The Role of Social Comparisons in Perceived Parental Competence, Mental Health, and Relationship Satisfaction

The theory of social comparison suggests that all individuals are naturally driven to evaluate and compare their opinions and abilities with those of similar others to varying degrees. Social comparison behavior is associated with negative outcomes impacting mental health and relationship satisfaction, with the prevalence of social-media use providing an increased opportunity to engage in social comparisons. Most of the research on the impact of this behavior has been conducted with young-adult populations, overlooking other populations, such as parents. The limited research in this area suggests that parents, particularly mothers, who engage in social comparisons experience increased depression, are less satisfied in their parenting relationships, and have lower perceived parental competence. In addition, parents may be more susceptible to engaging in social comparisons because research suggests that times of stress and change, such as becoming a parent, increase social comparison behavior. The current study examines how engaging in social comparisons impacts mental health, relationship satisfaction, and perceived parental competence within a parent population. Of the participants, 184 met the inclusion criteria and completed a survey. Results indicate that parents who reported a higher frequency of engaging in social comparisons reported less parental competence, higher symptoms of social and generalized anxiety, and higher levels of depression. Upward and downward social comparisons are associated with generalized and social anxiety, and depression. No statistically significant results were found for frequency or direction of social comparisons impacting relationship satisfaction. Clinical implications of the findings and future directions are discussed

New quick method for isolating RNA from laser captured cells stained by immunofluorescent immunohistochemistry; RNA suitable for direct use in fluorogenic TaqMan one-step real-time RT-PCR

We describe a new approach for reliably isolating one-step real-time quantitative RT-PCR-quality RNA from laser captured cells retrieved from frozen sections previously subjected to immunofluorescent immunohistochemistry (IF-IHC) and subsequently subjected to fluorogenic one-step real-time RT-PCR analysis without the need for costly, time-consuming linear amplification. One cell’s worth of RNA can now be interrogated with confidence. This approach represents an amalgam of technologies already offered commercially by Applied Biosystems, Arcturus and Invitrogen. It is the primary focus of this communication to expose the details and execution of an important new LCM RNA isolation technique, but also provide a detailed account of the IF-IHC procedure preceding RNA isolation, and provide information regarding our approach to fluorogenic one-step real-time RT-PCR in general. Experimental results shown here are meant to supplement the primary aim and are not intended to represent a complete scientific study. It is important to mention, that since LCM-RT-PCR is still far less expensive than micro-array analysis, we feel this approach to isolating RNA from LCM samples will be of continuing use to many researchers with limited budgets in the years ahead

Addressing fluorogenic real-time qPCR inhibition using the novel custom Excel file system 'FocusField2-6GallupqPCRSet-upTool-001' to attain consistently high fidelity qPCR reactions

The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss fluorogenic real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) inhibition and to introduce/define a novel Microsoft Excel-based file system which provides a way to detect and avoid inhibition, and enables investigators to consistently design dynamically-sound, truly LOG-linear qPCR reactions very quickly. The qPCR problems this invention solves are universal to all qPCR reactions, and it performs all necessary qPCR set-up calculations in about 52 seconds (using a pentium 4 processor) for up to seven qPCR targets and seventy-two samples at a time – calculations that commonly take capable investigators days to finish. We have named this custom Excel-based file system "FocusField2-6GallupqPCRSet-upTool-001" (FF2-6-001 qPCR set-up tool), and are in the process of transforming it into professional qPCR set-up software to be made available in 2007. The current prototype is already fully functional

What works for whom in the management of diabetes in people living with dementia: a realist review

Background Dementia and diabetes mellitus are common long-term conditions and co-exist in a large number of older people. People living with dementia (PLWD) may be less able to manage their diabetes, putting them at increased risk of complications such as hypoglycaemia. The aim of this review was to identify key mechanisms within different interventions that are likely to improve diabetes outcomes in PLWD. Methods This is a realist review involving scoping of the literature and stakeholder interviews to develop theoretical explanations of how interventions might work, systematic searches of the evidence to test and develop the theories and their validation with a purposive sample of stakeholders. Twenty-six stakeholders — user/patient representatives, dementia care providers, clinicians specialising in diabetes or dementia and researchers — took part in interviews, and 24 participated in a consensus conference. Results We included 89 papers. Ten focused on PLWD and diabetes, and the remainder related to people with either dementia, diabetes or other long-term conditions. We identified six context-mechanism-outcome configurations which provide an explanatory account of how interventions might work to improve the management of diabetes in PLWD. This includes embedding positive attitudes towards PLWD, person-centred approaches to care planning, developing skills to provide tailored and flexible care, regular contact, family engagement and usability of assistive devices. An overarching contingency emerged concerning the synergy between an intervention strategy, the dementia trajectory and social and environmental factors, especially family involvement. Conclusions Evidence highlighted the need for personalised care, continuity and family-centred approaches, although there was limited evidence that this happens routinely. This review suggests there is a need for a flexible service model that prioritises quality of life, independence and patient and carer priorities. Future research on the management of diabetes in older people with complex health needs, including those with dementia, needs to look at how organisational structures and workforce development can be better aligned to their needs. Trial registration PROSPERO, CRD42015020625. Registered on 18 May 2015

Complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii

We report the complete genome sequence of a Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii isolate recovered from a sputum culture from an individual with cystic fibrosis. This sequence is the first completed whole-genome sequence of M. abscessus subsp. bolletii and adds value to studies of M. abscessus complex genomics.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/175988/2/Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii. .pdfPublished versio

Complete genome sequences of 17 rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterial strains

We report the complete genome sequences of 17 rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) strains, including 16 Mycobacterium abscessus complex strains and one M. immunogenum strain. These sequences add value to studies of the genetic diversity of rapidly growing NTM strains recovered from human specimens.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/175989/2/Complete Genome Sequences of 17 Rapidly Growing Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Strains. .pdfPublished versio