Psychosocial interventions with art and music during stem cell transplantation: An integrative review.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to systematically review the literature with the following aims: to survey the art and music interventions offered to the stem cell transplant population; to define the interventions' beneficial properties by conceptualising themes; to analyse these themes using behavioural activation principles as a lens and explore their value in alleviating isolation-related distress. BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing stem cell transplant are at great risk of psychological morbidity, partly on account of prolonged hospital stays in protective isolation. This risk extends beyond discharge and into ambulatory care, negatively affecting quality-of-life and survival rates of the transplant recipients. DESIGN: Integrative review methodology. METHODS: A systematic search of 10 bibliographic databases was undertaken using terms relating to art, music and stem cell transplantation for the years 2012 to 2019. Records were assessed for quality and risk-of-bias using a critical appraisal tool and following the PRISMA Systematic Review checklist to guide reporting. Studies were analysed narratively and thematically. RESULTS: The 16 papers were of mixed quality. Findings and treatment effects differed between and within studies. The beneficial attributes of the treatments were clustered and divided into two groups. The first consisted of intrinsic, patient-focussed factors: (1) Creative outlet or acquisition of a new skill; (2) achievement of normality; (3) mutual or peer-support; (4) relationship-building and (5) meaningful recreation, distraction and diversion. The second group considered extrinsic factors: (6) Improved communication; (7) enhanced spiritual care and (8) better healthcare experience. CONCLUSIONS: Several art and music interventions have been attempted which were beneficial to patients and generated a sense of achievement, connection and enjoyment. The interventions appear to uphold the principles of person-centred holistic care and have potential to generate a high-quality, supportive healthcare and working environment. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Psychosocial interventions with art and music have improved the care and experience of patients undergoing stem cell transplant.

CAS Common Chemistry in 2021: Expanding Access to Trusted Chemical Information for the Scientific Community.

CAS Common Chemistry (https://commonchemistry.cas.org/) is an open web resource that provides access to reliable chemical substance information for the scientific community. Having served millions of visitors since its creation in 2009, the resource was extensively updated in 2021 with significant enhancements. The underlying dataset was expanded from 8000 to 500,000 chemical substances and includes additional associated information, such as basic properties and computer-readable chemical structure information. New use cases are supported with enhanced search capabilities and an integrated application programming interface. Reusable licensing of the content is provided through a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial (CC-BY-NC 4.0) license allowing other public resources to integrate the data into their systems. This paper provides an overview of the enhancements to data and functionality, discusses the benefits of the contribution to the chemistry community, and summarizes recent progress in leveraging this resource to strengthen other information sources.

Immobilized Cytochrome P450 for Monitoring of P450-P450 Interactions and Metabolism.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) protein-protein interactions have been shown to alter their catalytic activity. Furthermore, these interactions are isoform specific and can elicit activation, inhibition, or no effect on enzymatic activity. Studies show that these effects are also dependent on the protein partner cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) and the order of protein addition to purified reconstituted enzyme systems. In this study, we use controlled immobilization of P450s to a gold surface to gain a better understanding of P450-P450 interactions between three key drug-metabolizing isoforms (CYP2C9, CYP3A4, and CYP2D6). Molecular modeling was used to assess the favorability of homomeric/heteromeric P450 complex formation. P450 complex formation in vitro was analyzed in real time utilizing surface plasmon resonance. Finally, the effects of P450 complex formation were investigated utilizing our immobilized platform and reconstituted enzyme systems. Molecular modeling shows favorable binding of CYP2C9-CPR, CYP2C9-CYP2D6, CYP2C9-CYP2C9, and CYP2C9-CYP3A4, in rank order.KDvalues obtained via surface plasmon resonance show strong binding, in the nanomolar range, for the above pairs, with CYP2C9-CYP2D6 yielding the lowestKD, followed by CYP2C9-CYP2C9, CYP2C9-CPR, and CYP2C9-CYP3A4. Metabolic incubations show that immobilized CYP2C9 metabolism was activated by homomeric complex formation. CYP2C9 metabolism was not affected by the presence of CYP3A4 with saturating CPR concentrations. CYP2C9 metabolism was activated by CYP2D6 at saturating CPR concentrations in solution but was inhibited when CYP2C9 was immobilized. The order of addition of proteins (CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CPR) influenced the magnitude of inhibition for CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. These results indicate isoform-specific P450 interactions and effects on P450-mediated metabolism.

Youth Disclosure of Sexual Orientation to Siblings and Extended Family.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the processes and experiences associated with disclosing sexual orientation to siblings and extended family. BACKGROUND: Few studies prioritize the experience of disclosing to siblings and extended family, despite its frequency and potential impact on the family unit. Extended family members often act as sources of support for youth; it is therefore worthwhile to consider whether this remains true during and after disclosure of sexual orientation. METHOD: Interview and questionnaire data were gathered from 22 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) youth, 14 to 21 years of age, from a large Midwestern city. Constructivist grounded theory informed the qualitative methodology and data analysis. We build on concepts of horizontal and vertical family relationships by also introducing the concept of diagonal relationships. RESULTS: Participants described their relationships with aunts as possessing characteristics of horizontal and vertical relationships, allowing them to act as moderators and mediators of the parent-child relationship. CONCLUSION: The concepts of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal relationships take into consideration how the structure (e.g., hierarchy, egalitarianism, boundaries) and nature (e.g., closeness, reciprocity, mentorship) of various relationships shape the coming-out process for LGBQ youth, without dismissing the importance of either immediate or extended family members. IMPLICATIONS: The emerging conceptualization can guide services and interventions as well as illuminate further research on the family systems of LGBQ youth.

Selection of Single-Stranded DNA Molecular Recognition Elements against Exotoxin A Using a Novel Decoy-SELEX Method and Sensitive Detection of Exotoxin A in Human Serum.

Exotoxin A is one of the virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that can cause infections resulting in adverse health outcomes and increased burden to health care systems. Current methods of diagnosing P. aeruginosa infections are time consuming and can require significant preparation of patient samples. This study utilized a novel variation of the Systematic Evolution of Ligand by Exponential Enrichment, Decoy-SELEX, to identify an Exotoxin A specific single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecular recognition element (MRE). Its emphasis is on increasing stringency in directing binding toward free target of interest and at the same time decreasing binding toward negative targets. A ssDNA MRE with specificity and affinity was identified after fourteen rounds of Decoy-SELEX. Utilizing surface plasmon resonance measurements, the determined equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd ) of the MRE is between 4.2 µM and 4.5 µM, and is highly selective for Exotoxin A over negative targets. A ssDNA MRE modified sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed and achieved sensitive detection of Exotoxin A at nanomolar concentrations in human serum. This study has demonstrated the proof-of-principle of using a ssDNA MRE as a clinical diagnostic tool.