The Impact of an Optimism Training Intervention on Biological Measures Associated With Cardiovascular Health: Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Positive psychological constructs, such as optimism, are associated with cardiovascular health, and changes in biological measures associated with heart health have been proposed as potential mediators of these relationships. In this analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial, we examined the impact of an optimism training intervention on biological measures associated with cardiac health in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: We analyzed data from an 8-week, randomized, controlled trial of a group-based optimism training intervention in 61 patients with coronary artery disease. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6, irisin, and fibrinogen were measured at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. Mixed-effects regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of the intervention on changes in biological measures at 8 and 16 weeks. RESULTS: At 8 weeks, the intervention led to significantly greater reductions in hs-CRP (B = -0.851 [standard error {SE} = 0.273, p = .002) and fibrinogen (B = -0.148 [SE = 0.062], p = .016), and a greater increase in irisin (B = 0.252 [SE = 0.114], p = .027) compared with the control condition. These changes persisted at 16 weeks (hs-CRP: B = -1.078 [SE = 0.276], p < .001; fibrinogen: B = -0.270 [SE = 0.062], p < .001; irisin: B = 0.525 [SE = 0.116], p < .001), and interleukin 6 additionally was impacted at this time point (B = -0.214 [SE = 0.064], p = .001). Exploratory mediation analyses failed to identify significant psychological or health behavior mediators of these relationships. CONCLUSIONS: A group-based optimism training intervention resulted in significant, robust, and sustained changes in biological measures associated with cardiac health. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in a larger sample and identify potential mediating variables. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iran Registry of Clinical Trials No. 2016070328769 N1.

What's the role of perceived social support and coping styles in depression and anxiety?

BACKGROUND: Due to the excessive and pathologic effects of depression and anxiety, it is important to identify the role of protective factors, such as effective coping and social support. This study examined the associations between perceived social support and coping styles with depression and anxiety levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study was part of the Study on the Epidemiology of Psychological, Alimentary Health and Nutrition project. A total 4658 individuals aged ≥20 years was selected by cluster random sampling. Subjects completed questionnaires, which were used to describe perceived social support, coping styles, depression and anxiety. t-test, Chi-square test, pearson's correlation and Logistic regression analysis were used in data analyses. RESULTS: The results of Logistic regression analysis showed after adjusting demographic characteristics for odd ratio of anxiety, active copings such as positive re-interpretation and growth with odds ratios; 95% confidence interval: 0.82 (0.76, 0.89), problem engagement (0.92 [0.87, 0.97]), acceptance (0.82 [0.74, 0.92]) and also among perceived social supports, family (0.77 [0.71, 0.84]) and others (0.84 [0.76, 0.91]) were protective. In addition to, for odd ratio of depression, active copings such as positive re-interpretation and growth (0.74 [0.69, 0.79]), problem engagement (0.89 [0.86, 0.93]), and support seeking (0.96 [0.93, 0.99]) and all of social support types (family [0.75 (0.70, 0.80)], friends [0.90 (0.85, 0.95)] and others [0.80 (0.75, 0.86)]) were protective. Avoidance was risk factor for both of anxiety (1.19 [1.12, 1.27]) and depression (1.22 [1.16, 1.29]). CONCLUSION: This study shows active coping styles and perceived social supports particularly positive re-interpretation and family social support are protective factors for depression and anxiety.

Integrating Learning-based Priors with Physics-based Models in Ultrasound Elasticity Reconstruction.

Ultrasound elastography images which enable quantitative visualization of tissue stiffness can be reconstructed by solving an inverse problem. Classical model-based methods are usually formulated in terms of constrained optimization problems. To stabilize the elasticity reconstructions, regularization techniques such as Tikhonov method are used with the cost of promoting smoothness and blurriness in the reconstructed images. Thus, incorporating a suitable regularizer is essential for reducing the elasticity reconstruction artifacts while finding the most suitable one is challenging. In this work, we present a new statistical representation of the physical imaging model which incorporates effective signal-dependent colored noise modeling. Moreover, we develop a learning-based integrated statistical framework which combines a physical model with learning-based priors. We use a dataset of simulated phantoms with various elasticity distributions and geometric patterns to train a denoising regularizer as the learning-based prior. We use fixed-point approaches and variants of gradient descent for solving the integrated optimization task following learning-based plug-and-play (PnP) prior and regularization by denoising (RED) paradigms. Finally, we evaluate the performance of the proposed approaches in terms of relative mean square error (RMSE) with nearly 20% improvement for both piece-wise smooth simulated phantoms and experimental phantoms compared to the classical model-based methods and 12% improvement for both spatially-varying breast-mimicking simulated phantoms and an experimental breast phantom, demonstrating the potential clinical relevance of our work. Moreover, the qualitative comparisons of reconstructed images demonstrate the robust performance of the proposed methods even for complex elasticity structures that might be encountered in clinical settings.

Stereochemical analysis of ferrocene and the uncertainty of fluorescence XAFS data.

Methods for the quantification of statistically valid measures of the uncertainties associated with X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data obtained from dilute solutions using fluorescence measurements are developed. Experimental data obtained from 10 mM solutions of the organometallic compound ferrocene, Fe(C(5)H(5))(2), are analysed within this framework and, following correction for various electronic and geometrical factors, give robust estimates of the standard errors of the individual measurements. The reliability of the refinement statistics of standard current XAFS structure approaches that do not include propagation of experimental uncertainties to assess subtle structural distortions is assessed in terms of refinements obtained for the staggered and eclipsed conformations of the C(5)H(5) rings of ferrocene. Standard approaches (XFIT, IFEFFIT) give refinement statistics that appear to show strong, but opposite, preferences for the different conformations. Incorporation of experimental uncertainties into an IFEFFIT-like analysis yield refinement statistics for the staggered and eclipsed forms of ferrocene which show a far more realistic preference for the eclipsed form which accurately reflects the reliability of the analysis. Moreover, the more strongly founded estimates of the refined parameter uncertainties allow more direct comparison with those obtained by other techniques. These XAFS-based estimates of the bond distances have accuracies comparable with those obtained using single-crystal diffraction techniques and are superior in terms of their use in comparisons of experimental and computed structures.

Comparison of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. extract and quercetin on mouse model of knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly observed arthritic disease causing severe pain and impairing patient's quality of life. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of Elaeagnus angustifolia extract and quercetin on the mouse model of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Sixty Balb-C mice were used to establish the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) model of OA. Then, they were randomized into untreated OA group (normal nutrition), E. angustifolia extract-treated group (32 mg/kg by gavage), quercetin-treated group (20 mg/kg by gavage) and ibuprofen- treated group (20 mg/kg). Fifteen mice with no MIA treatment were considered as the normal controls. The mice were treated for 28 days. The histopathological analysis was performed on knee joints. Expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 3 and 13 (MMP-1 and MMP-13) in serum were assessed in addition. Histopathological study indicated that in the quercetin-treated group, the thickness of femur and tibia were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Among groups treated by E. angustifolia extract, quercetin and ibuprofen, the concentration of MMP-3 was 5.47 ± 1.75 ng/ml, 4.38 ± 1.78 ng/ml and 4.86 ± 1.40 ng/ml, respectively. The level of MMP-13 in sera was 3.32 ± 1.64 ng/ml, 2.67 ± 1.73 ng/ml and 5.31 ± 1.68 ng/ml in the same order (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the quercetin was useful in the reduction of symptoms of OA and raised the improvement of damaged cartilage. Hence, it can be a beneficial medical supplement in OA treatment. Besides, E. angustifolia extract and quercetin significantly reduced the serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 concentrations. It could be one of the mechanisms through that E. angustifolia plays a role in remission of OA.

Ethnicity Influences Corpus Callosum Dimensions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Corpus callosum (CC), the main white matter cable which connects two hemispheres of brain, is important in special procedures such as stereotaxic surgeries vary in size, in different populations. Determination of possible size differences in ethnical groups has special values. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The size of the CC on midsagittal view was determined in 76 normal male subjects using MRI of brain hemispheres in northern Iran. The size of rostrum, body, splenium, length, and height of CC was measured for each subject. The width of the body of the corpus callosum (B), the anterior to posterior length (L) and the maximum height (H) of the corpus callosum, and ratios B/L and B/H were also calculated. RESULTS: The longitudinal dimensions of the CC were 70.21 mm and 74.05 mm in native Fars and Turkmens, respectively (P < 0.05). The heights were 25 mm and 25.75 mm in native Fars and Turkmen subjects, respectively. The width of CC in Turkmen people was significantly higher than native Fars people (P < 0.05). The Evans index in Turkmen group (0.314) was significantly higher than in native Fars (0.3). The B/L and B/H ratios were nonsignificantly different between two groups. CONCLUSION: The CC parameters vary in different ethnical groups in northern Iran.

A randomized trial of an optimism training intervention in patients with heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: Optimism is prospectively and independently associated with superior cardiac outcomes, but there has been minimal study of optimism-specific interventions in persons with cardiovascular illness. We aimed to examine the feasibility and impact of an optimism-promoting program among patients with heart disease in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Participants (N=61) were outpatients, age 35-60, with coronary artery disease who were randomized to an 8-week in-person group-based optimism training intervention or an attention-matched educational control condition. Feasibility was assessed via rates of session attendance and exercise completion, and acceptability was assessed via weekly participant ratings of exercise ease, utility, and likelihood of continuation. The impact of the intervention was assessed via between-group differences in change from baseline optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised [LOT-R]) and other psychological self-report outcomes at 8weeks (primary time point) and 16weeks, using random effects regression models. RESULTS: Participants completed a mean of 6.8 (SD 1.2) sessions and 13.9 (SD 2.4) exercises, with mean ratings all >3.5/5 on measures of acceptability. The intervention was associated with greater improvement in optimism at 8weeks (ß=5.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.55, 6.70; p<0.001) and 16weeks; the intervention was also associated with greater improvements in life satisfaction, hope, and anxiety at both time points, though not with positive or negative affect. CONCLUSIONS: A group-based optimism training program was feasible, acceptable, and associated with improvements in optimism and other psychological measures in cardiac patients. Future larger studies should examine effects on major clinical outcomes.

Reliability and Validity of the Farsi Version of the Somatosensory Amplification Scale.

BACKGROUND: The somatosensory amplification scale (SSAS) is a 10-item self-report instrument designed to assess a tendency to experience normal somatic and visceral sensations as intense, noxious, and disturbing. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the reliability and validity of the SSAS, developed by Barsky et al. (1988), in the Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 240 patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders and 30 healthy persons selected by convenience sampling from 2013 to 2014. The patients completed the SSAS, the somatization subscale of the symptom checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R som), and the modified somatic perception questionnaire (MSPQ), whereas the healthy persons completed just the SSAS. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the one-factor solution, accounting for 29.42% of the variance, explained that the SSAS items were represented by one global dimension. The SSAS had acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.78) and good test-retest reliability (r = 0.80). The item-to-scale correlations varied from 0.17 to 0.55. Item 2 had the lowest item-total score correlation (r = 0.17), and the α coefficient for the SSAS exceeded when this item was deleted. The convergent validity of the SSAS with somatization was shown with a significant correlation between the SSAS, SCL-90-R som (r = 0.36), and MSPQ scores (r = 0.52). Discriminant validity analysis showed no significant difference in the SSAS between the patient and control groups (P > 0.05) and non-specificity of the SSAS for patients. CONCLUSIONS: In sum, the SSAS has acceptable reliability and validity for the Iranian population and the scale measures the same the original scale, namely somatosensory amplification.

First-principles study of Carbz-PAHTDDT dye sensitizer and two Carbz-derived dyes for dye sensitized solar cells.

Two new carbazole-based organic dye sensitizers are designed and investigated in silico. These dyes are designed through chemical modifications of the π-conjugated bridge of a reference organic sensitizer known as Carbz-PAHTDDT (S9) dye. The aim of designing these dyes was to reduce the energy gap between their highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and to red-shift their absorption response compared to those of the reference S9 dye sensitizer. This reference dye has a reported promising efficiency when coupled with ferrocene-based electrolyte composition. To investigate geometric and electronic structure, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations were conducted on the new dyes as well as the reference dye. The present study indicated that the long-range correction to the theoretical model in the TD-DFT simulation is important to produce accurate absorption wavelengths. The theoretical studies have shown a reduced HOMO-LUMO gap and red-shifted absorption spectra for both of the new candidate dyes. In particular, the new S9-D1 dye is found to have significant reduced HOMO-LUMO energy gap, greater push-pull character and higher wavelengths of absorption when compared to the reference dye. Such findings suggest that the new dyes are promising and suitable for optoelectronic applications.

Molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction for selective trace analysis of trifluoperazine.

In this study, a novel sample clean-up technique based on the molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction procedure is described for the determination of trifluoperazine (TFP) in biological fluids. The water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared by using methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker, chloroform as porogen and TFP as the template molecule. The novel imprinted polymer was used as a solid-phase extraction sorbent for the extraction of TFP from human serum and urine samples. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the polymer were evaluated. The selectivity of MIPs was evaluated by checking several substances with molecular structures similar to the template. The limits of detection and quantification for TFP in urine samples were 0.06 and 0.2 µg/L, respectively. These limits for TFP in serum samples were 0.15 and 0.4 µg/L, respectively. The recovery values for serum and urine samples were higher than 92 and 93%, respectively.

Toward rational design of organic dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs): an application to the TA-St-CA dye.

A computer aided rational design has been performed on TA-St-CA dye sensitizer in order to improve the desirable properties for new organic dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). A number of electron-donating (ED) and electron-withdrawing (EW) units based on Dewar's rules are substituted into the π-conjugated oligo-phenylenevinylene bridge of the reference TA-St-CA dye. The effects of these alternations on the molecular structures and the electron absorption spectra are calculated using time-dependant density functional theory (TDDFT). It is found that chemical modifications using electron donating (ED) substitutions exhibit advantages over the electron withdrawing (EW) substitutes to reduce the HOMO-LUMO energy gap as well as the electron distribution of the frontier orbitals of the new dyes. Dewar's rule is a useful guideline for rational design of new dye sensitizers with desired HOMO-LUMO gap. The impact on the optical spectra of new dyes are, however, less significant.

Alexithymia and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID).

NTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine alexithymia symptoms, demographic variables and the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in a sample of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) and a comparative sample of healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 237 individuals, 129 of whom were patients diagnosed with FGIDs. The patients referred to the psychosomatic disorders clinic_of Nour Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The controlled group included 108 healthy individuals (without digestive diagnosis) matched with the patients by age, gender, marital and educational status. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), correlation coefficients and Fisher's z. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between patients with FGIDs and healthy controls in terms of number of alexithymia symptoms and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms. The results also indicated the existence of a relationship between educational level and alexithymia as well as its dimensions (difficulty identifying feelings and difficulty describing feelings) in both groups. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in this regard. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicated that compared to the healthy control group, patients with FGIDs had higher scores of alexithymia and more severe somatic symptoms. Furthermore, higher educational levels were associated with decreased risk of alexithymia. Such finding might be due to higher ability to describe and identify emotions in patients with higher levels of education.