Mutant C9orf72 human iPSC-derived astrocytes cause non-cell autonomous motor neuron pathophysiology

Mutations in C9orf72 are the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Accumulating evidence implicates astrocytes as important non-cell autonomous contributors to ALS pathogenesis, although the potential deleterious effects of astrocytes on the function of motor neurons remains to be determined in a completely humanized model of C9orf72-mediated ALS. Here, we use a human iPSC-based model to study the cell autonomous and non-autonomous consequences of mutant C9orf72 expression by astrocytes. We show that mutant astrocytes both recapitulate key aspects of C9orf72-related ALS pathology and, upon co-culture, cause motor neurons to undergo a progressive loss of action potential output due to decreases in the magnitude of voltage-activated Na⁺ and K⁺ currents. Importantly, CRISPR/Cas-9 mediated excision of the C9orf72 repeat expansion reverses these phenotypes, confirming that the C9orf72 mutation is responsible for both cell-autonomous astrocyte pathology and non-cell autonomous motor neuron pathophysiology.     

Exposure and response prevention therapy with cognitive defusion exercises to reduce repetitive and restrictive behaviors displayed by children with autism spectrum disorder

Repetitive and restrictive behaviors are disruptive in children with autism spectrum disorder. Exposure is an evidence-based approach to these problems and is hypothesized to work in part by enabling rule testing that undermines rule control. The present study undermined rule control more directly through cognitive defusion exercises. Experiment 1 used a multiple baseline across participants design to assess the effects of a cognitive defusion exercise in the form of word repetition and exposure on problem behavior associated with repetitive and restrictive behaviors observed in children with autism spectrum disorder. All 3 participants demonstrated a decrease in the percentage of problem behavior following the implementation of treatment which remained at near zero during a 3-month follow-up. Experiment 2 used an alternating treatments design to compare a cognitive defusion exercise and exposure to a control exercise and exposure. All except 1 of the participants displayed larger and quicker decreases in problem behavior during the cognitive defusion exercise condition compared to the control exercise condition. The results suggest that cognitive defusion exercises can enhance the treatment effects of exposure to decrease problem behavior associated with repetitive and restrictive behaviors.     

Oral health behaviors of preschool children with cerebral palsy: a case‐control community‐based study

To describe and compare the oral health behaviors of preschool children with and without cerebral palsy (CP), and to assess the oral health knowledge and attitudes of their primary caregivers (PCGs). Seventy‐two preschool children with CP were recruited from 23 Special Child Care Centers in Hong Kong. An age‐ (±3 months) and gender‐matched sample of children from mainstream preschools was recruited as a “control group.” Assessment of children's oral health behaviors and the PCGs' oral health knowledge and attitudes was conducted using questionnaires. Preschool children with CP were less likely to have ever attended a dentist (p < 0.05). Tooth brushing frequency was similar between the two groups (p > 0.05), but PCGs of children with CP more frequently reported provision of tooth brushing assistance to their children (p < 0.001). PCGs in both groups had similar oral health knowledge and attitudes (p > 0.05). Difference in oral health behaviors existed between preschool children with and without CP. PCGs of children with and without CP had similar oral health knowledge and attitudes.     

Eating patterns and unhealthy weight control behaviors are associated with loss-of-control eating following bariatric surgery

BackgroundLoss-of-control (LOC) eating is associated with poor weight-loss outcomes following bariatric surgery. It is not clear whether eating patterns (e.g., total number of daily meals/snacks, eating after suppertime, eating when not hungry) and unhealthy weight control behaviors (e.g., smoking, using laxatives) are associated with or predictive of LOC eating.ObjectivesTo examine whether eating patterns and unhealthy weight-control behaviors are associated with LOC eating and, if so, whether they predict LOC eating in bariatric patients.SettingMulticenter study, United States.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery–2 study. Assessments were conducted before surgery and at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 84 months after surgery. Logistic mixed models were used to examine the longitudinal associations between eating patterns, unhealthy weight-control behaviors, and LOC eating. Time-lag techniques were applied to examine whether the associated patterns and behaviors predict LOC eating.ResultsThe participants (n = 1477) were mostly women (80%), white (86.9%), and married (62.5%). At the time of surgery, the mean age was 45.4 ± 11.0 years and the mean body mass index was 47.8 ± 7.5 kg/m². The total number of daily meals/snacks, food intake after suppertime, eating when not hungry, eating when feeling full, and use of any unhealthy weight-control behaviors were positively associated with LOC eating (P < .05). Food intake after suppertime, eating when not hungry, and eating when feeling full predicted LOC eating (P < .05).ConclusionMeal patterns and unhealthy weight control behaviors may be important intervention targets for addressing LOC eating after bariatric surgery.     

Making sense of behavioral irregularities of great apes

Psychopathology, mental illness, and psychiatric treatment are concepts relevant to modern medicine and medical psychology and replete with cumbersome intellectual and literary baggage. They bear the imprint of suppositions, world views, and general beliefs and values exemplified in the science, history, and general culture of Anglo European societies. The study in higher apes of phenomena addressed by such concepts raises conceptual dilemmas, usually termed speciesism and anthropomorphism, not unlike those encountered in comparative human studies of similar phenomena across cultures and historical periods, namely, ethnocentrism and anachronism. The authors’ synthesis of literature and their analysis of the implications of higher ape psychopathology represent an epistemically compelling account that broadens the scope of the comparative study of behavioral irregularities, a topic that provides a different slant for examining challenging questions in evolutionary biology and primatology, such as cognition, self awareness, intentional behavior, culture and behavioral traditions, social intelligence, sickness and healing, and altruism. Theoretical and empirical study of this topic expands formulation and can help provide informative answers about human evolution as well as essential features of human psychiatric syndromes, with potential practical implications. The study of psychopathology of higher apes and other non human primates represents an appropriate focus for neuroscience and bio-behavioral sciences.     

糖尿病与结直肠癌及其生物学行为的关系

目的探讨糖尿病与结直肠癌发生及生物学行为的关系。方法对2006—2009年南方医科大学附属南海人民医院486例结直肠癌患者（结直肠癌组）与533例同期收治的非结直肠癌患者（对照组）进行病例对照研究,比较两组患者糖尿病并发情况及糖尿病病程对结直肠癌发生的影响。并对结直肠癌组患者中合并糖尿病对肿瘤生物学行为的影响进行分析。结果结直肠癌组和对照组的糖尿病并发率分别为12．1％（59／486）和7．1％（38／533）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;进一步经多因素分析结果显示．糖尿病是结直肠癌发生的独立危险因素（OR=1．886,95％CI：1．450．3．571）。糖尿病病程5。20年者结直肠癌发生危险性显著升高（P〈0．05）．而病程5年以内或超过20年者,其结直肠癌发生风险未见增高（P〉0．05）。结直肠癌患者是否并发糖尿病对肿瘤分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴结转移、远处转移及脉管栓塞均无明显影响（P〉0．05）。结论糖尿病患者罹患结直肠癌的风险增高．但并发糖尿病并不会改变结直肠癌的肿瘤生物学行为。     

Are primary care physicians ill equipped to evaluate and treat childhood physical inactivity?

ABSTRACT

Objective

To investigate primary care physician clinical practice patterns, barriers, and education surrounding pediatric physical activity (PA), and to compare practice patterns by discipline.     

护士沉默行为现状的多中心调查研究

目的调查护士沉默行为现状并分析其影响因素。方法采用沉默行为量表对湖南省醴陵市6所医院1 012名护士进行调查。结果临床护士沉默行为得分为(34. 50±9. 91)分,得分较高的3个条目均来自"默许性沉默维度",得分较低的三3个条目均来自"漠视性沉默维度"。结论临床护士的沉默行为处于中等水平。护理管理者应该注重自身领导风格,多给护士发言的机会并适当采纳意见,打造开放和谐的科室氛围,医院也应多创造护士学习和活动的机会,提高护士的参与感,从而降低护士的沉默行为。     

Abnormal eating behaviors in adolescent and young adult women from southern Brazil: Reassessment after four years

Objective To investigate whether abnormal eating behaviors in young women could predict eating disorders after 4 years. Method 56 women were identified as presenting abnormal eating behaviors in a cross-sectional study (Eating Attitudes Test-26 and Edinburgh Bulimic Investigation Test). They were matched for age and neighborhood to two controls (n = 112). Four years later, they were re-assessed with the two screening questionnaires plus the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 2.1). Results Women with abnormal eating behaviors at baseline showed a high probability of presenting abnormal eating behaviors but it was not associated with eating disorders 4 years later. They were also at higher risk for obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and specific phobia. Discussion Abnormal eating behaviors were related to the maintenance of the disturbed behavior over the years, and were associated with increased probability for psychiatric diagnoses.