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DNA base damage is a major source of oncogenic mutations1. Such damage can produce strand-phased mutation patterns and multiallelic variation through the process of lesion segregation2. Here we exploited these properties to reveal how strand-asymmetric processes, such as replication and transcription, shape DNA damage and repair. Despite distinct mechanisms of leading and lagging strand replication3,4, we observe identical fidelity and damage tolerance for both strands. For small alkylation adducts of DNA, our results support a model in which the same translesion polymerase is recruited on-the-fly to both replication strands, starkly contrasting the strand asymmetric tolerance of bulky UV-induced adducts5. The accumulation of multiple distinct mutations at the site of persistent lesions provides the means to quantify the relative efficiency of repair processes genome wide and at single-base resolution. At multiple scales, we show DNA damage-induced mutations are largely shaped by the influence of DNA accessibility on repair efficiency, rather than gradients of DNA damage. Finally, we reveal specific genomic conditions that can actively drive oncogenic mutagenesis by corrupting the fidelity of nucleotide excision repair. These results provide insight into how strand-asymmetric mechanisms underlie the formation, tolerance and repair of DNA damage, thereby shaping cancer genome evolution.How strand-asymmetric processes such as replication and transcription interact with DNA damage to drive mechanisms of repair and mutagenesis is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Once thought to be a sterile environment, it is now established that lungs are populated by various microorganisms that participate in maintaining lung function and play an important role in shaping lung immune surveillance. Although our comprehension of the molecular and metabolic interactions between microbes and lung cells is still in its infancy, any event causing a persistent qualitative or quantitative variation in the composition of lung microbiome, termed "dysbiosis", has been virtually associated with many respiratory diseases. A deep understanding of the composition and function of the "healthy" lung microbiota and how dysbiosis can cause or participate in disease progression will be pivotal in finding specific therapies aimed at preventing diseases and restoring lung function. Here, we review lung microbiome dysbiosis in different lung pathologies and the mechanisms by which these bacteria can cause or contribute to the severity of the disease. Furthermore, we describe how different respiratory disorders can be caused by the same pathogen, and that the real pathogenetic mechanism is not only dependent by the presence and amount of the main pathogen but can be shaped by the interaction it can build with other bacteria, fungi, and viruses present in the lung. Understanding the nature of this bacteria crosstalk could further our understanding of each respiratory disease leading to the development of new therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social engagement, pretend play, and concern for another's distress represent fundamental features of typical social-emotional development in the second year. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display delays and deficits in these areas, and research on toddlers at heightened risk for ASD (HR; younger siblings of children with ASD) indicates these deficits may be apparent in toddlerhood. Prior research has examined these aspects of social-emotional development individually in HR toddlers. The present paper examines them jointly as predictors of ASD. We show that social engagement, pretend play, and empathic concern at 22-months each contribute uniquely to predicting later ASD diagnosis with high specificity and moderate sensitivity. Results have important implications for early diagnosis and intervention in young children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress causes symptom exacerbation in functional disorders of the urinary bladder. However, the potential mediators and underlying mechanisms of stress effects on micturition reflex function are unknown. We have characterized PACAP (Adcyap1) and PAC1 receptor (Adcyap1r1) signaling in stress-induced urinary bladder dysfunction in mice. We determined PACAP and PAC1 transcripts and protein expressions in the urinary bladder and lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord in repeated variate stress (RVS) or control mouse (handling only) groups. RVS in mice significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased serum corticosterone and urinary bladder NGF content and decreased weight gain. PACAP and PAC1 mRNA and protein were differentially regulated in lower urinary tract tissues with changes observed in lumbosacral DRG and spinal cord but not in urinary bladder. RVS exposure in mice significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased (2.5-fold) voiding frequency as determined using conscious cystometry. Intrabladder administration of the PAC1 receptor antagonist, PACAP(6-38) (300 nM), significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased infused volume (1.5–2.7-fold) to elicit a micturition event and increased the intercontraction interval (i.e., decreased voiding frequency) in mice exposed to RVS and in control mice, but changes were smaller in magnitude in control mice. We also evaluated the effect of PAC1 blockade at the level of the urinary bladder on pelvic sensitivity in RVS or control mouse groups using von Frey filament testing. Intrabladder administration of PACAP(6-38) (300 nM) significantly (p ≤ 0.01) reduced pelvic sensitivity following RVS. PACAP/receptor signaling in the CNS and PNS contributes to increased voiding frequency and pelvic sensitivity following RVS and may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small ponds account for a disproportionately high percentage of carbon dioxide emissions relative to their small surface area. It is therefore crucial to understand carbon flow in these ponds to refine the current global carbon budget, especially because climate change is affecting pond hydrology. High elevation ponds in the Elk Mountains of western Colorado are drying more frequently as the timing of snowmelt advances. We compared CO2 concentrations and fluxes among ponds of different hydroperiods over diel sampling periods during the course of the 2017 open-water period. CO2 concentrations were significantly negatively correlated with pond depth and averaged 77.6 ± 24.5 μmol L−1 (mean ± S.E.) across all ponds and sampling events. Ponds were up to twenty times supersaturated in CO2 with respect to the atmosphere. Flux was highly variable within individual ponds but correlated with time of sampling and was highest at night. Flux averaged 19.7 ± 18.8 mg CO2 m−2 h−1 across all ponds and sampling events. We also compared flux values obtained using modeled and empirical methods and found that widely-applied models of gas exchange rates using wind-based gas exchange (K) values yielded estimates of CO2 flux that were significantly higher than those obtained using the floating chamber approach, but estimates of CO2 flux using globally averaged convection-based K values were lower than those obtained using the floating chambers. Lastly, we integrated soil vs. water efflux measurements with long-term patterns in hydrology to predict how total season-long efflux might change under the more rapid drying regimes and longer seasons that are already occurring in these systems. Because soil CO2 efflux averaged 277.0 ± 49.0 mg CO2 m−2 h−1, temporary ponds emitted 674.1 ± 99.4 kg CO2 m−2 over the course of the 2017 season from ice-out to refreezing, which was over twice as much as permanent and semi-permanent ponds. Our results emphasize that contributions of CO2 from small ponds to the global carbon budget estimates will vary with pond hydroperiod and sampling methodology, which have been overlooked given that most previous estimates were collected from limited sampling periods and from pond waters alone. Furthermore, pond CO2 contributions are predicted to increase over time as pond areas transition from efflux from water to efflux from soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents of toddlers with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; high risk, HR) and parents of low risk (LR) toddlers with typically-developing older siblings read a wordless picture book to their child at 22 and 28 months. Parents' and toddlers' internal state language (ISL) was coded; parents reported on toddlers' use of ISL. Diagnostic assessments conducted at 36 months identified three groups: ASD, HR-noASD, LR. Parents did not differ in overall ISL, but parents of toddlers with later ASD attempted to elicit ISL from their children less than parents of LR toddlers. Toddlers increased their use of ISL with age, but those with ASD had lower scores and less age-related improvement than children in the other two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stylasterids are azooxanthellate lace corals, which may show an unusual colouration in coral reef ecosystems, ranging from red to purple on the light-exposed side of their colonies. In the present study, it was discovered that the calcareous skeletons of such corals are actually invaded and eroded by cryptic carbonate boring algae that represent Conchocelis phases in the life cycle of bangialean rhodophytes. For the first time, the shape, organisation and distribution of Conchocelis filaments within the skeletons of two different genera of lace corals are reported and documented by light and electron microscopy. Such description and characterisation of Conchocelis can help to distinguish between morphologically and taxonomically different endolithic microorganisms penetrating coral skeletons, including their recognition in fossil borings as indicators of depositional depth, i.e. of the extent of the photic zone and light conditions in ancient marine environments. The results are discussed in the light of a possible symbiotic or parasitic relationship between Conchocelis phases and their stylasterid host corals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile segmental progeroid syndromes are rare, heterogeneous disorders characterized by signs of premature aging affecting more than one tissue or organ starting in childhood. Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), caused by a recurrent de novo synonymous LMNA mutation resulting in aberrant splicing and generation of a mutant product called progerin, is a prototypical example of such disorders. Here, we performed a joint collaborative study using massively parallel sequencing and targeted Sanger sequencing, aimed at delineating the underlying genetic cause of 14 previously undiagnosed, clinically heterogeneous, non-LMNA-associated juvenile progeroid patients. The molecular diagnosis was achieved in 11 of 14 cases (~ 79%). Furthermore, we firmly establish biallelic mutations in POLR3A as the genetic cause of a recognizable, neonatal, Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch-like progeroid syndrome. Thus, we suggest that POLR3A mutations are causal for a portion of under-diagnosed early-onset segmental progeroid syndromes. We additionally expand the clinical spectrum associated with PYCR1 mutations by showing that they can somewhat resemble HGPS in the first year of life. Moreover, our results lead to clinical reclassification in one single case. Our data emphasize the complex genetic and clinical heterogeneity underlying progeroid disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental trajectories of children's pretend play and social engagement, as well as parent sensitivity and stimulation, were examined in toddlers with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, high risk; HR) and toddlers with typically-developing older siblings (low risk; LR). Children (N = 168, 97 boys, 71 girls) were observed at 22, 28, and 34 months during free play with a parent and elicited pretend play with an examiner. At 28 and 34 months, children were asked to imagine the consequences of actions pantomimed by the examiner on a pretend transformation task. At 36 months children were assessed for ASD, yielding 3 groups for comparison: HR children with ASD, HR children without ASD (HR-noASD), and LR children. Children in all 3 groups showed developmental changes, engaging in more bouts of pretend play and obtaining higher scores on the elicited pretend and transformation tasks with age, but children with ASD lagged behind the other 2 groups on most measures. Children with ASD were also less engaged with their parents or the examiner during play interactions than either LR or HR-noASD children, with minimal developmental change evident. Parents, regardless of group, were highly engaged with their children, but parents of HR-noASD children received somewhat higher ratings on stimulation than parents of LR children. Most group differences were not accounted for by cognitive functioning. Instead, lower social engagement appears to be an important correlate of less advanced pretend skills, with implications for understanding the early development of children with ASD and for early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toddlers with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and low risk (LR) toddlers were observed at 22, 28, and 34 months during two empathy probes: a crying baby and an adult who pretended to hurt her finger. Toddlers with a later ASD diagnosis showed less empathic concern and self-distress at each age on both empathy probes than LR toddlers. HR toddlers with no diagnosis showed growth in empathic concern between 22 and 34 months in response to the adult's pain, differing from the children with ASD, but not the LR children, by 34 months. Developmental changes in parent-rated self-understanding showed a similar pattern. Results highlight individual differences in the social development of HR toddlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toddlers with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and low risk (LR) toddlers with typically-developing older siblings were observed during free play with a parent and elicited pretend with an examiner at 22-months. Functional and pretend play, children's social engagement, and parent sensitivity were assessed during free play. Complexity of play was assessed during the elicited pretend task. Toddlers with an ASD diagnosis showed less pretend play across contexts and less social engagement with parents or the examiner than either LR toddlers or high risk toddlers without a diagnosis (HR-noASD). Lower levels of pretend play and social engagement were associated with symptom severity within the high risk group, reflecting emerging ASD in toddlerhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined concern for others in 22-month-old toddlers with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and low risk typically-developing toddlers with older siblings. Responses to a crying infant and an adult social partner who pretended to hurt her finger were coded. Children with a later diagnosis of ASD showed limited empathic concern in either context compared to low risk toddlers. High risk toddlers without a later diagnosis fell between the ASD and low risk groups. During the crying baby probe the low risk and high risk toddlers without a diagnosis engaged their parent more often than the toddlers with ASD. Low levels of empathic concern and engagement with parents may signal emerging ASD in toddlerhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used targeted genomic sequencing of high-complexity DNA pools based on long-range PCR and deep DNA sequencing by the SOLiD technology. The method was used for sequencing of 286 kb from four chromosomal regions with quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing blood plasma lipid and uric acid levels in DNA pools of 500 individuals from each of five European populations. The method shows very good precision in estimating allele frequencies as compared with individual genotyping of SNPs (r2=0.95, P<10−16). Validation shows that the method is able to identify novel SNPs and estimate their frequency in high-complexity DNA pools. In our five populations, 17% of all SNPs and 61% of structural variants are not available in the public databases. A large fraction of the novel variants show a limited geographic distribution, with 62% of the novel SNPs and 59% of novel structural variants being detected in only one of the populations. The large number of population-specific novel SNPs underscores the need for comprehensive sequencing of local populations in order to identify the causal variants of human traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epileptic seizures are a common and poorly understood comorbidity for individuals with primary brain tumors. To investigate peritumoral seizure etiology, we implanted human-derived glioma cells into severe combined immunodeficient mice. Within 14-18 d, glioma-bearing mice developed spontaneous and recurring abnormal electroencephalogram events consistent with progressive epileptic activity. Acute brain slices from these mice showed marked glutamate release from the tumor mediated by the system xc? cystine-glutamate transporter (encoded by Slc7a11). Biophysical and optical recordings showed glutamatergic epileptiform hyperexcitability that spread into adjacent brain tissue. We inhibited glutamate release from the tumor and the ensuing hyperexcitability by sulfasalazine (SAS), a US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug that blocks system xc?. We found that acute administration of SAS at concentrations equivalent to those used to treat Crohn's disease in humans reduced epileptic event frequency in tumor-bearing mice compared with untreated controls. SAS should be considered as an adjuvant treatment to ameliorate peritumoral seizures associated with glioma in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the observed inverse association between hyperuricemia and Parkinson's disease (PD) risk, the natural antioxidant activity of uric acid has been suggested to play a protective role. SLC2A9 has been indicated as the most effective of all uric acid transporters, and SLC2A9 variants have been shown to influence circulating uric acid levels. With this study, we aimed to test the association between such SLC2A9 polymorphisms and age at onset (AAO) of PD. Variants rs733175, rs737267, rs1014290, and rs6449213 within SLC2A9 were genotyped in 664 PD individuals from three European centers. The effect of each polymorphism on AAO was estimated within each center using a linear regression model adjusted for gender and genotype at the other SNPs and assuming an additive genetic model. Results across centers were combined using inverse-variance weighted fixed-effect meta-analysis. The minor allele of rs1014290, previously shown to be associated with lower serum uric acid levels, was found to be associated with a lower AAO of PD (pooled estimate −4.56 years; 95% CI −8.13, −1.00; p = 0.012). The association remained significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons and was highly consistent across centers (heterogeneity, I 0%). No gender differences were observed. Our study suggests that SLC2A9 genetic variants influence age of onset of Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a are important DNA methyltransferases that are expressed in postmitotic neurons, but their function in the CNS is unclear. We generated conditional mutant mice that lack Dnmt1, Dnmt3a or both exclusively in forebrain excitatory neurons and found that only double knockout (DKO) mice showed abnormal long-term plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region together with deficits in learning and memory. Although we found no neuronal loss, hippocampal neurons in DKO mice were smaller than in the wild type; furthermore, DKO neurons showed deregulated expression of genes, including the class I MHC genes and Stat1, that are known to contribute to synaptic plasticity. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in DNA methylation in DKO neurons. We conclude that Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a are required for synaptic plasticity, learning and memory through their overlapping roles in maintaining DNA methylation and modulating neuronal gene expression in adult CNS neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used data from a large, longitudinal study of children in the community, the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, to examine how well earlier measures of delay capacity, inhibitory control, planning, and attention predicted symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessed in third grade. Children with elevated symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity ( n = 57) and with inattentive symptoms only ( n = 80) were identified via mother and teacher reports using the “or” rule, as were children without significant symptoms ( n = 790). Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that poorer performance on earlier measures of resistance to temptation, delay of gratification, response inhibition, attention, and planning obtained from 36 months to 1st grade predicted membership in the two symptom groups relative to the comparison group in 3rd grade, albeit with somewhat different patterns of predictors. Controls for 36 month school readiness and externalizing symptoms indicated that these results were generally robust and not an artifact of initial cognitive or behavioral differences. Implications for developmental models of ADHD are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism in humans and great apes, which have lost hepatic uricase activity, leading to uniquely high serum uric acid concentrations (200–500 μM) compared with other mammals (3–120 μM). About 70% of daily urate disposal occurs via the kidneys, and in 5–25% of the human population, impaired renal excretion leads to hyperuricemia. About 10% of people with hyperuricemia develop gout, an inflammatory arthritis that results from deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the joint. We have identified genetic variants within a transporter gene, SLC2A9, that explain 1.7–5.3% of the variance in serum uric acid concentrations, following a genome-wide association scan in a Croatian population sample. SLC2A9 variants were also associated with low fractional excretion of uric acid and/or gout in UK, Croatian and German population samples. SLC2A9 is a known fructose transporter, and we now show that it has strong uric acid transport activity in Xenopus laevis oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long-term goal of the brewing industry is to identify yeast strains with increased tolerance to the stresses experienced during the brewing process. We have characterised the genomes of a number of stress-tolerant mutants, derived from the lager yeast strain CMBS-33, that were selected for tolerance to high temperatures and to growth in high specific gravity wort. Our results indicate that the heat-tolerant strains have undergone a number of gross chromosomal rearrangements when compared to the parental strain. To determine if such rearrangements can spontaneously arise in response to exposure to stress conditions experienced during the brewing process, we examined the chromosome integrity of both the stress-tolerant strains and their parent during a single round of fermentation under a variety of environmental stresses. Our results show that the lager yeast genome shows tremendous plasticity during fermentation, especially when fermentations are carried out in high specific gravity wort and at higher than normal temperatures. Many localised regions of gene amplification were observed especially at the telomeres and at the rRNA gene locus on chromosome XII, and general chromosomal instability was evident. However, gross chromosomal rearrangements were not detected, indicating that continued selection in the stress conditions are required to obtain clonal isolates with stable rearrangements. Taken together, the data suggest that lager yeasts display a high degree of genomic plasticity and undergo genomic changes in response to environmental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the externalizing behavior, social competence, and family context of hard-to-manage preschool boys at two-year followup. Differences in severity as a function of initial referral source; Social competence; Demonstration of the stability of externalizing behavior problems.

The 8th Symposium of the International Association for Cyanophyte Research IAC was attended by 29 specialists from 11 countries. The 19 oral presentations and discussions centered on the following themes: The basic principles of cyanophyte taxonomy (3 lectures), systematic problems of certain taxonomic groups (5 lectures), morphology (6 lectures) and ecology (5 lectures). The intensive discussions between representatives of the classical (european) taxonomic treatment of cyanophytes (based on morphological and ecological characteristics) and those representing the bacteriological study of 'cyanobacteria' were especially valuable. The central theme of the meeting was, however, the mutual microscopic study and discussion of problematic blue-greens from natural habitats, that were mostly collected during the three field trips into different areas of central Switzerland (Grimsel-Gotthard-Nufenen. Klewenalp. Gerzensee). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanocystis violacea isolated from a marine rock sample conforms with the diagnosis of Dermocarpa violacea Crouan in all significant characteristics. The distinct heteropolarity of the cells and simultaneous cell divisions, are stable characters in culture. Development and growth of cells, simultaneous cell division and nanocyte formation have been documented by single-cell slide cultures and fine structural studies. The reddish violet color of the cytoplasm is due to the abundance of phycoerythrin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relates the concerns of international scientists over the inaccuracy of media reports concerning attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Views of non-expert doctors on ADHD; Recognition given by health agencies to ADHD; Way in which the media could help ADHD patients.

The increasing popularity of citizen science in ecological research has created opportunities for data collection from large teams of observers that are widely dispersed. We established a citizen science program to complement the release of a new variant of the rabbit biological control agent, rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), known colloquially as K5, across Australia. We evaluated the impact of K5 on the national rabbit population and compared citizen science and professionally-collected spotlight count data. Of the citizen science sites (n = 219), 93% indicated a decrease in rabbit abundance following the release of K5. The overall finite monthly growth rate in rabbit abundance was estimated as 0.66 (95%CI, 0.26, 1.03), averaging a monthly reduction of 34% at the citizen science sites one month after the release. No such declines were observed at the professionally monitored sites (n = 22). The citizen science data submissions may have been unconsciously biased or the number of professional sites may have been insufficient to detect a change. Citizen science participation also declined by 56% over the post-release period. Future programs should ensure the use of blinded trials to check for unconscious bias and consider how incentives and/or the good will of the participants can be maintained throughout the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic encephalopathy is a frequent and debilitating complication of liver disorders. Lactulose is an established and reasonably effective treatment, yet with incompletely understood mechanisms of action. The aims of this study were to examine how the faecal microbiota composition changed before, during and after lactulose treatment in a large animal model. Healthy, privately owned dogs (n = 18) completed a prospective cohort study. Faecal samples were collected weekly, while the subjects were either on their usual diet (week 1), or a standardised diet (weeks 2–9), with added oral lactulose in weeks 6–7. DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were undertaken. Faecal samples from week 7 had a significantly lower microbiota richness/diversity, based on observed operational taxonomic units, Shannon/Chao1 indexes and Pielou's Evenness. Beta diversity based on UniFrac distances was significantly different in week 7 compared to weeks 1, 5 and 9. At the phylum level, week 7 was associated with a significant increase of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, and a decrease of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria, when compared to weeks 5 and 9. In summary, we have shown that lactulose induces a reversible qualitative and quantitative change of the faecal microbiota, which may explain its clinical efficacy in the management of hepatic encephalopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The participation of microorganisms in construction and destruction of sedimentary structures is widely recognized, and so is the importance of studying such geological processes in modern systems, where the conditions, participating forces, and the results can be observed and recorded. This information is important for understanding and interpreting corresponding processes if their effects were preserved as part of the fossil record. The present contribution refers to topics discussed during the 9th International Bioerosion Workshop in Rome on Oct. 23–27, 2017, dedicated to the evaluation of microbial traces as paleoecological and paleobathymetric indicators. The paper reviews the habitats, methods of collection, and preparation of samples, followed by observation of extracted microbial euendoliths. This approach is complemented by producing images of three-dimensional display of inhabited microborings in their original positions using resin-casting and double embedding of the microbially invaded substrates. This contribution stresses the value of recognizing the microboring organisms' identities as a key aspect of the interpretation of their traces. It discusses different and complementary ways of how to achieve such parallel assessments. It reports on the importance of photo-documentation and morphometric evaluation of microbial populations, while avoiding possible artefacts caused by the methods used. The study also briefly summarizes the distribution patterns of microboring organisms and their boring and etching traces along depth profiles. Problems arising in the naming of complex traces and the relation to biological nomenclature are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the changes that have taken place in the field of child psychopathology. There has been a concerted effort to develop empirically-supported interventions for children and adolescents, and to move from the clinic to the real world. Special issues have tried to address some of these topics more broadly by focusing on large-scale prevention trials such as Fast Track and treatment trials such as the MTA study. Longitudinal research and a greater awareness of the family as a context for the development of problems have become hallmarks of child psychopathology research. There is the need for more research that address gene-environment interactions in the development of psychopathology. More complex theoretical models are being proposed in the field to explore processes in the individual, family, and community that are relevant to an understanding of maladjustment and psychopathology, and these are being tested with statistical techniques that were unheard of just 10 years ago.

In this article the author announces the end of his term as editor for "The Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology." The new elected editor is John E. Lochman. The author says that all new manuscripts should be sent to Lochman for processing, and he will be handling only selected revisions for the remainder of the year. The author appreciates all the help and support that he had received over the last 7 years from hundreds of scholars who served on the editorial board, acted as reviewers, and submitted manuscripts to the journal.