A Cross-Walk of Professional Competencies Involved in Expanded School Mental Health: An Exploratory Study

Expanded school mental health (ESMH) programs often involve individuals from a variety of professions working together to address student needs evident across school, family, and community systems. Profession-driven differences in philosophies, expectations regarding confidentiality, and graduate training that reinforces isolated rather than interprofessional approaches to working with students, however, represent real challenges to maximizing the potential of ESMH. To address these issues, this exploratory study identified a common set of competencies to support interprofessional practice in ESMH. A total of 51 competencies were identified across seven theme areas, including: (1) Key Policies and Laws; (2) Interprofessional Collaboration; (3) Cross-Systems Collaboration; (4) Provision of Academic, Social-Emotional, and Behavioral Learning Supports; (5) Data-Driven Decision-Making; (6) Personal and Professional Growth and Well-Being; and, (7) Cultural Competence. Mapping of the competencies to existing accreditation and practice standards for selected professions revealed shared and unique competencies. Implications for workforce development and future research are offered.     

Characterization of the defective interaction between a subset of natural killer cells and dendritic cells in HIV-1 infection

In this study, we demonstrate that the in vitro interactions between a CD56(neg)/CD16(pos) (CD56(neg)) subset of natural killer (NK) cells and autologous dendritic cells (DCs) from HIV-1-infected viremic but not aviremic individuals are markedly impaired and likely interfere with the development of an effective immune response. Among the defective interactions are abnormalities in the process of reciprocal NK-DC activation and maturation as well as a defect in the NK cell-mediated editing or elimination of immature DCs (iDCs). Notably, the lysis of mature DCs (mDCs) by autologous NK cells was highly impaired even after the complete masking of major histocompatibility complex I molecules, suggesting that the defective elimination of autologous iDCs is at the level of activating NK cell receptors. In this regard, the markedly impaired expression/secretion and function of NKp30 and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, particularly among the CD56(neg) NK cell subset, largely accounts for the highly defective NK cell-mediated lysis of autologous iDCs. Moreover, mDCs generated from HIV-1 viremic but not aviremic patients are substantially impaired in their ability to secrete interleukin (IL)-10 and -12 and to prime the proliferation of neighboring autologous NK cells, which, in turn, fail to secrete adequate amounts of interferon-gamma.     

Vibrator use among heterosexual men varies by partnership status: results from a nationally representative study in the United States

This nationally representative study documents that vibrator use among heterosexually identified men in the United States is common, with 43.8% reporting use of a vibrator at some point in their lives, with most vibrator use by heterosexual men occurring within the context of sexual interactions with a female partner. Approximately 94% of male vibrator users reported that they had used a vibrator during sexual play with a partner, and 82% reported that they had used a vibrator during sexual intercourse. These data support the work of therapists and educators who often make recommendations for the incorporation of vibrators into partnered relationships.     

Aetiology of skeletal deformity in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Barbus grypus</Emphasis> (Heckel, 1843) fish: clinical and radiological studies

Skeletal deformities have been reported in several species of both cultured and wild fish, and many of these deformities can be associated with a variety of biotic and abiotic factors. This study characterized bone deformities in adult Barbus grypus fish and investigated potential associations between some agent(s) and these deformities by using a series of clinical examinations. Radiological findings included lordosis and scoliosis in trunco-caudal spines. Vertebral numbers and intervertebral spaces were normal, but the vertebrae were shorter compared to healthy fish. Alkaline phosphatase and inorganic phosphorus levels in serum of deformed fish also showed marked changes compared to healthy fish. Ca:Pi ratio was reduced in deformed fish compared with healthy cases. Histopathological investigation of bone columns revealed necrotic area in deformed vertebrae and increased numbers of osteoclasts. We postulate that this may be a contributing factor to the development of the observed bone disorders. Underlying developmental mechanism(s), potentially resulting in these deformities, are considered.     

Exposure of HEp-2 Cells to Stress Conditions Influences Antinuclear Antibody Reactivity

This study of stress-related antinuclear antibody (ANA) reactivity was undertaken with the objective of improving clinical ANA testing. ANA was determined by parallel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of crude nuclear protein antigen extracted from HEp-2 cells either grown under optimal conditions (providing nonstress ANA antigen) or exposed to stress (providing stress ANA antigen). The stress stimuli used were gamma radiation (causing DNA damage) and a hypertonic environment (causing apoptosis). Signs of stress-related ANA reactivity were seen among connective tissue disease (CTD) patients (including patients with systemic lupus erythematosus; mixed CTD; calcinosis, Reynaud's phenomenon, esophageal motility disorders, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia; scleroderma; and Sjögren's syndrome): 11% showed stress-positive ANA (i.e., a significantly stronger ANA reactivity with the extract from stressed cells), whereas 21% showed a markedly weaker reaction with the stress antigen. In contrast, among ANA screening patient sera, with no diagnosis of CTD, the fraction showing stress-positive ANA was higher (7 to 8%, depending on the type of stress) than among those showing a lower reactivity with stress antigen (1.5 to 2.5%). Only one serum among 89 (1%) tested sera from healthy individuals showed a stress-related ANA reaction. This demonstration of stress-related ANA suggests a means to improve the performance of clinical ANA testing.