Self-compassion as a buffer against concrete but not abstract threat

Abstract

Terror management theory posits that validation of self-esteem is a major defense mechanism in keeping mortal concerns at bay. Yet, self-esteem often leads to devaluation of others. Self-compassion (SC) is an alternative, more inclusive construct than self-esteem. We explored among 125 university students whether SC serves as a defense mechanism from abstract and concrete threats responses, utilizing a dot-probe task and mortality salience priming. Although SC was not associated with avoidance of abstract threats, it was associated with avoidance of concrete threats. These findings underscore the potential role of SC in coping with trauma and in shielding from developing post-traumatic symptoms.     

Characterization of PEG–iron oxide hydrogel nanocomposites for dual hyperthermia and paclitaxel delivery

Hyperthermia, the heating of tissue from 41 to 45?°C, has been shown to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy when used in conjunction with irradiation and/or chemotherapy. In this work, hydrogel nanocomposites have been developed that can control the delivery of both heat and a chemotherapeutic agent (e.g. paclitaxel). The nanocomposites studied involve a stealth, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based system comprised of PEG (n?=?1000) methyl ether methacrylate and PEG (n?=?400) dimethacrylate with iron oxide nanoparticles physically entrapped within the hydrogel matrices. The capability of the hydrogel nanocomposites to be heated in an alternating magnetic field was demonstrated. The heating of the hydrogel systems was dependent on the crosslinking of the hydrogel network where hydrogels with lower swelling ratios were found to heat to a greater extent than those with higher ratios. In addition, paclitaxel was shown to exhibit non-Fickian release from the hydrogel systems, with the amount of drug released dependent on the hydrogel network structure. Three cell lines: M059K (glioblastoma), MDA MB 231 (breast carcinoma), and A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) were exposed to paclitaxel only, hyperthermia only, and both paclitaxel and hyperthermia to determine if a synergistic cytotoxic effect was possible for these cell lines. The efficacy of paclitaxel was greater with hyperthermia for the A549 cells; however, the M059K and MDA MB 231 did not show the same response.     

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in oral epithelial dysplasia: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to estimate the overall and type‐specific prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in oral epithelial dysplasia and assess p16^INK4a overexpression in relation to HPV‐status. A systematic literature search identified 31 eligible studies (832 cases) evaluating the presence of HPV DNA in oral epithelial dysplasia cases by PCR. Of these, six studies evaluated p16^INK4a overexpression in relation to HPV‐status. The overall pooled prevalence of HPV DNA in oral epithelial dysplasia was 27.2% (95% CI: 17.6‐38.1). We observed substantial interstudy heterogeneity, which could not be explained by differences in continent, tissue type, or severity of epithelial dysplasia. HPV16 was the predominant genotype detected. Moreover, 62.2% of HPV positive and 17.8% of HPV negative oral epithelial dysplasia samples stained intensively positive for p16^INK4a. This meta‐analysis found that 27% of oral epithelial dysplasia harbor HPV DNA. Whether this represents a transient infection or has a carcinogenic role is unknown.     

Spine radiosurgery for spinal metastases: indications,technique and outcome

Abstract

Early diagnosis, better imaging, and advanced treatment of cancer patients extend survival and increase the incidence of symptomatic spine metastases. The treatment algorithm for spine metastases has shifted to a more aggressive approach in recent years. Spine stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a relatively new tool utilizing advanced imaging systems, planning software, image-guided localization, and intensity-modulated dose delivery. Radiosurgery of spine metastases yields high rates of pain- and tumor control, and offers both the patients and the treating physicians an effective noninvasive alternative. This review presents the indications and outcomes for SRS and describes current techniques.     

Ependymal changes in experimental hydrocephalus

A morphologic investigation of ependyma over gray matter (caudate nucleus) and over periventricular white matter (tapetum) of the rabbit lateral ventricle was performed four months after the induction of experimental hydrocephalus. Ependymal cells over the caudate nucleus are not modified by hydrocephalus. They remain cuboidal and heavily ciliated. Numerous microvilli cover the cell surface. The extracellular space of the neuropil is not expanded. Ependymal cells over the periventricular white matter are markedly modified. The characteristic response of these ependymal cells is to enlarge and to form lacunae in their apical cytoplasm. Their apical, horizontal cytoplasmic processes elongate as adjacent ependymal cells separate. The ex-tracellular space of the neuropil is expanded. It is proposed that the changes seen in ependymal cells over periventricular white matter are a response to enlargement of the ventricular surface permitted by the orientation of neuronal and glial fibers parallel to the ventricular surface. With expansion of the ventricular surface, overlapping apical processes become elongated and modified, containing a terminal web. With further enlargement, sliding of an overlapping apical process of one cell uncovers the apical process of its neighboring cell. By this mechanism, the ventricular surface area of any ependymal cell whose surface has been partially covered by its neighbor is increased. With further progression, this compensation fails and the neuropil is exposed to the ventricular cavity. Over caudate nucleus, expansion of ventricular surface is hindered by the disposition of fascie adherentes along intercellular clefts oriented perpendicular to the ventricular surface. Lateral sliding of horizontal apical processes does not occur as such processes are not found in ependyma over the caudate nucleus. The differential response of the ventricular surface in these two areas characteristically seen in hydrocephalus is; determined by regional differences in the morphology of their ependymal cells and underlying neuropil.     

Effects of inhaled gentamicin prophylaxis on acquisition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study.

Inhaled antibiotics are an established treatment for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, inhaled antibiotics might also have prophylactic potential to delay acquisition of PA in early stages of the disease. From 1986-1999, all CF patients at this center who experienced defined risk situations for acquisition of PA (28 patients) received inhaled gentamicin (80 mg BID for those < 12 months; 120 mg BID for those > 12 months) for a minimum of 3 years. Twelve patients had repeated risk situations and continued this prophylaxis without interruption during the entire study period (group 1). In the remaining 16 patients, inhaled antibiotics were discontinued at various times for a variety of reasons (group 2). None of the patients in group 1, but 7 in group 2, became chronically infected with PA (P = 0.01). Lung function and chest X-ray scores were significantly worse in those 7 infected patients, when compared to the noninfected ones in both groups. This suggests that long-term-prophylaxis with inhaled gentamicin can effectively delay acquisition of PA and decrease disease progression in children with CF.     

Muscle Dysmorphia: Methodological Issues,Implications for Research

Muscle dysmorphia is a male-dominated, body image-related psychological condition. Despite continued investigation, contention surrounds the nosological status of this disorder. The aim of this article was to review the literature on muscle dysmorphia to provide a qualitative account of methodological issues that may inhibit our understanding. Key areas relating to non-standardized participant groups, measuring instruments, and terminology were identified as potentially inhibiting symptom coherence and diagnostic reliability. New measuring instruments validated with clinical samples and carefully described participant groups, standardized terminology, and a greater emphasis on prospective longitudinal research with specific sub groups of the weight training community would be of interest to the field.