A simple, low-temperature route to synthesize aqueous-dispersible Yb-Er co-doped hexagonal LaF3 nano-crystals for up-conversion fluorescence

Aqueous-dispersible Yb³⁺-Er³⁺ co-doped hexagonal LaF₃ nano-crystals were synthesized by a low-temperature aqueous phase approach in the presence of d-glucose. These nano-crystals are about 15-20 nm in rectangular shape and are easily dispersed in water, producing a transparent colloidal solution; they can also be precipitated and separated by the addition of NaOH. The morphology, crystal structure, fluorescence properties of these nano-crystals were analyzed by TEM, XRD, and spectroscopy, respectively. Furthermore, these nano-crystals exhibit red and green fluorescence in the visible spectral region when they are excited at 980 nm. The nano-crystals can be coated by a silica shell and their shape is not changed, which will be useful in the application of biological labeling.     

TP53 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Molecular Aspects and Patterns of Mutation

Mutation of the tumor suppressor gene, TP53, is associated with abysmal survival outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although it is the most commonly mutated gene in cancer, its occurrence is observed in only 5–10% of de novo AML, and in 30% of therapy related AML (t-AML). TP53 mutation serves as a prognostic marker of poor response to standard-of-care chemotherapy, particularly in t-AML and AML with complex cytogenetics. In light of a poor response to traditional chemotherapy and only a modest improvement in outcome with hypomethylation-based interventions, allogenic stem cell transplant is routinely recommended in these cases, albeit with a response that is often short lived. Despite being frequently mutated across the cancer spectrum, progress and enthusiasm for the development of p53 targeted therapeutic interventions is lacking and to date there is no approved drug that mitigates the effects of TP53 mutation. There is a mounting body of evidence indicating that p53 mutants differ in functionality and form from typical AML cases and subsequently display inconsistent responses to therapy at the cellular level. Understanding this pathobiological activity is imperative to the development of effective therapeutic strategies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of TP53 on the hematopoietic system, to describe its varying degree of functionality in tumor suppression, and to illustrate the need for the adoption of personalized therapeutic strategies to target distinct classes of the p53 mutation in AML management.     

Competence models in adult psychopathology: A report on a National Institute of Mental Health workshop.

Describes a National Institute of Mental Health workshop focused on psychological strengths. Topics spanned 4 principal domains of psychological strengths: self/personal, cognitive, biological/temperamental, and occupational/social perspectives. It is argued that much can be gained from redirecting the focus of clinical work, even with severely disordered clients, and research to include consideration of psychological strengths and protective factors. The need for developing strength assessment instruments is also considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stable trait components of hopelessness: Baseline and sensitivity to depression.

Hopelessness ( H ) plays an important theoretical and practical role in depression. The authors hypothesized that a patient's H is comprised of (a) a baseline level of H when not depressed and (b) an increment in H related to the severity of depression at the time and the person's rate of increase in H as a function of severity of depression (sensitivity). Baseline and sensitivity are explanatory stable traits; H and depression are observed, time-varying states. The corresponding statistical model described well the longitudinal data of 316 participants. Baseline and sensitivity were uncorrelated and correlated with different clinical and demographic variables. Baseline predicted a future suicide attempt; sensitivity and H when depressed did not. It may be useful to ask "How hopeless is this person when not depressed and how much more hopeless is he or she when depressed?", rather than simply "How hopeless is this depressed person?" (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)