Changes of Several Psychological Measures in the Patients with Craniomandibular Disorders, Bruxing Behavior and Sexual Abuse History

Aim: The understanding of psychological correlates of Craniomandibular disorders and Bruxing Behavior has seen significant progress in the last few years. However, studies evaluating association between more complex psychological measures in such disorders are extremely scarce. To investigate this, we evaluated frequency of sexual abuse history in the experimental and two control groups and scores in depression, somatization and dissociation in those with Craniomandibular Disorders and Bruxism with/without sexual abuse history.Methods: Clinical examination, self-report, chief complaint, criteria for craniomandibular disorders and bruxism, the Becker-Lausen Questionnaire for sexual abuse were used in the Craniomandibular Disorder+ Bruxing Behavior, and in two control subgroups to gather data about sexual abuse history. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), 32 questions from the Screening Somatoform Disorders (SOMS-2) instrument and the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES) were used in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism + Sexual Abuse (n=39), in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism with no sexual abuse subgroup (n=158) and in the no Craniomandibular Disorders no Sexual Abuse subgroup (n=50) so as to gather data about depression, somatization and dissociation, respectively.Results: We show that there was no a statistically significant difference when comparing frequency of sexual abuse history in the experimental and in the two control groups. Means in depression were about 14.7; 11.4; and 9.3 in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism and Sexual abuse, in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism with no sexual abuse history, and in the no Craniomandibular Disorders no Sexual abuse history subgroups, respectively (Kruskall-Wallis statistics with post test p<0.02). Means in somatization were 12.1, 10.3, and 8.0, respectively in those subgroups (p<0.006). Means in dissociation were about 22.3, 15.6, and 15.2, respectively (p<0.007).Conclusions: Means in depression, somatization and dissociation were higher and significantly different in the Craniomandibular + bruxing behavior + sexual abuse history subgroup. This study provides further data on frequency of sexual abuse in craniomandibular disorder and bruxer subjects, expands current knowledge about depression and somatization and provides non previously reported data on dissociation

Amazon Basin forest pyrogenic carbon stocks: First estimate of deep storage

Amazon Basin forest soils contain considerable soil organic carbon stocks; however, the contribution of soil pyrogenic carbon (PyC) to the total is unknown. PyC is derived from local fires (historical and modern) and external inputs via aeolian deposition. To establish an initial estimate of PyC stocks in non-terra preta forest with no known history of fire, to assess site and vertical variability, as well as to determine optimal sampling design, we sampled 37 one hectare forest plots in the Amazon Basin and analysed PyC via hydrogen pyrolysis of three individual samples per plot and of bulked samples to 200 cm depth. Using our data and published total organic carbon stocks, we present the first field-based estimate of total PyC stock for the Amazon Basin of 1.10 Pg over 0–30 cm soil depth, and 2.76 Pg over 0–100 cm soil depth. This is up to 20 times higher than previously assumed. Three individual samples per 1 ha are sufficient to capture the site variability of PyC in our plots. PyC showed significant, large-scale variability among plots. To capture 50% of the PyC in 200 cm soil profiles, soil must be sampled to a depth of at least 71 cm. PyC represents a significant (11%) portion of total organic carbon in soil profiles 0–200 cm depth. This finding highlights the potentially important role that historical fire has played in modifying soil C stocks. Our data suggest that PyC is an important carbon pool for long-term storage, involved in millennial scale biogeochemical cycling, particularly in the subsurface soil