An exploratory investigation of predictors of outcome in face-to-face and online cognitive-behavioural therapy for bulimia nervosa.

Objective: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered face-to-face and via the internet reduces bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms. However, our empirical understanding of factors affecting patient outcomes is limited.

Method: Using data from a randomised, controlled trial comparing internet-based (CBT4BN, n = 78) with face-to-face (CBTF2F, n = 71) group CBT (97% female, M = 28 years), we examined general treatment (across conditions) and modality-specific predictors of end-treatment and 1-year outcomes (abstinence, binge-eating frequency, purging frequency).

The orexin (hypocretin) neuropeptide system is a target for novel therapeutics to treat cocaine use disorder with alcohol coabuse.

An estimated 50-90% of individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD) also report using alcohol. Cocaine users report coabusing alcohol to 'self-medicate' against the negative emotional side effects of the cocaine 'crash', including the onset of anxiety. Thus, pharmaceutical strategies to treat CUD would ideally reduce the motivational properties of cocaine, alcohol, and their combination, as well as reduce the onset of anxiety during drug withdrawal.

Hold-down as an alternative to unit dose in cocaine self-administration experiments: Characterization using a progressive ratio schedule.

Rationale: Virtually all cocaine self-administration studies have used a "unit dose" as a reinforcing stimulus; the subject is a passive recipient of an experimenter-selected dose.

Objectives: The present experiments examined the consequence of requiring the subject to actively determine the dose and speed of each injection.

Methods: A two-lever procedure was used in which responding on a progressive ratio (PR) schedule provided access to cocaine on a hold down (HD) schedule.

Increased Number and Activity of a Lateral Subpopulation of Hypothalamic Orexin/Hypocretin Neurons Underlies the Expression of an Addicted State in Rats.

Background: The orexin (hypocretin) system is important for reward-driven motivation but has not been implicated in the expression of a multiphenotype addicted state.

Methods: Rats were assessed for economic demand for cocaine before and after 14 days of short access, long access, or intermittent access (IntA) to cocaine. Rats were also assessed for a number of other DSM-5-relevant addiction criteria following differential access conditions.

Cost-Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa (CBT-BN) compared to face-to-face delivery of CBT-BN.

Methods: This study is a planned secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial. Participants were 179 adults (98% female, mean age = 28 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for bulimia nervosa who were randomized to group face-to-face or group Internet-based CBT-BN for 16 sessions during 20 weeks.

Mammalian cell surface display for monoclonal antibody-based FACS selection of viral envelope proteins.

The elicitation of broadly and efficiently neutralizing antibodies in humans by active immunization is still a major obstacle in the development of vaccines against pathogens such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza virus, hepatitis C virus or cytomegalovirus. Here, we describe a mammalian cell surface display and monoclonal antibody (mAb)-mediated panning technology that allows affinity-based selection of envelope (Env) variants from libraries. To this end, we established an experimental setup featuring: 1) single and site specific integration of Env to link genotype and phenotype, 2) inducible Env expression to avoid cytotoxicity effects, 3) translational coupling of Env and enhanced green fluorescent protein expression to normalize for Env protein levels, and 4) display on HEK cells to ensure native folding and mammalian glycosylation.

The core symptoms of bulimia nervosa, anxiety, and depression: A network analysis.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by symptoms of binge eating and compensatory behavior, and overevaluation of weight and shape, which often co-occur with symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, there is little research identifying which specific BN symptoms maintain BN psychopathology and how they are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Network analyses represent an emerging method in psychopathology research to examine how symptoms interact and may become self-reinforcing.

CBT4BN: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Online Chat and Face-to-Face Group Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa.

Objective: Although cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) represents the first-line evidence-based psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa (BN), most individuals seeking treatment do not have access to this specialized intervention. We compared an Internet-based manualized version of CBT group therapy for BN conducted via a therapeutic chat group (CBT4BN) to the same treatment conducted via a traditional face-to-face group therapy (CBTF2F).

Method: In a two-site, randomized, controlled noninferiority trial, we tested the hypothesis that CBT4BN would not be inferior to CBTF2F.

Predictors of dropout in face-to-face and internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa in a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: We sought to identify predictors and moderators of failure to engage (i.e., pretreatment attrition) and dropout in both Internet-based and traditional face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for bulimia nervosa.

Three-dimensional-printed gas dynamic virtual nozzles for x-ray laser sample delivery.

Reliable sample delivery is essential to biological imaging using X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFELs). Continuous injection using the Gas Dynamic Virtual Nozzle (GDVN) has proven valuable, particularly for time-resolved studies. However, many important aspects of GDVN functionality have yet to be thoroughly understood and/or refined due to fabrication limitations.

Effectiveness of an Internet-based preparation for psychosomatic treatment: Results of a controlled observational study.

Objective: Patients often have to sustain long waiting periods between the time they first apply for psychotherapy and the actual uptake of the treatment. To support patients who are on a wait-list for inpatient psychosomatic treatment an Internet-based preparatory treatment (VORSTAT) was developed. In a randomized controlled trial, VORSTAT proved to increase treatment motivation prior to intake and to accelerate the accommodation phase at the beginning of inpatient treatment.

Brief intermittent cocaine self-administration and abstinence sensitizes cocaine effects on the dopamine transporter and increases drug seeking.

Although traditional sensitization paradigms, which result in an augmentation of cocaine-induced locomotor behavior and dopamine (DA) overflow following repeated experimenter-delivered cocaine injections, are often used as a model to study drug addiction, similar effects have been difficult to demonstrate following cocaine self-administration. We have recently shown that intermittent access (IntA) to cocaine can result in increased cocaine potency at the DA transporter (DAT); however, traditional sensitization paradigms often show enhanced effects following withdrawal/abstinence periods. Therefore, we determined a time course of IntA-induced sensitization by examining the effects of 1 or 3 days of IntA, as well as a 7-day abstinence period on DA function, cocaine potency, and reinforcement.

Intermittent cocaine self-administration produces sensitization of stimulant effects at the dopamine transporter.

Previous literature investigating neurobiological adaptations following cocaine self-administration has shown that high, continuous levels of cocaine intake (long access; LgA) results in reduced potency of cocaine at the dopamine transporter (DAT), whereas an intermittent pattern of cocaine administration (intermittent access; IntA) results in sensitization of cocaine potency at the DAT. Here, we aimed to determine whether these changes are specific to cocaine or translate to other psychostimulants. Psychostimulant potency was assessed by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in brain slices containing the nucleus accumbens following IntA, short access, and LgA cocaine self-administration, as well as in brain slices from naive animals.

Cost-effectiveness of an internet-based aftercare intervention after inpatient treatment in a psychosomatic hospital.

Objective: The implementation of new interventions into routine care requires the demonstration of both their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Method: We explored the cost-effectiveness of an Internet-based aftercare program in addition to treatment as usual (CHAT) which was compared to treatment as usual (TAU) following inpatient treatment. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated based on cost of the intervention, cost of outpatient treatment, and remission rates within 1 year after discharge from hospital.

Reduction of the reinforcing effectiveness of cocaine by continuous D-amphetamine treatment in rats: importance of active self-administration during treatment period.

Rationale: Continuous administration of D-amphetamine has shown promise as a treatment for psychostimulant addiction. In rodent studies, constant infusion of D-amphetamine (5 mg/kg/day) has been shown to reduce cocaine-reinforced responding in the dose range of 0.19-0.

[Process and outcome of an internet-based preparation for inpatient psychosomatic psychotherapeutic treatment: an examination of website use].

Objective: A main challenge for evaluating online intervention is to identify which elements are used and to identify participants who are more engaged.

Methods: The study analyzes data on intervention use of an Internet-based preparation for inpatient psychosomatic psychotherapeutic treatment (VORSTAT).

Results: Data were available for 176 participants enrolled into VORSTAT from July 2009 to February 2011.

Temporal pattern of cocaine intake determines tolerance vs sensitization of cocaine effects at the dopamine transporter.

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is responsible for terminating dopamine (DA) signaling and is the primary site of cocaine's reinforcing actions. Cocaine self-administration has been shown previously to result in changes in cocaine potency at the DAT. To determine whether the DAT changes associated with self-administration are due to differences in intake levels or temporal patterns of cocaine-induced DAT inhibition, we manipulated cocaine access to produce either continuous or intermittent elevations in cocaine brain levels.

Conflation of cocaine seeking and cocaine taking responses in IV self-administration experiments in rats: methodological and interpretational considerations.

IV drug self-administration is a special case of an operant task. In most operant experiments, the instrumental response that completes the schedule requirement is separate and distinct from the consumptive response (e.g.

Ritualistic chewing behavior induced by mCPP in the rat is an animal model of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, anxiety-producing thoughts accompanied by unwanted, overwhelming urges to perform ritualistic behaviors. Pharmacological treatments for this disorder (serotonin uptake inhibitors) are problematic because there is a 6-8 week delayed onset and half of the patients do not adequately respond. The present study evaluated whether Ritualistic Chewing Behaviors (RCBs) induced by the serotonin agonist mCPP in the rat is a behavioral model for OCD.

Examination of behavioral strategies regulating cocaine intake in rats.

Rationale: It has long been observed that rats self-administer psychostimulants in a highly regular pattern. The inverse relationship between dose and rate of drug intake has been interpreted as a titration phenomenon wherein brain-cocaine levels are maintained within a range. Most studies examining this phenomenon have used fixed, unit doses in which case the only titration strategy available to the animal is to adjust inter-infusion intervals.

Chronic treatment with curcumin enhances methamphetamine locomotor sensitization and cue-induced reinstatement of methamphetamine self-administration.

Objectives: Curcumin, a major active component of Curcuma longa, possesses antidepressant effects that are mediated by the 5-HT system. However, little is known about the effect of curcumin on the behavioral consequences of methamphetamine (METH).

Methods: The subjects were male, adult Sprague-Dawley rats.

CBT4BN versus CBTF2F: comparison of online versus face-to-face treatment for bulimia nervosa.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is currently the "gold standard" for treatment of bulimia nervosa (BN), and is effective for approximately 40-60% of individuals receiving treatment; however, the majority of individuals in need of care do not have access to CBT. New strategies for service delivery of CBT and for maximizing maintenance of treatment benefits are critical for improving our ability to treat BN. This clinical trial is comparing an Internet-based version of CBT (CBT4BN) in which group intervention is conducted via therapeutic chat group with traditional group CBT (CBTF2F) for BN conducted via face-to-face therapy group.

The motivation to self-administer is increased after a history of spiking brain levels of cocaine.

Recent attempts to model the addiction process in rodents have focused on cocaine self-administration procedures that provide extended daily access. Such procedures produce a characteristic loading phase during which blood levels rapidly rise and then are maintained within an elevated range for the duration of the session. The present experiments tested the hypothesis that multiple fast-rising spikes in cocaine levels contribute to the addiction process more robustly than constant, maintained drug levels.

Cocaine self-administration in rats: hold-down procedures.

For decades, researchers have used animal self-administration models to examine the effects drugs of abuse have on physiology and behavior. Sophisticated self-administration procedures have been developed to model many different aspects of drug addiction. The hold-down procedure provides animals with control over the amount of each injection.

Brain-cocaine concentrations determine the dose self-administered by rats on a novel behaviorally dependent dosing schedule.

A novel behaviorally dependent dosing (BDD) schedule was used to examine the relationship between doses of cocaine self-administered by rats and brain drug levels within a session. The BDD schedule used a hold-down response to activate a syringe pump. The length of time the lever was held down determined the duration that the syringe pump was activated.