Mental health pathways from interpersonal violence to health-related outcomes in HIV-positive sexual minority men.

Objective: We examined mental health pathways between interpersonal violence (IPV) and health-related outcomes in HIV-positive sexual minority men engaged with medical care. Method: HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (N = 178) were recruited for this cross-sectional study from 2 public HIV primary care clinics that treated outpatients in an urban setting. Participants (M age = 44.1 years, 36% non-White) filled out a computer-assisted survey and had health-related data extracted from their electronic medical records. We used structural equation modeling to test associations among the latent factors of adult abuse and partner violence (each comprising indicators of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse) and the measured variables: viral load, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), HIV medication adherence, and emergency room (ER) visits. Mediation was tested for the latent construct mental health problems, comprising depression, anxiety, symptomatology of posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation. Results: The final model demonstrated acceptable fit, χ2(123) = 157.05, p = .02, CFI = .95, TLI = .94, RMSEA = .04, SRMR = .06, accounting for significant portions of the variance in viral load (13%), HRQOL (41%), adherence (7%), and ER visits (9%), as well as the latent variable mental health problems (24%). Only 1 direct link emerged: a positive association between adult abuse and ER visits. Conclusions: Findings indicate a significant role of IPV and mental health problems in the health of people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV care providers should assess for IPV history and mental health problems in all patients and refer for evidence-based psychosocial treatments that include a focus on health behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interferon-gamma potentiates interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha but not IL-1beta induced by endotoxin in the brain

Because interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) is present in the central nervous system during neurologic diseases associated with inflammation, its effect on endotoxin-induced cytokines was studied. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), their messenger RNA expression in brain areas (hypothalamus, hippocampus, and striatum) and in spleen were evaluated 2 and 8 h after endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 25 microg/rat i.c.v.], IFN gamma (2.5 microg/rat i.c.v.) or after their coadministration in rats. CSF and serum IL-1beta levels were increased by LPS alone and IFN gamma coadministration did not furtherly increase them. IFN gamma potentiated LPS effect on IL-6 and TNF alpha levels in both CSF and serum. LPS and IFN-gamma coadministration did not alter IL-1beta messenger RNA expression induced by LPS in brain areas and in spleen, but it potentiated that of IL-6 and TNF alpha. The present in vivo data show that i.c.v. coadministration of LPS and IFN gamma results in a potentiation of cytokine production (IL-6 and TNF alpha) which may trigger a cascade of events relevant to neurodegenerative processes. This action is independent of IL-1beta because the production of this cytokine is not altered by IFN gamma treatment.     

Molecular pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of gonadotropin receptor defects

The gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) bind specific receptors, members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Mutations of gonadotropin receptors are classified into activating (constitutively active or gain-of-function mutations) and inactivating (loss-of-function mutations). Activating mutations of the LH receptor have been described in familial and sporadic forms of male-limited pseudoprecocious puberty, whereas they do not appear to have any particular phenotype in females. The only activating mutation of the FSH receptor described to date was found in a hypophysectomized man who was fertile despite undetectable serum gonadotropin levels; the effects of constitutive FSH receptor activity in the context of normal pituitary function are not known. Homozygous inactivating mutations of the LH and FSH receptor invariably lead to amenorrhea in genotypical female subjects. In males, inactivation of the LH receptor in its more severe form results in a clinical picture similar to the syndrome of complete androgen resistance, but milder forms of hypoandrogenization have been described as well. In males, homozygous inactivation of the FSH receptor can also be associated with infertility. Finally, polymorphic variants of the FSH receptor are present in the normal population.     

The impact of minority stress on mental health and substance use among sexual minority women.

Objective: We examined the direct and indirect impact of minority stress on mental health and substance use among sexual minority women. Method: A combination of snowball and targeted sampling strategies was used to recruit lesbian and bisexual women (N = 1,381) for a cross-sectional, online survey. Participants (M age = 33.54 years; 74% White) completed a questionnaire assessing gender expression, minority stressors (i.e., victimization, internalized homophobia, and concealment), social–psychological resources (i.e., social support, spirituality), and health-related outcomes. We used structural equation modeling to test associations among these factors, with gender expression as an antecedent and social–psychological resources as a mediator between minority stress and health. Results: The final model demonstrated acceptable fit, χ2(79) = 414.00, p confirmatory fit index = .93, Tucker–Lewis index = .91, standardized root-mean-square residual = .05, root-mean-square error of approximation = .06, accounting for significant portions of the variance in mental health problems (56%) and substance use (14%), as well as the mediator social–psychological resources (24%). Beyond indirect effects of minority stress on health outcomes, direct links emerged between victimization and substance use and between internalized homophobia and substance use. Conclusions: Findings indicate a significant impact of minority stressors and social–psychological resources on mental health and substance use among sexual minority women. The results improve understanding of the distinct role of various minority stressors and their mechanisms on health outcomes. Health care professionals should assess for minority stress and coping resources and refer for evidence-based psychosocial treatments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

F.E. solution of a vertically averaged model for regional land subsidence

In this paper a mathematical model is presented, based on the application of an averaging technique, in which the equations governing the behaviour of saturated porous media are integrated (averaged) over the smallest dimension of the domain of the problem (thickness). This results in a two dimensional model, in which the three dimensional nature of the problem is accounted for. In fact, the solution is sought in terms of the mean values over the thickness of the field variables and of the transverse displacement components. For the solution of the resulting governing equations a partitioned procedure is employed, which improves the efficiency of the method. The proposed model is very useful in solving problems in which the spatial nature prevents the applications of two dimensional models. Examples are presented, which illustrate the validity of this approach.     

A CMOS 3-D Imager Based on Single Photon Avalanche Diode

A 64-pixel linear array aimed at 3-D vision applications is implemented in a high-voltage 0.8 mum CMOS technology. The detection of the incident light signals is performed using photodiodes biased above breakdown voltage so that an extremely high sensitivity can be achieved exploiting the intrinsic multiplication effect of the avalanche phenomenon. Each 38times180-mum² pixel includes, besides the single photon avalanche diode, a dedicated read-out circuit for the arrival-time estimation of incident light pulses. To increase the distance measurement resolution a multiple pulse measurement is used, extracting the mean value of the light pulse arrival-time directly in each pixel; this innovative approach dramatically reduces the dead-time of the pixel read-out, allowing a high frame rate imaging to be achieved. The sensor array provides a range map from 2 m to 5 m with a precision better than plusmn0.75% without any external averaging operation. Moreover, with the same chip, we have explored for the first time the implementation of an indirect time-of-flight measurement by operating the proposed active pixel in the photon counting mode     

The Model Repository of the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study

The model repository (MREP) is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed under the auspices of models of infectious disease agent study (MIDAS). The purpose of the MREP is to organize and catalog the models, results, and suggestions for using the MIDAS and to store them in a way to allow users to run models from an access-controlled disease MREP. The MREP contains source and object code of disease models developed by infectious disease modelers and tested in a production environment. Different versions of models used to describe various aspects of the same disease are housed in the repository. Models are linked to their developers and different versions of the codes are tied to Subversion, a version control tool. An additional element of the MREP will be to house, manage, and control access to a disease model results warehouse, which consists of output generated by the models contained in the MREP. The result tables and files are linked to the version of the model and the input parameters that collectively generated the results. The result tables are warehoused in a relational database that permits them to be easily identified, categorized, and downloaded.     

Glutamate release in the nucleus tractus solitarius induced by peripheral lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1 beta

PURPOSE: The selection of therapy for stage T1 bladder cancer is controversial, and reliable biomarkers that identify patients likely to require cystectomy for local disease control have not been established. We evaluated our experience with T1 bladder cancer to determine whether early cystectomy improves prognosis, and whether microvessel density has prognostic value for T1 lesions and could be used for patient selection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 88 patients with T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Patient outcome was correlated with therapeutic intervention. Paraffin embedded tissue from 54 patients was available for factor VIII immunohistochemical staining for microvessel density quantification. RESULTS: Median followup was 48 months (range 12 to 239). Of the patients 34% had no tumor recurrence. The rates of recurrence only and progression to higher stage disease were 41 and 25%, respectively. The survival of patients in whom disease progressed was diminished (p = 0.0002). Grade did not predict recurrence or progression nor did cystectomy provide a survival advantage. Microvessel density did not correlate with recurrence or progression. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with T1 bladder cancer have a high risk of recurrence and progression. Tumor progression has a significant negative impact on survival. Neither grade nor early tumor recurrence predicted disease progression. Because early cystectomy did not improve patient outcome, we suggest reserving cystectomy for patients with progression or disease refractory to local therapy. Microvessel density is not a prognostic marker for T1 bladder cancer and has no value in selecting patients with T1 disease for cystectomy.