Correlation between symptoms and course duration of upper aerodigestive tract cancer at early and advanced stages

There still are many clinical and biological aspects of the natural history of cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract to be unveiled; which in Brazil is a direct consequence of the failure of systematic prevention and early diagnosis campaigns.ObjectiveTo analyze the signs and symptoms presented by patients with the disease at initial and advanced stages. Other variables such as disease duration, general and nutritional status were considered.MethodA historical cohort study with a cross-section involving 895 subjects with cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract.ResultsClinical findings were not statistically correlated with disease progression, nor with the disease in early stages, but it showed rapid disease development.ConclusionThe results suggest a disease of insidious onset in the early stages and fast course afterwards. The long disease duration - greater than three months, was associated with worsening in general and nutritional states of patients.     

Commentary on Norcross and Karpiak's “Clinical Psychologists in the 2010s: 50 Years of the APA Division of Clinical Psychology”

This commentary offers a challenge to Norcross and Karpiak's (2012) claim that the psychodynamic orientation is on the decline in clinical psychology, based upon the data that they present. I urge clinical psychologists/scientists to recognize that there are psychodynamic researchers who have embraced evidence‐based philosophy and practices; I advocate a rapprochement between Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology) and 39 (Psychoanalysis), and I propose a defense of pluralism in which all clinical psychologists recognize the obligation to engage other orientations and points of view that differ from their own and to do so respectfully.     

Implications of Resident Memory T Cells for Transplantation

Recent studies have established resident memory T cells (T_RM) as the dominant memory lymphocyte population surveying most nonlymphoid tissues. Unlike other memory T cell lineages, T_RM do not recirculate through blood and are permanently confined to their tissue of residence. T_RM orchestrate local immune responses and have been shown to accelerate local pathogen control in many experimental infection models. Here we briefly summarize recent advances in T_RM differentiation, maintenance, and their protective function. While little is known, we have speculated on the potential implications of T_RM for transplantation biology. Areas of emphasis include the role of passenger T_RM in controlling latent viral recrudescence in donor organs, donor T_RM as a source of graft‐versus‐host disease, the ability of T_RM to potently induce inflammation through sensing and alarm functions, and differentiation of host T cells into T_RM in response to local cues inside the allograft. Further investigation of T_RM in the context of transplantation might identify therapeutic targets to prolong graft survival.     

Psychological Constructs of Activity Readiness in High Functioning Elderly

Abstract

This study examined the relationship of activity readiness with self efficacy, perceived behavioral control, exercise attitudes, self-rated health, and selected demographic variables among high functioning, independent-living elderly. Four hundred seventy-one subjects, ranging in age from 62 to 93 years, were drawn from a popular retirement area and data were gathered through a self-report survey instrument. Subjects residing at no exercising readiness stages held negative self-efficacy, behavioral control, and attitudinal beliefs whereas regular exercisers held positive beliefs toward these constructs. Perceived behavioral control was most indicative of active lifestyle attainment, suggesting intervention strategies designed to initiate and maintain activity in the high functioning elderly focus on control belief cognitions.