Attention and Emotion Regulation in Social Functioning

Recent models of social functioning have identified attention and emotion regulation as important factors in explaining social functioning. In these models, emotion regulation is conceptualized as a cognitive process under attention control (Beauchamp & Anderson, 2010; Crick & Dodge, 1994; Lemerise & Arsenio, 2000). Recently, an alternate conceptualization of emotion regulation has been suggested. In this model, emotion regulation is independent of attentional control and is conceptualized as consisting of four factors: emotion awareness and understanding; acceptance; impulse control and goal directed behavior in the context of negative emotions; and flexible use of contextually appropriate strategies to modulate emotion responses in goal-directed actions (Gratz & Roemer, 2004). Emerging evidence has linked attention and emotion regulation problems (Wehmeier, Schacht, & Barkley, 2010) and emotion regulation and social functioning (Wilkowski, Robinson, Gordon, & Troop-Gordon, 2007). However, it has been observed that not all individuals with clinically significant attention problems have clinically significant emotion regulation problems (Biederman, Petty, et al., 2012; Wehmeier et al., 2010). It therefore appears reasonable to consider the contribution of each of these processes to social functioning independently. In order to examine the relationship of emotion and attention regulation to each other and to social functioning, participants (n=103) 18 years of age or older enrolled at a public university were asked to complete online self-reports of attentional, emotional, and social functioning and a demographic questionnaire. Hierarchical regression was performed and results revealed significant, independent contribution of attention and emotion regulation to explaining variability in social functioning. Analyses based on WHOQOL100 measures suggested that attention regulation accounts for significant variability in social functioning after demographic factors have been explained, and that emotion regulation accounts for significant variability in social functioning after accounting for attention. A significant interaction between attention and emotion regulation was also found. Specifically, the interaction of Sum Inattention and Nonacceptance of Emotional Responses was significant for three of the four dependent variables and approached significance for the fourth. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the relationship between attention and emotional regulation in social functioning

Effects of Discrimination on Transgender Populations

Transgender individuals often face discrimination in multiple domains, such as in employment and healthcare settings, among others. This can affect their overall job satisfaction, job security, financial stability, physical and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, past literature indicates that the prevalence of suicide, substance use/abuse, and mental illness, tend to be higher among gender-nonconforming populations. To enhance understanding of the above adverse issues and kinds of discriminatory practices that take place within these settings—and within greater society; this study integrates a social-ecological framework. Such an approach focuses on how stigma impacts individuals at various levels: structurally, interpersonally, and individually. Particularly, U.S. westernized culture has adopted a gender binary system. Present in mainstream education, the binary system perpetuates illiteracy of transgender knowledge within individuals, research, and learning environments by excluding the “other”. Inevitably, effecting laws, policies, and the behaviors of others. For instance, currently there are no outright federal protections against gender identity discrimination. Instead, individual states and localities govern laws, which are not all-embracing. Considered part of the structural level, these sanctions influence policies, protections, and outreach resources within workplace and healthcare organizations. Moreover, everyday interpersonal relations between individuals and their doctors, mental health providers, employers, employees, and/or other key players, are influenced by professional knowledge/awareness and laws. Together, these layers simultaneously affect how one responds at the individual level. The goal of this project is to make sense of these interrelated parts, as well as include potential ways in which stakeholders can support and advocate for transgender persons

Varicose: a MAGUK required for the maturation and function of Drosophila septate junctions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Scaffolding proteins belonging to the membrane associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) superfamily function as adapters linking cytoplasmic and cell surface proteins to the cytoskeleton to regulate cell-cell adhesion, cell-cell communication and signal transduction. We characterize here a <it>Drosophila </it>MAGUK member, Varicose (Vari), the homologue of vertebrate scaffolding protein PALS2.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Varicose localizes to pleated septate junctions (pSJs) of all embryonic, ectodermally-derived epithelia and peripheral glia. In <it>vari </it>mutants, essential SJ proteins NeurexinIV and FasciclinIII are mislocalized basally and epithelia develop a leaky paracellular seal. In addition, <it>vari </it>mutants display irregular tracheal tube diameters and have reduced lumenal protein accumulation, suggesting involvement in tracheal morphogenesis. We found that Vari is distributed in the cytoplasm of the optic lobe neuroepithelium, as well as in a subset of neuroblasts and differentiated neurons of the nervous system. We reduced <it>vari </it>function during the development of adult epithelia with a partial rescue, RNA interference and generation of genetically mosaic tissue. All three approaches demonstrate that <it>vari </it>is required for the patterning and morphogenesis of adult epithelial hairs and bristles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Varicose is involved in scaffold assembly at the SJ and has a role in patterning and morphogenesis of adult epithelia.</p

Learning to Analyze and Critically Evaluate Ideas, Arguments, and Points of View

By encouraging our students to adopt a critical framework, we prepare them not only to engage in scholarly conversation and debate in our disciplines, but also to be engaged citizens in a democratic society

Viral Loads and Disease Severity in Children with Rhinovirus-Associated Illnesses

The role of rhinoviruses (RVs) in children with clinical syndromes not classically associated with RV infections is not well understood. We analyzed a cohort of children <= 21 years old who were PCR+ for RV at a large Pediatric Hospital from 2011 to 2013. Using univariate and multivariable logistic regression, we analyzed the associations between demographic, clinical characteristics, microbiology data, and clinical outcomes in children with compatible symptoms and incidental RV detection. Of the 2473 children (inpatients and outpatients) with an RV+ PCR, 2382 (96%) had compatible symptoms, and 91 (4%) did not. The overall median age was 14 months and 78% had underlying comorbidities. No differences in RV viral loads were found according to the presence of compatible symptoms, while in children with classic RV symptoms, RV viral loads were higher in single RV infections versus RV viral co-infections. Bacterial co-infections were more common in RV incidental detection (7.6%) than in children with compatible symptoms (1.9%, p < 0.001). The presence of compatible symptoms independently increased the odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) of hospitalization 4.8 (3.1-7.4), prolonged hospital stays 1.9 (1.1-3.1), need for oxygen 12 (5.8-25.0) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission 4.13 (2.0-8.2). Thus, despite comparable RV loads, disease severity was significantly worse in children with compatible symptoms

Perception and risk factors for cervical cancer among women in northern Ghana

Objective: This study assessed the perception of risk of cervical cancer and existence of risk factors for cervical cancer based on five known risk factors among women attending the Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Ghana.Methods: A consecutive sample of 300 women was interviewed using a semi structured questionnaire to inquire about risk factors and perception of risk of cervical cancer. Specific risk factors that were explored included early coitarche, multiple sexual partners, polygamous relationships, history of smoking, and having a current partner who had multiple sexual partners.Results: Sixty-one per cent of women reported that they had no personal risk for cervical cancer. 27% of respondents were in polygamous relationships, and of those, more than half didn’t think they were at an increased risk of cervical cancer. 2 women had a total of ≥ 5 sexual partners in their lifetime and neither believed they were at any risk for cervical cancer. 23% said their current partner had had at least 2 sexual partners in his lifetime, and of those, (61%) thought they were at no risk for cervical cancer. 46% of respondents reported not having any of the risk factors listed in the study. 23% of respondents reported having one risk factor while 21% had two risk factors and 11% had three or more risk factors.Conclusion: Women’s perception of personal risk for cervical cancer is lower than their actual risk based on the five behavioural risk factors assessed and a lack of knowledge of the personal factors for the diseaseFunding: This project was supported by NIH Research Training Grant #R25 TW009345 funded by the Fogarty International Centre, in partnership with several NIH Institutes (NIMH, NIGMS, NHLBI, OAR and OWH)Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Risk, Perceptions, Northern Ghan

Successful Implementation of a Perioperative Glycemic Control Protocol in Cardiac Surgery: Barrier Analysis and Intervention Using Lean Six Sigma

Although the evidence strongly supports perioperative glycemic control among cardiac surgical patients, there is scant literature to describe the practical application of such a protocol in the complex ICU environment. This paper describes the use of the Lean Six Sigma methodology to implement a perioperative insulin protocol in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit (CSICU) in a large academic hospital. A preintervention chart audit revealed that fewer than 10% of patients were admitted to the CSICU with glucose <200 mg/dL, prompting the initiation of the quality improvement project. Following protocol implementation, more than 90% of patients were admitted with a glucose <200 mg/dL. Key elements to success include barrier analysis and intervention, provider education, and broadening the project scope to address the intraoperative period

The Effectiveness of Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention in Emergency Departments: A Multicentre Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Alcohol misuse is common in people attending emergency departments (EDs) and there is some evidence of efficacy of alcohol screening and brief interventions (SBI). This study investigated the effectiveness of SBI approaches of different intensities delivered by ED staff in nine typical EDs in England: the SIPS ED trial. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Pragmatic multicentre cluster randomized controlled trial of SBI for hazardous and harmful drinkers presenting to ED. Nine EDs were randomized to three conditions: a patient information leaflet (PIL), 5 minutes of brief advice (BA), and referral to an alcohol health worker who provided 20 minutes of brief lifestyle counseling (BLC). The primary outcome measure was the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) status at 6 months. Of 5899 patients aged 18 or more presenting to EDs, 3737 (63·3%) were eligible to participate and 1497 (40·1%) screened positive for hazardous or harmful drinking, of whom 1204 (80·4%) gave consent to participate in the trial. Follow up rates were 72% (n?=?863) at six, and 67% (n?=?810) at 12 months. There was no evidence of any differences between intervention conditions for AUDIT status or any other outcome measures at months 6 or 12 in an intention to treat analysis. At month 6, compared to the PIL group, the odds ratio of being AUDIT negative for brief advice was 1·103 (95% CI 0·328 to 3·715). The odds ratio comparing BLC to PIL was 1·247 (95% CI 0·315 to 4·939). A per protocol analysis confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS: SBI is difficult to implement in typical EDs. The results do not support widespread implementation of alcohol SBI in ED beyond screening followed by simple clinical feedback and alcohol information, which is likely to be easier and less expensive to implement than more complex interventions

Screening and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful alcohol use in primary care: a cluster randomised controlled trial protocol

A large number of randomised controlled trials in health settings have consistently reported positive effects of brief intervention in terms of reductions in alcohol use. However,although alcohol misuse is common amongst offenders, there is limited evidence of alcohol brief interventions in the criminal justice field. This factorial pragmatic cluster randomised controlledtrial with Offender Managers (OMs) as the unit of randomisation will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different models of screening to identify hazardous and harmful drinkers in probation and different intensities of brief intervention to reduce excessive drinking in probation clients. Ninety-six OMs from 9 probation areas across 3 English regions (the NorthEast Region (n = 4) and London and the South East Regions (n = 5)) will be recruited. OMs will berandomly allocated to one of three intervention conditions: a client information leaflet control condition (n = 32 OMs); 5-minute simple structured advice (n = 32 OMs) and 20-minute brieflifestyle counselling delivered by an Alcohol Health Worker (n = 32 OMs). Randomisation will be stratified by probation area. To test the relative effectiveness of different screening methods all OMs will be randomised to either the Modified Single Item Screening Questionnaire (M-SASQ) orthe Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST). There will be a minimum of 480 clients recruited into the trial. There will be an intention to treat analysis of study outcomes at 6 and 12 months postintervention. Analysis will include client measures (screening result, weekly alcohol consumption,alcohol-related problems, re-offending, public service use and quality of life) and implementation measures from OMs (the extent of screening and brief intervention beyond the minimum recruitment threshold will provide data on acceptability and feasibility of different models of brief intervention). We will also examine the practitioner and organisational factors associated with successful implementation.The trial will evaluate the impact of screening and brief alcohol intervention in routine probation work and therefore its findings will be highly relevant to probation teams and thus the criminal justice system in the UK