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Osteosarcomas are bone tumors that frequently metastasize to the lung. Aberrant expression of the transcription factor, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), is a key pathological feature in osteosarcoma and associated with loss of p53 and miR-34 expression. Elevated RUNX2 may transcriptionally activate genes mediating tumor progression and metastasis, including the RUNX2 target gene osteopontin (OPN/SPP1). This gene encodes a secreted matricellular protein produced by osteoblasts to regulate bone matrix remodeling and tissue calcification. Here we investigated whether and how the RUNX2/OPN axis regulates lung metastasis of osteosarcoma. Importantly, RUNX2 depletion attenuates lung metastasis of osteosarcoma cells in vivo. Using next-generation RNA-sequencing, protein-based assays, as well as the loss- and gain-of-function approaches in selected osteosarcoma cell lines, we show that osteopontin messenger RNA levels closely correlate with RUNX2 expression and that RUNX2 controls the levels of secreted osteopontin. Elevated osteopontin levels promote heterotypic cell-cell adhesion of osteosarcoma cells to human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, but not in the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Collectively, these findings indicate that the RUNX2/OPN axis regulates the ability of osteosarcoma cells to attach to pulmonary endothelial cells as a key step in metastasis of osteosarcoma cells to the lung.

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Esta investigación tiene por objetivo estudiar los Indicadores de Cambio Genéricos (ICG) en psicoterapias con adolescentes, realizadas en contexto natural. Específicamente focaliza en la evolución de los ICG al interior de la etapa inicial de la terapia y su relación con la adherencia al tratamiento. Participaron 19 adolescentes, con diferentes diagnósticos, en modalidad de terapia individual de diferentes orientaciones teóricas. Evaluadores entrenados identificaron los ICG en las tres sesiones iniciales. Los resultados indican que se observa una evolución al interior de la etapa inicial de la terapia, en el sentido de un predominio de los indicadores jerárquicamente más bajos en la primera sesión en relación a la segunda y la tercera. Además los ICG máximos alcanzados en la fase inicial permiten predecir en forma significativa la probabilidad de terminar el proceso terapéutico.

This research is focused on the study Generic Change Indicators (GCI) in psychotherapies with adolescents conducted in natural settings. Specifically, it is centered on the evolution of GCI during the initial stage of therapy and their relation with treatment adherence. The participants were 19 adolescents with various diagnoses, who were receiving individual therapy with different theoretical approaches. Trained raters identified the CGI in the three initial sessions. The results reveal an evolution during the initial therapy stage, with hierarchically lower indicators dominating the first session and then decreasing in the second and third. In addition, the maximum CGI reached in the initial phase significantly predict the likelihood of completing the therapeutic process.

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BACKGROUND: Home visiting is effective for the promotion and prevention of mother-child health in other countries, especially in vulnerable populations such as pregnant teenagers. AIM: To evaluate the association between receiving a home visiting program during pregnancy and child development during the first year of life, maternal mental health, perception of social support and school attendance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional assessment of 132 teenage mother-sibling pairs. Of these, 87 received home visits and 45 were randomly assigned to a control group. The assessed variables were maternal mental health, perception of social support, life satisfaction, incorporation of mothers to school after delivery, child development and frequency of child abuse and neglect. RESULTS: Mothers that received home visits had a better mental health and went back to school in a higher proportion. No significant differences between groups were observed on perception of social support or child development. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the effectiveness of domiciliary visits performed by non-professionals, to improve mental health and social integration of teenage mothers.

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Background: Home visiting is effective for the promotion and prevention of mother-child health in other countries, especially in vulnerable populations such as pregnant teenagers. Aim: To evalúate the association between receiving a home visiting program duringpregnancy and child development during thefirstyear oflife, maternal mental health, perception of social support and school attendance. Material and Methods: Cross sectional assessment of 132 teenage mother-sibling pairs. Ofthese, 87 received home visits and 45 were randomly assigned to a control group. The assessed variables were maternal mental health, perception of social support, Ufe satisfaction, incorporation of mothers to school after delivery, child development and frequency of child abuse and neglect. Results: Mothers that received home visits had a better mental health and went back to school in a higherproportion. No significant differences between groups were observed on perception of social support or child development. Conclusions: These results suggest the effectiveness of domiciliary visits performed by non-professionals, to improve mental health and social integration of teenage mothers.

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A home visit intervention program for adolescents throughout their pregnancy and during the early stages of motherhood was evaluated. The participants (N = 90) were part of a larger group of adolescents treated in two health centers in a poor neighborhood in Santiago, Chile. The program was carried out by volunteer community health monitors and evaluated through an experimental, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Cost-effectiveness was examined in comparison with standard health care. Results show higher scores for the intervention group on the mothers' mental health and nutritional state, as well as on the children's levels of linguistic development.

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