Identifying Subtypes of Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: An MMPI-2 Cluster Analysis

This paper investigated subtypes of women childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors through a cluster analysis of their Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical and validity scales. Participants were 117 women in outpatient treatment for CSA aftereffects at a university-affiliated community mental health center. Three well-fitting MMPI-2 cluster solutions were evaluated with discriminant analyses and MANOVAs; a 5-cluster solution was deemed optimal. Follow-up analyses demonstrated significant between-cluster differences on the Impact of Event Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Dissociative Experiences Scale, and nearly all Symptom Checklist-90-Revised subscales. No differences emerged when comparing clusters on the Family Environment Scale and their CSA characteristics. Implications were considered for research and clinical practice, using the MMPI-2 with CSA survivors

N-acyl dehydroalanines scavenge oxygen radicals and inhibit in vitro free radical mediated processes.

N-substituted dehydroalanines react with and scavenge oxygen radicals. One of those compounds, the para-methoxyphenylacetyl dehydroalanine derivative, indexed as AD-5, inhibits the reduction of ferricytochrome c by superoxide anion (O2-.). It can also inhibit the oxidation of linolenic acid, another chemical process, which is mediated by hydroxyl radical (HO.). Furthermore, microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by iron salts was also inhibited by AD 5, but with a different degree of efficacy. In fact, lipid peroxidation initiated by a ferrous-oxygen complex (as in iron/NADPH-dependent peroxidation) was inhibited by AD 5 in a range of concentration of 2-4 mM. On the contrary, iron/NADPH-independent lipid peroxidation, where alkoxy radicals (RO.) have principally been involved, was inhibited in a range of concentration of 6-10 mM. The ESR studies by using the spin trapping agent DMPO, show that AD-5 reacts with HO. with a second order constant of 2.8 X 10(9)-4.5 X 10(9) M-1 s-1

Decoding Hematopoietic Specificity in the Helix-Loop-Helix Domain of the Transcription Factor SCL/Tal-1

The helix-loop-helix (HLH) domain is employed by many transcription factors that control cell fate choice in multiple developmental settings. Previously, we demonstrated that the HLH domain of the class II basic HLH (bHLH) protein SCL/Tal-1 is critical for hematopoietic specification. We have now identified residues in this domain that are essential for restoring hematopoietic development to SCL(−/−) embryonic stem cells and sufficient to convert a muscle-specific HLH domain to one able to rescue hematopoiesis. Most of these critical residues are distributed in the loop of SCL, with one in helix 2. This is in contrast to the case for MyoD, the prototype of class II bHLH proteins, where the loop seems to serve mainly as a linker between the two helices. Among the identified residues, some promote heterodimerization with the bHLH partners of SCL (E12/E47), while others, unimportant for this property, are still crucial for the biological function of SCL. Importantly, the residue in helix 2 specifically promotes interaction with a known partner of SCL, the LIM-only protein LMO2, a finding that strengthens genetic evidence that these proteins interact. Our data highlight the functional complexity of bHLH proteins, provide mechanistic insight into SCL function, and strongly support the existence of an active SCL/LMO2-containing multiprotein complex in early hematopoietic cells

An investigation into the application and maintenance of Hamilton Russell traction on three orthopaedic wards

Investigates the application and maintenance of Hamilton Russell traction on three orthopedic wards. Use of the Hamilton Russell traction in the treatment of fractures of the femur; Level of knowledge in nurses working in an orthopedic area; Establishment of the theoretical traction using mathematics

Pseudomonas aeruginosa sabotages the generation of host proresolving lipid mediators

Recurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections coupled with robust, damaging neutrophilic inflammation characterize the chronic lung disease cystic fibrosis (CF). The proresolving lipid mediator, 15-epi lipoxin A4 (15-epi LXA4), plays a critical role in limiting neutrophil activation and tissue inflammation, thus promoting the return to tissue homeostasis. Here, we show that a secreted P. aeruginosa epoxide hydrolase, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator inhibitory factor (Cif), can disrupt 15-epi LXA4 transcellular biosynthesis and function. In the airway, 15-epi LXA4 production is stimulated by the epithelial-derived eicosanoid 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET). Cif sabotages the production of 15-epi LXA4 by rapidly hydrolyzing 14,15-EET into its cognate diol, eliminating a proresolving signal that potently suppresses IL-8-driven neutrophil transepithelial migration in vitro. Retrospective analyses of samples from patients with CF supported the translational relevance of these preclinical findings. Elevated levels of Cif in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were correlated with lower levels of 15-epi LXA4, increased IL-8 concentrations, and impaired lung function. Together, these findings provide structural, biochemical, and immunological evidence that the bacterial epoxide hydrolase Cif disrupts resolution pathways during bacterial lung infections. The data also suggest that Cif contributes to sustained pulmonary inflammation and associated loss of lung function in patients with CF

Amyloid deposition detected with florbetapir F 18 (18F-AV-45) is related to lower episodic memory performance in clinically normal older individuals

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of amyloid burden, as assessed by florbetapir F 18 (18F-AV-45) amyloid positron emission tomography, and cognition in healthy older control (HC) subjects. Seventy-eight HC subjects were assessed with a brief cognitive test battery and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 18F-AV-45. A standard uptake value ratio was computed for mean data from 6 cortical regions using a whole cerebellum reference region. Scans were also visually rated as amyloid positive or amyloid negative by 3 readers. Higher standard uptake value ratio correlated with lower immediate memory (r = 0.33; p = 0.003) and delayed recall scores (r = 0.25; p = 0.027). Performance on immediate recall was also lower in the visually rated amyloid positive compared with amyloid negative HC (p = 0.04), with a similar trend observed in delayed recall (p = 0.06). These findings support the hypothesis that higher amyloid burden is associated with lower memory performance among clinically normal older subjects. Longitudinal follow-up is ongoing to determine whether 18F-AV-45 may also predict subsequent cognitive decline. © 2013 Elsevier Inc