Behavioral Activation System (BAS) sensitivity and reactivity to alcohol cues among hazardous drinkers

Previous research has suggested that Behavioral Activation System (BAS) sensitivity may be associated with stronger appetitive responses to alcohol cues. This study was conducted to explore whether those with higher BAS sensitivity showed greater urge and affective responses to alcohol cues and whether different types of appetitive cues moderated the magnitude of these associations. One hundred eighty-eight hazardous drinkers (90 women) were exposed to the sight and smell of their favorite alcoholic beverage during a cue exposure procedure. Participants were asked to either lean towards the beverage (Cue Only) when signaled by tones, or lift the beverage towards them (Cue+Action). BAS sensitivity was significantly associated with baseline ratings of urge and affect, and was found to be a significant predictor of urge and affect reactivity; however significant interaction effects with cue type were not observed. Results provide further evidence for the influence of individual differences in reward responsiveness on alcohol use and abuse.     

Atrial septostomy in treatment of end-stage right heart failure in patients with pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) failure is the main cause of death in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) is believed to relieve symptoms of PH by increasing systemic flow and reducing RV preload. METHODS: Fourteen BAS procedures were performed in 11 patients (5 men and 6 women; mean [+/- SD] age, 33 +/- 12 years) with RV failure in the course of PH that was refractory to conventional treatment. BAS consisted of a puncture of the interatrial septum and subsequent dilatations with balloons of increasing diameter in a step-by-step manner. RESULTS: After BAS, the mean oxygen saturation of aortic blood decreased (before, 93 +/- 4%; after, 84 +/- 4%; p = 0.001), while mean cardiac index increased (before, 1.54 +/- 0.34 L/min/m(2); after, 1.78 +/- 0.35 L/min/m(2); p = 0.001), resulting in a positive trend for mean systemic oxygen transport (before, 270 +/- 64 mL/min; after, 286 +/- 81 mL/min; p = 0.08). Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) slightly increased immediately after the procedure, and this rise inversely correlated with mixed venous blood partial oxygen pressure both before BAS (r = -0.69; p = 0.009) and after BAS (r = -0.64; p = 0.018). Mean functional class improved from 3.2 +/- 0.4 to 2.6 +/- 0.7 (p = 0.03) after 1 month. At follow-up (mean time to follow-up, 8.1 +/- 6.2 months; range, 0.8 to 20.2 months), seven patients died and two underwent lung transplantation. There was no difference in the survival rate compared to that obtained from National Institutes of Health equation. A significant size reduction in the created defect was observed in six patients, requiring repeat BAS procedures in three cases. CONCLUSIONS: The current BAS technique improves cardiac index and functional class without significant periprocedural complications, except for a transient increase in PVR related to acute desaturation of mixed venous blood. At long-term follow-up, a high incidence of spontaneous decrease in orifice size has been observed.     

Mixture Optimization of Cementitious Materials Using Machine Learning and Metaheuristic Algorithms: State of the Art and Future Prospects

The hybrid optimization of modern cementitious materials requires concrete to meet many competing objectives (e.g., mechanical properties, cost, workability, environmental requirements, and durability). This paper reviews the current literature on optimizing mixing ratios using machine learning and metaheuristic optimization algorithms based on past studies on varying methods. In this review, we first discuss the conventional methods for mixing optimization of cementitious materials. Then, the problem expression of hybrid optimization is discussed, including decision variables, constraints, machine learning algorithms for modeling objectives, and metaheuristic optimization algorithms for searching the best mixture ratio. Finally, we explore the development prospects of this field, including, expanding the database by combining field data, considering more influencing variables, and considering more competitive targets in the production of functional cemented materials. In addition, to overcome the limitation of the swarm intelligence-based multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithm in hybrid optimization, this paper proposes a new MOO algorithm based on individual intelligence (multi-objective beetle antenna search algorithm). The development of computationally efficient robust MOO models will continue to make progress in the field of hybrid optimization. This review is adapted for engineers and researchers who want to optimize the mixture proportions of cementitious materials using machine learning and metaheuristic algorithms.     

Approach and avoidance motivation in eating disorders

It has been proposed that approach and avoidance processes may be critically involved in the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). The Behavioural Inhibition System and Behavioural Activation System Scales (BIS/BAS) and Appetitive Motivation Scale (AMS) questionnaires were administered to 286 participants: 91 healthy controls (HCs), 121 participants with a current ED, either AN (restrictive and binge purge subtypes), or BN and 74 participants recovered from an ED. Individuals with EDs had higher levels of sensitivity to punishment and lower levels of reward reactivity than controls. Individuals in recovery from an ED scored the same as those in the acute group, with the exception of BAS fun seeking, for which they scored significantly higher than those with restricting AN. Discriminant analysis revealed that HCs were maximally separated from those in the acute and recovered ED groups along a dimension reflecting high punishment sensitivity and low reward sensitivity. Classification analysis demonstrated that ED and HC group membership was predicted from reward and punishment sensitivity measures; however recovered participants tended to be misclassified as ED. This study suggests high punishment sensitivity and low reward reactivity/sensitivity might form a personality cluster associated with the risk of developing an ED.     

The force module for the bending art system

The force module for the bending art system (BAS) is used to calculate the initial forces and moments expected to act on a tooth after changing archwires. The present study analyses the accuracy of the force module on the basis of 10 patients treated with the BAS (with an average observation period of 10 months). An average of 6 archwires (0.016×0.016 steel) were used on each jaw. The approximate pressure in the periodontium was determined and statistically evaluated from the force module readings.The resulting average pressure values for the molars ranged between 0.26 N/cm² and 0.54 N/cm². The value in the area of the incisors, cuspids and bicuspids ranged between 1.03 N/cm² and 2.83 N/cm². Maximum pressure was 8.02 N/cm².The results are discussed from a clinical point of view on a case-to-case basis. They are plausible in and for themselves. The more severe the initial state of misalignment, the higher the pressure values. These forces can be reduced by increasing the number of archwires or by altering the form of the archwire correspondingly. The computer-generated values should be confirmed by taking a direct measurement on the tooth. The force module is just the first step in providing a reproducible estimation of the forces acting on a tooth. Even if the calculated absolute values should still be judged with reservation, they are nevertheless suitable for providing a comparative evaluation of various treatment concepts with reference to the forces acting on the periodontium and can serve clinicians as a rapidly available decision-making aid.     

A re‐examination of the BIS/BAS scales: Evidence for BIS and BAS as unidimensional scales

Objectives

Carver and White's behavioral inhibition system and behavioral activation system (BIS/BAS) scales are the most widely used to assess constructs of the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory. This study provides a re‐examination of the latent structure of the original BIS/BAS scales.

Methods

The interpretability of the three purported BAS subfactors relative to a “general behavioral activation” factor was assessed using Schmid–Leiman and standard confirmatory factor analysis. Regarding the BIS scale, comparisons were made between (a) Carver and White's unidimensional BIS model, (b) Johnson, Turner, and Iwata's 2‐factor BIS model, (c) Heym, Ferguson, and Lawrence's alternative 2‐factor BIS model, and (d) a modified Heym et al. model (unidimensional) controlling for method effects of reverse‐scored items.

Results

Results revealed the majority of variance of individual BAS items was accounted for by a common, general BAS dimension. Additionally, for the BIS scale, results of the χ² difference statistical test supporting the 1‐factor model, as well as the noted theoretical and psychometric difficulties in interpreting a multifactor BIS scale, provide converging support that BIS items actually represent a single, unidimensional factor.

Conclusions

The collective results suggested that the BIS and BAS scales should be conceptualized as separate unidimensional measures, which is consistent with theory behind the original development.

     

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and Alcohol Outcome Expectancies in Early Adolescence

Background: Little research has examined the development of alcohol expectancies in childhood, a notable omission as expectancies are viable targets for prevention programs. Moreover, limited alcohol expectancies research has been conducted from the perspective of psychobiological models of motivation despite the strong conceptual links between such models and cognitive models of alcohol use. Objective: To examine if the associations between individual differences from the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (Gray JA, McNaughton N. The Neuropsychology of Anxiety: An Enquiry into the Functions of the Septo-hippocampal System (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2000) and alcohol use is mediated by alcohol expectancies in a large community sample of early adolescents using a prospective design. Methods: 378 families (1 caregiver; 1 child) were recruited via random digit phone call using a prospective design. Results: Our findings suggest that both a strong behavioral approach system and fight-flight or freeze system were associated with high levels of positive outcome expectancies, which subsequently predicted an increase in likelihood of alcohol use. There was also some evidence that drive (an aspect of behavioral approach system) was also positively associated with negative expectancies, which subsequently predicted a low probability of alcohol use. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Individual differences in reinforcement sensitivity may influence the acquisition of positive and negative outcome expectancies, thereby potentially influencing the likelihood of alcohol use in early adolescence. Thus, reinforcement sensitivity theory is a promising theory to account for the link between neural models of addiction and early acquisition of alcohol use in humans.     

肺癌放射免疫导向手术的动物实验和临床初步应用

目的：用手持型γ探测仪(Gamma--detecting probe，GDP)对荷瘤小鼠肿瘤原发灶及微小转移灶行放射免疫探测，术中对肺癌的侵润范围及淋巴结转移进行了初步探测。方法：采用抗肺腺癌单克隆抗体LC-1生物素化预定位技术，进行肺腺癌小鼠RIGS动物实验。应用培普利欧霉素(peplomycin，PPM)和甲氧基异丁基异腈(methoxy-isobutylisonitrile，MIBI)为肿瘤示踪剂对肺肿瘤患者手术标本的放射性探测，以T／NT值判定探测标本韵性质。结果：荷瘤小鼠的原发肿瘤和转移肺组织均有较高的T／NT比值。GDP探测鼠肺肿瘤转移的灵敏度、特异性和准确率为98％、96％和97％。临床应用GDP能准确地探测出肿瘤侵及范围和淋巴结转移，灵敏度、特异性和准确率为91％、88％和90％。结论：应用GDP可以探测出荷瘤小鼠体内肿瘤及其微小转移灶。PPM和MIBI用作肿瘤示踪剂可以有效地判别肺癌的侵润范围及淋巴结转移。     

Reward-system effect (BAS rating), left hemispheric “unbalance” (alpha band oscillations) and decisional impairments in drug addiction

The current research explored the impact of cortical frontal asymmetry (left-lateralization effect) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS) on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in decisional processes using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Forty SUD participants and forty-two controls (CG) were tested using the IGT. Behavioral responses (gain/loss options), BIS/BAS scores and lateralized alpha band modulation (LTA) were considered. The SUD group increased the tendency to opt in favor of the immediate reward (loss strategy) more than the long-term option (win strategy) compared to the CG. Secondly, higher reward-subscale scores were observed in SUD. Thirdly, SUD showed an increase in left-hemisphere activation in response to losing (with immediate reward) choices in comparison with the CG. An imbalanced left hemispheric effect related to higher BAS trait could explain this “reward bias,” because these components were found to explain (through the regression analysis) the main behavioral deficits.     

Combined antipsychotic treatment involving clozapine and aripiprazole

Treatment resistance is considered a challenging problem of antipsychotic pharmacotherapy. In such cases, combination approaches are commonly used, for instance the add-on of aripiprazole to clozapine. This review aims at giving an overview of the present knowledge on this strategy. We performed a keyword-based screening of databases (including November 2007) and evaluated the data in a systematic manner. The courses of 94 patients were reported in 11 publications. At a mean dosage of 20.5 mg/day, aripiprazole achieved clinical improvement of psychotic symptoms and facilitated a dose reduction of clozapine from 476.7 to 425.1 mg/day. In parallel, clozapine serum levels decreased from 611 to 523 ng/ml. No pharmacokinetic interactions were reported, and clozapine-induced side effects ameliorated. However, single cases of extrapyramidal side effects occurred. The combination of clozapine and aripiprazole follows a neurobiological rationale and appears to be effective and tolerable. The results of placebo-controlled trials might allow further insight into the benefits and risks of this strategy.