Personality Characteristics and Effeciveness of Paraprofessional Addiction Counselors

The purpose of this study was to examine how personality traits measured by the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) are related to the effectiveness of paraprofessional addiction counselors. Thirtyone counselors from three in-patient treatment centers in North Dakota and Minnesota participated in the study. Four measures of effectiveness were used: ratings by peers, rankings by peers, ratings by supervisors, and rankings by supervisors. A method of pattern analysis, hierarchical classification by generalized distances was used to analyze the data. The results indicate that the most effective paraprofessional addiction counselors score higher on the EPPS scale of Dominance and lower on the scales of Intraception and Endurance. Their scores on Achievement, Deference, and Aggression are near those of the general population. This study also presents evidence which strongly implies that addiction counselors constitute a distinct group of paraprofessionals, who differ from other nonprofessionals described in previous studies. Another promising result of this study is the demonstration that pattern analysis is a particularly useful analytic method for distinguishing between groups of effective and ineffective counselors in EPPS type research

The Use of Special MMPI Scales for Prediction of Response to Chemical Dependency Treatment

The purpose of this study was to investigate how selected special scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) are related to treatment completion and treatment outcome in a privately operated chemical dependency treatment program. Multiple regression analyses, discriminant function analyses, and canonical correlation were used to analyze the data. In Part I of this study the MMPI scales of Lie, K, Conscious Anxiety, Conscious Repression, Dependency, Dominance, Control, Admission, and Denial were examined to determine their ability to predict treatment completion for 182 males and 48 females. Completion of treatment was associated with lower scores on the Conscious Repression scale and higher scores on the Control scale. Male completers also had higher Dependency scores, while female completers tended to score lower on the Dependency scale than those who did not complete treatment. However, the selected scales seem to be of limited value in predicting treatment completion because they accounted for a relatively small proportion of the variance. Part II of this study examined treatment outcome in groups of patients at 1, 6, or 12 months following completion of treatment. Self- reports of chemical use, informant reports of chemical use, employment status and the number of admissions to a detoxification facility were used as measures of post treatment adjustment. Improvement was most consistently associated with lower scores on the Admission and Hypomania scales of the MMPI and more frequent attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

Utilization of the resources of the sea

In a hungry world, we are looking to the sea to provide much of the animal protein needed to feed our ever-increasing population. Fishing has developed in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere to such an extent that further increases in the catch are not possible. In the Southern Hemisphere appreciable increases are still possible but if they are not to be wasted, post-catch utilization must be efficient and effective. Seafoods are highly perishable products, and it is necessary to process them to extend the shelf life. This paper describes traditional methods of preserving fish, such as freezing, curing, smoking, canning and fermenting; it also considers new methods which make more efficient use of resources and reduce wastage. The advantages of producing fish meal and comminuted fish are also discussed. The paper looks at the prospects for future growth in the fishing indus try and stresses the importance of introducing modern handling and processing techniques. The relevance of these future developments to the Australian industry and their implications for future product development are considered

Estimating site quality from early height growth of white spruce and red pine plantations in the Thunder Bay area

Growth intercepts and breast height-age height growth curves were developed for estimating the site quality using early height growth in white spruce {Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) plantations in the Thunder Bay, Ontario area. These methods for estimating site quality were developed from height growth data obtained using annual node measurements and stem analyses of three dominant, undamaged, trees in each of 46 white spruce and 25 red pine plots located throughout the Thunder Bay area. White spruce growth intercepts were computed using series of one through seven internodes from eight starting heights between 0 and 3.0 m. Red pine growth intercepts were computed using series of one through 10 internodes from the same eight starting heights. The best estimates of white spruce and red pine site quality were obtained from the average length of the first three, four, and five internodes above 2.0 m, and the first three, four, and five internodes above 1.5 m, respectively. Both white spruce and red pine height growth patterns were best described by an expanded Chapman-Richards function capable of expressing polymorphic height growth patterns. These height growth patterns compared well with those of eastern Ontario and the Lake States. Height growth below breast height for both species was very erratic and was not related to site quality. Consequently, total height-age height growth curves that included this early erratic height growth did not provide accurate estimates of site quality in these white spruce and red pine plantations. Growth intercepts provided accurate estimates of site quality in early years. However, breast height-age height growth curves provided more accurate estimates of site quality when plantations exceeded the ages required for these growth intercepts

Topical steroid therapy induces pro-tolerogenic changes in Langerhans cells in human skin

We have investigated the efficacy of conditioning skin Langerhans cells (LCs) with agents to promote tolerance and reduce inflammation, with the goal of improving the outcomes of antigen-specific immunotherapy. Topical treatments were assessed ex vivo, using excised human breast skin maintained in organ bath cultures, and in vivo in healthy volunteers by analysing skin biopsies and epidermal blister roof samples. Following topical treatment with a corticosteroid, TNF-α levels were reduced in skin biopsy studies and blister fluid samples. Blister fluid concentrations of MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and IP-10 were also reduced, while preserving levels of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. Steroid pre-treatment of the skin reduced the ability of LCs to induce proliferation, whilst supernatants showed an increase in the IL-10/IFN-γ ratio. Phenotypic changes following topical steroid treatment were also observed, including reduced expression of CD83 and CD86 in blister derived LCs, but preservation of the tolerogenic signalling molecules ILT3 and PD-1. Reduced expression of HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86 were also apparent in LCs derived from excised human skin. Topical therapy with a vitamin D analogue (calcipotriol) and steroid, calcipotriol alone or Vitamin A elicited no significant changes in the parameters studied. These experiments suggest that pre-conditioning the skin with topical corticosteroid can modulate LCs by blunting their pro-inflammatory signals and potentially enhancing tolerance. We suggest that such modulation prior to antigen specific immunotherapy might provide an inexpensive and safe adjunct to current approaches to treat autoimmune diseases

Peeling the astronomical onion

Water ice is the most abundant solid in the Universe. Understanding the formation, structure and multiplicity of physicochemical roles for water ice in the cold, dense interstellar environments in which it is predominantly observed is a crucial quest for astrochemistry as these are regions active in star and planet formation. Intuitively, we would expect the mobility of water molecules deposited or synthesised on dust grain surfaces at temperatures below 50 K to be very limited. This work delves into the thermally-activated mobility of H2O molecules on model interstellar grain surfaces. The energy required to initiate this process is studied by reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy of small quantities of water on amorphous silica and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces as the surface is annealed. Strongly non-Arrhenius behaviour is observed with an activation energy of 2 kJ mol-1 on the silica surface below 25 K and 0 kJ mol-1 on both surfaces between 25 and 100 K. The astrophysical implication of these results is that on timescales shorter than that estimated for the formation of a complete monolayer of water ice on a grain, aggregation of water ice will result in a non-uniform coating of water, hence leaving bare grain surface exposed. Other molecules can thus be formed or adsorbed on this bare surface

Effect of natalizumab on disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (ASCEND). a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension

Background: Although several disease-modifying treatments are available for relapsing multiple sclerosis, treatment effects have been more modest in progressive multiple sclerosis and have been observed particularly in actively relapsing subgroups or those with lesion activity on imaging. We sought to assess whether natalizumab slows disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, independent of relapses. Methods: ASCEND was a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (part 1) with an optional 2 year open-label extension (part 2). Enrolled patients aged 18–58 years were natalizumab-naive and had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for 2 years or more, disability progression unrelated to relapses in the previous year, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 3·0–6·5. In part 1, patients from 163 sites in 17 countries were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 300 mg intravenous natalizumab or placebo every 4 weeks for 2 years. Patients were stratified by site and by EDSS score (3·0–5·5 vs 6·0–6·5). Patients completing part 1 could enrol in part 2, in which all patients received natalizumab every 4 weeks until the end of the study. Throughout both parts, patients and staff were masked to the treatment received in part 1. The primary outcome in part 1 was the proportion of patients with sustained disability progression, assessed by one or more of three measures: the EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), and 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). The primary outcome in part 2 was the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events. Efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01416181. Findings: Between Sept 13, 2011, and July 16, 2015, 889 patients were randomly assigned (n=440 to the natalizumab group, n=449 to the placebo group). In part 1, 195 (44%) of 439 natalizumab-treated patients and 214 (48%) of 448 placebo-treated patients had confirmed disability progression (odds ratio [OR] 0·86; 95% CI 0·66–1·13; p=0·287). No treatment effect was observed on the EDSS (OR 1·06, 95% CI 0·74–1·53; nominal p=0·753) or the T25FW (0·98, 0·74–1·30; nominal p=0·914) components of the primary outcome. However, natalizumab treatment reduced 9HPT progression (OR 0·56, 95% CI 0·40–0·80; nominal p=0·001). In part 1, 100 (22%) placebo-treated and 90 (20%) natalizumab-treated patients had serious adverse events. In part 2, 291 natalizumab-continuing patients and 274 natalizumab-naive patients received natalizumab (median follow-up 160 weeks [range 108–221]). Serious adverse events occurred in 39 (13%) patients continuing natalizumab and in 24 (9%) patients initiating natalizumab. Two deaths occurred in part 1, neither of which was considered related to study treatment. No progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy occurred. Interpretation: Natalizumab treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis did not reduce progression on the primary multicomponent disability endpoint in part 1, but it did reduce progression on its upper-limb component. Longer-term trials are needed to assess whether treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis might produce benefits on additional disability components. Funding: Biogen

A chronic fatigue syndrome – related proteome in human cerebrospinal fluid

BACKGROUND: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Persian Gulf War Illness (PGI), and fibromyalgia are overlapping symptom complexes without objective markers or known pathophysiology. Neurological dysfunction is common. We assessed cerebrospinal fluid to find proteins that were differentially expressed in this CFS-spectrum of illnesses compared to control subjects. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid specimens from 10 CFS, 10 PGI, and 10 control subjects (50 μl/subject) were pooled into one sample per group (cohort 1). Cohort 2 of 12 control and 9 CFS subjects had their fluids (200 μl/subject) assessed individually. After trypsin digestion, peptides were analyzed by capillary chromatography, quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, peptide sequencing, bioinformatic protein identification, and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Pooled CFS and PGI samples shared 20 proteins that were not detectable in the pooled control sample (cohort 1 CFS-related proteome). Multilogistic regression analysis (GLM) of cohort 2 detected 10 proteins that were shared by CFS individuals and the cohort 1 CFS-related proteome, but were not detected in control samples. Detection of ≥1 of a select set of 5 CFS-related proteins predicted CFS status with 80% concordance (logistic model). The proteins were α-1-macroglobulin, amyloid precursor-like protein 1, keratin 16, orosomucoid 2 and pigment epithelium-derived factor. Overall, 62 of 115 proteins were newly described. CONCLUSION: This pilot study detected an identical set of central nervous system, innate immune and amyloidogenic proteins in cerebrospinal fluids from two independent cohorts of subjects with overlapping CFS, PGI and fibromyalgia. Although syndrome names and definitions were different, the proteome and presumed pathological mechanism(s) may be shared

Microneedle delivery of autoantigen for immunotherapy in type 1 diabetes

Antigen specific immunotherapy mediated via the sustained generation of regulatory T cells arguably represents the ideal therapeutic approach to preventing beta cell destruction in type 1 diabetes. However, there is a need to enhance the efficacy of this approach to achieve disease modification in man. Previous studies suggest that prolonged expression of self-antigen in skin in a non-inflammatory context is beneficial for tolerance induction. We therefore sought to develop a dry-coated microneedle (MN) delivery system and combine it with topical steroid to minimise local inflammation and promote prolonged antigen presentation in the skin. Here we show that a combination of surface-modified MNs coated with appropriate solvent systems can deliver therapeutically relevant quantities of peptide to mouse and human skin even with hydrophobic peptides. Compared to conventional “wet” intradermal (ID) administration, “dry” peptide delivered via MNs was retained for longer in the skin and whilst topical hydration of the skin with vehicle or steroid accelerated loss of ID-delivered peptide from the skin, MN delivery of peptide was unaffected. Furthermore, MN delivery resulted in enhanced presentation of antigen to T cells in skin draining lymph nodes (LNs) both 3 and 10 days after administration. Repeated administration of islet antigen peptide via MN was effective at reducing antigen-specific T cell proliferation in the pancreatic LN, although topical steroid therapy did not enhance this. Taken together, these data show auto-antigenic peptide delivery into skin using coated MNs results in prolonged retention and enhanced antigen presentation compared to conventional ID delivery and this approach may have potential in individuals identified as being at a high risk of developing type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases