Pregnant women with bronchial asthma benefit from progressive muscle relaxation: A randomized, prospective, controlled trial

Background: Asthma is a serious medical problem in pregnancy and is often associated with stress, anger and poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on change in blood pressure, lung parameters, heart rate, anger and health-related quality of life in pregnant women with bronchial asthma. Methods: We treated a sample of 64 pregnant women with bronchial asthma from the local population in an 8-week randomized, prospective, controlled trial. Thirty-two were selected for PMR, and 32 received a placebo intervention. The systolic blood pressure, forced expiratory volume in the first second, peak expiratory flow and heart rate were tested, and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory and Health Survey (SF-36) were employed. Results: According to the intend-to-treat principle, a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and a significant increase in both forced expiratory volume in the first second and peak expiratory flow were observed after PMR. The heart rate showed a significant increase in the coefficient of variation, root mean square of successive differences and high frequency ranges, in addition to a significant reduction in low and middle frequency ranges. A significant reduction on three of five State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory scales, and a significant increase on seven of eight SF-36 scales were observed. Conclusions: PMR appears to be an effective method to improve blood pressure, lung parameters and heart rate, and to decrease anger levels, thus enhancing health-related quality of life in pregnant women with bronchial asthma. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Influence of Family Therapy on Bullying Behaviour, Cortisol Secretion, Anger, and Quality of Life in Bullying Male Adolescents: A Randomized, Prospective, Controlled Study

Objective: To determine the influence of brief strategic family therapy (BSFT) on salivary cortisol, anger, and health-related quality of life (QoL) in adolescent boys with bullying behaviour. Method: We selected a sample of 72 boys demonstrating bullying behaviour from the general population and treated 36 with BSFT for 12 weeks. The other 36 boys formed the control group. Primary outcome measures were salivary cortisol concentration 15 to 30 minutes after awakening and changes on the subscales of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and the Health Survey (SF-36). Results: After 12 weeks' treatment, we observed a significant reduction in bullying behaviour in the BSFT group (P = 0.017) and in the mean values (according to the intent-to-treat principle) for salivary cortisol concentration (P < 0.001). The BSFT group also showed significantly greater change on the STAXI subscales State-Anger (P < 0.001), Trait-Anger (P < 0.001), Anger-Out (P < 0.001), and Anger-Control (P < 0.001). Treatment with BSFT also resulted in significant improvement on the SF-36 subscales for Vitality (P < 0.001), Social Functioning (P < 0.001), Role-Emotional (P < 0.001), and Mental Health (P < 0.001). Conclusions: BSFT effectively influenced bullying behaviour, salivary cortisol concentration, anger, and health-related QoL in adolescent bullying boys

Suicide attempts versus suicidal ideation in bulimic female adolescents

Background : Suicide attempts by adolescents continue to be a major public health problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in the family functioning and sociopsychopathological risk factor relationship between female bulimic adolescents with suicidal ideation only, and those who attempted suicide. Methods : A group of 211 patients were observed for 12 months. Data from 63 subjects (SUG [suicide group], age 17.2 +/- 1.3 years) who had attempted suicide were then compared with 148 (control group, age 18.1 +/- 1.5 years) who had expressed suicidal ideation but did not follow through. Results : Those in the suicide attempt group had been exposed more frequently to physical/sexual violence in childhood. As adults they either lived alone or were dissatisfied with their partnership. The frequency of borderline personality disorders and depressive disorders in this group was significant. Psychosomatic symptoms, disturbed coenesthesia, substance abuse, social impairment and interference with their perception of their own life circumstances, as well as their job performance, often preceded the suicide attempt. Nine genuine risk factors that occurred significantly more often in the SUG were calculated out of all the stress factors using stepwise logistic regression: 'as a child I was even hit with a stick or whip', 'I had no set orientation in life', 'I had a feeling of loneliness despite family and friends', 'I could not relax', 'incapable of dealing with the public', 'I do not like to be touched', 'parents have psychiatric disorders', 'misuse of stimulants', and 'as a child I felt lonely' (odds ratio, 10.56-1.90). Conclusion : Adverse family experiences and multiple sociopsychopathological factors may increase the risk of suicide in female bulimic adolescents

Mechanistic and structural diversity between cytochrome <i>bd</i> isoforms of <i>Escherichia coli</i>

Significance Bacterial aerobic respiration is a metabolic pathway that can adapt to changing environmental conditions. Most bacteria encode for two general types of terminal respiratory oxygen reductases that catalyze the reduction of molecular oxygen to water: heme-copper oxidases (HCO) and cytochrome bd- type oxidases. While HCO-type enzymes are conserved throughout all domains of life, cytochrome bd oxidases are present solely in prokaryotes. Due to their high oxygen affinity and insensitivity toward a wide range of naturally occurring HCO inhibitors, cytochrome bd oxidases confer bacteria with the ability to maintain aerobic respiration under hostile conditions, especially low-oxygen environments. The importance of cytochrome bd as a survival factor supports a key role for this enzyme as a drug target for combating infectious diseases. </jats:p

Change in instrumental activities of daily living disability in female senior patients with musculosceletal pain: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial

Previous studies found that depressive symptoms and low functional self-efficacy are associated with the occurrence of disabling musculoskeletal pain, and diminished quality of life in elderly people. The target of this study was to consider the change in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability and health related quality of life after integrative psychotherapeutic treatment program of depressive symptoms in senior female patients with musculoskeletal pain. In an 8-week outpatient-based, random, prospective, controlled trial, 36 female patients between 70 and 79 with a history of clinically evident musculoskeletal pain and afflicted with depressive symptoms, but who were able to bathe, walk, dress, and transferring inside the house were evaluated. The study was performed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), 1ADL, and the Health Survey (SF-36). In comparison with the untreated group, according to the intent-to-treat principle, significant changes on the CES-D (P < 0.01), IADL (P < 0.01), and all scales of SF-36 were observed after eight weeks in the treated subjects. The treatment of moderate depression with integrative psychotherapy may be efficacious in improving of IADL disability and health related quality of life in affected senior female patients with musculoskeletal pain. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Topiramate Treatment for Women With Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder is a common and severe psychiatric illness. The goal of this study was to determine whether topiramate can influence patients' borderline psychopathology, health-related quality of life, and interpersonal problems. Women meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fourth Edition Structured Clinical Interview II criteria for borderline personality disorder were randomly assigned in a 1: 1 ratio to topiramate titrated from 25 to 200 mg/d (n = 28) or placebo (n = 28) for 10 weeks. Primary outcome measures were changes on the Symptom-Checklist, on the SF-36 Health Survey, an on the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. Body weight and additional side effects were assessed weekly. According to the intent-to-treat principle, significant changes (all P < 0.001) on the somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, and Global Severity Index scales of the Symptom Checklist were observed in the topiramate-treated subjects after 10 weeks (no significant changes on the obsessive-compulsive, depression, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism scales). In the SF-36 Health Survey, significant differences were observed on all 8 scales (all P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). In the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, significant differences (all P < 0.001) were found in the scales for overly autocratic, overly competitive, overly introverted, and overly expressive (no significant differences in the scales for overly cold, overly subassertive/subservient, overly exploitable/compliant, and overly nurturant/friendly). Weight loss was additionally observed (P < 0.001). Topiramate appears to be a safe and effective agent in the treatment in women with borderline personality disorder. Additional weight loss can be expected

Familial and sociopsychopathological risk factors for suicide attempt in bulimic and in depressed women: Prospective study

Objective: This study was carried out to examine sociopsychopathological predictors of prospective observed suicide attempts in bulimic women purging type without comorbid major depression (BNG) at the time of study entry and in woman with major depression without comorbid eating disorder at the time of study entry (MDG). Method: Data from 28 BNG (age 23.5 +/- 3.6) and 126 MDG women (age 33.4 +/- 5.1) who had attempted suicide during 12 months' monitoring were compared. Results: A univariate comparison of the two groups revealed various differences. Analysis of risk factors for suicide attempts using stepwise logistic regression was conducted separately for each group. The derived logistic models showed that patients from the BNG group had a history of higher incidence of sexual abuse in childhood, as well as abuse of laxatives and illicit drugs; they also lacked orientation in life, felt lonely despite family and friends, tended to direct their anger outward. and were unable to relax. Conclusion: Sociopsychopathological risk factors for suicide attempts in the BNG and MDG appear to vary. (c) 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Bioenergetic exercises in inpatient treatment of Turkish immigrants with chronic somatoform disorders: A randomized, controlled study

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether bioenergetic exercises (BE) significantly influence the inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment results for Turkish immigrants with chronic somatoform disorders. Method: In a 6-week randomized, prospective, controlled trial, we treated a sample of 128 Turkish patients: 64 were randomly assigned to BE and 64 participated in gymnastic exercises in lieu of BE. The Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) were employed. Results: According to the intent-to-treat principle, the bioenergetic analysis group achieved significantly better treatment results on most of the SCL-90-R and STAXI scales. Conclusions: BE appears to improve symptoms of somatization, social insecurity, depressiveness, anxiety, and hostility in the inpatient therapy of subjects with chronic somatoform disorders. Reduction of the anger level and reduction in directing anger inwards, with a simultaneous increase of spontaneous outward emotional expression, could be expected. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

E-Learning Symposium 2014

Der Tagungsband zum E-Learning Symposium 2014 an der Universität Potsdam beleuchtet die diversen Zielgruppen und Anwendungsbereiche, die aktuell in der E-Learning-Forschung angesprochen werden. Während im letzten Symposium 2012 der Dozierende mit den unterschiedlichen Möglichkeiten der Studierendenaktivierung und Lehrgestaltung im Fokus der Diskussionen stand, werden in diesem Jahr in einem großen Teil der Beiträge die Studierenden ins Zentrum der Aufmerksamkeit gerückt. Dass nicht nur der Inhalt des Lernmediums für den Lernerfolg eine Rolle spielt, sondern auch dessen Unterhaltungswert und die Freude, die die Lernenden während des Prozesses der Wissensakquise empfinden, zeigt sehr anschaulich die Keynote von Linda Breitlauch zum Thema „Faites vos Jeux“ (Spielen Sie jetzt). Der Beitrag von Zoerner et al. verbindet den Gedanken des spiele-basierten Lernens mit dem nach wie vor aktuellen Thema des mobilen Lernens. Auch in diesem Forschungsbereich spielt die Fokussierung auf den Lernenden eine immer herausragendere Rolle. Einen Schritt weiter in Richtung Individualisierung geht in diesem Zusammenhang der eingeladene Vortrag von Christoph Rensing, der sich mit der Adaptivität von mobilen Lernanwendungen beschäftigt. Mit Hilfe zur Verfügung stehender Kontextinformationen sollen gezielt individuelle Lernprozesse unterstützt werden. Alle Beiträge, die sich auf mobile Applikationen und auf Spiele beziehen, sprechen auch die zwischenmenschliche Komponente am Lernen an. So wird neben der Mobilität insbesondere auch der Austausch von Lernobjekten zwischen Lernenden (vergleiche den Beitrag von Zoerner et al.) sowie die Kooperation zwischen Lernenden (siehe Beitrag von Kallookaran und Robra-Bissantz) diskutiert. Der interpersonelle Kontakt spielt allerdings ebenfalls in den Beiträgen ohne Spiel- oder App-Fokussierung eine Rolle. Tutoren werden beispielsweise zur Moderation von Lernprozessen eingesetzt und Lerngruppen gegründet um das problem-orientierte Lernen stärker in den Mittelpunkt zu rücken (siehe Beitrag von Mach und Dirwelis) bzw. näher am Bedarf der Studierenden zu arbeiten (wie in eingeladenen Vortrag von Tatiana N. Noskova sowie in dem Beitrag von Mach und Dirwelis beschrieben). In der Evaluation wird ebenfalls der Schritt weg von anonymen, akkumulierten statistischen Auswertungen hin zu individualisierten Nutzerprofilen im Bereich des Learning Analytics untersucht (vergleiche dazu den Beitrag von Ifenthaler). Neben der Schwerpunktsetzung auf die Lernenden und deren Mobilität rückt das Thema Transmedialität stärker ins Zentrum der Forschung. Während schon die Keynote mit ihrem Spielefokus darauf anspricht, geht es in weiteren Beiträgen darum Abläufe aus der analogen Welt bestmöglich in der digitalen Welt abzubilden. Lerninhalte, die bisher mittels Bildern und Texten für Lehrende und Lernende zugänglich gemacht wurden, werden nunmehr mit weiteren Medien, insbesondere Videos, angereichert um deren Verständnis zu erhöhen. Dies ist beispielsweise geeignet, um Bewegungsabläufe im Sport (vergleiche dazu den Beitrag von Owassapian und Hensinger) oder musikpraktische Übungen wie Bodyperkussion (beschrieben im Beitrag von Buschmann und Glasemann) zu erlernen Lernendenfokussierung, persönlicher Austausch, Mobilität und Transmedialität sind somit einige der Kernthemen, die Sie in diesem Sammelband erwarten. Auch zeigt die häufige Verknüpfung verschedener dieser Kernthemen, dass keines davon ein Randthema ist, sondern sich die Summe aus allen im E-Learning bündelt und damit eine neue Qualität für Lehre, Studium und Forschung erreicht werden kann