Hispanic adolescents' internalizing symptoms and positive family functioning: A bidirectional examination of associations over time.

Open communication with parents, defined as perceived ease of adolescent-parent disclosure, and family support are components of positive family functioning linked with fewer adolescent internalizing symptoms. However, relatively little is known about bidirectional pathways over time. Even less is known about bidirectional pathways for Hispanic adolescents or about the role of adolescent and parent gender. Therefore, this study examined bidirectional pathways between positive family functioning and adolescent internalizing symptoms over time in a sample of Hispanic middle school adolescents (N = 340; 51% female, Mage = 13.27 years, SD = .77), who completed surveys in the fall of 2016 (Time 1) and the spring of 2017 (Time 2; N = 284; 52% female). Results indicated that positive family functioning, including open communication with mothers and fathers, predicted fewer depressive symptoms for girls, but not for boys. Open communication with fathers predicted fewer anxiety symptoms for girls and boys. Girls' depressive symptoms, but not boys', predicted decreases in open communication with fathers. Boys' depressive symptoms predicted less family support. Unexpectedly, boys' anxiety symptoms predicted increased family support. These findings highlight gendered pathways linking family functioning and internalizing symptoms in Hispanic adolescents over time, including the relative importance of open communication with fathers. Gendered findings emphasize the utility of family-based prevention and early intervention programs targeting internalizing symptoms, especially for Hispanic girls. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Safety and Efficacy of Phage Therapy for Infections in Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Surgery: A Systematic Review.

New approaches to managing infections in cardiac and peripheral vascular surgery are required to reduce costs to patients and healthcare providers. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is a promising antimicrobial approach that has been recommended for consideration in antibiotic refractory cases. We systematically reviewed the clinical evidence for phage therapy in vascular surgery to support the unlicensed use of phage therapy and inform future research. Three electronic databases were searched for articles that reported primary data about human phage therapy for infections in cardiac or peripheral vascular surgery. Fourteen reports were eligible for inclusion, representing 40 patients, among which an estimated 70.3% of patients (n = 26/37) achieved clinical resolution. A further 10.8% (n = 4/37) of patients showed improvement and 18.9% (n = 7/37) showed no improvement. Six of the twelve reports that commented on the safety of phage therapy did not report adverse effects. No adverse effects documented in the remaining six reports were directly linked to phages but reflected the presence of manufacturing contaminants or release of bacterial debris following bacterial lysis. The reports identified by this review suggest that appropriately purified phages represent a safe and efficacious treatment option for infections in cardiac and peripheral vascular surgery.

Phage therapy: Awareness and demand among clinicians in the United Kingdom.

Bacterial resistance or tolerance to antibiotics is costly to patients and healthcare providers. With the impact of antibiotic resistance forecast to grow, alternative antimicrobial approaches are needed to help treat patients with antibiotic refractory infections and reduce reliance upon existing antibiotics. There is renewed interest in bacteriophage (phage) therapy as a promising antimicrobial strategy. We therefore performed the first multi-specialty survey about phage therapy and the first such survey among clinicians in the United Kingdom. An anonymous 10-question survey of clinicians from medical and surgical specialties in two Scottish Health Boards was performed. The 90 respondents spanned 26 specialties and were predominantly consultants (73.3%). The respondents were concerned about antibiotic resistance in their clinical practice; 83 respondents estimated having seen 711 patients in the last 12 months whose infections were refractory to antibiotics (delaying or preventing resolution). Over half (58.8%) of the respondents had previously heard of phage therapy. Staphylococci, Pseudomonas and E. coli were identified as the highest cross-specialty priorities for the development of phage therapy. Together, 77 respondents estimated seeing 300 patients in the last 12 months for whom phage therapy may have been appropriate (an average of 3.9 patients per clinician). Most respondents (71.1%, n = 90) were already willing to consider using phage therapy in appropriate cases. Additional comments from the respondents affirmed the potential utility of phage therapy and highlighted a need for more information. The results of this survey demonstrate substantial demand for and willingness to use phage therapy in appropriate cases, both from individual clinicians and across specialties. Demand from a wide range of specialties illustrates the broad clinical utility of phage therapy and potential scope of impact. Widening access to phage therapy could deliver substantial clinical and financial benefits for patients and health authorities alike.

Immune challenge affects reproductive behaviour in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata).

Immunocompetence and reproduction are among the most important determinants of fitness. However, energetic and metabolic constraints create conflict between these two life-history traits. While many studies have explored the relationship between immune activity and reproductive fitness in birds and mammals inoculated with bacterial endotoxin, very few have focused on fish. Fish have been neglected in this area due, in part, to the claim that they are largely resistant to the immune effects of endotoxins. However, the present study suggests that they are susceptible to significant effects with respect to reproductive behaviour. Here, we examined the reproductive behaviour of male guppies following exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in comparison to that of male guppies in a control treatment. Additionally, we investigated the responses of females to these males. We show that although immune challenge does not suppress general activity in male guppies, it significantly reduces mating effort. While females showed no difference in general activity as a function of male treatments, they did exhibit reduced group cohesion in the presence of LPS-exposed males. We discuss this in the context of sickness behaviours, social avoidance of immune-challenged individuals and the effects of mounting an immune response on reproductive behaviour.

Puerto Ricans and Mexican immigrants differ in their psychological responses to patterns of lifetime adversity.

BACKGROUND: Puerto Ricans and Mexican immigrants are often exposed to multiple types of adversity across their lifetime (e.g., maltreatment, household dysfunction, discrimination) and this exposure can increase the risk for adult mental health problems. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to (a) identify subgroups of individuals exposed to unique combinations of childhood adversity and lifetime discrimination among Puerto Ricans and Mexican immigrants, and (b) compare the prevalence of mental health problems across different risk profiles. METHOD: We used existing data from the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Participants included Puerto Rican (N = 402) and Mexican adults (N = 1351) born outside but living in the continental U.S. FINDINGS: Through latent profile analysis, we selected a three-profile solution for Puerto Ricans: (a) Low Exposure (low on all adversity items; 58% of sample), (b) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Only (high on ACEs items, average or lower than average on discrimination items; 32%), and (c) Dual Exposure (high on all adversity items; 10%). For Mexicans, we selected a four-profile solution: (a) Low Exposure (52%), (b) ACEs Only (24%), (c) Maltreatment and Discrimination (15%), and (d) Dual Exposure (9%). For Mexicans, we found that the Dual Exposure and the Maltreatment and Discrimination profiles had the highest levels of mental health problems. For Puerto Ricans, the Dual Exposure and ACEs Only profiles had the highest levels of mental health problems, suggesting that Puerto Ricans may be more vulnerable to the effects of childhood adversities as compared to Mexican immigrants. Results from our study indicate that different patterns of adversity exposure are linked to different levels of mental health outcomes, and therefore, may require different intervention dosage. Understanding which groups of individuals are at highest and lowest risk for mental health problems is critical for developing effective, tailored interventions to prevent the negative effects of childhood adversity and discrimination for Latinxs.

Development of targeted therapy of NRF2high esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly disease and one of the most aggressive cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. As a master transcription factor regulating the stress response, NRF2 is often mutated and becomes hyperactive, and thus causes chemo-radioresistance and poor survival in human ESCC. There is a great need to develop NRF2 inhibitors for targeted therapy of NRF2high ESCC. In this review, we mainly focus on three aspects, NRF2 inhibitors and their mechanisms of action, screening novel drug targets, and evaluation of NRF2 activity in the esophagus. A research strategy has been proposed to develop NRF2 inhibitors using human ESCC cells and mouse models.

Needs of Transitionally Housed Young People to Promote Occupational Participation.

This qualitative descriptive study explored what young people who are transitionally housed need to promote occupational participation. Nine young people and four staff members from a transitional living facility participated in interviews and focus groups. Results suggested that the young people need opportunities to practice independent living skills, develop routines to support employment, housing, and education, and receive more individualized support from service providers. Findings also reveal that service providers experience a range of barriers to meeting young people's needs. This study underscores the importance of occupational therapy practitioners being informed of national and regional policies as well as emerging evidence of innovative approaches with populations, communities, and individuals so as to ultimately develop novel, collaborative, occupation-based programs to help young people set goals and transition out of homelessness.

Social media use and risky behaviors in adolescents: A meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the associations between social media use and risky behaviors during adolescence, and evaluated study characteristics (e.g., sample age, type of social media platform assessed) that may moderate these relationships. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy identified relevant studies from PsycInfo, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global. RESULTS: The final sample included 27 independent cross-sectional studies with a total of 67,407 adolescents (Mage = 15.5, range: 12.6-18.0 years; 51.7% girls; 57.2% White). Results from random effects models indicated that there were positive, small-to-medium correlations between social media use and engagement in risky behaviors generally (r = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.16-0.25), substance use (r = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.12-0.26), and risky sexual behaviors (r = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.15-0.28). There were an insufficient number of independent samples available to conduct a random effect models for violence-related behaviors (k = 3). Moderator analyses suggested that studies assessing solely early social media platforms (e.g., Facebook/MySpace only) in relation to substance use had smaller effect sizes than substance use studies assessing a broader range of contemporary social media platforms. In addition, younger samples had larger effect sizes for studies focused on social media use and risky sexual behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The positive links identified between social media and risky behaviors during adolescence in this meta-analysis suggest that developmental theories of risk taking would benefit from incorporating the social media context. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify directionality and make more specific practice and policy recommendations so that social media is a safe place in which adolescents can thrive.

Understanding osteosarcomas.

This article reviews the cause, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and management of osteosarcoma, the most common primary bone tumor and third most common cancer among children and adolescents. In the 1970s, the introduction of adjuvant chemotherapy following tumor resection improved overall 10-year survival from 30% to about 50% of patients. However, since that change in management strategy, the survival rate has since plateaued, with no improvement in overall 10-year survival since the 1990s. A better understanding of this disease is the first step to help improve these numbers.

Parental Problem Drinking and Emerging Adult Problem Behavior: The Moderating Role of Parental Support.

This study examined the relationship between parental problem drinking (maternal and paternal) and emerging adult problem behaviors (alcohol use, drug use, and antisocial behavior). In addition, the moderating role of parental support (maternal and paternal) was explored. Data were drawn from a nationally representative sample of emerging adults (N = 600; Mage = 20.00, SD = 1.42; 50% women; 62% White). Results from regression analyses of survey data indicated that both maternal problem drinking and maternal support moderated the relationship between paternal problem drinking and emerging adult alcohol use. For drug use, there was a three-way interaction between paternal problem drinking, maternal problem drinking, and maternal support. The relationship between paternal problem drinking and drug use only was significant for those who reported high maternal problem drinking and low maternal support. For antisocial behavior, there were positive relationships between paternal problem drinking and antisocial behavior and between maternal problem drinking and antisocial behavior in contexts of varying levels of parental support. Findings highlight the potential for parental support to both buffer and enhance the adverse influence of parental problem drinking across varied contexts.

Occupational Therapy Practitioners' Perspectives of Mental Health Practices With Clients in Stroke Rehabilitation.

Following a stroke, depression and anxiety may negatively affect recovery and decrease quality of life. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are distinctly qualified to address both the physical and psychosocial sequelae of a stroke, including clients' mental and emotional health. This study explored the ways in which OT practitioners address the mental health needs of clients post stroke. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used to collect both survey and focus group data. In all, 754 OT practitioners across the United States completed an online survey, and 10 practitioners participated in focus groups. Practitioners considered their clients' mental health needs to be a priority (68.17%); however, only 56.64% were satisfied with the care they provided related to mental and emotional health. They identified barriers that included limited time, increased productivity standards, expectations related to physical recovery, and poor educational preparation. Practitioners are motivated to improve their provision of mental health services to clients post stroke. To address the conflict between practice realities and professional values, education programs should better integrate curricular components that focus on physical and mental health.

Family functioning and adolescent internalizing symptoms: A latent profile analysis.

This study aimed to characterize adolescent family functioning typologies using latent profile analysis (LPA). A secondary aim was to examine profile associations with adolescent internalizing symptoms at one-year follow-up. Students (N = 1029; 53% female; mean age = 16.14, SD = .75 years) completed measures of family functioning, anxiety, and depressive symptoms at two time points. LPA was conducted to characterize family functioning typologies at Time 1, revealing five profiles: 1) Low Family Functioning, 2) Only Close to Father, 3) Average Family Functioning, 4) Only Close to Mother, and 5) High Family Functioning. Results indicated that the Low and Only Close to Mother profiles had greater depressive symptoms at Time 2, compared with the Average profile. The High profile had fewer depressive symptoms at Time 2. The Low and Only Close to Mother profiles also had significantly more anxiety symptoms at Time 2. Findings highlight the utility of examining family functioning profiles.

Family functioning and adolescent alcohol use: A moderated mediation analysis.

The primary goals of this longitudinal study were to examine the relationship between family functioning and adolescent alcohol use and to examine whether depressed mood mediates this relationship. An additional goal was to explore whether these relations were moderated by gender. The sample included 1031 high school students from the Mid-Atlantic United States. Participants completed surveys in school during the spring of 2007, 2008, and 2009. Path analysis results indicated that family functioning predicted alcohol use for girls. Moreover, depressed mood mediated this relationship. None of the direct paths between family functioning and adolescent alcohol use were significant for boys. However, similar to girls, depressed mood negatively predicted alcohol use for boys. Taken together, the findings highlight the need for prevention programs targeting adolescent substance use to consider gender-specific trajectories.

Using expert consensus to develop a simulation course for faculty members.

BACKGROUND: Effective learning from simulation-based training depends on expert facilitation by skilled faculty members, but there are few guidelines upon which to base simulation development. A collaborative approach was taken in the East of England to determine the agreed content of such a course. METHODS: A modified Delphi method was used to determine consensus amongst the simulation-provider leads in the East of England on what should be the essential elements of a training course for faculty members. A questionnaire designed by a steering group was circulated to the consensus group, and their responses were used to modify subsequent questionnaires. There was enough agreement after two rounds not to require a third round. RESULTS: After two rounds there was high level of agreement that the educational content should include scenario design, creating a supportive learning environment, structured debriefing formats, human factors, educational feedback and communication. There was also agreement on preferred teaching methods, minimum qualification and continuing development for faculty members. There was moderate agreement on the prior experience required of faculty members, and no agreement on the costs of courses. Effective learning from simulation-based training depends upon expert facilitation by skilled faculty members DISCUSSION: By using a consensus method to determine the content and format of a simulation development course designed for faculty members, there is agreement in the East of England on what constitutes an educationally sound programme. This should provide assurance to both simulation providers and commissioners of education that despite the absence of guidelines, there is an agreed practice standard for simulation-based training in the region.

An integrated imaging probe design: the synthesis of (99m)Tc/Re-containing macrocyclic peptide scaffolds.

ß-Sheets account for over 30 % of all secondary structural conformations found in proteins. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding that exists between the two peptide strands is imperative in maintaining this secondary structure. With the proper design, cyclic peptides may act as scaffolds emulating active ß-sheet regions, enabling investigation of their importance in molecular recognition and protein aggregation. Starting from Fmoc-Lys(Fmoc)-OH, macrocyclic peptides were synthesized on a solid support, with peptide-chain elongation extending from both the alpha and epsilon amines of the lysine. The branching peptides were cyclized with a pyridyl tridentate chelation core followed by coordination using [(99m) Tc/Re(CO)3 (H2 O)3 ](+) . Variable temperature (1) H NMR spectroscopy studies were performed, demonstrating that intramolecular hydrogen bonding exists between the two sides of the uncoordinated macrocyclic peptide scaffolds. Additionally, computational modelling and circular dichroism spectroscopic analysis revealed that the peptide backbone exists in a similar conformation both before and after metal coordination. The ability to seamlessly incorporate a tridentate chelation core into the backbone of a macrocyclic peptide, without disrupting the secondary structure, can greatly assist in the design of metal-centric peptidomimetic imaging agents. This novel integrated imaging probe approach may facilitate the investigation into protein-protein interactions using macrocyclic ß-sheet scaffolds.

Dual-modal magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging of atherosclerotic plaques in vivo using VCAM-1 targeted tobacco mosaic virus.

The underlying cause of major cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarctions and strokes, is atherosclerosis. For accurate diagnosis of this inflammatory disease, molecular imaging is required. Toward this goal, we sought to develop a nanoparticle-based, high aspect ratio, molecularly targeted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent. Specifically, we engineered the plant viral nanoparticle platform tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) to target vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, which is highly expressed on activated endothelial cells at atherosclerotic plaques. To achieve dual optical and MR imaging in an atherosclerotic ApoE(-/-) mouse model, TMV was modified to carry near-infrared dyes and chelated Gd ions. Our results indicate molecular targeting of atherosclerotic plaques. On the basis of the multivalency and multifunctionality, the targeted TMV-based MR probe increased the detection limit significantly; the injected dose of Gd ions could be further reduced 400x compared to the suggested clinical use, demonstrating the utility of targeted nanoparticle cargo delivery.

Molecular targeted viral nanoparticles as tools for imaging cancer.

Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) are a novel class of bionanomaterials that harness the natural biocompatibility of viruses for the development of therapeutics, vaccines, and imaging tools. The plant virus, cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), has been successfully engineered to create novel cancer-targeted imaging agents by incorporating fluorescent dyes, polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers, and targeting moieties. Using straightforward conjugation strategies, VNPs with high selectivity for cancer-specific molecular targets can be synthesized for in vivo imaging of tumors. Here we describe the synthesis and purification of CPMV-based VNPs, the functionalization of these VNPs using click chemistry, and their use for imaging xenograft tumors in animal models. VNPs decorated with fluorescent dyes, PEG, and targeting ligands can be synthesized in one day, and imaging studies can be performed over hours, days, or weeks, depending on the application.

Change patterns of homeless individuals with mental illness: a multiple case study.

This multiple case study illuminates the individual change trajectories of four homeless men with mental illnesses who participated in a manualized life skills intervention to improve housing retention. Readiness-to-change, life skills knowledge and trauma symptoms were measured at baseline, post-intervention and at 3-6 months follow-up. Cluster analysis identified two patterns of readiness-to-change: engaged and pre-engaged. Change is non-linear and baseline readiness is not necessary to benefit from the intervention. Examining individuals' lives in context illuminated the change process and demonstrated that varied patterns can lead to successful outcomes for housing stability and community reintegration.

Investigation of isomer formation upon coordination of bifunctional histidine analogues with 99mTc/Re(CO)3.

Histidine is a convenient tridentate chelator used in the synthesis of technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals, as it can be pendantly attached to a biomolecule for molecular imaging applications. Once coordinated, it forms a neutral complex that is capable of forming diastereomers at the alpha amine of the histidine. This is demonstrated through the synthesis and characterization of four different histidine chelators; three small molecule chelators, which consist of a benzylated histidine at the alpha amine, and one modified dipeptide, containing a phenylalanine derivative at the C-terminus and a histidine at the N-terminus. Upon rhenium coordination, two products are observed, each having the desired exact mass of the metal-containing species. The two products have been characterized through LC-MS, (1)H, gCOSY, NOESY and ROESY NMR experiments, and the relative stereochemistry determined. The implications of diastereomer formation when using this chelation system for creating molecular imaging agents is also discussed.

Readiness-to-change cluster profiles among adults with mental illness who were homeless participating in a life skills intervention.

This longitudinal study examined differences in intervention outcomes based on readiness-to-change cluster profiles among 73 adults with a mental illness at risk for homelessness participating in a manualized life skills intervention. Intervention topics included money management, food management, safe community participation, and room- and self-care. Life skill knowledge and readiness-to-change, measured using the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment, was examined at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-6 months later. Two scoring patterns emerged for readiness-to-change at each time point: Pre-Engaged and Engaged. Participants who were Engaged at the time of assessment scored significantly better than Pre-Engaged on post-intervention life skill testing, however group identification changed over time. Baseline readiness-to-change did not predict future performance or attrition, and therefore may not provide accurate indication of client investment for future learning or participation. Further investigation is needed to determine what factors contribute to Engaged membership.