Mindfulness meditation targets transdiagnostic symptoms implicated in stress-related disorders: Understanding relationships between changes in mindfulness, sleep quality, and physical symptoms

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an 8-week meditation program known to improve anxiety, depression, and psychological well-being. Other health-related effects, such as sleep quality, are less well established, as are the psychological processes associated with therapeutic change. This prospective, observational study (n=213) aimed to determine whether perseverative cognition, indicated by rumination and intrusive thoughts, and emotion regulation, measured by avoidance, thought suppression, emotion suppression, and cognitive reappraisal, partly accounted for the hypothesized relationship between changes in mindfulness and two health-related outcomes: sleep quality and stress-related physical symptoms. As expected, increased mindfulness following the MBSR program was directly correlated with decreased sleep disturbance (r=-0.21, p=0.004) and decreased stress-related physical symptoms (r=-0.38, p<0.001). Partial correlations revealed that pre-post changes in rumination, unwanted intrusive thoughts, thought suppression, experiential avoidance, emotion suppression, and cognitive reappraisal each uniquely accounted for up to 32% of the correlation between the change in mindfulness and change in sleep disturbance and up to 30% of the correlation between the change in mindfulness and change in stress-related physical symptoms. Results suggest that the stress-reducing effects of MBSR are due, in part, to improvements in perseverative cognition and emotion regulation, two “transdiagnostic” mental processes that cut across stress-related disorders

A tetraiodo cuprate NHC-MIC biscarbene proligand: coordination chemistry and preliminary catalysis

La preparación de una sal híbrida conteniendo cationes imidazolio/triazolio [NHC-MIC]²+ fue llevada a cabo en tres pasos sintéticos utilizando la cicloadición de azida-alquino catalizada por cobre (CuAAC) y la subsecuente N-metilación del 1,2,-3 triazol. Deprotonación selectiva de la sal mixta con NaH en presencia de un precursor metálico (M= Pd, Rh) permite la síntesis de NHC-metálicos conteniendo fragmentos catiónicos de tipo triazolio [NHC∙(M)-MIC]+. La subsecuente deprotonación del triazolio con KOᵗBu en presencia de Mpermite entonces la síntesis de complejos inusuales tipo quelato conteniendo carbenos clásicos tipo NHC y carbenos mesoiónicos MIC con estructura general [NHC∙(M)∙MIC]+MX₂-. Todos los compuestos han sido caracterizados mediante RMN de ¹H y ¹³C, FT-IR y cristalografía de rayos-X de monocristal. Estudios catalíticos preliminares de los nuevos complejos en procesos de formación de α-cetoamidas serán discutidos.A novel linked imidazolium/triazolium salt [NHC-MIC]²+ was preparedin three synthetic stepsusing copper catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) and N-methylation protocols. Metallation of the imidazolium moiety using KHMDS in presence of a metallic precursor (M = Pd, Rh) yields NHC-anchored/pendent triazolium species [NHC∙(M)-MIC]+ in good yields. The subsequent deprotonation of the triazolium fragment with KOᵗBu in presence of one equivalent of M delivers the rare chelating mixed classical NHC/mesionic biscarbene complexes with the general formula [NHC∙(M)∙MIC]+MX₂-. All the complexes were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FT-IR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Preliminary catalytic performances of the new complexes in the oxidativepreparation of α-ketoamides will be discussed

Minor influence of humeral component size on torsional stiffness of the Souter-Strathclyde total elbow prosthesis

The use of Souter-Strathclyde total elbow prostheses is a well-studied replacement therapy for reconstruction of the elbow, but loosening of the humeral component is still of concern at long-term follow-up. In this study we looked at the effect of humeral component size and bone mineral density with respect to the bone size, torsional stiffness and torque to failure in cadaveric bones. Fourteen cadaveric humeri were available for testing purposes and four different humeral component size categories were used. First, we calculated the bone quality using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The torsional stiffness of the prosthetic humeri was measured during two mechanical tests: Firstly, the applied torque was recorded during a torsion fatigue test. The change of torsional stiffness between the tenth and last cycle was calculated. Secondly, a simple torsion test was performed and the torque to failure was recorded. No significant differences in outcome were seen between sizes of humeral components, even after correction for the bone size. Torsional stiffness and torque to failure were significantly correlated with bone mineral density and not with component size. In conclusion, bone quality seems to be a major eminent factor in the fixation of the humeral component in elbow replacement surgery

Effects of T-type calcium channel blockers on cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion and thalamocortical GABAergic abnormalities in mice

Rationale: Repetitive cocaine exposure has been shown to induce GABAergic thalamic alterations. Given the key role of T-type (CaV3) calcium channels in thalamocortical physiology, the direct involvement of these calcium channels in cocaine-mediated effects needs to be further explored. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of T-type calcium channel blockers on acute and repetitive cocaine administration that mediates thalamocortical alterations in mice using three different T-type blockers: 2-octanol, nickel, and mibefradil. Methods: During in vitro experiments, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were conducted in ventrobasal (VB) thalamic neurons from mice treated with acute repetitive cocaine administration (3∈×∈15 mg/kg, i.p., 1 h apart), under bath application of mibefradil (10 μM), 2-octanol (50 μM), or nickel (200 μM). After systemic administration of T-type calcium channel blockers, we evaluated locomotor activity and also recorded GABAergic neurotransmission onto VB neurons in vitro. Results: Bath-applied mibefradil, 2-octanol, or nickel significantly reduced both GABAergic neurotransmission and T-type currents of VB neurons in cocaine-treated mice. In vivo i.p. pre-administration of either mibefradil (20 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) or 2-octanol (0.5 mg/kg and 0.07 mg/kg) significantly reduced GABAergic mini frequencies onto VB neurons. Moreover, both mibefradil and 2-octanol were able to decrease cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. Conclusion: The results shown in this study strongly suggest that T-type calcium channels play a key role in cocaine-mediated GABAergic thalamocortical alterations, and further propose T-type channel blockers as potential targets for future pharmacological strategies aimed at treating cocaine's deleterious effects on physiology and behavior.Fil: Bisagno, Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas; ArgentinaFil: Raineri Andersen, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas; ArgentinaFil: Peskin, Viviana Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas; ArgentinaFil: Wikinski, Silvia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas; ArgentinaFil: Uchitel, Osvaldo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Llinás, Rodolfo R.. University of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Urbano Suarez, Francisco Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentin

The Small GTPase Arf1 Modulates Arp2/3-Mediated Actin Polymerization via PICK1 to Regulate Synaptic Plasticity

SummaryInhibition of Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization by PICK1 is a central mechanism to AMPA receptor (AMPAR) internalization and long-term depression (LTD), although the signaling pathways that modulate this process in response to NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation are unknown. Here, we define a function for the GTPase Arf1 in this process. We show that Arf1-GTP binds PICK1 to limit PICK1-mediated inhibition of Arp2/3 activity. Expression of mutant Arf1 that does not bind PICK1 leads to reduced surface levels of GluA2-containing AMPARs and smaller spines in hippocampal neurons, which occludes subsequent NMDA-induced AMPAR internalization and spine shrinkage. In organotypic slices, NMDAR-dependent LTD of AMPAR excitatory postsynaptic currents is abolished in neurons expressing mutant Arf1. Furthermore, NMDAR stimulation downregulates Arf1 activation and binding to PICK1 via the Arf-GAP GIT1. This study defines Arf1 as a critical regulator of actin dynamics and synaptic function via modulation of PICK1

Study of double parton scattering using W + 2-jet events in proton-proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Double parton scattering is investigated in proton-proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV where the final state includes a W boson, which decays into a muon and a neutrino, and two jets. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5 fb−1, collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. Observables sensitive to double parton scattering are investigated after being corrected for detector effects and selection efficiencies. The fraction of W + 2-jet events due to double parton scattering is measured to be 0.055 ± 0.002 (stat.) ± 0.014 (syst.). The effective cross section, σeff, characterizing the effective transverse area of hard partonic interactions in collisions between protons is measured to be 20.7 ± 0.8 (stat.) ± 6.6 (syst.)mb

Measurement of the triple-differential cross section for photon + jets production in proton-proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A measurement of the triple-differential cross section, d3σ/(dpTϒ dɳϒ dɳjet), in photon+jets final states using a data sample from proton-proton collisions at√s = 7TeV is presented. This sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.14 fb−1 collected bythe CMS detector at the LHC. Photons and jets are reconstructed within a pseudorapidity range of |ɳ| \u3c 2.5, and are required to have transverse momenta in the range 40 \u3c pjetT \u3c 300 GeV and pjetT \u3e 30 GeV, respectively. The measurements are compared to theoretical predictions from the sherpa leading-order QCD Monte Carlo event generator and the next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculation from jetphox. The predictions are found to be consistent with the data over most of the examined kinematic region

Measurement of Higgs boson production and properties in the WW decay channel with leptonic final states

A search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a W-boson pair at the LHC is reported. The event sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 fb−1 and 19.4 fb−1 collected with the CMS detector in pp collisions at √ s = 7 and 8TeV, respectively. The Higgs boson candidates are selected in events with two or three charged leptons. An excess of events above background is observed, consistent with the expectation from the standard model Higgs boson with a mass of around 125 GeV. The probability to observe an excess equal or larger than the one seen, under the background-only hypothesis, corresponds to a significance of 4.3 standard deviations for mH = 125.6 GeV. The observed signal cross section times the branching fraction to WW for mH = 125.6 GeV is 0.72+0.20−0.18 times the standard model expectation. The spin-parity JP = 0+ hypothesis is favored against a narrow resonance with JP = 2+ or JP = 0− that decays to a W-boson pair. This result provides strong evidence for a Higgs-like boson decaying to a W-boson pair