Attachment-Based Family Therapy to Improve Family Functioning in Adolescent Binge-Spectrum Eating Disorders: An Initial Evaluation Via Case Series Design

Binge-spectrum eating disorders (EDs; bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder) often develop during adolescence and are associated with serious psychological and physical consequences. Current treatments for adolescents are highly behavioral in nature and while efficacious, many patients do not reach remission indicating that current treatments fail to target a key maintenance factor for EDs. One potential maintenance factor is poor family functioning (FF). In particular, high family conflict (e.g., arguing, critical comments) and low family cohesion (e.g., warmth, support) are known to maintain ED behaviors. Poor FF can (1) cause or exacerbate an adolescent's use of ED behaviors to cope with life stress and/or (2) inhibit parents from being a resource to adolescents during ED treatment. Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is specifically designed to improve FF, and thus may be a promising adjunct to behavioral ED intervention strategies. ABFT, however, has not been tested in adolescents with binge-spectrum EDs. Thus, the current study is the first to evaluate a 16-week adapted ABFT treatment for adolescents with EDs (N = 8, Mage = 16.00, 71.43% female, 71.43% White) fusing together behavioral treatment for EDs with ABFT for highest possible impact. Eight families were treated in an open pilot trial to examine treatment feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy on FF and eating pathology. Overall, findings were promising. ABFT + B treatment was feasible and acceptable and showed preliminary evidence that it could improve FF and ED behaviors. Future research will test this intervention in a larger sample and further examine the role of FF in maintaining ED symptoms.

RLSuite: An Integrative R-Loop Bioinformatics Framework

We recently described the development of a database of 810 R-loop mapping datasets and used this data to conduct a meta-analysis of R-loops. R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures containing RNA:DNA hybrids and we were able to verify that 30% of expressed genes have an associated R-loop in a location conserved manner.. Moreover, intergenic R-loops map to enhancers, super enhancers and with TAD domain boundaries. This work demonstrated that R-loop mapping via high-throughput sequencing can reveal novel insight into R-loop biology, however the analysis and quality control of these data is a non-trivial task for which few bioinformatic tools exist. Herein we describe RLSuite, an integrative R-loop bioinformatics framework for pre-processing, quality control, and downstream analysis of R-loop mapping data. RLSuite enables users to compare their data to hundreds of public datasets and generate a user-friendly analysis report for sharing with non-bioinformatician colleagues. Taken together, RLSuite is a novel analysis framework that should greatly benefit the emerging R-loop bioinformatics community in a rapidly expanding aspect of epigenetic control that is still poorly understood.

Immunologic Heterogeneity in 2 Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia Patients With a Distinct Clinical Course

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome associated with skeletal dysplasia, varying degrees of combined immunodeficiency (CID), short stature, hair hypoplasia, macrocytic anemia, increased risk of malignancies, and Hirschsprung disease. To provide clinical and immunological insights obtained from 2 unrelated patients who displayed clinical characteristics of CHH.

METHODS

Two patients with suspected CHH syndrome due to skeletal dysplasia and immunodeficiency underwent an immunological and genetic work-up using flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the immune repertoire, and Sanger sequencing to identify the underlying defects.

RESULTS

Patient 1 presented with low birth weight and skeletal dysplasia. Newborn screening was suggestive of T-cell immunodeficiency, as T-cell receptor excision circle levels were undetectable. Both the T-cell receptor (TCR) Vß and TCR-g (TRG) repertoires were restricted, with evidence of clonal expansion. Genetic analysis identified compound heterozygous RMRP variants inherited from both parents. Patient 2 presented with recurrent lung and gastrointestinal infections, skeletal dysplasia, failure to thrive, and hepatomegaly. The polyclonal pattern of the TCRß repertoire was normal, with only slight overexpression of TCR-ßV20 and restricted expression of Vßs. TRG expressed a normal diverse repertoire, similar to that of the healthy control sample. Genetic analysis identified biallelic novel regulatory variants in RMRP. Both parents are carriers of this mutation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate how the immunological work-up, supported by genetic findings, can dramatically change treatment and future outcome in patients with the same clinical syndrome.

Combining attachment-based family therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to improve outcomes for adolescents with anxiety

Increases in adolescent anxiety over the past several years suggest a need for trauma-informed, culturally responsive interventions that help teens cope with environmental stressors like those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although abundant evidence supports the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating adolescent anxiety, not all teens respond positively to CBT. CBT does not typically include strategies that address important family factors that may be impacting the teen's functioning, such as the attachment relationship. Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) addresses the attachment relationship and other factors that contribute to the adolescent's anxiety and related distress. By enhancing positive parenting behaviors, such as acceptance and validation of the adolescent's distress and promotion of their autonomy, ABFT sessions may repair the attachment relationship and increase the family's ability and willingness to engage in CBT tasks aimed at reducing anxiety. This theoretical paper describes the ABFT model and proposes that implementing ABFT sessions prior to CBT could result in better clinical outcomes for adolescents with anxiety disorders by improving the context within which the anxiety symptoms and treatment are experienced. Given that ABFT is sensitive and responsive to family and other contextual factors, adolescents from marginalized communities and those from less individualistic cultures may find the model to be more acceptable and appropriate for addressing factors related to their anxiety. Thus, a combined ABFT+CBT model might result in better outcomes for adolescents who have not historically responded well to CBT alone.

Effects of earlens lens placement on sound field thresholds, tympanometric measurements and wideband acoustic immittance

OBJECTIVE

The Earlens is a direct-drive hearing device consisting of a lens which physically displaces the umbo to achieve appropriate gain. The objective is to determine the clinical acceptability of clinical immittance measurements in Earlens wearers.

DESIGN

Controlled before-after within-subjects repeated measures study.

STUDY SAMPLE

Data is reported for measurements obtained on 15 subjects (average age of 72.2 years) with data from 30 ears.

RESULTS

There was a small effect of lens placement on sound field thresholds in most subjects. The largest damping effect of 4 dB was observed at 1000 Hz. An average reduction of 0.17 mL was identified in compliance following lens placement (p < 0.05). An effect of the lens on power absorbance obtained at ambient and peak pressure was found. The lens resulted in an increase in power absorbance at low frequencies (below 500 Hz) and a decrease in the mid to high-frequency range of approximately 500-3500 Hz (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lens wear had a small effect on audiometric thresholds and tympanometry for most patients. Clinicians who use compliance and power absorbance should take into consideration lens effects on these measurements. Additional work is required to develop clinical normative ranges of these measures for wearers of the Earlens.

Demonstrating Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth with Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior: A Case Study

Suicide is a growing public health issue among adolescents. While the majority of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth are healthy, many experience suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB). Due to discrimination and stigma, TGD youth attempt suicide at higher rates then heterosexual, cisgender and even cisgender, LGBQ youth. Despite this vulnerability to suicide, few treatments have been developed and tested for this population. One treatment, attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) has been adapted to work with LGBQ youth and may be promising for TGD adolescents at risk for suicide. This article provides an overview of our ABFT modifications for TGD youth with thoughts of suicide. Specifically, we illustrate how treatment outcomes, in a single case study, relate to processes within clinical treatment tasks. The case study demonstrates the application of these ABFT modifications with a self-identified, gender nonconforming adolescent (who had recently attempted suicide) and his caregivers. Treatment evaluation measures were collected over the course of 24 weeks to illustrate the youth's clinical progress. The youth's suicidal symptoms diminished markedly by the end of treatment. Further, the family reported an increased ability for problem solving and more open communication by treatment conclusion.

Therapist Adherence to Two Treatments for Adolescent Suicide Risk: Association to Outcomes and Role of Therapeutic Alliance

In psychotherapy research, adherence refers to the extent to which therapists deliver a treatment as intended. This study examined whether therapist adherence to two different manualized treatments was associated with improved client outcomes and whether the association was moderated by therapeutic alliance. The study sample included 320 video recordings of therapy sessions from 118 cases in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) with family-enhanced nondirective supportive therapy (FE-NST). Recordings were selected from early, middle, and late stages of treatment. The adherence measure consisted of 24 items representing essential therapist interventions from both treatments. Trained raters coded tapes from both therapies. Adolescent self-report of alliance was measured at session 4. Adherence to ABFT was associated with a significant increase in family cohesion at mid-treatment but not at posttreatment. Adherence to FE-NST was significantly associated with an increase in suicide ideation posttreatment. Using therapeutic alliance as a moderator, adherence to ABFT was significantly associated with a reduction in suicide ideation, family conflict, and higher client satisfaction posttreatment. Alliance did not positively affect the association of FE-NST adherence to outcomes. Findings suggest that adherence to ABFT interventions may be better linked to treatment outcomes when adolescents feel a strong alliance with their therapist. Implications for future research and therapist training are explored.

[Factors associated with intrahospital mortality in older patients with COVID-19 in Belgium : The COVID-AgeBru study]

OBJECTIVE

We aimed at assessing the association between demographical and clinical data and the intrahospital mortality in older patients with COVID-19 in Belgium.

METHODS

Descriptive, retrospective study of consecutive patients admitted to Brugmann university hospital, Brussels (Belgium) due to COVID-19 (Mars-September-2020).

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Patients aged ≥ 70 years admitted to acute care with a positive PCR-RT test, or a highly indicative computed tomography scan.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Patients transferred to another institution during hospitalization.

OUTCOME MEASURE

All-cause intrahospital mortality. Demographic, clinical data, presence of comordibidties and comprehensive geriatric assessment were collected. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

From the 226 eligible patients, 160 (82.7 ± 6.5-year-old; 57.5 % females) met inclusion criteria, from which 67 (42 %) died during hospital stay. The adjusted logistic regression showed an association between intrahospital mortality and increasing age [OR = 1.09 per every year increase (95 % CI 1.02-1.16); p <0.001], type 2 diabetes [OR = 2.75 ( 1.17-6.46); p = 0.021], and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [OR = 8.67 ( 3.48-21.61); p < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONS

A higher positive association between intrahospital mortality and increasing age, type 2 diabetes, and ARDS was found. The prognosis value of the comprehensive geriatric assessment in older people with COVID-19 in Belgium requires further studies.

Attachment-based family therapy: Theory, clinical model, outcomes, and process research

Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT; Diamond G.S. et al., 2014) is an empirically supported treatment designed to capitalize on the innate, biologically based, caregiving instinct and adolescent need for attachment security. This therapy is grounded in attachment and emotional processing theory and provides an interpersonal, process-oriented, trauma-informed approach to treating adolescents struggling with suicide and associated problems such as depression and trauma. ABFT offers a clear structure and road map to help therapists quickly address the attachment ruptures that lie at the core of family conflict, which can fuel adolescent distress. Several clinical trials and process studies have demonstrated empirical support for the model and its proposed mechanisms of change. In this paper, we provide an overview of the theories underlying the model, the clinical strategies that guide the treatment, the outcome research that demonstrates efficacy, and the process research that explores the proposed mechanisms of change.

T1 Mapping for Microstructural Assessment of the Cervical Spinal Cord in the Evaluation of Patients with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although current radiologic evaluation of degenerative cervical myelopathy by conventional MR imaging accurately demonstrates spondylosis or degenerative disc disease causing spinal cord dysfunction, conventional MR imaging still fails to provide satisfactory anatomic and clinical correlations. In this context, we assessed the potential value of quantitative cervical spinal cord T1 mapping regarding the evaluation of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients diagnosed with mild and moderate-to-severe degenerative cervical myelopathy and 10 healthy subjects were enrolled in a multiparametric MR imaging protocol. Cervical spinal cord T1 mapping was performed with the MP2RAGE sequence procedure. Retrieved data were processed and analyzed regarding the global spinal cord and white and anterior gray matter on the basis of the clinical severity and the spinal canal stenosis grading.

RESULTS

Noncompressed levels in healthy controls demonstrated significantly lower T1 values than noncompressed, mild, moderate, and severe stenotic levels in patients. Concerning the entire spinal cord T1 mapping, patients with moderate-to-severe degenerative cervical myelopathy had higher T1 values compared with healthy controls. Regarding the specific levels, patients with moderate-to-severe degenerative cervical myelopathy demonstrated a T1 value increase at C1, C7, and the level of maximal compression compared with healthy controls. Patients with mild degenerative cervical myelopathy had lower T1 values than those with moderate-to-severe degenerative cervical myelopathy at the level of maximal compression. Analyses of white and anterior gray matter confirmed similar results. Strong negative correlations between individual modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores and T1 values were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In this preliminary study, 3D-MP2RAGE T1 mapping demonstrated increased T1 values in the pathology tissue samples, with diffuse medullary alterations in all patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy, especially relevant at C1 (nonstenotic level) and at the maximal compression level. Encouraging correlations observed with the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score make this novel approach a potential quantitative biomarker related to clinical severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy. Nevertheless, patients with mild degenerative cervical myelopathy demonstrated nonsignificant results compared with healthy controls and should now be studied in multicenter studies with larger patient populations.

Detection, Speech Recognition, Loudness, and Preference Outcomes With a Direct Drive Hearing Aid: Effects of Bandwidth

Direct drive hearing devices, which deliver a signal directly to the middle ear by vibrating the tympanic membrane via a lens placed in contact with the umbo, are designed to provide an extension of audible bandwidth, but there are few studies of the effects of these devices on preference, speech intelligibility, and loudness. The current study is the first to compare aided speech understanding between narrow and extended bandwidth conditions for listeners with hearing loss while fitted with a direct drive hearing aid system. The study also explored the effect of bandwidth on loudness perception and investigated subjective preference for bandwidth. Fifteen adult hearing aid users with symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss participated in a prospective, within-subjects, randomized single-blind repeated-measures study. Participants wore the direct drive hearing aids for 4 to 15 weeks (average 6 weeks) prior to outcome measurement. Outcome measures were completed in various bandwidth conditions achieved by reducing the gain of the device above 5000 Hz or by filtering the stimuli. Aided detection thresholds provided evidence of amplification to 10000 Hz. A significant improvement was found in high-frequency consonant detection and recognition, as well as for speech in noise performance in the full versus narrow bandwidth conditions. Subjective loudness ratings increased with provision of the full bandwidth available; however, real-world trials showed most participants were able to wear the full bandwidth hearing aids with only small adjustments to the prescription method. The majority of participants had either no preference or a preference for the full bandwidth setting.

Characterization of the public transit air microbiome and resistome reveals geographical specificity

BACKGROUND

The public transit is a built environment with high occupant density across the globe, and identifying factors shaping public transit air microbiomes will help design strategies to minimize the transmission of pathogens. However, the majority of microbiome works dedicated to the public transit air are limited to amplicon sequencing, and our knowledge regarding the functional potentials and the repertoire of resistance genes (i.e. resistome) is limited. Furthermore, current air microbiome investigations on public transit systems are focused on single cities, and a multi-city assessment of the public transit air microbiome will allow a greater understanding of whether and how broad environmental, building, and anthropogenic factors shape the public transit air microbiome in an international scale. Therefore, in this study, the public transit air microbiomes and resistomes of six cities across three continents (Denver, Hong Kong, London, New York City, Oslo, Stockholm) were characterized.

RESULTS

City was the sole factor associated with public transit air microbiome differences, with diverse taxa identified as drivers for geography-associated functional potentials, concomitant with geographical differences in species- and strain-level inferred growth profiles. Related bacterial strains differed among cities in genes encoding resistance, transposase, and other functions. Sourcetracking estimated that human skin, soil, and wastewater were major presumptive resistome sources of public transit air, and adjacent public transit surfaces may also be considered presumptive sources. Large proportions of detected resistance genes were co-located with mobile genetic elements including plasmids. Biosynthetic gene clusters and city-unique coding sequences were found in the metagenome-assembled genomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, geographical specificity transcends multiple aspects of the public transit air microbiome, and future efforts on a global scale are warranted to increase our understanding of factors shaping the microbiome of this unique built environment.

Attachment-based family therapy in the age of telehealth and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed so many aspects of our lives. For psychotherapists, telehealth is likely a permanent part of the future mental health landscape. For family therapists using a manualized treatment, this brings unique challenges and creative opportunities. In this article, we describe the adaptation of attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) in the context of telehealth and COVID-19. ABFT is an empirically supported treatment model designed for adolescents and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and suicide. ABFT is a semi-structured, process-oriented, and trauma-informed family therapy model which presents its own unique challenges and benefits in telehealth environments. We present our adaptations based on years of telehealth clinical experience and address how this model supports the impact of COVID-19 on families.

95 Lack of Evidence for Reduced Efficacy of Medical Therapy for Heart Failure in Older Adults

Introduction

There are almost a million people with heart failure (HF) in the UK; the incidence increases sharply with age. Older adults receive less evidence-based therapy with few trials specifically examining therapeutic efficacy in older age groups representative of a contemporary UK HF population. Concern that efficacy is less in older adults may underlie under-prescription. With important recent advances in HF therapy, we reviewed the contemporary evidence base for any signal of different efficacy in older adults.

Methods

We reviewed recent RCTs of medical therapy for heart failure alongside meta-analyses updated with recent therapies including Angiotensin-Neprilysin inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors. For those trials in which effect size was presented for age subgroups we compared the effect size.

Results

Of 68 randomised controlled trials, 10 presented effect sizes for different age groups. The median average cut-off between younger and older age groups was 66 years (IQR 65 to 72.5 years) and the highest cut-off used was 75 years. The median hazard ratio was 0.77 (IQR 0.67 to 0.80) for the younger age group and 0.76 (IQR 0.73 to 0.88) for the older age group. In 8 of the 10 trials, the effect size in the oldest age group was statistically significant on its own including Sacubitril-Valsartan and Dapagliflozin.

Conclusion

When considering the medical therapeutic armamentarium for heart failure as a totality, there is no evidence it is any less effective in older adults than younger adults. The recent Zannad et al cross-trial analysis supported this showing significant additional life years in the patients over 80 years on HF therapy. Whilst there may be practical and frailty-related reasons for not prescribing life-prolonging therapy, the proportional survival benefits of these medications is similar in older adults. This should be utilised where practically possible and discussed with patients when making an informed choice.

Sound Quality Ratings of Amplified Speech and Music Using a Direct Drive Hearing Aid: Effects of Bandwidth

OBJECTIVE

To determine sound quality for extended bandwidth amplification using a direct drive hearing device.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective double-blind within-subjects repeated measures study.

SETTING

University hearing research laboratories.

PATIENTS

Fifteen experienced hearing aid users with symmetric mild-sloping-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss.

INTERVENTIONS

Sound quality ratings of speech and music passages were obtained using the Multiple Stimulus with Hidden References and Anchors (MUSHRA) protocol after wearing a direct drive hearing aid for at least 4 weeks. Passages were processed to filter out low-frequency (below 123 and 313 Hz) and high-frequency (above 4455, 5583, 6987, and 10,869 Hz) energy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comparison of sound quality ratings for speech and music between low and high-pass filter frequencies measured from 0 to 100, where 0 represents "bad" and 100 represents "excellent."

RESULTS

Wider bandwidth stimuli received higher sound quality ratings compared with narrower bandwidth stimuli. Conditions with more low-frequency energy (full-band and 123 Hz cut-off) were rated as having higher sound quality. More low-frequency energy in the 123 Hz condition was rated as having higher sound versus the 313 Hz condition (mean difference: 11.2%, p = 0.001). Full-band conditions with more low- and high-frequency energy were higher than the other high-frequency cutoff conditions (mean difference range: 12.9-15%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The direct drive system provides higher sound quality of both speech and music compared to narrowband conditions. Sound quality improvements were mainly attributable to low-frequency sound, but stimuli with specific high-frequency content were rated with higher sound quality when additional high-frequency energy was present.

Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Attachment-based Family Therapy into a Child Welfare Setting: A Qualitative Process Evaluation

Child welfare systems (CWSs) worldwide show increased interest in adopting empirically informed clinical strategies to increase treatment effectiveness. Many empirically supported treatments (ESTs) exist, but little is known about EST implementation barriers and facilitators in CWS. This study explored CWS providers' experiences of implementing attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) in home-based services of the Flemish CWS (in Belgium). Sixteen CWS providers (twelve counselors and four supervisors) involved in three home-based services were interviewed. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to guide collection, coding, and analysis of interview data. Findings revealed that implementation success was related to ABFT's fit with the CWS's mission, philosophy, and existing practices. CWS providers' belief in the compatibility between ABFT and CWS increased investment in implementation efforts and persistence to overcome challenges and setbacks. Some barriers pertained to the learning of ABFT and some barriers pertained to systems level challenges such as lack of leadership and support, poor coordination with referral sources and other youth care partners, and lack of policy support. For successful expansion of ESTs into CWS settings, various barriers at multiple systemic levels need to be addressed.

Metabolic and Renal Effects of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors Treatment After Liver Transplantation: Real-Life Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors following liver transplantation (LT) are used to minimize calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-related nephrotoxicity. Data about metabolic effects of mTOR inhibitors are still limited.

AIM

This study aims to determine the renal and metabolic effects of different mTOR inhibitor-based protocols in real-life LT patients.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients treated with mTOR inhibitors after LT. Demographics, treatment protocols, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and metabolic parameters were collected over a period of 4 years. Initiation of blood pressure (BP), diabetes mellitus, and lipid medications was also noted.

RESULTS

Fifty-two LT recipients received mTOR inhibitors. GFR improved significantly (by 1.96 mL/min/year), with greater improvement in patients with baseline renal dysfunction (+13.3 mL/min vs +4.5 mL/min at 3 years). Conversion to an mTOR inhibitor during the first post-transplant year resulted in a more durable improvement in GFR (for 4 years vs only 1 year for later conversion).No significant weight gain or new-onset diabetes mellitus was observed. However, there was some increase in total cholesterol (+7 mg/dL) and blood pressure (+2 mm Hg during the third year and +8 mm Hg in the fourth years), followed by initiation of lipid-lowering and BP medications in 25% and 13% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with an mTOR inhibitor following LT resulted in improved kidney functions without significant negative metabolic effects such as weight gain or new-onset diabetes mellitus. This makes mTOR inhibitors a valuable immunosuppressive option in the face of the growing incidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as a leading cause for LT.

Clinical characteristics and functions of non-suicide self-injury in youth

Purpose

Little is known about the clinical characteristics and motivations for engaging in non-suicide self-injury (NSSI) behaviors in adolescence. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, characteristics and functions of NSSI among adolescents in community settings, and to explore risk factors related to this behavior.

Subjects and methods

Two hundred and seventy-five adolescents aged 12 to 17 were recruited randomly from different High Schools in Israel. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing NSSI (Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory), depression (Children's Depression Inventory – CDI) and impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – BIS-II).

Results

In the past year, 20.7% of the participants reported engaging NSSI at least once. Among them, 42.1% declared they are still engaging in NSSI at the present. Motives for NSSI were internal emotion regulation reasons, external emotion regulation reasons for social influences. In addition, the NSSI group reported significantly higher levels of depressive, impulsivity and suicidal ideations. Depressive symptoms were found as significant predictors of NSSI in the future.

Discussion and conclusions

High rates of NSSI among community adolescents were found. Depression, impulsivity and suicidal ideation were found significantly related to NSSI. Mental health professionals in schools and in primary care should routinely assess NSSI among adolescents.

P4775Efficacy and safety of vernakalant for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation in real-world clinical practice: the SPECTRUM post-approval safety study

Background

Vernakalant is an antiarrhythmic agent designed for pharmacological conversion of recent onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) with combined action on cardiac potassium and sodium currents mainly concentrated in the atria.

Purpose

SPECTRUM was a post-authorisation safety study of vernakalant, conducted to collect information about real-life conditions of use and appropriate dosing, and to quantify possible medically significant risks associated with the use of vernakalant in real-world clinical practice.

Methods

This prospective and retrospective registry was conducted from Sep 2011 to Apr 2018 in 53 hospitals in EU countries including Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Spain and Sweden. A total of 1,778 patients with 2,009 episodes of recent-onset AF received vernakalant and were followed up for 24 hours after the last infusion or until hospital discharge/end of medical encounter to obtain information on medically significant health outcomes of interest (HOIs, defined as significant hypotension, significant ventricular arrhythmia, significant atrial flutter, significant bradycardia), and serious adverse events (SAEs).

Results

In more than 99% of treatments, vernakalant was used in accordance to the labelled indication for conversion of AF for non-surgery (94.7%) or post-cardiac surgery patients (5.2%). Vernakalant was administered in the emergency department in 64.2% of cases, with a median stay of 7.5 hours and successfully converted 70.2% (95% CI: 68.1–72.2) of patients in the effectiveness analysis population with a median time to conversion of 11 minutes (95% CI: 8.0–27.0). A total of 19 HOIs were reported in 17 patients (0.8%, 95% CI: 0.5– .4%) with individual HOIs ranging from <0.1% to 0.7% suggesting these HOIs are uncommon. Significant bradycardia was the most common HOI observed in 15 patients (0.8%, 95% CI: 0.4–1.2%), with all events occurring within the first two hours (0.8%, 95% CI: 0.4–1.2%). The incidence of significant hypotension was 0.1% (2/2,009), significant atrial flutter (with 1:1 conduction) was 0.1% (2/2,009), and significant ventricular arrhythmia (sustained ventricular tachycardia) was <0.1% (1/2,009). A total of 28 SAEs, including all HOIs, were observed (1.3%, 95% CI: 0.8–1.9%); all patients fully recovered, except one who recovered with sequelae after an SAE of pericardial effusion definitely not related to vernakalant. There were no cases of torsades de pointes, ventricular fibrillation, or deaths reported in the SPECTRUM study.

Conclusion(s)

SPECTRUM is, to our knowledge, the largest drug registry conducted on the cardioversion of recent onset AF. The cumulative data from 2,009 vernakalant treatment episodes demonstrate an incidence of HOIs and SAEs similar or lower to what has been reported in earlier vernakalant IV clinical trials. The observed conversion rate was higher than reported in pivotal trials supporting vernakalant's efficacy and allowing early discharge.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Study funded by Correvio International Sarl, Geneva, Switzerland

Folliculin regulates mTORC1/2 and WNT pathways in early human pluripotency

To reveal how cells exit human pluripotency, we designed a CRISPR-Cas9 screen exploiting the metabolic and epigenetic differences between naïve and primed pluripotent cells. We identify the tumor suppressor, Folliculin(FLCN) as a critical gene required for the exit from human pluripotency. Here we show that FLCN Knock-out (KO) hESCs maintain the naïve pluripotent state but cannot exit the state since the critical transcription factor TFE3 remains active in the nucleus. TFE3 targets up-regulated in FLCN KO exit assay are members of Wnt pathway and ESRRB. Treatment of FLCN KO hESC with a Wnt inhibitor, but not ESRRB/FLCN double mutant, rescues the cells, allowing the exit from the naïve state. Using co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis we identify unique FLCN binding partners. The interactions of FLCN with components of the mTOR pathway (mTORC1 and mTORC2) reveal a mechanism of FLCN function during exit from naïve pluripotency.

The pathways involved in exit from pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells are poorly understood. Here, the authors performed a CRISPR-based screen to identify genes that promote exit from naïve pluripotency and find a role for folliculin (FLCN) by regulating the mTOR and Wnt pathways.

A Study of Coagulation Factor Levels in Women during Labour and in Their Newborn Infants

1. Coagulation factors levels were measured in 10 normal mothers and in their infants within 15 min of birth and at 48-96 hrs of age.

2. In the mothers the levels of fibrinogen (532 mg/%), factors VIII (196%), IX (130%) and X (122%) were elevated; the levels of prothrombin (107%) and factor V (108%) were normal ; and the level of factor XI (69%) was reduced.

3. The infants blood examined within 15 min of birth had a slightly elevated factor VIII level (138%), slightly reduced fibrinogen (195 mg/%) and factor V levels (79%), low levels of prothrombin (55%) and factors IX (27%), X (35%) and XI (32%).

4. Blood from the infants at 48-96 hrs of age showed little change from the birth levels of factors V (89%), and VIII (116%) and a slight increase in factor XI level (39%). Four of the infants had received vitamin K1 and had higher levels of prothrombin and factors IX and X than the 7 who had not received vitamin K1.

5. These results are compared with those of previous studies and the possible mechanisms underlying the changes is discussed.

[Not Available]

Chemical burns raise diagnostic and treatment issues because they have specific appearances and evolution. Our objective was to study the characteristics of chemical burns and to assess the quality of our treatment. This retrospective observational study examined the records of all patients admitted for chemical burns to the burn treatment center of Saint Louis Hospital in Paris from January 1, 1990, through December 31, 2015. During this period, 162 patients came to our center for chemical burn treatment. Most of them were men (67%). The majority of the burns were caused by alkalis (27%) and resulted from workplace accidents (29%). The average time before consultation was 5.36 days. The areas mainly damaged were the hands (36%) and the burn areas averaged 1.2% of the total body surface area (TBSA). Forty-eight patients had at least one deep patch. In total, 59 patients (36.4%) were hospitalized for an average duration of 4.18 days. Thirty-eight of them underwent surgery. Lastly, 92% of the operations had been anticipated from the first consultation. In our center, the population affected, the circumstances and the topography of our patients' burns were similar to the data from the literature. It appears that the principal specificity of our series is a very low body surface burned. This can be attributed to the prevention measures we have in France and underlines their importance. Only 8% of the patients who had surgery were underestimated or their burns became deeper secondarily. This number is lower than the data from other series.

Treatment motivation among caregivers and adolescents with substance use disorders

Substance use disorders (SUDs) in adolescence have negative long-term health effects, which can be mitigated through successful treatment. Caregivers play a central role in adolescent treatment involvement; however, studies have not examined treatment motivation and pressures to enter treatment in caregiver/adolescent dyads. Research suggests that internally motivated treatment (in contrast to coerced treatment) tends to lead to better outcomes. We used Self-determination theory (SDT) to examine intersecting motivational narratives among caregivers and adolescents in SUD treatment. Relationships between motivation, interpretation of caregiver pressures, adolescent autonomy, and relatedness were also explored. Adolescents in SUD treatment and their caregivers (N_Dyads=15) were interviewed about treatment experiences. Interviews were coded for treatment motivation, including extrinsic (e.g., motivated by punishment), introjected (e.g., motivated by guilt), and identified/integrated motivation (e.g., seeing a behavior as integral to the self). Internalization of treatment motivation, autonomy support/competence (e.g., caregiver support for adolescent decisions), and relatedness (e.g., acceptance and support) were also coded. Four dyadic categories were identified: agreement that treatment was motivated by the adolescent (intrinsic); agreement that treatment was motivated by the caregiver (extrinsic); agreement that treatment was motivated by both, or a shift towards adolescent control (mixed/transitional); and disagreement (adolescents and caregivers each claimed they motivated treatment; conflicting). Autonomy support and relatedness were most prominent in intrinsic dyads, and least prominent in extrinsic dyads. The mixed/transitional group was also high in autonomy support and relatedness. The extrinsic group characterized caregiver rules as an unwelcome mechanism for behavioral control; caregivers in the other groups saw rules as a way to build adolescent competence and repair relationships, and adolescents saw rules as indicating care rather than control. Adolescents with intrinsic motivations were the most engaged in treatment. Results suggest the importance of intrinsically motivated treatment, and highlight autonomy support and relatedness as mechanisms that might facilitate treatment engagement.

[Pseudotumor cerebri due to taking minocycline]

The cerebral pseudotumor (PTC) is defined by the increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, a normal composition of the latter in the absence of identified intracranial structural abnormalities, in particular by neuroimaging. The pathophysiology of PTC is poorly understood although its diagnostic criteria are well established. Drugs such as minocycline, tetracycline and doxycycline have been repeatedly implicated as a causative factor in PTC. The prognosis of PTC related to minocycline, reported in the literature is quite variable. Some authors suggest a benign condition with spontaneous healing by stopping the antibiotic, while others report permanent loss of vision. A 12-year-old girl is admitted to the emergency room for progressively progressive pulsatile temporal headaches associated with diplopia. The patient reported the use of minocycline 50 mg / d for five months, prescribed by her attending physician as part of an acne treatment. PTC will be demonstrated by severe papillary edema and cerebral NMR will demonstrate an enlargement of the subarachnoid space around the optic nerves. After three lumbar punctures, the condition of the patient stabilized and there was a marked improvement in headache despite the persistence of bilateral papillary edema. This work describes a clinical case of PTC induced by the use of minocycline and reviews the physiopathology, the diagnosis and the management of this one.

Attachment-Based Family Therapy: A Review of the Empirical Support

Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) is an empirically supported treatment designed to capitalize on the innate, biological desire for meaningful and secure relationships. The therapy is grounded in attachment theory and provides an interpersonal, process-oriented, trauma-focused approach to treating adolescent depression, suicidality, and trauma. Although a process-oriented therapy, ABFT offers a clear structure and road map to help therapists quickly address attachment ruptures that lie at the core of family conflict. Several clinical trials and process studies have demonstrated empirical support for the model and its proposed mechanism of change. This article provides an overview of the clinical model and the existing empirical support for ABFT.

The technology prescription: linking telecare and informatics by using a need-led paradigm

This paper summarizes a current study examining the availability, appropriateness and acceptability of a technologically dependable healthcare provision to both service users and staff. An interface between the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) and future home care technology (Telecare) is suggested in the form of a ‘technology prescription’. It is argued that appropriately prescribed technology will enable people to benefit from a modern, evidence-based service, which promotes a proactive means of addressing and preventing future health and care needs. The paper argues that technological innovations in care must not be perceived as a threat to the partnerships necessary in achieving maximum health gains, but rather be an aid to a patient centred clinical encounter.

Mechanisms determining the ventricular rate in wolff-parkinson-white arrhythmias

In patients with WPW syndrome the maximal ventricular rate attained during ectopic rapid supraventricular thythms depended on the type of arrhythmia as well as on the physiological properties of the AP. During reciprocating tachycardias the impulse is almost invariably conducted to the ventricles through the AV node. Therefore, the maxiaml ventricular rate is a function of the AV nodal ERP. On the other hand, when atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation were present the ventricular rate could be moderately elevated (when the ERP of the AP was longer than that of the AV node) or very rapid where the ERP of the AP was significantly short. Therefore, from the electrophysiological viewpoint, the AP appears to behave as His-Purkinje tissue in some cases and as ordinary artrial muscle in other patients. These assumptions await further documentation.

Frequency of daily tooth brushing: predictors of change in 9- to 11-year old US children

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether an increase in daily tooth brushing frequency in children was predicted by either a) having a strong intention to brush twice a day or b) their parents receiving information about their new caries experience.

BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN

Secondary data analyses were conducted on two waves of data from the Aban Aya Youth Project and the Iowa Fluoride Study.

PARTICIPANTS

The Aban Aya study included 576 10- and 11-year olds from Chicago, Illinois. The Iowa Fluoride Study included a convenience sample of 709 babies born in Iowa. The present study includes those children at age 9.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

In both studies, reported daily tooth brushing frequency was assessed twice six months apart.

RESULTS

In the Aban Aya data, compared with children with a weak intention at wave 1 to brush twice a day, children with a strong intention to brush twice a day were more likely to increase their brushing frequency by wave 2, OR 7.0, 95%CI 1.5,32.9. In the Iowa Fluoride Study, compared with children who did not have new caries at wave 1, children who had new caries experience were less likely to increase their brushing frequency by wave 2, OR 0.4, 95%CI 0.2,0.9.

CONCLUSIONS

Strengthening intention to brush twice a day might increase children's brushing frequency. However, simply providing parents with information about new caries probably will not. Future studies should assess tooth brushing frequency, habit strength, intention, and situational cues at closely-spaced waves.