School-based mental health promotion in children and adolescents with StresSOS using online or face-to-face interventions: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial within the ProHEAD Consortium

Abstract Background Schools are an ideal setting in which to promote health. However, empirical data on the effectiveness of school-based mental health promotion programs are rare, and research on universal Internet-based prevention in schools is almost non-existent. Following the life skills approach, stress management training is an important component of health promotion. Mental health literacy is also associated with mental health status, and it facilitates formal help-seeking by children and adolescents (C&A). The main objectives of this study are (1) the development and evaluation of an Internet-based version of a universal school-based health promotion program called StresSOS and (2) demonstrating non-inferiority of the online setting compared to the face-to-face setting. StresSOS aims to improve stress management and mental health literacy in C&A. Methods/design A school-based sample of 15,000 C&A (grades 6–13 and older than 12 years) will be recruited in five regions of Germany within the ProHEAD Consortium. Those with a screening result at baseline indicating no mental health problems will be invited to participate in a randomized controlled trial comparing StresSOS online to an active online control condition (Study A). In addition, 420 adolescents recruited as a separate school-based sample will participate in the StresSOS face-to-face intervention. Participants in both intervention groups (online or face-to-face) will receive the same eight treatment modules to allow for the comparison of both methods of delivery (Study B). The primary outcome is the number of C&A with symptoms of mental health problems at a 12 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes are related to stress/coping (i.e., knowledge, symptoms of stress, coping resources), mental health literacy (knowledge and attitudes toward mental disorders and help-seeking), program usage patterns, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability of the intervention. Discussion This study represents the first adequately powered non-inferiority trial in the area of school-based mental health promotion. If online StresSOS proves efficacious and non-inferior to face-to-face delivery, this offers great potential for health promotion in youths, both in and outside the school environment. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00014693 . Registered on 14 May 2018

Nucleotide Methylation Patterns in Eukaryotic mRNA

This chapter reviews that the use of enzymes for selective hydrolysis, coupled with high-resolution liquid chromatography for assay of products, provides an efficient means of determining the specific patterns of methylation in eukaryotic mRNA molecules. Continuous labeling with levels of L-[methyl-3H] methionine permits normal growth of Novikoff cells to examine the methylation of specific sites of cytoplasmic mRNA as a function of time. The main site of cytoplasmic mRNA labeling is at the second position (N'') of the 5'-terminal sequence. Data obtained by comparing methylnucleoside composition of these sequences and the ratio of doubly to singly O-methylated termini as a function of labeling time is consistent with a model in which m7G, N'm and the m6A located in the mRNA molecule are all products of nuclear methylation events. Subsequently there is a cytoplasmic methylation of some singly O-methylated structures at the second (N'') position yielding the doubly O-methylated structure. The kinetics of methyl labeling and the changing composition within the caps show a distinct pattern, possibly reflecting a selection or enrichment of a stable class of mRNA molecules, many of which contain the doubly labeled structure at their 5'-terminus and are of smaller size

Annexin A5 is the Most Abundant Membrane-Associated Protein in Stereocilia but is Dispensable for Hair-Bundle Development and Function

The phospholipid- and Ca2+-binding protein annexin A5 (ANXA5) is the most abundant membrane-associated protein of ~P23 mouse vestibular hair bundles, the inner ear’s sensory organelle. Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we estimated that ANXA5 accounts for ~15,000 copies per stereocilium, or ~2% of the total protein there. Although seven other annexin genes are expressed in mouse utricles, mass spectrometry showed that none were present at levels near ANXA5 in bundles and none were upregulated in stereocilia of Anxa5−/− mice. Annexins have been proposed to mediate Ca2+-dependent repair of membrane lesions, which could be part of the repair mechanism in hair cells after noise damage. Nevertheless, mature Anxa5−/− mice not only have normal hearing and balance function, but following noise exposure, they are identical to wild-type mice in their temporary or permanent changes in hearing sensitivity. We suggest that despite the unusually high levels of ANXA5 in bundles, it does not play a role in the bundle’s key function, mechanotransduction, at least until after two months of age in the cochlea and six months of age in the vestibular system. These results reinforce the lack of correlation between abundance of a protein in a specific compartment or cellular structure and its functional significance

Cloning and sequence analysis of caprine N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase cDNA

Mucopolysaccharidosis IIID results from the deficiency of N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase activity. A Nubian goat with this lysosomal storage disease has been identified. As a first step in developing this animal model for testing treatment methods, we cloned and sequenced the caprine N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase cDNA coding region. Overall there is 88% nucleotide homology between the goat and human sequence and 94% homology of the deduced amino acid sequence. The human and two ruminant species differ by the presence of an imperfect trinucleotide (CCG) repeat in the ruminant signal sequence