An Examination of Error in the Application of Pubic Aging Techniques

This study examined six methods of skeletal age-at-death estimation from the pubic symphysis in order to determine the significance of sex as a contributing source of error to the inaccuracy of each method. These six methods included Todd (1920), McKern-Stewart (1957), Gilbert-McKern (1973), Hanihara-Suzuki (1978), Suchey-Brooks female-specific (Brooks and Suchey 1990), Suchey-Brooks male-specific (Brooks and Suchey 1990), and the Berg female-specific Suchey-Brooks 7th phase addition (2008). Three hundred and ninety-six individuals were randomly selected from the William M. Bass (WMB) Donated Skeletal Collection housed at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and were evaluated without knowledge of actual age for age-at-death in six observations, one for each method. These data were combined, re-associated with data on the age and sex of each individual, and both bias and inaccuracy were calculated for each method. Independent samples t-tests for equality of means were used to determine the significance of the difference between mean bias and inaccuracy across male and female sex categories. The results of this study suggest that average inaccuracy was not significantly different between males and females for any of the tested methods. This is interesting considering the extensive body of research that has suggested that the range of variation for the female pubic symphysis is greater than for males for reasons such as dimorphic pelvic morphology, parturition (childbirth), and greater rates of osteoporosis. The Berg 7th phase addition to the Suchey-Brooks method did not perform as well as initial tests suggested, and based on the results of this study, this addition should not be considered preferable to the original six-phase Suchey-Brooks female-specific method. Overall, the two Suchey-Brooks methods performed best in terms of coverage, though the results of this study suggest that male- and female-specific methods may not significantly improve accuracy. As aging techniques based on isolated American samples are increasingly globally applied, research on the specific nature of the weaknesses of each method becomes critical. It is hoped that the results of this study will help to clarify the contribution of sex as a proposed source of error in addition to providing direction for further research

Preface: proceedings of the 13th IASWS international conference

This short article forms the preface to the Proceedings of the 13th IASWS conference held in Grahamstown in July 2014. It provides a background to the conference, a synthesis of the 15 published papers published in the special issue of JSS and a poem - written and read by Harry Owen on the opening night of the conference

Experimental determination of photostability and fluorescence-based detection of PAHs on the Martian surface

Even in the absence of any biosphere on Mars, organic molecules, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are expected on its surface due to delivery by comets and meteorites of extraterrestrial organics synthesized by astrochemistry, or perhaps in situ synthesis in ancient prebiotic chemistry. Any organic compounds exposed to the unfiltered solar ultraviolet spectrum or oxidizing surface conditions would have been readily destroyed, but discoverable caches of Martian organics may remain shielded in the subsurface or within surface rocks. We have studied the stability of three representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Mars chamber, emulating the ultraviolet spectrum of unfiltered sunlight under temperature and pressure conditions of the Martian surface. Fluorescence spectroscopy is used as a sensitive indicator of remaining PAH concentration for laboratory quantification of molecular degradation rates once exposed on the Martian surface. Fluorescence-based instrumentation has also been proposed as an effective surveying method for prebiotic organics on the Martian surface. We find the representative PAHs, anthracene, pyrene, and perylene, to have persistence half-lives once exposed on the Martian surface of between 25 and 60 h of noontime summer UV irradiation, as measured by fluorescence at their peak excitation wavelength. This equates to between 4 and 9.6 sols when the diurnal cycle of UV light intensity on the Martian surface is taken into account, giving a substantial window of opportunity for detection of organic fluorescence before photodegradation. This study thus supports the use of fluorescence-based instrumentation for surveying recently exposed material (such as from cores or drill tailings) for native Martian organic molecules in rover missions

Psychosocial impact of undergoing prostate cancer screening for men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

OBJECTIVES: To report the baseline results of a longitudinal psychosocial study that forms part of the IMPACT study, a multi-national investigation of targeted prostate cancer (PCa) screening among men with a known pathogenic germline mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. PARTICPANTS AND METHODS: Men enrolled in the IMPACT study were invited to complete a questionnaire at collaborating sites prior to each annual screening visit. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and the following measures: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Impact of Event Scale (IES), 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer, Cancer Worry Scale-Revised, risk perception and knowledge. The results of the baseline questionnaire are presented. RESULTS: A total of 432 men completed questionnaires: 98 and 160 had mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, respectively, and 174 were controls (familial mutation negative). Participants' perception of PCa risk was influenced by genetic status. Knowledge levels were high and unrelated to genetic status. Mean scores for the HADS and SF-36 were within reported general population norms and mean IES scores were within normal range. IES mean intrusion and avoidance scores were significantly higher in BRCA1/BRCA2 carriers than in controls and were higher in men with increased PCa risk perception. At the multivariate level, risk perception contributed more significantly to variance in IES scores than genetic status. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to report the psychosocial profile of men with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations undergoing PCa screening. No clinically concerning levels of general or cancer-specific distress or poor quality of life were detected in the cohort as a whole. A small subset of participants reported higher levels of distress, suggesting the need for healthcare professionals offering PCa screening to identify these risk factors and offer additional information and support to men seeking PCa screening

Web-based Cognitive-behavioral Intervention for Pain in Pediatric Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis: Protocol of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial from the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer (CPDPC)

Introduction Abdominal pain is common and is associated with high disease burden and health care costs in pediatric acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis (ARP/CP). Despite the strong central component of pain in ARP/CP and the efficacy of psychological therapies for other centralized pain syndromes, no studies have evaluated psychological pain interventions in children with ARP/CP. The current trial seeks to 1) evaluate the efficacy of a psychological pain intervention for pediatric ARP/CP, and 2) examine baseline patient-specific genetic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics that may predict or moderate treatment response. Methods This single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trial aims to enroll 260 youth (ages 10–18) with ARP/CP and their parents from twenty-one INSPPIRE (INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE) centers. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a web-based cognitive behavioral pain management intervention (Web-based Management of Adolescent Pain Chronic Pancreatitis; WebMAP; N = 130) or to a web-based pain education program (WebED; N = 130). Assessments will be completed at baseline (T1), immediately after completion of the intervention (T2) and at 6 months post-intervention (T3). The primary study outcome is abdominal pain severity. Secondary outcomes include pain-related disability, pain interference, health-related quality of life, emotional distress, impact of pain, opioid use, and healthcare utilization. Conclusions This is the first clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a psychological pain intervention for children with CP for reduction of abdominal pain and improvement of health-related quality of life. Findings will inform delivery of web-based pain management and potentially identify patient-specific biological and psychosocial factors associated with favorable response to therapy

Systemic Consultation in Intellectual Disability Case Management

Systemic consultation is a form of tertiary case supervision derived from the principles of systemic family therapy. The present study defines the process and outcomes of systemic consultation through the experiences of case managers (CMs) working with people who have an intellectual disability. CMs were invited to present and discuss one of their complex cases with a team of consultants and attend a follow up session 4 to 6 weeks later. Measures of levels of stress, perception of workplace functioning, and workflow information were completed pre and post-intervention and compared to measures completed by a second group of CMs receiving regular supervision only. After participation in systemic consultation, the networks of people CMs consulted about the case were significantly smaller and they scored significantly higher on a network measure of efficiency of information flow. The CMs experienced lower levels of stress and higher perception of workplace functioning, these differences approached significance. After attending the consultation outcome, themes included a reduced sense of being stuck and stressed, becoming an agent of change and taking perspective. The approach allows CMs space for reflection on practice and new perspectives to be heard. Case management has been under-represented in documented research and evidence-based training and supervision models, and is an area in which professional theory appears to be lacking

Selectively Reduced tat mRNA Heralds the Decline in Productive Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

The transcription and splicing of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mRNA in primary blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and CD4(+) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were compared to determine whether any differences might account for the slower noncytopathic infection of cells of the macrophage lineage. The expression of regulatory mRNAs during acute infection of MDM was delayed by about 12 h compared to that of PBL. In each cell type, an increase in spliced viral mRNAs slightly preceded virus production from the culture. Following the peak of productive infection, there was a proportional decrease in the expression of all regulatory mRNAs detected in PBL. In MDM, a dramatic additional decrease specifically in the tat mRNA species heralded a reduction in virus production. This decline in tat mRNA was reflected by a concomitant decrease in Tat activity in the cells and occurred with the same kinetics irrespective of the age of the cells when infected. Addition of exogenous Tat protein elicited a burst of virus production from persistently infected MDM, suggesting that the decrease in virus production from the cultures is a consequence of the reduction in tat mRNA levels. Our results show that modulation of HIV-1 mRNAs in macrophages during long-term infection, which is dependent on the period of infection rather than cell differentiation or maturation, results in a selective reduction of Tat protein levels at the commencement of a persistent, less productive phase of infection. Determination of the mechanism of this mRNA modulation may lead to novel targets for control of replication in these important viral reservoirs

Primary penile melanoma and genital lichen sclerosus

Abstract Background There is a well‐established association between squamous cell cancer and genital lichen sclerosus (GLSc). Although there have been several reported cases of vulval melanoma (MM) associated with LSc, particularly in the paediatric population, fewer cases of male genital (M) GLSc and penile (Pe)MM have been published. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore further the relationship between PeMM and MGLSc by reviewing all the cases managed by our multidisciplinary service over a finite period. Methods All patients known to our tertiary urology and male genital dermatology service with a diagnosis of PeMM and where histology was available for review were identified over an 11‐year period (2011–2022). The histology was reviewed by two independent, mutually ‘blinded’ histopathologists. Photographs and clinical notes, where available, were retrospectively reviewed by two independent dermatologists for signs or symptoms of LSc. Results Eleven patients with PeMM were identified for review. Histopathological examination found evidence of LSc in nine patients, and review of clinical photos corroborated the presence of LSc in three. Overall, features of LSc were present in nine out of eleven cases (82%). Conclusion The presence of LSc in 9 out of 11 cases of PeMM is suggestive of a causative relationship between LSc and PeMM. This may be due to chronic melanocytic distress created by chronic inflammation secondary to LSc