The effects of anxiety and depression on the academic achievement of African American youth [abstract]

Abstract only availableMultiple factors might influence African American youths' academic performance, but few predictors have been subjected by empirical scrutiny. Anxiety and depression are documented as being negatively associated with academic achievement, yet research examining the relationship between these factors, specifically in black children is virtually nonexistent—especially since many black children are disproportionately subjected to economic and other stressors; including the effects of racism in educational and other settings. By focusing on the association of anxiety and depression with academic achievement, this study contributes to a decrement in the dearth of research on two factors that contribute to the disparities in academic achievement African American children experience. Data was collected from parent- and teacher-reports via the Behavioral Assessment for Children of African Heritage on children ages 6 to18 (i.e., identified as suffering from behavioral and emotional concerns and from the general population) in Michigan and New Jersey, (N =477). Structural equation modeling procedures revealed good model-to-data fit and that parent-and-teacher-reported child depression is negatively associated with academic achievement. The findings suggest that eradication of black children's depression and its effects might contribute to increments in their academic achievement

A study of the biosynthesis of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid

Washed cell preparations of Pseudomonas aureofaciens synthesize phenazine-1-carboxylic acid in a medium consisting of 0.2 M glycerol and 0.02 M-lysine. Experiments with C14-labeled substrates indicate that all of the carbon atoms in the phenazine-1-carboxylic acid are derived from glycerol. Anthranilic acid inhibits synthesis of this phenazine compound. Incorporation of label from H3-shikimic acid has been demonstrated. In addition, a decrease in the incorporation of label from glycerol-1,3-C14 into phenazine-1-carboxylic acid has been demonstrated in the presence of unlabeled shikimic acid.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32163/1/0000218.pd

Mixture of Fluids involving Entropy Gradients and Acceleration Waves in Interfacial Layers

Through an Hamiltonian action we write down the system of equations of motions for a mixture of thermocapillary fluids under the assumption that the internal energy is a function not only of the gradient of the densities but also of the gradient of the entropies of each component. A Lagrangian associated with the kinetic energy and the internal energy allows to obtain the equations of momentum for each component and for the barycentric motion of the mixture. We obtain also the balance of energy and we prove that the equations are compatible with the second law of thermodynamics. Though the system is of parabolic type, we prove that there exist two tangential acceleration waves that characterize the interfacial motion. The dependence of the internal energy of the entropy gradients is mandatory for the existence of this kind of waves. The differential system is non-linear but the waves propagate without distortion due to the fact that they are linearly degenerate (exceptional waves).Comment: 30 page

Human fibroblast and stem cell resource from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network

BACKGROUND: Mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and presenilin 2 (PSEN2) cause autosomal dominant forms of Alzheimer disease (ADAD). More than 280 pathogenic mutations have been reported in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2. However, understanding of the basic biological mechanisms that drive the disease are limited. The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) is an international observational study of APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 mutation carriers with the goal of determining the sequence of changes in presymptomatic mutation carriers who are destined to develop Alzheimer disease. RESULTS: We generated a library of 98 dermal fibroblast lines from 42 ADAD families enrolled in DIAN. We have reprogrammed a subset of the DIAN fibroblast lines into patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines. These cells were thoroughly characterized for pluripotency markers. CONCLUSIONS: This library represents a comprehensive resource that can be used for disease modeling and the development of novel therapeutics

Challenges and opportunities for increasing patient involvement in heart failure self-care programs and self-care in the post–hospital discharge period

Background: People living with heart failure (HF) are particularly vulnerable after hospital discharge. An alliance between patient authors, clinicians, industry, and co-developers of HF programs can represent an effective way to address the unique concerns and obstacles people living with HF face during this period. The aim of this narrative review article is to discuss challenges and opportunities of this approach, with the goal of improving participation and clinical outcomes of people living with HF. Methods: This article was co-authored by people living with HF, heart transplant recipients, patient advocacy representatives, cardiologists with expertise in HF care, and industry representatives specializing in patient engagement and cardiovascular medicine, and reviews opportunities and challenges for people living with HF in the post–hospital discharge period to be more integrally involved in their care. A literature search was conducted, and the authors collaborated through two virtual roundtables and via email to develop the content for this review article. Results: Numerous transitional-care programs exist to ease the transition from the hospital to the home and to provide needed education and support for people living with HF, to avoid rehospitalizations and other adverse outcomes. However, many programs have limitations and do not integrally involve patients in the design and co-development of the intervention. There are thus opportunities for improvement. This can enable patients to better care for themselves with less of the worry and fear that typically accompany the transition from the hospital. We discuss the importance of including people living with HF in the development of such programs and offer suggestions for strategies that can help achieve these goals. An underlying theme of the literature reviewed is that education and engagement of people living with HF after hospitalization are critical. However, while clinical trial evidence on existing approaches to transitions in HF care indicates numerous benefits, such approaches also have limitations. Conclusion: Numerous challenges continue to affect people living with HF in the post–hospital discharge period. Strategies that involve patients are needed, and should be encouraged, to optimally address these challenges

TYROBP genetic variants in early-onset Alzheimer's disease

We aimed to identify new candidate genes potentially involved in early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD). Exome sequencing was conducted on 45 EOAD patients with either a family history of Alzheimer's disease (AD, <65 years) or an extremely early age at the onset (≤55 years) followed by multiple variant filtering according to different modes of inheritance. We identified 29 candidate genes potentially involved in EOAD, of which the gene TYROBP, previously implicated in AD, was selected for genetic and functional follow-up. Using 3 patient cohorts, we observed rare coding TYROBP variants in 9 out of 1110 EOAD patients, whereas no such variants were detected in 1826 controls (p = 0.0001), suggesting that at least some rare TYROBP variants might contribute to EOAD risk. Overexpression of the p.D50_L51ins14 TYROBP mutant led to a profound reduction of TREM2 expression, a well-established risk factor for AD. This is the first study supporting a role for genetic variation in TYROBP in EOAD, with in vitro support for a functional effect of the p.D50_L51ins14 TYROBP mutation on TREM2 expression

Genetic Approach for the Fast Discovery of Phenazine Producing Bacteria

A fast and efficient approach was established to identify bacteria possessing the potential to biosynthesize phenazines, which are of special interest regarding their antimicrobial activities. Sequences of phzE genes, which are part of the phenazine biosynthetic pathway, were used to design one universal primer system and to analyze the ability of bacteria to produce phenazine. Diverse bacteria from different marine habitats and belonging to six major phylogenetic lines were investigated. Bacteria exhibiting phzE gene fragments affiliated to Firmicutes, Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Thus, these are the first primers for amplifying gene fragments from Firmicutes and Alphaproteobacteria. The genetic potential for phenazine production was shown for four type strains belonging to the genera Streptomyces and Pseudomonas as well as for 13 environmental isolates from marine habitats. For the first time, the genetic ability of phenazine biosynthesis was verified by analyzing the metabolite pattern of all PCR-positive strains via HPLC-UV/MS. Phenazine production was demonstrated for the type strains known to produce endophenazines, 2-hydroxy-phenazine, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, phenazine-1,6-dicarboxylic acid, and chlororaphin as well as for members of marine Actinobacteria. Interestingly, a number of unidentified phenazines possibly represent new phenazine structures

Challenges to the clinical placement and evaluation of adhesively-bonded, cervical composite restorations

Objectives. The incidence of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) has been increasing. The clinical performance of resin composites in NCCLS was previously unsatisfactory due to their non-retentive forms and margins lying on dentin. In order to address this problem, a lot of effort has been put into developing new dentin adhesives and restorative techniques. This article discusses these challenges and the criteria used for evaluating clinical performance as they relate to clinical studies, especially long-term clinical trials. Polymerization contraction, thermal changes and occlusal forces generate debonding stresses at adhesive interfaces. Methods. In laboratory studies, we have investigated how these stresses can be relieved by various restorative techniques and how bond strength and durability can be enhanced. Lesion forms, restorative techniques, adhesives (adhesive strategies, bond strengths, bond durability, and the relationship between enamel and dentin bond strengths) were found to have a complex relationship with microleakage. With regard to some restorative techniques, only several short-term clinical studies were available. Results. Although in laboratory tests marginal sealing improved with a low-viscosity resin liner, an enamel bevel or prior enamel etching with phosphoric acid, clinical studies failed to detect significant effects associated with these techniques. Long-term clinical trials demonstrated that adhesive bonds continuously degraded in various ways, regardless of the adhesion strategy used. Significance. Early loss of restoration may no longer be the main clinical problem when reliable adhesives are properly used. Marginal discoloration increased over time and may become a more prominent reason for repair or replacement. Reliable and standardized criteria for the clinical evaluation of marginal discoloration should be established as soon as possible and they should be based on evidence and a policy of minimal intervention

The visual culture of modern war: Photography, posters, and soldiers\u27 art in World War I France

This dissertation analyzes the transformation of French visual culture during the First World War. The outbreak of conflict upended traditional artistic hierarchies and entrenched new, popular media as war, mass culture, and modern propaganda merged for the first time. This study investigates the complex, dynamic mechanisms through which French society constructed a system of “real” and mythical representations that addressed and compensated for the overwhelming absences—personal, informational, and aesthetic, among others—occasioned by this first mass, industrialized conflict. The dissertation focuses on three types of images or objects that were new, or played newly salient roles, during the war: official and unofficial photographs; war posters; and art made by soldiers. It traces the emergence of these media, seeking to explain their ubiquity and their specific characteristics; how they functioned for their makers; and how they resonated at the home front. I argue that different objects and images resonated with the public based primarily upon their perceived authenticity; that propaganda was generated from below as much as from above; that privileging amateur and untrained artists contributed to a construction of the nation as inherently “artful”; and that while photography first established itself during the war as the medium par excellence for covering current events, hand-drawn images continued to offer a vital and psychologically necessary shelter from the conflict\u27s honors