Can placebos prevent intrusive memories?

After traumatic experiences, intrusive memories can flash back and evoke significant distress. Here, we investigated whether the occurrence of intrusions can be prevented by placebo. After the exposure to an experimental psychopathology model of psychological trauma, healthy participants (N=112) were randomised to deceptive placebo (DP), open-label placebo (OLP), or a no-treatment control group. The results show that one week later, the groups did not differ in the frequency of intrusive memories. However, participants receiving OLP reported the lowest intensity of intrusions. Participants receiving DP reported the lowest burden of intrusions. Across groups, the expectation that intrusions will be intense and hardly controllable was associated with a higher frequency of intrusions, higher distress, higher burden, and more negative appraisal. The results suggest that expectations play a crucial role in the emergence of intrusive memories and that at least some of the disabling aspects of intrusive memories can be reduced by placebo.

Growth and production of potato mini tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the aeroponic system by root zone treatment and concentration of leaf-fertilizer

This study was conducted to increase the growth of potato and its mini tuber yield by root zone treatment and the concentration of leaf-fertilizer in the aeroponics system. This research was done at Experimental Farm of The Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Syiah Kuala from October 2019 until July 2020. There were 2 levels of root zone treatment; control (without cooling) and root zone cooling. Meanwhile the concentration of leaf-fertilizer consists of 5 levels; control, 500 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm and 2000 ppm. The results showed that the root zone treatment significantly affected the plant dry weight. The heaviest plant dry weight obtained from the plant grown in root zone cooling treatment. The concentration of leaf-fertilizer very significantly affected the plant dry weight, which the best concentration of 500 ppm produced 751.28 mg plant-dry-weight. There was a very significant effect at a combination of root zone treatment and concentration of leaf-fertilizer on plant dry weight, which the best treatment was found in a combination of root zone cooling and 500 ppm concentration of leaf-fertilizer. The plant with that treatment produced mini tuber, while the others did not.

The Effect of Adding Protected Amino Acids in the Rumen (Methionine and Lysine and their Mixtures) on Some Physiological Characteristics of Male Arabi Lambs

This study was conducted at the animal field of the Agriculture College / University of Basra / Karma Ali site for the period from 7/10/2019 to 1/5/2020 to investigation the effect of adding protected amino acids (methionine and lysine and their mixtures) on some physiological trails of male Arabi lambs. Sixteen male lambs with an average weight of (27.95) kg and an age of 5-6 months were selected, and randomly divided into four group (4 animals per group). The results indicated that there were no significant differences in the concentration of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, the number of red and white blood cells, cholesterol, triglycerides and the activity of the liver enzyme (ALT and AST) between the different treatments, while there was a significant (p <0.05) increase in the total protein and albumin concentration in the fourth treatment compared with the first treatment (control), while, there was a significant decrease (p <0.05) in the urea concentration for the fourth, third and second treatments compared with the first treatment. The concentrations of glucose, thyroxine and growth hormone increased significantly (p <0.05) in the fourth and second treatment compared with the first treatment. However, it can be concluded from the study that feeding the male lambs with 5g methionine or mixing it with lysine by 5g raises the concentration of glucose, growth hormones and thyroxine in the blood. Also, the levels of methionine and lysine used did not change the concentration of the studied biochemical parameters

The effect of various fluoride products on dentine lesions during pH-cycling

This study compared the effect of topically applied fluoride products on dentine lesions in an in vitro experiment. Demineralized bovine dentine specimens were treated once with either SDF solution (35,400 ppm F), NaF varnish (22,600 ppm F), TiF4 solution (9,200 ppm F), SnF2 gel (1,000 ppm F), no treatment (control) or preserved as baseline lesions. After the application and subsequent removal of the fluoride products, the specimens were subjected to pH-cycling. Calcium loss and uptake in the de- and remineralization buffers were assessed daily. Fluoride release into the buffers was analyzed on day 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 13. After the pH-cycling period, mineral distribution throughout the lesion depth was analyzed using transversal microradiography (TMR). X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) examined the deposition of silver, titanium and tin after application of SDF, TiF4, and SnF2, respectively. Overall, calcium loss and uptake analysis in the de- and remineralization buffers revealed that the SDF product was the most effective in inhibiting lesion progression, followed by the TiF4, NaF, and SnF2 products. Fluoride analysis disclosed a steep reduction of the amount of fluoride released into de- and remineralization buffers with time. The fluoride effects on de- and remineralization continued beyond the days that fluoride was released into the buffers. TMR analysis showed significant remineralization in the outer zone of the dentine lesions for all fluoride products, with SDF giving hyper-mineralization in this zone. In the inner zone, lesions developed in all fluoride groups, with the smallest in the SDF group. EDS showed silver and titanium deposition in depth up to 85 μm and 8 μm, respectively, while no tin deposition was observed. The silver in the dentine lesions did not contribute significantly to the density of the TMR profiles in the SDF group. In conclusion, all topical fluoride products protected the dentine lesions against lesion progression, but at different degrees. SDF showed a superior effect in protection against further demineralization and enhancement of remineralization. This was probably attributed to its fluoride concentration that was the highest among the fluoride products.

Diluted benznidazole decreases side effects in animals infected by Trypanosoma cruzi and treated with benznidazole in ponderal dose

Background: The infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi affects millions of people around the world and the benznidazole is the only drug available for the etiological treatment, despite the fact that its adverse effect makes the adherence to treatment more difficult. Taking advantage of the antiparasitic effect of benznidazole and minimizing its side effects, without causing discomfort symptoms to the patient, would be an important progress in the health care of individuals infected with T. cruzi. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different treatment regimens using diluted and ponderal benznidazole, associated or not, in murine infection with T. cruzi. Methodology: A hundred male Swiss mice 28 – year – old infected with 1400 blood trypomastigotes of the Y strain of T. cruzi, were used in the experiment, divided into groups according to the treatment: Control (CI) - infected animals treated orally with 7% hydroalcoholic solution (vehicle of product preparation highly diluted) (N = 20); BZp - infected animals treated with BZ in ponderal dose (100 mg/kg/20days) from the detection of the infection (N = 20); BZh - infected animals treated with BZ highly diluted (30x) from the detection of the infection (N = 20), BZp+h - infected animals treated with a combination of BZ highly diluted (30x) + BZ in ponderal dose (100 mg / kg), from the detection of the infection (n= 20); BZp+hT4A - infected animals treated with the association of BZ in ponderal dose (100 mg / kg ) from the detection of the infection and BZ highly diluted (30x) four days after starting the treatment with BZp (N = 20). Clinical (body weight, water and food intake, amount of feces, temperature, aspect of the fur, mortality and survival time) and parasitological (total parasitemia and area under the parasitemia curve) parameters were evaluated. Results: It was observed a reduction of side effects associated with clinical improvement of the animals treated with the combination of BZ in ponderal dose and highly diluted given 4 days after (BZp+hT4A) or concurrently (BZp+h) with the beginning of the treatment with benznidazole in ponderal dose, with results statistically better than those observed in groups BZp, BZh e CI (p0.05). In the group treated only with the BZ ultradiluted (BZh) the parasitemia remained high, resulting in the death of all animals within a period of 20 days as observed in the CI. Conclusions: The reduction of side effects, the improvement of the clinical evolution and non-compromising the parasiticide effect, show that the association of the benznidazole medication in ponderal dose and highly diluted should be further explored. Keywords: Homeopathy, Trypanosoma cruzi, Side effects, Benznidazole References MINISTÉRIO DA SAÁDE. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. 2005; 38:7-29. WHO. World Health Organization. Sixty-third World Healthy. Assembly. Chagas disease: control and elimination. 2010.

Research articles promoted in embargo e-mails receive higher citations and altmetrics

In order to be able to provide thorough and timely coverage on the most recent scientific research, science journalists frequently rely on embargoed information sent to them by publishers of scientific journals. In such embargo e-mails, publishers purposefully bring selected upcoming releases to the journalists’ attention a few days in advance of their publication. Little is known on how this early highlighting of certain research articles affects their later citations or altmetrics. We present an exploratory case study with the aim of assessing the effects of such promotion activities on scientific articles’ bibliometric and altmetric indicators. In a treatment–control design, we analyze citation counts and eight types of altmetrics of 715 articles published between 2016 and 2017 whose DOIs have been mentioned in embargo e-mails and compare these to articles from the same journal issues that have not been highlighted in embargo e-mails. Descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney-U tests reveal significant advantages for promoted articles across all regarded metrics three to four years after their publication. Particularly large differences can be seen regarding numbers of mentions in mainstream media, in blogs, on Twitter, and on Facebook. Our findings suggest that scholarly publishers exert significant influence over which research articles will receive attention and visibility in various (social) media. Also, regarding utilizations of metrics for evaluative purposes, the observed effects of promotional activities on indicators might constitute a factor of undesirable influence that currently does not receive the amount of consideration in scientometric assessments that it should receive.

Bonding Performance for Repairs Using Bulk Fill and Conventional Methacrylate Composites

This study compared the bond strength of a composite repair made with a bulk fill composite and a conventional one using different surface treatments. Specimens were prepared as truncated cones (bases: 4 mm × 2 mm, height: 4 mm) using a bulk fill (OBFa: Filtek One) or a conventional resin (FTKa: Filtek Z250) (n = 66). They were artificially aged (10,000 cycles, 5°C–55°C, 30 sec) and subdivided according to surface treatments: NT—no treatment (control), Abr—abrasion with a diamond tip, and sand—sandblasting with aluminum oxide (50 μm). Treatments were performed over the smaller diameter surface, followed by adhesive (Scothbond Universal) application. A new specimen with similar dimensions was constructed over it using either the OBF or the FTK, totaling 12 groups (n = 11). Bond strength was assessed by tensile test. The data were submitted to two-way ANOVA separately for OBFa and FTKa, followed by Tukey’s test ( p < 0.05 ). For the aged OBFa groups, there was significant differences for composite type and surface treatment, with higher values of bond strength when repaired with the same material (OBFa/OBF > OBFa/FTK), and sandblasting and bur abrasion presented higher values compared to the control group (NT). For the aged FTKa groups, there were no differences for the composite or surface treatment. Therefore, the bulk fill resin composite tested present better repair performance when the same composite was used, while the conventional resin composite was less influenced by the material and the surface treatment performed.

Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation as an Intervention for Major Depressive Disorder: A Feasibility and Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED Context: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a global crisis with increasing incidence and prevalence. There are many established evidence-based psychotherapies (EBP’s) for depression, but they present with various limitations. Virtual reality (VR) may offer some solutions to these limitations of existing MDD EBP’s. Objective: To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of using VR as a method of delivering behavioral activation (BA) for adults diagnosed with MDD during a global pandemic. To explore the degree of clinical efficacy of using VR to engage in BA compared to (1) a BA treatment as usual and (2) a non-treatment control group for individuals diagnosed with MDD. Design, Settings, Participants: We conducted a feasibility trial and a three-arm nonblinded between-subjects pilot randomized controlled trial. This study took place remotely via Zoom telehealth between April 8, 2020 and January 15, 2021. Intervention: This study employed a three week, four-session BA protocol, where the VR BA participants used a VR headset to complete their BA homework. Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was measured by dropout rates, serious adverse events, completion of homework, an adapted telepresence scale, a simulator sickness questionnaire, a brief agitation measure, and an adapted technology acceptance model. The secondary outcome was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results: Of the 35 participants assessed for eligibility, 13 were randomized to VR BA (n=5), BA TAU (n=4), or a non-treatment control (n=4). The mean age of the 13 participants (5 male, 7 female, 1 non-binary/third gender) was 35.4 (SD = 12.3). This study demonstrated that VR is a feasible, acceptable, and tolerable method of experiencing pleasurable activities in conjunction with a brief BA protocol for individuals diagnosed with MDD. No adverse events were reported. This study also illustrated that VR BA has potential clinical utility in treating symptoms of depression, as the average VR BA participant diagnosis changed from a moderate severity level to mild depression, with a clinically significant average decrease of 5.67 on the PHQ-9. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that VR BA is a feasible treatment for MDD. This study documented evidence of VR BA’s efficacy and further justification to explore its true effect in an adequately powered RCT. This pilot documented the potential utility that VR could offer patients with MDD, especially those who have difficulty accessing real-world pleasant activities. VR may also be a viable alternative to psychiatric medications for MDD, given its high tolerability and lack of side effects. Additionally, for those having difficulty accessing care, VR BA could be adapted as a first step to help people improve mood and increase motivation while waiting to connect with a healthcare professional for other EBP’s. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/24331

Reliability and validity of a brief version of the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (brief QOD) in patients with olfactory dysfunction

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the brief version of Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (brief QOD). Methods: A total of 372 patients participated in this study. Olfactory function was examined using the Sniffin’ Sticks test. The brief version of QOD, including 4 items concerning parosmia (QOD-P), 7 items concerning quality of life (QOD-QOL), and 3 visual analog scales to rate disease burden, awareness of the disorder and issues related to professional life (QOD-VAS), was used to assess subjective information on olfactory dysfunction. We evaluated the split-half reliability, internal consistency and validity of the brief QOD. Results: The split-half reliability was 0.60 (QOD-P), 0.87 (QOD-QOL), and 0.66 (QOD-VAS), respectively. The Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.63 (QOD-P), 0.87 (QOD-QOL), and 0.71 (QOD-VAS), respectively. Olfactory function was found to be associated with QOD-P, QOD-QOL and QOD-VAS. Conclusions: The brief QOD is a suitable scale for the assessment of subjective severity of olfactory dysfunction for purposes such as treatment counseling, disability assessment, treatment control, and research in patients with olfactory disorder.

Color Doppler Evaluation of Arterial Resistive Index in Infantile Hemangioma: A Useful Parameter to Monitor the Response to Oral Propranolol?

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common benign vascular tumor in childhood. In more than 85% of all cases, IHs undergo spontaneous involution, but nearly 10–12% of IHs develop complications and require immediate therapy. Oral propranolol is currently the first-line treatment for IHs. Color Doppler ultrasound is the gold standard in the diagnosis of deep IH, and it is used to evaluate the morphological change and the modification of vascularization that occur during its evolution and treatment. To date, only few data in the literature described the changes of intralesional arterial resistive index (RI) during treatment with propranolol; particularly, some authors have shown an increase of intralesional arterial RI in IHs with clinical regression during treatment with propranolol. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the changes of RI of the intralesional arteries of the IHs during the treatment with oral propranolol. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 64 IHs in 60 patients treated with oral propranolol with a good clinical response. Gray-scale ultrasonography and color Doppler imaging were performed before and during the therapy. The intralesional RIs were measured before and during the treatment. For each lesion, we recorded the RI values, and then we calculated the mean RI value for any single lesion. We compared the mean RI value observed at the baseline with the mean RI value of the last detectable sampling at color Doppler. We also compared between them the mean RI values observed during intermediate ultrasound. The RI values were compared in 44 lesions, with at least two significant samplings of RI. In the 44 lesions compared, we did not find statistically significant variations in the mean RI values between the baseline control and the values recorded at the last post-treatment control. The time trend of mean RI values of the intermediate color Doppler analysis performed between the first pre-treatment control and the last measurable control did not show any statistically significant variation in the trend of mean RI values. Contrarily to what has been described by some authors, in our experience, we have not observed an increase of RI in IHs treated with oral propranolol.