Breath-Body-Mind Core Techniques to Manage Medical Student Stress.

Objectives: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a live, interactive, synchronous, online, manualized intervention, Breath-Body-Mind Introductory Course (BBM-IC), for medical students. BBM-IC includes breathing, movement, and attention-focus techniques for stress management and better emotion regulation, energy, sleep, and mental focus. Methods: Medical students attending a 2-h BBM demonstration were invited to participate in the 12-h BBM-IC and weekly 45-min 6-week group practice. Measures were obtained using Survey Monkey: patient health questionnaire (PHQ9), generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), exercise-induced feeling inventory (EFI), sleep quality scale (SQS), and body perception questionnaire-short form (BPQ-SF) at pre-BBM-IC (T1), post-BBM-IC (T2), and 6 weeks post (T3). Perceived stress scale (PSS) and meditation practices questionnaire (MPQ) were measured at baseline (T1) only. Results: Twelve medical students participated in BBM-IC 4-h daily for 3 days. Six attended practice sessions and completed 6-week post-tests. Mean scores comparison identified two variable sets with significant improvements: EFI tranquility (p < .005) and supradiaphragmatic reactivity (p < .040). Two measures reached near significance: SQS (p ≤ .060) and PHQ9 (p ≤ .078). Conclusion: This pilot study provided preliminary evidence that BBM-IC may reduce stress and anxiety symptoms while improving mood, energy, mental focus, and other correlates of psychophysiological state in medical students. Taking time for self-care is challenging for medical students, as reflected in the small study enrollment. Designating time for BBM as a requirement within the medical curriculum would probably enable more students to participate and acquire skills to reduce the effects of stress on their physical and psychological health, as well as the health of their patients.

Interferon-γ induces immunoproteasomes and the presentation of MHC I-associated peptides on human salivary gland cells.

A prominent histopathological feature of Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease, is the presence of lymphocytic infiltrates in the salivary and lachrymal glands. Such infiltrates are comprised of activated lymphocytes and macrophages, and known to produce multiple cytokines including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). In this study, we have demonstrated that IFN-γ strongly induces the expression of immunoproteasome beta subunits (ß1i, ß2i and ß5i) and immunoproteasome activity but conversely inhibits the expression of proteasome beta subunits (ß1, ß2 and ß5) in human salivary gland (HSG) cells. Mass spectrometric analysis has revealed potential MHC I-associated peptides on the HSG cells, including a tryptic peptide derived from salivary amylase, due to IFN-γ stimulation. These results suggest that IFN-γ induces immunoproteasomes in HSG cells, leading to enhanced presentation of MHC I-associated peptides on cell surface. These peptide-presenting salivary gland cells may be recognized and targeted by auto-reactive T lymphocytes. We have also found that lactacystin, a proteasome inhibitor, inhibits the expression of ß1 subunit in HSG cells and blocks the IFN-γ-induced expression of ß1i and immunoproteasome activity. However, the expression of ß2i and ß5i in HSG cells is not affected by lactacystin. These results may add new insight into the mechanism regarding how lactacystin blocks the action of proteasomes or immunoproteasomes.

Reference values for airway resistance in newborns, infants and preschoolers from a Latin American population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several studies have determined reference values for airway resistance measured by the interrupter technique (Rint) in paediatric populations, but only one has been done on Latin American children, and no studies have been performed on Mexican children. Moreover, these previous studies mostly included children aged 3 years and older; therefore, information regarding Rint reference values for newborns and infants is scarce. METHODS: Rint measurements were performed on preschool children attending eight kindergartens (Group 1) and also on sedated newborns, infants and preschool children admitted to a tertiary-level paediatric hospital due to non-cardiopulmonary disorders (Group 2). RESULTS: In both groups, Rint values were inversely associated with age, weight and height, but the strongest association was with height. The linear regression equation for Group 1 (n = 209, height 86-129 cm) was Rint = 2.153 - 0.012 × height (cm) (standard deviation of residuals 0.181 kPa/L/s). The linear regression equation for Group 2 (n = 55, height 52-113 cm) was Rint = 4.575 - 0.035 × height (cm) (standard deviation of residuals 0.567 kPa/L/s). Girls tended to have slightly higher Rint values than boys, a difference that diminished with increasing height. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, Rint reference values applicable to Mexican children were determined, and these values are probably also applicable to other paediatric populations with similar Spanish-Amerindian ancestries. There was an inverse relationship between Rint and height, with relatively large between-subject variability.

Identification of tetranectin as a potential biomarker for metastatic oral cancer.

Lymph node involvement is the most important predictor of survival rates in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A biomarker that can indicate lymph node metastasis would be valuable to classify patients with OSCC for optimal treatment. In this study, we have performed a serum proteomic analysis of OSCC using 2-D gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. One of the down-regulated proteins in OSCC was identified as tetranectin, which is a protein encoded by the CLEC3B gene (C-type lectin domain family 3, member B). We further tested the protein level in serum and saliva from patients with lymph-node metastatic and primary OSCC. Tetranectin was found significantly under-expressed in both serum and saliva of metastatic OSCC compared to primary OSCC. Our results suggest that serum or saliva tetranectin may serve as a potential biomarker for metastatic OSCC. Other candidate serum biomarkers for OSCC included superoxide dismutase, ficolin 2, CD-5 antigen-like protein, RalA binding protein 1, plasma retinol-binding protein and transthyretin. Their clinical utility for OSCC detection remains to be further tested in cancer patients.