Childhood adversities and risk of posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression following a motor vehicle collision in adulthood.

AIMS: Childhood adversities (CAs) predict heightened risks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive episode (MDE) among people exposed to adult traumatic events. Identifying which CAs put individuals at greatest risk for these adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (APNS) is important for targeting prevention interventions. METHODS: Data came from n = 999 patients ages 18-75 presenting to 29 U.S. emergency departments after a motor vehicle collision (MVC) and followed for 3 months, the amount of time traditionally used to define chronic PTSD, in the Advancing Understanding of Recovery After Trauma (AURORA) study. Six CA types were self-reported at baseline: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect and bullying. Both dichotomous measures of ever experiencing each CA type and numeric measures of exposure frequency were included in the analysis. Risk ratios (RRs) of these CA measures as well as complex interactions among these measures were examined as predictors of APNS 3 months post-MVC. APNS was defined as meeting self-reported criteria for either PTSD based on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and/or MDE based on the PROMIS Depression Short-Form 8b. We controlled for pre-MVC lifetime histories of PTSD and MDE. We also examined mediating effects through peritraumatic symptoms assessed in the emergency department and PTSD and MDE assessed in 2-week and 8-week follow-up surveys. Analyses were carried out with robust Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Most participants (90.9%) reported at least rarely having experienced some CA. Ever experiencing each CA other than emotional neglect was univariably associated with 3-month APNS (RRs = 1.31-1.60). Each CA frequency was also univariably associated with 3-month APNS (RRs = 1.65-2.45). In multivariable models, joint associations of CAs with 3-month APNS were additive, with frequency of emotional abuse (RR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.43-2.87) and bullying (RR = 1.44; 95% CI = 0.99-2.10) being the strongest predictors. Control variable analyses found that these associations were largely explained by pre-MVC histories of PTSD and MDE. CONCLUSIONS: Although individuals who experience frequent emotional abuse and bullying in childhood have a heightened risk of experiencing APNS after an adult MVC, these associations are largely mediated by prior histories of PTSD and MDE.

Prior differences in previous trauma exposure primarily drive the observed racial/ethnic differences in posttrauma depression and anxiety following a recent trauma.

BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic groups in the USA differ in the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent research however has not observed consistent racial/ethnic differences in posttraumatic stress in the early aftermath of trauma, suggesting that such differences in chronic PTSD rates may be related to differences in recovery over time. METHODS: As part of the multisite, longitudinal AURORA study, we investigated racial/ethnic differences in PTSD and related outcomes within 3 months after trauma. Participants (n = 930) were recruited from emergency departments across the USA and provided periodic (2 weeks, 8 weeks, and 3 months after trauma) self-report assessments of PTSD, depression, dissociation, anxiety, and resilience. Linear models were completed to investigate racial/ethnic differences in posttraumatic dysfunction with subsequent follow-up models assessing potential effects of prior life stressors. RESULTS: Racial/ethnic groups did not differ in symptoms over time; however, Black participants showed reduced posttraumatic depression and anxiety symptoms overall compared to Hispanic participants and White participants. Racial/ethnic differences were not attenuated after accounting for differences in sociodemographic factors. However, racial/ethnic differences in depression and anxiety were no longer significant after accounting for greater prior trauma exposure and childhood emotional abuse in White participants. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest prior differences in previous trauma exposure partially mediate the observed racial/ethnic differences in posttraumatic depression and anxiety symptoms following a recent trauma. Our findings further demonstrate that racial/ethnic groups show similar rates of symptom recovery over time. Future work utilizing longer time-scale data is needed to elucidate potential racial/ethnic differences in long-term symptom trajectories.

Performance of upflow gravel filtration in multi-stage filtration plants.

This paper presents the results of a study of four full-scale upflow gravel filters that are part of full-scale multi-stage filtration. The study explored the design criteria, the operation and maintenance (O&M) practices, and the performance of the systems. Findings showed that most design criteria and O&M procedures are following the recommendations as presented in the literature but several diversions were also identified. Performance data showed that removal efficiencies were on the low side when compared to the literature, possibly because of the good influent quality water that was treated. Cleaning efficiency was analyzed and the overall conclusion is that an adjustment of the design criteria and O&M procedures is needed to enhance system performance. This includes drainage system design, surface cleaning by weir, and filter bed cleaning to allow a reduction in cleaning cycles and an improvement in operation control.

Regulation of glycolysis in lizards: kinetic studies on liver pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase from Lacerta galloti.

Kinetic studies were carried out on pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase from the lizard Lacerta galloti. Pyruvate kinase is inhibited by ATP and activated by fructose 1,6-biphosphate giving an hyperbolic saturation curve for ATP without the activator which becomes sigmoidal at saturating concentrations of fructose 1,6-biphosphate, giving a moderate cooperativity with a Hill coefficient of h = 1.72. Binding of fructose 1,6-biphosphate to pyruvate kinase was studied as protection effect against thermal denaturation, this being the most suitable ligand tested to avoid the loss of activity. Phosphofructokinase is inhibited by ATP at millimolar range and activated by AMP and by fructose 2,6-biphosphate, AMP being the more efficient activator.