Investigating the efficacy of a Dialectical behaviour therapy-based universal intervention on adolescent social and emotional well-being outcomes

There is increasing research interest as to whether Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), specifically the group skills training component, is an effective early intervention approach when delivered universally in schools. The current study aimed to provide the first large-scale examination of a universal DBT-based intervention and to also determine the extent to which home practice of DBT skills predicted changes in social and emotional outcomes over time. A non-randomised controlled trial design was employed whereby 1071 participants (51.30% Male; M age = 13.48 years) completed either an adapted eight-session DBT skills-training intervention ('WISE Teens) (n = 563) or class-as-per-usual (n = 508). On average, the 'WISE Teens' intervention did not improve outcomes with significant deteriorations or null effects observed across outcomes relative to class-as-per-usual immediately post-intervention. The largest deteriorations were observed for depressive (d = -0.22; 95% CI = -0.35, -0.08) and anxiety symptoms (d = -0.28; 95%CI - = -0.41, -0.14). Applying Bonferroni corrections, most group differences in outcomes had dissipated at follow-up, however, 'WISE Teens' participants continued to report significantly poorer quality of parent-child relationships relative to control (d = .16 for mother (95% CI = 0.01, 0.31); d = 0.17 for father (95% CI = 0.02, 0.33). While home practice was modest on average, further exploratory analyses nevertheless revealed that greater home practice was generally associated with more positive outcomes both immediately post-intervention and at follow-up. Based on these findings, the DBT-based 'WISE Teens' intervention is not recommended in its current format for universal dissemination amongst early adolescents in schools. Further research is needed to determine how to improve engagement and feasibility of delivery of DBT-based interventions universally in this context.

Emotion self-stigma as a unique predictor of help-seeking intentions: A comparative analysis of early adolescents and young adults

OBJECTIVES

There has been limited consideration of the role emotion self-stigma (i.e. beliefs that experiencing and expressing so called 'negative' emotions are unacceptable) may play in help-seeking for emotional distress. This study is the first to investigate whether emotion self-stigma uniquely predicts help-seeking intentions across two key emotion vulnerability periods in development: (a) early adolescence and (b) young adulthood.

METHODS AND DESIGN

Cross-sectional data were collected from secondary school (n = 510; M age = 13.96 years) and university students (n = 473; M age = 19.19 years) residing in Australia. Both samples completed measures online examining demographic characteristics, emotional competence, mental health and help-seeking stigma, emotion self-stigma, and help-seeking intentions. The Data were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression.

RESULTS

Emotion self-stigma was a significant unique predictor of help-seeking intentions in young adults but not adolescents. The strength of the relationship between increased emotion self-stigma and lowered help-seeking intentions was similar for both males and females, regardless of developmental period.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing emotion self-stigma alongside mental illness and help-seeking stigma may be useful to improve help-seeking outcomes, particularly as young people transition into early adulthood.

Advancing E-contact to Reduce Intergroup Anxiety and Increase Positive Attitudes Towards Individuals Who Identify as Bisexual

Bisexual individuals are invisible sexual minorities, who face prejudice and "double discrimination" from both heterosexual and sexual minority communities. Despite this, little empirical research has examined bisexual prejudice reduction. To address this, the current study tested an E-contact intervention - a highly structured, text-based, online interaction tool - to reduce bisexual prejudice. Heterosexual participants (N = 170) were randomly allocated to an intergroup (E-contact) or intragroup (control) interaction, with either a male or female interaction partner. Findings indicated that intergroup E-contact resulted in less intergroup anxiety compared to an intragroup interaction, and that this effect was more pronounced when the bisexual interaction partner was male for heterosexual men, but not for heterosexual women. Although E-contact had no direct effect on tolerance toward bisexual individuals or the perceived stability of bisexuality as a sexual orientation, findings revealed that reduced intergroup anxiety mediated the effect of E-contact on these outcome variables. This result was found in the intergroup dynamic of heterosexual men interacting with bisexual men, providing an important experimental demonstration of the potential for harnessing an E-contact intervention to reduce affective prejudice toward bisexual individuals.

Depression predicts emotion acceptance beliefs in early adolescence: A longitudinal investigation

OBJECTIVES

Adolescence is a time period which confers significant risk for the development of psychopathology. There is increasing consensus within the literature that beliefs about one's emotional experience are important and may present a unique risk factor during this time period. However, to date, there has been no longitudinal examination of the relationship between depression and specific beliefs regarding the acceptability of experiencing and expressing emotion in young people.

DESIGN

The present study used a cross-lagged longitudinal design with questionnaires completed at two waves spaced 8 months apart.

METHODS

506 participants (50.60% female) aged 12-15 years completed the Beliefs about Emotion questionnaire to assess for beliefs regarding the acceptability of experiencing and expressing emotions, and the depression subscale of the DASS-21 to measure depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Greater depressive symptoms were associated with more negative beliefs about emotion at both time points. More negative beliefs about emotion at T1 did not significantly predict greater depressive symptoms at T2. However, greater depressive symptoms at T1 predicted significantly more negative beliefs about emotions at T2.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater beliefs about the unacceptability of experiencing or expressing emotions do not appear to predispose young people to depression. Rather, these beliefs appear to emerge following earlier experiences of depressive symptoms. Further research is needed over multiple measurement waves to further elucidate the relationship between emotion acceptance beliefs and depressive symptoms across adolescence into adulthood and whether such beliefs may predict future depressive episodes indirectly via difficulties in emotion regulation.

PRACTITIONER POINTS

Current findings suggest that more negative beliefs about emotion, specifically, beliefs about the unacceptability of experiencing or expressing emotions do not represent a key risk factor for the onset of depressive symptoms in early adolescence. Rather, current evidence suggests these beliefs emerge following depressive symptoms. Given these findings, universal prevention programmes targeting valuation beliefs regarding emotion acceptability are less likely to be effective for this developmental age group. It is important to assess for beliefs that an individual may hold regarding their emotional states alongside symptoms, as these beliefs are associated with greater clinical severity of depressive symptoms. Further research, over multiple measurement waves, is needed to clarify whether emotion acceptability beliefs may predict future depressive episodes indirectly via difficulties in emotion regulation.

Using Electronic Contact to Reduce Homonegative Attitudes, Emotions, and Behavioral Intentions Among Heterosexual Women and Men: A Contemporary Extension of the Contact Hypothesis

The current study experimentally examined the potential for a contemporary extension of the contact hypothesis, known as electronic contact, or E-contact, to reduce sexual prejudice, intergroup anxiety, and avoidant behavioral intentions among heterosexuals. It also extended the sexual minority contact literature by examining the role of participant and interaction partner sex as a possible boundary condition of this contact-prejudice relationship. To test our hypotheses, 140 heterosexual female and male university students were randomly allocated to interact with a homosexual or heterosexual, female or male E-contact partner, in a collaborative and text-only online interaction before completing the outcome measures. Overall, the results demonstrated that interacting online with a female, as opposed to a male, homosexual E-contact partner reduced heterosexual men's feelings of intergroup anxiety, which in turn was associated with lower sexual prejudice and outgroup avoidance. For heterosexual women, however, E-contact did not influence the outcome variables. In the context of sexual prejudice, these results suggest that E-contact may be particularly useful as a prejudice-reduction strategy among individuals who typically require it most: heterosexual men.

Intergroup contact and mental health stigma: A comparative effectiveness meta-analysis

Mental health stigma is a substantial problem all over the world. Although many interventions to reduce stigma exist, there is considerable methodological variability, making it difficult for decision-makers to determine what strategies are the most effective and what characteristics make them so. To this end, we conducted a meta-analysis on intergroup contact strategies and examined several potential moderators. We searched 5 databases for published and unpublished studies and retrieved 101 studies from 24 countries that could be included in the analyses. Ninety studies assessed outcomes immediately after the intervention (n = 15,826), 33 in the short-term (n = 3,697), and 7 in the medium-term (n = 842). The effect of contact was significant and small-to-medium in size at all three timepoints, d = -0.384, -0.334, and -0.526, respectively. Intervention effectiveness did not differ between contact with or without an educational component, different contact mediums, or the mental illness of the outgroup member. However, the effect of contact was stronger in non-Western countries and in university students and health professionals compared to community members. These results may inform policy-makers of the most effective and suitable stigma-reduction initiatives to invest in and can guide researchers towards important avenues for future research.

Modern avenues for intergroup contact: Using E-contact and intergroup emotions to reduce stereotyping and social distancing against people with schizophrenia

Intergroup contact is the leading strategy for reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. For the first time, the current study examines the effectiveness of a contemporary intergroup contact strategy, called electronic or E-contact, to reduce stigma against people diagnosed with schizophrenia. It also examines the mediating role of three target-relevant intergroup emotions, namely fear, anger, and pity. In total, 133 participants engaged in E-contact with a person diagnosed with schizophrenia (intergroup E-contact), E-contact with a person without a mental illness (intragroup E-contact), or no contact. Compared to the intragroup E-contact and no-contact conditions, intergroup E-contact reduced fear, anger, and stereotyping toward people with schizophrenia. Additionally, fear and anger, but not pity, were found to be significant affective mediators of the E-contact effect. The findings demonstrate the value of computer-mediated intergroup contact for stigma reduction, and emphasize the importance of intergroup emotions in this domain.

Comparative Associations Between Achieved Bicultural Identity, Achieved Ego Identity, and Achieved Religious Identity and Adaptation Among Australian Adolescent Muslims

This study examined the comparative roles of biculturalism, ego identity, and religious identity in the adaptation of Australian adolescent Muslims. A total of 504 high school Muslim students studying at high schools in metropolitan Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, took part in this study which required them to complete a self-report questionnaire. Analyses indicated that adolescent Muslims’ achieved religious identity seems to play a more important role in shaping their psychological and socio-cultural adaptation compared to adolescents’ achieved bicultural identity. Adolescents’ achieved ego identity tended also to play a greater role in their psychological and socio-cultural adaptation than achieved bicultural identity. The relationships between the three identities and negative indicators of psychological adaptation were consistently indifferent. Based on these findings, we propose that the three identity-based forces—bicultural identity development, religious identity attainment, and ego identity formation—be amalgamated into one framework in order for researchers to more accurately examine the adaptation of Australian adolescent Muslims.

Implicit Theories and Self-Perceptions of Traitedness Across Cultures

From the trait perspective, traitedness, or consistency of behavior, is expected in all cultures. However, cultural psychologists argue that behavior may be more determined by traits in individualistic than collectivistic cultures. The authors investigated implicit theories and self-perceptions of traitedness in two individualistic cultures, the United States ( n = 342) and Australia ( n = 172), and four collectivistic cultures, Mexico ( n = 400), Philippines ( n = 363), Malaysia ( n = 251), and Japan ( n = 192). Although implicit trait beliefs were endorsed in all cultural groups, they were stronger in individualistic than collectivistic cultures. Cultural differences in self-perceptions of one’s own traitedness, as operationalized by self-monitoring, were also found, and comparisons involving the United States and most collectivistic cultures were consistent with cultural psychology perspectives. The ability of self-construals to predict implicit beliefs and self-perceptions of traitedness was also investigated. Overall, the results supported efforts to integrate trait and cultural psychology perspectives.

Sciatic nerve injury induces functional pro-nociceptive chemokine receptors in bladder-associated primary afferent neurons in the rat

Visceral sensory afferents during disease or following injury often produce vague, diffuse body sensations, and pain referred to somatic targets. Alternatively, injury due to trauma or disease of somatic nerve targets can also lead to referred pain in visceral targets via a somatovisceral reflex. Both phenomenons are thought to be due to convergence of visceral and somatic afferents within the spinal cord. To investigate a potential peripheral influence for referred pain in visceral targets following somatic nerve injury, we examined whether a sciatic nerve injury known to produce hindpaw tactile hyperalgesia alters the frequency of micturition and the sensitivity of bladder-associated sensory neurons to pro-nociceptive chemokines. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats received injections of cholera toxin B subunit conjugated to 555 into urinary bladder wall to retrogradely label visceral primary afferent neurons. After 7 days, the right sciatic nerve of these animals was subjected to a lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced focal demyelination injury. Pre- and post-injury tactile sensitivity in the hind paw and micturition frequency were assayed. Animals were allowed to survive for 14-28 days. Lumbosacral and lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) ipsilateral to the nerve injury were acutely dissociated from sham and nerve injured animals. Bladder wall-associated sensory neurons identified via the retrograde marker were assayed for fluxes in intracellular calcium following administration of pro-nociceptive chemokines. The assayed chemokines included monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1/CCL2) and stromal cell derived factor-1 alpha (SDF1/CXCL12). LPC nerve injured animals exhibited tactile hyperalgesia and increased micturition frequency for at least 28 days. Focal demyelination of the sciatic nerve also increased the number of injured L₄L₅ and non-injured L₆-S₂ bladder-associated sensory neurons that responded to MCP1 and SDF1 when compared with sensory neurons derived from uninjured naïve and sham-injured control animals. Taken together, these data suggest that some visceral hypersensitivity states may have a somatic origin. More importantly, nociceptive somatovisceral sensation may be mediated by upregulation of chemokine signaling in visceral sensory neurons.

Culture, cross-role consistency, and adjustment: testing trait and cultural psychology perspectives

Trait and cultural psychology perspectives on cross-role consistency and its relation to adjustment were examined in 2 individualistic cultures, the United States (N=231) and Australia (N=195), and 4 collectivistic cultures, Mexico (N=199), the Philippines (N=195), Malaysia (N=217), and Japan (N=180). Cross-role consistency in trait ratings was evident in all cultures, supporting trait perspectives. Cultural comparisons of mean consistency provided support for cultural psychology perspectives as applied to East Asian cultures (i.e., Japan) but not collectivistic cultures more generally. Some but not all of the hypothesized predictors of consistency were supported across cultures. Cross-role consistency predicted aspects of adjustment in all cultures, but prediction was most reliable in the U.S. sample and weakest in the Japanese sample. Alternative constructs proposed by cultural psychologists--personality coherence, social appraisal, and relationship harmony--predicted adjustment in all cultures but were not, as hypothesized, better predictors of adjustment in collectivistic cultures than in individualistic cultures.

Synthesis of the chelator lipid nitrilotriacetic acid ditetradecylamine (NTA-DTDA) and its use with the IAsys biosensor to study receptor-ligand interactions on model membranes

This work describes the synthesis and use of the chelator lipid, nitrilotriacetic acid ditetradecylamine (NTA-DTDA). This lipid is readily dispersed in aqueous media, both alone and when mixed with carrier lipids like dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). Fluorescence microscopic examination of membranes deposited from NTA-DTDA-containing liposomes shows that NTA-DTDA mixes uniformly with the carrier lipid, and does not phase separate. NTA-DTDA-membranes deposited onto the sensing surface of IAsys biosensor cuvettes show good stability, permitting use of the biosensor to study protein interactions. Hexahistidine-tagged proteins including recombinant forms of the extracellular regions of murine B7.1 (B7.1-6H) and of the human erythropoietin receptor (EPOR-6H) bind to NTA-DTDA-membranes; the stability of binding is dependent on both protein concentration, and density of NTA-DTDA. Kinetic measurements show that high stability of anchored proteins (t(1/2) approximately 10-20 h, apparent K(d) approximately 1 nM) can be achieved using membranes containing 25 mol% NTA-DTDA, but low levels of bound protein (<200 arc seconds). The system is used to study the interaction of human EPO with the EPOR anchored onto NTA-DTDA-membranes. In addition to the biological applications reported recently, the results show that NTA-DTDA can be a useful reagent in the study of receptor-ligand interactions.

A-fiber sensory input induces neuronal cell death in the dorsal horn of the adult rat spinal cord

Excitotoxicity due to excessive synaptic glutamate release is featured in many neurological conditions in which neuronal death occurs. Whether activation of primary sensory pathways can ever produce sufficient over-activity in secondary sensory neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to induce cell death, however, has not been determined. In this study, we asked whether activity in myelinated afferents (A fibers), which use glutamate as a transmitter, can induce cell death in the dorsal horn. Using stereological estimates of neuron numbers from electron microscopic sections, we found that stimulation of A-fibers in an intact sciatic nerve at 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 50 Hz in 10-minute intervals at a stimulus strength that activates both Abeta and Adelta fibers resulted in the loss of 25% of neurons in lamina III, the major site of termination of large Abeta fibers, but not in lamina I, where Adelta fibers terminate. Furthermore, sciatic nerve lesions did not result in detectable neuron loss, but activation of A fibers in a previously sectioned sciatic nerve did cause substantial cell death not only in lamina III but also in laminae I and II. The expansion of the territory of A-fiber afferent-evoked cell death is likely to reflect the sprouting of the fibers into these laminae after peripheral nerve injury. The data show, therefore, that primary afferent A-fiber activity can cause neuronal cell death in the dorsal horn with an anatomical distribution that depends on whether intact or injured fibers are activated. Stimulation-induced cell death potentially may contribute to the development of persistent pain.

Genomic organization of the gene for mouse PIASgamma and analysis of its promoter

Signal transducer and transcriptional activator (STAT) proteins are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that are activated in response to stimulation by various cytokines. Protein Inhibitors of Activated STAT (PIAS) proteins comprise a family of five mammalian proteins which have been identified as potentially important downregulators of the STAT signaling pathway. We have previously reported the identification and expression of the mouse homologue of PIAS family member PIASgamma. Here we report the isolation by genomic 5'-RACE PCR and in vitro analysis of the mouse PIASgamma promoter region and the genomic structure and organization of the mouse and human PIASgamma genes. Human PIASgamma spans approximately 23 kb on chromosome 19 and is organized into ten exons. The size of mouse PIASgamma is 16 kb and also organized into ten exons with the intron/exon structure of the two genes conserved in both species. As a result, considerable conservatism of the mouse and human intron sequences was observed. Analysis of a 1.4 kb genomic fragment containing the mouse PIASgamma promoter allowed us to map the transcription 'Start' site of the gene, determine the sequences essential for the activity of this promoter and to define a minimal promoter region.

Transplantation of cryopreserved adult human Schwann cells enhances axonal conduction in demyelinated spinal cord

Schwann cells derived from human sural nerve may provide a valuable source of tissue for a cell-based therapy in multiple sclerosis. However, it is essential to show that transplanted human Schwann cells can remyelinate axons in adult CNS and improve axonal conduction. Sections of sural nerve were removed from amputated legs of patients with vascular disease or diabetes, and Schwann cells were isolated and cryopreserved. Suspensions of reconstituted cells were transplanted into the X-irradiation/ethidium bromide lesioned dorsal columns of immunosuppressed Wistar rat. After 3-5 weeks of extensive remyelination, a typical Schwann cell pattern was observed in the lesion zone. Many cells in the lesion were immunopositive for an anti-human nuclei monoclonal antibody. The dorsal columns were removed and maintained in an in vitro recording chamber; the conduction properties were studied using field potential and intra-axonal recording techniques. The transplanted dorsal columns displayed improved conduction velocity and frequency-response properties, and action potentials conducted over a greater distance into the lesion, suggesting that conduction block was overcome. These data support the conclusion that transplantation of human Schwann cells results in functional remyelination of a dorsal column lesion.

The development and subsequent elimination of aberrant peripheral axon projections in Semaphorin3A null mutant mice

Semaphorin3A (previously known as Semaphorin III, Semaphorin D, or collapsin-1) is a member of the semaphorin gene family, many of which have been shown to guide axons during nervous system development. Semaphorin3A has been demonstrated to be a diffusible chemorepulsive molecule for axons of selected neuronal populations in vitro. Analysis of embryogenesis in two independent lines of Semaphorin3A knockout mice support the hypothesis that this molecule is an important guidance signal for neurons of the peripheral nervous system (M. Taniguchi et al., 1997, Neuron 19, 519-530; E. Ulupinar et al., 1999, Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 13, 281-292). Surprisingly, newborn Semaphorin3A null mutant mice exhibit no significant abnormalities (O. Behar et al., 1996, Nature 383, 525-528). In this study we have tested the hypothesis that guidance abnormalities that occurred during early stages of Semaphorin3A null mice development are corrected later in development. We have found that the extensive abnormalities formed during early developmental stages in the peripheral nervous system are largely eliminated by embryonic day 15.5. We demonstrate further that at least in one distinct anatomical location these abnormalities are mainly the result of aberrant projections. In conclusion, these findings suggest the existence of correction mechanisms that eliminate most sensory axon pathfinding errors early in development.

Identification of selective estrogen receptor modulators by their gene expression fingerprints

Clinical studies have shown that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) reduces the incidence and severity of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. However, long term estrogen treatment also increases the risk of endometrial and breast cancer. The selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERMs) tamoxifen and raloxifene, cause antagonistic and agonistic responses when bound to the ER. Their predominantly antagonistic actions in the mammary gland form the rationale for their therapeutic utility in estrogen-responsive breast cancer, while their agonistic estrogen-like effects in bone and the cardiovascular system make them candidates for ERT regimens. Of these two SERMs, raloxifene is preferred because it has markedly less uterine-stimulatory activity than either estrogen or tamoxifen. To identify additional SERMs, a method to classify compounds based on differential gene expression modulation was developed. By analysis of 24 different combinations of genes and cells, a selected set of assays that permitted discrimination between estrogen, tamoxifen, raloxifene, and the pure ER antagonist ICI164384 was generated. This assay panel was employed to measure the activity of 38 compounds, and the gene expression fingerprints (GEFs) obtained for each compound were used to classify all compounds into eight groups. The compound's GEF predicted its uterine-stimulatory activity. One group of compounds was evaluated for activity in attenuating bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Most compounds with similar GEFs had similar in vivo activities, thereby suggesting that GEF-based screens could be useful in predicting a compound's in vivo pharmacological profile.

The transmembrane protein semaphorin 6A repels embryonic sympathetic axons

Semaphorin 6A (Sema6A) (previously named Semaphorin VIa) is the originally described member of the vertebrate semaphorin class 6, a group of transmembrane semaphorins homologous to the insect semaphorin class 1. Although Sema-1a (previously named semaphorin I) has been implicated in axon guidance in insects, the function of Sema6A is currently unknown. We have expressed the extracellular domain of Sema6A in mammalian cells as either a monomeric or a dimeric fusion protein and tested for potential axon guidance effects on two populations of embryonic neurons in growth cone collapse and collagen matrix chemorepulsion assays. Sema6A was observed to induce growth cone collapse of sympathetic neurons with an EC50 of approximately 200 pM, although a 10-fold higher (EC50 of approximately 2 nM) concentration was necessary to induce growth cone collapse of dorsal root ganglion neurons. The activity of Sema6A is likely to depend on protein dimerization or oligomerization. Although Sema6A mRNA is expressed in complex patterns during embryonic development, it is strikingly absent from sympathetic ganglia. Sema6A is, however, expressed in areas avoided by sympathetic axons and in areas innervated by sympathetics, but before their arrival. Our results demonstrate that transmembrane semaphorins, like the secreted ones, can act as repulsive axon guidance cues. Our findings are consistent with a role for Sema6A in channeling sympathetic axons into the sympathetic chains and controlling the temporal sequence of sympathetic target innervation.

Cloning and analysis of a murine PIAS family member, PIASgamma, in developing skin and neurons

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that become activated in response to stimulation by various cytokines. Recently a new family of five structurally related proteins, called PIAS (Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT) has been identified as potentially important downregulators of this pathway. Members of the PIAS family of STAT inhibitors may play a prominent role in the downregulation of STAT-mediated signaling processes. In this article we describe the isolation of the cDNA and expression of the gene for the murine homologue of the human STAT inhibitor family member PIASgamma. The cDNA for mPIASgamma encodes a protein of 507 amino acids that is highly homologous to the human protein and is expressed in the mouse as early as d 7.5 of gestation. In situ hybridizations of staged mouse embryos localized the transcript for the PIASgamma gene to the limbs, neuroepithelium, and the inner root sheath of the hair follicle, suggesting a role in the development of these structures. Immunostaining studies with a polyclonal antibody (PAb) recognizing human PIASgamma localized the protein in the hair follicle of human scalp hair and in monkey neuronal cells. Thus PIASgamma exhibits a highly selective pattern of expression, suggesting that it modulates the response of cells to developmental cues.

Relationship of family socialization processes to adolescent moral thought

The author investigated the relationship between salient family processes and adolescent moral thought among a sample of 271 adolescents and their parents. Family-process variables measured were adaptability, cohesion, and parent-adolescent communication; adolescent moral thought was measured by the influence the adolescent participants attributed to sources of moral authority. Perceptions of high family cohesion were associated with the greatest influence attributed to the family as a source of moral authority. Perceptions of high family adaptability were associated with greater influence attributed to all sources of moral authority. Parent-adolescent dyads who perceived high positive communication showed strong parent-adolescent agreement on the levels of influence attributed to all sources of moral authority. The findings (a) support the view that a strong relationship exists between family-socialization processes and the content of adolescent moral thought and (b) redress an empirical imbalance in research literature.

A role for HSP27 in sensory neuron survival

Peripheral nerve injury in neonatal rats results in the death of the majority of the axotomized sensory neurons by 7 d after injury. In adult animals, however, all sensory neurons survive for at least 4 months after axotomy. How sensory neurons acquire the capacity to survive axonal injury is not known. Here we describe how the expression of the small heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is correlated with neuronal survival after axotomy in vivo and after NGF withdrawal in vitro. The number of HSP27-immunoreactive neurons in the L4 DRG is low at birth and does not change significantly for 21 d after postnatal day 0 (P0) sciatic nerve axotomy. In contrast, in the adult all axotomized neurons begin to express HSP27. One week after P0 sciatic nerve section the total number of neurons in the L4 DRG is dramatically reduced, but all surviving axotomized neurons, as identified by c-jun immunoreactivity, are immunoreactive for HSP27. In addition, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling reveals that very few HSP27-expressing neurons are dying 48 hr after neonatal axotomy. In vitro, a similar correlation exists between HSP27 expression and survival; in P0 DRG cultures, neurons that express HSP27 preferentially survive NGF withdrawal. Finally, overexpression of human HSP27 in neonatal rat sensory and sympathetic neurons significantly increases survival after NGF withdrawal, with nearly twice as many neurons surviving at 48 hr. Together these results suggest that HSP27 in sensory neurons plays a role in promoting survival after axotomy or neurotrophin withdrawal.

Indoor air quality: what managers can do

A significant number of workers suffer a variety of physical symptoms and illnesses associated with poor indoor air quality. These authors furnish employers with a guide for providing clean air in the workplace--an objective the achievement of which will reduce employee absenteeism and medical insurance costs, while increasing productivity and morale.

Widespread elimination of naturally occurring neuronal death in Bax-deficient mice

The proapoptotic molecule BAX is required for death of sympathetic and motor neurons in the setting of trophic factor deprivation. Furthermore, adult Bax-/- mice have more motor neurons than do their wild-type counterparts. These findings raise the possibility that BAX regulates naturally occurring cell death during development in many neuronal populations. To test this idea, we assessed apoptosis using TUNEL labeling in several well-studied neural systems during embryonic and early postnatal development in Bax-/- mice. Remarkably, naturally occurring cell death is virtually eliminated between embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) and postnatal day 1 (PN1) in most peripheral ganglia, in motor pools in the spinal cord, and in the trigeminal brainstem nuclear complex. Additionally, reduction, although not elimination, of cell death was noted throughout the developing cerebellum, in some layers of the retina, and in the hippocampus. Saving of cells was verified by axon counts of dorsal and ventral roots, as well as facial and optic nerves that revealed 24-35% increases in axon number. Interestingly, many of the supernumerary axons had very small cross-sectional areas, suggesting that the associated neurons are not normal. We conclude that BAX is a critical mediator of naturally occurring death of peripheral and CNS neurons during embryonic life. However, rescue from naturally occurring cell death does not imply that the neurons will develop normal functional capabilities.

Different estrogen receptor structural domains are required for estrogen- and tamoxifen-dependent anti-proliferative activity in human mammary epithelial cells expressing an exogenous estrogen receptor

Estrogen (E) inhibits the growth of both non-tumorigenic, immortal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) and breast cancer cells which stably express exogenous estrogen receptors (ER). The anti-estrogenic compounds 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (HT) and ICI 164384 (ICI) have different effects on the growth of the ER-transfectants. HT is a potent growth inhibitor, while ICI has no effect by itself but is able to block the anti-proliferative effects of E and HT. In order to elucidate the mechanism by which E or HT-bound ER inhibit cell growth, we have evaluated the effects of these compounds on the growth of HMEC stably expressing ER with mutations or deletions in the N-terminal A/B domain, the DNA-binding domain (DBD), and the C-terminal ligand-binding domain. These studies revealed that E and HT require different structural domains of the ER for their anti-proliferative activities. The N-terminal A/B domain is required for HT-, but not E-dependent growth inhibition. The DNA-binding domain of the ER is not essential for HT-mediated anti-proliferative effects, but is important for E-dependent activity. The effect of ER mutations on the ligand-inducible expression of the endogenous progesterone receptor (PR) and pS2 genes was also evaluated. Neither gene was induced in the cells containing the ER mutated in the DBD, even though cell growth was inhibited. These results suggest that E and HT use different pathways to elicit their anti-proliferative effects and that this occurs via modulation of genes that are controlled by mechanisms different from those important for activation of the PR and pS2 genes.

Comparison of the antiasthmatic, oropharyngeal, and systemic glucocorticoid effects of budesonide administered through a pressurized aerosol plus spacer or the Turbuhaler dry powder inhaler

To determine therapeutically and systemically equivalent dosages of budesonide inhaled through the Turbuhaler dry powder inhalation device (Astra Pharma Production AB, Södertälje, Sweden) or pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) plus Nebuhaler spacer (Astra Pharma Production AB), we compared these devices in a randomized, open, parallel-group trial. Adults with moderate to severe asthma inhaled budesonide (0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 mg/day), for 2 weeks at each dose level, through the Turbuhaler (n = 30) or pMDI + Nebuhaler (n = 28). Dose-dependent effects were demonstrated on asthma symptoms (p = 0.0001), daily peak expiratory flow (p = 0.02), blood eosinophils (p = 0.0001), urinary cortisol output per day (p = 0.0001), serum cortisol (p = 0.006), serum osteocalcin (p = 0.0001), and the oropharyngeal Candida colony count (p = 0.0007. analysis of covariance). The ratio of the responses to the two inhalation devices approximated 1.0 for each index measured; that is, no significant between-device difference was found (p > or = 0.29). However, the 95% confidence limits for the ratio of their respective systemic effects on osteocalcin production were 0.83 to 1.48. Thus in adults who use inhalation devices efficiently and have optimally controlled asthma, conversions from the pMDI + Nebuhaler to the Turbuhaler may reasonably be made at milligram equivalent doses of budesonide, then down-titrated to minimize possible systemic effects. Because earlier studies have shown that the Turbuhaler can double intrapulmonary drug delivery in comparison with a pMDI without a spacer, a 50% dose reduction may be indicated when converting from a pMDI to the Turbuhaler.

MEASURING THE CONTENT OF MORAL JUDGEMENT DEVELOPMENT: THE REVISED MORAL AUTHORITY SCALE (MAS-R)

This paper investigates the psychometric properties of the revised Moral Authority Scale (MASR), a unique content-based scale, which measures an individual's attributed level of influence to sources of moral authority in their moral decision making. In order to examine these psychometric properties, the MAS-R, Rest's (1979) Defining Issues Test (DIT) and Shelton & McAdams (1990) Visions of Morality Scale (VMS) were administered to 186 adolescents and their parents. Results indicated that the test-retest and split-half reliabilities of the MAS-R subscales were high. With regard to the validity of the scale, predicted levels of convergence were found between MAS-R subscales and the DIT stage scores but not between the MAS-R subscales and the VMS subscales. It was also found that the MAS-R discriminated between subjects' political and religious affiliations, further strengthening its validity. Moreover, the item-total correlational analysis suggests that the MAS-R has strong structural validity. The present findings concerning the psychometric properties of the MAS-R not only replicate previous findings involving the MAS (White, 1996b) but provide stronger support amongst a broader sample. Important research implications for the use of the MAS-R within a family socialization framework of the content of moral thought are explicated.

Cloning and expression of a novel murine semaphorin with structural similarity to insect semaphorin I

We describe a novel semaphorin family member, Sema VIa, with 25-36% sequence identity at the amino acid level in the semaphorin domain to previously published mouse homologues. This novel family member shares considerable homology with the best characterized murine semaphorin, Sema III (also known as SemD), at the 5' end but is divergent from Sema III near the 3' end because it contains a putative transmembrane domain. Remarkably, of the known semaphorins, Sema VIa bears the greatest structural similarity to insect Sema I, although it contains a much larger intracellular domain. We propose, therefore, that Sema VIa is the prototype of a new class (class VI) of semaphorins. In order to gain insights into potential functions of Sema VIa, we have compared mRNA expression of Sema VIa to that of Sema III during development. In the nervous system, Sema VIa is expressed in strikingly localized and transient patterns that are markedly different from those of Sema III. Interestingly, Sema VIa and Sema III frequently exhibit complementary or adjacent loci of expression. We suggest that Sema VIa may be important to nervous system development via a mechanism that involves cell-cell communication.

Synchronous onset of NGF and TrkA survival dependence in developing dorsal root ganglia

Determinations of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron loss in nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) null mutant mice have supported the concept that neurons can switch neurotrophin dependence by revealing that many neurons must require both of these factors acting either sequentially or simultaneously during development. The situation is complex, however, in that NT-3(-/-) mutant mice show far greater neuron loss than mice deficient in the NT-3 receptor TrkC, suggesting that NT-3 may support many DRG neurons via actions on the NGF receptor TrkA. To assess the possibility of ligand-receptor cross-talk as a developmental mechanism, we have compared the onset of survival dependence of lumbar DRG neurons on NT-3, TrkC, NGF, and TrkA signaling in mice deficient in these molecules as a result of gene targeting. At embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5), virtually all lumbar DRG cells express TrkC mRNA and many require NT-3 and TrkC signaling for survival. In contrast, although many lumbar DRG cells also express TrkA at E11.5, there is little survival dependence on TrkA signaling. By E13.5, most lumbar DRG cells have downregulated TrkC mRNA. The onset of survival dependence on NGF and TrkA-signaling is concurrent and of equal magnitude at E13.5, demonstrating that NT-3 alone does not support DRG neurons via TrkA, nor can NT-3 compensate for the loss of NGF. We conclude that many murine DRG cells require NT-3 activation of TrkA is unimportant to these early NT-3 survival-promoting actions. We suggest that the discrepancy in cell loss between NT-3(-/-) and trkC(-/-) mutants is attributable to the ability of NT-3 to support DRG neurons via TrkA in the artificial situation where TrkC is absent.

Family processes as predictors of adolescents' preferences for ascribed sources of moral authority: a proposed model

This paper develops a model of the family's role in the moralization of the adolescent. To achieve this aim, the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems (Olson, Sprenkle, & Russell, 1979; Olson, 1983) provides the theoretical framework needed to identify levels of adaptability, cohesion, and communication within each family system. Once identified, these family processes are treated as possible predictors of certain moral preferences, in particular, the number and type of sources of moral authority held by the adolescent. The notion "source of moral authority" is based on Henry's (1983) reconceptualization of Kohlberg's stage theory of moral judgments. In light of this, a new measure, the Moral Authority Scale (MAS) has been developed to assess such adolescent preferences for different sources of moral authority. Overall, this unique approach identifies salient family processes as influencing adolescent moral reasoning by drawing together systems theory, cognitive developmental, and psychosocial approaches and generating testable predictions. In so doing, research needs and inadequacies of the current literature are highlighted and possible strategies to overcome such problems are explicated.

Psychological, social, and health impact of caregiving: a comparison of black and white dementia family caregivers and noncaregivers

Psychological, social, and health variables were compared in 175 Black and White family caregivers of patients with dementia and 175 Black and White noncaregivers. Caregivers and noncaregivers did not differ within race on demographic variables. Caregiving was associated with increased depression and decreased life satisfaction only in White families. However, caregiving appears to have similar social consequences for Black and White families, including restriction of social activity and increased visits and support by family from outside of the home. Race, but not caregiving, was associated with physical health variables. Methodological issues in comparing well-being in Black and White caregivers, in particular the importance of including noncaregiving comparison subjects are discussed.

The guidance molecule semaphorin III is expressed in regions of spinal cord and periphery avoided by growing sensory axons

The protein collapsin was purified from chick brain on the basis of its ability to inhibit sensory neuron growth cones, implicating this molecule in sensory axon guidance (Luo et al. [1993] Cell 75:217-227). To examine the relationship between collapsin and sensory axon growth, we examined the pattern of mRNA expression of collapsin's mammalian paralogue, Semaphorin III (Sema III), and compared it to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axon pathways in the developing rat embryo. Centrally, DRG axons enter the spinal cord by embryonic (E) 11 and branch into the gray matter by E15 in brachial and thoracic regions. Laminar specific targets are reached by E17. Between E13 and E17, Sema III mRNA is expressed at high levels in the entire ventral half of the spinal cord except the floor plate. This pattern suggests that Sema III may inhibit non-proprioceptive sensory axons from penetrating the ventral spinal cord. Peripherally, sensory axons have entered the anterior sclerotome by E11 at all rostrocaudal levels. At this age, Sema III mRNA is already expressed in the dermamyotome and ventral aspect of the posterior sclerotome, areas which axons pass between but do not penetrate en route to their peripheral targets. From E12 to E15, the axons lengthen and branch into smaller fascicles which extend toward peripheral targets. During this time, Sema III mRNA is expressed by many mesodermal structures surrounding the axon fascicles, with highest levels observed in the dermamyotome, perinotochordal mesenchyme, pelvic girdle, and limb. As development proceeds, Sema III mRNA expression is quickly downregulated before disappearing by birth. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the gene for Sema III is expressed in central and peripheral regions which are avoided by growing DRG axons. These findings are consistent with the idea that Sema III inhibits growth and branching of axons into inappropriate areas during development.

Birth dates and survival after axotomy of neurochemically defined subsets of trigeminal ganglion cells

Trigeminal (V) ganglion cells with different neurochemical phenotypes or different birth dates are affected differently by neonatal axonal transection. The aim of the present study was to determine if V ganglion cell birth date and neurochemical phenotype were correlated and if these two variables could be related to responses to neonatal axonal transection. Immunocytochemistry, histochemistry, and [3H]thymidine labelling were used to determine the birth dates of V ganglion cells recognized by antibodies directed against neurofilament protein (NF), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and substance P (SP) and those that bound the lectin Bandierea simplicifolia-I (BS-I). All V ganglion cells were born between embryonic days (E-) 9.5 and 14.5. All ganglion cells were born between E-9.5 and E-14.5. In a normalized population (percentages normalized to equal 100%), over 90% of NF-positive V ganglion cells were born between E-10.5 and E-12.5. The majority of CGRP-positive and SP-positive ganglion cells (> 90%) were generated from E-13.5 to E-14.5 and E-12.5 through E-14.5, respectively. Almost 85% of BS-I-positive ganglion cells were generated on E-12.5 through E-14.5. Previous results and additional data from this study indicated that NF- and BS-I-positive ganglion cells are proportionally more likely to be lost after neonatal axotomy and that SP-positive cells are more likely to remain. The percentage of CGRP-positive cells in the V ganglion was not significantly altered by neonatal infraorbital nerve transection. Overall, these findings do not indicate a strong relationship between cell birth date and the probability of survival after neonatal axonal damage for all V ganglion cell phenotypes.

Evidence for survival of the central arbors of trigeminal primary afferents after peripheral neonatal axotomy: experiments with galanin immunocytochemistry and Di-I labelling

Studies employing axoplasmic transport techniques have suggested that the central arbors of vibrissae-related primary afferents are rapidly and permanently lost from the trigeminal (V) brainstem complex after transection of the intraorbital nerve (ION). The present study reexamined this issue using immunocytochemistry for galanin (GAL) and anterograde labelling with Di-I to evaluate V brainstem organization in rats that sustained damage to the ION or individual vibrissae follicles in infancy or adulthood. After adult nerve damage, GAL-positive fibers are increased in layers I and II of V subnucleus caudalis (SpC). This was apparent by 3 days after the lesion. In rats that sustained nerve damage at birth (P0), GAL immunoreactivity (IR) appeared throughout the V brainstem complex and had a patchy distribution similar to that of vibrissae-related V primary afferents in normal rats. Increased GAL-IR in rostral portions of the V brainstem complex was observed in rats that sustained ION damage as late as P14. Additional experiments in which nerve damage was followed by destruction of the V ganglion demonstrated that this GAL-IR was contained in primary afferents. Damage to single vibrissa follicles or to a row of follicles produced a single patch or row of GAL-IR terminals in the somatotopically appropriate portion of the ipsilateral V brainstem complex. Di-I labelling in neonatally nerve-damaged rats demonstrated that primary afferent axons filled the central territory normally innervated by this nerve and that their terminal distribution was patchy. These results suggest that the V ganglion cells that survive neonatal axotomy may retain somatotopically organized projections to the V brainstem complex for at least a limited postnatal period.