Transthyretin (TTR) is a tetrameric protein involved in the distribution of thyroid hormones in vertebrates. The amino acid sequence of TTR is highly conserved across vertebrates. Hypothetical TTR-like proteins (TLPs) were inferred from the identification of genes in nonvertebrate species. Here, we identified five motifs defining TLPs and three motifs defining both TTRs and TLPs. These motifs were mapped onto structurally conserved and functionally important regions of TTRs. These motifs were used to build hidden Markov models for accurate identification of TLPs in other organisms. TLPs were divided into three main groups based on their N-terminal regions. Most TLPs are cytosolic, but in plants and slime mold, we predict they are peroxisomal. We verified that the TLPs from enterobacteria were periplasmic. We demonstrated that TLP genes are expressed in a bacterium (E. coli), an invertebrate animal (C. elegans), and a plant (A. thaliana). These TLPs have similar subunit molecular weights to TTRs, are tetramers, and are predicted to have similar three-dimensional (3D) structures to TTRs, but do not bind thyroid hormones or similar ligands. We suggest that like TTRs, the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of TLPs are integral in defining the function of TLPs in nonvertebrate species and that the TLP gene duplicated in primitive vertebrates to produce the TTR gene. TLP/TTR has retained its overall structure, but changed function and localization during evolution in bacteria, invertebrates, plants, and vertebrates.

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Use of the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire to identify treatment needs in looked after children referred to CAMHS. Developmental Child Welfare.

The mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) is critical to their long-term well-being and future disaster preparedness. Goal 1 of this study was to identify rates of mental health problems experienced by HCWs. Goal 2 was to test a model of risk stemming from pandemic-related stressors and vulnerability factors. This cross-sectional study included HCWs (N ​= ​2,246 [1,573 clinical providers; 673 non-clinical staff]) in the Rocky Mountain West who voluntarily completed an online survey in April/May 2020. Respondents completed measures for traumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and sleep. Logistic regressions stratified by professional role (clinical versus non-clinical) were specified to predict clinical screening cutoff (positive/negative) as a function of five pandemic-related stressors (immunocompromised self; immunocompromised household member; care provision to infected patients; clinical management role; positive cases). Results showed that more than half of HCWs surveyed (52.5%) screened positive (above cutoff) for traumatic stress, depression, or anxiety, with ~20% reporting problematic alcohol use, and variable insufficient sleep from ~10% off shift to ~50% on shift. Clinical employees with an immunocompromised household member had increased odds of screening positive for a mental health problem. Non-clinical HCWs who were immunocompromised were at elevated risk for screening positive a mental health problem. Being female, minority status, and younger increased odds for mental health problems. Implications include alleviating a portion of the mental health burden of HCWs involved in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic by considering policies to protect immunocompromised HCWs and their families (e.g., vaccine priorities, telework options).