Search

The acute shortage of human organs and tissues for transplantation has been attributed in part to health professionals, including nurses, for their reluctance to recognize and refer suitable candidates for donation. In 1988, nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding organ and tissue donation and transplantation were assessed using a 70-item questionnaire. Respondents included 1,683 nurses employed in 62 rural and urban hospitals in the Midwest. Only 365 respondents (21.7 percent) reported having requested tissue donations and 243 (14.4 percent) reported having requested organ donations. However, of those who requested tissue or organ donations, 270 (74 percent) obtained consents for tissues and 150 (61.7 percent) obtained consent for organ donations. Respondents were knowledgeable about organ and tissue donation (mean score of 7.5 on a 0 to 10 knowledge scale with 10 as highest) and reported attitudes and beliefs were moderately positive. Factors that were significantly correlated with the number of requests made for organs and tissues and the number of consents obtained included nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about donation; nurses' perception of their own confidence in their ability to request tissues and organs; being a supervisor; and working in an emergency department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study aimed to impute the genetic makeup of individual fishes of Serrasalmidae family on the basis of body weight and morphometric measurements. Eighty-three juveniles, belonging to the genetic groups Pacu, Pirapitinga, Tambaqui, Tambacu, Tambatinga, Patinga, Paqui and Piraqui, were separated into 16 water tanks in a recirculation system, with two tanks per genetic group, where they remained until they reached 495 days of age. They were then weighed and analyzed according to the following morphometric parameters: Standard Length (SL), Head Length (HL), Body Height (BH), and Body Width (BW). The identity of each fish was confirmed with two SNPs and two mitochondrial markers. Two analyses were performed: one for the validating the imputation and another for imputing a genetic composition of animals considered to be advanced hybrids (post F1). In both analyses, we used linear mixed models with a mixture of normal distributions to impute the genetic makeup of the fish based on phenotype. We applied the mixed models method, whereby the environmental effects were estimated by the Empirical Best Linear Unbiased Estimator (EBLUE) and genetic effects are considered random, obtaining the Empirical Best Linear Unbiased Predictor (EBLUP) from the general (GCA) and the specific (SCA) combining ability effects. The results showed that validation of the genetic makeup imputation based on body weight can be used because of the strong correlation between the observed and imputed genotype. The fish classified as advanced hybrids had a genetic composition with a high probability of belonging to known genotypes and there was consistency in genotype imputation according to the different characteristics used.

Adolescence is a time of heightened vulnerability for both peer victimization (PV) and internalizing symptoms. While the positive association between them is well established, there is little understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this relationship. To address this gap, the current study aimed to investigate sleep hygiene and school night sleep duration as individual and sequential mediators of the relationship between PV and both depressive and social anxiety symptoms during pre- to mid-adolescence. The study drew upon a community sample of 528 Australian youth aged 10-12 years at baseline ( M age = 11.19, SD = .55; 51.1% boys) and data were collected over five annual measurement occasions. Direct and indirect longitudinal and bidirectional associations were examined using cross-lagged panel analysis. There was no evidence of sequential mediation through both sleep hygiene and sleep duration to depression and social anxiety. Instead, the findings show that sleep hygiene mediated the prospective association between PV and both depressive and social anxiety symptoms, and between PV and sleep duration. Overall, sleep hygiene represents a modifiable transdiagnostic factor that can be targeted to break the cycle of PV, inadequate sleep, and internalizing symptoms.

Study Objectives: Parental warmth in adolescence protects sleep in early adulthood, yet the nature, directions, and mechanisms of this association across adolescence are unknown. This study examined parental warmth, adolescent sleep hygiene and sleep outcomes (morning/eveningness, school night sleep duration, and daytime sleepiness) across five annual waves, spanning four years, using a cross-lagged panel design., Methods: Adolescents and one primary caregiver (96% mothers) completed questionnaires assessing parental warmth (child- and parent-report) and adolescent sleep hygiene and sleep (child-report), across five annual waves: Wave 1 (N = 531, Mage = 11.18, SD = 0.56, 51% male), Wave 2 (N = 504, Mage = 12.19, SD = 0.53, 52% male), Wave 3 (N = 478, Mage = 13.19, SD = 0.53, 52% male), Wave 4 (N = 440, Mage = 14.76, SD = 0.47, 51% male), and Wave 5 (N = 422, Mage = 15.75, SD = 0.49, 51% male)., Results: Greater child-reported parental warmth was indirectly associated with better adolescent sleep (greater morningness, longer school night sleep duration, less sleepiness) through healthier sleep hygiene. The inverse was also often observed. Warmth had a direct relationship with sleep duration and sleepiness, independent of sleep hygiene. Parent-reported parental warmth did not predict, nor was predicted by child-reported adolescent sleep., Conclusions: Parental warmth may protect against developmental changes in adolescent sleep, partially by improving sleep hygiene practices. Similarly, inadequate adolescent sleep may negatively impact parental warmth via deteriorating sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene emerged as a key mechanism for protecting adolescent sleep and parent-child relationships., (© Sleep Research Society 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society.)

This White Paper addresses the current gaps in knowledge, as well as opportunities for future studies in pediatric sleep. The Sleep Research Society's Pipeline Development Committee assembled a panel of experts tasked to provide information to those interested in learning more about the field of pediatric sleep, including trainees. We cover the scope of pediatric sleep, including epidemiological studies and the development of sleep and circadian rhythms in early childhood and adolescence. Additionally, we discuss current knowledge of insufficient sleep and circadian disruption, addressing the neuropsychological impact (affective functioning) and cardiometabolic consequences. A significant portion of this White Paper explores pediatric sleep disorders (including circadian rhythm disorders, insomnia, restless leg and periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea), as well as sleep and neurodevelopment disorders (e.g. autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Finally, we end with a discussion on sleep and public health policy. Although we have made strides in our knowledge of pediatric sleep, it is imperative that we address the gaps to the best of our knowledge and the pitfalls of our methodologies. For example, more work needs to be done to assess pediatric sleep using objective methodologies (i.e. actigraphy and polysomnography), to explore sleep disparities, to improve accessibility to evidence-based treatments, and to identify potential risks and protective markers of disorders in children. Expanding trainee exposure to pediatric sleep and elucidating future directions for study will significantly improve the future of the field., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Timing of nutrient intake for athletes may affect exercise performance and cardiometabolic factors. Our objective was to examine the effect of time-restricted eating (TRE) on cardiometabolic health. Using a cross-over study design, 15 endurance-trained male runners were randomized to either a normal dietary pattern (ND) first (12 h eating/fasting times) followed by time-restricted eating (TRE) pattern (16 h fast; 8 h eating) or the reverse, with a 4-week washout period between interventions. Body composition, resting energy expenditure, blood pressure and serum insulin, glucose and lipids were measured using standard laboratory methods. Exercise training and dietary intake (calories and macronutrients) were similar across interventions. No significant differences were observed in resting energy expenditure, markers of insulin resistance, serum lipids or blood pressure. Body composition did change significantly ( p < 0.05) with whole body fat mass (-0.8 ± 1.3 kg with TRE vs. +0.1 ± 4.3 kg with ND), leg fat mass (-0.3 ± 0.5 kg with TRE vs. +0.1 ± 0.4 kg with ND), and percent body fat (-1.0 ± 1.5% with TRE vs. +0.1 ± 1.3% with ND) declining more in the TRE intervention, with no change in fat-free mass. This study is one of a few to investigate the effects of an isocaloric 16/8 TRE eating pattern in trained endurance athletes and confirms no change in cardiometabolic risk factors. In conclusion, TRE is not detrimental to cardiometabolic health in endurance-trained male runners but could be beneficial on exercise performance by reducing fat mass.

Research has consistently shown that more physically attractive individuals are perceived by others to be happier and better psychologically adjusted than those perceived as less attractive. However, due to the lack of longitudinal research in adolescents, it is still unclear whether poor mental health predicts or is predicted by either objective or subjective attractiveness during this critical developmental period. The purpose of the current study was to examine prospective bidirectional associations between both subjective and objective ratings of attractiveness, life satisfaction and symptoms of social anxiety, depression and eating disorders (i.e., internalizing symptoms) from early to mid-adolescence. Participants (T1: N = 528, 49.9% girls; M age  = 11.19; SD = 0.55) were followed annually over four time points. The cross-lagged panel model results revealed evidence of prospective associations between both forms of attractiveness and life satisfaction and internalizing symptoms, which were driven more by changes in the mental health outcomes than by changes in the subjective and objective attractiveness ratings. The results also indicated that the pattern, strength, and direction of the associations tested were robust across boys and girls, and white and non-white ethnic groups. Overall, the findings suggest that it is important to find effective ways of educating adolescents who are unhappy with their appearance that making changes to improve their mental health, rather than focusing on their physical appearance, will have benefits not only for how they perceive themselves but also for how they are perceived by others., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the impact of adolescent-relevant risk factors on changes in social anxiety symptoms from pre-to early-adolescence., Methods: From 2016 to 2018, 528 youth (51% boys) were tested in three annual waves across grades 6, 7, and 8 (M ages 11.2, 12.7, 13.7 years). Through online surveys youth reported on peer relationships that were combined into two latent factors: 1) appearance comparisons, comprising youth reports of appearance comparisons relative to others in general and while using social media, along with perceived attractiveness; and 2) positive peer connections, comprising youth reports of group affiliation, school belonging, and peer victimisation. Youth and their parents also reported on the youth's level of pubertal development as well as the youth's level of social anxiety using previously validated questionnaires. Social anxiety was also assessed with structured diagnostic interview., Results: Separate cross-lagged panel models were used to model longitudinal associations between all risk factors and youth, parent, and interviewer-reported measures of social anxiety. Of the associations tested, only appearance comparisons directly predicted increases in social anxiety symptoms 12 months later across all models. More advanced pubertal development was associated with increased appearance comparisons the following year. On the other hand, higher levels of social anxiety predicted subsequent reductions in positive peer connections in parent and interviewer models., Conclusions: These results highlight the important and interconnected impact of pubertal development and appearance comparisons on both the development of social anxiety symptoms during early adolescence, as well as the social consequences of social anxiety., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A considerable body of research in adults has demonstrated that anxiety disorders are characterised by attentional biases to threat. Findings in children have been inconsistent. The present study examined anxiety-related attention biases using eye tracking methodology in 463 preadolescents between 10 and 12 years of age, of whom 92 met criteria for a DSM-5 anxiety disorder and 371 did not. Preadolescent's gaze was recorded while they viewed adolescent face pairs depicting angry-neutral and happy-neutral expressions with each face pair presented for 5000 ms. No group differences were observed across any eye tracking indices including probability of first fixation direction, latency to first fixation, first fixation duration and dwell time. The sample overall showed faster initial attention towards threat cues, followed by a later broadening of attention away from threat. There is a need to identify the types of threats and the developmental period during which visual attention patterns of anxious and non-anxious youth diverge to inform more developmentally sensitive treatments., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Calorie restriction (CR) is a common approach to inducing negative energy balance. Recently, time-restricted feeding (TRF), which involves consuming food within specific time windows during a 24-h day, has become popular owing to its relative ease of practice and potential to aid in achieving and maintaining a negative energy balance. TRF can be implemented intentionally with CR, or TRF might induce CR simply because of the time restriction. This review focuses on summarizing our current knowledge on how TRF and continuous CR affect gut peptides that influence satiety. Based on peer-reviewed studies, in response to CR there is an increase in the orexigenic hormone ghrelin and a reduction in fasting leptin and insulin. There is likely a reduction in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and cholecystokinin (CCK), albeit the evidence for this is weak. After TRF, unlike CR, fasting ghrelin decreased in some TRF studies, whereas it showed no change in several others. Further, a reduction in fasting leptin, insulin, and GLP-1 has been observed. In conclusion, when other determinants of food intake are held equal, the peripheral satiety systems appear to be somewhat similarly affected by CR and TRF with regard to leptin, insulin, and GLP-1. But unlike CR, TRF did not appear to robustly increase ghrelin, suggesting different influences on appetite with a potential decrease of hunger after TRF when compared with CR. However, there are several established and novel gut peptides that have not been measured within the context of CR and TRF, and studies that have evaluated effects of TRF are often short-term, with nonuniform study designs and highly varying temporal eating patterns. More evidence and studies addressing these aspects are needed to draw definitive conclusions., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition 2022.)

This review focuses on summarizing current knowledge on how time-restricted feeding (TRF) and continuous caloric restriction (CR) affect central neuroendocrine systems involved in regulating satiety. Several interconnected regions of the hypothalamus, brainstem, and cortical areas of the brain are involved in the regulation of satiety. Following CR and TRF, the increase in hunger and reduction in satiety signals of the melanocortin system [neuropeptide Y (NPY), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and agouti-related peptide (AgRP)] appear similar between CR and TRF protocols, as do the dopaminergic responses in the mesocorticolimbic circuit. However, ghrelin and leptin signaling via the melanocortin system appears to improve energy balance signals and reduce hyperphagia following TRF, which has not been reported in CR. In addition to satiety systems, CR and TRF also influence circadian rhythms. CR influences the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) or the primary circadian clock as seen by increased clock gene expression. In contrast, TRF appears to affect both the SCN and the peripheral clocks, as seen by phasic changes in the non-SCN (potentially the elusive food entrainable oscillator) and metabolic clocks. The peripheral clocks are influenced by the primary circadian clock but are also entrained by food timing, sleep timing, and other lifestyle parameters, which can supersede the metabolic processes that are regulated by the primary circadian clock. Taken together, TRF influences hunger/satiety, energy balance systems, and circadian rhythms, suggesting a role for adherence to CR in the long run if implemented using the TRF approach. However, these suggestions are based on only a few studies, and future investigations that use standardized protocols for the evaluation of the effect of these diet patterns (time, duration, meal composition, sufficiently powered) are necessary to verify these preliminary observations., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition 2022.)

Background: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends consuming ~225 g/wk of a variety of seafood providing >1.75 g/wk of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, however individual responses to treatment vary., Objective: This study had three main objectives. First, to determine if a DGA-conforming diet (DGAD), in comparison to a typical American diet (TAD), can increase the omega-3 index (OM3I), i.e., the red blood cell mol% of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Second, to identify factors explaining variability in the OM3I response to dietary treatment. Third to identify factors associated with the baseline OM3I., Design: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind 8 wk dietary intervention of overweight/obese women fed an 8d rotating TAD ( n = 20) or DGAD ( n = 22) registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02298725. The DGAD-group consumed 240 g/wk of Atlantic farmed salmon and albacore tuna in three meals with an estimated EPA + DHA of 3.7 ± 0.6 g/wk. The TAD-group consumed ~160 g/wk of farmed white shrimp and a seafood salad containing imitation crab in three meal with an estimated EPA + DHA of 0.45 ± 0.05 g/wk. Habitual diet was determined at baseline, and body composition was determined at 0 and 8wks. Red blood cell fatty acids were measured at 0, 2 and 8 wk., Results: At 8 wk, the TAD-group OM3I was unchanged (5.90 ± 1.35-5.80 ± 0.76%), while the DGAD-group OM3I increased (5.63 ± 1.27-7.33 ± 1.36%; p < 0.001). In the DGAD-group 9 of 22 participants achieved an OM3I >8%. Together, body composition and the baseline OM3I explained 83% of the response to treatment variability. Baseline OM3I (5.8 ± 1.3%; n = 42) was negatively correlated to the android fat mass ( p = 0.0007) and positively correlated to the FFQ estimated habitual (EPA+DHA) when expressed as a ratio to total dietary fat ( p = 0.006)., Conclusions: An 8 wk TAD did not change the OM3I of ~6%, while a DGAD with 240 g/wk of salmon and albacore tuna increased the OM3I. Body fat distribution and basal omega-3 status are primary factors influencing the OM3I response to dietary intake in overweight/obese women., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Richardson, Krishnan, Gray, Keim and Newman.)

Background: Time restricted Feeding (TRF) is a dietary pattern utilized by endurance athletes, but there is insufficient data regarding its effects on performance and metabolism in this population. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a 16/8 TRF dietary pattern on exercise performance in trained male endurance runners., Methods: A 4-week randomized crossover intervention was used to compare an 8-h TRF to a 12-h normal diet (ND) feeding window. Exercise training and dietary intake were similar across interventions. Runners completed a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan to assess body composition, a graded treadmill running test to assess substrate utilization, and ran a 10 km time trial to assess performance., Results: There was a significant decrease in fat mass in the TRF intervention (-0.8 ± 1.3 kg with TRF ( p = 0.05), vs. +0.1 ± 4.3 kg with ND), with no significant change in fat-free mass. Exercise carbon dioxide production (VCO 2 ) and blood lactate concentration were significantly lower with the TRF intervention ( p ≤ 0.02). No significant changes were seen in exercise respiratory exchange ratio or 10 km time trial performance (-00:20 ± 3:34 min:s TRF vs. -00:36 ± 2:57 min:s ND)., Conclusion: This investigation demonstrated that adherence to a 4-week 16/8 TRF dietary intervention decreased fat mass and maintained fat-free mass, while not affecting running performance, in trained male endurance runners.

Much of the literature investigating the association between coping and psychopathology is cross-sectional, or associations have been investigated in a unidirectional manner; hence, bidirectionality between coping and psychopathology remains largely untested. To address this gap, this study investigated bidirectional relations between coping and psychopathology during pre-adolescence. Participants (N = 532, 51% male) and their primary caregiver both completed questionnaires assessing pre-adolescents' coping (i.e., avoidant, problem solving, social support seeking) and symptoms of psychopathology (i.e., generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, eating pathology) in Wave 1 (M age  = 11.18 years, SD = 0.56, range = 10-12) and Wave 2 (M age  = 12.18 years, SD = 0.53, range = 11-13, 52% male), one year later. Cross-lagged panel models showed child-reported avoidant coping predicted increases in symptoms of generalized and social anxiety, and eating pathology. In separate child and parent models, symptoms of depression predicted increases in avoidant coping. Greater parent-reported child depressive symptoms also predicted decreases in problem solving coping. Taken together, results suggest unique longitudinal associations between coping and psychopathology in pre-adolescence, with avoidant coping preceding increases in symptoms of anxiety and eating pathology, and depressive symptoms predicting later increases in maladaptive coping.

The restrictions put in place to contain the COVID-19 virus have led to widespread social isolation, impacting mental health worldwide. These restrictions may be particularly difficult for adolescents, who rely heavily on their peer connections for emotional support. However, there has been no longitudinal research examining the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents' mental health, and moderators of change, as well as assessing the factors perceived as causing the most distress. Two hundred and forty eight adolescents (M age  = 14.4; 51% girls; 81.8% Caucasian) were surveyed over two time points; in the 12 months leading up to the COVID-19 outbreak (T1), and again two months following the implementation of government restrictions and online learning (T2). Online surveys assessed depressive symptoms, anxiety, and life satisfaction at T1 and T2, and participants' schooling, peer and family relationships, social connection, media exposure, COVID-19 related stress, and adherence to government stay-at-home directives at T2 only. In line with predictions, adolescents experienced significant increases in depressive symptoms and anxiety, and a significant decrease in life satisfaction from T1 to T2, which was particularly pronounced among girls. Moderation analyses revealed that COVID-19 related worries, online learning difficulties, and increased conflict with parents predicted increases in mental health problems from T1 to T2, whereas adherence to stay-at-home orders and feeling socially connected during the COVID-19 lockdown protected against poor mental health. This study provides initial longitudinal evidence for the decline of adolescent's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that adolescents are more concerned about the government restrictions designed to contain the spread of the virus, than the virus itself, and that those concerns are associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, and decreased life satisfaction.

The structural and functional complexity of multicellular biological systems, such as the brain, are beyond the reach of human design or assembly capabilities. Cells in living organisms may be recruited to construct synthetic materials or structures if treated as anatomically defined compartments for specific chemistry, harnessing biology for the assembly of complex functional structures. By integrating engineered-enzyme targeting and polymer chemistry, we genetically instructed specific living neurons to guide chemical synthesis of electrically functional (conductive or insulating) polymers at the plasma membrane. Electrophysiological and behavioral analyses confirmed that rationally designed, genetically targeted assembly of functional polymers not only preserved neuronal viability but also achieved remodeling of membrane properties and modulated cell type-specific behaviors in freely moving animals. This approach may enable the creation of diverse, complex, and functional structures and materials within living systems., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

The adolescent developmental stage appears to be a sensitive period for the onset of several particular forms of mental disorder that are characterised by heightened emotionality and social sensitivity and are more common in females than males. We refer to these disorders (social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, eating disorders, major depression) collectively as the social-emotional disorders. The aim of this paper is to address an important question in the understanding of social-emotional disorders - why do these disorders commonly begin during adolescence? We present a conceptual model that describes some of the key changes that occur during adolescence and that addresses some hypothesised ways in which these changes might increase risk for the development of social-emotional disorders. An overview of the extant empirical literature and some possible directions for future research are suggested. The model points to interesting links between psycho-social risk factors that should highlight potentially fruitful directions for both psychopathology research and early intervention programs., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a key risk and maintenance factor for many psychological disorders and is considered a transdiagnostic process. However, there are few disorder-neutral measures that assess RNT in adults, only 1 of moderate length considered suitable for children, and none that are validated for both children and adults. This study aimed to address this gap by developing a brief measure of RNT that can be used with both children and adults and can be quickly administered in research and clinical contexts. In Study 1, we administered the new 5-item Persistent and Intrusive Negative Thoughts Scale (PINTS) to 527 children (50.3% boys; M age = 11.2). A 1-factor model fit well and was invariant for boys and girls. The scale showed high internal consistency and good stability across a 2-week interval. The PINTS was significantly associated with measures of depression, anxiety, and disordered eating and was weakly associated with adaptive forms of coping, demonstrating good divergent validity. In Study 2, there were 419 adults (38.9% men; M age = 31.7) who completed the PINTS. The results replicated and extended the results of Study 1 by demonstrating that the PINTS had good construct, convergent, and criterion validity as well as good internal consistency and stability over time and was invariant across gender and age. It was concluded that the PINTS is a brief, valid, and useful tool for investigating RNT as a transdiagnostic process in the etiology and maintenance of psychological disorders in both children and adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Neurons have a lifespan that parallels that of the organism and are largely irreplaceable. Their unusually long lifespan predisposes neurons to neurodegenerative disease. We sought to identify physiological mechanisms that delay neuron aging in Caenorhabditis elegans by asking how neuron morphological aging is arrested in the long-lived, alternate organismal state, the dauer diapause. We find that a hormone signaling pathway, the abnormal DAuer Formation (DAF) 12 nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) pathway, functions cell-intrinsically in the dauer diapause to arrest neuron morphological aging, and that same pathway can be cell-autonomously manipulated during normal organismal aging to delay neuron morphological aging. This delayed aging is mediated by suppressing constitutive endocytosis, which alters the subcellular localization of the actin regulator T cell lymphoma Invasion And Metastasis 1 (TIAM-1), thereby decreasing age-dependent neurite growth. Intriguingly, we show that suppressed endocytosis appears to be a general feature of cells in diapause, suggestive that this may be a mechanism to halt the growth and other age-related programs supported by most endosome recycling., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

How the nervous system is wired has been a central question of neuroscience since the inception of the field, and many of the foundational discoveries and conceptual advances have been made through the study of invertebrate experimental organisms, including Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster . Although many guidance molecules and receptors have been identified, recent experiments have shed light on the many modes of action for these pathways. Here, we summarize the recent progress in determining how the physical and temporal constraints of the surrounding environment provide instructive regulations in nervous system wiring. We use Netrin and its receptors as an example to analyze the complexity of how they guide neurite outgrowth. In neurite repair, conserved injury detection and response-signaling pathways regulate gene expression and cytoskeletal dynamics. We also describe recent developments in the research on molecular mechanisms of neurite regeneration in worms and flies.

Animals have evolved critical mechanisms to maintain cellular and organismal proteostasis during development, disease, and exposure to environmental stressors. The Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) is a conserved pathway that senses and responds to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen. We have previously demonstrated that the IRE-1-XBP-1 branch of the UPR is required to maintain Caenorhabditis elegans ER homeostasis during larval development in the presence of pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa In this study, we identify loss-of-function mutations in four conserved transcriptional regulators that suppress the larval lethality of xbp-1 mutant animals caused by immune activation in response to infection by pathogenic bacteria: FKH-9, a forkhead family transcription factor; ARID-1, an ARID/Bright domain-containing transcription factor; HCF-1, a transcriptional regulator that associates with histone modifying enzymes; and SIN-3, a subunit of a histone deacetylase complex. Further characterization of FKH-9 suggests that loss of FKH-9 enhances resistance to the ER toxin tunicamycin and results in enhanced ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Increased ERAD activity of fkh-9 loss-of-function mutants is accompanied by a diminished capacity to degrade cytosolic proteasomal substrates and a corresponding increased sensitivity to the proteasomal inhibitor bortezomib. Our data underscore how the balance between ER and cytosolic proteostasis can be influenced by compensatory activation of ERAD during the physiological ER stress of infection and immune activation., (Copyright © 2018 by the Genetics Society of America.)

Endurance athletes use nutritional guidelines and supplements to improve exercise performance and recovery. However, use is not always based on scientific evidence of improved performance, which type of athlete would benefit most, or the optimal dose and timing of a particular supplement. Health professionals that give advice to athletes need to target their recommendations on the energy systems and muscle fiber types used for the athlete's sporting event, the goal of the training block, the time of the competitive season, and the characteristics and food preferences of the individual athlete. This review aims to summarize the most current research findings on the optimal calorie, carbohydrate, and protein intake for athlete health, performance, and recovery. We also summarized new findings on fluid intake and the optimal dose and timing of beetroot and caffeine supplementation on time trial performance in endurance athletes.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production in coastal California, one of the major lettuce-producing areas of the United States, is regularly affected by outbreaks of Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), a member of the genus Orthotospovirus. Transmission of INSV among lettuce crops in this growing region has been attributed predominantly to the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). INSV is acquired by first- or second-instar thrips nymphs feeding on infected host plants (not necessarily lettuce). The virus replicates within the insect vector, and is transmitted to new plants by adult thrips as they feed on epidermal and mesophyll cells of susceptible host plants. All currently grown cultivars of lettuce are susceptible to the disease. Screening lettuce for resistance to INSV under field conditions is problematic because natural infections appear sporadically and the virus is not evenly distributed across infected fields. We have developed a greenhouse-based assay that uses viruliferous thrips in combination with mechanical inoculation that allows dependable, year-round screening for resistance. In all, 89 cultivars, breeding lines, and plant introductions of cultivated lettuce, together with 53 accessions from 11 other Lactuca spp., 4 accessions from two dandelion (Taraxacum) species, and 4 tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) lines were evaluated for resistance to INSV. All tested material was susceptible to INSV to varying degrees, with the exception of two tomato lines that carry the Sw-5 gene that confers resistance to Tomato spotted wilt virus, a virus closely related to INSV. In cultivated lettuce, a partial resistance to INSV was observed in cultivars Amazona, Ancora, Antigua, Commodore, Eruption, Iceberg, La Brillante, Merlot, Telluride, and Tinto. Limited comparison of the greenhouse-based screening results with the data from opportunistic evaluations of resistance on 775 lettuce accessions from six field trials indicates consistency of results from both greenhouse and field environments. The most resistant lettuce accessions are being incorporated into our breeding program for introgression of resistance into lettuce breeding lines.

Fatty acid extraction methods are time-consuming and expensive because they involve multiple steps and copious amounts of extraction solvents. In an effort to streamline the fatty acid extraction process, this study compared the standard Folch lipid extraction method to a one-step method involving a column that selectively elutes the lipid phase. The methods were tested on raw beef, salmon, and chicken. Compared to the standard Folch method, the one-step extraction process generally yielded statistically insignificant differences in chicken and salmon fatty acid concentrations, percent composition and weight percent. Initial testing showed that beef stearic, oleic and total fatty acid concentrations were significantly lower by 9-11% with the one-step method as compared to the Folch method, but retesting on a different batch of samples showed a significant 4-8% increase in several omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid concentrations with the one-step method relative to the Folch. Overall, the findings reflect the utility of a one-step extraction method for routine and rapid monitoring of fatty acids in chicken and salmon. Inconsistencies in beef concentrations, although minor (within 11%), may be due to matrix effects., Practical Application: A one-step fatty acid extraction method has broad applications for rapidly and routinely monitoring fatty acids in the food supply and formulating controlled dietary interventions., (© 2017 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Adolescents are vulnerable to inadequate sleep due to a unique constellation of risk factors. In particular, the puberty-related phase delay in the timing of the circadian system postpones the onset of sleep. Resultantly, disordered sleep is common among teenagers and young adults, with the most common sleep problem being delayed sleep wake-phase disorder (DSWPD). Although current treatments for DSWPD show promise, novel ways to improve our youth's sleep are needed. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the evidence for the role of exercise as a method to shift and/or regulate circadian timing, and thus improve sleep, in adolescents and young adults. A growing body of evidence suggests that nocturnal exercise can delay circadian timing. However, exercise administered at different times of the 24-h day may result in phase advances, particularly when the timing of exercise is gradually advanced in small daily increments. The implications of these results for young people's sleep health are discussed and suggestions are provided for ways that exercise could be used clinically, to improve the treatment of DSWPD., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Linoleic acid (LA; 18:2 n-6), the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in the US diet, is a precursor to oxidized metabolites that have unknown roles in the brain. Here, we show that oxidized LA-derived metabolites accumulate in several rat brain regions during CO 2 -induced ischemia and that LA-derived 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, but not LA, increase somatic paired-pulse facilitation in rat hippocampus by 80%, suggesting bioactivity. This study provides new evidence that LA participates in the response to ischemia-induced brain injury through oxidized metabolites that regulate neurotransmission. Targeting this pathway may be therapeutically relevant for ischemia-related conditions such as stroke.

Linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in plant or algae oils are precursors to oxidized fatty acid metabolites known as oxylipins. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify oxylipins in soybean, corn, olive, canola, and four high-oleic acid algae oils at room temperature or after heating for 10 min at 100 °C. Flaxseed oil oxylipin concentrations were determined in a follow-up experiment that compared it to soybean, canola, corn, and olive oil. Published consumption data for soybean, canola, corn, and olive oil were used to estimate daily oxylipin intake. The LA and ALA fatty acid composition of the oils was generally related to their respective oxylipin metabolites, except for olive and flaxseed oil, which had higher LA derived monohydroxy and ketone oxylipins than other oils, despite their low LA content. Algae oils had the least amount of oxylipins. The change in oxylipin concentrations was not significantly different among the oils after short-term heating. The estimated oxylipin intake from nonheated soybean, canola, corn, and olive oil was 1.1 mg per person per day. These findings suggest that oils represent a dietary source of LA and ALA derived oxylipins and that the response of oils to short-term heating does not differ among the various oils.

Background: Preoperative implant planning for breast reconstruction is often at risk of being changed perioperatively. This study examined which factors are associated with a change of implant selection., Methods: Women who had unilateral two-stage breast reconstruction between 2002 and 2007 were studied. Inclusion criteria were photographic evidence of preoperative skin markings indicating breast dimensions and a selected implant model. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with a changed selection., Results: Among the 496 women studied, 308 preoperative implant choices (62.1%) were changed during surgery. A change in plan was significantly associated with symmetrization surgery involving contralateral reduction mammaplasty (OR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.29) and contralateral mastopexy (OR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.29 to 3.96), but not with BMI. The required implant width changed more than 0.5 cm in 70 cases (14.1%) while height changed more than 0.5 cm in 215 cases (43.2%). The likelihood of a change was high for large preoperative widths (OR = 9.66 for 15.5 cm) and small preoperative heights (OR = 2.97 for 10.5 cm). At a mean follow-up of 16.6 months, patient satisfaction was good or average in 92.1% of cases and 5.9% of implants had been replaced with another model, indicating that the perioperative implant selection was usually appropriate., Conclusions: This study documents the frequency with which implant choices, despite accurate preoperative planning, are changed perioperatively as a result of relatively small differences in anthropomorphic measurements. Perioperative recalculation of breast dimensions may have an advantage in terms of patient reoperation rates. Changes in width were less frequent than changes in height and projection. Contralateral surgery, large width, and small height were the most influential factors. Level of Evidence: Level IV, risk / prognostic study.

The translation initiation factor eIF3 is a multi-subunit protein complex that coordinates the assembly of the 43S pre-initiation complex in eukaryotes. Prior studies have demonstrated that not all subunits of eIF3 are essential for the initiation of translation, suggesting that some subunits may serve regulatory roles. Here, we show that loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding the conserved eIF3k and eIF3l subunits of the translation initiation complex eIF3 result in a 40% extension in lifespan and enhanced resistance to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. In contrast to previously described mutations in genes encoding translation initiation components that confer lifespan extension in C. elegans, loss-of-function mutations in eif-3.K or eif-3.L are viable, and mutants show normal rates of growth and development, and have wild-type levels of bulk protein synthesis. Lifespan extension resulting from EIF-3.K or EIF-3.L deficiency is suppressed by a mutation in the Forkhead family transcription factor DAF-16. Mutations in eif-3.K or eif-3.L also confer enhanced resistance to ER stress, independent of IRE-1-XBP-1, ATF-6, and PEK-1, and independent of DAF-16. Our data suggest a pivotal functional role for conserved eIF3k and eIF3l accessory subunits of eIF3 in the regulation of cellular and organismal responses to ER stress and aging., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Although individuals with delayed sleep wake phase disorder (DSWPD) and chronic insomnia disorder (CID) share many of the same phenomenological experiences, theories relating to the development and maintenance of these disorders are distinct in focus. Unlike CID, theory relating to DSWPD is primarily physiologically based and assumes almost no cognitive pathway. However, recent research findings suggest that individuals with DSWPD also display many of the sleep-disordered cognitive processes that were previously assumed to be unique to the insomnia experience. As such, this review aims to summarise current research findings to address the question "Could cognitive processes be involved in the development and maintenance of DSWPD?" In particular, the presence of cognitive and physiological pre-sleep arousal, sleep-related attentional bias, distorted perception of sleep and daytime functioning, dysfunctional beliefs and safety behaviours will be investigated. As this emerging area of research requires a stronger evidence base, we highlight suggestions for future investigation and provide preliminary practice points for clinicians assessing and treating "insomnia" in patients with DSWPD., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Current guidelines for the management of acute gallstone pancreatitis recommend cholecystectomy as definitive treatment during primary admission or within 2 weeks of discharge, with the aim of preventing recurrent pancreatitis. However, cholecystectomy during the inflammatory phase may increase surgical complication rates. This study aimed to determine whether adherence to the guidelines prevents recurrent pancreatitis while minimising surgical complications., Methods: Multi-centre review of seven UK hospitals, indentifying patients presenting with their first episode of gallstone pancreatitis between 2006 and 2008., Results: A total of 523 patients with gallstone pancreatitis were identified, of which 363 (69%) underwent cholecystectomy (72 during the primary admission or within 2 weeks of discharge; 291 following this). Overall, 7% of patients had a complication related to cholecystectomy of which a greater proportion occurred when cholecystectomy was performed within guideline parameters (13% vs 6%; p = 0.07). 11% of patients were readmitted with recurrent pancreatitis prior to surgery, with those undergoing cholecystectomy outside guideline parameters being most at risk (p = 0.006)., Conclusion: This study suggests cholecystectomy within guideline parameters significantly reduces recurrence of pancreatitis but may increase the risk of surgical complications. A prospective randomised study to assess the associated morbidity is required to inform future guidelines., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In neuronal processes, microtubules (MTs) provide structural support and serve as tracks for molecular motors. While it is known that neuronal MTs are more stable than MTs in non-neuronal cells, the molecular mechanisms underlying this stability are not fully understood. In this study, we used live fluorescence microscopy to show that the C. elegans CAMSAP protein PTRN-1 localizes to puncta along neuronal processes, stabilizes MT foci, and promotes MT polymerization in neurites. Electron microscopy revealed that ptrn-1 null mutants have fewer MTs and abnormal MT organization in the PLM neuron. Animals grown with a MT depolymerizing drug caused synthetic defects in neurite branching in the absence of ptrn-1 function, indicating that PTRN-1 promotes MT stability. Further, ptrn-1 null mutants exhibited aberrant neurite morphology and synaptic vesicle localization that is partially dependent on dlk-1. Our results suggest that PTRN-1 represents an important mechanism for promoting MT stability in neurons. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01498.001.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates the Unfolded Protein Response, a compensatory signaling response that is mediated by the IRE-1, PERK/PEK-1, and ATF-6 pathways in metazoans. Genetic studies have implicated roles for UPR signaling in animal development and disease, but the function of the UPR under physiological conditions, in the absence of chemical agents administered to induce ER stress, is not well understood. Here, we show that in Caenorhabditis elegans XBP-1 deficiency results in constitutive ER stress, reflected by increased basal levels of IRE-1 and PEK-1 activity under physiological conditions. We define a dynamic, temperature-dependent requirement for XBP-1 and PEK-1 activities that increases with immune activation and at elevated physiological temperatures in C. elegans. Our data suggest that the negative feedback loops involving the activation of IRE-1-XBP-1 and PEK-1 pathways serve essential roles, not only at the extremes of ER stress, but also in the maintenance of ER homeostasis under physiological conditions., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans requires a conserved PMK-1 p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway that regulates the basal and pathogen-induced expression of immune effectors. The mechanisms by which PMK-1 p38 MAPK regulates the transcriptional activation of the C. elegans immune response have not been identified. Furthermore, in mammalian systems the genetic analysis of physiological targets of p38 MAPK in immunity has been limited. Here, we show that C. elegans ATF-7, a member of the conserved cyclic AMP-responsive element binding (CREB)/activating transcription factor (ATF) family of basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors and an ortholog of mammalian ATF2/ATF7, has a pivotal role in the regulation of PMK-1-mediated innate immunity. Genetic analysis of loss-of-function alleles and a gain-of-function allele of atf-7, combined with expression analysis of PMK-1-regulated genes and biochemical characterization of the interaction between ATF-7 and PMK-1, suggest that ATF-7 functions as a repressor of PMK-1-regulated genes that undergoes a switch to an activator upon phosphorylation by PMK-1. Whereas loss-of-function mutations in atf-7 can restore basal expression of PMK-1-regulated genes observed in the pmk-1 null mutant, the induction of PMK-1-regulated genes by pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 is abrogated. The switching modes of ATF-7 activity, from repressor to activator in response to activated PMK-1 p38 MAPK, are reminiscent of the mechanism of regulation mediated by the corresponding ancestral Sko1p and Hog1p proteins in the yeast response to osmotic stress. Our data point to the regulation of the ATF2/ATF7/CREB5 family of transcriptional regulators by p38 MAPK as an ancient conserved mechanism for the control of innate immunity in metazoans, and suggest that ATF2/ATF7 may function in a similar manner in the regulation of mammalian innate immunity., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The detection and compensatory response to the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), termed the unfolded protein response (UPR), represents a conserved cellular homeostatic mechanism with important roles in normal development and in the pathogenesis of disease. The IRE1-XBP1/Hac1 pathway is a major branch of the UPR that has been conserved from yeast to human. X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is required for the differentiation of the highly secretory plasma cells of the mammalian adaptive immune system, but recent work also points to reciprocal interactions between the UPR and other aspects of immunity and inflammation. We have been studying innate immunity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, having established a principal role for a conserved PMK-1 p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in mediating resistance to microbial pathogens. Here we show that during C. elegans development, XBP-1 has an essential role in protecting the host during activation of innate immunity. Activation of the PMK-1-mediated response to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa induces the XBP-1-dependent UPR. Whereas a loss-of-function xbp-1 mutant develops normally in the presence of relatively non-pathogenic bacteria, infection of the xbp-1 mutant with P. aeruginosa leads to disruption of ER morphology and larval lethality. Unexpectedly, the larval lethality phenotype on pathogenic P. aeruginosa is suppressed by loss of PMK-1-mediated immunity. Furthermore, hyperactivation of PMK-1 causes larval lethality in the xbp-1 mutant even in the absence of pathogenic bacteria. Our data establish innate immunity as a physiologically relevant inducer of ER stress during C. elegans development and indicate that an ancient, conserved role for XBP-1 may be to protect the host organism from the detrimental effects of mounting an innate immune response to microbes.

Unlabelled: The presence of semen in vaginal fluid, as identified by an acid phosphatase spot test, does not influence vaginal proinflammatory cytokine concentrations., Objective: Determine whether semen, as detected by acid phosphatase, influences vaginal cytokines or secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor concentrations., Methods: 138 pregnant women had vaginal fluid collected for Gram stain, acid phosphatase detection by colorimetric assay, and interleukin 1-Beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor measurement by enzyme immunoassay. Results for women with and without acid phosphatase were compared by Mann-Whitney test., Results: Of 138 subjects, 28 (20%) had acid phosphatase detected; of these, only 19 (68%) reported recent intercourse and 3 (11%) had sperm seen on Gram stain. There were no significant differences in proinflammatory cytokine concentrations; however, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor concentrations were significantly higher among women with acid phosphatase., Conclusions: Proinflammatory cytokine measurement does not appear to be affected by the presence of semen, but secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor is significantly higher when semen is present. Detection of semen by acid phosphatase was associated with higher vaginal SLPI concentrations, however, the presence of semen did not appear to influence vaginal proinflammatory cytokine concentrations.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular administration of ethyl alcohol for arthrodesis of tarsometatarsal joints in horses., Animals: 8 healthy female horses without lameness or radiographic evidence of tarsal joint osteoarthritis., Procedure: In each horse, 1 tarsometatarsal joint was treated with 4 mL of 70% ethyl alcohol and the opposite joint was treated with 4 mL of 95% ethyl alcohol. Lameness examinations were performed daily for 2 weeks, followed by monthly evaluations for the duration of the 12-month study. Radiographic evaluations of both tarsi were performed 1 month after injection and every 3 months thereafter. Gross and histologic examinations of the tarsi were undertaken at completion of the study., Results: Horses had minimal to no lameness associated with the treatments. Radiography revealed that 8 of 16 joints were fused by 4 months after treatment, with significantly more joints fused in the 70% ethyl alcohol group. Fifteen of 16 joints were considered fused at postmortem examination at 12 months. Gross and histologic examinations revealed foci of dense mature osteonal bone spanning the joint spaces. Bony fusion appeared to be concentrated on the dorsolateral, centrolateral, and plantarolateral aspects of the joints. Significant differences were not detected between treatment groups for lameness or pathologic findings., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Administration of ethyl alcohol into the tarsometatarsal joint of healthy horses appeared to facilitate arthrodesis of the joint in a pain-free manner. Results warrant further investigation into the potential use of ethyl alcohol in horses clinically affected with osteoarthritis of the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints.

Background: Nicotine has been shown to release nitric oxide from nerves in human sigmoid colon. This effect has been used to investigate the innervation and functional relationship of the longitudinal and circular muscle layers., Methods: Strips of longitudinal and circular muscle were obtained from 19 patients with colorectal cancer. The strips from ten patients were subjected to electrical field stimulation (EFS) in vitro using stimulus parameters for selective stimulation of nerves. The effect of nicotine 1-10 micromol/l on EFS responses was then measured in the presence and absence of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 200 micromol/l. The effect of nicotine on spontaneous activity was investigated in the muscle strips from the other nine patients., Results: Both longitudinal and circular strips responded to EFS with contraction. The time to achieve a peak contractile response (time to peak; TTP) was significantly longer (P<0.001) in circular strips. L-NAME reduced the mean(s.e.m.) TTP in circular muscle from 23.3(2.0) to 17.2(1.5) s (P=0.007) and altered its pattern of response to resemble that of longitudinal muscle. Nicotine 10 micromol/l reduced the contraction to EFS in circular (P<0.001) but not in longitudinal (P=0.347) muscle. The nicotine-induced reduction in circular muscle contraction was blocked by L-NAME 200 micromol/l (P=0.005)., Conclusion: These findings suggest that nitric oxide release on neural stimulation is greater in circular than in longitudinal muscle., (Copyright 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease largely of non-smokers, in which nicotine is of therapeutic value. The mode of action is unknown, but may involve nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the bowel wall., Aim: To investigate the presence of nAChRs in rectal mucosa, and the effect of smoking and nicotine on their expression., Design: Prospective case-control study., Methods: In situ hybridization (ISH) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) were used to show alpha3 nAChRs in colonic mucosa. Rectal mucosa was examined from controls (n=55) and patients with inactive UC (n=62), both smokers and non-smokers, by ICC, using two antibodies to show the density and distribution of receptors in the mucosa. Non-smokers with UC (n=43) were given transdermal nicotine or placebo patches for 6 months, and rectal biopsies, taken before and after treatment, were examined by ICC to show nAChRs., Results: In normal colon, ISH and ICC showed alpha3 subunit in a wide variety of cells, including mucosal epithelium. In rectal biopsies, neither smoking nor nicotine influenced the expression of alpha3 immunoreactivity in epithelium, either in controls or UC. However, controls had a significantly greater density of immunodetectable mucosal epithelium alpha3 subunit, compared with UC patients., Discussion: The presence of nAChRs in colonic epithelium may be pertinent to the beneficial effect of nicotine in UC, but since neither smoking nor nicotine treatment is associated with any change in the expression of epithelial alpha3 nAChRs, the effect may be due to functional changes in the receptor. The decreased number of alpha3 nAChRs in UC compared with controls may be related to an increased cell turnover in UC.

Background & Aims: The megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a rare disease of childhood that presents early with intestinal hypoperistalsis, hydronephrosis, and hydroureters. Transgenic mice that lack the alpha3 subunit containing nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChR) have a phenotype similar to that of MMIHS., Methods: We examined the expression of this subunit in control and MMIHS tissue derived from patients using in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunocytochemistry (ICC)., Results: In controls, both techniques showed a wide distribution of alpha3 nAChRs present in ganglion cells, muscle, and epithelium. By contrast, most MMIHS tissue gave negative staining with ISH and variable results with ICC., Conclusions: These observations are consistent with a lack of alpha3 nAChRs contributing to the pathogenesis of MMIHS.

A need remains for the development of more effective therapies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (both NSAIDs and DMARDs). The NSAIDs remain the cornerstone of symptomatic therapy, but concern remains about their safety, potential for the delay in commencing definitive therapy and theoretical pro-inflammatory effects. Each of the NSAIDs reviewed here do provide an advantage over therapies previously available and should prove to be useful additions to the rheumatologists' therapeutic armament.

From 1981 until present the Department of Psychology of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has collaborated with the Lincoln Regional Center, a state hospital, on an inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation project. The University provides clinical psychology services under contract, including direct clinical services and consultation on program development. The project includes a 40-bed inpatient treatment unit, which represents a clinical training and research site for University faculty and graduate students. Program evaluation data indicate the collaboration has produced a cost-effective state-of-the-art treatment program, now considered a model for psychiatric rehabilitation services across the state. The collaboration played a key role in securing two major grants, one for specialty training for clinical psychologists in schizophrenia and psychiatric rehabilitation, one for a treatment outcome study. Facilitating factors in the project include convergence of the collaborators' professional and research interests with national and state mental health policy. Obstacles include hospital administrative policies which fail to recognize or appreciate requirements for program management and accountability, and unwillingness to recognize program leadership from nonmedical professionals.

Clinical cheating is one of the most devastating ways students can breach moral principles, and its prevention should be a priority for nurse educators. Educators can promote the professional integrity of students by integrating moral development into all curricular efforts.

Few instruments for assessing dental health knowledge, beliefs, and practices of young adolescents are available in the professional literature. In this study, a dental health profile to facilitate direct assessment of dental health knowledge, beliefs, and practices was developed. The 30-item Dental Health Assessment Profile had adequate content validity, readability, and test-retest reliability with junior high students.