38 research outputs found

    Psychometric properties of the transaddiction craving triggers questionnaire in alcohol use disorder.

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    We aimed to develop the transaddiction craving triggers questionnaire (TCTQ), which assesses the propensity of specific situations and contexts to trigger craving and to test its psychometric properties in alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study included a sample of 111 AUD outpatients. We performed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and calculated item-dimension correlations. Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed through Spearman correlations with craving, emotional symptoms, impulsivity, mindfulness, and drinking characteristics. The EFA suggested a 3-factor solution: unpleasant affect, pleasant affect, and cues and related thoughts. Cronbach's coefficient alpha ranged from .80 to .95 for the three factors and the total score. Weak positive correlations were identified between the TCTQ and drinking outcomes, and moderate correlation were found between the TCTQ and craving strength, impulsivity, anxiety, depression, and impact of alcohol on quality of life. The 3-factor structure is congruent with the well-established propensity of emotions and cues to trigger craving. Construct validity is supported by close relations between the TCTQ and psychological well-being rather than between the TCTQ and drinking behaviors. Longitudinal validation is warranted to assess sensitivity to change of the TCTQ and to explore its psychometric properties in other addictive disorders

    Individual mangrove trees provide alternative reef fish habitat on backreefs

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    Abstract Mangrove trees occur in a variety of geomorphic and sedimentary settings. Yet, studies investigating their role as habitat providers often focus on the most common biophysical types, such as deltaic, estuarine, open coast or lagoonal mangroves on soft sediments, disregarding less typical environments. Here, we investigated the influence of individual mangrove trees growing on a consolidated backreef system (Laucala Bay, Fiji) on habitat use by reef fishes. Combining field surveys and an experiment, we quantified the extent to which reef mangrove trees serve as habitat for solitary or shoaling reef fishes. Using mangrove tree mimics, we disentangled effects attributable to the physical structure of trees from those related to their bio-chemical properties. We found that fish numbers were 3.7 times higher within close proximity to the mangrove trees than at control sites and correlated significantly with root system perimeter. The roots of larger trees sheltered aggregations of juveniles and adults at incoming and high tides. Mangrove trees and mimics attracted fishes alike. We show that mangrove trees on backreefs provide habitat for shoaling and adult reef fishes in addition to serving as nursery areas, an ecosystem service otherwise lacking on backreef areas with low structural complexity

    Role of Annexin A1 in Squamous Cell Lung Cancer Progression

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    Lung cancer remains the primary cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and its molecular mechanisms of tumor progression need further characterization to improve the clinical management of affected patients. The role of Annexin A1 (ANXA1) in tumorigenesis and cancer progression in general and especially in lung cancer remains to be controversial and seems to be highly tissue specific and inconsistent among tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. In the current study, we investigated ANXA1 expression in 81 squamous cell lung cancer (SQCLC), 86 pulmonary adenocarcinoma (AC), and 30 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patient-derived tissue samples and its prognostic impact on patient’s survival. Mechanistically, we analyzed the impact of ANXA1 expression on proliferation and migration of SQCLC cell lines using CRISPR-Cas9 and mammalian overexpression vectors. Strong expression of ANXA1 was significantly correlated to longer overall survival only in SQCLC patients (P=0.019). Overexpression of ANXA1 promoted proliferation in SQCLC cell lines but suppressed their migration, while knockout of ANXA1 promoted cell migration and suppressed proliferation. In conclusion, ANXA1 expression might elongate patients’ survival by inhibiting tumor cell migration and subsequent metastasis

    Expression and prognostic impact of DNA-PK in human lung cancer

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    Among all cancer patient's lung cancer is the leading cause of death. Prognostic biomarkers continue to be investigated for the detection and stratification of lung cancer for clinical use. The DNA-dependent protein kinase is involved in mechanisms of DNA damage repair. Deregulation and overexpression of DNA-dependent protein kinase is associated with poor prognosis in various tumor entities. In this study, we investigated the expression of DNA-dependent protein kinase in relation to clinicopathological features and overall survival in patients with lung cancer. By immunohistochemistry, expression of DNA-dependent protein kinase was analyzed in 205 cases of lung cancer; 95 cases of adenocarcinoma, 83 cases of squamous cell lung carcinoma and 27 cases of small cell lung cancer and correlated with clinicopathological characteristics as well as patient's overall survival. In patients with adenocarcinoma, a significant correlation between strong expression of DNA-dependent protein kinase and worse overall survival was found. No significant association was observed in patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma and small cell lung cancer. Strong detection of DNA-dependent protein kinase expression was most evident in small cell lung cancer (81.48 %), followed by squamous cell lung carcinoma (62.65 %) and adenocarcinoma (61.05 %). In our study, expression of DNA-dependent protein kinase was associated with poor overall survival in patients with adenocarcinoma. DNA-dependent protein kinase could serve as a new prognostic biomarker.Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 202
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