Understanding African American Male Inmates’ Decisions to Seek Mental Health Treatment While Incarcerated

Incarceration in United States correctional facilities has significantly increased in the past decade (The Pew Charitable Trust, 2009). African American adult males are more likely to be incarcerated compared to all other major ethnic groups (U.S. Department of Justice, 2010). One of the current challenges experienced within correctional facilities is the need to provide appropriate mental health treatment services (U.S. Department of Justice, 2011). Studies have noted the need for such services, however, African American adult males generally are not likely to utilize these services (Morgan et al., 2004). In the general (not incarcerated) population, research has found that cultural mistrust (Ward, Clark, and Heidrich, 2009) and mental health stigma (Deane, Skogstad, and Williams, 1999) are barriers to utilization of mental health services by African Americans. However, there is insufficient research examining reasons why African American adult male inmates underutilize mental health services while incarcerated. The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influence African American male inmates’ decisions to seek mental health treatment while incarcerated. Twelve African American males who reported depressive symptoms at intake but who had not sought mental health services were interviewed. Topics explored in the study included (a) how participants defined and described symptoms of mental health problems, (b) participants’ experience of engaging in mental health treatment, (c) participants’ awareness of mental health treatment options during current incarceration, and (d) participants’ general views of mental health treatment for inmates. Grounded theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1990) was used to analyze all data. Results revealed several major themes, including: descriptions of symptoms commonly associated with mental health problems, positive benefits of mental health treatment, and barriers to seeking mental health treatment while incarcerated (e.g., participants’ preference for alternative copings styles, a lack of trust and fear about mental health treatment staff). Participants’ narratives and the overall themes that emerged helped to provide an understanding of the reasons why African American inmates may or may not choose to utilize services in prison when experiencing symptoms of depression. Limitations of the study, as well as implications and directions for future research will be discussed

Obituaries - Rezneat Milton Darnell, Jr. (1924-2009) and Royal Dallas Sutkus (1920-2009)

Obituaries of Rezneat Milton Darnell, Jr. and Royal Dallas Suttkus

HCV Innate Immune Responses

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) establishes a persistent infection in more than 70% of infected individuals. This striking ability to evade the powerful innate immune system results from viral interference occurring at several levels of the interferon (IFN) system. There is strong evidence from cell culture experiments that HCV can inhibit the induction of IFNβ by cleaving important proteins in the virus sensory pathways of cells such as MAVS and TRIF. There is also evidence that HCV interferes with IFNα signaling through the Jak-STAT pathway, and that HCV proteins target IFN effector systems such as protein kinase R (PKR). These in vitro findings will have to be confirmed in clinical trials investigating the molecular mechanisms of HCV interference with the innate immune system in liver samples

17. H. Vikis, unpublished results

growth factor stimulation, and ROS is known to activate Src and Jak family kinases (11, 23, 24). Thus, Rac1 may both localize STAT3 to kinase complexes and contribute to the activation of the kinases themselves. References and Notes 1. J. E. Darnell Jr., Science 277, 1630 (1997). 2. J. N. Ihle et al., Trends Biochem. Sci. 19, 222 (1994). 3. K. Shuai et al., Cell 76, 821 (1994). 4. T. E. Hayes, A. M. Kitchen, B. H. Cochran, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 1272 To define the cell type(s) from which the daf-2 insulinlike signaling pathway functions to control C. elegans life-span, metabolism, and development, we restored daf-2 pathway function to restricted cell types by using distinct promoters to express daf-2 or age-1 cDNAs in either neurons, intestine, or muscle cells of a daf-2 or age-1 mutant (16 -22). Long life-span, metabolic changes, and dauer arrest were tested in these transgenic animals The long life-span of daf-2 and age-1 mutants was rescued by neuronal expression of daf-2 or age-1, respectively, with the panneuronal unc-14 promoter (16, 24). Neuronally restricted age-1 expression fully restored wild-type adult life-span to an age-1(mg44) null mutan

Requirement of histone deacetylase1 (HDAC1) in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) nucleocytoplasmic distribution

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling, mediating the acute-phase induction of the human Angiotensinogen (hAGT) gene in hepatocytes. We showed earlier that IL-6 induces acetylation of the STAT3 NH2-terminus by the recruitment of the p300 coactivator. We had also observed a physical interaction of STAT3 and Histone Deacetylase1 (HDAC1) in an IL-6-dependent manner that leads to transcriptional repression. In this study, we sought to elucidate the mechanism by which HDAC1 controls STAT3 transcriptional activity. Here, we mapped the interacting domains of both STAT3 and HDAC1 and found that the COOH-terminal domain of HDAC1 is necessary for IL-6-induced STAT3 transcriptional repression, whereas the NH2-terminal acetylation domain of STAT3 is required for HDAC1 binding. Interestingly, over expression of HDAC1 in HepG2 cells leads to significantly reduced amounts of nuclear STAT3 after IL-6 induction, whereas silencing of HDAC1 resulted in accumulation of total and acetylated STAT3 in the nucleus. We have found that HDAC1 knockdown also interferes with the responsiveness of the STAT3-dependent MCP1 target gene expression to IL-6, as confirmed by real-time RT–PCR analysis. Together, our study reveals the novel functional consequences of IL-6-induced STAT3-HDAC1 interaction on nucleocytoplasmic distribution of STAT3

Necdin, a Negative Growth Regulator, Is a Novel STAT3 Target Gene Down-Regulated in Human Cancer

Cytokine and growth factor signaling pathways involving STAT3 are frequently constitutively activated in many human primary tumors, and are known for the transcriptional role they play in controlling cell growth and cell cycle progression. However, the extent of STAT3's reach on transcriptional control of the genome as a whole remains an important question. We predicted that this persistent STAT3 signaling affects a wide variety of cellular functions, many of which still remain to be characterized. We took a broad approach to identify novel STAT3 regulated genes by examining changes in the genome-wide gene expression profile by microarray, using cells expressing constitutively-activated STAT3. Using computational analysis, we were able to define the gene expression profiles of cells containing activated STAT3 and identify candidate target genes with a wide range of biological functions. Among these genes we identified Necdin, a negative growth regulator, as a novel STAT3 target gene, whose expression is down-regulated at the mRNA and protein levels when STAT3 is constitutively active. This repression is STAT3 dependent, since inhibition of STAT3 using siRNA restores Necdin expression. A STAT3 DNA-binding site was identified in the Necdin promoter and both EMSA and chromatin immunoprecipitation confirm binding of STAT3 to this region. Necdin expression has previously been shown to be down-regulated in a melanoma and a drug-resistant ovarian cancer cell line. Further analysis of Necdin expression demonstrated repression in a STAT3-dependent manner in human melanoma, prostate and breast cancer cell lines. These results suggest that STAT3 coordinates expression of genes involved in multiple metabolic and biosynthetic pathways, integrating signals that lead to global transcriptional changes and oncogenesis. STAT3 may exert its oncogenic effect by up-regulating transcription of genes involved in promoting growth and proliferation, but also by down-regulating expression of negative regulators of the same cellular processes, such as Necdin

Social, Economic, and Political Events Affect Gender Equity in China, Nepal, and Nicaragua: A Matched, Interrupted Time-Series Study

: Progress in gender equity can improve health at the individual and country levels.: This study\u27s objective was to analyze recent trends in gender equity and identify historical and contextual factors that contributed to changes in gender equity in three countries: China, Nepal, and Nicaragua.: To assess gender equity trends, we used the Gender Gap Index (GGI) from the World Economic Forum\u27s Global Gender Gap Report (2006-2017). The GGI incorporated data on economic participation, educational attainment, health, and political empowerment for almost 150 countries. We selected China, Nepal, and Nicaragua because of their major changes in GGI and diversity in geographical location and economic status. We reviewed major social, economic, and political events during 2006-2017, and identified key events in each country. We compared countries\u27 GGI with matched controls average using interrupted time-series analysis.: Nepal and Nicaragua both had dramatic increases in GGI (improvement in equity), Nepal (β = 0.029; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.056) and Nicaragua (β = 0.035; 95% CI: 0.005, 0.065). This was strongly influenced by political empowerment, which likely impacted access to education and employment opportunities. Despite major economic growth and new policies to address gender inequities (e.g. the One-Child Policy), China saw a significant decline in GGI between 2010 and 2017 (β = -0.014; 95% CI: -0.024, -0.004), largely resulting from decreased gender equity in educational attainment, economic participation, and health/survival sub-indices.: Key social, economic, and political events helped explain trends in countries\u27 gender equity. Our study suggested that supportive social and political environments would play important roles in empowering women, which would advance human rights and promote health and well-being of individuals, households, communities, and countries

National Nutrition Strategies That Focus on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition in Southeast Asia Do Not Consistently Align With Regional and International Recommendations

We examined the consistency of national nutrition strategies and action plans (NNS) focusing on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition in Southeast Asia with regional and international recommendations. Between July and December 2017, we identified and extracted information on context, objectives, interventions, indicators, strategies, and coordination mechanisms from the most recent NNS in nine Southeast Asian countries. All NNS described context, objectives, and the following interventions: antenatal care, micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy, breastfeeding promotion, improved complementary feeding, nutrition in emergencies, and food fortification or dietary diversity. Micronutrient supplementation for young children was included in eight NNS; breastfeeding promotion during pregnancy and support at birth in seven; and school feeding, deworming, and treatment of severe acute malnutrition in six. All NNS contained programme monitoring and evaluation plans with measurable indicators and targets. Not all NNS covered wasting, exclusive breastfeeding, low birthweight, and childhood overweight. Strategies for achieving NNS goals and objectives were health system strengthening (nine), social and behaviour change communication (nine), targeting vulnerable groups (eight), and social or community mobilization (four). All addressed involvement, roles and responsibilities, and collaboration mechanisms among sectors and stakeholders. There was a delay in releasing NNS in Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. In conclusion, although Southeast Asian NNS have similarities in structure and contents, some interventions and indicators vary by country and do not consistently align with regional and international recommendations. A database with regularly updated information on NNS components would facilitate cross-checking completeness within a country, comparison across countries, and knowledge sharing and learning