Magnetic hyperthermia efficiency in the cellular environment for different nanoparticle designs

Magnetic hyperthermia mediated by magnetic nanomaterials is one promising antitumoral nanotherapy, particularly for its ability to remotely destroy deep tumors. More and more new nanomaterials are being developed for this purpose, with improved heat-generating properties in solution. However, although the ultimate target of these treatments is the tumor cell, the heating efficiency, and the underlying mechanisms, are rarely studied in the cellular environment. Here we attempt to fill this gap by making systematic measurements of both hyperthermia and magnetism in controlled cell environments, using a wide range of nanomaterials. In particular, we report a systematic fall in the heating efficiency for nanomaterials associated with tumour cells. Real-time measurements showed that this loss of heat-generating power occurred very rapidly, within a matter of minutes. The fall in heating correlated with the magnetic characterization of the samples, demonstrating a complete inhibition of the Brownian relaxation in cellular conditions.     

Development of a Chimeric Plasmodium berghei Strain Expressing the Repeat Region of the P. vivax Circumsporozoite Protein for In Vivo Evaluation of Vaccine Efficacy

The development of vaccine candidates against Plasmodium vivax—the most geographically widespread human malaria species—is challenged by technical difficulties, such as the lack of in vitro culture systems and availability of animal models. Chimeric rodent Plasmodium parasites are safe and useful tools for the preclinical evaluation of new vaccine formulations. We report the successful development and characterization of chimeric Plasmodium berghei parasites bearing the type I repeat region of P. vivax circumsporozoite protein (CSP). The P. berghei-P. vivax chimeric strain develops normally in mosquitoes and produces highly infectious sporozoites that produce patent infection in mice that are exposed to the bites of as few as 3 P. berghei-P. vivax-infected mosquitoes. Using this transgenic parasite, we demonstrate that monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against P. vivax CSP strongly inhibit parasite infection and thus support the notion that these antibodies play an important role in protective immunity. The chimeric parasites we developed represent a robust model for evaluating protective immune responses against P. vivax vaccines based on CSP.     

Socioeconomic status and stress in Mexican–American women: a multi-method perspective

Stress is a hypothesized pathway in socioeconomic status (SES)-physical health associations, but the available empirical data are inconsistent. In part, this may reflect discrepancies in the approach to measuring stress across studies, and differences in the nature of SES-stress associations across demographic groups. We examined associations of SES (education, income) with general and domain-specific chronic stressors, stressful life events, perceived stress, and stressful daily experiences in 318 Mexican–American women (40–65 years old). Women with higher SES reported lower perceived stress and fewer low-control experiences in everyday life (ps < .05), but greater chronic stress (education only, p < .05). Domain-specific analyses showed negative associations of income with chronic housing and financial stress (ps < .05), but positive associations of SES with chronic work and caregiving stress (all ps < .05 except for income and caregiving stress, p < .10). Sensitivity analyses showed that most SES-stress associations were consistent across acculturation levels. Future research should adopt a multi-dimensional assessment approach to better understand links among SES, stress, and physical health, and should consider the sociodemographic context in conceptualizing the role of stress in SES-related health inequalities.     

Dialectical behavior therapy in the Asia‐Pacific Rim region

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) contributes to suicide‐related morbidity and mortality and requires more intensive psychotherapeutic resources due to its high mental health service usage. Accessibility to an evidence‐based treatment program is a cornerstone to support patients with BPD and part of broader suicide prevention efforts as well as improving their quality of life. Aims: In this article, the authors aim to discuss and review available dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and DBT‐informed services of selected countries in the Asia‐Pacific Rim, namely Singapore, Malaysia, and Mexico. Materials & Methods: We contacted providers of different services and gathered information on the process of setting up the service and adapting the treatment, in addition to reviewing the available literature published in the countries. Results: To date, there have been a pair of DBT‐informed services in Singapore, four in Malaysia, and several in Mexico with a few of them offering standard DBT. Different efforts have been put in place to increase the accessibility to training and also the number of DBT practitioners. Discussion: Important considerations during the process of setting up new services include the use of domestic examples and local language that are contextually appropriate for the local community. Selected challenges faced in common include shortage of workforce, affordability of training programs, and the need for language adaptation with or without translation. Conclusion: Further long‐term evaluation of locally adapted DBT‐informed mental health services will help to elucidate the effectiveness and efficacy of the program which will potentially serve as a guide for other resource‐scarce regions.     

Spontaneous regeneration after juvenile ossifying fibroma resection: a case report.

A case of unusual bone regeneration after resection of a juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is presented. Secondary mandibular reconstruction with autogenous grafts was delayed due to the rapid bone formation. To the best of our knowledge there are no reports of this unusual response following JOF resection.     

Education,psychosocial resources,and metabolic syndrome variables in Latinas

Background: Individuals with low socioeconomic position (SEP) and Latino ethnicity are at high risk for the metabolic syndrome. In part, this may reflect that these populations benefit from fewer resilient resources to manage stressful environments, resulting in accentuated psychological and physiological costs (1).Purpose: We examined the direct effects of educational attainment (an indicator of SEP) and psychosocial resources on metabolic syndrome variables, and tested indirect effects of education, via resources.Methods: Participants were 145 middle-aged (M=47.07 years) Latinas recruited from health clinics along the California—Mexico border. Women completed assessments of demographics and resilient resources; metabolic syndrome variables were measured (blood pressure [BP], waist circumference [WC]) or abstracted from medical charts (lipids, glucose).Results: Women with less education reported fewer psychosocial resources (ΔR²=.14, p<.0001) and showed a higher risk profile on measures of BP, WC, and plasma glucose (3−7% of variance explained, all ps<.05), relative to those with more education. Resources independently predicted lower WC_s (ΔR²=.07, p<.05). Education exerted an indirect effect (p<.05) through resources on WC, a core factor underlying the metabolic syndrome.Conclusions: Additional research is warranted to further explore the roles of resilient resources in relationships among SEP, metabolic risk factors, and chronic disease processes. Portions of this research were presented at the 2005 meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. The study was supported by a mini-grant from San Diego State University’s Minority Research Infrastructure Support Program (Grant 1 R24 MH065515 from the National Institutes of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health [NIH]). Drs. Gallo and Talavera were supported by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Grant 1 R01 HL081604 during preparation of this article. In addition, Dr. Talavera was supported grant P60 MD00220, from the San Diego EXPORT Center, National Center of Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH.