Maria M. Galano

Isoforms, Expression, Glycosylation, and Tissue Distribution of CTL2/SLC44A2

Antibodies to the solute carrier protein, CTL2/SLC44A2, cause hearing loss in animals, are frequently found in autoimmune hearing loss patients, and are implicated in transfusion-related acute lung injury. We cloned a novel CTL2/SLC44A2 isoform (CTL2 P1) from inner ear and identified an alternate upstream promoter and exon 1a encoding a protein of 704 amino acids which differs in the first 10–12 amino acids from the known exon 1b isoform (CTL2 P2; 706 amino acids). The expression of these CTL2/SLC44A2 isoforms, their posttranslational modifications in tissues and their localization in HEK293 cells expressing rHuCTL2/SLC44A2 were assessed. P1 and P2 isoforms with differing glycosylation are variably expressed in cochlea, tongue, heart, colon, lung, kidney, liver and spleen suggesting tissue specific differences that may influence function in each tissue. Because antibodies to CTL2/SLC44A2 have serious pathologic consequences, it is important to understand its distribution and modifications. Heterologous expression in X. laevis oocytes shows that while human CTL2-P1 does not transport choline, human CTL2-P2 exhibits detectable choline transport activity.

Predicting Shelter Residence in Women Experiencing Recent Intimate Partner Violence

This study sought to determine factors associated with shelter residence in women with recent histories of intimate partner violence (IPV). The sample included 113 women, approximately half of whom resided in a shelter over the past year. Participating women provided demographic information and completed standardized measures of IPV, trauma, and depression. Ethnicity, income, housing stability, and mental health, but not violence exposure, differentiated the shelter and community groups. Trauma symptoms, housing instability, and ethnicity best predicted shelter residence. Future research should focus on determining what types of services and interventions will best address the unique needs of each population.

Ethnoracial Variation in Women’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence

While intimate partner violence (IPV) has been acknowledged as a national public health concern, little research exists that directly assesses differential exposure to IPV for distinct ethnoracial groups. The current study compared the rate, severity, and type of IPV exposure across samples of White, African American, and Latina women (N = 180). Participants reported rates of exposure to violence on measures of physical assault, psychological aggression, injury, and sexual coercion; each subscale contained items denoting both mild and severe levels of violence. Multiple regression analyses indicated that women’s frequency of exposure to sexual coercion, and severe and injurious violence significantly differed based on participants’ ethnoracial identification, such that Latina women experienced disproportionate levels of violence relative to White and African American peers. Mothers’ monthly income, level of education, general health, and relationship status also emerged as significant predictors of violence exposure. Results support the development of culturally sensitive adaptations of IPV interventions, targeting not only Latina populations but also women who are single, low-income, and educationally underserved.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in Latina women: Examining the efficacy of the Moms’ Empowerment Program.

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem, affecting every 1 in 4 women in their lifetime. Latinas have been found to experience IPV at rates equal to or even higher than rates in the general population. The consequences of experiencing such violence can be severe, and result in increased risk for developing both physical and mental health problems, notably, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although treatments for PTSD in IPV-exposed women have been developed and evaluated, this is the first study to test the efficacy of a program tailored specifically to meet the needs of Latinas who experience IPV. Method: This study examines the efficacy of a Spanish-language adaptation of the Moms’ Empowerment Program, a 10-week group treatment program for IPV-exposed women. A total of 93 low-income, mostly immigrant Latinas were included in this community trial. All women were Spanish-speaking, and information about violence exposure and PTSD symptoms were collected immediately before and after the implementation of the intervention. Results: Findings show that women who participated in the intervention had a significantly greater reduction in PTSD symptoms than women in the wait-list comparison group. Specific reductions by symptom domains were also analyzed. Conclusions: This adaptation of a program designed to reduce problems associated with experiencing IPV addressed several mental health treatment needs for Latinas, particularly the need for services in Spanish. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to tailor current treatment programs for IPV in ways that are both effective and culturally sensitive.

Age-related changes in expression of CTL2/SLC44A2 and its isoforms in the mouse inner ear

The membrane glycoprotein CTL2/SLC44A2 is expressed by supporting cells in the inner ear and has been identified as a target of antibodies that may induce auto-immune hearing loss. To determine if CTL2/SLC44A2 also has roles in inner ear development and to distinguish between isoform-specific roles, we assessed age-related changes in expression of CTL2/SLC44A2 isoforms and protein in the developing murine inner ear. We determined that both isoform p1 and isoform p2 (named for the upstream p1 and proximal p2 promoters that control alternate exons 1a and 1b) were robustly expressed as early as E14 and persisted during embryonic development, but after birth the p1 isoform fell to barely detectable levels while isoform p2 levels were maintained. This trend continued and became even more apparent later in post-natal development and remained in mature ears until at least 6 weeks of age. In aged (18 mo old) mice, the level of isoform p1 transcripts rose again to levels similar to the p2 isoform like that seen early in development. At the earliest stage examined, CTL2/SLC44A2 protein was expressed in both immature supporting cells and immature sensory cells, but after birth expression in the sensory cells declined in both the utricle and cochlea and by day P1 expression of CTL2/SLC44A2 was restricted to supporting cells. The changes we observed in isoform distribution are indicative of differential developmental roles and age related changes between the two isoforms of CTL2/SLC44A2 in the inner ear.

Reductions in Parental Use of Corporal Punishment on Pre-School Children Following Participation in the Moms’ Empowerment Program

Corporal punishment is a widely used and widely endorsed form of parental discipline. Inter-partner violence places enormous stress upon women. The rate of corporal punishment is higher in homes where other types of domestic violence are also occurring. This study compares two groups: those who participated in an intervention for women exposed to intimate partner violence (The Moms’ Empowerment Program [MEP]) and those in a comparison group. Using standardized measures, women in both groups were assessed at baseline and at the end of the program, 5 weeks later. The 113 mothers who participated in the MEP program had significantly improved their parenting, such that they had less use of physical punishment post-intervention. Findings suggest that a relatively brief community-based intervention program can reduce the use of parental physical punishment even in disadvantaged populations coping with stressful circumstances.

Undiagnosed Depression in Spanish-Speaking Latinas Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Depression causes impairment worldwide and disproportionately affects women, Latinos, and those who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). This study assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms among 96 Latinas exposed to IPV. While 85% of women reported clinical-level depression symptoms, only 11% had ever received a diagnosis of depression. Results indicate that greater income, injury, and depression symptoms significantly differentiated women who were diagnosed with depression from those with self-reported clinical-level depression symptoms. Undiagnosed depression is a major public health problem for low-income Latinas exposed to IPV and thus calls for the assessment of this disorder among those with limited access to care.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in children exposed to intimate partner violence: the clinical picture of physiological arousal symptoms

ABSTRACT In recent years, researchers have focused on acquiring a better understanding of the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children under the age of six following exposure to chronic trauma, such as intimate partner violence (IPV). Despite a number of empirical studies on early childhood PTSD, few have examined how children differ in the clinical presentation of PTSD symptomatology. There may be wide variability in the presentation of symptoms within the four clusters of PTSD symptoms: re-experiencing, alterations in physiological arousal, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and avoidance. Symptoms of physiological arousal may be particularly difficult for parents and therapists to identify and report on because many of these symptoms are internal sensations (e.g. racing heart beat), and they are most often evaluated out of context (e.g. in reports of past behaviour). Thus, little is known about the presentation of these symptoms in preschoolers. To better identify physiological arousal symptoms as they occur, this study examined therapists’ qualitative reports on the presentation of physiological symptoms of 56 young children exposed to IPV while they participated in an intervention programme. Results indicated that children were most likely to exhibit emotion dysregulation, behavioural outbursts, mood swings and temper tantrums when physiologically aroused. The presence of temper tantrums as a component of arousal and reactivity is consistent with recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition) changes, which include these elements as new criteria for PTSD in children aged six and younger. Behavioural examples are described and implications discussed for clinical intervention.

The Social and Individual Characteristics of Women Associated With Engagement With Multiple Intimate Violent Partners.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem with known negative physical and mental health outcomes for women exposed. Studies have shown that with increased violence exposure, there are increased risks of negative outcomes for women. Likewise, chronicity of IPV across multiple partners is linked to more profound psychological suffering than acute exposure. However, little is known about the social- and individual-level characteristics of women that are correlated with engagement with multiple abusive partners. The current study (N = 164) identifies the characteristics of women that are associated with the number of violent partners with which they have been involved, with 35% of the sample reporting multiple IPV relationships. Participants reported on the number of violent partners, demographic characteristics, trauma history, current trauma and depressive symptoms, and exposure to IPV, including physical, sexual, and psychological violence. Results of multiple regression analysis indicate that trauma history (childhood sexual abuse, being held hostage, and torture) and current psychological violence were associated with women’s engagement with multiple violent partners. Additional findings reveal that identification as African American and White was associated with greater re-engagement compared with identification as Latina. Finally, current exposure to sexual violence was associated with fewer violent partners. The clinical implications of these findings for treatment for women at risk for engagement with multiple partners in IPV relationships are discussed.

Avoidance Symptom Presentation of Preschoolers Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence in a Group Therapy Setting.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem for children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV). Recent changes to diagnostic criteria for PTSD include a reduction in avoidance symptom criteria from three to one and the separation of emotional numbing from avoidance symptoms, thus creating a need to better understand how avoidance symptoms of PTSD present themselves in young children. This study evaluated 56 children aged four to six as they participated in an intervention for mothers and children exposed to IPV. Therapists documented behaviours indicative of avoidance symptoms during group sessions. Data were analysed and coded into symptom categories and thematically emergent domains. Results demonstrated that avoidance symptoms fell into three separate categories: physical avoidance, emotional avoidance, and changing topics. Additionally, the data support the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) change to remove emotional numbing from the avoidance symptom category. These results give insight into how to develop more targeted treatments for PTSD as well as improve the assessment and diagnosis of PTSD symptoms in preschoolers.