Chromosome 7 monosomy and deletions in myeloproliferative diseases

We studied deletion and monosomy of chromosome 7 in 150 patients with myeloproliferative diseases. We found 8/150 patients with monosomy 7 by cytogenetics and 4/150 with deletions of the long arm of chromosome 7 by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis performed with Southern and polymerase chain reaction. To overcome limitation of RFLP analysis, we restricted loss of heterozygosity study with microsatellites to 45 patients, observing deletion 7q31.1 in 7/45 patients. In all patients with molecular alterations the deletion was observed only in myeloid cells, while the monosomy was detected in both myeloid precursor and lymphocytes. This finding suggests a CD34-totipotent stem cell origin for the monosomy and a colony forming unit - granulocyte, erythrocyte, monocyte, megakaryocytes (CFU-GEMM) stem cell origin for the deletions.     

Ovariectomy in the rat induces a rapid increase in the urinary excretion of hydroxylysine glycosides and non-reducible crosslink residues

The ovariectomized rat is the most commonly used animal model of human postmenopausal osteoporosis, exhibiting a high rate of bone turnover with resorption exceeding formation. At present, bone turnover is quantified directly by dynamic histomorphometry. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the measurement of the urinary output of some specific bone collagen catabolites — pyridinolines and hydroxylysine glycosides — could be used to indirectly monitor the initial phase of bone turnover increase in ovariectomized 90-day-old rats. Ninety-day-old female rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=6): ovariectomized, sham-operated and non-treated controls. Urine samples (24 h) were collected 6 days before surgery and twice weekly for the 4 weeks following ovariectomy. Urinary excretion of pyridinoline (PYD), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), glucosyl-galactosyl-hydroxylysine (GGHYL) and galactosyl-hydroxylysine (GHYL) were measured. As expected, ovariectomy was associated with a significant decrease in bone mineral density in both the proximal tibial and distal femoral metaphysis. Compared with both sham-operated and control animals, ovariectomized rats showed significant increases in PYD, GGHYL and GHYL urinary output 8 days after surgery and in DPD output after 15 days. These changes were maintained throughout the study. The results confirm that measurement of the urinary excretion of pyridinolines and hydroxylysine glycosides represents a powerful tool for detecting the onset of bone turnover in ovariectomized 90-day-old rats.     

Combination of 6-mercaptopurine, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone in resistant or relapsed acute nonlymphoid leukemia

Twenty-six adults with acute nonlymphoid leukemia (ANLL) relapsed or resistant after first-choice chemotherapy including cytarabine and/or anthracyclines were treated with a modified POMP (6-mercaptopurine, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone) combination. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in five of eight resistant patients (62%) and in nine of 18 relapsed patients (50%). Intermittent cycles of chemotherapy including daunorubicin, cytarabine, 6-thioguanine, and etoposide were then administered. In the resistant group CR lasted from 11 to 126 weeks (median, 86), with two patients remaining in CR 126 and 108 weeks after remission induction; in relapsed patients, CR lasted from 9 to 50 weeks (median, 31).     

The efficacy of AA attendance for aftercare of inpatient alcoholics: some follow-up data

Inpatient alcoholics (N = 145) were followed at 6-month intervals for 18 months postdischarge. The drinking outcomes were compared based on overall degree of AA attendance. Results did indicate higher percentages of abstinence for AA attenders, but only at 18 months. AA attenders also indicated fewer days drinking during the first 6 months, with fewer days drunk for AA attenders at 18 months. Those subjects attending AA for the entire 18 months reported a total abstinence rate of 50%.     

Stability and Predictive Validity of the Parent–Child Sleep Interactions Scale: A Longitudinal Study Among Preschoolers

Little research has examined the processes underlying children’s persistent sleep problems and links with later psychopathology. The current study examined the stability of parent–child sleep interactions as assessed with the parent-reported Parent–Child Sleep Interactions Scale (PSIS) and examined whether sleep interactions in preschool-age children predict sleep problems and psychiatric symptoms later in childhood. Participants included 108 preschool-age children (50% female) and their parents. Parents completed the PSIS when children were 3–5 years (T1) and again when they were 6–9 years (T2). The PSIS includes three subscales—Sleep Reinforcement (reassurance of child sleep behaviors), Sleep Conflict (parent–child conflict at bedtime), Sleep Dependence (difficulty going to sleep without parent)—and a total score. Higher scores indicate more problematic bedtime interactions. Children’s sleep problems and psychiatric symptoms at T1 and T2 were assessed with a clinical interview. PSIS scores were moderately stable from T1 to T2, and the factor structure of the PSIS remained relatively consistent over time. Higher total PSIS scores at T1 predicted increases in children’s sleep problems at T2. Higher PSIS Sleep Conflict scores at T1 predicted increases in oppositional defiant disorder symptoms at T2. Children with more sleep problems and higher PSIS Sleep Reinforcement scores at T1 showed increases in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depressive, and anxiety symptoms at T2. These findings provide evidence for the predictive validity of the PSIS and highlight the importance of early parent–child sleep interactions in the development of sleep and psychiatric symptoms in childhood. Parent–child sleep interactions may serve as a useful target for interventions.     

A common T/C polymorphism in the promoter region of the beta T-cell receptor gene

Polymorphisms in the T-cell receptor genes can provide important information for the study of the immune response system, particularly for autoimmune diseases. This report characterizes a common T to C polymorphism in the promoter of the beta 2 constant chain of the T-cell receptor, which abolishes a recognition site for BglII restriction endonuclease.     

Validation of the Mental Health Checklist (MHCL) during COVID-19 lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented disruption to everyday life, including widespread social distancing and self-quarantining aimed at reducing the virus spread. The Mental Health Checklist (MHCL) is a measure developed to assess psychological health during extended periods of isolation and confinement, and has shown strong psychometric properties in community samples and during Antarctic missions. This study validated the MHCL in a sample of 359 U.S. and U.K adults during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested model fit, and convergent validity analyses were conducted to compare the MHCL with validated measures of depression, anxiety and stress, as well as insomnia. The MHCL exhibited good model fit for most CFA indices, and showed strong convergent validity with other measures of psychological well-being. Findings suggest that the MHCL is useful for assessing mental health in a variety of environments and conditions.     

Aorta and skin tissues welded by near-infrared Cr4+:YAG laser

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to explore the wavelength dependence of welding efficacy. Ex vivo samples of human and porcine aorta and skin tissues were investigated using a tunable Cr(4+):yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser. BACKGROUND DATA: Tissue welding is possible using laser light in the NIR spectral range. Collagen bonding in the tissue induced by thermal, photothermal, and photochemical reactions-or a combination of all of these-is thought to be responsible for tissue welding. Laser tissue welding (LTW) has gained success in the laboratory using animal models. Transition from laboratory to clinical application requires the optimization of welding parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A near-infrared (NIR) Cr(4+):YAG laser was used to weld ex vivo samples of human and porcine aorta and skin at wavelengths from 1430 to 1470 nm. Welding efficacy was monitored by measuring the tensile strength of the welded tissue and the extent of collateral tissue damage. Tensile strengths were measured using a digital force gauge. Changes in tissue morphology were evaluated using optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fluorescence imaging of the welded areas was also used to evaluate molecular changes following tissue welding. RESULTS: Full-thickness tissue bonding was observed with porcine aorta samples. No collateral damage of the aorta samples was observed. Tissue denaturation was observed with human aorta, human skin, and porcine skin samples. The optimum tensile strength for porcine and human aorta was 1.33 +/- 0.15 and 1.13 +/- 0.27 kg/cm2, respectively, at 1460 nm, while that for porcine and human skin was 0.94 +/- 0.15 and 1.05 +/- 0.19 kg/cm2, respectively, achieved at 1455 nm. The weld strength as a function of wavelength demonstrated a correlation with the absorption spectrum of water. Fluorescence imaging of welded aorta and skin demonstrated no significant changes in collagen and elastin emission at the weld site. CONCLUSION: The observation that welding strength as a function of wavelength follows the absorption bands of water suggests that absorption of light by water plays a significant role in laser tissue welding.     

Mediators and Moderators of Outcome in the Behavioral Treatment of Childhood Social Phobia

ObjectiveThe current study examined mediators and moderators of treatment response among children and adolescents (ages 7–17 years) with a primary diagnosis of social phobia.MethodParticipants were 88 youths participating in one of two randomized controlled treatment trials of Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children. Potential mediators included changes in observer-rated social skill and child-reported loneliness after 12 weeks of Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children. Age and depressive symptoms were examined as potential moderators.ResultsLoneliness scores and social effectiveness during a role-play task predicted changes in social anxiety and overall functioning at posttreatment. Changes in social anxiety were mediated by child-reported loneliness. Outcomes were not moderated by age or depressive symptoms.ConclusionsFindings support the role of loneliness as an important mechanism of change during treatment for childhood social phobia.