Mapping the Participatory Process

This presentation explores the use of Practice-Based Evidence methodologies to support social work with Native American youth. It is based on a five-year collaborative effort between the Native American Youth and Family Center, National Indian Child Welfare Association, and the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children\u27s Mental Health. The researchers aims were to develop strategies for documenting the effectiveness of services, and to develop a process for conducting evaluations based on known outcomes of community based programs

Natural Product Studies of Selected East Pacific Gorgonians

Gorgonian corals commonly occur in great numbers and diversity inthe Caribbean, east Pacific and Indo-Pacific. Previous natural pro­duct investigations of Caribbean gorgonians have yielded a plethora of structurally and biologically unique compounds. These include diter­penes, sesquiterpenes, sterols and prostaglandins. Prior to this inves­tigation, very little was known about the natural products composition of the east Pacific Gorgonacea. This dissertation reports the isolation and structure elucidation of twenty-seven natural products from fifteen species of east Pacific gorgonians. Twenty of the compounds described are new and seven were previously known from other marine and terres­trial sources. The gorgonians studied were collected off the coast of southern California and Pacific Mexico, and in the Gulf of California. The structures of all of the compounds were elucidated by combined chem­ical and spectroscopic methods.Examination of the extracts of four Lophogorgia species resulted in the isolation of a new neuromuscular toxin, lophotoxin, and six related furanocembrenolide compounds. Lophotoxin acts specifically and irreversibly at low concentrations to block indirect nerve stimulated muscle contraction. One of the Lophogorgia species studied, L. alba, also contained three new 1,4-diketone cembrenolides.Eugorgia forreri, collected in the Gulf of California, possessed two cembrane-diterpenes which were previously isolated from a soft coral collected in Canton Atoll.An investigation of the natural products composition of five Pacifigorgia species yielded seven sesquiterpene-derived metabolites. Six of the seven compounds possessed familiar germacrane, cadinane and guaiane ring systems. The remaining sesquiterpene contained a novel linear carbon skeleton.Extracts of two Mexican Muricea species, M. fungifera and M. austera, contained three known germacrane derivatives, which had previ­ously been isolated from a terrestrial plant.A comparative natural products investigation of two local Muri­ species yielded the known sterol, ergosterol peroxide, from both Muricea californica and Muricea fruticosa. In addition, only the less fouled Muricea fruticosa contained four new esterified aminosugar sapo­nin derivatives. These compounds inhibit the growth of the marine diatom, Phaedactylum tricornutum, at concentrations comparable to those found in the gorgonian tissue. This result may indicate possible roles for these compounds in preferentially reducing fouling on the surfaces of Muricea fruticosa

Natural Product Studies of Selected East Pacific Gorgonians

Gorgonian corals commonly occur in great numbers and diversity inthe Caribbean, east Pacific and Indo-Pacific. Previous natural pro­duct investigations of Caribbean gorgonians have yielded a plethora of structurally and biologically unique compounds. These include diter­penes, sesquiterpenes, sterols and prostaglandins. Prior to this inves­tigation, very little was known about the natural products composition of the east Pacific Gorgonacea. This dissertation reports the isolation and structure elucidation of twenty-seven natural products from fifteen species of east Pacific gorgonians. Twenty of the compounds described are new and seven were previously known from other marine and terres­trial sources. The gorgonians studied were collected off the coast of southern California and Pacific Mexico, and in the Gulf of California. The structures of all of the compounds were elucidated by combined chem­ical and spectroscopic methods.Examination of the extracts of four Lophogorgia species resulted in the isolation of a new neuromuscular toxin, lophotoxin, and six related furanocembrenolide compounds. Lophotoxin acts specifically and irreversibly at low concentrations to block indirect nerve stimulated muscle contraction. One of the Lophogorgia species studied, L. alba, also contained three new 1,4-diketone cembrenolides.Eugorgia forreri, collected in the Gulf of California, possessed two cembrane-diterpenes which were previously isolated from a soft coral collected in Canton Atoll.An investigation of the natural products composition of five Pacifigorgia species yielded seven sesquiterpene-derived metabolites. Six of the seven compounds possessed familiar germacrane, cadinane and guaiane ring systems. The remaining sesquiterpene contained a novel linear carbon skeleton.Extracts of two Mexican Muricea species, M. fungifera and M. austera, contained three known germacrane derivatives, which had previ­ously been isolated from a terrestrial plant.A comparative natural products investigation of two local Muri­ species yielded the known sterol, ergosterol peroxide, from both Muricea californica and Muricea fruticosa. In addition, only the less fouled Muricea fruticosa contained four new esterified aminosugar sapo­nin derivatives. These compounds inhibit the growth of the marine diatom, Phaedactylum tricornutum, at concentrations comparable to those found in the gorgonian tissue. This result may indicate possible roles for these compounds in preferentially reducing fouling on the surfaces of Muricea fruticosa

Meeting the Transition Needs of Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Youth through Culturally Based Services

This article reports findings from three qualitative studies exploring supports for positive transitions of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth to adulthood. Community-based participatory methods were employed through a research partnership involving a culturally based community agency, the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), the National Indian Child Welfare Association, and Portland State University. Studies utilized a Relational Worldview (RWV) framework, where well-being is understood as a balance among the domains of mind, body, spirit, and context. Collectively, findings demonstrate that NAYA employs culturally grounded interventions to overcome the traumatic histories and current oppressive conditions affecting low-income urban AI/AN youth with mental health challenges and to support their well-being and transition to adulthood. In addition, addressing the mental health and well-being of AI/AN youth in culturally appropriate ways involves consideration of all RWV domains. Recommendations for behavioral health practice are to connect AI/AN youth to culturally specific services whenever possible, utilize cultural consultants, and implement holistic and positive approaches to mental health

“I Bloomed Here”: A Guide for Conducting Photovoice with Youth Receiving Culturally- and Community-based Services

Photovoice (PV) is a way to get young people engaged in their communities and be featured as “experts on their own lives” (Wang, et al., 2004). The process involves giving youth cameras they can use to document the realities of their day-to-day experiences and highlight the strengths and challenges within their communities. The photographs they take and the stories that emerge from small group discussions around the pictures are used to engage in important discussions with policymakers, community leaders, and power brokers within the community in order to promote positive change. In this guide we have provided helpful strategies based on lessons learned from the youth who participated in our photovoice project as well as from knowledge we gained from the day-to-day experience of implementing a photovoice project