The use of the South African frog (Xenopus laevis) in the study of spinal reflex physiology

The use of the South African frog (Xenopus laevis) in studies on spinal neurophysiology is introduced for the study of monosynaptic reflexes. Motorneurone excitability in this species may be measured by the classical procedure of monosynaptic testing. Operational procedures for exposing the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves are described. Detailed information on stimulating and recording techniques which have been found satisfactory for the South African frog are given.The journals have been scanned in colour with a HP 5590 scanner; 600 dpi. Adobe Acrobat v.11 was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Cognitive Impairment in a Subset of Breast Cancer Patients After Systemic Therapy-Results From a Longitudinal Study

Studies indicate adverse effects of breast cancer (BC) and cancer treatment on cognitive function. To investigate the effects of systemic treatment on cognitive performance in BC patients. Participants were BC patients scheduled to receive systemic treatment (BC + SYST; n = 31), or no systemic treatment (BC; n = 24) and no-cancer (NC) controls (n = 33). Neuropsychological examinations were used to study cognitive performance on 18 tests grouped into eight cognitive domains, before adjuvant treatment (T1) and six months after chemotherapy (T2), or at similar intervals. We also assessed health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression, mood, stress, and cognitive problems. Analysis of variance was used to assess group differences of cognitive performance and multivariate normative comparison to classify impairment, comparing scores of each participant against the distribution of the scores of NC controls. Of BC + SYST, 16% were cognitively impaired at T2, compared to 4% in BC and 6% in NC. Although not significant, we observed moderate effect sizes for worse performance in the BC + SYST group compared to NC (Flanker congruent [effect size {ES} = 0.44] and stimulus incongruent [ES = 0.44]) and compared to BC (Controlled Oral Word Association Test [ES = 0.47], digit span [ES = 0.41], and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test immediate [ES = 0.71] and delayed recall [ES = 0.65]). Cognitively impaired patients had a significantly lower estimated premorbid intelligence, worse physical and social functioning, and more distress at T2 compared to unimpaired patients. Our findings indicate that cognitive impairment after systemic treatment occurs in a subset of BC patients. The predictive value of demographic and psychosocial factors in cognitive impairment should be further investigated in a larger sample of impaired patient

Sexual functioning and relationship satisfaction of partners of breast cancer survivors who receive internet-based sex therapy

As part of a larger, randomized controlled trial, we evaluated longitudinally the sexual functioning and relationship satisfaction of 69 partners of breast cancer (BC) survivors who received Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for sexual dysfunction. The findings suggest that Internetbased CBT positively affects the partners’ immediate post-CBT and longerterm overall sexual satisfaction, sexual intimacy, and sexual relationship satisfaction. No sustained changes in other areas of sexual functioning were observed. Our CBT program was focused primarily on the sexual health of the BC survivors. We recommend that future programs include more psychoeducational and behavioral elements targeted at the partners

Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Realizes Long-term Improvement in the Sexual Functioning and Body Image of Breast Cancer Survivors

The study aim was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for sexual dysfunctions in 84 breast cancer survivors (BCS). The positive effects of the intervention on overall sexual functioning, sexual desire, sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication, discomfort during sex, sexual distress and body image observed immediate post-treatment were maintained at 3- and 9-months follow-up. Although sexual pleasure decreased during follow-up, it did not return to baseline levels. Our findings provide evidence that internet-based CBT has a sustained, positive effect on sexual functioning and body image of BCS with a sexual dysfunctio

Efficacy of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Sexual Functioning of Breast Cancer Survivors: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose We evaluated the effect of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on sexual functioning and relationship intimacy (primary outcomes) and body image, menopausal symptoms, marital functioning, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of a sexual dysfunction. Patients and Methods We randomly assigned 169 BCSs to either Internet-based CBT or a waiting-list control group. The CBT consisted of weekly therapist-guided sessions, with a maximum duration of 24 weeks. Self-report questionnaires were completed by the intervention group at baseline (T0), midtherapy (T1), and post-therapy (T2) and at equivalent times by the control group. Weused a mixed-effect modeling approach to compare the groups over time. Results Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a significant improvement over time in overall sexual functioning (effect size for T2 [EST2] = .43; P = .031), which was reflected in an increase in sexual desire (EST1 = .48 and EST2 = .72; P <.001), sexual arousal (EST2 = .50; P = .008), and vaginal lubrication (EST2 = .46; P = .013). The intervention group reportedmore improvement over time in sexual pleasure (EST1 = .32 and EST2 = .62; P = .001), less discomfort during sex (EST1 = .49 and EST2 = .66; P = .001), and less sexual distress (EST2 = .59; P = .002) compared with the control group. The intervention group reported greater improvement in body image (EST2 = .45; P = .009) and fewer menopausal symptoms (EST1 = .39; P = .007) than the control group. No significant effects were observed for orgasmic function, sexual satisfaction, intercourse frequency, relationship intimacy, marital functioning, psychological distress, or health-related quality of life. Conclusion Internet-based CBT has salutary effects on sexual functioning, body image, and menopausal symptoms in BCSs with a sexual dysfunction. (C) 2017 by American Society of Clinical Oncolog

Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Physical Exercise in Alleviating Treatment-Induced Menopausal Symptoms in Patients With Breast Cancer: Results of a Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Trial

Purpose The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), physical exercise (PE), and of these two interventions combined (CBT/PE) on menopausal symptoms (primary outcome), body image, sexual functioning, psychological well-being, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) in patients with breast cancer experiencing treatment-induced menopause. Patients and Methods Patients with breast cancer reporting treatment-induced menopausal symptoms (N = 422) were randomly assigned to CBT (n = 109), PE (n = 104), CBT/PE (n = 106), or to a waiting list control group (n = 103). Self-report questionnaires were completed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months. Multilevel procedures were used to compare the intervention groups with the control group over time. Results Compared with the control group, the intervention groups had a significant decrease in levels of endocrine symptoms (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endocrine Symptoms; P <.001; effect size, 0.31-0.52) and urinary symptoms (Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire; P = .002; effect size, 0.29-0.33), and they showed an improvement in physical functioning (36-Item Short Form Health Survey physical functioning subscale; P = .002; effect size, 0.37-0.46). The groups that included CBT also showed a significant decrease in the perceived burden of hot flashes and night sweats (problem rating scale of the Hot Flush Rating Scale; P <.001; effect size, 0.39-0.56) and an increase in sexual activity (Sexual Activity Questionnaire habit subscale; P = .027; effect size, 0.65). Most of these effects were observed at both the 12-week and 6-month follow-ups. Conclusion CBT and PE can have salutary effects on endocrine symptoms and, to a lesser degree, on sexuality and physical functioning of patients with breast cancer experiencing treatment-induced menopause. Future work is needed to improve the design and the planning of these interventions to improve program adherenc