Phenotypical characterization of regulatory T cells in humans and rodents.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs ) constitute a fascinating subpopulation of CD4(+) T cells due to their ability to limit the immune response against self and non-self antigens. Murine models and antibodies directed against surface and intracellular molecules have allowed elucidation of the mechanisms that govern their development and function. However, these markers used to their classification lack of specificity, as they can be expressed by activated T cells. Similarly, there are slight differences between animal models, in steady state and pathological conditions, anatomical localization and strategy of analysis by flow cytometry. Here, we revised the most common markers utilized for Treg typification by flow cytometry such as CD25, forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) and CD127, along with our data obtained in different body compartments of humans, mice and rats. Furthermore, we revised and determined the expression of other molecules important for the phenotypical characterization of Treg cells. We draw attention to the drawbacks of those markers used in chronic states of inflammation. However, until a specific marker for the identification of Tregs is discovered, the best combination of markers will depend upon the tissue or the degree of inflammation from which Tregs derive.

Models of acculturation and health behaviors among Latino immigrants to the US.

A basic premise of much of the health research conducted with immigrant groups is that culturally based behaviors change over time as a result of acculturation, i.e., interaction with the mainstream US culture. However, models of acculturation have not taken into account how group-specific characteristics and the varying social and political contexts immigrant groups face may impact the acculturation process. In this study of 150 families, we examined the inter-relationship of indicators of acculturation among two Latino groups to discern the impact of gender and country of origin on the relationship between variables. Results indicated that increased years of residence in the United States had the predictable impact of increased competence in English and increased use of English, but had differing impact by country of origin on the cultural orientation of the respondents' environment and on ethnic identification. Also, gender was associated with differing levels of English language use and with perceived social acceptance, such that males used more English and reported less social acceptance than females. Loading separately from the language and cultural behavior variables, this factor, perceived social acceptance, merits research as a predictor of service use given that respondents understood non-acceptance as resulting from being identified as Latino. not from behaving differently from the mainstream. The differing patterns of association by country of origin and by gender and the measurement issues these raise, highlight the importance of specifying more complex models of a cculturation than is done typically in research with Latinos.

Needs and supports reported by Latino families of young children with developmental disabilities.

We interviewed 200 Latino parents (50 Mexican couples, 50 Puerto Rican couples) living in the United States to determine needs and supports related to raising a child with a disability and to identify variables related to reported needs and supports. The pattern of needs expressed was similar to that found in previous studies, but the number was substantially higher. More support was reported from family and formal sources than from friends or informal sources. Using repeated measures of analysis of covariance involving six family variables and three child variables, we found that English language proficiency was the only variable to account for significant variance in needs and supports.

Latino parents' perception of their children's health status.

Descriptive and multivariate analyses of the Hispanic health and nutrition examination survey were undertaken to describe Mexican American and Puerto Rican parents' perceptions of the health status of their young children, and to test a model of perceived health. Results suggest that ratings of poor health are substantially higher than reports for children from the general population and that the two ethnic groups differed from each other in the apparent basis for their ratings. Key predictors of health ratings for both populations were children's functional limitations, current and resolved medical conditions, and educational attainment of the head of household. Mexican-American ratings were also predicted by current and resolved developmental conditions, acculturation, and family income.

Gender differences in ADHD?

This study examined possible gender differences in children and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Results indicated that adult self-ratings differed significantly by gender. Adult women reported fewer assets and more problems than did male counterparts, but there was no gender difference with respect to age at referral, intelligence quotient, indicators of neuropsychological performance, or parent or teacher ratings of behavior. Referral bias against girls is a possible reason for previously reported gender differences, so we interpreted our results in light of the participants' referral patterns. There was a nonsignificant trend for girls with relatively more severe ratings of hyperactivity, conduct disorder, or inattention to be referred earlier than were boys. Overall, our results suggest no evidence of cognitive or neuropsychological differences by gender in samples that are sensitive to behavioral deviance in girls (as evidenced by early referral), but adult women's self-perception is comparatively poorer than that of adult men.

Neurobehavioural performance of adults with closed-head injury, adults with attention deficit, and controls.

The symptoms experienced by people with mild closed-head injury (mCHI) and by people with attention deficit disorder (ADD) are similar in many aspects. We examined the performance of 26 adults with mCHI, 23 adults with ADD, and 25 matched controls on four functional areas: (1) simple motor response, (2) response speed and attention, (3) complex perceptual-motor performance, and (4) memory and learning. Analyses of variance and multivariate analyses of variance were used to compare the performance of the three groups. Test results were also plotted to examine patterns of performance and similarities between the groups. Both groups with mCHI and ADD had significantly more difficulty than controls with sustained attention. However, whereas the group with mCHI was characterized by generalized slowness in their response times, the group with ADD was characterized by impulsivity or an inability to regulate their attention and responses.

Indicators of developmental and functional status of Mexican-American and Puerto Rican children.

The overall purpose of this study was to describe the developmental and functional status of young Latino children. We analyzed data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and estimated the percentages of young Mexican-American and mainland Puerto Rican children with indicators of developmental need for special services, i.e., low birth weight, use of neonatal intensive care, congenital problems, chronic conditions of developmental concern, functional limitations, and physician diagnoses of medical conditions. Estimates suggest that Puerto Rican children had substantially poorer status than Mexican-American children who, in turn, have indicators that are comparable with those reported for the general population. The difference in status between the two Latino groups merits further investigation.

Association between patient report of symptoms after mild head injury and neurobehavioural performance.

Patients with closed-head injuries may have physical, affective, behavioural and memory problems that persist for weeks, months or years. Even patients with minor head trauma have been found to exhibit deficits in neurobehavioural performance. However, very little research has been done to examine the association between patient symptoms after minor head injury and neurobehavioural performance. The associations between five sets of symptoms (memory problems, neurological problems, confusion, neurasthenia and co-ordination) and five neurobehavioural areas (simple motor speed, response speed and attention, complex perceptual motor performance, visual memory, and learning) were examined in a group of 32 adults who had suffered mild to moderate head injury. Patients reported their symptoms with a four-point rating scale. Neurobehavioural functioning was assessed using computerized tests. Memory difficulties were the problems most frequently experienced by the patients and most closely associated with performance deficits.

Reliability of selected tests from the neurobehavioral evaluation system.

NES is a widely used battery of tests designed for use in occupational health studies. Despite its widespread use, information on the reliability of the tests is limited. This article reviews the importance of test reliability and presents the results of analyses which were undertaken to examine the reliability of 11 tests and a mood rating scale contained in the NES. The NES tests were administered to 66 subjects on two testing days separated by a minimum of seven days. Seven tests were administered twice on each test day with a 3-hour interval between testing, and four of the tests were presented only once each test day. Test reliabilities were estimated for various summary measures for each test. Suggestions are made on the appropriate selection of tests and use of these.