Experimental Ss Research Articles

CD8+ tissue-resident memory T cells are expanded in primary Sjögren’s disease and can be therapeutically targeted by CD103 blockade

ObjectiveTissue-resident memory cells (Trm) are a subset of T cells residing persistently and long-term within specific tissues that contribute to persistent inflammation and tissue damage. We characterised the phenotype and...

Caveolin-1 restrains pathogenic T follicular helper cell response in primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Abstract T follicular helper (Tfh) cells play a central role in humoral autoimmunity, including primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). However, targeting Tfh cells is challenging in clinical management. Previous studies suggested that inducible T­cell co­stimulator (ICOS) directed Tfh cell motility in engaging bystander B cells, which promoted plasma cell differentiation and antibodies production. Here, we identified a novel function of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in restraining ICOS expression in Tfh cells and pSS pathogenesis. Cav-1 deficiency significantly promoted human and murine Tfh cell responses, while Cav-1-/- mice exhibited exacerbated disease pathology of experimental SS (ESS). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARa), a downstream transcription factor of Cav-1, rapidly repressed Icos transcription upon Tfh polarization, interestingly, independence of lipid metabolism. Phenotypic analyses suggested that Cav-1 and PPARa expressions were decreased in CD4+ T cells from pSS patients and ESS mice. Notably, pharmaceutical activation of PPARa with fenofibrate could suppress human and murine Tfh cells both in vitro and in vivo, while oral administration of fenofibrate effectively ameliorated ESS pathology in mice with acute or chronic inflammation. These results revealed an unrecognized role of Cav-1/PPARa axis in Tfh cell tolerance and pSS pathogenesis, suggesting PPARa as a promising target in the treatment of humoral autoimmunity.

A Comparative Histological Study of Effects of Cigarette and Shisha Smoke on Lungs of Mice

Background: The most popular way to take in tobacco is as cigarettes, which are now frequently accessible as vaporizers. When inhaled for an extended period of time, the smoke's respiratory tract irritants cause fibrosis, inflammation, and precancerous diseases. Nicotine is the main alkaloid found in both commercial and home-made tobacco products, making up 0.6-3.0% of the dry weight of the tobacco plant. Aim: To compare the histological effects of cigarettes and shisha on the lungs of experimental animals. Study design: Randomized control trial. Methodology: A randomised control trial was used. In partnership with the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, the Department of Anatomy at the Islamic International Medical College in Rawalpindi developed and carried out this six-month study. 40 mature male BALB/c mice were allocated into three groups at random. Mice from the Control group C were housed in a fresh air- and smoke-exposed environment. Third Group CS was exposed to cigarette smoke, while Experimental Group SS was subjected to shisha smoke. Two exposures per day, five days per week, were administered. After a total of eight months of exposure, the subjects were dissected, the lung tissue was evaluated under a microscope, and the outcomes were compared across experimental groups. The quantity of carbon-loaded alveolar macrophages per unit was measured in the lung tissues. SPSS 20.0 was utilized to analyze the data. For quantitative histology data, mean and standard deviation were provided, while frequencies and percentages were provided for qualitative factors. The Pearson Chi Square test was used to determine the p value when comparing two groups and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the mean differences between the control and experimental groups. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value of 0.05. Results: In comparison to group CS, group SS showed significantly more fibrosis, peribronchiolar inflammation, and bronchiolar constriction. Additionally, there were more carbon-loaded alveolar macrophages in group SS than in group CS, and this difference was statistically significant. Practical implication: As sheesha and vaping are now popular trends, this study will aid researchers in determining the risk linked with sheesha smoking. Conclusions: Shisha use is not a risk-free substitute for cigarette use. Compared to cigarette smoke, it has a larger concentration of toxicants that alter tissue at a far higher rate. Keywords: Shisha Smoke, Cigarette Smoke, Lungs Tissue, Mice and Histology.

Tryptophan diet promotes myeloid-derived suppressor cell response via aryl hydrocarbon receptor in Sjogren’s syndrome

Abstract Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are heterogeneous myeloid cell populations with immunosuppressive capacity, which contribute to immune regulation and tolerance induction. We previously reported impaired MDSC function in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) and mice with experimental SS (ESS). In this study, we first found that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was highly expressed by human and murine polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs). Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a natural AhR ligand produced from dietary tryptophan, significantly promoted PMN-MDSC differentiation and their suppressive function on CD4 +T cells. In contrast, feeding tryptophan-free diet resulted in decreased PMN-MDSC response, a phenotype that could be reversed by IPA supplementation. Notably, AhR expression was reduced in PMN-MDSCs during ESS development, while AhR antagonism resulted in exacerbated ESS pathology and dysregulated T effector cells, which could be phenocopied by tryptophan-free diet. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), a repressive transcription factor, was upregulated in PMN-MDSCs during ESS progression. ChIP analysis revealed the binding capacity of IRF4 to the promoter region of AhR, while IRF4 deficiency markedly enhanced AhR-mediated PMN-MDSC responses. Furthermore, tryptophan-enriched diet or dietary supplementation of IPA markedly ameliorated salivary glandular pathology in ESS mice with restored MDSC immunosuppressive function. Together, our results identify a novel function of AhR in modulating PMN-MDSC response and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting AhR for the treatment of pSS.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation drives polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell response and efficiently attenuates experimental Sjögren's syndrome.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) comprise heterogeneous myeloid cell populations with immunosuppressive capacity that contribute to immune regulation and tolerance induction. We previously reported impaired MDSC function in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and mice with experimental SS (ESS). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying MDSC dysfunction remain largely unclear. In this study, we first found that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was highly expressed by human and murine polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs). Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a natural AhR ligand produced from dietary tryptophan, significantly promoted PMN-MDSC differentiation and suppressive function on CD4+ T cells. In contrast, feeding a tryptophan-free diet resulted in a decreased PMN-MDSC response, a phenotype that could be reversed by IPA supplementation. The functional importance of PMN-MDSCs was demonstrated in ESS mice by using a cell-depletion approach. Notably, AhR expression was reduced in PMN-MDSCs during ESS development, while AhR antagonism resulted in exacerbated ESS pathology and dysregulated T effector cells, which could be phenocopied by a tryptophan-free diet. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), a repressive transcription factor, was upregulated in PMN-MDSCs during ESS progression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that IRF4 could bind to the promoter region of AhR, while IRF4 deficiency markedly enhanced AhR-mediated PMN-MDSC responses. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with IPA markedly ameliorated salivary glandular pathology in ESS mice with restored MDSC immunosuppressive function. Together, our results identify a novel function of AhR in modulating the PMN-MDSC response and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting AhR for the treatment of pSS.

GITRL impairs the immunosuppressive function of MDSCs via PTEN-mediated signaling pathway in experimental Sjögren syndrome.

Recent studies have revealed a role of the ligand for glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related protein (GITRL) in mediating functional dysregulations of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), but the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate GITRL-mediated signaling pathways in MDSCs during the development of experimental SS (ESS). MDSCs were stimulated with recombinant GITRL, the activation of PTEN, AKT and STAT3 in MDSCs was analyzed by Western blot. MDSCs with different treatment were adoptively transferred to ESS mice. ELISA was used to detect the level of autoantibodies. Proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells were examined by flow cytometry. Histological evaluation of glandular destruction was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The interaction of GITR, TRAF3 and PP2A was detected by CoIP. Upon the engagement of GITR on MDSCs, PTEN was activated and led to the inhibition of downstream AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway, therefore, resulting in the impaired immunosuppressive function of MDSCs. In ESS mice, blocking the activity of PTEN could efficiently restore the immunomodulatory effect of MDSCs and alleviate the progression of ESS. Furthermore, TRAF3 was found to bind to GITR, and then recruited PP2A to dephosphorylate PTEN, thus enhancing the activity of PTEN. This study elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of GITRL in regulating the function of MDSCs, which may provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of pSS.

Acteoside promotes B cell-derived IL-10 production and ameliorates autoimmunity.

IL-10-producing regulatory B (Breg) cells are well recognized for maintaining immune tolerance. The impaired Breg cell function with decreased IL-10-producing capacity has been found in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). However, seldom therapeutic agents targeting Breg cells are available to treat those autoimmune diseases. Here, we showed that acteoside (AC), a caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycoside from a medicinal herb Radix Rehmanniae, could promote IL-10 production from both human and murine B cells via critically regulating the TLR4/PI3K axis. Moreover, TLR4 was found increased in Breg cells from mice with experimental SS (ESS), a mouse model that recapitulates human pSS. Thus, B cells from the ESS mice were susceptible to AC treatment, showing higher IL-10-producing capacity than those from naïve controls. In addition, AC treatment also promoted the production of IL-10 from TLR4+ CXCR4+ plasma cells of ESS mice. Notably, we found that AC was able to enter lymphoid organs upon oral administration. AC treatment effectively increased IL-10+ B cells in ESS mice and ameliorated disease pathology accompanied by reduced T effector cells, including Th17 and T follicular helper cells in the ESS mice. In conclusion, AC could promote Breg cell function and attenuate ESS pathology in vivo, which may be a promising drug candidate for treating pSS and other autoimmune diseases.

The aberrant levels of decorin induce damages of human salivary gland epithelial cells and polarization of macrophages.

This study aimed to preliminarily address the levels of decorin (DCN, a critical component of extracellular matrix) and its potential roles in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). DCN levels were determined in the salivary glands of experimental SS (ESS) mice and pSS patients by RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, or immunohistochemical staining. Its correlation with interested genes and co-localization with a putative receptor was studied in pSS patients. In addition, its potential roles on salivary gland epithelium and macrophages were tested by exogenous administration to corresponding cell lines, followed by the evaluation of apoptosis using flow cytometry or cytokine expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our data revealed a significant elevation of DCN in the salivary glands of the ESS mice model and pSS patients. In addition, the bioinformatics analysis of DCN in the GSE40611 (RNA-seq, parotid glands) dataset displayed an elevation of the DCN level in the parotid glands of pSS patients that positively correlated with several chemokines (CXCL13, CXCL9, and CCL20), Interleukin -1 β (IL1 -β), and caspase3 but negatively correlated with the proliferation relative gene MKI67. The stimulatory effects of DCN on the salivary gland epithelial cells (A253 cell line) and macrophages have been determined as they are considered active participants in the progression of SS. The data showed that DCN induced the apoptosis of A253 cells and polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype, characterized by the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our study provided preliminary evidence to understand the clinical significance of DCN in pSS and broadened our horizons in understanding the mechanism of pSS.

Performance on the Memory Validity Profile in a mixed clinic-referred pediatric sample

ABSTRACT The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate performance on the Memory Validity Profile (MVP) in a mixed pediatric clinical population. Goal 1, assessing MVP pass rates, yielded a slightly higher pass rate (98.58%) compared to research on other performance validity tests (PVTs) in youth when using manual-based cutoffs and a slightly lower pass rate (84.40%) using an experimental cutoffs (PASS Total ≥31) similar to others’ research. Goal 2, determining if MVP performance was contingent on variables other than effort, yielded significant differences in age, sex, and intelligence (p < 0.05); but not parental education or occurrence/nonoccurrence of previous neurological issues, ADHD, or psychiatric disorders. Goal 3, investigating the agreement of an embedded PVT (Children and Adolescent Memory Profile [ChAMP] List Recognition [LR] subtest) with the MVP in classification of adequate vs. suboptimal effort, showed that the highest levels of consistency (81%) were achieved when experimental MVP and LR ss ≤5 cutoffs were utilized. In conclusion, the MVP is a useful tool in detecting suboptimal effort in children in a broad clinical sample and the ChAMP LR subtest adds to identification of suboptimal effort as an ePVT with the MVP. The established cutoffs stated in the MVP manual should be used, as these better identify suboptimal effort in children by age than experimental cutoffs (i.e., 31 and 32 PASS). The ChAMP LR cutoff should be ss ≤5, with MVP manual-based (75%) or experimental cutoffs (81%).

Vertical Ge Gate-All-Around Nanowire pMOSFETs With a Diameter Down to 20 nm

In this work, we demonstrate vertical Ge gate-all-around (GAA) nanowire pMOSFETs fabricated with a CMOS compatible top-down approach. Vertical Ge nanowires with diameters down to 20 nm and an aspect ratio of ~11 were achieved by optimized Cl <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> -based dry etching and self-limiting digital etching. Employing a GAA architecture, post-oxidation passivation and NiGe contacts, high performance Ge nanowire pMOSFETs exhibit low SS of 66 mV/dec, small DIBL of 35 mV/V and a high I <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">ON</sub> /I <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">OFF</sub> ratio of 2.1 × 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">6</sup> . The electrical behavior was also studied with temperature-dependent measurements. The deviation between the experimental SS and the ideal kT/q ·ln10 values stems from the density of interface traps (D <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">it</sub> ). Our measurements suggest that lowering the top contact resistance is a key to further performance improvement of vertical Ge GAA nanowire transistors.

末端変性スチレンブタジエンゴム配合物の大規模粗視化分子動力学シミュレーション

Large scale coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of rubber-filler composite systems which are models of rubber compositions have been conducted on the K-computer. Different structures of filler aggregates are modeled by reverse Monte Carlo method from a part of USAXS data of rubber compounds obtained in the large synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8. The difference of experimental stress-strain curves between end-modified SBR and non-modified SBR has been reproduced qualitatively by simulation. Behaviors of large strain region of experimental stressstrain curves can be explained by the difference of maximum elongation of network chains due to the difference of numbers of bonds between fillers in end-modified SBR and non-modified SBR. Difference of small strain region of experimental SS curves between end-modified SBR and non-modified SBR can be reproduced qualitatively by models that filler aggregates are defined. This result suggests that filler aggregates play an important role for behavior of small strain region of stress-strain curves of filled rubbers.

A STUDY OF SOME POLYMERIC REAGENTS DOMESTIC PRODUCTION

The article presents the results of investigations of polymeric reagents production LLP Cellulose Ethers (Vladimir), composed of synthetic and natural clay mud of the November oil and gas region of Western Siberia. In particular, we studied experimental and industrial samples karboksimetikrahmala reagents (KMC), experimental and industrial samples and test reagents polysaccharide polymer complex reagent SS. Samples were submitted to high-viscosity CMC, they lead to an effective increase of the structural, mechanical and rheological properties of the slurry at a concentration of 0.5% and above, but the filtration rate is reduced while not as effective. So KMC sample data were not recommended for drilling the main borehole production casing and completion fluids, and for use in drilling wells under the conductor when the increased viscosity of the solution is required at higher reagent concentrations. Enterprise TOO Cellulose Ethers recommended to finalize the specifications for the Chemproduct and send it to other studies (less viscous) grade CMC. Additives polysaccharide reagent in the mud do not have an effective impact on the reduction of filtration index. Experimental reagents and industrial samples differ only slightly from each other. The study sample is an integrated reagent SS of LLP Cellulose Ethers (Vladimir) corresponds to advertising data and comparable to previously studied samples of PS NPO Drilling. Preparation of the reagent solution polimersolevogo substation reduces the filtration rate to 10-14 cm 3 / 30 minutes, but only if strict adherence to the developed technology.

A critical role of Th17 cells in the development of murine Sjogeren’s syndrome (BA11P.132)

Abstract Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is characterized by progressive inflammation and tissue damage of salivary glands (SG) and lacrimal glands, leading to dry-mouth and dry-eye symptoms as a result of reduced saliva and tears secretion. Histopathologically, CD4+ T cells were the major population in the infiltration and mediated tissue destruction. However, a role of IL-17-producing CD4+ T cell (Th17 cell) has not yet been elucidated in SS pathogenesis. In the present study, experimental SS was induced in normal mice by immunization with proteins extracted from SG. A rapid increase of Th17 cells was observed in the spleen and draining cervical lymph node at acute stage. Interestingly, this pattern also emerged in the draining lymph node of non-obese diabetic mice, another murine model of SS. Further, SG-infiltrating Th17 cells were detected and increased along disease progression. In IL-17 deficient (IL-17-/-) mice, no apparent salivary dysfunction and autoantibodies were observed upon immunization. However, upon adoptive transfer of Th17 cells from wild type mice, high titer of autoantibodies, salivary dysfunction with lymphocytic infiltration were fully restored in IL-17-/- mice. Together, our findings have demonstrated a critical role of Th17 cells in SS pathogenesis.

ATTRIBUTION STYLE AND INTERNAL STATE LEXICON: A COMPARISON BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

Current theories of intellectual disabilities underlie an approach centred on a more complete description of the development, known as “the whole child approach”, in which emphasis is placed on the reciprocal relationships between the cognitive and motivational dimensions which characterise development. In particular, subjects with intellectual disabilities, who have experienced repeated failures, may develop an attribution profile characterised by a bias towards primarily external causes. However the consideration of internal causes, such as effort and ability, requires the involvement of higher metacognitive and metalinguistic levels. Consequently, attribution to effort requires an awareness of one’s own internal states. The aim of this study is to compare the attribution style and the knowledge of internal states words (physiological, emotional and cognitive) in adolescents with intellectual disability and typical development. Two groups consisting of 14 participants each were employed, an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was composed by adolescents with intellectual disability. Participants in the control group were matched to the experimental Ss for mental age. All of the 24 participants were given an Attribution Test (Pepi and Alesi, 2001) and a Internal States Lexicon Test (Alesi and Pepi, 2005). The attribution test consisting of 14 items illustrating either everyday or school-related events in which the main character experiences either success or failure. The participants were asked to attribute the character’s performance to one of five causes: ability; effort; help; luck; or task difficulty. On the whole, individuals with intellectual disability tend to attribute mainly performance to external causes such as the ease of the task. Moreover the results show a significant relationship between attribution style and knowledge of internal states words. In summary this study provide support for the planning of multidimensional training programs aimed at internalize the attribution style in subjects with intellectual disability. Key words: attribution style; intellectual disability; internal state lexicon; motivation.

Involvement of VIP on BDNF-induced somatostatin gene expression in cultured fetal rat cerebral cortical cells

Previous studies have shown that BDNF promotes expression of SS. In earlier studies we demonstrated the stimulatory effect of locally produced VIP upon SS secretion. These facts led us to explore the peptidergic action of BDNF on VIP, and to determine if BDNF-induced SS might be mediated by the induction of VIP. Cultured fetal rat cerebralcortical cells were incubated with BDNF (50 ng/ml) and/or VIP (10 −11 M) for 2 and 5 days. In other experiments IgGs from BDNF or VIP antisera were also added. BDNF increased VIP and SS gene expression and peptide production. After 2 days of incubation with both BDNF and VIP the induction of SS mRNA was similar to that obtained with BDNF alone. However when the treatment was extended to 5 days the increase in SS mRNA was higher than that obtained with BDNF alone. This finding suggests the possibility that both factors acted synergistically. To define the potential role of VIP in the response of SS gene expression to BDNF, endogenous VIP was blocked with IgGs from VIP antiserum. Under these experimental conditions BDNF-induced SS decreased. Our study provides the first evidence that BDNF up-regulates VIP gene expression and concentration of the peptide. The involvement of VIP on BDNF-induced SS gene expression is also demonstrated.

Effect of early experience on the sexual performance of yearling rams

The following study examines the effect of early sexual experience on the sexual performance of yearling rams. Forty-eight rams were given four individual 30 min exposures to estrous ewes at 10 months of age (experimental Ss). Forty-seven male counterparts were given no early heterosexual experience (control Ss). All subjects were maintained in a single all-male group from weaning (3 months of age). At 22 months of age, experienced and control rams were individually exposed to four estrous ewes for 30 min on four occasions at weekly intervals. Sexual behaviors observed included courship, mounting and ejaculation frequencies. Significantly fewer experienced rams than control rams ( P < 0.01) failed to show sexual interest in ewes on Test Day 1 (1 of 48 vs. 13 of 47 rams, respectively). In addition, sexually active experienced rams exhibited higher ( P < 0.01) rates of ejaculation than sexually active control rams on all four test days ( x = 4.17 vs. 3.45 per 30 min , respectively). Follow-up studies on non-performing rams revealed that continuous exposure to ewes usually activated sexual interest in females. It was concluded that lack of exposure to ewes during early development can inhibit the expression of sexual behavior in rams. This effect has not been reported in the sexual development of male cattle and swine.

Attitude accessibility as a moderator of autonomic reactivity during decision making.

Attitude functionality was assessed in 2 experiments examining attitude accessibility as a moderator of physiological responses during decision making. In Study 1, experimental Ss but not controls rehearsed attitudes toward novel objects (abstract paintings). Subsequently, all Ss made rapid preference judgments for pairs of the paintings. In Study 2, attitudes were rehearsed by all Ss toward 1 of 2 mutually exclusive sets of abstract paintings. During the subsequent decision-making task, half the Ss made rapid pairwise preference judgments for rehearsed abstract paintings and half for pairs from the unrehearsed set. Autonomic measures were recorded continuously throughout both experiments. As predicted, in both experiments less autonomic reactivity was evident during the criterion pairwise preference task for groups for whom attitude rehearsal was relevant to the criterion task.

Attitude accessibility as a moderator of autonomic reactivity during decision making.

Attitude functionality was assessed in 2 experiments examining attitude accessibility as a moderator of physiological responses during decision making. In Study 1, experimental Ss but not controls rehearsed attitudes toward novel objects (abstract paintings). Subsequently, all Ss made rapid preference judgments for pairs of the paintings. In Study 2, attitudes were rehearsed by all Ss toward 1 of 2 mutually exclusive sets of abstract paintings. During the subsequent decision-making task, half the Ss made rapid pairwise preference judgments for rehearsed abstract paintings and half for pairs from the unrehearsed set. Autonomic measures were recorded continuously throughout both experiments. As predicted, in both experiments less autonomic reactivity was evident during the criterion pairwise preference task for groups for whom attitude rehearsal was relevant to the criterion task.

Duration neglect in retrospective evaluations of affective episodes.

Two experiments documented a phenomenon of duration neglect in people's global evaluations of past affective experiences. In Study 1, 32 Ss viewed aversive film clips and pleasant film clips that varied in duration and intensity. Ss provided real-time ratings of affect during each clip and global evaluations of each clip when it was over. In Study 2, 96 Ss viewed these same clips and later ranked them by their contribution to an overall experience of pleasantness (or unpleasantness). Experimental Ss ranked the films from memory; control Ss were informed of the ranking task in advance and encouraged to make evaluations on-line. Effects of film duration on retrospective evaluations were small, entirely explained by changes in real-time affect and further reduced when made from memory. Retrospective evaluations appear to be determined by a weighted average of "snapshots" of the actual affective experience, as if duration did not matter.

Effects of restricted environmental stimulation: enhancement of hypnotizability for experimental and chronic pain control.

Enhancement of hypnotizability and pain tolerance has been demonstrated using restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) with university students as Ss (A. F. Barabasz, 1982). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether or not similar results could be obtained with chronic pain patients. Ss consisted of outpatients in treatment for conditions in which pain is prominent who also demonstrated low hypnotizability after repeated hypnosis plateau sessions. 2 groups of Ss were exposed to REST. Situational demand characteristics (Orne, 1962) favored an increase in hypnotizability for REST Group 1 (high demand). REST Group 2 (low demand) was exposed to situational demand characteristics designed to disguise the experimental hypothesis. 2 groups of control Ss were exposed to the same alternative demand characteristic manipulations as the experimental groups, but environmental stimulation was maintained. The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C) of Weitzenhoffer and E. R. Hilgard (1962), including a posthypnotic suggestion for an anesthetic reaction, and an ischemic pain test were administered prior to treatment and again immediately following treatment. After 6 hours of REST, significant increases in SHSS:C scores were found for high-demand and low-demand experimental Ss, as well as for high-demand control Ss. No such increase was found for low-demand controls. Significant decreases in pain scores were found for both high- and low-demand experimental groups. No significant pain score decreases were found for either control group, suggesting a relatively weak effect of demand characteristics. An independent postexperimental inquiry suggested all Ss believed they received active treatments. The inquiry, conducted 10-15 days after the experiment, also revealed a majority of experimental Ss were using hypnosis on a daily basis to reduce pain with a substantial decrease in pain medication. Only 2 control Ss (highest in hypnotizability) reported similar success. Anecdotal reports of pain reduction experiences using hypnosis after REST intervention were supportive of E. R. Hilgard's (1977) neodissociation theory.