Problem solving,sense of coherence and instrumental ADL of elderly people with depression and normal control group

The purpose of this study was first, to explore the separate contribution and interaction between verbal and performance based problem solving and sense of coherence; and second, to examine the association of these variables with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) function among elderly people with depression living in the commuinity and a normal control group. The participants included elders receiving ambulatory care for depression (n=31; mean age=73, SD=9.3); and normal elders (n=30; mean age=78, SD=5.8). Screening for general cognitive ability and level of depression was done using the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). All participants underwent evaluation using the Large Allen Cognitive Level Test (LACL) (a measure of performance based problem solving); the Problem Solving Verbal Reaction to everyday problematic situations (PSVR); the Sense of Coherence questionnaire (SOC) and the Routine Task Inventory (RTI) (a measure of IADL from the cognitive perspective). Wilcoxon statistical analysis indicated highly significant differences between the two groups for all of the study variables. In the depressive group, significant correlations were found between the components of problem solving (LACL and PSVR) and IADL (r=0.70 and r=0.53), while the SOC did not correlate with IADL in either group. Results of ANCOVA controlling for LACL showed that it has a significant effect (F=13.63, p=0.001); however, beyond it verbal problem solving still has a significant effect on IADL (F=4.77, p=0.02), and SOC in interaction with verbal problem solving was significant (F=3.97, p=0.035). The findings suggest that depression in elderly people is associated with lower functioning in problem solving and IADL function, and lower sense of coherence; hence, attention to these factors should be integral to intervention with elderly people. However, it is recommended that further study be made of the relationships of variables found in this study with the current instruments, and also with additional tools because of confounding effects, in order to further support and validate the findings. As the sample size was small compared with the number of measures, it is important to replicate the study with larger groups to have more power. Copyright © 1999 Whurr Publishers Ltd.     

Liver candidiasis

Liver candidiasis is characterised by small abscesses spread throughout the organ at random. These lesions may be identified sonographically. In the active phase of the disease, hepatomegaly is seen together with the wheel in wheel phenomenon, the wagon wheel appearance and/or the bull's eye lesion. Later on, hypoechoic defects develop. When the echogenic foci are revealed, the healing phase is initiated. These manifestations are demonstrated in 4 pediatric oncology patients. The sonographic patterns as well as its differential diagnosis from primary liver tumors, metastatic infiltrations or other abscess formations are discussed.     

Do Meaning in life,Ideological Commitment,and Level of Religiosity,Related Adolescent Substance Abuse and Attitude?

The present study focuses on expanding and broadening the connection between meaning in life and psychoactive substance abuse. Since professional literature presents an individual’s meaning in life as an immunizing factor against substance abuse, the present study sought to examine the impact of level of religiosity and level of ideological-political commitment, through the prism of meaning in life, on the attitudes adopted by adolescents towards such abuse, and their actual use of the various substances. The findings of the study, in which 1032 Israeli adolescents aged 14 to 18 took part, supported the hypothesis whereby a high level of religiosity “immunizes” against psychoactive substance abuse. However, they also indicate that despite the negative approach to it among individuals with high levels of ideological commitment, no significant correlation can be found between ideological commitment and actual psychoactive substance abuse. The study findings underscore the importance of both religion and ideological commitment in the formation of meaning in life by youth, as well as the impact of social supervision and perceived norms in their environment, with regard to their willingness to attempt using psychoactive substances, and their actual use thereof. The study findings contribute both to research and practical application when constructing programs for the prevention of normative adolescent substance abuse.     

Calls to the israeli hotline from individuals who suffer from eating disorders: An epidemiological study

This study examined associations among excessive exercise, eating disorders, and selected psychological characteristics in college women ( N = 586). Participants were recruited from university classes and administered the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, Eating Disorders Inventory--2, Bulimia Test-Revised, and other psychosocial measures. Results indicated that obligatory exercise is best viewed as multidimensional. These dimensions were used, through cluster analysis, to generate a typology of exercisers. One identified group clearly manifested eating disorder traits and behaviors, as well as signs of psychological disturbance. Another group who exercised with equal intensity but less emotional fixation showed the fewest signs of eating disorders and psychological distress.     

The anti-cancer activities of jasmonates

Jasmonates, plant stress hormones protecting the plant from microbial pathogens and environmental stresses, were also discovered to have toxic activities toward mammalian cancer cells. Methyl jasmonate (MJ) was found to be the most active anti-cancer derivate among natural jasmonates, exhibiting a specific cell death-induction effect toward several cancer cells. Since that discovery of jasmonates-inducing cancer cell death, the molecular mechanism of action of jasmonates leading to cell death was deciphered. Moreover, in addition to the direct effects of MJ on cancer cell death, it was found to deregulate several genes and affect various intracellular factors and cellular processes, such as sensitization of apoptotic cell death induced by TRAIL, cancer cell migration attenuation, cell cycle arrest, and differentiation. This mini-review summarizes over a decade of research of jasmonates as anti-cancer agents.     

A Novel Approach to the Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics of Obesity and Weight Management

Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics, as well as diet and exercise, play an important role in the development and treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. If an individual’s susceptibility to becoming obese and their responsiveness to weight loss interventions are to be understood, then it needs to be addressed at a molecular and metabolic level, including genetic interaction. This review proposes a three-pillar approach to more fully comprehend the complexity of diet-gene interactions in obesity. Peroxisomal proliferating-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) and mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) are explored in detail. Illustrating how an understanding of nutritional biochemistry, nutrigenomics, and nutrigenetics may be the key to understanding differences observed in the obese phenotype that vary both within and across populations.     

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS): cause and effect and reconstructive considerations

Between 25 and 80 % of patients undergoing a low or very low anterior resection will suffer postoperatively, from a constellation of symptoms including fecal urgency, frequent bowel movements, bowel fragmentation and incontinence, collectively referred to as the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The etiology of LARS is multifactorial with the potential of sphincter injury during anastomosis construction, alterations in anorectal physiology, the development of a pudendal neuropathy, and a lumbar plexopathy with exacerbation of symptoms if there is associated anastomotic sepsis or the use of adjuvant and neoadjuavnt therapies. The symptoms of LARS may be obviated in part by the construction of a neorectal reservoir which may take the form of a colonic J-pouch, a transverse coloplasty, or a side-to-end anastomosis. This review outlines the factors contributing to LARS symptomatology along with the short- and medium-term functional results of comparative trials with the different types of neorectal reconstructions.     

The role of the computerized tomography scanner in the cross-transmission of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii between hospitalized patients

ObjectiveTo assess the role of the computerized tomography (CT) scanner in cross-transmission of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii between hospitalized patients undergoing CT scan.MethodsA single-centre retrospective observational analysis of inpatients undergoing CT scans. Patient-unique CT scans were defined as ‘index cases’ (patients undergoing CT scan with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) colonization documented during the previous 60 days), ‘incident cases’ (patients found colonized with CRAB within 14 days following CT scan), and ‘negative cases’ (negative for CRAB before and after CT scan). CRAB acquisition was analysed by time interval between CT scan and CT scan of the prior index-case patient.ResultsAmongst 73 047 CT scans performed over 5 years, 4834 scans were performed within 12 hours of an index case. CRAB acquisition was detected in 20 patients (incident cases), including 16/2725 (5.8/1000 scans) who underwent CT scan within 6 hours of an index-case CT scan and 4/2109 (1.9/1000 scans) who had their CT scan 7–12 hours after the CT scan of an index-case patient (p 0.033, risk ratio 3.1, 95%CI 1.03–9.25). Patient characteristics for the two time periods were similar. While not the only significant predictor of CRAB acquisition (others included age and length of hospital stay prior to the CT scan), the time elapsed from an index case remained a significant predictor for CRAB acquisition on multivariate analysis (OR 0.84, 95%CI 0.74–0.95, p 0.007).ConclusionsPerforming a CT scan within 6 hours of a CT scan performed in a CRAB-positive patient was an independent predictor of CRAB acquisition, approximately tripling the risk. This probably reflects poor infection control practice in the CT suite.     

RET,a targetable driver of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains a deadly disease, affecting about 40,000 individuals in the United States annually. We aimed to characterize the role of RET as a co-driver of pancreas tumorigenesis. To assess the role of RET as a co-driver of PDA, we generated a novel triple mutant transgenic mouse based on the cre-activated p53^R172H gene and a constitutively active RET ^M919T mutant (PRC). Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Study of human PDA specimens and Pdx-1-Cre/Kras^G12D /p53^R172H (KPC) mice revealed that RET is upregulated during pancreas tumorigenesis, from inception through precursor lesions, to invasive cancer. We demonstrated that activation of RET is capable of inducing invasive pancreatic carcinomas in the background of the P53 inactivation mutation. Compared to KPC mice, PRC animals had distinct phenotypes, including longer latency to tumor progression, longer survival, and the presence of multiple macrometastases. Enhanced activation of the MAPK pathway was observed as early as the PanIN 2 stage. Sequencing of the exonic regions of KRAS in PRC-derived PDA cells revealed no evidence of KRAS mutations. RET can be an essential co-driver of pancreatic tumorigenesis in conjugation with KRAS activity. These data suggest that RET may be a potential target in the treatment of PDA.     

The Role of Culture in Eating Disorders

A comprehensive understanding of eating disorders should include engagement with the role of contemporary cultural trends. Feminists and critical social theorists have made significant contributions in this regard. Using two clinical cases, this paper contemplates the relationship between culture and psyche in eating disorder, proposing a psychoanalytic conceptualization underpinned by John Steiner's (1982, 1987, 1993, 2011) theory of pathological organizations and psychic retreats. Two conceptual terms will be introduced, namely ‘the normalized body order’ and ‘the abject body object’ to develop the argument. One of the clinical cases will be used to explore a particular kind of therapeutic impasse that can occur when therapist and patient are both female. In this particular case, the normalized body order emerged temporarily obstructing therapeutic progress; the impasse was understood to be an example of the so‐called anti‐analytic third (Straker, 2006 ).