Stress, reactivity, and immune function in healthy men.

Examined the effects of acute psychological stress on lymphocyte proliferation and circulating levels of interleukin-1 and -2. 20 healthy men were exposed to 2 viewings of a gruesome surgery film and were asked to recall details of the film twice during a 20-min period. These Ss were compared to a nonstress control group of 9 Ss. Lymphocyte proliferation to the mitogen concanavalin-A was decreased during and after exposure to the stressor when compared to the control group. This decrease was more pronounced in Ss exhibiting greater blood pressure reactivity while viewing the film than in Ss showing smaller blood pressure responses. None of the other immunological measures was significantly affected by the stressor. Cortisol was not correlated with lymphocyte responsiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adenovirus-Mediated Inducible Expression of a PD-L1 Blocking Antibody in Combination with Macrophage Depletion Improves Survival in a Mouse Model of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in a growing number of malignancies. However, overcoming primary or secondary resistances is difficult due to pharmacokinetics issues and side effects associated with high systemic exposure. Local or regional expression of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using gene therapy vectors can alleviate this problem. In this work, we describe a high-capacity adenoviral vector (HCA-EFZP-aPDL1) equipped with a mifepristone-inducible system for the controlled expression of an anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody. The vector was tested in an immune-competent mouse model of colorectal cancer based on implantation of MC38 cells. A single local administration of HCA-EFZP-aPDL1 in subcutaneous lesions led to a significant reduction in tumor growth with minimal release of the antibody in the circulation. When the vector was tested in a more stringent setting (rapidly progressing peritoneal carcinomatosis), the antitumor effect was marginal even in combination with other immune-stimulatory agents such as polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (pI:C), blocking mAbs for T cell immunoglobulin, mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) or agonistic mAbs for 4-1BB (CD137). In contrast, macrophage depletion by clodronate liposomes enhanced the efficacy of HCA-EFZP-aPDL1. These results highlight the importance of addressing macrophage-associated immunoregulatory mechanisms to overcome resistance to ICIs in the context of colorectal cancer.     

Functional properties of a protein product from Caryodendron orinocense (Barinas nut)

The functional properties of Caryodendron orinocense protein product were investigated and compared with those of soybean (Glycina maxima). The product protein content was 24.47 g/100 g (Nx6.25). Solubility increased at both sides of the isoelectric point (pH 4.0) and with increased NaCl concentration up to 0.5M. Compared with soybean flour (50% protein), the protein product exhibited higher water and oil absorption, but lower emulsifying activity, emulsion stability, foaming capacity, and foam stability, the last one increase at higher pH. Emulsifying activity, foaming capacity, and foam stability were ionic strength dependent. C. orinocense protein product increased its emulsifying activity steadily from 0.05M to 0.75M NaCl, while it remained almost constant for soybean flour. Foaming capacity increased drastically at pH 10. The minimum time and concentration to form a gel was 20% in 4 min and 10% in 8 min for the Caryodendron protein product and soybean flour, respectively. The bulk density was 0.5056+/-0.0041 g/mL.     

A simulation tool for performance evaluation of the IBM 360/75

In this paper we present some results obtained from using simulation as a tool for evaluating alternative methods of improving system performance in network computers. We begin by describing a GPSS model which was developed to evaluate the current computer center operations at the University of Illinois. While using actual data from the center to verify that the model accurately predicts each job's total time in the system, we evaluate the resource utilization within the center. Then we use the simulator to show that a proposed dynamic priority assignment algorithm yields better throughput than the existing algorithm while maintaining a higher level of CPU and memory utilization. Next, turning our attention to a hypothetical network of three centers, we use a generalization of our model to demonstrate the effects of load leveling between centers on the total system throughput. Here we also explore the merits of pay-for-priority schemes in both a single center and in a network of three centers.     

Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources.

B. L. Fredrickson's (1998, 2001) broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions asserts that people's daily experiences of positive emotions compound over time to build a variety of consequential personal resources. The authors tested this build hypothesis in a field experiment with working adults (n = 139), half of whom were randomly-assigned to begin a practice of loving-kindness meditation. Results showed that this meditation practice produced increases over time in daily experiences of positive emotions, which, in turn, produced increases in a wide range of personal resources (e.g., increased mindfulness, purpose in life, social support, decreased illness symptoms). In turn, these increments in personal resources predicted increased life satisfaction and reduced depressive symptoms. Discussion centers on how positive emotions are the mechanism of change for the type of mind-training practice studied here and how loving-kindness meditation is an intervention strategy that produces positive emotions in a way that outpaces the hedonic treadmill effect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social support from family and friends as a buffer of low spousal support among mothers of critically ill children: A multilevel modeling approach.

Objective: To investigate whether social support from family and friends (family/friend support) attenuated ("buffered") adverse effects of having low spouse support (spousal support) among mothers of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Design: One hundred sixty-three married mothers who were their child's primary caregiver during treatment completed assessments during the child's hospitalization for HSCT and 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-HSCT. Measures: Family/friend support and spousal support were assessed during hospitalization. Maternal physical and mental health-related functioning (the main outcome measures) were assessed at all timepoints. Results: Multilevel modeling was used to analyze trajectories of maternal functioning. Findings indicated that mothers with low spousal support and low family/friend support demonstrated the worst functioning across all timepoints. Mothers with low spousal support and high family/friend support demonstrated significantly better functioning, supporting the hypothesized buffering effect. Their functioning compared to the functioning of mothers with high spousal support. Moreover, mothers with high family/friend support demonstrated trajectories of physical health-related functioning that were more stable than the trajectories of mothers with low family/friend support. Conclusion: These findings have clinical implications in addition to advancing knowledge of social support processes among couples coping with the shared stressor of a child's life-threatening illness and treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An implantable closedloop asynchronous drug delivery system for the treatment of refractory epilepsy

In this paper, we present an implantable device for intra-cerebral electroencephalography (icEEG) data acquisition and real-time epileptic seizure detection with simultaneous focal antiepileptic drug injection feedback. This implantable device includes a neural signal amplifier, an asynchronous seizure detector, a drug delivery system (DDS) including a micropump, and a hybrid subdural electrode (HSE). The asynchronous detection algorithm is based on data-dependent analysis and validated with Matlab tools. The detector and DDS have a power saving mode. The HSE contacts are made of Platinum (Pt) encapsulated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Given the heterogeneity of electrographic seizure signals and seizure suppression threshold, the implantable device provides tunable parameters facility through an external transmitter to adapt to each individual's neurophysiology prior to clinical deployment. The proposed detector and DDS were assembled in ? 50 mm and ? 30 mm circular printed circuit boards, respectively. The detector was validated using icEEG recordings of seven patients who had previously undergone an intracranial investigation for epilepsy surgery. The triggering of the DDS was tested and a predefined seizure suppression dose was delivered ~16 s after electrographical seizure onsets. The device's power consumption was reduced by 12% in active mode and 49% in power saving mode compared to similar seizure detection algorithms implemented with synchronous architecture.     

Gestational and lactational exposure to dichlorinated bisphenol A induces early alterations of hepatic lipid composition in mice

Objective

Using non-invasive magnetic resonance (MR) techniques and a histological approach, we assessed the outcomes of perinatal exposure at a low dose of 3,3′-DCBPA (2-chloro-4-[1-(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]phenol) and/or 3,5-DCBPA (2,6-dichloro-4-[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]phenol) on mice livers.

Materials and methods

Fertilized female Swiss mice were injected intraperitoneally during gestation and lactation with either vehicle control, 20 μg/kg/day of BPA, 3,5-DCBPA, 3,3′-DCBPA or a mixture (mix-DCBPA). Complementary methods were used to evaluate, in male and female pups, (1) liver structure by texture analysis of images obtained through MR imaging (MRI) and histology, (2) hepatic lipid composition through in vivo ¹H MR spectroscopy (¹H MRS).

Results

Principal component analysis of texture parameters showed no structural modification of the liver with BPA and DCBPA treatments. Accordingly, no hepatic microvesicular steatosis was observed through hematoxylin–eosin staining. Compared to control, MRS revealed no difference in lipid composition for BPA, 3,5-DCBPA or 3,3′-DCBPA groups. However, MRS detected a significant increase in the mix-DCBPA groups for the saturated component of fatty acids (FA), total unsaturated FA bond index and polyunsaturated FA bond index.

Conclusion

Prior to any structural changes, polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly increased in young male and female mice exposed perinatally at a low dose to a mixture of dichlorinated BPA.

     

Ethik-Cafés in der geriatrischen Langzeitpflege: halten sie,was sie versprechen?

Definition of the problem Ethics cafés in long-term geriatric care are considered as ethical education. They allow the participants to have an open discourse in a casual setting about moral issues related to daily work. In the literature, various characteristics are attributed to ethics cafés, e.g., improving analytical skills and communication, increasing ethical sensitivity and authority for making decisions. These characteristics primarily result from theory-based models. Arguments The goal of this study is the empirical investigation of the effectiveness of ethics cafés in the Nursing Homes Mattenhof–Irchelpark, Zurich. Furthermore, the study examined whether the subjective evaluation of characteristics of nurses and other professional groups are different. To capture the characteristics, a questionnaire was constructed in which the participants rated 16 statements during the survey period. A 5-point Likert scale was used for the analysis. One subgroup distinguished between “nursing staff” and “non-nursing staff”. Conclusion The postulated characteristics were confirmed with a very high approval. Therefore, the ethics cafés provide important input which enable the staff to analyze more clearly in difficult situations or to let them decide ethically in a more sensitive manner and to justify decisions made. The interdisciplinary approach supports an understanding of the views and arguments among the various areas and hierarchies. The differences between the two professionals groups are partially highly significant. It can be noted that the assigned characteristics in the questionnaire are generally perceived stronger and more significantly by the nursing staff. Therefore, a distinction must be made when interpreting the results of this study concerning the participants.