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The purpose of the current evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to reduce recidivism in patients with depression after acute psychiatric hospital discharge through implementation of telephone follow up. Eight patients (intervention group) were called within 72 hours of discharge to reinforce discharge instructions and administer the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The results were compared to 16 patients (control group) who were discharged during the same timeframe 1 year prior. The findings from the control group revealed one (6.25%) patient was readmitted and three (18.75%) patients visited the emergency department (ED) within 30 days of discharge. No one in the intervention group was readmitted or visited the ED within 30 days post discharge. Statistically significant differences were not detected in discharge telephone call status (received or did not receive) and readmissions ( p = 1.000) and ED visits ( p = 0.526). For six patients in the intervention group, the mean PHQ-9 score was 3.3, which was within a depression severity of none to minimal. This quality improvement project helped address patient lack of knowledge related to discharge instructions after being discharged from the hospital to home. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58 (5), 25–31.]

To explore predictors of mental health and substance use treatment receipt in pregnant women in the USA. Secondary analysis of data from the 2008–2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted. Two logistic regression models were run to identify predictors of mental health treatment receipt among pregnant women aged 18–44 years with mental health problems (N = 1106) and predictors of substance use treatment among pregnant women with substance use disorders (N = 521). Forty four percent of pregnant women with mental health problems received mental health treatment, and only 13% of pregnant women with substance use disorders received substance use treatment. Women with anxiety disorder (vs. no disorder) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 17.3, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 8.6–34.8), major depression (vs. no depression) (AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.44–4.27), higher level of serious psychological distress (AOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.003–1.12), college (vs. less than high school) education (AOR: 2.84, 95 %CI: 1.36–5.91), and health insurance coverage (vs. no coverage) (AOR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.16–4.71) had higher odds of mental health treatment receipt. African American (AOR: .38, 95% CI: .20–.74) and Hispanic women (AOR: .17, 95% CI: .05–.59) had lower odds for mental health treatment relative to Whites. The best set of predictors of substance use treatment receipt included NonWhite (vs. White ethnicity) (AOR: .39, 95% CI: .19–.80), large (vs. small urban) residency (AOR: 4.38, 95% CI: 1.84–10.45), alcohol and illicit drug use disorders (vs. no disorder) (AOR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.48–5.78; AOR: 8.70, 95% CI: 3.32–22.76; respectively), and comorbid anxiety/depression disorder (vs. no disorder) (AOR: 3.13, 95% CI: 1.40–7.02). The common barriers reported by pregnant women who perceived unmet need for mental health treatment included perceived cost, opposition to treatment, and stigma, regardless of their disorder. The majority of pregnant with mental health/substance use disorders do not receive treatment. More policy and treatment initiatives that address barriers to and predictors of treatment receipt are needed to help this vulnerable population of pregnant women to gain access to mental health and substance use treatment.

Objective To examine racial/ethnic differences in the receipt of mental health treatment among pregnant women with mental health (i.e., depression and serious psychological distress) and/or substance use disorders. Method Secondary analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted. The sample consisted of 1232 pregnant women with mental health/substance use disorders. Results Black/African American (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.36, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.17–0.75), other non-Hispanic (AOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11–0.52), and Hispanic (AOR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22–0.81) pregnant women had significantly lower odds of mental health treatment receipt compared to Whites, even when controlling for age, education, marital status, number of children, employment status, income, health insurance, county urbanicity, self-rated health status, type of mental health condition, and time. There were no racial/ethnic differences by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Among pregnant women who perceived unmet mental health treatment need (N = 299), a greater proportion of White compared to Non-White pregnant women perceived cost as an obstacle to access treatment (62.1% vs. 35.6%, p = .001); however, the two groups did not differ in other perceived barriers to mental health treatment (i.e., opposition to treatment, stigma, time/transportation limitation, and not knowing where to go). Conclusions Strategies are needed to increase access to mental health treatment among racial/ethnic minority women who are pregnant and have mental health/substance use disorders. Further studies are required to understand racial/ethnic differences in the perceived barriers to mental health treatment.

To compare trends in mental health and substance use disorders and treatment receipt of pregnant and nonpregnant women from 2008 to 2014.Using data from the 2008-2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, logistic regression was used to compare trends in mental health and substance use disorders and treatment receipt for mental health and substance use disorders among propensity score-matched groups of pregnant (There were no differences in the trends by pregnancy status from 2008 to 2014. Past-year anxiety disorder, past-month psychological distress and illicit drug use disorder increased in the total sample from 2008 to 2014, yet trends in mental health treatment and unmet need for substance use treatment did not change over time. Pregnant women had lower odds of mental illness, but those who had mental illness were less likely to receive mental health treatment than their nonpregnant counterparts.There is a need for preventive strategies addressing anxiety disorder, psychological distress and illicit drug use among women of childbearing age as well as initiatives to increase access to mental health treatment among pregnant women.

Substance abuse is a major contributing factor to women being incarcerated in the United States, and substance abuse is a critical factor in the high recidivism rates of women offenders (50–70% within one year). Understanding factors that enhance and deter women from retention in substance abuse treatment will facilitate tailored interventions to improve treatment outcomes. This prospective study examined the relationship of substance use characteristics, childhood trauma, current trauma-related symptoms, motivation to treatment, and socio-demographic characteristics, in predicting the retention of women offenders in an urban, residential substance abuse program as they re-enter the community from incarceration. All women were interviewed within the first week of admission to the residential program using the following measures: the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI), and socio-demographic characteristics. Length of stay was tra...

Background & Aims TGF-β1 a key pro-fibrotic factor activates signaling via the canonical ALK/SMAD as well as the Rho GTPase pathways. Rho kinase is a major downstream effector of Rho GTPase signaling. To understand the contribution of Rho kinase activation towards the synthesis of fibrotic mediators by hepatic stellate cells (HSC), we first profiled activated HSC and fibrotic liver tissues to identify common transcripts that were most significantly up-regulated across all samples. We then applied a pharmacologic as well as a genomics approach in a TGF-β1 activated human HSC line (LX-2) to study the involvement of Rho kinase signaling in the expression of a subset of these up-regulated fibrotic genes. Methods Total RNA was profiled using microarray chips. Data analysis was performed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. LX-2 cells were activated with 10ng/ml of TGF-β1 for 24h. Activation of downstream pathways was assessed by Western blotting with phospho-specific target biomarker antibodies. Targeted knockdown of Rho kinase isoforms 1 and 2 was achieved with RNAi. Secreted levels of endothelin-1, TGF-β2, and thrombospondin-1 were measured by ELISA. Results TGF-β1 activated Rho kinase and Smad pathways in LX-2 cells. The syntheses of endothelin-1 and TGF-β2 were significantly inhibited in TGF-β1 treated LX-2 cells, by isoform non-selective Rho kinase inhibitors. siRNA knockdown of each isoform suggested that endothelin-1 synthesis was largely mediated by the Rho kinase-1 isoform, while both isoforms contributed to the synthesis of TGF-β2. Conclusions The TGF-β1 mediated secretion of endothelin-1 and TGF-β2 is mediated by Rho kinase activation in human HSC.

Background: Enforcement of no-tobacco policies is critical to providing a safe, healthy environment for students. Purpose: The purposes of the study were to: (1) describe and compare student and principal perceptions of enforcement of school tobacco policy in a school district with a tobacco-free policy, and (2) explore perceived barriers to enforcement and factors related to enforcement beliefs and perception of smoking. Methods: Students (N = 774) in five high schools in a southeastern city completed a survey. Administrators from those schools were interviewed. Results: Student and principal perceptions varied dramatically concerning tobacco policy enforcement. Only 8% of students said students followed the rules about smoking all/most of the time. Many students reported problems with secondhand smoke. The percentage of smokers was overestimated by nearly three-quarters of students (73%). Predictors of beliefs about number of tobacco rules were: smoking status, number of places students were se...

Little is known about the impact of smoke-free legislation on smoking and drinking alcohol among college students. The purpose was to examine whether strength and duration of municipal smoke-free laws are associated with cigarette and alcohol use among college students. Full-time undergraduates from two Southeastern universities participated in mailed (Site A) or electronic (Site B) surveys assessing tobacco and alcohol use and other risk behaviors pre and post comprehensive municipal smoke-free laws (Site A, N = 1,366. Site B, N = 1,404). The first cohort at each site participated prior to a municipal smoke-free law in the community. The second survey was conducted post-law (Site A, 3.5 years, Site B, 8 months). Past 30-day cigarette and alcohol use and other demographic and personal characteristics were assessed. At Site A, controlling for demographic differences and current alcohol use, the odds of being a current smoker were 32% lower post-law (28% pre-law vs. 19% post-law; odds ratio = 0.68, P = 0.02). At Site B, with demographics and drinking status in the model, the decrease in smoking rate from pre- to post-law was not significant. At both sites, controlling for demographics and current smoking status, change in the likelihood of drinking was not significant. Comprehensive smoke-free laws in the surrounding community may reduce smoking rates among college students who live, work and recreate there, particularly after the laws are well-established. While alcohol prevalence is very high among college students, enacting smoke-free legislation was not associated with alcohol use.

College students' physical activity provides protection against weight gain and chronic disease. Convenient exercise facilities have been correlated with physical activity. This study examined use of a college recreational facility among a sample of undergraduates, personal and demographic factors related to facility use, and factors predictive of facility use. A sample of 1,700 undergraduates was randomly selected and mailed a survey about health behaviors and recreation-center use. Facility users were more likely to be freshman or sophomore unmarried men who live on campus. Users of the facility had a slightly lower average body mass index, yet were more likely to use alcohol. Significant predictors of facility use included sex, class standing, living situation, belonging to a fraternity or sorority, and the desire to change one's weight. This study contributes to the research on college students' physical activity in that it identifies those likely to use or not use the recreational facility.

Approximately 57% of college students work while attending school. Health risks related to working while in college have not been widely studied. Objective: The authors' purpose in this study was to determine associations between hours worked, binge drinking, sleep habits, and academic performance among a college student cohort. Participants and Methods: The authors randomly selected a sample of 1,700 undergraduates from a southeastern US university and mailed to them a survey requesting a variety of self-reported health behaviors and hours worked. A total of 903 completed questionnaires were received, indicating a response rate of 57.3%. Results: Binge drinking, less sleep, and lower academic performance were significantly associated with working 20 or more hours per week. Those variables were not associated with working fewer than 20 hours per week. Conclusions: Although administrators and others in higher education are aware of the impact of economics on a school's ability to operate, they may not be a...

To examine the relationship of demographic and social influence with initiation of cigarette use among undergraduates.Students were mailed anonymous surveys including 437 participants who indicated that they had not smoked cigarettes before age 18. Of those, 107 became late initiators (24%), and 330 remained never smokers (76%).Those who drank alcohol in college and had at least 1 parent with a college education were more likely to initiate smoking than were those who did not drink and neither parent had attended college.Strategies that focus on reducing alcohol and tobacco use need to be tested.

The purpose of this study was to document the smoking cessation experiences of three groups of 18-24-year-old college students and explore their ideas for cessation. Focus group interviews were conducted with former smokers (n = 7), smokers struggling to quit (n = 7), and smokers with no desire to quit (n = 5). Participants indicated a need for smoking cessation programs that would help the students understand the immediate physiological impact of smoking, addictive nature of nicotine, and benefits of using nicotine replacement therapy. They believed emotional and cognitive strategies for coping with cravings and environmental cues to smoking should be included in smoking cessation programs. Students indicated that cost and convenience were important considerations for smoking cessation programs. They stated that the media messages were for teens and older adults and did not relate to them as college students or young adults.

Insulin sensitizing thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are generally considered to work as agonists for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferative activated receptor-gamma (PPAR gamma). However, TZDs also have acute, non-genomic metabolic effects and it is unclear which actions are responsible for the beneficial pharmacology of these compounds. We have taken advantage of an analog, based on the metabolism of pioglitazone, which has much reduced ability to activate PPAR gamma. This analog (PNU-91325) was compared to rosiglitazone, the most potent PPAR gamma activator approved for human use, in a variety of studies both in vitro and in vivo. The data demonstrate that PNU-91325 is indeed much less effective than rosiglitazone at activating PPAR gamma both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, both compounds bound similarly to a mitochondrial binding site and acutely activated PI-3 kinase-directed phosphorylation of AKT, an action that was not affected by elimination of PPAR gamma activation. The two compounds were then compared in vivo in both normal C57 mice and diabetic KKAy mice to determine whether their pharmacology correlated with biomarkers of PPAR gamma activation or with the expression of other gene transcripts. As expected from previous studies, both compounds improved insulin sensitivity in the diabetic mice, and this occurred in spite of the fact that there was little increase in expression of the classic PPAR gamma target biomarker adipocyte binding protein-2 (aP2) with PNU-91325 under these conditions. An examination of transcriptional profiling of key target tissues from mice treated for one week with both compounds demonstrated that the relative pharmacology of the two thiazolidinediones correlated best with an increased expression of an array of mitochondrial proteins and with expression of PPAR gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1 alpha), the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, important pharmacology of the insulin sensitizing TZDs may involve acute actions, perhaps on the mitochondria, that are independent of direct activation of the nuclear receptor PPAR gamma. These findings suggest a potential alternative route to the discovery of novel insulin sensitizing drugs.

Identification of health-related risk behaviors associated with well-being in college students is essential to guide the development of health promotion strategies for this population. The purposes were to evaluate well-being among undergraduate students and to identify health-related risk behaviors that predict well-being in this population.A cross-sectional Web-based survey of undergraduate students was conducted at a metropolitan university in the Southeast United States. A total of 568 students responded (response rate 14.2%). Data were collected on health-related risk behaviors using the National College Health Assessment II.Controlling demographic characteristics, the best predictive model included physical activity, current tobacco user, depression, ever received mental health services, and sleep quality, which was the strongest predictor (β = .45, p.001). This model explained 35% of the variance in well-being.Interventions that promote sleep quality among college students may be most beneficial in improving well-being.

Mental health disorders continue to be identified as a major health problem in the United States and throughout the world (New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003; World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey Consortium, 2004). Yet easily accessed, safe, and high-quality mental health care is difficult for many people to secure, even those who are insured. Psychiatric–mental health advanced practice registered nurses (PMHAPRNs) and their scope of practice are clearly critical to addressing these gaps in care. In all states but Georgia,PMHAPRNs can prescribe psychopharmacologic agents. In 45 states, PMHAPRNs can prescribe controlled substances. Prescriptive authority implementation, hospital admitting privileges, and reimbursement persist as important focus areas related to advanced practice (Haber et al., 2004). Vigilance is paramount in regard to legislative efforts that attempt to reduce or restrict advanced practice psychiatric nursing. In this annual legislative update, titling, prescriptive authority,and certification for PMHAPRNs are reviewed for each state and the District of Columbia. Workforce characteristics, which have implications for future legislative efforts and influence the future of this group of advanced practice nurses (APNs) to provide needed mental health services, are discussed.

We isolated multiple copies of mariner -like element (MLE) from the pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella , a key lepidopteran cotton pest. Although all the MLE sequences contain multiple mutations accumulated in their transposase coding region, the consensus sequence revealed a putative ancestral transposase encoding 339 amino acid residues with a D,D(34)D motif, and 36 bp inverted terminal repeats, belonging to the cecropia subfamily, and most similar to the MLE found in Antheraea species. Examining six different pink bollworm populations, we conclude that the MLE in PBW described in this study are ancient and are undergoing the process of accumulating inactivating mutations. This conclusion is supported by the patterns of polymorphisms revealed by genomic Southern hybridization, transposable element displays, and sequences from multiple MLE.

The purpose of this study was to assess physical activity levels and the relationships between activity and personal characteristics among a cohort of college students and to determine personal characteristics that predict activity. A sample of 1,700 undergraduates was mailed a survey that requested demographic information and assessed health behaviors including self-reported physical activity. Of the 1,575 successfully mailed, a total of 903 completed questionnaires were received—a response rate of 57.3%. Nearly half of the respondents indicated they “exercised or participated in sports activities for at least 20 minutes that made you sweat or breathe hard” on three or more of the preceding 7 days (VIG). Nearly three-fifths reported they “walked or biked for at least 30 minutes at a time” on 3 or more of the preceding 7 days (MOD). Those reporting VIG were more likely to be younger Caucasian males. Those reporting MOD were more likely to be younger Caucasian females. Gender, race, being an inter...

Background The possibility of extracting RNA and measuring RNA expression from paraffin sections can allow extensive investigations on stored paraffin samples obtained from diseased livers and could help with studies of the natural history of liver fibrosis and inflammation, and in particular, correlate basic mechanisms to clinical outcomes. Results To address this issue, a pilot study of multiplex gene expression using branched-chain DNA technology was conducted to directly measure mRNA expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded needle biopsy samples of human liver. Twenty-five genes were selected for evaluation based on evidence obtained from human fibrotic liver, a rat BDL model and in vitro cultures of immortalized human hepatic stellate cells. The expression levels of these 25 genes were then correlated with liver fibrosis and inflammation activity scores. Statistical analysis revealed that three genes (COL3A1, KRT18, and TUBB) could separate fibrotic from non-fibrotic samples and that the expression of ten genes (ANXA2, TIMP1, CTGF, COL4A1, KRT18, COL1A1, COL3A1, ACTA2, TGFB1, LOXL2) were positively correlated with the level of liver inflammation activity. Conclusion This is the first report describing this multiplex technique for liver fibrosis and has provided the proof of concept of the suitability of RNA extracted from paraffin sections for investigating the modulation of a panel of proinflammatory and profibrogenic genes. This pilot study suggests that this technique will allow extensive investigations on paraffin samples from diseased livers and possibly from any other tissue. Using identical or other genes, this multiplex expression technique could be applied to samples obtained from extensive patient cohorts with stored paraffin samples in order to correlate gene expression with valuable clinically relevant information. This method could be used to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of liver fibrosis and inflammation, its progression, and help development of new therapeutic approaches for this indication.

A timing pheromone trap was invented to capture male pink bollworm adults Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) for specific time intervals as they entered a commercial pheromone trap. The device was used to compare the window of male pheromone response of two different strains of released sterile pink bollworm populations with responses of native adult males. In all trials in cotton fields in Phoenix, AZ, and in Palo Verde, CA, the released sterile male adults entered commercial pheromone traps during the same time interval as native adult males. Native and sterile females were comparable in attracting and successfully mating with natives when confined in field stations. Thus, the quality of behavioral responses (male-pheromone response window) of laboratory-reared male pink bollworms was comparable to native adults infesting cotton fields in Arizona and California.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes play important roles in normal physiology and during inflammation of various cells and tissues. In order to help understand the functions of these enzymes, their genes can be cloned to facilitate the production of the proteins in recombinant form. We outline a method to clone the genes from a human macrophage cell line for expression in an insect cell line infected with recombinant baculovirus encoding these enzymes.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes play important roles in normal physiology and during inflammation of various cells and tissues. In order to help understand the functions of these enzymes, their genes can be cloned to facilitate the production of the proteins in recombinant form. We outline a method to clone the genes from a human macrophage cell line for expression in an insect cell line infected with recombinant baculovirus encoding these enzymes.

Extragenic temperature-resistant suppressor mutants of an rpoD800 derivative of Escherichia coli W3110 were selected at 43.5 degrees C. Two of the mutants were shown to have a phenotype of enhanced accumulation of heterologous proteins. Genetic mapping of the two mutants showed that the mutation conferring temperature resistance resided in the rpoH gene. P1-mediated transduction of the rpoD+ gene into both of the rpoD800 rpoH double mutants resulted in viable rpoH mutants, MON102 and MON105, that retained temperature resistance at 46 degrees C, the maximum growth temperature of W3110. The complete rpoH gene, including the regulatory region, from MON102, MON105, and the parental W3110 was cloned and sequenced. Sequencing results showed that a single C----T transition at nucleotide 802 was present in both MON102 and MON105, resulting in an Arg(CGC)----Cys(TGC) substitution at amino acid residue 268 (R-268-C; this gene was designated rpoH358). Heterologous protein accumulation levels in both MON102 and MON105, as well as in rpoH358 mutants constructed in previously unmanipulated W3110 and JM101, were assessed and compared with parental W3110 and JM101 levels. Expression studies utilizing the recA or araBAD promoter and the phage T7 gene 10L ribosome-binding site (g10L) showed that increased accumulation levels of a number of representative heterologous proteins (i.e., human or bovine insulin-like growth factor-1, bovine insulin-like growth factor-2, prohormone of human atrial natriuretic factor, bovine placental lactogen, and/or bovine prolactin) were obtained in the rpoH358 mutants compared with the levels in the parental W3110 and JM101. The mechanism of enhanced heterologous protein accumulation in MON102 and MON105 was unique compared with those of previously described rpoH mutants. Pulse-chase and Northern (RNA) blot analyses showed that the enhanced accumulation of heterologous proteins was not due to decreased proteolysis but was instead due to increased levels of the respective heterologous mRNAs accompanied by increased synthesis of the respective heterologous proteins. The plasmid copy number remained unaltered.

Proteolytic degradation of the major cartilage macromolecules, aggrecan and type II collagen, is a key pathological event in osteoarthritis (OA). ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5, the primary aggrecanases capable of cartilage aggrecan cleavage, are synthesized as latent enzymes and require prodomain removal for activity. The N-termini of the mature proteases suggest that activation involves a proprotein convertase, but the specific family member responsible for aggrecanase activation in cartilage in situ has not been identified. Here we describe purification of a proprotein convertase activity from human OA cartilage. Through biochemical characterization and the use of siRNA, PACE4 was identified as a proprotein convertase responsible for activation of aggrecanases in osteoarthritic and cytokine-stimulated cartilage. Posttranslational activation of ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 was observed in the extracellular milieu of cartilage, resulting in aggrecan degradation. These findings suggest that PACE4 represents a novel target for the development of OA therapeutics.

We evaluated the effects of two thiazolidinediones (TZDs), the potent PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone currently being used to treat diabetes, and a structurally similar experimental compound that is a poor PPARγ agonist, in a non-diabetic, established hypertension model with continuous measurement of blood pressure by telemetry. Hypertension was induced in male Dahl saltsensitive rats by a three-week pre-treatment with 4% salt before initiation of treatment. Fasting blood samples were taken for analysis of a biomarker panel to assess metabolic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the treatments. Both TZDs significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. When used at the maximally effective doses established for metabolic improvement, both compounds produced equivalent reduction in lipids and elevation of adiponectin, yet the poorer PPARγ agonist produced significantly greater reductions in blood pressure. Neither compound had a significant effect on circulating glucose or insulin in this animal model. The data demonstrate that these TZDs lower blood pressure significantly in Dahl rats and that this cardiovascular pharmacology is not directly correlated with the metabolic actions or with the magnitude of PPARγ activation. These data suggest that it may be possible to find insulin-sensitising agents that have beneficial cardiovascular pharmacology with broad applications for disease prevention. Diabetes Vasc Dis Res 2007;4:117‐23 doi:10.3132/dvdr.2007.029

A number of studies have documented the relationship between smoking and depression in adolescent and adult populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of depressive symptoms among college-age smokers and to determine whether or not increases in cigarette use were associated with increases in the number of depressive symptoms. A nonexperimental cross-sectional design was used. Of the random sample ( N = 895), 28% were current smokers, and more than 26% of the total sample reported high levels of depressive symptoms. Current smokers were more likely to report an increased level of depressive symptoms than non-smokers were. Correlates of depressive symptoms included grade point average, marijuana use, and increased work hours. When controlling for these variables, the number of days smoked was predictive of depressive symptoms. School nurses have an important role in preventing smoking and treating smokers, as well as in preparing adolescents for the transition to college where many begin smoking.

This study examined the relationship among ethnicity and perceptions of tile work environment among staff nurses in a large urban hospital in Northern California. Moos' Work Environment Scale, System Maintenance and Change Dimensions, was used to investigate staff nurse perception of the work environment related to role clarity, managerial control, and innovation. Findings of this study suggest statistically significant differences in the way Caucasian and non-Caucasian nurses viewed the extent to which management used rules and pressures. The perception of control in the work environment is an important factor in retention and in maintaining a quality workplace.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) performs the critical initial reaction in the arachidonic metabolic cascade, leading to formation of proinflammatory prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and prostacyclins. The discovery of a second COX isoform (COX-2) associated with inflammation led to agents that selectively inhibit COX-2. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors are also being developed for canine applications. To assess the compound potency on canine enzymes, canine COX-1 and COX-2 were cloned, expressed, and purified. Cyclooxygenase-1 was cloned from a canine kidney complementary DNA (cDNA) library, with 96 % sequence homology to human COX-1. Cyclooxygenase-2 was cloned from canine kidney and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cDNA libraries, with a 93 % sequence homology to human COX-2. The arachidonic acid Michaelis constants for canine COX-1 and COX-2 were 4.8 and 6.6 micrometer, respectively, compared with 9.6 and 10.2 micrometer for ovine. Inhibition results indicated that, for all compounds tested, there was no significant difference between potencies determined for canine enzymes and those for human enzymes.

To learn how signals from adipocytes might be involved in regulation of energy intake and storage, we have begun to characterize the porcine complement protein, adipsin. Adipsin was originally identified as a protein that is produced rather specifically by adipocytes, is secreted, and is nearly absent in several obese rodent models. We now report that porcine adipsin mRNA sequence is 74% identical to rat and predicts a protein that has 82 and 68% identity to human and rat forms, respectively. Porcine adipsin has none of the asparagine glycosylation consensus sites which make recombinant expression of mouse adipsin in Escherichia coli impractical. We present a method for engineering the porcine cDNA to facilitate expression by E. coli and provide a protocol for refolding and purifying porcine adipsin protein and for immunoassay. We have found that in addition to adipose tissue, adipsin mRNA is present in gut tissues. Coupled with the fact that adipsin is required for processing of complement C3a-desArg, and that C3a-desArg is a potent stimulant of fatty acid acylation in adipocytes, the production of adipsin in the gut may be related to a mechanism for adipocyte removal of lipid from chylomicrons.

The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella, is a world-wide pest of cultivated cotton. In certain growing regions populations are suppressed by a sterile release strategy. Efforts to improve the sterile insect technique as well as our understanding of lepidopteran biology could benefit greatly from a germ-line transformation system. We report transformation of pink bollworm with a piggyBac transposable element carrying the enhanced green flourescent protein (EGFP) marker gene. This vector-marker system resulted in recovery of transgenics at a rate of approximately 3.5%. Integration of the transforming construct that was typical of piggyBac was demonstrated by Southern analysis and sequence determination of transposon flanks. Expression of the EGFP marker was visualized by fluorescent microscopy and Western Blot analysis. Maintenance of transformed strains indicates that the transgene segregates in a Mendelian fashion and has been stable over fourteen generations to date.

Two new analogues of bovine placental lactogen (bPL), bPL(G133K) and bPL(G133R), were expressed in Escherichia coli, refolded, and purified to a native form. Binding experiments, which are likely to represent the binding to site 1 only, to intact FDC-P1 cells transfected with rabbit (rb) growth hormone receptor (GHR) or with human (h) GHR, to Nb2 rat lymphoma cells, or to rabbit mammary gland membranes prolactin receptor (PRLR), revealed only small or no reduction in binding capacity. The complex formation between these analogues and receptor extracellular domains (R-ECD) of various hormones was determined by gel filtration. Wild type bPL yielded 1:2 complex with hGHR-ECD, rat PRLR-ECD, and rbPRLR-ECD, whereas both analogues formed only 1:1 complexes with all R-ECDs tested. Real time kinetics experiments demonstrated that the ability of the analogues to form homodimeric complexes was compromised in both PRLR- and GHR-ECDs. The biological activity transduced through lactogenic receptors in in vitro bioassays in rabbit mammary gland acini culture and in Nb2 cells was almost fully retained, whereas the activity transduced through somatogenic receptors in FDC-P1 cells transfected with rbGHRs or with hGHRs was abolished. Both analogues exhibited antagonistic activity in the latter cells. To explain the discrepancy between the effect of the mutation on the signal transduced by PLR versus GHRs we suggest that: 1) the mutation impairs the ability of site 2 of bPL to form a stable homodimeric complex with both lactogenic and somatogenic receptors by a drastic shortening of the half-life of 2:1 complex; 2) the transient existence of the homodimeric complex is still sufficient to initiate the signal transduced through lactogenic receptors but not through somatogenic receptors; and 3) one possible reason for this difference is that JAK2, which serves as a mediator of both receptors, is already associated with lactogenic receptors prior to hormone binding-induced receptor dimerization, whereas in somatogenic receptors the JAK2 receptor association occurs subsequently to receptor dimerization.

Bovine placental lactogen (bPL) was found to be as potent as human GH (hGH) in its ability to bind to soluble full-size recombinant hGH-binding protein (hGHBP) and to membrane-embedded hGH receptor in intact IM-9 human lymphocytes. bPL was also capable of forming a 1:2 complex with hGHBP, although the structure of this complex was probably more compact than that with hGH. Removal of 13 amino acids from the N-terminus of bPL did not affect its ability to bind to hGHBP or hGH receptors in intact IM-9 cells. Its ability to form a 1:2 complex with hGHBP was, however, impaired, unlike that of a corresponding analog in which an L28F mutation has been simultaneously introduced. Truncation of 17 amino acids decreased its affinity toward both hGHBP and GH receptors on intact IM-9 lymphocytes and in liver rat microsomal fraction and inhibited the formation of 1:2 complexes with hGHBP. Simultaneous L28F mutation did not affect affinity toward hGHBP, but increased affinity toward rat liver GH receptors and restored affinity toward membrane-embedded hGH receptors in IM-9 lymphocytes and the ability to form a 1:2 complex with hGHBP. Truncation of 20 amino acids further decreased affinity toward both hGHBP and receptors in intact IM-9 lymphocytes and completely abolished formation of a 1:2 complex with hGHBP. Both des-13-bPLs and bPL-des-17 (L28F) retained their full ability to stimulate insulin-like growth factor-I secretion by rat hepatocytes compared to that of bPL. The insulin-like growth factor-I stimulatory activities of bPL-des-17 and bPL-des-20, however, were decreased to 1-5%. These results indicate that the stoichiometry of 1:2 complex formation with hGHBP may be preserved despite decreased receptor binding affinity, but the lower affinity of the putative site 1 or site 2 of the analog may account for the decrease in biological activity. Furthermore, the ability or inability of bPL or its truncated analogs to form 1:2 complexes with soluble hGHBP cannot predict their somatogen receptor-mediated biological activity in rat hepatocytes.

Two variants of rabbit prolactin receptor extracellular domain (rbPRLR-ECD) were prepared using insect/baculovirus (amino acids 1-198) and E. coli (amino acids 4-210) expression systems. Bovine PRLR-ECD (bPRPL-ECD amino acids 1-210) and human growth hormone receptor ECD (hGHR-ECD amino acids 1-246) were also prepared using E. coli expression system. All four proteins were purified as monomers with > 95% homogeneity. Their affinity for various lactogenic and somatogenic hormones was determined by binding assays. The stoichiometry of complex formation with these hormones was studied by gel filtration on a Superdex 75 column, and bioactivity was determined by in vitro bioassays. The results summarized in this paper indicate that, in contrast to hGHR-ECD, in which the ability to form a 2:1 complex with hGH is indicative of the biological activity of the hormone, the ability or inability of prolactin and placental lactogen to form 2:1 complexes with rb or bPRLR-ECD cannot predict their biological activity. This conclusion does not preclude however, hormone- or antibody-induced dimerization of the membrane-embedded receptor.

The bovine growth hormone (bGH) receptor and its extracellular domain (bGHBP) bind two protein hormones with high affinity; bGH and bovine placental lactogen (bPL). However, each of these hormones bind with a different stoichiometry. bGH binds to the bGHBP in a 1:2 ratio while bPL binds in a 1:1 ratio. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding yields similar apparent dissociation constants (Kd) for bGH and bPL of 1.4 x 10(-11) M and 3.0 x 10(-11) M, respectively, for the membrane receptor and 6.8 x 10(-11) M and 4.2 x 10(-11) M, respectively, for bGHBP. In competition experiments using either liver membranes or bGHBP, bGH is 2-3-fold more effective than bPL in competing for 125I-bGH-binding sites. In similar experiments using 125I-bPL, bPL is 50-fold more effective than bGH in competing for binding sites. A rat monoclonal antibody raised against bGHBP competes effectively for 125I-bGH-binding sites, but not for 125I-bPL-binding sites. Since bPL cannot dimerize the bGHBP and yet it acts in part as a somatogen in vivo, homodimerization of the growth hormone receptor is apparently not essential for some biological responses signaled through this receptor.

Objectives: Whether college students who are most at-risk of HIV infection are being tested is unknown. This exploratory study identified the prevalence and correlates of ever having an HIV test among college students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a probability sample of 903 college students. Measures of sexual risk behaviour were assessed. Results: Of the students surveyed, 22.5% reported they had been tested for HIV. Testing was more likely among those 20 years of age or older (27.8% v. 14.7%; P = 0.0001), females (25.4% v. 17.8%; P = 0.01), and members of racial/ethnic minorities (42.7% v. 20.3%; P = 0.0001). After adjusting for these covariates, those who reported ever having vaginal sex (AOR = 5.5; 95% CI = 3.1–9.6); anal sex (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.6–3.6), and oral sex (AOR = 6.3; 95% CI = 3.0–13.3) were significantly more likely to report being tested. Students having vaginal sex in the past 12 months were significantly more likely to report testing (AOR = 5.3; 95% CI = 3.1–9.1). Those reporting vaginal sexual debut (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2–3.1) or oral sexual debut (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1–2.5) ≤age 15 were significantly more likely to be tested. Students reporting four or more sex partners were significantly more likely to be tested than sexually experienced students reporting fewer partners (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI = 2.2–4.6). Finally, those reporting at least one episode of forced vaginal sex (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI = 2.1–7.2) and reporting at least one episode of any forced sex (vaginal, anal, oral) (AOR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.8–5.0) were significantly more likely to report being tested. Conclusions: Within this population, demographically controlled findings suggest that those most at-risk of HIV infection are indeed being tested for the virus.