Spleens and sections from livers, lungs, and kidneys were processed in parallel. 5 ��m frozen sections were mounted on Superfrost microscope slides. Human cells were detected using human specific antibodies: rabbit anti-��2-Microglobulin (1:800, Abcam, Cambridge, United Kingdom), mouse anti-CD45 (1:200, Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA) and mouse anti-CD31 (1:100, DAKO, Glostrup, but Denmark). Staining was visualized using highly cross-adsorbed goat anti-mouse or anti-rabbit secondary antibodies conjugated with either Alexa488 or Alexa594 antibodies (1:000, all Invitrogen) and sections were mounted with DAPI containing Neomount mounting medium (Invitrogen). Relevant isotype controls were stained in parallel. Comparable frozen sections of hearts from PBS injected mice or human heart were used as negative and positive controls, respectively.

Sections were analyzed on a Zeiss Axiovert4000 wide field fluorescent microscope (Carl Zeiss Inc., Oberkochen, Germany) using the Metamorph software (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA). Image stacks of thin serial sections were obtained from selected sections by Z-stage scanning. Blinded 3D deconvolution (Autoquant, Media Cybernetics, Inc., MD) was used to reduce out of focus light and enhance signal to noise ratio. Single thin optical sections were generated using the ImageJ software (Rasband, W.S., ImageJ, U. S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/, 1997-2006).

Vascular density 5 ��m frozen sections from the basal and medial portion of the hearts from each treatment group (PBS: n = 12; ALDHloLin-: n = 5; ALDHhiLin-: n = 9) were stained with mouse-specific rat anti-CD31 antibody (1:100, BD Biosciences, San Diego, CA) and visualized using a HRP-conjugated secondary goat anti-mouse antibody (Acriz Antibodies GmbH, Hiddenhausen, Germany) and DAB+ chromagen according to the manufacturer’s instruction (DAKO). For each heart, bright field images were recorded from 10 randomly selected visual fields (40�� magnification) in the tissue sub-served by the infarct related artery. Mean vascular density per ��m2 tissue was estimated for each group. Only CD31 positive structures with a well defined tubular morphology or structures with a linear extension equal to or larger than 50 ��m were scored as positive. Images were analyzed using the ImageJ software.

Statistical analyses All data were analyzed by ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. p-values smaller than or equal to 0.05 were considered significant. Hadis method AV-951 to identify outliers in multivariate data[21] was applied to the vascular density data with a 95% significance level. Results Distribution of ALDHloLin-, ALDHhiLin-, and CD34+ cells at 48-72 hours post transplantation We first evaluated the short term homing potential of three human stem and progenitor cell populations, ALDHhiLin-, ALDHloLin-, and CD34+, purified from UCB as previously described[8].

This is consistent with earlier studies showing that agonists activating adenylyl cyclase can antagonize thrombin-induced hyperpermeability (4). IMD-mediated barrier protection was abolished by a peptide SB203580 p38 MAPK inhibitor antagonist of CRLR, which clearly demonstrates that IMD produces its effects via CRLRs. Together these data suggest that IMD protects endothelial barrier function against imminent failure via activation of PKA pathway involving CRLR. The barrier-protective effect of IMD is further supported by our data obtained in an isolated, buffer-perfused lung model in which IMD substantially decreased pressure-induced endothelial permeability as measured by the alteration of Kfc. The effect of IMD on endothelial permeability matched that of DBcAMP, consistent with the concept that IMD acts on endothelial cells via the CRLR signaling cascade with stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and cAMP synthesis.

In the lung, hypoxia is closely associated with a fall in intracellular cAMP levels (38) and results in suppression of epi- and endothelial barrier function, leading to pulmonary edema (12, 45). Since IMD is upregulated by hypoxia and exerts profound stabilizing effects on endothelial barrier function both in cell culture and in the isolated, perfused lung, it might be part of a protective regulatory mechanism counteracting hypoxia-induced pulmonary edema. In conclusion, the present data indicate a pivotal role of IMD in the regulation of endothelial cell function in the pulmonary microvasculature, where IMD is upregulated by hypoxia and serves as a stabilizer of endothelial permeability.

This may be critical for improved treatment of patients with disturbances of this vascular segment as they occur in high-altitude pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and sepsis. GRANTS This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 547, projects A3, B7, and C1; Excellence Cluster Cardiopulmonary System) and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant DK-70652 (S. Y. T. Hsu). ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The skillful technical assistance of K. Michael is greatly appreciated.
Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains such as O157:H7 are important human food-borne pathogens [1], [2]. EHEC and Shigella dysenteriae infect more than 150 million people each year and cause more than a million deaths [3].

EHEC causes a variety of symptoms from watery diarrhea to hemorrhagic colitis, and severe complications such as haemolytic-uraemic Anacetrapib syndrome (HUS) that can cause death in up to 5% of HUS cases [4], [5]. There is no effective treatment because large amounts of Shiga toxins (Stx), virulence factors produced by EHEC, are released from EHEC on treatment with antibiotics [4], [6]. Two types of Stx, Stx1 and Stx2, are known to be associated with human diseases [7], [8].

To assess the effects of DSS on mucus permeability the selleck chem apical solution was replaced by KREB solution containing either 3% DSS or 3% Dextran as described above. A second XY stack was taken after 15 min of incubation in DSS or Dextran. Images were processed using the Laser sharp 2000 software and Image J. The Z-axis section was used to present the results. DSS treatment of mice 3% DSS or FITC-DSS was administered orally in the drinking water for 12 to 120 h starting at 8.00 p.m. (dark) to assure activity of the animals at the start of the experiment. The DSS had a molecular mass of 49 kDa and had 17% sulfate substitution. The FITC-labeled DSS had 1.6 mg FITC/g DSS. Each experimental time point included 3 animals except for the 120 h control where one animal was used.

In vivo mucus measurements after DSS treatment In vivo measurements of the firm mucus were performed as described previously on animals subjected to 3% DSS in the drinking water for 24 h (n=3) or controls (n=6) [2], [30]. During the 1 h stabilization period spontaneous mucus secretion occurs producing the full mucus layers in the measurement chamber. The secreted mucus is not subjected to additional DSS. Preparation and extraction of mucus Loose and firm mucus from the in vivo measurements was collected by suctioning (loose) or gentle scraping (firm) in PBS supplemented with Complete EDTA-free protease inhibitor (Roche, Basel, Switzerland) and the samples were frozen. Total mucus from the distal colon of DSS treated animals was removed by gentle scraping in PBS supplemented with Complete EDTA-free protease inhibitor (Roche, Basel, Switzerland).

The mucus samples were extracted three times in guanidinium chloride [6.0 M GuHCl, 5 mM EDTA, 0.1 M Tris-HCl, pH 8.0] by rotation at +4��C over night and centrifuged for 20 min at 16,000��g. The resulting soluble and insoluble fractions were separated and dialyzed against water. The soluble fraction contained the luminal content including the DSS. All samples were incubated with sample buffer [0.75 M Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 2% SDS, 0.01% Bromophenol blue, 60% glycerol, 100 mM DTT] at 95��C for 10 min with continued reduction at 37��C for 2 h. SDS-agarose composite gel electrophoresis for separation of mucins The reduced samples were analyzed by composite agarose-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (AgPAGE) with a gel containing agarose (0.

5�C1% gradient), acrylamide (0�C6%) and glycerol (0�C10%) [31]. The electrophoresis was performed on ice at +4��C for 16 h at 12 mA/gel. The gel was stained with Alcian blue visualizing both glycosylated mucins and DSS. Histology and Immunostaining Segments of the Drug_discovery distal colon from mice were fixed in water-free Methanol-Carnoy’s fixative [60% dry methanol, 30% chloroform and 10% acetic acid]. The tissue was washed in methanol before embedded in paraffin and sectioned, 4 ��m. The sections were dewaxed using Xylene substitute (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) and hydrated.

The C1653T, T1674C/G, G1719T, A1727T, C1730G, and C1799G mutations were located in the core promoter region (nt 1591 to nt 1882) (45), resulting in amino acid substitutions at H94Y, S101P, V116L, K118N, D119E, and S142C, respectively, in the C-terminal region of HBx. The C1653T mutation also changes the box-�� binding Temsirolimus site for the transcription factor C/EBP, which enhances the activity of the core promoter and viral replication (46). The C1673T mutation does not cause an amino acid substitution but binds to transcription factors such as C/EBP (47), resulting in possible alterations in viral activities. The same is true for the A1846T mutation (11). The A31T, G105C, A135C, and G147C mutations lead to amino acid substitutions at E133D, G158A/V, N168T, and G172A, respectively, in the pre-S2 region.

The C10A, T49A, and C109A mutations do not cause corresponding amino acid substitutions. They might affect viral activities by altering potential transcription factor binding sites (48). The G1896A mutation introduces a stop codon, W28Stop, in the pre-C region, which impairs HBeAg expression (46). The HBV mutations in the core promoter region fall in HLA-A2-restricted epitopes, while A31T and T49A mutations in the pre-S2 region fall in the restricted epitopes of HLA-A2/A3 and HLA-DR1/DR2 as well as HLA-A2 and HLA-DR1, respectively (49). It is unknown if the HLA-DP polymorphism-affected HBV mutations form the restricted epitopes of HLA-DP.

The HLA-DP genotypes promoting HBV persistence were generally associated with a higher prevalence of HBV mutations increasing HCC risk, indicating that they may play an active role in maintaining an evolutionary microenvironment for the selection of these disease-related HBV mutations. This study enrolled HCC-free HBV-infected subjects around 50 years of age. Some of them will develop HCC because HCC incidence in HBV-infected subjects increases sharply after 60 years of age. HCC-associated HBV mutations are usually generated years before HCC occurs (9, 13�C16). Thus, HLA polymorphisms might affect the occurrence of AV-951 HCC via regulating immunoselection of HBV mutations. Interestingly, the associations of the HBV mutations with the risks of HC and HCC were significantly affected by the HLA-DP polymorphisms (Tables 6 and and7).7). Significant effects of the G1896A, C1653T, and T1674C/G mutations on HC risk were significant only for those with the HLA-DP polymorphisms promoting HBV persistence and not for those with the ones promoting HBV clearance. The interactions of these mutations with the HLA-DP polymorphisms promoting HBV clearance were protective for HC.

2. Methodology2.1. Patients and Tissue SpecimensSeventy-eight patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the stomach operated on with curative intent (R0) entered selleck compound the study. The group of patients consisted of 54 males and 24 females with ages ranging between 37 and 84 years old (mean age: 62 years old). The stage of tumors was assessed according to the 5th ed. of TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors [14] (stage I: 25 patients (32%); II: 18 (23%); III: 17 (22%); IVM0: 18 (23.1%). According to Lauren’s classification: 19 (24%) cases were intestinal, 44 (56.%) diffused and 15 (19.%) were of a mixed type. All patients underwent elective total gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy with curative intent (the mean number of dissected lymph nodes was 19).

The adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 53 cases of tumors infiltrating beyond the muscularis propria or in patients with lymph node involvement. The followup was scheduled every 3 months for the first 2 years and then every 6 months. Chest X-ray, abdominal sonography, CT scan as well as clinical and endoscopic examinations were performed. The information about overall survival were obtained from Lower-Silesian Regional Cancer Registry. The data were collected in a retrospective manner.The tissue samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. In each case, hematoxylin- and eosin-stained preparations were subjected to histopathological evaluation by two pathologists.2.2. ImmunohistochemistryFormalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue was freshly cut (4��m).

The sections were mounted on superfrost slides (Menzel Gl?ser, Germany), dewaxed with xylene, and gradually hydrated. The activity of endogenous peroxidase was blocked by 5min exposure to 3% H2O2. All the studied sections were Anacetrapib boiled for 15min at 250W in the Antigen Retrieval Solution (DakoCytomation, Denmark). Then, immunohistochemical reactions were performed using the rabbit antihuman antibody detecting HER-2 (optimally prediluted) (DakoCytomation, Denmark). The tested sections were incubated with antibodies for 1h at room temperature. The subsequent incubations involved biotinylated antibodies (15min, room temperature) and a streptavidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex (15min, room temperature) (LSAB+, HRP, DakoCytomation, Denmark). NovaRed (Vector Laboratories, UK) was used as a chromogen (10min, at room temperature). All the sections were counterstained with Meyer’s hematoxylin. In every case, control reactions were included, in which specific antibody was substituted by the Primary Mouse Negative Control (DakoCytomation, Denmark).2.3. Evaluation of Reaction IntensityThe intensity of immunohistochemical reactions was estimated independently by two pathologists.

The hospitalization lengths of total, male, Dovitinib supplier and female STEMI were not significantly changed over the 10-year period. The hospitalization lengths of total and female NSTEMI were not significantly changed over the 10 year period, but were increased in male NSTEMI in 2005~2006 and 2007~2008. The hospitalization lengths of AMI, STEMI, and NSTEMI were similar between male and female over the 10-year period. Figure 4Hospitalization lengths of total, male, and female acute myocardial infarction (AMI, (a)), ST elevation MI (STEMI, (b)), or non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI, (c)) from 1999 to 2008.Table 2 shows the average hospitalization age, hospitalization cost, and hospitalization lengths of AMI between medical centers and non-medical centers.

As compared to non-medical centers, the hospitalization cost of total, female, and male AMI was larger in medial center. The hospitalization lengths of total and male AMI were longer in medical center, but the hospitalization lengths of female AMI were similar between medical center and non-medical center. In STEMI, the hospitalization cost of total and male patients was larger in medial center than in non-medical center, but was not significantly different in female patients (P = 0.07). The hospitalization lengths of total STEMI were longer in medical center than in non-medical center, but were not significantly different in male (P = 0.06) or female (P = 0.11) patients. In NSTEMI, the hospitalization cost of total, male, and female patients was larger in medical center than in non-medical center. The hospitalization lengths of total (P = 0.

09), male (P = 0.18), and female (P = 0.29) patients were similar between medical center and non-medical center. The hospitalization age of AMI and STEMI was similar between center and non-center both in male and female gender. However, the hospitalization age of NSTEMI was younger in medical center than in non-medical center. Table 2Differences between medical center and non-medical center.Because the average hospitalization cost from 1999�C2008 is close to NT 10670, therefore, we choose this value (10000 NT dollars) for grouping. Figure 5 showed the comparisons between the patients with higher (��10000 NT dollar/day) or lower (<10000 NT dollar/day) hospitalization cost. The higher hospitalization cost in total and male patients with AMI and STEMI was younger and admitted shorter than the lower hospitalization cost total and male patients with AMI and STEMI, respectively. However, the age in higher and lower hospitalization cost was similar in female patients with Carfilzomib AMI and STEMI and similar in total, male, and female NSTEMI patients.

Sections were stained with DAB (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) and counterstained selleck chemical U0126 with mayer hematoxylin and analyzed by using a light microscope. The apoptotic index was defined as the number of apoptotic TUNEL-positive cells in 20 circular seminiferous tubule cross-sections per testis section. Each section was examined by two persons blind to the treatments and the average was taken [9].Immunohistochemistry procedure for active caspase-3 (AB3623, Millipore, Temecula, CA, USA, and Polyclonal antibody) was also performed. After deparaffinization and rehydration, sections were then treated with 10mM citrate buffer (Cat No. AP-9003-125 LabVision) (pH 6) in a microwave oven for 5minutes. Then sections were washed with PBS and incubated in a solution of 3% H2O2 for 5min at room temperature to inhibit endogenous peroxidase activity.

After washing with PBS sections were incubated with normal serum blocking solution at 37��C for 30min. Sections were again incubated in a humid chamber for 18h at +4��C with antibody active caspase-3 (1/100); thereafter with biotinylated IgG, and then with streptavidin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase at 37��C for 30min each prepared according to kit instructions (Invitrogen-Plus Broad Spectrum 85-9043). Sections were finally stained with DAB (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) and counter-stained with mayer hematoxylin and analyzed by using a light microscope. 2.5. Statistical AnalysisAll data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test using SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Values are presented as mean �� SD.

Differences between the two groups were examined with Brefeldin_A the Mann-Whitney U-test. P < 0.05 is considered statistically significant.3. Results3.1. Biochemical AnalysisFigure 1 presents the GPx enzyme activities in testis tissue. When we analyzed GPx enzyme activities, we observed that I/R significantly decreased the GPx enzyme activities in the testis compared to control and sham groups (P < 0,005 and P < 0,003, resp.). However pretreatment with LA increased the GPx enzyme activities as compared to I/R group (P = 0,007). There was no significant difference observed between control and sham groups (Figure 1).Figure 1Effects of ischemia/reperfusion (2h torsion 720�� in a clockwise direction and 2h detorsion of the testis) and LA (100mg/kg ip, 30minutes prior to detorsion) on GPx levels of rat testes. Data are mean �� …Testis SOD enzyme activities decreased significantly in I and I/R groups when compared to control and sham groups (P < 0,05 and P < 0,01, resp.). LA pretreatment increased SOD enzyme activities significantly compared to I and I/R groups (P < 0,01 and P < 0,01, resp.). There was no significant difference observed between control and sham groups (Figure 2).

2% along 720 minutes, PHBV microparticles showed DE of 73.3% (M1R5), http://www.selleckchem.com/products/chir-99021-ct99021-hcl.html 78.6% (M1R10), and 88.9% (M1R20). For PCL microparticles, DE of 52.2, 78.0, and 85.0% was obtained for M2R5, M2R10, and M2R20, respectively. Previous papers reported that a high DE was verified for pharmaceutical dosage forms of immediate release while a lower value was indicative of a controlled release behavior [46, 47]. The release profiles were fitted to mathematical models, and the selection of the best model considered the correlation coefficient (r), the model selection criteria (MSC), and the graphic adjustment. Resveratrol and PHBV/PCL microparticles were better fitted to the biexponential equation (Table 4) than other models. The burst-release apparent rate constant (��) and the slow-release apparent rate constant (��) for resveratrol and PHBV/PCL microparticles are reported in Table 4.

Table 4Release data obtained by fitting the dissolution profiles of pure resveratrol and PHBV/PCL microparticles to the biexponential equation. These results demonstrated that PHBV/PCL microparticles reduced the drug dissolution rate, nevertheless without changing its release model. The first stage of release was initially rapid (burst release) whereas the second stage of release was slow (controlled release). The burst release can help to reach the effective concentration of resveratrol rapidly in plasma, whereas the controlled release would maintain the effective concentration of drug in plasma for a long time [22].

Moreover the poor bioavailability of resveratrol due to its rapid metabolism, including its conjugation with sulfate in the intestinal mucosa, and elimination could be partially avoided by microencapsulation, thus prolonging its biological half-time in vivo. Concerning the mathematical modeling fitting the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, PHBV microparticles showed n values of 1.23 (M1R5), 0.89 (M1R10), and 1.28 (M1R20). For PCL microparticles, n values of 0.65, 0.57, and 0.73 were obtained for M2R5, M2R10, and M2R20, respectively. PHBV microparticles presented values of n greater than 0.85 indicating that the release mechanism is governed by erosion [27]. Considering that PHBV is an aqueous-insoluble polymer, the process can occur by sequential stages of entrance of water and drug release. Otherwise PCL microparticles revealed values of n between 0.43 and 0.85.

These intermediate values are related to an anomalous behavior, a non-Fickian kinetics corresponding to the superposition of diffusion and erosion phenomena [27].3.8. Antioxidant PotentialIn order to explore whether the microencapsulation has influence on antioxidant capacity of resveratrol, HOCl-scavenging activity and ABTS radical cation AV-951 discoloration assay of pure resveratrol and resveratrol-loaded microparticles at the same drug concentrations were compared.

For CONTROL-E40 (Figure 7(c)) the negative bias extends along the Andes into the things Peruvian Amazonia, northern Bolivia, and parts of Brazilian Amazonia and central Brazil. Positive biases are few and small for the latter run.During the equinox seasons (MAM, Figures 6(b), 7(b) and SON, 6(d), 7(d), resp.) important regional differences are also present. In particular during autumn, for CONTROL-EC4, an extended cool bias extends from the Andes and Altiplano, the northern Gran Chaco and the Selva Paranaense, with minor warm biases near the Equator and over the Argentine Humid Pampas. For CONTROL-E40 the negative bias practically spans all the Brazilian territory, and only limited warming appears over the Humid Pampas.

During spring (Figures 6(d) and 7(d)) the cool bias is mostly confined to the Andes and to the Altiplano in both runs, though for CONTROL-E40 the bias does extend into the low lands of Amazonia and Chaco alongside the mountain range. For both runs sizeable warm biases appear in the Humid Pampas, as well as over northeastern Brazil.RCMs in general, partly due to the inherent problems in the source AGCMs, have similar problems [23�C25]. In this case a particular feature is the strong positive bias in summer, mostly over the Pampas region. AM10 and [23, 25] using PRECIS with HadAM3P did not obtain as large a bias there. Hence, this feature could in principle be due to problems in the ECHAM4 Baseline driver, due to land surface process representation in the AGCM. Yet, because it is also present in ERA-40-driven runs, this suggests that this feature could be at least partially due to the domain considered.

In winter AM10 shows a warm bias in the northeast corner of our domain, albeit a weaker one, which however is not present in CONTROL-E40, suggesting that this feature could be related to the AGCMs driving PRECIS. However, comparison with AM10 biases over the domain shows that their run has a cold bias, mainly in summer, over most of Brazil.3.3. Model Response to Land-Use ChangesBoth ERA-40- and ECHAM4-driven PRECIS can thus reasonably represent during the 1960�C2000 period, in agreement with the previous RCM literature, the main climate features within the chosen domain. Therefore, using both of these drivers, PRECIS is now applied to study the model’s response to deforestation/land-use change on the domain as given in mean seasonal precipitation and temperature simulations.

The runs span the same period 1960�C2000, with the original land-use scenario included in the RCM (CONTROL-E40 and CONTROL-EC4 runs), the 2002 state of land-use [16] labeled MAP1 runs (MAP1-E40 and MAP1-EC4, resp.), and a hypothetical vegetation/land/use map proposed by Nepstad et al. [7] simulating AV-951 the state of Amazonia in 2030, as shown in Figure 1, labeled MAP2 runs (MAP2-E40 and MAP2-EC4, resp.).3.3.1.

Third, implementers of the program in different grades were invited to participate in the study. Fourth, this is the first known scientific study of focus group KPT-330 evaluation of a positive youth development program based on program implementers in China. Finally, this is also the first focus group evaluation study based on such a large sample of program implementers in the global context.Based on the integrative analyses, two salient observations can be highlighted from the findings collected from different cohorts of students. First, the program was perceived positively from the perspective of the program implementers (Tables (Tables33 and and4).4). The program implementers generally used positive descriptors and metaphors to describe the program.

Although some implementers perceived the program in a negative light, this is not the dominant view. Second, results in Table 5 show that the program had a beneficial effect on the participants, with 78% of the responses coded as positive. Generally speaking, benefits in both the personal and interpersonal levels were observed. The above observations are generally consistent with the qualitative evaluation findings based on the program participants reported by Shek and Sun in this special issue. In short, different stakeholders had positive perceptions of the program, program implementers, and perceived benefits of the program. Based on the principle of triangulation, the present study and the previous findings suggest that based on both quantitative and qualitative evaluation findings collected from program participants and program implementers, research findings suggest that the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.

A.T.H.S. is effective in promoting holistic development of the program participants.There is a growing trend for using focus group methodology in order to understand the views of stakeholders in the field of evaluation, and the number of qualitative evaluation studies is increasing in the field. For example, Chen et al. [28] employed different evaluation methods (including qualitative evaluation) and pointed out that there were several Entinostat limitations in employing participatory evaluation with at-risk youth. Mahoney et al. [29] used qualitative methodology to evaluate a tobacco prevention program among 5th grade students using impressions from classroom teachers and program presenters. Pedersen et al. [30] examined relationship quality in a community mentoring program via qualitative methodology. O’Rourke and Key [31] evaluated a school-based youth development peer group with integrated medical care using focus groups. Scheer and Gavazzi [32] used focus groups to evaluate the program ��Families and Systems Teams Initiative.