Four-week Group Research Articles

Adapting the Tree of Life group for adults with intellectual disabilities: a feasibility and acceptability study

Objectives The narrative therapy tool, Tree of Life (ToL), has demonstrated positive effects for different populations. This article explores the feasibility and acceptability of ToL in a community day centre for people with intellectual disabilities in England. Methods ToL was delivered as a four-week group (11 attendees). The group programme, materials, and the evaluation method were adapted (e.g. easy-read format and high attendee–staff ratio). Triangulation was used with feasibility metrics, observations, an outcome measure, and qualitative feedback from participants and staff at the centre. Thematic analysis was used for the semi-structured interviews. Results Good feasibility indicated with high acceptability and an overall positive impact. Data from attendee interviews are captured in six themes (e.g. Relating to a tree as a metaphor) and staff feedback in four themes (e.g. Connecting via new stories). Conclusions The ToL intervention is feasible and highly adaptable to people with intellectual disabilities. The article provides a practical guidance for clinicians trained in ToL on how to adapt this model. Care in the community may benefit from ToL groups as this study showed to enhance community cohesion and quality of life by creating space for practicing social skills with a strengths-based approach.

Exploring Lung Histopathology in White Rats After Cigarette Smoke Exposure

Smoking-induced respiratory epithelium changes, driven by nicotine and smoke components, can lead to severe lung alterations with prolonged exposure. However, until now, no one has examined the histopathological appearance of bronchioles and alveoli in Wistar rats following exposure to cigarette smoke. This study aimed to assessed lung histopathological changes in white rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to cigarette smoke. A descriptive study used a post-test group control design, exposing Rattus norvegicus to cigarette smoke and dividing them into control, 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week groups. Histopathological findings revealed that the control group had intact bronchioles; the one-week group showed lymphocyte infiltration and typical alveolar structure; the two-week group had increased respiratory epithelial cells; the four-week group displayed dominant bronchiole changes; the one-week group had varying alveolar septal thickness; the two-week group had narrowed alveolar lumens; four-week group showed thickened septa and pronounced pigmented macrophages. Cigarette smoke exposure affects changes to Rattus norvegicus lung histology. Prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke induces damage to the structure of the bronchioles and alveoli.

Ixekizumab four-week dosing is comparable to two-week dosing in psoriasis patients and reduces treatment costs: experience in a real-world setting over a 12-week period

Little is known about different Ixekizumab (IXE) dosing regimens during routine clinical practice. To evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of different IXE dosing regimens in patients with psoriasis. This study retrospectively compared patients who were dosed with IXE every two or four weeks (80 mg/week following a starting dose of 160 mg at Week 0). At Weeks 0, 4, and 12, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were recorded, with adverse events also documented. In total, 66 patients were analysed, of whom 30 (45.5%) and 36 (54.5%) were included in the two-week and four-week IXE dosing groups, respectively. In the overall patient cohort, 86.3%, 60.6%, and 31.8% exhibited PASI 75, PASI, 90, and PASI 100 responses at Week 12, respectively. The mean baseline PASI score was 12.4±7.6 and the mean baseline DLQI score was 11.3±6.9, with these values declining rapidly following IXE administration to 1.6±2.4, and 2.6±4.0 at Week 12, respectively. Response rates were elevated in the two-week group as compared to the four-week group at Weeks 4 and 12 of treatment, but these differences were not significant. Adverse events were reported in 25 patients (37.9%), with injection site reactions being most common, followed by infections. IXE is effective and safe in a real-world setting for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Moreover, patients can reduce their medical expenses by choosing a four-week dosing regimen while still attaining therapeutic benefits.

Rifaximin Protects against Malathion-Induced Rat Testicular Toxicity: A Possible Clue on Modulating Gut Microbiome and Inhibition of Oxidative Stress by Mitophagy.

Testicular dysfunction is caused by chronic exposure to environmental pollution, such as malathion, which causes oxidative stress, promoting cell damage. Autophagy is a key cellular process for eliminating malfunctioning organelles, such as the mitochondria (mitophagy), an eminent source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Autophagy is crucial for protection against testicular damage. Rifaximin (RFX) is a non-absorbable antibiotic that can reshape the gut microbiome, making it effective in different gastrointestinal disorders. Interestingly, the gut microbiome produces short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the circulation, which act as signal molecules to regulate the autophagy. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of RFX on gut microbiota and its circulating metabolites SCFA and linked them with the autophagy in testicular tissues in response to malathion administration. Moreover, we divided the groups of rats that used malathion and RFX into a two-week group to investigate the mitophagy process and a four-week group to study mitochondriogenesis. The current study revealed that after two weeks of cotreatment with RFX, apoptosis was inhibited, oxidative stress was improved, and autophagy was induced. More specifically, PINK1 was overexpressed, identifying mitophagy activation. After four weeks of cotreatment with RFX, there was an increase in acetate and propionate-producing microflora, as well as the circulating levels of SCFAs. In accordance with this, the expression of PGC-1α, a downstream to SCFAs action on their receptors, was activated. PGC-1α is an upstream activator of mitophagy and mitochondriogenesis. In this sense, the protein expression of TFAM, which regulates the mitochondrial genome, was upregulated along with a significant decrease in apoptosis and oxidative stress. Conclusion: we found that RFX has a positive regulatory effect on mitophagy and mitochondria biogenesis, which could explain the novel role played by RFX in preventing the adverse effects of malathion on testicular tissue.

Effects of a four-week group class created for dogs at least eight years of age on the development and progression of signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

To assess the effects of a 4-week group class specifically created for dogs ≥ 8 years old (senior dogs) on the development and progression of signs consistent with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). 86 dogs with or without signs of CDS at the time of study enrollment. Dog owners completed a proprietary CDS survey at baseline and then 3, 6, and 12 months after completion of the baseline survey. Twenty owners with their dogs attended 4 weekly 50-minute classes that were specifically developed for senior dogs, addressed common behavior problems for these dogs, and included training and enrichment activities. Survey results were compared between class and nonclass groups and within groups at 3, 6, and 12 months. The association between age and CDS score was significant, such that older dogs had signs consistent with a higher degree of impairment. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome scores for dogs that attended the class did not significantly differ at 12 months, compared with scores at 3 months, whereas the CDS scores for dogs that did not attend the class were significantly increased at 12 months, compared with scores at 3 months. Signs of CDS developed or worsened as dogs aged. Participation in the senior dog class mitigated the progression of signs of CDS and may improve a senior dog's quality of life.

Morphological and histopathological evaluation of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis induced by perforation of articular disc in rats

Objective: To establish the animal model of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis (TMJOA) in rats induced by perforation of articular disc and evaluate the morphological characteristics and histopathological changes of the condyle of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Methods: Eight male SD rats, purchased from Chongqing Medical University, were marked from No. 1 to No. 8 according to a random number table. The eight numbered rats were then arranged according to their sizes from large to small. The first four rats were divided into the one-week group, while the last four were divided into the four-week group. In order to simulate a TMJ disc perforation, an oblique incision was created along the zygomatic arch of the left side (the model side) making the TMJ superior joint space exposed. The left disc was pulled out and artificially perforated by a dental round bur with 1.5 mm diameter at the postmedian part of TMJ disc. The disc of the right side (the control side) was kept intact. The rats were randomly euthanized respectively at 1 week or 4 weeks (n=4 for each time point) for further study. Morphological observation and imaging examination were used to assess the degree of articular cartilage degradation and the loss of subchondral bone. Immunohistochemicalstaining (IHC), safranin O and fast green staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and haematoxylin staining were performed to evaluate the histopathological changes of condylar cartilage. Results: In the morphological observation, significant redness and swelling were observed on the model side of the 1-week-group and the typical beak-like change of osteoarthropathy was observed on the model side of the 4-week-group. The heights of condylar process on the model sides in the 1-week-group and 4-week-group [(2.73±0.14) and (2.49±0.25) cm, respectively] were significantly lower than that in the control side [(3.30±0.09) and (3.30±0.12) cm, respectively] (P<0.01). Imaging examination showed obvious damage in trabecular microstructure on the model side of the 4-week-group. Safranin O and fast green staining showed that the amounts of proteoglycan on the model sides of the 1-week-group and the 4-week-group were significantly lower than that on the control sides (P<0.01). TRAP staining showed that the numbers of osteoclasts on the model side of the 1-week-group and the 4-week-group was significantly higher than that on the control sides (P<0.01). IHC staining and Haematoxylin staining showed that the mean optical densities of collagen on the model side of the 1-week-group and the 4-week-group was significantly reduced compared with that on the control sides (P<0.01), while the mean optical densities of matrix metalloproteinase increased significantly (P<0.01). Conclusions: After making a articular disc perforation, the condylar cartilage on the model side presented typical TMJOA pathological changes.

Effects of group reminiscence therapy on the negative emotions of the elderly in pension sectors

Objective To explore the effects and feasibility of group reminiscence therapy on improving the negative emotions of the elderly inpension sectors. Methods From April to June 2019, using convenient sampling method, a total of 19 elderly people who volunteered and met the selection criteria at two pension sectors in Beijing were selected to participate in a four-week group reminiscence therapy. The scores of the negative emotions, pulse rate changes, behavior changes, and facial photo changes of each subject before and after the intervention were compared, and the relationship between the changes in the negative emotion score and the number of participations was analyzed to evaluate the intervention effect. Results After intervention, the elderly negative emotion scale score increased and the pulse rate increased, and the difference was statistically significant compared with that before the intervention (P 0.05) . Conclusions Group reminiscence therapy can significantly improve the negative emotions of elderly people in nursing homes, and has a positive effect on emotional mobilization, which can be used as a normalizing intervention for elderly people to intervene in mental health in nursing homes. Key words: Aged; Negative emotion; Group reminiscence; Pension sectors; Care

How Long Should We Wait to Create the Goutallier Stage 2 Fatty Infiltrations in the Rabbit Shoulder for Repairable Rotator Cuff Tear Model?

Background Significant proportion of rotator cuff tears (RCTs) in clinical field are of a kind of repairable tear wherein the degree of fatty infiltration is of Goutallier stage 1 or stage 2. Therefore, the animal model, showing similar fatty infiltration, seems preferable for researches. The purpose of this study is to find out the proper time frame in which there is Goutallier stage 1 or stage 2 fatty infiltration in the rabbit RCT model for the research of repairable RCT in humans. Methods Supraspinatus tendon tears were created in forty male New Zealand white rabbits at their right shoulder (n= 8 for each group), and a sham operation on the left shoulder. Rabbits were divided into five groups (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th weeks). Specimens were harvested from the central portion of the supraspinatus muscle for haematoxylin and eosin (H &E) staining, followed by histological and Goutallier grading evaluation. Results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation by Sigma Plot software (version 7.0). Results At two weeks, mainly lipoblasts were observed around the muscle fibers, and at four weeks these lipoblasts were replaced by mature adipocytes with fatty infiltration amount (2.13 ± 0.35). The degree of muscle atrophy was (1.50 ± 0.53) at four weeks compared to sham group (0.88 ± 0.64) with significant difference (p < 0.05). The inflammatory process appeared as two phases. At two weeks, it was increased with grading value (1.88 ± 0.35). However, in the four-week group, it showed a sharp decrease (0.50 ± 0.53). At six weeks, inflammation reappeared to increase (1.13 ± 0.83). Then, a gradual decline appeared at eight weeks (0.88 ± 0.83) and at 12 weeks (0.50 ± 0.92). Conclusions At two and four weeks, both fat distribution in rabbit supraspinatus muscles and Goutallier grading scale mostly appeared as grade 2. Therefore, we can consider four weeks to be a suitable period for making a repairable RCT animal model for the human research, considering the early acute tissue reaction at 2 weeks after the tendon tears.

Asian American Identity Development: A Bicultural Model for Youth

This article focuses on the development of a four-week group counseling intervention, East West Connection (EWC), designed to foster bicultural identity development among East Asian American (EAA) youth. The program aims to promote well-being and decrease culturally based conflicts. The authors outline the program, discuss the strengths and challenges, and present the implications for counseling.

An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques

Background: This pilot randomised clinical trial investigated the effect of an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) intervention on brain activation in response to food craving stimuli using functional magnetic resonance imaging. EFT is a brief stress reduction technique which involves stating a cognitive statement with somatic tapping on acupressure points. Method: Fifteen overweight/obese adults were allocated to a four-week group EFT treatment or control condition. Random repeating images of high-calorie food designed to engage parts of the brain were presented during the pre and post scans. Results: Marked reduction in the BOLD response in Superior Temporal Gyrus and lateral orbito-frontal cortex occurred for the EFT treatment group only. The control group showed continued activation in these areas. Conclusion: The findings indicated EFT may decrease limbic region brain activity and reduce food related symptoms in overweight/obese individuals. Recommendations for more comprehensive trials are discussed.

Depression, anxiety, and stress from substance-use disorder among family members in Iceland.

Aims:This research was designed to explore the extent to which the use of alcohol or drugs by one member of a family affects the psychosocial state of other family members. The study asks whether family members of substance abusers are more likely to report increased depression, anxiety and stress then the general population in Iceland? Are there significant differences between family members; e.g., spouses, parents, adult children and siblings by gender, age, education and income?Data and methods:The instrument used for this purpose is the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), which is designed to measure those three related mental states. It was administered to 143 participants (111 women and 32 men) with ages ranging from 19–70 years on the first day of a four-week group therapy programme for relatives of substance use disorder (SUD) at The Icelandic National Centre for Addiction Treatment (SÁÁ) from August 2015 to April 2016. Thirty participants are adult children of a parent with SUD, 47 are a spouse, 56 are parents of a child with SUD and 10 are siblings. The subscales of the DASS for depression, anxiety, and stress were utilised to examine which family member – parent, child, partner, or sibling – presented the behaviour associated with SUD.Results:36% or more of the respondents in all three subscales had average, serious, or very serious depression, anxiety, and/or stress. This is higher than in DASS studies of the general population in Iceland. However, the analysis indicates that it made little difference to the family’s wellbeing which family member was affected by SUD.

Fostering Activation Among Latino Parents of Children With Mental Health Needs: An RCT.

Latino families raising children with mental health and other special health care needs report greater dissatisfaction with care compared with other families. Activation is a promising strategy to eliminate disparities. This study examined the comparative effectiveness of MePrEPA, an activation intervention for Latino parents whose children receive mental health services. A randomized controlled trial (N=172) was conducted in a Spanish-language mental health clinic to assess the effectiveness of MePrEPA, a four-week group psychoeducational intervention to enhance parent activation among Latino parents, compared with a parent-support control group. Inclusion criteria were raising a child who receives services for mental health needs and ability to attend weekly sessions. Outcomes were parent activation, education activation, quality of school interaction, and parent mental health. Effectiveness of the intervention was tested with a difference-in-difference approach estimating linear mixed models. Heterogeneity of treatment effect was examined. MePrEPA enhanced parent activation (β=5.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.42-10.53), education activation (β=7.98, CI=3.01-12.94), and quality of school interaction (β=1.83, CI=.14-3.52) to a greater degree than did a parent-support control group. The intervention's impact on parent activation and education outcomes was greater for participants whose children were covered by Medicaid and were novices to therapy and those with low activation at baseline. No statistically significant effects were observed in parent mental health. Activation among Latino parents was improved with MePrEPA, which can be readily incorporated in current practices by mental health clinics. Future work should replicate findings in a large number of sites, adding behavioral measures and distal impacts while examining MePrEPA's effects across settings and populations.

Effects of chronic l-DOPA administration on neurogenic and endothelium-dependent relaxation responses in rabbit corpus cavernosum

Dopamine is a crucial central neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in the autonomic and somatic components of penile reflexes in animals and humans. Similar to the erectile responses of dopamine, systemic administration of l-DOPA induces yawning and penile erection in some species. The possible effects of l-DOPA on nitric oxide (NO)-dependent and -independent non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation responses mediated by electrical field stimulation (EFS) and endothelium-dependent relaxation were investigated in this study. Thirty-two adult albino male rabbits, in two- and four-week-treatment groups, were divided into three subgroups: control group (saline-injected) (n=4), 3mg/kg/day (low dose) l-DOPA-injected groups (n=6) and 12mg/kg/day (high dose) l-DOPA-injected groups (n=6). After the intraperitoneal injection treatments, the corpus cavernosum tissues were placed in organ bath chambers. The EFS-mediated responses, and the concentration-response curve to carbachol, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), sildenafil were assessed. The two-week treatment with high-dose l-DOPA decreased the NO-dependent NANC relaxation responses, while there was no change in the low-dose two- and four-week treatment groups. The NO-independent NANC relaxation responses in the two-week groups decreased, and the responses in the four-week groups were unchanged when compared to the controls. The relaxation responses to carbachol showed no differences among all groups except for the high-dose four-week l-DOPA group. The relaxation responses of SNP and sildenafil were increased in all of the treatment groups when compared to the controls. The observed increases in SNP- and sildenafil-induced responses, along with the decreased EFS-mediated responses, suggest increased sensitivity in the NO-signalling pathway following l-DOPA administration.

Change of MicroRNA-134, CREB and p-CREB expression in epileptic rat.

To To investigate the changes of MicroRNA-134, CREB and p-CREB expression in epileptic rat brains in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of epilepsy, providing new ideas for clinical treatment. Sixty-four Spraque-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into groups randomly, including control group, six hours after seizure group, 24-hour group, three-day group, one-week group, two-week group, four-week group, and eight-week group. All groups were placed under a pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model except the control group, and all rats were decapitated in different points of time. Brain specimens were taken for quantitative PCR experiments, immunohistochemistry and Western blot experiments. The results of the epilepsy model groups and the control group were compared. There were no significant differences between the six hours after seizure group, the 24-hour group and the control group about the MicroRNA-134 levels. MicroRNA-134 in the hippocampus tissue of the three-day group significantly reduced compared with the control group; same result was observed with the one-week, two-week, four-week and eight-week groups. The CREB and p-CREB levels in the three-day group's rat hippocampus significantly increased compared with the control group; and the high levels of CREB and p-CREB were constantly maintained in the one-week, two-week, four-week and eight-week groups. The MicroRNA-134 level of the epileptic rat hippocampus is significantly lower than normal after three days, and continues to maintain a low level; while CREB and p-CREB levels are rsignificantly increased after three days, and continue to remain at a high level. MicroRNA-134 plays a role in inhibiting synaptic plasticity by inhibiting CREB and p-CREB expressions.

Exploring mechanisms of change: The relationships between cognitions, symptoms, and quality of life over the course of group cognitive-behaviour therapy

BackgroundThis study aimed to explain how quality of life changes during psychotherapy, using a cognitive-behavioural theoretical framework, and examined whether changes in symptoms or changes in cognitions were more influential with regard to quality of life change. Three different hypotheses were tested that might explain the mechanisms by which quality of life changes during group cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression. Methods127 outpatients with anxiety and/or depression enrolled in a four-week group CBT programme participated. Measures of anxiety and depression symptoms, cognitive change, and quality of life were administered at baseline and post-treatment. Baseline to post-treatment change scores were calculated and entered into multiple regression analyses. ResultsReductions in anxiety and depression symptoms were related to increases in quality of life, whereas cognitive changes were not consistently related to changes in quality of life. LimitationsThe main limitation was that the study׳s design was not able to assess whether changes in cognitions or symptoms preceded changes in quality of life, as all variables were measured at the same two points in time. ConclusionsThese results provided evidence that quality of life changes as a result of or, simultaneously with, symptom change. It appears that group CBT does not improve quality of life through strategies designed to change patients׳ cognitions.

Effect of Immobilization without Passive Exercise After Rotator Cuff Repair

While animal studies have shown better healing with a longer duration of protection without motion exercise after rotator cuff repair, supporting clinical studies are rare. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of immobilization following rotator cuff repair and to determine whether there was any difference in clinical outcome related to the duration of immobilization. One hundred patients who underwent arthroscopic single-row repair of a posterosuperior rotator cuff tear (mean, 2.3 cm in the coronal-oblique plane and 2.0 cm in the sagittal-oblique plane) were prospectively randomized to be treated with immobilization for four or eight weeks. During the immobilization period, no passive or active range-of-motion exercise, including pendulum exercise, was allowed. According to the intention-to-treat protocol and full analysis set, eighty-eight patients were evaluated clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging postoperatively, after exclusion of twelve patients without postoperative clinical evaluation. Ranges of motion, clinical scores, and retear rates were compared between the four and eight-week groups. Ninety-eight patients were contacted by telephone at a mean of thirty-five months to investigate the clinical outcomes. The mean duration of immobilization was 4.1 weeks in the four-week group and 7.3 weeks in the eight-week group. There were nine full-thickness retears (10%), and 89% of the patients rated their result as excellent or good. There were five full-thickness retears in the four-week group and four in the eight-week group (p = 0.726). At the time of final follow-up, the two groups showed no differences in range of motion or clinical scores. However, the proportion showing stiffness was higher in the eight-week group (38% compared with 18%, p = 0.038). Eight weeks of immobilization did not yield a higher rate of healing of medium-sized rotator cuff tears compared with four weeks of immobilization.

The effect of a motivational intervention on weight loss is moderated by level of baseline controlled motivation.

BackgroundClinic-based behavioral weight loss programs are effective in producing significant weight loss. A one-size-fits-all approach is often taken with these programs. It may be beneficial to tailor programs based on participants' baseline characteristics. Type and level of motivation may be an important factor to consider. Previous research has found that, in general, higher levels of controlled motivation are detrimental to behavior change while higher levels of autonomous motivation improve the likelihood of behavior modification.MethodsThis study assessed the outcomes of two internet behavioral weight loss interventions and assessed the effect of baseline motivation levels on program success. Eighty females (M (SD) age 48.7 (10.6) years; BMI 32.0 (3.7) kg/m2; 91% Caucasian) were randomized to one of two groups, a standard group or a motivation-enhanced group. Both received a 16-week internet behavioral weight loss program and attended an initial and a four-week group session. Weight and motivation were measured at baseline, four and 16 weeks. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to test for moderation.ResultsThere was significant weight loss at 16-weeks in both groups (p < 0.001); however there were no between group differences (p = 0.57) (standard group 3.4 (3.6) kg; motivation-enhanced group 3.9 (3.4) kg).Further analysis was conducted to examine predictors of weight loss. Baseline controlled motivation level was negatively correlated with weight loss in the entire sample (r = -0.30; p = 0.01). Statistical analysis revealed an interaction between study group assignment and baseline level of controlled motivation. Weight loss was not predicted by baseline level of controlled motivation in the motivation-enhanced group, but was significantly predicted by controlled motivation in the standard group. Baseline autonomous motivation did not predict weight change in either group.ConclusionsThis research found that, in participants with high levels of baseline controlled motivation for weight loss, an intervention designed to enhance motivation for weight loss produced significantly greater weight loss than a standard behavioral weight loss intervention.

Increased expression of PI-3K in asthmatic rat T lymphocytes

In order to explore the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes of asthmatic rats and the relationship between PI-3K and activation of T lymphocytes, 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, asthmatic one-week group, asthmatic two-week group and asthmatic four-week group. T cells were purified from blood of each rat and the expression of PI-3K was observed by immunocytochemical fluorescence staining, the semiquantitative fluorescence intensity was measured by HPIAS-2000 analytic software, and the expression of IL-4 in supernatants was detected by ELISA. The results showed that the fluorescence intensity of T lymphocytes in asthmatic groups was significantly higher than that in normal control (P<0.001), indicating that the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes of asthmatic rats was significantly higher than that in those of normal controls, and the difference between acute and chronic stage asthmatic groups was significant (P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-4 protein in supernatants of asthmatic T lymphocytes were significantly higher than those in the normal controls (P<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes and the IL-4 protein expression in supernatants (r=0.583, P<0.01). It was suggested that PI-3K signal pathway may participate in the processes of activation and other cytological effects of asthmatic T lymphocytes, thus may play an important roles in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Employment Skills and Domestic Violence Survivors

Domestic violence impacts women's ability to work. Women's ability to function and maintain employment skills are often diminished by the experience of repeated abuse. In domestic violence shelter settings, staff does not have enough time, adequate training, or sufficient materials available to develop or deliver life skills interventions related to employment. This article describes an occupational therapy intervention designed to increase skills needed for employment for domestic violence victims residing in a shelter. All women completed a self-assessment prior to participating in the four-week group and individual intervention. Challenges and strategies learned are discussed. Suggestions for replication are provided.

The influence of bone formation on anchoring percutaneous devices with titanium fibre mesh flanges.

For man-made percutaneous devices (PD), it is known that anchoring will improve the clinical success. Previously, our Department has designed PDs that use a sheet of titanium (Ti) fibre mesh for anchoring. In nature, a very successful natural PD occurs, namely the tooth. Teeth are anchored in the alveolar bone. In the current study, we evaluated whether a sheet of (ectopic) bone can be made, and be used to anchor a skin-penetrating device. Using available tissue engineering techniques, sheets of Ti fibre mesh were loaded with osteoblast-like cells. These sheets, and non-loaded controls, were placed subcutaneously in 20 syngeneic rats. After four weeks 10 rats were sacrificed, and tissues were prepared for histology. On the other 10 rats, a percutaneous Ti bar was screwed. These rats were evaluated clinically up to eight weeks. Finally, also their tissues were prepared for histology. The results showed, that bone formation was only established in one cell-loaded implant, of the four-week group. Clinical evaluation, and the histomorphometrical data, showed no differences between cell-loaded and unloaded samples. We concluded that the combination of Ti mesh with rat bone marrow cells was not able to generate bone formation after subcutaneous implantation predictably. Thus, our original aim could not be met. On the other hand, our results did confirm the biocompatible behaviour of a PD equipped with a Ti fibre mesh anchoring flange.