Training police trainees about ways to manage trauma and loss

For the second year we were invited to be trainers at a training seminar for senior police educators, held in the German Federal Police University and sponsored by the European Police College, hence, having the opportunity to build on their previous applications. We applied exercises (psychoeducation, mindfulness/awareness, journaling, processing in dyads) that introduced in this training and designed to teach officers how to handle exposure to adversities and minimize potential negative consequences. Police officers expect exposure to potentially traumatic incidents, yet, often suffer deeply because of unresolved trauma related to handling horrific events. Our work aimed to open discussion in order to formulate a standard component in training curricula related to teaching police trainees ways to effectively handle and process trauma.     

Mechanical and physical properties of silorane and methacrylate-based composites

ObjectivesThis study measured the degree of conversion (DC), sorption, solubility and microhardness of methacrylate (Filtek Z250 and Filtek Z350XT) and silorane-based composites (Filtek P90).MethodsDC was measured using near infrared spectroscopy immediately and 24 h after the photoactivation. Sorption and solubility measurements were performed after 24 h, 4 weeks and 12 weeks of storage in water. Knoop microhardness was measured after 24 h and after thermal cycling. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's, Tamhane or paired t-tests (α = 0.05).ResultsThe DC for P90 (37.22 ± 1.46) was significantly lower than the Z250 (71.44 ± 1.66) and Z350 (71.76 ± 2.84). Water sorption was highest in the Z250 and lowest in the P90. All the tested composites exhibited similar values after 24 h of immersion, and no significant differences were observed. No significant differences were observed between the solubilities of the P90 composite (12 weeks) and the Z250 or Z350 composites (4 weeks). KHN values were less elevated for the P90 composite and similar for the Z250 and Z350 composites. An effect of thermal cycling on KHN values was observed for all the composites (p < 0.001).ConclusionsSilorane produced the lowest DC and KHN values and exhibited lower water sorption and solubility compared to methacrylate-based composites. These differences suggest that silorane composites exhibit better hydrolytic stability after 3 months of water immersion compared to conventional methacrylate-based composites.Clinical significanceSilorane had higher hydrolytic stability after 3 months of water immersion than the methacrylate-based resins, despite the lower values of DC and KHN recorded.     

Subnuclear partitioning of rRNA genes between the nucleolus and nucleoplasm reflects alternative epiallelic states

Eukaryotes can have thousands of 45S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, many of which are silenced during development. Using fluorescence-activated sorting techniques, we show that active rRNA genes in Arabidopsis thaliana are present within sorted nucleoli, whereas silenced rRNA genes are excluded. DNA methyltransferase (met1), histone deacetylase (hda6), or chromatin assembly (caf1) mutants that disrupt silencing abrogate this nucleoplasmic–nucleolar partitioning. Bisulfite sequencing data indicate that active nucleolar rRNA genes are nearly completely demethylated at promoter CGs, whereas silenced genes are nearly fully methylated. Collectively, the data reveal that rRNA genes occupy distinct but changeable nuclear territories according to their epigenetic state.     

Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone: effective regimen in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma complicated by renal impairment

Over the past decade, treatment options for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have improved substantially, resulting in better response rates and prolonged overall survival (OS). Nevertheless, MM remains a challenging disease, especially if renal insufficiency (RI) or extensive pre-treatment aggravates the assignment of the optimal treatment schedule. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the outcome of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone in 167 patients with relapsed or refractory MM with focus on RI. The baseline creatinine clearance (CL_Cr) was normal in 94 patients (CL_Cr ≥ 80 ml/min), while RI was observed in 73 patients, including 40 patients with mild RI (50 ≤ CL_Cr < 80 ml/min) and 33 patients with moderate or severe RI (CL_Cr < 50 ml/min). Response rates declined depending on the severity of RI, being 67% among patients with normal kidney function, 60% among patients with mild RI and 49% among patients with moderate or severe RI. Time to progression (TTP) was significantly reduced in patients with severe RI and in case of >2 previous treatment lines. OS was not significantly different between patients with normal and impaired renal function. In contrast, the number of previous treatment lines (2 vs. <2) and the use of novel agents like bortezomib or thalidomide prior to lenalidomide plus dexamethasone therapy had a more adverse effect on OS. In conclusion, lenalidomide plus dexamethasone is an effective regimen for relapsed or refractory patients with MM complicated by RI with manageable toxicity.