Neurosphere based differentiation of human iPSC improves astrocyte differentiation

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are traditionally maintained and proliferated utilizing two-dimensional (2D) adherent monolayer culture systems. However, NPCs cultured using this system hardly reflect the intrinsic spatial development of brain tissue. In this study, we determined that culturing iPSC-derived NPCs as three-dimensional (3D) floating neurospheres resulted in increased expression of the neural progenitor cell (NPC) markers, PAX6 and NESTIN. Expansion of NPCs in 3D culture methods also resulted in a more homogenous PAX6 expression when compared to 2D culture methods. Furthermore, the 3D propagation method for NPCs resulted in a significant higher expression of the astrocyte markers  GFAP and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the differentiated cells. Thus, our 3D propagation method could constitute a useful tool to promote NPC homogeneity and also to increase the differentiation potential of iPSC towards astrocytes

Therapeutic emails

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we show how counselors and psychologists can use emails for online management of substance abusers, including the anatomy and content of emails that clinicians should send substance abusers. Some investigators have attempted to determine if providing mental health services online is an efficacious delivery of treatment. The question of efficacy is an empirical issue that cannot be settled unless we are explicitly clear about the content and nature of online treatment. We believe that it is not the communications via internet that matters, but the content of these communications. The purpose of this paper is to provide the content of our online counseling services so others can duplicate the work and investigate its efficacy. RESULTS: We have managed nearly 300 clients online for recovery from substance abuse. Treatment included individual counseling (motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavior therapy, relapse prevention assignments), participation in an electronic support group and the development of a recovery team. Our findings of success with these interventions are reported elsewhere. Our experience has led to development of a protocol of care that is described more fully in this paper. This protocol is based on stages of change and relapse prevention theories and follows a Motivational Interviewing method of counseling. CONCLUSION: The use of electronic media in providing mental health treatment remains controversial due to concerns about confidentiality, security and legal considerations. More research is needed to validate and generalize the use of online treatment for mental health problems. If researchers have to build on each others work, it is paramount that we share our protocols of care, as we have done in this paper

Genome-wide association identifies nine common variants associated with fasting proinsulin levels and provides new insights into the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Proinsulin is a precursor of mature insulin and C-peptide. Higher circulating proinsulin levels are associated with impaired β-cell function, raised glucose levels, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Studies of the insulin processing pathway could provide new insights about T2D pathophysiology. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We have conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association tests of ∼2.5 million genotyped or imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and fasting proinsulin levels in 10,701 nondiabetic adults of European ancestry, with follow-up of 23 loci in up to 16,378 individuals, using additive genetic models adjusted for age, sex, fasting insulin, and study-specific covariates. RESULTS: Nine SNPs at eight loci were associated with proinsulin levels (P < 5 × 10(-8)). Two loci (LARP6 and SGSM2) have not been previously related to metabolic traits, one (MADD) has been associated with fasting glucose, one (PCSK1) has been implicated in obesity, and four (TCF7L2, SLC30A8, VPS13C/C2CD4A/B, and ARAP1, formerly CENTD2) increase T2D risk. The proinsulin-raising allele of ARAP1 was associated with a lower fasting glucose (P = 1.7 × 10(-4)), improved β-cell function (P = 1.1 × 10(-5)), and lower risk of T2D (odds ratio 0.88; P = 7.8 × 10(-6)). Notably, PCSK1 encodes the protein prohormone convertase 1/3, the first enzyme in the insulin processing pathway. A genotype score composed of the nine proinsulin-raising alleles was not associated with coronary disease in two large case-control datasets. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified nine genetic variants associated with fasting proinsulin. Our findings illuminate the biology underlying glucose homeostasis and T2D development in humans and argue against a direct role of proinsulin in coronary artery disease pathogenesis

Drugs, Women and Violence in the Americas: U.S. Results of a Multi-Centric Pilot Project (Phase 1)

To explore the collective and individual experiences that Latin American females in the U. S. have with substance abuse, violence and risky sexual behaviors. This study was conducted in two phases that were carried out from July 2006 to June 2007 in south Florida. This paper covers Phase 1. In Phase 1, focus groups were conducted among 93 women in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Through content analyses of the focus group transcriptions, major themes were identified. Participants identified substance abuse, violence and risky sexual behaviors as closely related problems of great concern in Latina women in the U.S. Three important themes emerged from the focus groups. These included “Living in the US and the Devaluing of Latino Culture,” the “Vicious Cycle of Abuse” and “Breaking the Silence”. The results from this study suggest that substance abuse, violence and HIV should be addressed in an integrative and comprehensive manner. Recommendations for the development of policies, programs and services addressing substance abuse, violence and risk for HIV among Latinos are provided. explorar las experiencias colectivas e individuales que mujeres latinoamericanas experimentan en los Estados Unidos en relación con el abuso de sustancias, violencia y conductas sexuales de riesgo. el estudio se realizó en dos fases que se llevaron a cabo entre julio de 2006 y junio de 2007 en el sur del estado de la Florida (Estados Unidos). Este documento recoge la Fase 1, en la cual se llevaron a cabo grupos focales entre 93 mujeres, en inglés, español y portugués. A través de análisis de contenido de las transcripciones del grupo focal, se identificaron los principales temas. Los participantes identificaron el abuso de sustancias, violencia y conductas sexuales de riesgo como problemas íntimamente relacionados de gran preocupación en las mujeres latinas en los Estados Unidos. Tres importantes aspectos surgieron de los grupos focales: “Vivir en los Estados Unidos y la devaluación de la cultura latina”, el “círculo vicioso del abuso” y “rompiendo el silencio”. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que el abuso de sustancias, violencia y VIH debe abordarse de una manera integrada y global. Se dan recomendaciones para el desarrollo de políticas, programas y servicios referidos a abuso de sustancias, violencia y riesgo de VIH entre los latinos

Drugs, Women and Violence in the Americas: U.S. Quantitative Results of a Multi-Centric Pilot Project (Phase 2)

To explore the collective and individual experiences that Latin American females in the U.S. have with substance abuse, violence and risky sexual behaviors. This study was conducted in two phases from July 2006 to June 2007 in south Florida. This paper covers Phase 2. In Phase 2, questionnaires were provided to women to test whether there is a relationship between demographics, acculturation, depression, self-esteem and substance use/abuse; whether there is a relationship between demographics, acculturation, depression, self-esteem and violence exposure and victimization; whether there is a relationship between demographics, acculturation, depression, self-esteem, HIV knowledge and STD and HIV/AIDS risks among respondents; and whether there is a relationship between substance abuse, violence victimization and HIV/AIDS risks among respondents. Participants reported high rates of alcohol and drug abuse among their current or most recent partners. This is a major concern because partner alcohol use and drug use was related to partner physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Only two factors were associated with lifetime drug use: income and acculturation. Over half of the participants reported being victims of at least one form of abuse during childhood and adulthood. A substantial component of abuse reported during adulthood was perpetrated by a currently or recent intimate partner. The results from this study suggest that substance abuse, violence and HIV should be addressed in an integrative and comprehensive manner. Recommendations for the development of policies, programs and services addressing substance abuse, violence and risk for HIV among Latinos are provided. Explorar las experiencias colectivas e individuales que mujeres latinomaericanas tienen en los Estados Unidos en cuanto al abuso de sustancias, violencia y conductas sexuales de riesgo. El estudio se realizó en dos fases entre julio de 2006 y junio de 2007, en el sur de Florida. En la Fase 2, se dieron cuestionarios a las mujeres para comprobar si existe una relación entre: características demográficas, grado de aculturación, depresión, autoestima, uso/abuso de sustancias, exposición a la violencia y conocimiento de los riesgos del VIH y el sida. Los participantes reportaron altos índices de abuso de alcohol y drogas. Sólo dos factores se asociaron con el uso de drogas de por vida: ingresos económicos y aculturación. Más de la mitad de los participantes informaron haber sido víctimas de al menos una forma de abuso (físico, sexual y/o psicológico) durante la infancia y la adultez. Un componente importante de los abusos reportados durante la edad adulta es que fueron perpetrados por un compañero íntimo. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que el abuso de sustancias, la violencia y el VIH deben abordarse de manera integradora y global