Significant Main Effect Of Treatment Research Articles

Improving Pre-service Teachers’ Memory and Retention Using Durable Memory Strategies in an Instructional Technology Course

There are evidence that human learning can generally be mediated. Learning takes place when learners interact with learning materials and the environment of the learner has been sufficiently modified in such a way that a specified learning outcome occurs. But how can leaners apply an acquired knowledge or skill if you have not committed it to memory? Durable memory is the basis on which effective inquiry, thinking and learning are done; the ability to remember things. Hence, this study examines how durable memory strategies (Memory Palace and Mind mapping) influence pre-service teachers’ memory and achievement and find out if Intelligence Quotient is a proxy for memory and Achievement. This study adopted the Pretest Posttest Control Group Quasi-Experimental Design. The results show that there was significant main effect of treatment (mind map and Memory Palace) on pre-service teachers’ Memory and Achievement. This study shows that learning using durable memory strategies could make a difference in helping learners retain and recall content that can be used in problem solving, creating things, and thinking critically.

Effects of Cooperative Learning and Contingency Contracting on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Among Pupils With Learning Disabilities in Mathematics in Owerri, Nigeria

The study adopted pretest-posttest, control group quasi-experimental design with a 3x2x2 factorial matrix. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select ninety participants from three randomly selected public primary schools in the three local governments in Owerri. The participants were randomly assigned to treatments and control groups. Participants in the two treatment groups were exposed to eight weeks of cooperative learning strategy and contingency contracting technique. Two instruments used were: Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale (α= 0.93) and Woodcock-Johnson III Mathematics Fluency Achievement Tests Scale (α= 0.84). Two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using Analysis of Covariance. There is a significant main effect of treatment on ADHD pupils with learning disabilities in mathematics (F (2, 78) = 127.29, p<0.05). Cooperative learning strategy was more effective in improving Mathematics competence skills ( = 96.6) of ADHD pupils with learning disabilities in mathematics than contingency contracting technique. Furthermore, there is no significant interaction effect of treatment, age and gender on ADHD pupils with learning disabilities in mathematics in the study. Therefore, the findings of the study suggest that teachers should endevour to use appropriate teaching methods, cooperative learning strategy and contingency contracting technique to reinforce positive attitude to teaching-learning situations among ADHD pupils with learning disabilities in mathematics.

The Effect of Vinegar Supplementation on High-Intensity Cycling Performance within Recreationally Trained Individuals.

Background and objectives: To investigate the effects of vinegar ingestion upon high-intensity cycle performance in recreationally trained individuals. Materials and methods: Twenty-two participants consumed one of the following in a randomized order on four separate visits: (1) 29 mL of vinegar along with 451 mL of water, (2) 39 g of sucrose along with 441 mL of water, (3) 29 mL of vinegar and 39 g of sucrose along with 412 mL of water, or (4) 480 mL of water alone. For each of the experimental testing sessions, all participants completed in order: (1) high-intensity cycle test 1, (2) fatiguing cycle test, (3) high-intensity cycle test 2, (4) supplement consumption, (5) 90 min rest period, and (6) high-intensity cycle test 3. Total time to exhaustion (TTE) and average heart rate (HR) for each set of sprints was used in analysis. Results: There was no supplement by time interaction or significant main treatment effect observed (p > 0.05) for either TTE or HR. However, there was a main time effect observed, with TTE (p = 0.0001) being lower for cycle test 2 than both cycle test 1 and cycle test 3, and cycle test 3 being lower than cycle test 1. HR (p = 0.0001) was lower for cycle test 3 than both cycle test 1 and cycle test 2, but HR for cycle test 1 did not differ significantly from HR for cycle test 2. Conclusions: The addition of vinegar or sucrose alone, or in combination, was ineffective in improving cycle sprinting TTE when performing three cycle tests.

Does A Recumbent Lateral Stability Trainer Improve Balance Scores Among Older Adults Within 4 Weeks?

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Modifying exercise programs to address balance and lower body strength would vastly improve stability and functional movement. Past literature has shown balance and strength are important in preventing falls, but few studies have focused on developing strength in a lateral plane compared to an anterior/posterior plane. PURPOSE: To determine if a lateral pedal recumbent training device that allows lower limb movement in a horizontal plane can improve balance scores among older adults in 4 weeks. METHODS: A two group experimental-control multivariate design was selected for the study. All subjects (n = 56) were between the ages of 59-80 years and without any physical limitations or medical issues. All participants were divided into 2 equal groups, pre-tested and post-tested on a computerized posturography plate (Bertec, Inc. Columbus, OH.) to determine Center of Pressure scores with eyes opened (EOSS), Center of Pressure scores with eyes closed (ECSS), Center of Pressure scores with eyes open perturbed surface (EOPS), and Center of Pressure scores with eyes closed perturbed surface (ECPS). The experimental group used the lateral trainer for 15 minutes, 3 times per week, for 4 consecutive weeks while the control group maintained a sedentary lifestyle. A repeated measures MANOVA was used to determine significance between the two groups within the 4 balance assessments. RESULTS: There were no significant main treatment effects for either group (p = .221). There were statistically significant differences over time for EOPS (p = .047) and ECPS (p = .047). Likewise, there were statistically significant differences for each univariate outcome with EOSS (p = .045) ECSS (p = .033), EOPS (p = .010), and ECPS (p = .026). Statistical power was achieved (> .98) for both univariate and multivariate measures. The multivariate outcome for group x time interaction accounted for 15.2% more variance than time alone (28.1%) for the experimental group alone. CONCLUSION: A recumbent lateral stability device can improve balance scores among older adults within 4 weeks of training, 3 x week for 15 minutes.

Dose-Response Effects of Strawberries on Atherogenic Lipoproteins: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Abstract Objectives Previous research indicates that consumption of strawberries may provide benefits for reduction of atherogenic lipoproteins but has not identified an optimal dose. Our objective was to evaluate effects of 2 doses of strawberry powder, approximately equivalent to 1 and 3 servings of strawberries per day, on serum lipoprotein concentrations. Methods Middle-aged adults (n = 40, age 49 ± 1 year) with elevated LDL-C (140 ± 4 mg/dL) and elevated BMI (29.4 ± 0.4 kg/m2) consumed 0 g/d (control), 13 g/d (low-dose), and 40 g/d (high-dose) of freeze-dried strawberry powder in a randomized crossover design (4-week supplementation periods separated by a 2 week compliance break). Fasting blood samples were obtained on two separate days (and averaged) at study-entry baseline and following each supplementation period. Results There were significant main effects of treatment (P ≤ 0.05) for calculated LDL-C, nonHDL-C, and total cholesterol (TC). In post hoc tests, the low-dose resulted in 5% lower LDL-C vs. the high-dose (P = 0.01), 4% lower nonHDL-C vs. control (P = 0.04), and 3% lower TC for the low-dose vs. control and high-dose (P ≤ 0.04). Compared to baseline, low-dose strawberry supplementation also significantly reduced direct LDL-C (−6.8 mg/dL, P = 0.02), but there was not a main effect of treatment. Conclusions Our results suggest that low-dose supplementation with freeze dried strawberry powder, roughly equivalent to one serving of strawberries per day, was superior to high-dose supplementation for improving atherogenic lipoproteins in overweight adults. Funding Sources California Strawberry Commission.

Iron Deficiency and Iron Excess Alter Dendritic Architecture of Pyramidal Neurons in the Hippocampus of Neonatal Pigs

Abstract Objectives The study assessed effect of dietary iron on iron homeostasis and dendritic architecture of hippocampal neurons in young piglets. Methods On postnatal day (PD) 1, 30 piglets (15 male/female) were blocked by sex and randomized to treatments by receiving no (N), low (L) or high (H) dose of iron supplement during pre- (PD1–21) and post-weaning period (PD22–35). Pigs in N, L, and H group orally received 0, 1, and 30 mg iron/(kg BW· d) as ferrous sulfate solution pre-weaning and were fed a solid diet containing 30, 125, and 1000 mg iron/kg post-weaning, respectively. Blood samples were collected on PD1 and weekly thereafter to analyze iron biomarkers. Iron homeostasis in hippocampus was assessed by measuring gene and protein expression of iron transporters. Hippocampal neurons stained with Golgi-Cox method were traced and 3D reconstructed using Neurolucida. Dendritic arborization were quantified through Sholl analysis and Neurolucida Explorer. Results Pigs in H group had the highest growth rate, whereas N pigs displayed growth retardation from PD27 to PD35, resulting in significant difference in body weight compared to H group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Iron dose-dependently increased hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, plasma iron and transferrin saturation since PD7 or PD14 (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Pigs in N group became iron deficient since PD14 (Hb &amp;lt; 11 g/dL). Similarly, hippocampal ferritin expression was upregulated with the increase of iron (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The mRNA expression of TFRC and DMT1 in hippocampus was highest in N and lowest in H group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Despite relatively low abundance, HAMP expression tended to be higher in H than that in N (P &amp;lt; 0.10). Sholl analysis uncovered significant main effect of treatment on basilar dendritic arborization of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons (P ≤ 0.04). There were less branching nodes and dendrites in N than in H group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). However, the difference in dendritic arborization was primarily derived from the higher order (&amp;gt; 3) of branches in both regions. Iron supplementation did not affect architecture of apical dendrites of granule cells in dentate gyrus. Conclusions Early-life iron status affects hippocampal iron homeostasis and alters development of pyramidal neurons in a piglet model. Funding Sources NIFA Hatch/Multistate Research Fund.

1021 Effect of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Sleep in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Abstract Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires the use of accessory muscles to overcome inadequate ventilation. The activity of these voluntary muscles is compromised during sleep, resulting in insufficient ventilation, oxygen desaturation and disruption of sleep. Nitrate supplementation with dietary beetroot juice (DBJ) is known to increase the efficiency of oxygen utilization in non-COPD individuals; its therapeutic effect in COPD is uncertain. Methods In a repeated measured experiment involving 15 COPD patients, subjects consumed either 70 mL of beetroot juice containing nitrate (~6.2 mmol NO3-) or placebo (NO3--depleted juice) immediately before bedtime. Sleep states were defined based on F4-O2 electroencephalogram and masseter electromyogram. All subjects spent at least 6.2 hrs in bed; the data analysis was therefore restricted to the first 6 hrs in bed. Results Standard polysomnography indicated no changes in the amount of time spent in any sleep stages. Wake-to-N2 transitions were greater than two-fold more frequent after placebo (a total of 21 observed) than DBJ (9 observed), resulting in a significant main effect of treatment (F1,14=7.3, P=0.017). N2-to-wake transitions were nearly 3-fold more frequent after placebo (a total of 35 observed) than DBJ (12 observed), resulting in a significant main effect of treatment (F1,14=2.52, P=0.024). Direct wake-to-REMS transitions were observed four times after placebo and never after DBJ (F1,14=2.26, P=0.041). DBJ also resulted in sustained elevation of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), measured by pulse oximetry, during episodes of wake after sleep onset (WASO). Two minutes into WASO after DBJ SpO2 was elevated by 1.09 + 0.31% relative to pre-WASO; two minutes into WASO after placebo SpO2 was elevated by 0.08 + 0.54% relative to pre-WASO (P=0.012). Conclusion Collectively, the reduced frequency of atypical transitions after DBJ are indicative of an improvement of sleep quality. DBJ is thus a potential adjunct therapy for disordered sleep in COPD. Support N/A

S67. TREATMENT-RESISTANCE AFFECTS LONG-TERM COGNITIVE TRAJECTORIES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a highly heterogeneous disorder, and despite extensive research progress approximately 30% of patients with schizophrenia show poor response to first-line antipsychotics, denoted as treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Meta-analytic evidence showed that clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic for TRS, although 40% of TRS patients do not respond even to clozapine (ultra-treatment-resistant schizophrenia -UTR). Recent studies indicated that TRS is neurobiologically and categorically distinct from treatment-responsive schizophrenia, being associated with elevated glutamate levels in the anterior cingulate cortex and unaltered striatal dopamine synthesis. Moreover, the striking majority of TRS patients do not respond to first-line antipsychotic therapy since disease onset and present more severe cognitive deficits since first episode of psychosis, further suggesting the presence of a distinct and more disrupted neurobiological substrate. It is widely known that cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and determines a significant detrimental impact on long-term functional outcome, which represents the ultimate treatment goal. However, despite the central role of cognition in schizophrenia, to date no study has investigated longitudinal cognitive outcome among TRS patients.Based on these evidences, the aim of this study is to evaluate longitudinal cognitive trajectories in a sample of clinically stabilized patients with schizophrenia, stratified according to antipsychotic response. We hypothesized that treatment-resistance is associated with a more severe long-term cognitive decline.MethodsWe enrolled 93 patients with schizophrenia (DSM-V), stratified as follows: 32 first-line responders (FLR), 42 TRS and 19 UTR. Cognition was longitudinally assessed at baseline and at least after 6 years of follow-up (mean: 9.3±2.8 years) using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). From BACS subscores we calculated for each patient a Cognitive Index, as a measure of overall cognitive functioning. In order to quantify global cognitive functioning changes during the course of illness, we estimated effect size score for Cognitive Index using Cohen’s d. Finally, General linear Models (GLM) were performed with overall cognitive index effect size as dependent variable, treatment (FLR/TRS/UTR) as categorical variable and age, duration of illness and education as covariates.ResultsThe first GLM (FLR vs TRS+UTR) showed a significant main effect of treatment (F=7.34, p=0.01), with worse cognitive outcome between resistant patients. Consistently, the second GLM (FLR/TRS/UTR) resulted significant as well (F=17.90, p<0.001), with UTR group showing worse cognitive trajectory (Fisher’s post-hoc: p<0.001, UTR Cognitive Index effect size = -0.7).DiscussionThis is the first study to longitudinally evaluate cognitive trajectories of patients with schizophrenia according to their antipsychotic response. We showed that treatment resistance is associated with a more severe cognitive decline, with worse outcome among UTR patients. These data suggest that greater severity of treatment resistance in schizophrenia is associated with greater cognitive impairment, possibly due to the presence of a distinct and more disrupted neurobiological substrate that affects both cognition and antipsychotic response. These findings further highlight the necessity of early individuation and tailored pharmacological treatment for TRS patients, in order to improve long-term clinical, cognitive and functional outcome.

Impact of an aspartame‐containing diet soft drink on postprandial metabolism

ObjectiveNon‐nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are widely used to lower daily caloric intake. However, controversy exists concerning possible metabolic effects of NNS. We hypothesized that Diet Coke, containing aspartame, differentially affects postprandial metabolism compared to a sugar‐sweetened beverage (Coke), but not water when co‐ingested with a mixed meal.MethodsSix healthy lean (26±1% body fat) males aged 20–26 yrs completed three separate tests consisting of a mixed meal (0.4g fat, 0.8g carbohydrates, and 0.3g protein/kg FFM) with the addition of 20oz of Coca‐Cola (CC: 787±49kcal), Diet Coke (NNS: 547±49kcal), or water (CON: 547±49kcal). Resting metabolic rate was measured via indirect calorimetry and blood samples were obtained immediately before, 5, 10 and 30 min, and 1, 2 and 3 hours after meal and beverage ingestion.ResultsThere was a significant main effect of treatment on fat oxidation rate, with post hoc analysis indicating differences between effect between CC and CON (P &lt; 0.001), and CC and NNS (P = 0.012). For all measures of fat oxidation, including total fat oxidized, area under the fat oxidation curve (AUC), and total postprandial fat oxidized, NNS and CON were significantly higher compared to CC (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant main effect of treatment on the rate of carbohydrate oxidation, with post hoc testing indicating differences between CC and CON (P &lt; 0.001), and CC and NNS (P = 0.023). All measures of carbohydrate oxidation, including total carbohydrate oxidized, carbohydrate oxidation AUC, and total postprandial carbohydrate oxidized were significantly lower during NNS and CON treatments compared to CC (P &lt; 0.05), with no differences between NNS and CON. There were no significant differences among treatments in glucose concentrations.ConclusionDiet Coke does not impact postprandial metabolism, whereas Coca‐Cola suppresses fat oxidation and increases carbohydrate oxidation compared to Diet Coke and water.Support or Funding InformationR.C.P. was support by the University of Georgia Graduate School Georgia Research Education Award Traineeship Follows Program

Chronic, but not acute, buprenorphine leads to antidepressant‐like effects in both male and female mice

Current antidepressant medications lack efficacy in a large fraction of patients and typically take weeks to reduce symptoms in individuals who do respond to treatment. However, the factors that govern treatment responses to various classes of antidepressants remain largely unknown. The incidence and presentation of mood and anxiety disorders are both characterized by sex differences, and sex differences in response to antidepressants have been reported for both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclics (TCAs). As new antidepressants are developed, it will be critical to determine their efficacy in both male and female subjects to enable appropriate treatment selection. Previous research has investigated the antidepressant effects of buprenorphine, which has high affinity for mu opioid receptor (MOR), kappa opioid receptor (KOR), and some affinity for delta opioid receptor (DOR). Though previous studies have shown support for buprenorphine as an antidepressant, the effects have only been demonstrated in males. This study examined potential sex differences in the behavioral and molecular responses to acute and chronic buprenorphine administration in mice. The effects of buprenorphine were measured with the forced swim test, open field test, and light dark emergence test. In contrast to published research, acute buprenorphine showed no significant main effect of treatment in any of these behavioral tests in either sex. However, chronic treatment with buprenorphine showed a main effect of treatment in both the open field and forced swim tests, suggesting that both males and females are responsive to this drug. While gene expression analysis did show that female mice expressed higher levels of pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) in the striatum compared to males, no sex by drug interactions were observed. These studies show that chronic, but not acute, buprenorphine treatment has antidepressant effects, and that females do not appear to have reduced sensitivity to these effects.

Effects of Audio-visual Social Media Resources-supported Instruction on Learning Outcomes in Reading

Perennial poor performance in English language in public examinations has been linked to the proliferation of social media tools in the classroom. However, contrary to the general belief that social media hinders learning and distracts learners’ attention, this study attempted to improve the quality of instruction through social media-supported audio-visual resources in teaching reading comprehension. Pretest, posttest, control group, quasi-experimental research design was adopted for the study and participants were randomly selected from intact Grade 11 classes in two educational provinces in the Gambia. Data were analyzed using inferential statistics, results show a significant main effect of treatment on students’ interest and achievement in reading comprehension. There were recommendations on how to support language instruction using social media.

Effective Adaptation of Music Intervention in the Psychological Management of Late Life Depression in Nigerian Communities

Depressive symptoms in late life has been a global phenomenon affecting older adults mental health stability and general well-being. Studies on the psychological management of the disorder in Nigeria have variously adopted therapies that exerts cognitive, sensory and motor abilities of the elderly thereby generating very minimal results. The pre-test, post-test, control group quasi experimental design with a 3x5x3 factorial matrix was adopted for the study. A total of sixty-four (64) participants were purposively selected from two randomly selected local government areas in Ibadan. Participants were further randomly assigned into an experimental group-Music Intervention Group (34) and the Control Group (30). Data was subjected to Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). There was a significant main effect of treatment on late life depression (F=17.554, p<.05, η2=.290). Music Intervention (x=20.17) effectively managed late life depression vis-a-vis those in the control group (x=7.832). There was no significant main effect of personality traits and health locus of control on late life depression. The study ascertained the effective adaptation of music intervention in the psychological management of late life depression of community dwelling older adults, thereby adding to existing literature on music intervention for future research. This contribution is an advancement to late life depression study and management in Nigeria. Findings from the study can be adopted in both community and clinical studies of depression.

Effect of Student Teams-Achievement Divisions and Think–Pair–Share on Students’ Interest in Reading Comprehension

The study investigated the effect of two cooperative learning strategies (the student teams-achievement divisions and think–pair–share methods) on students’ interest in reading comprehension. Seventy-eight senior secondary II students were randomly selected from three schools in Vandeikya Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. A pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was adopted. The Interest in Reading Inventory (&lt;em&gt;R &lt;/em&gt;= 0.09) was the instrument used. Two hypotheses were tested at .05 levels of significance. Three intact classes were randomly assigned as Experimental Group 1, Experimental Group 2, and the control group. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, and analysis of covariance was used to test the hypothesis. The results showed significant main effect of treatment on students’ interest in reading comprehension, &lt;em&gt;F&lt;/em&gt;(1,51) = 3.743, &lt;em&gt;p &lt;/em&gt;&lt; .05. Students exposed to Student Teams-Achievement Divisions program performed better than those in the control group. Furthermore, Think–Pair–Share has significant effect on students’ interest in reading comprehension, &lt;em&gt;F&lt;/em&gt;(1,51) = 18.018, &lt;em&gt;p &lt;/em&gt;&lt; .05). Thus, cooperative learning has shown to be effective in improving students’ interest in reading comprehension.

Changes in trauma-potentiated startle, skin conductance, and heart rate within prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD in high and low treatment responders

While exposure-based psychotherapy is recommended as a first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) given strong evidence for its effectiveness, some patients fail to receive full benefit. Psychophysiological data may be important complementary indices for investigating variability in treatment response and changes over the course of treatment. The focus of the present investigation was to examine change in psychophysiological indices pre- to post-treatment and to investigate if changes differed for high versus low PTSD treatment responders. Participants included veterans with primary PTSD diagnoses who received a two-week intensive prolonged exposure (PE) treatment. Psychophysiological assessment included trauma-potentiated startle, heart rate, and skin conductance recordings during presentation of three standard virtual reality (VR)-based, trauma-relevant scenes presented through a head mounted display. Results indicate that 48.6% were classified as high treatment responders (≥50% reduction in PCL-5 from baseline). Trauma-potentiated startle was observed in all patients at pre-treatment, F = 13.58, p < .001, in that startle magnitude was increased during VR stimuli relative to baseline regardless of responder status. However, in high treatment responders, there was an interaction of VR with time, F = 14.10, p = .001; VR scenes did not potentiate startle post-treatment. Specifically, high treatment responders were less reactive to trauma stimuli following PE treatment. There was no effect of time in the low responder group. Heart rate reactivity data revealed a significant main effect of treatment, F = 45.7, p = .035, but no significant interaction with responder status. Skin conductance reactivity did not significantly change from pre to post-treatment. These results suggest that trauma-potentiated startle may represent an objective marker of fear- and anxiety-related symptom reduction that is sensitive to both traditional outpatient as well as intensive treatment approaches.

Comparison of Hypnotic Suggestion and Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation Effects on Pain Perception and the Descending Pain Modulating System: A Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objectives: This paper aims to determine if hypnotic analgesia suggestion and transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) have a differential effect on pain perception. We hypothesized that transcranial direct-current stimulation would be more effective than hypnotic analgesia suggestion at changing the descending pain modulating system, whereas the hypnotic suggestion would have a greater effect in quantitative sensory testing.Design: This is a randomized, double blind and crossover trial.Settings: All stages of this clinical trial were performed at the Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.Subjects: Were included 24 healthy females aged from 18 to 45 years old, with a high susceptibility to hypnosis, according to the Waterloo-Stanford Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form C (15).Methods: The subjects received a random and crossover transcranial direct-current stimulation over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (2 mA for 20 min) and hypnotic analgesia (20 min).Results: Only hypnotic suggestion produced changes that are statistically significant from pre- to post-intervention in the following outcomes measures: heat pain threshold, heat pain tolerance, cold pressure test, and serum brain-derivate-neurotrophic-factor. The analysis showed a significant main effect for treatment (F = 4.32; P = 0.04) when we compared the delta-(Δ) of conditioned pain modulation task between the transcranial direct-current stimulation and hypnotic suggestion groups. Also, the change in the brain-derivate-neurotrophic-factor was positively correlated with the conditioned pain modulation task.Conclusion: The results confirm a differential effect between hypnotic suggestion and transcranial direct-current stimulation on the pain measures. They suggest that the impact of the interventions has differential neural mechanisms, since the hypnotic suggestion improved pain perception, whereas the transcranial direct-current stimulation increased inhibition of the descending pain modulating system.Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03744897.Perspective: These findings highlight the effect of hypnotic suggestion on contra-regulating mechanisms involved in pain perception, while the transcranial direct-current stimulation increased inhibition of the descending pain modulating system. They could help clinicians comprehend the mechanisms involved in hypnotic analgesia and transcranial direct-current stimulation and thus may contribute to pain and disability management.

Feasibility and effects of galantamine on cognition in humans with cannabis use disorder

BackgroundAs long-term use of medicinal and recreational cannabis becomes more common and concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis increase, it is timely to identify strategies to counteract the cognitive effects of cannabinoids. ObjectiveGalantamine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of galantamine administration to individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD), and the effects of galantamine on cognition. We hypothesized galantamine would be well tolerated and would not have procognitive effects in the absence of acute cannabis intoxication. MethodsThirty individuals with CUD (73.5% male, 26.5% female) participated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial. Participants completed a baseline session followed by a 10-day outpatient treatment period, during which they received either 8 mg/day of galantamine orally or placebo. Cognitive assessments were conducted at three time points and self-reported measures that may impact cognitive performance (cannabis withdrawal, craving, and mood) were completed at six time points. ResultsThere were no significant differences in demographic and baseline variables between groups (galantamine vs. placebo). There were no significant adverse effects from galantamine. Cannabis withdrawal and craving continuously decreased over the study. We saw evidence of a modest improvement in cognitive outcomes during the 10-day period, exemplified by a statistically significant increase in measures of response inhibition (increased median reaction time on the Stop Signal Task), and a trend for improvement in measures of attention (increased RVP A'), for both groups. Analyses did not show, however, a significant main effect for treatment or treatment-by-time interactions. ConclusionsThe findings of this pilot study support the feasibility of the administration of galantamine for individuals with CUD. Adequately powered, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are required to investigate the potential of galantamine to improve cognitive deficits associated with CUD.

The absorptive effects of orobuccal non-liposomal nano-sized glutathione on blood glutathione parameters in healthy individuals: A pilot study.

BackgroundGlutathione is an endogenous antioxidant found in oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) forms. Glutathione depletion is indicative of oxidative stress and occurs in various pathological conditions and following extreme exercise activity. Raising blood glutathione concentration has potential to attenuate and prevent chronic disease and also to improve recovery from exercise. There are a number of challenges to achieving this through traditional dietary supplements, and thus there is a need to develop optimized delivery methods to improve blood glutathione status. This study evaluated the effect of a novel glutathione formulation on blood glutathione parameters in healthy individuals.Methods15 (8 male) healthy individuals (25±5y old, 78.0±14.6kg) participated in a single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled crossover study, with a minimum one-week washout period between treatments. Participants were overnight fasted and administered 1mL of a non-liposomal nano-size glutathione solution (NLNG) containing 200mg of glutathione or 1mL of placebo lacking glutathione. The solution was held in the mouth for 90 seconds before the remainder was swallowed. Blood was collected at baseline, 5, 10, 30, 60 and 120 minutes post-treatment. Protein-bound plasma and erythrocyte lysate concentrations of GSH and GSSG were measured at all time points using previously validated procedures. Linear mixed effects models were used to compare differences between baseline and post-treatment glutathione concentrations between NLNG and placebo for each parameter.ResultsThere was a significant main effect for treatment type, such that increases in GSH concentration in erythrocyte lysate were greater following NLNG than placebo (p = 0.001). Similar significant main effects for treatment were also found for total (protein bound + erythrocyte lysate) GSH (p = 0.015) and GSSG (p = 0.037) concentration, as well as total blood glutathione pool (GSH+GSSG, p = 0.006).DiscussionNLNG increased multiple blood glutathione parameters compared to placebo. Future research should examine whether NLNG can attenuate oxidative stress.

MON-LB080 Change of T2-Weighted Intensity of Prolactinoma as a Predictable Value for Relapse of Hyperprolactinemia after Cabergoline Withdrawal

Background The aim of this study were to assess whether change of T2 weighted signal intensity (T2-WSI) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with complete remission after cabergoline withdrawal in patients with prolactinoma. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, we identified 631 patients with hyperprolactinemia and pituitary adenoma from 2005 to 2018. Of 631 patients, 35 patients who stopped the cabergoline medication were included in final analysis. The patients who maintained the cabergoline treatment for less than 1 year and stopped the medical treatment because of the pregnancy or amenorrhea were excluded in this study. We measured T2-WSI of both adenoma and normal portion of pituitary gland on the initial, 6-month follow up MRI using the Picture Archive Communication System. The patients were divided into 2 groups, based on the maintenance of normal prolactin level or relapse after withdrawal of cabergoline. We compared the T2-WSI of pituitary adenoma corrected by T2-WSI of normal tissue between remission and relapse group. Results Only 20% patients relapsed at 6(3-63) months after drug withdrawal in the 14(5-97) month follow-up period. Age (35.2 vs. 29.9 years), baseline PRL level (195.0 vs. 216.7), nadir PRL level during cabergoline treatment (4.3 vs. 3.2), duration of cabergoline treatment (38.6 vs. 34.3 months), and maximal tumor size (9.0 vs. 7.6mm) were similar between the remission and recurrence group (p > 0.05 for all). In order to see whether the change of T2-WSI between initiation of treatment and six-month follow up was different between recurrence group and remission group, we performed a one by two (signal intensity of both MRI) repeated measures analysis of variance using recurrence as a between-subject factors. Result showed that there were no significant main effect of treatment (F (1,33)=2.491, p=0.124). However, there was a significant difference of T2-WSI by treatment interaction, which means that a treatment effect was different between recur and non-recur groups (F(1,33)=4.783, p=0.036). T2-WSI in remission group was significantly decreased after 6 months of treatment (Z=2.03, singned rank=292, p=0.043), but not in recurrence group (signed rank=9, p=0.469). Conclusions In this study, the change of T2-WSI was associated with relapse of hyperprolactinemia in patients with prolactinoma after withdrawal of cabergoline. Further study is necessary for evaluating the clinical significance of T2-WSI in pituitary tumors. Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO are embargoed until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. s presented at a news conference are embargoed until the date and time of the news conference. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.

Self-massage prior to stretching improves flexibility in young and middle-aged adults

ABSTRACTWe examined the influence of stretching alone (SS) or combined with self-massage (SM) on maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque and calf muscle activity, and subcutaneous tissue thickness in 15 young (25 ± 3 years) and 15 middle-aged (45 ± 5 years) adults. Participants performed two sessions of calf muscle stretches (3x 30-s stretches, 30-s rest): stretch after a 60-s control condition (SS) and stretch after 60 s of self-massage with therapy balls (SM). Evaluations were performed before and 5 min after the intervention. Linear mixed effects model revealed no main effect for age on ROM or MVC and significant main effects for treatment and time. Change in ankle angle was greater after SM: SS = 3.1 ± 2°, SM = 6.2 ± 3.3° (Hedges’ g = 0.98, p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for MVC torque: SS = −4 ± 16%, SM = 12 ± 16% (Hedges’ g = 0.97, p = 0.0001). Changes in MVC torque and absolute EMG amplitude were correlated, but subcutaneous tissue thickness was not altered by treatment. The gains in ROM were more pronounced in less flexible middle-aged adults, underscoring the need to include flexibility exercises in their training.

Effect of Computer-Based Software Package on Students’ Achievement in Graphical Concepts in Mathematics

This study determined the effects of the Computer Based Software Program Package (CBSPP) for Regular Users of Computer (RUC) and Irregular Users of Computer (IUC) on students’ achievement in graphical concepts in mathematics. It also examined the moderating effects of computer self-efficacy and gender. Skinner’s behaviorist theory provided the framework, while the pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design with factorial matrix was adopted. Two hundred and ninety-six senior secondary II (SS II) students were purposively selected from six schools in Ogba (3), Egbema (2) and Ndoni (1) Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria based on the availability of the computer. Two whole classes each of SS II totaling 97students were randomly assigned to the RUC and given laptop computers to use for the period of the experiment, IUC (99 students) and control group (100 students). Instruments used were: achievement test on the graphical concept () and computer self-efficacy () scales. Instructional guides were also used. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and Scheffe post-hoc test at = 0.05. There were significant main effects of treatment on achievement. There were significant main effects of computer self-efficacy on students’ achievement and gender on achievement. There were significant two-way interaction effects of treatment and computer self-efficacy, treatment and gender, computer self-efficacy and gender on students’ achievement. There were significant three-way interaction effects of treatment, gender and computer self-efficacy on students’ achievement in favor of the RUC.