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Objectives: Racial discrimination is associated with numerous negative health outcomes, including increased risk for depression and anxiety symptoms and substance use. Positive affect toward of one's ethnic or racial group (i.e., ethnic–racial identity affirmation) has been shown to buffer the negative effects of racial discrimination on health outcomes. The extent to which one believes his or her group is valued by others (i.e., positive collective ethnic–racial identity) has also been proposed to be protective. However, to date a limited body of research has examined the moderating effect of collective ethnic–racial identity on health, and among available studies, findings are mixed. Method: African American youth (N = 612; 58.2% female, M grade = 8) completed measures on experiences of discrimination, mood symptoms, substance use, ethnic–racial identity affirmation, and collective ethnic–racial identity (assessed using the Collective Self-Esteem Scale). Results: Controlling for demographic variables and affirmation, a significant main effect was found for collective ethnic–racial identity, such that believing that others viewed your group positively was associated with better health outcomes among African American youth. However, collective ethnic–racial identity was not found to buffer the effects of discrimination on health outcomes. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of examining collective ethnic–racial identity and the promotive effect it can have on health outcomes for African Americans. More research is needed to better understand if there are health outcomes in which collective ethnic–racial identity may also mitigate risk as a consequence of racial discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Racial discrimination is associated with numerous negative health outcomes, including increased risk for depression and anxiety symptoms and substance use. Positive affect toward of one's ethnic or racial group (i.e., ethnic-racial identity affirmation) has been shown to buffer the negative effects of racial discrimination on health outcomes. The extent to which one believes his or her group is valued by others (i.e., positive collective ethnic-racial identity) has also been proposed to be protective. However, to date a limited body of research has examined the moderating effect of collective ethnic-racial identity on health, and among available studies, findings are mixed.Method: African American youth (N = 612; 58.2% female, M grade = 8) completed measures on experiences of discrimination, mood symptoms, substance use, ethnic-racial identity affirmation, and collective ethnic-racial identity (assessed using the Collective Self-Esteem Scale).Results: Controlling for demographic variables and affirmation, a significant main effect was found for collective ethnic-racial identity, such that believing that others viewed your group positively was associated with better health outcomes among African American youth. However, collective ethnic-racial identity was not found to buffer the effects of discrimination on health outcomes.Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of examining collective ethnic-racial identity and the promotive effect it can have on health outcomes for African Americans. More research is needed to better understand if there are health outcomes in which collective ethnic-racial identity may also mitigate risk as a consequence of racial discrimination. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Substance use behaviors have been identified as a risk factor that places juveniles at greater risk for engaging in delinquent behaviors and continual contact with the juvenile justice system. Currently, there is lack of research that explores comorbid factors associated with substance use, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, that could help identify youth who are at greatest risk. The aim of the present study was to examine if PTSD symptomology moderated the relationship between substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms and externalizing behaviors and commission of a violent crime; hypothesizing that risk would be heightened among youth with elevated SUD and PTSD symptomology compared to those with elevated SUD symptoms but lower PTSD symptoms.Method: The study included 194 predominantly male (78.4%), non-White (74.2%) juvenile justice youth between the ages of 9-18 (M = 15.36). Youth provided responses to assess PTSD symptoms, SUD symptoms, and externalizing behaviors. Commission of a violent crime was based on parole officer report.Results: Findings indicated that SUD symptomology was associated with greater externalizing behaviors at high levels of PTSD symptomology. At low levels of PTSD symptomology, SUD symptoms were inversely associated with externalizing behaviors. An interactive relationship was not observed for commission of violent crimes.Conclusions: Findings suggest that the association between SUD symptoms and externalizing behaviors among juvenile offenders may be best explained by the presence of PTSD symptomology.Scientific Significance: Addressing PTSD rather than SUD symptoms may be a better target for reducing risk for externalizing behaviors among this population of youth (Am J Addict 2019;28:29-35). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The folding and insertion of integral ß-barrel membrane proteins into the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is required for viability and bacterial pathogenesis. Unfortunately, the lack of selective and potent modulators to dissect ß-barrel folding in vivo has hampered our understanding of this fundamental biological process. Here, we characterize amonoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits an essential component of the Escherichia coli ß-barrel assembly machine, BamA. In the absence of complement or other immune factors, the unmodified antibody MAB1 demonstrates bactericidal activity against an E. coli strain with truncated LPS. Direct binding of MAB1 to an extracellular BamA epitope inhibits its ß-barrel folding activity, induces periplasmic stress, disrupts outer membrane integrity, and kills bacteria. Notably, resistance to MAB1-mediated killing reveals a link between outermembrane fluidity and protein folding by BamA in vivo, underscoring the utility of this antibody for studying ß-barrel membrane protein folding within a living cell. Identification of this BamA antagonist highlights the potential for new mechanisms of antibiotics to inhibit Gramnegative bacterial growth by targeting extracellular epitopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common cause of congenital virus infection. Congenital HCMV infection occurs in 0.2–1% of all births, and causes birth defects and developmental abnormalities, including sensorineural hearing loss and developmental delay. Several key studies have established the guinea pig as a tractable model for the study of congenital HCMV infection and have shown that polyclonal antibodies can be protective [1]–[3]. In this study, we demonstrate that an anti-guinea pig CMV (GPCMV) glycoprotein H/glycoprotein L neutralizing monoclonal antibody protects against fetal infection and loss in the guinea pig. Furthermore, we have delineated the kinetics of GPCMV congenital infection, from maternal infection (salivary glands, seroconversion, placenta) to fetal infection (fetus and amniotic fluid). Our studies support the hypothesis that a neutralizing monoclonal antibody targeting an envelope GPCMV glycoprotein can protect the fetus from infection and may shed light on the therapeutic intervention of HCMV congenital infection in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although immunization against amyloid-β (Aβ) holds promise as a disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer disease (AD), it is associated with an undesirable accumulation of amyloid in the cerebrovasculature [i.e., cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)] and a heightened risk of micro-hemorrhages. The central and peripheral mechanisms postulated to modulate amyloid with anti-Aβ immunotherapy remain largely elusive. Here, we compared the effects of prolonged intracerebroventricular (icv) versus systemic delivery of anti-Aβ antibodies on the behavioral and pathological changes in an aged Tg2576 mouse model of AD. Prolonged icy infusions of anti-Aβ antibodies dose-dependently reduced the parenchymal plaque burden, astrogliosis, and dystrophic neurites at doses 10to 50-fold lower than used with systemic delivery of the same antibody. Both icy and systemic anti-Aβ antibodies reversed the behavioral impairment in contextual fear conditioning. More importantly, unlike systemically delivered anti-Aβ antibodies that aggravated vascular pathology, icv-infused antibodies globally reduced CAA and associated micro-hemorrhages. We present data suggesting that the divergent effects of icv-delivered anti-Aβ antibodies result from gradually engaging the local (i.e., central) mechanisms for amyloid clearance, distinct from the mechanisms engaged by high doses of anti-Aβ antibodies that circulate in the vasculature following systemic delivery. With robust efficacy in reversing AD-related pathology and an unexpected benefit in reducing CAA and associated micro-hemorrhages, icv-targeted passive immunotherapy offers a promising therapeutic approach for the long-term management of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to describe the steps to the development of a successful Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) workshop. PETE professors share a common goal for improving undergraduate pedagogy instruction. Pedagogy issues and concerns include curriculum decisions, field experience assignments, technology in the classroom, peer teaching ideas, assessment, electronic portfolios and textbook decisions. As a way of sharing ideas and brainstorming, university and college PETE professors in Tennessee meet annually at rotating campus sites. A core group of organizers plan the workshop based on interests and concerns express by attendees. The ultimate goal of the workshops is to better prepare future physical educators who are currently enrolled in university and college undergraduate licensure programs. The Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) sponsors the annual event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated relationships between climatological variables and abundance of larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in eastern South Dakota glacial lakes. Age-0 yellow perch were collected using a 0.75 m diameter ichthyoplankton net from May through mid-June at 7 to 10 d intervals. Highest correlation coefficients with larval yellow perch abundance were for April total precipitation (r=0.95-0.99; P=0.09- 0.01; three lakes), mean March wind speed (r=-0.98 to -0.99; P=0.02-0.006; two lakes), mean of May average daily temperatures (r=0.78; P=0.12; one lake) and mean May wind speed (r=-0.82; P=0.02; one lake). Given the low number of years in some samples, individual years at times had undue influence on the relationship, resulting in high correlation coefficients. Multiple regression modeling resulted in improved models for only two of the seven lakes (R²=0.90-0.98; P=0.05-0.02). However, March through May weather patterns in some combination were related to larval yellow perch abundance in all seven study lakes. Larval abundance tended to be higher in years with less wind, more precipitation, and warmer air temperatures. Whether wind, temperature, or precipitation were most influential seemed to vary by lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the near-saturated mutagenesis and functional analysis of nucleotides in the gag region of Moloney murine leukemia virus using genetic footprinting. Cell transfection and infection; Creation of a library of insertional mutations in gag; Viral replication as selection for gag function.

Presents a study that analyzed the relationships between alewives population characteristics and physiochemical lake variables in lakes in Connecticut. Assessment of the characteristics of alewife populations; Analysis of the growth rates of alewives; Correlation between alewife growth rate and lake depth.

The article examines the enforcement of the Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile Prosecution (EJJ) blended sentencing law in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The legal framework for judicial waiver is described. The offender and offense variables that influence prosecutorial charging and judicial sentencing decisions are identified by analyzing 504 youth cases against whom waiver and EJJ motions were filed between 1995 and 1997. The subsequent juvenile court processing is examined. The impact of the change in the law on prosecutorial and judicial policies is evaluated.

The article presents a collection of essays to expand the understanding of lesbians at midlife by exploring complexities of relationships and bonds that sustain and nurture the lives. It spotlights relationships with friends, lovers, parents and children and experiences with dating, recovery and loss. For most lesbian and heterosexual women, midlife is a positive, spirited time. But midlife is also a time of change and growth uniquely informed by self-perceptions accumulated over half a lifetime of experiences and energized by the awareness of the finiteness of lives. Consolidation and expansion is the internal process of midlife development, and the external process is the reshaping of lives to reflect and affirm a new midlife sense. Thus, a common narrative among women at midlife which reflects this process is the acquisition of greater self-awareness and increased self-acceptance. Midlife tales typically involve transition and change, when a woman comes to terms with who she is through self-acceptance or through retrieving a self previously limited by family loyalties.

A pilot study is described in which 4- to 5-hour tape-recorded interviews were conducted with 11 homosexual women and men, 60-77 years of age. Excerpts are drawn from interview protocols to illustrate variables under investigation in a current study on the adaptations and problems of aging homosexual and heterosexual women and men. Areas being examined include: physical change and physical health; work, retirement and leisure time; social behavior; psychological functioning; sexual behavior; and personal perspectives on the life course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retroviral capsid (CA) proteins contain a structurally conserved N-terminal domain (NTD) consisting of a β-hairpin and six to seven α-helices. To examine the role of this domain in Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) replication, we analyzed 18 insertional mutations in this region. All mutants were noninfectious. Based on the results of this analysis and our previous studies on additional mutations in this domain, we were able to divide the NTD of MoMLV CA into three functional regions. The first functional region included the region near the N terminus that forms the β-hairpin and was shown to control normal maturation of virions. The second region included the helix 4/5 loop and was essential for the formation of spherical cores. The third region encompassed most of the NTD except for the above loop. Mutants of this region assembled imperfect cores, as seen by detailed electron microscopy analyses, yet the resulting particles were efficiently released from cells. The mutants were defective at a stage immediately following entry of the core into cells. Despite possessing functional reverse transcriptase machinery, these mutant virions did not initiate reverse transcription in cells. This block could be due to structural defects in the assembling core or failure of an essential host protein to interact with the mutant CA protein, both of which may prevent correct disassembly upon entry of the virus into cells. Future studies are needed to understand the mechanism of these blocks and to target these regions pharmacologically to inhibit retroviral infection at additional stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the identification of a novel domain in the Gag protein of Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoLV) that is important for the formation of spherical cores. Analysis of 18 insertional mutations in the N-terminal domain of the capsid protein (CA) identified 3 that were severely defective for viral assembly and release. Transmission electron microscopy of cells producing these mutants showed assembly of Gag proteins in large, flat or dome-shaped patches at the plasma membrane. Spherical cores were not formed, and viral particles were not released. This late assembly/release block was partially rescued by wild-type virus. All three mutations localized to the small loop between α-helices 4 and 5 of CA, analogous to the cyclophilin A-binding loop of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 CA. In the X-ray structure of the hexameric form of MLV CA, this loop is located at the periphery of the hexamer. The phenotypes of mutations in this loop suggest that formation of a planar lattice of Gag is unhindered by mutations in the loop. However, the lack of progression of these planar structures to spherical ones suggests that mutations in this loop may prevent formation of pentamers or of stable pentamer-hexamer interactions, which are essential for the formation of a closed, spherical core. This region in CA, focused to a few residues of a small loop, may offer a novel therapeutic target for retroviral diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple small-molecule inhibitors of the ß-secretase enzyme (BACE1) are under preclinical or clinical investigation for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prior work has illustrated robust lowering of central amyloid β (A#946;) after acute administration of BACE1 inhibitors. However, very few studies have assessed the overall impact of chronically administered BACE1 inhibitors on brain amyloid burden, neuropathology, and behavioral function in aged preclinical models. We investigated the effects of a potent nonbrain-penetrant BACE1 inhibitor, delivered directly to the brain using intracerebroventricular infusion in an aged transgenic mouse model. Intracerebroventricular infusion of the BACE1 inhibitor (0.3-23.5 μ/d) for 8 weeks, initiated in 17-month-old Tg2576 mice, produced dose-dependent increases in brain inhibitor concentrations (0.2-13 μM). BACE1 inhibition significantly reversed the behavioral deficit in contextual fear conditioning, and reduced brain Aß levels, plaque burden, and associated pathology (e.g., dystrophic neurites), with maximal effects attained with ~ 1 μg/d dose. Strikingly, the BACE1 inhibitor also reversed amyloid pathology below baseline levels (amyloid burden at the start of treatment), without adversely affecting cerebral amyloid angiopathy, microhemorrhages, myelination, or neuromuscular function. Inhibitor-mediated decline in brain amyloid pathology was associated with an increase in microglial ramification. This is the first demonstration of chronically administered BACE1 inhibitor to activate microglia, reverse brain amyloid pathology, and elicit functional improvement in an aged transgenic mouse model. Thus, engagement of novel glial-mediated clearance mechanisms may drive diseasemodifying therapeutic benefit with BACE1 inhibition in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have discovered that β-III spectrin (SPTBN2) mutations cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5) in an 11-generation American kindred descended from President Lincoln's grandparents and two additional families. Two families have separate in-frame deletions of 39 and 15 bp, and a third family has a mutation in the actin/ARP1 binding region. β-III spectrin is highly expressed in Purkinje cells and has been shown to stabilize the glutamate transporter EAAT4 at the surface of the plasma membrane. We found marked differences in EAAT4 and GluRδ2 by protein blot and cell fractionation in SCA5 autopsy tissue. Cell culture studies demonstrate that wild-type but not mutant β-III spectrin stabilizes EAAT4 at the plasma membrane. Spectrin mutations are a previously unknown cause of ataxia and neurodegenerative disease that affect membrane proteins involved in glutamate signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on the findings of a survey conducted on the history of psychology courses. Dependence of faculty on textbooks to organize their courses; Common characteristics of course syllabi; Characteristics of ancient and modern courses.

Specialty care contributes significantly to total medical expenditures, for which accountable care organizations (ACOs) are responsible. ACOs have sought to replace costly in-person visits with lower-cost alternatives such as virtual visits (videoconferencing with physicians). In fee-for-service environments, virtual visits appear to add to in-person visits instead of replacing them. While this may be less of a problem within ACOs, whether virtual visits reduce in-person visits in an ACO is not known. Using data from over 35,000 patients in the period 2014-17 within a Massachusetts-based ACO, we found that the use of virtual visits reduced in-person visits by 33 percent but increased total visits (virtual plus in-person visits) by 80 percent over 1.5 years. While the use of virtual visits reduced in-person visits soon after registering with the program, the effect did not endure beyond a year. Whether and how virtual visits can substitute for in-person care in the long term are open questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huntington's disease is caused by expression of a mutant form of Huntingtin protein containing an expanded polyglutamine repeat. One possible treatment for Huntington's disease may be to reduce expression of mutant Huntingtin in the brain via RNA interference. Unless the therapeutic molecule is designed to be allele-specific, both wild-type and mutant protein will be suppressed by an RNA interference treatment. A key question is whether suppression of wild-type as well as mutant Huntingtin in targeted brain regions can be tolerated and result in a net benefit to patients with Huntington's disease. Whether Huntingtin performs essential functions in the adult brain is unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the adult primate brain can tolerate moderately reduced levels of wild-type Huntingtin protein for an extended period of time. A serotype 2 adeno-associated viral vector encoding for a short hairpin RNA targeting rhesus huntingtin messenger RNA (active vector) was bilaterally injected into the striatum of four adult rhesus monkeys. Four additional animals received a comparable vector encoding a scrambled control short hairpin RNA (control vector). General health and motor behaviour were monitored for 6 months. Upon termination, brain tissues were sampled and assessed blindly for (i) huntingtin messenger RNA knockdown; (ii) Huntingtin protein expression; and (iii) neuropathological changes. Reduction in wild-type huntingtin messenger RNA levels averaging ∼30% was measured in the striatum of active vector recipients 6 months post-injection. A widespread reduction in Huntingtin protein levels was also observed by immunohistochemistry in these animals, with an average protein reduction of ∼45% relative to controls measured by western blot analysis in the putamen of active vector recipients. As with control vector recipients, no adverse effects were observed behaviourally, and no neurodegeneration was found on histological examination of active vector recipients. Our results suggest that long-term partial suppression of wild-type Huntingtin may be safe, and thus if a comparable level of suppression of mutant Huntingtin is beneficial, then partial suppression of both wild-type and mutant Huntingtin may result in a net benefit in patients with heterozygous Huntington's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This field trial examined the process of assigning drug-involved offenders to dispositions based on their criminogenic risks and needs. Methods: Probation officers administered the Risk and Needs Triage (RANT)™ to 627 felony drug and property offenders at the pre-trial stage or shortly after sentencing to probation. The RANT™ was evaluated for internal scale consistency, factor structure, and predictive validity for re-arrest and re-conviction rates within 12 months of case disposition. Exploratory analyses examined whether recidivism was lower for participants who were assigned to an appropriate disposition given their assessment results. Results: The RANT™ demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and factorial validity, and significantly predicted re-arrest and re-conviction rates within 12 months of case disposition. There was no racial or gender bias in the prediction of recidivism. Non-significant trends favored better outcomes for participants who were assigned to the indicated dispositions. Conclusions: The results lend support for the RANT™ as a dispositional triage tool for drug-involved defendants and probationers at or near the point of arrest. The results also lend tentative support to the hypothesis that outcomes might be better if drug-involved offenders were matched to appropriate dispositions based on their risk-and-need profiles. Directions for future research are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We previously reported that a (CTG)n expansion causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8), a slowly progressive ataxia with reduced penetrance. We now report a transgenic mouse model in which the full-length human SCA8 mutation is transcribed using its endogenous promoter. (CTG)116 expansion, but not (CTG)11 control lines, develop a progressive neurological phenotype with in vivo imaging showing reduced cerebellar-cortical inhibition. 1C2-positive intranuclear inclusions in cerebellar Purkinje and brainstem neurons in SCA8 expansion mice and human SCA8 autopsy tissue result from translation of a polyglutamine protein, encoded on a previously unidentified antiparallel transcript (ataxin 8, ATXN8 ) spanning the repeat in the CAG direction. The neurological phenotype in SCA8 BAC expansion but not BAC control lines demonstrates the pathogenicity of the (CTG-CAG)n expansion. Moreover, the expression of noncoding (CUG)n expansion transcripts (ataxin 8 opposite strand, ATXN8OS ) and the discovery of intranuclear polyglutamine inclusions suggests SCA8 pathogenesis involves toxic gain-of-function mechanisms at both the protein and RNA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simulation model for detailed micro-level examination of ongoing and proposed probation-and-parole operations was developed and exercised for a wide variety of external conditions and alternative internal-decision scenarios. We describe the system and model, report on statistical experimental-design and sensitivity analyses, and discuss implications for public policy and implementation issues. We also illustrate some general simulation-methodological practices in this application. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]