A new method for selectively enhancing hemisphere processing: Voice frequency amplification influences the strength of attribute framing

An attribute framing effect occurs when positive or negative associations produced by positive or negative frames are mapped onto evaluations resulting in a more favourable evaluation for the positively framed attribute. We used a new voice frequency manipulation to differentially enhance right versus left hemisphere processing. In doing so we found a strong attribute framing effect when a speaker with a low-frequency voice enhanced the contextual processing style of the right hemisphere. However, a framing effect was not obtained when a speaker with a high-frequency voice enhanced the inferential/analytical processing style of the left hemisphere. At the theoretical level our results provide evidence that the contextual processing style of the right hemisphere is especially susceptible to associative implications, such as those found in attribute framing manipulations. At the applied level we provide a simple method for altering the effectiveness of persuasion messages.     

Comparative efficacy of exenatide versus insulin glargine on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients inadequately treated with metformin monotherapy

PurposeComparative efficacy of exenatide versus insulin glargine primarily on glucemic control, and secondarily on body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and blood pressure, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients suboptimally treated with metformin monotherapy.Material/MethodsForty-seven inadequately treated T2DM patients on metformin assigned to exenatide (n=18) or insulin glargine (n=29) for 26 weeks. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum lipids, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and adverse events, including episodes of hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal symptoms, were recorded.ResultsEither treatment had a similar favorable mean reduction in HbA1c. However, more patients in exenatide group achieved HbA1c ≤ 7% at the 26th week compared with insulin glargine group (p=0.036). Insulin glargine group had significantly more episodes of hypoglycemia compared with exenatide group (p=0.039). Gastrointestinal adverse events were non-significantly higher in the exenatide group. A significantly greater BMI reduction was observed in exenatide group, whereas BMI was not altered in insulin glargine group. Total and LDL cholesterol (p=0.012), and triglycerides (p=0.016) significantly decreased, whereas HDL cholesterol increased (p=0.021) in the exenatide group, whereas only total cholesterol decreased in insulin glargine group. Changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were insignificant in both groups.ConclusionsExenatide provided similar reduction in HbA1c, but fewer episodes of hypoglycemia, compared with insulin glargine. Exenatide had also a favorable effect on weight loss, although more gastrointestinal adverse events. Exenatide may provide a justified alternative in second line treatment of T2DM, but more trials are required to elucidate its long-term safety and cost-effectiveness.     

Ⅱ型胶原在T-2毒素诱导大鼠关节软骨早期损伤中的干预作用

目的 观察Ⅱ型胶原在T-2毒素诱导大鼠关节软骨早期损伤中的干预作用,在分子水平上寻找软骨损伤及修复的分子学生物标志,为探讨关节软骨损伤疾病的防治措施提供理论依据.方法 Wistar大鼠80只,按体质量随机分为4组:阴性对照组、阳性对照组、高剂量干预组、低剂量干预组,每组20只.阴性对照组食用常规成品颗粒饲料,其他3组食用含100 ng/kg T-2毒素染毒饲料;阴性对照组和阳性对照组饮自来水;低、高剂量干预组饮用含Ⅱ型胶原0.5、5.0 g/L的自来水.在3、5个月时处死大鼠,光镜下观察大鼠透明软骨的组织病理学改变,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA法)检测大鼠血清Ⅱ型胶原羧基末端肽(CTX-Ⅱ)、软骨寡聚基质蛋白(COMP)及尿中吡啶啉(DPD)含量.结果 光镜下阳性对照组大鼠关节软骨细胞排列紊乱,软骨细胞变形、变性,可见大面积的软骨细胞坏死,而高、低剂量干预组表现为软骨表面原纤维形成,表层软骨细胞肿胀变圆,扁平的软骨细胞减少,软骨细胞簇集等骨关节炎早期病理改变.在3、5个月时,阴性对照组、阳性对照组、高剂量干预组、低剂量干预组大鼠血清CTX-Ⅱ含量分别为(18.77±4.61)、(25.07±9.17),(24.43±5.23)、(39.17±10.49),(21.11±5.02),(33.20±9.74),(19.87±4.53)、(29.73±9.32)μg/L;血清COMP含量分别为(5.43±2.75)、(6.38±2.23),(21.37±4.72)、(24.52±4.26),(17.27±4.77)、(20.32±4.74),(20.13±5.07)、(19.44±4.92)μg/L.其中,3个月时,与阴性对照组比较,阳性对照组血清CTX-Ⅱ含量明显升高(P＜0.05),而低、高剂量干预组未见明显改变(P均＞ 0.05);5个月时,与阴性对照组比较,其他3组血清CTX-Ⅱ含量明显升高(P均＜ 0.05),而高、低剂量干预组明显低于阳性对照组(P均＜0.05).3个月时,与阴性对照组比较,其他3组血清COMP含量明显升高(P均＜0.05),而与阳性对照组比较,高剂量干预组血清COMP含量明显降低(P＜0.05);5个月时,与阴性对照组比较,其他3组血清COMP含量明显升高(P均＜0.05),而与阳性对照组比较,高、低剂量干预组血清COMP含量明显降低(P均＜0.05).3、5个月时,上述4组大鼠尿液DPD含量分别为( 3.47±2.20)、(4.14±1.06),(4.09±2.48)、(4.33±3.43),(3.86±2.31)、(5.72±3.89),(3.58±2.77)、(4.23±2.90)μg/L,组间比较,差异无统计学意义(F值分别为2.608、2.436,P均＞0.05).结论 Ⅱ型胶原能拮抗T-2毒素的软骨损伤作用,延缓关节软骨的破坏进程,降低大鼠血清中CTX-Ⅱ及COMP水平.     

Reasons Why Patients Remain Uninsured after Massachusetts’ Health Care Reform: A Survey of Patients at a Safety-Net Hospital

BACKGROUND  

Following the 2006 Massachusetts health care reform, an estimated 316,492 residents remain uninsured. However, there have been no published studies that examine why Massachusetts residents remain uninsured four years into health reform.     

SPAK Differentially Mediates Vasopressin Effects on Sodium Cotransporters

Activation of the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻-cotransporter (NKCC2) and the Na⁺-Cl⁻-cotransporter (NCC) by vasopressin includes their phosphorylation at defined, conserved N-terminal threonine and serine residues, but the kinase pathways that mediate this action of vasopressin are not well understood. Two homologous Ste20-like kinases, SPS-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) and oxidative stress responsive kinase (OSR1), can phosphorylate the cotransporters directly. In this process, a full-length SPAK variant and OSR1 interact with a truncated SPAK variant, which has inhibitory effects. Here, we tested whether SPAK is an essential component of the vasopressin stimulatory pathway. We administered desmopressin, a V2 receptor–specific agonist, to wild-type mice, SPAK-deficient mice, and vasopressin-deficient rats. Desmopressin induced regulatory changes in SPAK variants, but not in OSR1 to the same degree, and activated NKCC2 and NCC. Furthermore, desmopressin modulated both the full-length and truncated SPAK variants to interact with and phosphorylate NKCC2, whereas only full-length SPAK promoted the activation of NCC. In summary, these results suggest that SPAK mediates the effect of vasopressin on sodium reabsorption along the distal nephron.The furosemide-sensitive Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻-cotransporter (NKCC2) of the thick ascending limb (TAL) and the thiazide-sensitive Na⁺-Cl⁻-cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) are key regulators of renal salt handling and therefore participate importantly in BP and extracellular fluid volume homeostasis.¹ Loss-of-function mutants in the SLC12A1/ A3 genes encoding NKCC2 and NCC cause salt-losing hypotension and hypokalemic alkalosis in Bartter’s and Gitelman’s syndromes,^2,3 whereas their overactivity may contribute to essential hypertension.^4,5 Recently, attention has been focused on the two closely related STE20-like kinases, SPS-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) and oxidative stress responsive kinase 1 (OSR1), which can phosphorylate NKCC2 and NCC at their N-terminal conserved threonine or serine residues (T96, T101, and T114 of mouse NKCC2 and T53, T58, and S71 of mouse NCC) and thereby activate the transporters.^6–8 Despite the high homology between SPAK and OSR1 and their overlapping renal expression patterns, distinct roles along the nephron have been suggested based on data from SPAK-deficient and kidney-specific OSR1-deficient mice: deletion of SPAK primarily impairs the function of NCC, whereas deletion of OSR1 negatively affects NKCC2.^9–11 The complex functional properties of a WNK-SPAK/OSR1-N(K)CC interaction cascade are currently being defined.¹² Recently, arginine vasopressin (AVP), signaling via the V2 receptor (V2R), has been identified as an efficient activator of both cotransporters, affecting their luminal trafficking and phosphorylation.^13–18 Because plasma AVP levels may vary not only with the sleep-wake cycle or long-term physiologic challenges, but also with pulsatile changes over the short term, distinct, time-dependent responses may occur.¹⁹ SPAK and OSR1 are well placed to regulate distal NaCl reabsorption in response to AVP. Here we tested the role of SPAK in AVP-induced activation of NKCC2 and NCC, acutely and during long-term treatment. The results suggest that SPAK is an essential kinase that modulates distal nephron function in response to AVP stimulation.