Spinal Epidural Abscess Complicated by Meningitis, Sepsis and Thrombocytopenia in a Patient Lacking Traditional Risk Factors

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare diagnosis with a classic triad of fever, spinal pain and neurologic deficits. Only a small proportion of patients have all three findings, making the diagnosis challenging. Here we present a case of cervical and thoracic spinal epidural abscess complicated by meningitis, sepsis and thrombocytopenia in a patient lacking traditional risk factors. The patient was initially treated non-operatively secondary to thrombocytopenia but subsequently required transfer to a tertiary care facility for surgical drainage after clinical deterioration. This case report highlights the need for a high index of suspicion and low threshold for imaging when considering this rare but potentially deadly condition

ARP2/3- and resection-coupled genome reorganization into repair domains facilitates chromosome translocations

DNA end-resection and nuclear actin-based movements orchestrate clustering of double-strandbreaks (DSBs) into homology-directed repair (HDR) domains. Using genomic approaches, we analyze how actin nucleation by ARP2/3 affects damage-dependent and -independent 3D genome reorganization and facilitates pathologic repair. Chromosome conformation capture techniques (Hi-C) reveal multi-scale alterations in genome organization following damage, including changes in chromatin insulation and compartmentalization. Nuclear actin polymerization promotes interactions between DSBs, which in turn facilitates aberrant intra- and inter-chromosomal rearrangements as visualized by high-throughput translocation assays (HTGTS). Notably, BRCA1 deficiency, which decreases end-resection, DSB mobility, and subsequent HDR, nearly abrogates recurrent translocations between AsiSI DSBs. In contrast, loss of functional BRCA1 yields unique translocations genome-wide, reflecting a critical role in preventing spontaneous genome instability and subsequent rearrangements. Our work establishes that the assembly of DSB repair domains is coordinated with multiscale alterations in genome architecture that enable HDR despite increased risk of translocations with pathologic potential

Middle school students' willingness to participate in a school-based conflict management program

The current study explored factors believed to influence middle school students' willingness to participate in hypothetical school-based conflict management programs. A seven-phase process was used to carefully construct written vignettes depicting different types of school-based conflict management programs (e.g., Skillstreaming, Peacemaking, and Outdoor Adventure) and different types of program leaders (e.g., teachers, school counselors, social workers, and youth care workers). The Conflict Management Intervention Participation Scale (CMIPS) was also constructed to assess students' responses to the vignettes. In an initial study involving 150 middle school students, responses to the CMIPS were factor analyzed. Two valid and reliable unique factors comprised of 14 total Liken items were retained: likelihood of joining and following the directions of a conflict management program.To test the main hypotheses that CMIPS responses would be highest for students exposed to vignettes depicting Outdoor Adventure conflict management programs not led by teachers, an additional 275 sixth grade students were recruited. These students were randomly assigned to one of the twelve vignettes constricted for this project and were then asked to complete the CMIPS. A 4 x 3 Between Subjects MANOVA was employed to test the hypotheses. No significant results, however, were obtained. Regardless of program type or group leader, participants did not differ in their reported likelihood of joining or following the directions of the conflict management program presented. Limitations of this project as well as implications for future research on school-based conflict management programs are offered.Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance ServicesThesis (Ph. D.