Hypnotic inductions with deaf and hearing subjects--an initial comparison: a brief communication.

17 volunteer deaf Ss were compared with 18 volunteer hearing Ss on the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale (SHCS) of Morgan and J. R. Hilgard (1975), and the Indirect Suggestion Scale (ISS) of Matthews and Mosher (1985) in a 2 x 2 ANOVA design. 5 dependent measures: (a) objective scale score; (b) self-report scale score; (c) S rapport with the hypnotist; (d) S resistance to the hypnotist; and (e) overall subjective rating of trance experience were employed to measure any differences between the 2 groups. For SHCS behavioral items, the two-way ANOVA failed to reveal any significant main effect or interaction differences between either group (deaf/hearing) or method of induction (direct/indirect). There was a significant main effect for deaf/hearing groups in level of resistance to the hypnotist. Deaf Ss reported feeling more resistant to the hypnotist than did hearing Ss. This may be due to the mode of communication or the fact that the hypnotist was hearing. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.     

When the shoe is on the other foot: A qualitative study of intern-level trainees' perceived learning from clients

Twelve trainees (3 men and 9 women) who had recently completed predoctoral internships at a university counseling center were interviewed about what they had learned from clients. Data were analyzed using a consensual qualitative research method. Participants reported learning things about doing therapy, themselves, client dynamics, human nature, the therapy relationship, and the usefulness of supervision. In addition, participants highlighted the importance of consultation and self-reflection to help them recognize what they learned. Implications for practice and research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).     

Neural correlates of word production stages delineated by parametric modulation of psycholinguistic variables

Word production is a complex multistage process linking conceptual representations, lexical entries, phonological forms and articulation. Previous studies have revealed a network of predominantly left‐lateralized brain regions supporting this process, but many details regarding the precise functions of different nodes in this network remain unclear. To better delineate the functions of regions involved in word production, we used event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify brain areas where blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) responses to overt picture naming were modulated by three psycholinguistic variables: concept familiarity, word frequency, and word length, and one behavioral variable: reaction time. Each of these variables has been suggested by prior studies to be associated with different aspects of word production. Processing of less familiar concepts was associated with greater BOLD responses in bilateral occipitotemporal regions, reflecting visual processing and conceptual preparation. Lower frequency words produced greater BOLD signal in left inferior temporal cortex and the left temporoparietal junction, suggesting involvement of these regions in lexical selection and retrieval and encoding of phonological codes. Word length was positively correlated with signal intensity in Heschl's gyrus bilaterally, extending into the mid‐superior temporal gyrus (STG) and sulcus (STS) in the left hemisphere. The left mid‐STS site was also modulated by reaction time, suggesting a role in the storage of lexical phonological codes. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Syndromes and complications of interferon therapy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Interferons are used to treat a variety of medical conditions. They are integral players in immunity and a number of immune-mediated complications can arise during interferon therapy. We have reviewed the occurrence of these complications, and the mechanisms behind them. RECENT FINDINGS: Case reports and follow-up studies of large cohorts of patients on interferon therapy have confirmed that immune-mediated complications are uncommon but can occur in a number of different organ systems. IFNalpha production is induced by specific autoantibody-nuclear antigen immune complexes, and has a key role in the development and maintenance of autoimmunity in systemic lupus erythematosus. SUMMARY: Interferon therapy can precipitate immune-mediated abnormalities de novo or can exacerbate an existing autoimmune tendency. This is manifest in the rise in titre of existing antibodies and in the development of clinical disease in patients with preexisting antibodies. Type I interferons have a key role in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.     

EUS spectrum analysis for in vivo characterization of pancreatic and lymph node tissue: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: EUS is limited by variability in the examiner's subjective interpretation of B-scan images to differentiate among normal, inflammatory, and malignant tissue. By using information otherwise discarded by conventional EUS systems, quantitative spectral analysis of the raw radiofrequency (RF) signals underlying EUS images enables tissue to be characterized more objectively. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the feasibility of using spectral analysis of EUS data for characterization of pancreatic tissue and lymph nodes. DESIGN AND SETTING: A pilot study of eligible patients was conducted to analyze the RF data obtained during EUS by using spectral parameters. PATIENTS: Twenty-one subjects who underwent EUS of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and surrounding intra-abdominal and mediastinal lymph nodes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Linear regression parameters of calibrated power spectra of the RF signals were tested to differentiate normal pancreas from chronic pancreatitis and from pancreatic cancer as well as benign from malignant-appearing lymph nodes. RESULTS: The mean intercept, slope, and midband fit of the spectra differed significantly among normal pancreas, adenocarcinoma, and chronic pancreatitis when all were compared with each other (P < .01). On direct comparison, mean midband fit for adenocarcinoma differed significantly from that for chronic pancreatitis (P < .05). For lymph nodes, mean midband fit and intercept differed significantly between benign- and malignant-appearing lymph nodes (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). LIMITATIONS: Small sample population and spatial averaging inherent to this technique. CONCLUSIONS: Mean spectral parameters in EUS imaging can provide a noninvasive method to discriminate normal from diseased pancreas and lymph nodes.     

Nonrenal disease activity following mycophenolate mofetil or intravenous cyclophosphamide as induction treatment for lupus nephritis: Findings in a multicenter,prospective, randomized,open‐label,parallel‐group clinical trial

Objective

To assess the effect of mycophenolate mofetil compared with intravenous pulses of cyclophosphamide on the nonrenal manifestations of lupus nephritis.

Methods

Patients with active lupus nephritis (renal biopsy class III, IV, or V) were recruited for the study (n = 370) and treated with mycophenolate mofetil (target dosage 3 gm/day) or intravenous cyclophosphamide (0.5–1.0 gm/m²/month), plus tapered prednisone, for 24 weeks. Nonrenal outcomes were determined using measures of whole body disease activity, including the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) disease activity index, the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus: National Assessment (SELENA) version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and immunologic variables.

Results

Both treatments were effective on whole body disease activity in the systems examined, as indicated by changes in the classic BILAG index. With either treatment, remission was induced, notably in the mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular/respiratory, and vasculitis systems, and flares were rare, as measured by the SELENA–SLEDAI. Levels of complement C3, C4, and CH50 and titers of anti–double‐stranded DNA antibodies were normalized after treatment with either mycophenolate mofetil or intravenous cyclophosphamide.

Conclusion

In addition to the efficacy of both treatments on the renal system, this analysis showed that remission could also be induced in other systems. There was no clear difference in efficacy between mycophenolate mofetil and intravenous cyclophosphamide in ameliorating either the renal or nonrenal manifestations. Mycophenolate mofetil is, therefore, a suitable alternative to cyclophosphamide for the treatment of renal and nonrenal disease manifestations in patients with biopsy‐proven lupus nephritis.