Introdução: A síndrome metabólica (SM) é um transtorno complexo representado por uma combinação de fatores de risco cardiometabólico relacionados à deposição central de gordura e à resistência à insulina, que aumentam diretamente o risco de doenças cardiovasculares. O crescimento na prevalência da SM acompanha o aumento do consumo de alimentos cujas combinações de nutrientes são potencialmente adipogênicas (dietas ricas em gorduras saturadas e açúcar e pobres em cereais integrais, frutas e vegetais). Esse novo padrão de consumo de alimentos em todo o mundo segue o estilo de vida ocidental moderno que é caracterizado pelo consumo excessivo de calorias e baixo gasto energético. Objetivo: Investigar a correlação entre os padrões alimentares, a SM e alguns de seus principais componentes em indivíduos adultos de ambos os sexos portadores e não-portadores da síndrome. Métodos: Estudo de delineamento transversal realizado com 267 indivíduos adultos de ambos os sexos. Foram avaliados os seguintes dados previamente coletados: demográficos (sexo e idade), antropométricos e de composição corporal (índice de massa corporal e circunferência da cintura), dietéticos (padrões alimentares detectados a partir da análise de um recordatório de 24 horas), clínicos e bioquímicos (aferição da pressão arterial, coleta de sangue após 12h de jejum para avaliação dos níveis séricos de triacilgliceróis, colesterol total, LDL-c, HDL-c e glicose de jejum). Os padrões alimentares foram identificados por meio da análise fatorial por componentes principais e subsequentemente foram realizadas análises estatísticas de correlação e comparação de médias para investigar a relação entre os padrões alimentares identificados por esse método e as características da população. Resultados: Três padrões alimentares distintos foram identificados, explicando 25,59 por cento da variabilidade da dieta da população: (i) Padrão Tradicional, representado por um alto consumo de arroz, feijão, especiarias frescas, legumes, carne branca, sucos, café e chás e açúcar, e um baixo consumo de massas; (ii) Padrão Saudável, caracterizado por alta ingestão de especiarias frescas, frutas, vegetais, laticínios com pouca gordura e pão integrais e baixa ingestão de batatas e tubérculos, carne vermelha, café e chá e açúcar; e (iii) Padrão Ocidental, representado pelo consumo elevado de óleos vegetais, carne processada, leite, pão branco, sucos, refrigerantes e baixa ingestão de laticínios de baixo teor de gordura e pão integral. Entre os indivíduos com SM, há uma correlação positiva entre o padrão saudável e HDL-c, bem como entre o padrão ocidental e circunferência da cintura e triglicerídeos séricos. Em pessoas sem SM, uma correlação positiva é observada entre o padrão saudável e colesterol total e LDL-c, e uma correlação negativa entre o padrão tradicional e LDL-c. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que os padrões alimentares podem influenciar componentes da síndrome metabólica, e reforçam a importância da abordagem nutricional na forma de combinações de alimentos para a análise da prevenção e tratamento de alterações metabólicas / Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder represented by a combination of cardiometabolic risk factors related to central obesity and insulin resistance, which directly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The growth in the prevalence of MetS follows the increase in consumption of foods whose nutrient combinations are potentially adipogenic (diets high in saturated fats and sugar and low in whole grains, fruits and vegetables). This new pattern of food consumption in the world follows the modern western lifestyle that is characterized by excessive consumption of calories and low energy expenditure. Objective: To investigate the association between dietary patterns, MetS and some of its main components in adults of both sexes carriers and non-carriers of the syndrome. Methods: Crosssectional study conducted with 267 adults of both sexes. Were evaluated the following data previously collected: demographic (age and sex), anthropometric and body composition (body mass index and waist circumference), dietary (food patterns detected from analysis of a 24-hour recall), clinical and biochemical (blood pressure measurement, blood sampling after 12h of fasting for evaluation of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c and fasting glucose). Dietary patterns (DPs) were obtained by principal component analysis and subsequent statistical analyzes of correlation and mean comparison were performed to further investigate the relationship between the dietary patterns identified by this method and the characteristics of the population. Results: Three distinct dietary patterns were identified from the principal component factor analysis, explaining 25.59 per cent of the dietary intake variance: (i) Traditional Dietary Pattern, represented by the high intake of rice, beans, fresh spice, vegetables, white meat, juices, coffee & teas and sugar, and low intake of pasta; (ii) Healthy Dietary Pattern, characterized by high intakes of fresh spice, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grain bread and low intake of potatoes & tubers, red meat, coffee & teas and sugar; and (iii) Western Dietary Pattern, represented by high intakes of olive & vegetable oils, processed meat, dairy, white bread, juices, sodas and low intake of low-fat dairy and whole grain bread. Among individuals with MetS, there is a positive correlation between Healthy DP and HDL-c, as well as between Western DP and waist circumference and triglycerides. In people without MetS, the positive correlation is observed between Healthy DP and total cholesterol and LDL-c, and negative correlation between Traditional DP and LDL-c. Conclusion: The present study demonstrate that dietary patterns have some influence on the components of metabolic syndrome, and reinforce that food combinations is an important strategy for the analysis of the prevention and treatment of metabolic dysregulations

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a new addition to the DSM-5, characterized by severe persistent irritability and frequent temper tantrums. This research project aimed to answer the question, “What impacts social workers’ perspectives of DMDD?” by using a positivist approach and collecting quantitative data. Participants (n=26) were sent an electronic survey created with Google Forms. This self-administered survey asked questions regarding demographic information, and asked participants to rate seven statements regarding DMDD using a Likert-type scale. SPSS Statistics Subscription was used to analyze the data through univariate statistics, bivariate statistics in the form of a one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression. The hypothesis of the research study was that as years of clinical experience increased, social workers’ perspectives on DMDD would become increasingly negative. This hypothesis was not supported by the findings of this research study. Although the study was limited by a small sample size, some interesting data was revealed and further research is needed to investigate this topic. The majority of participants, 19 out of 26, had positive perception scores, indicating a positive perspective on DMDD. Additionally, participants unanimously agreed that prior to DMDD’s introduction, Bipolar Disorder was over-diagnosed in children. More research is needed to investigate why perspectives seem to tend towards the positive, and if this is true for the larger population of clinical social workers.

Although theorists, researchers, and therapists alike emphasize emotional intimacy as an important aspect of a couple’s relationship, empirical data to understand the underlying processes behind this concept are lacking. The purpose of this study is to examine Reis and Shaver’s interpersonal process model of intimacy in a community sample of couples and to contribute to the current understanding of constructs that may moderate the process of intimacy. Reis and Shaver’s model suggests that vulnerable self-disclosure by one partner, coupled with empathic responding by the other partner, results in greater subjective emotional intimacy. Previous studies have examined this interpersonal process model in a sample of community couples in committed romantic relationships. The present study aims to contribute to the extant literature by testing emotion dysregulation as a potential moderator in Reis and Shaver’s interpersonal process model of intimacy. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze data from 108 community couples. Couples completed measures and were asked to participate in videotaped interactions in which each partner discussed a time that someone other than the partner hurt their feelings (low threat condition) and a time the partner hurt their feelings (high threat condition). For each interaction, partners were assigned to a designated role (speaker or listener). Results lend support to Reis and Shaver’s interpersonal process model of intimacy suggesting that both vulnerable self-disclosure and empathic responding by the partner are key components to one’s subjective experience of emotional intimacy. Results also lend support to the idea that emotion dysregulation moderates the relation between self-disclosure, empathic responding, and resulting post-interaction intimacy; however, when measuring how emotion dysregulation affects post-interaction intimacy within this study, results varied based on whose intimacy was being measured (speaker or listener) and based on the condition (low or high threat.) Clinical implications as well as directions for future research were discussed.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and eating disorder behaviours (EDB) may share a similar emotion dysregulation mechanism. This study examined the relations between repeated rumination episodes and emotions in NSSI and EDB within the context of the Emotional Cascades Model (Selby, Anestis, & Joiner, 2008), which suggests that ruminating on negative events increases the intensity of negative emotion; negative emotion prompts continued rumination, which further increases the intensity of the negative emotion. Individuals with a history of NSSI and/or EDB reported higher levels of negative emotions and lower levels of positive emotions, relative to individuals without a history of these behaviours. Similarly, a history of NSSI was associated with greater initial increases in negative emotions, and a history of EDB was associated with greater initial decreases in positive emotions, following rumination. While these results support the presence of emotion dysregulation in NSSI and EDBs, it only partially supports the emotional cascades model. / CIHR graduate award helped to fund this research.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a number of devastating consequences, including loss of motor function, paralysis, and neuropathic pain. Concomitant peripheral tissue injury below the lesion site can result in uncontrollable nociception that sensitizes spinal neurons and promotes chronic pain. Additionally, drugs like morphine, though critical for pain management, elicit pro-inflammatory effects that exacerbate chronic pain symptoms. Currently, there is a lack of effective therapeutic mechanisms to promote regeneration at the lesion site, and a limited understanding of regulatory mechanisms that can be utilized to therapeutically manipulate spinal cord plasticity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute novel targets for therapeutic intervention to both promote repair and regeneration, and mitigate maladaptive plasticity that leads to neuropathic pain. Microarray and qRT-PCR comparisons of contused and sham rat spinal cords at 4 and 14 days following SCI indicated that a total of 35 miRNAs were dysregulated, with miR1, miR124, and miR129 exhibiting significant down-regulation after SCI, and both miR21 and miR146a being transiently induced. Localized expression of miRNAs and cellular markers indicated that changes in miRNA regulation favor the emergence of neural stem cell niches and reversion of surviving neurons to a pre-neuronal phenotype. Additionally, both uncontrollable nociception and morphine administration resulted in further dysregulation of SCI-sensitive miRNAs, along with their mRNA targets. Morphine administration significantly induced expression of both miR21 and IL6R expression, indicating that morphine-induced miRNA dysregulation is involved in the promotion of neuroinflammation that drives increased pain-sensitivity. Similarly, uncontrollable nociception significantly modulates expression of miR124, miR129, and miR146a, which inhibit cell cycle proteins and microglial activation, and dysregulation of these miRNAs, along with BDNF and IGF-1, likely contributes towards promotion of hypersensitivity in spinal neurons that underlies neuropathic pain. Consequently, SCI- sensitive miRNAs may constitute therapeutic targets for modulation of neuroinflammation and microglial activation in order to mitigate secondary injury, promote regeneration, and prevent maladaptive plasticity that drives neuropathic pain and exacerbation of chronic pain symptoms by morphine administration.

No description available.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies, insulin resistance, neuro-inflammation and dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis, all of which play a role in neuro-degeneration. The main aim of this study was to determine possible relationships between insulin signaling, cholesterol biosynthesis and their effects on Aβ, and inflammatory response in vitro. Insulin treatment increased cholesterol synthesis in human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y (SHY) and mouse neuroblastoma 2a (N2a) and N2a transfected with human APP (N2a-APP) by up-regulating biosynthesis enzymes including 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) and 3-hydroxy-3methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) through sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP2) up-regulation. Aβ caused insulin resistance in N2a-APP cells by phosphorylating IRS-1 at Ser612, inhibiting signaling to downstream targets. Aβ1-42-treated SHY exhibited similar IRS-1 phosphorylation at Ser612 and inflammatory response of JNK activation. Aβ1-42 caused down-regulation of neuro-protective/anti-inflammatory DHCR24, and an increase in HMGCR levels indicating dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis in SHY cells. Insulin resistance, Aβ toxicity, neuro-inflammation and dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis appear to be intertwined processes in AD that should be studied simultaneously.

Introdução: A síndrome metabólica (SM) é um transtorno complexo representado por uma combinação de fatores de risco cardiometabólico relacionados à deposição central de gordura e à resistência à insulina, que aumentam diretamente o risco de doenças cardiovasculares. O crescimento na prevalência da SM acompanha o aumento do consumo de alimentos cujas combinações de nutrientes são potencialmente adipogênicas (dietas ricas em gorduras saturadas e açúcar e pobres em cereais integrais, frutas e vegetais). Esse novo padrão de consumo de alimentos em todo o mundo segue o estilo de vida ocidental moderno que é caracterizado pelo consumo excessivo de calorias e baixo gasto energético. Objetivo: Investigar a correlação entre os padrões alimentares, a SM e alguns de seus principais componentes em indivíduos adultos de ambos os sexos portadores e não-portadores da síndrome. Métodos: Estudo de delineamento transversal realizado com 267 indivíduos adultos de ambos os sexos. Foram avaliados os seguintes dados previamente coletados: demográficos (sexo e idade), antropométricos e de composição corporal (índice de massa corporal e circunferência da cintura), dietéticos (padrões alimentares detectados a partir da análise de um recordatório de 24 horas), clínicos e bioquímicos (aferição da pressão arterial, coleta de sangue após 12h de jejum para avaliação dos níveis séricos de triacilgliceróis, colesterol total, LDL-c, HDL-c e glicose de jejum). Os padrões alimentares foram identificados por meio da análise fatorial por componentes principais e subsequentemente foram realizadas análises estatísticas de correlação e comparação de médias para investigar a relação entre os padrões alimentares identificados por esse método e as características da população. Resultados: Três padrões alimentares distintos foram identificados, explicando 25,59 por cento da variabilidade da dieta da população: (i) Padrão Tradicional, representado por um alto consumo de arroz, feijão, especiarias frescas, legumes, carne branca, sucos, café e chás e açúcar, e um baixo consumo de massas; (ii) Padrão Saudável, caracterizado por alta ingestão de especiarias frescas, frutas, vegetais, laticínios com pouca gordura e pão integrais e baixa ingestão de batatas e tubérculos, carne vermelha, café e chá e açúcar; e (iii) Padrão Ocidental, representado pelo consumo elevado de óleos vegetais, carne processada, leite, pão branco, sucos, refrigerantes e baixa ingestão de laticínios de baixo teor de gordura e pão integral. Entre os indivíduos com SM, há uma correlação positiva entre o padrão saudável e HDL-c, bem como entre o padrão ocidental e circunferência da cintura e triglicerídeos séricos. Em pessoas sem SM, uma correlação positiva é observada entre o padrão saudável e colesterol total e LDL-c, e uma correlação negativa entre o padrão tradicional e LDL-c. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que os padrões alimentares podem influenciar componentes da síndrome metabólica, e reforçam a importância da abordagem nutricional na forma de combinações de alimentos para a análise da prevenção e tratamento de alterações metabólicas / Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder represented by a combination of cardiometabolic risk factors related to central obesity and insulin resistance, which directly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The growth in the prevalence of MetS follows the increase in consumption of foods whose nutrient combinations are potentially adipogenic (diets high in saturated fats and sugar and low in whole grains, fruits and vegetables). This new pattern of food consumption in the world follows the modern western lifestyle that is characterized by excessive consumption of calories and low energy expenditure. Objective: To investigate the association between dietary patterns, MetS and some of its main components in adults of both sexes carriers and non-carriers of the syndrome. Methods: Crosssectional study conducted with 267 adults of both sexes. Were evaluated the following data previously collected: demographic (age and sex), anthropometric and body composition (body mass index and waist circumference), dietary (food patterns detected from analysis of a 24-hour recall), clinical and biochemical (blood pressure measurement, blood sampling after 12h of fasting for evaluation of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c and fasting glucose). Dietary patterns (DPs) were obtained by principal component analysis and subsequent statistical analyzes of correlation and mean comparison were performed to further investigate the relationship between the dietary patterns identified by this method and the characteristics of the population. Results: Three distinct dietary patterns were identified from the principal component factor analysis, explaining 25.59 per cent of the dietary intake variance: (i) Traditional Dietary Pattern, represented by the high intake of rice, beans, fresh spice, vegetables, white meat, juices, coffee & teas and sugar, and low intake of pasta; (ii) Healthy Dietary Pattern, characterized by high intakes of fresh spice, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grain bread and low intake of potatoes & tubers, red meat, coffee & teas and sugar; and (iii) Western Dietary Pattern, represented by high intakes of olive & vegetable oils, processed meat, dairy, white bread, juices, sodas and low intake of low-fat dairy and whole grain bread. Among individuals with MetS, there is a positive correlation between Healthy DP and HDL-c, as well as between Western DP and waist circumference and triglycerides. In people without MetS, the positive correlation is observed between Healthy DP and total cholesterol and LDL-c, and negative correlation between Traditional DP and LDL-c. Conclusion: The present study demonstrate that dietary patterns have some influence on the components of metabolic syndrome, and reinforce that food combinations is an important strategy for the analysis of the prevention and treatment of metabolic dysregulations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies, insulin resistance, neuro-inflammation and dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis, all of which play a role in neuro-degeneration. The main aim of this study was to determine possible relationships between insulin signaling, cholesterol biosynthesis and their effects on Aβ, and inflammatory response in vitro. Insulin treatment increased cholesterol synthesis in human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y (SHY) and mouse neuroblastoma 2a (N2a) and N2a transfected with human APP (N2a-APP) by up-regulating biosynthesis enzymes including 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) and 3-hydroxy-3methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) through sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP2) up-regulation. Aβ caused insulin resistance in N2a-APP cells by phosphorylating IRS-1 at Ser612, inhibiting signaling to downstream targets. Aβ1-42-treated SHY exhibited similar IRS-1 phosphorylation at Ser612 and inflammatory response of JNK activation. Aβ1-42 caused down-regulation of neuro-protective/anti-inflammatory DHCR24, and an increase in HMGCR levels indicating dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis in SHY cells. Insulin resistance, Aβ toxicity, neuro-inflammation and dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis appear to be intertwined processes in AD that should be studied simultaneously.

Research on factors that predict opioid cravings is lacking. Anhedonia may be a predictor of cravings and particularly relevant to cravings when people struggle to regulate emotions but has yet to be examined among justice-involved populations. This study aimed to examine the relationship between anhedonia, opioid cravings, and emotion dysregulation (ED) in this population. Participants completed several measures. The results showed that anhedonia and opioid cravings were significantly related at the bivariate level, but not in moderation models. The DERS-36 total score and ‘DERS Impulse’ subscale had a significant, positive effect on cravings in moderation models. In a higher severity sample of people who used heroin, there was a significant interaction wherein the relationship between anhedonia and cravings was positive at high levels of difficulty controlling behaviors when distressed. These findings indicate the need to understand how anhedonia and ED influence opioid cravings among justice-involved people with severe heroin use.