Cloning and functional characterization of a floral repressor gene from Lavandula angustifolia.

Using RNA-Seq, we identified genes involved in floral development in lavenders and functionally characterized the floral repressor LaSVP. The molecular aspects of flower initiation and development have not been adequately investigated in lavender (Lavandula). In order to identify genes that control these processes, we employed RNA-Seq to obtain sequence information for transcripts originating from the vegetative shoot apical meristem (SAM) and developing inflorescence tissues of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula × intermedia plants, and assemble a comprehensive transcriptome of 105,294 contigs.

Is implementation fidelity associated with improved access to care in a school-based Child and Family Team model?

Effective child and family centered service planning is crucial to addressing vulnerable children's needs. However, there is limited evidence about what facets of these processes improve service use and outcomes. The current study used a Poisson random effects hazard model to test correlations between fidelity to NC's Child and Family Support Team model and time to service receipt, using case management data for 3396 children served by that program during the 2008-2009 school year.

Behavior problems and placement change in a national child welfare sample: a prospective study.

Objective: There is ongoing debate regarding the impact of youth behavior problems on placement change in child welfare compared to the impact of placement change on behavior problems. Existing studies provide support for both perspectives. The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the relations of behavior problems and placement change in a nationally representative sample of youths in the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being.

Implementing evidence-based practice in community mental health agencies: a multiple stakeholder analysis.

Objectives: We sought to identify factors believed to facilitate or hinder evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation in public mental health service systems as a step in developing theory to be tested in future studies.

Methods: Focusing across levels of an entire large public sector mental health service system for youths, we engaged participants from 6 stakeholder groups: county officials, agency directors, program managers, clinical staff, administrative staff, and consumers.

Results: Participants generated 105 unique statements identifying implementation barriers and facilitators.

Health services usage by Alaskan injection drug users.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore health services usage among injection drug users in Anchorage, Alaska.

Design: 645 participants were recruited as part of a federally funded study of needle exchanges. They completed a health services usage questionnaire that elicited information on use of a health care provider (physician or nurse) and emergency room services.

Needle exchange and injection drug use frequency: a randomized clinical trial.

Despite a lack of evidence that needle exchange programs (NEPs) cause an increase in injection drug use, there are still concerns over fostering increased injection behavior with NEPs. The design was a randomized controlled trial conducted from May 1997 to June 2000 comparing injection drug users (IDUs) who are randomly assigned to have access to an NEP versus training in how to purchase needles and syringes (NS) at pharmacies. Of 653 IDUs recruited into the study, 600 were randomized: 426 were followed-up at 6 months, and 369 were followed-up at 12 months.

Validity of injecting drug users' self report of hepatitis A, B, and C.

Objective: To test the validity of drug users self-reports of diseases associated with drug use, in this case hepatitis A, B, and C.

Design: Injecting drug users (n = 653) were recruited and asked whether they had been diagnosed previously with hepatitis A, B, and/or C. These self-report data were compared to total hepatitis A antibody, hepatitis B core antibody, and hepatitis C antibody seromarkers as a means of determining the validity of the self-reported information.

Rates and sequelae of the coexistence of substance use and other psychiatric disorders.

Objectives: Despite a growing body of investigations documenting the coexistence of substance use and other psychiatric disorders in a variety of patient populations, no data about comorbidity in the inpatient mental health system in Alaska have been published in scientific journals, and only limited data exist nationwide about coexistence rates in public psychiatric hospitals.

Methods: A retrospective population based study was performed on the entire population of psychiatric patients hospitalized at Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) between 1993 and 2001. To explore rates of comorbidity, 5,862 patients (who accrued 10,656 visits) were classified according to their diagnostic status; to explore clinical and socio-demographic difference between patients with and without coexisting disorder, univariate analyses were calculated.