Examining the Relationship Between Medical Concerns and Overall Mental Health Rating

It is widely supported that there are significant, positive relationships between the occurrence of some mental health symptoms and physical illnesses. Research indicates that the burden experienced by those with a physical and mental illness are magnified compared to individuals who do not experience an illness. More specifically, one of the burdens experienced by individuals is the monetary burden of affording the necessary health services to properly manage their illness. This study attempts to reveal a difference between mental health symptom count for individuals who do and do not experience difficulty affording health care for their physical problems. The first hypothesis states that the indication of medical problems will be associated with greater mental health symptoms. The second hypothesis states that the relationship between medical concerns and mental health symptoms will be moderated by difficulty affording health services. Lastly, the third hypothesis states that the indication of unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and irregular exercise, will be associated with greater mental health symptoms. All data used in this study is archived data that was gathered by the Institute for Rural Health’s Mobile Health Units during free community health fairs from September 2012 to February 2014. The first hypothesis was supported because the incidence rate of mental health symptom count was increased with the presence of some physical problems. These findings supported previous research that indicated that the presence of physical illness increases the chance of developing a mental illness. The study results revealed that the second hypothesis was not supported since difficulty affording health services did not have a significant effect on the relationship between indicated physical illnesses and mental health symptom count. Previous research reports that there is monetary burden for individuals who experience a physical or mental illness when accessing appropriate health services. This research aimed to explore if that burden would significantly affect the relationship of those illnesses. Lastly, the third hypothesis was supported because mental health symptom count incidence rate was found to increase for individuals partaking in negative health behaviors, such as smoking, and decrease for individuals partaking in positive health behaviors, such as exercising

Specific binding of lacosamide to collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) and direct impairment of its canonical function: implications for the therapeutic potential of lacosamide

The novel antiepileptic drug lacosamide (LCM; SPM927, Vimpat®) has been heralded as having a dual-mode of action through interactions with both the voltage-gated sodium channel and the neurite outgrowth-promoting collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2). Lacosamide's ability to dampen neuronal excitability through the voltage-gated sodium channel likely underlies its efficacy in attenuating the symptoms of epilepsy (i.e., seizures). While the role of CRMP2 in epilepsy has not been well studied, given the proposed involvement of circuit reorganization in epileptogenesis, the ability of lacosamide to alter CRMP2 function may prove disease modifying. Recently, however, the validity of lacosamide's interaction with CRMP2 has come under scrutiny. In this review, we address the contradictory reports concerning the binding of lacosamide to CRMP2 as well as the ability of lacosamide to directly impact CRMP2 function. Additionally, we address similarly the contradicting reports regarding the potential disease-modifying effect of lacosamide on the development and progression of epilepsy. As the vast majority of antiepileptic drugs influences only the symptoms of epilepsy, the ability to hinder disease progression would be a major breakthrough in efforts to cure or prevent this debilitating syndrome

Small montane cloud forest fragments are important for conserving tree diversity in the Ecuadorian Andes

Montane tropical cloud forests, with their complex topography, biodiversity, high numbers of endemic species, and rapid rates of clearing, are a top global conservation priority. However, species distributions at local and landscape scales in cloud forests are still poorly understood, in part because few regions have been surveyed. Empirical work has focused on species distributions along elevation gradients, but spatial variation among forests at the same elevation is less commonly investigated. In this study, the first to compare tree communities across multiple Andean cloud forests at similar elevations, we surveyed trees in five ridge‐top forest reserves at the upper end of the ‘mid‐elevation diversity bulge’ (1900–2250 masl) in the Intag Valley, a heavily deforested region in the Ecuadorian Andes. We found that tree communities were distinct in reserves located as close as 10 to 35 km apart, and that spatially closer forests were not more similar to one another. Although larger (1500 to 6880 ha), more intact forests contained significantly more tree species (108–120 species/0.1 ha) than smaller (30 to 780 ha) ones (56–87 species/0.1 ha), each reserve had unique combinations of more common species, and contained high proportions of species not found in the others. Results thus suggest that protecting multiple cloud forest patches within this narrow elevational band is essential to conserve landscape‐level tree diversity, and that even small forest reserves contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation. These findings can be applied to create management plans to conserve and restore cloud forests in the Andes and tropical montane cloud forests elsewhere.RESUMENLos bosques nublados tropicales montanos, con su compleja topografía, biodiversidad, alto número de especies endémicas, y altas tasas de tala de bosque son una prioridad de conservación global. Sin embrago, la distribución de especies a escala local y de paisaje en bosques nublados es aun pobremente entendida, en parte porque pocas regiones han sido muestreadas. Estudios empíricos se han enfocado en la distribución de especies a lo largo de gradientes altitudinales, pero la variación espacial entre bosques ubicados a la misma elevación ha sido comúnmente menos investigada. En este estudio, el primero en comparar comunidades de árboles a lo largo de múltiples bosques nublados Andinos en elevaciones similares, muestreamos árboles en cinco reservas de bosque de cresta de montaña en el límite superior del pico de diversidad de elevaciones intermedias (‘mid‐elevation diversity bulge’) (1900–2250 m.s.n.m.) en el Valle de Intag, una región altamente deforestada en los Andes ecuatorianos. Encontramos que las comunidades de árboles fueron distintas en reservas tan cercanas como de 10 a 35 km de distancia entre sí, y que bosques espacialmente más cercanos no fueron más similares entre ellos. Aunque bosques extensos más intactos contuvieron significativamente más especies de árboles (108–120 especies/0.1 ha) que los de menor tamaño (56–87 especies/0.1 ha), cada reserva tuvo una combinación única de especies comunes, y una alta proporción de especies no encontradas en las otras reservas. Los resultados sugieren que proteger múltiples parches de bosque nublado dentro de este estrecho rango altitudinal es esencial para conservar la diversidad de árboles a escala de paisaje, y que aun pequeñas reservas de bosque contribuyen significativamente a la conservación de la biodiversidad. Estos resultados se pueden aplicar para la creación de planes de manejo para conservación y restauración del bosque nublado en los Andes y bosques tropicales montanos en otros sitios.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144672/1/btp12542_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144672/2/btp12542.pd

On the scale-height of the molecular gas disc in Milky Way-like galaxies

We study the relationship between the scale-height of the molecular gas disc and the turbulent velocity dispersion of the molecular interstellar medium within a simulation of a Milky Way-like galaxy in the moving-mesh code Arepo. We find that the vertical distribution of molecular gas can be described by a Gaussian function with a uniform scale-height of ~50 pc. We investigate whether this scale-height is consistent with a state of hydrostatic balance between gravity and turbulent pressure. We find that the hydrostatic prediction using the total turbulent velocity dispersion (as one would measure from kpc-scale observations) gives an over-estimate of the true molecular disc scale-height. The hydrostatic prediction using the velocity dispersion between the centroids of discrete giant molecular clouds (cloud-cloud velocity dispersion) leads to more-accurate estimates. The velocity dispersion internal to molecular clouds is elevated by the locally-enhanced gravitational field. Our results suggest that observations of molecular gas need to reach the scale of individual molecular clouds in order to accurately determine the molecular disc scale-height.Comment: MNRAS accepted, comments welcome. 14 pages, 10 figure

Cognitive Mechanisms in Chronic Tinnitus: Psychological Markers of a Failure to Switch Attention

The cognitive mechanisms underpinning chronic tinnitus (CT; phantom auditory perceptions) are underexplored but may reflect a failure to switch attention away from a tinnitus sound. Here, we investigated a range of components that influence the ability to switch attention, including cognitive control, inhibition, working memory and mood, on the presence and severity of CT. Our participants with tinnitus showed significant impairments in cognitive control and inhibition as well as lower levels of emotional well-being, compared to healthy-hearing participants. Moreover, the subjective cognitive complaints of tinnitus participants correlated with their emotional well-being whereas complaints in healthy participants correlated with objective cognitive functioning. Combined, cognitive control and depressive symptoms correctly classified 67% of participants. These results demonstrate the core role of cognition in CT. They also provide the foundations for a neurocognitive account of the maintenance of tinnitus, involving impaired interactions between the neurocognitive networks underpinning attention-switching and mood

Following stones: navigating the landscape in northern Labrador

The landscape in northern Labrador is dotted with inuksuit (human-made rock stacks used for navigation, commemoration, hunting, and more) signifying a connection between people and the land. My theoretical framework considers the traditional knowledge, or way of knowing, respecting, and using resources from the environment, of Inuit in Labrador to understand ways of memorializing the landscape and place. Through an aerial survey via drone, this project involves collecting photogrammetric data to reconstruct 3D and digital elevation models of different features and sites. This project serves as an examination of the application of data that drones can collect in summer and winter settings. Geographic information systems (QGIS and ArcGIS) aid in examining the relation of inuksuit to topography and other features. This project looks at the relationship between humans and their surroundings, movement across vast spaces, methods of navigation, and connection to land to argue for the importance of protecting cultural landscapes

The Patient's Guide to Psoriasis Treatment. Part 4: Goeckerman Therapy.

BackgroundThe Goeckerman regimen remains one of the oldest, most reliable treatment options for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Goeckerman therapy currently consists of exposure to ultraviolet B light and application of crude coal tar. The details of the procedure can be confusing and challenging to understand for the first-time patient or provider.ObjectiveTo present a freely available online guide and video on Goeckerman treatment that explains the regimen in a patient-oriented manner.MethodsThe Goeckerman protocol used at the University of California-San Francisco Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center as well as available information from the literature were reviewed to design a comprehensive guide for patients receiving Goeckerman treatment.ResultsWe created a printable guide and video resource that covers the supplies needed for Goeckerman regimen, the treatment procedure, expected results, how to monitor for adverse events, and discharge planning.ConclusionThis new resource is beneficial for prospective patients planning to undergo Goeckerman treatment, healthcare providers, and trainees who want to learn more about this procedure. Online media and video delivers material in a way that is flexible and often familiar to patients