Feasibility and psychometric properties of the UCLA PTSD reaction index for DSM-5 in japanese youth: A multi-site study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5 (PTSD-RI-5) among Japanese youth. This is the first study to explore psychometrics of the DSM-5 version of the PTSD-RI-5, as well as the first multisite study of an Asian population. This article presents psychometric characteristics of the PTSD-RI-5 derived from a sample of Japanese children and adolescents (N = 318). The PTSD-RI-5 total scale displayed good internal consistency reliability (α = 0.85). Correlations of PTSD-RI scores with the posttraumatic stress scores on the TSCC-A for the entire sample provided evidence of convergent validity. The four-factor structure of the PTSD-RI-5 was supported through confirmatory factor analysis in this sample. In conclusion, a DSM-5 version of the PTSD-RI-5 can be regarded as an adequate instrument for clinical and research purposes in Japan.

Feasibility of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children in Japan: a Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat children who have experienced traumatic events and suffer from trauma-related disorders. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in several randomized controlled studies. However, most of these studies have been performed in the United States, with few studies conducted in Asian countries. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in children who have experienced traumatic events and who suffer from trauma-related disorders in Japan. FINDINGS: Thirty-five traumatized children (mean age = 10.9 years; range = 3-17 years; 74.3% girls) who received trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy were included. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated in each case using the University of California at Los Angeles Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for DSM-IV for trauma-related symptoms and the Children's Global Assessment Scale for social functioning. Pre- and post-treatment outcome measures were analyzed using two-tailed paired t tests. The results for 35 participants indicate that post-traumatic stress symptoms were significantly improved following therapy [t(35) = 8.27; p < 0.01], whereas the assessment of social functioning supported the effectiveness of the program [t(35) = -14.68; p < 0.01]. The pre- to post-treatment effect sizes (Glass's delta) were 1.24 for the University of California at Los Angeles Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index and 1.96 for the Children's Global Assessment Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is feasible for treating traumatized children of an Asian population. We discuss the implications of this result for clinical practice and future research.

Molecular magnetic resonance imaging approaches used to aid in the understanding of the tissue regeneration marker Met in vivo: implications for tissue engineering.

The levels of Met, a tyrosine kinase receptor for the hepatocyte growth factor or scatter factor, are elevated during tissue regeneration, and can be used to assess tissue regeneration associated with engineered tissue grafts. This study involved the development and assessment of a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) molecular probe for the in vivo detection of Met in an experimental rodent (rat) model of disease (C6 glioma). The implication of using these probes in tissue engineering is discussed. The molecular targeting agent we used in our study incorporated a magnetite-based dextran-coated nanoparticle backbone covalently bound to an anti-Met antibody. We used molecular MRI with an anti-Met probe to detect in vivo Met levels as a molecular marker for gliomas. Tumor regions were compared to normal tissue, and found to significantly (p < 0.05) decrease MR signal intensity and T(2) relaxation in tumors. Nonimmune nonspecific normal rat IgG coupled to the dextran-coated nanoparticles was used as a control. Met levels in tumor tissues were confirmed in Western blots. Based on our results, in vivo evaluation of tissue regeneration using molecular MRI is possible in tissue engineering applications.

Molecular magnetic resonance imaging approaches used to aid in the understanding of angiogenesis in vivo: implications for tissue engineering.

In tissue engineering it is often necessary to assess angiogenesis associated with engineered tissue grafts. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) is elevated during angiogenesis. The goal of this study was to develop and assess a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) molecular probe for the in vivo detection of VEGF-R2 in an experimental rodent model of disease. The possible use of the probe in tissue engineering applications is discussed. The molecular targeting agent we used in our study incorporated a magnetite-based dextran-coated nanoparticle backbone covalently bound to an anti-VEGF-R2 antibody. We used molecular MRI with an anti-VEGF-R2 probe to detect in vivo VEGF-R2 levels as a molecular marker for gliomas (primary brain tumors). Tumor regions were compared with normal tissue. Nonimmune nonspecific normal rat immunoglobulin G coupled to the dextran-coated nanoparticles was used as a control. Prussian blue staining for iron-based nanoprobes was used to confirm the specificity of the probe for VEGF-R2 in glioma tissue. VEGF-R2 levels in tumor tissues were also confirmed in western blots and via immunohistochemistry. Based on our results, in vivo evaluation of tissue angiogenesis using molecular MRI is possible in tissue engineering applications.