An orthotopic model of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its application in elucidating a therapeutic target that inhibits metastasis.

To define and therapeutically target mechanisms that mediate nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastasis, we have developed a unique orthotopic xenograft mouse model that accurately recapitulates the invasive and metastatic behavior of human disease. Based on clinical and laboratory evidence that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis is involved in aggressive NPC tumor behavior, we chose it as a therapeutic target to test the utility of our orthotopic system for evaluating the effectiveness of a targeted treatment for metastatic NPC. Demonstrated herein, we have shown that both the development and growth of metastatic lesions are markedly reduced by the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus. Thus, this orthotopic model provides a platform to study potential therapeutics for advanced NPC and demonstrates that targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is a promising intervention against disseminated disease.

The educational goals of people with psychiatric disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: Many people with psychiatric disability have educational goals. In this paper, we survey a sample to describe the frequency of academic interests, specific goals related to this interest, and barriers that undermine education. METHODS: One hundred and four people from a large Midwestern mental health center completed the Educational Goals Survey (EGS) which was developed with feedback from two consumer focus groups. RESULTS: Almost two thirds of respondents never got beyond high school education. Of this group, 54.5% wanted to go back to school. Reasons for returning to school included improving one's job status and enhancing personal growth. CONCLUSIONS: Two sets of barriers emerged from the data; those which are consistent with any adult student and those which must be addressed because of disability. We make sense of these data by comparing results with the U.S. Census where appropriate.

The emotional content of client disclosures and session impact: An analogue study.

The authors examined the relation between a client's disclosure of emotional material in an analogue psychotherapy session and the depth and smoothness of that session. Transcripts of 33 prepracticum psychotherapy sessions (3 sessions each from 11 volunteer clients) were coded for client disclosures, and the text of these disclosures was subjected to a computer analysis to count the number of positive and negative emotion words. While controlling for client functioning, sessions in which clients disclosed more and used more positive-emotion words in their disclosures were rated as having more depth. Clients' use of emotion in their disclosures was not related to session smoothness. Findings from this study suggest aspects of client disclosure that are associated with deeper sessions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Solutions to discrimination in work and housing identified by people with mental illness.

Several studies have examined the breadth and depth of the impact of the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. This study examines perceived solutions to discrimination in housing and employment situations. We expected identification of solutions to be positively associated with disease insight and personal empowerment. One hundred people with serious mental illness completed measures of perceived solutions to discrimination exhibited by an employer or a landlord. They also completed measures of empowerment and insight. Results showed high frequency solutions included looking for a job or apartment elsewhere, or seeking help from family and friends. Insight was significantly associated with number of endorsed solutions, while the interaction between insight and empowerment described a nonsignificant trend. Implications of these findings for stigma change are discussed.