Effects of Self-Affirmation on Anti-Terror Related Worldview Defense Following Mortality Salience

Previous research has demonstrated that self-affirmation via values affirmations seem to buffer the self against perceived threats (Steele, 1988). An example of such a threat is opposing worldviews regarding civil liberties in counterterrorism policies. The present study uses the threat of worldview opposition in regards to counterterrorism policies in conjunction with an experimental induction of mortality salience to explore whether self-affirmation can attenuate increases in worldview defense following mortality salience. It was hypothesized that mortality salience would increase worldview defense, but that self-affirmation would decrease worldview defense following exposure to a worldview threat. When extremity of attitudes toward civil liberties in counterterrorism policies were considered in analyses, results indicated an interaction of self-affirmation and mortality salience, such that self-affirmation decreased worldview defense in participants in the mortality salience condition if they expressed extreme civil liberty attitudes. Results suggest that self-affirmation and mortality salience interact to predict worldview defense in those who care about civil liberties in counterterrorism policies. This study provides qualified theoretical support for self-affirmation theory (Steele, 1988). More research on the topic of self-affirmation and civil liberty attitudes is needed

A20, a modulator of smooth muscle cell proliferation and apoptosis, prevents and induces regression of neointimal hyperplasia

A20 is a NF‐κB‐dependent gene that has dual anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic functions in endothelial cells (EC). The function of A20 in smooth muscle cells (SMC) is unknown. We demonstrate that A20 is induced in SMC in response to inflammatory stimuli and serves an anti‐inflammatory function via blockade of NF‐κB and NF‐κB‐dependent proteins ICAM‐1 and MCP‐1. A20 inhibits SMC proliferation via increased expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors p21waf1 and p27kip1. Surprisingly, A20 sensitizes SMC to cytokine‐ and Fas‐mediated apoptosis through a novel NO‐dependent mechanism. In vivo, adenoviral delivery of A20 to medial rat carotid artery SMC after balloon angioplasty prevents neointimal hyperplasia by blocking SMC proliferation and accelerating re‐endothelialization, without causing apoptosis. However, expression of A20 in established neointimal lesions leads to their regression through increased apoptosis. This is the first demonstration that A20 exerts two levels of control of vascular remodeling and healing. A20 prevents neointimal hyperplasia through combined anti‐inflammatory and antiproliferative functions in medial SMC. If SMC evade this first barrier and neointima is formed, A20 has a therapeutic potential by uniquely sensitizing neointimal SMC to apoptosis. A20‐based therapies hold promise for the prevention and treatment of neointimal disease.—Patel, V. I., Daniel, S., Longo, C. R., Shrikhande, G. V., Scali, S. T., Czismadia, E., Groft, C. M., Shukri, T., Motley‐Dore, C., Ramsey, H. E., Fisher, M. D., Grey, S. T., Arvelo, M. B., Ferran, C. A20, a modulator of smooth muscle cell proliferation and apoptosis, prevents and induces regression of neointimal hyperplasia. FASEB J. 20, 1418–1430 (2006)Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154452/1/fsb2fj054981com.pd

The Lantern Vol. 71, No. 2, Spring 2004

• Football Captain • Grass Blades • Identity Theft • Her Shoulders • Doing 100 • Watching the • Fifteen Lines for Five • Plague • On the Occasion of Kissing You Less Than I Used To • Decomposey • Broomhandles • Just a Minute • War of the Words • Seguidille • At the End of One\u27s Rope • The Ride and Joe • I Want Soft Curls • Broken • Stories of a Hypochondriac • The TV is in Jail & My Mom is the Wardenhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1164/thumbnail.jp

Medicine Posters - 2019

Medicine Posters - 2019https://scholarlycommons.libraryinfo.bhs.org/research_education/1004/thumbnail.jp

Sexual behaviour of men that consulted in medical outpatient clinics in Western Switzerland from 2005-2006: risk levels unknown to doctors?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To determine male outpatient attenders' sexual behaviours, expectations and experience of talking about their sexuality and sexual health needs with a doctor.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A survey was conducted among all male patients aged 18-70, recruited from the two main medical outpatient clinics in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2005-2006. The anonymous self-administered questionnaire included questions on sexual behaviour, HIV/STI information needs, expectations and experiences regarding discussion of sexual matters with a doctor.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response rate was 53.0% (N = 1452). The mean age was 37.7 years. Overall, 13.4% of patients were defined as at STI risk - i.e. having not consistently used condoms with casual partners in the last 6 months, or with a paid partner during the last intercourse - regarding their sexual behaviour in the last year. 90.9% would have liked their physician to ask them questions concerning their sexual life; only 61.4% had ever had such a discussion. The multivariate analysis showed that patients at risk tended to have the following characteristics: recruited from the HIV testing clinic, lived alone, declared no religion, had a low level of education, felt uninformed about HIV/AIDS, were younger, had had concurrent sexual partners in the last 12 months. However they were not more likely to have discussed sexual matters with their doctor than patients not at risk.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Recording the sexual history and advice on the prevention of the risks of STI should become routine practice for primary health care doctors.</p

A20 Modulates Lipid Metabolism and Energy Production to Promote Liver Regeneration

Background: Liver Regeneration is clinically of major importance in the setting of liver injury, resection or transplantation. We have demonstrated that the NF-$\kappa$B inhibitory protein A20 significantly improves recovery of liver function and mass following extended liver resection (LR) in mice. In this study, we explored the Systems Biology modulated by A20 following extended LR in mice. Methodology and Principal Findings: We performed transcriptional profiling using Affymetrix-Mouse 430.2 arrays on liver mRNA retrieved from recombinant adenovirus A20 (rAd.A20) and rAd.$\beta$galactosidase treated livers, before and 24 hours after 78% LR. A20 overexpression impacted 1595 genes that were enriched for biological processes related to inflammatory and immune responses, cellular proliferation, energy production, oxidoreductase activity, and lipid and fatty acid metabolism. These pathways were modulated by A20 in a manner that favored decreased inflammation, heightened proliferation, and optimized metabolic control and energy production. Promoter analysis identified several transcriptional factors that implemented the effects of A20, including NF-$\kappa$B, CEBPA, OCT-1, OCT-4 and EGR1. Interactive scale-free network analysis captured the key genes that delivered the specific functions of A20. Most of these genes were affected at basal level and after resection. We validated a number of A20's target genes by real-time PCR, including p21, the mitochondrial solute carriers SLC25a10 and SLC25a13, and the fatty acid metabolism regulator, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha. This resulted in greater energy production in A20-expressing livers following LR, as demonstrated by increased enzymatic activity of cytochrome c oxidase, or mitochondrial complex IV. Conclusion: This Systems Biology-based analysis unravels novel mechanisms supporting the pro-regenerative function of A20 in the liver, by optimizing energy production through improved lipid/fatty acid metabolism, and down-regulated inflammation. These findings support pursuit of A20-based therapies to improve patients' outcomes in the context of extreme liver injury and extensive LR for tumor treatment or donation