Factor structure of the assessment of qualitative and structural dimensions of object representations (AOR) scale

Early childhood interactions with parents form parental representations (PR) that have been empirically associated with psychopathology. The Assessment of Qualitative and Structural Dimensions of Object Representations scale (AOR; Blatt et al., 1992) is one measure of PR that benefits from measuring implicit processes and minimizing self-presentation; however, little research has examined its factor structure. The present study used archival data from four previous studies containing clinical and nonclinical samples totaling 722 participants. Individuals were divided into two groups: the first was analyzed using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and the second underwent a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the EFA model. Results of both the EFA and CFA suggested that a three-factor solution was best, which were labeled Agency, Communion, and Punitive based on previous research. The implications of these findings are explored within the framework of psychodynamic theory, particularly with regard to object splitting and the presence of a punitive superego

Can videogames be addicting? An investigation into the specific game features and personal characteristics associated with problematic videogame playing

The number of individuals who play videogames has increased dramatically in recent years. Unsurprisingly, the frequency with which patients seek psychotherapeutic services to help cope with problematic videogame playing (PVGP) behaviors has also risen. Thus, explorations into the specific characteristics of PVGP are essential now more than ever before. However, the current state of the literature primarily relies on comparisons between PVGP and pathological gambling, utilizing modified measures of the latter to assess the former. To date, no studies have attempted to adapt the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder (SUD) in an effort to understand PVGP within the context of addiction. Further, few studies have explored the specific game characteristics and individual factors that contribute to the presence of PVGP. The current study sought to address these questions by adapting the SUD criteria to address videogame-related behavior via a measure labeled as the Videogame Addiction Scale (VGAS). Comparisons of the psychometrics and criterion validity of the VGAS and leading measures of PVGP suggested the former was superior. Further, results indicated that higher levels of addiction were present in players who prefer the MMORPG and Shooter genres over all other types of games, with the former yielding significantly higher VGAS scores than the latter. Further, many of the structural characteristics of videogames were considered to be more enjoyable, important, and associated with longer playtimes for individuals with higher “addiction” scores than their low scoring counterparts. Lastly, a model of videogame addiction was generated that aligns with the current literature on substance use disorders. Specifically, impulsivity, maladaptive coping, weekly playtime, and particular structural characteristics all seem to relate to videogame addiction

Assessing therapeutic response non-invasively in a neonatal rat model of acute inflammatory white matter injury using high-field MRI

Perinatal infection and inflammatory episodes in preterm infants are associated with diffuse white matter injury (WMI) and adverse neurological outcomes. Inflammation-induced WMI was previously shown to be linked with later hippocampal atrophy as well as learning and memory impairments in preterm infants. Early evaluation of injury load and therapeutic response with non-invasive tools such as multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would greatly improve the search of new therapeutic approaches in preterm infants. Our aim was to evaluate the potential of multimodal MRI to detect the response of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) treatment, known for its neuroprotective properties, during the acute phase of injury on a model of neonatal WMI. Rat pups at postnatal day 3 (P3) received intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide with systemic IL-1Ra therapy. 24h later (P4), rats were imaged with multimodal MRI to assess microstructure by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurochemical profile of the hippocampus with (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Astrocyte and microglial activation, apoptosis and the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory and necroptotic markers were assessed. During the acute phase of injury, neonatal LPS exposure altered the concentration of hippocampus metabolites related to neuronal integrity, neurotransmission and membrane integrity and induced diffusivity restriction. Just 24h after initiation of therapy, early indication of IL-1Ra neuroprotective effect could be detected in vivo by non-invasive spectroscopy and DTI, and confirmed with immunohistochemical evaluation and mRNA expression of inflammatory markers and cell death. In conclusion, multimodal MRI, particularly DTI, can detect not only injury but also the acute therapeutic effect of IL-1Ra suggesting that MRI could be a useful non-invasive tool to follow, at early time points, the therapeutic response in preterm infants

Caspase-8 and RIP kinases regulate bacteria-induced innate immune responses and cell death

A number of pathogens cause host cell death upon infection, and Yersinia pestis, infamous for its role in large pandemics such as the Black Death in medieval Europe, induces considerable cytotoxicity. The rapid killing of macrophages induced by Y. pestis, dependent upon type III secretion system effector Yersinia outer protein J (YopJ), is minimally affected by the absence of caspase-1, caspase-11, Fas ligand, and TNF. Caspase-8 is known to mediate apoptotic death in response to infection with several viruses and to regulate programmed necrosis (necroptosis), but its role in bacterially induced cell death is poorly understood. Here we provide genetic evidence for a receptor-interacting protein (RIP) kinase-caspase-8-dependent macrophage apoptotic death pathway after infection with Y. pestis, influenced by Toll-like receptor 4-TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TLR4-TRIF). Interestingly, macrophages lacking either RIP1, or caspase-8 and RIP3, also had reduced infection-induced production of IL-1β, IL-18, TNF, and IL-6; impaired activation of the transcription factor NF-κB; and greatly compromised caspase-1 processing. Cleavage of the proform of caspase-1 is associated with triggering inflammasome activity, which leads to the maturation of IL-1β and IL-18, cytokines important to host responses against Y. pestis and many other infectious agents. Our results identify a RIP1-caspase-8/RIP3-dependent caspase-1 activation pathway after Y. pestis challenge. Mice defective in caspase-8 and RIP3 were also highly susceptible to infection and displayed reduced proinflammatory cytokines and myeloid cell death. We propose that caspase-8 and the RIP kinases are key regulators of macrophage cell death, NF-κB and inflammasome activation, and host resistance after Y. pestis infection

The Inflammatory Kinase MAP4K4 Promotes Reactivation of Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpesvirus and Enhances the Invasiveness of Infected Endothelial Cells

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a mesenchymal tumour, which is caused by Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) and develops under inflammatory conditions. KSHV-infected endothelial spindle cells, the neoplastic cells in KS, show increased invasiveness, attributed to the elevated expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The majority of these spindle cells harbour latent KSHV genomes, while a minority undergoes lytic reactivation with subsequent production of new virions and viral or cellular chemo- and cytokines, which may promote tumour invasion and dissemination. In order to better understand KSHV pathogenesis, we investigated cellular mechanisms underlying the lytic reactivation of KSHV. Using a combination of small molecule library screening and siRNA silencing we found a STE20 kinase family member, MAP4K4, to be involved in KSHV reactivation from latency and to contribute to the invasive phenotype of KSHV-infected endothelial cells by regulating COX-2, MMP-7, and MMP-13 expression. This kinase is also highly expressed in KS spindle cells in vivo. These findings suggest that MAP4K4, a known mediator of inflammation, is involved in KS aetiology by regulating KSHV lytic reactivation, expression of MMPs and COX-2, and, thereby modulating invasiveness of KSHV-infected endothelial cells. © 2013 Haas et al

Understanding The Association Between Depressive Personality And Hypersensitive (Vulnerable) Narcissism: Some Preliminary Findings

Objective: To report a 6-year multi-institutional experience and outcomes with robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RLP) for the repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Patients and Methods: Between June 2002 and October 2008, 168 adult patients from 3 institutions underwent RLP for UPJO. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data were performed after institutional review board approval. Diagnosis was by intravenous urogram or computed tomography scan and diuretic renogram. All patients underwent RLP through a 4-port laparoscopic technique. Demographic, preoperative, operative, and postoperative endpoints for primary and secondary repair of UPJO were measured. Success was defined as a T of \u3c20 minutes on diuretic renogram and symptom resolution. Pain resolution was assessed by subjective patient reports. Results: Of 168 patients, 147 (87.5%) had primary repairs and 21 (12.5%) had secondary repairs. Of the secondary repairs, 57% had a crossing vessel etiology. Mean operative time was 134.9 minutes, estimated blood loss was 49 mL, and length of stay was 1.5 days. Mean follow-up was 39 months. Overall, 97.6% of patients had a successful outcome, with a 6.6% overall complication rate. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this review represents the largest multi-institutional experience of RLP with intermediate-term follow-up. RLP is a safe, efficacious, and viable option for either primary or secondary repair of UPJO with reproducible outcomes, a high success rate, and a low incidence of complications. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved