Location of chlorogenic acid biosynthesis pathway and polyphenol oxidase genes in a new interspecific anchored linkage map of eggplant

© Gramazio et al.; licensee BioMed Central. 2014. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated

Analysis of behavioral indicators as a measure of satiation.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the scientific study of behavior that utilizes procedures aimed at improving socially significant behavior, relying heavily on the use of reinforcement, which increases the future frequency of a behavior. Practitioners employ procedures that include extensive use of reinforcement in a variety of ways. Motivating operations is an area of research within ABA that focuses on the momentary effectiveness of a reinforcer, altering both its value and associated behaviors. One way in which to manipulate motivating operation effects is through the use of the behavioral indicators of satiation procedure. A discrepancy was noted in the literature regarding the parameter needed to determine when there is an abative effect, which led to the development of this study. After conducting a paired stimulus preference assessment, a functional behavior assessment was completed with four males diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder indicating challenging behavior was maintained by access to a tangible. To verify the identified behavioral indicators, an item rejection analysis was then completed. Three distinct presession conditions were then manipulated including restricted access to the tangible stimulus for 30 min, access to the tangible stimulus until the display of one behavioral indicator, and access to the tangible stimulus until the display of three behavioral indicators. Each condition was followed by a tangible condition of the functional analysis to measure challenging behavior. Results indicated that presession access to a tangible stimulus until the display of three behavioral indicators is a better measure of an abative effect than one behavioral indicator. Furthermore, a social validity survey was administered to the participants' ABA therapists to gain valuable input regarding the behavioral indicators procedure. This is the first attempt to ascertain the perceived effectiveness or appropriateness of the intervention from stakeholders and it appeared the behavioral indicators procedure was valued to some extent

Interventions for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Who Engage in Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Although inappropriate sexual behaviors among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities may often be considered a taboo topic, it is essential that practitioners are prepared to intervene when such behaviors occur. Inappropriate sexual behaviors are defined as a response class performed within an environment that deems the sexual behavior unacceptable either by societal standards and/or by consequence of the potential harm the behavior poses to self or others. Inappropriate sexual behaviors demonstrated among this population include behaviors such as public masturbation, public disrobing, and inappropriate sexual touching of others. We conducted a systematic search to identify studies that implemented a behavior analytic intervention to reduce inappropriate sexual behavior among participant(s) with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Results were analyzed in terms of (a) participant characteristics, (b) target behaviors, (c) intervention characteristics, and (d) study outcomes. Results conclude that a variety of both reinforcement and punishment techniques have been used across the literature to reduce inappropriate sexual behaviors. Practical implications for practitioners are discussed

Interventions for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Who Engage in Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Although inappropriate sexual behaviors among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities may often be considered a taboo topic, it is essential that practitioners are prepared to intervene when such behaviors occur. Inappropriate sexual behaviors are defined as a response class performed within an environment that deems the sexual behavior unacceptable either by societal standards and/or by consequence of the potential harm the behavior poses to self or others. Inappropriate sexual behaviors demonstrated among this population include behaviors such as public masturbation, public disrobing, and inappropriate sexual touching of others. We conducted a systematic search to identify studies that implemented a behavior analytic intervention to reduce inappropriate sexual behavior among participant(s) with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Results were analyzed in terms of (a) participant characteristics, (b) target behaviors, (c) intervention characteristics, and (d) study outcomes. Results conclude that a variety of both reinforcement and punishment techniques have been used across the literature to reduce inappropriate sexual behaviors. Practical implications for practitioners are discussed

A Review and Treatment Selection Model for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Who Engage in Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Some individuals with developmental disabilities develop inappropriate sexual behaviors such as public masturbation, disrobing, and touching others in an unwanted sexual manner. Such acts are problematic given the taboo nature of the behaviors and the potential for significant negative consequences, such as restricted community access, injury, and legal ramifications. Therefore, it is necessary to equip caregivers and practitioners with effective treatment options. The purpose of this paper is to review studies that have evaluated behavioral treatments to reduce inappropriate sexual behavior in persons with developmental disabilities. The strengths and weaknesses of each treatment are reviewed, and a model for treatment selection is provided

Antiseizure Medications in Post-stroke Seizures: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Objective: To determine outcomes associated with antiseizure medication (ASM) in people with post-stroke seizure (PSS). Background: It is unclear which ASMs are most effective in treating PSS. Design/Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases for studies in PSS patients on ASM. Our outcomes were mortality, adverse events, seizure recurrence, and ASM discontinuation. We assessed risk-of-bias using ROB-2 and ROBINS-I. Using levetiracetam as the common comparator, we conducted frequentist network meta-analyses and validated our results using a Bayesian approach. We report pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) and ranked treatment benefits using p-scores. (PROSPERO CRD42022363844) Results: Our search yielded 15 studies (3 randomized, 12 non-randomized, N=18676, 60% male, mean age 69 years) comparing 13 ASMs. Three studies had moderate, and 12 had high risk-of-bias. Using frequentist approach, compared to levetiracetam, phenytoin (OR 8.3; CI 5.7–11.9), valproic acid (VPA) (4.7; 3.6–6.3), oxcarbazepine (3.3; 1.7–6.5), and carbamazepine (2.1; 1.7–2.7) were associated with greater mortality. Phenytoin (5.2; 1.2–22.9) and carbamazepine (1.9; 1.0–3.5) were associated with greater adverse events. Carbamazepine (1.8; 1.5–2.2), VPA (1.3; 1.0–1.6), and phenytoin (1.9; 1.4–2.8) had greater ASM discontinuation rates. Despite ASM use, 37.4% (23.2–52.8%) (10 studies; N=4783) had a recurrent seizure(s). Carbamazepine (3.0; 1.7–5.3), VPA (4.2; 2.1–8.3), lamotrigine+VPA (5.8; 2.1–16.1), and phenytoin (7.3; 3.7–14.5) were associated with greater seizure recurrence and potential confounding by indication. P-scores indicated lowest mortality with levetiracetam, fewest adverse events and drug discontinuation with lamotrigine, and fewest seizure recurrence with eslicarbazepine. Findings were consistent using the Bayesian approach. Conclusions: Levetiracetam and lamotrigine may be preferred ASMs for PSS. Despite ASM use, seizure recurrence rate remains high. Cautious interpretation is necessary due to moderate-to-high bias risk in reported data and potential confounding by indication. An analysis of methodically collected prospective multicentric ASM data in PSS patients is critically needed to determine safety, efficacy, and the mechanisms of drug resistance

Study of the profile of the neurotrophin BDNF in new leprosy cases before, during and after multidrug therapy

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin involved in the survival of neurons and growth and differentiation of dendrites and axons. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate plasma levels of BDNF of leprosy patients at different stages of multidrug therapy (MDT) in comparison with non-infected individuals. Plasma levels of BDNF were measured by ELISA in 30 healthy controls and 37 leprosy patients at diagnosis, during and after MDT. Plasma levels of BDNF tended to be higher in control subjects in comparison with leprosy patients, but this difference does not reach statistical significance. Interestingly, BDNF levels changed following MDT, achieving statistical difference only at the 2nd dose of MDT. These results indicate that BDNF may not be a surrogate marker of leprosy infection and/or related neuropathy. Further research is needed to investigate the meaning of BDNF level changes following leprosy treatment