Gorlin syndrome in a patient with skin type VI

Gorlin syndrome, also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that is characterized by multiple basal cell carcinomas developing at a young age, keratocystic odontogenic tumors of the jaw, palmar or plantar pits, calcification of the falx cerebri, and skeletal abnormalities. Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is caused by mutations in the PTCH1 or SUFU genes. Our patient with Fitzpatrick skin type VI was diagnosed with Gorlin syndrome based on the presentation of multiple major diagnostic characteristics. Although he is 33 years old, he has not developed any multiple basal cell carcinomas to date

Arkansas Student Discipline Report

This report examines student discipline in Arkansas public schools. Using ten years of de-identified student data from 2012-13 to 2021-22, our research identifies a number of key trends and outcomes related to student discipline in the Arkansas public schools. Data are provided by the Arkansas Department of Education, and this work builds upon prior editions of this report.1 Data are limited to the disciplinary infractions and consequences reported by schools, and we do not estimate causal effects of any policies or programs, however, this work includes findings relevant to educators and policymakers in the state. An important caution for interpretation is much lower rates of discipline infractions were reported in 2019-20 and 2020-21, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related closure of Arkansas schools beginning in mid-March of 2020 and continuing COVID-related disruptions to face-to-face schooling through the 2020-21 school year. In 2021-22, reports of discipline infractions increased, but no to the level seen prior to the pandemic. It is not clear if the reduced number of reported disciplinary incidents is a reflection of improved students’ behavior, or rather the result of other factors including changes in school operations, intensified health protocols, and modification of reporting subjective infractions

Effects of Storage Conditions on the Morphology and Titer of Lentiviral Vectors

Lentiviral vectors are commonly used in laboratory experiments to stably integrate transgenes into host genomes. It has long been observed that storage of virus stocks leads to a decrease in viral titer, but the mechanisms driving this decrease have yet to be identified. To that end, lentiviral vector stocks were generated and stored as follows: room temperature for less than one hour, -80ºC for 24 hours, 4ºC for three days and 4ºC for 7 days. These stocks were subsequently evaluated with regard to their transducing ability and their morphology, specifically particle diameter. The vector that was stored at room temperature served as the control with viral morphology similar to other VSV-G pseudotyped viruses. These stocks were able to transduce ~100% of HEK 293T cells. Particles were unstable under the storage conditions tested, as evidenced by the fact that all stocks stored at -80°C and 4°C required concentration with an ultracentrifuge to generate a preparation suitable for visualization with TEM. The vector stored at -80°C for 24 hours exhibited some morphological changes, but only a slight decrease in titer. The morphology of vectors stored at 4°C for 3 and 7 days was not significantly different from the room temperature control, although titer was reduced to 60% and 30-40%, respectively. Thus, the decrease in titer observed in the lentiviral stocks generated and stored during this investigation appears to be the result of viral particle instability rather than morphological changes to individual particles

Radical Hysterectomy for Early Stage Cervical Cancer: Laparoscopy Versus Laparotomy

Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy appears to be a feasible alternative to laparotomy for early stage cervical cancer with similar surgical outcomes and lessened morbidity

Self-esteem, relationship threat, and dependency regulation:Independent replication of Murray, Rose, Bellavia, Holmes, and Kusche (2002) Study 3

Across three studies, Murray, Rose, Bellavia, Holmes, and Kusche (2002) found that low self-esteem individuals responded in a negative manner compared to those high in self-esteem in the face of relationship threat, perceiving their partners and relationships less positively. This was the first empirical support for the hypothesized dynamics of a dependency regulation perspective, and has had a significant impact on the field of relationship science. In the present research, we sought to reproduce the methods and procedures of Study 3 of Murray et al. (2002) to further test the two-way interaction between individual differences in self-esteem and situational relationship threat. Manipulation check effects replicated the original study, but no interaction between self-esteem and experimental condition was observed for any primary study outcomes

Complexity of childhood sexual abuse: predictors of current post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, substance use, and sexual risk behavior among adult men who have sex with men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are the group most at risk for HIV and represent the majority of new infections in the United States. Rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among MSM have been estimated as high as 46 %. CSA is associated with increased risk of HIV and greater likelihood of HIV sexual risk behavior. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between CSA complexity indicators and mental health, substance use, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV sexual risk among MSM. MSM with CSA histories (n = 162) who were screened for an HIV prevention efficacy trial completed comprehensive psychosocial assessments. Five indicators of complex CSA experiences were created: CSA by family member, CSA with penetration, CSA with physical injury, CSA with intense fear, and first CSA in adolescence. Adjusted regression models were used to identify relationships between CSA complexity and outcomes. Participants reporting CSA by family member were at 2.6 odds of current alcohol use disorder (OR 2.64: CI 1.24–5.63), two times higher odds of substance use disorder (OR 2.1: CI 1.02–2.36), and 2.7 times higher odds of reporting an STI in the past year (OR 2.7: CI 1.04–7.1). CSA with penetration was associated with increased likelihood of current PTSD (OR 3.17: CI 1.56–6.43), recent HIV sexual risk behavior (OR 2.7: CI 1.16–6.36), and a greater number of casual sexual partners (p = 0.02). Both CSA with Physical Injury (OR 4.05: CI 1.9–8.7) and CSA with Intense Fear (OR 5.16: CI 2.5–10.7) were related to increased odds for current PTSD. First CSA in adolescence was related to increased odds of major depressive disorder. These findings suggest that CSA, with one or more complexities, creates patterns of vulnerabilities for MSM, including post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, and sexual risk taking, and suggests the need for detailed assessment of CSA and the development of integrated HIV prevention programs that address mental health and substance use comorbidities.This study was supported by a Grant from the NIMH (R01 MH095624) PI: O'Cleirigh; Author time (Safren) was supported, in part, by Grant 5K24MH094214. (R01 MH095624 - NIMH; 5K24MH094214)Accepted manuscrip