Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition characterized by distressing, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) has emerged as an effective treatment modality for various mental health disorders. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of guided self-help ICBT (GSH ICBT) and unguided self-help ICBT (SH ICBT) against active and passive control conditions in adults with OCD. A comprehensive systematic literature search yielded 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 15 comparison arms (N = 1416) that met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that GSH ICBT significantly reduced OCD symptomatology posttreatment compared to active controls (g = 0.378, k = 9), with no significant effects maintained at follow-up (g = 0.153, k = 4). GSH ICBT was also found to be as effective as active CBT interventions in reducing comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms posttreatment (g = 0.278, k = 6) and at follow-up (g = 0.124, k = 4). However, improvements in quality of life were not significant posttreatment (g = 0.115, k = 4) nor at follow-up (g = 0.179, k = 3). Combined GSH and SH ICBT demonstrated large effects on reducing OCD symptoms (g = 0.754, k = 6), medium effects on comorbid symptoms (g = 0.547, k = 6) and small effects on quality of life (g = 0.227, k = 2) when compared to inactive controls. No significant differences were found between GSH and SH ICBT in all measured outcomes posttreatment (OCD: g = 0.098, k = 3; AD: g = 0.070, k = 3; QoL: g = -0.030, k = 1) and at follow-up (OCD: g = 0.265, k = 2; AD: g = 0.084, k = 2; QoL: g = 0.00, k = 1). Sample size was identified as a significant moderator of treatment effects. This paper further explores clinical significance, treatment adherence, therapist time investment and moderator influences of the ICBT. The limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are thoroughly discussed.

Properties of anaerobic fungi isolated from several habitats: complexity of phenotypes.

Isolates of anaerobic fungi from rumen, animal faeces and compost displayed morphological similarity with known anaerobic fungi. According to their ITS sequences, species were related to Neocallimastix and Piromyces. Rumen fungi tolerated exposure to an aerobic atmosphere for at least four days. Under anaerobic conditions, they could grow on both, defined or complex substrates. Growth in liquid media was monitored by the continuous measurement of metabolic gases (O2, CO2, H2, CO, H2S, CH4). Monitored metabolism was complex, showed that both CO2 and H2 were produced and subsequently consumed by yet unknown metabolic pathway(s). CO and H2S were evolved similarly, but not identically with the generation of CO2 and H2 suggesting their connection with energetic metabolism. Anaerobic fungi from snail faeces and compost produced concentrations of H2S, H2, CO near the lower limit of detection. The rumen isolates produced cellulases and xylanases with similar pH and temperature optima. Proteolytic enzymes were secreted as well. Activities of some enzymes of the main catabolic pathways were found in cell-free homogenates of mycelia. The results indicate the presence of the pentose cycle, the glyoxylate cycle and an incomplete citrate cycle in these fungi. Differences between isolates indicate phenotypic variability between anaerobic fungi.

Multimeric structure of a subfamily III haloalkane dehalogenase-like enzyme solved by combination of cryo-EM and x-ray crystallography.

Haloalkane dehalogenase (HLD) enzymes employ an SN 2 nucleophilic substitution mechanism to erase halogen substituents in diverse organohalogen compounds. Subfamily I and II HLDs are well-characterized enzymes, but the mode and purpose of multimerization of subfamily III HLDs are unknown. Here we probe the structural organization of DhmeA, a subfamily III HLD-like enzyme from the archaeon Haloferax mediterranei, by combining cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and x-ray crystallography. We show that full-length wild-type DhmeA forms diverse quaternary structures, ranging from small oligomers to large supramolecular ring-like assemblies of various sizes and symmetries. We optimized sample preparation steps, enabling three-dimensional reconstructions of an oligomeric species by single-particle cryo-EM. Moreover, we engineered a crystallizable mutant (DhmeAΔGG ) that provided diffraction-quality crystals. The 3.3 Å crystal structure reveals that DhmeAΔGG forms a ring-like 20-mer structure with outer and inner diameter of ~200 and ~80 Å, respectively. An enzyme homodimer represents a basic repeating building unit of the crystallographic ring. Three assembly interfaces (dimerization, tetramerization, and multimerization) were identified to form the supramolecular ring that displays a negatively charged exterior, while its interior part harboring catalytic sites is positively charged. Localization and exposure of catalytic machineries suggest a possible processing of large negatively charged macromolecular substrates.

Serum profile of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rats following implantation of low-temperature plasma-modified titanium plates.

Surface modification of Titanium (Ti) by low-temperature plasma influences cell-material interactions. Therefore, this study aimed at examining serum cytokine levels and associations after intramuscular implantation (n = 8 rats/group) of Ti-plates with Plasma Polymerized Allyl Amine (Ti-PPAAm), Plasma Polymerized Acrylic Acid (Ti-PPAAc), and without such layers (Ti-Controls). Pro-inflammatory (IL-2, IFNγ, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) cytokines were measured weekly for 56 days. Ti-PPAAm caused increased IL-2 (d7-14, d35), increased IFNγ (d35) and decreased IL-10 (d35, d49-56). Ti-PPAAc induced divergent anti-inflammatory cytokine changes with increased IL-4 (d28-56) and decreased IL-10 (d42-56). Ti-Controls elicited increased IL-2 (d42) and IFNγ (d35-42, d56). IL-6 was not detected and IL-13 only in three samples, thus they do not influence the response against these Ti implants. Correlation analysis revealed surface-dependent associations between cytokines indicating the involvement of different inflammatory cell populations. Concluding, different plasma modifications induce specific serum cytokine profiles and associations indicating distinct inflammatory responses.

PROTOCOL: Effects of virtual reality exposure therapy versus in vivo exposure in treating social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: (a) to quantify the effect sizes for virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) in the treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD), targeting primary social anxiety symptoms, comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms and improvements in quality of life, when compared to WL, information control, care-as-usual and placebo; (b) to compare VRET to in vivo cognitive and cognitive-behavioral interventions in treating SAD, at posttest and follow-up, using between-group design; (c) to identify the key features which are linked to beneficial outcomes in the two formats in treating SAD and (d) to collect and interpret information on differences in treatment uptake, adherence and attrition, as well as clinical significance and therapist-time in both treatment formats.

Characterization of the global impact of low temperature gas plasma on vegetative microorganisms.

Plasma medicine and also decontamination of bacteria with physical plasmas is a promising new field of life science with huge interest especially for medical applications. Despite numerous successful applications of low temperature gas plasmas in medicine and decontamination, the fundamental nature of the interactions between plasma and microorganisms is to a large extent unknown. A detailed knowledge of these interactions is essential for the development of new as well as for the enhancement of established plasma-treatment procedures. In the present work we introduce for the first time a growth chamber system suitable for low temperature gas plasma treatment of bacteria in liquid medium. We have coupled the use of this apparatus to a combined proteomic and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the specific stress response of Bacillus subtilis 168 cells to treatment with argon plasma. The treatment with three different discharge voltages revealed not only effects on growth, but also clear evidence of cellular stress responses. B. subtilis suffered severe cell wall stress, which was made visible also by electron microscopy, DNA damages and oxidative stress as a result of exposure to plasma. These biological findings were supported by the detection of reactive plasma species by OES measurements.

Disorder-specific internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating panic disorder, comorbid symptoms and improving quality of life: A meta-analytic evaluation of randomized controlled trials.

Compared to conventional face-to-face psychological treatments, internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) presents an innovative alternative that has been found to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The current study provides a meta-analysis investigating the efficacy of disorder-specific guided self-help (Gsh) iCBT compared to various active and inactive control conditions, with focus on adult panic disorder sufferers with or without agoraphobia (PD/A). Systematic literature search yielded 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (N = 1214) that met the eligibility criteria for this study. We found no statistically significant differences between Gsh iCBT and various active CBT interventions in reducing PD/A symptoms at both post-test (g = 0.015, k = 10) and follow-up (g = 0.113, k = 6) levels. Also, comorbid anxiety and depression were reduced equivalently at post-test (g = 0.004, k = 6) and follow-up (g = 0.004, k = 6). Quality of life was equally improved at post-test (g = -0.100, k = 5) and follow-up (g = 0.074, k = 2). When compared to inactive controls, we found large effect sizes in PD/A (g = -0.892, k = 9) and comorbid anxiety and depression (g = -0.723, k = 9) symptoms, and moderate change in quality of life (g = -0.484, k = 3) at post-test. There was no difference between Guided self-help iCBT and Self-help iCBT in PD/A (g = -0.025, k = 3) and comorbid anxiety and depression (g = -0.025, k = 3) at post-test. Baseline severity, country of original research and adherence to the treatment in form of initial uptake were identified as statistically significant moderators of the iCBT treatment.

Structure of the dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase (E2) component of the human alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (hKGDHc) revealed by cryo-EM and cross-linking mass spectrometry: Implications for the overall hKGDHc structure.

BACKGROUND: The human mitochondrial alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (hKGDHc) converts KG to succinyl-CoA and NADH. Malfunction of and reactive oxygen species generation by the hKGDHc as well as its E1-E2 subcomplex are implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, ischemia-reperfusion injury, E3-deficiency and cancers. METHODS: We performed cryo-EM, cross-linking mass spectrometry (CL-MS) and molecular modeling analyses to determine the structure of the E2 component of the hKGDHc (hE2k); hE2k transfers a succinyl group to CoA and forms the structural core of hKGDHc. We also assessed the overall structure of the hKGDHc by negative-stain EM and modeling. RESULTS: We report the 2.9 Šresolution cryo-EM structure of the hE2k component. The cryo-EM map comprises density for hE2k residues 151-386 - the entire (inner) core catalytic domain plus a few additional residues -, while residues 1-150 are not observed due to the inherent flexibility of the N-terminal region. The structure of the latter segment was also determined by CL-MS and homology modeling. Negative-stain EM on in vitro assembled hKGDHc and previous data were used to build a putative overall structural model of the hKGDHc. CONCLUSIONS: The E2 core of the hKGDHc is composed of 24 hE2k chains organized in octahedral (8 × 3 type) assembly. Each lipoyl domain is oriented towards the core domain of an adjacent chain in the hE2k homotrimer. hE1k and hE3 are most likely tethered at the edges and faces, respectively, of the cubic hE2k assembly. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The revealed structural information will support the future pharmacologically targeting of the hKGDHc.

Indications for venous access in oncology - recommendations of national professional societies and current state in the Czech Republic.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the paper is to present the current recommendations and indications of venous access in oncology which reflect and recognize the opinions of national and international professional societies. It focuses exclusively on the indications of intravenous catheter placement for anticancer treatment, such as medium-term and long-term venous accesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey results obtained from a national questionnaire of 24 oncology centers identified the current situation in the Czech Republic. There were evaluated relevant data on the number of and the criteria for the introduction of venous accesses provided by physicians. Comparisons were made between current oncological practice and recommendations provided by evidence-based medicine. RESULTS: At each center surveyed in the Czech Republic, an average of 130 ports and 80 permanent implanted central catheters are introduced annually. The ports are increasingly indicated, with over a half of the centers surveyed introducing ports to more than 100 patients a year, with four centers introducing a total of 1,600 ports annually. In all centers, the decision for venous access is made by an oncologist. However, most procedures are performed by a doctor of another specialization, most often by a surgeon, a radiologist or an anesthesiologist. More than a half of the indications for venous access placement result from poor peripheral venous system or complications of parenteral therapy, not from comprehensive assessment prior to the initiation of the therapy. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, we developed general indications and recommendations for venous access to cancer patients which represent the consensus of an interdisciplinary team of specialists, predominantly from the committee of professional societies - the Society for Ports and Permanent Catheters, the Working Group of Nutritional Care in Oncology of the Czech Oncological Society and the Society of Clinical Nutrition and Intensive Metabolic Care. The number of introduced venous access catheters remains insufficient to meet the needs in the Czech Republic, which necessitates increased awareness and possibilities for safe drug administration.

Structural basis for the multitasking nature of the potato virus Y coat protein.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is among the most economically important plant pathogens. Using cryoelectron microscopy, we determined the near-atomic structure of PVY's flexuous virions, revealing a previously unknown lumenal interplay between extended carboxyl-terminal regions of the coat protein units and viral RNA. RNA-coat protein interactions are crucial for the helical configuration and stability of the virion, as revealed by the unique near-atomic structure of RNA-free virus-like particles. The structures offer the first evidence for plasticity of the coat protein's amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions. Together with mutational analysis and in planta experiments, we show their crucial role in PVY infectivity and explain the ability of the coat protein to perform multiple biological tasks. Moreover, the high modularity of PVY virus-like particles suggests their potential as a new molecular scaffold for nanobiotechnological applications.

A Cell-Adhesive Plasma Polymerized Allylamine Coating Reduces the In Vivo Inflammatory Response Induced by Ti6Al4V Modified with Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation of Copper.

Copper (Cu) could be suitable to create anti-infective implants based on Titanium (Ti), for example by incorporating Cu into the implant surface using plasma immersion ion implantation (Cu-PIII). The cytotoxicity of Cu might be circumvented by an additional cell-adhesive plasma polymerized allylamine film (PPAAm). Thus, this study aimed to examine in vivo local inflammatory reactions for Ti6Al4V implants treated with Cu-PIII (Ti-Cu), alone or with an additional PPAAm film (Ti-Cu-PPAAm), compared to untreated implants (Ti). Successful Cu-PIII and PPAAm treatment was confirmed with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Storage of Ti-Cu and Ti-Cu-PPAAm samples in double-distilled water for five days revealed a reduction of Cu release by PPAAm. Subsequently, Ti, Ti-Cu and Ti-Cu-PPAAm samples were simultaneously implanted into the neck musculature of 24 rats. After 7, 14 and 56 days, peri-implant tissue was retrieved from 8 rats/day for morphometric immunohistochemistry of different inflammatory cells. On day 56, Ti-Cu induced significantly stronger reactions compared to Ti (tissue macrophages, antigen-presenting cells, T lymphocytes) and to Ti-Cu-PPAAm (tissue macrophages, T lymphocytes, mast cells). The response for Ti-Cu-PPAAm was comparable with Ti. In conclusion, PPAAm reduced the inflammatory reactions caused by Cu-PIII. Combining both plasma processes could be useful to create antibacterial and tissue compatible Ti-based implants.

Deposition of Antimicrobial Copper-Rich Coatings on Polymers by Atmospheric Pressure Jet Plasmas.

Inanimate surfaces serve as a permanent reservoir for infectious microorganisms, which is a growing problem in areas in everyday life. Coating of surfaces with inorganic antimicrobials, such as copper, can contribute to reduce the adherence and growth of microorganisms. The use of a DC operated air plasma jet for the deposition of copper thin films on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) substrates is reported. ABS is a widespread material used in consumer applications, including hospitals. The influence of gas flow rate and input current on thin film characteristics and its bactericidal effect have been studied. Results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy confirmed the presence of thin copper layers on plasma-exposed ABS and the formation of copper particles with a size in the range from 20 to 100 nm, respectively. The bactericidal properties of the copper-coated surfaces were tested against Staphylococcus aureus. A reduction in growth by 93% compared with the attachment of bacteria on untreated samples was observed for coverage of the surface with 7 at. % copper.

Ambulatory blood pressure values in the Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial (ONTARGET).

In the Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial, telmisartan (T; 80 mg daily) and ramipril (R; 10 mg daily) caused similar clinic blood pressure (BP) reductions, with a similar incidence of cardiovascular and renal events. The R+T combination lowered clinic BP somewhat more with no further cardiovascular or renal protection. The aim of this substudy was to see whether these clinic BP changes reflected the changes of 24-hour BP, a BP with a better prognostic value. In 422 patients in whom 24-hour BP monitoring was performed either before or after 6 to 24 months of treatment, demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the 3 treated groups. Twenty-four-hour systolic BP was similarly reduced by R (-2.0 mm Hg) and T (-2.1 mm Hg), whereas the reduction was more than twice as large in the T+R group (-5.3 mm Hg), which showed a lower on-treatment 24-hour BP also in additional patients (n=408) in whom ambulatory BP was performed only on-treatment. Twenty-four-hour systolic BP was ≈ 14 mm Hg lower than clinic systolic BP at baseline, whereas during treatment the 2 values became progressively closer as clinic systolic BP was more tightly controlled and superimposable when clinic systolic BP was <120 mm Hg. Similar results were obtained for diastolic BP. These findings provide evidence on the relationship of clinic and ambulatory BP target drug treatment. They also show that in the Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial, failure of the R+T combination to enhance cardiovascular and renal protection was not because of inability to more effectively control daily life BP.

Motion-robust MRI through real-time motion tracking and retrospective super-resolution volume reconstruction.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is highly sensitive to motion; hence current practice is based on the prevention of motion during scan. In newborns, young children, and patients with limited cooperation, this commonly requires full sedation or general anesthesia, which is time consuming, costly, and is associated with significant risks. Despite progress in prospective motion correction in MRI, the use of motion compensation techniques is limited by the type and amount of motion that can be compensated for, the dependency on the scanner platform, the need for pulse sequence modifications, and/or difficult setup. In this paper we introduce a novel platform-independent motion-robust MRI technique based on prospective real-time motion tracking through a miniature magnetic field sensor and retrospective super-resolution volume reconstruction. The technique is based on fast 2D scans that maintain high-quality of slices in the presence of motion but are degraded in 3D due to inter-slice motion artifacts. The sensor, conveniently attached to the subject forehead, provides real-time estimation of the motion, which in turn gives the relative location of the slice acquisitions. These location parameters are used to compensate the inter-slice motion to reconstruct an isotropic high-resolution volumetric image from slices in a super-resolution reconstruction framework. The quantitative results obtained for phantom and volunteer subject experiments in this study show the efficacy of the developed technique, which is particularly useful for motion-robust high-resolution T2-weighted imaging of newborns and pediatric subjects.