Understanding Health,Violence, and Acculturation Among South Asian Women in the US

The devastating effects of experiencing violence in childhood are seen well into adulthood. This has been particularly difficult to assess among South Asians living in the U.S., due to a lack of disaggregated data on this ethnic group. In a web-based survey administered to a convenience sample of South Asian women living in the U.S. (n?=?535), information was gathered on experience/exposure to childhood violence; adult intimate partner violence; and adverse health outcomes, including ever suicide ideation/attempt, experiences of quality of life and body esteem in adulthood. Further, an individual’s acculturation levels were measured specifically looking at cultural identity which was guided by Berry’s biculturalism model. This study found that acculturation status is a key factor with respect to childhood verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as body esteem and an individual’s well-being. These results suggest that acculturation plays a key role for childhood violence, as well as key adult health indicators. The findings in this study, suggest that more research is warranted to better understand the complex relationships between acculturation status and health. While studies of South Asian immigrants have increased substantially, the study on how acculturation influences family violence and health outcomes has lagged behind. The findings in this study will provide guidance for future work in understanding how acculturation can play a key role in addressing the health and well-being of South Asian women in the U.S.     

The Properties of Cysteine-Conjugated Antibody-Drug Conjugates Are Impacted by the IgG Subclass

Among the numerous antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) clinical candidates, one of the most prevalent types utilizes the interchain cysteines in antibodies to conjugate auristatin via a maleimide-containing linker. In this class of ADCs, there are a paucity of systematic studies characterizing how IgG subclass influences the biophysical properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics of the ADC molecules. In the current investigation, we studied cysteine-conjugated ADCs using a model system consisting of human IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 antibodies with the same variable region. Our findings identified some unforeseen differences among the three ADCs. Drug conjugation profiling by LC-MS revealed that 50% of inter heavy-light chain disulfide bonds are disrupted to conjugate drugs in IgG1 antibody while only 10% in IgG2 antibody and 20% in IgG4 antibody. The solution behavior of the ADCs was interrogated in concentrating experiments and diffusion interaction parameter measurements. We found that drug conjugation affected the solution property of the three antibodies differently, with the IgG2-based ADC having the most increased propensity to aggregate. Rat PK studies using a sensitive LC-MS-based bioanalytical method showed that the IgG1-based ADC has poor peripheral linker-payload stability while the IgG2- and IgG4-based ADCs are stable. The conjugate stability of the IgG2-based ADC was further confirmed in a cynomolgus monkey PK study. Overall, the IgG2-based ADC exhibited the best PK/conjugate stability but also the most deterioration in stability among the three ADCs. Our findings provide important information and present multifactorial considerations for the selection of IgG subclass during ADC drug discovery when employing stochastic cysteine conjugation.     

Apexogenesis of a symptomatic mandibular first permanent molar with calcium hydroxide pulpotomy.

Vital pulp therapy of immature, symptomatic permanent posterior teeth presents a challenge in pediatric endodontics. A case report is presented in which cervical pulpotomy with calcium hydroxide was performed on a cariously exposed mandibular first permanent molar. The patient was seen every 3 months for a total of 18 months for a clinical and radiographic follow up. During the follow-up period, root development, as evidenced by root lengthening, was observed. Apical closure was evident at the end of 19 months. As the root canals showed a tendency toward calcification, root canal treatment was carried out, followed by restoration of the tooth with a stainless-steel crown. The success of this single-visit apexogenesis procedure supports the contention that young pulp possesses remarkable reparative capacity, as well as resistance to bacterial infection due to greater vascularity, and that apexogenesis with calcium hydroxide apical closure pulpotomy can be attempted for continued root development of symptomatic, vital, permanent teeth.     

Radiation exposure from head computed tomography scans in pediatric trauma

Background

We have previously reported that children receive significantly less radiation exposure after abdominal and/or pelvis computed tomography (CT) scanning for acute appendicitis when performed at our children's hospital (CH) rather than at outside hospitals (OH). In this study, we compare the amount of radiation children receive from head CTs for trauma done at OH versus those at our CH.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on all children transferred to our hospital after receiving a head CT for trauma at an OH between July 2012 and December 2012. These children were then blindly case matched based on date, age, and gender to children at our CH.

Results

There were 50 children who underwent head CT scans for trauma at 28 OH. There were 21 females and 29 males in each group. Average age was 7.01 ± 0.5 y at the OH and 7.14 ± 6.07 at our CH (P = 0.92). Average weight was 30.81 ± 4.69 kg at the OH and 32.69 ± 27.21 kg at our CH (P = 0.81). Radiation measures included dose length product (671.21 ± 22.6 mGycm at OH versus 786.28 ± 246.3 mGycm at CH, P = 0.11) and CT dose index (53.4 ± 2.26 mGy at OH versus 49.2 ± 12.94 mGy at CH, P = 0.56).

Conclusions

There is no significant difference between radiation exposure secondary to head CTs for traumatic injuries performed at OH and those at a dedicated CH.