Predisposition to Out-of-Body Experience (OBE) is associated with aberrations in multisensory integration:psychophysiological support from a “rubber-hand illusion” study

It has been argued that disorders in body-ownership and aberrant experiences in self-consciousness are due to biases in multisensory integration. Here we examine whether such biases are also associated with spontaneous Out-of-Body Experiences (OBEs) in a non-clinical population. One-hundred and eighty participants took part in a rubber-hand illusion (RHI) experiment with synchronous and asynchronous visual and tactile stimulation. A realistic threat was delivered to the rubber-hand after a fixed period of stimulation. Self-report exit questionnaires measured the subjective strength of the illusion and psychophysiological measures (skin conductance responses / finger temperature) provided an objective index of fear / anxiety towards the threat. Control participants reported a stronger RHI, and revealed larger threat-related skin conductance responses during synchronous compared with asynchronous brushing. For participants predisposed to OBEs, the magnitude of the skin conductance was not influenced by brushing synchrony - fear responses were just as strong in the asynchronous condition as they were in the synchronous condition. There were also no reliable effects of finger-temperature for either group. Collectively, these findings are taken as support for the presence of particular biases in multisensory integration (perhaps via predictive coding mechanisms) in which imprecise top-down tuning occurs resulting in aberrant experiences in self-consciousness even in non-clinical hallucinators

Khallaf and Sidebottom Guiding Stent for Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis: A New Era for Joint Space Puncturing Techniques (Registered Technical Note)

Arthrocentesis is becoming the cornerstone of minimally-invasive surgical treatment for inter­nal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJID). Nitzan et al. first described arthrocentesis as the simplest form of surgery in the TMJID. Repeated arthrocentesis up to five times is 91% effective in treating patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction. It depends on lavage of the joint space through placement of two needles inside the superior joint space. The majority of surgeons use conventional puncturing technique (CPT), which is a blind technique for needle placement, in spite of its complications (extra-articular injection, multiple puncturing, facial nerve injury, intracranial penetration).Others use image guided puncturing techniques (CBCT,MSCT, MRI, or US) for superior joint space puncturing, which is proven to be a more accurate and precise technique with fewer complications. We fabricated a new customized guiding stent on a 3D soft and hard tissue model, printed out from MSCT, with adjusted depth and angulation for superior joint space puncturing. The puncturing using this new stent is easy and does not subject patients to imaging each time, as the confirmation of the needle positioning has already been done by the accurate measurements on MSCT. In addition, the procedure no longer requires general anesthesia or deep sedation. Clinically significant differences were noted between the use of IGPT and the present guiding stent, especially on the level of procedural time. These observations confirmed that the use of this stent was a predictable and highly efficient new approach for superior joint space puncturing

Globally Optimized Parameters for a Model of Mitotic Control in Frog Egg Extracts

DNA synthesis and nuclear division in the developing frog egg are controlled by fluctuations in the activity of M-phase promoting factor (MPF). The biochemical mechanism of MPF regulation is most easily studied in cytoplasmic extracts of frog eggs, for which careful experimental studies of the kinetics of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of MPF and its regulators have been made. In 1998 Marlovits et al. used these data sets to estimate the kinetic rate constants in a mathematical model of the control system originally proposed by Novak and Tyson. In a recent publication, we showed that a gradient-based optimization algorithm finds a locally optimal parameter set quite close to the Marlovits estimates. In this paper, we combine global and local optimization strategies to show that the refined Marlovits parameter set, with one minor but significant modification to the Novak-Tyson equations, is the unique, best-fitting solution to the parameter estimation problem

Surface-based constraints on target selection and distractor rejection: Evidence from preview search

In preview search when an observer ignores an early appearing set of distractors, there can subsequently be impeded detection of new targets that share the colour of this preview. This “negative carry-over effect” has been attributed to an active inhibitory process targeted against the old items and inadvertently their features. Here we extend negative carry-over effects to the case of stereoscopically defined surfaces of coplanar elements without common features. In Experiment 1 observers previewed distractors in one surface (1000 ms), before being presented with the target and new distractors divided over the old and a new surface either above or below the old one. Participants were slower and less efficient to detect targets in the old surface. In Experiment 2 in both the first and second display the items were divided over two planes in the proportion 66/33% such that no new planes appeared following the preview, and there was no majority of items in any one plane in the final combined display. The results showed that participants were slower to detect the target when it occurred in the old majority surface. Experiment 3 held constant the 2D properties of the stimuli while varying the presence of binocular depth cues. The carry-over effect only occurred in the presence of binocular depth cues, ruling out any account of the results in terms of 2-D cues. The results suggest well formed surfaces in addition to simple features may be targets for inhibition in search

Amphetamine-induced c- fos mRNA expression in the caudate-putamen and subthalamic nucleus: interactions between dose, environment, and neuronal phenotype

When administered in a novel environment relatively low doses of amphetamine induce c- fos mRNA in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and in preproenkephalin mRNA-containing (ENK+) neurons in the caudate-putamen (CPu). When administered at home, however, low doses of amphetamine do not produce these effects. Environmental novelty also facilitates the behavioral effects of acute and repeated amphetamine, but this is dose-dependent. The purpose of the present experiment therefore was to determine if the effect of context on amphetamine-induced c- fos expression is also dose-dependent. It was found that: (i) No dose of amphetamine tested (1–10 mg/kg) induced c- fos in many ENK+ cells when given at home. (ii) When given in a novel environment low to moderate doses of amphetamine (1–5 mg/kg) induced c- fos in substantial numbers of ENK+ cells, but the highest dose examined (10 mg/kg) did not. (iii) Environmental novelty enhanced the ability of low to moderate doses of amphetamine to induce c- fos in the STN, but the highest dose of amphetamine induced robust c- fos mRNA expression in the STN regardless of context. The results do not support the idea that engaging ENK+ cells, at least as indicated by c- fos mRNA expression, is critical to produce robust behavioral sensitization, but do suggest a possible role for the STN. Furthermore, the results highlight the importance of drug–environment interactions on the neurobiological effects of drugs, and have implications for thinking about the circuits by which context modulates the acute and long-lasting consequences of amphetamine treatment.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66354/1/j.1471-4159.2003.01646.x.pd

Uncomfortably numb:new evidence for suppressed emotional reactivity in response to body-threats in those predisposed to sub-clinical dissociative experiences

Introduction: Depersonalisation and derealisation disorders refer to feelings of detachment and dissociation from one’s “self” or surroundings. A reduced sense of self (or “presence”) and emotional “numbness” is thought to be mediated by aberrant emotional processing due to biases in self-referent multi-sensory integration. This emotional “numbing” is often accompanied by suppressed autonomic arousal to emotionally salient stimuli. Methods: 118 participants completed the Cambridge Depersonalisation scale [Sierra, & Berrios, 2000. The Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale: A new instrument for the measurement of depersonalisation. Psychiatry Research, 93, 153–164)] as an index of dissociative anomalous experience. Participants took part in a novel “Implied Body-Threat Illusion” task; a pantomimed injection procedure conducted directly onto their real body (hand). Objective psychophysiological data were recorded via standardised threat-related skin conductance responses and finger temperature measures. Results: Individuals predisposed to depersonalisation/derealisation revealed suppressed skin conductance responses towards the pantomimed body-threat. Although the task revealed a reliable reduction in finger temperature as a fear response, this reduction was not reliably associated with measures of dissociative experience. Conclusions: The present findings significantly extend previous research by revealing emotional suppression via a more direct body-threat task, even for sub-clinical groups. The findings are discussed within probabilistic and predictive coding frameworks of multi-sensory integration underlying a coherent sense of self

Ethnic Minority Children’s Active Commuting to School and Association with Physical Activity and Pedestrian Safety Behaviors

Background: Children\u27s active commuting to school, i.e. walking or cycling to school, was associated with greater moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, although studies among ethnic minorities are sparse. Objectives: Among a low-income, ethnic minority sample of fourth grade students from eight public schools, we examined (1) correlates of active commuting to school and (2) the relationship between active commuting to school and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline measurements from a sample of participants (n=149) aged 9-12 years from a walk to school intervention study in Houston, Texas. The primary outcome was the weekly rate of active commuting to school. Daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, measured by accelerometers, was a secondary outcome. Child self-efficacy (alpha=0.75), parent self-efficacy (alpha=0.88), and parent outcome expectations (alpha=0.78) were independent variables. Participant characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, distance from home to school, acculturation, and BMI percentile) were independent sociodemographic variables. We used mixed-model regression analyses to account for clustering by school and a stepwise procedure with backward elimination of non-significant interactions and covariates to identify significant moderators and predictors. School-level observations of student pedestrians were assessed and compared using chi-square tests of independence. Results: Among our sample, which was 61.7% Latino, the overall rate of active commuting to school was 43%. In the mixed model for active commuting to school, parent self-efficacy (std. beta = 0.18, p=0.018) and age (std. beta = 0.18, p=0.018) were positively related. Latino students had lower rates of active commuting to school than non-Latinos ( 16.5%, p=0.040). Distance from home to school was inversely related to active commuting to school (std. beta = 0.29, p\u3c0.001). In the mixed model for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, active commuting to school was positively associated (std. beta = 0.31, p \u3c0.001). Among the Latino subsample, child acculturation was negatively associated with active commuting to school (std. beta = -0.23, p=0.01). With regard to school-level pedestrian safety observations, 37% of students stopped at the curb and 2.6% looked left-right-left before crossing the street. Conclusion: Although still below national goals, the rate of active commuting was relatively high, while the rate of some pedestrian safety behaviors was low among this low-income, ethnic minority population. Programs and policies to encourage safe active commuting to school are warranted and should consider the influence of parents, acculturation, and ethnicity

Amphetamine and cocaine induce different patterns of c- fos mRNA expression in the striatum and subthalamic nucleus depending on environmental context

In the dorsal striatum, there are two major populations of medium spiny projection neurons. One population is positive for dynorphin mRNA (DYN+), and these cells project preferentially to the substantia nigra, forming the so-called ‘direct pathway’. A second population is positive for enkephalin mRNA (ENK+), and these cells influence the substantia nigra indirectly, via the globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus. Psychostimulant drugs, such as amphetamine and cocaine, are reported to induce immediate early genes (IEGs) in only one subpopulation of dorsal striatal projection neurons, DYN+ cells. However, this apparent selectivity appears to be a function of environmental context. We found that when given in the animal's home cage, amphetamine and cocaine increased expression of the IEG, c- fos , almost exclusively in DYN+ cells. However, when given in a novel environment, amphetamine and cocaine increased c- fos mRNA in both DYN+ and ENK+ cells. Furthermore, amphetamine and cocaine increased c- fos mRNA expression in the subthalamic nucleus when administered in the novel environment, but not when given at home. We conclude that the neural circuitry engaged by psychostimulant drugs, and their ability to induce specific patterns of gene expression, are determined by the environmental context in which they are experienced. This may be related to the ability of environmental novelty to facilitate psychostimulant drug-induced neuroplasticity.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75267/1/j.0953-816x.2001.01574.x.pd

Association between Physical Activity and Sport Participation on Hemoglobin A1c among Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Purpose: To determine associations between physical activity (PA) and sport participation on HbA1c levels in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Method: Pediatric patients with T1D were invited to complete a PA and sport participation survey. Data were linked to their medical records for demographic characteristics, diabetes treatment and monitoring plans, and HbA1c levels. Results: Participants consisted of 71 females and 81 males, were 13 +- 3 years old with an average HbA1c level of 8.75 +- 1.81. Children accumulating 60 min of activity 3 days or more a week had significantly lower HbA1c compared to those who accumulated less than 3 days (p \u3c 0.01) of 60 min of activity. However, there was no significant difference in HbA1c values based on sport participation groups. A multiple linear regression model indicated that PA, race, age, duration of diagnosis, and CGM use all significantly predicted HbA1c (p \u3c 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the significant relationship between daily PA and HbA1c. Those in this sample presented with lower HbA1c values even if accumulating less than the recommended number of days of activity. Further, it was shown that sport participation alone may not be adequate enough to impact HbA1c in a similar manner

Reverse Shock Emission Revealed in Early Photometry in the Candidate Short GRB 180418A

We present observations of the possible short GRB 180418A in $\gamma$-rays, X-rays, and in the optical. Early optical photometry with the TAROT and RATIR instruments show a bright peak ($\approx$ 14.2 AB mag) between $T+28$ and $T+90$ seconds that we interpret as the signature of a reversal shock. Later observations can be modeled by a standard forward shock model and show no evidence of jet break, allowing us to constrain the jet collimation to $\theta_j> 7^\circ$. Using deep late-time optical observations we place an upper limit of $r>24$ AB mag on any underlying host galaxy. The detection of the afterglow in the \textit{Swift} UV filters constrains the GRB redshift to $z<1.3$ and places an upper bound on the $\gamma$-ray isotropic equivalent energy $E_{\rm{\gamma,iso}} < 3 \times 10^{51}$ erg. The properties of this GRB (e.g. duration, hardness ratio, energetic, and environment) lie at the intersection between short and long bursts, and we can not conclusively identify its type. We estimate that the probability that it is drawn from the population of short GRBs is 10\%-30\%.Comment: Accepted por publication in Ap