Depression help-seeking attitudes and behaviors among an Internet-based sample of Spanish-speaking perinatal women / Actitudes y comportamientos de búsqueda de ayuda para la depresión en una muestra basada en internet de mujeres de habla hispana en período perinatal

OBJECTIVE: To examine attitudes and beliefs related to help-seeking for depression among an international sample of pregnant women, a majority of whom were Spanish-speakers residing in Latin America. METHODS: More than 6 000 (n = 6 672) pregnant women met eligibility criteria and consented to participate between 15 January 2009-12 August 2011. Of these, 1 760 with a Latino/Hispanic background completed a baseline survey as part of a larger study. Group comparisons analyzed attitudes and behaviors related to seeking help for depression, while a logistic regression was conducted to identify demographic characteristics related to help-seeking support. RESULTS: Of the participants, three-fourths reported experiencing depression during or after their current or past pregnancies. The majority of participants did not seek help, and generally reported ambivalence about their depressive symptoms and uncertainty as to the helpfulness of others. However, 44.8% did seek help, mostly by speaking to family or partners and reported feeling fear, shame, and embarrassment about their symptoms. A current major depressive episode and an income less than or equal to US$ 10 000 were significant predictors of help-seeking behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study suggest that when feeling sad or depressed, perinatal Latinas tend to seek emotional support first from family and friends and may underutilize mental health services when needed. The Internet is an effective means for reaching perinatal women, especially those in areas of the world where there may be barriers to accessing psychological resources.

OBJETIVO: Analizar las actitudes y las creencias relacionadas con la búsqueda de ayuda para la depresión en una muestra internacional de mujeres embarazadas, la mayor parte de ellas hispanohablantes y residentes en América Latina. MÉTODOS: Más de 6 000 mujeres embarazadas (n = 6 672) cumplieron los criterios de selección y aceptaron participar entre el 15 de enero del 2009 y el 12 de agosto del 2011. De estas, 1 760 de origen latino o hispano completaron una encuesta básica que formaba parte de un estudio más amplio. Mediante comparaciones de grupo, se analizaron las actitudes y los comportamientos relacionados con la búsqueda de ayuda para la depresión, mientras que, mediante regresión logística, se determinaron las características demográficas relacionadas con la búsqueda de ayuda o apoyo. RESULTADOS: De todas las participantes, tres cuartas partes notificaron sentimientos de depresión durante o después de los embarazos actuales o pasados. La mayor parte de ellas no buscaron ayuda, y en general manifestaron ambivalencia acerca de sus síntomas depresivos e incertidumbre en cuanto a la capacidad de ayuda de otras personas. Sin embargo, 44,8% buscaron ayuda, principalmente hablando con familiares o compañeros, y notificaron sentimientos de temor, culpabilidad y vergüenza acerca de sus síntomas. Un episodio depresivo mayor actual y unos ingresos iguales o inferiores a US$ 10 000 fueron factores predictivos significativos de comportamientos de búsqueda de ayuda. CONCLUSIONES: Los datos de este estudio indican que, cuando se sienten tristes o deprimidas, las mujeres latinas en período perinatal tienden a buscar en primer lugar el apoyo emocional de la familia y los amigos, y podrían subutilizar los servicios de salud mental cuando son necesarios. La internet es un medio eficaz para llegar a las mujeres en período perinatal, especialmente a las que viven en zonas del mundo donde pueden existir barreras para el acceso a los recursos psicológicos.

Structure and Expression Analyses of SVA Elements in Relation to Functional Genes

SINE-VNTR-Alu (SVA) elements are present in hominoid primates and are divided into 6 subfamilies (SVA-A to SVA-F) and active in the human population. Using a bioinformatic tool, 22 SVA element-associated genes are identified in the human genome. In an analysis of genomic structure, SVA elements are detected in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of HGSNAT (SVA-B), MRGPRX3 (SVA-D), HYAL1 (SVA-F), TCHH (SVA-F), and ATXN2L (SVA-F) genes, while some elements are observed in the 3'UTR of SPICE1 (SVA-B), TDRKH (SVA-C), GOSR1 (SVA-D), BBS5 (SVA-D), NEK5 (SVA-D), ABHD2 (SVA-F), C1QTNF7 (SVA-F), ORC6L (SVA-F), TMEM69 (SVA-F), and CCDC137 (SVA-F) genes. They could contribute to exon extension or supplying poly A signals. LEPR (SVA-C), ALOX5 (SVA-D), PDS5B (SVA-D), and ABCA10 (SVA-F) genes also showed alternative transcripts by SVA exonization events. Dominant expression of HYAL1_SVA appeared in lung tissues, while HYAL1_noSVA showed ubiquitous expression in various human tissues. Expression of both transcripts (TDRKH_SVA and TDRKH_noSVA) of the TDRKH gene appeared to be ubiquitous. Taken together, these data suggest that SVA elements cause transcript isoforms that contribute to modulation of gene regulation in various human tissues.

Study on poly A site gene mutation of transforming growth factor-beta1 receptor type II between multiple and single site keloid / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pathogenesy deference between multiple and single site keloid by detecting gene mutation of Poly A site of transforming growth factor-beta1 receptor type II (TbetaR II).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Collecting 20 keloid samples (6 multiple sites keloid samples and 14 single site keloid samples) and extracting DNA from them; designing and synthesizing the primers of Poly A site, then amplifying T1beta II DNA by PCR, analyzing the single strand conformation polymorphism about the products of PCR. After purifying the product of PCR, the site and type of the mutation rate of Poly A site was sequenced directly on the automatic sequencing equipment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It had been found that the Poly A site of TbetaR II in keloid has deletion mutation, its mutation rate in multiple sites keloid was 50% (3/6), in single site keloid 7.1% (1/14). The mutation rate of Poly A site in multiple sites keloid was significant higher than that in single site keloid (P < 0.05)</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It has been supposed that there are some deference in pathogenesy between the multiple and the single site keloid.</p>

Clinical features and mutation analysis of a poly-(A)8 tract in M3 cholinergic receptor gene in Chinese HNPCC families / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To characterize the clinical features of Chinese HNPCC families and to screen the mutations of a poly-(A)8 tract in M3 cholinergic receptor gene in these families.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical features of 15 Chinese HNPCC families were characterized. Genomic DNAs from 15 probands were prepared. PCR and direct DNA sequencing analysis were employed to examine the mutations of a poly-(A)8 tract in exon 8 of M3 cholinergic receptor gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total 55 cancer patients were found in 15 families including 41 cases of colorectal carcinoma with an average of 2.73 colorectal carcinomas developed per family. Thirty out of forty-one (73%) patients were diagnosed before age of 50 years. Proximal colon was involved in 51% of patients, while anus and rectum were 40 %. Synchronous and metachronous multiple colorectal cancers developed in 5 patients (12%). Two thirds of families belonged to Lynch II syndrome, and total 18 extracolonic malignancies in 14 patients were identified. Gastric carcinoma was the most common extracolonic types. In 15 HNPCC probands, no mutation was detected in the poly-(A)8 tract of exon 8 of M3 cholinergic receptor gene.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>M3 cholinergic receptor gene might have little relation with HNPCC in Chinese population. The criteria for Chinese HNPCC are useful and practical in clinical application.</p>

Auxin regulated poly(A)polymerase activity in Cicer arietinum epicotyls.

There was a linear increase in poly (A+) polymerase activity in the C. arietinum epicotyls during germination. Six-day-old auxin treated seedlings showed about 3-4 fold stimulation in enzyme activity, accompanied with 3- fold rise in the relative abundance of poly (A+) RNA levels. Actinomycin D, cycloheximide, cordycepin and amino acid analogues caused dramatic decline in poly (A+) polymerase as well as poly (A+) RNA levels. It seems that auxin induced a de novo synthesis of this enzyme.

Genotoxic evaluation of Norfloxacin and Pipemidic acid with the Eschirichia coli PolA-/polA+ and the ames test

Background. Genotoxicity of antibiotic has not been well evaluted, and there is not much information on the genetic risk of quinolone drugs, even though they are widely used as alternative choice drugs in urinary infections. Methods. Pipemidic acid and norfloxacin were tested for their capacity to induce point mutations using the Ames test and DNA damage on Escherichia coli PolA-/PolA+. Results. At non-toxic doses, all of the drugs studied were negative on the E. coli PolA-/PolA+ test with or without in vitro metabolic activation with induced arochlor 1254 rat liver (S9). They did not procedure frameshift mutations in TA98, or base-air substitutions in S. typhimurium hisG46 strains TA100, or UTH8414. Norfloxacin and its induced metabolites in vitro with S9 rat liver were mutagenic to hisG48 strains TA102 and TA104, both of which detect oxidative chemicals. Pipemidic acid induced mutations in S. typhimurium hisG48 strains only when they had an efficient DNA excision repair system. Conclusions. These results suggest that the risk of oxygen-free radical generation from quinolones should be considered

Three-stranded (triplex) DNAs (RNAs): do they have a role in biology?

The first triplexes were homopolymer mixtures, e.g. dTn.dAn.dTn. More complex triplexes could be made on the basis that the base triads [symbol: see text] and [symbol: see text] containing Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen base pairs are isomorphous and so could be expected to give regular triple helices. It follows that such triplexes can only be formed from asymmetric DNAs with pyrimidines (Yn) in one strand and purines (Rn) in the complementary strand. Such triplexes Yn.Rn.Yn are formed with the above rules for pairing of triads with the Hoogsteen C protonated, [symbol: see text]. There are also triplexes built on the theme Yn.Rn.Rn (with triads T:A:A and [symbol: see text]). Here the triads are nearly isomorphous. Recently other triplexes without isomorphous triads at all have been obtained. Also RecA protein can promote triplex formation between a duplex DNA of any sequence and an homologous single-stranded DNA. The latter triplex is evidently important in recombination. The other possible roles for triplexes include transcriptional control, and roles in origins of replication and DNA condensation.

Differential turn-over of beta-tubulin during the cell differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi

We investigated the expression of beta-tubulin during the differentiation of non-infective epimastigotes to infective metacyclics of Trypanosoma cruzi to underlay some of the regulatory mechanisms of the gene expression in this pathogenic parasite. Given the strong evolutionary conservation of tubulin, it was possible to study its translational and transcriptional products with heterologous probes. Quantitative Western blotting with specific monoclonal antibodies against beta-tubulin revealed an increase in the relative amounts of this protein in metacyclics with respect to epimastigotes. Pulse-chase experiments with radioactive methionine followed by immunoprecipitation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that beta-tubulin has a slower degradation in metacyclics, which may contribute to its relative higher abundance in these parasite forms. In contrast with these results, both in vitro translation of poly (A+) mRNA in a wheat germ system and Northern blots of total and poly (A+) mRNA with a heterologous DNA probe from Leishmania enriettii, revealed a significant decrease (5 fold) in the specific transcripts of beta-tubulin in the metacyclics with respect to epimastigotes. It thus appeared that after differentiation of T. cruzi the translational machinery for a key protein such as beta-tubulin is shut off by a decrease in its specific message. The protein levels of this protein are maintained, however, by a compensatory mechanism that involves a slower turn-over of the synthesized protein

Immunological memory for HIV-1 induced in rabbits by immune poly(A)+ RNA

New Zealand rabbits were used to demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo transfer of reactivity, including immunological memory, to a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 586-606 of the gp-160 protein of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). The transfers were mediated by immune poly (A)+ RNA from lymphoid organs(spleen and mesenteric nodules) harvested after immunization of a sheep with the peptide (8subcutaneous injections plus glucan and complete Freund's adjuvant using a total of 1750 *g peptide). Immunological reactivity was detected by the leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test for cellular immunity. A dose of 150 *g poly (A) RNA ml-1 10 *******7 leukocytes -1 or 2.0 *g poly(A)+ RNA ml-1 10*******7 leukocytes-1 was used for in vitro transfer. For in vivo transfer the recipient rabbits received 3,000 *g poly(A)- RNA or 20*g poly(A)+ RNA. The mean non-adherence index(NAI) obtained in vitro was 10ñ7 for leukocytes treated with poly (A)- RNA and 60ñ10 leukocytes treated with poly(A)+ RNA. The poly(A)+ RNA fravction induced a primary-like response and memory cells in vivo. The poly (A)- RNA fraction had no effect. Since sheep are refractory to, and rabbits are sensitive to HIV-1, we suggest the use of this animal model for testing the immunomodulating effect of anti-HIV-1 immune poly(A)+ RNA

In vivo effects of ecdysterone on puff formation, and RNA and protein synthesis in the salivary glands of Rhynchosciara americana

1. Fourth-instar larvae of Rhynchosciara americana were injected with the insect molting hormone, ecdysterone, giving final hemolymph concentrations from 4.46 to 223µM. 2. Induction of the DNA puff, B2b, in the proximal (S1) region of the salivary glands of Rhynchosciara americana by 22.6 µM ecdyesterone, was accompanied by the production of an mRNA and a polypeptide with the same characteristics as B2b products produced during normal development. This mRNA and polypeptide were restricted to the proximal region of the gland, as is the B2b puff. 3. Synthesis of other poly (A) +RNAs was also stimulated in S1 by ecdysterone, and other puffs that appear during normal development were induced. However, rRNA production in S1 goes through a pattern of inhibition, followed by recovery when B2b is puffed, and subsequent inhibition. 4. Low molecular weight RNA, with a peak in the region of 4S, is stimulated after ecdysterone administration

Poly (2'-0-methyladenylic acid) as template of reverse transcriptase

Poly (2'-O-methyladenylic acid), poly (Am), is recognized as template in the reaction catalyzed by avian myeloblastosis virus, AMV, reverse transcriptase better in the presence of Mn than Mg as divalent cation. An apparent KM value of 2.5 x 10 M in relation to TTP and an inhibition of the reaction at poly (Am concentration higher than 5 microng/ml have been observed. Ethidium bromide, EtBr, tetramethyl ethidium bromide, TMEtBr, dideoxy TTP, and novobiocin are inhibitors of the poly (Am)-directed reverse transcriptase reaction in the presence of Mn