Metacognitive and motivation deficits, exposure to trauma, and high parental demands characterize adolescents with late-onset ADHD.

The objective of this study is to evaluate support for three hypotheses about the etiology of adolescent-onset ADHD symptoms: (1) a "cool" cognitive load hypothesis, (2) a "hot" rewards processing hypothesis, and (3) a trauma exposure hypothesis. Participants (N = 50) were drawn from two public high schools in a culturally diverse metropolitan area. A detailed procedure for identifying and confirming late-onset ADHD cases is described. Adolescents with late-onset ADHD (n = 15) were identified and compared to childhood-onset (n = 17) and non-ADHD classmates (n = 18). Adolescents and parents completed measures of neurocognition, rewards' processing, clinical profile, and environmental demands. Late-onset cases were clinically and neurocognitively indistinguishable from childhood-onset cases; however, they experienced higher demands from parents (d = 1.09). Compared to the non-ADHD group, late-onset cases showed significant deficits in metacognition (d = 1.25) and academic motivation (d = 0.80), as well as a pronounced history of multiple trauma exposure (OR 11.82). At 1-year follow-up, ADHD persisted in 67.7% of late-onset cases. Late-onset cases (26.7%) were more likely than childhood-onset cases (0.0%) to transfer to alternative schools by 1-year follow-up. Multiple factors may contribute to adolescent-onset ADHD. Adolescents with metacognition and motivation deficits may be at greatest risk for the late-onset ADHD phenotype, particularly in highly demanding environments. Exposure to traumatic stress may play a key role in the exacerbation of existing deficits or onset of new symptoms. Late-onset ADHD was persistent in most cases and associated with higher risk for school disengagement than childhood-onset ADHD. Further work is needed to better understand the etiologies of late-onset ADHD symptoms.

Descriptions of depression and depression treatment in older Hispanic immigrants in a geriatric collaborative care program.

OBJECTIVES: To explore experiences with depression and depression treatment among older Hispanic immigrants participating in a collaborative care program of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. METHOD: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 older Spanish-speaking Hispanic immigrants with major depression who participated in a collaborative care program within a public sector specialty geriatric clinic in Los Angeles, CA. RESULTS: Findings revealed that participants used various idioms to describe their experiences with depression, and that depression had a strong impact on functioning. Other findings indicated that depression was caused by various psychosocial problems, antidepressants were helpful in reducing depression, and that bilingual psychotherapists provided a welcoming and safe environment to express emotions and find solutions to problems. CONCLUSION: Results revealed participants' experiences with depression and the impact of participating in a collaborative care intervention for depression. Findings from this project should be used to inform future geriatric interventions for older Hispanic immigrants in the USA.

A systematic review of modifiable risk factors in the progression of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The presenting symptoms and rate of progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) are very heterogeneous. The diverse clinical manifestations and the clinical course of the disease may vary with modifiable risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review modifiable risk factors and exposures associated with MS progression. METHODS: We searched six databases till March 2015, reference-mined reviews, and consulted with experts (PROSPERO 2015:CRD42015016461). Two reviewers screened and extracted data. We used random meta-analysis models and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess the quality of evidence. RESULTS: In total, 59 studies met inclusion criteria. Lower vitamin D levels were associated with higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores ( r = -0.22; confidence interval (CI) = -0.32, -0.12; 11 studies; I2 = 66%), smokers had an increased risk of MS progression (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.55; CI = 1.10, 2.19; I2 = 72%; seven studies), and there was no association of MS progression with the use of epidural analgesics during childbirth delivery (three studies). There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions for 11 risk factors due to conflicting results or use of different predictor and outcome measures. CONCLUSION: MS progression was consistently associated with low vitamin D levels, and smoking was associated with a more rapid decline in MS disability. Studies used a variety of methods, predictors, and outcomes making it difficult to draw conclusions. Future studies should focus on prospective assessments.

A systematic review of the effects of modifiable risk factor interventions on the progression of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Several risk factors are associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) progression and may be amenable to intervention. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the evidence for interventions targeting risk factors for MS progression. METHODS: We searched six databases and existing reviews till March 2015 and consulted with experts to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions targeting MS risk factors (PROSPERO 2015:CRD42015016461). RESULTS: In total, 37 RCTs met inclusion criteria. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores after exercise interventions did not differ compared with untreated controls (standardized mean differences (SMDs): 0.02; confidence interval (CI): -0.40, 0.44; I2: 0%; seven RCTs; very low quality of evidence (QoE)). Dietary interventions did not show a statistically significant effect on the relative risk (RR) of progression (RR: 0.86; CI: 0.67, 1.05; I2: 0%; four RCTs; moderate QoE) compared to placebo. EDSS scores after vitamin D supplementation were not significantly different from placebo (SMD: -0.15; CI: -0.33, 0.02; I2: 0%; five RCTs; very low QoE). CONCLUSION: We did not identify any risk factor interventions with significant effects on MS progression, but the overall QoE was limited. More adequately powered trials are needed on vitamin D supplementation, long-term exercise, and smoking cessation.

Nicotine dependence and psychosis in Bipolar disorder and Schizoaffective disorder, Bipolar type.

Patients with Bipolar disorder smoke more than the general population. Smoking negatively impacts mortality and clinical course in Bipolar disorder patients. Prior studies have shown contradictory results regarding the impact of psychosis on smoking behavior in Bipolar disorder. We analyzed a large sample of Bipolar disorder and Schizoaffective disorder, Bipolar Type patients and predicted those with a history of psychosis would be more likely to be nicotine dependent. Data from subjects and controls were collected from the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort (GPC). Subjects were diagnosed with Bipolar disorder without psychosis (N = 610), Bipolar disorder with psychosis (N = 1544). Participants were classified with or without nicotine dependence. Diagnostic groups were compared to controls (N = 10065) using logistic regression. Among smokers (N = 6157), those with Bipolar disorder had an increased risk of nicotine dependence (OR = 2.5; P < 0.0001). Patients with Bipolar disorder with psychosis were more likely to be dependent than Bipolar disorder patients without psychosis (OR = 1.3; P = 0.03). Schizoaffective disorder, Bipolar Type patients had more risk of nicotine dependence when compared to Bipolar disorder patients with or without psychosis (OR = 1.2; P = 0.02). Bipolar disorder patients experiencing more severity of psychosis have more risk of nicotine dependence. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Isolation and characterization of Streptomyces bacteriophages and Streptomyces strains encoding biosynthetic arsenals.

The threat to public health posed by drug-resistant bacteria is rapidly increasing, as some of healthcare's most potent antibiotics are becoming obsolete. Approximately two-thirds of the world's antibiotics are derived from natural products produced by Streptomyces encoded biosynthetic gene clusters. Thus, to identify novel gene clusters, we sequenced the genomes of four bioactive Streptomyces strains isolated from the soil in San Diego County and used Bacterial Cytological Profiling adapted for agar plate culturing in order to examine the mechanisms of bacterial inhibition exhibited by these strains. In the four strains, we identified 104 biosynthetic gene clusters. Some of these clusters were predicted to produce previously studied antibiotics; however, the known mechanisms of these molecules could not fully account for the antibacterial activity exhibited by the strains, suggesting that novel clusters might encode antibiotics. When assessed for their ability to inhibit the growth of clinically isolated pathogens, three Streptomyces strains demonstrated activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, due to the utility of bacteriophages for genetically manipulating bacterial strains via transduction, we also isolated four new phages (BartholomewSD, IceWarrior, Shawty, and TrvxScott) against S. platensis. A genomic analysis of our phages revealed nearly 200 uncharacterized proteins, including a new site-specific serine integrase that could prove to be a useful genetic tool. Sequence analysis of the Streptomyces strains identified CRISPR-Cas systems and specific spacer sequences that allowed us to predict phage host ranges. Ultimately, this study identified Streptomyces strains with the potential to produce novel chemical matter as well as integrase-encoding phages that could potentially be used to manipulate these strains.

Relación entre el grado de infección por Streptococcus mutans y la posterior actividad cariogénica

Se valoró la correspondencia entre el grado de infección por Streptococcus mutans y la actividad cariogénica, para lo cual se estudiaron 355 niños entre 7 y 14 años seleccionados por muestreo estratificado de conglomerados. Se les determinó el grado de infección en saliva en técnica basada en la adherencia de este microorganismo, a la vez que se estableció la prevalencia y la incidencia de caries al año y a los 2 años. Los resultados demostraron que los niños con alto grado de infección tuvieron al año el 60 % de afectación por caries y una incidencia de 1,3. Se evidenció una diferencia significativa en relación con los de bajo grado de infección (X2 = p <0,001 y r = 0,11). A los 2 años los niños de alto grado de infección desarrollaron el 83,5 % de afectación y una incidencia de 2,9, diferencia significativa con respecto a los niños de baja infección (X2 ´= p <0,05 y r = 0,16). Existe correspondencia entre el grado de infección y la actividad de caries, por lo que un estudio de este tipo se considera de estimable valor en el pronóstico de riesgo a caries.

The relationship between the degree of infection caused by Streptococcus mutans and the cariogenic activity was evaluated by studying 355 children aged 7-14 selected by stratified cluster sampling. The infection degree in saliva was determined by using a technique based on the adherence of this microorganism. The prevalence and incidence of caries was established at one year and at two years. The results showed that children with a high infection degree had at one year 60 % of affectation by caries and an incidence of 1.3. A significant difference was observed in relation to those with low infection degree (X2 = p <0.001 and r = 0.11). Two years later, children with a high infection degree developed 83.5 % of affectation and an incidence of 2.9, which represented a marked difference in comparison with the children with low infection and caries activity. This study may be of considerable value in the prognosis of risk for caries.

Estudio comparativo del efecto del cepillado con una crema dental con propóleos rojos y de un gel con clorofila

Se analiza comparativamente el efecto de un gel dental de clorofila y de una crema dental con propóleos rojos sobre varios parámetros relacionados con la caries dental, en escolares que se cepillaron durante 21 días con dichos productos. Se obtuvieron resultados favorables principalmente en la disminución del grado de infección por Streptococcus mutans y la elevación de la capacidad individual de remineralización; salvo en este último no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas.

Authors made a comparative analysis about effect of chlorophyl dental gel and toothpaste containing red propolis, on some parameters related to dental caries in a group of students that brushed their teeth during 21 days using such products. Favourable results were obtained, mainly in decrease of infection level from Streptococcus mutans, and in increase of individual capacity of remineralization; except for this latter, there weren´t statistically significant differences.

Actividad anticaries de una crema dental con propóleos

Por muestreo aleatorio simple se seleccionaron 50 escolares con antecedentes de alta infección por Streptococcus mutans, para verificar la actividad anticaries de una crema dental que contiene 0,8 de extracto de propóleo blando. Se perdieron del estudio a 7 escolares por inasistencia y traslados. Se crearon 2 grupos: uno control (n=19) que se cepilló con una crema dental placebo y otro tratamiento (n=24) que se cepilló con la crema dental de propóleo. Entre ambos grupos no había diferencia significativa en el índice de caries COP-D ni en el porcentaje de afectados. Luego de los 10 ciclos de cepillado durante 18 meses, dentro del grupo tratamiento se redujo significativamente en índice de caries y el porcentaje de afectados (Q = p.

50 students with history of high infection caused by Streptococcus mutans were selected by simple random sampling aimed at verifying the anticaries activity of a tooth paste containing 0.8 of soft propolis extract. 7 students did not conclude the study due to absences and transfers. 2 groups were created: a control group (n = 19) that brushed its teeth with a placebo tooth paste and the other under treatment (n = 24) that used a tooth paste with propolis. There was no significant difference between both groups as regards the COP-D caries index and the percentage of affection. A significant reduction of the caries index and of the percentage of affected individuals (Q = p.