BackgroundDepression in adolescents and young adults is a major mental health condition that requires attention. Research suggests that approaches that include spiritual concepts and are delivered through an online platform are a potentially beneficial approach to treating/managing depression in this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week online spirituality informed e-mental health intervention (the LEAP Project) on depression severity, and secondary outcomes of spiritual well-being and self-concept, in adolescents and young adults with major depressive disorder of mild to moderate severity.MethodsA parallel group, randomized, waitlist controlled, assessor-blinded clinical pilot trial was conducted in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The sample of 62 participants with major depressive disorder (DSM-IV-TR) was defined by two age subgroups: adolescents (ages 13 to 18 years; n = 31) and young adults (ages 19 to 24 years; n = 31). Participants in each age subgroup were randomized into the study arm (intervention initiated upon enrolment) or the waitlist control arm (intervention initiated after an 8-week wait period). Comparisons were made between the study and waitlist control arms at week 8 (the point where study arm had completed the intervention and the waitlist control arm had not) and within each arm at four time points over 24-week follow-up period.ResultsAt baseline, there was no statistical difference between study and waitlist participants for both age subgroups for all three outcomes of interest. After the intervention, depression severity was significantly reduced; comparison across arms at week 8 and over time within each arm and both age subgroups. Spiritual well-being changes were not significant, with the exception of an improvement over time for the younger participants in the study arm (p = 0.01 at week 16 and p = 0.0305 at week 24). Self-concept improved significantly for younger participants immediately after the intervention (p = 0.045 comparison across arms at week 8; p = 0.0175 in the waitlist control arm) and over time in the study arm (p = 0.0025 at week 16). In the older participants, change was minimal, with the exception of a significant improvement in one of six factors (vulnerability) in study arm over time (p = 0.025 at week 24).ConclusionsThe results of the LEAP Project pilot trial suggest that it is an effective, online intervention for youth ages 13 to 24 with mild to moderate major depressive disorder with various life situations and in a limited way on spiritual well-being and self-concept.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT00985686. Registered 24 September 2009.

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This study uses descriptive analyses of data from multiple sources to examine changes during the 1990s in the racial/ethnic stratification of college access and choice in Maryland and to explore state public policies that may have influenced changes in the demand for and supply of higher education for students of different racial/ethnic groups during this period. We also discuss the potential implications of recent state policies on future enrollment stratification in the state.

Hepcidin is an iron sensor marker which predicts the magnitude of haemoglobin increment following protocolised intravenous iron infusion. Although displaying similar predictive performance to ferritin and transferrin saturation, hepcidin may also play a mechanistic role.

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Average loans per FTE graduate student Average loans per FTE undergraduate student and fellowships to cover tuition and living expenses while they are enrolled. This brief reviews borrowing patterns and trends among advanced degree students, disaggregating by demographic characteristics as well as type of program and institutional sector. Differences in Annual Borrowing between Undergraduates and Advanced Degree Students Annual borrowing for higher education has risen dramatically over the past two decades. Between 1995-96 and 2005-06, the average amount borrowed among advanced degree students increased

Three short-term culture systems were applied to ten pediatric brain tumors and two samples each of normal child's brain and fetal brain. Growth in monolayer occurred in nine of the ten tumors but normal child's brain also produced cellular growth in these conditions. Six of nine tumors tested also formed colonies in suspension in semisolid or liquid conditions which did not permit the growth of normal glial cells. Astrocytomas and medulloblastomas have distinctive growth patterns both in monolayer and in suspension culture. Fetal brain from midtrimester abortions contained cells which, like tumor, formed colonies in suspension. The semisolid culture system was then used to test the sensitivity of brain tumor stem cells to drugs and radiation in vitro. Survival curves representative of our experience with the medulloblastomas and astrocytomas are presented. It is concluded that the system may have value in screening new agents for activity against children's brain tumors but because of the relative rarity of these diseases, a cooperative effort would be required to produce useful results.