Social support and symptom severity among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder or panic disorder with agoraphobia: A systematic review

Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PD/A) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are characterized by major behavioral dysruptions that may affect patients’ social and marital functioning. The disorders’ impact on interpersonal relationships may also affect the quality of support patients receive from their social network. The main goal of this systematic review is to determine the association between social or marital support and symptom severity among adults with PD/A or OCD. A systematic search of databases was executed and provided 35 eligible articles. Results from OCD studies indicated a negative association between marital adjustment and symptom severity, and a positive association between accommodation from relatives and symptom severity. However, results were inconclusive for negative forms of social support (e.g. criticism, hostility). Results from PD/A studies indicated a negative association between perceived social support and symptom severity. Also, results from studies using an observational measure of marital adjustment indicated a negative association between quality of support from the spouse and PD/A severity. However, results were inconclusive for perceived marital adjustment and symptom severity. In conclusion, this systematic review generally suggests a major role of social and marital support in PD/A and OCD symptomatology. However, given diversity of results and methods used in studies, more are needed to clarify the links between support and symptom severity among patients with PD/A and OCD

Strange Attractors

Catalog for the exhibition Strange Attractors held at the Seton Hall University Walsh Gallery, January 16 - March 8, 2019. Curated by Taney Roniger and Jeanne Brasile

Establishing a core outcome set for peritoneal dialysis : report of the SONG-PD (standardized outcomes in nephrology-peritoneal dialysis) consensus workshop

Outcomes reported in randomized controlled trials in peritoneal dialysis (PD) are diverse, are measured inconsistently, and may not be important to patients, families, and clinicians. The Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Peritoneal Dialysis (SONG-PD) initiative aims to establish a core outcome set for trials in PD based on the shared priorities of all stakeholders. We convened an international SONG-PD stakeholder consensus workshop in May 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. Nineteen patients/caregivers and 51 health professionals attended. Participants discussed core outcome domains and implementation in trials in PD. Four themes relating to the formation of core outcome domains were identified: life participation as a main goal of PD, impact of fatigue, empowerment for preparation and planning, and separation of contributing factors from core factors. Considerations for implementation were identified: standardizing patient-reported outcomes, requiring a validated and feasible measure, simplicity of binary outcomes, responsiveness to interventions, and using positive terminology. All stakeholders supported inclusion of PD-related infection, cardiovascular disease, mortality, technique survival, and life participation as the core outcome domains for PD

Molecular genetics of nicotine dependence and abstinence: whole genome association using 520,000 SNPs

BACKGROUND: Classical genetic studies indicate that nicotine dependence is a substantially heritable complex disorder. Genetic vulnerabilities to nicotine dependence largely overlap with genetic vulnerabilities to dependence on other addictive substances. Successful abstinence from nicotine displays substantial heritable components as well. Some of the heritability for the ability to quit smoking appears to overlap with the genetics of nicotine dependence and some does not. We now report genome wide association studies of nicotine dependent individuals who were successful in abstaining from cigarette smoking, nicotine dependent individuals who were not successful in abstaining and ethnically-matched control subjects free from substantial lifetime use of any addictive substance. RESULTS: These data, and their comparison with data that we have previously obtained from comparisons of four other substance dependent vs control samples support two main ideas: 1) Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whose allele frequencies distinguish nicotine-dependent from control individuals identify a set of genes that overlaps significantly with the set of genes that contain markers whose allelic frequencies distinguish the four other substance dependent vs control groups (p < 0.018). 2) SNPs whose allelic frequencies distinguish successful vs unsuccessful abstainers cluster in small genomic regions in ways that are highly unlikely to be due to chance (Monte Carlo p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: These clustered SNPs nominate candidate genes for successful abstinence from smoking that are implicated in interesting functions: cell adhesion, enzymes, transcriptional regulators, neurotransmitters and receptors and regulation of DNA, RNA and proteins. As these observations are replicated, they will provide an increasingly-strong basis for understanding mechanisms of successful abstinence, for identifying individuals more or less likely to succeed in smoking cessation efforts and for tailoring therapies so that genotypes can help match smokers with the treatments that are most likely to benefit them

La prise de risque chez les jeunes contrevenants montréalais : une étude comparative

La prévalence des comportements à risque chez les jeunes contrevenants est importante et les coûts sociaux qui y sont rattachés le sont tout autant, puisque la prise de risques peut entraîner des conséquences dommageables, tant pour le jeune que pour son environnement et la société en général. Plusieurs chercheurs affirment que les divers comportements risqués sont les indicateurs d’une propension à déroger des normes. De plus, il semblerait qu’à l’intérieur des groupes de pairs déviants tels que les gangs de rue, ces comportements soient valorisés. La présente étude propose de dresser un portrait comparatif des jeunes contrevenants montréalais associés et non associés aux gangs de rue concernant leurs conduites à risque. Pour ce faire, 206 jeunes contrevenants âgés de 14 à 25 ans (moyenne = 18,4 ans) ont été rencontrés dans quatre centres jeunesse et deux centres de détention du Québec entre juin 2011 et décembre 2013. Trois questionnaires utilisés dans cette étude permettent de comparer les jeunes sur la base de leurs comportements risqués. Des analyses bivariées ont été effectuées à cette fin. Les principaux résultats suggèrent tout d’abord que la prise de risque est très fréquente chez les jeunes contrevenants. De plus, les jeunes associés aux gangs de rue semblent plus enclins que les autres jeunes de l’échantillon à s’engager dans tous les types de conduites à risque et ils sont légèrement plus nombreux à rapporter une dépendance et une utilisation nocive de l’alcool. Une meilleure connaissance des pratiques à risque des jeunes contrevenants, qu’ils soient associés aux gangs ou non, permettra de guider les intervenants quant aux choix des cibles et des stratégies d’interventions les mieux adaptées à leur réalité.The prevalence of risky behaviors among young offenders is important and the social costs associated are equally as risk-taking can lead to harmful consequences, both for the young and for the environment and society in general. Several researchers argue that various risky behaviors are indicators of a propensity to deviate from established rules. Moreover, it appears that within the deviant peer groups such as street gangs, these behaviors are valued. Therefore the present study proposes a comparative portrait of Montreal’s young offenders associated or not with gangs in terms of their risk behaviors. To this end, 206 young offenders between the ages of 14 and 25 (mean = 18.4 years), were interviewed in four youth centers and two detention centers in the Montreal area between June 2011 and December 2013. Three questionnaires were used to compare the adolescents on their conduct. Bivariate analysis were performed. The results suggest that risk-taking is very common among young offenders. In addition, the results suggest that youth related to gangs seem more inclined than the others to experiment all types of risky behavior and are slightly more likely to report an addiction and harmful use of alcohol. A better understanding of the young offenders’ behavior, who are part of a gang or not, will guide clinicians on the intervention strategies best suited to their reality.La prevalencia de los comportamientos de riesgo entre los jóvenes contraventores es importante y los costos sociales relacionados lo son igualmente, puesto que la toma de riesgos puede implicar consecuencias perjudiciales, tanto para el joven como para su medio ambiente y la sociedad en general. Numerosos investigadores afirman que diversos comportamientos de riesgo son indicadores de una propensión a derogar las normas. Parecería, además, que dentro de los grupos de pares desviantes, como las pandillas callejeras, estos comportamientos se valorizan. El presente estudio propone llevar a cabo un retrato comparativo de los jóvenes contraventores montrealeses asociados y no asociados a las pandillas callejeras en lo que respecta a sus conductas de riesgo. Para ello, se entrevistaron 206 jóvenes contraventores de 14 a 25 años (promedio=18,4 años) en cuatro centros para la juventud y dos centros de detención de Quebec entre junio 2011 y diciembre 2013. Tres cuestionarios utilizados en este estudio permiten comparar a los jóvenes sobre la base de sus comportamientos riesgosos. Se efectuaron análisis bivariados con dicho fin. Los principales resultados sugieren en primer lugar que la toma de riesgos es muy frecuente entre los jóvenes contraventores. Además, los jóvenes asociados a las pandillas callejeras parecen más inclinados que los otros jóvenes de la muestra a adoptar todo tipo de conducta de riesgo y son ligeramente más numerosos en presentar una dependencia y un uso nocivo del alcohol. Un mejor conocimiento de las prácticas de riesgo de los jóvenes contraventores, estén asociados o no a las pandillas callejeras, permitirá guiar a quienes intervienen con ellos en cuanto a la elección de los objetivos y las estrategias de intervención mejor adaptadas a su realidad

Evolution of ion transporter Na+/K+-ATPase expression in the osmoregulatory maxillary glands of an invasive copepod

While many freshwater invaders originate from saline habitats, the physiological mechanisms involved are poorly understood. We investigated evolution of ion transporter Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) protein expression between ancestral saline and freshwater invading populations of the copepod Eurytemora carolleae (Atlantic clade of the E. affinis complex). We compared in situ NKA expression between populations under common-garden conditions at three salinities in maxillary glands. We found evolution of reduced NKA expression in the freshwater population under freshwater conditions and reduced plasticity (canalization) across salinities, relative to the saline population. Our results support the hypothesis that maxillary glands are involved in ion reabsorption from excretory fluids at low-salinity conditions in the saline population. However, mechanisms of freshwater adaptation, such as increased ion uptake from the environment, might reduce the need for ion reabsorption in the freshwater population. These patterns of ion transporter expression contribute insights into the evolution of ionic regulation during habitat change

Traité de criminologie empirique

Située à l'intersection des sciences sociales, de la médecine, de la psychologie et du droit, la criminologie empirique fait l'étude scientifique du phénomène criminel. Depuis sa première édition en 1985, dirigée par Denis Szabo et Marc Le Blanc, ce traité se pose comme l'ouvrage de référence par excellence de la discipline et rend compte de l'ensemble des approches de la criminologie empirique des cinquante dernières années. Cette nouvelle version porte la signature de plus de vingt chercheurs, dirigés par Marc Le Blanc et Maurice Cusson. Cette quatrième édition, publiée dans le cadre du 50e anniversaire de l'École de criminologie de l'Université de Montréal, explique les récents développements des divers domaines de la criminologie et propose des textes dans un ouvrage complètement restructuré

Mortality Trends After Transfer From Peritoneal Dialysis to Hemodialysis

Introduction: Transition to hemodialysis (HD) is a common outcome in peritoneal dialysis (PD), but the associated mortality risk is poorly understood. This study sought to identify rates of and risk factors for mortality after transitioning from PD to HD. Methods: Patients with incident PD (between 2000 and 2014) who transferred to HD for ≥1 day were identified, using data from Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplantation registry (ANZDATA), Canadian Organ Replacement Register (CORR), Europe Renal Association (ERA) Registry, and the United States Renal Dialysis System (USRDS). Crude mortality rates were calculated for the first 180 days after transfer. Separate multivariable Cox models were built for early (180 days) periods after transfer. Results: Overall, 6683, 5847, 21,574, and 80,459 patients were included from ANZDATA, CORR, ERA Registry, and USRDS, respectively. In all registries, crude mortality rate was highest during the first 30 days after a transfer to HD declining thereafter to nadir at 4 to 6 months. Crude mortality rates were lower for patients transferring in the most recent years (than earlier). Older age, PD initiation in earlier cohorts, and longer PD vintage were associated with increased risk of death, with the strongest associations during the first 90 days after transfer and attenuating thereafter. Mortality risk was lower for men than women <90 days after transfer, but higher after 180 days. Conclusion: In this multinational study, mortality was highest in the first month after a transfer from PD to HD and risk factors varied by time period after transfer. This study highlights the vulnerability of patients at the time of modality transfer and the need to improve transitions