How do you know an act when you see one? A response to Devins (1992).

Applying the distinction between self-efficacy and outcome expectations to achieve an unambiguous classification of any given belief seems more difficult than G. M. Devins (see record 1992-24877-001) indicates. The authors note the persistence of confusion about this distinction and hypothesize that its source is the difficulty of devising a generally applicable procedure for discriminating acts from nonacts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interactive MR imaging-guided biopsy and aspiration with a modified clinical C-arm system

OBJECTIVE: This investigation was performed to test the hypotheses that interactive guidance of MR image acquisition during needle-directed procedures using a clinical 0.2-T C-arm open MR imaging system integrated with a frameless optically linked stereotaxy system is feasible, and that procedure times can be sufficiently short to be well tolerated by the patient. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred six MR-guided procedures were performed in 86 patients (ranging in age from 5 months to 88 years) using a clinical C-arm imaging system supplemented with an in-room RF-shielded liquid crystal display monitor, a frameless stereotaxy system, rapid gradient-echo sequences for needle guidance, and MR-compatible monitoring and surgical lighting equipment. We performed 50 biopsies and aspirations of the head and neck in 37 patients, 23 biopsies of musculoskeletal lesions in 22 patients, 16 biopsies of abdominal sites in 10 patients, six biopsies of the thoracolumbar spine or sacrum in six patients, and 11 shoulder joint injections for MR arthrography in 11 patients, in addition to 38 MR arthrographic injections on the same imaging system described in a previous report. Tissue sampling included fine-needle aspiration (n = 90) and cutting needle core biopsy (n = 41). Thirty-five patients underwent both procedures. Procedures were evaluated for success of needle placement, procedure time, and complications. RESULTS: Needle placement was successful in all cases, and no complications occurred. Tissue was sufficient for pathologic diagnosis for all but eight patients. Passes per patient averaged 2.1. For fine-needle aspiration, instrument time averaged 7 min 42 sec per pass, cutting needle core biopsy averaged 6 min 24 sec, and shoulder injection averaged 8 min. CONCLUSION: MR imaging guidance for needle procedures on a clinical 0.2-T C-arm system with supplemental interventional accessories is feasible, with relatively rapid needle placement.     

Effect of stage of change on cue reactivity in continuing smokers.

Three classical conditioning models (the conditioned compensatory response, conditioned withdrawal, and conditioned appetitive motivational models) postulate that drug cues evoke physiological and emotional responses associated with motivational states that prompt drug use. There is accumulating evidence to suggest that factors other than classical conditioning can influence emotional and physiological reactivity to drug stimuli. This study tested whether stage of change affects the nature of reactivity to smoking cues among continuing smokers. Precontemplators (smokers not considering quitting) and contemplators (smokers considering quitting in the near future) watched videotapes containing smoking cues. Emotional and physiological responses to the smoking video were contrasted with responses to a neutral videotape. Precontemplators had lower heart rates than did contemplators in response to the smoking videotape. Both contemplators and precontemplators evinced increased positive affect in response to the smoking cue. A comparison sample of nonsmokers did not show any reactivity to the smoking cue. Implications of these findings for conditioning theories of smoking are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Catastrophizing, confounds, and depression: A comment on Sullivan and D'Eon (1990).

M. J. Sullivan and J. L. D'Eon (1990) concluded that catastrophizing and depression were conceptually and operationally confounded. The present author argues that (1) the procedures they used to study confounding were suboptimal because multiple measures of depression and catastrophizing were not employed, and (2) the distinctiveness of constructs might better be regarded as a continuous rather than all-or-none (having adequate discriminant validity vs being confounded) concept. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on measuring cognitive products in research and practice.

This article introduces a special section of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology titled "Measuring Cognitive Products in Research and Practice." The practice of cognitive behavior therapies—and research on their effectiveness and the validity of the models of psychopathology and therapy associated with these treatments—requires valid assessment of cognition. Cognitive variables can be considered at several levels; the main focus of the articles in this special section is on techniques suited to measurement of cognitive products, thoughts, and images of which people are conscious. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The future of cognitive therapy.

Speculates about likely future directions for psychotherapy and the role that cognitive therapy (CGT) might play in these developments. Five predictions about psychotherapy are discussed, along with their implications for CGT. These include (1) questions of specificity vs nonspecificity; (2) greater emphasis on research and accountability; (3) cross-fertilization of different systems of psychotherapy; (4) diversification of delivery systems; and (5) pursuit of closer connections with basic psychological science. CGT appears to have attained its greatest documented achievement in treatment of unipolar depression. A better idea of its efficacy for treatment of panic disorders, eating disorders, marital distress, and personality disorders should be possible after 5–20 yrs of research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Priming irrational beliefs in recovered-depressed people

Despite strong epidemiological evidence supporting an important role for Campylobacter upsaliensis as a human enteropathogen, it remains relatively unknown in the realm of clinical microbiology. Clinical studies indicate that infection with this organism usually is associated with benign self-limiting diarrhea. However, more serious illnesses, including spontaneous abortion and hemolytic-uremic syndrome, recently have been associated with human infections. Understanding of the virulence properties and molecular biology of C. upsaliensis is beginning to evolve. There is now a pressing need for controlled, prospective epidemiologic studies in addition to further in-depth investigation of the pathogenesis of this enteric campylobacter to more precisely define its role in human disease. Furthermore, since C. upsaliensis is sensitive to the antibiotics routinely used in Campylobacter selective media, widespread appreciation of the importance of this organism will rely on the development of widely applicable, effective techniques for its isolation.