Biological significance of FoxN1 gain-of-function mutations during T and B lymphopoiesis in juvenile mice.

FoxN1 is cell-autonomously expressed in skin and thymic epithelial cells (TECs), essential for their development. Inborn mutation of FoxN1 results in hair follicle and TEC development failure, whereas insufficient postnatal FoxN1 expression induces thymic atrophy, resulting in declined T lymphopoiesis. Although upregulating FoxN1 expression in the aged FoxN1-declined thymus rejuvenates T lymphopoiesis, whether its over- and ectopic-expression in early life is beneficial for T lymphopoiesis is unknown. Using our newly generated Rosa26-STOP(flox)-FoxN1 mice, in which over- and ectopic-expression of FoxN1 can be induced by various promoter-driven Cre-mediated deletions of the roadblock STOP(flox) in early life, we found that K14Cre-mediated inborn FoxN1 overexpression induced neonatal lethality, exhibited abnormal permeability in the skin and abnormal nursing. Ubiquitous deletion of the STOP(flox) mediated by progressive uCreER(T) leakage in juvenile mice affected thymus and bone marrow normality, resulting in an increased ratio of medullary/cortical TECs, along with declined T and B lymphopoiesis. Although the K5CreER(T)-mediated FoxN1 overexpression mice had a normal lifespan, induction of K5CreER(T) activation in juveniles adversely influenced total thymoycte development and produced ichthyosis-like skin. Therefore, FoxN1 has temporal and tissue-specific activity. Over- and ectopic-expression of FoxN1 in early life adversely influence immature TEC, T and B cell, and skin epithelial development.

[Assessment of problematic alcohol use]. / Erfassung problematischen Alkoholkonsums.

An overview with respect to the identification of patients with risky drinking, alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence is given. As a first step, a simple screening questionnaire should be used. Self-statements in standardized questionnaires are more valid than standard laboratory markers. A useful instrument is for example BASIC. In screening positive patients, an in-depth diagnosis is necessary and helps to distinguish between different forms of problematic alcohol use. Depending on the severity of the alcohol problem, brochures, internet-programs, counselling or referral to treatment services is helpful.

[Health behaviour and health-risk behaviour among job-seekers: a screening at an employment agency]. / Gesundheits- und Risikoverhalten unter Arbeitsuchenden: Ein Screening am Arbeitsamt.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of health behaviours and health-risk behaviours among three groups of job-seeking persons at employment agencies: short-term unemployed, long-term unemployed, and non-unemployed (e.g., threatened by job loss) persons. A related aim was to identify the general willingness of persons recruited at employment agencies to participate in a study regarding health behaviours. METHOD: At the employment agency Greifswald (Western Pomerania, Germany), over a period of two weeks, all job-seeking persons while waiting were personally asked to participate in a screening regarding health behaviours. RESULTS: A total of 1672 persons (M=34 years, 54% women), that is 74.3% of all job-seekers, participated in the screening. Regarding physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, smoking, at-risk drinking, drug use and overweight, all three groups showed a lack of health behaviour and increased risky behaviour compared to the general population or nation-wide guidelines. ANOVAs, chi (2) tests and logistic regressions showed significant differences among the three groups. Non-unemployed persons were more likely to report a healthier life style compared to both unemployed groups. Long-term unemployed persons had a higher risk of smoking (OR=1.56; CI 95%=1.14-2.12) and of using drugs (OR=2.79; CI 95%=1.30-5.98) compared to short-term unemployed persons. CONCLUSIONS: The high participation rate, along with the high rates of risky behaviour and lack of health behaviour indicate the demand for intervention programs for job-seekers and the opportunity of using this setting for proactive interventions that could reach more than 70% of all job-seekers.

[Referral behaviour of general practitioners to professionals in outpatient care and in addiction treatment sites in Mecklenburg-West Pommerania]. / Die Uberweisung von Patienten mit Abhängigkeitserkrankungen in die ambulante und stationäre professionelle Suchtkrankenhilfe - Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Befragung unter Hausärzten in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

AIM: This study gives an overview about the collaboration of general practitioners (GP) with professionals in outpatient care and in addiction treatment sites. The goal of the study is to examine whether characteristics of the GP and distances to various specialised professionals have an effect on the referral of patients to GPs, primarily in the pilot study of nine "Medical practices for addiction". METHOD: A random sample of 330 general practices was drawn from the records of the association of the Compulsory Health Insurance. The participation rate was 75.8%. RESULTS: There was a high level of networking between general practitioners (GP) and professionals in outpatient care and in addiction treatment sites. The greater the distance to a "Medical practice for addiction", the lower was the chance of referral. There was no influence of distance concerning referral and other specialised outpatient professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Only part of the general population benefits from the pilot study. Aspects such as accessibility and well proven habits of the GPs concerning referral, should be considered to a greater extent for future collaboration among addiction care systems.

[General hospital patients with alcohol problems welcome counselling]. / Krankenhauspatienten mit riskantem Alkoholkonsum sind offen für Beratung.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine predictors for openness to alcohol-related counselling among general hospital patients with alcohol problems. We wanted to test whether those with less severe alcohol problems and those with a lack of motivation for behaviour charge or with a lack of motivation to seek help would agree to participate in alcohol-related counselling. METHOD: A total of 1150 hospital patients with alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, at-risk drinking or excessive drinking were interviewed. They were asked about their attitude towards alcohol-related counselling, about their motivation to change their drinking and about their motivation to seek professional help. A multi-variable logistic regression analysis was calculated to determine predictors for agreement to counselling. RESULTS: A total of 66 % of all participants agreed to receive information on professional help and on how they could help themselves. Among these were 77 % of the alcohol dependent participants and 56 % of the non-dependent participants. Motivation to change and motivation to seek help were identified as the most significant predictors for agreement to counselling. However, 63 % of the participants open for counselling were not yet ready to change their habits and 62 % were not yet ready to seek profession help. CONCLUSION: The majority of hospital patients with less severe alcohol problems as well as the majority of hospital patients not ready to seek more intensive professional help were open for alcohol-related counselling. Given a systematic screening, this opens up the opportunity for addiction counsellors, hospital physicians or nurses to actively offer counselling.