Self-reported impulsivity,but not behavioral approach or inhibition,mediates the relationship between stress and self-control

Stress has been associated with poor self-control. Individual differences in impulsivity and other behavioral tendencies may influence the relationship of stress with self-control, although this possibility has not been examined to date. The present research investigated whether cumulative stress is associated with poor self-control, and whether this relationship is mediated by impulsivity, behavioral approach, and behavioral inhibition in men and women. A community sample of 566 adults (319 women and 247 men) was assessed on the Cumulative Adversity Interview, Brief Self-control Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and Behavioral Activation System and Behavioral Inhibition System Scale (BIS/BAS). Data were analyzed using regression and bootstrapping techniques. In the total sample, the effects of cumulative stress on self-control were mediated by impulsivity. Neither behavioral inhibition nor behavioral approach mediated the association between cumulative stress and self-control in the total sample. Results were similar when men and women were considered separately, with impulsivity, but not behavioral inhibition or approach, mediating the association between cumulative stress and self-control. Impulsive individuals might benefit preferentially from interventions focusing on stress management and strategies for improving self-control.     

Brachycephalic anaesthesia,part 1: the pre-anaesthetic period

Abstract

This article intends to highlight the many complications that can arise during the pre-anaesthesic period with brachycephalic breeds , and address how to mitigate some of the risks. This first article will deal with the pre-anaesthetic stage discussing anatomy, admitting the brachycephalic patient and pre-anaesthetic checks, whilst a subsequent article will address the recovery period.     

Relations among EEG-alpha asymmetry,BIS/BAS,and dispositional optimism

Past research has been unable to address whether the activity in the frontal hemispheres is related to the direction of motivation (approach versus withdrawal) or valence of emotion (positive versus negative). The present study was an attempt to address this question by using a standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) which provides EEG localization measures that are independent of the recording reference. Resting EEG, self-report measures of Behavioral Activation and Inhibition System (BAS and BIS) strength, dispositional optimism and a measure of hedonic tone, were collected from 51 unselected undergraduates. Three measures of cortical activation were obtained: (a) alpha asymmetry at conventional scalp sites, (b) anterior and posterior source alpha asymmetries (sLORETA method), (c) posterior versus frontal delta and theta activity. Both alpha asymmetry measures (conventional EEG and sLORETA) yielded significant frontal and parietal asymmetry correlation patterns. Neither measure identified significant associations between resting posterior versus frontal delta and theta activity personality traits. Higher BAS was uniquely related to greater left-sided activation in the middle frontal gyrus (BA11). Optimism was associated with higher activations in the left-superior frontal gyrus (BA10) and in the right-posterior cingulate cortex (BA31).     

Reactive and self-regulatory temperament dimensions in relation to alcohol use in adolescence

The present study investigated the cross-sectional relations of reactive [Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS)] and self-regulatory [effortful control (EC)] temperament dimensions with alcohol use in a community sample of adolescents aged 14 to 20 years. Participants completed the BIS/BAS Scales (Carver & White, 1994), the Effortful Control Scale of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire Revised (EATQ-R; Ellis & Rothbart, 2001) and a subset of questions based on from the Teen Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI; Kaminer, Bukstein, & Tarter, 1991). Age of first use and quantity of alcohol use were predicted by the unique effect of BAS Fun Seeking. Frequency and quantity of alcohol use were predicted by the BAS Fun Seeking × EC interaction: High BAS Fun Seeking was related to frequency and quantity of alcohol use only if EC was low. Frequency of alcohol use was also predicted by the BAS Drive × EC interaction, but simple slope analysis revealed that the slopes were not significant, both at low EC and at high EC. The findings of the present study confirm and extend previous research and add to the growing literature of temperamental vulnerability to alcohol use in young populations.     

British Andrology Society guidelines for the screening of semen donors for donor insemination (1999)

The British Andrology Society (BAS) guidelines for the screeningof semen donors have undergone a recent review, and followingconsultation with members of the Society and with experts inthe allied professions, the following revised guidelines havebeen issued. Major changes include the introduction of an upperage limit for semen donors (<40 years old) and the generalexclusion of men who are seropositive for cytomegalovirus asdonors. The BAS recommends the screening of prospective semendonors for chromosomal abnormalities and for cystic fibrosiscarrier status. Following the report of cross-contaminationof human cells with hepatitis B virus within a liquid nitrogenstorage vessel, the BAS recommends that steps be taken to ensurethe safe cryopreservation of donor gametes.     

Reward and Cognition: Integrating Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory to Predict Drinking Behavior

Background: Both Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory have been applied to understanding drinking behavior. We propose that theoretical relationships between these models support an integrated approach to understanding alcohol use and misuse. Objectives: We aimed to test an integrated model in which the relationships between reward sensitivity and drinking behavior (alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and symptoms of dependence) were mediated by alcohol expectancies and drinking refusal self-efficacy. Methods: Online questionnaires assessing the constructs of interest were completed by 443 Australian adults (M age = 26.40, sd = 1.83) in 2013 and 2014. Results: Path analysis revealed both direct and indirect effects and implicated two pathways to drinking behavior with differential outcomes. Drinking refusal self-efficacy both in social situations and for emotional relief was related to alcohol consumption. Sensitivity to reward was associated with alcohol-related problems, but operated through expectations of increased confidence and personal belief in the ability to limit drinking in social situations. Conversely, sensitivity to punishment operated through negative expectancies and drinking refusal self-efficacy for emotional relief to predict symptoms of dependence. Conclusions: Two pathways relating reward sensitivity, alcohol expectancies, and drinking refusal self-efficacy may underlie social and dependent drinking, which has implications for development of intervention to limit harmful drinking.     

Error-related ERP components and individual differences in punishment and reward sensitivity

Although the focus of the discussion regarding the significance of the error related negatively (ERN/Ne) has been on the cognitive factors reflected in this component, there is now a growing body of research that describes influences of motivation, affective style and other factors of personality on ERN/Ne amplitude. The present study was conducted to further evaluate the relationship between affective style, error related ERP components and their neural basis. Therefore, we had our subjects fill out the Behavioral Activation System/Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS/BAS) scales, which are based on Gray's (1987, 1989) biopsychological theory of personality. We found that subjects scoring high on the BIS scale displayed larger ERN/Ne amplitudes, while subjects scoring high on the BAS scale displayed larger error positivity (Pe) amplitudes. No correlations were found between BIS and Pe amplitude or between BAS and ERN/Ne amplitude. Results are discussed in terms of individual differences in reward and punishment sensitivity that are reflected in error related ERP components.     

Influence of TAAR6 polymorphisms on response to aripiprazole

Background

There is some evidence suggesting a role of TAAR6 in schizophrenia. The aim of the present study is to investigate possible influences of a panel of markers in TAAR6 (rs8192625, rs4305745, rs4305746, rs6903874, rs6937506) on clinical outcomes and side effects in a sample of Korean schizophrenic aripiprazole treated patients.

Methods

Efficacy was assessed at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 using CGI-S, CGI-I, BPRS and SANS. Side effects were evaluated through SAS, BAS and AIMS. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to test possible influences of single SNPs on clinical and safety scores. Tests for associations using multi-marker haplotypes were performed using the statistics environment “R”.

Results

A significant time per genotype interaction was found between rs4305746 in repeated measures of ANOVA on BPRS scores (F = 2.45, df = 10,365, p = 0.008). In particular G/A and A/A genotype patients were more likely to improve over time as compared to carriers of the G/G genotype. Permutation analysis confirmed a significant effect of rs4305746 on course of BPRS scores over time (p = 0.007). Haplotype analysis did not reveal any significant association with clinical and safety scores at any time.

Conclusion

A possible association could exist between some genotypes in TAAR6 and response to aripiprazole. However, several limitations characterize the present work, such as small sample size, the finding related to a single scale and the possibility of false positive findings, thus further investigation is required.     

BIS/BAS, cortical oscillations and coherence in response to emotional cues

The present study explored the effect of the individual differences related to BIS and BAS (Behavioural Inhibition and Activation System) on brain oscillations, in response to appetitive and aversive emotional stimuli. EEG cortical measures (delta, theta, alpha, and gamma) were recorded, during viewing IAPS figures, that varied in terms of pleasantness and arousal. Withdrawal (BIS system) and appetitive (BAS system) behaviour showed opposite patterns of subjective responses. Also, a specific frontal network was found to be responsive to the relevance of emotional cues. Moreover an increased response for high arousing (negative and positive) stimuli in comparison with low arousing and neutral stimuli was found within the left and right frontal areas. Specifically delta and theta band have a significant role in monitoring the attentional significance of emotions. Finally, the effects of subjective evaluation and individual differences were discussed at light of the two-dimensional model of emotion processing, that is the valence and the arousing power of emotional cues.