Rapamycin inhibits cell proliferation in type I and type II endometrial carcinomas: A search for biomarkers of sensitivity to treatment

Our goal was to evaluate the effect of rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, in type I and II human endometrial cancer tumor explants

School-based intervention to improve the mental health of low-income, secondary school students in Santiago, Chile (YPSA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Depression is common and can have devastating effects on the life of adolescents. Psychological interventions are the first-line for treating or preventing depression among adolescents. This proposal aims to evaluate a school-based, universal psychological intervention to reduce depressive symptoms among student's aged 13-14 attending municipal state secondary schools in Santiago, Chile.</p> <p>Study design</p> <p>This is a cluster randomised controlled trial with schools as the main clusters. We compared this intervention with a control group in a study involving 22 schools, 66 classes and approximately 2,600 students. Students in the active schools attended 11 weekly and 3 booster sessions of an intervention based on cognitive-behavioural models. The control schools received their usual but enhanced counselling sessions currently included in their curriculum. Mean depression scores and indicators of levels of functioning were assessed at 3 and 12 months after the completion of the intervention in order to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Direct and indirect costs were measured in both groups to assess the cost-effectiveness of this intervention.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>As far as we are aware this is the first cluster randomised controlled trial of a school intervention for depression among adolescents outside the Western world.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p><a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN19466209">ISRCTN19466209</a></p

Cuidando a los que cuidan: diseño e implementación de un programa multinivel y multicomponente para el apoyo psicosocial y atención en salud mental de los trabajadores de la salud durante la pandemia por COVID-19

The COVID 19 pandemic has brought social, economic, and health consequences around the world. Health workers are not only more exposed to contagion, but also to multiple emotional stressors and greater needs related to the care of their mental health. It is essential to develop strategies to ensure the well-being of health workers, which will have a relevant impact on the ability to respond to the health crisis. Method: An intervention strategy developed in the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile, the Emotional Health Support Program, formulated from the review of updated literature and experiences of other institutions, is presented and discussed. Results: A program composed of five levels of intervention aiming to detect and attend to needs related to mental health at different levels of complexity in an individual and group basis was formulated . Discussion: There is evidence that supports the need for care for specific groups in this pandemic, including health workers. The PASE program is a feasible intervention to support the health workers who are on the frontline of action in the COVID-19 pandemic.La pandemia COVID 19 ha traído consecuencias a nivel social, económico, y sanitario en todo el mundo. Los funcionarios de la salud no sólo se encuentran más expuestos al contagio, sino también a múltiples estresores emocionales y mayores necesidades relativas al cuidado de su salud mental. Es fundamental desarrollar estrategias para asegurar el bienestar del personal de salud, el cual tiene un impacto relevante en la capacidad de respuesta ante la crisis sanitaria. Método: Se presenta y discute una estrategia de intervención desarrollada en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, el Programa de Apoyo a la Salud Emocional, formulado a partir de la revisión de literatura actualizada y experiencias de otras instituciones. Resultados: Se formula un programa con cinco niveles de intervención, grupales e individuales, el cual permite detectar y atender necesidades relativas a la salud mental en distintos niveles de complejidad. Discusión: Hay evidencia que respalda la necesidad de cuidado de grupos específicos en esta pandemia, entre ellos los trabajadores de la salud. El programa PASE es un intento de los funcionarios del Hospital para apoyar la labor de sus colegas y trabajadores que se encuentran en el primer frente de acción ante la pandemia

Rapamycin inhibits cell proliferation in type I and type II endometrial carcinomas: A search for biomarkers of sensitivity to treatment

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to evaluate the effect of rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, in type I and II human endometrial cancer tumor explants. METHODS: Short-term tissue culture with fresh endometrial cancer tumor explants was performed. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTS assay after treatment with rapamycin. Akt and PTEN status were documented by Western blotting. The effect of rapamycin on phosphorylated-S6 and 4E-BP-1 was also assessed by Western blotting. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify hTERT mRNA expression. Telomere length was determined by terminal restriction fragment Southern blotting. RESULTS: Thirteen fresh endometrial cancer tumor explants (nine Type I, four Type II) were placed in short-term culture and treated with rapamycin. Nine of the endometrial cancer tumors responded to rapamycin, with a median IC(50) of 11.4 nM. Sensitivity to rapamycin was independent of PTEN and Akt status. Tumors (13/13) had a reduction in phosphorylated-S6 and 10/13 had a reduction in phosphorylated 4E-BP-1. Rapamycin decreased hTERT mRNA expression in all of the endometrial cancer tumors. Telomere length did not correspond with responsiveness to this drug. CONCLUSIONS: Rapamycin demonstrated activity in fresh endometrial tumor explants independent of PTEN and Akt status. Some tumors demonstrated a reduction in phosphorylated-S6 and 4E-BP-1 without a significant change in cellular proliferation, suggesting that additional pathways may modulate cellular proliferation. Thus, mTOR inhibitors may be a useful targeted therapy for both type I and type II endometrial cancers, but the search remains for a predictive biomarker of sensitivity to this therapy