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We herein describe a new species, Panax siamensis J. Wen, from the tropical monsoon forests in northern Thailand. Panax siamensis is characterized by a combination of characters including horizontally elongated rhizomes with thick internodes, 3–5 whorled leaves each with 7–9 sessile and lanceolate leaflets, lanceolate bracteoles not persisting at the fruiting stage, 2-locular ovaries, and red fruits with a black top. The new species is most closely related to Panax zingiberensis C.Y. Wu & Feng from southeastern Yunnan province of China, sharing the character of sessile leaflets, but differing in that P. siamensis has well developed, elongated rhizomes (vs. compact, ginger-like rhizomes and rootstock in P. zingiberensis), and 7–9 leaflets (vs. (3–) 5–7 leaflets in P. zingiberensis). We also compare Panax siamensis to other related Asian Panax species, including P. assamicus Banerjee, P. bipinnatifidus Seem., P. pseudoginseng Wallich, and P. vietnamensis Ha & Grushv. The new taxon is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable (VU D2), according to the IUCN Red List criteria. A taxonomic key is provided to facilitate the identification of P. siamensis and its close allies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: The impact of humans on Earth's biodiversity varies across the Tree of Life. The extirpation and extinction of species is often determined by compatibility with human activities. Here we classify, where data are available, a significant portion (~30%) of vascular plant species as winners or losers with respect to this compatibility and show that currently losers greatly outnumber winners and that these losers will continue to exceed winners in the future even if species now deemed tentative winners succeed. In a rapidly changing world, species may tolerate shifting conditions, adapt, or migrate to new habitats. Species that benefit humankind may have an additional advantage of survival. Those that cannot tolerate, adapt, migrate, or prove useful will be the ultimate losers in the Anthropocene and may become extinct. Summary: The impact of humans on the Earth continues to accelerate, affecting climate, land use, resource exploitation, species migrations, and habitat pollution. All of these changes have the potential to result in a massive extinction of populations and species of plants, fungi, and animals. However, the impact will vary across the diversity of life: some species, the "losers," will decline and become extinct while others, the "winners," will thrive as a result of human activities.We surveyed a variety of sources of information on economic uses, environmental tolerances, and conservation status and were able to classify 86,592 species of vascular plant into seven categories of winners and losers as follows: winners useful to humans and winners not useful to humans, losers useful to humans and losers not useful to humans, and currently neutral species. We also recognized tentative winners and potential losers, which we could not confidently categorize into the above five classes. We then mapped, both taxonomically and phylogenetically, the clear winners and losers across the major groups of vascular plants.The results suggest that currently many more species are losers than winners and that if the tentative winners and potential losers realize their projected trajectories, losers in the future will continue to greatly outnumber future winners. Furthermore, although winners and losers are today distributed across nearly all orders of vascular plants, all but two of the nine major phylogenetic lineages favor losers over winners. A significant phylogenetic signal was detected for percentages of both winners and losers and some of the smaller ancestral orders with a high percentage of losers may be at risk of extinction.In a rapidly changing world, plant species that tolerate human pressures, adapt, or shift distributions will continue to be the winners and survive the extinction bottleneck while the many more species that cannot do so will become the ultimate losers in the Anthropocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma-focused therapies are recommended as first-line treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but many veterans do not complete or sufficiently respond to these treatments. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a non-trauma focused approach that directly addresses the interpersonal and social impairments associated with PTSD. This two-site randomized controlled equivalence trial compared IPT with Prolonged Exposure (PE) in improving PTSD symptoms and interpersonal functioning in 109 veterans with PTSD. Secondary outcomes included functioning and quality of life. We hypothesized that IPT would be statistically equivalent to PE in reducing PTSD symptoms, and superior to PE in improving interpersonal functioning and secondary outcomes of work and social adjustment and quality of life. PTSD symptom severity decreased significantly in both treatments from pre- to post-treatment. Although IPT improved as much as PE and treatments did not differ significantly, the 95 % confidence interval for the difference between the groups did not fall completely within the margin of equivalence. IPT was not superior to PE in improvement in interpersonal functioning or on secondary outcomes. Findings from multi-level linear mixed models using longitudinal data (posttreatment, three and six month follow up) for the primary outcomes of PTSD and interpersonal functioning were consistent with the post-treatment analyses. Although statistically inconclusive in terms of equivalence, the comparable reduction in PTSD symptoms slightly favoring IPT suggests that IPT is an acceptable alternative to gold-standard trauma-focused treatments for veterans with PTSD. • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a non-trauma-focused therapy that targets PTSD related interpersonal and social impairments. • IPT was compared to Prolonged Exposure (PE) for treatment of PTSD in veterans using an equivalence trial design. • PTSD symptoms improved as much in IPT as in PE, although statistical equivalence was inconclusive. • IPT was not superior to PE in improving interpersonal functioning, or on other measures of functioning or quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a paper by Bernard Robbins about psychoanalysis. Topics mentioned include the association of trauma and individual's life and personality, the influence of mechanistic orientation on dream interpretation, and the need for psychotherapists to focus on the patient's overall personality structure.

A comprehensive compilation is provided of the medicinal plants of the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (formerly Burma). This contribution, containing 123 families, 367 genera, and 472 species, was compiled from earlier treatments, monographs, books, and pamphlets, with some medicinal uses and preparations translated from Burmese to English. The entry for each species includes the Latin binomial, author(s), common Myanmar and English names, range, medicinal uses and preparations, and additional notes. Of the 472 species, 63 or 13% of them have been assessed for conservation status and are listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2017). Two species are listed as Extinct in the Wild, four as Threatened (two Endangered, two Vulnerable), two as Near Threatened, 48 Least Concerned, and seven Data Deficient. Botanic gardens worldwide hold 444 species (94%) within their living collections, while 28 species (6%) are not found any botanic garden. Preserving the traditional knowledge of Myanmar healers contributes to Target 13 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine whether there were gender differences in trauma types and cognitive-emotional themes among veterans with deployment-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: Case notes or writing excerpts from two pilot studies were reviewed to determine types of traumas and emerging themes, with 20 women and 31 men comprising the sample. Results: Most women developed PTSD after sexual assault, with reactions emphasizing mistrust, betrayal, and anger. Men experienced more combat, with reactions including survivor guilt, moral injury, and horror. Conclusions: Both genders developed PTSD, but the causes of and reactions to their traumas differed. Emerging themes can be useful treatment foci. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Conservation assessments present a formidable challenge for regions of the developing world such as the Lesser Antilles. Of the 2652 seed plant taxa recorded from this archipelago (Acevedo-Rodríguez & Strong, 2012, 2016), only 150 taxa (including 14 endemics) are listed in the IUCN Red List. Using only herbarium data, we carried out a preliminary conservation assessment of the 263 seed plant taxa unique to these islands by two methods. Using the algorithm originally developed to assess the Hawaiian flora (Krupnick et al. in Biodiversity and Conservation 18: 1459-1474, 2009), 8% of the taxa were deemed to be Potentially Extinct and 62% Potentially Threatened while 30% were assessed as Not Threatened. Using a Red List criteria approach, 70% were deemed Threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable), while 30% were assessed as Near Threatened, Least Concern or Data Deficient. The congruence between the assessments by these distinct methods and for the 14 Red Listed species validate this approach as a first step in prioritising plant conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This pilot study aimed to determine whether interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would be effective with a sample of women veterans who experienced military-related PTSD.Method: Women veterans presenting for mental health services through the Trauma Services Program at the Washington, DC, Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) were referred to the study by Veterans Affairs (VA) clinicians if they experienced trauma during their military service and scored > 35 on the PTSD Checklist–Military Version. A total of 20 women completed a baseline assessment and were referred to treatment, the first trial of this treatment method with a veteran sample. Of the 15 women veterans who started treatment, 10 completed a trial of 12 individual sessions. Assessments were conducted posttreatment and at three months posttreatment follow-up. Results: There was a significant decline in PTSD symptom severity from baseline to posttreatment, and these gains were maintained at three-month follow-up. Approximately one-third of the group no longer met full criteria for PTSD diagnosis, results that are comparable to studies of evidence-based treatments for PTSD (prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy) in military samples. Conclusions: IPT, a non-trauma-focused intervention that aims to increase social support and improve interpersonal functioning, shows promise as another means of addressing PTSD in veterans. It should be tested in a larger sample to determine if IPT for PTSD might serve as an alternative for veterans who would prefer a non-trauma-focused intervention to address their difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minimally invasive hand-port-assisted laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty has the potential to reduce postoperative complications after bariatric surgery.Methods: We analyzed the postoperative course of 46 hand-port-assisted laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasties (LVBG) completed between January 1998 and April 1999.Results: The operating time for the LVBG was shorter (140.8 +/- 6.0 vs 180.2 +/- 6.3 min; p < 0.05). Individuals were able to ambulate sooner (1.36 +/- 0.09 vs 2.44 +/- 0.16 days; p < 0.05), and start oral intake earlier (2.7 +/- 0.27 vs 3.7 +/- 0.17 days; p < 0.05) than the open vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) controls. Three staple line leaks were detected in this group. Two leaks resolved without clinical sequelae, but one patient developed intraabdominal sepsis. This complication extended the average hospital stay to 6.8 +/- 2.00 days, as compared to 7.71 +/- 0.18 days for historical controls. By discounting this patient from the analysis, we arrive at a more representative length of hospitalization of 4.82 +/- 0.34 days (p < 0.05).Conclusions: LVBG offers a good alternative to the standard open VBG. Although this procedure has a relatively short learning curve, it should be done at centers with an interest in bariatric surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory T lymphocytes are commonly viewed as a major barrier for long-term survival of organ allografts and are thought to accelerate rejection responses due to their rapid infiltration into allografts, low threshold for activation, and ability to produce inflammatory mediators. Because memory T cells are usually associated with rejection, preclinical protocols have been developed to target this population in transplant recipients. Here, using a murine model, we found that costimulatory blockade-mediated lung allograft acceptance depended on the rapid infiltration of the graft by central memory CD8+ T cells (CD44(hi)CD62L(hi)CCR7+). Chemokine receptor signaling and alloantigen recognition were required for trafficking of these memory T cells to lung allografts. Intravital 2-photon imaging revealed that CCR7 expression on CD8+ T cells was critical for formation of stable synapses with antigen-presenting cells, resulting in IFN-γ production, which induced NO and downregulated alloimmune responses. Thus, we describe a critical role for CD8+ central memory T cells in lung allograft acceptance and highlight the need for tailored approaches for tolerance induction in the lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory T lymphocytes are commonly viewed as a major barrier for long-term survival of organ allografts and are thought to accelerate rejection responses due to their rapid infiltration into allografts, low threshold for activation, and ability to produce inflammatory mediators. Because memory T cells are usually associated with rejection, preclinical protocols have been developed to target this population in transplant recipients. Here, using a murine model, we found that costimulatory blockade--p> CCR7+). Chemokine receptor signaling and alloantigen recognition were required for trafficking of these memory T cells to lung allografts. Intravital 2-photon imaging revealed that CCR7 expression on CD8+ T cells was critical for formation of stable synapses with antigen-presenting cells, resulting in IFN-γ production, which induced NO and downregulated alloimmune responses. Thus, we describe a critical role for CD8+ central memory T cells in lung allograft acceptance and highlight the need for tailored approaches for tolerance induction in the lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author comments on an article which calls for an abandonment of the dichotomy between culture and structure, since culture cannot be both descriptive and causal-explanatory. He examines the article's criticism of cultural sociology (CS) for supposedly decontextualizing its own claims to social knowledge. He suggests recognizing structure and culture as two perspectives on the same forms of life.

In this article, the author comments on the study titled "Exposure to Prolonged Socio-Political Conflict and the Risk of PTSD and Depression Among Palestinians," by Canetti and colleagues, on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among Palestinians. She cites that the authors examine the impact of traumas from different viewpoints. She points on the study's theoretical framework as its positive aspect. She adds that the sampling methods in the study are impressive.

The article discusses how medical-surgical nurses can effectively and safely care for patients with the co-occurring clinical issues of pain and substance abuse disorders. The author looks at the definitions and language of pain and addiction, developed by members of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, American Pain Society, and American Academy of Pain Medicine. A list of resources for nurses caring for patients with pain and addiction is presented in the article.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for low-income women with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subsequent to interpersonal trauma. Non-treatment-seeking predominantly minority women were recruited in family planning and gynecology clinics. Individuals with interpersonal trauma histories (e.g., assault, abuse, and molestation) who met criteria for current PTSD (N=48) were randomly assigned to treatment or a wait list. Assessments were conducted at baseline, treatment termination, and 4-month follow-up; data analysis used a mixed-effects regression approach with an intent-to-treat sample. The results showed that IPT was significantly more effective than the wait list in reducing PTSD and depression symptom severity. IPT participants also had significantly lower scores than waitlist individuals on four interpersonal functioning subscales: Interpersonal Sensitivity, Need for Social Approval, Lack of Sociability, and Interpersonal Ambivalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is never enough money, time, or resources to do all the things that need to be done - a statement that is true both for governments and individuals. For governments, this fact implies that (1) priorities need to be established; (2) goals are essential to be set to address these priorities, partly with an eye toward maximizing the net benefits to society; and (3) policies need to be implemented to reach those goals efficiently and effectively. In this article, major challenges of managing air pollution in each of these areas are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A contingent valuation survey was conducted in Shizuoka, Japan, to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for reductions in the risk of dying and calculate the value of statistical life (VSL) for use in environmental policy in Japan. Special attention was devoted to the effects of age and health characteristics on WTP. We find that the VSLs are somewhat lower (103 to 344 million yen) than those found in a virtually identical survey applied in some developed countries. These values were subject to a variety of validity tests, which they generally passed. We find that the WTP for those over age 70 is lower than that for younger adults, but that this effect is eliminated in multiple regressions. Rather, when accounting for other covariates, we find that WTP generally increases with age throughout the ages in our sample (age 40 and over). The effect of health status on WTP is mixed, with WTP of those with cancer being lower than that of healthy respondents, while the WTP of those with heart disease is greater. The VSLs for future risk changes are lower than those for contemporaneous risk reductions. The implicit discount rates of 5.8%–8.0% are relatively larger than the discount rate regularly used in environmental policy analyses. This survey is the first of its kind in Japan, and provides information that is directly useful for estimating the benefits of environmental and other policies that lower mortality risks to the general population and subgroups with a variety of specific traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A contingent valuation survey was conducted in Shizuoka, Japan, to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for reductions in the risk of dying and calculate the value of statistical life (VSL) for use in environmental policy in Japan. Special attention was devoted to the effects of age and health characteristics on WTP. We find that the VSLs are somewhat lower (103 to 344 million yen) than those found in a virtually identical survey applied in some developed countries. These values were subject to a variety of validity tests, which they generally passed. We find that the WTP for those over age 70 is lower than that for younger adults, but that this effect is eliminated in multiple regressions. Rather, when accounting for other covariates, we find that WTP generally increases with age throughout the ages in our sample (age 40 and over). The effect of health status on WTP is mixed, with WTP of those with cancer being lower than that of healthy respondents, while the WTP of those with heart disease is greater. The VSLs for future risk changes are lower than those for contemporaneous risk reductions. The implicit discount rates of 5.8%-8.0% are relatively larger than the discount rate regularly used in environ- mental policy analyses. This survey is the first of its kind in Japan, and provides information that is directly useful for estimating the benefits of environmental and other policies that lower mortality risks to the general population and subgroups with a variety of specific traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-income African American, Latino, and White women were screened and recruited for a depression treatment trial in social service and family planning settings. Those meeting full criteria for major depression (MDD; N = 267) were randomized to cognitive–behavior therapy (CBT), antidepressant medication, or community mental health referral. All randomly assigned participants were evaluated by baseline telephone and clinical interview, and followed by telephone for one year. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) comorbidity was assessed at baseline and one-year follow-up in a clinical interview. At baseline, 33% of the depressed women had current comorbid PTSD. These participants had more exposure to assaultive violence, had higher levels of depression and anxiety, and were more functionally impaired than women with depression alone. Depression in both groups improved over the course of one year, but the PTSD subgroup remained more impaired throughout the one-year follow-up period. Thus, evidence-based treatments (antidepressant medication or structured psychotherapy) decrease depression regardless of PTSD comorbidity, but women with PTSD were more distressed and impaired throughout. Including direct treatment of PTSD associated with interpersonal violence may be more effective in alleviating depression in those with both diagnoses. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 62: 815–835, 2006. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To describe a strategy for revising the malfunctioning InterStim device and to provide an algorithm for evaluation and management. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 82 patients who had undergone InterStim placement. Ten patients (eight women and two men) experienced complications and subsequently underwent revision of their device between October 2001 and October 2003. Five patients had originally received a permanent implant after a successful percutaneous test stimulation trial, and five had undergone a test stimulation using the tined lead. Indications for revision included gradual onset of recurrent voiding dysfunction (n = 2), lead migration (n = 5), generator malfunction (n = 1), generator site pain and infection (n = 1), and genital/rectal pain with stimulation (sensory discomfort; n = 1). Results: Of the 10 patients who underwent revision, 7 experienced complete resolution of their problem. Eight patients had lead site changes and two had generator replacements. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in the revision cases. Conclusions: In our experience, 70% of patients who undergo revision of the malfunctioning InterStim can expect success. In this study, no difference in success appeared to be related to the original cause of malfunction. In the management of malfunctioning sacral neuromodulators, we recommend an attempt at revision before permanent explantation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Individuals with sexual assault or abuse histories are likely to engage in risky sexual and other self-destructive behaviors. Studies of these behaviors, however, have focused on target traumatic events without accounting for other events in the participant's history, recency of the events, and/or developmental level at time of occurrence. The present study addressed some of these confounds by creating groups with unique and non-overlapping trauma histories among adolescent participants whose first trauma occurred at age 12 or older. Sophomore women from six regional campuses were screened in a two-stage procedure, and 209 of 363 final interviewees were included in the present report. These were assigned to a no trauma group, or to one of five groups with a unique trauma history: a single traumatic loss, a single physical assault, a single sexual assault, ongoing sexual or physical abuse, or multiple single traumas. Risky sexual behavior, suicidal ideation, and elevated perpetration of violence were most prominent among those with ongoing abuse exposure, although a single exposure to interpersonal violence during adolescence was sufficient for some risky behaviors. Major depression (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were associated with many of the behaviors, and may serve to heighten risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with sexual assault or abuse histories are likely to engage in risky sexual and other self-destructive behaviors. Studies of these behaviors, however, have focused on target traumatic events without accounting for other events in the participant's history, recency of the events, and/or developmental level at time of occurrence. The present study addressed some of these confounds by creating groups with unique and non-overlapping trauma histories among adolescent participants whose first trauma occurred at age 12 or older. Sophomore women from six regional campuses were screened in a two-stage procedure, and 209 of 363 final interviewees were included in the present report. These were assigned to a no trauma group, or to one of five groups with a unique trauma history: a single traumatic loss, a single physical assault, a single sexual assault, ongoing sexual or physical abuse, or multiple single traumas. Risky sexual behavior, suicidal ideation, and elevated perpetration of violence were most prominent among those with ongoing abuse exposure, although a single exposure to interpersonal violence during adolescence was sufficient for some risky behaviors. Major depression (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were associated with many of the behaviors, and may serve to heighten risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies typically demonstrate that sexual victimization is associated with negative outcomes, yet they often fail to control for other trauma exposure and rarely address the impact of developmental level at the time of exposure or the type of sexual trauma experienced. The present study addresses these confounds by identifying groups of women with unique, nonoverlapping sexual trauma histories and examines the association between type of sexual trauma exposure and mental health impairment, social adjustment, and sexual functioning. This study compared five discrete groups of college-sophomore women based on self-identified trauma histories including no trauma, childhood sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, adolescent sexual assault, and revictimization. Significant differences based on sexual trauma type were observed; individuals who experienced adolescent sexual assault or revictimization were at greatest risk for psychopathology, poor social adjustment, and risky sexual behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Advanced Light Source (ALS) is a third generation synchrotron light source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). There was an increasing demand for additional high brightness hard X-ray beamlines in the 7–40keV range, so in August 2001, three 1.3T normal conducting bending magnets were removed from the storage ring and replaced with 5T superconducting magnets (Superbends). The radiation produced by these Superbends is an order of magnitude higher in photon brightness and flux at 12keV, making them excellent sources of hard X-rays for protein crystallography and other hard X-ray applications. The Superbends did not compromise the performance of the facility in the VUV and soft X-ray regions of the spectrum. The Superbends will eventually feed 12 new beam lines, greatly enhancing the facility''s capability and capacity in the hard X-ray region. The Superbend project is the biggest upgrade since the ALS storage ring was commissioned in 1993. In this paper we present an overview of the Superbend project, its challenges and the resulting impact on the ALS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most studies on the psychological impact of trauma exposure focus on the response to a single type of trauma, with little or no attention paid to the contribution of prior traumatic experiences. The goal of this study was to disentangle some of the confounding effects of multiple trauma exposures by exploring the unique contribution to mental health outcomes made by specific types and dimensions of trauma. This report compares the psychological outcomes of college women who experienced different types of trauma during adolescence, including traumatic bereavement, sexual assault, and physical assault. Young women who had experienced a single event of one of these types were compared with peers who had experienced multiple single events, ongoing sexual and/or physical abuse, as well as those who had experienced no trauma. Results, based on structured clinical interviews, and self-report measures showed that there were some significant differences in mental health outcomes based on trauma type. However, trauma exposure versus no exposure and the cumulative effects of exposure versus one-time experiences played the key roles in differentiating the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposals for greenhouse-gas reductions have been met with widespread skepticism in the developing world, in part because such countries find their conventional air-pollution problems more pressing. The goal of this article is to examine whether reductions in carbon emissions that are ancillary to conventional pollutant reductions from a policy to phase out small boilers in downtown Taiyuan, China are large enough to make such policies attractive carbon-reducing investments to developed countries. Based on the authors' survey data, there are significant carbon benefits (on the order of 50% to 95% reduction) associated with this policy, with large reduction potential elsewhere in China. Although the cost for boilers that switched out of coal was almost U.S. $2,900 per ton of SO2 reduced, these ancillary carbon reductions are free from a social perspective. Such initiatives represent a potentially significant source of carbon reductions that developed countries could help pay for, bringing significant health and other benefits to the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of aortic graft infection and aortoenteric fistula can be difficult to establish using conventional radiographic imaging modalities. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can rapidly provide anatomically clear images and define areas of inflammation with increased glucose metabolism. In this report the authors present a case of aortoenteric fistula diagnosed by FDG-PET, Early diagnosis led to rapid surgical intervention with graft removal and extraanatomic bypass. These encouraging results warrant larger controlled studies to evaluate the utility of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of prosthetic aortic graft infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actions to slow atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases also would reduce conventional air pollutants yielding “ancillary” benefits that tend to accrue locally and in the near-term. Using a detailed electricity model linked to an integrated assessment framework to value changes in human health, we find a tax of $25 per metric ton of carbon emissions would yield NOx-related health benefits of about $8 per metric ton of carbon reduced in the year 2010 (1997 dollars). Additional savings of $4–$7 accrue from reduced investment in NOx and SO2 abatement in order to comply with emission caps. Total ancillary benefits of a $25 carbon tax are $12–$14, which appear to justify the costs of a $25 tax, although marginal benefits are less than marginal costs. At a tax of $75, greater total benefits are achieved but the value per ton of carbon reductions remains roughly constant at about $12. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This essay considers whether American Jewish intellectuals have achieved the sublime combination of emotion and intellect characteristic of the very greatest art. Author Lionel Trilling is a keystone figure here, one cut off from his Jewish past by assimilationist tendencies and tied to an unfulfilling middle class liberalism. Trilling's only novel, 'The Middle of the Journey,' succeeds as an intellectual exploration yet fails in portraying full-bodied characters emblematic of the "deep places of the imagination." The essay argues that Trilling's lack of artistic success is emblematic of those who followed in his wake.

Examines the use of psychodynamic psychotherapy for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder. Improvements in the sense of coherence; Differentiation between normal grieving and pathological melancholia; Symptoms of the disorder.

Examines the link between treatment expectancies and quality of therapeutic alliance from the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program. Predictors of clinical improvement; Reduction of depressive symptoms at termination; Facilitation of positive expectancies in psychotherapy.

This review examines the first two studies conducted pursuant to a Congressional mandate that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency analyze the effects of the Clean Air Act on the “public health, economy, and the environment of the United States.” While these studies indicate that overall, the nation received good value for the resources it invested in improving air quality over the past three decades, we don't know if even higher value could have been obtained by changing or eliminating certain potentially inefficient elements. The review focuses on the critical policy and technical choices made in the analyses, including the selection of the appropriate baseline and the level of disaggregation for the studies. It is proposed that a potential third analysis focus on potential new policies not yet mandated by law or regulation. It is also proposed that the next study fill in key information gaps, expand the benefit categories, and incorporate new research on topics such as mortality and morbidity benefits, cost uncertainties, and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite evidence that human non-hematopoietic cells, such as vascular endothelium, can activate allogeneic T lymphocytes in vitro, the prevailing view has been that hematopoietic antigen-presenting cells are required to trigger alloimmune responses in vivo. Here we report that mouse non-hematopoietic cells activate alloreactive CD8+ T lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. We also show that vascularized cardiac allografts are acutely rejected via CD8+ direct allorecognition even if the alloantigen is not presented by hematopoietic professional antigen-presenting cells. Because activation of alloreactive CD8+ T cells by donor-type non-hematopoietic cells can continue for the life of the allograft, these findings present a new clinically relevant mechanism of allorecognition and should be taken into consideration when developing strategies to prevent allograft vasculopathy or to induce tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complex congenital cardiac anomalies involving ventricular hypoplasia require either staged palliative reconstruction, converting the circulatory system to a single ventricle based pump, or allogeneic transplantation. Tissue engineering offers the potential for complete reconstruction of these defects, but is limited by the inability to model myocardial tissue engineering in a small animal. Our goal was to develop a small animal model for ventricular tissue engineering using rat heterotopic heart transplantation.Methods: Donor hearts were explanted after cardioplegic arrest and the left ventricular volume was augmented by the implantation of a biodegradable engineered construct. The heart was then transplanted heterotopically into syngeneic recipients creating either a volume loaded, functioning left ventricle, or a non-functioning left ventricle. Some of the engineered constructs were seeded with multipotent bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells before implantation. Animals were evaluated by echocardiography, morphology, histology, and immunohistochemistry after 1 month.Results: A scaffolding constructed from polytetrafluoroethylene, polylactide mesh, and type I and IV collagen hydrogel resulted in minimal intracardiac inflammation without aneurysmal dilatation. Successful transplantation and differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells was accomplished using this scaffolding. No ventricular arrhythmias resulted from this surgical manipulation and echocardiography revealed both end systolic and diastolic volume augmentation with ventricular expansion.Conclusion: We have developed an in vivo model of ventricular tissue engineering using heterotopic heart transplantation. Future work will focus on construction of ventricular tissue around pre-fabricated vascular networks in order increase cellular engraftment for ventricular reconstruction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Non-specific factors refer to dimensions that are shared by most psychotherapies and include the therapeutic alliance, the therapist's competence and adherence to the treatment protocols whereas specific factors refer to the specific techniques and interventions that characterize particular psychotherapies. Review of the literature on non-specific treatment factors reveals that the therapeutic alliance and therapist competence may vary among patients and therapists, and that the therapeutic alliance also varies among treatment modalities. All three non-specific treatment factors, therapeutic alliance, therapist competence and adherence to the specific treatment modality, contribute significantly to treatment outcome and may account for more of the variance in outcome than specific treatment approach. Consequently, these factors need to be considered in the design of psychotherapy studies. In this paper we use the treatment study of infantile anorexia as an example of how to integrate these non-specific factors in the study design and the data analysis of treatment outcome in a psychotherapy study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic loss has recently emerged as an important subcategory of bereavement. This study compared structured clinical interviews and self-report measures among female undergraduates with no reported history of trauma (n = 58), a single physical assault as their only trauma (n = 34), and a single violent loss as their only trauma (n = 32). The traumatic loss group had higher rates of acute stress disorder, intrusion symptoms, reexperiencing of the trauma, and impaired school performance compared to the no trauma and physical assault groups. Their levels of dissociation and overall adjustment were similar to those for the physical assault group. The findings indicated that traumatic loss alone, even in a low-risk sample, was associated with traditional trauma reactions and noteworthy levels of distress and functional impairment. These reactions were evident an average of 4 years postloss, even in the absence of personal life threat or injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract1. Field-grown Cucurbita texana was used in a study to determine if stress ethylene from damaged leaves promotes changes in sex expression. 2. Internal ethylene concentrations were experimentally enhanced by inserting an ethylene-filled syringe into the hollow chamber of an internode seven nodes from the growing tip of a branch. Branches enhanced with ethylene produced significantly more pistillate buds than control branches and experienced greater bud abortion later in floral development. 3. The timing and magnitude of Diabrotica beetle leaf damage was simulated using a paper-hole puncher (15% removed from all leaves). Simulated herbivory was applied to new growth every 3 days throughout the growing season. 4. Endogenous ethylene concentrations recovered from the internode adjacent to the growing tip were significantly greater in damaged plants than undamaged plants 1 day after damage to new growth during the second and third week of the experiment, and 2 days after damage during the fourth and fifth week. By the sixth week, no significant differences were evident. 5. Damaged plants produced fewer pistillate buds than undamaged plants, indicating that stress ethylene from simulated herbivory does not induce femaleness. A second messenger that suppresses pistillate bud production may be produced during damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PTSD is associated with serious problems in interpersonal functioning, including higher rates of marital conflict and divorce, disrupted relationships with family and friends, estrangement from others and social isolation. Cognitive behavioral and trauma focused treatments are effective for treating PTSD symptoms, but a substantial proportion of individuals, particularly veterans, with PTSD, do not engage, complete, or fully respond to these treatments, and the effects of these treatments on interpersonal functioning are unknown. There is a critical need for alternative treatments with established efficacy, and for treatments that directly address problems in relationship functioning. Interpersonal Psychotherapy for PTSD (IPT-PTSD) is a promising candidate for such a treatment. This paper describes the rationale, design, and methods of the first randomized controlled equivalence trial comparing IPT-PTSD with a first-line gold standard treatment for PTSD (Prolonged Exposure; PE) in the treatment of PTSD in veterans. Both treatments include up to 12 weekly individual sessions. Assessments were conducted at baseline, following sessions four and eight, end of treatment, and 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Primary hypotheses are that IPT-PTSD will be statistically equivalent to PE in reducing the severity of PTSD symptoms, and superior to PE in improving interpersonal functioning. Secondary hypotheses propose that IPT will be superior to PE in improving overall social adjustment and quality of life, and in reducing suicidal ideation. Findings from this study have the potential to improve treatment options for veterans struggling with PTSD and interpersonal problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the influence of fruit development on internal ethylene production and their combined effects on sex expression in field-grown Cucurbita texana. Sex expression of plants with fruit and without fruit; Internal ethylene concentrations within the hollow internodes of plants' branches; Effects of young developing fruits on ethylene production.

Internalization of agonist-activated G protein-coupled receptors is mediated by non-visual arrestins, which also bind to clathrin and are therefore thought to act as adaptors in the endocytosis process. Phosphoinositides have been implicated in the regulation of intracellular receptor trafficking, and are known to bind to other coat components including AP-2, AP180 and COPI coatomer. Given these observations, we explored the possibility that phosphoinositides play a role in arrestin's function as an adaptor. High-affinity binding sites for phosphoinositides in β-arrestin (arrestin2) and arrestin3 (β-arrestin2) were identified, and dissimilar effects of phosphoinositide and inositol phosphate on arrestin interactions with clathrin and receptor were characterized. Alteration of three basic residues in arrestin3 abolished phosphoinositide binding with complete retention of clathrin and receptor binding. Unlike native protein, upon agonist activation, this mutant arrestin3 expressed in COS1 cells neither supported β2-adrenergic receptor internalization nor did it concentrate in coated pits, although it was recruited to the plasma membrane. These findings indicate that phosphoinositide binding plays a critical regulatory role in delivery of the receptor­arrestin complex to coated pits, perhaps by providing, with activated receptor, a multi-point attachment of arrestin to the plasma membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demonstrates that beta-arrestin functions as an adapter in the receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway. The suggestion of a general mechanism for regulating the trafficking of G-protein-coupled receptors; The promotion by beta-arrestin and arrestin-3 of beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2-AR) internalization; The binding stoichiometrically to clathrin; The use of immunofluorescence microscopy.

Examines the relationship between therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome for depressed outpatients. Findings in the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program; Assessment of outcomes from the perspectives of patients and clinical evaluators; Ratings of therapist contribution to the alliance and outcome.

Examines the social costing of electricity in Maryland. Application of social costing to evaluation of new sources of electricity; Dispatching of new and existing generating units according to social cost; Requiring of consumers to pay a price for electricity reflecting its social cost; Implications for electricity prices, demand and net emissions of selected pollutants.