Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: A Mindset Intervention for Obese Youth.

As growth mindset intervention research continues to develop, more work is needed to understand how to most effectively implement these interventions to encourage healthy cognitions and behaviors. The present study details the initial testing of a single-session, online mindset intervention (Healthy Body, Healthy Mind) for obese children and adolescents enrolled in obesity treatment clinics. Using a pre to post-test design, results indicated that growth mindsets of health and cognitions related to health behavior (nutrition and exercise self-efficacy and perceived control) increased significantly. However, despite efforts to mitigate feelings of culpability, blame also increased from pretest to post-test. Yet, body dissatisfaction decreased significantly. Intrinsic value for health behaviors remained unchanged from pretest to post-test. Analysis of narratives suggests that youth were engaged with the intervention content. Additionally, when youth's narratives incorporated themes related to the changeable nature of the attribute, they also self-reported stronger growth mindsets. In the discussion, we note implications of findings for the development of large-scale health-based growth mindset interventions that are developmentally-appropriate for children and adolescents.

Parents' expressiveness and young children's emotion decoding with parents and unknown adults.

The authors investigated young children's ability to decode the emotions of happiness and anger expressed by their parent and an adult stranger. Parents and adult strangers (encoders) were videotaped while describing events that had elicited happiness or anger. Children viewed brief clips edited from these videotapes and indicated the emotion that their parent or the stranger was expressing. With male encoders, only children's age predicted accuracy. With female encoders, mothers' expressive style and children's age interacted to predict children's decoding accuracy. Compared with older children of less positively expressive mothers, older children of more positively expressive mothers were more accurate overall, because they were better at recognizing happiness. In general, children were no more or less accurate in decoding their parent's emotions than they were in decoding an unknown adult's emotions.

Communication styles in the cancer consultation: preferences for a patient-centred approach.

OBJECTIVE: Although doctor-patient communication has been the focus of numerous studies, there is a lack of empirical evidence on which to base a curriculum for teaching effective communication skills for use in an oncology setting. Research within the general practice area identifies patient-centred and doctor-centred behaviours as the most important dimensions of doctor-patient communication. This study examined patients and their relatives/friends' preferences for and satisfaction with patient-centred and doctor-centred consulting styles. It was argued that by determining patient preferences for consulting styles, specific recommendations for improving communication in the oncology setting could be formulated. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirteen women who had been treated for breast cancer and 48 of their relatives or friends watched videotaped scenarios of an oncology consultation, using professional actors. Viewers were randomly allocated to either a good prognosis or poor prognosis video, in which the oncologist discussed the patient's diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. These segments were presented in both styles to allow viewers to directly compare and contrast the patient-centred and doctor-centred approach. Outcomes included style preference and satisfaction. Demographic details, information and involvement preferences, anxiety and depression levels were also obtained. RESULTS: Both patients and their relatives or friends significantly preferred a patient-centred consulting style across all aspects of the consultation (p<0.0001), except within the treatment segment of the good prognosis video where there was no significant difference. One third of the viewers preferred a doctor-centred style for the treatment and prognosis segments. Predictors of a patient-centred style preference in the treatment and prognosis segments included watching a poor prognosis video (OR=2.45, 95% CI 1.04-5.81, p=0.04; OR=3.22, 95% CI 1.22-8.50, p=0.02, respectively), and being employed in a professional occupation (OR=2.38, 95% CI 1.02-5.53, p=0.04 for the treatment segment only). Satisfaction ratings varied within and across videos. CONCLUSION: Despite some methodological limitations, this study provides empirical data indicating that patients and their relatives or friends prefer a patient-centred approach to the consultation, particularly when the patient has a poor prognosis. The fact that a substantial minority of patients preferred a doctor-centred style emphasizes the need to enhance physicians' abilities to recognize different patient needs throughout the consultation.

Allogeneic blood stem cell and bone marrow transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplasia: influence of stem cell source on outcome.

We have compared the outcomes of 87 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplasia (MDS) receiving matched sibling transplants with stem cells from peripheral blood (blood cell transplant, BCT) or bone marrow (BMT). In good risk patients (AML in CR1) granulocytes recovered to 0.5 x 10(9)/l a median of 14 days after BCT compared with 19 days after BMT (P < 0.0001). For patients with poor risk disease (AML beyond CR1 and MDS) corresponding figures were 16 vs 26 days (P < 0.0001). Platelet recovery to 20 x 10(9)/l was also faster after BCT (good risk 12 vs 20 days, P < 0.0001; poor risk 17 vs 22 days, P = 0.04). Red cell transfusions were unaffected by cell source, but BCT recipients required less platelet transfusions (good risk 1 vs 5, P = 0.002; poor risk 5 vs 11, P = 0.004). Blood cell transplants resulted in more chronic GVHD (86% vs 48%, P = 0.005) and a significantly higher proportion of recipients with KPS of 80% or less (48% vs 5%, P = 0.004). Disease-free survival at 4 years was 23% for both groups of poor risk patients but outcome in good risk patients was better after BCT (93% vs 62%, P = 0.047) related mainly to less relapse. While disease-free survival may be better after BCT than BMT for AML in CR1, quality of life may be relatively impaired.

Class-specific antibody responses in cattle following experimental challenge with sporocysts or merozoites of Sarcocystis cruzi.

An ELISA using antigen produced from merozoites of Sarcocystis cruzi was developed to monitor specific IgM and IgG antibody, following challenge of cattle with either merozoites or sporocysts of S. cruzi. This assay was compared with an ELISA using antigen produced from the cystozoite stage of the parasite. Both ELISAs were able to detect significant increases in levels of circulating IgM and IgG antibodies against Sarcocystis in all challenged cows; however, the magnitude of the titres was greater in the ELISA which used the antigen derived from the merozoites. This immunoassay also detected increases in the levels of IgG earlier than did the assay using antigen derived from cystozoites of S. cruzi. Since this rise coincided with the presence of clinical signs, and was persistent for several weeks, the IgG-ELISA using antigen derived from merozoites appears to be suitable for the diagnosis of acute sarcocystiosis in cattle. Furthermore, since significant increases in the levels of circulating IgM and IgG antibodies against Sarcocystis were detected in the cows infected with merozoites of S. cruzi, it is evident that merozoites of S. cruzi cultured in vitro maintain their capability to replicate in the natural intermediate host.

Trichomonas gallinae in budgerigars and columbid birds in Perth, Western Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of infection with Trichomonas gallinae and other parasites of the alimentary tract in psittacine and columbid birds in Perth and to determine in vitro the effectiveness of drugs commonly recommended for treating trichomoniasis. DESIGN AND PROCEDURES: Samples of crop contents were collected from aviary flocks of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and other psittacine and columbid birds in both private and commercial collections in Perth. Similar samples from wild Senegal doves (Streptopelia senegalensis) also were collected. Crop contents were examined and cultured for Trichomonas gallinae and in vitro studies were conducted on the susceptibility of isolates to several drugs used commonly. Other parasites also were detected by faecal examination and/or necropsy. RESULTS: T gallinae was recovered from birds in 1 of 13 private collections of budgerigars (2/289 birds in total). Direct wet-mount examination of crop fluid identified 36.4% of samples at four commercial bird dealers which were later determined by culture to contain T gallinae. The prevalence of T gallinae infection range from 0 to 11.4% in budgerigars. The prevalence of T gallinae infection of wild Senegal doves was 46% and from one flock of racing pigeons was 59%. The in vitro minimum lethal concentrations of metronidazole, dimetridazole and ronidazole ranged from 40 to 96, 30 to 80 and 40 to 92 micrograms/mL respectively for six isolates of T gallinae. Other alimentary parasites detected during the survey included Spironucleus sp (syn. Hexamita sp), coccidia, Ascaridia platycerci and Raillietina sp. CONCLUSIONS: Thirteen budgerigar flocks belonging to members of avicultural societies in Perth had a low prevalence of trichomoniasis and other parasitic infections. The dose rate currently recommended for ronidazole may not result in complete protozoacidal activity against T gallinae infection.

Sensitivities and specificities of two ELISA tests for detecting infection with Sarcocystis in cattle of Western Australia.

The accuracies of two ELISAs, one using antigen from merozoites of S. cruzi grown in vitro and the other using antigen from cystozoites of S. cruzi, for detecting infection of cattle with Sarcocystis, were evaluated by testing the sera of 303 cattle from 36 Western Australian herds. The results were compared with those obtained by digestion of oesophageal samples collected from the same animals. A similar proportion of infected animals were detected by the three methods. The sensitivity of the assays for detecting infected cattle was comparable (98 and 95% for the assay using antigen from merozoites and cystozoites, respectively), however the specificity (97%) of the assay which used antigen derived from merozoites was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that (84%) which used antigen from cystozoites. When herds which had at least five animals sampled were considered, the same infected and non-infected herds were detected by the ELISA employing antigen from merozoites and the digestion methods (sensitivity and specificity of 100%). The sensitivity and specificity of the assay using cystozoite antigen were 100 and 67%, respectively. The kappa values for agreement beyond chance between the two ELISAs were calculated as 78% for the animal-based data and 72.5% for the herd-based data. We conclude that because of the high sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA using antigen derived from merozoites, this assay would be a useful and reliable tool for general sero-epidemiological studies into infection with Sarcocystis.

Excystation rates and infectivity of sporocysts of Sarcocystis cruzi exposed to different treatments and storages.

The effect of some chemical and anatomical factors on the excystability and infectivity in cell culture of sporocysts of Sarcocystis cruzi was investigated. A significantly (P < 0.001) higher excystation rate (ER) occurred when sodium bicarbonate was added to the excysting fluid at concentrations between 0.075 and 0.3 M. Sporocysts collected from different dogs had different ER. In contrast, although not uniformly distributed along the intestinal lumen, the sporocysts collected from the different tracts of the intestine showed similar ER. The period of storage did not affect the excystability of the sporocysts; however, it influenced the pattern of growth of the sporozoites in cell culture. Sporozoites excysted from sporocysts stored for approximately 2 years grew slower and produced significantly fewer merozoites compared to those excysted from sporocysts stored for 5-7 months.

Viability of the sporocysts of Sarcocystis cruzi after exposure to different temperatures and relative humidities.

The effect of temperature and relative humidity (RH) on the survival of sporocysts of S. cruzi were investigated in vitro. Under all experimental conditions (temperature of 4 degrees C, 37 degrees C, or room temperature; RH of 18%, 75%, or 100%) some sporozoites retained their viability to excyst for at least 90 days. The best conditions for survival were 4 degrees C at 100% RH (more than 240 days) and 37 degrees C at 18% RH (more than 180 days). Sporocysts maintained at room temperature at all humidities had the lowest level of survival. It is concluded that sporocysts of S. cruzi are able to survive in most environments for several months and that the fluctuation of the daily ambient temperature is likely to influence the viability of the sporocysts.

Studies on pathogenesis, tissue infection and congenital transmission in cows experimentally infected with Sarcocystis cruzi by various routes.

A group of nine cows, naturally infected with Sarcocystis, were challenged with Sarcocystis cruzi: three intrarumenally with sporocysts, two intrarumenally with water (controls), two intravenously with merozoites grown in vitro and two intravenously with saline solution (controls). The animals intrarumenally challenged with sporocysts developed acute sarcocystiosis and produced stillborn calves, whereas those intravenously challenged with merozoites suffered from subclinical sarcocystiosis with premature births. No parasites were found in calves from cows challenged with sporocysts; however, a meront of Sarcocystis was found within a macrophage in the cerebrospinal fluid of a calf from a cow intravenously inoculated with merozoites of S. cruzi. This is the first time that merozoites of S. cruzi grown in vitro have been demonstrated to retain the ability to infect their natural intermediate host and complete their life cycle.

Evaluation of a serological test system for the diagnosis of Sarcocystis cruzi infection in cattle using S. cruzi merozoite antigen.

Fifty serum samples were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies directed against crude antigens isolated from cystozoites and merozoites of Sarcocystis cruzi and Sarcocystis tenella/Sarcocystis arieticanis and merozoites of Toxoplasma gondii. Of these 50 samples, 25 were from cattle originating from an area where the prevalence of S. cruzi was found to be very low (9%) and in which no cystozoites were detected, and 25 were from cattle which were found by a digestion method to be heavily infected with S. cruzi. A very high correlation was observed between the parasitological data and the results obtained from the serological assays which used antigens from either cystozoites or merozoites of S. cruzi. The assay using the antigen derived from merozoites provided the best result for discriminating infected and non-infected animals. There was some cross-reactivity between the antigen derived from cystozoites of heterologous species of Sarcocystis and S. cruzi antibodies, and some cross-reactivity between antigen of T. gondii and antibodies to S. cruzi. The reproducibility of the assays was found to be high and similar results were observed when the sera were tested on two separate occasions. The unpurified S. cruzi merozoite antigen produced in vitro is relatively accurate in discriminating positive and negative animals and may be used for diagnosis in economically important hosts such as cattle and sheep.

The ecology of Haemonchus contortus in a winter rainfall region in Australia: the development of eggs to infective larvae.

The seasonal pattern of development of Haemonchus contortus eggs to infective larvae was investigated on the south coast of Western Australia. Sheep faeces containing H. contortus eggs were deposited on pasture plots at intervals over a 3-year period, and pasture grass and faeces were sampled periodically for infective larvae (L3). The maximum recoveries occurred in late autumn and in late spring, when adequate moisture coincided with warm temperatures. Larval development was low and sporadic over the hot and dry summer period, and depressed during winter, although most egg depositions in winter yielded L3 at some time. The proportion of L3 recovered was related to temperature and moisture parameters, and the major constraint appeared to be the availability of moisture at pasture level. The best indicator of the suitability of conditions for the development of H. contortus was the proportion of green pasture material present, based on a visual assessment.

The ecology of Haemonchus contortus in a winter rainfall climate in Australia: the survival of infective larvae on pasture.

At sites near Albany, on the south coast of Western Australia, sheep faecal pellets containing either eggs or infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus were deposited onto natural pasture plots at intervals over 3 years. Faecal and pasture samples were collected periodically and processed to detect L3. On annual pasture plots, L3 were recovered for from 10 to over 20 weeks from depositions made between autumn and early spring, at which time temperatures were mild or low, rainfall was frequent and the pasture was visibly green. During the hot and dry summer, when the pasture was completely dry, L3 often failed to develop or were recovered on only a single occasion, and the mean larval survival period on positive plots was less than 5 weeks. In contrast, L3 deposited on green perennial pasture plots in summer were recovered for up to 4 months in faecal pellets and on pasture. The longest periods of larval survival were associated with the lowest temperature and highest rainfall recordings, and with the greatest quantity of green plant material in the pasture. It is suggested that the poor survival of L3 during the dry summer period could be used in a strategic treatment programme to interrupt the transmission cycle of H. contortus in winter rainfall climates. However, areas of green pasture which persist in summer may provide a sufficiently moist microclimate to permit the survival of H. contortus L3 despite otherwise unfavourable environmental conditions.

Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral approaches to chronic pain: recent advances and future directions.

Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral approaches to chronic pain are receiving increasing attention from researchers and clinicians. This article reviews and highlights recent research advances and future research directions. Assessment research reviewed includes studies examining the social context of pain, the relationship of chronic pain to depression, cognitive variables affecting pain, and comprehensive assessment measures. Treatment outcome studies reviewed are those evaluating the effects of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatments for chronic pain. These studies focus on comparisons of behavioral treatment with control conditions, comparisons of two behavioral treatments, and prevention of chronic pain. Future directions for assessment and treatment research are outlined.

The epidemiology of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle of Western Australia.

Oesophagus samples from 714 cattle from Western Australia were examined by artificial digestion to detect the presence of Sarcocystis spp. The overall prevalence of infection was 52%. The prevalence of infection increased with age and was highest in the entire males (92%). The prevalence was lower in cattle which originated from arid and semiarid regions (9 and 31% respectively) than those from tropical (87%) and temperate (60%) regions. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed and it is concluded that environmental and management factors as well as host age and sex influence the prevalence of infection with Sarcocystis spp. in cattle.