Neural correlates of a computerized attention modification program in anxious subjects.

Computerized attention modification is a relatively new and empirically validated treatment approach for different types of anxiety disorders. However, its neural basis and processes involved are poorly understood. This study examined the effect of a one-time application of an attention modification program (AMP) on neural substrates underlying emotion processing in individuals with high social anxiety.

Perceptions of Midwest rural women related to their physical activity and eating behaviors.

The study aim was to describe the perceptions of 65 Midwestern rural women related to healthy eating, physical activity, and weight management. A semistructured interview guide was used to elicit data. Theory of planned behavior constructs were used to categorize the data into 4 predominant themes related to healthy lifestyle behaviors, (a) knowledge and attitudes, (b) rural cultural influences, (c) facilitators, and (d) barriers.

Validation of a modified McGill Pain Questionnaire for orthodontic patients.

Objective: To assess better and more efficiently the aspects of pain experienced by adolescent orthodontic patients, the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form (MPQ-SF) was modified (MMPQ-SF) and validated.

Materials And Methods: Internal and external expert panels developed a MMPQ-SF with 15 descriptors and 4-point Likert severity scales (MMPQ-SF15). Seventy-five subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment gave informed consent.

The role of the physical examination in the evaluation of headache.

The population of patients suffering with headaches is vast and underserved. The most critical element in headache evaluation is the history. The targeted history not only differentiates primary from secondary headaches but also provides a realistic list of conditions associated with secondary headache.

Computational methods for objective assessment of conjunctival vascularity.

Assessment of vascularity of conjunctiva has many diagnostic and prognostic applications, thus creation of computational methods for its fast and objective assessment is of importance. Here we provide two different methods for estimation of conjunctiva's vascularity from color digital images, with our best results showing a correlation coefficient of 0.89 between the predicted and ground truth values using a committee of artificial neural networks.

Calmodulin-induced structural changes in endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

We have derived structures of intact calmodulin (CaM)-free and CaM-bound endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by reconstruction from cryo-electron micrographs. The CaM-free reconstruction is well fitted by the oxygenase domain dimer, but the reductase domains are not visible, suggesting they are mobile and thus delocalized. Additional protein is visible in the CaM-bound reconstruction, concentrated in volumes near two basic patches on each oxygenase domain.

Fluid flow shear stress upregulates prostanoid receptor EP2 but not EP4 in murine podocytes.

Podocytes in the glomerular filtration barrier regulate the passage of plasma proteins into urine. Capillary pressure and ultrafiltration impact the structure and function of podocytes. The mechanism of podocyte injury by fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) from hyperfiltration in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not completely understood.

Introducing a primer for career development and promotion: succeeding as a psychologist in an academic health center.

Noting a lack of such a resource, the authors developed a primer summarizing key concepts for career development and promotion for psychologists working in an academic health center. The present article presents a brief summary of the primer; however, the full version is available as an APAHC membership benefit (or for a small fee for non-members) by visiting http://www.div12.

Cinacalcet as adjunctive therapy for hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism from inadequate calcium absorption in the gut, is the underlying pathophysiology for rachitic changes in hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR). We describe a novel use of Cinacalcet to treat a child with HVDRR in whom conventional modes of therapy had to be discontinued. Cinacalcet therapy with high-dose oral calcium effectively normalized the metabolic abnormalities and bone condition.

LPS and PAN-induced podocyte injury in an in vitro model of minimal change disease: changes in TLR profile.

Minimal change disease (MCD), the most common idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children, is characterized by proteinuria and loss of glomerular visceral epithelial cell (podocyte) ultrastructure. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) are used to study podocyte injury in models of MCD in vivo and in vitro. We hypothesized that LPS and PAN influence components of the innate immune system in podocytes such as the Toll-Like Receptor (TLRs), TLR adapter molecules, and associated cytokines.

Bisphosphonates use in children.

Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogues of pyrophosphate that inhibit bone resorption by their action on osteoclasts. In recent years, bisphosphonates have been used in children for treatment of a growing number of disorders associated primarily with generalized or localized osteoporosis, genetic and acquired metabolic bone diseases, heterotopic calcifications in soft tissues, and for hypercalcemia. In this review, the authors address the role of and experience with bisphosphonate therapy in disorders of childhood.

Phosphate homeostasis and its role in bone health.

Phosphate is one of the most abundant minerals in the body, and its serum levels are regulated by a complex set of processes occurring in the intestine, skeleton, and kidneys. The currently known main regulators of phosphate homeostasis include parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitriol, and a number of peptides collectively known as the "phosphatonins" of which fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) has been best defined. Maintenance of extracellular and intracellular phosphate levels within a narrow range is important for many biological processes, including energy metabolism, cell signaling, regulation of protein synthesis, skeletal development, and bone integrity.

Studying osteocyte function using the cell lines MLO-Y4 and MLO-A5.

We describe the culture and use of MLO-Y4 cells in studies of gene expression, response to fluid flow, and dendrite growth. We also describe how to use the MLO-A5 cells as a model of osteoblast to osteocyte -differentiation and how to study their mineralization. These studies serve as a beginning point to study osteocyte functions and molecular mechanisms responsible for these functions.

Conscience, clinical ethics, and emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception (EC) is a generic term used to describe a group of hormonal methods taken within the first few days after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent an unintended pregnancy. EC is safe and effective in preventing pregnancy. Plan B or the generic levonorgestrel is available over-the-counter for women 17 years and older.

Why we should eliminate personal belief exemptions to vaccine mandates.

We argue that personal belief exemptions to the mandate for childhood immunizations should not be allowed. Parents who choose not to immunize their children put both their own children and other children at risk. Other children are at risk because unimmunized children go to school or day care when they are contagious but asymptomatic, exposing many more children to potentially dangerous infections.

What is Behind the Rising Rates of Preterm Birth in the United States?

We review three decades of unsuccessful efforts by public policy-makers in the United States to develop programs to lower the rate of preterm birth. We analyze why these efforts had been unsuccessful. Finally, we will speculate about whether something has changed in the last few years that might finally bend the curve and reverse the trend of a steadily rising preterm birth rate.

A quantitative EEG method for detecting post clamp changes during carotid endarterectomy.

Objective: To apply univariate and multivariate analyses of EEG spectral features in order to detect subtle post-clamp changes during carotid endarterectomy, and to devise a data-driven, multivariate classification method for rapid, real-time detection of small post-clamp EEG changes.

Methods: We used intraoperative EEG records of 27 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and did not undergo a shunt per surgeon's and technologist's visual inspection of the electro-encephalogram (EEG). Furthermore, these records could not be flagged with r-sBSI (revised spatial brain symmetry index) or r-tBSI (revised temporal brain symmetry index) qEEG (quantitative EEG) metrics.

Effects of dialdehyde starch on calcification of collagen matrix.

Dialdehyde starch (DAS), a polymeric aldehyde derived from naturally occurring polysaccharide, was used as an additive to the collagen (COL) matrix in an effort to improve its physical and biological properties. The effects of DAS on the thermal stability of COL were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The conformational changes in COL were characterized by resistance to protease degradation assay, residual amine analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Comparison between cone-beam computed tomography and intraoral digital radiography for assessment of tooth root lesions.

Introduction: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) might be more accurate in identifying radicular surface lesions compared with digital periapical radiography. In this study, we compared these techniques in detecting simulated root resorption lesions.

Methods: A porcine mandible was used to support 10 human maxillary central incisors.

The usefulness of S100P, mesothelin, fascin, prostate stem cell antigen, and 14-3-3 sigma in diagnosing pancreatic adenocarcinoma in cytological specimens obtained by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of the pancreas is an efficient and minimally invasive procedure for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Because of some limitations of EUS-FNA in diagnosis of well-differentiated or early stage cancers, the purpose of this study is to assess the added benefit of immunohistochemistry. We studied five proteins overexpressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, namely, prostate stem cell antigen, fascin, 14-3-3 sigma, mesothelin and S100P utilizing immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections from cellblocks obtained by EUS-FNA.

Clinical practice. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)23: a new hormone.

Until a decade ago, two main hormones were recognized as directly affecting phosphate homeostasis and, with that, bone metabolism: parathyroid hormone and 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D (calcitriol). It was only a decade ago that the third major player hormone was found, linking gut, bone, and kidney. The physiologic role of fibrinogen growth factor (FGF)23 is to maintain serum phosphate concentration within a narrow range.

Does pediatrics need its own bioethics?

Pediatric bioethics raises unique issues because children are constantly growing, developing, and changing. The ethical issues that arise for newborns are different from those that arise for seven-year-olds or 17-year-olds. Furthermore, children do not develop cognitive capacities or moral reasoning skills at the same rate.

Unraveling the genetic basis of asthma and allergic diseases.

Asthma and allergic diseases are believed to be complex genetic diseases which may result from the interaction of multiple genetic factors and environmental stimuli. In past decades, great efforts have been exerted in unraveling their genetic basis. The strategies in discovering genes and genetic variants, confirming their importance in pathogenesis of asthma and allergic diseases, as well as their strengths and limitations are summarized comprehensively and concisely.