Internet-based treatment for PTSD reduces distress and facilitates the development of a strong therapeutic alliance: a randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an internet-based therapy (Interapy) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a German speaking population. Also, the quality of the online therapeutic relationship, its development and its relevance as potential moderator of the treatment effects was investigated. METHOD: Ninety-six patients with posttraumatic stress reactions were allocated at random to ten sessions of Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) conducted over a 5-week period or a waiting list control group. Severity of PTSD was the primary outcome. Secondary outcome variables were depression, anxiety, dissociation and physical health. Follow-up assessments were conducted at the end of treatment and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: From baseline to post-treatment assessment, PTSD severity and other psychopathological symptoms were significantly improved for the treatment group (intent-to-treat group x time interaction effect size d = 1.40). Additionally, patients of the treatment condition showed significantly greater reduction of co-morbid depression and anxiety as compared to the waiting list condition. These effects were sustained during the 3-months follow-up period. High ratings of the therapeutic alliance and low drop-out rates indicated that a positive and stable therapeutic relationship could be established online. Significant improvement of the online working alliance in the course of treatment and a substantial correlation between the quality of the online relationship at the end of treatment and treatment outcome emerged. CONCLUSION: Interapy proved to be a viable treatment alternative for PTSD with large effect sizes and sustained treatment effects. A stable and positive online therapeutic relationship can be established through the Internet which improved during the treatment process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN012606000401550

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Протокол функционального обследования аноректальной зоны и классификация нарушений: международный консенсус и Российские рекомендации

This manuscript summarizes consensus reached by the International Anorectal Physiology Working Group (IAPWG) for the performance, terminology used, and interpretation of anorectal function testing including anorectal manometry (focused on high-resolution manometry), the rectal sensory test, and the balloon expulsion test. Based on these measurements, a classification system for disorders of anorectal function is proposed. Aim to provide information about methods of diagnosis and new classification of functional anorectal disorders to a wide range of specialists general practitioners, therapists, gastroenterologists, coloproctologists all who face the manifestations of these diseases in everyday practice and determine the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. Current paper provides agreed statements of IAPWG Consensus and comments (in italics) of Russian experts on real-world practice, mainly on methodology of examination. These comments in no way intended to detract from the provisions agreed by the international group of experts. We hope that these comments will help to improve the quality of examination based on the systematization of local experience with the use of the methods discussed and the results obtained. Key recommendations: the International Anorectal Physiology Working Group protocol for the performance of anorectal function testing recommends a standardized sequence of maneuvers to test rectoanal reflexes, anal tone and contractility, rectoanal coordination, and rectal sensation. Major findings not seen in healthy controls defined by the classification are as follows: rectoanal areflexia, anal hypotension and hypocontractility, rectal hyposensitivity, and hypersensitivity. Minor and inconclusive findings that can be present in health and require additional information prior to diagnosis include anal hypertension and dyssynergia

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

DNAase I hypersensitive site 3 ' to the beta-globin gene cluster contains a TAA Insertion specific for beta(s)-Benin haplotype

Background and Objectives. Analysis of DNA polymorphic sites is a powerful tool for detection of gene flow in human evolutionary studies and to trace genetic background associated with abnormal genes. The beta-globin focus contains more than 20 single-base restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) sites spanning over 80 kb on chromosome 11. Far downstream of the expressed genes, there is a hypersensitive site (HS). The function of the 3'-HS remains unknown. As an approach to the understanding of the 3'-HS region in sickle cell anemia we searched for sequence polymorphism in the AT-rich region, using a non-radioactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) technique. Design and Methods. A 460 bp fragment located at the 3' of the beta globin gene was amplified from patients (with sickle cell anemia and HbSC disease), and from AS individuals. Standard RFLP-haplotyping was performed and compared with the PCR-SSCP screening strategy. Results. Two distinct band patterns were revealed by SSCP testing, each one in strict linkage disequilibrium with either Benin or Bantu haplotypes. Direct sequencing of the amplified segment revealed a TAA insertion in the AT-rich region, in all 121 beta(s) Benin chromosomes tested, but not in other beta(s) haplotypes from the total of 380 beta(s) chromosomes typed. Interpretation and Conclusions. SSCP analysis could easily distinguish sequence variations in the XAT-rich region of the beta-globin cluster, and a TAA insertion in this region seems to be specific for the Benin-beta(s) chromosome. (C) 2002, Ferrata Storti Foundation.87324624

Mutation analysis of the HFE gene in Brazilian populations

We analyzed the frequency of the C282Y and H63D mutations in the HFE gene in 227 individuals from Brazil comprising 71 Caucasians, 91 racially mixed Caucasian African-derived Amerindians (both populations from Southeast Brazil), 85 African-derived subjects (from Northeast Brazil) and 75 Parakana Indians, Allelic frequency of the mutation C. 845G6A (C282Y) was 1.4% in the Caucasian population, 1.1% in the African-derived population, 1.1% in the racially mixed normal controls and 0% in the Parakana Indians. In the African-derived population, the C282Y mutation was present on chromosomes bearing the haplotype 6/1h according to Beutler and West (1997). Allelic frequency of the mutation C. 187C6G (H63D) was 16.3% in the Caucasian population, 7.5% in the African-derived population, 9.8% in the racially mixed controls and 0% in the Amerindians. The presence of these mutations in the African-derived population reflects the fact that these subjects may have undergone a non-identified racial admixture in their past history. The absence of both defects in the Amerindians suggests that these mutations have emerged after the migration of Polynesians to America, or that they may not have reached the Polynesian population until after the migration to America had occurred.252132432

Melatonin acts through MT1/MT2 receptors to activate hypothalamic Akt and suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis in rats

Melatonin can contribute to glucose homeostasis either by decreasing gluconeogenesis or by counteracting insulin resistance in distinct models of obesity. However, the precise mechanism through which melatonin controls glucose homeostasis is not completely understood. Male Wistar rats were administered an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of melatonin and one of following: an icv injection of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, an icv injection of a melatonin receptor (MT) antagonist, or an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Anesthetized rats were subjected to pyruvate tolerance test to estimate in vivo glucose clearance after pyruvate load and in situ liver perfusion to assess hepatic gluconeogenesis. The hypothalamus was removed to determine Akt phosphorylation. Melatonin injections in the central nervous system suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis and increased hypothalamic Akt phosphorylation. These effects of melatonin were suppressed either by icv injections of PI3K inhibitors and MT antagonists and by ip injection of a muscarinic receptor antagonist. We conclude that melatonin activates hypothalamus-liver communication that may contribute to circadian adjustments of gluconeogenesis. These data further suggest a physiopathological relationship between the circadian disruptions in metabolism and reduced levels of melatonin found in type 2 diabetes patients.o TEXTO COMPLETO DESTE ARTIGO, ESTARÁ DISPONÍVEL À PARTIR DE AGOSTO DE 2015.3052E230E242Research Foundation of the State of Sao PauloNational Council of Researc

Transtorno da conduta e comportamento anti-social

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PsiquiatriaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Grupo Interdepartamental de Epidemiologia ClínicaMcMaster University Divisão de Psiquiatria da Infância e AdolescênciaMcMaster University Centro de Estudos sobre Crianças em Situação de RiscoMcMaster University Centro Chedoke para a Criança e a FamíliaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PsiquiatriaUNIFESP, EPM, Grupo Interdepartamental de Epidemiologia ClínicaSciEL