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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.03.004 Byline: Roland E. Kalin (a), Martin P. Kretz (a), Andrea M. Meyer (a), Andreas Kispert (b), Frank L. Heppner (c), Andre W. Brandli (a) Keywords: Angiogenesis; Apelin; APJ; Cancer; Glioblastoma; Mouse; Signal transduction; VEGF; Xenopus Abstract: Apelin and its G protein-coupled receptor APJ play important roles in blood pressure regulation, body fluid homeostasis, and possibly the modulation of immune responses. Here, we report that apelin-APJ signaling is essential for embryonic angiogenesis and upregulated during tumor angiogenesis. A detailed expression analysis demonstrates that both paracrine and autocrine mechanisms mark areas of embryonic and tumor angiogenesis. Knockdown studies in Xenopus reveal that apelin-APJ signaling is required for intersomitic vessel angiogenesis. Moreover, ectopic expression of apelin but not vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is sufficient to trigger premature angiogenesis. In vitro, apelin is non-mitogenic for primary human endothelial cells but promotes chemotaxis. Epistasis studies in Xenopus embryos suggest that apelin-APJ signaling functions downstream of VEGFA. Finally, we show that apelin and APJ expression is highly upregulated in microvascular proliferations of brain tumors such as malignant gliomas. Thus, our results define apelin and APJ as genes of potential diagnostic value and promising targets for the development of a new generation of anti-tumor angiogenic drugs. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland (b) Institute of Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (c) Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Article History: Received 8 November 2006; Revised 2 March 2007; Accepted 6 March 2007

Prosocial behavior represents an evolutionary advantage for individuals. In line with this claim, several studies showed a positive relation between prosocial behavior and well-being. However, negative relations were also reported in the literature. This study aimed to assess the relation between prosocial behavior and well-being using an event sampling methodology. Further, we were interested in two contextual factors (closeness of the receiver and autonomy) that are believed to impact this relationship. Ninety couples (180 individuals) answered questions about their helping behavior and well-being during one week. Overall, prosocial behavior was not associated with well-being and this association was also not observed when the recipient was a close rather than a distant individual. However, prosocial behavior was positively related to well-being when individuals experienced a sense of autonomy when deciding to act prosocially. Interventions aiming to promote prosocial behavior should ensure that behaviors are autonomously implemented. • Behaving prosocially towards a close individual (vs distant individual) does not relate to higher levels of well-being. • Significant positive relation between feeling of choice and well-being. • Significant negative relation between feeling obligated to act prosocially and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for caesium concentration from North Sea and Baltic Sea seawater samples was tested and optimised for offshore concentration of radiocaesium and seawater volumes up to 150 L. The composite ion-exchanger Potassium Nickel Hexacyanoferrate in a Polyacrylnitrile binding matrix (KNiFC-PAN) with 80% of powdered KNiFC per gram of dry residue was used for this study. The optimised method achieved recoveries of around 99% with a bed volume (BV) of 50 mL of KNiFC-PAN and average flow rates of seawater of around 182 BV per hour (e.g. 9.1 L per hour). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The role of behavioral inhibition (BI), parental rearing, and adverse life events in the development of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is unresolved. We prospectively examined whether BI and perceived parental rearing predicted the subsequent first onset of OCD and whether BI moderated the association between perceived parental rearing/adverse life events and the first onset of OCD. Data come from a prospective-longitudinal study among community adolescents and young adults (aged 14–24) who were followed up over 10 years (N = 2210). OCD and adverse life events were assessed with the DSM-IV/M-CIDI. BI and parental rearing were assessed by self-report. In adjusted logistic regressions, BI (risk ratio, RR = 8.8,95% confidence interval, CI,[3.3,23.2]), both the social (RR = 2.6,95%CI[1.04,6.3]) and nonsocial fear (RR = 4.5,95%CI[2.3,8.6]) components, and paternal rejection (RR = 3.9,95%CI[1.6,9.7]) predicted OCD. Social BI moderated the association of adverse life event (RR = 11.98,95%CI[1.8,82.1]) and paternal overprotection (RR = 5.5,95%CI[2.1,14.8]) with OCD. Nonsocial fear BI moderated the association between paternal emotional warmth (RR = 0.37,95%CI[0.1,0.99]) and OCD. BI and paternal rejection were associated with an increased risk of first onset of OCD. Individuals with high social BI who experienced paternal overprotection or any adverse life events may profit from early targeted prevention. Emotional warmth may buffer the association between nonsocial fear BI and OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluate the association between distress, various demographic and medical variables, and the prevalence of psychosocial distress in preoperative patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 100 consecutive patients were recruited into the study and asked to complete the Distress Thermometer (DT) form with the Problem List questionnaire prior to surgical intervention; the average distress score was 5.7 ± 2.7. The distress score was neither correlated with age (r = −0.025; p = 0.804) nor with tumor size (r = 0.028; p = 0.785). General worries, anxiety, sadness, depression, pain, exhaustion, sleeping disorders, or problems with nutrition resulted in significantly higher distress scores compared to patients without these complaints. Individuals with a DT score of 5 or higher (p = 0.006) were advised to seek out psychological support. There is a strong correlation between a high DT score and emotional disorders, as well as physical problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Identifying salient and widespread health-promoting targets is a prerequisite for efficient public health initiatives. We tested the moderating influence of psychological flexibility — a fundamental, trainable set of intrapersonal and interpersonal processes that help people manage stressors and strengthen alternative adaptive behaviors — on the relationship between known risk factors and physical health, mental health, and well-being. Method A representative sample of 1035 participants in Switzerland aged 18 – 74 years answered questions about their physical health, health care utilization, mental health, well-being, and three risk factors: stressful life events, daily stress, and low social support. Statistical models tested whether psychological flexibility moderated the relationship between risk factors and outcomes. Results Psychological flexibility consistently moderated the relationship between stress and all tested outcomes, following a dose response: Higher levels were more protective. Conclusions Targeting psychological flexibility — a salient and widespread set of trainable skills — could promote various health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Living in line with one's values is believed to be beneficial for a person's well-being. Working with values in the therapeutic context often reveals that individuals do no live congruent with their chosen values. This study aimed to investigate how patients’ valued behaviors change during an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how these changes are associated with functioning. Further, this study aimed to examine whether valued behaviors changed depending on pre-treatment levels of symptomatology. Methods This was a standardized randomized controlled trial with an ACT intervention. Participants were 41 adult patients with treatment-resistant panic disorder. Measurements were completed at pre-treatment, 4-weeks-post-treatment, as well as 6-months after treatment. Results The discrepancy between how important something is and how much someone does in accordance to their values decreased across treatment. Higher pre-treatment panic symptomatology led to higher improvements in valued action, compared to lower pre-treatment symptomatology. Yet, all patients reached comparable end-points. Functioning increased over the entire study period and increases in functioning were associated with increases in importance and valued action. Discussion Our study extends prior findings about valued behaviors in ACT by showing that treatment-resistant patients with panic disorder decreased the discrepancy between what is considered important and valued action. Further studies investigating changes in valued behaviors across various diagnoses and treatments are clearly necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expectations and beliefs shape the experience of pain. This is most evident in context-induced, placebo analgesia, which has recently been shown to interact with the trait of magical thinking (MT) in adults. In children, placebo analgesia and the possible roles that MT and gender might play as modulators of placebo analgesia have remained unexplored. Using a paradigm in which heat pain stimuli were applied to both forearms, we investigated whether MT and gender can influence the magnitude of placebo analgesia in children. Participants were 49 right-handed children (aged 6-9 years) who were randomly assigned-stratified for MT and gender-to either an analgesia-expectation or a control-expectation condition. For both conditions, the placebo was a blue-colored hand disinfectant that was applied to the children's forearms. Independent of MT, the placebo treatment significantly increased both heat pain threshold and tolerance. The threshold placebo effect was more pronounced for girls than boys. In addition, independent of the expectation treatment, low-MT boys showed a lower tolerance increase on the left compared to the right side. Finally, MT specifically modulated tolerance on the right forearm side: Low-MT boys showed an increase, whereas high-MT boys showed a decrease in heat pain tolerance. This study documented a substantial expectation-induced placebo analgesia response in children (girls > boys) and demonstrated MT and gender-dependent laterality effects in pain perception. The findings may help improve individualized pain management for children. PERSPECTIVE: The study documents the first experimental evidence for a substantial expectancy-induced placebo analgesia response in healthy children aged 6 to 9 years (girls > boys). Moreover, the effect was substantially higher than the placebo response typically found in adults. The findings may help improve individualized pain management for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study evaluates the long-term efficacy (four years after treatment) of a short-term Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT) of Binge Eating Disorder (BED). We examined patient characteristics, mostly measured at the end of treatment, for their predictive value of long-term success. Forty-one BED-patients between 18 and 70 years took part in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for a short-term treatment and were evaluated until 4 years after treatment. Assessments comprised structured interviews on comorbid mental disorder/eating disorder pathology and questionnaires on eating disorder pathology/general psychopathology. BED core symptoms and associated psychopathology improved substantially during treatment phase and further improved or at least remained stable during the follow-up period. End of treatment predictors for long term success were elevated weight and eating concern and higher frequency of objective binges. Tailoring additional interventions to patients' individual needs could further improve treatment efficacy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Criteria are needed for the professional status of PR, and the role of the professional association in this regard. [•] Professionalization is promoted by the GA, an umbrella body for regional PR associations, which was formed in 2002. [•] Greater emphasis on corporate governance and regulation has led to a renewed effort to achieve professional status for PR. [•] This study focused on the goals and actions of GA member associations in relation to the question of professional status. [•] Participating associations agreed that professional status is important; to this end, similar mechanisms are employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a recently described disordered eating style whose status in current diagnostic systems needs to be further clarified. The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about the clinical features of NES in a sample of 1514 young adults aged 18–26 years from the general population who participated in an anonymous Internet survey. We first examined characteristics of NES and tried to delineate it from healthy controls as well as from other eating disorders in terms of socio-demography, eating disorder pathology and general psychopathology. Second, we attempted to further clarify the clinical utility of the NES by assessing the degree of distress as well as impairment. Twenty (1.3%) participants with NES were identified and there was only modest overlap between NES and both Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Bulimia nervosa (BN) according to questionnaire-based DSM-IV criteria. Compared to healthy controls, NES individuals reported more pronounced eating disorder pathology as well as general psychopathology (depressive symptoms, chronic social stress). NES seems to be associated with considerable distress and impairment. Implications for the validity and classification of NES are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the long-term efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT) and Behavioral Weight-Loss-Treatment (BWLT) in patients with binge eating disorder (BED) and to identify potential predictors of long-term treatment success. Method: In a sample of overweight to obese BED patients from a randomized comparative trial we evaluated the efficacy of four months of CBT or BWLT, followed by 12 months extended care, and a final follow-up assessment 6 years after the end of active treatment. Outcomes included binge eating, eating disorder pathology, depressive feelings, and body mass index. Results: After a strong improvement during active treatment, outcomes worsened during follow-up, yet remained improved at 6-year follow-up relative to pretreatment values. Long-term effects between CBT and BWLT were comparable. Rapid response during the early treatment phase was the only characteristic that was predictive of favorable treatment outcome in the long term. Conclusions: Both CBT and BWLT can be considered to be comparably efficacious in the long-term. Patients not responding strongly enough during the first four therapy sessions might be in need of tailored interventions early during the treatment phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Current explanatory models for binge eating in binge eating disorder (BED) mostly rely on models for bulimia nervosa (BN), although research indicates different antecedents for binge eating in BED. This study investigates antecedents and maintaining factors in terms of positive mood, negative mood and tension in a sample of 22 women with BED using ecological momentary assessment over a 1-week. Values for negative mood were higher and those for positive mood lower during binge days compared with non-binge days. During binge days, negative mood and tension both strongly and significantly increased and positive mood strongly and significantly decreased at the first binge episode, followed by a slight though significant, and longer lasting decrease (negative mood, tension) or increase (positive mood) during a 4-h observation period following binge eating. Binge eating in BED seems to be triggered by an immediate breakdown of emotion regulation. There are no indications of an accumulation of negative mood triggering binge eating followed by immediate reinforcing mechanisms in terms of substantial and stable improvement of mood as observed in BN. These differences implicate a further specification of etiological models and could serve as a basis for developing new treatment approaches for BED. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Understanding the dropout rates of efficacious forms of psychotherapy for patients with binge eating disorder (BED) is an unsolved problem within this increasing population. Up until now the role of psychotherapy process characteristics as predictors of premature termination has not been investigated in the BED literature. Within a randomized controlled trial (N =78) we investigated the degree to which early psychological process characteristics, such as components of the therapeutic relationship and the experiences of mastery and motivational clarification, predicted premature termination of treatment. We statistically controlled for the influences of covariates such as rapid response of treatment, treatment group, body mass index, Axis II disorder, and patients’ preexisting generalized self-efficacy at baseline. Patients’ postsession reports from Sessions 1 to 5 indicated that low self-esteem in-session experiences was a stable predictor of premature termination. Its predictive value persisted after controlling for the above-mentioned covariates. Exploratory analyses further revealed low self-esteem experiences, low global alliance, and low mastery and clarification experiences as predictors in those patients who explicitly specified discontentment with therapy as reason for premature termination. These results indicate that patients’ self-esteem experiences may not be an epiphenomenon of their specific psychopathology but may represent general mechanisms on which remaining or withdrawing from psychotherapeutic treatment depends. Early psychotherapy process characteristics should therefore be considered in training and evaluation of psychotherapists carrying through BED treatments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: PPARγ is a nuclear hormone receptor of the PPAR family of transcription factors closely related to the steroid hormone receptors serving multiple roles in regulating reproductive function. Endogenous factors from the arachidonic acid metabolites group serve as ligands for PPARs. PPARγ modifies the steroidogenic capacity of reproductive tissues and has been defined as a key mediator of biological actions of progesterone receptor in granulosa cells; it modulates biochemical and morphological placental trophoblast differentiation during implantation and placentation. However, no such information is available for the dog. Hence, the expression and possible functions of PPARγ were assessed in corpora lutea (CL) and utero/placental (Ut/Pl) compartment collected from bitches (n = 3 to 5) on days 8 to 12 (pre-implantation), 18 to 25 (post-implantation), 35 to 40 (mid-gestation) of pregnancy and at prepartal luteolysis. Additionally, 10 mid-pregnant bitches were treated with the antiprogestin Aglepristone [10mg/Kg bw (2x/24h)]; ovariohysterectomy was 24h and 72h after the 2nd treatment. Of the two PPARγ isoforms, PPARγ1 was the only isoform clearly detectable in all canine CL and utero/placental samples. The luteal PPARγ was upregulated throughout pregnancy, a prepartal downregulation was observed. Placental expression of PPARγ was elevated after implantation and at mid-gestation, followed by a prepartal downregulation. All changes were more pronounced at the protein-level suggesting that the PPARγ expression may be regulated at the post-transcriptional level. Within the CL PPARγ was localized to the luteal cells. Placental expression was targeted solely to the fetal trophoblast cells; a regulatory role of PPARγ in canine placental development possibly through influencing the invasion of fetal trophoblast cells is suggested. Treatment with Aglepristone led to downregulation of PPARγ in either compartment, implying the functional interrelationship with progesterone receptor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using mixed methods, we compared appellate court foster care cases where parents'' rights were terminated to those in which decisions to terminate parental rights were reversed or remanded to better understand the experiences of parents struggling with alcohol and drug use. A content analysis of 60 cases was conducted; 30 cases in which parental rights were terminated, and 30 where decisions to terminate parental rights were overturned or remanded to the lower court. Parents whose rights were terminated were more likely to have mental health problems and experienced incarceration. In addition, when a composite score of risk factors was analyzed, parents whose rights were terminated had significantly more risk factors. For both groups, poverty was an equally common risk factor. Implications include universal assessments for alcohol and drug abuse for parents involved in the child welfare system and timely referrals to appropriate treatment. Further, collaboration between mental health providers, substance use treatment programs, and caseworkers to address the integration of potential risk factors may help promote successful outcomes for parents whose children are in foster care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The goal of a monitoring program is to find out whether the size of a population is stable, declining, or increasing over time. Whereas statistical tests for temporal trends are straightforward, there is no test for no change or stability. We propose that the combination of traditional trend analyses such as linear regression and tests for density dependence may be used for population stability analyses. We illustrate the approach by analyzing a data set from an orchid monitoring program. Combining statistical tests for temporal trends with tests for statistically significant density dependence is a useful and simple tool in the analysis of monitoring data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study compared the effectiveness of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) to the Mediterranean diet (MD) as treatment for Crohn's disease (CD) with mild to moderate symptoms. Adult patients with CD and with mild-to-moderate symptoms were randomly assigned 1:1 to consume the MD or SCD for 12 weeks. For the first 6 weeks, participants received prepared meals and snacks according to their assigned diet. After 6 weeks, participants were instructed to follow the diet independently. The primary outcome was symptomatic remission at week 6. Key secondary outcomes at week 6 included fecal calprotectin (FC) response (FC <250 μg/g and reduction by >50% among those with baseline FC >250 μg/g) and C-reactive protein (CRP) response (high-sensitivity CRP <5 mg/L and >50% reduction from baseline among those with high-sensitivity CRP >5 mg/L). The study randomized 194 patients, and 191 were included in the efficacy analyses. The percentage of participants who achieved symptomatic remission at week 6 was not superior with the SCD (SCD, 46.5%; MD, 43.5%; P =.77). FC response was achieved in 8 of 23 participants (34.8%) with the SCD and in 4 of 13 participants (30.8%) with the MD (P =.83). CRP response was achieved in 2 of 37 participants (5.4%) with the SCD and in 1 of 28 participants (3.6%) with the MD (P =.68). The SCD was not superior to the MD to achieve symptomatic remission, FC response, and CRP response. CRP response was uncommon. Given these results, the greater ease of following the MD and other health benefits associated with the MD, the MD may be preferred to the SCD for most patients with CD with mild to moderate symptoms. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03058679 [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse life events increase the risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Parental rearing may serve as a protective factor in the face of adversity. We investigated whether parental rearing moderates the association between adverse life events and the subsequent first onset of OCD. A representative sample of individuals (aged 14–24 years) was followed for over 10 years (N = 2210). OCD and any adverse life event, that is, any separation event or any traumatic life event, were assessed using the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Parental rearing was assessed by self-report, using the Questionnaire of Recalled Parental Rearing Behavior. Both maternal (risk ratio, RR = 0.08, 95% confidence interval, CI [0.02, 0.31]) and paternal (RR = 0.16, 95% CI [0.03, 0.89]) emotional warmth moderated the association between any adverse life event and OCD. Maternal (RR = 0.16, 95% CI [0.03, 0.77]) and paternal (RR = 0.17, 95% CI [0.04, 0.78]) emotional warmth interacted specifically with any traumatic life event but not with any separation event in predicting OCD. We did not find any interactions with parental overprotection or rejection in predicting OCD. Parental emotional warmth may be a protective factor for OCD among individuals who experience traumatic life events. Future studies should evaluate whether interventions enhancing parental emotional warmth among those who experience traumatic life events can prevent OCD. • Parental emotional warmth buffered the effect of adverse life events on OCD. • This was specifically shown for traumatic life events but not for separation events. • Parental overprotection or rejection were not shown to interact with any adverse life events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does helping behavior contribute to the health and the longevity of older helpers? From an evolutionary perspective, the ultimate cause may be rooted in ancestral parenting and grandparenting. These activities may have generalized to a neural and hormonal caregiving system that also enabled prosocial behavior beyond the family. From a psychological perspective, helping others may be associated with healthy aging, which, in turn, contributes to longevity as a proximate cause. Yet little is known about the extent to which mediating factors such as the health benefits of helping behaviors translate into enhanced longevity, particularly in regard to grandparenting. To fill this gap, we conducted mediation analyses (structural equation models) to examine whether grandparenting and supporting others in the social network contributed directly or indirectly (through better health 5–6 years later) to the longevity of older helpers. We drew on longitudinal data from the Berlin Aging Study ( N = 516), in which older adults in Berlin, Germany, were interviewed at baseline (1990–1993, mean age at entry = 85 years) and continuously followed up until 2009. Results suggest that the associations of both grandparenting and supporting others with enhanced longevity are mediated by better prospective health (indirect effect). The effect of helping was not fully mediated, however—helping was also directly associated with increased longevity independently of the health indicators measured. The results were robust against effects of the helper's preexisting health status and sociodemographic characteristics of participants, their children, and grandchildren. We conclude that better prospective health contributes to the link between helping and longevity, but does not fully account for it. Other potential contributing mechanisms remain to be identified. As populations age across the globe, identifying mechanisms that foster health in old age can help to highlight potential targets for public health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balancing the economic costs related to mental illness is a pressing matter globally. Scarce monetary and staff resources impose an ongoing challenge. Therapeutic leaves (TL) are an established clinical tool in psychiatry possibly improving therapy outcome and potentially lowering direct mental healthcare costs in the long term. We thus examined the association between TL and direct inpatient healthcare costs. We analyzed the association between the number of TL and direct inpatient healthcare costs in a sample of 3151 inpatients, using a tweedie multiple regression model, including eleven confounders. Using multiple linear (bootstrap) and logistic regression models we assessed the robustness of our results. The tweedie model showed that the number of TL was associated with lower costs following the initial inpatient stay (B = –.141, CI 95% = [–0.225, –.057], p < 0.001). Results of the multiple linear and the logistic regression models matched those of the tweedie model. Our findings suggest a link between TL and direct inpatient healthcare costs. TL might lower direct inpatient healthcare costs. In the future RCTs might examine whether an increased utilization of TL leads to a reduction of outpatient treatment costs and evaluate the association of TL with outpatient treatment costs and indirect costs. The systematic use of TL during inpatient treatment could reduce healthcare costs following the initial inpatient stay which is highly relevant due to global rise of mental illness and the associated financial pressure on healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) play a fundamental role in affective neuroscience. When placed in an MR scanner, some volunteers feel safe and relaxed in this situation, while others experience uneasiness and fear. Little is known about the basis and consequences of such inter-individually different responses to the general experimental fMRI setting. In this study emotional stimuli were presented during fMRI and subjects’ state-anxiety was assessed at the onset and end of the experiment while they were within the scanner. We show that Val/Val but neither Met/Met nor Val/Met carriers of the catechol- O -methyltransferase ( COMT ) Val 158 Met polymorphism—a prime candidate for anxiety vulnerability—became significantly more anxious during the fMRI experiment ( N = 97 females: 24 Val/Val, 51 Val/Met, and 22 Met/Met). Met carriers demonstrated brain responses with increased stability over time in the right parietal cortex and significantly better cognitive performances likely mediated by lower levels of anxiety. Val/Val, Val/Met and Met/Met did not significantly differ in state-anxiety at the beginning of the experiment. The exposure of a control group ( N = 56 females) to the same experiment outside the scanner did not cause a significant increase in state-anxiety, suggesting that the increase we observe in the fMRI experiment may be specific to the fMRI setting. Our findings reveal that genetics may play an important role in shaping inter-individual different emotional, cognitive and neuronal responses during fMRI experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: Nonadherence with scheduled saliva sampling, as encountered in ambulatory settings, can bias the estimation of salivary cortisol concentrations. This study is the first to estimate if such nonadherence is also associated with biased salivary testosterone concentration estimates. Methods: Using a standard ambulatory saliva-sampling protocol, we instructed pregnant women to collect saliva samples on two consecutive days at awakening, 1100h, 1500h, 2000h, and 2200h. We estimated testosterone concentrations in the saliva samples and participants’ actual sampling times with an electronic medication event-monitoring system. We classified a saliva sample as adherent if it was sampled within a specific time window relative to its scheduled sampling time. We used a mixed-model analysis to distinguish between trait (number of adherent saliva samples per participant) and state (adherence status of a specific sample) adherence. Results: We included 60 pregnant women in this study. Seventy-five percent (448 of 600) of the scheduled samples indicated adherence with the sampling schedule. Participants’ trait adherence was associated with their diurnal profiles of salivary testosterone estimates; that is, adherent participants had higher salivary testosterone estimates compared with nonadherent participants, F(1,58)=5.41, p =0.023, Cohen's d =0.67. The state adherence of a sample was associated with the salivary testosterone estimate of the related sample, F(1,469)=4.48, p =0.035, Cohen's d =0.20, with delayed sampling associated with lower salivary testosterone estimates. Conclusions: The results suggest that common ambulatory nonadherence with scheduled saliva sampling is associated with biased salivary testosterone estimates. They will inform further studies estimating salivary testosterone with ambulatory saliva-sampling designs and highlight the relevance of strategies to improve or confirm adherence, beyond routinely used instructions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Context: The rise of cortisol concentrations after awakening is well documented in adults and children and commonly used as easily accessible marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) reactivity. Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the existence of a salivary cortisol awakening response (CAR) in infants, and to estimate its association with birth outcome. Setting: The study was conducted in the general community. Participants: Healthy infants up to six months age (N =64). Main outcome measures: Mothers were instructed to collect their infant's saliva immediately and 30min after awakening on two days within 45 days, irrespective of awakening time. Information on birth outcome was collected from medical records and questionnaires. Results: Linear mixed models analysis revealed a significant rise of infant salivary cortisol concentrations within 30min after awakening (b =0.128, SE=0.024, t 61 =5.31, p <0.001), which was quite stable across the two sampling days (r =0.40, p =0.002). The infant CAR was predicted by length of gestation (t 58 =2.44, p =0.018). Conclusions: The current data demonstrate the existence of a CAR in infants as early as during the first six postnatal months; its relationship with length of gestation supports its usefulness for questions related to developmental neuroscience. Therefore, the infant CAR emerges as non-invasive biomarker of HPA axis dynamics at this early stage of life, with relevance for future research and potential clinical applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To explore the relationship among the amount of food intake of 8- to 12-years old overweight children, their psychopathology (internalizing, externalizing and attention problems) and the mothers'' amount of food intake. Methods: In a previous trial designed to test the influence of a preload on food intake, overweight to obese children and their mothers participated in a taste test thereby consuming a preweighed amount of a mousse-like dessert, which was reweighed again at the end. In the current study, we reanalyzed these data by assessing the relationship between children''s amount of food intake and their psychopathology, as measured with the Child Behavior Checklist. Results: We found that children with high scores for attention problems consumed larger amounts of food. No such relationship could be observed for children''s externalizing problems. Additionally, a positive and direct effect of mother''s amount of food intake on children''s energy food intake was present even when accounting for children''s psychopathology. Conclusion: Results suggest that besides mothers'' influence on children''s food intake, children''s problems to self-regulate impulses may be related to uncontrolled eating behavior and weight gain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This waitlist-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of a short version of a group CBT for BED followed by booster sessions after the active treatment phase. Thirty-six females with BED were randomly assigned to CBT (eight weekly sessions during active treatment plus five booster sessions during follow-up) or a waitlist condition. At the end of the active treatment, binge eating was significantly reduced relative to waitlist. Furthermore, at 12-month follow-up short-term CBT produced significant improvements in binge eating symptoms relative to baseline. Findings suggest that the short-term CBT followed by booster sessions may provide a valuable treatment option for patients with BED. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Several abnormalities of peripheral neuropeptide release in obese and obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED) compared to controls have been reported: lower baseline, meal-induced, and post-meal ghrelin concentrations, decreased baseline PYY, and a blunted PYY response to meals. In contrast, obese BED individuals show comparable CCK releases. We aimed at clarifying the role of peripheral hormones in BED, to assess the impact of a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for BED on neuropeptides and to investigate the predictive value of neuropeptide concentrations on binge eating status after treatment. Methods: Blood samples of 14 female and 4 male overweight to obese participants with BED were collected repeatedly for CCK, PYY, and ghrelin analysis in the morning after an 8-h fasting period. BED participants and 19 controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI) were served a standardized breakfast. The release of neuropeptides was compared to corresponding measures of controls. Results: Fasting baseline values of all three peptides were comparable between BED participants and controls. BED participants revealed a higher meal-induced increase in CCK and PYY compared to controls, whereas ghrelin was not affected. Following a short-term CBT the neuropeptide concentration of the BED participants was comparable to before CBT. The hormone release prior to treatment had no predictive value on binge eating status after the treatment. Conclusions: With respect to CCK and PYY our results point to a combined conditioned response from the central nervous system and the gut to initiate the release of satiety hormones in order to prevent further bingeing after initial food intake. The release of neuropeptides does not predict short-term treatment outcome. Future prospective studies should investigate whether neuropeptide secretion influences the course of BED in the long term. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The factor structure of the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI) was investigated in four nonclinic German samples (N =1244, 225, 230, and 143) with participants aged 8–16-years-old. Factor solutions suggested for different CASI versions were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The best goodness-of-fit indices were found for the 13-item CASI version with 4 factors (Disease Concerns, Unsteady Concerns, Mental Incapacitation Concerns, and Social Concerns). Testing for factorial invariance of this model with respect to age and gender revealed non-invariant factor loadings between children and adolescents as well as between boys and girls. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings for anxiety sensitivity in children and adolescents are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present longitudinal study aimed to determine rate of natural recovery from DSM-IV social phobia in the community and to examine predictors of recovery. Data were derived from the Dresden Predictor Study of a representative sample of 1396 young German women. The participants completed a diagnostic interview and self-report questionnaires at two survey points approximately 1.5 years apart. Of the 91 women with social phobia at baseline 64% were at least partially recovered and 36% showed full recovery from social phobia at follow-up, defined as absence of any of the DSM-IV criteria of social phobia. Predictors of recovery from social phobia were: being employed, no lifetime depression, fewer than three lifetime psychiatric disorders, less psychopathology, less anxiety sensitivity, fewer daily hassles, and better mental health. These results show that rates of recovery from social phobia are relatively high in community and that less stress and internal psychological problems play an important role in recovery from social phobia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the existence of DSM-IV social phobia subtype models in the community. Data came from the Dresden Predictor Study of a representative sample of 1877 German women (aged 18–24 years) who completed a diagnostic interview and filled out various self-report questionnaires. The number of feared social situations was distributed continuously without a clear-cut for delineation of subtypes and significantly increased functional impairment, comorbidity, subjective need for psychotherapy, seeking psychotherapeutic help and dysfunctional attitudes, and decreased social support and mental health. Subtype models based on the number (1, 2–4 and >4) and type (‘formal speaking fear’ versus ‘other fears’) of social fear did not have extra value above the continuum model of social phobia. The heterogeneity within social phobia has to be seen as a continuum of severity of social phobia, with a greater number of feared situations associated with more functional, social and psychological disability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• We estimated changes in sensitivity to ostracism across the menstrual cycle. • We assessed salivary estradiol and progesterone concentrations at each cycle phase. • Exclusion affected mood more in the luteal phase than in the late follicular phase. • P concentrations were negatively associated with ostracism effects. • P buffers against negative feelings resulting from being socially excluded. A woman's social behaviour reportedly varies across the menstrual cycle. In this study, we estimated changes in sensitivity to social exclusion across the menstrual cycle and scrutinized the related role of progesterone. Forty-nine naturally cycling women played a virtual ball-tossing game (Cyberball) to manipulate social inclusion. All participants underwent inclusion and exclusion conditions during the late follicular and the luteal phase. We assessed salivary progesterone concentrations at each cycle phase. After each Cyberball session we measured positive/negative mood using the Multidimensional Mood State Questionnaire (MDMQ). Multilevel analyses indicated that women showed worse mood following exclusion as compared to inclusion conditions (p = 0.014). Notably, this exclusion effect was more pronounced during the luteal phase than the late follicular phase (p = 0.029). As expected, progesterone concentrations were higher during the luteal phase as compared to the late follicular phase, but interestingly, progesterone concentrations were negatively associated with exclusion effects. When accounting for mediation via progesterone, direct cycle-phase related differences in social exclusion effects even increased as compared to the model without mediator. These findings suggest that progesterone may function as buffer against negative feelings that result from being socially excluded. The relevance of these findings for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) are discussed, and we conclude that social exclusion may represent an important research domain criterion (RDoC) of relevance for PMDD, with progesterone pointing to new potential pharmacological targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The transdiagnostic view of repetitive negative thinking (RNT) claims that different forms of RNT are characterized by identical processes that are applied to disorder-specific content. The purpose of the study was to test whether the processes of RNT differ across major depression disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Methods: Forty-two individuals diagnosed with MDD, 35 individuals with GAD, 41 individuals with OCD, and 35 community controls were asked to think of a typical RNT episode and to rate its processes (core processes; use of mental capacity, unproductivity, abstractness, verbal quality, duration). Ratings were compared across groups using planned contrasts and analysis of variance.Results: All individuals with a clinical diagnosis rated the key processes of RNT and avoidance function of RNT as higher than healthy controls. There were no differences between individuals diagnosed with MDD, GAD or OCD on key processes and avoidance function of RNT.Limitations: Results are based on retrospective self-reports, which might restrict validity of the measurements.Conclusions: Data support the transdiagnostic hypothesis of RNT. Transdiagnostic prevention and intervention techniques seem highly recommendable given these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Open-label placebos (OLPs) have been found to elicit significant and clinical meaningful effects, but in comparison to deceptive placebo administration there is a lack of research regarding possible predictors. This study sets out to examine the effects of optimism and other personality-related variables on OLP responses.Methods: We conducted a secondary-analysis of an OLP trial in healthy participants (N = 160), who were randomized to no treatment (NT), OLP without rationale (OPR-), OLP with rationale (OPR+), and deceptive placebo (DP) in an experimental heat pain paradigm.Results: The association between objective posttreatment pain tolerance and optimism did not differ among groups. However, for subjective heat pain ratings at posttreatment, regression analyses showed a significant interaction between group and optimism scores in subjective intensity (F[3, 142] = 3.81, P = 0.012) and unpleasantness ratings (F[3, 142] = 2.95, P = 0.035), indicating that the association between optimism and subjective ratings differed among groups, in particular between OPR+ and NT (intensity: P = 0.012; unpleasantness: P = 0.037), and OPR+ and DP (intensity: P = 0.016). Thus, higher optimism scores were negatively associated with subjective ratings in the NT and DP groups but not in the OPR+ group. Additional exploratory analyses revealed no significant interactions between group and further personality-related variables on heat pain analgesia.Conclusion: Taken together, OLPs are effective, the underlying personality-related variables seem, however, to differ significantly from the deceptive placebo response. Therefore, the concept of "placebo responders" might depend on the route of placebo administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely accepted that cold exposure increases peripheral vascular resistance and arterial blood pressure (BP) and, hence, increases cardiovascular risk primarily in the elderly. However, there is a lack of concomitantly longitudinal recordings at personal level of environmental temperature (PET) and cardiophysiological variables together with skin temperatures (STs, the “interface-variable” between the body core and ambient temperature). To investigate the intra-individual temporal relationships between PET, STs and BP 60 healthy young women (52 completed the entire study) were prospectively studied in a winter/summer design for 26 h under real life conditions. The main hypothesis was tested whether distal ST (T dist ) mediates the effect of PET-changes on mean arterial BP (MAP). Diurnal profiles of cardiophysiological variables (including BP), STs and PET were ambulatory recorded. Daytime variations between 0930 and 2030 h were analyzed in detail by intra-individual longitudinal path analysis. Additionally, time segments before, during and after outdoor exposure were separately analyzed. In both seasons short-term variations in PET were positively associated with short-term changes in T dist (not proximal ST, T prox ) and negatively with those in MAP. However, long-term seasonal differences in daytime mean levels were observed in STs but not in BP leading to non-significant inter-individual correlation between STs and BP. Additionally, higher individual body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with lower daytime mean levels of T prox and higher MAP suggesting T prox as potential mediator variable for the association of BMI with MAP. In healthy young women the thermoregulatory and BP-regulatory systems are closely linked with respect to short-term, but not long-term changes in PET. One hypothetical explanation could serve recent findings that thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue is activated in a cool environment, which could be responsible for the counter-regulation of cold induced increase of BP in winter leading to no seasonal differences in MAP. Our findings suggest that the assessment of diurnal patterns of STs and PET, in addition to the conventional ambulatory BP monitoring, might improve individual cardiovascular risk prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Variability in infant sleep and negative affective behavior (NAB) is a developmental phenomenon that has long been of interest to researchers and clinicians. However, analyses and delineation of such temporal patterns were often limited to basic statistical approaches, which may prevent adequate identification of meaningful variation within these patterns. Modern statistical procedures such as additive models may detect specific patterns of temporal variation in infant behavior more effectively. Method: Hundred and twenty-one mothers were asked to record different behaviors of their 4–44 weeks old healthy infants by diaries for three days consecutively. Circadian patterns as well as individual trajectories and day-to-day variability of infant sleep and NAB were modeled with generalized linear models (GLMs) including a linear and quadratic polynomial for time, a GLM with a polynomial of the 8th order, a GLM with a harmonic function, a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with a polynomial of the 8th order, a generalized additive model, and a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM). Results: The semi-parametric model GAMM was found to fit the data of infant sleep better than any other parametric model used. GLMM with a polynomial of the 8th order and GAMM modeled temporal patterns of infant NAB equally well, although the GLMM exhibited a slightly better model fit while GAMM was easier to interpret. Besides the well-known evening clustering in infant NAB we found a significant second peak in NAB around midday that was not affected by the constant decline in the amounts of NAB across the 3-day study period. Conclusion: Using advanced statistical procedures (GAMM and GLMM) even small variations and phenomena in infant behavior can be reliably detected. Future studies investigating variability and temporal patterns in infant variables may benefit from these statistical approaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Fear conditionability has been found to be elevated in samples with high trait anxiety or anxiety disorders. Since these studies provide circumstantial evidence for a causal link between anxiety and conditionability we examined fear conditionability after experimental induction of anxiety in two experiments. Method: In , 60 participants were randomized to one of two film conditions inducing an anxious or happy emotional state. They subsequently underwent a differential conditioning acquisition procedure. Two pictures of faces served as conditioned stimuli (CS+ and CS−), and an electric stimulus served as aversive unconditioned stimulus (US). In , after similar acquisition procedure as used in , 90 participants watched one of three films (anxious, neutral, happy) prior to an extinction procedure. In both studies, skin conductance response (SCR) served as measure of fearful responding. Results: Conditioning was successful in both studies. In , the anxious group exhibited decreased SCRs to both CS+ and CS− during acquisition. In , during extinction SCRs to both CSs were highest in the anxious group, intermediate in the neutral, and lowest in the happy group. Discussion: State anxiety did not enhance conditionability during acquisition or reduce the extinction procedure. However, individuals in an anxious state show less responding during fear learning, but more responding during unlearning. Thus, our results suggest that state anxiety changes the sensitivity with which individuals react to stimuli presented in different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Stress during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the course of pregnancy and on fetal development. There are few studies investigating the outcome of stress reduction interventions on maternal well-being and obstetric outcome. Aims: This study aims (1) to obtain fetal behavioral states (quiet/active sleep, quiet/active wakefulness), (2) to investigate the effects of maternal relaxation on fetal behavior as well as on uterine activity, and (3) to investigate maternal physiological and endocrine parameters as potential underlying mechanisms for maternal–fetal relaxation–transferral. Study design: The behavior of 33 fetuses was analyzed during laboratory relaxation/quiet rest (control group, CG) and controlled for baseline fetal behavior. Potential associations between relaxation/quiet rest and fetal behavior (fetal heart rate (FHR), FHR variation, FHR acceleration, and body movements) and uterine activity were studied, using a computerized cardiotocogram (CTG) system. Maternal heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol, and norepinephrine were measured. Results: Intervention (progressive muscle relaxation, PMR, and guided imagery, GI) showed changes in fetal behavior. The intervention groups had higher long-term variation during and after relaxation compared to the CG (p =.039). CG fetuses had more FHR acceleration, especially during and after quiet rest (p =.027). Women in the PMR group had significantly more uterine activity than women in the GI group (p =.011) and than CG women. Maternal heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones were not associated with fetal behavior. Conclusions: This study indicates that the fetus might participate in maternal relaxation and suggests that GI is superior to PMR. This could especially be true for women who tend to direct their attention to body sensations such as abdominal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Potential predictors of incidence of specific phobia were investigated within the conceptual framework of the vulnerability–stress model. At two time points separated by approximately 17 months, a community sample of 1261 German women (18–25 years of age) completed a structured interview. A broad range of potential stress- and vulnerability-related predictors was recorded at initial assessment. The strongest predictors of incidence were: high levels of preexisting psychopathology, a lack of coping skills, and a negative cognitive style. Assessing individual differences in stress and vulnerability thus seem to offer additional information about etiology of specific phobia beyond traditional learning theory. Incorporating the role of these risk factors may be useful for identifying individuals who are at increased risk and improving measures of prevention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This prospective study reports rates and predictors of remission in young women with specific phobia. Data came from a prospective community study, in which German women (aged 18–25 years) completed an extended version of the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS-IV-L) at two time points. Of the 137 women with specific phobia at baseline, 41.6% were partially remitted and an additional 19.0% were fully remitted at follow-up, defined as absence of any specific fears. A remitting course of specific phobia was predicted by residual protective factors at baseline, especially participants’ positive mental health and life satisfaction. Baseline levels of stress, coping skills, cognitive factors, psychopathology, and specific phobia characteristics did not predict remission. Results show that specific phobia in young women rarely takes a stable course at the full diagnostic threshold. The factors that influence remission of specific phobia are different from those that predict the incidence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]