Emotion dysregulation and neuroticism as moderators of group Unified Protocol effectiveness outcomes for treating emotional disorders.

BACKGROUND: The personality dimension neuroticism and difficulties in emotional regulation (ER) are two variables closely related to the onset, course, and maintenance of emotional disorders (EDs). The Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) is a treatment specifically designed to address neuroticism by training in adaptive ER skills and has been shown to be effective in reducing difficulties in ER. However, the specific impact of these variables on treatment outcomes is not entirely clear. The aim of the present study was to explore the moderating role of neuroticism and difficulties in ER regarding the evolution of depressive and anxiety symptoms and quality of life. METHODS: This secondary study included 140 participants diagnosed with EDs, who received the UP in group format as part of an RCT being conducted in different Spanish Public Mental Health Units. RESULTS: The results of this study found that high scores in neuroticism and difficulties in ER were associated with greater severity of depression and anxiety symptomatology, and with poorer quality of life. In addition, difficulties in ER moderated the efficacy of UP regarding anxiety symptoms, and quality of life. No moderating effects were found for depression (p > 0.5). LIMITATIONS: We only evaluated two moderators that may influence UP effectivenes; other key moderators should be analyzed in future. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of specific moderators affecting transdiagnostic interventions outcomes will allow the development of personalized interventions and provide useful information to improve the psychopathology and well-being of people with EDs.

Accumulation of amyloid beta in human glioblastomas.

Many cancer types are intrinsically associated with specific types of amyloidosis, in which amyloid is accumulated locally inside tumors or systemically. Usually, this condition relates to the hyperproduction of specific amylogenic proteins. Recently, we found that the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aß) peptide immunofluorescence is linked to glioma cells in mouse tumors. Here we report that amyloid-specific histochemical dyes reveal amyloid accumulation in all human glioma samples. Application of two different antibodies against Aß peptide (a polyclonal antibody against human Aß1-42 and a monoclonal pan-specific mAb-2 antibody against Aß) showed that the amyloid in glioma samples contains Aß. Amyloid was linked to glioma cells expressing glial-specific fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and to glioma blood vessels. Astrocytes close to the glioma site and to affected vessels also accumulated Aß. We discuss whether amyloid is produced by glioma cells or is the result of systemic production of Aß in response to glioma development due to an innate immunity reaction. We conclude that amyloid build-up in glioma tumors is a part of the tumor environment, and may be used as a target for developing a novel class of anti-tumor drugs and as an antigen for glioma visualization.

Impairment in exploratory behavior is associated with arc gene overexpression in the dorsolateral striatum of rats with nigral injection of l-buthionine sulfoximine.

The aims of the present work were to evaluate the exploratory activity in Sprague-Dawley rats, as well as to analyze the nigral and striatal mRNA expression of the plasticity-related genes bdnf and arc after L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) injection into substantia nigra compacta. Lesioned rats traveled less distance in open field but did not show a decline in the novel object recognition test. On the other hand, RT-PCR analysis showed overexpression of striatal arc 24 h post-lesion; no significant changes in bdnf expression were observed in nigral or striatal tissue. These results suggest that intranigral BSO injection causes impairment in exploratory behavior in these rats, by affecting locomotion, which is associated with changes in striatal synaptic plasticity.

Dropping out of a transdiagnostic online intervention: A qualitative analysis of client's experiences.

INTRODUCTION: An important concern in Internet-based treatments (IBTs) for emotional disorders is the high dropout rate from these protocols. Although dropout rates are usually reported in research studies, very few studies qualitatively explore the experiences of patients who drop out of IBTs. Examining the experiences of these clients may help to find ways to tackle this problem. METHOD: A Consensual Qualitative Research study was applied in 10 intentionally-selected patients who dropped out of a transdiagnostic IBT. RESULTS: 22 categories were identified within 6 domains. Among the clients an undeniable pattern arose regarding the insufficient support due to the absence of a therapist and the lack of specificity of the contents to their own problems. CONCLUSIONS: The analyzed content has direct impact on the clinical application of IBTs. A more tailored manage of expectations as well as strategies to enhance the therapeutic relationship in certain clients are identified as the two key elements in order to improve the dropout in IBTs. Going further, in the mid and long run, ideographic interventions would be vital. The present study permits to better grasp the phenomenon of dropout in IBTs and delineate specific implications both in terms of research, training and practice.

Utilidad del campo magnético y el láser en el tratamiento de la parálisis facial periférica idiopática / Usefulness of magnetic field and laser for the treatment of idiopathic peripheral facial palsy

Objetivos: Determinar si la terapia combinada de campo magnético (CM) y láser con la terapia convencional (TC) es más beneficiosa para el proceso de recuperación de una parálisis facial periférica idiopática (PFPI) que la aplicación de cada uno de estos 2 agentes físicos por separado con la TC. Métodos Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado y controlado a simple ciego. Fueron incluidos 153 pacientes con PFPI que tuvieran menos de una semana de evolución desde la instalación de los síntomas y que no hubieran recibido tratamiento fisioterapéutico previo. Los pacientes se distribuyeron al azar en 4 grupos de estudio según el tratamiento: grupo A: TC; grupo B: láser + TC; grupo C: CM + TC, y grupo D: CT + láser + CM. La variable de salida que se utilizó para evaluar los resultados del tratamiento fue la escala de Sunnybrook. Los pacientes se evaluaron antes del tratamiento, al mes y a los 3 meses. Resultados Los pacientes de los grupos C y D mostraron una mejor recuperación que aquellos de los grupos A y B (mayor valor en la escala de Sunnybrook y menos sincinesias). Específicamente, los pacientes del grupo D tuvieron resultados más ventajosos en el proceso de recuperación a los 3 meses. Conclusiones La aplicación del tratamiento combinado de TC, láser y CM resultó más beneficiosa que la combinación de cada uno de estos 2 agentes físicos por separado con la TC (AU)

Objectives: To evaluate if the combination of magnetic field (MF) and laser therapy with conventional therapy (CT) is more beneficial for the recovery process of idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (IPFP) than the separate application of each one of these two physical agents with CT. Methods: A prospective, randomized and controlled simple blinded study was conducted. The study included 153 patients with IPFP having less than one week of evolution from symptom onset and no previous physiotherapy treatment. The patients were randomly distributed into4 study groups according to treatment: A) CT, B) laser + CT, C) MF + CT, and D) CT + laser+ MF. Outcome variable used to evaluate treatment was the Sunnybrook scale. Patients were evaluated before initiating treatment, and at one and 3 months after treatment. Results: Patients in groups C and D displayed a better outcome than those in groups A and B(higher Sunnybrook score and less syncinesia). Specifically, patients in group D exhibited the best overall recovery at 3 months. Conclusions: Combined treatment with CT+laser+MF was more beneficial than the separate combination of each one of these two physical agents with CT (AU)

Tratamiento combinado de campo magnético, láser, masaje y ejercicio en la parálisis facial periférica idiopática / Combined treatment of magnetic field, laser, massage and exercise in idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis

Introducción Las diferencias de criterios en cuanto a la utilización de agentes físicos en la parálisis facial periférica ha fomentado la realización de diversas investigaciones que permiten proponer nuevas alternativas de tratamiento, como son el uso de nuevos agentes físicos que han probado su eficacia en otras patologías con similitud de fisiopatogenia. Los tratamientos actuales buscan acelerar la mejoría y aumentar el porcentaje de personas recuperadas. Objetivos Evaluar la efectividad que tendría el tratamiento con campo magnético y láser en pacientes con parálisis facial periférica idiopática con menos de una semana de evolución, desde la instalación de los síntomas, sin tratamiento fisioterapéutico previo. Métodos Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, experimental, aleatorizado y controlado a simple ciego en el Servicio de Terapia Física y Rehabilitación del Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía (INN) en La Habana, en un periodo comprendido entre enero de 2009 y enero de 2011.ResultadosLos pacientes fueron evaluados al inicio, al mes y a los 3 meses del tratamiento, después de lo cual se comprobó una recuperación más rápida en el grupo experimental con respecto al grupo control, al mes (p=0,004075) y (Z=2,87232) y a los 3 meses (p=0,007859) y (Z=2,65810).Conclusiones Los pacientes que recibieron la terapia combinada de campo magnético, láser, masaje y ejercicios tuvieron una recuperación más rápida respecto al grupo que solo recibió masaje y ejercicio, lo cual corrobora que la terapia propuesta es efectiva en los pacientes con parálisis facial periférica idiopática(AU)

Introduction The different criteria regarding the use of physical agents in peripheral facial paralysis has fostered the performance of various investigations that make it possible to propose new treatment alternatives, such as the use of new physical agents that have proven effective in other conditions with similarity to pathogenesis. Current treatments are aimed at accelerating improvement and increasing the number of people who recovered. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness that the low frequency electromagnetic field and low level laser therapy would have in patients with idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis with less than one week's evolution from the initiation of the symptoms, without previous physiotherapy. Methods A prospective, experimental, randomized, controlled single blind study was conducted in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery (INN) in Havana, in a period between January 2009 and January 2011.ResultsPatients were evaluated at baseline, one month and three months of treatment, after which faster recovery was verified in the experimental group compared to the control group at one month (P=.004075) and (Z=2.87232) and at three months (P=.007859) and (Z=2.65810).Conclusions The patients who received combined therapy, magnetic field, laser, massage and exercise had a faster recovery than the group that received massage and exercise alone. This collaborates that the proposed therapy is effective in patients with idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis (AU)

Contrast cancellation technique applied to digital x-ray imaging using silicon strip detectors.

Dual-energy mammographic imaging experimental tests have been performed using a compact dichromatic imaging system based on a conventional x-ray tube, a mosaic crystal, and a 384-strip silicon detector equipped with full-custom electronics with single photon counting capability. For simulating mammal tissue, a three-component phantom, made of Plexiglass, polyethylene, and water, has been used. Images have been collected with three different pairs of x-ray energies: 16-32 keV, 18-36 keV, and 20-40 keV. A Monte Carlo simulation of the experiment has also been carried out using the MCNP-4C transport code. The Alvarez-Macovski algorithm has been applied both to experimental and simulated data to remove the contrast between two of the phantom materials so as to enhance the visibility of the third one.