Empathy in group psychoanalytic psychotherapy: questionnaire development

The aim of this study is to develop a questionnaire that can observe empathy in group psychoanalytic psychotherapy and examine the structure of its factors. A questionnaire comprised of 160 items in five-point Likert-type scale was developed through analysis of communication and interaction related to empathizing during group sessions. The questionnaire was applied on 256 patients from 40 therapy groups in 9 cities in Croatia. All 20 group analysts are trained in the Institute for Group Analysis in Zagreb. The patients were selected based on group analysis criteria. After item discrimination and principal component analysis limited to five factors were assessed, 80 items were isolated, 20 of which made a control scale for socially desirable responses. Two parallel questionnaire forms were developed: Group-Analysis-Empathy 1 (GA-Em1) and Group-Analysis-Empathy 2 (GA-Em2). A new, reliable and valid questionnaire for empathy observation employable in group psychotherapy was designed. The following factors were isolated by means of factor analysis: 1. Emotional disclosure and sensibility; 2. Containing and metabolizing; 3. Immersion; 4. Resonance and responsiveness; 5. Insight. A new questionnaire on empathy in group-analytical psychotherapy can measure the capacity for emotional communication among group members and between the group and the group analyst - conductor.     

Generation of membrane potential beyond the conceptual range of Donnan theory and Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation

Donnan theory and Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation (GHK eq.) state that the nonzero membrane potential is generated by the asymmetric ion distribution between two solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane and/or by the continuous ion transport across the semipermeable membrane. However, there have been a number of reports of the membrane potential generation behaviors in conflict with those theories. The authors of this paper performed the experimental and theoretical investigation of membrane potential and found that (1) Donnan theory is valid only when the macroscopic electroneutrality is sufficed and (2) Potential behavior across a certain type of membrane appears to be inexplicable on the concept of GHK eq. Consequently, the authors derived a conclusion that the existing theories have some limitations for predicting the membrane potential behavior and we need to find a theory to overcome those limitations. The authors suggest that the ion adsorption theory named Ling’s adsorption theory, which attributes the membrane potential generation to the mobile ion adsorption onto the adsorption sites, could overcome those problems.     

Pharmacological targeting of mitochondrial complex I deficiency: the cellular level and beyond

Complex I (CI) represents a major entry point of electrons in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). It consists of 45 different subunits, encoded by the mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA). In humans, mutations in nDNA-encoded subunits cause severe neurodegenerative disorders like Leigh Syndrome with onset in early childhood. The pathophysiological mechanism of these disorders is still poorly understood. Here we summarize the current knowledge concerning the consequences of nDNA-encoded CI mutations in patient-derived cells, present mouse models for human CI deficiency, and discuss potential treatment strategies for CI deficiency.     

The dynamics of crop infraspecific diversity: A conceptual framework at the farmer level 1

There is an increasing concern over the loss of germplasm diversity in areas of crop domestication. Nevertheless in these areas many farmers continue to maintain a pool of varieties, many of them landraces, despite the fact that they have also incorporated improved varieties, and that some landraces have been eliminated. This paper provides a framework for analyzing the decision of a farmer to maintain, incorporate or discard a variety from his/her repertoire of varieties of one crop. It is based on an analysis of the roles that crop infraspecific diversity can play in a farmer’s well-being, how these roles change, the limits to these changes, and some predictions and suggestions derived from this framework.     

Changes in the nonspecific factors of body protection in experimental Salmonella infection

Cytochemical studies of the components of intracellular microbicidal system of leukocytes were performed on rabbits. Two experimental models of Salmonella infection were used. With the oral infection by S. typhimurium the mild form of experimental salmonellosis was noticed. The decrease in myeloperoxidase activity and cation protein and lipid content, as well as an increase in glycogen content and NBT-test activity were observed. Intravenous injection of S. typhimurium endotoxin produced the clinical pattern of endotoxin shock. The activity of all the variables tested was decreased. It returned to standard values 120-240 hours after endotoxin injection.     

Fluorometric identification of chromatin-packing level beyond resolution of light microscopy

We examined the dynamics of fluorescence the intensity, volume, and volume density of DAPI stained DNA and phosphorylated histone-H3 in the dividing cell nuclei of normal (Hikkone AW) and colchicines-treated third instar Drosophila melanogaster wing imaginal discs. A quantitative analysis of DAPI fluorescence intensity in cells at the stages of prophase, prometaphase and metaphase revealed two levels of DNA structural package in normal mitotic cells, i.e., one in prometaphase and another at the end of metaphase. This pattern of chromatin package was not visible in colchicine-treated mitoses. We concluded that fluorometric measurements were able to detect a level in the chromatin package beyond the resolution of light microscopy.     

Effect of industrial contact with grizin on nonspecific immunity factors

Data on the dynamic examination of persons being in professional contact with grizin, an antibiotic used as a food additive are presented. It was shown that contact with grizin resulted in changes in the humoral, cell and barrier factors of the non-specific immunity. The trends of the changes and their manifestations were different depending on the age, period and contact level. The levels of lysozyme, absorption and digestion activity of the neutrophils provided differentiation of the adaptive reactions and phenomena of frustation in the compensatory mechanism. The methods used in the study allowed the authors to detect changes in the state of the nonspecific immunological reactivity of the persons being in contact with grizin before the appearance of the clinicaly pronounced forms of the pathology.     

Problem of specific and nonspecific factors in the induction and regulation of immunological reactions

The functional unity of the specific and nonspecific mechanisms of immunological reactions has been shown on the basis of our own investigations and the published data. As revealed in this study, during the formation of immune response smooth transition from the nonspecific level to the specific one occurs. First, the factors of nonspecific protection are switched on, then intermediate reactions develop, further antibodies are synthesized, etc. At any level of immune response its regulation by nonspecific immunomodulators is possible, their influence controlled by a complex of reactions of the neuroendocrine system, also carrying the elements of nonspecificity and specificity.