scholarly journals You read my mind: fMRI markers of threatening appraisals in people with persistent psychotic experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Underwood ◽  
Liam Mason ◽  
Owen O’Daly ◽  
Jeffrey Dalton ◽  
Andrew Simmons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group Differences ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Need For Care ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Threat Appraisals ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
And Control

AbstractAnomalous perceptual experiences are relatively common in the general population. Evidence indicates that the key to distinguishing individuals with persistent psychotic experiences (PEs) with a need for care from those without is how they appraise their anomalous experiences. Here, we aimed to characterise the neural circuits underlying threatening and non-threatening appraisals in people with and without a need for care for PEs, respectively. A total of 48 participants, consisting of patients with psychosis spectrum disorder (clinical group, n = 16), non-need-for-care participants with PEs (non-clinical group, n = 16), and no-PE healthy control participants (n = 16), underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while completing the Telepath task, designed to induce an anomalous perceptual experience. Appraisals of the anomalous perceptual experiences were examined, as well as functional brain responses during this window, for significant group differences. We also examined whether activation co-varied with the subjective threat appraisals reported in-task by participants. The clinical group reported elevated subjective threat appraisals compared to both the non-clinical and no-PE control groups, with no differences between the two non-clinical groups. This pattern of results was accompanied by reduced activation in the superior and inferior frontal gyri in the clinical group as compared to the non-clinical and control groups. Precuneus activation scaled with threat appraisals reported in-task. Resilience in the context of persistent anomalous experiences may be explained by intact functioning of fronto-parietal regions, and may correspond to the ability to contextualise and flexibly evaluate psychotic experiences.

scholarly journals Appraisals of psychotic experiences: an experimental investigation of symptomatic, remitted and non-need-for-care individuals

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1249-1263 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Underwood ◽  
V. Kumari ◽  
E. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Symptom Level ◽  
Global Ratings ◽  
Acoustic Space ◽  
And Control

BackgroundAppraisals are suggested to play a determining role in the clinical outcome of psychotic experiences (PEs). We used experimental tasks that mimic PEs to investigate appraisals in individuals with PEs with and without a ‘need-for-clinical-care’, and psychosis patients whose symptoms have remitted. We predicted that patients would appraise the tasks as threatening regardless of current symptom level, while non-clinical and control groups would appraise them as non-threatening.MethodAppraisals following three anomalous experiences-inducing tasks [Telepath, Cards task, Virtual acoustic space paradigm (VASP)] were examined in 71 individuals: symptomatic (n= 18) and remitted (n= 16) psychosis patients; non-clinical group with PEs (n= 16); controls without PEs (n= 21).ResultsAs predicted, symptomatic patients endorsed more threatening appraisals for all tasks than non-clinical and control groups, who did not differ from each other. However, remitted patients were less likely to endorse threatening appraisals of the Cards and Telepath than their symptomatic counterparts, although they did not differ in global ratings of how striking, threatening and distressing they found the tasks. Moreover, remitted participants endorsed more threatening appraisals of the Telepath and VASP than non-clinical participants, and of the VASP than controls. Remitted participants also rated all three tasks as globally more threatening than the non-clinical group and controls.ConclusionsClinical outcome may not necessarily be driven by the presence of symptoms, with threatening appraisals of PEs representing a key factor. The remitted group's intermediate appraisal scores imply that the relationship between appraisal and clinical outcome is not straightforward, and potential mediating factors need to be determined.

scholarly journals An Improved Model for Evaluating Change in Randomized Pretest, Posttest, Follow-Up Designs

Methodology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance A. Mara ◽  
Robert A. Cribbie ◽  
David B. Flora ◽  
Cathy LaBrish ◽  
Laura Mills ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Improved Model ◽  
And Control

Randomized pretest, posttest, follow-up (RPPF) designs are often used for evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention. These designs typically address two primary research questions: (1) Do the treatment and control groups differ in the amount of change from pretest to posttest? and (2) Do the treatment and control groups differ in the amount of change from posttest to follow-up? This study presents a model for answering these questions and compares it to recently proposed models for analyzing RPPF designs due to Mun, von Eye, and White (2009) using Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed model provides increased power over previous models for evaluating group differences in RPPF designs.

scholarly journals The significance of polymorphisms of gene coagulation factors VII and XIII in the pathogenesis of non-traumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-47
Author(s):  
M.A. Panin ◽  
◽  
N.V Zagorodnii ◽  
A.V. Boiko ◽  
L.M. Samokhodskaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Head ◽  
Avascular Necrosis ◽  
Coagulation Factors ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Aseptic Necrosis ◽  
And Control

Introduction Non-traumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) is a poly-etiologic and socially significant disease in the age of 20 to 50 years and is associated with disability. Research on the identification of necrosis causes/predictors is a relevant issue. Purpose To study the contribution of polymorphisms in the genes of coagulation factors F7 and F13 in the aetiology of non-traumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Methods Polymorphisms of the genes of coagulation factors F7 and F13 were studied; comparative analysis of the frequency of important allelic variants of F7genes (Arg353Gln) and F13 (Val134Leu) in patients with a verified diagnosis of aseptic necrosis (study group) and in healthy patients (control group) was performed. The study group included 41 patients (all males) with aseptic necrosis of the femoral head of unknown etiology. Results The frequency of gene alleles in the F7 Arg353Gln in the study group were: GG in 30 out of 41 patients (73.2 %), GA in 11 out of 41 patients (26.8 %), and none of 41 patients had a polymorphic variant AA. The frequency of alleles of this type of gene in the control group was as follows: GG in 7 out of 320 subjects (2.2 %), GA in 66 out of 320 patients (20.6 %), AA in 247 out of 320 (77.2 %). Significant differences were identified in the frequencies of homozygous genotypes, AA (χ2 = 100.215, p < 0.001) and GG (χ2 = 205.770, p < 0.001) in the study and control groups respectively. As for the heterozygous GA genotype, the differences were not significant (χ2 = 0.834, p = 0.362). The GG genotype of the gene Val134Leu F13 WAS 2.8 times more frequent in patients of the study group, differences were statistically significant (26.8 % against 9.7 %, χ2 = 10.388; p = 0.002). The presence of the TT genotype of the gene Val134Leu F13 was almost five times more frequent (χ2 = 18.956, p < 0.001) in healthy individuals (control group). Differences in the frequency of allele T in homo/ and heterozygous combinations (TT and GT) in the study and control groups was also significant (72.7 % vs 90.1 %, respectively, χ2 = 4.946, p = 0.027). Discussion Polymorphisms of coagulation factors genes F7 and F13 have a significant effect on the genesis of non-traumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Risk factor of ANFH development is homozygous GG genotype in the gene Arg353Gln F7. Low probability of the disease is due to a protective role of AA genotype of the gene Arg353Gln F7 and TT genotype of the gene Val134Leu F13.

I Will Use Declarative Self-Talk . . . or Will I? Replication, Extension, and Meta-Analyses

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy L. Van Raalte ◽  
Allen E. Cornelius ◽  
Elizabeth M. Mullin ◽  
Britton W. Brewer ◽  
Erika D. Van Dyke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
The Self ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Outcome Differences ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
And Control

A series of studies was conducted by Senay et al. in 2010 to replicate and extend research indicating that self-posed questions have performance benefits. Studies 1–3 compared the effects of the self-posed interrogative question (“Will I?”) to declarative (“I will”) and control self-talk, and found no significant group differences in motivation, perceived exertion, or performance. In Studies 4–5, interrogative, declarative, and control self-talk primes were compared, and no outcome differences were found. In Study 6, the effects of self-talk on motivation, perceived exertion, and physical performance were assessed. The self-talk groups performed better and were more motivated than the control group, but declarative and interrogative groups did not differ from each other. Finally, meta-analyses of the six studies indicated no significant differences among conditions. These results highlight the value of replication and suggest that factors other than grammatical form of self-posed questions may drive the demonstrated relationships between self-talk and performance.

scholarly journals Lack of effect of supplementation with essential fatty acids on bone mineral density in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women:two randomized controlled trials of Efacal® v. calcium alone

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 629-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Joan Bassey ◽  
Julie J. Littlewood ◽  
M. Claire Rothwell ◽  
David W. Pye
Keyword(s):  
Bone Turnover ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Markers Of Bone Turnover ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Age Range ◽  
And Control

Randomized controlled trials of the effects of the dietary supplement Efacal® (Scotia Pharmaceuticals Plc, Guildford, Surrey, UK) v. Ca only on total body bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone turnover were conducted in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women separately. Total daily dose for 12 months for the Efacal® groups was: Ca 1·0 g, evening primrose oil 4·0 g and marine fish oil 440 mg; and for the control groups was: Ca 1·0 g. Reported compliance was better than 90 % in both age groups. For the forty-three premenopausal women (age range 25–40 years), initial mean total body BMD values were similar for Efacal® and control groups and both groups showed highly significant mean increases of about 1 %; however, there were no significant between-group differences for the changes in BMD or markers of bone turnover. For the forty-two postmenopausal women (age range 50–65 years), initial mean total body BMD values were again well-matched across treatment groups. Both Efacal® and control groups showed highly significant decreases in total body BMD of about 1 %, but again there were no significant between-group differences in total body BMD or markers of bone turnover. Possible confounding variables such as initial total body BMD were explored but had no effect on the outcome in either age group. Nail quality improved in both age groups and in both Efacal® and control groups. Again, there was no significant difference between treatment groups. No evidence was found to support a beneficial effect of Efacal® on BMD in these women.

Survey of the status of iron and sclerostin in major Thalassemia Patients

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Moinzadeh ◽  
Mohammad Reza Keramati ◽  
Mohammad Taha Jalali ◽  
Bejan Keikhaei ◽  
Najmaldin Saki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Loss ◽  
Iron Overload ◽  
Beta Thalassemia ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Elisa Method ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
And Control

Background and Aims: Thalassemia is one the most prevalent genetic anemia in the world; homozygote patients usually suffer from severe disturbances. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are of various types of thalassemia complications which are increase in rate in patients with iron overload conditions. Sclerostin is a protein which enhances bone loss by inhibiting osteoblasts. The aim of this study was to measure sclerostin protein and its association with iron overload in major thalassemia patients. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with major beta-Thalassemia and 40 healthy control individuals were includedin the study; Sclerostin protein and ferritin were evaluated using ELISA method. Results: Mean sclerostin protein was 100.7 pg/ml, in the case group; it was 143.1 pg/ml in the control group.There was a significant differences between sclerostin protein in case and control groups (p= 0.015). The association of sclerostin and ferritin was not significant in the case group (p= 0.7), while  it was meaningful in the control individuals (p= 0.037). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sclerostin protein can play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

Adventure Camp Programs, Self-Concept, and Their Effects on Behavioral Problem Adolescents

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Larson
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Behavioral Problem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Level Analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an adventure camp program on the self-concept of adolescents with behavioral problems. Subjects in the study included 61 randomly selected male and female adolescents ranging in age from 9 to 17 years with behavioral problems. The treatment group of 31 adolescents was randomly selected from a population (N = 85) of behavioral problem adolescents who voluntarily attended an adventure camp. The control group of 30 adolescents was randomly selected from a population (N = 80) that underwent treatment for behavioral problems. Analysis of variance was utilized to determine if significant differences existed between the treatment and control groups. The paired t test was utilized to determine within group differences between pretest and posttest scores on both groups. Alpha for both tests was set at the .05 level. Analysis demonstrated a significant difference between the experimental and control 9- to 11-year-old age group's self-concept.

scholarly journals Contextual Information Modulates Pupil Size in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Tortelli ◽  
Antonella Pomè ◽  
Marco Turi ◽  
Roberta Igliozzi ◽  
David Charles Burr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparison Group ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background. Recent Bayesian models suggest that perception is more “data-driven” and less dependent on contextual information in autistic individuals than others. However, experimental tests of this hypothesis have given mixed results, possibly due to the lack of objectivity of the self-report methods typically employed. Here we introduce an objective no-report paradigm based on pupillometry to assess the processing of contextual information in autistic children and a comparison clinical group.Methods. After validating (in a group of neurotypical adults) a child-friendly pupillometric paradigm, in which we embedded test images within an animation movie that participants watched passively, we compared pupillary response to images of the sun and meaningless control images in children with autism versus age- and IQ-matched children presenting developmental disorders unrelated to the autistic spectrum. Results. Both clinical groups showed stronger pupillary constriction for the sun images compared with control images, like the neurotypical adults. There was no detectable difference between autistic children and the comparison group (in spite of a significant difference in pupillary light responses, enhanced in the autistic group). Limitations: Having found no statistically significant differences between groups, we cannot exclude that group differences existed but were too small to be detected – a critique that applies to most negative findings. Additional limitations concern the heterogeneous composition of the comparison group and the types of stimuli tested, which only allowed for studying the effect of context on relatively complex perceptual processes. Conclusions: Our report introduces an objective technique for studying perception in clinical samples and children. The lack of statistically significant group differences in our tests suggests that autistic children and the comparison group do not show large differences in perception of these stimuli. This opens the way to further studies testing contextual processing at other levels of perception.

scholarly journals Multiomics implicate gut microbiota in altered lipid and energy metabolism in Parkinsons disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Alexandre Pereira ◽  
Drupad Trivedi ◽  
Justin Silverman ◽  
Ilhan Duru ◽  
Lars K Paulin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Parkinsons Disease ◽  
Clinical Variables ◽  
Metabolite Profiles ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Altered Lipid

We aimed to investigate the link between serum metabolites, gut bacterial community composition, and clinical variables in Parkinsons disease (PD) and healthy control subjects (HC). 139 metabolite features were found to be differentially abundant between the PD and Control groups. No associations were found between metabolite features and within-PD clinical variables. The results suggest alterations in serum metabolite profiles in PD, and the results of correlation analysis between metabolite features and microbiota suggest that several bacterial taxa are associated with altered lipid and energy metabolism in PD.

Sydenham's Chorea; Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings, a Retrospective Observational Study in Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (05) ◽  
pp. 217-222
Author(s):  
Fatma Hanci ◽  
Mustafa Hizal ◽  
Sevim Türay ◽  
Oya Kalaycioğlu ◽  
Nimet Kabakuş
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Globus Pallidus ◽  
Healing Time ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and demographic and clinical characteristics, response to treatment times, and recurrence rates of Sydenham's chorea (SC), the most common of the acquired pediatric choreas. The clinical and radiological findings of 12 patients presenting to the pediatric neurology clinic in the previous 4 years and diagnosed with SC on the basis of the modified Jones criteria were investigated retrospectively from the hospital files. In addition, we measured the maximum prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia (globus pallidus, putamen, and caudate nucleus) thicknesses in the axial plane from patients' cerebral MRIs and compared these values with prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia thicknesses of a healthy control group measured using the same technique. Patient and control groups' cranial and basal ganglia MRIs were found to be normal. However, patients' globus pallidus thicknesses were significantly lower than those of the healthy control group. Additionally, the globus pallidus values of patients with recurrent SC and a prolonged healing time were lower than average. However, we determined no significant difference in terms of prefrontal motor cortex, caudate nucleus, or putamen thicknesses between the patient and control groups. Low globus pallidus thicknesses in patients with SC may indicate atrophy associated with globus pallidus involvement. Further experimental and prospective and long-term studies are needed for a better understanding of the factors affecting the pathophysiology, recurrence, and healing time of SC.

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