Reward Processing and Inhibitory Control in Women with Bulimia Nervosa

Introduction: Theoretical models and empirical research support the role of negative affect in bulimia nervosa (BN). However, treatments that target negative affect in BN have not outperformed traditional, eating-disorder-focused treatments for BN. An alternative mechanism of BN is dysfunctional positive affect (i.e., reward processing). The present study aimed to understand associations among dysfunctional reward processing, affect, and eating-disorder symptom expression by testing an interactive model of reward-based processes (reward learning, effort valuation, delay discounting, inhibitory control) in women with BN. Method: Participants were community-recruited medication-free adult women aged 18-30 with BN (n=20) or healthy controls (HCs; n=20). Behavioral tasks and self-report measures were used to assess reward learning, effort valuation, delay discounting, inhibitory control, BN symptom frequencies, and affect. Results: Women with BN did not differ from HCs on effort valuation and inhibitory control; however, women with BN showed less delay discounting and demonstrated slower reward learning compared to HCs. Frequency of fasting and excessive exercise episodes increased as inhibitory control decreased. Slowed reward learning was associated with increased self-induced vomiting frequencies in BN. Conclusions: Results suggested a modified model of reward dysfunction in BN, with delay discounting, reward learning, and negative urgency as central features. Given the associations of reward learning, delay discounting, and negative urgency, clinicians working with persons with BN may introduce strategies, such as pleasant activity scheduling, as a means to promote positive affect, regulate negative affect, and potentially decrease symptom expression in BN

The Role of Emotion Regulation in Attentional Biases in Mood-Congruent Information and Sustained Negative Affect in Depression

Objective: The present study examined the extent to which emotion regulation and distinct emotion regulation processes mediate the relationship between attentional bias and sustained negative affect in individuals at-risk for depression following a mood induction. Method: To assess this question, previously depressed (n = 40) and never depressed control (n = 44) participants underwent a sad mood induction and mood reactivity and recovery were measured. Sad mood was assessed at four different time points: immediately before and after mood induction, and six and 12 minutes after mood induction. Participants completed an exogenous cuing task to assess for attentional biases and answered questionnaires related to emotion regulation processes and depressive symptomatology. Results: Attentional bias did not significantly predict sustained negative affect after the mood induction and therefore meditational models could not be constructed. Further, there were no significant differences in attentional bias between previously depressed and never depressed individuals. However, cognitive reappraisal significantly predicted mood reactivity and mood recovery after 12 minutes, and executive suppression approached significance in predicting mood recovery after six minutes. Previously depressed and never depressed individuals significantly differed in their reported use of ruminative brooding and reflection. Conclusions: Results suggest that cognitive reappraisal may be particularly important in reducing sustained negative affect in depression and suggest there may be merit in examining the effects of emotion regulation strategies beyond the 12 minute time frame used in this study

A preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials of cognitive remediation therapy for anorexia nervosa

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for anorexia nervosa (AN) was developed as an adjuvant treatment to target set-shifting and central coherence inefficiencies important in AN and to ultimately improve clinical outcomes of those with AN. The primary aim of this preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of CRT for AN relative to control treatments in randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) on neuropsychological inefficiencies at end-of-treatment. Secondary aims were to assess the effect of CRT for AN on dropout, eating-disorder-related, and other psychological outcomes at end-of-treatment. Systematic review and meta-analytic procedures were conducted in accordance with PRISMA Guidelines. RCTs evaluating CRT for AN compared to a control treatment were identified via ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, and SCOPUS. Seven RCTs and one quasi-RCT of CRT for AN were included. RCT quality ratings ranged from fair (n = 3) to good (n = 4). Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using Hedge's g. Study heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and publication bias was assessed with Begg's adjusted-rank correlation and the trim-and-fill method. CRT was not associated with improvement in central coherence compared to control treatments at end-of-treatment (g = 0.25, 95% CI = −0.35, 0.85, k = 3). Set-shifting outcomes were mixed due to heterogeneity of set-shifting measures across studies. CRT may prevent dropout; yet, more studies are needed to draw conclusions. CRT did not confer advantage over control treatments for eating-disorder-related and other psychological outcomes at end-of-treatment. Future RCTs of CRT for AN should use precise measures to assess constructs (particularly for set shifting), increase sample size, and implement longitudinal follow-up. (Word Count: 247 words)

Preventive Health Care, Social Influence, and Demographics on Lifestyle of Taiwanese Baby Boomers

Preventive health care information (PCHI) is a vital aspect of controlling the cost of healthcare and preventing unnecessary medical procedures. The purpose of this study is to examine how demographic variables (i.e., education, gender, age, employment status, and income level), health condition, health knowledge, and social influences (professional, peers, and family), affect lifestyle. Lifestyle is measured by a perceived lifestyle change question and a series of Likert-scale questions that are grouped into two variables, (i.e., healthy lifestyle and healthy actions). The study used data from 390 respondents in Taiwan. Both perceived health knowledge and peers were consistently found to be good predictors for all three types of lifestyle measures. Education, income level, and gender were found to be important predictors for some measures of lifestyle. Perceived health condition was found to be negatively related to healthy actions. This study confirms the importance of demographic variables, perceived health condition, perceived health knowledge, and social influence. These findings then suggest that further research is needed in order to ensure generalizability

Do the SCOFF items function differently by food-security status in U.S. college students?: Statistically, but not practically, significant differences

Despite food insecurity (FI) being associated with eating disorders (EDs), little research has examined if ED screening measures perform differently in individuals with FI. This study tested whether items on the SCOFF performed differently as a function of FI. As many people with FI hold multiple marginalized identities, this study also tested if the SCOFF performs differently as a function of food-security status in individuals with different gender identities and different perceived weight statuses. Data were from the 2020/2021 Healthy Minds Study (N = 122,269). Past-year FI was established using the two-item Hunger Vital Sign. Differential item functioning (DIF) assessed whether SCOFF items performed differently (i.e., had different probabilities of endorsement) in groups of individuals with FI versus those without. Both uniform DIF (constant between-group difference in item-endorsement probability across ED pathology) and non-uniform DIF (variable between-group difference in item-endorsement probability across ED pathology) were examined. Several SCOFF items demonstrated both statistically significant uniform and non-uniform DIF (ps < .001), but no instances of DIF reached practical significance (as indicated by effect sizes pseudo ΔR2 ≥ 0.035; all pseudo ΔR2's ≤ 0.006). When stratifying by gender identity and weight status, although most items demonstrated statistically significant DIF, only the SCOFF item measuring body-size perception showed practically significant non-uniform DIF for perceived weight status. Findings suggest the SCOFF is an appropriate screening measure for ED pathology among college students with FI and provide preliminary support for using the SCOFF in individuals with FI and certain marginalized identities

Mucosal Immunization with Iron Receptor Antigens Protects against Urinary Tract Infection

Uncomplicated infections of the urinary tract, caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli, are among the most common diseases requiring medical intervention. A preventive vaccine to reduce the morbidity and fiscal burden these infections have upon the healthcare system would be beneficial. Here, we describe the results of a large-scale selection process that incorporates bioinformatic, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic screens to identify six vaccine candidates from the 5379 predicted proteins encoded by uropathogenic E. coli strain CFT073. The vaccine candidates, ChuA, Hma, Iha, IreA, IroN, and IutA, all belong to a functional class of molecules that is involved in iron acquisition, a process critical for pathogenesis in all microbes. Intranasal immunization of CBA/J mice with these outer membrane iron receptors elicited a systemic and mucosal immune response that included the production of antigen-specific IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies. The cellular response to vaccination was characterized by the induction and secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17. Of the six potential vaccine candidates, IreA, Hma, and IutA provided significant protection from experimental infection. In immunized animals, class-switching from IgM to IgG and production of antigen-specific IgA in the urine represent immunological correlates of protection from E. coli bladder colonization. These findings are an important first step toward the development of a subunit vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections and demonstrate how targeting an entire class of molecules that are collectively required for pathogenesis may represent a fundamental strategy to combat infections

Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory – Clinician Rated Version (EPSI-CRV)

The files in this record contain supplemental information about the EPSI-CRV including: a copy of the EPSI-CRV, suggested training plan, training videos with an example of completed ratings, and a list of items that were removed during the final development process.The Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory – Clinician Rated Version (EPSI-CRV) is a semi-structured interview that was designed to assess dimensional constructs of eating-disorder psychopathology and generate current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- Fifth Edition (DSM-5) eating-disorder diagnoses. The EPSI-CRV is based on the self-report version of the EPSI (Forbush et al., 2013). There are 13 modules (or sections) within the EPSI-CRV. Eight modules measure content that is assessed in the self-report version of the EPSI, including: Body Dissatisfaction, Binge Eating, Cognitive Restraint, Excessive Exercise, Restricting, Purging, Muscle Building, and Negative Attitudes Towards Obesity. Five additional modules are included to derive DSM-5 diagnoses. The five DSM-5 modules include: Subjective Binge Episodes, Binge Eating Disorder, Low Weight, Overvaluation of Weight and Shape, and Fear of Weight Gain. The average administration time is approximately 38 minutes. The EPSI-CRV is designed to be used by clinicians and researchers working with adults with eating disorders across a range of settings. The interview may be useful for making admissions decisions, treatment planning, and discharge planning, as well as for research studies

Differential expression and prognostic value of long nonâ coding RNA in HPVâ negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundLong nonâ coding RNA (lncRNA) has emerged as a new avenue of interest due to its various biological functions in cancer. Abnormal expression of lncRNA has been reported in other malignancies but has been understudied in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).MethodsThe lncRNA expression was interrogated via quantitative realâ time polymerase chain reaction (qRTâ PCR) array for 19 human papillomavirus (HPV)â negative HNSCC tumorâ normal pairs. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to validate these results. The association between differentially expressed lncRNA and survival outcomes was analyzed.ResultsDifferential expression was validated for 5 lncRNA (SPRY4â IT1, HEIH, LUCAT1, LINC00152, and HAND2â AS1). There was also an inverse association between MEG3 expression (not significantly differentially expressed in TCGA tumors but highly variable expression) and 3â year recurrenceâ free survival (RFS).ConclusionWe identified and validated differential expression of 5 lncRNA in HPVâ negative HNSCC. Low MEG3 expression was associated with favorable 3â year RFS, although the significance of this finding remains unclear.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144638/1/hed25136_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144638/2/hed25136.pd

Athletes’ Relationships with Training Scale (ART)

The Athletes’ Relationships with Training Scale (ART)* is a self-report measure of unhealthy training behaviors and beliefs in athletes. The ART was designed for use by clinicians and athletic trainers to help identify athletes who are engaging in unhealthy training practices which could be associated with an eating disorder. The ART may also be helpful for tracking clinical outcomes in athletes with eating disorders who are receiving treatment. This record contains the 15-item ART as well as scoring instructions and guidelines for interpreting total scores

At Least Ten Genes Define the Imprinted Dlk1-Dio3 Cluster on Mouse Chromosome 12qF1

Background: Genomic imprinting is an exception to Mendelian genetics in that imprinted genes are expressed monoallelically, dependent on parental origin. In mammals, imprinted genes are critical in numerous developmental and physiological processes. Aberrant imprinted gene expression is implicated in several diseases including Prader-Willi/ Angelman syndromes and cancer. Methodology/Principal Findings: To identify novel imprinted genes, transcription profiling was performed on two uniparentally derived cell lines, androgenetic and parthenogenetic primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts. A maternally expressed transcript termed Imprinted RNA near Meg3/Gtl2 (Irm) was identified and its expression studied by Northern blotting and whole mounts in situ hybridization. The imprinted region that contains Irm has a parent of origin effect in three mammalian species, including the sheep callipyge locus. In mice and humans, both maternal and paternal uniparental disomies (UPD) cause embryonic growth and musculoskeletal abnormalities, indicating that both alleles likely express essential genes. To catalog all imprinted genes in this chromosomal region, twenty-five mouse mRNAs in a 1.96Mb span were investigated for allele specific expression. Conclusions/Significance: Ten imprinted genes were elucidated. The imprinting of three paternally expressed protein coding genes (Dlk1, Peg11, and Dio3) was confirmed. Seven noncoding RNAs (Meg3/Gtl2, Anti-Peg11, Meg8, Irm/‘‘Rian’’