Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Physician-Pharmacist Communication: Quotes, Quandaries And Quality, Nicholas E. Hagemeier

Nicholas E. Hagemeier

No abstract provided.

Central Administrations Of Palmitic Acid And Arachidonic Acid Decrease Central Leptin Sensitivity In Mice, L Cheng, Xu-Feng Huang, Y Yu

Xu-Feng Huang

Purpose: Leptin inhibits feeding and increases energy expenditure through the central nervous system. High-fat diet with saturated fatty acids (SFA) or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) has been reported to induce central leptin resistance and obesity. However, little is known if central administration of SFA or n-6 PUFA can reduce central leptin sensitivity. This study examined the central leptin sensitivity in response to intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of SFA, palmitic acid (PA) and n-6 PUFA, arachidonic acid (ARA) in mice. Methods: After overnight fasting, C57BL/6J male mice (n=24/group) were i.c.v. injected with either PA (50pmol/2ul), ARA (50pmol/2ul) or vehicle (saline, …

Arcuate Npy Controls Sympathetic Output And Bat Function Via A Relay Of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Neurons In The Pvn, Yan-Chuan Shi, Jackie Lau, Zhou Lin, Hui Zhang, Lei Zhai, Guenther Sperk, Regine Heilbronn, Mario Mietzsch, Stefan Weger, Xu-Feng Huang, Ronaldo F. Enriquez, Lesley Castillo, Paul A. Baldock, Lei Zhang, Amanda Sainsbury, Herbert Herzog, Shu Lin

Xu-Feng Huang

Neuropepetide Y (NPY) is best known for its powerful stimulation of food intake and its effects on reducing energy expenditure. However, the pathways involved and the regulatory mechanisms behind this are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that NPY derived from the arcuate nucleus (Arc) is critical for the control of sympathetic outflow and brown adipose tissue (BAT) function. Mechanistically, a key change induced by Arc NPY signaling is a marked Y1 receptor-mediated reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which is also associated with a reduction in TH expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) …

A Neuregulin 1 Transmembrane Domain Mutation Causes Imbalanced Glutamatergic And Dopaminergic Receptor Expression In Mice, K A. Newell, T Karl, Xu-Feng Huang

Xu-Feng Huang

The neuregulin 1 gene has repeatedly been identified as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, thus mice with genetic mutations in this gene offer a valuable tool for studying the role of neuregulin 1 in schizophrenia-related neurotransmission. In this study, slide-based receptor autoradiography was used to quantify glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), dopaminergic D2, cannabinoid CB1 and acetylcholine M1/4 receptor levels in the brains of male heterozygous transmembrane domain neuregulin 1 mutant (Nrg1+/−) mice at two ages. Mutant mice expressed small but significant increases in NMDA receptor levels in the cingulate cortex (7%, p = 0.044), sensory cortex (8%, p = 0.024), and …

Arcuate Npy Controls Sympathetic Output And Bat Function Via A Relay Of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Neurons In The Pvn, Yan-Chuan Shi, Jackie Lau, Zhou Lin, Hui Zhang, Lei Zhai, Guenther Sperk, Regine Heilbronn, Mario Mietzsch, Stefan Weger, Xu-Feng Huang, Ronaldo F. Enriquez, Lesley Castillo, Paul A. Baldock, Lei Zhang, Amanda Sainsbury, Herbert Herzog, Shu Lin

Xu-Feng Huang

Neuropepetide Y (NPY) is best known for its powerful stimulation of food intake and its effects on reducing energy expenditure. However, the pathways involved and the regulatory mechanisms behind this are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that NPY derived from the arcuate nucleus (Arc) is critical for the control of sympathetic outflow and brown adipose tissue (BAT) function. Mechanistically, a key change induced by Arc NPY signaling is a marked Y1 receptor-mediated reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which is also associated with a reduction in TH expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) …

An Analysis Of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors 2/3 And 5 In Schizophrenia, Major Depression And Bipolar Disorder From The Stanley Neuropathology Consortium, N Matosin, E Frank, F Fernandez, C Deng, J Wong, Xu-Feng Huang, K A. Newell

Xu-Feng Huang

Purpose: Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are proposed novel therapeutic targets for a variety of brain disorders such as schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BP) and major depression (MD). Despite their potential, the involvement of these receptors in these pathological processes is uncertain. This information is crucial to understand the efficiency of drugs that target these receptors. Methods: Using post-mortem human brains, mGluR2/3 and mGluR5 binding densities were measured in the anterior cingulate cortex of SZ, BP, MD and matched controls (CT) (n=15/group) by receptor autoradiography. Results: Whilst preliminary analyses indicated no diagnostic effect in mGluR2/3 or mGluR5 binding densities, mGluR2/3 binding …

A Neuregulin 1 Transmembrane Domain Mutation Causes Imbalanced Glutamatergic And Dopaminergic Receptor Expression In Mice, K A. Newell, T Karl, Xu-Feng Huang

Xu-Feng Huang

The neuregulin 1 gene has repeatedly been identified as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, thus mice with genetic mutations in this gene offer a valuable tool for studying the role of neuregulin 1 in schizophrenia-related neurotransmission. In this study, slide-based receptor autoradiography was used to quantify glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), dopaminergic D2, cannabinoid CB1 and acetylcholine M1/4 receptor levels in the brains of male heterozygous transmembrane domain neuregulin 1 mutant (Nrg1+/−) mice at two ages. Mutant mice expressed small but significant increases in NMDA receptor levels in the cingulate cortex (7%, p = 0.044), sensory cortex (8%, p = 0.024), and …

Reflective Frameworks And The Assessment Of Ethical Issues, Ebinepre A. Cocodia

Ebinepre Cocodia

No abstract provided.

On Happiness In Counselling Practice, Ebinepre A. Cocodia

Ebinepre Cocodia

No abstract provided.

Application Of The Occupational Sitting And Physical Activity Questionnaire (Ospaq) To Office Based Workers, Jonine Jancey, Martin Tye, Sarah Mcgann, Krysten Blackford, Andy H. Lee

Sarah McGann

Background

The workplace is a setting where sedentary behaviour is highly prevalent. Accurately measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour is crucial to assess the impact of behavioural change interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and criterion validity of the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) and compare with data collected by accelerometers.

Methods

A test-retest study was undertaken on 99 participants using the OSPAQ. Data were then compared to accelerometer records of 41 participants. Reliability was assessed by paired t-test and intra-class correlations (ICC) via a two-way mixed model based on absolute agreement. Difference and agreement were …

Attitudes Towards Anorexia Nervosa: Volitional Stigma Differences In A Sample Of Pre-Clinical Medicine And Psychology Students, Amy Bannatyne, Peta Stapleton

Peta B. Stapleton

Background:

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a highly stigmatised condition, with treatment often involving multidisciplinary care. As such, understanding and comparing the attitudes of emerging mental health and medical professionals towards AN, within the content of sex-based differences, is pertinent to facilitate the development of targeted stigma interventions.

Aims:

Examine the volitional stigmatisation of AN in emerging medical and mental health professionals.

Method:

Participants (N = 126) were medical (n = 41) and psychology students (n = 85) who completed a range of attitudinal outcome measures (e.g. Causal Attributions Scale, Eating Disorder Stigma Scale, Opinions Scale, Characteristics Scale and Affective Reaction …

Attitudes Toward Substance Abuse Clients: An Empirical Study Of Clinical Psychology Trainees, Chandra Mundon, Melissa Anderson, Lisa Najavits

Melissa L. Anderson

Despite the high prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) and its frequent comorbidity with mental illness, individuals with SUD are less likely to receive effective SUD treatment from mental health practitioners than SUD counselors. Limited competence and interest in treating this clinical population are likely influenced by a lack of formal training in SUD treatment. Using a factorial survey-vignette design that included three clinical vignettes and a supplementary survey instrument, we investigated whether clinical psychology doctoral students differ in their level of negative emotional reactions toward clients with SUD versus major depressive disorder (MDD); whether they differ in their attributions …

Using Mixed Methods To Measure The Perception Of Community Capacity In An Academic–Community Partnership For A Walking Intervention, Charkarra Anderson-Lewis, Diana Castellanos, Arnecca Byrd, Karen Zynda, Alicia Sample, Vickie Reed, Mary Beard, Latessa Minor, Kathleen Yadrick

Diana Cuy Castellanos

H.U.B. City Steps is a 5-year community-based participatory research walking intervention designed to help lower blood pressure in a majority African American population in southern Mississippi via community collaboration and capacity building, increased walking, culturally tailored health education sessions, and motivational interviewing. Building community capacity for physical activity is a key component of this intervention. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been used to assess how project stakeholders perceive the community capacity-building efforts of the project. This article illustrates the baseline results of this mixed methods approach from the perspective of three groups of stakeholders: project researchers and staff, community advisory …

Palliative Practices: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Kim Kuebler, Mellar Davis, Crystal Moore

Crystal Moore

The first book of its kind, this must-have resource examines the integration of palliative interventions from a disease-specific approach, providing practical guidance on caring for patients who follow a progressive, chronic disease trajectory prior to death. This uniquely practical book addresses all aspects of palliative care, going beyond theoretical information to advise practitioners on the most effective management of common symptoms and providing physical, psychological, and spiritual comfort to patients and families. The multidisciplinary focus of care is reflected by collaborative contributors and diverse authorship of an oncology/palliative care nurse practitioner, a physician, and a social worker.

Physician Orders For Life-Sustaining Treatment Form: Honoring End-Of-Life Directives For Nursing Home Residents, Judy Meyers, Crystal Moore, Alice Mcgrory, Jennifer Sparr, Melissa Ahern

Crystal Moore

The Physician Orders for LifeSustaining Treatment (POLST) form provides choices about end-of-life care and gives these choices the power of physician orders. The POLST form assures end-of-life choices can be implemented in all settings, from the home through the health-care continuum. The use of the POLST form was evaluated in a pilot study in nursing homes in two eastern Washington counties. Chart reviews and template analysis of interviews revealed the POLST form accurately conveyed end-of-life wishes in 19 of 21 cases. An informed consent process was evidenced in 16 of 21 cases, and the POLST form was congruent with residents' …

Symptom Patterns Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Deaf Trauma Survivors, Melissa Anderson, Amanda Sortwell, Kelly Wolf Craig, Douglas Ziedonis

Melissa L. Anderson

Details about Deaf people’s pattern of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms remain relatively unknown due to inaccessible methods used in most epidemiological research. We conducted semi-structured American Sign Language interviews with 16 trauma-exposed Deaf individuals to explore their PTSD symptom patterns. Half met criteria for current PTSD, a rate higher than the general population. Underlying this disparity may be heightened rates of dissociation and psychogenic amnesia reported by many Deaf trauma survivors. Future research with large samples of Deaf survivors is needed to clarify this hypothesis, and to inform interventions that more accurately target Deaf people’s pattern of trauma symptoms.

Applying The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model Of Hiv- Risk To Youth In Psychiatric Care, Geri Donenberg, Rebecca Schwartz, Erin Emerson, Helen Wilson, Fred Bryant, Gloria Coleman

Fred B. Bryant

This study examined the utility of cognitive and behavioral constructs (AIDS in-formation, motivation, and behavioral skills) in explaining sexual risk taking among 172 12–20–year-old ethnically diverse urban youths in outpatient psy-chiatric care. Structural equation modeling revealed only moderate support for the model, explaining low to moderate levels of variance in global sexual risk taking. The amount of explained variance improved when age was included as a predictor in the model. Findings shed light on the contribution of AIDS informa-tion, motivation, and behavioral skills to risky sexual behavior among teens re-ceiving outpatient psychiatric care. Results suggest that cognitive and behavioral factors …

Social Motivation Is Associated With Elevated Salivary Cortisol In Boys With An Asd, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, Linda Agnew, Nicholas Andronicos

Vicki Bitsika

Because social communication difficulties and stress are common in children with an ASD, and because it has been hypothesised that the two are related, the association between these two variables was investigated in a sample of 90 boys with an ASD and who were aged between 6 years and 12 years of age. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) was completed by the parents of these boys about their sons, plus salivary cortisol samples were collected from the boys. Results indicated that only one aspect of the boys' SRS was significantly correlated with cortisol—Social Motivation (SM). Factor analyses revealed two discrete …

Age-Related Differences In The Association Between Stereotypic Behaviour And Salivary Cortisol In Young Males With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, Linda Agnew, Nicholas Andronicos

Vicki Bitsika

To identify if age influenced the relationship between one of the central symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and physiological stress, the association between stereotypic behaviour (SB) and stress-related cortisol concentrations was examined in a sample of 150 young males with an ASD. Parent-rated SB was significantly correlated with cortisol concentrations for boys aged 6 years to 12 years but not for adolescents aged 13 years to 18 years. This age-related difference in this association was not a function of cortisol concentrations but was related to differences in SB across these two age groups. IQ did not have a significant …

Which Aspects Of Sensory Features Are Associated With Elevated Cortisol Concentrations In Boys With An Autism Spectrum Disorder?, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, Nicholas Andronicos, Linda Agnew, Richard Mills

Vicki Bitsika

Difficulties in Sensory Features (SF) have been included in the most recent diagnostic processes for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and are more common in children with an ASD than their non-ASD peers. In addition, these difficulties with SF have been suggested as causing elevated stress and concentrations of salivary cortisol in young people with an ASD. However, previous studies have not examined the specific aspects of SF that are associated with elevated cortisol and that was the focus of this study with 135 boys with an ASD aged 6–18 years. The boys’ mothers assessed their sons’ SF with the Sensory …

Differences In The Prevalence, Severity And Symptom Profiles Of Depression In Boys And Adolescents With An Autism Spectrum Disorder Versus Normally Developing Controls, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley

Vicki Bitsika

The prevalence, severity and symptom profiles for major depressive disorder (MDD) were compared in samples of boys and adolescents with and without an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Self-reports were obtained on the Depression subscale of the Child and Adolescent Symptoms Inventory (CASI-D) with 70 ASD and 50 non-ASD male participants between the ages of 8 and 18 from Queensland, Australia who were matched for age and IQ. Results indicated that the ASD participants had significantly higher total CASI-D scores, a greater proportion of participants who qualified for a diagnosis of MDD, and over 50% higher scores for 8 of the …

Eight-Month Test-Retest Agreement In Morning Salivary Cortisol, Self- And Parent-Rated Anxiety In Boys With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, Linda Agnew, Nicholas Andronicos

Vicki Bitsika

The agreement over time in morning salivary cortisol concentrations and also self- and parent-rated anxiety was investigated in a sample of 16 boys with an ASD. Cortisol and anxiety data were collected eight months apart. Results indicated that there were significant correlations between each pair of measures from the two occasions, suggesting that cortisol concentrations and anxiety did not vary much at all over that time, challenging the assumption that cortisol needs to be measured over multiple days to obtain reliable data from children with an ASD. Implications for research into the ways these children respond to chronic stressors are …

Scholarship Reconsidered: Implications For Reward And Recognition Of Academic Staff In Schools Of Nursing And Beyond, Kylie Smith, Patrick Crookes, Fabienne Else, Ellie Crookes

Ellie Crookes

Aims This paper discusses the issues facing the nursing academic workforce and the development of a project at the University of Wollongong in Australia which attempts to address this problem. Background The project draws on Boyers work around scholarship reconsidered to enable new ways of thinking about the nature of research and how the work of a diversifying workforce can be recognized and rewarded within institutions. Methods We conducted a series of interviews with senior university staff to identify key issues around academic promotion processes. Feedback from these interviews, along with extensive internal and external consultation and benchmarking, will be …

A Dyadic And Longitudinal Investigation Of Adjustment In Couples Coping With Multiple Sclerosis. Research In Developmental Disabilities, Christina Samios, Kenneth Pakenham, Jill O'Brien

Christina Samios

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect adjustment at both the individual and couple level. Purpose This study examined differences and associations between MS patient and spouse adjustment, and whether one partner’s adjustment predicts the other partner’s adjustment over time. Methods A total of 160 couples at Time 1 and 98 couples at Time 2 completed questionnaires. Results Mixed-model ANOVAs found that patients reported poorer adjustment than their spouse on a range of adjustment indicators and that positive affect and relationship satisfaction declined over time for both patients and spouses. Intraclass correlations found that patient and spouse scores on all adjustment …

Use Of Complementary Therapies By Registered Psychologists: An International Study, Peta Stapleton, Hannah Chatwin, Emma Boucher, Sue Crebbin, Sandra Scott, Dean Smith, Gail Purkis

Peta B. Stapleton

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a category of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. However, the use of CAM by lay people is increasing worldwide. This study investigated the utilization pattern of CAM among registered psychologists, and level of training in delivering a CAM service. Psychologists (N = 193) participated from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Almost all (99.6%) respondents reported using at least 1 CAM service in the past, and 64.2% indicate they were trained to deliver at least 1 area …

The Influence Of Hla Supertype On Thymidine Analogue Associated With Low Peripheral Fat In Hiv, Damien Cordery, Allison Martin, Janaki Amin, Anthony Kelleher, Sean Emery, David Cooper

Allison Humphries Dr

Objectives: To examine the relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype and body composition changes induced by thymidine analogue nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI) use in HIV-positive individuals. Design: Data collected during the Simplification with Tenofovir-Emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) or Abacavir-Lamivudine (ABC-3TC) (STEAL) study were analysed to examine the potential association of HLA genotypes with changes in body composition in treatment-experienced HIV-positive individuals. Methods: Demographic, HIV-related, body composition and HLA genotyping data from the STEAL study were used in this analysis. The mean percentage peripheral fat at study baseline was compared in participants with and without prior NtRTI use. Analyses …

Ritonavir-Boosted Lopinavir Plus Nucleoside Or Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Versus Ritonavir-Boosted Lopinavir Plus Raltegravir For Treatment Of Hiv-1 Infection In Adults With Virological Failure Of A Standard First-Line Art Regimen (Second-Line): A Randomised, Open-Label, Non-Inferiority Study, Mark Boyd, N Kumarasamy, Cecilia Moore, C Nwizu, M Losso, L Mohapi, Allison Martin, S Kerr, A Sohn, H Teppler, O Van De Steen, J-M Molina, Sean Emery, David Cooper

Allison Humphries Dr

Background Uncertainty exists about the best treatment for people with HIV-1 who have virological failure with first-line combination antiretroviral therapy of a non-nucleoside analogue (NNRTI) plus two nucleoside or nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTI). We compared a second-line regimen combining two new classes of drug with a WHO-recommended regimen. Methods We did this 96-week, phase 3b/4, randomised, open-label non-inferiority trial at 37 sites worldwide. Adults with HIV-1 who had confirmed virological failure (plasma viral load >500 copies per mL) after 24 weeks or more of first-line treatment were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive ritonavir-boosted lopinavir plus two or three …

Abacavir Does Not Affect Circulating Levels Of Inflammatory Or Coagulopathic Biomarkers In Suppressed Hiv: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Allison Martin, Janaki Amin, David Cooper, Andrew Carr, Anthony Kelleher, Mark Bloch, David Baker, Ian Woolley, Sean Emery

Allison Humphries Dr

Objective: The Simplification of antiretroviral therapy with Tenofovir-Emtricitabine or Abacavir-Lamivudine trial (STEAL) study randomized HIV participants to switch existing nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) to either abacavir/lamivudine (ABC/3TC; n = 179) or tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC; n = 178). An increased risk in cardiovascular disease (CVD) was reported (hazard ratio 7.7, P = 0.048) in ABC/3TC recipients compared with TDF/FTC in the STEAL study. The impact of ABC/3TC treatment on a range of CVD and inflammatory biomarkers was explored. Design and methods: Biomarkers were assessed at 0, 12, 24, and 48 weeks to examine: inflammation - high sensitive C-reactive protein, amyloid-P, amyloid-A, …

Measuring Individual Burden Of Illness For Depression Among Prostate Cancer Patients, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Objective: This study aims to develop and test three potential models of Individual Burden of Illness for Depression (IBI-D) in prostate cancer patients. Methods: Responses to three sets of scales measuring depressive symptoms, functional impairment, and quality of life satisfaction were collected from 191 prostate cancer patients and analysed via principal components analysis to obtain weightings for each of the scales within the three sets of measures. These weightings were then used to form IBI-D Indices, and these were then compared with depressive symptoms alone for their overlap. Results: Single-factor solutions were found for each of the three IBI-D models, …

The Influence Of Gender, Age, Psychological Resilience And Family Interaction Factors Upon Anxiety And Depression In Non-Autism Spectrum Disorder Siblings Of Children With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Vicki Bitsika, Christopher Sharpley, Rebecca Mailli

Vicki Bitsika

The influence of gender, age, Psychological resilience and family interaction factors upon generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) was investigated in 75 non-autism spectrum disorder (NASD) siblings who had a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). GAD and MDD were much more prevalent than in comparable age group samples, and adolescent females had the highest MDD rates. Several Psychological resilience skills were significantly associated with lower GAD and MDD, particularly being able to recognise mistakes in their thinking (for children) and being able to remain in control of their anger (for adolescents). Suggestions are …