A grounded theory analysis of early treatment motivation in Anorexia Nervosa

Research to date, in the treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN), a chronic and severe condition (Steinhausen, 2002), has provided little insight into how motivation to recover can be improved. Moreover, current understanding of the psychotherapeutic processes that effect change are significantly limited (Rhodes, 2011). Aim: The aims of the study were to i) develop a grounded theory of the process of change in motivation in patients in the early stage of treatment; and (ii) isolate aspects of treatment, manualised and non-specific, which contributed to changes in motivation. Methods: Sixteen participants were recruited from an ongoing randomised controlled trial (Hay, 2010), comparing the Loughborough Eating disorders Activity therapy- Out-patient version (LEAPOut; Touyz et al., 2010) enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT; Pike, Carter, & Olmsted, 2004) with CBT alone. Data collection was through semi-structured, qualitative interviews following the participants’ tenth session of therapy. Data was analysed using grounded theory principles (Charmaz, 2006; Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Results: The results yielded a model of the process of change in motivation occurring in three phases; illness, turning point and recovery. Participants’ whose experiences did not fit the dominant model are also discussed. Psychotherapeutic processes that impacted on motivation were therapist professionalism, non-judgemental approach, reliability, and ability to be collaborative and flexible. Trust, rapport, disconnect and perceptions of the treatment as a bandaid were identified as being significant factors of the relationship. The aspects of treatment that were isolated as impacting upon motivation to change were challenging fears, externalisation, food diaries, goal setting, information and weigh-ins. Conclusions: It was concluded that there may be merit in the application of the Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2000) and recovery model (Anthony, 1993) in AN treatment and research

Effect of genotype, storage and processing on the polyphenolic content, composition, in vitro anti-cancer activity and sensory attributes of colored-flesh potatoes

2012 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the world's third largest food crop with per capita consumption of ~126 lbs. annually in the US. The 2010 US Potato Board Report revealed that over the past ten years, while consumption of traditional potatoes (mashed, baked, fried, steamed, boiled and french fries) declined, specialty/colored potato consumption increased by 17%, possibly due to their putative health benefits. Specialty/colored potatoes, which are rich in anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic anthocyanins and/or carotenoids, can be an attractive "delivery system" for these bioactive compounds in humans. However, colored potatoes can undergo 3-6 months of storage before processing/consumption and the effect of storage and processing on their anti-cancer properties remains unknown. We hypothesized that potatoes retain polyphenolic content (TP), antioxidant activity (AA) and chemopreventive properties against early stage (HCT-116) and advanced stage (HT-29) human colon cancer cells even after 3 months of storage and processing (baking and chipping). To test this hypothesis, we utilized white-, yellow- and purple-fleshed potato clones and tested their phenolic (Folin-Ciocalteu) and anthocyanin (pH-differential) content, antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH), metabolite profile (UPLC-MS), anti-cancer properties (cell proliferation via cell counting and BrdU assays, and apoptosis via Caspase-Glo 3/7 assay), and sensory attributes (9-point hedonic scale). Purple-fleshed potatoes had higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity as compared to their white- and yellow-fleshed counterparts. The antioxidant activity of all clones increased with storage; however, an increase in total phenolic content was observed only in purple-fleshed clones. Baking caused minimal losses while chipping reduced the phenolic and anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity of the potatoes. With storage, total phenolic and anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity increased in baked samples while in the chipped samples, they remained constant. Principal component analysis of approximately 1600 peaks obtained by UPLC-MS analysis revealed that storage caused a shift in the metabolite profiles of potato clones. In general, ethanol extracts of uncooked, baked and chipped samples suppressed proliferation and elevated apoptosis (p < 0.05) in human colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116, HT-29). However, chipped samples did not have any effect on HT-29 cell lines. Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties of baked potatoes were similar to that of raw potatoes while chipping caused a significant reduction in the biological activity. Storage generally negatively affected the anti-cancer properties of the potato extracts. Sensory analysis revealed comparable acceptance of purple-fleshed baked and chipped potatoes when compared with traditional cultivars. Consumers were willing to pay a premium for colored-flesh potatoes if they were educated on their potential health benefits. Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of purple-fleshed potatoes, after baking, were comparable with those of anthocyanin-rich berries. Hence, locally grown purple-fleshed potatoes can be a healthier choice as they possess greater levels of bioactive compounds and in vitro anti-cancer properties even after processing as compared to their white- and yellow-fleshed counterparts

A grounded theory analysis of early treatment motivation in Anorexia Nervosa

Research to date, in the treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN), a chronic and severe condition (Steinhausen, 2002), has provided little insight into how motivation to recover can be improved. Moreover, current understanding of the psychotherapeutic processes that effect change are significantly limited (Rhodes, 2011). Aim: The aims of the study were to i) develop a grounded theory of the process of change in motivation in patients in the early stage of treatment; and (ii) isolate aspects of treatment, manualised and non-specific, which contributed to changes in motivation. Methods: Sixteen participants were recruited from an ongoing randomised controlled trial (Hay, 2010), comparing the Loughborough Eating disorders Activity therapy- Out-patient version (LEAPOut; Touyz et al., 2010) enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT; Pike, Carter, & Olmsted, 2004) with CBT alone. Data collection was through semi-structured, qualitative interviews following the participants’ tenth session of therapy. Data was analysed using grounded theory principles (Charmaz, 2006; Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Results: The results yielded a model of the process of change in motivation occurring in three phases; illness, turning point and recovery. Participants’ whose experiences did not fit the dominant model are also discussed. Psychotherapeutic processes that impacted on motivation were therapist professionalism, non-judgemental approach, reliability, and ability to be collaborative and flexible. Trust, rapport, disconnect and perceptions of the treatment as a bandaid were identified as being significant factors of the relationship. The aspects of treatment that were isolated as impacting upon motivation to change were challenging fears, externalisation, food diaries, goal setting, information and weigh-ins. Conclusions: It was concluded that there may be merit in the application of the Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2000) and recovery model (Anthony, 1993) in AN treatment and research

A renal biopsy-based clinicopathological study of primary tubulointerstitial nephritis in children

Background: Inflammation of the tubular and interstitial compartment without involving the glomeruli and vessels is called as primary tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), which may be due to varied etiologies. This is relatively uncommon in children as compared to primary glomerular disorders. Infections and drugs are the most common causes of primary TIN worldwide. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess primary TIN in pediatric patients using findings from renal biopsies at a tertiary care center of Western India. Materials and Methods: All biopsy-proven cases of primary TIN in pediatric patients over a period of 10 years were included in the study. All cases with glomerular or vascular diseases, or where data were inadequate were excluded from the study. The cases were reviewed in detail for epidemiological data, clinical presentation, etiology, and histomorphological features. Depending on their clinical and morphological features, the cases were categorized into acute, chronic, and granulomatous TIN. Results: A total of 30 cases of primary TIN were assessed with a mean age of 12.4 years and range of 6–18 years. Pedal edema and facial puffiness were the most common symptoms followed by oliguria. The common causes of TIN were drugs, namely antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and infections. Acute TIN was more common than chronic TIN. Conclusion: Primary TIN is an uncommon renal disease in pediatric patients with varied presentations and etiologies. However, early diagnosis by renal biopsy, detailed history, and withdrawal of the offending agent along with prompt treatment helps in recovery and avoids chronic renal damage

Classifying Medulloblastoma Subgroups Based on Small, Clinically Achievable Gene Sets

As treatment protocols for medulloblastoma (MB) are becoming subgroup-specific, means for reliably distinguishing between its subgroups are a timely need. Currently available methods include immunohistochemical stains, which are subjective and often inconclusive, and molecular techniques—e.g., NanoString, microarrays, or DNA methylation assays—which are time-consuming, expensive and not widely available. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) provides a good alternative for these methods, but the current NanoString panel which includes 22 genes is impractical for qPCR. Here, we applied machine-learning–based classifiers to extract reliable, concise gene sets for distinguishing between the four MB subgroups, and we compared the accuracy of these gene sets to that of the known NanoString 22-gene set. We validated our results using an independent microarray-based dataset of 92 samples of all four subgroups. In addition, we performed a qPCR validation on a cohort of 18 patients diagnosed with SHH, Group 3 and Group 4 MB. We found that the 22-gene set can be reduced to only six genes (IMPG2, NPR3, KHDRBS2, RBM24, WIF1, and EMX2) without compromising accuracy. The identified gene set is sufficiently small to make a qPCR-based MB subgroup classification easily accessible to clinicians, even in developing, poorly equipped countries

Effect of storage temperature on Vitamin C, total phenolics, UPLC phenolic acid profile and antioxidant capacity of eleven potato (Solanum tuberosum) varieties

Storage of potato tubers at low temperature affects their metabolism and may alter their phytochemical properties. There is a need to elucidate the changes in antioxidant compounds, activity and enzymes during storage of tubers. Eleven Indian potato varieties were evaluated for antioxidant parameters, after 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of storage at room temperature, 15 °C and 4 °C. Total phenolics (0.0786–0.1546 mg gallic acid equivalents⋅g−1 FW) and vitamin C content (0.0828–0.2416 mg⋅g−1 FW) varied among the varieties and were different with storage temperature; their levels fluctuated during storage but remained above the initial level until the last day of observation. Phenolic acid profiling by UPLC identified 12 compounds among which the most abundant was chlorogenic acid followed by gallic acid, sinapic acid and ellagic acid. Except para-coumaric acid which decreased at 4 °C, all the phenolic acids increased with storage. Caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid and gallic acid mostly correlated with total phenolic content (r = 0.456, 0.482, 0.588 and 0.620, respectively). Antioxidant activity against both DPPH and ABTS radicals increased during the initial days of storage and then dropped to a level comparable or lower than the original value, irrespective of the storage temperature. Correlation study revealed that chlorogenic acid, gallic acid and ferulic acid mostly contributed to antioxidant activity. Activity of both antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, increased initially but then decreased to values lower than the initial level and were not influenced by storage temperature. Correlation with antioxidant activity indicated that the enhancement of reactive oxygen scavenging species in cold stored tubers could result mainly from ascorbate peroxidase activity. Our results demonstrate that storage temperature adversely influences the metabolism and the content of antioxidant compounds in potato tubers, with subsequent increase on their antioxidant capacity

The NCOR-HDAC3 co-repressive complex modulates the leukemogenic potential of the transcription factor ERG

The ERG (ETS-related gene) transcription factor is linked to various types of cancer, including leukemia. However, the specific ERG domains and co-factors contributing to leukemogenesis are poorly understood. Drug targeting a transcription factor such as ERG is challenging. Our study reveals the critical role of a conserved amino acid, proline, at position 199, located at the 3' end of the PNT (pointed) domain, in ERG's ability to induce leukemia. P199 is necessary for ERG to promote self-renewal, prevent myeloid differentiation in hematopoietic progenitor cells, and initiate leukemia in mouse models. Here we show that P199 facilitates ERG's interaction with the NCoR-HDAC3 co-repressor complex. Inhibiting HDAC3 reduces the growth of ERG-dependent leukemic and prostate cancer cells, indicating that the interaction between ERG and the NCoR-HDAC3 co-repressor complex is crucial for its oncogenic activity. Thus, targeting this interaction may offer a potential therapeutic intervention

Senior Thesis Proposal

Senior Thesis Proposa