Integrating Maternal Depression Screening Into an Early Intervention Program: An Implementation Evaluation

Background: In all 50 states, early intervention (EI) services to improve long-term child cognitive and academic outcomes are provided to infants and toddlers with suspected or diagnosed developmental delays. When mothers of EI-enrolled children experience depressive symptoms, uptake of EI services can be compromised. Aims: The purpose of the article is to present a depressive symptom screening intervention for mothers consisting of toolkit development for EI staff and families, symptom screening for mothers and follow-up protocol. To formally evaluate the implementation of the intervention, our research team followed the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR). Methods: Participants were 12 EI service coordinators across two offices. Focus groups and individual interviews were used to develop the toolkit and education module. Through the five CFIR domains, we evaluated the implemented intervention in order to allow other teams to learn from our experiences. Results: Our team successfully partnered with SCs to develop the intended deliverables. Still, the SCs found it challenging to conduct the screenings and reported mixed success. Conclusions: Preparation of EI SCs to integrate mental health screenings into their existing skillsets requires a high level of support from the research team, resulting in a rich understanding of the barriers-and potential rewards-for staff and families

Regional ecological variability and impact of the maritime fur trade on nearshore ecosystems in southern Haida Gwaii (British Columbia, Canada): evidence from stable isotope analysis of rockfish (Sebastes spp.) bone collagen

The maritime fur trade (1785–1840s) led to the local extinction of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in many parts of the northeast Pacific. On the basis of studies of extant sea otter populations, it has been established that they have a disproportionate effect on nearshore ecosystems by limiting sea urchin abundance and facilitating the establishment of nearshore kelp forests; in the absence of sea otters, a local reduction in kelp-derived carbon is therefore expected. We measured the isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N) of rockfish (Sebastes spp.) bone collagen from late Holocene archaeological sites in southern Haida Gwaii, BC, Canada, using δ13C as a proxy for kelp-derived carbon in the diet and δ15N as a proxy for trophic position. We observed significant spatial variability in rockfish kelp-derived carbon (δ13C), but not trophic level (δ15N). Kelp-derived carbon varied largely as a function of site characteristics (wave exposure), suggesting that local oceanographic conditions are important factors with respect to consumer tissue isotopic compositions. Kelp-derived carbon decreased in post-European contact rockfish relative to pre-European contact rockfish, likely as a result of the reduction of kelp forests associated with the local extirpation of sea otters. Although we detected a reduction in kelp-derived carbon in rockfish diets, we found no shift in trophic level at sites occupied following the maritime fur trade. This implies a shift in local ecosystems, and particularly in carbon sources, following the maritime fur trade, likely due to a trophic cascade resulting from the local extirpation of sea otters. Stability in rockfish trophic levels, however, implies that rockfish continued to feed at similar trophic levels, consuming prey with similar nitrogen isotopic compositions

Analysis of Result Variability from High-Density Oligonucleotide Arrays Comparing Same-Species and Cross-Species Hybridizations

There exists a significant limitation in the variety of organisms for which microarrays have been developed because of a lack of genomic sequence data. A near-term solution to this limitation is to use microarrays designed for one species to analyze RNA samples from closely related species. The assumption is that conservation of gene sequences between species will be sufficient to generate a reasonable amount of goodquality data. While there have been relatively few published reports describing the use of microarrays for cross-species hybridizations, this technique is potentially a powerful tool for understanding genomics in model organisms such as nonhuman primates. Here we describe the analysis and comparison of hybridization characteristics and data variability from a set of crossspecies (rhesus macaque) and same-species (human) hybridization experiments using human high-density Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays. The data reveal that a large fraction of probe sets are effective at transcript detection in the cross-species hybridization, validating the application of cross-species hybridizations for nonhuman primate genomics research

An association of candidate gene haplotypes and bleeding severity in von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 1 pedigrees

von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 1 is difficult to diagnose because of bleeding variability and low heritability of von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels. We compared a bleeding severity score and bleeding times to candidate gene haplotypes within pedigrees of 14 index cases, using a covariance components model for multivariate traits (Mendel: QTL Association). These pedigrees included 13 affected and 40 unaffected relatives, as defined by plasma ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo) levels. The bleeding severity score was derived from a detailed history. Donors were genotyped using a primer extension method, and 9 candidate genes were selected for analysis. VWF:RCo levels had the strongest influence on bleeding severity score and bleeding time. ITGA2 haplotype 2 (807C) and ITGA2B haplotype 1 (Ile843) were each associated with increased bleeding severity scores (P < .01 and P < .01, respectively). GP6 haplotype b (Pro219) was also associated with increased scores (P = .03) after adjustment for donor age. No association was observed with 6 other candidate genes, GP1BA, ITGB3, VWF, FGB, IL6, or TXA2R. Increased plasma VWF:Ag levels were associated with VWF haplotype 1 (\u20131793G; P = .02). These results establish that genetic differences in the adhesion receptor subunits \u3b12, \u3b1IIb, and GPVI can influence the phenotype of VWD type 1