What Trauma Looks Like for Incarcerated Men: A Study of Men's Lifetime Trauma Exposure in Two State Prisons.

OBJECTIVE: While it is understood that high rates of trauma exposure are common among incarcerated male populations, there is limited data on the nature of the trauma exposure. This study sought to develop foundational knowledge about the trauma experiences of incarcerated men in order to provide a basis for further theory building in this area. METHOD: This study used a quantitative-qualitative approach to examine the trauma histories of a randomly selected sample of 67 men incarcerated in the Missouri Department of Corrections. RESULTS: The analyses revealed several patterns among study participants, including near universal trauma exposure in adolescence with the most frequent exposures involving witnessing or being proximate to violent deaths of family and friends. The mean age of exposure for all trauma exposure types measured was 17 years old. We found that for this group of incarcerated men, trauma exposures in childhood tended to result more from community violence than child maltreatment (e.g., abuse and neglect by caregivers). CONCLUSION: The study results suggested that further research may be needed into the effects of close proximity to violent death during this particular window in adolescent development. Neuroscience research has shown that this is a "sensitive period" in brain development with potential negative outcomes in early adulthood, including emotional regulation deficits that can potentially lead to increased risk of arrest. Further research on trauma exposure within this population is needed both to appropriately serve men while in prison or in the process of reentering society and to support efforts to reduce mass incarceration.

Anti-inflammatory effects of platelet biomaterials in a macrophage cellular model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent clinical data suggested that platelet materials used in regenerative medicine exert anti-inflammatory effects. One must understand whether functionality varies among platelet preparations and also the role of the various protein compartments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Platelet-poor-plasma (PPP), platelet lysate with cell debris (PL) or cell-free (CFPL), platelet gel releasate (PGR) and solvent/detergent-treated PL (SDPL) were prepared from four apheresis platelet donations. Protein profile was examined by SDS-PAGE, and growth factors and cytokines by ELISA, multiplexed Luminex assay and cytokine array. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages treated for 24 h with the blood fractions followed by 24 h of stimulation with 500 ng/ml lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Inflammatory marker nitric oxide (NO) was determined by colorimetry, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α by ELISA and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 by Western blotting. RESULTS: Proteins, growth factors and cytokines composition differed among preparations. Blood fractions alone did not stimulate inflammatory markers expression. Following LPS stimulus, NO and iNOS expressions were significantly inhibited (P < 0.001) by all blood fractions, but inhibition was more pronounced with SDPL. In addition, only SDPL inhibited TNF-α (P < 0.001) and COX-2 expressions. CONCLUSIONS: All the plasma and platelet fractions evaluated in this study exert an anti-inflammatory effect on macrophages, suggesting that both the plasma and platelet proteomes contribute to anti-inflammation. However, the extent and nature of the anti-inflammatory action vary among products. Further studies are needed to better understand the functionality of platelet biomaterials and optimize their clinical use.

Effect of combined staphylectomy and laryngotomy on upper airway mechanics in clinically normal horses.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of combined staphylectomy and laryngotomy on upper airway mechanics in clinically normal horses running on a treadmill. ANIMALS: 6 Standardbreds. PROCEDURE: Upper airway mechanics were measured with horses trotting or pacing on a treadmill at 5, 8, and 10 m/s before and 6 weeks after combined staphylectomy and laryngotomy. Pharyngeal and tracheal inspiratory and expiratory pressure were measured by use of transnasal tracheal and pharyngeal side hole catheters connected to differential pressure transducers. A pneumotachograph mounted on the rostral end of an airtight face mask was used to measure airflow. RESULTS: Upper airway and translaryngeal inspiratory impedances were higher, respiratory rate was decreased, and inspiratory time was longer (P < 0.05) at all speeds after staphylectomy and laryngotomy. CONCLUSION: Combined staphylectomy and laryngotomy significantly affects upper airway mechanics in clinically normal horses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because combined staphylectomy and laryngotomy exerts a potentially adverse effect on upper airway mechanics in clinically normal horses, the procedure should only be performed when it is clearly indicated.