Frontal nonconvulsive status epilepticus manifesting somatic hallucinations

Somatic hallucinations are subjective experience of false, strange sensations of things occurring in or to the body. They can be seen in psychotic disorders, but have not been well described as an ictal psychosis in patients with nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) of frontal origin. We reported a 69-year-old woman who had NCSE of frontal origin manifesting prolonged somatic hallucinations mimicking a psychiatric disorder and initially treated as such. Ictal EEG revealed the frontal focus and ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed the activation, not only in the frontal area but also in the parietal area as the projected regions, both of which might be associated with the development of her symptoms. She also had two generalized tonic-chronic seizures out of psychosis. Her psychosis and ictal rhythmic discharges on EEG ceased with valproate and she has since remained free from the symptoms. The current case suggests that long-lasting somatic hallucinations could be an ictal psychosis in frontal NCSE and thus an EEG study is needed for an early diagnosis and treatment.     

Dock3 regulates BDNF-TrkB signaling for neurite outgrowth by forming a ternary complex with Elmo and RhoG

Dock3, a new member of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor family, causes cellular morphological changes by activating the small GTPase Rac1. Overexpression of Dock3 in neural cells promotes neurite outgrowth through the formation of a protein complex with Fyn and WAVE downstream of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling. Here, we report a novel Dock3-mediated BDNF pathway for neurite outgrowth. We show that Dock3 forms a complex with Elmo and activated RhoG downstream of BDNF-TrkB signaling and induces neurite outgrowth via Rac1 activation in PC12 cells. We also show the importance of Dock3 phosphorylation in Rac1 activation and show two key events that are necessary for efficient Dock3 phosphorylation: membrane recruitment of Dock3 and interaction of Dock3 with Elmo. These results suggest that Dock3 plays important roles downstream of BDNF signaling in the central nervous system where it stimulates actin polymerization by multiple pathways.     

Effects of three drying methods of post space dentin bonding used in a direct resin composite core build-up method

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate drying methods for post space dentin bonding in a direct resin composite core build-up method.

Emotional expression and body dissatisfaction

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between emotional expression and body dissatisfaction in a sample of young women. METHOD: Participants were 141 female undergraduates. They were assessed for emotional expression, body dissatisfaction, nonassertiveness, and depressive symptoms. The unique relation between emotional expression and body dissatisfaction was analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: Emotional expression was related inversely to body dissatisfaction. This association was significant after controlling for body mass index, nonassertiveness, and depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to examine the link between emotional expression and body dissatisfaction. Findings are discussed in terms of possible strategies for modifying shape- and weight-related concerns in women.     

Therapeutic alliance and treatment adherence in two interventions for bulimia nervosa: a study of process and outcome

The relationship between therapeutic alliance, therapist adherence to treatment protocol, and outcome was analyzed in a randomized trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa. Independent observers rated audiotapes of full-length therapy sessions. Purging frequency was the primary outcome variable. There were no significant therapist or Therapist x Treatment effects on outcome. Although results showed high levels of alliance and adherence across treatments, CBT was associated with greater adherence. Across treatments and time points, better adherence was associated with enhanced alliance. Treatment condition and baseline purging frequency, but not adherence, predicted outcome. Early alliance predicted posttreatment purging frequency. In temporal analyses, prior symptom change assessed early in treatment was significantly related to subsequent adherence at midtreatment.     

Sociotropy and bulimic symptoms in clinical and nonclinical samples

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between sociotropy and bulimic symptoms. Studies of interpersonal functioning among individuals with bulimia nervosa consistently reveal issues of social dependency, need for approval, and fear of rejection. These themes are conceptually related to sociotropy, a cognitive-personality factor that has been implicated in the development and maintenance of depression. Individuals high in sociotropy are keenly invested in attaining others' approval and avoiding social rejection. METHODS: The relationship between sociotropy and bulimic symptoms was examined in two samples of women: undergraduate women and community women seeking treatment at a private eating disorder facility. RESULTS: In both samples, sociotropy was significantly associated with bulimic symptoms beyond the shared relation with depressed mood. DISCUSSION: Findings are discussed in terms of the maintenance and treatment of bulimia nervosa.     

Sexual Risk‐Taking Mediates the Association between Impulsivity and Acquisition of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Hazardously Drinking Incarcerated Women

Background: A growing literature has identified associations between impulsivity and negative behaviors such as sexual risk‐taking among high‐risk and/or vulnerable populations, but few studies have linked impulsivity to biological outcomes of sexual risk‐taking. The main purpose of this study was to document associations among impulsivity, sexual risk‐taking, and biological measures of sexually transmitted infection (STI+) in a sample of hazardously drinking incarcerated women. Methods: Two hundred forty‐five hazardously drinking incarcerated women self‐reported alcohol consumption and consequences, impulsivity, and sexual behavior. Results: Biological testing revealed a 22.9% prevalence rate for STI+. In this sample, sexual risk‐taking fully mediated the association between impulsivity and likelihood of STI+. In addition, individuals reporting sexual activity with multiple partners were significantly more likely to test STI+ than those reporting sexual activity with a primary partner. Conclusion: These results support previous research on impulsivity by demonstrating that impulsivity leads to STI+ through risky behavioral choices. These findings also extend prior work by documenting this association using biologically confirmed measures in a vulnerable female population that carries multiple risk factors and thus warrants increased research attention. (Am J Addict 2012;21:S63–S71)     

Dual cannabis and alcohol use disorders in young adults: Problems magnified

ABSTRACT

Background: Alcohol and marijuana are the 2 most commonly used substances among young adults. The present study examines whether having 2 DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) diagnoses (alcohol and cannabis) is associated with greater problems than having 1 (alcohol or cannabis) diagnosis. Methods: Participants were 307 young adults (18–25 years) from the community who met criteria for DSM-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD), cannabis use disorder (CUD), or both (dual use disorder [DUD]). Participants reported alcohol and marijuana use in the past 90 days (Timeline Follow-Back), alcohol problems (Short Inventory of Problems), and marijuana problems (Marijuana Problems Scale). Results: Eighty-four participants (27.4%) met criteria for AUD, 107 (34.9%) met criteria for CUD, and 116 (37.8%) met criteria for DUD. In multivariate analyses, the DUD group reported greater alcohol use frequency and more alcohol problems than the CUD-only group but not the AUD-only group. However, DUD individuals reported greater drinking intensity than singly diagnosed individuals. Those with DUD reported a greater proportion of marijuana consumption days than the AUD-only group but not the CUD-only group. However, DUD individuals reported more marijuana problems than both singly diagnosed groups. Conclusions: Results show that the concurrent presence of both DSM-5 AUD and CUD is associated with heavier drinking patterns and greater marijuana problems than disordered use of either substance alone, thus affirming the magnified severity of alcohol and marijuana use that accompanies dual DSM-5 alcohol and marijuana use disorders.