Use of the Jung/Myers Model of Personality Types to Identify and Engage with Individuals at Greatest Risk of Experiencing Depression and Anxiety

Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. Objectives were (1) to determine the strength of the association between personality type with depression and anxiety using the Preferred Communication Style Questionnaire (PCSQ©) and the Four-Item Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ-4) and (2) evaluate the extent to which severity of depression and anxiety is associated with personality type. Data were collected via a self-administered online survey of 10,500. Chi-square analysis compared personality types and depression and anxiety. Practical significance was determined by calculating the percentage-from-expected score based on established statistics reflecting each personality type’s percentage in the US population. Personality type was strongly associated with both depression and anxiety with certain types at significantly greater risk than others. Findings can improve the research and clinical community’s understanding of the specific risk factors and triggers for depression and anxiety, and result in more efficacious, tailored treatment options

Development of the Adherence Predictive Index (API) for Medication Taking

The objective for this study was to explore if characteristics of personality type using the Preferred Communication Style Questionnaire, in concert with the demographic characteristics of age, education, and race/ethnicity, are associated with, and help predict, individuals’ medication adherence behavior. Data were collected via an on-line survey, sent to a sample of adults residing in the United States, between April 28 and June 22, 2015. Out of 26,173 responses to the survey, 16,736 reported taking one or more medications and were eligible for inclusion in this study. The development of the Adherence Predictive Index (API) used mean Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) scores for each of eight personality types as a starting point. API scores were calculated by adding or subtracting specific values to each group’s mean MMAS-8 score based on personality type, age, education and race/ethnicity characteristics which were demonstrated to have significant effects on adherence. The weighting system was informed by linear regression, logistic regression, personality type literature, researcher experience, and previous qualitative and quantitative research. The resultant score was converted to an API score that ranged from 1 to 5 so that it would be feasible for health care providers to understand and use. The findings showed that an Adherence Predictive Index (API) could be developed based upon a relatively small number of questions that focus on personality type and generational, educational, and cultural experiences. It was developed in order to be a component of a comprehensive program that has the goals of (1) identifying and describing specific behavioral strategies individuals are most likely to successfully employ, (2) motivating patients by using their preferred communication style, and (3) predicting each patient’s propensity to adhere. Future research is needed to evaluate the index’s validity, sensitivity, and effectiveness in actual practice compared with other risk indices

An Evaluation of the Distribution, Scope, and Impact of Community Pharmacy Foundation Grants Completed by Academic Principal Investigators between 2002 and 2014

Objective: From a total of 107 grants, a subset evaluation of 58 grants awarded to and completed by pharmacy faculty by the Community Pharmacy Foundation (CPF) from 2002 through 2014 was conducted to: (a) evaluate the representativeness across principal investigator (PI) academic institutions, (b) compare the scope of CPF grants completed by academic PIs across time, and (c) compare the impact of CPF grants completed by academic PIs across time. Methods: Quantitative data for all 107 CPF grants awarded between 2002 and 2014 were obtained from the CPF website and CPF personnel. Qualitative ethnographic data was generated from principal investigator (PI) interviews by email communications. All 107 grants, including a subset of 58 grants awarded to pharmacy faculty, were analyzed and compared between ‘Initial Years’ (2002-2008) and ‘Recent Years’ (2009-2014) using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and an extraction of dominant themes from PI reflections for qualitative data. Results: In the initial years (2002-2008), 54% of grants awarded to pharmacy faculty were from public academic institutions. This proportion increased to 80% in recent years (2009-2014). In recent years, pharmacy faculty projects were increasingly focused on higher AHRQ Impact Categories, such as changing policies and programs, clinical care and practice patterns, and health outcomes (AHRQ Impact Levels 2-4), rather than simply adding to the knowledge base (Impact Level 1). Academic investigators reported that funding positively influenced practice development (59%), promotion & advancement (59%), and expanded collaborations (38%). Diverse geographic representation of funding recipients was achieved. Conclusions: CPF funding has been invaluable for investigators seeking experience securing grant funding. And the impact of CPF funding has transitioned from studies that add to the knowledge base only, toward studies that effect actual health outcomes or that profoundly change practice. Conflict of Interest Anne Marie Kondic is Executive Director and Grants Administrator for the Community Pharmacy Foundation.   Type: Original Researc

Applying Personality Type Theory to Develop Individualized Wellness Plans for Reducing Chronic Diseases

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore if characteristics of personality type (using the Preferred Communication Style Questionnaire) are associated with activities people prefer for getting adequate exercise, losing weight, managing stress, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and taking medications as prescribed. Methods: The data source for this study was the 2016 National Consumer Survey of the Medication Experience and Pharmacists’ Roles. Data were collected via an on-line, self-administered survey conducted from March 14-30, 2016. Data were obtained from 10,500 adults residing in the United States. Chi-square analysis was used for making comparisons between categories of personality types and how respondents believed they could best reach their personal goals. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Practical significance was set at five or more percentage points above or below the overall mean. Results: Findings showed that (1) there are key differences between individuals that impact their behavior and (2) these differences can be easily and accurately identified using the Preferred Communication Style Questionnaire. The findings supported the notion that individuals are more likely to experience success in changing health-risk behaviors if they engage in activities that are consistent with (i) how they are energized, (ii) the kind of information they naturally notice, (iii) how they prefer to make decisions, and (iv) their preferences to live in a more structured way or in a more spontaneous way. Conclusions: Personality type characteristics can be used to develop and implement successful change strategies and intervention tools, such as individualized wellness plans (IWPTM) that help promote intention stability, create implementation intention, resist situational pressure, reduce the impact of past habits on future performances, and improve change maintenance. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.   Type: Original Researc

The Crystal Structure of CHIR-AB1: A Primordial Avian Classical Fc Receptor

CHIR-AB1 is a newly identified avian immunoglobulin (Ig) receptor that includes both activating and inhibitory motifs and was therefore classified as a potentially bifunctional receptor. Recently, CHIR-AB1 was shown to bind the Fc region of chicken IgY and to induce calcium mobilization via association with the common γ-chain, a subunit that transmits signals upon ligation of many different immunoreceptors. Here we describe the 1.8-Å-resolution crystal structure of the CHIR-AB1 ectodomain. The receptor ectodomain consists of a single C2-type Ig domain resembling the Ig-like domains found in mammalian Fc receptors such as FcγRs and FcαRI. Unlike these receptors and other monomeric Ig superfamily members, CHIR-AB1 crystallized as a 2-fold symmetrical homodimer that bears no resemblance to variable or constant region dimers in an antibody. Analytical ultracentrifugation demonstrated that CHIR-AB1 exists as a mixture of monomers and dimers in solution, and equilibrium gel filtration revealed a 2:1 receptor/ligand binding stoichiometry. Measurement of the 1:1 CHIR-AB1/IgY interaction affinity indicates a relatively low affinity complex, but a 2:1 CHIR-AB1/IgY interaction allows an increase in apparent affinity due to avidity effects when the receptor is tethered to a surface. Taken together, these results add to the structural understanding of Fc receptors and their functional mechanisms

Development of the Adherence Predictive Index (API) for Medication Taking

The objective for this study was to explore if characteristics of personality type using the Preferred Communication Style Questionnaire, in concert with the demographic characteristics of age, education, and race/ethnicity, are associated with, and help predict, individuals’ medication adherence behavior. Data were collected via an on-line survey, sent to a sample of adults residing in the United States, between April 28 and June 22, 2015. Out of 26,173 responses to the survey, 16,736 reported taking one or more medications and were eligible for inclusion in this study. The development of the Adherence Predictive Index (API) used mean Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) scores for each of eight personality types as a starting point. API scores were calculated by adding or subtracting specific values to each group’s mean MMAS-8 score based on personality type, age, education and race/ethnicity characteristics which were demonstrated to have significant effects on adherence. The weighting system was informed by linear regression, logistic regression, personality type literature, researcher experience, and previous qualitative and quantitative research. The resultant score was converted to an API score that ranged from 1 to 5 so that it would be feasible for health care providers to understand and use. The findings showed that an Adherence Predictive Index (API) could be developed based upon a relatively small number of questions that focus on personality type and generational, educational, and cultural experiences. It was developed in order to be a component of a comprehensive program that has the goals of (1) identifying and describing specific behavioral strategies individuals are most likely to successfully employ, (2) motivating patients by using their preferred communication style, and (3) predicting each patient’s propensity to adhere. Future research is needed to evaluate the index’s validity, sensitivity, and effectiveness in actual practice compared with other risk indices.   Type: Original Researc

Precision Measurement of the Proton and Deuteron Spin Structure Functions g2 and Asymmetries A2

We have measured the spin structure functions g2p and g2d and the virtual photon asymmetries A2p and A2d over the kinematic range 0.02 < x < 0.8 and 0.7 < Q^2 < 20 GeV^2 by scattering 29.1 and 32.3 GeV longitudinally polarized electrons from transversely polarized NH3 and 6LiD targets. Our measured g2 approximately follows the twist-2 Wandzura-Wilczek calculation. The twist-3 reduced matrix elements d2p and d2n are less than two standard deviations from zero. The data are inconsistent with the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule if there is no pathological behavior as x->0. The Efremov-Leader-Teryaev integral is consistent with zero within our measured kinematic range. The absolute value of A2 is significantly smaller than the sqrt[R(1+A1)/2] limit.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

Adenovirus and Herpesvirus Diversity in Free Ranging Great Apes in the Sangha Region of the Republic of Congo

Infectious diseases have caused die-offs in both free-ranging gorillas and chimpanzees. Understanding pathogen diversity and disease ecology is therefore critical for conserving these endangered animals. To determine viral diversity in free-ranging, non-habituated gorillas and chimpanzees in the Republic of Congo, genetic testing was performed on great-ape fecal samples collected near Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Samples were analyzed to determine ape species, identify individuals in the population, and to test for the presence of herpesviruses, adenoviruses, poxviruses, bocaviruses, flaviviruses, paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses, filoviruses, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). We identified 19 DNA viruses representing two viral families, Herpesviridae and Adenoviridae, of which three herpesviruses had not been previously described. Co-detections of multiple herpesviruses and/or adenoviruses were present in both gorillas and chimpanzees. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and lymphocryptovirus (LCV) were found primarily in the context of co-association with each other and adenoviruses. Using viral discovery curves for herpesviruses and adenoviruses, the total viral richness in the sample population of gorillas and chimpanzees was estimated to be a minimum of 23 viruses, corresponding to a detection rate of 83%. These findings represent the first description of DNA viral diversity in feces from free-ranging gorillas and chimpanzees in or near the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and form a basis for understanding the types of viruses circulating among great apes in this region