The Placement History Chart: A Tool for Understanding the Longitudinal Pattern of Foster Children's Placements

Despite growing concerns about foster placement instability, little information is available regarding the longitudinal patterns of placement histories among foster children. The purpose of the present study was to develop a charting system using child welfare records to facilitate a better understanding of longitudinal patterns of placement history for 117 foster children. The resulting Placement History Chart included all placements that occurred during the observed time period and accounted for various dimensions: number, length, type, and sequence of placements; timing of transitions; and total time in out-of-home care. The Placement History Chart is an effective tool for placing foster care experiences within a broader developmental context. As such, the Placement History Chart can be a valuable research tool for understanding various dimensions and variations of placement transitions among foster children by capturing sequences and cumulative risks over time. Furthermore, this chart can facilitate the development of intervention programs that are developmentally sensitive and effectively address particularly vulnerable subpopulations of foster children.

Suppression of edge localized modes in high-confinement KSTAR plasmas by nonaxisymmetric magnetic perturbations

Edge localized modes (ELMs) in high-confinement mode plasmas were completely suppressed in KSTAR by applying n=1 nonaxisymmetric magnetic perturbations. Initially, the ELMs were intensified with a reduction of frequency, but completely suppressed later. The electron density had an initial 10% decrease followed by a gradual increase as ELMs were suppressed. Interesting phenomena such as a saturated evolution of edge T(e) and broadband changes of magnetic fluctuations were observed, suggesting the change of edge transport by the applied magnetic perturbations.

PET/CT and MRI of intra-osseous haemangioma of the tibia

Intra-osseous haemangioma is a rare, benign neoplasm that usually involves the vertebrae and craniofacial bones. Furthermore, its occurrence in the long bones is extremely rare. We report the findings of fluorine-18-fludeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT and MRI in a patient with intra-osseous haemangioma in the proximal tibia, who was initially misdiagnosed as having a malignancy based on (18)F-FDG PET/CT. (18)F-FDG PET/CT showed a well-marginated osteolytic lesion with abnormal FDG uptake. The mass demonstrated low signal intensity on T(1) weighted MRI. On T(2) weighted images, the lesion appeared as a cluster of high signal intensity lobules and showed strong enhancement on contrast-enhanced T(1) weighted images. Surgical curettage was performed and histopathological examination of the excised tissue confirmed a cavernous haemangioma.

Father-child transmission of school adjustment: a prospective intergenerational study

The intergenerational transmission of school adjustment was explored in a sample of 213 children and their fathers. The fathers were participants in a longitudinal study that began when they were in the 4th grade, and their children have been assessed at the ages of 21 months and 3, 5, and 7 years. Two components of school adjustment were measured: academic achievement and peer relations. Results show that the fathers' academic achievement and peer relations were directly related to the same factors in their offspring even when the fathers' educational attainment, and both the fathers' and the children's general cognitive abilities were included in the models. When potential mechanisms of intergenerational transmission were examined, father's age at the birth of the child, income, and educational expectations for the child were links in the transmission of academic achievement from one generation to the next. For peer relations across generations, income, inconsistent parenting, and educational expectations were links in transmission. Implications of these findings are considered, including the possibility that interventions to improve school adjustment in one generation might have significant and long-reaching effects for the next.

A Systematic Review of Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence

A systematic review of risk factors for intimate partner violence was conducted. Inclusion criteria included publication in a peer-reviewed journal, a representative community sample or a clinical sample with a control-group comparison, a response rate of at least 50%, use of a physical or sexual violence outcome measure, and control of confounding factors in the analyses. A total of 228 articles were included (170 articles with adult and 58 with adolescent samples). Organized by levels of a dynamic developmental systems perspective, risk factors included: (a) contextual characteristics of partners (demographic, neighborhood, community and school factors), (b) developmental characteristics and behaviors of the partners (e.g., family, peer, psychological/behavioral, and cognitive factors), and (c) relationship influences and interactional patterns. Comparisons to a prior review highlight developments in the field in the past 10 years. Recommendations for intervention and policy along with future directions for intimate partner violence (IPV) risk factor research are presented.

Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery: a recurrent case after cyst wall excision

Although atherosclerosis remains the most common cause of lower limb ischemia, cystic adventitial disease (CAD) must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient without risk factors for atherosclerosis. The disease typically produces lower limb claudication and usually affects young and middle-aged men. The treatment consists of interposition grafting in cases with an occluded artery, but the treatment of stenotic lesions without arterial occlusion is controversial whether evacuation with cyst wall excision or interposition grafting. We report a case of CAD of the popliteal artery in a 70-year-old man with recurrence two years after cyst wall excision. This case suggests that complete cyst wall excision and regular follow-up are crucial in the management of stenotic lesion with CAD.

A wireless handheld probe with spectrally constrained evolution strategies for diffuse optical imaging of tissue

We present a low-cost, portable, wireless diffuse optical imaging device. The handheld device is fast, portable, and can be applied to a wide range of both static and dynamic imaging applications including breast cancer, functional brain imaging, and peripheral artery disease. The continuous-wave probe has four near-infrared wavelengths and uses digital detection techniques to perform measurements at 2.3 Hz. Using a multispectral evolution algorithm for chromophore reconstruction, we can measure absolute oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration as well as scattering in tissue. Performance of the device is demonstrated using a series of liquid phantoms comprised of Intralipid(®), ink, and dye.

Photodynamic therapy: new treatment for refractory lymphocytic infiltration of the skin

Lymphocytic infiltration of the skin (LIS) is a relatively uncommon skin condition, first described by Jessner and Kanof in 1953. LIS presents mainly on the face, in particular on the cheeks and earlobe, but also on the neck, upper trunk or proximal limbs of middle-aged adults. LIS is often resistant to treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) refers to the process of applying a topical prodrug, such as 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) or methyl 5-aminolaevulinic acid (MAL), followed by irradiation with visible or ultraviolet light. The prodrug is converted by target tissue to photoactive porphyrins, which lead to local tissue destruction when activated by light. We describe a 48-year-old woman with refractory LIS, who was treated with MAL-PDT.

General versus specific predictors of male arrest trajectories: a test of the Moffitt and Patterson theories

Developmental taxonomies of crime disagree on whether distinctive offender trajectories are related to common or unique risks. This study examined childhood risks of differing arrest trajectories across childhood through early adulthood (from ages 10-11 to 26-27 years) that were identified in prior work for 203 at-risk, predominantly Caucasian young men. Multivariate analyses revealed that when both distal (childhood risk factors) and proximal risk factors (deviant peer association as a time-varying covariate) were included in the model, relatively few childhood risk factors (assessed at age 9-10 years) discriminated the chronic offender groups from rare offenders (i.e., child antisocial behavior, child attention problems, parents' antisocial behavior). Rather, deviant peer association was significantly related to levels of offending within each trajectory group (i.e., chronic and rare offender groups). No predictor differentially predicted membership in the two chronic groups, supporting the linear gradation argument. Theoretical and prevention implications are discussed.

Partner aggression in high-risk families from birth to age 3 years: associations with harsh parenting and child maladjustment

Aggression between partners represents a potential guiding force in family dynamics. However, research examining the influence of partner aggression (physically and psychologically aggressive acts by both partners) on harsh parenting and young child adjustment has been limited by a frequent focus on low-risk samples and by the examination of partner aggression at a single time point. Especially in the context of multiple risk factors and around transitions such as childbirth, partner aggression might be better understood as a dynamic process. In the present study, longitudinal trajectories of partner aggression from birth to age 3 years in a large, high-risk, and ethnically diverse sample (N = 461) were examined. Specific risk factors were tested as predictors of aggression over time, and the longitudinal effects of partner aggression on maternal harsh parenting and child maladjustment were examined. Partner aggression decreased over time, with higher maternal depression and lower maternal age predicting greater decreases in partner aggression. While taking into account contextual and psychosocial risk factors, higher partner aggression measured at birth and a smaller decrease over time independently predicted higher levels of maternal harsh parenting at age 3 years. Initial level of partner aggression and change over time predicted child maladjustment indirectly (via maternal harsh parenting). The implications of understanding change in partner aggression over time as a path to harsh parenting and young children's maladjustment in the context of multiple risk factors are discussed.

Girls in Foster Care: Risk and Promotive Factors for School Adjustment Across the Transition to Middle School

Girls in foster care may face difficulties across the transition to middle school. Latent growth curve modeling was employed to examine trajectories and predictors of academic competence and aggression from and against peers for 75 girls in foster care from the end of elementary school to the 2(nd) year of middle school. Across the transition to middle school, academic competence increased. Poor self-regulation was associated with decreased academic competence, and higher caregiver support was associated with increased academic competence. Frequency of aggression from peers decreased across the transition, with perceived school competence predicting smaller decreases. Aggression against peers dropped initially and then increased to pretransition levels by the end of the 2(nd) year of middle school. Lower caregiver support was associated with higher rates of aggression against peers at the end of the 1(st) year of middle school. The results are discussed in terms of implications for interventions for girls in foster care.

P2-10-09: Detecting Breast Cancer with Dynamic Diffuse Optical Tomographic Imaging

Background: Over the last decade diffuse optical tomography (DOT) has emerged as a novel medical imaging modality. Near-infrared light is used to non-invasively probe biological tissue, and three-dimensional (3D) maps of blood-dependent parameters can be obtained. Several studies are underway to show the clinical utility of DOT for imaging brain disease, joint disease, and breast cancer. Here we present the largest clinical study to date that uses hemodynamic effects caused by a simple breath hold to identify breast tumors using DOT.

Methods: We have designed and built a DOT breast imaging system that can acquire full 3D data sets within a fraction of a second. The system affords the ability to study fast hemodynamic effects in both breasts simultaneously. Using non-compressive imaging heads we measured the oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin levels in the breasts of 15 patients whose mammogram showed a mass >1 cm (4 benign, 11 malignant) and 3 healthy controls. Data was acquired over the course of a 30-second breath hold and 30 seconds thereafter. In addition, a baseline measurement of 30 seconds prior to the breath hold was obtained. A multi-wavelength image reconstruction algorithm was used to create 3D maps of hemoglobin-dependent parameters (Δ[HbO2] and Δ[Hb]) in the breast every 0.58 seconds, over the course of the 90-second experiment. An image analysis algorithm identified regions of peak percentage change in [Hb] and [HbO2] in the breast and then computed the average hemoglobin levels in those regions.

Results: We observed an increase in the hemoglobin levels in all breasts during the breath hold. Upon resuming breathing, these hemoglobin levels returned to baseline. Tumor bearing breasts showed a statistically significant slower return to baseline than healthy breasts. In particular, we found that tumors can be detected by a substantially larger Δ[Hb] value as compared to normal tissue in images acquired 15 seconds following the end of the breath hold. In 10 of 11 patients the malignant tumor was identified using this technique, suggesting sensitivity over 90%. No regions of increased Δ[Hb] were seen in the healthy breasts, or in the breasts with benign masses. The peak percentage change in [Hb] at the 15 second post-breath hold time point was 10.0 ± 6.0% (n=11) in the malignant tumors compared to 1.4 ± 0.5% (n=3) (p=0.001) in healthy patients and 4.8 ± 1.9% in benign masses (n=4)(p=0.03).

Discussion: A breath hold impedes venous return to the heart, which causes pooling of blood in the breast. This is observed as an increase in [Hb] and [HbO2] using DOT. Tumor vasculature is known to be more disorganized, tortuous, and leakier than normal vasculature. Therefore, once the breath hold is released and blood is allowed to drain from the breast, blood accumulated in the tumor during the breath hold will drain more slowly than blood in healthy tissue. This study has shown that DOT allows us to visualize these hemodynamic effects and use them to detect tumors with a simple breath hold and compression-free imaging head. Future studies need to explore the detection limits and general clinical utility of this technique for screening, differentiating malignant from benign masses, and treatment monitoring.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-10-09.

The association between serum osteocalcin levels and metabolic syndrome in Koreans

The association between serum osteocalcin levels and metabolic syndrome (MS) in Korean individuals was investigated. Serum osteocalcin levels are significantly lower in subjects with MS than in those without the disease, regardless of glucose metabolism.

INTRODUCTION

Osteocalcin was recently shown to affect energy metabolism. In the present study, we investigated the possible association between serum osteocalcin concentrations and MS.

METHODS

A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted. Serum osteocalcin, type 1 collagen C-telopeptide (CTX) and total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations were determined in 567 subjects. MS was defined according to NCEP-ATP III criteria.

RESULTS

Serum osteocalcin concentrations were significantly lower in subjects with MS than those without MS in postmenopausal women (18.923 ± 7.685 vs 22.513 ± 7.344 ng/ml, P<0.001) and marginally lower in subjects with MS than those without MS in men (14.550 ± 5.090 vs 16.125 ± 4.749 ng/ml, P=0.086) after adjustment for age and BMI. Further controlling with CTX or ALP did not affect this association in postmenopausal women; however, controlling with osteocalcin abolished the association between CTX and MS. Significant differences in serum osteocalcin levels by MS status were noted in subjects with normal glucose tolerance as well as those with abnormal glucose tolerance (P=0.032 and P<0.001, respectively). Compared with subjects with the highest quartile of osteocalcin, those in the lower quartile groups (Q1-Q3) had significantly increased risks of MS (ORs=5.18, CIs=1.15-23.42) in men. In postmenopausal women, the ORs for MS were significantly higher in the lowest quartile than in the highest quartile (ORs=5.25, CIs=2.42-11.36).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that osteocalcin is associated with MS, independently of glucose metabolism.

Early Adult Outcomes of Male Arrest Trajectories: Propensity versus Causation Effects

This study examined early adult outcomes of differing arrest trajectories across childhood through early adulthood that were identified in prior work for 197 at-risk young men. Early adult outcomes were assessed at ages 27-28 to 29-30 years. Predictive effects of arrest trajectory membership on outcomes were examined after controlling for various factors, including prior levels and early antisocial propensity. As early adults, both chronic offender groups showed poorer adjustment in terms of deviant peer affiliation, education, and work domains than did the Rare Offenders; High-Level Chronic Offenders stood out from all other groups in terms of mental health problems and physical aggression toward a partner. These effects represent plausible causal effects of developmental pathways of offending on the outcomes. Evidence for propensity effects on the outcomes was more limited. Theoretical and prevention implications are discussed.

Genomic sequence of infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) KLV-2010-01 originating from the first Korean outbreak in cultured Litopenaeus vannamei

Due to the need to track and monitor genetic diversity, the genome of the infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) strain KLV-2010-01 in cultured Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp that originated from the first Korean outbreak in 2010 was sequenced and analyzed. The genome, with a length of 3914 nucleotides, was sequenced from the Korean IHHNV. The genome encoded three large and overlapping open reading frames: ORF1 (NS-1) of 2001 bp, ORF2 (NS-2) of 1092 bp and ORF3 (capsid protein) of 990 bp. The overall organization, size and predicted amino acid sequence of the three ORFs in Korean IHHNV were highly similar to those of members of the infectious IHHNV group, and the most closely related strains were IHHNVs described from Ecuador and Hawaii. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis showed that the Korean IHHNV was clustered with lineage III in the infectious IHHNV group and was most similar to IHHNV isolates from Ecuador, China and Taiwan.

Substance use and delinquency among middle school girls in foster care: a three-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The present study evaluated the efficacy of the Middle School Success intervention (MSS) for reducing substance use and delinquency among girls in foster care, using a randomized controlled trial design. The program was designed to fill a service gap during the summer prior to the middle school transition and to prevent delinquency, substance use, and related problems.

METHOD

One hundred girls in foster care and their caregivers were randomly assigned either to the intervention (n = 48) or to a regular foster care control (n = 52) condition. The girls completed a baseline (T1) assessment and follow-up assessments at 6 months (T2), 12 months (T3), 24 months (T4), and 36 months (T5) postbaseline. Caregivers participated in assessments from T1 through T4. This study is a follow-up to Smith, Leve, and Chamberlain's (2011) study, which examined immediate outcomes at T2.

RESULTS

Girls in the intervention condition showed significantly lower levels of substance use than did girls in the control condition at 36 months postbaseline. The group difference was only marginally significant for delinquency. Further analyses indicated significant indirect effects of the intervention through increased prosocial behaviors that led to decreased internalizing and externalizing symptoms and then to lower levels of substance use. The direct effect of the intervention on substance use remained significant in the presence of the indirect effects. For delinquency, the intervention had positive effects mainly through increased prosocial skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight the importance of providing preventive intervention services for early adolescent girls in foster care.

AKR1B10 is associated with smoking and smoking-related non-small-cell lung cancer

This prospective study explored the relationship between expression of AKR1B10 mRNA and various clinical parameters in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in terms of its validation as a marker for NSCLC. Tumour tissue samples were collected from 229 patients with NSCLC. Tissue samples from adjacent non-malignant lung tissue (> 5 cm from the tumour) of 89 of these patients and samples from 20 patients with benign lung disease were used as controls. Quantitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction showed significantly higher levels of AKR1B10 mRNA expression in NSCLC tumour tissue than in adjacent non-malignant lung tissue and benign lung tissue. Statistically significant factors for AKR1B10 mRNA over-expression were found to be male gender, smoking, squamous cell carcinoma and moderate or poor cell differentiation. It is concluded that AKR1B10 seems to have potential as a prognostic marker for NSCLC and warrants further investigation.

The number of sexual partners and health-risking sexual behavior: prediction from high school entry to high school exit

Precursors to adolescent health-risking sexual behavior (HRSB) were examined in a normative sample of 373 adolescents (48.0% female, n = 178). Using a variable-oriented approach, we regressed the number of sexual partners at high school exit (age 17) on parental monitoring, association with delinquent peers, romantic relationship status, problem behavior, physical maturity, and tobacco and alcohol use at high school entry (age 14); all emerged as significant predictors except alcohol use and physical maturity (we found sex differences in physical maturity and romantic relationship status, with females being more advanced in both areas). Sexual experimentation at high school entry served to partially or fully mediate the impact of these factors. A person-oriented approach, using a broader measure of HRSB, found three subgroups of adolescents: abstainers, low-risk-takers, and high-risk-takers. Results predicting membership in these groups generally followed those from the variable-oriented analysis. Implications for the prevention of HRSB and future research directions are discussed.

Risk for maternal harsh parenting in high-risk families from birth to age three: does ethnicity matter?

Child maltreatment prevention programs typically identify at-risk families by screening for risk with limited consideration of how risk might vary by ethnicity. In this study, longitudinal data from mothers who participated in a randomized clinical trial of a home-visitation, child maltreatment prevention program (N = 262) were examined to determine whether risk for harsh parenting differed among mothers who identified themselves as Spanish-speaking Latinas (n = 64), English-speaking Latinas (n = 102), or non-Latina Caucasians (n = 96). The majority of the participants were first-time mothers (58.4%), and the average age of all participants was 23.55 years (SD = 6.04). At the time of their infants' births, the Spanish-speaking Latina mothers demonstrated higher SES risk, whereas the English-speaking Latina and non-Latina Caucasian mothers demonstrated higher psychosocial risk. Three years later, the English-speaking Latina and non-Latina Caucasian mothers reported harsher parenting behaviors than the Spanish-speaking Latina mothers. The need for prevention programs to consider how risk and protective factors differ by ethnic group membership when identifying at-risk mothers is discussed.

Effect of garlic on high fat induced obesity

The present study was performed to examine the effects of garlic on obesity and blood lipid profiles in high-fat induced obesity mice model, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for such effect. C57BL/6 mice were fed a standard diet (STD) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 5 weeks to induce obesity. Mice were then randomly divided into four groups with 10 mice per group, and fed experimental diet for 4 weeks; STD group, HFD group, HFD containing 2% or 4% garlic group (HFD + G2 or HFD + G4, respectively). Administration of garlic significantly reduced HFD-induced body weight, epididymal fat accumulation, hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. Consequently, the atherogenic indexes were reduced by 83% and 91%, respectively, in 2% and 4% garlic supplemented group. Liver steatosis induced by HFD was ameliorated by garlic supplementation. Furthermore, garlic affected the down regulation of expression patterns of epididymal adipose tissue genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), adipose specific fatty acid binding protein (aP2), and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH). These results suggest that garlic may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.

Gene expression signatures associated with the in vitro resistance to two tyrosine kinase inhibitors, nilotinib and imatinib

The use of selective inhibitors targeting Bcr-Abl kinase is now established as a standard protocol in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia; however, the acquisition of drug resistance is a major obstacle limiting the treatment efficacy. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of drug resistance, we established K562 cell line models resistant to nilotinib and imatinib. Microarray-based transcriptome profiling of resistant cells revealed that nilotinib- and imatinib-resistant cells showed the upregulation of kinase-encoding genes (AURKC, FYN, SYK, BTK and YES1). Among them, the upregulation of AURKC and FYN was observed both in nilotinib- and imatinib-resistant cells irrespective of exposure doses, while SYK, BTK and YES1 showed dose-dependent upregulation of expression. Upregulation of EGF and JAG1 oncogenes as well as genes encoding ATP-dependent drug efflux pump proteins such as ABCB1 was also observed in the resistant cells, which may confer alternative survival benefits. Functional gene set analysis revealed that molecular categories of ‘ATPase activity', ‘cell adhesion' or ‘tyrosine kinase activity' were commonly activated in the resistant clones. Taken together, the transcriptome analysis of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI)-resistant clones provides the insights into the mechanism of drug resistance, which can facilitate the development of an effective screening method as well as therapeutic intervention to deal with TKI resistance.

Comparison of the effect-site concentrations of remifentanil for Streamlined Liner of the Pharynx Airway (SLIPA) versus laryngeal mask airway SoftSealTM insertion during target-controlled infusion of propofol

This study was designed to determine the optimal dose of remifentanil required for the successful insertion of Streamlined Liner of the Pharynx Airway (SLIPA) and to compare it to that required for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion in patients receiving a propofol infusion at a standard effect-site concentration. Fifty-eight patients scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia were randomly assigned to either the SLIPA (n = 29) or LMA (n = 29) group. All patients were premedicated with midazolam 0.05 mg x kg(-1) and glycopyrrolate 0.004 mg x kg(-1) intramuscularly. After the administration of lignocaine 1 mg x kg(-1) intravenously, a propofol infusion was started at an effect-site concentration of 3.5 microg x ml(-1) with a remifentanil infusion without a neuromuscular blocking agent. The remifentanil dose was determined by the modified up-and-down method starting in each group at 4 ng x ml(-1). Six minutes after induction, the airway device was inserted. Airway device insertion was classified as 'success' or 'failure' based on patient response. From the isotonic regression analysis and bootstrap distribution, the EC50 of remifentanil for SLIPA and LMA were 0.93 ng x ml(-1) (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81 to 1.50 ng x ml(-1) and 1.36 ng x ml(-1) (95% CI 1.19 to 2.06 ng x ml(-1)) respectively, and the EC95 for SLIPA and LMA insertions were 1.90 ng x ml(-1) (95% CI 1.39 to 1.95) and 2.43 ng x ml(-1) (95% CI 1.80 to 2.46 ng x ml(-1)) respectively. Using the 83% CIs from the bootstrap distribution, EC50 for SLIPA was significantly less than that of LMA (0.83 to 1.23 vs 1.26 to 2.00, respectively) (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the insertion of SLIPA needs about a 32% lower depth of anaesthesia than LMA insertion.