Guided recall of positive autobiographical memories increases anticipated pleasure and psychological resources, and reduces depressive symptoms: a replication and extension of a randomised controlled trial of brief positive cognitive-reminiscence therapy

Reminiscence-based interventions focus on recalling autobiographical memories and reflective reasoning to develop a healthy and adaptive view of oneself and one's life. This study aimed to replicate the effects of a three-session, group-based, positive-memory version of cognitive-reminiscence therapy (CRT) on psychological resources and mental well-being and extend the findings to anticipated pleasure. The participants (N = 75, Mage = 43.7 (SD = 16.7), 60% females) were randomised to CRT or control group. Anticipated pleasure, psychological resources (schemas of positive self-esteem, self-efficacy, meaning in life, optimism), mental well-being (depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms) and theorised change processes (automatic negative thoughts, awareness of narrative identity) were assessed. Relative to the control group, the CRT group reported significantly higher anticipated pleasure (d = 0.76-0.93) and psychological resources of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and optimism (d's = 0.58-0.99) at post-CRT and follow-up, and lower depressive symptoms post-CRT and at follow-up (d = 0.56-0.67). Findings on meaning in life and negative automatic thinking were partially replicated. This study replicates findings of the effectiveness of this intervention for improving psychological resources such as self-worth, confidence and optimism and depressive symptoms, and indicates additional effects on anticipated pleasure. CRT may serve as a standalone intervention, or as an adjunct "memory booster" for interventions focused on future thinking and related anticipated reward.

Early outcomes of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 surveillance in Abu Dhabi Emirate, May-August 2009

Soon after the initial detection of cases of pandemic H1N1 infection in Mexico, a new H1N1 surveillance system was set up in Abu Dhabi Emirate in May 2009. This paper reports on the outbreak from May to August 2009. A total of 356 cases were confirmed from 20 May 2009 to 16 August 2009. The incidence of confirmed H1N1 cases was 18.5 per 100 000. Their ages ranged from <1 month to 62 years, with a median age of 20 years. The incidence was 18.6 per 100 000 among both males and females. The incidence among United Arab Emirates nationals was higher than expatriates (66.6 versus 5.2 per 100 000). No death attributable to H1N1 was reported. A low-grade H1N1 infection evolved in the Emirate with an incidence lower than some other countries, possibly because of the pandemic being in the early stages, perhaps coupled with under-reporting.

The effect of betel quid chewing on the Achilles tendon reflex time

This study investigated the effect of betel quid chewing on the somatic motor pathway (Achilles tendon reflex time). The subjects, 48 healthy male volunteers, were divided into 4 groups: a control group; first-time chewers; occasional chewers; and habitual chewers. The Achilles reflex time (ART) of the subjects was taken 5 minutes after ingestion of the quid preparation and their pulse rate and respiratory rate were also recorded. The results show that betel quid chewing reduced the ART and increased the pulse rate and respiratory rate. It can be concluded that betel quid chewing causes a transient peripheral stimulation of the somatic motor pathway with a resultant hyperreflexia.