Relational Aggression and Disordered Eating

Previous studies have investigated the link between aggression and disordered eating behavior. This study investigated the behavioral and psychological links between disordered eating and relational aggression in a female college-age population. I used logistic regression and multiple linear regression were used to investigate behavioral and psychological links. Relational aggression did not predict disordered eating behavior but did predict affective problems and interpersonal problems. Depressive symptoms predicted disordered eating behavior, engagement in relational aggression, and negative psychological traits. Prosocial behavior proved to be a buffer against disordered eating behavior, negative psychological traits, and depressive symptoms. Previous studies finding links between relational aggression and disordered eating may have not considered the influence of depressive symptoms on disordered eating

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION AND SLEEP

Previous research has found omega-3 fatty acid supplementation advantageous in reducing depressive symptoms. One of the central diagnostic symptoms of depression is sleep disturbance. Accordingly, this study was designed to examine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on self-reported insomnia. It was hypothesized that participants assigned to supplement their diet with omega-3 fatty acid would have improvements in sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, sleep fragmentation and actual sleep time. Supplementary hypotheses examined were that omega-3 fatty acid might improve cognitive ability and sub-syndromal depressive symptoms. Participants were 27 undergraduate students reporting a variety of sleep difficulties as assessed by self report of insomnia symptoms. Participants were randomly assigned either to a treatment condition, with a daily supplement of 1500 mg omega-3 fatty acid and 30 IU of vitamin E, or a control group that received 30 IU daily of vitamin E. Sleep was monitored over a 28 day period, the last 21 days of which participants were instructed to take the assigned supplements. Participants were measured on objective (Actigraph) and subjective self-report measures of sleep for seven days prior to the intervention, and during the last seven days of the intervention. They also completed a self-report screen for depressive symptoms and several cognitive tasks immediately prior to and following the intervention. A 2x2 mixed factoral analysis of variance was performed on all outcome variables. The treatment group did not improve significantly more than the control group on any measures of sleep, or mood. One cognitive measure of processing speed did significantly improve for the treatment condition. These findings are discussed in light of study limitations and the existing literature, and recommendations made for additional research focused on the possibility of sleep improvements with omega-3 supplementation in a clinically depressed population

Interaction of Protein C Inhibitor with the Type II Transmembrane Serine Protease Enteropeptidase

The serine protease inhibitor protein C inhibitor (PCI) is expressed in many human tissues and exhibits broad protease reactivity. PCI binds glycosaminoglycans and certain phospholipids, which modulate its inhibitory activity. Enteropeptidase (EP) is a type II transmembrane serine protease mainly found on the brush border membrane of epithelial cells in the duodenum, where it activates trypsinogen to initiate the digestion of food proteins. Some active EP is also present in duodenal fluid and has been made responsible for causing pancreatitis in case of duodeno-pancreatic reflux. Together with its substrate trypsinogen, EP is furthermore present in the epidermis and in some cancer cells. In this report, we show that PCI inhibited EP with an apparent 2nd order rate constant of 4.48×104 M−1 s−1. Low molecular weight (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH) slightly reduced the inhibitory effect of PCI. The SI (stoichiometry of inhibition) value for the inhibition of EP by PCI was 10.8 in the absence and 17.9 in the presence of UFH (10 U/ml). By inhibiting trypsin, chymotrypsin, and additionally EP, PCI might play a role in the protection of the pancreas from autodigestion. Furthermore the interaction of PCI with EP may influence the regulation of epithelial differentiation

A comprehensive approach to dropout prevention programs

Educators have begun to focus on the third wave of reform, the prevention of dropouts (Hill, 1987). The first two waves of reform which took place during the 1970 1s and 1980\u27s focused heavily on how to improve teaching--which ultimately led to higher standards in academic performance. These standards, along with a variety of other factors, have increased the population of potential dropouts. Beck and Muia (1985) agree that the first two reforms had the unintended result of leaving further behind the students most in need of help in meeting higher standards. Therefore, the third reform taking place in the 90 1s is concentrating on what schools can do to prevent these students from dropping out of school and subsequently, failing to become productive members of society

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Needs of Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Rural-Urban Comparison in Delaware, USA.

Background: Older adults in rural areas have unique transportation barriers to accessing medical care, which include a lack of mass transit options and considerable distances to health-related services. This study contrasts non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) service utilization patterns and associated costs for Medicaid middle-aged and older adults in rural versus urban areas. Methods: Data were analyzed from 39,194 NEMT users of LogistiCare-brokered services in Delaware residing in rural (68.3%) and urban (30.9%) areas. Multivariable logistic analyses compared trip characteristics by rurality designation. Results: Rural (37.2%) and urban (41.2%) participants used services more frequently for dialysis than for any other medical concern. Older age and personal accompaniment were more common and wheel chair use was less common for rural trips. The mean cost per trip was greater for rural users (difference of $2910 per trip), which was attributed to the greater distance per trip in rural areas. Conclusions: Among a sample who were eligible for subsidized NEMT and who utilized this service, rural trips tended to be longer and, therefore, higher in cost. Over 50% of trips were made for dialysis highlighting the need to address prevention and, potentially, health service improvements for rural dialysis patients

Early weight gain predicts treatment response in adolescents with anorexia nervosa enrolled in a family‐based partial hospitalization program

ObjectiveImproved treatment outcome in family‐based treatment (FBT) for anorexia nervosa (AN) is predicted by weight gain occurring early in the course of treatment (i.e., about 4 lbs by week 4). Although prior work suggests that early weight gain in higher levels of care (e.g., partial hospitalization programs [PHP]) predicts weight restoration at discharge, no study has examined the specific rate of gain within FBT‐informed PHP programs that best predicts treatment response.MethodThis study examined rate of weight gain in pounds and percent expected body weight (EBW) that predicts positive outcome in 70 patients (M age = 15.49 years, SD = 2.56) with AN who were enrolled in a family‐based PHP.ResultsReceiver operator characteristic analyses demonstrated that changes in %EBW during weeks 2–5 were more useful than changes in weight in predicting positive outcome. Gaining at least 8.9 pounds or over 8% of EBW in the first 4 weeks of treatment significantly predicted positive outcome.DiscussionFindings suggest that positive outcome in an FBT‐informed PHP is predicted by rapid weight gain in the initial weeks of treatment. Research is needed to identify specific family and patient characteristics that facilitate weight gain and to develop corresponding interventions to improve outcome.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154930/1/eat23248_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154930/2/eat23248.pd

A cross-sectional study of depressive symptoms and diabetes self-care in African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos with diabetes: the role of self-efficacy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and diabetes self-care in African American and Hispanic/Latino patients with type 2 diabetes and whether the association, if any, is mediated by diabetes-related self-efficacy. Methods The sample included self-report baseline data of African American and Hispanic/Latino patients with type 2 diabetes who were aged ≥18 years and enrolled in a diabetes self-management intervention study. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. The Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities measured engagement in healthy eating, physical activity, blood glucose checking, foot care, and smoking. The Diabetes Empowerment Scale–Short Form assessed diabetes-related psychosocial self-efficacy. Indirect effects were examined with the Baron and Kenny regression technique and Sobel testing. Results Sample characteristics (n = 250) were as follows: mean age of 53 years, 68% women, 54% African American, and 74% with income <$20 000. Depressive symptoms showed a significant inverse association with the self-care domains of general diet, specific diet, physical activity, and glucose monitoring in the African American group. In Hispanics/Latinos, depression was inversely associated with specific diet. Self-efficacy served a significant mediational role in the relation between depression and foot care among African Americans. Conclusions Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between depression and foot care in the African American group but was not found to be a mediator of any self-care areas within the Hispanic/Latino group. In clinical practice, alleviation of depressive symptoms may improve self-care behavior adherence. Diabetes education may consider inclusion of components to build self-efficacy related to diabetes self-care, especially among African American patients

The CHR site: definition and genome-wide identification of a cell cycle transcriptional element

The cell cycle genes homology region (CHR) has been identified as a DNA element with an important role in transcriptional regulation of late cell cycle genes. It has been shown that such genes are controlled by DREAM, MMB and FOXM1-MuvB and that these protein complexes can contact DNA via CHR sites. However, it has not been elucidated which sequence variations of the canonical CHR are functional and how frequent CHR-based regulation is utilized in mammalian genomes. Here, we define the spectrum of functional CHR elements. As the basis for a computational meta-analysis, we identify new CHR sequences and compile phylogenetic motif conservation as well as genome-wide protein-DNA binding and gene expression data. We identify CHR elements in most late cell cycle genes binding DREAM, MMB, or FOXM1-MuvB. In contrast, Myb- and forkhead-binding sites are underrepresented in both early and late cell cycle genes. Our findings support a general mechanism: sequential binding of DREAM, MMB and FOXM1-MuvB complexes to late cell cycle genes requires CHR elements. Taken together, we define the group of CHR-regulated genes in mammalian genomes and provide evidence that the CHR is the central promoter element in transcriptional regulation of late cell cycle genes by DREAM, MMB and FOXM1-MuvB