Research Review: Changes in the prevalence and symptom severity of child posttraumatic stress disorder in the year following trauma – a meta-analytic study

Objective: Understanding the natural course of child and adolescent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has significant implications for the identification of, and intervention for, at-risk youth. We used a meta-analytic approach to examine longitudinal changes in youth PTSD prevalence and symptoms over the first 12 months posttrauma. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to identify longitudinal studies of PTSD in young people (5–18 years old), excluding treatment trials. The search yielded 27 peer-reviewed studies and one unpublished dataset for analysis of pooled prevalence estimates, relative prevalence reduction and standardised mean symptom change. Key moderators were also explored, including age, proportion of boys in the sample, initial prevalence of PTSD and PTSD measurement type. Results: Analyses demonstrated moderate declines in PTSD prevalence and symptom severity over the first 3–6 months posttrauma. From 1 to 6 months posttrauma, the prevalence of PTSD reduced by approximately 50%. Symptoms also showed moderate decline, particularly across the first 3 months posttrauma. There was little evidence of further change in prevalence or symptom severity after 6 months, suggesting that it is unlikely a child would lose a PTSD diagnosis without intervention beyond this point. Conclusions: The current findings provide key information about the likelihood of posttrauma recovery in the absence of intervention and have important implications for our understanding of child and adolescent PTSD. Results are discussed with reference to the timing of PTSD screening and the potential role of early interventions. Findings particularly highlight the importance of future research to develop our understanding of what factors prevent the action of normal recovery from the ‘acute’ posttrauma period

Taxonomic history of the iguanian lizard Liolaemus Pictus major Boulenger, with a revalidation of Liolaemus capillitas Hulse

Núñez (2004) examined the syntypes of Liolaemus pictus major Boulenger in the British Museum of Natural History and concluded, without supporting data, that this taxon is a senior synonym of Liolaemus capillitas Hulse. We show that the evidence does not support Núñez’s (2004) proposal. We first document the complex taxonomic history of L. p. major, the lack of a precise or even definitive type locality, and the implications of the latter on subsequent checklists and research. Second, we note differences between Boulenger’s (1885) type description of L. p. major and Hulse’s (1979) type description of L. capillitas. Third, we show that the syntypes of L. p. major photographed by Núñez (2004) do not exhibit the character states of L. capillitas. We conclude that L. capillitas is not a synonym of L. p. major. Based on the available evidence, the syntypes of L. p. major are probably assignable to Liolaemus elongatus from populations occurring in Patagonia (southern Argentina or adjacent Chile). However, the precise identity of the syntypes requires additional study and perhaps a type locality restriction or redefinition of L. elongatus, which is itself in a state of flux.Núñez (2004) examinó los sintipos de Liolaemus pictus major Boulenger en el Museo Británico de Historia Naturale y concluyó, sin datos que lo sostengan, que este taxón es un sinónimo señor de Liolaemus capillitas Hulse. Nosotros mostramos que la evidencia disponible no apoya la propuesta de Núñez (2004). Primero documentamos la compleja historia de L. p. major, la carencia de una localidad tipo o la restricción de una, y las implicancias de esto último en subsecuentes checklists e investigaciones. Segundo, notamos diferencias entre la descripción tipo de Boulenger (1885) de L. p. major y la descripción tipo de L. capillitas de Hulse (1979). Tercero, mostramos que los sintipos de L. p. major fotografiados por Núñez (2004) no exhiben los caracteres presentes en L. capillitas. Concluimos que L. capillitas no es un sinónimo L. p. major. Basados en la evidencia disponible, los sintipos de L. p. major son aparentemente asignables a Liolaemus elongatus de poblaciones que se encuentran en la Patagonia (sur de Argentina o adyacentes en Chile). De todos modos, la identidad precisa de los sintipos requerirá de estudio adicional y quizás la restricción de una localidad o la redefinición de L. elongatus, especie que por sí misma se encuentra pobremente definida.Fil: Espinoza, Robert E.. California State University; Estados UnidosFil: Lobo Gaviola, Fernando Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del Noroeste Argentino; Argentina; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Cs.naturales. Catedra de Anatomia Comparada; ArgentinaFil: Etheridge, Richard. San Diego State University; Estados Unido

Introduction du Mécanisme Administratif Sonas pour le Droit Congolais des Assurances

Résumé : L'objectif de cette étude est d'explorer le secteur des assurances après la libéralisation par la loi 15/005 du 17 mars 2015 portant loi sur les assurances. Le défi consiste à explorer les cadres institutionnels et les mécanismes de contrôle. Mots-clés : Introduction, mécanisme, contrôle, Assurances, Administrati

Impact des taux de change sur les prix des biens de consommation en République Démocratique du Congo. Cas de la ville de Bandundu

Résumé : Cette étude apporte des réponses aux problèmes qui affectent l'économie congolaise en clarifiant les facteurs d'instabilité du taux de change et les causes et effets de la hausse des prix sur le vécu social des Congolais en général et de la ville de Bandundu en particulier. Mots-clés : influence, parcours, échange, bien, consommatio

Application of genomic and quantitative genetic tools to identify candidate resistance genes for brown rot resistance in peach.

The availability of a complete peach genome assembly and three different peach genome sequences created by our group provide new opportunities for application of genomic data and can improve the power of the classical Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) approaches to identify candidate genes for peach disease resistance. Brown rot caused by Monilinia spp., is the most important fungal disease of stone fruits worldwide. Improved levels of peach fruit rot resistance have been identified in some cultivars and advanced selections developed in the UC Davis and USDA breeding programs. Whole genome sequencing of the Pop-DF parents lead to discovery of high-quality SNP markers for QTL genome scanning in this experimental population. Pop-DF created by crossing a brown rot moderately resistant cultivar 'Dr. Davis' and a brown rot resistant introgression line, 'F8,1-42', derived from an initial almond × peach interspecific hybrid, was evaluated for brown rot resistance in fruit of harvest maturity over three seasons. Using the SNP linkage map of Pop-DF and phenotypic data collected with inoculated fruit, a genome scan for QTL identified several SNP markers associated with brown rot resistance. Two of these QTLs were placed on linkage group 1, covering a large (physical) region on chromosome 1. The genome scan for QTL and SNP effects predicted several candidate genes associated with disease resistance responses in other host-pathogen systems. Two potential candidate genes, ppa011763m and ppa026453m, may be the genes primarily responsible for M. fructicola recognition in peach, activating both PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) responses. Our results provide a foundation for further genetic dissection, marker assisted breeding for brown rot resistance, and development of peach cultivars resistant to brown rot

Emissions from Alternate Aviation Fuels and their Environmental Impact

Track II: Transportation and BiofuelsIncludes audio file (19 min.)The anticipated growth in commercial air traffic, rising fuel costs, and an increasing desire to reduce reliance on fossil fuels produced in politically unstable regions, has driven research into alternate renewable fuels, either from biomass (Biofuels) or synthesis from coal, natural gas and other renewable feedstocks (Fischer-Tropsch (FT) fuels). Industry and government has recently sponsored (Dec 07, Jan 09) two engine emission tests led in part by the Missouri S&T team. The tests focused on burning alternative and conventional fuels and associated blends in CFM56-type commercial gas turbine engines. The CFM56 engine type is the most common engine in the global commercial fleet powering greater than 70% of the US domestic fleet. The purpose of these emission tests was to quantify any differences in particulate matter (PM) and hazardous air pollutants (HAP) emissions observed between the different fuels, and assess the environmental impacts that may result from these differences. The PM measurements indicate that, especially for the 100% F-T fuel, PM number and mass are diminished at all powers relative to conventional fuels. Some significant differences in hydro-carbon speciation were also observed for the 100% F-T fuel. Differences were less pronounce for the blends. This paper will present a concise summary of the results of these measurement campaigns along with an assessment of any associated environmental impact changes, focusing mainly on airport local air quality and the global atmosphere

Effects of Microencapsulated Blend of Organic Acids and Pure Botanicals on the Ruminal Microbiota in an In Vitro Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of a microencapsulated blend of organic acids and pure botanicals (mOAPBs) on the solid- and liquid-associated microenvironment (SAM and LAM, respectively) of the ruminal microbiome using an in vitro dual-flow continuous culture system. Ruminal content was incubated in eight fermenters and the basal diet was supplemented with increasing levels of mOAPBs (0; 0.12; 0.24; or 0.36% DM) which contained 55.6% hydrogenated and refined palm oil, 25% citric acid, 16.7% sorbic acid, 1.7% thymol, and 1% vanillin. All diets had a similar nutritional composition (16.1 CP, 30.9 NDF, and 32.0 starch, % DM basis). After 7 days of adaptation, a pooled sample across the days was collected in each period for identification of the microbiome of SAM and LAM. There was no effect of mOAPB on alpha-, beta-diversity, and microbial abundance. The SAM had a greater bacterial diversity and the principal component analysis demonstrated that it had a divergent bacterial profile from LAM. Additionally, SAM had an increased abundance of carbohydrate-degrading microorganisms. In summary, mOAPBs did not modulate the ruminal microbiome. The microenvironment microbiome of solid- and liquid-associated microenvironments were different, with SAM having a greater carbohydrate-degrading microorganism population

Wideband dual sphere detector of gravitational waves

We present the concept of a sensitive AND broadband resonant mass gravitational wave detector. A massive sphere is suspended inside a second hollow one. Short, high-finesse Fabry-Perot optical cavities read out the differential displacements of the two spheres as their quadrupole modes are excited. At cryogenic temperatures one approaches the Standard Quantum Limit for broadband operation with reasonable choices for the cavity finesses and the intracavity light power. A molybdenum detector of overall size of 2 m, would reach spectral strain sensitivities of 2x10^-23/Sqrt{Hz} between 1000 Hz and 3000 Hz.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Changed content. To appear in Phys. Rev. Let

BERBERINE HYDROCHLORIDE COULD PROVE TO BE A PROMISING BULLET AGAINST CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION: A PRELIMINARY STUDY FROM SOUTH INDIA

Objective: Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and the emergence of strains with reduced susceptibility to metronidazole and vancomycinwarrants alternative therapy. Hence, we tested the potential efficacy of the natural compound berberine hydrochloride (BBRHCl) against toxigenicC. difficile.Methods: Three representative polymerase chain reaction confirmed, toxin-positive strains were included in the study. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) profile and antibiogram of the strains were analyzed along with 10 other toxin positive isolates. Efficacy of BBRHCl against toxigenic C. difficilewas determined using agar diffusion by punch well method.Results: PFGE grouped the test strains into three clusters with unique susceptibility pattern toward standard antibiotics. BBRHCl was efficaciousagainst the test strains at a concentration ranging between 6.25 μg/ml and 10 mg/ml. BBRHCl's breakpoint point inhibitory zone diameter wasequivalent (p<0.001) to the epidemiological cutoff values for teicoplanin, vancomycin and 2% black seed oil. Although the predicted concentration ofBBRHCl for breakpoint zone diameter equivalent to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing's epidemiological cutoff value formetronidazole was observed to fall outside the tested concentration range; it was still within the safe dosage for humans.Conclusion: The present study is promising in considering BBRHCl as a potent substitute or adjunct not only for metronidazole, vancomycin andteicoplanin but also for natural compounds like 2% black seed oil for managing resistant cases of CDI. Owing to BBRHCl's direct antibacterial and antiinflammatoryaction, further investigations will aid in the proper characterization of the therapeutic effects of similar plant compounds, to developsafe and effective drugs against the epidemiological outbreak of CDI

Vibratory Stimulus Reduces In Vitro Biofilm Formation On Tracheoesophageal Voice Prostheses

Objectives/Hypothesis Demonstrate that biofilm formation will be reduced on tracheoesophageal prostheses when vibratory stimulus is applied, compared to controls receiving no vibratory stimulus, in a dynamic in vitro model of biofilm accumulation simulating the interface across the tracheoesophageal puncture site. Study Design Prospective, randomized, controlled, crossover in university laboratory. Methods Ex vivo tracheoesophageal prostheses were obtained from university-affiliated speech language pathologists at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis. Prostheses demonstrating physical integrity and an absence of gross biofilm accumulation were utilized. Sixteen prostheses were cleansed and sterilized prior to random placement by length in two modified Robbins devices arranged in parallel. Each device was seeded with a polymicrobial oral flora on day 1 and received basal artificial salivary flow continuously with three growth medium meals daily. One device was randomly selected for vibratory stimulus, and 2 minutes of vibration was applied to each prosthesis before and after meals for 5 days. The prostheses were explanted and sonicated, and the biofilm cultured for enumeration. This process was repeated after study arm crossover. Results Tracheoesophageal prostheses in the dynamic model receiving vibratory stimulus demonstrated reduced gross biofilm accumulation and a significant biofilm colony forming unit per milliliter reduction of 5.56-fold compared to nonvibratory controls (P < 0.001). Significant reductions were observed within length subgroups. Conclusion Application of vibratory stimulus around meal times significantly reduces biofilm accumulation on tracheoesophageal prostheses in a dynamic in vitro model. Further research using this vibratory stimulus method in vivo will be required to determine if reduced biofilm accumulation correlates with longer device lifespan