AN INTRODUCTION TO THE POST-CRITICAL BELIEF SCALE: INTERNAL STRUCTURE AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

Recently, Fontaine, Duriez, Luyten and Hutsebaut (2003) have shown that the Post-Critical Belief Scale (PCBS; Duriez, Fontaine & Hutsebaut, 2000) captures the two orthogonal bipolar dimensions of Exclusion versus Inclusion of Transcendence and Literal versus Symbolic along which Wulff (1991, 1997) organized the various possible approaches to religion. This chapter outlines the original and valuable contribution of the PCBS to the field of the psychology of religion by showing how the PCBS sheds a new light on several hotly debated topics within he psychology of religion

Oxygenated machine perfusion at room temperature as an alternative for static cold storage in porcine donor hearts

Background There is a continued interest in ex situ heart perfusion as an alternative strategy for donor heart preservation. We hypothesize that oxygenated machine perfusion of donor hearts at a temperature that avoids both normothermia and deep hypothermia offers adequate and safe preservation. Methods Cardioplegia-arrested porcine donor hearts were randomly assigned to six hours of preservation using cold storage (CS, n = 5) or machine perfusion using an oxygenated acellular perfusate at 21 degrees C (MP, n = 5). Subsequently, all grafts were evaluated using the Langendorff method for 120 min. Metabolic parameters and histology were analyzed. Systolic function was assessed by contractility and elastance. Diastolic function was assessed by lusitropy and stiffness. Results For both groups, in vivo baseline and post-Langendorff biopsies were comparable, as were lactate difference and myocardial oxygen consumption. Injury markers gradually increased and were comparable. Significant weight gain was seen in MP (p = 0.008). Diastolic function was not impaired in MP, and lusitropy was superior from 30 min up to 90 min of reperfusion. Contractility was superior in MP during the first hour of evaluation. Conclusion We conclude that the initial functional outcome of MP-preserved hearts was transiently superior compared to CS, with no histological injury post-Langendorff. Our machine perfusion strategy could offer feasible and safe storage of hearts prior to transplantation. Future studies are warranted for further optimization

Oxygenated machine perfusion at room temperature as an alternative for static cold storage in porcine donor hearts

Background There is a continued interest in ex situ heart perfusion as an alternative strategy for donor heart preservation. We hypothesize that oxygenated machine perfusion of donor hearts at a temperature that avoids both normothermia and deep hypothermia offers adequate and safe preservation. Methods Cardioplegia-arrested porcine donor hearts were randomly assigned to six hours of preservation using cold storage (CS, n = 5) or machine perfusion using an oxygenated acellular perfusate at 21 degrees C (MP, n = 5). Subsequently, all grafts were evaluated using the Langendorff method for 120 min. Metabolic parameters and histology were analyzed. Systolic function was assessed by contractility and elastance. Diastolic function was assessed by lusitropy and stiffness. Results For both groups, in vivo baseline and post-Langendorff biopsies were comparable, as were lactate difference and myocardial oxygen consumption. Injury markers gradually increased and were comparable. Significant weight gain was seen in MP (p = 0.008). Diastolic function was not impaired in MP, and lusitropy was superior from 30 min up to 90 min of reperfusion. Contractility was superior in MP during the first hour of evaluation. Conclusion We conclude that the initial functional outcome of MP-preserved hearts was transiently superior compared to CS, with no histological injury post-Langendorff. Our machine perfusion strategy could offer feasible and safe storage of hearts prior to transplantation. Future studies are warranted for further optimization.</p

Connective Tissue Growth Factor Is Overexpressed in Explant Lung Tissue and Broncho-Alveolar Lavage in Transplant-Related Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is an important mediator in several fibrotic diseases, including lung fibrosis. We investigated CTGF-expression in chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) and pulmonary graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Materials and Methods: CTGF expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry in end-stage CLAD explant lung tissue (bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), n=20; restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS), n=20), pulmonary GHVD (n=9). Unused donor lungs served as control group (n=20). Next, 60 matched lung transplant recipients (BOS, n=20; RAS, n=20; stable lung transplant recipients, n=20) were included for analysis of CTGF protein levels in plasma and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid at 3 months post-transplant, 1 year post-transplant, at CLAD diagnosis or 2 years post-transplant in stable patients. Results: qPCR revealed an overall significant difference in the relative content of CTGF mRNA in BOS, RAS and pulmonary GVHD vs. controls (p=0.014). Immunohistochemistry showed a significant higher percentage and intensity of CTGF-positive respiratory epithelial cells in BOS, RAS and pulmonary GVHD patients vs. controls (p<0.0001). BAL CTGF protein levels were significantly higher at 3 months post-transplant in future RAS vs. stable or BOS (p=0.028). At CLAD diagnosis, BAL protein content was significantly increased in RAS patients vs. stable (p=0.0007) and BOS patients (p=0.042). CTGF plasma values were similar in BOS, RAS, and stable patients (p=0.74). Conclusions: Lung CTGF-expression is increased in end-stage CLAD and pulmonary GVHD; and higher CTGF-levels are present in BAL of RAS patients at CLAD diagnosis. Our results suggest a potential role for CTGF in CLAD, especially RAS, and pulmonary GVHD

Religiosity From Religious Cognitive Style Is Religiosity Related to Better Parenting?: Disentangling Is Religiosity Related to Better Parenting? Disentangling Religiosity From Religious Cognitive Style

This study examines associations between parental religiosity and parenting in a sample of 482 mother-child and 453 father-child dyads. Parents complete a religiosity measure that allows disentangling the effects of being religious from the effects of the way in which people process religious contents (i.e., literal vs. symbolic). In addition, parent and adolescent reports of two parenting style (i.e., need support and regulation) and parental goal promotion dimensions (i.e., intrinsic vs. extrinsic and conservation vs. openness to change goal promotion) are gathered. Whereas parental religiosity is positively related to a tendency to promote conservation rather than openness to change goals, a symbolic religious cognitive style relates positively to need support and the promotion of intrinsic rather than extrinsic goals. Hence, whereas relations between parental religiosity as such and parenting are limited and not unequivocally positive, a symbolic religious cognitive style systematically relates to adaptive parenting styles and goals. Implications are discussed

Is Religiosity Related to Better Parenting? Disentangling Religiosity From Religious Cognitive Style

This study examines associations between parental religiosity and parenting in a sample of 482 mother-child and 453 father-child dyads. Parents complete a religiosity measure that allows disentangling the effects of being religious from the effects of the way in which people process religious contents (i.e., literal vs. symbolic). In addition, parent and adolescent reports of two parenting style (i.e., need support and regulation) and parental goal promotion dimensions (i.e., intrinsic vs. extrinsic and conservation vs. openness to change goal promotion) are gathered. Whereas parental religiosity is positively related to a tendency to promote conservation rather than openness to change goals, a symbolic religious cognitive style relates positively to need support and the promotion of intrinsic rather than extrinsic goals. Hence, whereas relations between parental religiosity as such and parenting are limited and not unequivocally positive, a symbolic religious cognitive style systematically relates to adaptive parenting styles and goals. Implications are discussed

Hoe (de)motiverend zijn beloningen in therapie? Een analyse vanuit de zelf-determinatie theorie

Sommige drugshelpcentra in Vlaanderen hebben het over een andere boeg gegooid. Om drugsverslaafden te motiveren hun drugsgebruik te staken, worden ze volgens een premiestelsel beloond. Er worden hen filmtickets en ander materieel goeds beloofd, wanneer ze zich houden aan de opgelegde gebruiks- en gedragscode. Ook bij de behandeling van obesitas of eetstoornissen wordt gebruik gemaakt van beloningen. Clienten kunnen beloningen krijgen, zoals uitstapjes, thuisbezoeken en speciale activiteiten, op voorwaarde dat ze zich houden aan de voorgeschreven symptoomveranderingen

An introduction to the Post-Critical Belief Scale: Internal structure and external relationships

status: publishe