Differences among African American Junior High School Students: The Effects of Skin Tone on Ethnic Identity, Self-Esteem and Cross-Cultural Behavior

This article explains the results of a study conducted to assess differences among African American adolescents based on skin tone. It was hypothesized that students would demonstrate differences in self-esteem, ethnic identity and cross-cultural coping strategies based on their skin tones. 144 African American adolescents completed research packets. Results of ANOVA did not suggest any differences among the students on selfesteem, ethnic identity, or cross cultural interaction behaviors. However, significant correlations were found between self-esteem and ethnic identity and between self-esteem and cross cultural interaction behaviors. Implications for counseling and education are discussed

Racial Differences in the Impact of Adolescent Depression on Families in TADS

This manuscript examines racial differences in the impact of adolescent depression between White, African American, and Latino families. Findings are from the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS), a multi-site clinical research study evaluating the efficacy of CBT and Fluoxetine for treating adolescents with major depressive disorder. Primary caretakers of 439 adolescents with depression were interviewed. Results demonstrated that compared to White families, African American and Latino families were more likely to report increased feelings of tiredness or anergia (p\u3c.05) and more physical health problems (p\u3c.01) associated with caring for a depressed teen. The conclusion suggests the need for a better understanding of depression in people and families of color and offers recommendations for further research

Targeting tobacco in a community-based addiction recovery cohort: Results from a computerized, brief, randomized intervention trial

Introduction. Nearly 80% of substance dependent individuals also use tobacco, and smoking cessation efforts during treatment for other substance use is associated with similar or even improved outcomes. However, smoking cessation is not routinely addressed during treatment for substance use disorders. The present study tested a computerized brief motivational intervention (C-BMI) for smoking cessation in an understudied population: a cohort recruited from a recovery community organization (RCO) center. Methods. Following baseline assessment, participants were randomly assigned to either a 30-minute C-BMI plus access to free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), or an information-only control group plus NRT access. Results. Reductions in CO were observed for both groups. Quit rates in the C-BMI group (5%-7%, vs. 0% for the control group) approximated those observed elsewhere for physician advice and minimal counseling. Participants in the C-BMI group were also more likely to express a desire to quit. Conclusions. Computer-delivered smoking cessation interventions within RCOs appear feasible. These organizations treat a wide variety of individuals, and C-BMIs for smoking in this context have the potential to reduce smoking-related morbidity and mortality

The Collaborative Design Virtual Environment (CDVE)

In any construction project, designers are responsible to propose and develop designs based on the owner’s requirement. Designs are primarily produced and presented in the form of 2D CAD drawings that can later be used by the builder to erect the facility. Nowadays, as technologies improve, the complexity of building designs also increases. Designs are produced by various designers residing either within the same firm, outsourced, or through collaboration of many design firms. Due to this nature of production of designs, effective communication and collaboration among individuals involved are important. Current design collaboration tools are mostly in non real time fashion and the designs are not in 3D. This video presents an application currently under development to support real-time design collaboration in a virtual environment (VE). This application is called the ‘Collaborative Design Virtual Environment’ or ‘CDVE’. The CDVE support many collaborative real time 3D interactions such as moving, rotating, scaling, hiding, duplicate 3D object that exist in the VE

An Overview of Two-Component Signal Transduction Systems Implicated in Extra-Intestinal Pathogenic E. coli Infections

Extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) infections are common in mammals and birds. The predominant ExPEC types are avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), neonatal meningitis causing E. coli/meningitis associated E. coli (NMEC/MAEC), and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). Many reviews have described current knowledge on ExPEC infection strategies and virulence factors, especially for UPEC. However, surprisingly little has been reported on the regulatory modules that have been identified as critical in ExPEC pathogenesis. Two-component systems (TCSs) comprise the predominant method by which bacteria respond to changing environments and play significant roles in modulating bacterial fitness in diverse niches. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of manipulating signal transduction systems as a means to chemically re-wire bacterial pathogens, thereby reducing selective pressure and avoiding the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This review begins by providing a brief introduction to characterized infection strategies and common virulence factors among APEC, NMEC, and UPEC and continues with a comprehensive overview of two-component signal transduction networks that have been shown to influence ExPEC pathogenesis

Validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for analyzing cannabinoids in oral fluid.

A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for quantifying ten cannabinoids in oral fluid (OF). This method utilizes OF collected by the Quantisal™ device and concurrently quantifies cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC (11-OH-THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC (THC-COOH), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC glucuronide (THC-COOH-gluc), Δ9-THC glucuronide (THC-gluc), cannabigerol (CBG), tetrahydrocannabiverin (THCV), and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A). Solid phase extraction was optimized using Oasis Prime HLB 30 mg 96-well plates. Cannabinoids were separated by liquid chromatography over a BEH C18 column and detected by a Waters TQ-S micro tandem mass spectrometer. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) were 0.4 ng/mL for CBN, CBD, THC, 11-OH-THC, THC-gluc, and THCV; and 1.0 ng/mL for THC-COOH, THC-COOH-gluc, CBG and THCA-A. Linear ranges extended to 2000 ng/mL for THC and 200 ng/mL for all other analytes. Inter-day analytical bias and imprecision at three levels of quality control (QC) was within ±15%. Mean extraction efficiencies ranged from 26.0-98.8%. Applicability of this method was tested using samples collected from individuals randomly assigned to smoke either a joint containing <0.1%, 5.9%, or 13.4% THC content. This method was able to identify and calculate the concentration of 6 of 10 cannabinoids validated in this method

A simple method for construction of pir+ Enterobacterial hosts for maintenance of R6K replicon plasmids

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The R6K replicon is one of the best studied bacterial plasmid replicons. Replication of the R6K plasmid and derivatives harboring its γ origin of replication (<it>ori</it>_R6Kγ) is dependent on the <it>pir </it>gene-encoded π protein. Originally encoded by R6K, this protein is usually provided <it>in trans </it>in hosts engineered to support replication of plasmids harboring <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ. In <it>Escherichia coli </it>this is commonly achieved by chromosomal integration of <it>pir </it>either via lysogenization with a λ<it>pir </it>phage or homologous recombination at a pre-determined locus.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Current methods for construction of host strains for <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ-containing plasmids involve procedures that do not allow selection for presence of the <it>pir </it>gene and require cumbersome and time-consuming screening steps. In this study, we established a mini-Tn<it>7</it>-based method for rapid and reliable construction of <it>pir</it>⁺host strains. Using a curable mini-Tn<it>7 </it>delivery plasmid, <it>pir </it>expressing derivatives of several commonly used <it>E. coli </it>cloning and mobilizer strains were isolated using both the wild-type <it>pir⁺</it>gene as well as the copy-up <it>pir-116 </it>allele. In addition, we isolated <it>pir</it>⁺and <it>pir-116 </it>expressing derivatives of a clinical isolate of <it>Salmonella enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium. In both <it>E. coli </it>and <it>S. enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium, the presence of the <it>pir⁺</it>wild-type or <it>pir-116 </it>alleles allowed the replication of <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ-containing plasmids.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A mini-Tn<it>7 </it>system was employed for rapid and reliable engineering of <it>E. coli </it>and <it>S. enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium host strains for plasmids containing <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ. Since mini-Tn7 elements transpose in most, if not all, Gram negative bacteria, we anticipate that with relatively minor modifications this newly established method will for the first time allow engineering of other bacterial species to enable replication of plasmids with <it>ori</it>_R6Kγ.</p

Validation of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to detect cannabinoids in whole blood and breath.

Background The widespread availability of cannabis raises concerns regarding its effect on driving performance and operation of complex equipment. Currently, there are no established safe driving limits regarding ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations in blood or breath. Daily cannabis users build up a large body burden of THC with residual excretion for days or weeks after the start of abstinence. Therefore, it is critical to have a sensitive and specific analytical assay that quantifies THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, and multiple metabolites to improve interpretation of cannabinoids in blood; some analytes may indicate recent use. Methods A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to quantify THC, cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD), 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), (±)-11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC (THCCOOH), (+)-11-nor-Δ9-THC-9-carboxylic acid glucuronide (THCCOOH-gluc), cannabigerol (CBG), and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) in whole blood (WB). WB samples were prepared by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and quantified by LC-MS/MS. A rapid and simple method involving methanol elution of THC in breath collected in SensAbues® devices was optimized. Results Lower limits of quantification ranged from 0.5 to 2 μg/L in WB. An LLOQ of 80 pg/pad was achieved for THC concentrations in breath. Calibration curves were linear (R2&gt;0.995) with calibrator concentrations within ±15% of their target and quality control (QC) bias and imprecision ≤15%. No major matrix effects or drug interferences were observed. Conclusions The methods were robust and adequately quantified cannabinoids in biological blood and breath samples. These methods will be used to identify cannabinoid concentrations in an upcoming study of the effects of cannabis on driving

Ethnic Differences Among Adolescents Beginning Treatment for Depression

Abstract: This study examines ethnic/racial differences at the start of treatment among participants in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). African American and Latino youth were compared to Caucasian youth on symptom presentation and cognitive variables associated with depression. Contrary to hypothesis, there were no significant differences in symptom presentation as measured by the interviewbased items of the Children&apos;s Depression Rating Scale -Revised (CDRS-R). However, African American and Latino youth were both rated as demonstrating more severe symptoms on the observational items of the CDRS-R compared to Caucasian youth. In terms of cognitive variables associated with depression, African Americans reported fewer negative cognitive biases compared to Caucasians, but cognitive biases were significantly correlated with depression severity across ethnic groups

Positive and negative well-being and objectively measured sedentary behaviour in older adults: evidence from three cohorts

Background: Sedentary behaviour is related to poorer health independently of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether wellbeing or symptoms of anxiety or depression predict sedentary behaviour in older adults. Method: Participants were drawn from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936) (n = 271), and the West of Scotland Twenty-07 1950s (n = 309) and 1930s (n = 118) cohorts. Sedentary outcomes, sedentary time, and number of sit-to-stand transitions, were measured with a three-dimensional accelerometer (activPAL activity monitor) worn for 7 days. In the Twenty-07 cohorts, symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed in 2008 and sedentary outcomes were assessed ~ 8 years later in 2015 and 2016. In the LBC1936 cohort, wellbeing and symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed concurrently with sedentary behaviour in 2015 and 2016. We tested for an association between wellbeing, anxiety or depression and the sedentary outcomes using multivariate regression analysis. Results: We observed no association between wellbeing or symptoms of anxiety and the sedentary outcomes. Symptoms of depression were positively associated with sedentary time in the LBC1936 and Twenty-07 1950s cohort, and negatively associated with number of sit-to-stand transitions in the LBC1936. Meta-analytic estimates of the association between depressive symptoms and sedentary time or number of sit-to-stand transitions, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, long-standing illness, and education, were β = 0.11 (95% CI = 0.03, 0.18) and β = − 0.11 (95% CI = − 0.19, −0.03) respectively. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that depressive symptoms are positively associated with sedentary behavior. Future studies should investigate the causal direction of this association