Emerging evidence suggests that individuals with poor behavioral perseverance show low or blunted physiological responses to acute psychological stress. For example, a recent preliminary laboratory study demonstrated that blunted responders give up sooner and take fewer attempts when endeavoring to complete an impossible puzzle, but do not self-report poor perseverance. This present research is a replication of the previous study with an increased sample size, longer recovery periods between tasks and addition of social evaluation to the cold pressor. Participants (147) completed a self-report perseverance questionnaire (Short Grit Scale) and behavioral perseverance tasks (impossible Euler puzzle and socially evaluated cold-pressor (SECPT)). The number of attempts and time spent trying to complete the unsolvable puzzle, and duration of hand submergent during the SECPT, were recorded as behavioral perseverance measures. Difference in blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) from baseline to a 10-min paced auditory serial addition task (PASAT) were computed as reactivity. As previously, reactivity did not relate to self-reported perseverance and blunted BP reactivity to the PASAT was associated with less time persevering at the unsolvable puzzle. Additionally, blunted BP and PR reactivity to the PASAT related to poorer perseverance during the SECPT. These findings, replicating the previous study, increase confidence that blunted reactivity is a physiological marker of poor behavioral perseverance. Moreover, given that self-reported perseverance does not relate to reactivity, this suggests that blunted responders are not conscious of this detriment in perseverance, but likely need additional support when persistence is critical (e.g., during behavior change).

Meaningful and ethical phase I/II trials can only be conducted with supportive prospective risk-benefit assessment. Akti-1/2 manufacturer relies largely on preclinical animal studies addressing the safety and efficacy of treatments. These studies are reported in an Investigator’s Brochure (IB) to inform ethics review boards and regulatory authorities. Our study investigated the extent, reporting quality and accessibility of preclinical safety studies (PCSSs) compiled in IBs.

We analysed a sample of 46 IBs for phase I/II trials approved at a leading German university medical centre from 2010 to 2016. We extracted all PCSSs presented in the 46 IBs and assessed them for reporting on methodological measures to reduce validity threats.

The 46 IBs included 777 PCSSs. Blinded outcome assessment, randomization and sample size calculation were reported for fewer than 1% of studies. Only 5% of the PCSSs provided a reference to published data. Compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidance was reported for 52% of PCSSs, bsupport for early human trials. Regulatory authorities and IRBs should require better reporting in IBs.The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque) ovary (CCO) cell line is the standard cell line used for channel catfish diagnostics. Next-gen sequencing studies of a virus cultured in the CCO cells revealed mitochondrial sequences matching those of brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus, Lesueur). Therefore, we systematically performed partial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene sequencing of several sources of the CCO cell line and all matched the brown bullhead and not the channel catfish.The rise in popularity and demand for nonsurgical injectable aesthetic procedures is inherently accompanied by an increase in reported complications, particularly those related to infection. Aseptic technique is under the control of aesthetic practitioners and can be modified to minimize the potential for cross-contamination and infection. This should be a key consideration during all clinical procedures, particularly those involving breach of the skin’s natural defenses and the use of soft tissue filler. A consensus group of five UK expert aesthetic clinicians were convened to discuss current best practice for aseptic techniques in medical aesthetics. The aim of the consensus group was to recommend a step-by-step procedure to achieve optimal aseptic practice in private clinics, and define important considerations for reducing infection risk during the whole patient journey pre-, during- and postaesthetic procedure. Recommendations were based on current evidence and extensive clinical experience. Various procedure recommendations were made to achieve and maintain a high standard of asepsis and infection control. Guidance was divided into three phases for patients and health care professionals, covering preprocedure (including patient selection), during-procedure, and postprocedure considerations. Although adherence to standard hospital guidance on handwashing and cleanliness measures is a cornerstone of controlling cross-contamination, aesthetic clinics carry a high potential risk of infection-particularly as popular treatments with dermal fillers primarily involve the face. This expert consensus guidance recommends procedures to mitigate the potential risks of asepsis.Data regarding the use of biologic therapies for psoriasis during pregnancy are scarce with even more limited knowledge about the long-term safety of in utero exposure. We retrospectively evaluated nine pregnancies in six women with psoriasis who were exposed to biologic therapies between 2006 and 2019 in our psoriasis clinic, a tertiary referral center in Turkey. Pregnancy outcomes included the delivery of seven healthy babies without any complications, one elective abortion, and one ectopic pregnancy. All exposed children, aged between 14 months and 13 years (median age 4.0 years), showed normal growth and neuropsychological development without immunodeficiencies, allergies, malignancies or other diseases. Based on up-to-date collective data in the literature and our real-life clinical experience presented here, exposure to biologic therapies during pregnancy for psoriasis does not seem to be associated with adverse pregnancy or neonatal outcomes. #link# Our results are also reassuring with respect to long-term outcomes of exposed children, but need to be confirmed through further large prospective studies. Nevertheless, use of biologic therapies during late pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, should be reserved for high-need patients with psoriasis and definitely requires a delicate risk/benefit balance on a case-by-case basis.