Abstract
Over
100 million individuals worldwide experience negative outcomes as a function of a family member or loved one’s substance use. Other reviews have summarized evidence on interventions; ...however, success often depends on the behavior of the individual causing harm, and they may not be ready or able to change. The aim of this study was to identify and describe evaluations of psychosocial interventions which can support those affected by alcohol harm to others independent of their drinking relative or friend. A systematic review/narrative synthesis of articles from 11 databases pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021203204) was conducted. Those experiencing the harm were spouses/partners or adult children/students who have parents with alcohol problems. Studies (
n
= 7) were from the UK, the USA, Korea, Sweden, Mexico, and India. Most participants were female (71–100%). Interventions varied from guided imagery, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and anger management. Independent interventions may support those affected by another’s alcohol use, although there was considerable variation in outcomes targeted by the intervention design. Small-scale studies suggest psychosocial interventions ease suffering from alcohol’s harm to others, independent of the drinking family member. Understanding affected others’ experience and need is important given the impact of alcohol’s harm to others; however, there is a lack of quality evidence and theoretical underpinning informing strategies to support these individuals.
Background.Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury during both hepatic resection and transplantation may lead to local and systemic organ dysfunction. Proinflammatory mediators released by Kupffer cells ...during the initial phase of ischemia/reperfusion are thought to be involved in the development of neutrophil-mediated lung injury. However, the precise factors involved in lung recruitment of neutrophils are unclear. The objective of current study was to determine whether the CXC chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and KC, contribute to pulmonary neutrophil recruitment and injury following hepatic ischemia/reperfusion.
Methods.C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 90 min of partial hepatic ischemia and 3, 6, and 9 h of reperfusion. Neutrophil accumulation in lung was assessed by lung content of myeloperoxidase (MPO). MIP-2 and KC mRNA were measured using RT–PCR. Lung edema was quantified by wet to dry weight ratios.
Results.Three hours after hepatic reperfusion, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α were increased. Lung expression of both MIP-2 and KC mRNA was also increased at this time. Both MIP-2 and KC mRNA expression remained elevated 9 h after reperfusion, although levels of MIP-2 mRNA were significantly lower than at 3 h. Pulmonary recruitment of neutrophils was increased within 3 h after reperfusion, but returned to baseline levels by 9 h. Lung edema was increased 3 and 9 h after reperfusion. Neutralization of MIP-2 or KC with antibody significantly decreased lung edema 9 h after reperfusion.
Conclusions.These data suggest that mediators released during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion induce the expression of MIP-2 and KC in the lung. In addition, it appears that MIP-2 and KC contribute to lung neutrophil accumulation and the associated pulmonary injury following hepatic ischemia/reperfusion.
Campylobacter jejuni strains exhibit significant variation in the genetic content of the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) biosynthesis loci with concomitant differences in LOS structure. The C. jejuni LOS ...loci have been grouped into six classes based on gene content and organization. Utilizing PCR amplifications of genes from these loci, we were able to classify a majority (80%) of the LOS biosynthesis loci from 123 strains of C. jejuni that included 39 of the Penner serotype reference strains. We found that a particular LOS class was not always associated with a specific Penner serotype, and 14 of 16 Guillain-Barré syndrome-associated isolates tested in this study shared the same LOS class. The remaining isolates that could not be classified were often distinguishable from each other based on the results of gene-specific PCR and the lengths of their LOS biosynthesis loci as determined by long (XL) PCR. Sequence analysis of two of these unique XL PCR products demonstrated two new LOS classes. These results support the hypothesis that the LOS locus is a hot spot for genetic exchange and rearrangements. Analysis of the LOS biosynthesis genes by PCR assays can be used for typing C. jejuni and offers the advantage of inferring potential LOS structures.
Black hole mass measurements outside the local Universe are critically important to derive the growth of supermassive black holes over cosmic time, and to study the interplay between black hole ...growth and galaxy evolution. In this paper, we present two measurements of supermassive black hole masses from reverberation mapping (RM) of the broad C iv emission line. These measurements are based on multiyear photometry and spectroscopy from the Dark Energy Survey Supernova Program (DES-SN) and the Australian Dark Energy Survey (OzDES), which together constitute the OzDES RM Program. The observed reverberation lag between the DES continuum photometry and the OzDES emission line fluxes is measured to be 358$+126\atop{-123}$ and 343$+58\atop{-84}$ d for two quasars at redshifts of 1.905 and 2.593, respectively. The corresponding masses of the two supermassive black holes are 4.4 × 109 and 3.3 × 109 M⊙, which are among the highest redshift and highest mass black holes measured to date with RM studies. Finally, we use these new measurements to better determine the C iv radius-luminosity relationship for high-luminosity quasars, which is fundamental to many quasar black hole mass estimates and demographic studies.
We have simultaneously fitted Chandra and RXTE spectra of the Galactic black hole XTE J1118+480 with three models for X-ray reflection. We explored a range of accretion disc ionizations (log ξ= ...1–4;ξ=LX/nR2) and iron abundances (0.10–1.00). Our fits with the constant-density ionized disc models of Ross & Fabian indicate that ≤0.5 per cent (90 per cent confidence upper limit) of the observed flux is reflected. Fits with the pexrav model of Magdziarz & Zdziarski indicate that the two-dimensional solid angle (Ω/2π) subtended by the disc relative to a central source of incident hard X-rays is 0.01+0.06−0.01. A combination of the high inclination (i= 81°), Comptonization, and bulk velocities may contribute to the low reflection fractions we have measured. The results are also consistent with extended jets being the source of the hard X-ray flux, as the disc would then represent a small solid angle as seen from the emission region.
Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus; hereafter, grouse) populations in the central and southern Appalachians are experiencing declines, which may be linked to deteriorating recruitment. Because nest ...success is an important component of recruitment, understanding the influence of habitat on nest success is important for developing regional grouse management strategies. Therefore, our objectives were to determine grouse nest success rates, characterize nest site selection, and identify habitat characteristics associated with successful nests in this region. From 1995 to 2002, we located 234 nests, of which 147 (63%) were successful (≥1 egg hatched). We characterized habitat at 167 of these nests and compared successful and unsuccessful nests using logistic regression and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). Similarly, we characterized nest site selection by pairing 73 nests with 1–8 nearby systematic sites and conducting a matched-pairs logistic regression followed by AIC. Eleven of 25 candidate models of nest success were supported; distance to a road or opening, ground cover, deciduous canopy cover, coarse woody debris, and basal area were increasingly important predictors of nest success. Increases in basal area, coarse woody debris, and deciduous canopy cover improved the odds of nest success. Alternatively, greater amounts of ground cover and increased distance to a road or opening decreased the odds of a nest being successful. The two supported models of habitat selection were basal area with coarse woody debris and basal area alone. Odds of a habitat being selected increased with both variables. Selection of these habitat elements likely reflects the tendency for females to nest at the base of large trees, stumps, or logs, which can reduce their exposure to predators and seems to improve nest success. Increased ground cover may reduce the female's ability to detect a predator and increase the susceptibility of a nest. We recommend managers ensure coarse woody debris is available for nest sites, particularly when logging operations (e.g., clearcuts, thinnings) remove a high proportion of the standing basal area.
Background: The objective of external quality assessment is to evaluate clinical acceptability of laboratory results. It is desirable to evaluate intermethod harmonization and traceability to a ...reference system.
Methods: Conventional matrix-modified processed materials are used in most programs, because they can be produced in large quantities, can have multiple abnormal analytes in the same vial and have excellent stability. The principal limitation of these materials is non-commutability which makes them unsuitable for traceability or harmonization evaluation. Peer group evaluation is used which allows an individual laboratory to confirm appropriate use of a measurement technology and a manufacturer to monitor uniformity in their calibration transfer process. Authentic clinical specimen pools provide commutability but are limited by the quantity available and number of analytes at pathologic levels in the same vial. Hybrid approaches have used authentic clinical specimen pools in conjunction with non-commutable processed materials to determine method-specific matrix-corrected target values which have enabled evaluation of traceability to reference methods.
Conclusions: Conventional processed materials are limited by non-commutability. Pooled clinical specimens are limited by availability. When used together, external quality assessment can evaluate traceability to reference systems and harmonization between test procedures.
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