lung, possibly leading to Asthma or COPD. Meaning that in the absence of pathology, the inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages are limited. Interaction with the lung occurs when macrophages bind to the epithelium through a specific receptor such as CD200R and possibly Siglec-F. Siglec-F is a lectin on the surface of macrophages that binds glycoconjugates containing sialic acid on the lung epithelium and on mucins, which is speculated to negatively regulate alveolar macrophages. Though the specific role of Siglec-F as a regulator of macrophage is not fully understood. The aim of this project is to explore changes in gene expression and functional outcomes of signalling through Siglec-F. An exogenous system was used to stimulate this receptor using antibody crosslinking, which is then confirmed by analysing recruitment of SHP-1 in western blot. We also aim to measure differences in cytokine production using a multiplex kit which can simultaneously measure several different cytokines. Lastly, we aim to use RNA sequencing to analyse changes in gene expression. This data will then be used to propose functional outcomes of Siglec-F signalling; improving the understanding of the role of the receptor in negative regulation of alveolar macrophages. The western blot results showed successful recruitment of SHP-1 and thus successful targeting of Siglec-F. We also observed a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL1 and anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β1 when crosslinked with Siglec-F in the presence of a known strong stimulator of the innate immune response (LPS). This reduction of cytokines indicates a negative regulatory function of the Siglec-F receptor, though potential functional effector functions of Siglec-F is not understood. Looking at changes in expression we found interesting putative targets of the Siglec-F signalling pathway including immune related genes such as TREM2, Axl, and IL-6 as well as other genes associated with RNA synthesis and the control of protein translation. This study will provide information about the effector functions of Siglec-F and creates new avenues for future study

Online peer support for students

While many UK higher education institutions have websites offering information and advice on common student problems, interactive online support is less common. This article describes a project developing internet-based mutual support for students experiencing psychological problems at University College London