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ObjectivesSchool racial/ethnic segregation in U.S. schoolsDifferences in school racial/ethnic composition may increase health disparities by concentrating educational opportunities that confer long-term health benefits in schools serving predominantly wwhite students. For racial minority students, high concentrations of white students may increase exposure to racismis also associated with psychologicstress, which may ultimately reduceing the long-term health benefits from educational opportunities. Meanwhile associations of racial/ethnic academic tacking within schools and health have been mixed. We sought to test whether: 1) differences in racial/ethnic composition between schools and, 2) racial/ethnic distribution of students in academic tracks within schools are associated with long-term health benefits or risks for white, Black and Latinx students.MethodsWe analyzed the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (12,438 participants, collected 1994-2008), to test whether the school-level segregation (percent of non-Latinx white students at participants' school during adolescence) was associated with adult health outcomes at ages 18-26 & 24-32, controlling for contextual factorscomparing Black, Latinx, and white students, and controlling for contextualf factors. A secondary analysis explored whether racial/ethnic cohorting across levels of English courses was associated with each health outcome.ResultsAttending a school with a higher percent of white students was associated with higher adult depression scores, substance abuse, and worse self-rated health for black Black students; lower depression scores, better self-rated health, and alcohol abuse for white students; and no health differences for Latinx students. Greater within school racial/ethnic cohorting across English courses was associated with increased odds of alcohol abuse for white students; decreased odds of alcohol abuse for Black and Latinx students; and decreased odds of drug abuse for Black students.ConclusionAmong Bblack youth, attending a school with a higher percentage of white students is associated with worse behavioral health in adulthood. Understanding the potential impacts of school racial/ethnic composition on health is critical to designing policies that maximize access to opportunity and health.Education policies should comprehensively address school quality and racism to maximize adult health.

This report presents the outcomes of the Music Therapy/Songwriting Workshop held from August 3rd to August 30th, 2021, funded by the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a centrally sponsored programme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. The workshop aimed to familiarise participants with the concept of music therapy, introduce various music therapy intervention models, and specifically focus on the role of songwriting as a therapeutic tool. Participants were selected from the University of Madras based on their expertise in music, language, and psychology. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the workshop, including its objectives, methodology, and key outcomes. It highlights the content covered during the training sessions, which included an introduction to music therapy principles, an exploration of different music therapy intervention models, and an in-depth focus on the role of songwriting as an academic and educational modality. Furthermore, the report presents the outcomes and impact of the workshop on the participants.

PurposeIn the initial PALOMA-2 (NCT01740427) analysis with median follow-up of 23 months, palbociclib plus letrozole significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC) [hazard ratio (HR) 0.58; P

Background: Many youth experiencing first-episode psychosis face more academic and vocational challenges than their peers. Yet few studies have explored the perspectives of youth who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) following psychosis and contrasted these with those of their counterparts engaged in education and/or employment. To address this gap, this study explored personal journeys of (re-)engaging in education and employment after psychosis. Methods: Using a descriptive qualitative design, grounded in self-determination theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals receiving services at an early intervention program for psychosis. Eight youth who were NEET and six who were working/in education participated. Results: The analysis produced three themes that were salient to both youth with psychosis who were NEET and those in work/school: relatedness or the importance of belonging and being cared for; perceived competence; and a desire for a sense of autonomy. The themes, aligned with the self-determination theory, showed youths negotiating their decision to (re-)engage in education and employment. Discussion: Engaging in education and employment seems part of a larger process that draws on significant past experiences and the envisioned future self. Efforts targeting vocational functioning are best situated in understandings of identity, recovery, and psychological needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early intervention services (EIS) for psychosis have proven highly effective in treating first episode psychosis. Yet, retention or "engagement" in EIS remains highly variable. Dis/engagement as a contested concept and fluid process involving relationships between service providers and service users remains poorly understood. This study aimed to critically evaluate and explain the dynamic interplay of service provider-user relationships in effecting dis/engagement from an early intervention program for psychosis. Methods: Forty study participants, 16 service providers and 24 service users (19 current and 5 disengaged) from a Canadian EIS program, were administered semi-structured interviews. Qualitative analysis was conducted using grounded theory methods, with findings captured and reconceptualized in a novel explanatory model. Findings: A model of engagement with eight major domains of engagement in EIS positioned along a control-autonomy spectrum was developed from the findings, with Clinical engagement (attendance) and Life engagement (life activities) at opposite ends of the spectrum, interspersed by six intermediate domains: Medication/treatment, Symptoms/illness, Mental health, Physical health/wellness, Communication, and Relationships, each domain bearing uniquely on engagement. Conclusions: An examination of service user and service provider perspectives on the various domains identified in the spectrum model, and their dynamic interplay, reveals the complexity of choices faced by service users in engaging and not engaging with services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundPatient-reported outcomes are integral in benefit-risk assessments of new treatment regimens. The PALOMA-2 study provides the largest body of evidence for patient-reported health-related quality of life (QOL) for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receiving first-line endocrine-based therapy (palbociclib plus letrozole and letrozole alone).Patients and methodsTreatment-naïve postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) MBC were randomized 2 : 1 to palbociclib plus letrozole (n = 444) or placebo plus letrozole (n = 222). Patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline, day 1 of cycles 2 and 3, and day 1 of every other cycle from cycle 5 using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-Breast and EuroQOL 5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaires.ResultsAs of 26 February 2016, the median duration of follow-up was 23 months. Baseline scores were comparable between the two treatment arms. No significant between-arm differences were observed in change from baseline in FACT-Breast Total, FACT-General Total, or EQ-5D scores. Significantly greater improvement in pain scores was observed in the palbociclib plus letrozole arm (-0.256 versus -0.098; P = 0.0183). In both arms, deterioration of FACT-Breast Total score was significantly delayed in patients without progression versus those with progression and patients with partial or complete response versus those without. No significant difference was observed in FACT-Breast and EQ-5D index scores in patients with and without neutropenia.ConclusionsOverall, women with MBC receiving first-line endocrine therapy have a good QOL. The addition of palbociclib to letrozole maintains health-related QOL and improves pain scores in treatment-naïve postmenopausal patients with ER+/HER2- MBC compared with letrozole alone. Significantly greater delay in deterioration of health-related QOL was observed in patients without progression versus those who progressed and in patients with an objective response versus non-responders. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01740427 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01740427).

Shameer Ahmed,1 Gunjan Baijal,2 Rudrappa Somashekar,3 Subramania Iyer,4 Vijayashree Nayak1 1Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus, Sancoale, Goa, India; 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Manipal Hospital Goa, Panaji, Goa, India; 3Centre for Materials Science and Technology, Vijnana Bhavan, Mysore, Karnataka, India; 4Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Ponekkara, Cochin, IndiaCorrespondence: Vijayashree NayakDepartment of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus, NH 17B, Bypass Road, Zuarinagar, Sancoale, Goa, 403726, IndiaTel +91 832 258 0101 (Ext. 161)Email vijayashree@goa.bits-pilani.ac.inBackground: Radiotherapy is an important treatment modality for many types of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Nanomaterials comprised of high atomic number (Z) elements are novel radiosensitizers enhance radiation injury by production of free radicals and subsequent DNA damage. Gold nanoparticles are upcoming as promising radiosensitizers due to their high (Z) biocompatibility, and ease for surface engineering. Bimetallic nanoparticles have shown enhanced anticancer activity compared to monometallic nanoparticles.Materials and Methods: PEG-coated Au–Ag alloy nanoparticles (BNPs) were synthesized using facile one pot synthesis techniques. Size of ∼ 50± 5nm measured by dynamic light scattering. Morphology, structural composition and elemental mapping were analyzed by electron microscopy and SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering). The radiosensitization effects on KB oral cancer cells were evaluated by irradiation with 6MV X-rays on linear accelerator. Nuclear damage was imaged using confocal microscopy staining cells with Hoechst stain. Computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement of BNPs was compared to that of the clinically used agent, Omnipaque.Results: BNPs were synthesized using PEG 600 as reducing and stabilizing agent. The surface charge of well dispersed colloidal BNPs solution was − 5mV. Electron microscopy reveals spherical morphology. HAADF-STEM and elemental mapping studies showed that the constituent metals were Au and Ag intermixed nanoalloy. Hydrodynamic diameter was ∼ 50± 5nm due to PEG layer and water molecules absorption. SAXS measurement confirmed BNPs size around 35nm. Raman shift of around 20 cm− 1 was observed when BNPs were coated with PEG. 1H NMR showed extended involvement of −OH in synthesis. BNPs efficiently enter cytoplasm of KB cells and demonstrated potent in vitro radiosensitization with enhancement ratio ∼ 1.5– 1.7. Imaging Hoechst-stained nuclei demonstrated apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. BNPs exhibit better CT contrast enhancement ability compared to Omnipaque.Conclusion: This bimetallic intermix nanoparticles could serve a dual function as radiosensitizer and CT contrast agent against oral cancers, and by extension possibly other cancers as well.Keywords: bimetallic intermix alloy nanoparticles, radiosensitizers, nanomedicine, PEG, poly ethylene glycol, CT contrast, apoptosis

Antonietta M Lillo,1 Nileena Velappan,1 Julia M Kelliher,1 Austin J Watts,1 Samuel P Merriman,1 Grace Vuyisich,2 Laura M Lilley,2 Kent E Coombs,1 Tara Mastren,2 Munehiro Teshima,1 Benjamin W Stein,2 Gregory L Wagner,2 Srinivas Iyer,1 Andrew RM Bradbury,3 Jennifer Foster Harris,1 Armand E Dichosa,1 Stosh A Kozimor2 1Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA; 2Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA; 3Specifica Inc., Santa Fe, NM, USACorrespondence: Antonietta M LilloUSA Department of Energy, In Care of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bikini Atoll Road, SM-30, TA-43, Building 0001, Room 220, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USATel +1 505-606-0578Fax +1 505-665-9030Email alillo@lanl.govBackground: Yersinia pestis is a category A infective agent that causes bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Notably, the acquisition of antimicrobial or multidrug resistance through natural or purposed means qualifies Y. pestis as a potential biothreat agent. Therefore, high-quality antibodies designed for accurate and sensitive Y. pestis diagnostics, and therapeutics potentiating or replacing traditional antibiotics are of utmost need for national security and public health preparedness.Methods: Here, we describe a set of human monoclonal immunoglobulins (IgG1s) targeting Y. pestis fraction 1 (F1) antigen, previously derived from in vitro evolution of a phage-display library of single-chain antibodies (scFv). We extensively characterized these antibodies and their effect on bacterial and mammalian cells via: ELISA, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and various metabolic assays.Results: Two of our anti-F1 IgG (αF1Ig 2 and αF1Ig 8) stood out for high production yield, specificity, and stability. These two antibodies were additionally attractive in that they displayed picomolar affinity, did not compete when binding Y. pestis, and retained immunoreactivity upon chemical derivatization. Most importantly, these antibodies detected < 1,000 Y. pestis cells in sandwich ELISA, did not harm respiratory epithelial cells, induced Y. pestis agglutination at low concentration (350 nM), and caused apparent reduction in cell growth when radiolabeled at a nonagglutinating concentration (34 nM).Conclusion: These antibodies are amenable to the development of accurate and sensitive diagnostics and immuno/radioimmunotherapeutics.Keywords: immunodiagnostic, radioimmunotherapy, RIT, immunotherapy, radiolabeling, immunoantibiotic, lateral flow assay, LFA

BackgroundAfrica has one of the highest incidences of gonorrhea. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is gaining resistance to most of the available antibiotics, compromising treatment across the world. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is an efficient way of predicting AMR determinants and their spread in the population. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies like Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) have helped in the generation of longer reads of DNA in a shorter duration with lower cost. Increasing accuracy of base-calling algorithms, high throughput, error-correction strategies, and ease of using the mobile sequencer MinION in remote areas lead to its adoption for routine microbial genome sequencing. To investigate whether MinION-only sequencing is sufficient for WGS and downstream analysis in resource-limited settings, we sequenced the genomes of 14 suspected N. gonorrhoeae isolates from Nairobi, Kenya.MethodsUsing WGS, the isolates were confirmed to be cases of N. gonorrhoeae (n = 9), and there were three co-occurrences of N. gonorrhoeae with Moraxella osloensis and N. meningitidis (n = 2). N. meningitidis has been implicated in sexually transmitted infections in recent years. The near-complete N. gonorrhoeae genomes (n = 10) were analyzed further for mutations/factors causing AMR using an in-house database of mutations curated from the literature.ResultsWe observe that ciprofloxacin resistance is associated with multiple mutations in both gyrA and parC. Mutations conferring tetracycline (rpsJ) and sulfonamide (folP) resistance and plasmids encoding beta-lactamase were seen in all the strains, and tet(M)-containing plasmids were identified in nine strains. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the 10 isolates into clades containing previously sequenced genomes from Kenya and countries across the world. Based on homology modeling of AMR targets, we see that the mutations in GyrA and ParC disrupt the hydrogen bonding with quinolone drugs and mutations in FolP may affect interaction with the antibiotic.ConclusionHere, we demonstrate the utility of mobile DNA sequencing technology in producing a consensus genome for sequence typing and detection of genetic determinants of AMR. The workflow followed in the study, including AMR mutation dataset creation and the genome identification, assembly, and analysis, can be used for any clinical isolate. Further studies are required to determine the utility of real-time sequencing in outbreak investigations, diagnosis, and management of infections, especially in resource-limited settings.

Zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4), with a spinel structure is known for its versatile applications as catalyst, ceramic material, and optoelectronic device. ZnAl2O4 is an excellent host for trivalent rare-earth ions such as Dy3+, Tb3+, Eu3+ and Sm3+ has been extensively investigated for application in display devices. The focus of this work is on Ce3+ and Eu3+ co-dopants aiming to address issues such as multistage combustion synthesis routes, the formation of secondary phases, that often impact luminescence intensity. Through a systematic approach, we synthesized the ZnAl2O4 host with consistent cerium concentration and varying europium ions using one-step combustion synthesis route. The findings reveal that the synthesized material exhibits efficient energy transfer, mitigates concentration quenching and demonstrates favorable color chromaticity. The crystal structure analysis confirms phase purity and addresses concerns related to secondary phase formation. The simplified and cost-effective approach of one-step combustion synthesis method for synthesizing Ce3+ and Eu3+ co-doped ZnAl2O4 suggests that this phosphor has potential applications in ultraviolet photo-electronic technology and other opto-electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]